Grushanka

Useful properties and use of Wintergreen

Botanical characteristics of Wintergreen

Grushanka is a perennial herb. The root is thin, creeping. The height of the stems can reach 35–40 cm. The leaves of the plant are quite large, round-ovate, serrated. The flowers are a beautiful purple-red color, they are small, reaching only 15 mm in diameter. Wintergreen flowers gather in inflorescences that grow in clusters. The fruit is a box.

Flowering occurs from May to June, fruit ripening from June to July. Wintergreen grows exclusively in coniferous forests, often found in thickets of elfin cedar, extremely rarely in deciduous forests. Its habitats are the Far East, Siberia, the Caucasus, Central Asia. The plant is harvested in the usual way, it is possible to collect and harvest in large volumes.

Useful properties of Wintergreen

Wintergreen refers to medicinal plants. Since ancient times, its stem, leaves, flowers (much less often – the root and grains) have been used by folk healers to treat various kinds of diseases.

The leaves, flowers and stem of the plant contain tannins, iridoids (monotropein), triterpenoids (taraxerol), phenols, ericoline, naphthoquinone, himafilin, as well as vitamins, trace elements, essential oils and resins, which explains the amazing possibilities of wintergreen. Steroids, glycosides, quinones and organic acids were found in the roots.

The plant is harvested during the flowering period. To do this, the raw materials are laid out in a thin layer (about three centimeters) and dried thoroughly in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight.

Wintergreen application

Wintergreen is widely used in folk and traditional medicine, as well as in herbal medicine. Plant-based preparations have an antiseptic, astringent effect in case of severe disorder (diarrhea). Indications for use are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, sciatica, hernia, joint pain, headaches, epilepsy.

Wintergreen compresses are effective as anti-inflammatory and wound healing agents. They are used for washing purulent wounds.

Herbal infusions are also used to treat many types of skin diseases, scrofulous ulcers, gynecological problems, scurvy, and also for the treatment of cancer.

Wintergreen is popular in Tibetan and Chinese medicine.

In Tibet, with the help of decoctions and tinctures from the plant, inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, bone tuberculosis, and some liver diseases are treated. Wintergreen preparations are used as an effective wound healing and antipyretic agent.

In China, for the preparation of decoctions and tinctures, only the aerial part of the plant is used: leaves and flowers. They are used for animal and insect bites as a powerful antidote for poisoning. Wintergreen is an effective pain reliever and hemostatic agent. The herb is also used externally – as compresses, used for rinsing the mouth, gargling, with purulent blepharitis and skin diseases.

The plant today is of great interest to scientific and traditional medicine, and therefore its healing properties continue to be studied.

Recipes for tinctures and decoctions

Recipe number 1. To prepare a medicinal infusion, pour 20 g (2 teaspoons) of raw materials (leaves and flowers) into a container, pour 200 ml of boiling water over it, then simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes. After insisting the broth for 45 minutes, it should be filtered. The medicine is taken 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.

Recipe number 2. To prepare a medicinal decoction, take 15 g of raw materials (roots or grains), which are poured into 180 ml of boiling water and put in a boiling water bath for half an hour. Then you should remove the composition from the bath and insist for 10 minutes, strain and measure 180 ml. The remedy prepared in this way is taken 3-4 times a day after meals, 2 tablespoons.

Wintergreen treatment for infertility

In folk medicine, wintergreen is highly valued as a powerful stimulant of the sex glands, which makes it an excellent remedy for the treatment of male and female infertility, the causes of which are associated with inflammatory processes in the reproductive system.

In modern gynecology, wintergreen is part of preparations for the treatment of infertility, chronic adnexitis, endometriosis, tubal obstruction and a number of other diseases.

It is worth noting that herbal treatment is a long process, therefore, in order to achieve results, it is recommended to endure a course of treatment, the duration of which is 3-6 months.

Wintergreen tincture recipes

Recipe number 1. To prepare an alcohol tincture, take 50 grams of dry wintergreen (its aerial part), pour 500 g of vodka, then put the container in a dark place and insist 2 weeks (it is recommended to shake it periodically). After two weeks, the composition must be filtered. The drug is taken 30 drops three times a day 30-40 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals.

Recipe number 2. An effective remedy for the treatment of female and male infertility (most often recommended for obstruction of the tubes, as well as for infectious diseases caused by Trichomonas, ureaplasma, chlamydia) is an infusion of hogweed, wintergreen and winter love. The peculiarity of the tincture is that it has a positive therapeutic effect on the entire genitourinary system.

