Map of medicinal herbs of the Altai Territory. Medicinal plants of the Altai Mountains - a unique natural pharmacy. Hypericum perforatum – Hepericum perforatum L
The flora of the Altai Territory is rich and varied. The vegetation here was influenced by the geological history of the development of the territory, and the climate, and a peculiar relief. Almost all types of vegetation of northern and central Asia, Eastern Kazakhstan, and the European part of Russia are found in Altai.
The region is famous for abundant thickets of useful sea buckthorn bushes, which give berries, from which a valuable medicinal product, sea buckthorn oil, is made. Grow along the banks of reservoirs, in the floodplains of rivers and streams, on pebbles and sandy soils reservoirs floodplains pebbles soils
Valerian (valerian) is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant with small flowers collected in inflorescences. It is also called: maun pharmacy, cat root, forty inflow grass. The herbaceous plant grows in most of Russia.
Dandelion has long been given great importance as a source of "vital elixir". And this is not surprising, if you know about its rare tonic properties. This plant was widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, as well as in folk cooking for the preparation of cold and hot dishes, as well as a drink reminiscent of coffee in taste. Dandelion has long been given great importance as a source of "vital elixir". And this is not surprising, if you know about its rare tonic properties. This plant was widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, as well as in folk cooking for the preparation of cold and hot dishes, as well as a drink reminiscent of coffee in taste.
Maryin root, or, as it is also called, evading peony. This plant grows mainly in the Siberian taiga. Maryin root is not only a very beautiful ornamental plant, but also extremely useful. The people called the plant zhgun-grass because of the burning taste of its healing rhizomes. Unfortunately, due to the massive collection of this plant, its distribution in nature has significantly decreased, so the plant was listed in the Red Book. In medicine, underground and aboveground parts are used to prepare tinctures, which are prescribed as a sedative for insomnia, disorders of the nervous system.
Spring adonis is also called: spring adonis, hare poppy, hare grass is a perennial herbaceous plant with a short rhizome. It is distributed in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, grows on chernozem soils on dry hillsides, forest glades, forest edges and among bushes. Adonis spring is grown both as a medicinal and ornamental plant.
Licorice is a perennial herbaceous plant of the legume family with a powerful root system. Forms large thickets on solonetsous steppes and on the banks of steppe rivers, on sands, as well as on the fields of the steppe and semi-desert zone. Licorice root is used for the manufacture of medicines, as well as in brewing, confectionery, cooking and for technical purposes.
There are a great many medicinal plants on the planet, but nettle can be called the real leader, who has received universal recognition. This is a truly unique herb, it is used in different areas human life. So, in the past, threads, ropes, fishing nets were made from bast fibers obtained from nettles, and they also made very durable fabrics. In the 19th century, Europeans filtered honey through a nettle sieve and sifted flour.
Diversity medicinal herbs Altai owes its extraordinary unique climate and natural relief. The rarest combination natural conditions created excellent ground for the birth of not only the most talented people (Evdokimov, Zolotukhin, etc.), but also medicinal plants and mineral springs. Cedar trees, pines, tundra, rocks, meadows, all this is collected in a large area called Altai.
About 2000 species of plants grow in the Altai Territory, 660 of which are used by humans as food, sources of vitamins and medicines. The list of relict plant species includes 32 names, and 10 of them are listed in the Red Book. These are feather grass, Zalessky's feather grass, Siberian kandyk, Ludwig's iris, Altai onion, Altai gymnosperm, steppe peony.
Origanum vulgaris (Lamiaceae family)
A perennial herb growing up to one meter in height with erect tetrahedral stems. From July to September, it blooms with small purple-red flowers. The fruit is a small brown nut. It is famous not only for its surprisingly pleasant smell and taste, but also for a number of useful properties. A good remedy for coughs, colic and women's pains.
Golden root (radiola rosea)
An excellent stimulant that increases tone, improves memory and attention. This plant is also called Altai ginseng and is consumed as a tincture or simply brewed like tea.
Pine nuts
Rich in vitamins E, B, R. Linoleic acid improves heredity, cleanses the blood. A source of iodine and phosphatide phosphorus, which is simply necessary for the human body. Such deficient trace elements as zinc, manganese, cobalt and copper are also found in small, delicate nucleoli. And read more in our article published earlier.
Kopechnik South Siberian (red root, blistered, bear-root)
A plant with a red root, which sick bears eat with pleasure in the spring, is saturated with catechins, tannins and amino acids, treats infertility, impotence, urinary problems and prostatitis, improves immunity and strengthens the heart muscles. In terms of its beneficial properties, it exceeds the golden root and is equal to ginseng.
Sea buckthorn
An excellent refresher. Tea from its leaves is successfully drunk with diabetes, hypertension, dermatitis, atherosclerosis, pleurisy, coronary heart disease and pneumonia. A leaf compress is made on the joints for arthritis.
The nature of Altai is unique. An amazing combination of natural conditions has created a unique look of its landscapes. Here you can find juicy meadows full of herbs, and steppes dried up by the heat, dull mountain tundras and luxurious coniferous forests.
However, the true miracle of Altai is the zone of high mountain belts. These are alpine and subalpine meadows, playing with all the colors of the rainbow, like magical flower beds created by the hand of a sorcerer.
This is also the zone of the forest border, where mighty centuries-old cedars, like epic heroes, guard the secrets of majestic rocks. These are also wonderful springs, carrying their crystal jets from the eternal snows resting on the sky-high peaks of the mountains.
The main features of the vegetation cover of Altai are due to its geographic location, complex geological history, variety of climatic conditions.
The large extent of the territory of Altai, both from north to south and from west to east, predetermines the extraordinary diversity of its flora.
More than 2000 species of plants grow on the territory of Altai. useful plants, directly used by man, about 660 species. Many types of plants can be both medicinal, food, vitamin-bearing, and poisonous at the same time.
Group medicinal plants is one of the largest. Widely used in official medicine golden root, bergenia thick-leaved, valerian officinalis, Ural licorice, azure cyanosis, peony, dandelion, highlander, safflower-like rapotnik.
food plants in the flora of the region 149 species. Edible and widely used stalks of hogweed, angelica, Siberian skerda, ranks of Gmelin, sorrel leaves, rhubarb, bracken, flask, berry plants, wild onion. The stocks of raw materials of some food plants are quite large, but some need protection - rhubarb, flask, fern.
