Bitter wormwood is one of the common remedies in traditional and folk medicine. This is due to the fact that it has a whole list of useful properties. But do not forget about contraindications, as this is a poisonous plant. Its properties are also characteristic of decoctions, tinctures and extracts of wormwood. What exactly this plant stands out for, what is its chemical composition, what are the indications and contraindications for use, where to buy and how to make your own herbal preparations, we will tell further.
What is this?
Wormwood extract, respectively, is produced from the herbaceous part of the plant of the same name. It is quite unpretentious, it has a specific smell. In Russia, you can find it everywhere: on household plots, along roads, on the lawns of residential areas, in meadows, abandoned agricultural fields.
The plant also has a fellow - wormwood. Bitter differs from it in a soft silvery fluff, which covers the leaves and stems of the plant. In height, it can reach both 50 and 200 cm. It all depends on the soil where wormwood grows.
The flowers of the plant are yellow, located onshort branches. collected in small panicles. By the end of summer, small brown fruits with seeds ripen on them.
Chemical composition
Why are tinctures, decoctions, wormwood extracts so valued? It's all about the unique chemical composition of the plant:
- Tannins. They have an antibacterial, firming and regenerating effect.
- Resinous substances. Designed to strengthen the structure of the cell mass.
- Slime. They have both anti-inflammatory and healing effects.
- Palmitic, malic, succinic, isovaleric acid. By their nature, they are natural antioxidants. Therefore, wormwood extract improves digestion, helps to remove heavy s alts and toxins from the body.
- Bitterness. Stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive tract, improve appetite. Therefore, we can say that wormwood extract improves the secretory activity of the pancreas, stimulates the detoxification activity of the liver, and the filtration work of the kidneys. Also, bitterness is known for its anabolic, tonic, restorative effect on the human body. Note that they strengthen the immune system, help the body successfully adapt to new conditions, and normalize the activity of the central nervous system. Because of all this, wormwood extract is often indicated for food, alcohol and other kinds of poisoning.
- Flavonoids. They are a powerful antioxidant, which even helps to mitigate the effects of radiation exposure on the body. Because ofanti-inflammatory properties, it is often made a component of antihistamines.
- Phytoncides. These components in the composition of the annual wormwood extract help the body recover from heavy physical activity. They are also valued for their antibacterial effect, a calming effect on the nervous system.
- Lignans. This is the name of phytoestrogens that normalize hormonal levels.
- Saponins. They have an anabolic effect, contribute to the adaptation of the body.
- Alkaloids. Natural antispasmodics, which are valued for their analgesic and sedative effect. At the same time, they have an expectorant, choleretic effect.
- Coumarins. These substances in the thick extract of wormwood reduce blood clotting.
- Carotene. The element is a powerful antioxidant.
- Vitamins A, B, C, PP.
- Micro and macro elements. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, selenium, copper, zinc.
Useful features
The properties of wormwood extract are quite diverse. Therefore, it is so valued among naturopaths and herbalists. We list the main ones:
- Antibacterial, wound healing, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory effect. Because of this, wormwood is indicated for colds, burns, purulent wounds, boils, frostbite, eczema. The herb is also used for urticaria, diathesis, psoriasis, fungal infections.
- Hemostatic effect.
- Antihistamine effect. The extract helps to alleviate such unpleasantallergy symptoms such as itchy skin, inflammation of the mucous membranes, skin rashes.
- Antiparasitic effect. The remedy helps to fight with tapeworms, pinworms and other helminths. Indicated for candidiasis and giardiasis.
- Inhibitory effect on pyogenic infections, chlamydia, gonococci, Trichomonas.
- Restorative, tonic, anabolic effect. Because of this, wormwood extract is prescribed after active loads, as well as sprains, dislocations, and swelling.
- Strengthening the barrier functions of the body, normalization of metabolic processes. The extract helps to strengthen the lymphatic and connective cells, vascular walls, bone marrow. Wormwood effectively cleanses blood and tissues of toxins. Enhances the protective functions of phagocytes.
- Calming and tonic effect on the nervous system. Therefore, it is often used as a mild sleeping pill and sedative. Indicated for insomnia, depression. But at the same time, the drug should be taken with caution in case of nervousness and epilepsy.
- Stimulating effect on hematopoiesis, as well as on the work of the heart and vascular system.
- Prevention of cancer. This property is possible due to the content of artemisinin in the extract.
For gastrointestinal problems
Wormwood extract capsules and other plant-based products are primarily indicated for problems with the gastrointestinal tract. They are able to stimulate the work of all organs of the digestive tract, normalize appetite. Helps to get rid of the unpleasantbad breath, heartburn, to cope with sudden weight loss after surgery and serious illness.
