The Mezereon is a bush with a height of 30-180 cm. It has yellowish-gray bark and upright stems. The leaves are arranged alternately at the ends of the branches, elongated lanceolate. The flowers are fragrant, butterfly-shaped with a hyacinth-like aroma, the petals are dark pink or red in color. Every spring, as the snow has melted, the flowers bloom on bare stems, as they have been placed in the nests of the previous year's leaves. This phenomenon is called cauliflory. Fruits are juicy, bright red drupes, covering the stem and branches below the leaves.

For medicinal purposes, the bark of Mezereon is basically used. It is harvested before the plant has started to bloom - in early spring and the first half of summer. After cutting off the branches, the bark is cut into thin strips and laid out in a single layer on drying screens in a well-ventilated and dry place. While the bark is still wet, you can only touch it with gloves, because the plant is poisonous and can cause skin damage, but in case of prolonged contact, the plant can cause poisoning of the whole body. It is customary to collect the fruits of the Mezereon - at the end of summer. They require specialized forced drying at low temperatures.

Most of its medicinal properties are due to the plant's poisonous resin mezerein and glycoside daphnin, which suppresses vitamin K. These substances are found in all parts of the plant. The bark of Mezereon contains resins, waxes, vegetable fats and gums. The fruit contains glycoside coccognin, coumarin, pigments, sugar and essential oils.

Medicinal significance

Scientists have found that Mezereon has laxative, antibacterial, sleep-promoting and phytoncide effects, but treatment with it is dangerous. Coumarin daphnin and daphnetin have anticoagulant and antibiotic activity, their sum also has an antitumor effect. Meserein, according to experimental studies, is able to produce antileukemic activity. Currently, this plant is being studied as a potential plant against thrombophlebitis and various types of tumors. This is one of the few plants whose potential is recognized by official medicine.

In folk medicine, Mezereon is a popular plant. Fruit decoctions and infusions are recommended as a laxative and fever reducer.

Extracts, extracts and ointments from the fruits of Mezereon and extracts from the bark are used for the treatment of ascites and thrombosis, used as a remedy for diarrhea, vomiting and against helminths, can be used against cough, toothache, tumors of the throat and digestive tract, stomach cancer, dysentery, jaundice, as well as conjunctivitis and dermatomycoses.

Externally, Mezereon is used against neuralgia, radiculitis, sciatica, gout, paralysis, polyarthritis and joint pain.

Not recommended for use

In case of poisoning, it is necessary to immediately seek the help of a doctor, because the plant is so poisonous that doctors may not be able to save your life!

All parts of the plant are poisonous. Even the honey collected from it is poisonous. Inhaling the dust from the bark of this plant irritates the mucous membranes, which will cause runny nose, coughing and sneezing. If these particles get into the eyes, conjunctivitis will develop. Touching the plant with bare hands can also cause minor burns on the skin.

In case of poisoning with Mezereon , there is a burning sensation in the mouth, pain in the stomach, salivation, then nausea, vomiting and diarrhea begin.

A lot of fluid is lost, there is a feeling of weakness, dizziness and convulsions. Under the influence of irritating mezerin, bleeding ulcers form in the digestive tract. Derivatives of oxycoumarin and glycoside daphnin reduce blood coagulation and the presence of blood appears in vomitus and feces.

In case of poisoning with Mezereon , you should urgently consult a doctor, but this is not a guarantee that the doctor will be able to save the person, because this plant significantly affects (slows down) the heartbeat.

This plant should not be given to children, pregnant and nursing mothers, elderly people (whose body is weakened by diseases). The plant should also not be used in case of internal bleeding, heart failure, tachycardia and arrhythmia.