Centaury: medicinal properties and contraindications

Not everyone knows what a centaury looks like. This plant is from the Gentian family. It has a simple, branched up stalk, leaves growing at the roots and on the stalk. Centaury extract is used in traditional medicine, as part of drugs for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys, pancreas, liver, as well as in the fight against alcohol dependence. In addition, this plant is widely used in traditional medicine recipes.

Chemical composition

Centaury is a unique plant that has a number of valuable properties due to its rich chemical composition. The following active ingredients are present in this grass:

• gentsiopikrin, erythaurin and other iridoid glycosides (they make up from 0.3 to 2.4% of the whole plant);
• alkaloids - erythricin, geniacin, etc .;
• vitamin C;
• flavonoids;
• oleanic acid;
• xanthones;
• phenol carboxylic acids.

To a lesser extent, the plant contains esters, wax, resin, nicotinic acid, phytosterols. This chemical composition makes centaury a truly valuable plant, helping in the fight against a number of ailments.

How it looks and where it grows

Centaury can grow up to 50 cm in height, its leaves are oblong, and the flowers are small, saturated pink, merging into inflorescences. For the bulk of Russians, this flower is well known, as it is found quite often: you can find it along roads, rivers and near ponds. Often this grass grows like a weed in the fields, on grassy lawns and even in the vegetable garden among cultivated plants. Favorite places for growing centaury are the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

How to grow yourself

This grass can be grown on its own land, like many other plants. It is enough to find a ripe box of seeds and pour it on the loose soil. It is also important to choose the right place for sowing. An open area located on a hill in the southern part of the garden or vegetable garden is best suited, as this plant prefers to grow under “warm and dry” conditions.

Centaury seeds are quite small. To make it more convenient to sow them, you need to mix them with a small amount of sand and plant them shallow - up to 5 mm deep in the soil. After this, you need to compact the soil with a roller, pour and cover with a film. To plant seedlings in open ground, you need to start preparing it in March. Seedlings are planted in any order, observing only the distance between them - about 10 cm.

It is not difficult to take care of this plant: timely weeding, watering and loosening of the soil are all that the centaury needs for successful growth. If pests are wound up on the site, it is undesirable to treat the plant with chemical additives. It is better for these purposes to use safe folk methods of struggle. Otherwise, it will not be a medicinal plant, but, on the contrary, harmful to the body due to the content of a large amount of chemistry.

Collection and storage

Centaury is collected during its abundant flowering. The stems, leaves and flowers of the plant have healing properties. You should choose grass that grows away from roads and industrial plants to get environmentally friendly raw materials.The stems are cut above the root, preferring mainly young plants.

For harvesting centaury using the drying method. Of course, you can purchase finished raw materials at the pharmacy, but independent collection and harvesting of the plant allows you to be sure of its environmental friendliness. The basis of the correct preparation of the centaury is the observance of the main condition: the room must be well ventilated, without direct sunlight. To prevent the stems from darkening, spread the grass with a thin layer on clean white paper or cotton fabric. When the raw materials are completely dry, they should be placed in dry glass containers or paper bags. The maximum period for which a dried medicinal plant can be stored is two years.

Medicinal properties of centaury grass

This plant is used both in traditional medicine and in folk recipes. The extract of this herb is the basic active ingredient in some medicines. Preparations containing centaury have the following properties:

• anthelmintic;
• painkillers;
• regulating digestion;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• antiseptic;
• choleretic;
• tonic.

In connection with the above list of beneficial effects, centaury can be used in the fight against diseases of the digestive system, kidneys, liver, as well as to overcome chronic fatigue, insomnia, and alcohol dependence. Taking drugs with the extract of this plant helps to improve brain activity and increases resistance to stress.

The benefits of centaury

More than one generation knows that the grass of the centaury is useful. Many recipes of traditional medicine testify to the value of the plant in question. A correctly drawn up treatment regimen using centaury extract allows you to overcome a number of diseases, including chronic ones, and also improve the general condition of the body. Consider the effect of this medicinal plant on the female and male body, as well as the question of whether it is possible to use drugs based on it for pregnant women and children.

For women

Centaury grass is used primarily to eliminate gynecological problems such as painful and too heavy menstruation, malfunctioning of the hormonal system, and dysfunction of the genital organs. Also, the medicinal plant helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and, as a consequence, the early onset of pregnancy. For this purpose, decoctions, infusions and teas based on the plant are used. To eliminate the pain symptom in cystitis, inflammation of the uterus and ovaries, as well as other diseases of the genitourinary system, pharmacy preparations based on the centaury extract are used.