The flora of Altai is unique - more than 100 plant species are found only in Altai and nowhere else in the world. it endemics, which arose here in the process of evolutionary development, among which, in the majority, are especially valuable medicinal plants, for example, a red brush.
The flora of the Altai Territory contains 32 relict species. it Siberian linden, European hoof, fragrant bedstraw, giant fescue, Siberian brunner, salvinia floating, water chestnut and others.
The Red Book of Russia (1988) includes ten species of plants growing in the Altai Territory: Siberian kandyk, Ludwig's iris, Zalessky's feather grass, feather grass, feathery feather grass, Altai onion, steppe peony, Altai gymnosperm, Altai stellofopsis.
Altai is considered to be one of the most ecologically clean places not only in Russia, but also in the world. There are eight sites on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in Russia. Five of them are located on the territory of Altai. This is the Katun State Natural biosphere reserve, Belukha, Altai State Nature Reserve, Teletskoye Lake and Ukok Quiet Zone.
Studies conducted on the initiative of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) within the framework of the Living Planet program have shown that there are about two hundred regions on planet Earth in which 95% of all species of living organisms are concentrated. They got the name coreregions (ecological regions).
By preserving these regions, humanity will be able to save more than 95% of the existing biological diversity of the planet. Altai is included in the list of 200 unique ecoregions of the world (Global 200). The protection of this truly unique corner of nature is an important matter for both the population of Altai and all mankind.
Preparation of medicinal herbs
Medicinal plants are our "green gold" and should be handled wisely. With a rational approach to the collection of medicinal plants, their stocks will be renewed. Today, the stocks of many medicinal herbs and plants are rapidly declining, some of them are about to disappear altogether.
There are certain rules for the collection of medicinal plants, which must be followed by both professional collectors and those who collect herbs for their own needs.
In ancient herbalists, they indicated the exact date of collection of a particular plant, when the plant has the greatest healing properties. Often this date was associated with church holidays - “on Peter’s fast for dew ...”, “gather on the eve of Ivan Kupala”, etc.
If there are few plants in the places of planned harvesting, it is necessary to find other places of mass growth. Annuals can be collected in the same place every two years. Re-harvesting of perennial plants in one area is recommended after 7-10 years, depending on the characteristics of growth. At least 50% of individuals should be left on the collection area to ensure the restoration of stocks.
Medicinal plants change their composition according to the seasons, and according to the days of the month, and even according to the hours of the day. The Sun and the Moon influence the biochemical composition of plants. Often in old recipes it is written that this or that plant should be collected on a full moon or “when the month is at a loss”, or even “on a moonless night”. According to astrological guidelines, during the waxing moon, juices and energy rush to the sky, filling the ground part of the vegetation; during the waning moon, they fill the earth and underground plant organs. The full moon is the most unfavorable period for collection.
AT folk medicine there is a strong belief about the especially healing properties of herbs collected on July 7, the day of Ivan Kupala, and herbs collected at dawn have the maximum effect. Some of the Russian herbalists were engaged in collecting herbs, attracting assistants, only on the indicated day.
These instructions must be heeded.
In order to preserve as many useful substances as possible in plants, certain conditions must be observed when collecting and drying plants, which can be found in the special literature.
Every year interest in medicinal plants increases, they are harvested more and more, the number of adherents of herbal treatment is steadily increasing. In this regard, some endangered medicinal plants have already been included in the Red Book. We must help nature to maintain balance. To do this, you need to skillfully, carefully handle its wealth, in particular, with medicinal herbs.
The following are the most common herbs, plants, berries and mushrooms of Altai, which are used for food and medicinal purposes. This is a description of a small part of all plants suitable for food and treatment. The format of the site does not allow to include all medicinal herbs, plants, berries and mushrooms growing in Altai. But acquaintance with only a small part of them will give the reader an idea of the diversity of their medicinal and nutritional qualities.
Medicinal herbs
Bergenia crassifolia L.
Family saxifrage– Saxifragaceae Juss
Popular name: Mongolian or Chagir tea.
Badan thick-leaved is a perennial herbaceous plant of the saxifrage family.
It grows in Altai - on the slopes of the mountains, more often northern, on stony soils, blocks, rocks, as well as in dark coniferous (cedar, fir) and deciduous forests. Thanks to the branching of the rhizome, it forms crowded continuous thickets.
In medicine, an extract of leaves and rhizomes is used, it has astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and disinfecting properties. It is also used to treat colitis, enterocolitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, cervical erosion.
In folk medicine, infusions and decoctions of bergenia rhizomes are recommended as astringent, hemostatic, disinfectant and anti-febrile agent, with diseases of the oral cavity, nose, with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, female diseases, headache, fever, wound healing, pneumonia.
Badan leaves are widely used for diarrhea, fever. Tea from the old leaves of the plant is used for diseases of the urinary tract, goiter, toothache. The rhizomes are eaten after soaking. Powder from dried bergenia roots is sprinkled on wounds and ulcers to speed up their healing.
Contraindications: hypotension, tachycardia, hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, bowel disease with a tendency to constipation.
Galega officinalis - Galega officinalis L.
legume family– Fabaceae
vernacular name: goat's rue officinalis.
Galega officinalis - Galega is found in wet places in meadows, along river banks, along beams, forest edges.
The aerial part of the plant in the form of decoctions and infusions is used for diabetes.
Leaves and flowers are included in antidiabetic fees. They have been used for a long time in folk medicine as diuretic, diaphoretic, lactogenic, anthelmintic.
The internal use of Galega officinalis requires great care, since the plant poisonous.
Elecampane high - Inula helenium L.
Compositae family– composites
Perennial herbaceous plant. Distributed in Altai in the forest and forest-steppe zones. It grows along the banks of rivers, lakes, in wet meadows, in places where groundwater comes out, among shrubs, in deciduous forests, along the outskirts of villages (like running wild). Elecampane tall refers to ancient medicinal plants, which were widely used in their time by doctors of the era of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Pliny. This plant was used in the practice of Avicenna. Pliny wrote that elecampane grew out of the tears of Helen, the daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose abduction by Paris, according to legend, was the reason for the Trojan War.
