Anabasis: medicinal properties and contraindications.

Anabasis (hedgerow) is a plant in the family of the Marecchia family. The plant looks like a semi-shrub or herb with poorly developed foliage. In medicine, a spread of Anabasis leafless. It is distinguished by its antiseptic properties and ability to reduce nicotine addiction. However, this plant is very poisonous, so you can take it at your own risk after consulting a doctor.

Chemical Composition

Each part of the plant contains alkaloids. Most of them were found in the annual green shoots of the plant. In the flowers and fruits of the plant, they are less, and in the roots and only their traces. Therefore, for medicinal purposes the above-ground parts of the plant are used. The plants contain the following alkaloids:

• anabasin;
• aphylline;
• affillidine;
• Oxyaphylline;
• oxyaphyllidine.

The main alkaloid is considered to be anabasin. It makes up about 55-60% of the total substance. It is a colorless liquid that dissolves easily in water. When it interacts with organic solvents, it gives organic and mineral acids. In the process of anabasin oxidation, nicotinic acid is formed. It is similar to nicotine in all parameters, including composition and effect on the body. But this alkaloid makes the plant poisonous.

In addition to alkaloids, anabasis contains proteins, fats, fiber and starch. It has also been found to contain pectin, ash, sodium, potassium and some other rare substances.

What it looks like and where it grows

The plant looks like a small globular semi-shrub, not more than 70-80 cm in height, and its diameter can reach 140 cm. Distinguished by a powerful root system, the length of the main root can reach up to 20 m, which allows it to obtain moisture from groundwater. The plant has numerous stems that begin to branch at the base. The lower part of the stems is woody. Young green shoots grow from them, they are cylindrical in shape and colored green. The leaves of anabasis are poorly developed and almost invisible.

The flowers of anabasis are small, forming dense spike-like inflorescences. At the top of the plant are the fruits. They are red-orange in color and rounded, flattened on the sides.

Anabasis is propagated by seeds, and the flowering period falls in late summer and early fall. Ripening of the flowers occurs in mid-autumn. Usually, artificially planted anabasis does not start blooming in the first year of growth.

This species is widespread among the plains of Kazakhstan, in eastern Asia and in Azerbaijan. It is also found in the southeastern regions of Russia. Anabasis prefers to grow in the plains and foothills, most often on clay soil. It can also be found on the slopes of mountain peaks, up to 350-400 m high. Single shrubs can be found in thickets of weeds, but large groups are found in the valleys of rivers and lakes. In Central Asia, the plant is cultivated artificially on an industrial scale.

Anabasis is adapted to grow in the desert zone in high heat. It grows well at temperatures up to 45 degrees and in the absence of precipitation for several months. It's all about its powerful root system, which allows it to conserve moisture and reach deep groundwater. Finding anabasis in summer in the desert is easy - it is one of the few plants that remains green.

Species

There are several major varieties of this plant. All of them mainly grow in Central Asia, but some species have adapted to life in some regions of Siberia.

1. Anabasis saltwort. This is a small plant with stems. It rarely exceeds 25-30 cm in height. Branches are woody, with annual annual shoots that die off at the end of autumn. The lower leaves are well developed, but their size does not exceed 5 mm. The middle ones are a little worse developed, the upper ones are underdeveloped. The flowers of this anabasis are small, gathered in spike-like inflorescences. In the upper part of the plant grows fruits, they have a rounded, slightly oblong shape. They contain a lot of bright red liquid. For the most part, this species is found in Central Asia, but can also be found in the Caucasus, western Russia and western Siberia.
2. Anabasis Syr Darya. A perennial plant with a long root from which grows branched shoots up to 30 cm long. The leaves are rounded, oblong, not exceeding 5 mm in length. Flowers are in the axils of the leaves. Fruits are absent. Occurs only in Central Asia.
3. Shortleaf Anabasis. Semishrub, not more than 15 cm in height. Shoots are branched, dense, cylindrical in shape. The plant itself is bare. The few leaves are oblong, slightly convex from below, fleshy. They are no more than 5 mm long. Flowers are located in the axils of the leaves. The fruits of the plant are egg-shaped, dry.
4. Anabasis chalky. A small plant, not exceeding 15 cm in height. Has numerous stems, which are arranged very tightly to each other. Their diameter does not exceed 3 mm. The leaves are egg-shaped and have flowers in their axils. The fruit can be purple or orange and has an ovoid shape. Widespread in Europe, Central Asia and even Siberia. It is also found in the south of Russia. In some regions the plant is listed in the Red Book.

