Xanthium: medicinal properties and contraindications

The common woodruff is not by chance considered one of the most amazing representatives of the plant world. It is abundantly endowed with medicinal properties, but with improper use, this useful herb turns into a treacherous killer. The annual was given such a meaningful name for its ability to cure almost any skin disease. As you know, in the old days of people with such manifestations on the skin surface was said that they have a "bad skin".

Nowadays, this weed plant has not lost its main purpose - to heal people from the most complex diseases. Xanthium spp. is still actively used in folk medicine, although professional medics treat it with some wariness. The reason for this prejudice lies in the fact that the composition of the herb contains poisonous components. Today, this plant is being closely studied by scientists, which has already allowed to reveal many of its secrets.

Chemical composition

The composition of woodruff has not yet been fully studied, but it has been definitely established that the plant is rich in iodine. This feature was well known in ancient times, which confirms another sonorous name of the herb - "goiter". It should be noted that the composition of different elements of the plant is different. So, the ground part of the herb contains a set of the following chemical compounds:

• alkaloids;
• resins;
• essential components;
• glycosides;
• ascorbic acid;
• flavonoids;
• fatty oils;
• xanthostrumarin;
• natural dyes;
• saponins;
• phenol;
• carvacrol;
• thymol;
• tannins;
• carbohydrates.

Of course, the plant is most valued for its high content of iodine and vitamin C. The latter accounts for more than 32% of the composition.

Note: coloring pigments, iodine and some other elements are contained mainly in the seeds of goitre. Therefore, the seeds of the plant are used for effective treatment of thyroid disorders.

What does it look like and where does it grow?

It is worth starting the description of woodruff with a listing of its names, which people generously endowed this plant. Depending on the region of growth, the grass is called sheep's burdock, netreba, turnip, durkoman, zobatnik. All these and many other names eloquently reflect the external characteristics and healing abilities of the plant, which is considered a harmful weed. This unpretentious crop belongs to the family of Asteraceae or Compositae plants.

Thistle is easily recognized by its characteristic external features: a straight tufted stem, which can reach more than 1 m in height, carved triangular-shaped leaves and prickles that represent a ripe fruit.

Of greatest interest to botanists are the inflorescences of small greenish-yellow faded flowers assembled in a basket: the upper part contains male flowers and the lower part contains female flowers. The flowering period is quite long, from early July to September. Buds, or prickly little boxes with seeds, appear at the end of September or in October. The seeds are round, up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Thorny hooks allow them to cling tenaciously to clothes or hairs of animals, which promotes a large-scale spreading of the weed.

Weedwort is native to the American continent, from where it was spread to other parts of the planet. Today almost anywhere in the world you can find this heat-loving plant, which successfully takes root even in the most adverse conditions. It is especially fond of settling on dumps, wastelands, along roads. It can often be found in the vicinity of crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton and sunflowers. Its inconspicuous appearance allows the weed to hide in the thick of agricultural crops, which also contributes to the mass spread of the plant. But experienced herbalists are well aware of the favorite places of the sheep burdock, so they always stock up on valuable plant material.

Species

Although the woodruff has a variety of species, three main varieties of the plant are more common in Russia and the CIS countries:

1. The Siberian species is characterized by a stiff upright stem and bright green, ovate-shaped leaves. Both sides of the leaves are covered with a short nap.
2. The common cocklebur looks similar to the Siberian species, the only difference being that its leaves are duller in color. On the other hand, it is twice as tall as its counterpart: there are specimens as tall as 1.2 m.
3. The needle-like or prickly variety can be recognized by its stiff, furrowed stem and lanceolate leaves. A characteristic feature of this subspecies is that the young leaves are solid at the apex and the lower leaves are dissected. At the base of each leaf there are prickly needles, which explains the name of the species.

All of the above types of herbs are in demand in folk medicine, but each variety is designed to treat certain pathologies and conditions. For example, the common cocklebur is used to prepare compositions for the treatment of thyroid diseases and skin problems.

This is an important point: when planning to use the plant for therapeutic purposes, you should not forget about its poisonous properties. The most reasonable thing is to consult with doctors about the advisability of its use in advance.

Collection and storage

Since goitre is included in the list of medicinal plants, ready-made material for preparing home remedies can be purchased in a pharmacy. But many people prefer to prepare their own useful raw materials, the more so to find this herb is not difficult. You can dry all elements of the plant, including its roots. However, it is better to collect the seeds and rhizomes in late fall and the leaves and stems in summer before the fruit ripening. The different period of collecting raw materials is due to the fact that the concentration of useful components in certain parts of the plant directly depends on the stage of its development.

