Gorse dyeing: medicinal properties and contraindications

Dyeing gorse - a representative of the legume family, common on the Eurasian continent. This is a famous weed, which is very in demand in agriculture. Goats, cows, poultry eat it. It reproduces very well by self-seeding, so if the gorse is wound up on a garden plot, getting rid of it will be quite difficult. But this does not need to be done, because the plant has healing potential and can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Chemical composition

Science has recently become interested in this plant because there have been reported cases of therapeutic efficacy of extracts in the treatment of thyroid diseases. Large-scale studies began, and during the chemical analysis of different parts of the plant, scientists were able to find out what substances are included in its composition.

1. Essential oils from 0.02 to 0.05%. The highest concentration was found in dried inflorescences.
2. Alkaloids: ormosanine, cytisine, anatin, nufaridin, spartein. The plant also contains substances unknown to science from this group, therefore it is considered poisonous. The highest concentration of toxic alkaloids with an unexplored structure is in the seeds.
3. Resinous substances, including resin acids (succinic, which is famous for its antioxidant effect, pimaric and abietic).
4. Triterpene and steroidal saponins, which normalize the hormonal background, affect the functioning of the endocrine system, stimulate the production of insulin in the body.
5. Mineral salts of more than 10 types are necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system and kidneys, maintaining water-salt balance and brain function.
6. Organic acids of at least 8 species, affecting different functions in the body.
7. Glycosides involved in metabolic processes, improve the transport ability of blood cells, increase the level of vital energy.
8. Tannins with antibacterial and wound healing properties.
9. Bitterness is a natural component that stimulates the secretion of bile and the production of digestive enzymes. They are also important for healthy metabolism and maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
10. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the effects of free radicals, slow down the aging process, restore cells and protect against cancer.
11. Compounds of potassium, silicon, phosphorus, calcium, barium, iron and manganese.

In addition, in the inflorescences of the plant there are two types of organic pigments - genistein and luteolin. Additionally, poorly studied substances are present in the flowers and roots. Their effect on the body is unknown, therefore it is necessary to treat the dyeing gorse carefully, not exceeding the recommended dosage.

How it looks and where it grows

Drok gorse is a very common grass, which is often found in the wild in Western Siberia, in the European part of Russia, in Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Bulgaria, and many Asian countries. The flower prefers well-drained soil with an alkaline reaction. Often found in meadows, hillsides, in forests and shrubs.

To be able to distinguish dye gorse from other plants, you need to know how it looks. Here are the main botanical characteristics:

1. The minimum height is 40-50 cm, and the maximum is up to 1.5 m.
2. The stems are branched, not covered with leaves.
3. The leaves are small, lanceolate or linear, with a saturated green hue, which retains its brightness even after drying.
4. Inflorescences are cystiform, composed of numerous small flowers of bright yellow color.
5. Fruits - curved pods with beans, rounded seeds of brownish tint, oval or elliptical shape.

It is important to have time to collect inflorescences before the moment when seeds begin to form and ripen. The problem is that they are concentrated toxic substances that can negatively affect health.

Collection and storage

Drok gorse is not included in the pharmacopeia, so it is impossible to buy it in ordinary pharmacy chains. It is better to collect and harvest raw materials on your own, especially since it is not at all difficult. Drok gorse grows on almost every wasteland and field, you just have to go out of town, find a more or less environmentally safe place where you can safely collect plant materials. Plants and factories, various farms, sewage treatment plants and highways should not be nearby. Also, the area should be with a normal radiation background.

Almost all parts of the plant are suitable for use as medicinal raw materials. But there are features of the collection and procurement of each of them.

1. The peak of flowering gorse dyeing - the second half of June and July, at this time you need to have time to cut off the inflorescences and dry them. Store in cardboard, glass or metal containers.
2. At the same time, you can collect leaves - the whole aerial part of the dye gorse is used in alternative medicine. They need to be dried in the shade, and then packaged in a container that is hermetically sealed.
3. If you need to prepare a rhizome for decoctions and tinctures, you must go for it in the second half of September. Dig out the underground part of the plant, shake it off the ground and dry it in the oven (or dryer) at a temperature of 45-50 degrees. Packed, completely dry raw materials in cloth bags or cardboard boxes.

