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Perennial plant, up to 150 cm tall. The stem is single, erect, dense, grooved, bare or covered with soft hairs on the top, rhizome-like, grows up to 2 m deep. Root rosette leaves on stems, up to 30cm long and 15cm wide. The edges are jagged, the underside is bluish, the top is juicy green. Inflorescence cymes up to 12 cm in diameter, each with 20-40 rays. Flowers white, fruits elliptic cotyledons 4.5 mm long and 2 mm wide.
The above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. It is collected during the flowering period of the plant, from June to August. The plant is dried spread on sieves, in a shady and well-ventilated place. Seeds are also collected for medicinal purposes from August to September. The drug is stored in bags, away from light and heat. The drug can be stored for up to 1 year.
Moon Carrot is a plant that has been studied extensively by scientists. Coumarins, essential oils and polyacetylene compounds have been found in the roots of the plant.
The leaves of the plant contain flavonoids, including diosmin, hesperidin, scopoletin, quercetin, esculatin, essential oils and vitamin C. Kaempferol, quercetin and <0.1% coumarins were found in inflorescences. Vegetable fats and essential oils are found in the seeds, vegetable fats include stearic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid. The seeds also contain geraniol.
The essential oil in the aerial part of the plant contains transcaryophyllin (20%), spathulenol (12%), caryophyllene oxide (11%), euazarone (11%) and delta-cadinene (9%).
Medicinal significance
From pharmacological studies, this plant has been recognized as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. The plant extract was also tested against various types of pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract and found to be effective.
In folk medicine, Moon Carrot is used in the form of infusions and decoctions, it is used to treat the digestive tract, respiratory tract infections, fever and shortness of breath (suffocation). It is also useful for internal organ spasms and toothaches. Externally, Moon Carrot is used to treat various dermatological diseases and leucorrhoea.
A decoction of the seeds is used as a diuretic. Folk scientists recommend it in case of flatulence, digestive tract and colds.