Medicinal Plants of Kyrgyzstan
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Medicinal substances of plant origin play a significant role in the creation of effective medicinal preparations. Currently, more than 50% of medicinal products are made from plants.
Over 1500 species of medicinal plants grow in the territory of the Soviet Union. However, only 200-300 species are used for the production of various medicinal preparations. Every year, about 30,000 tons of medicinal raw materials are harvested in our country.
In Kyrgyzstan, more than 200 species of medicinal plants have been identified. In addition, many alkaloid-bearing and other species containing medicinal substances grow in the republic. However, these plants are still poorly studied, although they can potentially be considered as plants providing medicinal raw materials. Thus, the nature of Kyrgyzstan is rich in medicinal plants. However, their use for the preparation of medicinal products is still limited. The Main Pharmacy Administration of Kyrgyzstan only harvests 15 species of medicinal plants. The remaining species have not yet been covered by them. However, private entrepreneurs use medicinal plants quite widely. In particular, a fairly rich assortment of medicinal herbs is presented by private sellers in the markets of Frunze. We believe that it is time to regulate the use of medicinal plants in Kyrgyzstan, transferring their harvesting and sale exclusively to state institutions.
Below we present some of the species of medicinal plants that grow in Kyrgyzstan.
Plants used for cardiovascular diseases
Golden Adonis. A herbaceous plant that grows in alpine meadows, near snow patches. The flowers are large and golden. It blooms in July and bears fruit in August. Infusions of the herb stimulate and regulate heart activity and dilate blood vessels.
Common Starwort. An annual weed plant found in gardens, parks, and fields with white star-shaped flowers. It is also called crystal herb. The fresh plant and its juice are used to improve heart function and "strengthen" the nerves.
Turkestan Motherwort. Also used to improve heart function.
Common Kochia. A weed plant that grows everywhere in populated areas. The plant is used as a stimulant for heart activity.
Wild Strawberry. Rarely found in the spruce forests of Kyrgyzstan. Its fruits positively affect heart function and contribute to nerve regulation.
Narrow-leaved Calligonum. A small tree or shrub found in street plantings and along riverbanks.
The leaves are lanceolate and silvery, the flowers are small, very fragrant, and bright yellow. The fruits have astringent taste.
An infusion of the flowers is used as a remedy to improve heart function.
Stinging Nettle. Beneficially affects the cardiovascular system.
Patrinia Media. A perennial herbaceous plant that grows on rocky slopes. An infusion of the roots and rhizomes is used as a calming agent for heart neuroses.
Turkestan Valerian. A perennial herbaceous plant with lyrate, finely dissected leaves; arranged oppositely on the stem. The flowers are pale purple. It blooms in June-July and bears fruit in August-September. It grows among shrubs in tall grass meadows in almost all regions of Kyrgyzstan. Sometimes it extends into the subalpine zone. It is used in medicine similarly to medicinal valerian, i.e., for neuroses of the cardiovascular system, as a calming agent for nervous excitement. The roots of Turkestan valerian have a specific smell; the flowers are pale pink or white and fragrant. It blooms in May and bears fruit in July.
It should be noted that harvesting the roots of Turkestan valerian should be done very carefully.
It is necessary to consider that this valuable plant is poorly studied, especially the processes of its renewal and its role in the formation of biogeocenoses. However, harvesters rarely take into account the renewal processes of valerian, which can lead to the degradation of this valuable medicinal plant.
An infusion of the roots is used for insomnia.
Plants used for insomnia
Medicinal Sweet Clover. A biennial herbaceous plant from the Legume family with yellow flowers in elongated racemes. It grows in fields, gardens, and orchards. Infusions of the herb are used for insomnia.
Common Oregano. A perennial herb with small purple fragrant flowers. It grows in meadows, forests, and among shrubs almost everywhere in Kyrgyzstan. The stems, leaves, and flowers are brewed like tea and consumed for insomnia.
Calendula or Marigold. Infusions are used for insomnia.
Turkestan Motherwort. A herbaceous plant that grows in meadows, with a square stem, opposite leaves, and two-lipped pinkish-purple flowers. Infusions are used for insomnia.
Marsh Thyme. A fragrant plant containing essential oils. It grows in steppes and meadow steppes. The stems, leaves, and flowers are used as an antiseptic, but thyme decoction is also used in folk medicine for insomnia.
