Verbena officinalis: photo, application, scientific research. Verbena officinalis treatment

The bitter herb wormwood is an integral element of the steppe landscapes and the main ingredient of absinthe, the most “bohemian drink”. But in medicine, wormwood grass is in demand, first of all, because of the unique chemical composition. It is the content of active biological substances and other components that gives wormwood its medicinal properties.

Types of wormwood

A plant called "wormwood" belongs to the Astrov family. These are large herbaceous or semi-shrub representatives of the flora, which have their own specific characteristics depending on the species. Among the most significant types of wormwood for industrial, harvesting, pharmaceutical and other purposes, the following are distinguished:

Wormwood Gmelin is a medicinal plant, the main distribution area of \u200b\u200bwhich is located in the Far East;
Louisiana wormwood - grows in regions of North America. The color of the leaves is grayish-white, the inflorescences have a pale yellow tint. For medical purposes, only the aerial part is used;
Lactic-flowered wormwood is an ornamental shrub used for exterior decoration in landscape design;
Wormwood annual - a small shrub with green leaves that have a carved shape. It is an annual, but it is quite suitable for medicinal use. On the basis of the plant, dyes for fabric are also prepared;
Rutolistnaya wormwood is a species common in Siberia and some regions of Asia. Contains a large amount of essential oils, which explains its widespread use in pharmaceuticals and the production of cosmetic products;
Field wormwood is a low-growing perennial shrub that grows in the steppe regions and in lowland areas. Can be used for the preparation of medicinal products;
Wormwood is a perennial herbaceous shrub with silver-bluish foliage. The grass, when rubbed, has a characteristic smell, due to the presence of essential oils in its composition. This species is the most valuable in terms of pharmaceuticals.

Chemical composition

The aerial part of wormwood (grass and leaves), most often used for medicinal purposes, contains such chemically active components as:

mineral salts;
Tannins;
organic acids;
Vitamins A, C;
Carotene;
Essential oils;
Glycosides - absinthine and anabsinthine (give a bitter taste);
Flavonoids;
Phytoncides;
alkaloids;
Saponins.

All of the above substances determine the pharmacological action of wormwood, which will be discussed below.

Useful properties of bitter wormwood

Wormwood grass is known, first of all, for its characteristic bitterness. That is why wormwood is used for the manufacture of galenic preparations - those that stimulate the separation of bile and increase the activity of the secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Bitter glycosides in the composition of the plant increase the excitability and reaction rate of neuroreceptors in the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, due to which the assimilation of food is faster and better.

But the pharmacological action of wormwood is not limited to this. It has the following effects on the body:

The range of application of wormwood herb is very wide. With her help treat such diseases., how:

Wormwood is included in alternative medicine recipes as an active ingredient. It can be applied in several ways:

The standard course of treatment with wormwood grass in the presence of worms in the body is a week.

This is the simplest method, in which for three days a small pinch of dried raw materials is taken every 2 to 3 hours (without reference to food intake). The patient simply chews a small portion of wormwood and drinks it down with clean water.

Attention: the use of nicotine reduces the effect of wormwood therapy by a third!

After three days, the method of administration changes: the remedy is used up to 6 times a day for four days. During treatment, you should adhere to a dietary diet, exclude animal products and products with a high carbohydrate content from the diet.

For joint pain

Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system are also successfully treated by the body with the help of wormwood herb. The plant will not completely eliminate the disease and will not solve the problem that triggered its appearance, but it will help to cope with pain symptoms and inflammation in the joints. The most commonly used poultices, compresses and rubbing alcohol tincture of wormwood herb. But also popular are pain-relieving baths in decoctions with the addition of a plant.

To prepare a therapeutic bath, brew a pound of dried raw materials in 2 liters of water. The mixture is boiled over a fire for 10 minutes, then filtered through a sieve and infused for about half an hour. Pour a decoction of the plant into the bath and soak in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. You can add sea salt to the bath, this will strengthen the muscle tone.

With hemorrhoids

The disease known as hemorrhoids is an inflammatory pathological process in the rectum, which is characterized by the appearance of tortuosity, expansion and congestion in the hemorrhoidal veins. At the stage when the venous nodes do not yet need to be set inside, it is really possible to cope with the symptoms with the help of wormwood decoction and tincture. They have a stopping effect on pain symptoms, contribute to the reduction and resorption of hemorrhoidal formations.

Plant-based products are used externally. A sitting bath for hemorrhoids is prepared as follows: 50 g of dried wormwood herb is poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted for a day.

Attention: during the procedure, the water should not be hot, as this can aggravate the painful condition of the hemorrhoidal veins.

The finished infusion is filtered through a sieve, then the wormwood tincture is diluted with 3-5 liters of warm boiled water. The liquid is poured into a basin, the patient sits in it for 15-20 minutes. Sitz baths with wormwood are recommended to be taken before going to bed to maximize relaxation.

In severe stages of hemorrhoids with prolapsed nodes, compresses and lotions with infusion of the plant are used. Five spoons of raw materials are poured into 500 ml of boiling water and infused for 2 - 3 hours. A cotton swab or gauze is moistened in a warm herbal infusion and applied to the affected area. Keep the compress until it cools down. The procedure is repeated 4-5 times a day. After it, you should stay in a warm room for about an hour so as not to expose the anal area to cold. It is useful to drink decoctions and tincture of water inside from time to time.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Medical therapy, traditional and non-traditional, recommends preparations based on the herb of wormwood to alleviate the condition of hypoacid gastritis, enterocolitis, exhaustion, dyspepsia and for the complex treatment of food allergies. In accordance with the type of disease, decoctions and tinctures from the plant are prepared in different ways:

For gastritis with low acidity - pour 5-10 g of dry raw materials into 400 ml of boiling water and insist under the lid until the liquid has a shade. Drink instead of tea three times a day 30 minutes before meals;
With indigestion and poor appetite - a spoonful of wormwood is stirred in a glass of boiling water. After cooling, two teaspoons of honey and a quarter cup of cranberry juice are added to the infusion. The mixture is brought to the desired volume with a liter of cold boiled water and consumed as a drink throughout the day. Keep the product in the refrigerator for no longer than two days;
For stomach and intestinal pain - 1 tbsp. l. wormwood pour 200 ml of boiling water and close the lid, leaving it to reach readiness in a teapot. When the infusion cools down a bit, it is drunk 1.5 hours before meals. Honey is mixed into the liquid to remove strong bitterness. The tincture is taken three times a day.

