Ivan Da Marya

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

Ivan da Marya (lat. Melampyrum nemorosum) - a flowering annual representing the Norichnikov family. The scientific name is oak mariannik. In the people, it is called linden, jaundice, meadow bell, mark or Ivan's grass, as well as magpie shavings or yellowberry.

Description

Ivan da Marya is a flowering annual plant, the height of which ranges from fifteen to sixty centimeters. Its stalks are usually drooping, and the green leaves are slightly pointed.

The bright yellow flowers of the plant fold into graceful inflorescences, each of which is characterized by an irregular two-humped shape. All flowers are decorated with scalloped blue or purple bracts. And after flowering, small fruits are formed on the plants, characterized by a pronounced ovoid shape. They look like bolls, in which elongated seeds ripen, gradually turning into brownish-black shades. Forest game loves to feast on such seeds, and the abundant production of nectar makes this amazing flower an excellent honey plant.

This flower has long been shrouded in numerous beliefs and mysterious legends. At the same time, each nation has its own version of its appearance, however, two lovers always appear in all stories. This bright flower is also considered a symbol of loyalty. Yellow is feminine, and masculine flowers are always painted in bright blue tones.

The Slavs endowed this amazing plant with powerful magical properties. The ancient people believed that if you pick such flowers on the night of Ivan Kupala, they will help to preserve marital happiness and become an invaluable talisman of the home from any evil spells and powers.

Application

Ivan da Marya boasts powerful wound healing and excellent anti-inflammatory properties, and herbalists actively use a decoction from this plant to treat the heart and stomach. In addition, it is recommended to add the herbal infusion to the bath water for the speedy cure of skin tuberculosis, as well as rheumatism and eczema that cause a lot of trouble.

In folk medicine, all aerial parts, without exception, are used: both stems with leaves, and flowers with fruits. They begin to collect raw materials in May, and similar gatherings end with the onset of September. The fruits can only be harvested from July to September. Grass should be dried in a well-ventilated area, and dried raw materials should be kept away from all other herbs. At the same time, it is important not to forget that its maximum shelf life does not exceed ten months, since this plant quickly loses its healing properties.

Since this plant is poisonous, maximum care must be taken when ingesting it. Its seeds contain aucubin, which is irritating and endowed with the ability to act like a drug. As a result of its effects, weakness, decreased heart activity and drowsiness may appear. In the event of such symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.

Sometimes this spectacular plant is also used as a curb grass - especially well it complements compositions decorated with spectacular boulders and graceful driftwood.

Growing and caring

Best of all, Ivan da Marya grows in forest clearings with edges and in lush meadows. And the thriving ants help the amazing flower to spread further, transferring the seeds released from the capsules to other areas.

This plant is characterized by a mixed diet and is classified as a semi-parasite. It lives on the sun, carbon dioxide and water with soil, however, an unusual plant also receives a certain part of its energy from other vegetation - sucking on the herbs growing in the neighborhood with the help of specific roots, the wondrous flower sucks life-giving juices from them.