Gooseberry: medicinal properties and contraindications

It is no coincidence that the common gingerbread is considered one of the most amazing representatives of the plant world. He is endowed with healing properties, but if used incorrectly, this useful herb turns into an insidious killer. The annual has received such a meaningful name for its ability to heal almost any skin disease. As you know, in olden times, people with such manifestations on the skin surface were said to have “bad skin”.

Currently, this weed plant has not lost its main purpose - to heal people from the most complex diseases. Gingerbread man is still actively used in folk medicine, although professional doctors treat him with some caution. The reason for this biased attitude lies in the fact that the composition of the grass contains toxic components. Today, this plant is closely studied by scientists, which has already allowed to reveal many of its secrets.

Chemical composition

The full composition of the fruit bush has not yet been studied, but it has been definitely established that the plant is rich in iodine. This feature was well known in antiquity, which confirms another sonorous name for grass - "goiter". It should be noted that the composition of different elements of the plant is different. So, the ground part of the grass contains a set of the following chemical compounds:

• alkaloids;
• resins;
• ether components;
• glycosides;
• vitamin C;
• flavonoids;
• fixed oils;
• xanthostrumarine;
• natural dyes;
• saponins;
• phenol;
• carvacrol;
• thymol;
• tannins;
• carbohydrates.

Of course, the plant is most valued for its high content of iodine and vitamin C. The latter accounts for more than 32% of the composition.

Note: coloring pigments, iodine and some other elements are found mainly in goiter seeds. Therefore, for the effective treatment of thyroid disorders, it is the seeds of the plant that are used.

How it looks and where it grows

It is worth starting the description of the fruit cock by listing its names, which the people generously endowed with this plant. Depending on the region of growth, the grass is called sheep burdock, netreb, burdock, dope addict, goiter. All these and many other names eloquently reflect the external characteristics and healing abilities of the plant, considered a harmful weed. This unpretentious culture belongs to the family of Astro or Asteraceae plants.

It can be easily recognized by its characteristic external features: a straight, hairy stem that can reach more than 1 m in height, carved triangular leaves and spines representing a ripened fruit.

Of greatest interest to botanists are inflorescences of small greenish-yellow faded flowers collected in a basket: in its upper part are male flowers, and in the lower part are female. The flowering period for the goiter is quite long - from the beginning of July to September. Fruits, that is, spiny boxes with seeds, appear at the end of September or in October. Burdock achenes have a rounded shape, and in diameter they do not exceed 1.5 cm. Due to the presence of spikes-hooks, they tenaciously attach to clothing or animal hair, which contributes to the large-scale distribution of weed.

The American continent is considered to be the birthplace of a fruit tree, from where the weed was spread to other parts of the planet. Today, almost anywhere in the world you can find this thermophilic plant that successfully survives even in the most adverse conditions.Zobnik especially likes to settle in landfills, vacant lots, along roads. Often it can be found in the neighborhood of such crops as soybean, corn, cotton, and sunflower. An inconspicuous appearance allows the weed to hide in the thick of agricultural crops, which also contributes to the mass distribution of the plant. But experienced herbalists are well aware of the favorite places of sheep burdock, therefore, they always stock up with valuable plant material for the future.

Views

Although the fruit tree is distinguished by species diversity, three main plant varieties are more common in Russia and the CIS:

1. The Siberian species is distinguished by a rigid upright stalk and bright green ovate leaves. On both sides, the surface of the leaves is covered with a short pile.
2. An ordinary fruit tree is outwardly similar to the Siberian species with the only difference being that its leaves are more dull in color. But he is twice as tall as his brother in height: there are specimens reaching 1.2 m in height.
3. A needle or prickly variety can be recognized by a rigid stem with grooves and lanceolate leaves. A characteristic feature of this subspecies is that the young leaves on the crown are whole, and the lower ones are dissected. At the base of each leaf there are prickly needles, which explains the name of the species.

All these types of herbs are in demand in traditional medicine, but each variety is intended for the treatment of certain pathologies and conditions. For example, formulations for the treatment of thyroid diseases and skin problems are prepared from an ordinary fruit cock.

An important point: when planning to use the plant for therapeutic purposes, one must not forget about its toxic properties. The most reasonable is to first consult with doctors about the appropriateness of its use.

Collection and storage

Since goiter is included in the list of medicinal plants, ready-made material for preparing home remedies can be purchased at the pharmacy. But many people prefer to harvest useful raw materials on their own, especially since it is not difficult to find this weed. You can dry all the elements of the plant, including its roots. True, it is better to collect seeds and rhizomes in late autumn, and leaves and stems in the summer before the fruit ripens. The different period of the collection of raw materials is due to the fact that the concentration of useful components in individual parts of the plant directly depends on the stage of its development.

