Motherwort is a herbaceous plant of the family clearing. It is a stem, reaching 2 m in height with a tetrahedral stem and saturated green leaves. During the flowering period, flowers of a purple hue appear. How does a motherwort look can be seen on a plant photo.
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Description of plant
Motherwort is a perennial plant that has a woody rhizome. Flowering begins in the middle of summer. Flowers can have pink and purple hue. Depending on the type of plant. The fruit begins to bear fruit by the end of summer, they are small brown nuts. Are located in the sinuses of the upper leaves.
Where is the motherwort growing? The most common is in the Southern part of Europe. It prefers to grow at roadsides, on wastelands, kitchen gardens, on forest edges. Many consider it a weed plant, although the motherwort is a very useful and effective remedy. It is based on the preparation of many medications that help with cardiovascular disease.
Photo of motherwort
Planting and picking a plant
Motherwort is a simple plant, so it can grow on all types of soil. In order to plant the plant, it is easy enough to dig it up. The sowing is better to start at the end of April, having first withstood the seeds in moist matter in the cold for about 1 month. Lose a motherwort will be about 5 years.
When to harvest? The basis for the preparation of medicines is the herb, which should be cut during ripening. During this period, the plant loses most of its leaves. This occurs at the initial stage of flowering. For drying it is required to collect stems no more than 5 mm thick.
In order to dry the grass, it is required to spread it on a flat surface with a thin layer. Billets should be made under a canopy to prevent direct sunlight and rainfall.
Species of motherwort
There are about 10 species of motherwort. The most common are:
- Motherwort's motherwort( common).A distinctive feature is the presence of prickly bracts, because of which it is very difficult to harvest. One of the plant species that is actively used in modern medicine.
- Motherwort five-lobed. It is also called shaggy. It is an effective tool for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Advantage is the absence of side effects when using drugs based on the motherwort pentacle.
- Motherwort bluish. Got its name due to the inconspicuous shade, which was formed as a result of the appearance on the stalk of dense short fibers.
- Motherwort Tatar. It has thin sheets and long fibers only in the upper part of the stem.
- Bilocock black. In comparison with other types of plants, the blonde is the shortest species.
With regard to harvesting for the use of the plant for medicinal purposes, for this purpose only the motherwort and five-lobed heart leaves are used. They contain a large number of useful substances, therefore in medicine they are united by one term - medicine motherwort. In the photo you can see the growth of the medicinal leaves of the motherwort before flowering.
The healing properties of the plant
First of all, the drug has a calming effect on the human body. It is a medicine with a wide range of beneficial effects on the human body. Can perform such functions:
- relieves spasms of various origins;
- improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- normalizes the metabolism;
- relieves increased nervous excitability;
- has a diuretic effect;
- normalizes sleep disturbances.
Therefore, medicines prepared on the basis of this plant will help cope with many diseases. Namely:
- neuroses and other diseases of the central nervous system;
- hypertension;
- heart failure;
- adenoma of the prostate;
- regular headaches.
It is useful for women to take broths and tinctures on the basis of motherwort to eliminate pain during menstruation and during menopause. As for men, this plant effectively increases the potency, thereby giving self-confidence.
It's important to know! Medications on the basis of motherwort can be used in conjunction with other medicines! The plant will not have side effects, so it is ideal as an additional treatment for a particular ailment.
Motherwort in the form of medicines
There are several forms of plants that are sold in pharmacies. Of these, you can prepare medicines or take it as ready-made:
- Dried herb. It can not only be dried at home, but also purchased in ready-made form. From the grass, you can prepare various infusions, as well as soothing teas. Effective action is provided by baths using a plant. It should be remembered that dried grass is better not to boil. Otherwise, it will lose the bulk of its useful properties.
- Alcoholic tincture of motherwort. Since its preparation takes quite a long period of time, you can buy a ready-made tincture in the pharmacy.
- Powder. To receive a medicinal plant in this form, grind the dried grass to the consistency of the powder. You can use it yourself or use it as a spice, adding to your food.
- Tablets. The most popular form this has as a sedative.
It's important to remember! People who have alcohol intolerance better not to use alcohol tincture!
Use in Alternative Medicine
This plant has been used for a long time as a medicine. It is based on the preparation of many drugs that are able to deal with such diseases:
- nerve disorders;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, overeating;
- parasites of various origins;
- bronchial asthma;
- a fright of various origins;
- disorders of the menstrual cycle.
Also from the motherwort are preparing various lotions and compresses, which are used for burns, abrasions, deep wounds. They have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, which promotes early healing.
Contraindications to the use of
Despite its medicinal properties, the use of Leonurus in certain situations can worsen the state of health. This can happen in such cases:
- In women during pregnancy, the use of the drug can cause premature birth or miscarriage. This is due to the increase in the tone of the uterus that the plant exerts.
- People with arterial hypotension should better refrain from using this medication, as this can cause a slow reaction and a lack of attention. That is why it is better not to use this medicine for people whose professional activity is associated with excessive concentration of attention.
- People with allergies should take cautious medication.
Of course, the main contraindication is the individual intolerance to the components of this plant.