The list of plants that are successfully used today for medicinal purposes is so wide that remembering the names of each of them is very, very difficult.
It is not surprising that few have heard of grass onosme, which, by the way, has considerable healing properties. Let's learn more about the characteristics, benefits and use of this plant.
Botanical description
Onosma grass refers to family Burachnikovcombining grass, shrub and half-shrub plants. At present, there are several varieties of it that differ from each other not only in botanical characteristics, but also in their habitat. However, no matter what kind of speech is involved, any of them can be used to treat a particular ailment. All plants of this genus have a hard gray, bristly pubescence, and the length of leaf plates can vary within 3-5 cm. The width of their leaves usually reaches 0.5 cm, they are located on simple, woody stems at the base. 
Onosma flowers - actinomorphic, inflorescences - cymose. Combining, flowers create a kind of curls. The corollas of a plant usually have a light yellow color, although there are varieties with white, pink, bluish, and even multi-colored: much depends on the particular species. As for the flowering period, each species has its own, although, often, it starts in May and ends closer to the middle of summer.
As the fruits of onosma are presented relatively small ovate-shaped nuts with three sides, reaching a length of 3-6 mm.
Did you know? The name "onosma" comes from Greek and is a component of two words: "onos" - donkey and "osme" - smell.
Chemical composition
Unfortunately, there is very little information about the chemical composition of this plant. The only thing that can be said is that onosma has one of the chemotaxonomic characteristics characteristic of many other plants of the Burachnikov family - the presence in the rhizome lithospermic acid. 
Spread
Plants of this genus can be found in the Caucasus, the territory of the Mediterranean, the Ural and South Siberian lands, in the middle and south-eastern part of Europe and even in Central Asia. Some of the species of onosma have chosen for themselves extremely exotic places of growth: stony areas of mountain hills, rocks, forests and steppe zones with rarefied air. In particular, on the rocky terrain of the Crimea one of the most popular species grows - Onosma Crimean.
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Popular species
In the genus of perennials and biennials called "Onosma" today there are approximately 145 species, but most often people meet with the Crimean, sandy, multi-leaved, simplest, multicolored, Don and dyeing varieties. In addition, Trans-Ural, tower and white-pink onosma are also widely known. Let's learn more about them.
Simplest
This species, like many of its relatives, is a perennial, reaching a height of 40 cm. In the simplest onosma, lanceolate, oblong leaf plates and large florets are combined into inflorescences. The height of non-branching peduncles is 15-30 cm. The beginning of flowering coincides with the end of spring and lasts until the end of summer. 
The ripening of dark gray nuts (only 2-3 mm in length) occurs from the beginning of June to the end of October. This species is often found in the south-eastern part of the Russian Federation and in the east of Ukraine.
The simplest is a bit similar to the over-Ural onosma, unless it is a biennial plant and has weaker whitish-green stems. Flowering occurs from late spring to mid-summer.
Multicolor
This variety is represented by biennial herbs, usually with several stems (up to six). The height of a multicolor onosma reaches one meter, although smaller specimens can occur, from 20 cm in height. Branching of the stems occurs to their middle and all of them are densely covered with grayish-brown, thin hairs, although the pubescence at the bottom often has a whiter shade, and at the top it is reddish or yellow. The length of the sheet plates is about 1-1.5 cm, with a width of 2-12 mm. The lower leaflets are more oblong and spatulate (more obtuse at the ends), and the upper ones are oblong and lanceolate, sessile at the base. 
The inflorescences of multicolor onosma are represented by relatively small, but thick curls, and if there is fruit in them, then they are extended and straightened. Linear and lanceol sepals are relatively free, reaching a length of 7-11 mm, although after the end of the flowering period they lengthen even more, to 16 mm. The length of the tubular corolla is 12–13 mm.
It is characterized by bent triangular-shaped teeth and triple color: first fawn, then pinkish or reddish, and finally dark blue. The five-millimeter anthers of the onosma practically do not bulge out; they usually connect only at the base and end with narrow appendages at the top. Together with the rest of the plant, they make it an excellent option for decorating private areas.