Also, when collecting material, you must follow a few simple rules:

1. You can not collect grass in places near roads, industrial enterprises, near landfills.
2. Due to the toxic properties of the plant, all manipulations must be carried out with gloves so that the juice does not accidentally get on the skin.
3. Cut stems are recommended with great care and only in the zone of the beginning of leaf growth.
4. Since the juice of the plant is valuable, you should try to minimize its loss during collection, otherwise the grass will become useless.
5. Stems and leaves are best dried in a shaded, well-ventilated place, but preferably in the fresh air.
6. So that the aroma of the grass does not attract insects, on top of the workpiece should be covered with several layers of gauze.
7. It is recommended that the finished material be stored in paper bags or cardboard boxes in a dry place where good air ventilation is provided.
8. The maximum shelf life is 3 years.

The desired therapeutic result can be achieved with strict observance of these simple rules.

Addition: ideal for drying roots and seeds is the use of special dryers.

The healing properties of the fruit cock

Throughout the centuries-old formation of medicine, herbs have always occupied a special position in the list of available medicines. Due to its unique qualities, the fruit bush was actively used for therapeutic purposes in dermatological pathologies and many other diseases. First of all, it is worth noting the ability of the herb to regulate the thyroid gland, stabilizing the hormonal background. In addition to this outstanding quality, the plant has a number of therapeutic effects:

• localizes foci of inflammation;
• relieves puffiness;
• cleanses the body of toxic products;
• possesses antipyretic properties;
• eliminates cramping;
• has an analgesic effect;
• It is a good anthelmintic;
• destroys fungal and bacterial flora;
• possesses anticarcinogenic properties;
• cleanses the blood;
• relieves the symptoms of colds.

To this it is worth adding that the fruit cock, according to folk healers, is a powerful "generator" of male power, since it stimulates the production of testosterone.

What diseases are treated by a fruit cock
From the set of useful qualities that was listed above, it is easy to guess how wide the range of applications of this plant is. Homemade medicines based on sheep burdock are allowed to be given even to older children, and when using external means for treating the skin, the age limits are significantly reduced. Using unique vegetation, the following pathologies are treated:

1. Respiratory infections, flu, other respiratory diseases.
2. Urological diseases.
3. Skin diseases: allergic rash, lichen, scabies, dermatitis, furunculosis, eczema and even leprosy.
4. Oncology of the larynx and tuberculosis (part of smoking mixtures).
5. Asthma (due to antispasmodic properties).
6. Dysentery and other intestinal infections (due to astringency and bactericidal properties).
7. Rheumatism, arthritis, other joint problems.

This is not a complete list of the healing possibilities of the famous weed. For example, some lovers add refined seed oil as a spice to various dishes. A widely used plant in home cosmetology.

Note: despite the usefulness of the fruit cock, one should not forget about its toxic properties. In the process of preparing medicinal formulations, it is necessary to strictly observe the sequence and dosage regimens given in the recipe.

For women

The benefit of the fruit tree for the body of women, in the first place, is that compounds with grass regulate the functions of the thyroid gland. Indeed, according to the WHO, dysfunctions of this important organ are most often observed in representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Women after 35 years are especially susceptible to the disease. Another, no less useful property is the ability to relieve muscle cramps and have a painkiller effect. It is known that many women suffer from severe pain during menstruation. Do not forget about the anticarcinogenic effect of the plant. For therapeutic and preventive purposes, women can drink tea with goiter or decoctions and infusions.

For men

Substantial fruit tree can provide significant assistance to men's health. Its powerful anti-inflammatory qualities should be used in the treatment of prostatitis, and the ability to stimulate the production of sex hormones will be an effective prevention of impotence. The use of a decoction will increase potency, which will positively affect the quality of sexual life.

Infusion to improve potency
The method of preparing the broth is very simple: you need to add a couple of teaspoons of dried grass to a glass of boiling water. After two hours of infusion, strain the solution. It is recommended to drink the drink twice a day on an empty stomach, 1/2 cup. The duration of this type of herbal medicine is 2 months.

Good to know: The ability of sheep burdock to influence male health was taken over by pharmacists from Romania. They release Adenostop, which has already shown excellent results in the treatment of prostate adenoma.

Gooseberry in folk medicine

It can not be said that in folk medicine, the fruit cock became widespread. The reason for its limited use is the presence of toxic components. But experienced herbalists know the rules for the preparation of safe compounds that can be used without risk to health to treat children.

