Mock grass: medicinal properties and contraindications

Mockweed is an unpretentious herbaceous plant that has other names. It is also called heart grass, canary grass, bird mint, woodlice, cottonmouth and herb. In many areas, this common herb has its own, different name from that accepted in botany. The plant belongs to the family Carnation, in the scientific classification it is called Stellaria media. Not everyone knows that the unpretentious herb is edible, has medicinal properties and contains beneficial substances for the body.

Chemical Composition

The plant contains vitamins, acids, trace elements. The content of ascorbic acid, according to different sources, ranges from 65 to 114 mg. The greens contain a lot of tripertene saponins. These are nitrogen-free organic compounds with surface-active properties. The above-ground part of the woodworm herb is rich in provitamin A (carotene), its content reaches 23 mg. The stems and leaves contain sinapic acid and vitamin E (tocopherol). The plant is also rich in vitamins B1 and B2, the greens contain nicotinic acid and rutin, complex organic compounds:

• alkaloids;
• lipids;
• plant wax;
• gamma linoleic acid;
• phytoncides;
• essential oils;
• tannins;
• flavonoids.

Mullein grass accumulates a significant amount of trace elements (selenium, iodine, iron, silicon, magnesium, cobalt, phosphorus), accumulates a lot of potassium and zinc.

What it looks like and where it grows

Stargazer is an annual that lives only four weeks. But since this plant reproduces quickly, it has time to change 3-4 generations during the summer season. The ground in the place where the colony grows is covered with a green carpet until the snow falls. In the southern regions, where sub-zero temperatures are a rarity, woodlice reproduces all year round.

What it looks like

Stargazer's midgrowth is a low plant. The thin, covered with single-row tufts, the stem extends up to 10 cm. The villi grow in the internodes of the stem. The leaves are juicy, bright green, oval (ovate) in shape, with a sharp tip. The lower leaves grow on petioles, which allows them to stretch upward and get more light. The upper ones are located directly on the stem. The leaves grow opposite each other.

Mockweed blooms in small white flowers. On the background of dense leafy greenery they look like stars, hence the botanical name of this herb - "starwort". Flowers appear quickly, just after the appearance of leaves. The first flowers can be seen in May, and the flowering period ends in August.

Duration of flowering and fruiting depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The long pedicels end in a white corolla consisting of strongly parted, divided petals. Each flower has three to five long stamens with purple, dark red anthers. The pistil has three columns; the ovary of the future capsule is formed at the top.

Mock butterfly is pollinated by bees and other insects, but if this does not happen, self-pollination occurs. This plant is a honeybee. The fruits are small brown capsules (round or ellipsoidal shape). The seeds are very small and kidney-shaped.

Interestingly, starflower does not go into dormancy in winter. Thus, in the fall, snow covers the green plants covered with flowers. In the spring, soon after the snow melts, the flowering continues, the capsules mature and drop their seeds into the still cold ground. Biologists do not find any peculiarities that prevent the stargazer from dying in subzero temperatures, as is the case with other herbaceous plants.

The fruiting continues during the whole period of positive temperatures. One plant produces up to 2,500 seeds. Dried seed germinates for 2-5 years. Mockweed propagates quickly not only by seeds, but also vegetatively from the roots.

Where it grows

Mockroot likes acidic soils, grows well in open areas and in the penumbra. This plant is widely distributed in North America and in the temperate zone of Eurasia. You can find woodlice in damp glades, along roads, on the low banks of rivers and lakes, and in landfill areas. Stargazer is a weed that invades ungroomed areas in gardens, parks, and vegetable gardens. Starwort does not like desert areas and highlands, this plant is not found there.

Gathering and storage

For medicinal and cosmetic purposes, the ground part of the herb is harvested. This is done in dry weather, from May to August, but it is best to collect in the last spring month. At this time the plant is full of strength, and the tender greens are full of juices.

The raw material is cut with sharp scissors or a knife. Freshly harvested woodlice is juicy, its greens are over-saturated with juices. Therefore, the grass first incubated in the sun for at least 4-6 hours. Then dried without direct sunlight, under a roof, attic or porch.

