Heather common (Calluna vulgaris) - our good "friend" of the heather family, known in folk medicine by a number of medicinal properties and used with great success.
The plant has gained location and thanks to its aesthetic appearance.
In addition, heather is quite common, which solves the problem with the procurement of raw materials.
Did you know? According to an ancient Scottish legend, a magic drink was made from heather, thanks to which people did not grow old and were always rich.
The chemical composition of therapeutic raw materials
The therapeutic properties of heather are due to its specific chemical composition. In all parts of the plant, catechins, coumarins, phenols and their derivatives, phenol carboxylic acids and glycosides were detected. The leaves also contain flavonoids, tannins and organic acids.
The beneficial properties of heather stalks are caused by a high content of leucoanthocyanidins, and rhizomes and young shoots are caused by proanthocyanidins. In the pollen of flowers, scientists have found many vitamins, trace elements and other components.
Such a rich composition of heather attracted the attention of many physicians and traditional healers, who have long used it as medicine.
Pharmacological properties of heather
The plant is endowed with mild hypotensive and hypothermic properties, and is also characterized by pronounced antibacterial and diaphoretic actions. In addition, accelerates the rate of blood clotting, soothes the nervous system with serious emotional stress.
Healing properties
Heather is widely used in both official and alternative medicine.
Its use is most effective in treating pulmonary tuberculosis, cough, multiple renal diseases, dysentery, gout, and rheumatism. Heather is more than useful for people suffering from insomnia, neurotic reactions.
Heather Infusions used to treat neurasthenia, colitis, gastritis, inflammation of the bladder. They can also be used in the treatment of angina and inflammatory foci in the mouth.
Heather broth copes with wounds, eczema, allergic rashes and other skin problems.
Heath Recipes in Traditional Medicine
How to cook heather infusion
For the preparation of a universal infusion 20 g of dry raw material is poured with a glass of water, kept in a water bath for 15 minutes, then allowed to brew for an hour and filtered. Drink 70-100 ml for half an hour before meals.
Alcohol based infusion prepare in this way: 10 g of crushed grass pour 50 ml of 70% alcohol and insist two weeks in a dark place. 3 times a day, use 40 drops of this tincture.
A good effect in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system can be achieved by applying the following heather infusion: 1 tbsp. l dry grass poured a glass of boiling water, let it brew for three hours. Take half a glass of medication 3-4 times a day.
External application of heather infusion is excellent for gout.
Did you know? For various skin problems in the Scandinavian countries from time immemorial, ointments based on heather infusion have been used.
Heather decoction
1 tbsp. l raw materials need to pour 1 liter of boiling water. After that, the heather flowers are boiled for 2-3 minutes and insist for half an hour to activate their beneficial properties. Take the same as the infusion.
This decoction has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic, as well as expectorant properties. It is prescribed for various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and urogenital system, various neoplasms.
How to make tea from a plant
A good and restful sleep will provide heather tea. To do this, one cup of boiling water pour a teaspoon of powdered dry grass. Tea should infuse about 7-10 minutes.
How to make a healing bath
Heather bath has an effect similar to the Russian bath or sauna. It perfectly relaxes the whole body after stress, relieves internal tension.
For its preparation should be 50 g of raw materials pour 7 liters of boiling water, wait half an hour, and then strain the resulting broth and immediately use.
Features of preparation of medical raw materials
With proper harvesting, heather will fully retain its healing properties.
From late August to early October, you can collect the flowers of the plant and the tops of the shoots. From the collected material you need to form beams, dry them in the attic or under a canopy, the main condition for this is the presence of shadow.
Store in a sealed container that does not allow air. Do not leave dried heather in direct sunlight.
Important! Experts advise to use for harvesting only healthy, strong plants that grow far from highways and industrial enterprises.
Side effects and contraindications
Despite the fact that heather has many useful properties, it is necessary to take into account contraindications.
Obviously pronounced side effects in the treatment of heath by doctors have not been identified, but it will not be superfluous to consult with your doctor before use.
It is undesirable to use infusions and decoctions from this plant to people with low acidity of the stomach, with the exacerbation of any chronic diseases of internal organs and individual intolerance of the plant.
Important! When using heather for the first time, carefully monitor your well-being to eliminate possible allergic reactions.
Thus, heather is successfully used in the treatment of many common diseases. Guided by the experience of experts and common sense, it can be safely used to improve health.
