Gledichia vulgaris is a rather large tree. It grows up to 40-45 meters in height, while all its branches are strewn with thorns. Its flowering time is June. The tree is covered with yellow-green flowers that form a cluster-shaped brush. Following them, fruits appear - dark brown flat pods (legumes), whose length is up to 40 cm. Gledichia is also a good honey plant.
What kind of tree is this
The Common Gleditia was brought to the territory of our country and neighboring countries from North America, it was there that it appeared. In our country, this tree has taken root well throughout the southern regions.
Gledichia common - a rare species of wood that is not afraid of drought. It grows well in desert and saline soils, where any other breeds perish. She grows very fast. Gledichia is not afraid of any pests, and it is not overcome by diseases. At the same time, it is also a soil-improving breed. Duringgrowth in the root system, there is a gradual accumulation of nitrogen, which then enriches the soil on which the tree grows.
Appearance
What is Common Gleditsia? A description of the plant can be found below. Appearance and biological features are a bit reminiscent of the familiar white acacia. The same pinnate leaves, which reach about 30 cm in length, and during flowering, small flowers of a greenish-yellow hue bloom. The first ripening of fruits occurs after 8-10 years from the beginning of growth. Every year it brings a bountiful harvest of green beans, which are about 18-23 cm long. The ripe fruits can hang on the trees all winter.
Common locust propagates both by seeds and shoots. She can give sprouts throughout her life, which lasts about 85-90 years. The tree grows mainly in height, and the trunk remains slender, covered with a grayish-brown bark. On the cut of the trunk, you can see the core of a dark brown color.
Benefit of spikes
Trees from top to bottom are covered with many sharp thorns - and not only branches, but also trunks. Because of this, looking at these trees, you feel as if they are wrapped in barbed wire. Therefore, among the people they also got another name - “evil tree”. Birds never build their nests on them. An unknowing person can be frightened by the common locust. A photo of the tree can be found in this article.
The plant is specially planted as protective forest belts. Also hiscan be used as a hedge. If you plant 3-4 rows of honey locust around your garden, neither a person nor an animal will pass. Gleditsia vulgaris is especially popular with landscape designers. Cultivation is carried out in specialized greenhouses, after which the plant is put up for sale.
There are varieties without thorns. This variety is considered decorative, and it can be used for landscaping urban areas. Socialists collect seeds and grow seedlings from them. Gledichia vulgaris is a nitrogen-fixing plant.
Benefits of honey locust
The wood of honey locust is quite strong, while it shows a beautiful pattern. Therefore, furniture and other household items are often made from it. The fruits of honey locust are used as feed for pigs and wild boars.
She was also used as a treatment for some chronic diseases. Common honey locust is also friends with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, they live on this tree. They play a huge role in the natural nitrogen cycle. The processed gas becomes usable by higher plants.
Medicinal properties
Gledichia common is a poisonous plant, and the fruits of the tree are considered unsuitable for their use in medicine. Nevertheless, the young leaves of this tree are a very useful raw material. From it you can get the alkaloid triacanthin (Triacanthinum). There are drugs in which the hydrochloric s alt of this alkaloid is present,obtained in the laboratory. Doctors prescribe them to relieve spasms in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, another alkaloid relieves spasms of blood vessels and smooth muscles of some organs. Greater effectiveness of the use of triacanthin is seen in the removal of spasms of the bronchi, stomach and intestines. It also enhances coronary circulation. Triacanthine is similar to papaverine, but differs from it in that it is less toxic.
Therefore, it has become a popular plant in folk medicine. From the ripe fruits of this tree and its leaves, decoctions are prepared, which are a good addition to the treatment of almost all diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract.
Suitable raw materials for decoction are early leaves, which are harvested in the spring, and ripe pods. The main active ingredient contained in them is the alkaloid triacanthin, which has already been mentioned above. But besides it, the fruits and leaves contain other useful substances, such as flavonoids and flan compounds - olmelin, fisetin, saponin, etc.
Benefits of decoction
Bean husk contains tannins and vitamin K. Therefore, the result from the decoction will be the same as from medicines that contain the alkaloid triacanthin.
Recommended to drink it in some cases, for example:
- to relieve muscle spasms;
- activate the respiratory center;
- expand bloodvessels;
- for hypertension;
- for stomach ulcers;
- with cholecystitis.
It should be borne in mind that the effect of a decoction from the leaves is weaker than from the fruits.
Contraindications
There are also contraindications for use, which may cause side effects.
All this is due to the fact that the main component is the alkaloid triacanthin, and in large doses it is poisonous. Accordingly, it should be borne in mind that the use of oral preparations in which it is present can cause poisoning. Medicines should be discontinued immediately if the patient has:
- unhe althy pallor of the skin;
- profuse salivation;
- nausea or vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- drowsy;
- dizziness.
Uncontrolled use of the decoction can lead to the process of destruction of red blood cells, venous congestion of the brain, pneumonia, etc. If suddenly there is a suspicion of poisoning the body, you need to stop taking drugs that contain the alkaloid triacanthin. If the malaise arose shortly after the last intake of the decoction, you need to wash the stomach with potassium permanganate, then forcibly induce vomiting and drink activated charcoal. Then see a doctor.
In general, it is better not to experiment with herbs if there is no experience. Such decoctions can only be made by knowledgeable people, while the dose must be able to correctly calculate.
