Verbeynik: medicinal properties and contraindications

The herbaceous herbaceous plant got its name because its leaves are very similar to willow. It is also popularly called wound grass, meadow tea, snake root, and coin collector.

Chemical composition

As a result of research, it was found that in the chemical composition of the loosestrife there are many substances useful to the human body.

Tannins, tannins and flavonoids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to heal wounds. Tannins, organic acids (ascorbic, silicic, chlorogenic, coffee), lactones and saponins normalize digestion, putting the gastrointestinal tract in order.

The vitamins included in the plant increase the body's immune forces and its ability to resist bacterial and viral infections. These abilities are especially high in vitamin C, which is found in large numbers in the loosestrife during its flowering. In addition, vitamins, as well as a whole complex of substances contained in the loosestrife, perform an antioxidant function, including minerals and anthocyanins. Thanks to their presence, the metabolic process is being established.

The already mentioned anthocyanins and flavonoids have another important role - they have the ability to increase the elasticity of the vascular walls and inhibit the adhesion of cholesterol to them. In particular, flavonoids kempferol and quercetin, as well as its glycoside rutin (or vitamin P) and another component of the loosestrife, silicon, are responsible for this.

Arginine entering the plant has a wide range of actions. It is able to regenerate tissues, support the cleansing of the kidneys and liver, the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and stimulate the synthesis of insulin.

How it looks and where it grows

Verbeynik is a herbaceous plant that can be either annual or biennial, or perennial. It is able to grow up to 2 m in height and for a long time - up to two and a half months - bloom with yellow flowers collected in high panicle inflorescences, due to which it has received another nickname among the people - the yellow-headed.

In fact, a loosestrife can be found not only with yellow, but also with white or pinkish flowers, but still they are most often yellow. Each flower individually resembles a bell with five cloves and the same number of stamens hidden in it.

The loosestrife blooms from June to August, after which the fruits ripen in August-September - egg-shaped or spherical capsules.

The leaves of the plant can be elongated, lanceolate, with an even whole edge, ovoid. They sit on the trunk opposite each other - and in pairs, and 3, and even 4. The upper surface of the leaves is smooth, the lower - pubescent. The stems are mostly straight, erect, slightly branched up. But there are species with creeping stems.

Most representatives of loosestrife grow in the Northern Hemisphere, their greatest species diversity is found in the North American regions and in East Asia. But some species perfectly tolerate the natural conditions of the Southern Hemisphere: they grow in the countries of South America and occupy areas in southern Africa. Loosestrife is very widespread in Belarus. In Russia, you can find 8 species of plants, it settles throughout the country, mainly where the climate is temperate, although it has been overgrown in the Caucasus and Crimea.

Verbeynik prefers to grow in sunny, humid places: along rivers, around lakes and ponds, in well-moistened, but not swampy meadows, on the outskirts of forest belts. The soil he likes is peaty, under favorable conditions, the loosestrife spreads quickly and is able to turn into an aggressor, capturing new territories.

Thanks to the spectacular appearance, a long period of flowering and unpretentiousness, he fell in love with summer residents, who are happy to decorate them with their personal plots.

Kinds

Today, there are almost 150 species of loosestrife, including natural and cultivated.

The most common and most widely used for medicinal purposes is the common loosestrife. It grows in Europe, and in Asian countries, and in Russia, and in northern Africa. He loves the earth moist, is not afraid of stagnation of water in the soil, summer residents even adapted to grow it in small country ponds, planting it to a depth of about 10 cm. It differs by lanceolate leaves, grows up to 1 m in height. This type of loosestrife among beekeepers is considered a good honey plant.

Loosestrife oak in the wild grows in Europe. It grows around ponds and lakes, along rivers and even rises up into the mountains and is found in the subalpine zone. This species does not grow above 30 cm, and its leaves are much wider and larger than in ordinary. Flowers are not located inflorescences, but one by one and are characterized by the presence of high pedicels. The month of the beginning of flowering of an oak-tree loosestrife is May.

Brushless Verbeynik, or kizlyak, prefers to settle right in the water, near the coast, or on the very edge of the coast. It grows to 60 cm. The stamens are so long that they stick out of the cup, so the flowers look fluffy.

Point Verbeynik - a typical inhabitant of woodlands of western and central Europe. Its leaves are in the form of a wide lancet. It blooms relatively briefly - about a month. Pointed loosestrife has two of the most popular varieties - Alexander and Golden Alexander. Both differ by rims along the edge of the sheet: in the first grade it is white, in the second - golden color.