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Don
This species of onosma is represented by semi-shrubs, reaching a height of 35 cm. The whitish stems are numerous and flowering, with fruitless shoots. Leaf plates - lanceolate, with slightly curled edges and dense pubescence in the form of adherent bristles. The inflorescence of the Don onosma can be both simple and double curled, with flowers of the correct form. Their cups are mainly lanceolate, although in the free parts they are more lanceolate-linear, reaching a length of 9 mm, with a width of 1.5 mm. 
Corollas of accrete petals 15-20 mm long painted in pale yellow color. On the whole part, except for the teeth, they are bare, tubular-funnel-shaped. Flowering occurs in May-July. The length of the stalk is six millimeters, they have a decaying fruit with nuts fixed on them, which ripens closer to July-August. The reproduction of the Don onosma (mostly) occurs by the seminal method.
Based on the name of this variety, it is easy to guess exactly where you can meet it: near the Don and Seversky Donets rivers, or rather in their middle and lower parts. On the territory of Ukraine, it is also found along the shores of the rivers Dry Volnovakha and Krynka, although the range of onoma growth covers the entire Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lugansk regions. The ideal substrate for the Don species of the described plant will be open eroded chalk, limestone and marl slopes, as well as sands, granites, and sometimes forest sandstones.
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Many-leaved
This osnoma is a herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 15-30 cm. It has green leafy plates covered with a white silky fluff and bright yellow flowers. Reproduction - seed, although seed germination can hardly be called high.
Important! Many-leaved onosma is a rather rare plant, which can be found only near Novorossiysk, in the Krasnodar Territory and in the Crimean mountains. Marked in the Red Book of the Russian Federation as an endangered species, which is largely due to the human factor and a narrow ecological niche.
The plant feels great on limestone, rocky slopes and rocks, at an altitude of about 100-1000 m, above sea level. In the culture of this onosme, a decorative garden role is assigned. 
Dyeing
Another two-year-old grass, whose flower stalks reach 20-70 cm. Each specimen has several upright, branching stems that are covered with bristles over the entire surface (length 1-3 mm). Below are the leaves, whose length reaches 3-15 cm, with a width of 3-15 mm. All of them are elongated or elongate-spatulate, with bristles at the end and at the base. In addition, the pubescence is noticeable on the main vein and along the edges of the leaves.
The inflorescences of the dye onosma are highly branched, the pedicels reach a length of 1-2 mm, and the length of the bracts almost corresponds to the length of the calyx (initially this value corresponds to 6-11 mm, but during the growth and development of the flower increases to 12-20 mm). Corolla reaches a length of 8-12, sometimes 15 mm. Usually it is painted in pale yellow color, often supplemented with purple spots. It may be bare or slightly pubescent, about 1/3 the length of the cup. 
The fruits of the plant are represented by smooth nuts, 3-4 m in length. The blooming of the dye variety occurs in May-June, after which the plant dies. Reproduction - only seed.
You can find this variety on the territory of the Black Sea, Crimea, in some places in the middle zone of the European part of Russia (for example, in the Voronezh and Belgorod regions).
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Crimean
One of the most prominent representatives of this genus, which is not for nothing is noted in the Red Book as an endangered species. This perennial grass, like the rest of its relatives, is covered with hard gray pubescence, and its height is 40 cm. The stem part is erect, the leaf plates are lanceolate-narrow-leaved, arranged alternately. The yellow flowers, like the stems, are slightly pubescent, the beaters are characterized by a bell-shaped tubular form and are united in a simple umbrella, slightly lowered down. The fruit of this variety of onosma is represented by a greyish nut. Like many others, the plant blooms from May to July. Of course, Crimea is the birthplace of this onosma, although it is often found in Europe. 
The tower variety, which grows up to 30 cm, is in many ways similar to the Crimean one. Its flowers have a rich yellow color, and in all parts a hard bristle is clearly visible. Flowering coincides with the appearance of flowers in the Crimean variety.
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Beneficial features
For therapeutic purposes, all parts of the onosma are used, because both the leaves, the stems, and the flowers of the plant have a very beneficial effect on various organs and body systems. For example, it differs well visible diuretic, sedative and antihypertensive, so that can normalize the work of the central nervous system, blood pressure, reduce the permeability and damage to the vascular-capillary network. In addition, onosma has a certain myotropic effects, lowering the tone of smooth muscles of internal organs and relaxing them.
