Bell

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Bell (lat. Adenophora) - a large genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Bellflower family. In their natural environment, representatives of the genus grow on the territory of European and Asian countries. Typical habitats are bushes, meadows, and riverside zones. Most of the species are actively used in alternative medicine. In total, the genus has 70 species.

Characteristics of culture

The bell is represented by perennial herbaceous plants endowed with large, thickened, often strongly branched roots and erect stems. The plant height does not exceed 150 cm. The foliage, in turn, is regular, whorled, large, equipped with petioles, collected in a lush rosette. With the onset of flowering, foliage dies off in most species.

The flowers are small, light blue, blue, purple, lilac or violet, collected in a brush. There are also species whose flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences. The calyx of bells is always five-part; the corolla, depending on the type, can be bell-shaped or funnel-shaped. The fruits are represented by a tricuspid capsule bearing flattened ovoid seeds. Flowering in most species occurs in the first or second decade of July.

Common types

One of the common types is considered to be

lily-leaved bell (lat. Adenophora liliifolia) … It is characterized by a fleshy erect stem no more than 100 cm long, topped with a lush rosette of green foliage that dies off closer to flowering. The flowers are blue or blue-blue, drooping, up to 1.5 cm in diameter. The species in question blooms in the third decade of June - the first decade of July.

Bell whorled (lat. Adenophora verticillata) - no less common type. The stems of this species are erect, up to 120 cm long. The foliage is whorled, as the name of the species indicates. The flowers are small, up to 1.3 cm in diameter, blue. The flowering of the whorled bell begins in the third decade of July - the first decade of August.

Bell Golubintseva (lat. Adenophora golubinzevaeana) rarely found on personal backyard plots, but it is actively used by Siberian healers in folk medicine. It has an erect stem and purple flowers, collected in loose racemose inflorescences. By the way, in nature this species is found only in Siberia.

Three-pointed bell (lat. Adenophora tricuspidata) - a species that is worthy of the attention of gardeners and florists. In the process of growth, it forms lush bushes, crowned with blue flowers up to 2 cm in diameter. The plant height is from 50 to 100 cm. It begins to bloom in the first or second decade of July.

Use in traditional medicine

Traditional medicine uses the roots, flowers, and foliage of bells. So, bell roots are advised for the complex treatment of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and foliage and flowers for disorders of the nervous system, paralysis and neurological syndromes, accompanied by a decrease in muscle strength and provoked by damage to the peripheral nerve.

The bell roots also contain polysaccharides and saponins, which are famous for their good healing and anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, root infusions are recommended in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, to increase immunity, and to prevent acute infectious diseases.

Important remember that tinctures and decoctions made from the roots, foliage and flowers of bells have contraindications, you should consult a doctor before taking. Bell-based medicines are definitely contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children.