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Healing herbs: how to properly collect and apply
Supporters of folk methods of healing from various ailments have already gone “on the hunt” for medicinal plants. But it must be done wisely.
Our consultant, candidate of biological sciences, scientific secretary of the Biological Museum. KA Timiryazeva Marina Kulikova told who needs to be careful with funds from the “green pharmacy”.
“Use decoctions and fees only after consulting a doctor, adhering to the prescribed dosage,” the expert warns.
Labrador tea marsh
Blooms from May to June. The broth is useful for dysentery, tuberculosis, rheumatism, and coughs.
Caution! All parts of the plant are poisonous. Overdose leads to inflammation of the gastric mucosa, disruption of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Hawthorn blood red
The fruits ripen in August, flowers can be harvested from May. It has a beneficial effect on the elasticity of capillaries, cerebral and cardiac blood circulation, vascular tone. Possesses sedative properties.
Caution! It dilates blood vessels, therefore it is dangerous for people with low blood pressure. Is there a heart rhythm disorder? There may be contraindications.
St. John’s wort perforated
Cut from the end of June. Infusions and decoctions improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, it is a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Caution! Cannot be combined with antibiotics.
Heart-shaped linden
The peak of flowering is June-July. Linden tea has a beneficial effect on coughing.
Caution! Allergies may occur.
Common wormwood
The broth is taken before meals, it improves appetite. It is used to restore digestion and has a mild laxative effect.
Because of the unpleasant taste, overdose is unlikely.
Camomile fragrant
Cut at the root. Infusion treat insomnia, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gargle.
Caution! Often causes allergies.
Bearberry Ordinary
The leaves are harvested and used to treat bladder infections.
Caution! Stick to moderate dosages. Otherwise, nausea, stomach pains are possible. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Yarrow
It is better when the flowers are pink and not white, which means that there are more biologically active substances. Helps with internal bleeding.
Caution! Too concentrated decoctions can cause heartburn, dizziness, and rashes.
Horsetail
Cut off green shoots. It has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Caution! You can not drink with nephritis and nephrosis.
Chaga (birch mushroom)
Collect only from living trees. It is used as an immunomodulator, often for cancer: after chemotherapy, it removes side effects. Not a panacea for cancer, even at an early stage.
Caution! Contraindicated in colitis and dysentery, with inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Purity big
It is better to use infusions externally for dermatitis, eczema, acne. The milky sap of the plant can remove warts and papillomas.
Caution! A very poisonous plant, milky juice contains more than 20 alkaloids. Burns may occur when the plant is touched.
Watch out!
When treating with herbal preparations, caution should be exercised in people over 60 if they have not been tried before. At risk are children under 12 years old, their immune system is unstable. Experiments are contraindicated in pregnant women, the fetus may suffer.
Special recipe
Would you like to make an infusion? It is enough to pour hot water over the herb and strain after 40–90 minutes. The broth is more difficult to make: place the plant in boiling water and heat in a water bath for 15–20 minutes, remove and let it brew for another hour and a half. If the plant has hard stems, like wormwood or yarrow, the infusion cannot be dispensed with – just a decoction is needed.
4 collection rules
Do not collect herbs in the city: the soil is polluted here, and the plants absorb toxic substances.
The ideal time is from 12 to 2 pm, the concentration of useful elements is maximum. There is no dew and the crop dries up faster.
Follow the flowering ones when the buds are fully open. Cut at a distance of 15–20 cm from the top.
Do not dry in direct sunlight. Store the crop for a year in cloth bags. Before drying, it is better to grind the chaga on a grater, and keep the fruits in the oven at a temperature of 50-60 degrees.