You can store all the prepared raw materials for no longer than 1 year, that is, every season you need to collect a new crop of medicinal herbs. Such a shelf life is relevant only if the rules are followed. It is necessary to maintain optimal humidity in the room where the herbs are stored. Temperature is a minor issue, but it is important that there are no sudden changes. If the raw material is covered with mold, it means that it was poorly dried or the reason was in the wrong storage conditions. Using it is strictly prohibited.

Useful properties of gorse dyeing

Thanks to its healing potential, the plant can benefit health. Its composition provides the following pharmacological properties:

• antibacterial;
• antiviral;
• hemostatic;
• diuretic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• laxative;
• painkiller and antispasmodic;
• vasodilator;
• antitussive.

The rich composition of this plant allows its use as a therapeutic agent. Traditional medicine has not yet recognized gorse dye, but this did not prevent many generations from using its power to treat such diseases:

• cystitis, nephritis, and urological infections;
• migraines, headaches, hypotension;
• prostatitis, urethritis, genitourinary infections;
• festering ulcers, boils;
• acne, seborrhea;
• pain syndrome of any localization;
• rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis;
• cholecystitis, an early stage of gallstone disease;
• urolithiasis disease;
• inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
• urolithiasis disease;
• SARS, influenza, respiratory tract infections;
• purulent otitis media, cholesteatoma.

The possibility of using extracts of gorse dyeing for a particular disease should be discussed, first of all, with your doctor. The ideal option is to find a specialist in herbal medicine and ask to develop the optimal course and dosage.This is very important in the case of using the plant in question for only one reason - it is toxic. It is necessary to soberly weigh the ratio of potential benefits and risks.

Gorse dyeing in traditional medicine

The plant has been used for quite some time, therefore, in alternative medicine, clear rules have been established for using gorse dye, recipes, combinations with other herbs. The methods for treating various diseases with this herb are described below.

For joint treatment

If joints become inflamed, their mobility worsens, painful sensations appear, tincture or ointment from gorse tincture can help. Tincture should be prepared according to the classic recipe - from flowers or root, used for daily grinding - 2 times a day with exacerbation. You can also make compresses - to bandage the diseased joints at night with a cloth dampened in tincture and cover with a cling film on top.

The ointment is used externally for grinding with pain and inflammation. You need to take pork fat (200 g), melt in a steam bath and pour 3 tbsp there. dry inflorescences of gorse tinctoria. Boil for 30 minutes, strain and drain into a clean jar. Lubricate sore spots 2-3 times a day or use under compress at night.

Cystitis

Urological infections can cause discomfort. Frequent and unproductive urination, pain and pain in the lower abdomen, fever are typical signs of cystitis. It is not worth hoping that everything will go away by itself, since the infection can spread to the nearest organs or go to the kidneys.

If you do not want to use an antibiotic, you can replace it with a safe natural remedy, which is prepared using the plant in question. To create a multicomponent medicine, you need to take in equal parts such herbs:

• medicinal gorse;
• hop cones;
• oregano;
• yarrow.

1 tbsp brew a glass of boiling water, insist 1 hour. Drink 1 tbsp. 4-5 times a day, drink a cup of warm boiled water. Additionally, to anesthetize and eliminate inflammation, you can take baths from a decoction of gorse dye.

With prostatitis

Prostatitis can be difficult to treat if only herbal products are used. No need to abandon traditional medicines, herbal medicine will only enhance their effectiveness. With inflammation of the prostate, the main cause is usually a urological infection. If you do not treat diseases of the genitourinary system, they can become chronic. As a result, during hypothermia or after stress, the prostate gland will be attacked by pathogenic microorganisms. Then this recipe will come to the rescue:

• 10 g of inflorescences of gorse tinting;
• 5 g of horsetail;
• 5 g bearberry;
• 600 ml of water.