You should also follow some simple rules when collecting the material:

1. Do not collect grass in places near roads, industrial enterprises, near landfills.
2. Because of the poisonous properties of the plant, all manipulations should be carried out in gloves, so that the sap does not accidentally get on the skin.
3. It is recommended to cut the stems with great care and only in the area of the beginning of leaf growth.
4. Since the value is the juice of the plant, you should try to minimize its loss during harvesting, otherwise the herb will become useless.
5. The stems and leaves are best dried in a shaded, well-ventilated place, but preferably outdoors.
6. So that the aroma of the herb does not attract insects, top blanks should be covered with several layers of gauze.
7. Pre-prepared material should be stored in paper bags or cardboard boxes in a dry place with good air ventilation.
8. Maximum storage period - 3 years.

Achieve the desired therapeutic result can be achieved by strict adherence to these simple rules.

Extras: The ideal option for drying roots and seeds is the use of special drying machines.

Therapeutic properties of cocklebur

Throughout the centuries of the formation of medicine, herbs have always occupied a special position in the list of available medicines. Due to its unique qualities, woodruff was actively used for therapeutic purposes in dermatological pathologies and many other diseases. First of all, it is worth noting the ability of the herb to regulate the thyroid gland, stabilizing the hormonal background. In addition to this outstanding quality, the plant has a number of other therapeutic effects:

• localizes foci of inflammation;
• It relieves swelling;
• Clears the body of toxic products;
• It has antipyretic properties;
• It relieves spasms;
• Has an analgesic effect;
• Is a good anthelmintic;
• Destroys fungal and bacterial flora;
• Has anticarcinogenic properties;
• cleanses the blood;
• Relieves symptoms of colds.

To this, it is also worth adding that woodruff, according to folk healers, is a powerful "generator" of male strength, because it stimulates the production of testosterone.

What illnesses can be cured by Xanthium strumarium
According to the set of useful qualities, which was listed above, it is not difficult to guess how wide the range of application of this plant is. Home remedies based on sheep's burdock are allowed to be given even to older children, and the age limits are significantly reduced when using external skin treatments. The following pathologies are treated with the unique vegetation:

1. Respiratory infections, influenza, other respiratory diseases.
2. Urological diseases.
3. Skin diseases: allergic rash, shingles, scabies, dermatitis, furunculosis, eczema and even leprosy.
4. Laryngeal oncology and tuberculosis (it is part of smoking mixtures).
5. Asthma (due to its antispasmodic properties).
6. Dysentery and other intestinal infections (due to its astringent and bactericidal properties).
7. Rheumatism, arthritis and other joint problems.

This is not a complete list of healing capabilities of the famous weed. For example, some lovers add purified oil from the seeds as a spice to various dishes. The plant is widely used in home cosmetology.

Note: Despite the usefulness of cocklebur, you should not forget about its poisonous properties. In the process of preparation of medicinal compositions it is necessary to strictly follow the sequence and dosage schemes given in the recipe.

For women

The benefits of woodruff for the body of women, first of all, is that the compositions with the herb regulate the function of the thyroid gland. After all, according to the WHO, the dysfunction of this important organ is most often observed in representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Women are especially susceptible to the disease after the age of 35. Another, no less useful property - the ability to relieve muscle spasms and have a pain-relieving effect. It is known that many women suffer from severe pain during their periods. Do not forget about the anticarcinogenic effect of the plant. For therapeutic and preventive purposes, women can drink tea with goitre or decoctions and infusions.

For men

It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and its ability to stimulate the production of sex hormones will be an effective prevention of impotence. Its powerful anti-inflammatory qualities are worth using in the treatment of prostatitis, and its ability to stimulate the production of sex hormones will be an effective prevention of impotence. The use of decoction will increase potency, which will have a positive effect on the quality of sexual life.

Infusion to improve the potency
The method of preparation of the decoction is very simple: a couple of teaspoons of dried herbs should be added to a glass of boiling water. After a two-hour infusion, strain the solution. It is recommended to drink the drink twice a day on an empty stomach for 1/2 cup. The duration of this type of phytotherapy is 2 months.

It is useful to know: The ability of sheep's burdock to influence male health has been adopted by pharmacists from Romania. They produce a drug Adenostop, which has already shown excellent results in the treatment of prostate adenoma.

Mullein in folk medicine

It can not be said that in folk medicine woodruff is widespread. The reason for its limited use is the presence in its composition of poisonous components. But experienced herbalists know the rules of preparation of safe compositions, which can be used without risk to health to treat children.

Particularly effective is the therapy with herbs for skin diseases. From herbal raw materials are prepared various dosage forms: decoctions for lotions, ointments, often the natural juice of the plant is used. In many European countries, treatment with sheep burdock juice is practiced: it treats severe forms of hemorrhoids, it is taken internally for swollen throat and asthma attacks. Nectar compresses are applied to lesions with hives, acne, various forms of herpes. Recently, inhalations with the healing herb and aromatic smoking have become very popular. Such unusual treatments help in the treatment of tuberculosis and some forms of cancer.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular treatments using woodruff herb.

A simple recipe for treating skin diseases
When dermatitis, skin irritation and other problems of this nature, you can prepare a mushy mass from the fresh herbs of the healing plant, which immediately should be treated the affected areas of the dermis. Before preparing the composition, it is necessary to remove the prickly needles.

Recipe for inhalations with cocklebur
This recipe is also not burdened with difficulties: the seeds of the plant are placed in a dish that is resistant to high temperatures. Raw materials are heated until the appearance of thick smoke. The essence of treatment is that the patient should inhale this smoke for five minutes. Inhalation can be replaced by smoking a mixture obtained from the crushed seeds of the herb. For asthma and laryngeal oncology such sessions are recommended daily for 4-6 months. Such therapy has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, making the patient feel better with severe forms of cancer and tuberculosis.

Interesting fact! In ancient times, our ancestors in Russia attributed to the magic abilities. People believed that the evil herb in the new moon will get rid of toothache, and at the full moon - will cure from any inflammation.

Types of medicinal compositions

In alternative medicine today, a variety of medicinal forms with the use of common cocklebur are popular. And there are several options for the preparation of each type of medicinal agent. We suggest exploring the classic ways of making tinctures, ointments, decoctions and other well-known medicines. Such medicines can be easily prepared at home without financial and time costs.

Infusion

Water infusions are prepared simply and have a wide range of applications. However, for different pathologies a special selected scheme of composition is used.

1. Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders are treated with an infusion, prepared by brewing 1 tbsp of dry crushed raw materials with ½ liter of boiling water. The solution should be left to infuse for a couple of hours, then filtered. It is recommended to drink ½ cup at a time. The frequency of intake is up to three times.
2. From tinnitus can get rid of a drink made from a mixture of woodruff with powdered herb calamus 1:5. 1 tsp of the herbal mix should be diluted in a glass of water, and then drink the medicine completely.

Note: Water infusions should be taken on an empty stomach for the medicine to show the maximum therapeutic effect.

Tincture

The advantage of alcohol-based preparations is that they retain their medicinal properties for several months. Most often such medicines are prepared on vodka, but you can take as a basis well purified moonshine.

Recipe for tincture from the juice of cocklebur
In principle, this is the simplest version of making tincture. You need to take in equal parts vodka and freshly squeezed juice of the herb, mix them, place them in a dark place for 2-3 weeks. The resulting medication can complement the complex therapy for pathologies of the urinary tract and thyroid gland. Single dose should not exceed 30-40 drops. It is recommended to store the finished preparation in the refrigerator.

Another version of the tincture
According to this recipe, a composition is obtained that allows you to do without the use of hormones in the treatment of goiter. For this tincture, you can use the entire ground part of the cocklebur and even the thorns. But collect the plant material should be in the fall after the full ripening of fruits. Collected raw material put in a jar up to the neck, but not tightly. Pour the green mass of vodka, close the container with a lid. Insist such a elixir of health for 21 days. Then the drug can be taken in 30 drops about half an hour before a meal.

Decoction .

It is possible to prepare mixed decoctions and preparations from individual parts of woodruff.

Classic recipe from the leaves
For this recipe, apothecary raw materials will do. A tablespoon of dried leaves of the plant should be poured over a glass of water and boiled for a quarter of an hour over moderate heat. When the liquid cools a little, strain the decoction and insist another hour. Take the drink is recommended for bowel dysfunction and prostate adenoma. The optimal dose per reception - 1 tbsp. decoction. The resulting composition can be used for lotions and compresses in the treatment of skin diseases.

Important! This decoction can also be used for hemorrhoids, painful periods, and as a diaphoretic and sedative.

Decoctions made from the seeds and roots of the endive are prepared in the same proportions.

Extract of

In the Middle Ages, the extract of woodruff was used to treat leprosy. Today, this insidious disease is extremely rare and found only in disadvantaged regions of the world. But the plant herbal extract is in demand in home therapy when you need to relieve painful sensations and cramps. Included this highly effective remedy in the treatment of uterine myoma, mastopathy in women. It can be used as a sedative.

1. Prepare the drug by evaporating a decoction of woodruff leaves in a water bath.
2. The initial composition is prepared from 1 tbsp. raw materials and 200 ml boiling water.
3. Evaporate the composition until the volume of liquid is reduced by exactly half.

Take a medicine from the medicinal herb one-third cup 2-3 times.

