SHEPHERD'S HERB
PENIX-PETASITES OFFICINALIS Mönch.
(P.hybridus (L.) Gartn.) (Compositae-fam.)
Where it is found: It is found almost everywhere, along the edges of springs and streams, in wet and stony places.
Structure: Rhizome creeping. Stem up to 50 cm. high, thick, leafless, white or reddish, spider web-like hairy flowers and a stalk, appear in spring before the leaves appear. Leaves are very large, kidney or heart-shaped, bare on the upper surface, hairy on the lower surface. Leaf stalks are hollow, double-edged towards the leaf base. Flowers are tubular, forming a cluster-shaped flower cluster from male and female baskets grouped together.
Kullanılan Kısımlar: Yapraklar ve köksap kullanılır. Yapraklar bitkinin çiçek açmasında, körpe iken (Mayıs, Haziran aylarında) toplanır. Gölgede veya 40 dereceye kadar ısılı fırınlarda kurutulur. Kuru yaprakların yüzü yeşil, alt kısmı adeta beyaz (trikomların bulunmasından dolayı) renkte, kokusuz ve acı tattadır. Rutubet payı %12 dir. Balya halinde paketlenir.
Köksaplar güzün bitki solmaya başladığında (Eylül-Kasım aylarında) yerden çıkarılır. Gölgede veya 45 dereceye kadar ısılı fırınlarda kurutulur. Rutubet payı %12 dir. Torbalarda veya balya halinde paketlenir.
Chemical Composition: Leaves contain inulin, essential oil, lipoids, invert sugar, glucose equivalent bitter substances, tanning substances, resin, choline, helmeler etc.
In Which Diseases Is It Used: The plant has a soothing effect on inflamed glands against cough. It is used in the treatment of all kinds of cough (bronchitis, cold, bronchial asthma).
Folk medicine recommends using shepherd's wort against whooping cough, appetite, indigestion and gas.
Fresh leaves are applied externally to wounds and boils.
Usage: In our folk medicine, the leaves of the white shepherd's herb (Petasites albus (L.) Gartn.) are also used for the same diseases.
