Stork: medicinal properties and contraindications

Stork is considered one of the most common weed species. It occupies vast areas in wastelands, landfill sites, forest edges. Undemanding to living conditions, the grass feels at ease in gardens and fields where cereals are grown. It is quite clear that such an aggressive behavior of the stork causes the summer residents to take measures to eliminate the green "occupier". But, directing all their forces to fight this plant, they do not think that this pretty weed can be a valuable medicine.

Herbalists have long been aware of the healing potential of the crane, as the stork is often called by the people. The unique composition of this unpretentious plant is rich in vitamins and a whole range of other useful elements. Based on herbs, you can prepare decoctions, ointments and infusions. Simple dosage forms at home will help improve overall health and cure many diseases.

Chemical composition

Common Stork belongs to wild-growing species of annual grasses from the Geraniev family. The composition of the plant is a well-balanced formula of substances belonging to different chemical groups. Moreover, highly active biological compounds of value to human health are found in all parts of the plant. The following important components are worth noting:

• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin K;
• flavonoids;
• fixed oils;
• organic acids;
• saponins;
• resins;
• tannins;
• complex of mineral elements;
• carotenes;
• carbohydrates.

The composition of different parts of a herbaceous plant differs in the content and concentration of nutrients. So, most of the vitamins and organic acids are concentrated in the stem and leaves, and fatty oils account for the bulk of the composition of the seeds. The combination of all these elements ensures their close interaction with each other. Thanks to this synergy, the human body receives the maximum benefit from formulations prepared according to folk recipes.

How it looks and where it grows

Cycloid stork is widespread in the wild. There are annual and biennial species. Depending on the growth zone, the grass is called differently: rake, needle, wild carrot, magpie needles. Popular and other local names for a wild plant, but each of them reflects a specific feature of the stork.

Despite the commitment to a wild lifestyle, the stork is a good honey plant. Therefore, during its flowering period, bees curl over the thickets of the crane, carefully collecting valuable nectar.

External characteristics

1. The root in the form of a rod really resembles a carrot, covered with hairs.
2. The stem branches at the very base, reaches a height of not more than 60 cm.
3. Cirrus leaves are covered with a hairy edge and have stipules.
4. Simple flowers of the plant are often painted in lilac, pink or purple tones. Dark veins are noticeable against the general background. They are collected in an umbrella inflorescence of 3-8 pieces. The period of flowering at the needle bar lasts from May to autumn.
5. Fruits that ripen by mid-autumn in shape resemble the head of a stork with a massive beak. Hence, such an unusual name for the plant. Achene outside is covered with hard rare villi.

Distribution area

Stork is found throughout Eurasia, the plant has taken root in America and Australia.It prefers sandy soils, therefore it often forms thickets near private houses, along roads, in vegetable gardens.

Interesting fact: common stork is often confused with geraniums Robert. But, despite some external similarities, these two species of plants are different: the geranium has a bright unpleasant aroma and larger leaves compared to the crane.

Views

Common Stork is a typical representative of the same genus, numbering about 130 subspecies. Basically, these are all wild species common in nature. Only six varieties of this species diversity are cultivated and cultivated for decorative purposes. It is worth noting that the species of stork used to design the landscape are as unpretentious and resistant to the external environment as their wild relatives. Varieties in demand in decorative floriculture:

1. Stork Reichard (Dubrovnikovy), in turn, is divided into two subspecies: "Roseum" and "Alba." This is the most popular variety that flower growers consider the standard for spectacular external data. Really delicate light pink or white flowers of this species with bright burgundy stripes on the petals look very beautiful against the background of the surrounding greenery.
2. The Corsican variety of decorative stork attracts with its compactness and expressive inflorescences, which on the velvet of gray foliage seem huge.
3. The rocky variety was first grown in Spain. This thermophilic plant forms a stiff pillow of leaves, therefore, in comparison with other species it looks less welcoming. But the Spaniard has a long flowering period, which pleases summer residents. Each petal of exquisite flowers is decorated with a complex pattern of pink and cherry veins, and bright violet-ink spots complete the whole composition.
4. Golden Stork grows slowly. This variety has two types of flowers: male and female, which look like daffodils.
5. The Tatar stork is distinguished by its striking appearance: juicy green openwork leaves form an air cushion on which inflorescences shine with purple. This lace plant always attracts the attention of flower growers.
6. Stork Maneskawi is a shrub plant of the Iberian species, which reaches a height of 50 cm and a diameter of not more than 60 cm. The compact forms of this variety allow designers to create original floral arrangements.

