People have long been familiar with wormwood grass. Its beneficial properties have been used by man since ancient times. A huge number of beautiful legends are associated with this plant. So, according to one of the legends, the grass got its name in honor of a young woman, whose name was Wormwood. Her fate has developed, as expected, in a tragic way.
The girl was escaping from the persecution of an unwanted, imposed fiance, and her path lay through the steppe. She, in complete grief and despair, bursting into tears, asked Mother Steppe for protection. The steppe heard her request and turned it into a plant. From that moment on, there is no more heady and bitter shrub than wormwood. At the same time, the legend says that the bitterness of this plant arose from girlish tears that were shed about her unfortunate fate.
The Romans generally considered this herb a gift from the gods and used it in almost all areas of their lives. It was even named after the goddess Artemis. It was believed that its magical propertieshave the ability to relieve fatigue and muscle pain. In ancient times, it was thought that if wormwood was added to mushroom dishes, it would be possible to avoid poisoning.
But even today I would like to note that the beneficial properties of wormwood for the body are unique. The list of diseases it treats is simply huge, and its use in folk medicine has helped save a large number of people from all kinds of ailments, while restoring their well-being, strength and he alth.
Composition and biological properties of wormwood
The Latin name of the plant is Artemísia absínthium. Compositae perennial plant with a spicy aroma and bitter taste. The healing effect of wormwood is carried out by a huge amount of useful substances that are part of it:
- succinic and malic organic acids;
- glycosides anabsistin and absistin;
- vitamins;
- tannins;
- phytoncides;
- flavonoids;
- resinous substances.
The most valuable product from this herb is essential oil.
The plant is mainly used in its pure form, as it potentiates the healing effect of other herbs. It enhances appetite, acts as a sedative on the nervous system, stimulates appetite and disinfects. In this article, we will look at the uses, beneficial properties and contraindications of wormwood.
Healing properties of wormwood
Not all people are well acquainted with the healing properties of this plant. Therefore, oftengardeners take it for a simple weed and simply exterminate it. But real true herbalists, herbalists and traditional healers are aware of the beneficial properties of wormwood. Yes, and scientists, after conducting numerous studies, were able to prove that the herb is used in the treatment of many ailments and pathologies:
- depression and anxiety syndromes;
- diseases of the intestines and stomach;
- parasite remedy;
- insomnia;
- pathology of the pancreas;
- hepatic colic;
- functional bowel and stomach disorder;
- treatment of conjunctivitis of various origins;
- anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent;
- hemostatic agent;
- acts as an effective diuretic and cholagogue.
And this is not the whole list of diseases from which this herb can help. If there is a fever, then use tinctures and decoctions based on it. To expel parasites with helminthic invasions, a decoction is used. To eliminate inflammation, lotions or a warm compress from wormwood are applied to the skin. Its beneficial properties and contraindications, as already mentioned above, are due to its unusual composition.
Cooking recipes
There are several ways to prepare products based on this plant in folk medicine:
- Infusion. 40 grams of raw or dry grass should be poured with a glass of boiling water. Leave the mixture for about an hour. Squeeze out the sediment and strain. Take a full tablespoon before meals three times a day.day.
- Tea. For this drink from wormwood, you should take 10 grams of leaves, combine them with two glasses of hot water. Leave for a maximum of 30 minutes. Remove sediment and take ¼ cup daily before meals.
- Decoction. To do this, take a spoonful of dry grass, pour a glass of water. Next, put on fire, boil for about three minutes. The resulting broth must be infused for 45 minutes. It is taken half a glass three times a day before meals. This decoction is very good for poisoning that is not treatable by other means.
- Powder. To create a powder, you need to dry the leaves of the grass and grind them. The resulting powder is consumed in a pinch no more than 1 gram 3 times a day.
- Tea for appetite. In order to improve appetite, a different composition is made as tea: you need to take 80 g of wormwood leaves, as well as 20 g of yarrow leaves. Mix the herbs, select 10 g of the collection, pour it with two glasses of boiling water and drink.
- Ointments. To prepare the ointment, squeeze the juice from the leaves and mix with the base. In this case, various fats act as the basis: lard, petroleum jelly, lanolin, butter.
- Alcohol tincture. It can be bought at a pharmacy. Use 20 drops, dissolving them in a glass of water.
Tincture: recipe
It is necessary to take a glass of alcohol, pour it with wormwood (50 grams), previously crushed and dried. Then the tincture must be insisted on its complete readiness for 2 weeks in a dark place. Next, strain and pour into a jar or bottle ofdark glass.
Use as follows: dilute 15 drops of tincture in a small glass of water and drink before meals for better digestion, elimination of flatulence, increase appetite.
Using essential oil
The beneficial properties of wormwood for the human body extend to the use of essential oil. It has a very wide range:
- expectorant;
- remedy to eliminate edema;
- reduces depression;
- relieves nervous tension;
- relieves pain in muscles and joints;
- relieves insomnia;
- eliminates attacks of dizziness and nausea when walking on the sea.
