Buckthorn
- (Rhamnus Cathartica.)
(Other names: Atestacı, Gunpowder Tree, Deer Thorn, Deer Thorn Tree, Saparilla, Adicehri (Rhamnus cathartica) It is from the Jujube family. Its homeland is Southern Europe and Anatolia. It grows wild in the mountainous areas of the Northern Anatolia region and as an ornamental plant in our parks and gardens. While it is generally a shrubby tree that can grow 2-3 m tall, it can sometimes be found as a specimen that grows up to 6-8 m.
Its leaves are pointed, oval or round in shape and bright green in color. Its yellowish white flowers bloom in summer and 3-5 flowers are together. Its ripening flowers first produce green round fruits. These fruits, which turn yellow towards autumn, are eaten by many birds. Later, the fruits, which ripen well and turn orange or even light red, are 6-8 mm in diameter, have a sour taste and are slightly bitter, and carry the seeds of the plant. The hawthorn plant, which loves sunny places, is not selective in terms of soil. It can be propagated from seeds as well as stem cuttings.
The fruits and leaves of the hawthorn plant contain substances called rhamnoxanthin and locaine, as well as anthraquinone derivatives and vitamin C.
In which diseases is it used: It has diuretic, slimming and purifying effects.
Sarsaparilla roots are recommended by folk medicine for kidney and bladder inflammation, sand and stones, bloody urination, liver pain, anorexia, syphilis, gonorrhea, urticaria, various eczemas, skin diseases, psoriasis, lupus (leukemia), scrofula, teenage acne, podagra, spurs, cystic, pyelitis, etc.
The medicinal effects of the plant and the methods of using them can be listed as follows:
1. Hawthorn plant is an effective and safe laxative.
2. It is a diuretic.
3. It also has a positive changing and corrective effect on body functions.
To achieve these effects, 2 teaspoons of the fruits and leaves of the hawthorn plant are put into 1 glass of boiled water and brewed for 10-15 minutes. The infusion thus obtained is drunk as 1 glass (in the morning) to be effective within 12 hours. Or 10 of the ripe fruits of the plant are eaten before breakfast.
The fruits and leaves of the plant can also be turned into medicine in other ways. They are collected in the fall and dried in the shade. The infusion is prepared and drunk as described above. Or a syrup is prepared by adding some sugar and water to the fruits of the plant and boiling them. A tablespoon of this syrup is taken before breakfast.
The above doses of hawthorn may cause nausea and diarrhea in some people. In this case, the dosage should be reduced.