Collection and storage

Herbalists are always interested in the preparation of the stork, since the healing compositions based on it have universal properties. As a plant material, the entire terrestrial part of the plant is collected, except for seeds. Ripe fruits, like roots, are much less commonly used to make drugs. Stork standard grass material collection rules:

1. Harvesting of raw materials is carried out during the active flowering of the crane. It is better for this purpose to allocate the second half of the day so that the dew on the grass is dried.
2. Gently cut the stem with foliage at the level of the basal rosette.
3. Drying in a natural way should take place in a shaded place, best under a canopy or on an open terrace. You can dry the grass in a room with good ventilation or use a special apparatus for this purpose.
4. During the drying process, regularly rotate the crop to prevent mold damage to valuable raw materials.
5. To distribute finished material in paper bags or fabric bags.
6. In this form, the dried stork is stored for up to two years, if all this time the raw materials will be in a dry and cool place.

Seeds are collected after they have fully ripened, and the roots are dug up at the end of the growing season. These plant parts are also subjected to hardware drying at a temperature of no higher than 50 degrees or dried naturally.

The healing properties of the stork

Stork is not included in the official list of medicinal herbs, so it is not used in official medicine. Nevertheless, doctors do not deny the healing properties of this plant and eagerly recommend it to patients in addition to the main therapy. Indeed, traditional dosage forms with the participation of the crane are distinguished by a wide spectrum of action.In the list of main therapeutic effects:

• astringent;
• hemostatic;
• sedative;
• expectorant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiseptic;
• anticonvulsant.

The centuries-old practice of using infusions and decoctions with a useful plant has proved the ability of a stork to strengthen the structure of blood vessels, reducing their permeability. Preparations prepared from the dried ground part of the grass exhibit a pronounced hemostatic effect, therefore, they are often used in folk medicine to stop bleeding.

A moderate calming effect makes the plant useful for the elderly, who often suffer from insomnia. Concentrated infusions and decoctions are used as a means for external processing.

All of the listed possibilities of a wild stork allow using it in the treatment of the following pathologies:

• colds and flu;
• bronchitis and other inflammatory processes of the respiratory system;
• increased gas formation;
• gynecological pathology;
• hemorrhoids;
• diathesis in children;
• convulsive conditions;
• tonsillitis;
• angina pectoris;
• sleep disturbances;
• stomatitis;
• conjunctivitis;
• infected wounds and furunculosis.

In the old days, healers and midwives treated fear in children and the evil eye with the help of stork infusions. Although today such a practice is rarely used, but such plant capabilities are also worth considering.

Good to know: Stork in ancient times was added to sheep food. Then such an additive was considered very beneficial for animal health. A powder of dried grass was sprinkled with wounds in livestock.

Stork in folk medicine

In Chinese medicine, the stork is very actively used today. People in the Middle Kingdom add dried plant parts to teas. Our domestic herbalists also show quite understandable interest in this representative of wild-growing herbs. Using the experience of previous generations of healers, they create new plant collections with the participation of the stork. Traditional medicine today relies on a scientific evidence base, because the composition and properties of certain types of medicinal plants have been established by research.

For practical use in home therapy, we present several options for time-tested recipes.

Infusion for epileptic seizures

Often an epilepsy attack occurs spontaneously. Therefore, such patients urgently need prompt and adequate actions of the people around them. Of course, the proposed tool cannot completely cure such a serious disease, but it is quite capable of significantly alleviating a person’s condition after an attack.

1. Take 1 tbsp. dry stork, pour a glass of boiling water.
2. Wrap dishes with infusion with a towel.
3. Two hours later, ready to filter the infusion.

Take ¼ tbsp infusion, add to it exactly 20 drops of tincture of alcohol angelica root. This drug can be freely purchased at the pharmacy or prepared independently according to the scheme: take 10 parts of vodka for a portion of dried angelica roots.

Note: this simple recipe will help people suffering from epilepsy, reduce the frequency of attacks. For this, the drug should be taken in courses of 3-4 weeks, then take the same break.

Treatment for tonsillitis

It will relieve pain and soothe sore throat infusion prepared from 1 tbsp. chopped dry stork and 0.3 l of boiling water. The solution should be well infused so that the treatment is effective. Therefore, it is better to cook it at night, and carefully filter it in the morning. With the resulting solution, gargle the throat and oral cavity with dental problems 4-5 times a day. For one procedure, 100 ml of infusion is enough.

Healing baths

Such procedures will help relieve the negative manifestations of diathesis in children, and for adults - irritability and nervous tension. First, a concentrated decoction of common stork is prepared in the ratio: for 50 g of dry raw materials, 0.5 l of water. After combining the main ingredients, the solution must be boiled for 20 minutes, then strain and pour into a filled bath. The duration of water therapy is 15 minutes.

Ointment

The preparation of this external product does not take much time. For ointment you will need:

• Stork dried - 2 tbsp.
• Interior fat - half a glass.

How to cook ointment:

1. Grind grass to powder.
2. Mix these components and then melt in a water bath.
3. Leave the composition for 4 days, and then melt again.
4. Filter the mixture that has not yet cooled and pour into a jar.
5. Store the ointment in the refrigerator, and treat purulent wounds and boils as necessary to accelerate their maturation.

