Recently, creepers have become popular in landscape design. But few people know that many of their representatives are not only beautiful, but also useful for humans. One of such specimens is the Caucasian Dioscorea, and now what kind of a vine is and how useful it is for the human body, we will find out.
Botanical description
Caucasian Dioscorea - a representative of perennial herbaceous vines of the Dioscorea family. Its length can vary within 2-4 m. The root is thick, long. The heart-like oval shape of the lower leaves resembles a whorl, while the upper ones are slightly pointed, with arc veins. 
Same-sex flowers have a characteristic green color. Dioscorea is a dicotyledonous plant, in the hands of which there are up to three flowers (this is the maximum). Its fruit is a box with three nests and the same number of faces. Flowering period - from May to June, fruiting - from July to September.
Distribution and habitat
This is an endemic plant of the Caucasus. It is found in the west of Transcaucasia, inhabiting oak groves, as well as among shrub plantings and in the mountains (at an altitude of up to 1 km.).
Important! Caucasian Dioscorea is listed in the Red Book.
Chemical composition
The plant contains steroid glycosides. Dioscin, which is the main component, can be broken down into components such as glucose, rhamnose and diosgenin. In addition, starch and fatty substances are part of the Dioscorea.
Beneficial features
Caucasian Dioscorea positively affects a person:
- binds and reduces cholesterol;
- eliminates pain;
- relieves fatigue and reduces fatigue;
- does not allow uric acid to linger in the blood;
- normalizes sleep;
- improves memory and mood;
- activates cardiovascular, renal and hepatic activity;
- helps in the fight against obesity.
Medical applications
Doscorea preparations are often used to treat various diseases: gout, arthritis, rheumatism, cataracts, atherosclerosis, sarcoidosis, and others.
For respiratory organs
With the help of Dioscorea, bronchitis and pneumonia are treated. The plant is used in the form of tea to:
- increase the blood circulation of the respiratory organs;
- outflow of mucus;
- increase the level of protection of the whole body.
In diseases of the respiratory organs, pine sap, parsnip, marsh cinquefoil, marsh wild rosemary, primrose (primrose), Crimean glandnitsa, stonecrop visible, dead bearded, common dope and Kalanchoe pinnate are also used.
For the nervous system
To improve the activity of the nervous system is recommended to undergo a course of treatment with broths. It continues for 1 month, after which sleep will become complete, blood pressure will return to normal, headaches and tinnitus will disappear.
Like the Caucasian Dioscorea, the nervous system is also strengthened: chicory, buttercups, wormwood, flat beans, sunflower seeds, sunflower seeds, cornels, creeping buttercup, whitehead, mountain arnica (mountain mutton), iceberg lettuce and purple stone leaves.
For digestion
The root of the plant can be used to treat gastritis (in its early stages), and also enhances the motility of the entire gastrointestinal tract. To do this, prepare a drink from chopped dioscorea root, ginger, fennel, chamomile, lemon balm, mint with the addition of boiling water. It is recommended to use the tool immediately before a meal. 
For the cardiovascular system
Dioscorea is very useful for people of old age, as it is capable of cleaning the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol. Acceptance of preparations prepared from the root of the plant eliminates the symptoms of atherosclerosis, improves the post-infarction condition, mitigates the effects of stroke, increased blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to the Caucasian Dioscorea, the cardiovascular system also has a positive effect: chervil, radish, hellebore, cantaloupe, buttercups, daphne, cumin, sucker (lochina), nettle, oregano (oregano), and pine resin.Dioscorea increases blood supply, dilates blood vessels, saturating cells with oxygen and nourishing it with beneficial substances, which helps reduce the likelihood of tachycardia and angina pectoris. If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to take alcohol tinctures from a dry root.