Pelargonium. A widely distributed decorative houseplant with red flowers and kidney-shaped leaves. Before sleeping, it is recommended to inhale the aroma of pelargonium for 10 minutes. If the procedure is repeated over a 10-day period, sleep normalizes.
Calendula. An annual decorative and medicinal plant with a wide range of effects. Decoctions and infusions of the golden-yellow flowers and inflorescences normalize blood pressure.
Wild Strawberry. Normalizes blood pressure.
Shepherd's Purse. A widely distributed weed with triangular (like a purse) pods and small white flowers. In medicine, the above-ground part is used as a hemostatic agent. Fresh leaves are an anti-scurvy remedy. Shepherd's purse lowers blood pressure. Infuse 1 tablespoon of dry herb in a glass of boiling water for two hours: strain and take 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.
Spiny Burdock. A weed from the Asteraceae family. Decoction of the herb is used for heart disease and hypertension.
Stinking Hellebore. A perennial inconspicuous herb that was recently considered a weed of pastures. Recent studies have shown that stinking hellebore is a valuable medicinal plant. Infusions from its stems, leaves, and flowers lower blood pressure. It is currently used to treat hypertension. It grows in tall grass and subalpine meadows near forests in almost all regions of Kyrgyzstan.
Barberry, grapes, grapefruit, onion, olives, beets, dill, beans, garlic, mulberry, and other plants contribute to lowering blood pressure.
Burdock. Commonly found in gardens, dumps, along roads and housing, in gardens. There are two species of burdock — seedless and woolly. These are tall herbaceous plants with large leaves and clusters of small flowers. The seedless burdock has bare flower clusters, while the woolly burdock has web-like hairs.
The roots accumulate various substances that positively affect hair growth. Burdock roots should be harvested in the fall and used to wash the head with decoction 2-3 times a week. For greater effect, add calendula flower heads and hops. Boil 50-60 g of roots together with calendula and hops in 1 liter of water.
Burdock oil also positively affects hair growth and strengthening.
Canadian Small-leaved Plantain. An annual weed with small flower clusters. It grows in gardens, parks, and fields. Contains pleasant essential oil that enhances hair growth.
Common Scouring Rush. A fern with original feathery leaves. Decoction of scouring rush positively affects hair growth and makes it silky and shiny.
Stinging Nettle. Used for hair growth and strengthening in case of hair loss.
Garlic and Onion. Juice of garlic and onion, rubbed into the scalp before washing hair, promotes hair growth and strengthening.
Common Castor Bean. An annual tall plant cultivated in gardens and fields. Castor oil is widely used in medicine, but it is also used as a means to enhance hair growth. The oil is rubbed into the scalp.
Stinging Nettle. Widely distributed in gardens and orchards. This medicinal plant is used to treat many diseases. Nettle infusion is rubbed into the scalp for hair growth and strengthening in case of hair loss.
Western Thuja. Grown in cities and towns as a decorative plant. Infusions of its leaves influence hair growth.
Hops. Infusions of its "cones" are used to strengthen hair.
Black Poplar. Grows in street plantings. Infusion of buds and poplar ointment are used as a means to enhance hair growth.
Plants used for respiratory diseases as expectorants
Lanceolate Thermopsis. Grows in clayey meadows, sometimes in choyniks along the shores of lakes on slightly saline clay soil.
Preparations from thermopsis (tablets, extracts) are used for respiratory catarrh, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia as an expectorant.
In Kyrgyzstan, in addition to lanceolate thermopsis, alpine thermopsis grows. It is found in subalpine meadows. It is used similarly to lanceolate thermopsis.
Marsh Mallow. A perennial tall herbaceous plant up to 150 cm high. The flowers are large and pink, sitting in the axils of the upper and middle leaves. It grows near irrigation canals, along rivers, and in gorges.
The roots and rhizomes are used to prepare enveloping, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory preparations used for respiratory catarrh, gastritis, and diarrhea.
Smooth Licorice. Used for the preparation of anti-inflammatory medicinal products; as a laxative, diuretic, and expectorant. Ural licorice is used similarly.
Licorice roots are harvested in late autumn when they contain more glycyrrhizin — the sweet substance.
Coltsfoot. This amazing perennial plant blooms first and then unfolds its leaves. It grows in clayey places in river valleys, along riverbanks, and on washed soils. Decoction of leaves is used as an expectorant and emollient.