Decoction elecampane is used
- with bronchitis,
- bronchial asthma,
- pneumonia,
- emphysema,
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis with increased secretion, enterocolitis, diarrhea of non-infectious origin, pancreatitis, in the absence of appetite);
- liver diseases,
- skin diseases (with eczema, neurodermatitis and other dermatoses and hard-to-heal wounds),
- in folk medicine - with helminthic invasion,
- painful and irregular menstruation
- anemia,
- kidney disease,
- hemorrhoids,
- diabetes,
- dropsy,
- hypertension
Infusion of elecampane used for:
with inflammation of the lungs,
bronchitis,
tracheitis,
cold,
with high blood pressure,
hemorrhoids
as a blood purifier various diseases skin.
Ointment elecampane is used for eczema and itching of the skin.
Juice- with cough and bronchial asthma.
Tincture- with malaria.
Essence from fresh roots and rhizomes is used in homeopathy. In Bulgarian folk medicine, tincture is used for palpitations, headaches, epilepsy, whooping cough.
Rhizomes and roots of elecampane are part of expectorant, gastric, diuretic preparations.
Contraindications and possible side effects: elecampane is not recommended for use in severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, during pregnancy. It should be remembered that preparations of elecampane high can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. In case of an overdose, symptoms of poisoning may appear.
Oregano – Origanum vulgare L.
Lamiaceae family– Lamiacea
Popular name: douche, mother.
Perennial herbaceous plant. Oregano is widespread in Altai. It usually grows in groups of several plants on sandy and loamy dry and fresh soils in coniferous and mixed forests, on their edges, glades and clearings, on upland and floodplain meadows.
The medicinal properties of the plant are mentioned in the works of Dioscorides, Aristotle, Aristophanes. According to Avicenna, oregano was used in old times in diseases of the joints, treatment of the liver and stomach. It was recommended to chew grass for toothache and to cleanse teeth from stones.
Oregano is part of a sedative collection for the treatment of neuroses, chest and diaphoretic fees, it is prescribed for intestinal atony.
In obstetric and gynecological practice, infusion - for amenorrhea, baths - for gynecological diseases.
In homeopathy, the essence is used for hysteria, erotomania, nymphomania.
In folk medicine infusion of oregano used for:
- acute respiratory diseases,
- whooping cough
- gastritis,
- stomach colic,
- hepatitis,
- diarrhea
- dyspepsia,
- asthenia,
- bronchial asthma,
- rheumatism,
- neuralgia,
infusion, decoction (locally) –
- with itchy eczema,
- other skin diseases (as a wound healing).
Juice oregano is used for:
- with rheumatism,
- paralysis,
- convulsions
- epilepsy,
- pain in the intestines,
- menstrual disorders,
- with reduced secretion of gastric juice,
- atony and bloating of the intestine,
- with constipation,
- to stimulate appetite
- improve digestion,
- from a cold
- with various gynecological diseases;
- provides pain relief
- tranquilizing,
- hemostatic and
- deodorizing action;
outwardly- with skin rashes, furunculosis, abscesses, headaches.
In folk medicine, it is part of balms and ointments - for neuralgia, rheumatism, paralysis, paresis, toothache and earache.
Contraindications to the use of oregano preparations are severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, pregnancy.
St. John's wort - Hepericum perforatum L.
St. John's wort family– Hypericaceae
Perennial herbaceous plant.
Distributed almost throughout the Altai.
It grows on fresh sandy and loamy soils in pine and mixed forests, clearings, clearings, fallow lands, along roads.
Rarely forms large thickets (usually on fallows), more often grows in narrow strips along the edges of the forest.
In the old days, St. John's wort was considered magical plant. AT countryside, stuffing mattresses for children, Bogorodsk grass (thyme) was necessarily added to the straw so that the child had sweet dreams, and St. John's wort, so that the smell of this plant protected the child from fear in a dream.
And adult boys and girls guessed on the stems of St. John's wort. They twist it in their hands and see what kind of juice will appear: if it is red, it means they love it, if it is colorless, they don’t like it. The old people believed that St. John's wort drives away evil spirits, diseases and protects a person from the attack of wild animals. The Germans called him the hall, because they believed that St. John's wort drives out devils and brownies.
St. John's wort was considered a medicinal plant in ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder, Avicenna wrote about him. The people call it a herb for 99 diseases, and there was practically no collection that would not include St. John's wort as the main or auxiliary medicine.
St. John's wort herb (Herba Hyperici) is used as a medicinal raw material, that is, the tops of the stems with flowers, leaves, buds and partially unripe fruits. St. John's wort is harvested in the flowering phase of the plant, before the appearance of immature fruits.
In folk medicine apply a decoction of St. John's wort at:
- stomach ulcer,
- increased acidity of gastric juice,
- gout,
- sciatica,
- rheumatism,
- scrofula,
- hemorrhoids,
- with nocturnal enuresis in children,
- diarrhea
- nervous diseases,
- in diseases of the oral cavity.
In folk medicine St. John's wort juice I'm at:
- bronchial asthma,
- colds,
- hypotension,
- scurvy,
- colitis,
- stomatitis,
- gingivitis,
- gallstone disease,
- kidney disease,
- cystitis,
- urinary incontinence in children
- gastritis,
- bloody diarrhea,
- liver diseases,
- jaundice,
- nervous diseases,
- headache,
- anemia,
- uterine bleeding,
- hemorrhoids,
- cough,
- with reduced appetite
- rheumatism.
Essential oil- for the treatment of burns, leg ulcers, gastric and duodenal ulcers. St. John's wort oil (externally) - as a wound healing agent, orally - on the recommendation of a doctor for gastric and duodenal ulcers.
St. John's wort seeds have a strong laxative effect and have antibacterial activity.
Contraindications: St. John's wort can cause discomfort in the liver and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, constipation, loss of appetite. Since St. John's wort increases blood pressure, it is advisable to prescribe it to people suffering from hypertension, only as part of the collection.
“Just as bread cannot be baked without flour, so many diseases of people and animals cannot be treated without St. John's wort,” people say.
Ivan - narrow-leaved tea - Chamaenerion angustifolium L.
fireweed family– Onagraceae
Popular name: fireweed, Kapor tea.
Perennial herbaceous plant.