For diabetes

Essential oils, ascorbic acid and other biologically active compounds in wormwood have a positive effect on the regulation of blood glucose concentration. The herb is used in a variety of ways to treat diabetes. Some people prepare medicinal "meatballs" from wormwood and bread. To prepare, crumble the crumb of black bread, add half a teaspoon of chopped dry grass of the plant to it and roll it into a ball. It is eaten 15-20 minutes before lunch, it is recommended to continue treatment for 2 weeks.

A decrease in the level of glucose in the blood of a diabetic patient for a short period of time is achieved by using a common wormwood decoction for 3 to 4 weeks.

Not only water, but also herbal-based alcohol infusions are popular. Medical alcohol or vodka is poured into a small bowl, where 20 g of dry raw materials of wormwood are added. The product is mixed and poured into a dark glass bottle. After 2 - 3 weeks it is ready for use: method of administration - 12 - 15 drops per day after each meal. Before starting treatment, consult your doctor: not all experts approve alcohol tinctures with a wormwood plant for the treatment of diabetes.

With alcohol addiction

Chronic alcoholism is a disease that is extremely difficult to treat. In the absence of the effect of traditional therapy, traditional medicine recipes are used. One of them is based on a phytocollection, the component of which is wormwood. One part of the herb is mixed with creeping thyme (4 parts) and boiled in a water bath for 15 minutes (two tablespoons per 200 ml of water). After cooling, a decoction of the plant is taken 10 ml three times a day before meals.

Since wormwood has a bitter taste, it will not be possible for the patient to quietly add it to food: he must voluntarily realize the seriousness of the problem and agree to treatment. The course of admission is up to three months.

Another folk remedy for alcoholism is prepared using wormwood and thyme, mixed in a 1: 4 ratio. 2 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into 500 ml of hot water and cooked for 10 - 15 minutes. The decoction is drunk in a quarter cup 3 times a day for a month.

A tangible effect is given by a phytocollection of wormwood, licorice root, horsetail, thyme and centaury. Herbs are taken in the amount of 2, 4, 2, 2 and 3 tablespoons, respectively. After mixing, pour out about 30 g of raw materials and add a glass of boiled water. The mixture is simmered for 15 minutes, then infused until cool. The decoction is taken 100 ml three times a day, the course of administration is up to a month.

For colds

Strong fever, pain and aches in the joints, as well as congestion and irritation of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx, accompanying a cold, exhaust a person, taking away a lot of strength from him. You can alleviate the condition with an alcohol tincture of wormwood. It is prepared from fresh raw materials collected before the flowering phase. Fill half a liter jar with wormwood and fill with vodka. The tincture is exposed to a dark cool place for three weeks. Shake the jar every few days so that the active substances quickly pass into the alcohol liquid. After 21 days, strain the infusion and pour it into another container. The product is stored in the refrigerator, you need to take it 3-5 drops a day for a quarter glass of water once a day until you feel better.

For insomnia

Wormwood grass helps with sleep disorders of various kinds. Difficulty falling asleep, restlessness (a person does not stop tossing and turning in bed), intermittent and superficial sleep, awakenings in the middle of the night - all these are manifestations of insomnia associated with sleep disorders. The minimum measure is to make a small pillow (dumka), into which dried bunches of wormwood are sewn, and put it at the head. The essential oil of the plant, when inhaled, will calm the nervous system and have a soporific effect.

There is another recipe for ingestion. Two tablespoons of wormwood roots or herbs are poured with 400 ml of boiling water and infused under the lid for an hour and a half. The infusion is drunk warm one hour before going to bed.

For more severe problems with falling asleep, a product based on wormwood oil will help. Seeds collected in the autumn season are ground to a powder. The resulting mixture is poured with vegetable oil (take olive or linseed) in a ratio of one to four. For seven days, she insists in a place protected from light. During this time, the oil is shaken regularly. Method of administration - drip wormwood oil on a teaspoon of granulated sugar or a piece of refined sugar and apply three times a day to relieve nervous tension. It is also taken right before bed.

For the prevention of cancer

Phytotherapy with wormwood to prevent the formation of cancerous tumors in folk medicine is described in sufficient detail. It should be clarified that this is not a 100% guarantee against cancer: taking decoctions and infusions serves as a preventive measure.

The aerial part of the plant, collected at the beginning of the summer season, is taken as the basis for medicinal raw materials.

The standard recipe for preparation is as follows: a spoonful of dry pounded raw materials is poured with boiling water (250 ml) and infused for half an hour. After straining, the infusion is taken 70 ml three times a day before meals. The prophylactic course lasts 10 days, followed by a break for two weeks. In total, at least three courses are required.

Application in cosmetology

Wormwood grass is an excellent component for home-made cosmetics. On its basis, they make: soothing baths, poultices for bruises, decoctions for the treatment of skin acne, baths for sweating feet.

Wormwood has a pronounced antipruritic and regenerating effect, so it is used for hair care with seborrhea.

Plant oil is added to creams designed for oily and problematic skin types. Biologically active substances of wormwood promote detoxification and rejuvenation of the skin, stimulating metabolism and epidermal recovery processes.

For skin and hair care, try the following plant-based products:

Infusion for rinsing - 100 g of dried grass is stirred in a liter of boiling water and infused for half an hour. After the liquid is filtered and rinsed with her head. Repeat after each hair wash with shampoo;
Rejuvenating bath - pour three tablespoons of wormwood into a saucepan and boil in water (2 liters) for about 30 minutes. Cool, strain and pour into the bath. The duration of the procedure is no longer than 25 minutes;
Nourishing face mask - grind 2 - 3 pinches of wormwood grass in a coffee grinder and, adding a spoonful of hot water, stir until gruel. After cooling, mix in a spoonful of shea butter and the contents of one ampoule of vitamin B2. Apply the mask on cleansed face and wash it off after 20 minutes. It will give the skin elasticity and improve the complexion.