Depending on the specific type of plant, you can talk about one or another of its properties. So, if the Crimean variety has more diuretic and sedative effects, then the multi-leaf is characterized by pronounced anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and diuretic properties.
Given all this, it is easy to guess that the most valuable onosma will be in the treatment of bladder ailments, especially problems with urination, and will serve as a good way to strengthen the vascular system. 
Application
As we have said, the most widespread use of the herb onosma is seen in medicine, which can be fully explained by its healing properties. However, some housewives quite successfully apply it at home, solving everyday tasks. Let's learn more about all the possibilities of its use.
In medicine
For the most part, onosma herb is highly valued in traditional medicine, although today it is already possible to find official medicinal preparations, which also include this plant. So, properly prepared decoction will help solve the problem. headaches, hypertension and increase diuresis, and all you need to just pour 3 tbsp. l chopped plants 400 ml of water, boiling the mixture for five minutes on low heat. Once the decoction is well infused (usually two hours is enough), it can be drained and consumed по cup three times a day.
Headache can be fought with the help of willow, Indian onion, catnip, nutmeg.
To make a similar decoction against insomnia and hypertension It is necessary to mix several plants, adding to the onosme a trans-Ural medicinal sweet clover and five-leaf motherwort, at a rate of 1: 1: 2 tablespoons and pour boiling water (1 cup) for a couple of hours. Ready infusion filter and use each time before eating three times a day. 
By the way, Trans-Ural healers use only local, trans-Ural onosma in the treatment, applying it to create decoctions from migraines and increase diuresis. At the same time, plants representing the simplest variety help lower blood pressure, increase heart amplitude, deepen breathing and have anti-fever and antipyretic effects.
Did you know? For a long time, doctors of Siberia have used infusions of the simplest onosma in the treatment of concussions, and although there is no official information about the benefits of such a method, there is also evidence of the relevance of such healing.
At home
Today, the use of onosma in everyday life is not as extensive as for medical purposes, but at the same time, it is impossible not to note its painting abilities. The roots of this plant are good natural dye, with which you can easily make any thing red.
Viburnum, goldenrod, sage, white acacia, veronica, lungwort, thuja, yarrow, meadowsweet, oregano, cinquefoil white, eucalyptus, crested hen, arnica, chamomile are considered healing for women's health.
In gynecology
It is believed that onosma can be successfully used to eliminate gynecological problems, which is largely due to its diuretic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. 
So, with the help of this plant you can fight cystitis and inflammatory processes in the vagina, and all you need to insist or boil a mixture of ten grams of dried grass and a glass of liquid (take 2-3 tablespoons every 6-8 hours).
Important! No plant can be considered a panacea for the elimination of one or another ailment, therefore onosma cannot be considered as the only correct solution to gynecological problems. Moreover, there is no official confirmation of its benefits in this area, which means that a woman uses the plant at her own risk and peril. The same applies to the treatment of oncology.
Contraindications and side effects
Despite all its medicinal properties, like any other herb, onosma has certain contraindications to its use. That is why, before you prescribe a therapy using the plant itself or drugs based on it, you should always consult with your doctor.
Onosma has a very strong impact on the human body, which over time can lead to various disruptions in its work. Therefore, first of all, its use should be avoided by people with individual sensitivity to the constituent components of the plant, pregnant and lactating women and children under 12 years old. In case of serious diseases of the urogenital system, the preparation of each healing infusion must be coordinated with your doctor, otherwise the complication of the condition cannot be ruled out. 
Allergic reactions and possible swelling of the mucous membranes should be distinguished among the side effects of the use of onosma, although the latter is mainly characteristic only in overdose and there are serious problems with certain organs.
Growing up
Having learned about the healing properties of this or that plant, many people simply dream of acquiring such an “assistant” on their plot, but in order for it to take root and truly reveal its full natural potential, it needs to create favorable conditions for this. Onosma is not an exception in this regard, so let's find out about the requirements of the plant to the composition of the soil, the planting site and other cultivation features.