Distributed almost throughout the Altai. It grows on fresh sandy and loamy soils in clearings, clearings in coniferous and mixed forests, near ditches, on drained peat bogs, along railway embankments.
Ivan-chai is also called Kaporsky tea after the name of the village of Kapory in the Leningrad Region, where for the first time in Russia they began to use it instead of Chinese tea.
For medicinal purposes, grass, leaves, flowers of plants are used, which are harvested during flowering.
In folk medicine Ivan tea is used at:
- constipation
- whites,
- headache,
- and also as astringent, emollient, enveloping and wound healing;
decoction (in the form of rinses)
- with angina;
inside
- with gastritis,
- colitis,
- bleeding
- anemia,
- acute respiratory diseases.
Decoction and infusion of Ivan-tea
- anti-inflammatory,
- astringent,
- emollient,
- diaphoretic,
- sedative,
- anticonvulsant,
- with gastrointestinal diseases,
- gastritis,
- colitis,
- ulcers of the stomach and intestines,
- metabolic disorders,
- anemia,
- headache,
- scrofula,
- insomnia
- scurvy,
- gonorrhea,
- syphilis
- as a cardiac stimulant.
Outwardly- for washing wounds, ulcers; poultices- as an analgesic for otitis, bruises, arthralgia; powder- for the treatment of infected wounds.
Side effects: With prolonged use of fireweed tea, gastrointestinal disorders may occur.
Kopeck tea, red root - Hedysarum thenium L.
legume family– Fabaceae
Kopeck tea is a perennial herbaceous plant with a thick, long woody, powerful root (up to 5 m). There is a kopeechnik tea in subalpine meadows, banks of rivers, streams, in the subalpine zone.
Kopechnik is used as:
- anti-inflammatory
- immunomodulatory agent,
- with inflammation of the prostate gland
- women's diseases
- with tuberculosis,
- bronchitis,
- inflammation of the lungs.
As an expectorant, it is used in diseases of the respiratory system, in acute gastrointestinal diseases.
Elm-leaved meadowsweet - Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim
Rosaceae family– Rosaceae
Elm-leaved meadowsweet is a large perennial herbaceous plant. Elm-leaved meadowsweet is found almost throughout the entire territory of Altai, growing in wet meadows, swamps, along the banks of reservoirs, in damp forests and shrubs, along edges, clearings, clearings and burnt areas. 
Decoctions of roots, herbs, meadowsweet flowers are used for:
- gastrointestinal diseases,
- epilepsy,
- rheumatism,
- gout,
- diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract,
- hemorrhoids,
- in the form of enemas with whites;
- bites from snakes and rabid animals,
- nervous diseases,
- hypertension,
- as an anthelmintic.
Tincture of herbs in alcohol is used to treat trophic ulcers, wounds and burn surfaces.
A decoction, infusion of herbs, flowers is used for fever and colds as a diaphoretic and diuretic.
Flowers and grass are used instead of tea, young leaves - for soups, borscht and salads.
Leuzea safflower-like (maral root) - Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.)
Compositae family– composites
Levzeya - perennial. It usually occurs in alpine and subalpine tall grass meadows, sometimes enters the alpine tundra, is common in the Altai mountains.
Leuzea liquid extract is used for:
- functional disorders of the nervous system,
- reduced performance,
- mental fatigue and loss of strength,
- chronic alcoholism,
- impotence,
- to regulate blood pressure.
In folk medicine, rhizomes, roots (sometimes grass) are used in the form of infusions, decoctions, vodka tinctures as a stimulant in case of loss of strength, insomnia, overwork, after serious illnesses, impotence, excessive irritability.
Contraindications: pregnancy, age up to 15 years. Long-term use of Leuzea preparations can cause a persistent increase in blood pressure, a slowing of the rhythm and an increase in the amplitude of heart contractions,
Great burdock - Arctium lappa L.
Aster family– Asteracea
Large biennial herbaceous plant. Distributed almost throughout the Altai.
In medicine, burdock is used in the form of infusions.
Burdock infusion is drunk with:
- gastritis treatment,
- stomach ulcers,
- rickets,
- constipation
- fever,
- with delays in menstruation,
- to normalize metabolism,
- activity of the liver and pancreas,
- diabetes,
- kidney disease,
- gallstone disease,
- salt deposits in the joints, etc.
In folk medicine, burdock root is known as a strong diuretic, diaphoretic and blood purifier. Burdock seeds also have a strong diuretic effect, but are rarely used, as their collection is laborious.
AT folk medicine burdock is used both externally as an ointment and internally. Traditional medicine recommends using all parts of the plant fresh, in the form of extracts, as well as in the form of decoctions and infusions. An infusion of burdock roots is used for inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, kidney stones and gallstones, rheumatism and gout.
An infusion or decoction of burdock root is prescribed as a diuretic and choleretic agent, as well as an anti-fever, in diabetes mellitus, pulmonary tuberculosis, and in violation of salt metabolism.
Traditional medicine also recommends inside the seeds and the whole fresh plant as a diuretic and diaphoretic, a remedy for colds and fevers, swelling, hemorrhage and intoxication from insect bites and poisonous snakes.
Common cuff–Alchemilla vulgaris L.
Rosaceae family– Rosaceae Popular name: chest, sick grass.
Perennial herbaceous creeping plant of the Rosaceae family.
The dew that collects on the leaves of the cuff was used by alchemists in the Middle Ages as "heavenly dew", with the help of which they tried to look for the "philosopher's stone" - hence the origin Latin name alchemilla plants. AT Western Europe in the Middle Ages, the cuff was known as witch grass.
Since ancient times, it was believed that if you wash your face in the morning with dew collected from the leaves of the cuff, then its former beauty returns to the person. Until now, in some countries, and especially in Switzerland, women rub their faces with leaves covered with dew to reduce freckles and remove acne.
Distributed throughout Altai, grows in forests, on wet soils, in dry and wet meadows, river banks, near houses.
For medicinal purposes, the stem, leaves, flowers and rhizome of the common cuff are used. The leaves are harvested from spring to July and air-dried in the shade. They should be collected when the morning dew or drops of water, actively secreted by the plant on wet nights, dry up.
Used in folk medicine cuff infusion (inside) at:
- kidney disease,
- Bladder,
- colitis with diarrhea
- gastritis,
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum,
- bronchitis,
- cold,
- atherosclerosis;
- ulcers
- wounds,
- eye inflammation,
- nosebleeds,
- to kill acne
- furunculosis;
as poultice- at dislocations.