Contraindications and harm

Wormwood herb is not recommended for long term use. Its chemical components can accumulate in the body, which in case of overdose and uncontrolled use can cause poisoning. Its symptoms are hallucinations, visual disturbances, impaired coordination, confusion, nausea and vomiting.

The plant has a mild toxic effect, so it is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and lactation and in children (all persons under 18 years of age).

The plant should be used with caution in the presence of allergic reactions and asthmatic manifestations.

Wormwood is a herbaceous plant growing in mid-latitudes on the territory of Ukraine and Russia.

Wormwood grass has more than 170 species. Often used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pain and stomach cramps, anemia, gastritis and ulcers.

Medicinal properties of wormwood used by the ancient Greeks. The plant is difficult to confuse with any other, it causes a sharp specific smell that is remembered for a lifetime.

Wormwood juice is used as an additive to infusions, in particular alcoholic beverages, it is the well-known vermouth and other liquors. But besides this, wormwood has a number of other useful properties.

Short description

The grass belongs to the Compositae family, it is a branchy plant with lignified roots up to 2 meters high. The stems are straight, branched, silver-gray. The plant has a strong odor and a very bitter taste.

The leaves are located on long petioles, starting from summer, flowers appear in the form of small yellow baskets.

Seed ripening occurs in late summer, early autumn. The grass self-sows very quickly due to the many seeds. One plant can produce from 50,000 to 100,000 seeds at a time.

In addition to the middle latitudes, it is found in the Caucasus, Asia, Kazakhstan and even in the Western part of Siberia.

It grows on the edges of forests, meadows, along roads, in abandoned suburban areas. It is necessary to know the exact time to collect the grass, otherwise, when dried, it darkens, and the seeds scatter around.

Wormwood herb - medicinal properties

Official medicine has recognized wormwood, which speeds up digestion, improves the excretion of bile, promotes the functioning of the liver, and also normalizes the functioning of the gallbladder.

With the help of bitter tincture, it has long been treated:

nervous system
stimulated childbirth and the menstrual cycle,
activate the work of the intestines and gallbladder,
serves to increase appetite,
taken in case of bad sleep as a mild sleeping pill
partially relieves pain, cramps and colic.

In folk medicine, well-known recipes for the treatment of epilepsy nervousness.
Frequency for tuning to wormwood adds oregano in equal proportions.

The composition of the herb wormwood includes:

potassium
saponins,
carotene,
protein,
organic acids
resin,
glycosides,
essential oils.
zinc,
magnesium,
aluminum,

Wormwood affects the body as:

anti-inflammatory drug,
diuretic,
antifungal,
cleanses the stomach
serves as an antipyretic
painkiller,
reduces irritability,
as a bacterial
tonic.

Collection and storage of wormwood

To properly prepare tea from wormwood, you need to know how to properly collect the herb and at what time to dry. In folk medicine, plant roots, flowers and leaves are used. Often the stems are harvested in the summer after flowering.

Leaves for brewing tea and infusions are harvested without petioles before flowering. Wormwood roots are also used in medicine, they are dug up immediately after cutting the stem.

When collecting and drying wormwood, it is necessary to carefully monitor the flowers, they are very fragile and quickly crumble when transferred.

Immediately after collection, the grass is thoroughly washed under running water and laid out on a surface, preferably on paper, in a well-shaded and ventilated place. Exposure to direct sunlight dries out the collection, thereby reducing the beneficial properties and the amount of vitamins.

For drying, it is necessary to provide a permanent ventilated room, otherwise the grass will begin to rot before it dries. After complete drying, wormwood is kept in paper bags or tightly closed glass containers for no more than 2 years.

If you do not have the opportunity to prepare the grass yourself, you can buy ready-made wormwood extracts in crushed form in pharmacies.

Artemisia Herb Recipes

Wormwood has excellent qualities, it treats many diseases, but it is also quite a toxic herb. It is necessary to adhere to the rules and regulations when using infusions.
Wormwood essential oil is often used by yogis in meditation.

To cleanse the body

Recipe: one teaspoon of wormwood, pour 200 grams of boiling water, cover tightly and leave for at least 20 minutes. Take a decoction twice a day, morning and evening, 50 grams of tincture.

During this period of cleansing the body, you need to go on a diet, refuse to take meat products, fried and spicy. After the first three days of taking, slight pain may begin, as a result of old diseases, this is a normal process and after a few more days everything should pass.

Wormwood tea

Recipe: Pour 100 grams of boiling water over one teaspoon of chopped raw materials, cover with a lid on top and let it brew for 15 minutes. We take this tea in the morning on an empty stomach. Not every person can drink this bitter drink, but the benefits of it are undeniable.

Tea helps with internal gas formation, cholelithiasis, removes sand from the kidneys, is taken with insufficient bile secretion and the formation of kidney stones. It also improves metabolism and blood circulation. Recommended for overweight people.

Syrup for the treatment of kidneys

This recipe is used for diseases of the kidneys of the stomach and liver.

Recipe: 100 grams of fresh or dry grass in crushed form, pour 0.5 liters. cold water and let it brew for several hours, after which it is boiled over low heat for 15 minutes with a tightly closed lid. Then they let it stand a little and cool down to a temperature of no more than 40 degrees and add honey or sugar 250-400 grams.

You should get a syrup of thick consistency, which is taken one teaspoon 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals. Take this syrup for several days in a row.

Preparation of tincture

Dry chopped grass is poured with 70% alcohol or moonshine, in a ratio of 1:4. Close tightly and put in a dark place for 1 month at a temperature of 20 degrees. After 1 month, the wormwood tincture is filtered and taken once a day before meals, 1 teaspoon.

Cognac tincture on the roots of wormwood

2-3 tablespoons crushed roots, pour 1 liter. cognac and put in a water bath for 10-15 minutes. Then the finished mixture is poured into a separate container, tightly closed and set to stand in a dark place for 2-3 days. Take cognac tincture of 5-10 grams, 1-2 times a day before meals. This remedy is especially used in neurasthenia.

