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Olga Aleynikova 03/24/2014 | 16985
Sphagnum moss is known to gardeners for being an ideal assistant in rooting cuttings. In fact, this is unique plant with incredible properties.
Although sphagnum moss is often called “white moss,” it is not actually that kind of moss. In relatively dry areas of raised bogs, rusty-brown, red or pink, and even purple-red specimens can be found. It depends on the type of moss. For more damp places usually live light green or slightly brownish species.
What is sphagnum?
Sphagnum is a perennial spore plant. It has no roots. Each unit is a thin, constantly branching stalk, the lower part of which gradually dies off. The branches and stem are covered with small scaly leaves arranged in a spiral. Leaves consist of two types of cells. Some of them are small, narrow-tubular, green, with a solid shell. Photosynthesis occurs in them.
Others are much larger, hollow and colorless. Such cells are called hyaline cells. They have pores through which air penetrates into them in dry weather, making the color of the plant very light, almost white. During wet periods, water is sucked in through the same pores. It is believed that sphagnum mosses are able to absorb about 20 times their own weight in water! Hence the Greek name for moss “sphagnos” - sponge.
How to use?
It is this property of sphagnum that primarily attracts the attention of gardeners. Cut moss added to the substrate not only loosens the soil, but also gives it necessary structure, but also increases its moisture capacity. It takes excess water immediately after watering and then gives it to the roots as needed. But we must take into account that adding sphagnum to the soil significantly increases its acidity. Therefore, you should not take more than 10% of the total volume of the mixture.
With the help of sphagnum you can maintain high humidity and around the crown of the plant. To do this, just put moss around the pot and periodically moisten it. But there is no need to constantly keep it on the soil surface. This can lead to waterlogging and death of the roots. As an exception, this technique can be used when going on vacation for 7-8 days.
Antiseptic properties
Next important property sphagnum is that it contains antiseptics. First of all this sphagnol- a substance that has an anti-putrefactive effect. Thanks to this, as well as the ability to acidify everything around it, sphagnum creates an environment in swamps in which dead plants are preserved for centuries without rotting.
This quality of moss is also important for gardeners. The bactericidal properties and anti-rot effect of sphagnum can significantly increase the likelihood of rooting of many plants. Only succulents cannot be rooted in it. Excellent results are obtained by using sphagnum moss when propagating using the air layering. When transplanting a rooted cutting into the soil, it is useful to leave a little of the moss in which it grew on the roots.
Harvesting moss
Sphagnum moss can be harvested at any time of the year, but most often it is done in the fall, which makes it possible to keep it alive (by freezing) until the start of spring floriculture work, when there is usually no access to the swamps yet. The moss is easy to remove, but it is better to take only the upper parts of the stems, cutting them off with scissors. There is no need to be greedy. Remember that one liter plastic bag tightly filled with moss is enough to prepare at least 10 liters of planting mixture. The collected sphagnum moss (to reduce weight) is thoroughly squeezed out.
Moss brought from the forest must be filled with very warm, but not hotter than 45°C, water for 30 minutes. This will not only saturate it with moisture, but also get rid of insects.
Keep the moss cool in unsealed plastic bags, allowing it to breathe. In winter it’s just freezing.
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Sphagnum moss is the collective name for the species Sphágnum, which is common in marshy areas. The reasons why this plant has become popular and in demand in medicine:
- the antiseptic properties of moss stop bacterial, fungal and viral infections;
- the ability to absorb a volume of water 20-25 times its own weight;
- ease of preparation and availability of raw materials, sphagnum moss grows everywhere.
For humanity, the Sphagnum species has brought invaluable benefits. Sphagnum moss grows from the bottom up, the lower part constantly dies, is compressed under pressure and forms useful fuel - peat. Pieces of peat served for many centuries for heating homes and for cooking. When dry, the plant is light in weight, so even women and children could harvest it. Peat is perfectly preserved throughout the winter, and fuel can be used as needed. In harsh climatic conditions, peat was used for capital insulation of homes. They closed the joints between window frames and adjacent walls, gaps in the floor and walls.
