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This plant also feels good in the nature of Latvia, but it is not an inhabitant of our nature and is more often found in garden areas.

Grape hyacinth are a family of perennial bulbs. They vary in height from 40-60 cm, depending on the species. Onions are small, oval, up to 2 cm in size. The early spring ephemeris is dormant for more than half a year. Muscare onion has changed its appearance from the stem, which accumulates nutrient reserves for the future vegetation period of the plant. In early spring, small, lanceolate leaves appear, which are arranged in a root rosette and small flower stalks. The leaves have parallel veins.

The inflorescence is leafless and at the top is a dense spike-like inflorescence. Depending on the Grape hyacinth species, the flowers tend to be blue, purple, rarely white, pink, yellow, there are also mixed color inflorescences, for example, blue inflorescences with a white shade. The flowers are arranged on short pedicels, the upper flowers of the inflorescence are barren.

The Grape hyacinth fruit is a three-chambered capsule, ball or heart-shaped, inside which many, wrinkled, black and tiny seeds ripen.

Grape hyacinth are poisonous, it is their bulbs. Alcoholic extracts of Grape hyacinth petals are prepared for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. For this purpose, collect the inflorescences of this plant during its flowering.

Grape hyacinth contains alcohols (phenylethyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol), complex esters (eugenol, dimethylhydroquinone, methyleugenol), aldehydes, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid.

The essential oil consists of phenylethanol, benzaldehyde, cinnamylaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, eugenol, hydroquinone. Alkaloids have also been found in onions.

Medicinal significance

The pharmacological properties of the plant are provided by its chemical composition. Grape hyacinth are rich in vitamin C, which may explain the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this plant. The flavonoids present in the surface part help to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin, thus giving the skin a youthful appearance.

Grape hyacinth are also used in folk medicine. The plant is used externally as a wound-healing, antiseptic, pain-relieving agent, in case of skin inflammations, as well as in case of burns and hernias.

Grape hyacinth are known for their sedative effect, so it is widely used for neurosis, depression and insomnia. Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) essential oil is widely used in massages, inhalations to treat colds, bronchitis, and is also used in gynecology in case of an unstable cycle.

Grape hyacinth scent acts as an aphrodisiac, relieves frigidity and impotence, and calms the nervous system.

Alcohol extracts of flowers are used to prevent various skin problems - rashes, acne.

Not recommended for use

Grape hyacinth are poisonous, especially their bulbs, so taking this plant orally should be avoided altogether. During pregnancy and lactation, this plant should not be used externally, of course, children should not be treated with it either. Long-term contact with the juice of this plant can cause contact dermatitis - most often, gardeners suffer from it.