With gallstone disease

Take wormwood and horsetail in equal parts, one teaspoon each of dry chopped raw materials and pour 2 cups of water, put on a small fire and boil for 15 minutes. Cover with a lid and let it brew and cool down a bit. Take one tsp. 3 times a day before meals for 1-2 weeks.

Treatment of worms

One tablespoon of dry raw materials, pour 500 ml. boiling water (for this it is better to use a thermos) and let it brew for 1 hour. Take the infusion on an empty stomach half an hour before meals, 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.

Treatment of stomatitis and toothache

2 teaspoons of chopped herbs, pour a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid and leave for 3 hours, then rinse the mouth several times a day.

Jaundice tincture

In equal proportions, mix the herb of sage and wormwood, then one tablespoon of the dry mixture, pour 200 ml of boiling water. and insist in a thermos for at least 1 hour. Take 3 times a day before meals, 2 tablespoons.

Wormwood juice

It is used in compresses and dressings for calluses, for injuries and bruises, as a means for the rapid healing of wounds, to stop bleeding, and also as an antibacterial agent. Use both freshly squeezed juice and the grass itself.

Softened grass is applied to sore joints, with dislocations, at the site of a bruise, with severe swelling, as a means to relieve pain.

The juice is applied to a bandage or gauze bandage and applied to the desired area, directly to the skin.
Artemisia juice is squeezed from leaves and branches, even before flowering. It can also be taken internally for pain in the intestines, with spasms and gastritis. To soften the bitterness, add honey or sugar. Take three times a day, one tablespoon 20 minutes before meals.

Oil from a plant for superficial use

For this, freshly harvested grass is used, placed in a liter jar to the top and poured with olive oil, tightly closed with a lid on top. Now you need to let it brew for 2 weeks in a dark place at a temperature of 20-22 degrees.

After a specified period of time, the oil should change color to dark green or pearlescent.
It is necessary to strain into a separate container and apply to the treatment of wounds, bruises, injuries and burns of the skin.

The finished medicine must be stored in the refrigerator. The oil is applied directly to the affected areas several times a day until complete recovery.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

Inflammation and enlarged hemorrhoids lead to a number of inflammatory processes and bleeding. With the help of traditional medicine, they use a decoction and tincture of wormwood.

4 tablespoons of crushed raw materials, pour one liter of water, and boil over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Then placed in a thermos, or tightly wrapped, let it brew for about 10 hours. This decoction is filtered and used as an enema. After several procedures, inflammatory processes are removed, pain sensations decrease.

Also use a tincture of miracle herbs. A fresh plant is crushed, after washing under running water, poured with 100 grams of alcohol, and insisted for 24 hours. This tincture is taken in 10 drops, in the morning and in the evening, diluted in 50 grams of pure water.

Contraindication

It is forbidden to take infusions and decoctions of wormwood for pregnant women, the first months after childbirth, or with anemia.

Misuse or overdose can lead to convulsions and hallucinations.

It is forbidden to take in acute forms of diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, during lactation. In such patients, fainting and malaise (weakness) may occur.

The course of treatment with wormwood in any case should not exceed two weeks, then between courses it is necessary to take a break of 2 months, otherwise an overdose cannot be avoided.

Excessive consumption of the herb can lead to epilepsy and stomach poisoning.

Beforehand, be sure to consult a doctor and only then use traditional medicine recipes from wormwood.

Or pharmacy verbena (lat. Verbena officinalis), the verbena family. Popular names: iron ore, iron ore, witch plant, sorceress grass, holy grass, slurry, porolichnik; Ukrainian verbena likarska, zaliznyak, dry sickness. In ancient Egypt, verbena was considered a sacred plant of the goddess Isis and was called "tears of Isis."

The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that verbena brought happiness. There was a tradition to keep vervain in the house to keep evil spirits out; clean the altar with its branches or give a bouquet of vervain to those who wished well. Verbena flowers were dedicated to the winged messenger of the gods - Mercury.

It was also used when someone made a vow: according to Pliny, bouquets of vervain were placed on the altar of Jupiter. This plant also served the ambassadors of Rome, as a special sign of their powers. Belief in the all-round healing properties of vervain made it a protective amulet against any wounds, so Roman soldiers carried it with them, who believed that their body thus became insensitive to the sword and arrows.

In Gaul, it was believed that verbena protected from witchcraft, it was called "the poison of the devil." She cleaned houses. After cutting the vervain stalks at midnight, they sprinkled holy water on the places where unclean spirits settled.

In the Middle Ages, verbena was used to treat epilepsy, tonsillitis, fever, scrofula, leprosy, skin diseases, bruises. It was believed that it protects against any infection, which made it especially valuable in times of epidemics. In the XVI - XVII centuries. it was recommended against fever, toothache and headache, weakness, hair loss, cough, jaundice, inflammation of the eyes. A tincture of leaves in wine was drunk with snake bites.

Verbena medicinal in 1753 was described by Carl Linnaeus in the book Species plantarum. The scientific name of the genus is derived from the ancient Roman name Verbena, which was assigned to sacrificial and priestly plants. It, in turn, comes from lat. verbum "word", because such plants were sworn. The specific name officinalis comes from lat. officina "pharmacy".

Description

Herbaceous perennial plant with fusiform yellowish root. Stem 30-80 cm high, erect, oppositely branched upwards, tetrahedral, with rough edges, covered along the edges with adpressed hairs. The leaves are opposite. The lower ones are short-petiolate, pinnatifid, coarsely serrated along the edges; medium - tripartite; upper - sessile, oblong or lanceolate, incised-crenate, apical - entire.

The flowers are small, pale purple or light purple, rarely purple, collected in spike-shaped multi-flowered inflorescences at the ends of the branches. Bracts acute, ovate or lanceolate. Calyx funnel-shaped, with short sharp teeth, hairy. Corolla two-lipped, five-petalled; the upper 3 lobes are larger, almost twice as long as the calyx. Four stamens, ovary superior. Verbena blooms in July - August, September. The fruit breaks up into 4 oblong, dihedral-convex, wrinkled, brown nuts. Verbena bears fruit in August - September.

The plant is unpretentious, loves warm and bright places and abundant watering, does not tolerate severe frosts. Propagated by seeds or division of the bush.

