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The Sweet Vernal-grass is a perennial plant 10-50 cm tall (rarely up to 70 cm), sparsely hairy. The aerial part and rhizomes have a strong and pleasant aroma due to the content of coumarins. Leaves 2-5mm wide. Spikelets in thick spike-like green-brown brushes. Inflorescences 3-6 cm long and 1 cm wide, spikes single-flowered, large (about 5 mm long).
Reproduces with the help of seeds, fruits-grains spread with the help of animals, clinging to their wool. Blooms in early summer (June-July). Vegetation period is short, usually ends before harvest time.
The above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Harvest it during the flowering period. Dry in warm, well-ventilated rooms or in the shade. The plant is also harvested for veterinary medicinal purposes, as well as dietary fodder to prepare hay infusions and decoctions. Store the plant in dry rooms.
It should be noted that the Sweet Vernal-grass contains essential substances and during its flowering, you can get hay fever when you collect it.
The chemical composition of Sweet Vernal-grass has been little studied. Currently, it is known about the presence of aromatic substances (coumarins) in the upper part of the plant, especially during its flowering. The well-dried herb contains extractives (35-51%), protein (5-10%), fat (1-3%), fiber (18-38%), alkali (4-7%). Carotene (<52mg).
Medicinal significance
Sweet Vernal-grass has medicinal properties, specifically sedative, pain-relieving, sedative, anti-emetic, mild laxative and diuretic. The plant soothes a strong spasmodic cough, vomiting, it has the aroma of freshly cut hay.
In folk medicine, the above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes - infusions and decoctions. Sweet Vernal-grass is popularly praised as an effective sedative, diuretic, sedative, pain reliever, emetic, tonic, emollient, heart-stimulating and sleep-promoting agent. Its valuable properties are used to treat lung diseases. A decoction and infusion of Sweet Vernal-grass helps in cases of shortness of breath, headache, pulmonary tuberculosis, nausea and vomiting, nervous system disorders, insomnia and rheumatic pain.
Inhalation or infusion of the fresh plant helps with shortness of breath.
People's scientists recommend the use of Sweet Vernal-grass as a sedative for the central nervous system, for strengthening the functioning of the digestive tract and peristalsis.
The alcohol extract of the Sweet Vernal-grass is used (a few drops, diluted with water) in the case of dizziness to calm the nervous system, prevent upper respiratory tract infections, can be effectively used for coughs and colds, as well as for the treatment of gall bladder juice blockage, hepatitis, gastritis, kidney stones.
The bactericidal properties of the plant are used for quick wound healing.