Many modern people still prefer chemical preparations, traditional medicine. In order to properly use the gifts of nature, and their use was only useful, you need to know a lot of information about medical plants. In this article we will consider the features of such a plant as the blessed Knicus.
Botanical description
Cardobenedict is a herb, reaching a height of 20-70 centimeters. It has a core root system. The stem of the flower grows straight, branches at the top. In structure, soft and juicy. Leaves are gray-green, pinnate, with spiny cloves.
The location on the stem alternately. In the lower part of the plant they have a narrowed base and form a rosette. The length of the sheet is about 20 centimeters. This value gradually decreases with the approach of the leaves to the top of the plant.
The flowers are small, tubular in shape, gathered at the top of the stem in baskets. Basket about two centimeters wide. Its outer petals turn into spines. Internal - oblong-ovate, assembled tightly. 
Also pass into the thorn, but pinnate. The flowering period falls on June-August. After (in September) the fruits are formed. They are ribbed, yellow-brown in color, 8-10 millimeters long and with a bearing tuft.
Did you know? Knicus is a component of the popular Benedictine liquor, which was invented by monks from the monastery of St. Benedict in France in the 16th century.
Distribution and habitat
Initially, the habitat of the plant was limited to Southern Europe, Transcaucasia, Syria, and the territory from Iran to Afghanistan. Now brought and wild book can be found in Central and Eastern Europe, in some regions of Russia, in South Africa, in the south of the States, in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Prefers dry slopes, wastelands. It can also grow along roads, near housing. 
Chemical composition
The composition of the plant includes:
- tannins;
- resins;
- bitterness;
- flavones;
- mucus;
- essential oils;
- tannin;
- B vitamins;
- gum;
- glycosides;
- triterpene compounds;
- nicotinamine;
- iron;
- manganese.
Beneficial features
The rich composition of the plant determines its beneficial properties:
- antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- cardiotonic;
- antidepressant.
Woodlouse, medicinal peony, yucca, comfrey, celandine, tricolor violet, calendula, goldenrod, birch and sea buckthorn leaves also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
The glycosides present in the flower improve the sensitivity of taste receptors, stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and improve the gastrointestinal tract.
Cardobenedict is also able to activate the protective functions of the body, normalize the work of the nervous system, improve blood circulation, support the work of the liver and gall. 
Medical applications
Traditional medicine has long known about the medicinal properties of a curly wolf. It was used to clean the blood, improve digestion, as a diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic agent. It also lowered the temperature and cough sputum.
The diuretic properties also have: juniper, purple stonecrop, mordovnik, Phrygian cornflower, Siberian siksha, buckthorn bark, safflower, red clover, avran medicinal, and iglitse.
Plant-based preparations were used to improve memory, normalize the menstrual cycle. They were treated with smallpox, malaria, fever, anorexia, stomach problems.
Herbalists from Benedict prepare medicines for cancer, inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, jaundice, yeast infections, liver, heart and skin problems.
When diarrhea also shown decoctions of thorns, evening primrose, hazel and oak bark.
Its extract is used in violation of the gastrointestinal tract, added in the production of fees and tinctures for the stomach. Also used for prolonged liver problems, diarrhea, nervous disorders, SARS and fevers.
Important! Even the most natural remedy of traditional medicine should not be taken without prior consultation with your doctor.
Growing and caring for plants
The flower is not whimsical, but still requires compliance with the minimum rules for planting.
Conditions of detention
For the cultivation of Knikus on your site you need to choose the most sunny and cozy place. It should also be as dry as possible. If the terrain is flooded, it is necessary to drain the soil well. Seeds are planted in open ground.
Soil and fertilizer
To the soil is absolutely not whimsical. It can grow even on the poorest soils, on the rocks. But in order to see the beauty of the plant, it is better to fertilize the soil in the place chosen for planting. It is enough to feed a flower once a year. 
Watering and moisture
Watering should not be abundant and frequent, as in natural conditions, the cardobenedict grows in desert areas. For it will be enough of the moisture that enters the soil with precipitation. Humidity should also be moderate.
Relation to temperature
Wolf curly is an annual plant, so after winter it must be planted again. Refers to heat-loving flowers.
Did you know? Our ancestors sewed hair in clothes as protection against damage and failures on a long journey.
Breeding
Propagated by seeds of seeds. Sowing is carried out in the spring (after frosts), or in the fall (before the onset of frosts). To make it easier to collect raw materials, rows are placed at a distance of 30-45 centimeters from each other. 
Shoots appear after two to four weeks. When on a young flower four true leaves are formed, the row must be thinned, leaving 10-15 centimeters between seedlings.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials
Harvest tops of shoots and roots. The tops are harvested when the inflorescences are just starting to open. The procedure can be performed several times per season. The collected shoots are tied up in bunches and dried in the open air away from sunlight.
Familiarize yourself with the features of operating the Ezidri Snackmaker FD500 and Ezidri Ultra FD1000 universal dryers.
Can be dried in the dryer, but at a temperature not higher than 45 degrees. Roots are going to fall. They are cleaned from the ground and spread on paper for drying in a ventilated place.
Important! Seeds of cardobenedict are very fond of birds, so they need to have time to collect until the birds have spoiled the raw material.
Possible difficulties in growing
Difficulties in cultivation can occur only if you live in a too wet or cold region. Such conditions are unacceptable for the plant, and it will inevitably die.
Pests, diseases and prevention
Pests and diseases bypass the Knicus. Even the weeds do not get along close to him, since the plant has a rather powerful aboveground part.
Grow CardoBenedict is not difficult. With proper selection of the landing site you will not need to worry about the fate of the plant. It will be enough just to control the soil moisture, and to collect useful healing material in time.
