Healing properties of wild carrots
Carrots are one of the most sought-after crops. It is eaten, used in industry. In addition to the cultivated varieties of this vegetable, there are wild carrots that grow in nature and have many medicinal properties.
- Characteristics of wild carrots
- Description
- Distribution locations
- Healing properties of wild carrots
- Fruit properties
- Seed properties
- Properties of root crops
- Leaf properties
- Application against diseases
- Tuberculosis treatment
- Treatment of gallstone and urolithiasis
- Nervous system protection
- Constipation treatment
- Prescriptions of medicines
- Conclusion
Characteristics of wild carrots
Wild carrot belongs to the Umbellifera family and is a herbaceous plant. It usually grows for 1-2 years. The Latin name is translated as "to burn". It comes from the characteristics of carrot seeds, which have a pungent taste. One of its types is "Purple Kisses".
Description
Wild carrots have a straight hairy stem that branches at the top and can grow up to 100 cm, sometimes twisting. Its leaves are dissected, of different sizes: an average of 17 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. The root of the plant is long, fleshy, taproot, usually white, but sometimes has a yellowish tint. You cannot eat it, but it is used in folk medicine.
The inflorescences of this herbaceous plant are in the form of large umbrellas, in which from 10 to 50 pubescent rays with flowers at the ends are collected. Some flowers have stamens, others have two sexes at the same time.
The shape of the fruit is elliptical; it consists of 2 halves with 4 ribs. Wild carrots bloom from June to July, and the ripening period lasts from August to September.
Distribution locations
Wild carrots have grown widely in the south of Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the southern regions of some other European countries. These herbs have been found in Central and Western Asia, New Zealand, America and even Africa. There they are considered weeds.
This plant is unpretentious, therefore it can grow in different areas. Most often it is found near roads, in forests, fields, meadows, near settlements. They are easy to spot thanks to their long stems and white umbrellas.
Sometimes they are confused with another plant that looks similar - the hemlock spotted. They have many differences, but most importantly, hemlock is poisonous, so it is important not to confuse these herbs.
Healing properties of wild carrots
The medicinal properties of wild carrots were discovered 2 thousand years ago. She found application as:
- pain reliever;
- antimicrobial agent;
- anti-inflammatory agent;
- diuretic and choleretic agent;
- cough suppressants;
- means for dissolving salts in the body;
- agents that improve lactation;
- agents for the treatment of kidney stone disease, tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, night blindness, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, diseases of the genitourinary system.
Garden carrots were bred from the wild, but their properties differ significantly.Wild carrot seed essential oil is found in various medications used to treat vitamin A deficiency disorders, helminthiasis, and urinary problems.
In folk medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used, but the most useful are seeds and fruits, since they contain the most trace elements. The fruits of wild carrots are 2.5% composed of essential oil, which includes 17 useful trace elements, vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, as well as geraniol alcohol.
Fruit properties
Different tinctures are made from the fruits of this plant. They are harvested in the fall, when the flowering period is coming to an end. It is important to have time to collect them at the initial stage of ripening, since the seeds in a ripe state quickly crumble. The plants themselves are cut, dried and threshed, and the fruits are additionally dried at a high temperature. They are used in powder form by grinding in a coffee grinder.
Seed properties
Wild carrot seeds are also ground into powder before use. They are able to improve digestion, relieve pain in the stomach and intestines, enhance libido, stimulate menstruation, and facilitate pregnancy. Infusions are made from seeds, the action of which is aimed at:
- reducing the formation of gases in the digestive tract;
- increased excretion of urine from the body and reduction of edema;
- elimination of mineral salts from the body;
- treatment of kidney stone disease;
- decreased tone of smooth muscles of blood vessels and internal organs.
Previously, a drug was made from seeds for the treatment of angina pectoris. Their essential oil helps relieve spasms of the arteries of the heart. They also have a calming effect on the central nervous system, in particular on the cerebral cortex. This is the reason why preparations from wild carrots are used in the treatment of renal colic.
Properties of root crops
Root crops of a herbaceous plant are harvested either in early spring or late autumn. In folk medicine, they are eaten raw or made into fresh juice. They are used against worms and as a laxative. Sometimes root vegetables are dried, so that later they can be brewed into tea or used as a spice.
Juice from root vegetables is useful for constipation, they should be eaten raw in case of stomach problems, in a pounded form they are applied to swollen parts of the body, and fresh root is used for anemia. Also, biologically active additives and carotenoids are obtained from fresh root crops.
Leaf properties
Wild carrot leaves also have medicinal properties. They are harvested during the flowering period and used to prepare ointments that are used to treat wounds. Tea is also brewed from the leaves, which has a sedative and diuretic effect.
Application against diseases
The use of wild carrots is useful for various diseases. However, there are some contraindications to the use of drugs based on it. Such contraindications include a stomach or duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the small intestine and an allergy to this vegetable.
Tuberculosis treatment
In tuberculosis, drugs based on this plant are used to relieve cough and destroy bacteria that contribute to the development of the disease. It helps clear the lungs and bronchi, reduces the number and intensity of coughing attacks, and prevents bleeding in the lungs.
Treatment of gallstone and urolithiasis
When stones form in the bile duct, these herbs activate the outflow of bile. If you start using them at an early stage of the disease, there is a chance of complete healing. But for this you will have to regularly and in certain doses use herbal medicines.
With urolithiasis, the plant exhibits diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.It accelerates the formation of urine and promotes the excretion of sand and small stones from the kidneys. This prevents the development of the disease and the growth of stones, which then cannot pass naturally from the body.
Nervous system protection
Due to its ability to have a calming effect on the nervous system, wild carrots are recommended for use with strong mental or emotional stress. It also helps relieve stress and prevents mental illness.
Constipation treatment
This herb is used as a laxative for constipation. It has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines, activating its peristalsis. Wild carrots can be used to treat constipation in young children.
Prescriptions of medicines
Decoctions and infusions made from wild carrots help heal the kidneys, heart, remove stones from the body, establish alkaline metabolism, cleanse blood vessels and blood.
Cough infusion
For the preparation of a cough infusion 2 tsp. seeds are poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for about 5 minutes, after which the solution is filtered. They try to drink 2 tbsp per day. infusion, periodically using it in small sips. With a common cold, you should drink such infusions until the cough completely disappears. With tuberculosis, treatment can take up to a month.
Infusion for removing stones
To prepare an infusion for removing stones 1 tbsp. l. seeds are placed in a glass of boiling water, covered with a lid and insisted overnight. In the morning the infusion is filtered and heated. They try to drink 3 tbsp per day. such water. If the dose is observed, the treatment lasts about 2 weeks.
A decoction to calm the nerves
To prepare such a broth, 1 tbsp. l. seeds are poured over 250 ml of water and the mixture is boiled for 1 minute. Then it is insisted for 2 hours.
Strain the broth before use. Drink 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l. before eating. The duration of treatment varies depending on the state of mental health.
Ointment for wounds
Grind fresh carrot leaves and add honey to them. Wounds are treated with the prepared ointment several times a day.
Another option is to make lotions from fresh root juice. On the first day, such a procedure is carried out every hour, on the second - once every 2 hours, and on the other days - once every 6 hours. The course of treatment lasts until the wounds are completely healed.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of wild carrots are so diverse that they are used in both natural and folk medicine. She is able to cure various diseases. To do this, use drugs based on it or prepare drugs on their own.