The common hoof-plant(Asarum europaeum) is a decorative perennial with evergreen leaves, which is remarkably easy to grow and perfectly covers the shady corners of the garden. It is also worth knowing thatcommon hoof has found the use ofas a medicinal plant, and its herb is used along with the roots. See whatcultivating the common hoof plantlooks like in the garden and how to take advantage of the valuable properties of this plant!
European coppice - Asarum europaeum
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
What does the common hoof plant look like?
The Common Hooperproduces branched, creeping rhizomes in the ground. The plant grows up to 15 cm in height, and the brown-redflowers of the coppiceappear in spring - in the period from March to May. However, they are largely hidden under the shiny, heart-shaped leaves.Potato leaveswhen torn, they have a characteristic pungent smell, slightly similar to the smell of pepper. The hoof moth is found wild in Poland in deciduous forests and thickets.
Common hoof - use
The common hoof plant has been used primarily as a medicinal plantThe herb with roots is used in medicine. This herb contains an essential oil consisting of phenolic acids, flavonoids, chalcone derivatives, tannins, aliphatic alcohols, sugars and minerals.
Extract of the herb extracthas a relaxing effect on the intestines and bronchi, thus preventing painful contractions in the digestive and respiratory systems.The extract is also an effective expectorant that facilitates the secretion of mucus in the upper respiratory tract.Kopytnika herb also has a calming effect , slightly diuretic and increasing sweat secretion.
Medicines produced with the participation of the hoof herbare used in catarrhal conditions upper respiratory tract accompanied by a dry and persistent cough. Incidentally, they are used in asthma, bronchospasm, pharyngitis and chronic bronchitis in smokers.
The flowers of the hoof plant are hidden under the leaves
Fig. pixabay.com
It should be remembered, however, that higher than recommended doses of the raw material cause nausea, stomach irritation, vomiting and diarrhea.The use of the hoofwort herb is not recommended for pregnant women .
The use of the common hoof plant can also be found in the gardenas a decorative ground cover plant.It looks particularly well under evergreen shrubs such as laurel or holly. The European hoof moth looks best when planted in a group of 10-20 or even several dozen plants together. The recommendedspacing for planting the hoof plant , allowing for a nice turf cover, is 16 plants per 1 m².
Common hoof - protection
Before we go to the forest to obtain the herb hoof, it is worth paying attention to the fact that in the years 1983 - 2014the common hoof plant was a partially protected plantAlthough it is no longer subject to protection However, collecting from natural sites in order to obtain herbal material is still a threat to this species. Therefore, let's not collect hoof-plant in forests. If you want to collect hoof herb, it is worth trying to grow this plant in the garden.
Common hoof - cultivation
Cultivation of the common hoof plantis best done in a shady position, on humus and calcareous soils.Due to the preference for calcareous soils, kopytnik is not suitable for planting under old spruce trees. It is also not suitable for planting under pine trees and other acidophilic conifers. However, it grows perfectly in the shade of many deciduous plants. Kopytnik is a highly frost-resistant plant and does not require winter cover (frost-hardy zone 4).
The common plant is a plant that does not require special care. It is enough to prepare the substrate well when planting the hoof plant, pouring organic fertilizer, e.g. compost, into the hole. After planting the hoof plant, the plant should be watered abundantly and allowed to overgrow the earth's surface.Additional watering may be required in the summer, during periods of droughtThe European coppice grows quite quickly, creating an evergreen carpet. This can be done in the spring and the newly acquired plants are planted at 15 cm intervals.
Common coppice can also be propagated from seeds , but it is a very laborious and long-lasting method.For this reason, it is rather not recommended in amateur cultivation.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