For the functions of the reproductive system
With this herb, diseases caused by hormonal disruptions are also treated. It is able to stop the excessive synthesis of estrogens, maintaining the condition of endometriotic patients. In addition, drugs from Dioscorea help to preserve the fetus and support the woman during pregnancy. They treat hypogonadism, osteoporosis, menstrual disorders, pain and cramps, vaginitis, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and endometritis.
Like the Caucasian Dioscorea, a good influence on the functions of the reproductive system also has: bee pollen, strawberries, ashwagandha, persimmon, grass of the agarum, walnut partitioning walls, drone milk, bark of viburnum, mint and walnut oil.Dioscorea can reduce the risk of cancer in a woman. It prevents the development of fibroids.
For organs of sight
Collection of Dioscorea, clover, sage, tsmina and hawthorn treat cataract, myopia and hyperopia, but only in the early stages. The course duration is three weeks.
Beneficial effects on organs of vision are also boletus, Brussels sprouts, pecans, baked apples, russula mushroom, pine cones, blueberries, turnips, carrots, ochanka, purslane garden and red wine.
Harm and side effects
Side effects from the use of products containing liana root can be:
- intestinal disorder;
- itching on the skin.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to take the above drugs if the patient suffers:
- bradycardia;
- low blood pressure;
- gastritis;
- gastric ulcer;
- individual intolerance to the components of the plant.
Recipes for healing potions
For the preparation of medicines is better to use roots older than 25 years of age. From them prepare decoctions, tinctures, ointments and other drugs.
Important! Dried roots of the plant are able to maintain their properties for three years.
Alcohol tincture: how to take
For the manufacture of tools such as alcohol tincture, you will need:
- dry root Dioscorea - 50 g .;
- vodka - 0.5 l.
It is effective in combating allergic manifestations and inflammatory processes in the body. For recovery after a stroke and other heart diseases, tincture is prepared according to another recipe: 7 tbsp. dry rhizomes vines pour 1.5 liters. alcohol and insist for 10 days. Drink 1 tsp. along with tea after meals. Course duration - 1 month.
Powder
You can also take crushed to a powdered state root of Caucasian Dioscorea from atherosclerosis. Take a powder for a third of a teaspoon while holding honey. After 10 days of therapy, you need to take a break for a week. To continue this treatment is not longer than 4 months. 
Decoction
Dioscorea in the form of decoction is used to treat atherosclerosis, increased blood pressure, gout, arthritis, impaired function of the pituitary gland and in sexual diseases, as well as in impaired metabolism and hormonal problems. To prepare such a miraculous decoction you will need:
- 1 tsp crushed plant root;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water.
Ointment
The ointment is used to treat atherosclerosis of the legs. To do this, 100 g of chopped roots pour 400 g of pork fat. Boil the mixture in a water bath for 2 hours, remembering to stir. Next, you need to insist means for half an hour, then put in the refrigerator for storage. Prepare the composition of the feet before bedtime (be sure to wrap up with a towel afterwards) or hold over the steam.
Did you know? Dioscorea has estrogenic activity, but does not contain hormones.
Growing Dioscorea Caucasian
Growing Dioscorea is easy enough. Liana fit and street, and apartment conditions. The main thing is to know all the needs of the plant.
Choice of location and lighting
The place should be well lit, sunny or with a slight shadow. The best option is light and diffused light. Recommended temperature:
- in summer - not below + 20⁰C;
- in the winter - not below + 13⁰C.
Substrate and fertilizer
Dioscorea loves neutral soils that are not heavy in mechanical composition. Suitable mixture of turf and leaf land, coarse sand and humus.
During the growing season (from spring to autumn) it is worth fertilizing the vine every 2-3 weeks. To do this, you can use liquid mineral fertilizers for vines and ivy. Always follow the dosage specified in the instructions. 
Sowing and reproduction
Seeds of Dioscorea reproduces very badly. To obtain a positive result, it is necessary to maintain a high temperature (about + 30⁰C) of air for a long time period. Growth is very slow.