The species occurs at altitudes up to 1000 meters above sea level. seas, mainly in warm regions. In particular, in the Caucasus, in Central Asia, in the European part of Russia, in the Urals, in Ukraine. It grows along roads, on the ruins of houses, along the outskirts of fields, banks of streams, rivers, fallow lands and pastures, gorges, gullies, weedy places, wastelands, hills, meadows, forest edges, among crops as a weed.

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The subject of the collection is the upper part of the flowering stem and leaves (including the lower ones cut separately, which are added to the grass), collected during the flowering of the plant (July - August, September). During such a period, the plant contains the maximum amount of essential oil, which is a source of citral (a substance whose 1% alcohol solution is used in certain forms of conjunctivitis as a reserpine-like, hypotensive agent). Sometimes folk medicine uses verbena roots. Harvesting of roots is carried out in spring and autumn.

Dry the verbena in the shade in the fresh air, scattering it in a thin layer, or with artificial heat at a temperature of 35-40 ° C. Dried verbena herb is gray-green in color, coarse, odorless, with a slight bitter taste. Store it in a dry place.

Useful properties of verbena officinalis

All parts of verbena officinalis contain bitterness, essential oil with a camphor odor, silicic acid, tannins, emulsin, mucus, glycosides (verbenalin, verbenin, which has a weak contracting effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus, aucubin, chastatoside), steroids (sitosterol), saponins , coumarins, triterpenoids (lupeol, ursolic acid), flavonoids (artemetin), carotene, trace elements.

The flowering stems contain alkaloids, a lot of salicylic acid. The leaves are rich in phytoncides and vitamin C.

Application

In medicine:
It has analgesic, astringent, tonic, diaphoretic, sedative, antispasmodic, choleretic, laxative, tonic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, resolving, wound healing, expectorant, antiallergic, antiscorbutic and antipyretic effects; bitterness improves digestion and appetite, normalizes metabolism in the body, increases the secretion of gastric juice, activates nervous activity. It is used for headache and toothache, migraines, rheumatism,. It is used for hypotension, general weakness, anemia, scanty menstruation, stimulates lactation, uterine contractions. Verbena is recommended for men as a remedy.

Inside, verbena preparations are prescribed for colds, coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, chronic gastritis with low acidity, liver diseases (chronic hepatitis, cholelithiasis), kidneys, urinary tract, pneumonia, spleen diseases, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, as cardiotonic means. Folk medicine also uses preparations from the herb verbena officinalis to purify the blood; a decoction of the roots - with fever, liver disease, headache, furunculosis, atherosclerosis.

Outwardly, decoctions and infusions of verbena are used for lotions, compresses, poultices and baths for inflammatory skin diseases, furunculosis, ulcers and difficult-to-heal wounds, scrofula, eczema, neurodermatitis, scabies, bruises, psoriasis. Gruel from fresh leaves is also used for wound healing, resorption of hematomas.

A decoction of verbena in the form of rinses relieves inflammation of the gums, throat and throat, removes bad breath. In Korean, Tibetan and Chinese medicine, verbena is used as an antitumor agent; in India - as a contraceptive.

In other areas:
In cooking, various parts of the plant are added to marinades and pickles (roots give pickled cucumbers a special spicy smell and strength).

Traditional medicine recipes with verbena officinalis

Infusion of verbena medicinal herb for atherosclerosis and thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, fever, loss of strength, exhaustion and nervous breakdowns, insomnia, headache,; to improve blood circulation, restore the menstrual cycle, increase lactation, normalize the functioning of the kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. 2 teaspoons l. verbena herbs pour 250 ml. boiling water, insist 1 hour, drain. A remedy is taken for 1/3 tbsp. 3 p. per day 1/2 hour before meals). Outwardly, this infusion is used for lotions or rinses with stomatitis, catarrhal sore throat, eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, acne, wounds, ulcers.
Infusion of verbena herb for coughing: 1 teaspoon of dried herb brew 1 cup. boiling water, insist, drain. Drink during the day warm, dividing into 3-4 servings.
Infusion of verbena herb for migraines, nervous exhaustion(cold way). 3 teaspoons spoons of verbena grass pour 2 cups. cold water (boiled), insist 6-8 hours, drain. Drink small amounts throughout the day.
Verbena flower decoction: 1 table. l. crushed verbena flowers pour 1 cup. boiling water, boil on a steam bath for 30 minutes. Then the medicine is cooled for 10 minutes. and accepted 3 p. per day, 50 ml. before eating for colds (as a diaphoretic and antipyretic), pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis. This infusion can be used externally. for the treatment of skin diseases(furunculosis; rash; scrofula; scabies, acne).
Verbena herb decoction for thrombosis, sclerosis, diseases of the spleen and liver. 1 table. l. chopped herbs pour 500 ml. water and 5 min. put on a low fire. When you remove the broth from the fire, it will have to be insisted for 45 minutes, drain and add up to 500 ml. boiled water. Take a decoction of ½ stack. 4 times a day 20 minutes before meals. To normalize sexual function in case of impotence take a decoction in the same way, in parallel you need to eat 1 teaspoon. spoon of melon seed powder 4 r. in a day.
verbena tincture(its aerial parts and roots) with general tonic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory action. Tones up the nervous system; enhances the secretion of gastric juice; normalizes the functioning of the liver. 50 gr. dry raw materials pour 700 ml. vodka, insist three weeks in a cool dark place. The tincture is filtered and drunk 1 teaspoon. spoon three times a day (diluted with a small amount of water) before meals.
Compresses with verbena officinalis herb for skin diseases accompanied by an inflammatory process, difficult to heal wounds, thrombophlebitis, rheumatism, tumors of the lymph nodes, trophic ulcers, fistulas, eczema, psoriasis, scrofula, scabies. 4 tbsp. l. herbs are poured into a gauze bag, dipped in boiling water for 30 seconds, after which they are cooled to an acceptable temperature and applied to the affected areas of the skin, 2 r. per day for 1 hour.
Verbena Topical Collection to Reduce Inflammation and Promote Wound Healing: officinalis verbena - 10 gr.; chamomile, flowers - 5 gr.; rose petals - 10 gr.; oak bark - 10 gr.; leaves - 5 gr.; horsetail, grass - 10 gr. K 2 table. l. crushed and mixed collection is poured into 500 ml. boiling water and 3 hours insist, after which the product is carefully filtered and used for lotions.
Collection with verbena for the treatment of pyoderma, pustular skin diseases. Mix, pre-grinding, 15 gr. Leuzea root safflower, 25 gr. root, 25 gr. verbena officinalis herbs, 25 gr. herbs motherwort five-lobed, 25 gr. herbs, 25 gr. blueberry leaves, 25 gr. leaves of blackberry gray, 10 gr. white willow bark. Take 2 tables. collection spoons, pour 500 ml. boiling water, 1 min. boil and insist for 6 hours. Drink 1/2 stack. 3 p. in a day.
Collection with vervain for fungal skin diseases, including feet(outer). Mix, pre-chopped, 3 parts of oak bark, 2 parts of inflorescences, horsetail grass, blueberry fruits, verbena officinalis. Pour 3 tables. spoons of the mixture 1 cup. water, boil for 15 minutes. over low heat, drain. The decoction is used warm for lotions and washings of skin areas affected by the fungus.
Pharmacy drops of verbena have a general strengthening effect; activate the body's defenses; contribute; , improving their elasticity and permeability; improve capillary circulation. Adults take 20-30 drops. funds, diluting them in 150 ml. water, 2 p. per day with meals.