It is necessary to brew the herbal harvest in a thermos, boiling water, and then leave it for 4-5 hours. Strain the medicine, take 50 ml in the morning and in the evening. It is important to do this before meals, as an additional herbal remedy stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, therefore it can cause a feeling of hunger and discomfort in the stomach.

Universal anesthetic

For pains of various localization, you can use the healing power of gorse dye. This is an alcohol tincture, it is prepared from 3 tbsp. herbs and 100 ml of alcohol. It is necessary to withstand the medicine in a warm and dark place for 2 weeks, pour into a clean bottle. Take 20 drops per sugar cube as an anesthetic or dilute in a glass of cold boiled water.

With otitis media

Purulent otitis media are dangerous with complications, so they must be treated immediately, without waiting for the inflammatory process to spread to the tissues of the auditory ossicles and the eardrum. For treatment and anesthesia, you can use alcohol tincture of medicinal gorse. Literally in 2-3 days, pathogenic microflora is destroyed, the inflammatory process is blocked. Need to insist on medical alcohol (100 ml) 2 tbsp. flowers for 2 weeks. If there is a tendency to otitis, it is worthwhile to prepare a tincture in advance.

Before use, you need to clean your ears well using cotton buds dipped in hydrogen peroxide.Instill 1 drop of tincture in each ear, even if only one is inflamed. This step will help protect against the spread of infection. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day. Before going to bed, you can soak cotton wool with tincture and put it in a sore ear so that it does not hurt.

For skin treatment

From ulcers and boils, with allergic rashes, inflammatory processes and burns, you can use an aqueous infusion of the plant. The use is only external, it makes no sense to drink it, since it is the local effect that is important. Infusion for skin diseases is prepared according to a special recipe:

• 1 cup of grass;
• 1 liter of water.

You need to insist in a thermos and wrap the container with a warm towel to keep the product hot for as long as possible. After this, strain the infusion, use for compresses and rubbing the affected areas.

The cure for obesity

A fairly common problem is overweight due to changes in the hormonal background caused by endocrine disorders. In the long run, this can lead to serious complications and even shorten life expectancy. Standard means - diets, physical activity - do not help. The problem is that they eliminate only for a short time the consequences of the problem, but its cause remains and the weight returns with a vengeance.

Gorse dyeing helps to normalize the functioning of the endocrine system, restore hormonal balance, thereby eliminating the problem of obesity. For treatment, water infusion is used. It is necessary to brew 1 tsp. herbs with a glass of water and divide into 2 doses - drink in the morning and evening. It is worthwhile to prepare for long-term treatment if the body mass index is higher than 30. Take herbal medicine no longer than a month, then take a break for a couple of weeks and repeat until the hormonal background normalizes. It is also worth combining treatment with a low-calorie diet and sports.

For women's health

Inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system can lead to serious consequences. In the initial stages, you can cope with diseases of the genital organs without antibiotics and pharmaceuticals. Gorse dyeing is one of the most effective drugs used in gynecological practice. The plant can be used as part of complex therapy with such diagnoses:

• inflammation of the bartholin gland, suppuration and cysts;
• vaginitis and vaginosis of bacterial etiology;
• candidiasis.

An inflorescence infusion is used, prepared according to a traditional recipe for douching, compresses and washing. It is also possible to use inside in the acute stage of 1 tbsp. decoction of the roots.

With diabetes

Glycosides and some alkaloids that are part of the composition have the ability to lower blood sugar. That is why the plant can be used as a means to stabilize the level of glucose in diabetes mellitus, and it is effective both in the first and in the second type of disease.

It is necessary to consult with an endocrinologist and adhere to the doctor's recommendations. The medicine is prepared every day, since it is important to take a fresh infusion. When it stands, the concentration of valuable glycosides is significantly reduced. 1 tbsp inflorescences take 300 ml of water, boil for 5 minutes and insist 1 hour. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day.