Description of the medicinal plant
Sphagnum moss has two generations, like other spore-bearing perennials. Appearance plants - carpet covering, having small rounded protrusions. Upon closer inspection, the plant looks like many small fluffy stems with branching side branches. Sphagnum varies in color and is found:
- a species with a silvery-green color;
- emerald, malachite appearance;
- yellowish and reddish appearance;
- snow-white, milky appearance.
To date, more than 320 species have been discovered. The color of a plant depends on many factors, including the acid-base balance environment, from the surface on which the species grows. The thickness of the cushion varies from 5 mm to 20 cm. The first generation is not able to reproduce by spores, but the second has this ability, so it actively spreads and takes over the territory. This plant contributes to waterlogging of the area and accumulates water. The structure of sphagnum has distinctive feature– the pillow uses the bottom layer of dead cells to store water. Such storage serves as a guarantee that the sphagnum will not die during the dry season. The death of the cells of the lower layer is a natural stage in the life of moss; only the upper part of the cushion remains alive. The pillow grows up tree trunks, over stones, right along marshy soil. Traditional medicine uses the living part of the plant as a medicinal raw material. The appearance of moss can vary depending on the region and growing conditions, so in order to collect it yourself, you need to open a botanical encyclopedia, consider and remember 320 amazing species of moss. Or take a book with you and read in nature, identifying the plants you see. The collection takes place in mid-summer in an environmentally friendly clean places. There are 2 collection technologies:
- cut the entire pillow;
- cut off the top of the pillow.
It is merciful to the plant not to destroy it completely, but only to take the top part. Sphagnum moss can quickly repair damage if at least 1/3 of the original volume remains, including the green top. Without the green top, the bottom half will not produce new shoots. Before drying, thoroughly shake off all soil and dirt. The plant serves as a nutritious raw material; experiments were conducted on the production confectionery and moss crackers. The species, especially rich in carbolic acid, served as material for primitive diapers among ancient peoples. Newborn children were wrapped in the collected layers of moss, and the structure exhibited its bactericidal properties, protected babies from infection and absorbed moisture. Several Yet interesting ways applications that have occurred in human history. Made from moss:
- vaginal tampons;
- pillows and mattresses;
- They still make deodorizing products with a pleasant, fresh smell.
When dried, sphagnum moss can be stored for decades; if dried properly, it does not decompose and preserves beneficial features. During the Great Patriotic War When there was not enough dressing material at the front, sphagnum cushions were used. The bactericidal properties of moss helped protect the wound from infection, and its absorbent properties quickly stopped bleeding. The pillow can absorb 20-35 times more liquid than its original weight. IN folk medicine The use of moss for healing wounds on the skin still occurs. The use of sphagnum is not limited only to medicine; its hygroscopic properties have found their place in agriculture. Layers are made from moss to dry the soil and line the bottom flower pots and flower beds.
Beneficial features
IN war time Scientists have studied the bactericidal properties of moss and discovered a way to enhance them. For strengthening, impregnation was used:
- sodium chloride;
- boric acid;
- sublimate solution.
As a result of this action, divalent mercury ions attached to the membranes of plant cells and created a film that even water could not wash off. The ions had an additional inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms.
Moss contains:
- mineral salts;
- cellulose;
- coumarins;
- organic sugars;
- pectin;
- phenol.
A sphagnum pillow is used as a compress on wounds, as an additive in medicinal baths. The antibacterial properties of sphagnum are especially effective against staphylococcal infections. Application of sphagnum:
- For a foot bath, fill a bucket 1/5 full with moss, pour warm water and dip the legs into the container.
- For a full body bath. Pour sphagnum moss into a large bucket, 1/5 or more of the volume, and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. After this it can be used as a bath additive.