Juice, infusion externally (in the form of lotions)- with tumors, wounds, eye diseases; in the form of douching - with whites, bleeding; in the form of compresses - with dislocations.
Lungwort officinalis – Pulmonaria officinalis L.
Borage family– Boraginaceae
Popular name: water springs, spotted grass, lung root.
Widely distributed in Altai, grows in thickets, among shrubs, in deciduous forests.
In folk medicine apply lungwort:
- to compensate for iodine deficiency in the body,
- with diseases of the upper respiratory tract,
- pneumonia,
- pulmonary tuberculosis,
- bronchial asthma,
- as a means of regulating the activity of the endocrine glands,
- improves hematopoiesis,
- as an analgesic and diuretic.
Crushed leaves are applied to purulent wounds for healing or washed with a strong solution. Powder from dried leaves also fall asleep wounds.
Juice, infusion externally - for tumors, wounds, eye diseases; in the form of douching - with whites, bleeding; in the form of compresses - with dislocations.
Lungwort greens can be used for spring vitamin salads and soups.
Contraindications: individual intolerance to iodine preparations.
Common bracken–Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn.
Centipede family– Polypodiaceae
Large fern with dissected leaves. Distributed to the globe almost everywhere.
Young shoots and leaves of bracken are edible. In the spring, young leaves are harvested, when the leaf blade has not yet unfolded, they are immediately processed and salted.
Salads, seasonings and independent dishes are prepared from them.
In folk medicine, a decoction of bracken roots was taken as anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic, antipyretic and analgesic.
Externally, the rhizomes were used for skin diseases.
Ortilia lopsided - Orthilia secunda L.
Wintergreen family– Pyrolaceae
vernacular name: upland uterus, ramishia lopsided, upland grass, borovinka, wine grass, vinca, pear, hare salt, zimosol, forest pear.
It occurs in Altai mainly in the middle and southern taiga and subtaiga, as well as in deciduous and mixed forests, sometimes in forest meadows with shrubs and light forests. It is found mainly in areas with a humid climate.
Ortilia lopsided is widely used in medicine for the treatment of:
- gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature,
- uterine fibroids,
- infertility,
- uterine bleeding,
- toxicosis,
- menstrual irregularities,
- adhesive processes,
- obstruction and inflammation of the tubes,
- as a disinfectant for inflammatory processes in the kidneys and bladder,
- with cystitis,
- pyelonephritis,
- with inflammation of the prostate gland,
- hemorrhoids,
- urinary incontinence in adults and children,
- acute inflammation of the ear (purulent).
Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy.
Common tansy - Tanacetum vulgare L.
Compositae family– composites
Popular name: immortal grass, wild rowan, nine, nine brother.
Perennial herbaceous plant with a strong camphor smell. Distributed throughout the Altai. It grows on dry and fresh sandy, loamy and clay soils in light, mixed, broad-leaved forests, along edges, glades, along road shoulders. Plant poisonously, especially inflorescences!
Tansy preparations have choleretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihelminthic, astringent and anti-febrile action.
They are contraindicated pregnant women and children younger age.
Tansy is prescribed for diseases:
- liver and gallbladder,
- with inflammatory processes in the small and large intestines,
- bladder,
- as well as malaria.
Its infusion has an antiseptic and diaphoretic effect, improves digestion and appetite.
In folk medicine infusion of tansy is used for:
- for the expulsion of roundworms and pinworms,
- with gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, enterocolitis),
- diseases of the liver and gallbladder (hepatitis, cholecystitis),
- nervous disorders,
- headache,
- women's diseases
- fever
- arterial hypotension;
Powder(with honey or sugar syrup) - with ascariasis, enterobiasis.
Tansy juice is used for:
- intoxication caused by pulmonary tuberculosis,
- fever
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum,
- gout,
- rheumatism,
- nervous diseases,
- epilepsy,
- migraine,
- headache,
- ache in the joints,
- low acidity,
- infectious and acute respiratory diseases,
- inflammation of the small and large intestines, bladder, kidneys;
- with urolithiasis,
- violation of the menstrual cycle and heavy menstruation;
- has a hypnotic effect;
externally (in the form of baths and compresses):
- for the treatment of sluggish wounds and ulcers,
- with scabies,
- gout,
- inflammation of the joints;
in the form of microclysters- for the expulsion of roundworms and pinworms.
In France, tansy flowers are used as an antihelminthic, antifebrile, antiseptic, gastrointestinal remedy.
Contraindications and side effects: treatment with common tansy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, since the plant is poisonous. Pregnant women and young children should not be given tansy preparations. In case of an overdose, indigestion, vomiting occurs, and with large doses, convulsions occur.
Evasive peony–Paeonia anomala L.+
peony family– Paeoniaceae
Popular name: peony unusual, Maryin root.
Perennial herbaceous plant. A rare endangered species included in the Red Book. Grows in sparse coniferous and deciduous forests, tall grass and taiga meadows, on the edges and forest clearings, in birch copses. In the mountains, it is most abundant in light forests near the upper limit of woody vegetation. The plant is very poisonous!
The name of the genus Paeonia is found in Theophrastus and comes from the Greek word paionis healing, healing, healing. Greek legend connects this flower with the name of the doctor Paeon, who healed the god of the underworld Pluto from the wounds inflicted on him by Hercules. Paeon's teacher Aesculapius, envious of his student, decided to poison him. But the gods saved Peon by turning him into a flower.
According to another legend, the plant got its name from the Thracian region of Paeonia, where it grew in large numbers.
Peony in ancient Greece and in the Middle Ages in Europe was attributed to miraculous medicinal plants helping with suffocation, gout. Peony roots have long been used in China (1st century AD) and are part of anti-cancer funds.
In traditional medicine, a tincture of a mixture of roots and herbs is used as sedative for insomnia, vegetative-vascular disorders. Under the action of the drug, sleep improves, headaches caused by stress and overwork decrease, and efficiency increases.
In folk medicine, especially in Tibetan and among the local population of Siberia, the evading peony is used more widely. Peony seeds and alcoholic tincture of rhizomes are used with impotence due to diabetes.