Types of healing compounds

In self-preparation of natural medicines, it is important to know the proportions and technologies. There is nothing difficult in this; specialized equipment or pharmaceutical knowledge will not be useful. But if you do not follow the recipe, the medicine may turn out to be useless or too concentrated and toxic.

Infusion

With each individual diagnosis, the recipes for the preparation of medicines differ. But there are basic technologies for creating a universal drug. The traditional recipe for this infusion is:

• take 2 tablespoonsmixtures of grass and inflorescences;
• pour 300 ml of boiling water;
• insist 2 hours;
• strain.

The medicine is quite concentrated, so the maximum single dose is 1 tbsp. Take the infusion no more than 3 times a day, and no longer than 2 weeks.

Tincture

Alcohol tincture from gorse tincture can be carried with you instead of painkillers in case your head, joints, teeth or other parts of the body get sick. It can also be used to treat a course. Most often, the rhizome of the plant is used in the preparation of the alcohol extract, but you can also take inflorescences, the efficiency is no less, the proportions simply differ.

Ingredients for creating a medicine:

• 500 ml of vodka;
• 2 tbsp crushed roots or ½ cup dry inflorescences.

It is necessary to take clean and dry containers, lay prepared vegetable raw materials on the bottom. Top up vodka, close hermetically with a lid. Insist on warmth away from sunlight. Shake after 3-4 days, then again after a week. For 10-14 days, you can filter and filter the finished tincture. Store 1 year. Single dose - 1 tsp.

Decoction

You can prepare the broth in the usual way - boil the raw materials in a pan with water, and then insist. But you can cook the medicine in a steam bath. This method is more suitable for preparing a decoction of inflorescences. Need to take 1 tbsp. raw materials, pour 0.6 l of boiling water, boil in a steam bath for 20-30 minutes to evaporate to a volume of 0.5 l. Sustain the finished product under a closed lid for about 40-50 minutes, strain and pour into a storage jar. A single dose - 30-50 ml, not more.

From the rhizome of the plant, you can cook a decoction on fire. It is necessary to fill the raw materials with cold water: 2 tbsp. crushed root - 500 ml of liquid. Boil for 15 minutes, cover and let stand until completely cooled. After that, pour the liquid into a clean container through a sieve, close the lid and send it to the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Drink 1 tbsp. 2-3 times a day.

Contraindications

It is impossible to use the healing power of the gorse dye, if the body does not take this medicinal plant. The main contraindication is an allergic reaction, individual hypersensitivity. But this is not the only reason to refuse treatment with grass. It is also forbidden to use the plant for such problems and physiological conditions:

• pregnancy;
• breast-feeding;
• children under 12 years old;
• acute hepatitis;
• hypertension;
• heart failure.

Also, with caution, it is worth taking medications from this plant for hyperthyroidism. It is necessary to consult a doctor and, based on the results of laboratory tests, decide on the feasibility of using herbs, as well as select the optimal dosage and duration of the course.

It is important to understand that if the dosage is exceeded from a useful medicine, the extracts of gorse dye turn into poison, which can harm the liver, kidneys and nervous system. You need to be able to recognize overdose symptoms on time:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• tremor of limbs;
• vomiting
• headaches;
• increase in blood pressure;
• cold sweat;
• cyanosis (blueness of the limbs, lips);
• arrhythmia.

If such symptoms are revealed in yourself or your loved ones during treatment, you must immediately take the sorbent and call an ambulance team. If you do not hospitalize a person who has been poisoned by gorse toxins, serious complications can develop.

Drok gorse - a unique natural remedy for many diseases. It is able to increase pressure, helps to cope with inflammatory processes and block the spread of infections. But it is also a source of toxins. Observing the rules of use, you can use this herb for the benefit of the body!

Photo gorse dyeing