2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Aralia continental (lat. Aralia continentalis) - herbaceous perennial; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. Natural area - the Far East of Russia. It grows mainly on mountain slopes, along forest edges and clearings among bushes. The species has external similarities with the heart-shaped aralia (lat. Aralia cordata). It is a rare species.
Characteristics of culture
Continental aralia is a herbaceous plant with a stem, the height of which does not exceed 1 m. Leaves are compound, twice or three times pinnate, consist of 3-9 leaves, up to 50 cm long., with a truncated or cordate base, glabrous on the outside, sometimes pubescent along the veins with yellowish hairs.
The flowers are inconspicuous, white or cream, small, collected in small panicles that form in the leaf axils. The main inflorescence is dense and branched, this property of the species differs from its closest relative, the heart-shaped aralia. The flowers are bisexual. The calyx consists of lanceolate-triangular petals.
Fruits are black-blue, up to 5 mm in diameter, contain 5-6 seeds. Aralia continental blooms late, usually in August, the fruits ripen in September. The species is winter-hardy, resistant to pests and diseases, suitable for creating group plantings. Currently, the plant is actively used in medicine and Japanese cooking.
Medical use
As you know, young shoots and roots are most often used in medicine. The roots boast alkaloids, essential oils, organic acids, diterpenoids, flavonoids, fatty oils, steroids, coumarin, and alkaloids. Young shoots contain flavonoids and steroids, leaves - saponins, anthocyanins, flavonoids and steroids, inflorescences - flavonoids, essential oil and steroids.
Scientists from China and Japan have proven that continental aralia can have a stimulating effect on the human body. Roots are often used to treat colds, headaches, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastritis, enterocolitis and colitis. Infusions of aralia leaves are effective for nephritis. In Japan, continental aralia is called the analogue of ginseng, since both plants have approximately the same composition.
Aralia-based preparations have a tonic effect and can be used for diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. They are effective for asthenia, hypotension, depression and even impotence. Also, preparations from aralia can lower blood sugar, increase muscle strength and increase appetite. Unfortunately, tinctures from roots, young shoots and leaves have a number of contraindications, for example, they are not recommended for insomnia and hypertension, but they will be very useful for hypotensive patients.
Application in the garden
Aralia continental, like its closest relatives, has decorative properties. In the garden, they will take pride of place, both in a single planting and in a group. Shrubs are often used to create rugged hedges. Most gardeners prefer the Manchurian aralia, believing that this species is the most decorative, although the species in question looks no less impressive. Moreover, he does not impose special requirements on the soil, its moisture content and fertility.
Recommended:
Aralia
Aralia (lat.Aralia) - a genus of deciduous shrubs and trees of the Araliev family. The genus includes 35 species. In nature, Aralia is found in the subtropical and tropical regions of Southeast Asia, North and Central America, as well as in Australia.
Chinese Aralia
Chinese aralia (lat.Aralia chinensis) - decorative and healing culture; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. In the wild, plants are found in forest clearings and forest edges in the southeastern and southern parts of China.
Aralia Prickly
Aralia prickly (lat.Aralia spinosa) - healing and decorative culture; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. It grows wild in river valleys, lowlands, deciduous forests and in areas with moist and deep soils in eastern North America.
Aralia Manchu
Aralia Manchu (lat.Aralia elata) - decorative and medicinal shrub; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. Another name is high aralia. Previously, Manchurian Aralia and Tall Aralia were different species, but since the differences between them are insignificant and not always consistent, they were ranked as one species.
Aralia Cordate
Aralia cordata (lat.Aralia cordata) - herbaceous perennial; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. The second name is Schmidt's aralia. It occurs naturally in Japan, Korea, eastern regions of China, Taiwan, the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin.
