Useful properties of wormwood
The amazing properties of wormwood have been known to people since ancient times. Even Hippocrates and Avicenna knew what properties it possesses and used it in medical practice. It is also relevant in our time: the plant has many useful properties, but it also has contraindications.
Useful properties of wormwood
Characteristics and composition
Wormwood is a Compositae plant of the Aster family. It has 400 different species (ordinary or Chernobyl, Austrian, citrine, tree-like, etc.), but wormwood has the most powerful medicinal properties. It is used in official and traditional medicine. Pharmaceutical preparations (dry herb, powder, drops, extracts and essential oils) from this plant are popular today. The beneficial properties of wormwood allow you to use it internally and externally, taking into account the doctor's recommendations, instructions and contraindications.
This herb is recognized as the most bitter plant on the planet. Glycosides give it a specific taste and bitterness, which have the property of increasing appetite, improving digestion, and promoting the absorption of food.
Resinous substances, which the plant is rich in, strengthen the cells of the body, phytoncides successfully fight bacteria and harmful fungi. Carotene and flavonoids are well-known antioxidants that counteract radiation, cancer and cell aging. Also, this herb contains essential oil, malic, succinic and ascorbic acids, tannins and other useful elements.
For digestion
The properties of wormwood improve digestion, because it contains absintin, artabsitin and anabsintin. When ingested, these substances increase the secretion of the stomach, the secretion of bile, saliva and gastric enzymes. Wormwood extracts are often used for the preparation of preparations and drinks that increase appetite.
The use of wormwood helps in the treatment of pancreatitis, pancreas, gastritis and indigestion. It relieves food allergies and stomach cramps. The plant is used in the fight against flatulence and for healthy weight loss. By helping to assimilate food, normalizing metabolism and cleansing the body, wormwood helps to lose excess weight without harm to health.
Against disease
Decoctions from this herb are used to treat the spleen, gallbladder, kidneys and liver. The beneficial effect of the properties of wormwood on the body is seen in paralysis and seizures, epilepsy and gout. The herb relieves female diseases: irregular menstruation, mastopathy, fibroids, inflammation of the appendages. This herb helps to treat impotence in men.
The use of wormwood herb is popular in the fight against parasites. Decoctions and enemas help a person get rid of worms and candida fungi. However, the use of weed for these purposes requires consultation with a doctor (determining the type of parasites and the required dosage of the drug). Hemorrhoids, colds, flu, tuberculosis, fever, rheumatism - these are not all diseases for which the use of wormwood is indicated.This plant has the ability to strengthen the nervous system (the infusion is added to the bath at the end of the day) and even treats depression.
For external use
External use of the herb is due to its antiseptic properties. Decoctions and infusions contribute to the disinfection and early healing of wounds, skin irritations, insect bites. Dried herb cigars are used to burn hot spots for arthritis and radiculitis. The herb for disinfection in the Russian bath has long been famous. In addition, in the baths, with its help, diseases of the joints and spine are treated (the use of a wormwood broom for a bath is still popular).
Today, wormwood essential oil is often used for external use. Its benefit is in the ability to disinfect wounds, relieve pain, relieve swelling. The beneficial properties of the wormwood scent are used in aromatherapy. It helps to cope with the flu and colds, relieves motion sickness, migraines and nausea, relieves nervous tension and relaxes muscles.
In cosmetology
Wormwood can slow down the aging process
With the help of this herb, they improve the condition of the skin and hair, which is especially important for women. Washings and baths with the addition of wormwood extract to the water reduce the oiliness of the skin, slow down the aging of cells, tighten the epidermis, and promote the production of substances necessary for the skin (for example, collagen). Creams and face masks with wormwood extract are popular in cosmetology. The herb cleanses the skin well, heals papillomas, warts and inflammations.
This plant helps to take care of hair, strengthens its structure and heals from brittleness. With its help, get rid of dandruff and seborrhea. For women with oily hair, rinsing is recommended after washing with infusion (fresh herb is used for infusion). Dry leaves of this plant and sunflower seeds are an excellent remedy for cellulite. The medicine is infused, the oil is separated and used for anti-cellulite massage.
Contraindications
Contraindications to wormwood apply to pregnant women and nursing mothers. Poisonous substances can lead to abortion or harm the baby. Do not use this product with severe bleeding, ulcers, hyperacid gastritis. Liver diseases are also a contraindication to wormwood preparations.
You can not take funds from a plant for renal failure, thrombophlebitis, anemia, organic heart disease. Individual intolerance is also a contraindication. The correct method of administration and the accuracy of doses are of great importance. this herb contains poisonous substances. Overdose leads to poisoning, seizures and hallucinations, and prolonged consumption in large doses provokes serious diseases (for example, nervous system disorders, kidney disease, muscle paralysis). This remedy should be taken only as directed by a doctor, no longer than three weeks, after which they take a break for two months.
Household use
This herb is a valuable remedy for the control of harmful insects. It helps to cope with the invasion of bedbugs, cockroaches, moths, fleas, ants. Even rats and mice are afraid of her. Sprigs of a fresh plant should be placed in different places of the house, put the dried grass in bags, hang wormwood flowers and leaves in the form of bunches. In the garden and vegetable garden, the plant protects its neighbors from caterpillars and pests, so some gardeners specially plant it in clubs or near the beds (the main thing is not to overdo it, if the grass grows, it will not be easy to get rid of it).
This herb has other unusual properties as well. It is believed that it protects the home and the person from evil forces, cleanses from negative energy. For a long time she was kept in the house from the evil eye, damage, slander and witchcraft. Infusions were added to food and drinks not only for treatment, but also for protection against black magic.Putting dry grass in a pillow, you will be able to see a prophetic dream, and in field conditions they put it in shoes so that your feet do not get tired and do not hurt.
Popular remedies
The most famous preparations based on wormwood are the following:
- Dry powder from this herb is considered an effective remedy for worms. It is available in a pharmacy, sometimes it is made on its own, by grinding dried plants to a state of powder. Rules for use: every 2 hours, take a teaspoon of powder; then the dose is reduced.
- A strong anthelmintic effect is exerted by a triad - wormwood, tansy and cloves. One dose includes 1 g of dry wormwood, 1.5 g of clove powder, 3 g of dried tansy flowers.
- Wormwood juice is squeezed out of a freshly crushed plant, after cutting off the roots. The rules for using this tool will be found out from your doctor. Usually wormwood juice is drunk in a tablespoon before meals three times a day. The juice is taken with honey.
- Wormwood oil is now sold in pharmacies, but there is an easy way to make it yourself. They take an ordinary jar and fill it to the top with fresh grass, and then pour it with olive oil. The tool is insisted for 10 days, and then filtered. For better preservation, the finished oil must be placed in a cold place (basement or refrigerator).
- Wormwood infusion is prepared from dried herbs (2 tablespoons), pouring a glass of boiling water over it and insisting for a quarter of an hour. The product is filtered and drunk during the day three times before meals.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of wormwood make it possible to use it for the treatment of various diseases, as well as in cosmetology and in everyday life. When using weed, one must remember the existing contraindications. It is worth taking wormwood only on the advice of a doctor, without deviating from the prescribed dosage.