As you can see, the list of useful properties of wormwood is quite impressive. It has also been observed that the aroma of wormwood can significantly increase libido. At the same time, with a migraine, a headache is perfectly removed with a mixture of wormwood oil and peppermint oil. To do this, dilute a few drops of these healing potions in water and moisten the back of the head and temples.
Contraindications
We have already considered the beneficial properties of wormwood and its effect on the body. This is a very strong natural remedy, suitable for the treatment of various ailments. Now let's talk about contraindications. In ancient times, it was believed that the uncontrolled intake of all kinds of remedies created on the basis of this plant can lead a person to insanity. Of course, today no one thinks so, but if the dose is incorrectly observed (overdose), various side effects are noted, manifested in the form of convulsions,hallucinations, loss of consciousness and dizziness.
When treating with this herb, do not break the following rules:
- The course of wormwood consumption should not exceed one month.
- Then you also take a break for one month.
- In any case, the herb should not be taken for more than three courses.
There are a number of diseases in which the use of medicines with wormwood is completely contraindicated:
- gastritis with low secretion;
- chronic and acute ulcerative gastroenteritis;
- anemia;
- individual intolerance;
- bleeding;
- inflammation of the small intestine.
Alcohol addiction
Useful properties of a decoction of wormwood allow you to overcome alcoholism. An effective folk remedy based on a decoction of this herb and thyme is well known in traditional medicine.
Fight against alcoholism
In equal quantities, take chopped thyme and wormwood herbs. Stir and add a bunch of collection to a glass of boiling water. Boil for about 4 minutes. Now cool down. Consume 2 dessert spoons three times a day with meals. The treatment period is 30 days. If there is no effect, you should take a month break and repeat again.
It should be noted that the treatment will be most effective if the patient makes every effort to recover.
Foot baths
Useful properties of wormwood extend to getting rid of calluses. Well provenfoot baths. In this case, freshly harvested stems and grass leaves (about 200 g) pour boiling water (about 6 liters). Legs soar 25 minutes.
Treatment of diseases of the digestive system
Useful properties of wormwood help to cope with many diseases of the digestive system, including oropharyngeal candidiasis, helminthic infestations, overweight.
Infusion for Digestive Problems
For internal use, use an infusion prepared according to this recipe:
- Pour 20 grams of grass with 250 ml of boiling water.
- In a water bath, leave on low heat.
- In a water bath, keep for half an hour, then remove from heat, cool and strain.
The infusion can taste very bitter and unpleasant, so a little bit of honey can be added. Consume one sip before meals for four days. When using the infusion, acidity may increase.
Treatment of parasitic infestation
People are often treated by neuropathologists and gastroenterologists and do not get the desired result. Worms can be the reason for feeling unwell. A person becomes infected with them when their eggs enter the body in some way.
Violation of hygiene rules, dirty berries, vegetables and fruits are the main reasons for their appearance. Eating unwashed vegetables, a he althy person consumes a certain amount of eggs that have fallen to the ground from the intestines of a sick animal. Therefore, parasitic infestation occurs.
Symptoms of disease:
- disorders of the nervoussystem;
- all kinds of disorders of the intestines and stomach;
- allergic manifestations;
- skin rashes;
- frequent disorders and infections of the gastrointestinal tract.
Get rid of worms
Useful properties of wormwood are also used to expel parasites from the human body. To do this, pour the grass (20 g) in an enamel pan with boiling water (a glass). Put for half an hour in a water bath. To the finished strained infusion add another glass of boiling water. Such a remedy is taken half an hour before a meal for 7 days, 30 ml each. Long-term use may cause an overdose. In particular, such an infusion should be given to children with caution, prior consultation with a doctor is required.
wormwood in cosmetology
Of course, such a powerful natural remedy could not pass by the attention of the gentle sex. Women always want to improve their appearance, while maintaining beauty and youth. Let's look at the benefits and contraindications of wormwood for women.
Normalizing the weight
There are good recipes for weight loss. This is achieved by normalizing digestion and water-s alt metabolism in general. To do this, you need to use an infusion of wormwood for 7 days. It must be done according to the general rules. The composition should be consumed before meals. After one course, there is a short break for a week and repeat again.
Rejuvenate skin with wormwood oil
The beneficial properties of wormwood for women extend their action to the skin of the hands andbody. They are affected by the beneficial oil created from this herb. For cooking, take 400 g of sunflower oil, add 5 tablespoons of fresh chopped wormwood and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Mix the ingredients and leave to infuse for 2 weeks in a dark place.
It is worth noting that the fat-soluble vitamins found in sunflower oil, in addition, the beneficial properties of wormwood can make the skin smooth and silky. Skin roughness and stretch marks will disappear after a few weeks of daily use of this remedy.
Conclusion
In our area, wormwood grows everywhere: in fields and forest edges, along roads. If you want to pluck or touch this plant, you will feel the unique spicy, bitter aroma of the plant's juice. These sensations are explained by the essential oils it contains.
A real treasury of various useful substances and medicinal properties of the plant ensured its popularity among herbalists and the widest range of use in traditional medicine. Understanding what diseases this herb treats, you will be sure of its help in many diseases. Use the acquired knowledge for your own benefit and follow the rules of admission and the recipe!
