Korovyak - medicinal properties and contraindications

Mullein, thanks to its bright colors and high growth - up to two meters, draws enthusiastic looks. Flowers of delicate shades are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. But it turns out that it is very useful as a medicine. First of all, it is an effective antitussive, and even the inhabitants of Ancient Greece knew about it, such healing properties and Ayurvedic medicine were used. During the long period of the American Civil War, the Confederate army drank decoctions from the plant during the rampant respiratory epidemics.

The mullein lives only two years, belongs to the Norichnik family. He selects places for himself on the sands near forest glades, on slopes and deposits, in ravines or forest edges, along river banks.

Harvesting plants

The healing qualities of mullein are easily lost if it is improperly collected and the drying technology is violated. It is required to collect it only in dry and clear weather, and after the dew has disappeared. Fallen parts should not be raised, they have already lost their therapeutic effect. A crop is considered good if there are no cups of flowers.

During drying, you need to carefully monitor that the raw material does not acquire a brown shade, but retains a golden color. You can dry not only under a canopy, but also indoors. The main thing is that it is constantly ventilated. As soon as the procedure is over, it is necessary to hide the entire crop in a hermetically sealed container.

In medical practice, flower corollas are most often used. Basically, they take only two species: scepter-like and ordinary, or “bear’s ear”. It differs in that its flowers are smaller, approximately 15 - 25 mm, and grows mainly on chernozems. Flowering lasts from July to August.

Traditional medicine also widely uses roots, grass, leaves. Harvest from one plant can be harvested for a whole month or even longer, since the mullein blooms quite a long time - from early June to September. Most often, leaves and flowers are sent at the end of the summer season.

All kinds of mullein benefit people!

Varieties of plants bring many benefits to people:

1. The scepter-like is most beneficial for people suffering from hemorrhoids and helps to cure pulmonary diseases. It has diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic properties, therefore it is included in various medicines.
2. The Royal Scepter. Of all the varieties, the highest and blooms the longest. It has established itself as a means of quickly relieving pain.
3. “Bear's ear” - this type of plant perfectly eliminates inflammatory processes, dilates blood vessels and removes cramps.
4. Hybrid - perhaps the most unpretentious. It survives during a period of severe drought, and when severe frosts strike, but loves sunny open areas. Has inflorescences of saturated yellow color, which are a whisk or spike. His self-seeding is so numerous that he often occupies a large nearby zone. It is not used often, but it has good wound healing and insecticidal properties.
5. Paniculate. This species can be identified by serrated leaves. Flowering lasts from June to August. Used most often to lower blood pressure.
6. Densely flowered. It reaches a height of 80 centimeters, has felt pubescence, the leaves differ in a very oblong shape. It blooms all summer.
7. Purple. This plant, unlike other species, is perennial, and the flowers are purple. Blossoms for a short time: in June - early July.It is popular because it stimulates the heart muscle and promotes motor activity of the intestine.
8. The black. His root is fusiform, and growth does not exceed a meter. Its flowers are collected in original bunches, exude a faint pleasant sweetish aroma that persists even in a dry plant. It can bloom fully in summer. For medicinal purposes, only flowers are used to treat pathologies that occur in the respiratory tract.
9. Olympic. Perennial tall plant - up to two meters. The flowers are small, 3 cm. The leaves have a gray color. Flowering lasts only in July. It is considered an antiulcer.

Beneficial substances hidden in the plant

Active components are:

1. Saponin, which gives the plant an expectorant effect.
2. Flavonoids and tannins.
3. Plant mucus, that is, polysaccharides that absorb water, which provides the plant with emollient properties. It is the mucus contained in the mullein that protects the cell membranes from the invasion of allergens.
4. Methanol extract - its purpose - to exhibit antiviral properties. Especially the substance resists the herpes type I virus.
5. Gums - help these carbohydrates reduce the irritating effect on the body of certain medications, reduce absorption.
6. Glycosides bring relief to the cardiovascular system, increase myocardial performance.
7. Aucubin - has a bactericidal effect, it helps when the stomach, intestines, bladder or kidneys are infected. It affects the digestive organs as a stimulant and anti-inflammatory.
8. Coumarin and Vitamin C.
9. Mineral salts, and potassium acetate, which helps fight harmful microorganisms, are especially valuable, provides health to the cells of the body.
10. Essential oils are present in small amounts.

What can cure a mullein

First of all, the plant takes an active part in the treatment of bronchitis and bronchial asthma, whooping cough. It helps with catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and flu, as well as tuberculosis, especially if the disease is accompanied by a long cough, as it has expectorant properties, thinning mucus and removing phlegm. Use it as a soft diuretic.

Has a mullein and other effects on the body, having the properties of:

• antispasmodic;
• anticonvulsants;
• astringents;
• hemostatic;
• vasodilator;
• enveloping;
• antifungal;
• wound healing;
• hypoglycemic;
• soothing;
• antiseptic.

They treat, using mullein, diseases of the mucous membrane that appear in the oral cavity, in the stomach, intestines, and esophagus. The plant reliably protects the mucous membrane from external negative influences, reduces pain and spasms, and relieves swelling of tissues. Effectively plant against influenza viruses.

In gynecology, mullein is also very often used if the genitals are inflamed, during a difficult period of menopause, the plant helps to normalize high blood pressure and avoid atherosclerosis.

Recipes

1. If bronchial asthma has appeared, the lungs are sick, they use this remedy: 3 tablespoons of the grass are brewed in 0.5 l of boiling water, and then insisted in a thermos. This dose should be divided into three parts and taken during the day.
2. Stomach, lungs, intestines are treated like this: 30 - 40 grams of flowers brew in a liter of boiling water, insist. Drink 50 g every two hours.
3. In order for the plant to act as a sedative, it is necessary to drink a decoction of flowers, adding honey to it.
4. Mullein root is also beneficial, as it is a diuretic, helping in the treatment of kidney stone disease and gout. Use a decoction for these purposes. It is taken for the first time on an empty stomach in the morning, and in the afternoon - between meals (from 120 to 220 grams per day).
5. If diarrhea begins, use a decoction of fully blooming grass. They drink it 3-4 times a day, 15-20 grams each.
6. Most often, mullein is used together with other medicinal herbs. Syrup is popular, which can be given to children. It helps to get rid of a strong cough. Required: Mullein flowers and Althea root - 7 g each. and 2 glasses of water. Boil for 20 minutes over low heat, strain and add 200 g of sugar. After that, keep on fire until a thick mass is obtained. Drink a teaspoon several times a day.
7. As a diaphoretic, this medicine will help: flowers of mullein, black elderberry, mallow - 1 part each; linden flowers and dried raspberries - 2 parts each. Mix all components, measure a tablespoon and boil in 0.5 l of water. Drink hot before going to bed.

In the form of compresses and grindings, mullein is used:

1. From sciatica and rheumatism. A tablespoon of flowers is poured 250 g of vodka. The mixture will be ready after infusion in a dark place for 2 weeks.
2. From ulcers and purulent wounds. Make an ointment using 5 parts of seeds and 10 parts of butter.

Are there any contraindications?

Individual intolerance to any ingredients can adversely affect the body. Mullein is not recommended for increased secretion of the stomach. When treating a bactericidal infection, the temperature may rise, since intoxication with the decomposition products of microorganisms occurs.

Video: useful properties and application of mullein