Common doll

On the territory of Russia, such a weed plant as common cockle is widespread. It usually grows on uncultivated soils where spring and winter crops are planted.

Like any weed, common cockle takes root well, while it can withstand cold winters. It begins to grow in early May at a soil temperature of 4 degrees. The second growing season is observed towards the end of August. The plant blooms in mid-summer.

Beginning in late July, the cockle ripens fruits in the shape of a box, in which there are many dark brown seeds.

The plant itself has a straight, hairy stem with several branches. The height of an adult weed can reach 90 centimeters. On the stem are petiolate and sessile leaves of a linear or linear-lanceolate shape. The flowers of the common cockle can be pink or white.

The weed propagates in bolls, which enter the soil and retain their viability for 10 years, littering cereals and other crops.

Despite the fact that this herb is a weed, it is used in cooking as well as in folk medicine.

The seeds of the common cockle have an expectorant, antihelminthic, diuretic, and hemostatic effect. Leaf infusions additionally have analgesic and hypnotic effects. The roots of the plant in the form of an infusion help with skin diseases and hemorrhoids.

Despite such a wide spectrum of action, the herb is poisonous in excessive quantities, therefore, it is necessary to use it with great care for the purpose of treatment.