The kopeck forgotten (bear root or red root) - herbaceous plant of the legume family. The people of Siberia have long known about the healing properties of the plant. It was used to give strength, energy, lift the spirit. Now, the spectrum of action of kopeechnik in folk medicine is wider. Consider how and why to use the plant.
Botanical characteristic
Red root - perennial herb, growing to 25-80 centimeters. Its leaves are elliptical or oblong-elliptical, bright green. They are about 4–4.5 cm long, 0.5–1.6 cm wide. The root is red in color, which is why the name appeared.
The inflorescence is a loose brush consisting of 15-30 flowers. They are located relatively densely. It blooms purple or purple-magenta. The flowering period falls on June - July. 
At the same time, fruits are formed. The fruit is a jointed bean. Usually compressed, smooth or ribbed, with small bristles.
Did you know? The Latin name of the plant Hedýsarum gave Carl Linney, forming it from two ancient Greek words ἡδύς and ἄρωμα, which together literally means "pleasantly smelling".
Chemical composition
In all parts of the plant such useful substances are contained:
- catechins;
- tannins (up to 18%);
- flavonoids (quercetin, hyperoside, polystochid and rhamnopyranoside);
- amino acids;
- macronutrients (iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper);
- polysaccharides;
- vitamin C;
- selenium;
- xanthones (mangiferin, isomangiferin);
- pectic substances;
- carotene;
- alkaloids (cytisine).
The number of macronutrients in a plant depends on the place of its growth.Use: medicinal properties
- The tannins that make up the plant have an astringent effect. They normalize the work of the intestines and stomach. They are also able to eliminate the inflammatory processes that occur with hemorrhoids.
- Alkaloids have an analgesic effect, as well as inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms and cancer cells.
- Flavonoids, coumarins are antiseptics and antibacterial agents.
- Selenium strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves heart function.
- Antioxidants purify the blood and liver from toxins and slags.
- Thanks to the antiviral action helps with influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, ARVI, tuberculosis. Improves sputum discharge and lowers temperature.
Use in traditional medicine
In folk medicine, kopeck is used to treat:
- problems with bronchi and lungs (tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia);
- kidney problems (stones, inflammation);
- bladder (sand, cystitis);
- anemia, anemia;
- liver, gall;
- GIT;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- strengthen the immune system.
For men
Red root - the main source of male power. 
Its flavonoids cleanse the blood vessels and normalize blood circulation, normalize the muscles of the pelvic organs. And this helps to overcome problems with erection, prostatitis, infertility, urinary system.
Among the products useful for men in their composition and content of special substances that positively affect men's health include: walnuts, parsley, carrots, horseradish, lemon, dates, persimmon, celery and dill.
For women
In the female body, the kopeck eliminates inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs, painful sensations during menstruation. In addition, it helps with uterine bleeding, prolapse of the uterus, prolapse of the rectum.
It is able to prevent the development of breast cancer. Often included in the complex therapy for the restoration of women's health. 
Harm and side effects
If you use bear root in large quantities, you may experience an allergic reaction, swelling, severe headaches. There may be a feeling of heaviness in the liver region. In case of overdose by a medicinal plant, nausea, headache, nervousness will appear.
Contraindications
Acceptance of the red root is strictly contraindicated:
- pregnant and lactating;
- in the presence of individual intolerance to the components of the herb;
- children under 12;
- people with heart problems (heart attack, heart failure);
- severe liver disease;
- in diseases of the nervous system;
- the presence of brain injuries;
- with increased pressure.
Important! You can not use the kopeck when taking strong antibiotics, as the plant enhances their action.
Before you begin self-treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials
The kopechnik prefers a cool climate. It grows on moist soils with a rich mineral composition. Therefore, it can be found along the banks of rivers, in meadows, glades and in the forests of Siberia, in the Altai, the Far East, in Central Asia. Finding a plant on your own is extremely difficult, as it belongs to rare species.
For medicinal purposes, both aboveground and underground parts of the plant are used. Leaves and flowers begin to gather during flowering (July - August). 
To do this, cut off the upper part at a height of 10-20 centimeters from the ground. Raw materials are cleaned from litter and dried in the shade in a dry place. You can leave it raw, but then its shelf life will be no more than a month in the refrigerator.
The roots are harvested in the fall, when the plant fades away (end of August - September). The root needs to be dug out only at an adult plant. Their root system is already quite developed. The plant is rooted very well, so getting the rhizome is not so easy.
We recommend that you read about the healing properties of the maraliah root, the calgane and the root of the spring.