Contraindications

Verbena officinalis is contraindicated:

During pregnancy, as this herb can cause uterine contractions and lead to an abortion (miscarriage) or premature birth.
Patients with individual hypersensitivity to any of the components of the plant.
Patients with hypertension.
Children up to 14 years old.

Long-term use of verbena preparations can cause irritation of the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, before using verbena, you need to visit a doctor who will determine the appropriate dosage and form of the drug, the duration of the course of treatment.

For stones in the gallbladder or kidneys, verbena is used only according to the results of ultrasound (if the stones are small) and on the recommendation of a doctor.

Botanical characteristic

Verbena officinalis, in translation - Verbena officinalis, there are several more names for this plant, for example, plavnevny babishnik, porelishnik, iron ore, iron ore, dry nekhvoroshch, iron grass, red zirki.

It is a herbaceous annual or perennial plant with a spindle-shaped branching root. The stem is erect with straight branches, reaches a length of up to fifty centimeters. The lower leaves are incised or crenate, obovate, petiolate, tripartite; the upper ones are sessile, more often lanceolate.

The flowers are quite small, light purple in color, they are collected in long thin thread-like spikelets. Calyx five-toothed, tubular; corolla funnel-shaped, with two-lipped, slightly oblique limb; four stamens; the pistil consists of two carpels.

Ovary two-celled, upper, with one ovule; the style is short with a two-lobed stigma. The fruit, when ripe, breaks up into four nuts, it contains seeds that ripen in August, September.

Porelishka spread

This plant grows in many regions of our country, as well as throughout Ukraine. Verbena officinalis is mainly localized in gorges, in weedy places, on moist sands, on edges, lawns, glades, and as a weed in vegetable gardens, and is also found along roads.

plant parts used

The part of the plant used is its leaves and stems. Verbena officinalis herb contains such chemical compounds as triterpenoids, these include lupeol and ursolic acid. Iridoids, alkaloids, mucus, steroid P-sitosterol, bitter substances, tannins, essential oils, silicic acid, flavonoid artemitin have been isolated.

Collection and preparation of verbena officinalis

The aerial part is collected during the flowering of grass. It is carefully cut at the very root with a sickle or scissors, then sorted and tied into small bundles, which are hung in a well-ventilated place. When the raw material dries, it is placed in paper or cloth bags or laid out in wooden boxes, which are placed in a dry, ventilated room.

Cultivation and reproduction

As for cultivation, medicinal vervain is a rather unpretentious plant, it will successfully grow in moderately fertile soil, while the land should be dry, but at the same time retain moisture well. Prefers open and sunny places, practically does not require special care and quite successfully coexists with weeds. Iron ore is propagated by sowing seeds, which are then dived into seedlings, and at the end of May they are planted in a permanent place of growth.

Application of Iron Grass

The plant has a restorative and tonic effect, it is used for low blood pressure, with a breakdown, with anemia of various origins. With liver diseases, with acne, with furunculosis, as well as with scrofula, traditional healers also use the verbena officinalis plant. Traditional medicine in the treatment of these diseases has found a way out, including the use of this wonderful plant.

Drugs prepared from this plant are used for thrombophlebitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis, chronic ulcers that are difficult to heal, wounds and fistulas. It is worth saying that in the Middle Ages, medicinal verbena was considered a remedy for all diseases, therefore it was a universal herb. At present, in Greece, it is still considered sacred and brings happiness to a person.

Recipes

Preparation of infusion. To do this, you will need a tablespoon of pre-shredded verbena herb, which is immersed in boiling water, it is enough in the amount of 200 milliliters. Then the drug is allowed to stand for some time, and filtered through a double layer of gauze or a strainer. It turns out the daily dose, which is used for its intended purpose.

Decoction preparation. You will need thirty grams of raw material, which is a chopped grass, it is poured with boiling water in the amount of 400 milliliters. Next, the container is placed on the stove, while it is recommended to reduce the fire. And somewhere in ten minutes the drug is removed to cool. Then it needs to be filtered, for this purpose a fine strainer is used, stored in a refrigerator, and used as needed.

For dermatological diseases, it is recommended to prepare the following recipe. You will need a mixture of herbs from which the decoction is made. Take ten grams of verbena officinalis, the same amount of rose petals, oak bark and horsetail grass, then you will need half as much chamomile and sage leaves.

Gently mix the whole mass of herbs, take it in the amount of two tablespoons, and pour 400 milliliters of boiling water. Next, put the container on the fire and sweat the drug a little, ten minutes is enough. Then cool and filter the decoction, after which it can be used in the form of lotions that will be effective for skin diseases. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator compartment, and use as needed.

Conclusion

Before using these folk recipes for therapeutic purposes, it is recommended to inform the doctor and consult with him about the need for such therapy, perhaps the doctor will prescribe some alternative method, but the use of herbs is not excluded.