It is best to propagate the vine cuttings. In the spring, cut off the apical specimens and root in the peat mixture. Wrap with polyethylene to create a greenhouse. Just do not forget to air it and water the plant. As soon as the cutting grows and is stronger, it can be transplanted to a permanent place. 
Watering and moisture
In the summer of the dioscore, we need abundant watering. In the autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced. With the arrival of winter and the state of rest, watering becomes even more rare. This moment is determined by the yellow color of the foliage. As soon as the leaves start turning green in the spring, the watering frequency is increased again.
Wintering
If the winter in your region is quite cold, the vine is insulated with foliage discarded by it. In warm climatic conditions, it does not need shelter.
Diseases and pests
The main pest is the red spider mite (the leaves begin to dry and coagulate). You can get rid of a small number of these insects by washing the leaves with a soap solution or by spraying the plant with tincture of onion peel. In case of severe injury, it is necessary to use the drug "Aktelik".
Feedback from users on the effectiveness of the drug "Aktelik"
This universal remedy will help you in the fight against unwanted pests on almost all fronts of gardening and cultivation of indoor plants. It will equally well help you both in the garden on various bushes and at home on your favorite flowers. Familiar with this drug, I use it firsthand for the fourth season and incredibly pleased with it. I bought it for the first time I remember him for good luck, and was incredibly surprised by its high efficiency. And ever since, she has always remained faithful to this remedy, which never failed me. Therefore, I can safely recommend it to you.Katyusha 89
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This summer I bought a flower on the street, and when I brought it home, I almost didn’t feel bad. Inside, everything was teeming with thrips. The long black pests were in large numbers everywhere, both on the ground and on the leaves and stalks. I immediately set the flower in the bathroom. Aktellik and kept in the bathroom in quarantine somewhere a week. Then transplanted into clean land and once again made the processing. And all the pests like it did not happen. The preparation helped. But I want to warn you that it is better to do the treatment in the fresh air or a balcony. The smell is the strongest, I was afraid to poison myself in pairs. This is the only minus of the drug. You can buy in any garden shop and it costs a penny. I recommend.Tim82
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Pest control is a very laborious job. I struggle with it every year. I buy the most different means. Last year, for the first time, I used the Actellic pest remedy and it made a very good impression on me. In that year, in our neighborhood, everyone attacked the aphid on black currants. Well, I noticed in time and sprayed her Actellic pest remedy. Aphids died and the currant harvest was good for me. And all the neighbors currant did not freak. I also used the Actellic pest remedy to spray cabbage, which also helped me in this case.karina88
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Dioscorea diseases are not susceptible, except that with a lack of moisture the leaves of the vines may turn yellow and fall off.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials
The root of the vine is dug strictly at the beginning or at the end of the growing season. Dug out the sponge rid of the earth and washed under running water. After drying, they proceed to sorting the material for harvesting: thin and rotten parts are thrown away.
Suitable roots should be crushed into pieces of 5 cm. The drying process takes place at + 60 ... + 70⁰C in a well-ventilated place. Do not forget to periodically mix the workpiece. The finished material is stored in fabric bags in batches to eliminate the possibility of moisture. 
Use in landscape design
In landscape design the liana is used for vertical gardening of the territory. It can wind over any surface: staircase railing, decorative partitions, arbors, pillars, fences, etc. In the summer, it will delight with its greenery, and in the fall - with yellow tones in the color of the season. The plant goes well with girlish grapes, coniferous plantations and purple background. Nearby you can plant dahlias, gladioli and other flowers.
Did you know? The name of the species and genus of Dioscorea is a tribute to the works of the ancient healer Dioscorides.Caucasian Dioscorea - not only decor for your garden. This is a medicinal plant that is used to treat many different diseases. Take it in the form of tinctures, decoction, powder and even ointment. These products easily replace hormonal drugs, but before you begin a course of treatment, you should consult with your doctor and make sure that you do not have any contraindications to their use.