For men

Centaury can be indicated for men for use in various diseases accompanied by pain. This herb has a calming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. It can be prescribed in case of violation of the urogenital organs and hormonal malfunctions. But most often centaury is advised to drink to men suffering from alcohol addiction. Although this problem occurs in some women, it most often concerns the male part of the population. For the treatment of alcoholism, both pharmacy medicines based on the extract of this plant are used, as well as alternative methods involving brewing teas, preparing infusions and decoctions.

When breastfeeding

Lactating women are allowed to drink tea based on centaury in the absence of allergy to this plant in both the mother and the baby. To brew tea you need to take 1 tbsp. crushed dry raw materials and pour a cup (200 ml) of boiling water, then insist 2 hours. Tea should be warmed before use. This tool can increase lactation, as well as help in the fight against infectious and colds.

During pregnancy

Before considering the benefits of centaury for pregnant women, it is important to note that in the first trimester this herb is strictly contraindicated. This is due to the fact that the plant contains substances that cause the uterus to tone, which can provoke a miscarriage. This property can be used during pregnancy prolongation in order to start labor.

Centaury can help pregnant women overcome such an unpleasant condition as heartburn, which is quite common in the second and third trimester. To eliminate heartburn, discomfort "under the pit", throwing in a fever and a feeling of fullness of the stomach, infusion of centaury herb is used. It is prepared as follows: pour 10 g of dried raw material with boiling water (250 ml), insist for a day, then strain thoroughly through several layers of gauze and consume 1 tablespoon each. thrice / day half an hour before meals.

For children

Often young children suffer from epileptic seizures, twitches and seizures of a nervous nature. Moreover, examinations by doctors may not show any physiological health problems. In such cases, the listed symptoms are attributed to the consequences of birth injuries, fears, and even epilepsy. Doctors can prescribe a serious medication, although in fact, everything can be solved much easier. The fact is that in young children helminthic infestations in any internal organs are often found, which is almost impossible to detect by conducting the usual set of tests. In order to eliminate most types of worms in children, centaury can be used.

To prepare the medicine, you need 1 tablespoon. dry grass, which pour a cup (200 ml) of boiling water and insist for 8 hours. This tool is to give the child 1 tbsp. before main meals (about 3-5 times) for 3-4 days, repeating the course after three months if necessary. If no improvement comes, you should definitely visit a doctor for a more detailed examination and to find out the cause of such symptoms.

Centaury in medicine

Centaury is a valuable herb for humans, which has been used for many centuries. This plant is used not only in traditional medicine, but also traditional. Centaury extract helps in the fight against the following disorders of the normal functioning of the body:

• intestinal disorders, in particular - diarrhea, diarrhea, difficulty digesting food, etc .;
• lack of appetite;
• stagnation of bile and other diseases of the gallbladder;
• various infectious diseases;
• internal and external bleeding;
• poor blood coagulability;
• some diseases of the stomach;
• pyelonephritis and other kidney diseases;
• cystitis, inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• pain symptoms in various conditions;
• nervous exhaustion, insomnia;
• headaches caused by mental strain;
• gynecological diseases;
• alcohol addiction.

A wide list of indications for the use of centaury speaks of the extraordinary value of this plant. Consider the most common cases in which the herb in question can be used.

From alcoholism

It is generally accepted that alcoholism in most cases is a disease that, once it appears, will accompany a person for the rest of his life. In the fight against alcoholism, all kinds of methods are used, ranging from drugs to treatment with a psychotherapist and hypnosis. But not everyone knows that to overcome the problem of alcohol dependence can be quite simple - with the help of centaury. This plant was used several centuries ago to combat drunkenness, and quite successfully. Apply it and modern folk doctors.

Centaury has virtually no contraindications, but this does not mean that it can be used without first consulting a doctor. In some cases, this plant can adversely affect health, for example, with tachycardia and other heart diseases, individual intolerance, etc.It is also imperative to be able to choose the right raw materials, prepare the product with the right concentration of therapeutic components, and also apply in the appropriate dosage in order to achieve a positive effect.