Water infusion and alcohol tincture are used for:
- urolithiasis,
- liver diseases,
- pulmonary tuberculosis,
- whooping cough
- bronchitis.
Plantain large – Plantago major L.
plantain family– Plantaginaceae
Popular name: companion, wounded, seven-timer.
Perennial herbaceous plant.
Plantain is distinguished by its extraordinary fertility and during the season produces several tens of thousands of seeds, which in autumn bad weather stick together with mud to the shoes of pedestrians, the hooves of horses and cows, the wheels of cars and quickly capture new spaces. Thus our weed swam across the ocean, and the Indians began to call it "the white man's footprint."
Plantain large grows throughout Siberia, does not form large thickets. It grows like a weed along roads, near habitation, in water meadows, vegetable gardens, and gardens.
Infusion from the leaves of the plantain expectorant action and is used as an aid in bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis.
Juice from fresh plantain leaves is effective for:
- chronic gastritis,
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum with normal or low acidity of gastric juice.
Patients note the reduction or disappearance of pain and dyspeptic symptoms during treatment with juice from plantain leaves, and an improvement in appetite. By the end of the course of treatment, muscle tension and pain in the abdominal wall during palpation, spastic phenomena in the large intestine disappear, and the acidity of gastric juice increases.
The presence of phytoncides in the plant causes antimicrobial action drugs.
Water infusion and fresh juice from the leaves of the plant promotes rapid cleansing and wound healing. These drugs are used in the form of lotions and washes for bruises, fresh cuts and wounds, for chronic ulcers, fistulas, abscesses, boils.
Shrub cinquefoil–Pentaphylloides fruticosa (L.) O. Sehwarz.
Rosaceae family - Rosaceae
Popular name: Kuril tea.
Kuril tea is an upright or sprawling shrub of the Rosaceae family, 20–150 cm high. Kuril tea grows along mountain river valleys, along the pebbly-sandy banks of these rivers and mountain slopes in Altai and in the East Kazakhstan region.
Kuril tea is close to real tea in composition, content of biologically active substances and mineral elements. However, Kuril tea is still more beneficial for human health.
It has been established that the plant exhibits bactericidal, antiallergic, hepatoprotective, antiviral, immunostimulating and antidiabetic properties.
AT gynecological practice Kuril tea is used for:
- erosion of the cervix,
- heavy periods,
- uterine bleeding.
thick decoction Kuril tea It is used as a rinse for sore throats, stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity.
A decoction of the leaves and flowers of Kuril tea in folk medicine is prescribed for inflammatory liver diseases as cholagogue and with fever diaphoretic.
Infusion of Kuril tea is used for bloody diarrhea as hemostatic and an appetite-improving remedy, as well as for various neuropsychiatric diseases and blood diseases.
Rhodiola rosea (golden root) - Rhodiola rosea L.
Crassulaceae family– Crassulaceae Rhodiola rosea is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant.“The one who finds the golden root will be lucky and healthy until the end of his days, he will live for two centuries,” says an old Altai belief.
For several centuries, Chinese emperors sent out expeditions in search of Rhodiola rosea, and smugglers smuggled it across the border.
Rhodiola rosea is common in Altai. It grows in rocky river valleys, on the northern slopes of ridges with abundant flowing moisture, the presence of a large amount of fine earth and silt particles. 
The people fell in love with tea from the golden root with the addition of blackberry leaves, raspberries, strawberries, black currants, thyme herbs, St. John's wort flowers, shrub cinquefoil. Such a drink, usually prescribed for hard physical or mental work, restores metabolism, has a tonic property. It is prescribed for disorders of the function of the stomach and intestines, colds and oncology.
Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components of the product, pregnancy and lactation, diabetes mellitus, increased nervous excitability, insomnia, high blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction, severe atherosclerosis, taking in the evening. Before use, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Creeping thyme (thyme) - Thymus serpillum L.
Lamiaceae family - LamiaceaeThe popular name is thyme, bonnet, Bogorodskaya grass, zhadobnik, muhopal, lemon scent.
A perennial, strongly branched semishrub creeping along the ground, forming dense sods. It grows mainly in the steppe zone. Inhabits southern slopes, rocks, rocky and sandy steppes, steppe meadows, edges and clearings of pine forests, rocky and gravelly, slightly soddy slopes. An infusion of flowering thyme herb or dried herb is used for pulmonary diseases as expectorant, disinfectant means.
Infusion of thyme herb for inhalation is used for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.
In diseases of the kidneys, thyme infusion is used orally as diuretic and disinfectant.
A decoction of thyme is used in the treatment of:
- alcoholism,
- as an antiseptic for oral disinfection,
- as a vermifuge.
Thyme is used as a spice and as a seasoning for various dishes.
thyme preparations contraindicated during pregnancy, cardiac decompensation, decreased thyroid function, acute inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.
Yarrow - Achillea millefolium L.
Compositae family - Asteraceae
Perennial herbaceous plant, grows in dry meadows, on steppe slopes and in sparse forests, along roadsides, edges of fields and garden plots.
It has a diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, bactericidal and hemostatic effect; enhances bile secretion.
It is part of gastric and appetizing teas - yarrow preparations improve digestion, especially with secretory insufficiency of the stomach glands, yarrow with nettles are prescribed as a hemostatic agent for internal and external bleeding.
Yarrow is used as:
- hemostatic agent for local bleeding - nasal, dental, from small wounds, abrasions, scratches,
- with pulmonary and uterine bleeding, fibromyomas, inflammatory processes, hemorrhoidal bleeding;
- with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - colitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer;
- colds of the respiratory tract;
- also recommended for inflammation of the biliary and urinary tract,
- nighttime urinary incontinence.
Contraindications for use. Some people develop a severe skin rash when in contact with yarrow, not only when using it for baths, lotions and compresses as an external remedy, but also when simply touching the plant. If such rashes appear during treatment with yarrow, it should be canceled immediately.
At the turn of the millennium, non-traditional medicine again came out "from the underground" and made traditional, evidence-based medicine, real competition. More and more people are turning to alternative or biological medicine, which is impossible to imagine without the use of medicinal plants.
Every year the number of adherents of herbal treatment increases. Biologically active substances that plants contain are capable of influencing human anatomy and physiology in one way or another. With skillful and careful handling natural medicines become our "green gold", able to treat both lungs and the most complex forms diseases.