To prepare the tincture, wintergreen, upland uterus, and winter-loving are taken in equal proportions (50 g each), a mixture of herbs is poured with vodka (1,5 l). It is necessary to insist the medicine for 2 weeks (while periodically shaking). Tincture is taken 1 teaspoon, the number of doses – 3 times a day. In the presence of infections, women are required to douche.

Wintergreen essential oil

Essential oils prepared on the basis of wintergreen are highly valued in cosmetology and medicine.

For the preparation of oils, young shoots and leaves are used.

The value of essential oil lies in its therapeutic effect on the body. Thanks to the active substances that penetrate deeply through the skin into the tissue, a powerful antiseptic, analgesic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, absorbable, soothing, astringent, carminative, vasodilating, antitussive, stimulating, diuretic effect is observed.

The use of oils also helps to increase lactation in women.

In cosmetology, wintergreen essential oil is used as an antiseptic. It is an indispensable medicine for the treatment of skin ailments, and is also used for skin care, it solves the problems of acne and scabies.

Oil can be added to lotions to effectively moisturize.

Wintergreen oil is an effective treatment for cellulite (when combined with other essential oils).

Essential oils are used for skin diseases, infectious inflammations, eczema, inflammation of the genitourinary system. In addition to a remedy, they are used as an air freshener.

It is worth noting the psychophysical effect of wintergreen oil on the human body. It calms, improves mood, increases mental activity, mindfulness. The oil helps to relax and get rid of negative emotions and stress.

Wintergreen essential oils should be used with caution in people prone to allergic diseases.

Wintergreen tincture

Wintergreen tinctures help to cope with a number of serious diseases, such as diseases of the genitourinary system, infertility, prostatitis, rheumatism and arthritis, joint diseases, intestinal tuberculosis, and breast cancer. Tinctures are used as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and hemostatic agents.

Wintergreen tincture recipes

The tincture is intended for the treatment of infertility. The course of treatment depends on the complexity and disease. In addition, this recipe is recommended for rheumatism, severe headaches, pain in the stomach, fever, purulent kidney disease, internal bleeding, and chronic inflammation of the genitourinary system. Use tincture for rinsing the throat and mouth, for which it is diluted in a ratio of 1:5.

Recipe number 1. To prepare the infusion, pour 40 grams of dry raw materials (winter wintergreen leaves) into a container, pour 300-400 ml of boiled water and leave for 0,5 hours, then strain thoroughly. Reception schedule: 0,5 cup 4 times a day. You need to take the medicine 30-40 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.

The tool is effective for washing open wounds, as well as for gargling and rinsing the mouth.

Recipe number 2. 10 grams of wintergreen leaf should be poured into a container and poured with boiling water (1 cup). It is necessary to insist the composition for half an hour, after which it should be carefully filtered. Reception schedule: 1/4 cup 30–40 minutes before meals or 1,5–2 hours after meals 3 times a day. An infusion is used for diseases of the joints, in case of arthritis.

Recipe number 3. 2 teaspoons of dry raw materials (round-leaved wintergreen leaves) are required to be poured with boiling water, carefully wrapped and infused for 2 hours, then strained. Reception schedule: 1-2 tablespoons 30-40 minutes before meals or 1,5-2 hours after meals 3 times a day. It is used for rheumatism, arthritis.

Recipe number 4. 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials (round-leaved wintergreen herb) should be poured with boiling water (1 cup), wrapped and infused for 2,5-3 hours, and then strained. Reception schedule: 1/4 cup 30-40 minutes before meals 3 times a day. The course of treatment is from three to four weeks. The tool is effective for the treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland.

Wintergreen umbrella

Wintergreen umbrella is a perennial herbaceous plant. It belongs to the pear family. The rhizome of the wintergreen is creeping, the height of the erect stem is from 8 to 20 cm in height. The shoots in the lower part of the plant are ascending, branched. The leaves are obovate, oblong, narrowed towards the petiole, leathery above, close together on the stem, pale below. The flowers are pink, drooping, located on long stalks and form into umbellate inflorescences. The fruit is a box.

Wintergreen blooms from mid to late summer.

