Mullein - medicinal properties and contraindications

Korovyak, thanks to bright colors and high growth - up to two meters, attracts admiring glances. Flowers delicate shades collected in spike inflorescences. But it turns out that it is very useful as a medicine. First of all, it is an effective antitussive remedy, and this was known to the inhabitants of ancient Greece, such healing properties and ayurvedic medicine were used. In the long period of the American Civil War, the Confederate army drank decoction from the plant during a rampant respiratory epidemic.

Cow lives for only two years, belongs to the family of norichnikovs. He chooses his places on the sands near the forest glades, on the slopes and fallow lands, in the ravines or on the forest edges, along the banks of the rivers.

Harvesting plants

The healing qualities of a mullein are easy to lose if it is wrong to assemble and disrupt the drying technology. Collect it is required only in dry and clear weather, and after the dew has disappeared. Fallen parts should not be lifted, they have already lost the therapeutic effect. A good crop is one in which 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 its golden color. It is possible to dry not only under a canopy, but also indoors. The main thing that it was 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, the most often used corolla flowers. Basically, only two species are taken: the scepter and the common, or "bear's ear." It differs in that its flowers are smaller, approximately 15 - 25 mm, grows mainly on black soil. Flowering lasts from July to August.

Traditional medicine is also widely used roots, grass, leaves. It is possible to harvest the crop from one plant for a whole month or even longer, since the mullein blooms for 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 skeletal most relieves people suffering from hemorrhoids and helps to cure pulmonary diseases. Has properties diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, because it is included in the composition of various drugs.
2. "Royal Scepter". Of all the varieties of the highest and bloom the longest. Has established itself as a means of quickly relieving pain.
3. "Bear's ear" - this type of plant perfectly relieves inflammation, dilates blood vessels and removes cramps.
4. Hybrid - perhaps the most unpretentious. Survives and in a period of severe drought, and when severe frosts hit, but loves sunny open areas. It has inflorescences of saturated yellow color, which represent a panicle or ear. His self-seeding is so numerous that he often occupies a large nearby zone. It is not used as often, but it has good wound-healing and insecticidal properties.
5. Paniculate.This species can be determined by jagged leaves. Flowering lasts from June to August. It is used most often to lower blood pressure.
6. Gustotsvetkovy. The height reaches 80 centimeters, has a felt pubescence, the leaves have a very oblong shape. It blooms all summer.
7. Violet. This plant, unlike other species, is perennial, and the flowers are purple. Short flowering time: in June - early July. It is popular because it stimulates the heart muscle and promotes the motor activity of the intestine.
8. The black. Its root is fusiform, and its height does not exceed a meter. Its flowers are collected in original bunches, exuding a faint pleasant sweetish aroma that persists even in a dry plant. May bloom full of summer. For therapeutic purposes, use only flowers 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 anti-ulcer agent.

Nutrients hidden in the plant

Active ingredients are:

1. Saponin, which gives the plant an expectorant effect.
2. Flavonoids and tannins.
3. Vegetable mucus, that is, polysaccharides, which 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 show antiviral properties. Especially the substance is opposed to the herpes virus type I.
5. Gums - these carbohydrates help to reduce the irritating effect on the body of certain medications, reduce absorption.
6. Glycosides bring relief to the cardiovascular system, increase the efficiency of the myocardium.
7. Aukubin - has a bactericidal effect, 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 is especially valuable, which helps to fight harmful microorganisms, provides health to the cells of the body.
10. In small quantities, essential oils are present.

What can cure mullein

First of all, the plant is actively involved in the treatment of bronchitis and 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, because it has expectorant properties, thinning mucus and removing sputum. Use it as a soft diuretic.

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

• antispasmodic;
• anticonvulsants;
• knitting;
• hemostatic;
• vasodilators;
• enveloping;
• antifungal;
• wound healing;
• hypoglycemic;
• soothing;
• antiseptic.

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

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

Recipes

1. If there is bronchial asthma, the lungs are sick, apply this remedy: 3 tablespoons of herbs brew in 0.5 liters of boiling water, and then insist in a thermos. This dose should be divided into three parts and taken within a day.
2. The stomach, lungs, intestines are treated as follows: 30 - 40 grams of flowers brew in a liter of boiling water, insist. Drink every two hours and 50 grams.
3. To the plant acted as a sedative, you need to drink a decoction of flowers, adding honey to it.
4. The root of mullein also benefits, as it is a diuretic, helping in the treatment of kidney stones and gout. Use for this purpose a decoction. 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 herbs. Drink it 3-4 times a day for 15-20 grams.
6. Most often, mullein used with other herbs. Popular syrup that can be given to children. He helps to get rid of a strong cough. It will take: mullein flowers and Althea root - 7 gr. and 2 glasses of water. Boil for 20 minutes on low heat, strain and add 200 grams of sugar.After that, keep on the fire until then, until you get a thick mass. Drink a teaspoon several times a day.
7. As a diaphoretic, this medicine will help: mullein flowers, black elderberries, mallow - 1 part each; Linden flowers and dried raspberries - 2 parts. All components mix, measure out a tablespoon and boil in 0.5 liters of water. Drink hot before bedtime.

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

1. From radiculitis and rheumatism. A tablespoon of flowers poured 250 grams of vodka. The mixture will be ready after insisting 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. Do not recommend the mullein with increased secretion of the stomach. When treating a bactericidal infection, the temperature may rise, since intoxication by the products of microorganism decomposition occurs.

Video: useful properties and the use of mullein