Godwood is a popular medicinal plant that has been used for centuries against many ailments and diseases. Medicines from this herb strengthen the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the production of digestive juices. The plant is used in the treatment of diarrhea, urinary tract infections, bronchitis and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Description
Medical wormwood (Artemisia abrotanum) originates from southern Europe and Asia (Turkey, the Middle East and Iran). The plant was brought to North America by European settlers. Among the people, other names have stuck to it - dill and God's tree. Wormwood has been successfully used in alternative medicine for many years. For centuries, it was believed that the God's tree has magical powers and protects from evil. In many Catholic churches, the herb is still used as incense.
This perennial shrub belongs to the Wheatgrass family (Compositae). It grows well in dry and sunny places, covers rocky slopes, glades, wastelands. It has dense branches and stems, can grow up to 1.2 meters in height. Leaves -pinnate, gray-green in color, smooth above and covered with fluff below. The plant has spherical yellow flower heads. Blooms from July to September.
Stems of wormwood, God's tree, in the photo are easily confused with dill greens, as they have a similar appearance. The plant is characterized by a strong, sweet and piercing aroma reminiscent of lemon. The edible parts of the plant are fresh or dried leaves. They must be harvested before flowering begins. Dry them in the shade to prevent their color from fading. Treated leaves should be stored in closed glass containers and away from light.
God's tree: medicinal properties and composition
The beneficial effect of such a herb, like any other, is determined by the content of essential oils in its composition. So, in this variety of wormwood, their number is considerable - 0.62%.
In addition, the leaves of the plant contain:
- bitter glycosides, including absinthine, anabsinthine, orthabsin;
- coumarin compounds: isofraxidine, scopolin, calicanthoside;
- volatile oils containing mainly thujone;
- tannins;
- resin;
- organic acids.
Photos of the God tree and the medicinal properties of this plant are presented below:
- choleretic;
- antispasmodic;
- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- insecticide action.
Wormwood - cholagogue
Etherwormwood oil has choleretic properties, thereby supporting the secretion of bile from the liver to the stomach. It helps neutralize excess bile acids, which helps relieve ailments such as peptic ulcers.
Mugwort essential oil facilitates the digestion process and neutralizes unpleasant symptoms such as indigestion, bloating and gas. Godwood can be used to stimulate the digestive process, but only in very small doses. The use of medicinal products from the plant should be carried out strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
These drugs help with dyspepsia, indigestion, lack of appetite, stomach ulcers, and with symptoms indicating a violation of the digestive system, for example, when there is heartburn, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, belching and intestinal cramps. They improve metabolism, have a diuretic and tonic effect. Supports the proper functioning of the liver and gallbladder.
Mugwort eliminates odor
The grass contains a large amount of thujone, therefore it exhibits a strong aroma of this component. In this regard, the essential oil of the plant is often used as a deodorant. However, it should be remembered that such a product is used only in a diluted form in order to avoid excessive inhalation of the substances contained in it.
Mugwort prevents bacterial and viral infections
The healing properties of God's tree help fight various infections and viruses. Substancescontained in the plant, kill microbes and inhibit their development. Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirmed that mugwort oil has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains, including E. coli and Salmonella. It inhibits the growth of fungal pathogens and exhibits an antioxidant effect. Other studies published in the journal Planta Medica have shown that wormwood oil inhibits the growth of Candida albicans, which is the most common type of fungal infection in the mouth, intestines, and vagina.
Scientists at the University of Michigan in the US have found that the herb may also be useful in the treatment of tuberculosis - it can help reduce the time it takes to cure the disease, which usually lasts about six months, and prevent the development of strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
Causes menses
The stimulating and relaxing properties of Godwood can induce menstruation. How does this happen? The essential oil of the plant stimulates the secretion of menstrual blood, activates the circulation and promotes its release. For a woman's he alth, this is very useful and desirable. After all, menstrual irregularities can cause many dangerous diseases, even such as uterine cancer. Stimulating the body helps to get rid of problems such as headaches, cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue and lack of appetite. Proper use of the herb makes menstruation regular.
wormwood -effective insecticide
Oil from the plant (Godwood) is poisonous to many animals and mammals. There is also no doubt that this product acts as a natural insecticide and insect repellant. To take full advantage of this property of wormwood, you can use a diluted herb oil spray.
Bouquets or flower pots containing grass are often placed in the kitchen to keep flies away from food. In addition, the skin is rubbed with fresh leaves to repel mosquitoes.
wormwood heals nerves and heart
In folk medicine, the psychoactive properties of wormwood essential oil are sometimes used to calm nerves, as well as convulsions, hysteria, prolonged stress and insomnia.
