Collecting blooming wormwood for treatment and bath
Plants, unique in their properties, are often used in various spheres of human life. To apply their positive qualities, lovers of traditional medicine and the economy determine the time of the maximum concentration of the necessary substances in the leaves and stems. Therefore, the collection of wormwood is made in accordance with the rules and purposes of consumption.
Collecting blooming wormwood for treatment and bath
Features of collecting wormwood
On the territory of Russia, about 180 out of 400 existing wormwood species grow.
They are common in steppe, forest-steppe zones and semi-deserts. Due to the richness of its internal composition and the high concentration of nutrients, the plant is popular for harvesting for the winter.
They begin to collect wormwood in the summer at a time when it reaches a good height, leaves a lot of leaves. The action is carried out, guided by some rules:
- choose a place with good ecology, where other weeds grow, away from industrial pollution and dust - washing of raw materials is not expected due to difficulties with proper further drying;
- they start harvesting on a sunny day, around noon, when the dew on the stems and leaves dries out;
- to collect stems up to 25 cm long, individual leaves without cuttings, inflorescences;
- drying is carried out in a shaded ventilated place with a layer of 5-7 cm or in small bunches;
- it is better to store the grass in tuesques or bags with free air access, in a warm room.
Most often, harvesting begins during the flowering of wormwood. The duration of this period takes 1-1.5 months - from early July to August, in the northern regions to mid-September. Then the concentration of essential oils is kept at a high level, the usefulness of the plant is enhanced.
Harvesting wormwood for treatment
Closer to July, the grass grows up to 1.5 m tall, begins to throw out panicles of inflorescences, and then bloom.
During this period of time and before flowering, wormwood is collected for medicine. Only 2 types are suitable - Bitter and Normal. Raw materials are stored for 1.5-2 years.
To harvest Bitter wormwood, follow these steps:
- before the formed top blooms, it is cut off;
- collecting leaves for treatment begins in May or early June;
- raw materials are dried on paper or fabric indoors without direct sunlight;
- after the first wilting of the dried grass, the darkened stems are removed - they are not suitable for the manufacture of medicines.
Common wormwood blooms at the same time as Gorkaya, but it is planned to harvest it at the beginning of summer. The closer to July, the more intense the taste and smell of the plant. For the preparation of traditional medicine, only young stems with inflorescences no more than 20 cm in length are suitable. Drying of raw materials takes place in the fresh air, in a draft, in the shade. The inflorescences are collected in bunches or laid out in a thin layer under a non-metallic roof.
They begin to collect wormwood for the treatment of various ailments in the fall, before the onset of the first frost. Side roots with thick cores are chosen, cut so that the plant does not die.The collection is dried in an oven or oven for several hours at a temperature of 50 ° C. You can store wormwood roots with the remnants of the earth in paper or canvas bags for up to 3 years.
The use of wormwood in traditional medicine
Wormwood heals wounds
There are many recipes for medicines that contain parts of the plant.
Their dosage is strictly controlled due to possible side effects - hallucinations, seizures, poisoning. A high concentration of nutrients sometimes becomes toxic if the dose is exceeded.
In folk medicine, wormwood is used to treat:
- general strengthening of the immune system and protective functions of the body in seasons with a high probability of epidemics and common diseases;
- getting rid of worms, lice and other parasites in the human body;
- disinfection and assistance in healing wounds, cuts, edema;
- acting as a pain reliever for joint dislocations, bruises, sprains;
- positive effect on the digestive and metabolic systems;
- calming nervousness, improving mood;
- removal of inflammatory processes of the organs of the female reproductive system.
There are also contraindications to the use of wormwood-based herbal medicines. These include pregnancy, breastfeeding in women, asthma, hypoacid gastritis, bleeding and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
It is not recommended to give infusions, teas and decoctions to children under 12 years of age. It is undesirable to treat people who have an allergic reaction when wormwood blooms.
Preparation of wormwood for a bath
The hardened and flowering stems of the grass are suitable for making brooms for steam rooms and saunas. They begin to collect wormwood for the bath in July and August, when the plant has stopped blooming, but has not begun to dry out. For a bath, 4 types of perennials are considered suitable - Ordinary, Bitter, Lemon, Paniculate. Others may be too toxic and hazardous to health during the flowering period.
Wormwood brooms are prepared in several stages:
- cutting off stems with inflorescences up to 50 cm long, removing excess leaves in places for the handle;
- the formation of loose bunches of small thickness or adding to birch, oak, linden brooms;
- leaving in the sun for a short time so that the grass wilts;
- drying in a shaded, ventilated place;
- suspended from the ceiling in a cool room.
In the bath, brooms are hung to obtain a pleasant aroma, which is released when the essential oils are activated by hot steam. The scent is invigorating, improves mood, relieves stress, adds strength. So that it is not too sharp, other meadow and forest grasses are added to the wormwood bunch after flowering.
Steaming with brooms improves overall health. So that the features of the wormwood are fully revealed, it is soaked for 20 minutes in cold water, then for a short time in heated water. A broom made from fresh stems does not require additional steaming, it is used immediately.
Conclusion
Wormwood is harvested around the time the panicles begin to bloom in order to preserve its best qualities. Certain types of plants are suitable for the manufacture of remedies for folk treatment, as well as brooms for a healing steam room in a bath. Correct manufacturing, drying and storage of raw materials guarantee a positive result with reasonable dosage.