A leucocephalus, a crowded-flowered one, was born in China and was brought by flower growers to other areas. The date of his birth is considered to be 1992, when the first information appeared about him. He has very beautiful flowers - yellow with a red spot. The leaves of the crowded verbenik are very juicy, rich, bright green. The most interesting gardeners are its following varieties:

1. Foxes - characterized by spherical inflorescences.
2. Outback Sunset - this variety is characterized by a yellow stripe on the leaves of a dark green color.
3. Persian rug - its green leaves are pierced with red veins.
4. Persian chocolate - this variety has purple leaves, in the fall they do not die.

Verbeynik lily of the valley, or tartar, under natural conditions grows in the Primorsky Territory of Russia. He got his name for the outward resemblance of a rhizome with a lily of the valley. The stems grow only up to 20 cm, at their ends - the same length of inflorescences, ears, consisting of small pure white flowers. Lily of the valley loosestrife blooms late, in the last days of June, and blooms in just 2 to 3 weeks. In the 90s, this species became a frequent guest on personal plots. More often than others you can find such varieties of it:

1. Lady Jane - the total height of the plant (along with the inflorescence) can reach 60–90 cm.
2. A geisha is a variegated variety, its leaves are trimmed at the edges with a strip of beige and cream color.

Monumentous loosestrife - in Japan, countries of the North American continent and Europe grows along the edges of swamps, rivers or lakes, in flood meadows, but can tolerate shading in groves. It is a perennial groundcover with recumbent stems. But the length of the stem is small - about 30 cm. The time of its blooming completely depends on how much sun falls on the plant: in well-lit areas, flowers open from the end of May, in shaded areas - later. The most common variety is Aurea, it is characterized by greenish-yellow leaves.

Verbeynik purple, or ciliated - a resident of North America, but is cultivated in Russia. This is a beautiful plant with a height of no more than half a meter.It has unusually beautiful leaves - broad, wine-red in color. Blooms late - in August.

The homeland of the loosestrife of black and purple is Greece. He got his name for inflorescences in the form of an ear, consisting of small flowers of a dense dark burgundy color. Its most common cultivated variety is Beaujolais. To please the owner with flowering begins in late July.

Verbeynik ephemeral grows in Europe, in its southwestern regions. The plant is characterized by frost resistance, fast growth, able to reach 1 m in height. This is one of the oldest cultivated plants grown in gardens since the 19th century.

Collection and storage

Collect a loosestrife when it blooms. The weather for this should be chosen dry, sunny, the time of day is closer to dinner, when the dew has descended. It is better not to take plants near roads or settlements. In order not to doubt the environmental cleanliness of raw materials, you need to go to the edge of the forest, in meadows, to a lake or career.

For medicinal purposes, all the greens of the plant are suitable. Therefore, a pruner, a sharp knife or even a sickle, which was used by grandmothers, cut the stem about 5-6 cm from the ground. Then the herbs are sorted, carefully removing dry, torn, eaten by insects or darkened fragments, after which they are cut into small pieces from 5 to 7 cm long and washed. Washed raw materials are laid out on clean paper or gauze in the shade of a draft. The air temperature should not be lower than 24–25 degrees, otherwise the grass will not dry out, but will rot. If the weather is cool, it is best to dry the loosestrife in an electric dryer.

Ready dried raw materials are laid out in cardboard boxes, paper bags or bags made of cotton cloth. In this form, the medicinal plant can be stored for up to two years.

You can prepare loosestrife juice. After washing the greens, let the water drain from it, then grind it in a blender to a pulp state and squeeze through cheesecloth folded in 4-6 layers. Juice can be removed in the refrigerator, but it will not be stored there for more than two months, and will remain useful in the freezer for several years.

The healing properties of loosestrife

It has been established that medicinal products prepared from the loosestrife have a beneficial effect on the blood supply system due to the fact that they make the vessels more elastic and prevent cholesterol plaques from settling on them, and help control vascular patency.

Medicinal plant formulations (and even simply dried raw materials ground to a powder) are recommended for cuts, burns, abrasions, because they have hemostatic, wound healing and astringent effects. Astringent action is also used in the treatment of diarrhea.

The choleretic and anticonvulsant properties of the medicinal plant are applicable to restore order in the work of the liver, biliary tract and gastrointestinal tract. For these purposes, they often use not the green part of the plant, but rhizomes. In these cases, the painkillers' abilities of the loosestrife also help. With its help, painful joints are also anesthetized - compresses, lotions and applications are applied for rheumatism, injuries, bruises, sprains and dislocations.

In addition, the loosestrife has antiseptic properties, so the preparations prepared from it can be used to treat a wet cough, gargle with angina, and also to get rid of dental problems - wounds and sores with stomatitis. Infusions and decoctions not only treat inflammatory processes, but also eliminate bad breath. The antiseptic and hemostatic properties of the plant are also used in gynecology.

The presence of a large amount of vitamin C helps the human body recover faster not only after colds and SARS, but also gives strength after prolonged debilitating internal diseases, relieves weakness and improves mood. Vitamin C prevents scurvy well, and a loosestrife can be used to treat the initial stages of this disease.

Loosestrife in folk medicine

Since ancient times, representatives of Tibetan and Chinese medicine have been using Verbeynik, adopting from their wisest predecessors the deep and long-standing traditions of healing. Of course, they use those rare plant species for their healing compositions that grow in their localities.

But even in our country, traditional healers know a lot about grass treatment, but in their arsenal there is an ordinary loosestrife. It is the most widespread throughout the globe, but the therapeutic effect of its use is no worse.

Traditional medicine has learned to treat thrush, rheumatism with the help of a loosestrife, relieve eczema and dermatitis, heal external festering wounds, scratches, burns, stop bleeding, relieve joint pain, help with stomatitis and periodontal disease, and improve the digestive process. It is noted that this medicinal plant relieves pain and swelling with insect bites and solves a host of other problems: it soothes nerves that are inflamed and helps normalize sleep, lower blood pressure, raise mood and strengthen immunity.

Healers prescribe decoctions, infusions and tinctures, freshly squeezed juice from a loosestrife, recommend colds for colds. All of these dosage forms are good - each for a specific disease. The main thing - do not forget to consult with your doctor before starting to take funds.

From conjunctivitis

Squeeze 2 tablespoons of the juice, dilute it with boiled water in the same amount and bury in both eyes 2 times a day until recovery occurs. The same drops can be used to treat nasal congestion in colds.

To clean the liver

To clean the liver, get rid of toxins and toxins, you need to prepare a tincture of vodka: mix 2 large tablespoons with top of the herb with a glass of good vodka and insist in a dark glass dish for 7 to 10 days. Strain and drink before lunch and dinner, dripping 20 drops into a glass and adding water to the top.

From hepatitis and liver diseases

It is necessary to prepare an extract of 50 g of dried rhizomes. Soak in 500 ml of good, proven vodka for 2 weeks in a dark, cool room. Take up to 10 days before breakfast, lunch and dinner, 20 drops, diluting them in 50 ml of water.

With problem digestion

To troubleshoot digestion, relieve stomach diseases and get rid of constipation, healers prescribe an infusion. Pour dried grass (about a teaspoon) with 250 ml of boiling water and leave it under the lid for 50-60 minutes. Drink once - 50 ml per day. This remedy also helps with anemia, arthritis and as a rinse for stomatitis, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Tea for the common cold

This tea can be drunk, and it is also useful for them to gargle with angina. Brew 60 g of dry green plants with a liter of freshly boiled water and insist like regular tea.

To improve blood flow

This tool improves blood vessels and serves as a prophylaxis of atherosclerosis. It is necessary to grind in a coffee grinder 10 g of dried rhizome of the loosestrife, to boil 250 ml of boiling water in a thermos and let stand for 40–45 minutes. Strain and drink 2 weeks, 50–70 ml before each meal. You can soak in a warm healing composition a dense cotton cloth and apply to the skin affected by eczema or dermatitis. Repeat the procedure in the morning and evening.

Wet cough

Scalp 2 tablespoons of dried verbenik greens with 500 ml of boiled water and insist in it for 20–25 minutes. Drink a glass of infusion at a time, adding a spoonful of honey to it. It is better to take in the evening, before going to bed.

From sprains and arthritis

Pick fresh leaves of loosestrife, rinse them and smash in a blender. Put the resulting slurry on a cotton cloth and apply for 30-40 minutes to the sore joint. The tool helps to alleviate the condition with arthritis, rheumatism, bruises and sprains.