This type of wintergreen grows in Western Siberia and the Far East of Russia. It can be found on soil fertilized with humus, in shady and pine forests. The aerial part of the plant is used as a medicinal raw material. It is collected during the flowering period.

Arbutin, homoarbutin, flavonoids, tannins, hyperoside avicularin, himafilin, kaempferol, amyrin, bitter substance urson, erikolin, gallic acid, organic acids, resins, mucus, gums, andromedotoxin, quinic acid were found in the aerial part of wintergreen, which explains the medicinal plant properties.

Wintergreen umbrella is used by homeopaths and traditional healers to treat many diseases.

The herb is an effective diuretic and disinfectant, it is prescribed for cystitis, kidney disease, edema, urolithiasis, urinary retention, nephritis, hematuria, gonorrhea, urethritis and other kidney diseases.

Wintergreen promotes the removal of nitrogenous and chloride salts, and therefore it is prescribed for diseases of the joints and gout.

Infusions and preparations based on wintergreen help to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, get rid of constipation, they have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce blood sugar, improve appetite, and are prescribed for severe wet coughs and bronchitis.

Wintergreen is known for its disinfectant and astringent properties, which is why it is used in combination with other drugs to treat tuberculosis.

Folk healers prepare decoctions of wintergreen for gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, intestinal tuberculosis, and prostatitis.

It is known the use of drugs based on herbs in tumor diseases: tumors of the lips, breast. Herbal preparations are used for carcinoma, various solid tumors, tumors of the lips, breast.

Round-leafed pear

Wintergreen rotundifolia is a perennial herbaceous plant. It belongs to the pear family. The height of the stem reaches 15–30 cm. The rhizome is creeping. The stem of the plant is straight. Wintergreen leaves are rounded, leathery, wintering, serrated at the edges, collected in a rosette at the roots. The flowers are characterized by a white or slightly reddish color, they are small, differ in drooping growth, when assembled they form a brush. The fruits are spherical capsules.

Wintergreen blooms from June to July. Fruit ripening occurs at the end of summer. Wintergreen is interesting for its medicinal properties. Since ancient times, teas and tinctures have been prepared on its basis. In Russia, folk healers used herbs to cure kidneys, dropsy, infertility, and female bleeding.

Chinese herbalists also knew about the healing properties of wintergreen. They used (and continue to use) it as an antibiotic.

It has been scientifically established that preparations prepared on the basis of wintergreen are an effective bactericidal agent in the fight against bacteria that multiply in the oral cavity. In dentistry, there are special medical and hygienic products aimed at combating caries, periodontal disease, stomatitis, and gingivitis.

Traditional medicine uses wintergreen more actively. It is recommended as an antiseptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiperspirant and hemostatic agent.

Decoctions and infusions are prescribed for diseases of the genitourinary system, inflammation of the prostate gland. Wintergreen round-leaved is also used externally for the disinfection of festering wounds, ulcers, as well as for rinsing the mouth and throat. Women are recommended douching with thrush.

Recipes for decoctions and tinctures of wintergreen

Recipe No. 1 (Infusion of a broad spectrum of action). 2 teaspoons of raw materials (grass) should be poured into a container and pour 1 cup of boiling water. It is necessary to insist the remedy for 2 hours, after which it should be carefully filtered. Reception schedule: 1-2 tablespoons 30-40 minutes before meals 3 times a day. Honey may be added.

Recipe number 2 (Broad Spectrum Tincture). 4 tablespoons of dry raw materials (grass) should be poured into a dark container, pour 0,5 liters of vodka and leave for 3-4 weeks in a cool dark place. The tincture must be shaken every day. After a period of time, the medicine needs to be filtered. Reception schedule: 20-30 drops 30-45 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

Decoction and tincture are effective in many diseases. They are prescribed for dropsy and edema, inflammation of the joints and the gastrointestinal tract, gout, as well as to increase appetite, normalize the activity of the digestive system. Wintergreen remedies are recommended for constipation, ulcers, hernias, prostatitis, cystitis, infertility, obstruction of the fallopian tubes. Decoctions and tinctures are considered an effective remedy for diseases of the throat and larynx, for headaches and migraines.

Contraindications to the use of wintergreen

Certain contraindications to the use of wintergreen have not been identified to date. However, it has been noted that it can lower blood pressure, so preparations based on it should be taken with caution in people suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure).

You should not take funds from wintergreen without consulting a doctor for varicose veins, increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis.