Lofant

Lofant provides for several varieties that have common useful qualities with little difference. In different regions, this plant is called differently, for example, Mexican mint or Korean mint. Folk names appeared due to the fact that this representative of the flora really looks like mint familiar to everyone since childhood.

In height, the most impressive specimens can reach a meter. The leaves of some varieties are similar to nettles, and the inflorescences have a pleasant lilac, blue or white tone. Due to the high content of essential oils, the plant received a characteristic anise aroma. Because of this, one of its varieties was even called anise lofant.

For the first time, Tibetan monks learned about its benefits, starting to use its parts to treat various ailments. As a tribute to the official discoverers, another species was named the Tibetan lofant. Now it is grown in many countries for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Universal Soldier

Recently, the fashion for growing medicinal herbs and spices in your own garden next to traditional fruit and vegetables has returned. But the presented plant is difficult to classify as a strictly defined group, because the features allow it to be used for different purposes.

Far from even the basics of traditional medicine, people prefer to plant unusual mint for the sake of decorative qualities. Tall juicy green bushes will perfectly dilute the atmosphere of a motley flower bed. And rich inflorescences, vaguely resembling ears of corn, will make many puzzle over what kind of flower garden decoration it is.

The most common colors for spikelets are called blue-violet, but there are varieties with white, orange and even pink inflorescences. If you plant only the presented botanical family, you will be able to create an amazing rainbow harmony.

In addition to helping aspiring landscapers, grass will appeal to fans of non-traditional spices. Moreover, not only leaves that are fragrant with anise notes can be used. Fragrant greens are really ideal for complex meat dishes. But even inflorescences will fit for salt conservation. To achieve the desired spicy effect, it is not necessary to look only for fresh raw materials. A pre-dried workpiece will do.

But the main positive aspect is still considered to be the healing properties that herbalists willingly use, adherents of an unconventional medical approach.

The application involves the involvement of ground parts, from which tinctures and decoctions are created. Later they are used to treat certain skin diseases, taken orally according to the instructions.

But the beneficial properties do not end there, because such a source of energy is especially highly valued by experienced beekeepers. Medonos is great for those who are used to consuming not only delicious honey, but a product filled to capacity with various useful ingredients.

Depending on the chosen strategy of use, the method of growing a valuable workpiece will be chosen:

• single bushes for those who want to decorate a personal plot;
• beds for those who are used to surprising with combinations of spices;
• plantations for industrial collection of herbal kits, beekeeping.

When choosing seeds, it is imperative to clarify which variety the selected option belongs to: annual or perennial. By the same principle, its ability to successfully survive long snowy winters is determined. If the consumer lives in the northern regions, it is more practical to resort to perennials that are grown according to the mechanism of annuals. This will increase productivity.

25 different types

Modern botany has about two dozen varieties of lofant. Part of the family belongs to the wild group, but there are many cultivated versions. The most common representatives are called:

• wrinkled, which is also called Tibetan;
• anisic;
• mountain;
• Barbera.

There are others, less well-known, like the dandy or anise snowball, which do not take root everywhere, which guaranteed them a decrease in popularity among gardeners.

The most famous option is considered a wrinkled perennial, which has spikelets of a yellowish tint. Its height rarely exceeds a meter, and the smell is moderate. Raw leaves have a flavor similar to licorice, making it a good addition to vegetarian salads.

It is usually not used to create an attractive aesthetic picture, but is more readily used in cooking. Adds advantages to its unpretentiousness. To achieve the best yield, it is recommended to plant somewhere in the shade. Even the crown of neighboring trees will do.

The anise analog is highly valued for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Thanks for this should be a whole piggy bank of various organic acids in its composition:

• ascorbic;
• apple;
• lemon.

Barbera is famous for its especially lush inflorescences of juicy orange color. The variety is rather small in relation to its predecessors, but it usually does not grow on the territory of the CIS countries, as it prefers a hot, even arid climate. His native element is America, Mexico.

The mountain version received a natural habitat in Mexico, Arizona. But this did not stop especially diligent gardeners from getting it into their collections. The difference with other “brothers” lies in the leaves with an unusual blue tint. There are differences in terms of aroma, as it is really especially strong, arising even with a simple touch. Each flower looks like a separate corolla with an orange tint.

Explained value

Since the Tibetan lofant is the most common in the expanses of the countries of the former USSR, people know the most about its benefits. With the regular use of its derivatives under the supervision of a physician, immunity can be significantly strengthened. This will appeal to all those who constantly suffer from seasonal colds.

The only relative disadvantage is perhaps a long period of therapy. But if a specific tea or tincture is to your taste, then there will be no negative impressions from the course.

The secret lies in the cumulative effect, which continues to make itself felt on the positive side for some time after stopping taking drugs based on it.

Numerous scientific studies confirm the effectiveness of a natural assistant for immunity. During the experiments, the glory of the immune stimulant was confirmed. This is explained by the wonderful composition, where they got:

• acids;
• essential oil;
• tannins;
• alkaloids.

Thanks to the above, patients will be able to significantly improve their health in terms of:

• circulatory system;
• general cleansing of the body, getting rid of heavy metals, other toxins;
• stabilization of blood pressure;
• reducing the risk of developing an inflammatory process;
• elimination of infections of bacterial origin;
• restoration of potency.

People who suffer from increased irritability due to constant stress will enjoy its calming properties. But only before you start taking the decoction, it is necessary to conduct a clinical examination, after consulting with your doctor. Test results may reveal contraindications for such treatment.

Effective Recipes

Healers believe that lofant does not promote the growth of cancer cells, but rather helps fight cancer. But more often, plants resort to the help to cure:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• paralysis, paresis;
• trembling of the limbs.

They are used for a tonic effect and as a counterbalance to the aging process of the skin. For all this, a simple recipe for an effective tincture is useful:

1. Two tablespoons of chopped grass pour 0,5 liters of boiling water.
2. The workpiece is covered with a lid, wrapped in a towel, insisted for three hours.
3. After the time has elapsed, the solution is filtered.

You need to take half a regular glass three times a day about twenty minutes before the intended meal. The main ingredient may be fresh or dry. Productivity does not drop from this.

Magic wand of cosmetology

Various lofant tinctures are actively used to strengthen and then nourish the hair follicles. It is useful for the skin, smoothing fine wrinkles and toning the skin that is tired from external negative effects.

To get rejuvenated skin, it is absolutely not necessary to spend money on expensive lofant-based cosmetics. You can make a mask at home. This will require a tablespoon of herbs chopped in a blender, the same amount of cottage cheese, sour cream, honey. Everything is mixed and applied to the face.

The mask should be held for about twenty minutes, after which the mass is washed off. To consolidate the result, the face is wiped with a simple decoction of the plant.

It is no less easy to make a mask to strengthen your hair with your own hands, which is especially suitable for young ladies who have recently been seriously ill, because of which their hair has been seriously damaged.

First, the lofant is passed through a meat grinder, and then the resulting juice is squeezed out. The liquid is rubbed into the scalp, keeping with such a mask for about half an hour. As a result, you need to wash off the healing juice as usual.

But before any cosmetic experiment, you must first conduct an allergic test. Usually the body tolerates the plant well, but due to the high acid content, some people may suffer from individual intolerance to the components.