Collection and storage

The raw material should be harvested during the period when it contains the highest concentration of anabasis and other constituents. Generally it is harvested in summer. It is necessary to collect medicinal raw materials in sunny weather, away from highways and factories. Before collecting the plant, it is advisable to protect your hands with gloves, because the substances contained can cause poisoning, even through the skin. Use a sharp tool to cut off the top of the plant to a length of 25 cm. In order not to lead to the destruction of the species, it is important to adhere to certain rules:

1. Do not cut the bushes completely. It is necessary to leave at least 1/3 of the shoots.
2. Take a break every 3-4 years. This will give the plant a chance to renew itself.

First, all the cut shoots should be put in a pile. You can leave them directly in the field. Next, prepare the plant before the final drying - cut into small pieces, no more than 3 cm long and no more than 4-5 mm thick. This can be done with a silage cutter. Dry anabasis should be in a well-ventilated room. An excellent option in the summer would be an attic. If the weather is good, you can spread the raw material outdoors, in the shade of a tree. It is necessary to choose such a place, so that there is no direct sunlight. Also special dryers can be used for drying raw materials.

Dried raw material is suitable for use as a medicine for no more than 2 years. It is also important to observe all the rules of storage of poisonous plants. It is desirable to store it separately from other plants, and food products. You can store it both in a cloth bag and in a glass jar, but it is desirable to sign the date of collection in order to determine the exact dates.

Commercial harvesting
This plant has been harvested on a large scale since Soviet times. After the war, the demand for it jumped, and the need reached 16 thousand tons. There is still a high demand for this plant today.

It is currently being harvested in several regions of Kazakhstan. A long time ago, special work was carried out to find anabasis thickets. They are now known, but it is also cultivated artificially. On the plains, anabasis is found as solitary shrubs. Large thickets have been found in river valleys, although they are few. In addition, they are not suitable for industrial processing because they contain little of the main alkaloid, anabasin.

Also over time it was discovered that the stocks of the plant are gradually decreasing, so the rules of collection were introduced. It was found out by experience that in order to restore anabasis it is necessary to take a break in the collection of raw material every 3-4 years. The duration of the break is one year. Some sites do not have enough of such a break, and it has to be increased.

Turkmenistan or, to be more exact, the northern part of the country occupies the second place in anabasis harvesting. According to some reports, more than 30 hectares of this plant were found, but the area has decreased over time. But no commercial harvesting was carried out here, which made it possible to save the reserves for the future.

About 3 hectares of anabasis were found in Azerbaijan. The raw material was also not made from it due to low profitability because of transportation.

The plant is harvested on an industrial scale by means of special machinery. The upper parts of the shoots are cut off so as not to harm the plant. The harvesting technique leaves a small strip untouched. The cut shoots are placed in small piles, after drying thoroughly crushed. After that, the raw material is sifted so as not to miss impurities. Sifting also allows you to get rid of woody shoots, which are not suitable for use.

The plant is harvested during the summer and fall, before the onset of frost. From one bush you can get up to 2.4 kg of shoots. In the worst case - 600-800 g. In Kazakhstan, about 1000 kg of shoots can be harvested from one hectare. In rarer thickets, sometimes not even 50 kg can be harvested.

Throughout the flowering period, the amount of anabasin in anabasis varies. For example, in summer the highest concentration is observed, by fall its content decreases. But at the same time, the green mass increases, so at any time of the year collect about the same amount of raw materials.

Therapeutic properties of anabasis

Anabasis has found wide application in both traditional and folk medicine. The plant itself is not a drug compound, but its alkaloids (most frequently anabasin) are used to synthesize many medicines.

The main active ingredient is the alkaloid anabasin. It has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, but in large quantities can lead to paralysis. The constituent aphylline is distinguished by its anesthetic effect.

The components of the plant are used to prepare a preparation that allows you to successfully fight pests in the garden. It has the property of a poison and is used for spraying the plantings in order to disinfect them.

In folk medicine, it is used externally. Its ingestion can be dangerous. Medicines based on anabasis treat wounds for some diseases. The plant has an anti-mite, antimicrobial and bactericidal effect. It is all about its ability to penetrate the skin. It can get even those parasites that have settled deep in the skin, and other drugs can not affect them. But even when applied externally, this plant should be handled with caution.

In addition, anabasis is able to eliminate the symptoms caused by mite infestation. It contains antioxidants and antifungal components. However, it is not a miracle cure and can only act as an adjunct to basic therapy, not a complete substitute for it.

Anabasis can also be a help for people who quit smoking. Anabasin hydrochloride is synthesized from this plant and is sold in the form of tablets or gum. It is able to discourage cravings for smoking, as well as to ease the state after quitting this bad habit.

Anabasis in traditional medicine

Due to the high toxicity of the plant, its use in folk medicine is very limited. For health problems, only a tincture or decoction is used. It is also used to make a powder for wounds, but you can't make it yourself. In addition, it is used for pest control in vegetable gardens.