There are several options for preparing drugs to combat alcoholism based on centaury:

1. The broth is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. dry raw materials need to pour a glass of boiling water and simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes, then strain. The resulting composition is divided into three parts and consumed throughout the day, repeating treatment for 10 days. You can repeat the course after a week break.
2. Centaury with wormwood: take dried wormwood (0.5 tbsp) and centaury (2 tbsp), pour 0.5 l of boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat, then remove from the stove and insist for about In one hour. Take the resulting broth a little - a quarter of the mug three times a day for a week. Then take a week off and repeat the course again.
3. Broth of centaury and thyme: take 1 tbsp. indicated herbs, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for an hour (preferably in a thermos), then strain. Drink 2 sips three times a day for 10 days, repeating the course once a month if necessary.

The above recipes act in a similar way: the patient begins to feel an aversion to alcohol, expressed in attacks of hand tremor, nausea, and even vomiting when drinking alcohol. A person begins to be frightened of the symptoms that appear and eventually ceases to drink alcohol. A natural reflex is developed: after drinking alcohol, you feel unwell.

For the kidneys

Based on centaury, there is a recipe for a folk medicine for pyelonephritis and kidney stones. To prepare a decoction, you need to take 1 tablespoon. the following herbs: lovage, rosemary and centaury, combine, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 2 hours, then strain. Take the medicine 100 ml three times a day. This herbal complex is the basis of the well-known drug "Kanefron", which is prescribed by patients with pyelonephritis, as well as patients suffering from edema associated with difficulties in removing fluid from the body.

Centaury is also used for enuresis in adults and children after 3 years. To prepare a medicine according to a folk prescription, 1 tablespoon will be required. dry chopped plants and as much dried hypericum. Pour the resulting mixture into 0.4 l of boiling water and leave it in a thermos for 2-3 hours. Use the resulting product for a day, dividing it into 3-4 servings. For taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey or sugar. Before using this tool, especially for the treatment of urinary incontinence in children, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

With rheumatoid arthritis

You can alleviate the condition of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with the help of a preparation prepared on the basis of the following herbs: centaury, valerian (root), and chamomile flowers. Take all the ingredients in equal proportions, separate 15 g of the mixture and pour it with a glass of boiling water. Then put on low heat, heat for half an hour, then cool and strain through a sieve or gauze. Divide the finished medicine into three servings and drink during the day.

It is important to remember that rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease, the treatment of which consists in the use of appropriate medications. Alternative recipes can only serve as a concomitant treatment of arthritis, but not the main one.

With colitis

Colitis is an inflammatory disease in the colon, accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as pain in the intestines, problems with stools, bloating, discomfort, etc. This condition can be overcome with the help of centaury. To prepare the product, you need 1 tbsp. dry grass, as well as 1 tbsp. sage and dried chamomile flowers. Combine all components, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for about half an hour, then strain. The resulting product should be consumed in 1 tbsp. every 2 hours for one month.A positive effect will be noticeable in the first days after the start of the use of this infusion.

Cystitis

Since cystitis is an inflammatory disease, centaury can be used to treat it. This plant has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it indispensable in the fight against cystitis. The positive influence of centaury on the state of the urogenital sphere has long been known, which is confirmed by the entry of this herb into the composition of such drugs as “Cyston” and “Kanefron”.

There is the following folk recipe for the treatment of cystitis: 2 tbsp. dry raw materials need to fill in a mug (200 ml) of boiling water and insist for a day. Then strain the infusion through cheesecloth, divide into 3-4 servings and drink during the day. Also, this infusion can be successfully used for washing with cystitis and added to the bath. Already after 3-5 procedures, the patient will notice significant improvements in his condition.

With pancreatitis

The inflammatory process in the pancreas is a fairly common disease. Regardless of the cause of this condition, centaury, which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and antiseptic effects, can be used in the treatment of pancreatitis.

To prepare the medicine, you need to take 1 tbsp. dry plant, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour, then strain and take no more than 1/3 cup three times a day. The course of admission is 2–4 weeks, after which a break for 1-2 months should follow.

However, it should be understood that the acute or chronic form of this disease requires a different treatment in which serious medications will be used. In this regard, an independent treatment of pancreatitis should be preceded by a visit to an endocrinologist. This is a prerequisite, non-compliance with which can cause complications of the disease and provoke the development of other ailments based on the existing condition.

From hemorrhoids

Centaury can be used to treat hemorrhoids, as this herb has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. Both decoction and infusion, tea and other forms of the drug based on this plant help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Moreover, centaury can be used at all stages of the development of the disease, but the best effect can be achieved in the treatment of hemorrhoids at the initial stage. A protracted disease must be treated only by medication, and self-prepared remedies based on centaury can be only auxiliary methods of combating hemorrhoids.