Stimulates peristalsis and secretory activity of both stomach and pancreas. Regulates the production of enzymes and hormones that prevent obesity. A person returns to normal weight due to the normalization of metabolism. The tool is indicated for diabetes, food poisoning, dysentery, general intoxication of the body.
The use of wormwood extract is indicated for gastritis, cholecystitis, and biliary dyskinesia. Valued for choleretic, carminative, antispasmodic effect. Because of this, the extract is used for diseases of the liver and kidneys, urolithiasis (except for the stage of exacerbation).
Contraindications
When referring to wormwood-based products, one should not forget that this is a moderately poisonous plant. Why treatment should take place only under the supervision of your doctor. In the case of the wrong dosage, the wrong treatment schedule, it is easy to harm your body.
It is necessary to keep in mind the contraindications to the use of this natural medicine:
- Internal bleeding.
- Asthma.
- Anemia, anemia, thrombophlebitis.
- Hyperacid or erosive gastritis.
- Enterocolitis, peptic ulcers.
- Hypertensive biliary dyskinesia.
- Cholecystitis and pancreatitis in the acute stage.
- Increased acidity of gastric juice.
- The period of pregnancy and lactation.
- Epilepsy.
- Psychicdisorders.
- Nervous disorders.
- Under 12 years of age.
Using medicine
We have already noted that this plant contains slightly poisonous and slightly toxic substances. Therefore, self-medication with its help is contraindicated. Therapeutic course with wormwood extract takes place only under the supervision of a competent specialist.
The plant shows its maximum medicinal properties only if these rules are observed:
- The course of treatment does not exceed two weeks.
- Break between therapeutic courses: 2-3 weeks.
- If you purchased wormwood extract at a pharmacy, be sure to follow the instructions in the instructions for the drug. In particular, this applies to the dosage of the drug. It is different for various tinctures, extracts, decoctions - it depends on the concentration.
- The course of treatment is not recommended to be combined with the consumption of dairy products, eggs, alcoholic beverages and smoking.
Side effects
In case of overdose, violation of these instructions may result in the following consequences:
- Severe headache.
- Convulsions.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Hallucinations.
- Convulsions.
- Depression of consciousness.
Available drugs
In folk medicine, wormwood has been used since ancient times because of a whole list of healing properties. For the manufacture of various preparations, leaves, stems, inflorescences, and roots of the plant are used. The following are coming outfunds:
- Powders (ground grassy part).
- Liquid extracts of wormwood annual, bitter.
- Alcohol tinctures.
- Water infusions.
- Homemade decoctions.
- Ointments.
- Essential oils.
Such products are prepared for both external and internal use. Lotions, compresses, rubbing, rinsing solutions are made on their basis.
Non-medical use
But this raw material is used not only for medicinal purposes. It is the basis for the production of "wormwood vodka", better known as vermouth or absinthe. Dry grass is used as a spice in cooking. This is a great seasoning for a fatty meat dish.
Wormwood is also in demand in cosmetology. It is included in the composition of face and head skin care products. If you have a garden or home garden, you have probably used this tart herb to repel agricultural pests.
Drug in pharmacy
The herb is used not only in folk, but also in traditional medicine. In the recipe, a thick extract of wormwood in Latin will be written as Extractum Absinthii spissum. He, accordingly, is extracted from the grass. It is a dark brown in color, thick mass with a characteristic smell of grass. Bitter in taste. Forms a hazy solution when mixed with water.
In addition to the extract, pharmacies also offer alcohol tinctures of wormwood, essential oils, dry herb powder. Medicinal fees are also popular, which include wormwood.bitter: with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, liver, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, circulatory system. No less popular are antihelminthic preparations, where the same wormwood is present in the components.
All of the above are available without a doctor's prescription. But you should not engage in self-medication, since the list of contraindications and side effects in case of improper therapy is quite extensive.
Responses
Many positive reviews about the extract of wormwood. Most of all, it is popular as an anthelmintic drug. It is also useful in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are reviews here that wormwood often causes exacerbation of gastritis, discomfort in the stomach, which is why it should be used with caution.
Many reviewers use this remedy as a natural sleep aid. It is not addictive, does not leave a feeling of "heavy head" in the morning. But you should turn to the extract only in case of insomnia, and not constantly.
The authors of the reviews turned to a similar treatment for skin problems. Ointments, compresses based on wormwood really promote healing, scarring of wounds.
Cases of drug poisoning are not described in the reviews. This is directly related to the fact that the authors used the extract only by prescription as an adjunct in drug therapy.
Wormwood extract is quite an effective remedy. But it cannot be used uncontrollably, because it is poisonousgrass. Follow your doctor's advice to get the most out of this natural treatment.