When you dig it up, you should leave a third of the root in the ground. This will allow the plant to recover. The rhizome is cleared of earth, crushed and dried. The dried product is stored in a dry ventilated area for up to three years.
Since the plant grows in distant regions and it is difficult to find it yourself, it is possible to purchase its dry preparations in a pharmacy. But you need to be extremely attentive, as manufacturers often add rhizomes of other types of kopecks to a bear root. They reduce the medicinal effect of raw materials. They can be distinguished by color: the mixture is lighter. 
Cooking recipe: how to take
Sometimes the quality of the finished tincture may be in doubt. In this case, you can cook it yourself. Imagine a few simple recipes.
Tincture on vodka
Recipe number 1.
Ingredients:
- vodka;
- fresh leaves of kopeck.
Cooking:
- Take a liter jar and half fall asleep crushed leaves.
- Top poured vodka.
- Close the lid and send in a dark place to brew for two weeks.
- After decanting.
Did you know? The word "kopeechnik" in the name of the plant appeared because of the shape of its fruits. They are as flat and round as a coin.
Tincture is taken to improve the general condition of a teaspoon three times a day after meals for one and a half months.
Recipe number 2.
Ingredients:
- 50 g dry red root;
- liter of vodka.
Cooking:
- Grind dry root and pour vodka.
- Close the lid and put in a dark place for 14 days to settle.
- Periodically you need to shake the tincture.
Tincture is useful to strengthen the immune system. It is taken in a teaspoon before meals three times a day.Recipe number 3.
Ingredients:
- 60 g dried red root;
- 0.6 liters of vodka.
Cooking:
- Finely crushed root is filled with vodka.
- Placed in a dark and cool place for 10 days.
- After the tincture is filtered.
Used by men with adenoma, 10 drops in 65 ml of water one hour before meals.
Read also about the medicinal properties and recipes for making tinctures: wax moth, propolis, aconite, tincture of bee orpus, as well as bison, goldenrod, shiitake mushrooms and burnet.
Infusion
Recipe number 1.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. l kopeck;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Cooking:
- Raw materials are filled with boiling water in a thermos and left to stand overnight.
- In the morning it is filtered.
Tincture is shown for inflammation of the respiratory system, adenoma and prostatitis. You need to take a glass of tincture three times a day.
Recipe number 2.
Ingredients:
- 75 g of bear root;
- 750 ml of boiling water.
Cooking:
- Raw materials are poured boiling water and infused in a water bath for 25 minutes.
- It is filtered and taken in case of diseases of the mammary glands, 250 ml three times a day for 28 days.
Recipe number 3.Ingredients:
- 45 g of red root;
- 0.9 liters of boiling water.
Cooking:
- Raw materials pour boiling water in a thermos and insist 10 hours.
- We strain and divide equally into pieces to be taken during the day.
- Infusion drink with tuberculosis.
Tea: how to brew
Recipe number 1.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. l bear root;
- 0.5 liters of boiling water.
Cooking: crushed rhizomes pour boiling water in a thermos and insist a few minutes.
Tea is useful for vitamin deficiency, colds, to raise the spirit. Drink no more than two cups per day. You can optionally add to the tea milk or honey.
Recipe number 2.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp kopeck root;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water.
Cooking: crushed raw material is poured boiling water and insist a quarter of an hour. Filter out.
Also used in vitamin deficiency, colds, to strengthen the immune system. Drink a glass twice a day warm. 
Decoction
Recipe number 1.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp. bear root;
- 1 tsp spring grass;
- 1 tsp the roots of Rhodiola Rosea;
- 1 tsp root devyasila;
- 1 tsp licorice root;
- boiling water.
Cooking:
- Mix plants and pour boiling water, taking into account the fact that 2 tbsp. l raw materials should go 800 ml of water.
- We put everything on a slow fire and boil for 30 minutes.
- Pour into a thermos and stand for two hours.
Useful for fever, chills, tuberculosis, hemoptysis. Drink 100 g per day.
Recipe number 2.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. l kopeck;
- 0.5 liters of water.
Cooking:
- Grind raw materials pour water and heat in a water bath for 20 minutes.
- After insisting two hours and filter.
Decoction improves metabolic processes in the body. Drink two tablespoons before meals three times a day.
Important! Do not self-medicate, so as not to harm yourself. It is better to consult a doctor.
The forgotten kopeechnik is a good remedy for treating female gynecological problems and male potency. It is also effective in the early stages of oncology and tuberculosis.
Taking broths and infusions in moderation, you will not only recover from serious diseases, but also strengthen your body, make it more resistant to infections and viruses.