From worms

You can get rid of worms that affect the intestines and other organs with the help of centaury, caraway seeds and tansy. These plants must be combined in equal proportions, take 15 g of the mixture, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 1-2 hours to insist. After this, strain the liquid and consume 1 tbsp. three times a day before meals. A positive effect will come after 7-10 days from the start of the medication. The course can be repeated no earlier than a month later.

With hepatitis

In the treatment of hepatitis, such a folk remedy as the infusion of centaury can be used. In order to prepare this medicine, you need to take 1 tbsp. dry leaves and stalks of grass, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour, then strain. The resulting preparation should be taken in a third of a glass before meals throughout the day (3-4 times).

Types of medicinal compounds with centaury

Folk healers from generation to generation pass on some recipes for the manufacture of therapeutic compounds to combat a number of diseases. These are infusions, tinctures, decoctions, teas and wine.Recipes for their preparation do not require special skills and adaptations, therefore, medicinal formulations with centaury are available to everyone. Consider the most common methods of preparing folk remedies based on the plant in question.

Infusion

To prepare the infusion from centaury, you will need 10 g of dried raw material, which must be brewed in a glass of boiling water, left in a thermos for a day for infusion, after which the infusion can be used for its intended purpose, having previously been filtered. You need to take the infusion of centaury three times a day, 50 ml each.

Tincture

In the fight against alcohol addiction use tincture of centaury. It is prepared as follows: grind 50 g of dried raw materials into powder, pour 0.5 l of alcohol, leave in a dark place for infusion for 21 days, strain the finished product. Take tincture of 10 drops three times a day before meals. The course can be repeated no earlier than 2 weeks later.

Decoction

A decoction of centaury is prepared from 1.5 tbsp. dry grass and 1 liter of water. Boil the water, put the plant in it and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. When the broth is ready, it must be filtered. Take 2 tbsp. before main meals.

Tea

Centaury tea is prepared in the same way as other herbal teas. 1 tbsp plants need to fill in a mug (200-250 ml) of boiling water and then just insist for 15-20 minutes. The resulting drink is consumed three times a day for 1/3 cup.

Wine

In the treatment and prevention of certain diseases, wine from centaury and peppermint is used. To prepare it, you need to take 30 g of these herbs, add one lemon, cut into small pieces and pour the mixture with 1 liter of white wine. The capacity must be chosen so that there is no free space left in it. Soak wine for 10 days in a dark room, after which drink 100-120 g once a day for a week. This tool is indicated for impaired appetite, anemia, reduced immunity, chronic fatigue.

Application of centaury in cosmetology

Centaury is often used for cosmetic purposes. This plant promotes skin regeneration, smoothing wrinkles, as well as faster hair growth. Among folk beauty recipes using centaury should be highlighted:

1. Decoction to accelerate hair growth. Preparing the tool as follows: 2 tbsp. dry grass pour 0.4 l of water, simmer for 3 minutes, then cool and strain. The resulting broth must be applied to the hair roots with massaging movements twice a day.
2. A unique plant is used to eliminate age spots and freckles on the skin. To prepare the product you need to take 2 tbsp. infusion of centaury, dilute them with 2 liters of water and put on medium heat. Boil the product until it reduces its volume by half. After this, strain, moisten a cotton pad in it and attach for 15-20 minutes to the problem place.
3. To prevent wrinkles and make already appearing age-related skin changes less noticeable, you can use centaury oil. It must be applied to the face, hold for 20-30 minutes, then rinse or blot with a cotton pad.

Centaury oil: benefits and applications

Oil with centaury extract is actively used for cosmetic purposes. It is used externally to improve regeneration, as well as to give skin elasticity and prolong youth. Centaury oil must be rubbed into the skin with massage movements daily in the evening, after taking a bath or shower for 10 days. If necessary, the course can be repeated in a month.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that centaury is a completely harmless plant, it has a number of contraindications. So, it is forbidden to use this herb and medicines based on it:

• during pregnancy (may provoke a miscarriage);
• with individual intolerance to plant components;
• with gastric ulcer and gastritis in the acute stage;
• in the presence of excess weight.

If there is any doubt about whether it is possible to use funds based on the centaury, you need to consult a doctor and, if necessary, undergo an appropriate examination. It should be remembered that in some cases, traditional medicine can only be an addition to the main treatment, but not its replacement.

Photo of centaury