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Useful properties and use of verbena officinalis
Botanical characteristics of verbena officinalis
verbena officinalis – a herbaceous plant or shrub with an erect or creeping stem, growing up to 100 cm. The leaves of the plant are small, opposite, oblong. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences-panicles. Verbena flowers can be of different colors and shades. Verbena blooms from early summer to mid-October. It grows in North America, Europe and Asia, in Russia (except for the northern part of the middle lane). Stems, leaves and flowers are harvested during the flowering period, the roots are harvested in autumn or spring.
Cultivation of verbena
Growing verbena does not require special knowledge and effort, but there are still some features of its cultivation. To get seedlings, seeds must be sown in February, after germination, sprouts can be planted on the site in March. The soil is desirable to use loamy, containing humus. It needs to be lightly fed in advance with nitrogenous fertilizers, an overabundance of them will lead to the fact that the plant will not bloom well. Verbena loves bright and warm places and abundant watering.
Useful properties of verbena
The chemical composition of verbena differs in the content of iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, carotene, alkaloids. Mucous substances, essential oil, bitterness, soluble silicic acid have a beneficial effect on the human body.
Verbena has antispasmodic, analgesic, choleretic effect. Its restorative and tonic properties help to easily cope with various diseases. Verbena officinalis normalizes metabolism and improves the functioning of the digestive tract. In the postpartum period, taking verbena-based products enhances uterine contraction and stimulates lactation.
The use of verbena
In folk medicine, verbena is used for colds, headaches, colic in the intestines. Tea and a decoction of the leaves and flowers of verbena is an excellent medicinal potion. Verbena is able to excite appetite, is used for cholecystitis, neurodermatitis, cholelithiasis, gastritis, hepatitis: 1 tablespoon of grass should be poured with 1 cup of boiling water, insist 20 minutes, strain. Take an infusion of 100 ml 2 times a day.
The use of verbena contributes to a quick recovery from laryngitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory diseases, bronchitis, due to the diaphoretic properties of the substances contained in the plant. This useful plant is effective for improving well-being and getting rid of acne, boils, psoriasis, ulcers, eczema. The herb has an excellent effect on the body in chronic gastritis, increases the content of gastric juice.
To prepare a medicinal decoction, you need 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs, pour 0,5 liters of water, cook over low heat for 5 minutes. The broth is insisted for 45 minutes, filtered, boiled water is added to get the initial volume. It is recommended to take this medicine 1/2 cup 4 times a day.
External use of the plant in the form of compresses, lotions for inflammatory skin diseases, rashes and difficult-to-heal wounds provides the body with antimicrobial protection and helps cleanse the skin. For inflammation of the oral mucosa, verbena infusions are used in the form of rinses, this is also effective in getting rid of an unpleasant odor. The root is brewed in the treatment of scrofula, mumps, used as a resolving agent for abscesses.
Cleaning vessels with vervain
Verbena is an excellent raw material for the preparation of miraculous remedies that allow you to strengthen and cleanse the walls of arteries and veins, restore damaged capillaries and vascular tone. The saturation of each cell of the organs with oxygen and useful substances depends on the ability of the vessels to pass blood. If these functions are impaired, health problems arise.
Verbena preparations reduce blood viscosity, increase vascular elasticity and the effectiveness of complex therapy while strengthening immunity, improve microcirculation, normalize metabolic processes at the cellular level, and lower cholesterol levels.
Verbena tea
Verbena tea is effective for cardiovascular diseases, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis. Rapid fatigue and chronic fatigue pass in the treatment of diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, cerebrovascular accidents with vervain. With violations of peripheral circulation, dystrophic, sclerotic diseases of the eyes, the state of health improves, headache is eliminated.
Verbena essential oil
Fragrant essential oil of verbena has a positive effect on irritability and apathy, helps to eliminate spasms of cerebral vessels, dizziness and nausea. This is an excellent remedy that can be used for asthenia and vegetative-vascular dystonia. The regenerating properties of verbena essential oil contribute to the rapid recovery of tissues after bruises, fractures and sprains, and accelerate the process of resorption of hematomas.
Applying the oil to the skin may cause slight tingling, a feeling of warmth, and redness. If it lasts only 2-3 minutes, then the oil can be used. It is forbidden to use essential oil on an empty stomach and more than 3 drops per day. It should be taken mixed with honey or washed down with acidified water.
Verbena tincture
Tinctures from the aerial parts and roots of verbena contain essential oil, ascorbic acid, bitterness, tannins, flavonoids, verbenamine, aucubin, silicic acid, vitamins, trace elements and many other useful substances. The medicinal properties of verbena infusions are used for tumors of the genital organs and for sexual weakness.
Verbena works great as a diaphoretic and contraceptive. The plant increases the secretion of gastric juice, tones the nervous system, normalizes the functioning of the liver, helps with acute respiratory viral infections and pneumonia.
Contraindications to the use of verbena
Treatment with preparations of verbena officinalis is contraindicated in hypertension, with individual intolerance to any of the components. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age. Pregnant women are advised to refrain from using infusions and decoctions, teas and essential oils. Long-term use of drugs based on verbena can lead to irritation of the intestinal mucosa.