- For a compress, take 1 handful of moss per 1 liter of water, heat to a boil, hold over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Soak the gauze or bandage directly in the resulting liquid without straining.
You do not need to use boiled, fried, or pickled sphagnum moss internally. Oral use is not beneficial for the digestive tract.
What does it treat?
Burns, cuts and skin damage, purulent wounds, abscesses, skin diseases: psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, urticaria.
Bone and joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout.
Joint injuries, swelling, venous insufficiency, inflammatory processes, trophic ulcers and mucous edema.
Contraindications
The only time you should not use sphagnum is if you are allergic to any of its components. chemical composition. In all other respects, this external application is completely harmless. In order for the drug to show its best properties, it should be stored well-dried in a room with low humidity. The plant is not prone to decomposition, but the shelf life is room temperature should not exceed 2 years. To check the quality of the raw materials, you can smell the pillow; the normal smell is weak and pleasant, and does not resemble a swamp or putrid one. If the pillow begins to crumble, crumble or change color, it is better to throw away these raw materials and collect them again. Plant collected in winter time not suitable for medicinal use. For collection it is best to choose dry and sunny weather so that the pillow does not become saturated with excess rainwater. Before drying, squeeze out the sphagnum moss, spread it on film or newspaper, wait until it dries completely, and only then use it. Careful and responsible procurement of raw materials is a guarantee of safe use.
Sphagnum, peat moss (Sphagnum L.) from the Sphagnaceae family. Sphagnum mosses (see photo) are widespread throughout the swamp areas of the entire north of Russia.
They usually form dense or loose different colors(greenish-yellow to purple) tufts over mossy hummocky swamps and swampy forests. Ledum and blueberries (gonobobel), cranberries and cloudberries, cotton grass and princelings, and stunted birch and pine trees are common plants in such sphagnum bogs. There are several dozen different types of sphagium growing here; in the European part of Russia alone there are more than 40 of them.
These mosses, due to their biological characteristics (unlimited growth due to the lack of a root system, high suction capacity and aseptic properties, often create huge deposits of peat, which is of great economic importance. Well-decomposed sphagnum peat, in various types of its processing (lump peat, milled peat chips , peat briquettes, peat gases), is a high-quality fuel material.
Sphagnum application.
Slightly decomposed sphagnum peat is used in a number of sectors of our economy and industry, for example: in agriculture as bedding for livestock, peat fertilizer, peat-fine feed for livestock, packaging and preservative material for transportation and storage food products sh fruits (peat powder); in construction as an insulating building material (peat, phagnite, isoplytes, peat plywood) for laying voids in walls or for filling them; in sanitation as a disinfectant and odor-destroying agent for filling in powder form Wastewater and cesspools; in medicine (in surgery) - when dressing wounds in the form of gauze bags made of compressed or dry sphagnum instead of cotton wool or lignin: in paper production as a raw material for the production of coarse grades of paper (newspaper, wrapping paper, wallpaper, cardboard); finally, in the chemical industry - for the preparation of paints, tannins, alcohol, etc.
During the Great Patriotic War received great importance the use of sphagnum in surgery as a good suction dressing material for purulent wounds The question of sphagnum as a dressing material is very old, already in the 11th century. The British began to use sphagnum for this purpose, then later it spread widely throughout Western Europe.
In the 19th century this was already a well-known remedy: during the Napoleonic wars, sphagnum served as a dressing material in the navy; in the Franco-German war of 1870-1871. sphagnum was used as a standard dressing material; during Russo-Japanese War The Japanese used sphagnum dressings to provide first aid to the wounded, and many wounds dressed with sphagnum remained in quite satisfactory condition without any dressing for 10 days while the wounded were being transported from Manchuria to Japan. During the imperialist war of 1914-1918. sphagnum became widely used by the British, and then it quickly spread in France, Belgium, Egypt, Canada, the USA and other countries.