Horsetail Ephedra. It is harvested for obtaining ephedrine not only for the treatment of residents of Kyrgyzstan but also for the entire Soviet Union. Every year, 1000 tons of ephedra are harvested in Kyrgyzstan.
It is a xerophytic shrub, usually 50-60 cm high. However, some specimens reach 150 cm.
It grows on rocky-gravelly slopes, along the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where it forms ephedra communities.
The leaves are small, arranged in whorls in the form of whitish membranes, and the cones are red. The stem performs the function of the leaf, so the stems are green, jointed, containing up to 2% ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, as well as tannins. Ephedra is used to treat various diseases. Ephedrine raises blood pressure; it is used to treat bronchial asthma, rhinitis, colds, gout, and whooping cough. Ephedra lowers body temperature, promotes sweating and urination, so it is used for colds and rheumatism. Harvesting of ephedra is done in May, August, and September.
Plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
High Elecampane. A perennial herbaceous plant up to 150 cm high with elongated-oval leaves. The flowers are yellow and in baskets. It blooms in July and bears fruit in August. It grows in tall grass meadows, forest edges, and wet areas in the Chui Valley, Talas, and other places. Decoctions of roots and rhizomes are used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory agent. They are also used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
There is an opinion that decoctions of elecampane increase human life expectancy.
St. John's Wort. A perennial plant with yellow flowers and elliptical leaves, on which translucent glands are visible. It is often found in steppes, meadow steppes, and sometimes near crops. The herb is used in the form of infusion and decoction as an astringent, antiseptic, and hemostatic agent for gastrointestinal diseases.
Common Yarrow. A perennial plant with finely dissected leaves and pinkish-white flowers arranged in baskets. It grows in meadows among shrubs, often found near streams on fallow lands and in gardens and groves. Infusions and decoctions of yarrow are widely used in gynecological practice as a hemostatic and calming agent. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Plants used for kidney and urinary tract diseases
Corn. The well-known corn plant uses the silk and stigmas of female flowers for kidney and bladder diseases. They are diuretic.
Broadleaf Plantain.
Seeds have a beneficial effect in kidney disease — they are brewed and drunk like tea.
Alpine Bearberry. Grows in coniferous forests in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan (in Sary-Jaz). Its leaves have diuretic, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Medicinal Fumitory. An annual gray-green plant with pink (with a spur) flowers. Infusions of fumitory are used for kidney stones and inflammation of the bladder.
Field Eyebright. An annual or biennial plant with oppositely arranged leaves and brick-red small flowers. It grows in semi-deserts and steppes of the Chui, Talas, and Fergana valleys and in foothills. It weeds in fields and gardens. The plant has diuretic, choleretic, and detoxifying effects. Infusions are used for kidney inflammation and as a calming and pain-relieving agent.
In conclusion, it should be noted that grapes, cherries, peas, pears, melons, figs, lemons, carrots, cucumbers, parsley, radishes, black currants, beans, physalis, horseradish, garlic, and other plants are beneficial for kidney and urinary tract diseases, which are recommended for consumption.
In general, a lot of literature has been published about medicinal plants in our country, where various species and methods of use are described in detail. However, it should be reminded that medicinal plants should only be used with a doctor's permission. In addition, when harvesting medicinal plants, their renewal should be taken into account, and the best specimens should be left in nature for reproduction.
In concluding the discussion of the useful flora of Kyrgyzstan, it is worth emphasizing once again that it is rich, diverse, and contains many valuable species. They can provide the national economy with a plentiful amount of diverse plant raw materials, which are so necessary for our country to successfully implement the Food Program.
Moreover, knowing the beneficial properties of plants can more effectively conduct educational and educational work in botany, general biology, ecology, and other disciplines both in higher educational institutions and in schools and technical schools. Especially when considering natural biogeocenoses and cultural agrocenoses, while studying the impact of human economic activity on vegetation, on individual useful species, and on nature as a whole.
It should also be remembered about the useful plants that are already listed in the Red Book, such as ephedra, sea buckthorn, Greig's tulip, and others.
When carrying out work on the rational use of useful plants, it is always necessary to remember about their protection, as many useful plants have disappeared recently, and some are on the verge of extinction.
That is why the rational use of useful plants and their protection is one of the most important problems of modernity.
