Dyeing woad is a biennial plant with a height of 1-1.5 meters. It differs from other closely related varieties in the shorter length of its petals, in a different structure of the pod. It has an oblong shape with a blunt rounded top.
The woad blooms in May-June. It grows in fields, on dry slopes, along sandy and gravelly embankments. The favorite place of woad is the railways. Therefore, travelers have the opportunity to admire the numerous yellow flowers during the trip. They are small, 3-4 mm long. Most often, the plant is found in the European part of Russia, in the Caucasus, Central Asia. It also actively occupies positions in Asia Minor, China and the Balkan Peninsula.
Medicinal properties
The Chinese are big fans of the plant. They are actively used in folk medicine dyer's woad. Reviews about her are the most positive. Firstly, the root contains a substance that can kill Escherichia and typhoid coli. Secondly, good results were noted in the treatment of colds with woad. During mass epidemics in China, they drink decoctions from the roots and leaves of the plant. They are great helpwith inflammatory diseases of the throat, epidemic meningitis. The seeds of dyer's woad are used to obtain nourishing oil. In its composition, it resembles linen. It is used to treat various wounds, ulcers, boils and ringworm.
How is the root harvested?
The harvesting period falls on the autumn season. The root should be carefully removed from the ground, avoiding mechanical damage. Rinse thoroughly under a strong stream of cold water and dry with a paper towel. After the root becomes dry to the touch, it is cut into medium plates and laid in a thin layer on the prepared tray. A place for drying must be chosen ventilated and shady. Turn the sliced laminas periodically to avoid mold. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain higher quality raw materials. If a person is constantly engaged in the preparation of various medicinal herbs in large volumes, then an automated dryer can be purchased.
Seed Recipe
In order to improve your eyesight, healers are advised to pour 1 teaspoon of seeds into 1/3 cup of boiling water, close the lid and leave to cool completely. The resulting solution is instilled into the eyes 2 drops 3 times a day. To enhance the effect, you need to take a crushed root weighing 60 g and pour one glass of boiling water. Infuse for half an hour in a water bath, cool and strain. Take an infusion of 1/3 cup at the same time as instillation of the eyes.
The use of leaves in differentindustries
Fresh juice from them is traditionally used in China. Recently, Russian cosmetologists have also been using woad leaves for dyeing. The liquid is obtained from dried particles and colored eyebrows and eyelashes in several stages. The positive effect is that the juice is a natural dye and promotes hair growth. Also in demand is woad oil. It is rubbed into the scalp to strengthen the bulbs.
Besides cosmetology, the leaves are an excellent product for obtaining indigo dye. This is a range of blues and purples. In the course of clinical trials, it was revealed that dyeing woad is capable of accumulating a large amount of sugar. At the moment, Russian scientists have developed a cultivar and conducted successful tests in Western Siberia.
Historical fact
In ancient Rome, local women grew woad to make dye from its leaves for sold fabrics. This way of earning was so successful that the woad plant flooded the entire island of Lemnos, crowding out other exotic species. During the ripening of the fruit, it exuded a specific unpleasant odor.
He was not only in the air throughout the area, but also ate into the skin and hair of women who were dyeing fabrics. As a result, single men stopped marrying local girls, and married men stopped sharing the marital bed with their spouses. The female representatives were angry, but they did not exterminate such a useful plant, but went the other way.
While local women worked with fabrics, men fought and brought booty. It was of a different nature: stolen cattle, stolen things and valuables. But this time the representatives of the stronger sex brought with them foreign girls from Thrace. Settled them in their homes, and expelled the wives, along with their fetid dyes, to the edge of the island. They themselves arranged a feast with new girlfriends. But the spouses were not timid! Having waited until the men got drunk and began to indulge in pleasures with foreigners, the offended women killed everyone. Subsequently, they began to live without men, being called Amazons.
Interesting about wade
Italian scientists concluded that the ancient people used this plant not only as a dye or remedy. The Celts used the juice of the woad to make a special extract and put it on the tips of their arrows. The poison penetrated deep into the tissues of the enemy, causing him to experience terrible hallucinations. Subsequently, the man was completely disoriented and deprived of his mind, which led to his death.
In addition, modern scientists have proven that dyer's woad contains a substance that can have a powerful antitumor effect in oncological diseases. However, doctors warn that self-medication is contraindicated. At risk are pregnant women and people with diabetes. Therefore, taking medicines from a miraculous plant should be agreed with your doctor. Take care of your he alth!