Herbal therapy for skin diseases is especially effective. Various dosage forms are prepared from plant materials: decoctions for lotions, ointments, and natural plant juice is often used.In many European countries, the treatment of sheep burdock juice is practiced: they treat severe forms of hemorrhoids, it is taken orally with swelling of the larynx and asthma attacks. Compresses with nectar are applied to the lesion sites with urticaria, acne, various forms of lichen. Recently, inhalations with medicinal herbs and aromatic smoking have become very popular. Such unusual procedures help in the treatment of tuberculosis and some forms of oncology.

Let us consider in more detail the most popular types of treatment with the use of grass.

A simple recipe for skin diseases
With dermatitis, skin irritation and other problems of this nature, you can prepare a mushy mass from fresh herbs of a healing plant, which should immediately treat the affected areas of the dermis. Before preparing the composition, be sure to remove the prickly needles.

Cockpit inhalation recipe
This recipe is also not burdened with complexity: the seeds of the plant are placed in a bowl that is resistant to high temperatures. Raw materials are heated until thick smoke appears. The essence of treatment is that the patient should inhale this smoke for about five minutes. Inhalations can be replaced by smoking a mixture obtained from crushed grass seed. In asthma and oncology of the larynx, such sessions are recommended to be carried out daily for 4-6 months. Such therapy has a beneficial effect on the state of the respiratory system, facilitating the well-being of the patient with severe forms of cancer and tuberculosis.

Interesting fact! In Russia in antiquity, our ancestors attributed to a foxhunter magical abilities. People believed that bad grass on the new moon would relieve toothache, and with a full moon it would cure any inflammation.

Types of healing compounds

In alternative medicine today, a wide variety of dosage forms with the use of the common fruit are popular. Moreover, there are several options for the preparation of each type of drug. We propose to study the classic methods of manufacturing tinctures, ointments, decoctions and other well-known drugs. Such medicines can be safely prepared at home without financial and time costs.

Infusion

Water infusions are prepared simply and have a wide range of applications. True, for different pathologies, a special selected composition scheme is used.

1. Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders are treated with infusion prepared by brewing 1 tablespoon of dry crushed raw materials ½ liter of boiling water. The solution must be left for a couple of hours to insist, then filter. Drinking ½ cup at a time is recommended. Multiplicity of receptions - up to three times.
2. From a noise in the ears will help to get rid of a drink made from a mixture of a cocklebur with a powder of calamus herb 1: 5. 1 tsp the herbal mix must be diluted in a glass of water, and then completely drink the medicine.

Note: water infusions should be taken on an empty stomach so that the medicine exhibits the maximum therapeutic effect.

Tincture

The advantage of alcohol-based drugs is that they retain their healing properties for several months. Most often, such drugs are prepared on vodka, but you can take well-purified moonshine as the basis.

Cocktail Juice Tincture Recipe
In principle, this is the easiest option for preparing tinctures. It is necessary to take in equal parts vodka and freshly squeezed grass juice, mix them, put in a dark place for 2-3 weeks. The resulting medicine can complement the complex of therapy for pathologies of the urinary system and thyroid gland. A single dose should not exceed 30-40 drops. It is recommended to store the finished product in the refrigerator.

Another option tincture
According to this recipe, a composition is obtained that allows for the treatment of goiter without the use of hormonal agents. For this tincture, you can use the entire ground part of the cocklebur and even thorns. But you need to collect plant material in the fall after the fruits have fully ripened. Put the collected raw materials in a jar to the neck, but not tightly. Pour vodka into the green mass, close the container with a lid. Insist such an elixir of health for 21 days. Then the drug can be taken in 30 drops about half an hour before meals.

Decoction

You can prepare mixed decoctions and preparations from individual parts of the fruit tree.

Classic leaf recipe
Pharmaceutical raw materials are suitable for this recipe. A tablespoon of dry foliage should be poured into a glass of water and boiled for a quarter hour on moderate heat. When the liquid cools down a little, strain the broth and insist for another hour. Taking a drink is recommended for intestinal dysfunction and prostate adenoma. The optimal dose for admission is 1 tbsp. decoction. The resulting composition can be used for lotions and compresses in the treatment of skin diseases.

Important! Such a decoction can also be used for hemorrhoids, painful periods, as well as a diaphoretic and sedative.

Decoctions of the seed and roots of the fruit tree are prepared in compliance with the same proportions.

Extract

In the Middle Ages, leucocephus was treated with leprosy. Today this insidious disease is extremely rare and only mainly in disadvantaged regions of the world. But herbal herbal extract is in demand in home therapy, when you need to relieve pain and cramps. This highly effective remedy is included in the treatment of uterine fibroids, mastopathy in women. It can be used as a sedative.

1. A medicine is prepared by evaporating a decoction from the leaves of a fruit tree in a water bath.
2. The initial composition is prepared from 1 tbsp. raw materials and 200 ml of boiling water.
3. The composition is evaporated until the volume of liquid is reduced exactly by half.