And remember that the right to treat is given only to a doctor, he is more competent than anyone else in this matter.

Even our ancestors considered wormwood a magical plant. The people call her "girl's death" or "young lover", as a symbol of love. According to another opinion, wormwood symbolizes old age, and the name has the corresponding - "old man".

wormwood photo

The Latin name Artemisia is of ambiguous origin. Someone believes that it was given in honor of the wife of King Mausolus - Artemisia, who grew and collected medicinal herbs. According to another opinion, the name was given to the plant in honor of the goddess Artemis, who first discovered the healing properties of wormwood. In general, the word "Artemes" in Greek means "healthy".

Beliefs about wormwood and its place in the magical world

since ancient times, wormwood has been used as a talisman from the evil eye

The attitude to wormwood in antiquity was ambiguous. Wormwood was considered at the same time a plant from both God and the Devil. The most powerful amulets against enemies were made from wormwood. The drug from it was capable of causing terrible damage. Love potions were brewed from it. Therefore, it was believed that wormwood is a cursed grass. On the other hand, wormwood smoke protected from evil spirits. The smell of wormwood could drive away any of the most dangerous evil spirits. Her twigs were hung over the doors for protection. The fishermen took wormwood with them to scare away the water and mermaids. And travelers put on a sash or bandage on the road, where the branches of this plant were sewn, they were also placed in shoes. It protected from fatigue, illness, failure.

Be that as it may, but everyone knows that wormwood is a bitter herb. And it was precisely this bitterness that led to the fact that in folklore this plant is associated with nothing more than sadness and disappointment. But this weed is absolutely undeservedly offended.

Since ancient times, wormwood has found a use for itself. Cleopatra used the essential oil of wormwood in toilet water. Courtesans rubbed themselves with it to seduce men. Priestesses of the fertility goddess Isis wore wreaths of wormwood. They were also woven on Ivan Kupala, they were guessing at fate and hung in houses.

The use of wormwood in antiquity

wormwood used to be used to make fabric dyes

Wormwood was widely used - useful properties were manifested not only in witchcraft rituals. The grass wormwood also finds application for economic purposes. For a long time, dyes for fabrics were made from it. Useful plants were sprayed with decoctions and infusions to rid them of pests. Wormwood was laid out in houses so that moths would not start. It has been used to treat animals.

In Rome, the winners of chariot races were given wine with wormwood as a prize to improve their health. In Russia, it was used to heal wounds and draw out pus, to treat fever.

Artemisia smoke has been used as a disinfectant for cholera and other infectious diseases. They fumigated infirmaries and patients during wars and epidemics. Mugwort was scattered in a courtroom in England to keep "prison fever" from spreading. Wormwood helped against fleas and lice for those who were at the meetings.

A great connoisseur of poisons, Queen of France Marie de Medici used it against the bites of poisonous snakes.

In China, active points on the human body were burned with wormwood cigarettes.

Varieties of wormwood

varieties of wormwood - tarragon

The healing properties of wormwood are not forgotten today. But, before using it, you need to understand exactly what types of wormwood are represented. Therefore, it is reasonable to ask the question about what kind of wormwood is?

There are about four hundred types of wormwood. And some varieties of wormwood are not only not useful, but also poisonous if they are used without proper knowledge. These include Tauride wormwood. So it is known that during the war with Persia, Peter the Great lost five hundred horses that ate this grass in just one night. Although experts extract from it substances used in the treatment of pneumonia, bronchial asthma, rheumatism.

Also poisonous and wormwood paniculata. But wormwood oil of this species is used to combat urolithiasis.

Among other species, wormwood God's tree can be distinguished. It is also known for its other name "medicinal wormwood". You can distinguish it from other species both in appearance and in lemon aroma. It was she who was a cult tree for the Slavic peoples. For a long time, such wormwood grew exclusively in the monastery gardens. Hence the name. And now it is used in the treatment of certain diseases and as a seasoning.

Few people know that such a common seasoning as tarragon is another type of this plant: wormwood-tarragon. Unlike all other species, its leaves do not have bitterness. That is why it is regularly used in canning cucumbers and tomatoes, added to meat, soups, vegetables. And vinegar with tarragon for a long time was produced exclusively in the Caucasus and cost a lot of money.

But perhaps the most common types of wormwood are "wormwood" and "wormwood". They are similar both in their appearance and in their many useful properties.

Wormwood is an ornamental plant that can decorate a garden plot for a long time. Low-growing varieties will look great among stones, on retaining walls. But wormwood tree-like, tall will hide not very good places. In addition, other flowers will look great against its background. White wormwood or silver wormwood perfectly sets off their bright color. For example, a great combination of wormwood and roses in the garden. But where wormwood grows, only very unpretentious plants can grow.

Medicinal properties of wormwood

wormwood helps in the fight against insomnia

If you answer the question of how wormwood is useful, then, first of all, we must talk about its very extensive medicinal qualities.

Wormwood is rich in its chemical composition - its healing properties are explained precisely by this. The taste of wormwood is so bitter because of the lactones. In addition, it contains tannins, saponins, organic acids, carotene, essential oil, ascorbic acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, aluminum, nickel, bromine, boron, vitamin C.

Useful properties have leaves, tops, roots and seeds of wormwood.

The bitterness of wormwood helps to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, improves digestion and urine output. Wormwood is used in the treatment of diseases of the gallbladder. It can be an inflammation of the gallbladder, a violation of the normal outflow of bile, stones in the gallbladder. And they, as you know, are accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as loss of appetite, weakening of digestion, a feeling of heaviness, flatulence. If the violations in the gallbladder are insignificant, then wormwood tea will help. And it is better to drink it without sugar. Because, firstly, the bitterness of wormwood does not combine well with sugar, and, secondly, it can reduce useful properties.

Treatment with wormwood is also effective in diseases of the stomach and digestive system. So, wormwood juice stimulates appetite, regulates the work of the stomach, pancreas, normalizes acidity, relieves bloating, relieves inflammation in the intestines.

Wormwood is remarkable in that it has a selective effect on the body. So, wormwood calms during nervousness, irritability, insomnia. But with depression, weakness, fatigue, it tones.