Tea

Tea therapy is considered one of the most popular treatments today. Despite the ambiguous composition, sheep burdock is ideal for making drinks that can be drunk instead of or together with tea. And such a tea has universal capabilities, as it is useful for urolithiasis, cancer, rheumatism, goiter and many other pathologies.

The method of making tea is two simple steps:

1. First, 1 tbsp of dry raw materials is poured with boiling water.
2. The drink is insisted for a few minutes, and then it is drunk 1/2 cup at a time.

Tea therapy strengthens the body, increases its resistance to disease. The course of treatment can last up to two months.

Useful tip! It is best to prepare herbal tea in a thermos.

Oil .

This very valuable product is quite difficult to obtain at home. But in pharmacies you can buy a ready-made drug. The oil is obtained from the fruit of the plant. With its help, treat serious pathologies of the dermis by rubbing a few drops of the composition into the skin surface of the damaged areas. Such procedures are recommended three times a day.

Since oil driftwood contains coloring pigments, it is added in the manufacture of olive oil and chemical dyes.

Ointment

Ointment of cocklebur for external treatment of the skin surface is prepared on the basis of animal fat and plant fruits. Preferably use belly fat pork. Preliminary basis is stoked, then mix the components in a ratio of 10:1. The mixture is heated in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After cooling, the prepared ointment is applied to the problematic areas of the dermis in the case of lichen, dermatitis and other skin diseases.

Tip! Pig fat can be replaced by duck fat.

Juice

As noted above, the juice is considered the most valuable component of cocklebur, because it concentrates the bulk of the useful elements. In folk therapy, the pure juice of the herb or preparations with its addition is equally often used. Natural juice treats intestinal and digestive disorders, bronchitis, colds, furunculosis and a number of other diseases.

The maximum daily dose of fresh juice:

1. For adults, 30-40 drops.
2. For cancer patients it is allowed to increase the single dose twice.
3. The dosage for young patients is calculated according to the formula: 1 drop per year of life, but no more than 10 at a time.

To minimize the risk of side effects, it is recommended to dilute the juice in half with plain water.

How to prepare
To obtain the juice, the vegetable raw material must be passed through a meat grinder, and then squeeze the juice.

The resulting product can be canned. To do this, you need to mix it in equal proportions with vodka or other alcoholic base, and then tightly close the container with the contents with a lid. For long-term storage, the drug is best placed in the refrigerator.

Special Directions

1. Take any preparations involving the herb of cocklebur should be taken with extreme caution.
2. Under no circumstances should be allowed to overdose on the drug.
3. Failure to follow the rules of admission can lead to severe poisoning.
4. You should also strictly follow the listed recommendations for the collection of herbal raw materials.
5. Before using preparations with herbs, it is necessary to perform a tolerance test.

I would like to add to all of the above, that milk thorn needlegrass has found a use in cooking: fresh herbs can be added to light summer salads. Included in the composition of some dishes essential oil of the plant, which gives them a light pleasant aroma with poppy notes.

Applications in cosmetology

In cosmetology, sheep's burdock is mainly used for eliminating skin and hair problems. Its antiseptic properties help to cleanse the dermis from bacteria and impurities, anti-inflammatory abilities help in the fight against acne and blackheads.

Oil face mask

To maintain youth and beauty, cosmetologists advise the use of an oil extract of the plant. The easiest way is to rub the product into problematic areas: the décolleté area, the neck, the skin of the face. Such simple manipulations will increase the tone of the skin, refresh its shade, tighten the facial oval.

Apply the oil for 20-30 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and mild means for everyday washing.

Mask for strengthening hair

To revitalize the curls is also used oil product from the herb of cocklebur. The composition is applied to the root of the head, after that you put a polyethylene cap, and from above you wrap your head with a towel. Hold the mask for an hour, then wash your hair with normal shampoo.

Remedy for acne

Get rid of acne and pimples will help decoction of woodruff. The face is abundantly moistened with the healing composition with a cotton disc, and in 10 minutes wash it off. When applying the decoction, you should avoid getting it on the mucosa of the eyes.

Contraindications for use

Any plant has its pros and cons. Sheep's burdock is no exception. It is strictly forbidden to apply the plant:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• Patients with peptic ulcer disease;
• Young children (under three years);
• Persons prone to constipation;
• Those who are hypersensitive to any component of the plant.

It is also worth adding that the greatest danger is an overdose of preparations containing cocklebur. Since this herb is still at the stage of clinical trials, it is not possible to determine with certainty the maximum possible dose. Much depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. This point should always be taken into account. Improperly selected treatment regimen can cause a sharp drop in BP and respiratory dysfunction. In order to avoid such side effects, it is better to dilute the means for internal administration with water.

Photo of woodchuck