Egyptian broomrape
Egyptian broomrape is one of the plants of the family called broomrape, in Latin the name of this plant will be as follows: Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.
As for the name of the broomrape family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Orobanchaceae Vent.
Description of Egyptian broomrape
Egyptian broomrape is an annual herbaceous plant whose height will vary between fifteen and fifty centimeters. This plant is sometimes glabrous, but most often it is short-glandular. The stem of the Egyptian broomrape will be branched, it is colored in yellowish tones, in the middle part the thickness of this stem will be about six to eight millimeters. At the very base, such a stem will be slightly thickened, and it is also endowed with scales, the length of which reaches fifteen millimeters. The inflorescence of Egyptian broomrape is cylindrical and loose, its length reaches twenty-five centimeters. The covering scales of such an inflorescence are linear-lanceolate, their length is seven to ten millimeters, and the length of the corolla will be about twenty-five to thirty-five millimeters. Such a corolla is tubular-funnel-shaped, it is significantly expanded at the bend and is almost straight. The corolla can be colored in both bluish and blue-violet tones, while the lobes of the lower lip will be either rounded or broadly oval.
The Egyptian broomrape blooms from June to August. Under natural conditions, the plant is found in the European part of Russia in the Lower Volga region, as well as in Crimea, Central Asia and the Caucasus. For growth, the plant prefers vegetable gardens, fields, places near roads and on rocky slopes, at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level. It is noteworthy that the plant parasitizes cultivated plants, and sometimes wild ones. Also, Egyptian broomrape is a pest of agricultural crops, especially melons.
Description of the medicinal properties of Egyptian broomrape
Egyptian broomrape is endowed with very valuable healing properties, and it is recommended to use the herb of this plant for medicinal purposes. The term grass includes leaves, stems and flowers. The presence of such valuable medicinal properties is explained by the content of nicotine, beta-sitosterol and tannins in the plant.
A decoction of this plant’s herb is recommended as a pain reliever for syphilis, and Egyptian broomrape powder can be smoked for the same purpose. An infusion of the herb is used as an astringent for diarrhea.
For persistent headaches, the following highly effective remedy based on Egyptian broomrape is recommended: to prepare this remedy, take three tablespoons of dry, crushed herb per 400 milliliters of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for one hour, then strain thoroughly. Take this Egyptian broomrape-based remedy, 100 milliliters three times daily.
For diarrhea, colitis, and enterocolitis, the following remedy based on Egyptian broomrape is recommended: to prepare this remedy, take two tablespoons of dry, crushed herb per one cup of boiling water. Let the resulting mixture steep for two hours, then strain thoroughly. Take this Egyptian broomrape-based remedy, one-third of a glass three times daily. For maximum effectiveness, it’s important to follow not only the preparation instructions but also the directions for taking it.