Gastric Infusion

This tool will help relieve pain in the stomach with exacerbation of gastritis or peptic ulcer. To prepare a healing drink, 15 g of dry crane grass brew a glass of boiling water. Infuse the solution for at least 6 hours, then strain it. Take the medicine strictly on an empty stomach for 1-2 tbsp. The multiplicity of receptions is 3-4 times.

Hemostatic agent

The infusion prepared according to this recipe is indicated for uterine bleeding and heavy periods. It can also be drunk as a sedative.

The sequence of preparation of the medicine:

1. 2 tsp dry raw materials pour 200 ml of boiling water.
2. Infuse the solution for 8 hours.
3. Strained infusion is taken every 6 hours in 60 ml.

Treatment for sore eyes

This medicine will require stork flowers. 1 tbsp pour fresh or dry inflorescences with boiling water (200 ml). Put the mixture in a water bath and keep for 15 minutes on low heat. After heat treatment, the broth should be infused for another 45 minutes. Then it needs to be filtered and used to wash the eyes. Also, a decoction prepared in this way is suitable for lotions for eczema and simple face washing.

Note: such a decoction can be used for lotions from mosquito bites.

Abdominal distention

Those who are constantly tormented by increased gas production should definitely remember this recipe. Stork dry grass to take in the amount of 2 tsp. and pour a glass of boiling water. It is better to prepare the medicine at night, because in a few hours the concentration of active substances in it will become maximum. Before use, strain the infusion and be sure to squeeze the plant material. Take the medicine 125 ml after meals to prevent flatulence.

Tincture for the treatment of hemorrhoids

For one part of the dry grass of the stork, you need to take 10 parts of vodka or alcohol. Insist the drug at room temperature for 10 days. Then strain the solution, and determine the finished tincture in the refrigerator for another three days. This tool is suitable for the treatment of hematomas, hemorrhoids, washing wounds.

In addition to being used as a basis for infusions and decoctions, young stork leaves in some Asian countries are added to salads. The taste of greenery of this wild plant resembles parsley. The grass may well be used in home cosmetology, as well as for solving some domestic problems:

1. For example, fresh stork in some countries still receive a natural green dye.
2. To preserve watermelon seeds, they must be mixed with stork grass powder before being stored.

Types of healing compounds

As can be seen from the above recipes, stork grass may well be considered a universal raw material for the preparation of the most popular dosage forms in folk medicine. For the treatment of various pathologies, their proportions are used, which must be strictly observed.There are many options for such drugs, but among them there are classic recipes.

Infusion

This antiviral agent will alleviate the condition of influenza and respiratory infections, and is also suitable for improving the general condition of overwork.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Dried Stork in the amount of 2 tsp pour chilled boiled water (1 cup).
2. Infuse the mixture for 8 hours.
3. After this time, strain the solution.
4. Take 50 ml of infusion up to 4 times until the condition improves.

Tincture

According to this recipe, you can prepare a tincture for the treatment of wounds, acne and pustules.

Cooking method:

1. Pour 15 g of dry crane grass into a jar.
2. Raw materials pour 0.2 liters of vodka.
3. Insist 12 hours, then strain the solution.
4. Tincture to wash the wounds, but you can gargle the adult patients.

Decoction

According to the classic recipe, a decoction of stork grass is prepared as follows:

1. Combine 10 g of dry raw materials and 200 ml of hot water.
2. Place the container with the composition on a slow fire.
3. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes.
4. When the broth has cooled, strain.
5. Take on an empty stomach 1-2 tsp.

Contraindications

Of course, the medicinal properties of the stork, if used correctly, will benefit the condition of a sick person, which will speed up recovery. But we must not forget that any herbal preparation can cause the opposite effect. Stork, too, except for the pluses, has a limited list of minuses. The absolute contraindications for the use of this type of plant for therapeutic purposes are the following conditions:

• pregnancy;
• period of breastfeeding;
• children's age up to three years;
• varicose veins;
• stable hypertension;
• type 1 diabetes mellitus;
• thrombophlebitis;
• individual intolerance;
• increased blood coagulation.

It is also forbidden to take compounds with stork after a heart attack and with coronary heart disease. In case of an overdose, vomiting, nausea, and loose stools may occur. In such a situation, measures will be required to relieve intoxication: washing the stomach and taking several tablets of activated charcoal. If the patient's condition does not stabilize, hospitalization will be required.

Acquaintance with the common stork proves that there is nothing superfluous in nature. Each blade of grass and wild flower is fraught with beneficial properties. The secrets of medicinal plants were well known to our ancestors. Therefore, such useful plants as the stork, in those ancient times, were faithful helpers of people.

Stork photo