From thrush

To prepare a composition for douching: insist on a water bath for 20-25 minutes, 2 tablespoons of dry grass of loosestrife, drenched in 500 ml of boiling water. Strain and douche with thrush twice a day. The course of treatment is a week. A remedy prepared according to this recipe is effective against edema if it is drunk 4 to 5 times a day, regardless of meals.

To stop bleeding

To reduce menstrual flow, an infusion helps, prepared from a tablespoon of dried leaves of loosestrife and a small glass of boiling water, which must be poured into a medicinal plant and infused for 6 hours. Strain and drink the resulting composition in two doses - in the morning and in the evening. Coursework - a week.

Headache

During a cold or flu, a headache often suffers. To get rid of it, you need to brew a composition of taken in 2 tablespoons of dried loosestrife, pharmacy chamomile and rosemary. Stir the herbs and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Take after cooling and filtering. The resulting composition is divided into 2 servings - for daytime and evening use.

Types of healing compounds

To use the loosestrife as a therapeutic agent, you can prepare infusions, eye drops and drops from a cold, decoctions, tinctures and make tea. You can simply sprinkle cuts, wounds, abrasions and burns with dried and crushed medicinal raw materials.

Infusion

Alone at home, you can cook an infusion of loosestrife. To do this, pour 0.5 tablespoons (with a slide) of dry grass in a small saucepan or mug with a lid. Insist an hour, then strain and drink. If coughing, headache, infusion take a tablespoon three times a day. This tool also helps to eliminate constipation, get rid of scurvy and anemia.

Tincture

To restore strength after a long illness, you can take a tincture of vodka. To do this, pour 2 tablespoons of fresh verbena verdure in a dark glass bottle of 200 ml of high-quality vodka, close it well and put it in a cupboard, away from sunlight. You can take out and shake the bottle from time to time. After a week, remove from the cabinet, strain and drink four times a day, taking 15–20 drops at a time.

It is useful to wash dirty wounds or abrasions with such a tincture.

Decoction

To prepare a decoction from a loosestrife, you need to pour dry loosestrife with boiling water. For 40 g of medicinal raw materials, take 400 ml of liquid. Send to steam for half an hour in a water bath. Remove, cool to room temperature and strain. Drink 100 ml before breakfast and dinner. Helps strengthen immunity, soothe cough, relieve headaches.

Compresses can be made with a warm decoction if joints are aching or a bruised arm or leg hurts, putting 3 hours on a sore spot and insulating with a scarf or woolen scarf.

Application in cosmetology

Since the loosestrife has antiseptic and wound healing properties, it can be used to remove various skin inflammations. Compositions based on this useful plant can also moisturize the skin, make its appearance more healthy and attractive. They are also useful for hair, because with its help you can strengthen them, get rid of loss. Funds from the loosestrife stimulate hair growth, and if applied systematically, it is possible to make the curls become beautiful and shiny. For these purposes, most often use a decoction or infusion. You can add 2-3 drops of juice squeezed from the grass to the hair conditioner that is commonly used. The effect will be noticeable after the third or fourth shampoo.

Face tonic

To prepare the tonic, you first need to make an infusion: pour 200 ml of hot water in an amount of 200 ml of 2/3 tablespoon of crushed dry grass of loosestrife. The composition is insisted until it becomes room temperature. Strain the infusion and wipe its face in the evenings, before bedtime. Helps with abscess inflammation, rash, and irritation.

Healing cubes

Dilute the juice squeezed from the green of the loosestrife with water: take 5 parts of boiled water for a portion of the juice. Stir, pour into ice molds and put in the freezer. Use to wipe face as needed. The skin is nourished with vitamins, complexion improves.

Hair conditioner

Prepare a decoction from the loosestrife: pour half a liter of boiling water in a saucepan 2 tablespoons of grass - dry or freshly picked.Put in a water bath for half an hour, remove and wait until it cools to room temperature. Strain and dilute the resulting broth with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Wash your hair with shampoo, rinse it and rinse your hair with a healing extract from the loosestrife.

Contraindications

As with any medicinal plant, the loosestrife has a number of limitations. It should not be used for people suffering from varicose veins, thrombosis, as well as those who have increased blood clotting. For patients with high blood pressure and vascular sclerosis, compositions based on it are prohibited.

In addition, individual intolerance to the plant is quite possible.

Before you begin to be treated with medicinal compounds from a loosestrife, you must definitely talk to your doctor about this topic and get relevant recommendations from him.

Photo of a loosestrife