Professional herbalists, as well as those who collect herbs for their own use, know that the greatest healing properties of plants depend on where they grow. The Altai Territory, in this sense, is the most unique place on the scale not only of Russia, but of the entire globe.
Altai Krai is on the list of the most environmentally friendly places in the world. There are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Altai: Lake Teletskoye, Katunsky National Biosphere Reserve, Altai State Reserve, Belukha Mountain and the Ukok plateau zone.
The amazing combination of biological diversity of this ecoregion is a true miracle and is protected by the world ecological community.
The unique appearance of the landscapes of the Altai Territory amazes everyone who is among them:
Alpine and subalpine meadows, juicy, full of herbs
luxurious coniferous forests, mighty centuries-old cedar groves
unique zone of alpine belts
lakes and rivers into which crystal springs flow, carrying their jets from the eternal ice resting on the tops of the mountains.
More than 3,000 species of plants grow on the fertile and fertile soil of this magical corner of the planet. About 700 species are used directly by humans, almost 400 of them are medicinal, about 150 are listed in the Red Book, more than 100 unique herbs are found only here and nowhere else.
Some species can be both medicinal and dangerous at the same time, containing both vitamins and useful biologically active components, as well as toxic substances. There are certain collection and preparation rules medicinal herbs that must be observed.
There are periods or exact dates collection, often associated with church holidays: Petrov fast, Ivan Kupala, etc., when the plant has a special healing properties
The biochemical composition of plants varies by the day of the year, and by the day of the month, and even by the hour of the day. For example, during the period of the growing moon, the juices rush up and fill the ground part of the plants, during the period of the waning moon, the juices fill the ground and roots.
rules for drying and preparation for storage, which must also be followed, etc.
If you listen to all the necessary instructions that can be found in special reference books, then the plants harvested for future use will retain the necessary useful and active substances. Since ancient times, people have proven the effectiveness of various types of natural medicines.
And now I will list some medicinal plants of the Altai Territory:
Rhodiola rosea (golden root)
The most famous plant, the first mention of the use for medicinal purposes dates back to a period of more than 500 years ago. A certain symbol of the healing nature of the Altai land. In its action it is similar to eleutherococcus and ginseng, it belongs to the group of stimulant drugs that increase immunity, mental abilities, reduce the impact stressful situations and adverse environmental factors.
Elecampane
People call it a cure for nine diseases. It was also used by Hippocrates, in the Middle Ages it was actively bred and used to treat a mass of ailments and even plague. Increases appetite, quickly recovers after heavy infectious diseases, normalizes the work of the stomach and intestines, relieves inflammation.
St. John's wort
They were brought to the royal court from Siberia in the seventeenth century. The sorcerers considered it a magical plant, used it to treat various wounds.
Coltsfoot
Tea from coltsfoot was drunk in ancient Greece when coughing. Decoctions were used to increase hair growth, to treat burns and wounds.
Motherwort
Since the fifteenth century, its sedative properties have been known, in addition to normalizing blood pressure, it has a relaxing and hypnotic effect.
yarrow
Since the time of Dioscorides, it has been used for healing, decontamination of wounds and as a hemostatic agent.
This is only a small part of the medicinal herbs growing in the Altai Territory. Highlander bird, azure cyanosis, thick-leaved bergenia, Ural licorice - you can list the composition of this natural storehouse of health and healing energy for a long time.
Interest in the use of alternative means for the treatment of diseases has only grown recently. For a long time established fact, what
The formation and distribution of the region's vegetation was influenced by several factors: the geological history of the development of the territory, the peculiar relief and climate. Vegetable world The Altai Territory is rich, especially in the mountains, where there are 1840 species - this is approximately 2.5 times more than in the West Siberian Plain.
In the Tertiary, Altai had a warm and humid maritime climate, conducive to the growth of subtropical vegetation - sequoia, cypress, gingo, walnut, beech, hornbeam, ash, linden and others.
AT ice Age broad-leaved subtropical forests perished, and several species of tertiary plants, called relics, remained. Relic plants are found in the upper reaches of the river. Swans, where linden grows, giant fescue, European hoof.
In the Quaternary period, the glacier pushed arctic species of vegetation far to the south. Representatives of the Arctic flora were widespread in Altai at that time. In the Alpine belt, dozens of arctic species adapted to the conditions of the highlands have survived to this day.
Some plant species developed in isolation, so they developed features that were not characteristic of their ancestors or similar plants. Such species are called endemics, they include Altai sedge, Krylov's birch (shrub), Altai willows. There are more than 200 endemic plant species in the Altai mountains.
The geographical position influenced the formation of vegetation and its distribution. The Altai Territory is located at the junction of large physical and geographical regions - the West Siberian Plain, the mountain belt of Southern Siberia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Plant species characteristic of neighboring regions are found in Altai, but they have acquired peculiar features: there are no purely Mongolian and Central Asian species.
In the placement of vegetation, you most clearly show zoning. In the flat part, the vegetation zones change in the direction from west to east, for the same reasons as soils. Steppes are located at the western borders of the region; to the east of them, in a vast area - Altai forest-steppes.
In spring and early summer, in the steppes of the region, there is a beautiful carpet of grasses: against the background of greenery, bright large flowers of yellow, dark blue and pale pink tulips, delicate blue bells, fragrant carnations intertwined with pea stalks stand out.
In summer, the plants burn out and become yellow-brown, a dull picture is enlivened by flowering feather grass. The wind shakes flexible silky plumes, and silvery waves are formed, which often move, getting lost near the horizon.
In the forest-steppes, on chernozem soils, there is a continuous grassy cover, in which alfalfa, yarrow, bedstraw, and vetch predominate. On the soddy-podzolic soils of the forest-steppes, birch groves are located, occupying low, moist areas.
Ribbon pine forests are widespread on sands and sandy soils; they occupy the Ob plateau along the valleys of the Kasmala and Barnaulka rivers and go to the southwest, to the borders of the region.
In the Altai Mountains, three belts of vegetation are clearly traced - steppe, forest and alpine (alpine). Real steppes are located at the foot of the Kolyvan ridge and along the lower reaches of the Katun. Areas with steppe vegetation are found from the foothills to the highlands. The steppes of the low mountains are distinguished by herbs: anemone and geranium grow with an admixture of cereals - feather grass, fescue, thin-legged and shrubs - honeysuckle, wild rose, bean, meadowsweet.