Pest control solution

You will need 800 g of shoots, which were collected before the beginning of flowering, 41 l of water and 50 g of laundry soap. Anabasis shoots need to be fresh. They should be dried a little, crushed, then pour water and leave to infuse for a day, gradually stirring. Then dilute an additional 10 liters of water and rub the soap. Then mix thoroughly, after which the remedy is ready for use. Vegetable crops can be treated with it. This remedy is excellent against leaf-eating caterpillars, various fleas and some bloomers.

Decoction against demodex

To prepare the medicine, the leaves of anabasis will be required. When collecting them, you should take into account that in summer the concentration of anabasin in them is the highest. In the fall, it decreases slightly, but it still remains in dangerous quantities. To prepare a decoction, you need to pour warm water over anabasis leaves, then bring to a boil, and leave on the stove for 10-15 minutes. Rub the affected skin no more than 3 times a day. It is recommended to keep the remedy for no more than 2 hours, then rinse the skin thoroughly. You can also use the decoction and for washing, in which case the course of treatment can last until full recovery.

Alcoholic tincture for the skin

Alcoholic tincture is no less effective for demodex as decoction. Unlike tinctures on other herbs, it is prepared in only 4-6 days. However, vodka is not suitable for preparation, you need a 70% alcohol solution. Mix crushed anabasis with alcohol in a ratio of 1:2. Then mix thoroughly, cover and put in a dark place. After 5 days, take out the tincture and strain. Store it in the same container where it was infused, you can not, so you need to find a new vessel, sign the container with the tincture and keep out of reach of children. It is strictly prohibited to take the tincture inside.

Apply the tincture to the face with a cotton swab no more than 2 times a day. Improvements can be seen in a week or two. It is also important to apply the tincture in small amounts to avoid burns from the alcohol, and wash it off the face after 60 minutes.

Decoction from parasites

You will need 800 g of dried herbs and 5 liters of water. The herb pour 5 liters of water, then leave in a dark place to infuse, covered with a lid. The next day bring to a boil and boil for 30 minutes. Then strain and cool. Sprinkle the decoction on plants against spider mite, codling moth or weevils.

Mite powder

It is prepared from the stems of the dried plant. To prepare the medicine, grind the raw material to powder and apply in small quantities to damaged areas of the skin. The powder also eases the symptoms of demodex. However, it is very dangerous, because anabasin can be absorbed through the blood, so before using such a remedy, it is better to consult a doctor to determine the dosage.

Types of medicinal compositions

Unlike other poisonous medicinal plants, the use of anabasis is limited. From lily of the valley, for example, even a tea is made. The fact is that anabasin, which is part of this plant, is excessively poisonous, a lethal dose is considered 2 or 3 drops. Therefore, only substances synthesized from this element are used internally. An infusion of anabasis is also not prepared because of its low effectiveness when used externally. In this respect, the tincture proves to be more effective.

Tincture

The tincture is prepared in alcohol. Only its external application is permitted. To prepare a tincture, you can use any part of the plant, but it is better to use leaves or flowers. First, grind the raw material thoroughly, then pour strong alcohol and put in a dark place for 5-7 days. It is desirable to insist the medicine in a glass jar. Then strain it through a thick cloth, you can use folded gauze several times (after that it is recommended to throw away).

Apply the tincture in small quantities, it effectively copes with demodecosis, which is caused by mites. Rub the sore spots in the morning and evening in small amounts.

Decoction

In Central Asia, a decoction of anabasis roots was used to treat tuberculosis. The fact is that the roots contain a minimal amount of alkaloids. First, they need to be washed from the ground, crushed and pour boiling water, then put on the fire and boil for another 30 minutes. However, this remedy was used a very long time ago, and there is no mention of the modern use of this medicine for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Contraindications to use

Because of its high poisonousness, the plant has a number of contraindications. Anabasin is a very strong poison for the body. It can cause poisoning by penetrating the skin, so even when applying the plant externally, you need to remember about the dosage. A lethal dose for humans is considered 3 drops of pure anabasin. Symptoms of mild poisoning are common: nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, rapid breathing, and accelerated heart rate. In severe poisoning, seizures, cold sweats and respiratory failure may occur, as well as delirium. It is important to help in a timely manner. Gastric lavage is recommended immediately. It is also advisable to stock up on vomiting medication, and in case of poisoning, consume it immediately. After that, activated charcoal should be taken. In addition, a number of additional therapeutic procedures will be required, including various enemas (saline, laxatives and purgatives).

It is also forbidden to take in any form to pregnant women, nursing mothers, with high blood pressure, poor blood clotting and atherosclerosis.

Anabasis is an excellent remedy for some skin diseases and garden pests. However, you should not forget the high danger of the plant. This is when self-medication can be deadly.

Photo of anabasis