The cattail is erect or kalgan - a perennial herbaceous plant from the family rosaceous with a large root. It is distributed practically on all territory of Eurasia. Often, to distinguish it from the calgary from the ginger family that grows in Indonesia and South China, the cobweb is called wild kalgan or kalgan grass.
The Kalgan root has many useful properties and is used both in folk medicine and in cooking (as a seasoning, for making tinctures).
The healing properties of the root of the Kalgan
The root of kalgan contains tannins, flavonoids, organic acids, fatty acids, vitamins, including a large amount of vitamin C, glycosides, gum, resins and waxes, a rich set of trace elements. Preparations based on Kalgan have bactericidal, blood-restoring, antiseptic, analgesic, choleretic, astringent and wound-healing properties.
Inside the broths and tinctures with the root of the Kalgan take with diarrhea, enterocolitis, enteritis, dysentery, gastritis, gastric ulcer, as a choleretic agent for jaundice, cholecystitis, hepatitis. In addition to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the calgan broth is used for stomatitis, gingivitis, other inflammations of the oral cavity, and also for angina.
Outwardly the root of the Kalgan is used for wounds, burns, frostbite, eczema and inflammation of the skin of various origin, neurodermatitis, skin cracks. In addition, in modern medicine, decoction of the root of the Kalgan is used in the treatment of uterine bleeding and hemorrhoids.
Kalgan root - contraindications and side effects
Due to its chemical composition, the root of the Kalgan reduces the permeability of the capillaries, causing a narrowing of the vessels, and it is on this property that most contraindications to the use are based.
So, preparations with kalganom it is not recommended to use at:
- elevated temperature;
- hypertension;
- pregnancy;
- increased blood coagulability ;
- increased prothrombin index;
- low acidity of gastric juice.
Side effects that can occur when taking drugs with galangi include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. It is believed that these symptoms occur due to an increased content of tannic substances in the plant, and when observing dosages should not be observed.
How to brew and take the root of the Kalgan?
Both in traditional and in folk medicine, preparations with kalgan are used in the form of a decoction, tincture, extract, balm and powder.
Broth of Kalgan
To prepare a decoction, 30 grams of crushed root is poured into a glass of hot water and boiled for 20 minutes, after which it is filtered.
Take a decoction of 1 tablespoon an hour before meals, 3 times a day. Decoction of the root of the Kalgan is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, liver, gout, diarrhea, flatulence, colitis. Outer - as compresses, as a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the gums and skin, burns and purulent inflammation.
Tincture of the Kalgan
To make a tincture of 30 grams of kalgan root, pour 0.5 liters of alcohol (or good vodka) and insist in a dark place for three weeks, shaking at least once a day. Take tincture of 30 drops for half an hour before meals, diluting with water. External tincture is used for diseases of the oral cavity, wet eczema and burns.
Extract of the Kalgan
The product can be purchased at the pharmacy. 6 drops are taken (children 3-4 drops each) three times a day in the same cases as the tincture.
Balm with kalganom
Used as a therapeutic and prophylactic for peptic ulcer.
Powder of Kalgan
It is a root of a plant crushed to a powdery state. Used to powder wetting wounds and ulcers, as well as when preparing ointments from cracks. To prepare an ointment, 5 grams of powder is mixed with 100 grams of melted butter and aged for 3-4 minutes on a small fire. When the mixture cools, it is used to lubricate cracks on the heels , palms, lips.