On the southern slopes of the mountains there are sections of stony steppes, which are interrupted by talus and bare rocks. They have a sparse herbage, with a predominance of narrow-leaved grasses, such as fescue, feather grass, wheatgrass. Stony steppes are pastures for sheep and goats.
The closed basins of the middle mountains, located along the Katun and its left tributaries, have steppe areas with fertile chernozem soils, which is dominated by cereal vegetation: feather grass, fescue, steppe bluegrass with an admixture of alfalfa, sainfoin. Perennials bloom in spring - yellow and white buttercups, backache, bright yellow silky adonis, anemones.
Alpine dry steppes are located in the southeast of the Altai Mountains. There are no forests in the upper reaches of the Chuya, and dry steppes are replaced by alpine meadows. Altai and Mongolian plant species grow in the dry steppes, adapted to the harsh conditions of high-mountain semi-deserts. These are very low, creeping plants, their leaves are hard, pubescent with thin hairs. Wormwood, fescue, Potentilla grow in the Kurai steppe, and pebble feather grass, hard sedge, and desert kachim grow in the Chui steppe.
The forest belt in the north and north-west of the Altai Mountains begins at a height of 400-600 m. The upper border of the forest rises to the south: the Korbu ridge has a forest border at an altitude of 1800 m, on the Terektinsky ridge - 2100, on Katunsky - 2200, Chuisky - 2400. The distribution of forests is influenced by the exposure of the slopes: more forest grows on the northern ones than on the southern ones, which are under the influence of southwestern and southern winds.
Forests occupy a significant part of the Altai Mountains, their area is more than 5 million hectares. They consist mainly of conifers.
There are more larch forests in Gorny Altai than forests of other types. Larch- a tall tree adapted to adverse climatic conditions, withstands severe frosts, can grow in the valley, on the northern wet and southern dry stony slopes; together with the cedar it rises to the upper border of the forest. Light and clean larch forests resemble natural parks spread on the slopes of the mountains. In them, each tree grows separately, the sun's rays freely penetrate between the trees, small needles almost do not give shade, the surface is occupied by a continuous grassy cover. Larch park forests have a dense shrubby undergrowth.
Larch wood is hard, durable, well preserved in the ground and in water. It replaces oak and ash in the manufacture of wooden parts of machines. Larch - the most valuable building material in the construction of piers, dams, bridges; sleepers, telegraph poles are made from it.
Cedar, the Siberian cedar pine, is an important tree species in the forests of the Altai Mountains. Cedar - a mighty tree with a dark green sprawling crown, with long prickly needles. Forms pure cedars, occurs as an admixture in larch and fir forests. Cedar can grow high in the mountains rising to the edge of the forest. The largest cedar massifs are located in the Teletsk taiga. Cedar has high-quality wood - light, durable, beautiful. It is used to make a pencil board, food containers, furniture and other products, pine oleoresin is a raw material for balsam, oil and halva are obtained from pine nuts. Cedar nuts are food for birds and valuable game animals.
Siberian fir- a beautiful, slender evergreen tree. Its height reaches 40 m, and the thickness of the trunk is 80 cm. The needles of the fir are dark green and very soft, long (up to 10 cm), the cones stick up at the ends of the branches. In this, fir differs from spruce, in which the needles are prickly and the cones hang down. Fir gives very good wood for the production of paper and cardboard. Camphor and fir balsam are obtained from it, used in medicine.
Black forests are located in the northwestern, northeastern ridges of the Altai Mountains and on the Salair Ridge. The Altai niello is a type of impenetrable dark coniferous forests, consisting of fir, cedar, spruce with an admixture of aspen, and birch. In the black taiga there are many shrubs - mountain ash, currant, raspberry, viburnum, bird cherry.
It is dark and damp in the black taiga, moss hangs from the branches, envelops tree trunks, stones, stumps. In some places there is a continuous soft carpet of moss, with dense thickets of lingonberries with shiny small leathery leaves and islets of blueberries. In the open glades of the Altai niello and in other types of Altai forests grow herbaceous plants with tall stems that form impenetrable thickets. Among tall grasses there are honey plants, medicinal, edible and poisonous plants.
On Salair, the niello consists of fir and fir-aspen forests.
Pine forests in the Altai Mountains are located in the central part of the low mountains and occupy the territory from Charysh to Katun; pine grows together with birch, aspen, larch.
Dozens of species of shrubs grow in the mountain forests of Altai, giving edible berries having beautiful flowers, a pleasant decorative appearance. In early spring, the slopes of the mountains are covered with bright raspberry-purple flowers of the evergreen maral shrub (Siberian wild rosemary, Daurian rhododendron). The white flowers of the climbing princess are beautiful, thickets of juniper, meadowsweet, and cinquefoil are not uncommon. A very useful shrub is sea buckthorn, from the berries of which a valuable medicine is made - sea buckthorn oil.
The alpine or alpine belt of Altai includes subalpine and alpine meadows, mountain tundra, and glaciers. Thickets are characteristic of subalpine meadows. dwarf birch, willows, honeysuckle, they alternate with meadows, where grasses reach a meter height. Here grow wheatgrass, oats, bluegrass, umbrella, maral root (leuzea).
Alpine meadows with dense herbage are located in the southern and western regions of the highlands. The alpine meadows of Altai are beautiful - this is a living carpet of large beautiful flowers against the background of small green leaves. Blue catchments alternate with bright orange lights, between them delicate pansies - yellow, blue, brown; white anemones make up an amazing bouquet with dark blue goblets of flowering gentian; everywhere poppies, buttercups and many more unusually beautiful flowering plants. Among this wealth of flowers, black spikelets of alpine sedge, modest saxifrage flowers, alpine cereals flash.
Subalpine and alpine meadows are wonderful summer pastures.
There are more mountain tundra in Altai than subalpine and alpine meadows. Mosses, lichens, rocky areas and swamps, glacial lakes and river valleys are replaced by impenetrable thickets of dwarf birch and willow. Among the mountain tundra there are lawns with alpine vegetation, consisting of partridge grass, fescue, polar poppies, sedge, and saxifrage. Above the tundra zone - stone placers, bare rocks, glaciers.