Medical wormwood (God's tree) is an excellent tonic that activates many mechanisms of the body, and also provides its general strengthening. It has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and helps in the correct and even distribution of nutrients throughout the body. Allows the excretory system to keep the body free of unwanted metabolic wastes and toxins.
The tonic effect of wormwood essential oil eliminates heart rhythm and conduction disturbances. It has a positive effect on the regulation of the secretion of hormones and enzymes. By stimulating the nervous system, a person becomes more active and alert. The entire immune system is also activated, thanks to which it provides effective protection againstvarious infections and diseases.
External use of wormwood
Decoction of God's tree herb can be applied externally for burns, wounds, and skin parasites such as lice or scabies. Ready-made preparations containing its extract are often used. Used as an infusion, as an enema it fights roundworms.
Infusions of wormwood are used for baths in rheumatic diseases. In addition, such bathing tones, soothes and relaxes the skin. Therefore, it is useful when there are fungal skin lesions. Wormwood infusion, despite the fact that it does not contain saponins, washes off sebum relatively quickly. As an aromatherapy, it is used in patients with asthma, it helps to relieve nasal congestion.
Wormwood in cosmetics
Artemisia arborescens (God's tree) belongs to the same plant family as chamomile, arnica, St. John's wort and calendula, and is also used in cosmetics. The extract from this herb, as well as the oil from it, are often found in cosmetics intended for face and body care.
Artemisia in cooking
Grass has found its application in cooking. The young shoots of this shrub have a lemon flavor and are used in small quantities as salad dressings. Fresh or dried leaves can be used in seasoning blends or as a flavoring ingredient in olive oil and some liqueurs.
Infusion
To prepare an infusion, pour a tablespoon of dried or chopped herbs with a glass of boiling water and insist under the lid for 15-20 minutes. Thoroughlystrain and drink ¼-⅓ cup 2 or 3 times a day half an hour before meals. A small amount of honey or sugar can be added to the liquid to soften the bitter taste. The remedy helps with bloating, flatulence, stomach ulcers, bile stasis.
Tincture
It is necessary to prepare a decoction of 50 g of God's tree and pour a glass of 70% alcohol and leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. After this time, the tincture should be filtered and poured into a dark glass bottle. You need to drink it 15-20 drops in a glass of water half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day. Used as a medicine for stomach ailments, to improve digestion. When taken 40 drops in a glass of water, it has a choleretic effect.
Bathing with grass
It is necessary to mix 50 g of God's tree grass with 50 g of sweet clover grass, 50 g of linden flowers, 50 g of yarrow grass. Half of the prepared mixture should be poured with 3 liters of boiling water and boiled over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain and pour into the bath. Bath time should not exceed 20 minutes. Apply 2 times a week after operations and serious illnesses.
Foot bath
It is necessary to pour 25 g of wormwood herb with 3 liters of boiling water and heat for 20 minutes over low heat under a lid. Cool slightly and strain. Keep the feet in the prepared decoction for 30 minutes. Used in the treatment of fungal infections of the feet.
Potential side effects, contraindications
Let's list the main ones:
- Artemisia grass is notdesigned for long term use. Used for more than four weeks, or at doses higher than recommended, may cause nausea, vomiting, restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, and leg cramps.
- Godwood sagebrush can cause allergic reactions in people allergic to plants from the Wheatgrass family - ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums and others.
- You should not take this herb in any form if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The thujone contained in the plant has a negative effect on the uterus and threatens pregnancy.
- Mugwort cannot be taken by people who suffer from a rare disease called porphyria (which is an overproduction of the accumulation of porphine in the body). Thujone, present in the essential oil of the plant, can increase the production of this substance.
- Wormwood is not recommended for people with impaired kidney function. The oil from this herb can cause these organs to fail.
- If you suffer from epilepsy or other seizure disorders, you should consult your doctor before using this herb.
- Mugwort essential oil should be used with caution in aromatherapy as it is high in thujone and is toxic in large amounts and can cause seizures.
- Doctors recommend using wormwood in the form of dried raw materials, as it contains a small amount of thujone.
It should always be remembered that the essential oil of wormwood is poisonous and affects the psyche. In large doses, it can cause various diseases of the nervous system.systems. In extreme cases, product poisoning results in death. Prolonged use of wormwood essential oil threatens with irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. The extract from the plant has narcotic properties and is addictive.
