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Centaury: medicinal properties. Video
Centaury is one of the traditional European panacea. It has long been used for various ailments, even those that are extremely difficult to identify. Its use has a truly incredible effect. Centaury activates the flow of gastric secretions, thereby stimulating appetite, and also improves the digestive functions of the body.
What is centaury and where is it applied?
Centaury is an annual herb with a stem, growing in height by 10–45 centimeters. It has many colors that only open in dry and sunny weather. Flowers can be seen from July to September. The fruits are capsules with a huge amount of seeds. The centaury is native to Africa, Asia and Europe, and also grows wild in North America. Flowers in the shape of a star in pinkish tones, reminiscent of slightly lavender. The plant is known for its bitter taste.
The healing features of centaury have been recognized a long time ago. The herb has been used for medicinal purposes throughout the history of mankind. Hippocrates, Theophrastus, Avicenna and other prominent figures in the history of mankind appreciated the healing properties of the herb and used it for various health problems, including the gastrointestinal tract, anemia, diseases of the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, lungs and other organs.
The centaury was named after the centaur Chiron, the founder of medicine. According to legend, Chiron used a centaury to heal a wound inflicted by a poisoned arrow.
Historically, centaury was used as a medicine to kill worms, in the treatment of dropsy as a sedative, to treat poisonous snake bites and other wounds, and externally for freckles and spots. All ingredients, including the bitter taste, provide their medicinal benefits. The entire herb, from flowers to roots, can be used medicinally.
Biologically active substances of centaury
Centaury inflorescences contain:
– bitter glycosides; – flavonoids; – ascorbic acid; – mucous substances; – alkaloids; – a little essential oil with a bactericidal effect; – resin substances; – minerals and trace elements (selenium, zinc, copper).
Application in folk medicine
Centaury has a therapeutic antiseptic effect. The crushed leaves can be used as a compress to aid wound healing.
A chilled infusion of centaury leaves is sometimes used to cleanse cuts and sores. This infusion is also used to treat acne.
A few teaspoons of centaury tea three to four times a day stimulates appetite and relieves arthritis symptoms. As a diaphoretic, the herb can increase sweating. This effect can help reduce fever. Centaury is also used as an anthelmintic.
Centaury is widely used by women who use it when menstruation is delayed and to relieve cramps. It is also used to soothe colic and diabetes.
Centaury Herb May Improve Metabolism That Aids Weight Loss
There are many ways to use centaury at home, but tea infusion will undoubtedly be the most useful. It is very easy to prepare it. You should take a teaspoon of fresh or dried centaury flowers for each cup of tea. Add boiling water and wait 10 minutes. Strain the broth and drink it hot or cold. However, do not drink more than 2 or 3 cups a day to avoid other health complications.
Contraindications when using centaury were not identified. There is no information on safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation. There are also no known toxicity reports. Centaury can theoretically aggravate the exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease. May increase stomach acid levels, heartburn, and diarrhea. If there is an acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, the use of centaury is undesirable.
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