At the Medicinal Herbs Centre of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, it is time to harvest roots, rhizomes, and tubers.
It is the ideal time to harvest roots and rhizomes, which are useful in medicine and pharmacy. As a storehouse for surviving the winter, they contain the most reserves and active substances. At the Medicinal Herbs Centre of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, roots with medicinal potential from a relatively large number of species and with a wide range of effects on human health are harvested. The best in terms of content are roots that are three years old or older. The harvest must therefore be thought of in advance, and for use, for example, for student or scientific work, growths of root drugs of different ages must be grown.
This year, we harvested marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) from perennial plants, which is used for respiratory or digestive tract problems due to its mucilage content, valerian (Valeriana officinalis) for insomnia or nervousness, and the adaptogen scull cap (Scutellaria baicalensis). In local natural conditions, the roots of withania (Withania somnifera), known as ashwagandha, are harvested as annuals. After a year, turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes can also be harvested in our conditions. One- or two-year roots of burdock (Arctium spp.), because these plants only live for two years.
The collected plant material is further processed by drying at the Center. Some drugs require further processing, such as peeling, cutting, or crushing. In addition, dietary tubers of interest are harvested every year - yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus). These are delivered fresh to the Department of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University.
Members of the Scientific Board of the Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine met for their final session of the year at the Simulation Centre. The key agenda items included the discussion of three habilitation procedures and a proposal to award an honorary doctorate to the dean of a prestigious American medical school.
Volunteers from IFMSA CZ Brno transformed the Brno shopping center Olympia into an improvised clinic over the weekend of November 15-16. On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, they offered passers-by a moment to pause, free examinations, and important education on preventing lifestyle diseases.