Take a medicine from healing herbs in a third of a glass 2-3 times.

Tea

Tea therapy is today considered one of the most popular types of treatment. Despite the ambiguous composition, the sheep burdock is ideal for making drinks that can be drunk instead or with tea. Moreover, such tea has universal capabilities, since it is useful in urolithiasis, oncological processes, rheumatism, goiter and many other pathologies.

The way to make tea is in two simple steps:

1. First 1 tbsp. dry raw materials are poured with boiling water.
2. For several minutes, the drink is infused, and then they drink it in 1/2 cup at a time.

Tea therapy strengthens the body, increases its resistance to disease. The course of treatment can last up to two months.

Helpful advice! It is best to cook herbal tea in a thermos.

Butter

It is quite difficult to get this very valuable product at home. But in the pharmacy network you can buy a finished drug. Get oil from the fruits of the plant. With its help, serious pathologies of the dermis are treated by rubbing a few drops of the composition into the skin surface of the damaged areas. Such procedures are recommended to be carried out three times a day.

Since gingerbread oil contains coloring pigments, it is added in the production of drying oil and chemical dyes.

Ointment

Dodice ointment for external treatment of the skin surface is prepared on the basis of animal fat and plant fruits. It is preferable to use interior pork fat. Previously, the base is heated, then the components are mixed in a proportion of 10: 1. The mixture is heated in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After cooling, the finished ointment is applied to problem areas of the dermis with depriving, dermatitis and other skin diseases.

Advice! Pork fat can be replaced with duck.

The juice

As noted above, juice is considered the most valuable component of the fruit tree, since it contains the bulk of useful elements. In alternative therapy, pure grass juice or preparations with its addition are equally often used. Natural juice treats intestinal and digestive disorders, bronchitis, the common cold, furunculosis and a whole series of diseases.

The maximum daily dose of fresh juice:

1. For adults - 30-40 drops.
2. For cancer patients, a single dose is doubled.
3. The dosage for small patients is calculated by the formula: 1 drop per year of life, but not more than 10 at a time.

To minimize the risk of side effects, it is recommended to dilute the juice in half with plain water.

How to cook
To obtain juice, vegetable raw materials must be passed through a meat grinder, and then squeeze the juice.

The resulting product can be preserved. To do this, it must be mixed in equal proportions with vodka or another alcohol base, and then tightly close the dishes with the contents of the lid. For long-term storage, the drug is best placed in the refrigerator.

special instructions

1. It is necessary to take any preparations with the participation of the fruit grass with extreme caution.
2. Under no circumstances should an overdose of the drug be allowed.
3. Failure to comply with the rules of admission can lead to severe poisoning.
4. It is also necessary to strictly comply with the listed recommendations for the collection of plant materials.
5. Before using drugs with grass, you must perform a tolerance test.

I would like to add to all that has been said that the gimlet needle has found application in cooking: fresh greens can be added to light summer salads. The composition of some dishes includes plant essential oil, which gives them a light pleasant aroma with poppy notes.

Application in cosmetology

In cosmetology, sheep burdock is taken mainly to eliminate skin and hair problems. Its antiseptic properties help cleanse the dermis of bacteria and contaminants, anti-inflammatory abilities help in the fight against acne and blackheads.

Oil face mask

To maintain youth and beauty, cosmetologists advise using an oil extract of the plant. The easiest way is to rub the product into problem areas: decollete, neck, face skin. Such simple manipulations will increase the skin tone, refresh its tone, and tighten the oval of the face.

Apply oil for 20-30 minutes, then wash off its residues with warm water and a mild daily cleanser.

Mask for strengthening hair

To improve the curls, an oil product from the fruit grass is also used. The composition is applied to the basal part of the head, after which they put on a plastic cap, and wrap a towel over the head. They hold the mask for an hour, then wash their hair with ordinary shampoo.

Anti-acne remedy

Get rid of acne and acne will help a decoction of a fruit-tree. The face is abundantly moistened with a healing composition using a cotton pad, and after 10 minutes, it is washed off. When applying the broth, it should be avoided in the eye mucosa.

Contraindications

Any plant has its pros and cons. The sheep burdock is no exception. It is strictly forbidden to use the plant:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• patients with peptic ulcer disease;
• young children (up to three years);
• persons prone to constipation;
• those who have individual intolerance to any component that is part of the plant.

It is also worth adding that the greatest danger is an overdose of preparations containing a fruit tree. Since this plant is still at the stage of clinical trials, it is not possible to accurately determine its maximum possible dose. Much depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. This point must be taken into account.An incorrectly selected treatment regimen can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and impaired respiratory function. In order to prevent such side effects, it is better to breed funds for internal intake with water.

Photo of a fruit cock