Soil and fertilizer
Soil and its nutritional value are the main components of a successful onosma growing process. In this case we are talking about lungs. loamy or sandy soils, with neutral or weak alkaline reaction and good drainage system. The plant does not need any special dressings, but to maintain its good condition it is useful to add slaked lime to the soil.
Learn more about soil types, soil acidity and soil deoxidation, and plot drainage.
Choice of location and lighting
An ideal place for growing onosma will be areas of the territory sheltered from the wind and well illuminated by the sun.Sharp gusts of wind, as well as the ingress of a significant amount of precipitation, can extremely adversely affect the condition of the plant, therefore, if necessary, it is better to fence it off from the windy side. 
Temperature
Onosma feels great in average climate zonebut in particularly severe winters may perish. Therefore, if in summertime (with temperatures up to + 30 ° C), the plant will feel more or less normal, in winter, when the thermometer’s columns fall below zero, it will have to be covered, additionally protected from cold by special materials (for example, spandex or ordinary burlap).
Sowing and reproduction
Onoma reproduction can be carried out in two of the most common ways: by sowing seeds into the soil and planting previously prepared cuttings, possibly cut from a wild plant. Of course, in each of these cases there will be specific features of the procedure.
Seeds
Seed propagation - the easiest option getting onosma on your site. To do this, it is only necessary to germinate the seedlings in separate pots, at room temperature, and then plant them at a permanent place of growth. Sowing of seeds is usually carried out in the springtime, using for this purpose a light and wet substrate, although often they are planted in the autumn time, which is called "before winter".
Cuttings
This option is great for summer breeding onosma, by initial planting cuttings in the greenhouse. They are cut off with the arrival of the first stable heat and rooted in a shaded place, which will take at least 10-12 days. It should be noted that for the middle climatic strip this option is less successful than the first one, since in the absence of an adequate temperature level, rooting of the planting material will be a very problematic task. 
Watering and moisture
Onosma does not like moisture, and an overabundance of water at the root system can completely destroy it. That is why watering should be carried out only on the hottest summer days so that the excess moisture quickly evaporated from the soil. In addition, the organization of a good drainage system will help protect the root system of plants from rotting. With the arrival of autumn, watering is reduced, and in rainy time it is completely canceled.
Important! The organization of drainage holes will help to divert excess water from the areas located on the slopes. They are dug in the lowest parts of the garden and filled with thicker layers of sand and gravel. It is here that the water will flow, leaving the root system of the plants intact.
Diseases and pests
Onosma is distinguished by sufficiently strong "health" and when it is grown in a garden, the pests and diseases are not terrible for it. However, in greenhouse conditions, the plant often affects aphid and whiteflyattacking young saplings or cuttings with leaflets that have already appeared.
Learn more about how to deal with whitefly and aphids.
Preparation of useful raw materials
All parts of the plant, with proper preparation and use, can be very useful, after all, flowers, leaves, and stems have a good stock of important substances for the body. Onosma procurement begin to engage in period of flowering and riot plants, picking up for this dry and windless day. Drying of the collected raw materials is carried out in a dark, well-ventilated place, after which it is placed in paper bags and left in well-ventilated and dry rooms with average temperatures. In such conditions, the shelf life of onosma is usually about 1 year. 
Mode of application
Some popular recipes of traditional medicine with the use of onosma have already been described above, but in fact there are much more, because it all depends on the particular ailment and the characteristics of its course. Here are some more common uses for this plant.
To get rid of fever and ease the flow hypertension an infusion from a tablespoon of crushed onosma and a glass of boiling water will help, which after mixing is left to infuse for two hours. The finished tool is filtered, and then consumed by 1-2 tbsp. spoons before eating.
With infertility women are advised to use a plant that has been ground to a powder. To this end, dried parts of onosma are passed through a meat grinder (together with sprigs), and then the finished powder is taken three times a day half an hour before meals, pre-mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey. 
Of course, some of these recipes immediately help to cope with the problem, and someone will need more serious treatment, using onosma only as an aid. However, despite the uncertainty of the final result, it is pointless to deny the benefits of the described herb for the human body, therefore, after consulting with your doctor, you can trust in traditional medicine.