Wormwood has medicinal properties as an antipyretic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, choleretic, wound healing agent. It normalizes blood pressure, relaxes, has a hypnotic effect. Wormwood also helps with worms.

Purification of the body with wormwood, in this case, should be carried out as follows: 100 gr. dried herbs are crushed into powder, taken in a teaspoon, washed down with water. The first three days this should be done every two hours. Then less often. This treatment is approximately one week.

Wormwood also helps against Giardia, herpes, Trichomonas, Candida, Echinococcus. At the time when such cleaning with wormwood takes place, douching with wormwood and enemas from it should be done at the same time. For these purposes, you can insist two teaspoons of wormwood in a liter of boiling water.

If we talk about ladies, then many may be interested in whether wormwood helps for weight loss. Due to the fact that it improves metabolism, it is widely used for excess weight. To do this, three times a day, one tablespoon, 15 minutes before meals, wormwood tincture is taken. True, not from alcohol, but from 2 teaspoons of grass and a glass of boiling water.

Another question that often arises among the fair sex is whether wormwood can be used during pregnancy. And although wormwood is an extremely useful herb and has long been believed to help wormwood for conception, it should not be consumed during the bearing of a baby. It can lead to miscarriage. Previously, potions were brewed from it to get rid of an unwanted child.

But in difficult childbirth and women's diseases, wormwood has also been widely used for a long time. By the way, and with diseases in men, too. For example, with impotence, an infusion of a teaspoon of the seeds of this plant and a glass of boiling water will help well. It is infused for 10 minutes and drunk during the day in small sips.

The properties of wormwood allow it to be used externally. Compresses are made from crushed grass for the treatment of ulcers, wounds, skin inflammations, abscesses. For this, wormwood juice is used.

With gout, a wormwood bath will help. To do this, you need to finely chop the root of the plant, pour water and let it brew for three hours. After that, boil for 10 minutes, strain and pour into the bath. This bath is taken daily for two weeks for 15 minutes before bedtime.

The most common infusion of wormwood. To do this, you need either dry wormwood in the amount of half a tablespoon, or a whole spoonful of fresh grass. It must be poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for half an hour in a closed container. Such a drink from wormwood perfectly helps with ulcers, women's diseases, inflammation of the kidneys, bladder. It has an expectorant and diuretic effect. It is taken half an hour before meals, one tablespoon three times a day. But if thyme is added to such an infusion, it will help with alcoholism.

For the same purposes, a decoction of wormwood is used. For its preparation, the same proportions of water and wormwood are taken as with infusions, but the broth must be brought to a boil and then simmered for about twenty minutes.

inhalations with wormwood oil will help in the treatment of bronchitis

Effective inhalations with wormwood oil for the treatment of respiratory organs. And if this oil is mixed with olive oil, then drops from a cold can be replaced with such a mixture. Moreover, you can not buy ready-made essential oil, but prepare your own healing potion, which is based on wormwood: the grass is put into a bottle, poured with olive, linseed or corn oil, closed and infused for ten days. When the oil turns a pearly or dark green color, it must be filtered and stored in a cool place.

The benefits of wormwood are recognized by official medicine. Various medicines are made from it: in pharmacies, wormwood tincture for alcohol is sold. This tincture of wormwood is used for ulcers, gastritis, diseases of the liver, kidneys, anemia, anemia, migraine, obesity, flatulence, hypertension, edema, insomnia, bad breath, heartburn, gout, neurasthenia. It is applied three times a day, 15 - 20 drops before meals.

Wormwood tincture can also be prepared at home: 5 tbsp. l. seeds need to pour half a liter of vodka. This mixture is aged for three weeks. It must be stirred periodically, and after the expiration of the period, strain.

Artemisia vodka can become an analogue of tincture: here, instead of seeds, a teaspoon of wormwood oil is used for the same amount of vodka. She insists for seven days.

Wormwood extract is taken 10-30 drops before meals three times a day. It is used for the same purposes as the tincture.

Wormwood ointment is used to heal wounds, ulcers, fistulas, frostbite, burns.

In addition to wormwood, wormwood also has useful properties - Chernobyl, as it is otherwise called. Its decoctions and water infusions constrict blood vessels, soothe, increase appetite, stimulate digestion, have a hemostatic, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, anti-febrile, tonic effect. Wormwood is used as a sedative for neurasthenia and analgesic for intestinal colic.

This type of wormwood is present in the composition of Zdrenko's mixture. She is being treated for bladder papillomatosis and anacid gastritis.

A decoction of the roots is used for leucorrhea, edema, convulsions, epilepsy, round worms. In addition, the extract from the aerial parts and roots of wormwood is used for cancer of the rectum, stomach and uterus.

It is used for delaying menstruation or too painful periods. In the first case, take three times a day for half a glass of infusion from a tablespoon of wormwood and half a liter of boiling water. In the second case, they use a decoction of wormwood. And if you replace the grass with roots and make an infusion of them, then it will help with scanty menstruation.

With strokes, wormwood juice mixed with honey in a ratio of 1:10 helps.

Atherosclerosis is treated with the following recipe: grind the head of garlic into a pulp, chop 2-3 tablespoons of Chernobyl leaves. Mix with garlic and pour a bottle of hot dry wine. Let it brew for five days, strain and squeeze. Such a drink is taken 2-3 tablespoons before meals three times a day.

In case there are still questions about how to take wormwood, there will be a treatment with wormwood for severe colds and coughs. You can drink one tablespoon of the following infusion before going to bed and eating: a tablespoon of wormwood per half a liter of vodka. After three days, treatment can begin. True, it is still not worth abusing.

In addition, wormwood can be used to treat hangovers. To do this, you can use a spoonful of wormwood infused for an hour in a glass of boiling water. By the way, before the party it is better to play it safe and drink half a glass of this infusion. Then drunkenness can be avoided. It works for about six hours.

For wormwood, external use is also acceptable.

With a hemorrhage in the eye, such a compress will help: crushed wormwood is packed in cotton cloth, this bundle is briefly dipped in boiling water, when it cools down a bit, it must be applied to the eye.

Wounds should be washed with wormwood juice, and bruises should be covered with a compress from equal parts of wormwood juice and honey.