The grass is spread in a thin layer and turned frequently. The ambient temperature should not exceed 40-45 degrees. If you use a dryer for vegetables and fruits, you should choose the most gentle mode. As a result of drying the weight of fresh grass is reduced by 80%.

Dried raw material is stored in a cardboard box, a paper bag, a bag of chintz or canvas cloth. Plastic containers, plastic bags are not suitable, because without access to air there may be an unpleasant smell, and if there is moisture residue, the raw material will go mouldy. The maximum shelf life of dried starwort - 1 year (according to other sources - up to 2 years).

Medicinal properties of mocha grass

Organic substances and trace elements contained in the ground part of the plant are useful for many diseases. Starwort:

• Has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect;
• It has analgesic and soothing effects;
• normalizes the metabolism;
• strengthens the immune system:
• Narrows capillaries and stops bleeding;
• It has a regenerating and toning effect;
• Thins phlegm and acts as an expectorant.

Medicinal properties of bitter midge are recognized by both official and folk medicine. Pharmacies sell dried raw material of starflower, packed in small boxes. There is also an indication in which diseases this herb is useful.

Means, prepared from dry raw materials, are used in diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension, ischemia, IHD hypertensive type, angina pectoris and heart pain of various etiologies). Manufacturers recommend mocha as a medicinal plant for normalizing heart function. Starwort is effective for edema associated with heart failure.

As a supplement to medication, the herb is prescribed for cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis (cholelithiasis), abnormalities of the stomach and intestines.

Antiseptic properties of the herb allow you to appoint a decoction or infusion for bacterial kidney damage, cystitis, pyelonephritis, including chronic forms. Mockweed relieves the condition with urolithiasis.

Starwort as a general tonic is prescribed for loss of strength, weakness, anemia, slow metabolism, neurasthenia. During epidemics of colds, you can drink mugwort as a means to support the immune system as a source of trace elements, useful acids and vitamins. Drinking from dry and fresh raw materials is indicated for a lack of vitamin C and scurvy. Decoctions are prescribed as an emollient for dry coughs, as a bactericidal and sedative for bronchitis and tuberculosis.

Preparations of starflower are useful for normalizing the thyroid gland. By doctor's prescription, decoctions and infusions are used internally for vomiting with blood, delayed menstruation, edema associated with kidney disease, as an external - for the treatment of skin inflammation, including acne (acne). Hemorrhoids are used internally and externally.

Means on the basis of starflower soothes the nervous system. They are prescribed for children with epilepsy and seizures. Starwort has no adverse effect on nursing mothers. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor before treating or using it as food.

Mullein herb in folk medicine

The list of diseases that folk healers treat with woodlice is much wider than the list of official medicine. Folk healers treat starwort dozens of diseases - inflammatory, infectious, skin, neurological, gynecological, eye diseases. This herb is also used in complex gatherings. Nowadays, treatment with herbs actively complements the regimen of taking medicines.

For osteochondrosis.

To reduce inflammation and pain, compresses are made. For this purpose, an infusion (or decoction) of dried starwort is prepared, you can also use fresh greens of mokritsa.

To prepare a decoction for a compress, take half a cup of dried herbs, put in a liter pot and pour boiling water. Dry raw material can be replaced by fresh, in which case you need a cup and a half of leaves and stems. Then place the container on the stove, boil for 5-6 minutes, remove, wrap in a thick towel and simmer for at least 4-5 hours. The grounds are squeezed in gauze. The product is added to therapeutic baths or use as a compress. Cotton balloons are dipped in decoction, put on the joints, and cover with plastic or rubber wrap and a towel. Keep the compress for at least half an hour.

Beverage of starflower is intended for use inside. It is prepared daily. In a 200 grams glass put a spoonful of dried mugwort, pour boiling water and cover with a tight lid. After 5 minutes, tea is ready. The remedy is drunk in two drinks, in the morning and in the evening, half a glass.

Compress from fresh, just plucked woodlice - an effective remedy for pain and chronic inflammation in osteochondrosis. The herb is kneaded in a mortar until the juice is released. Then put in gauze (one layer), wrap the joint and cover with a cloth napkin. The compress is warmed with a thick towel and kept for about an hour. It is recommended to do the procedure every other day, before going to bed.

When the cornea is damaged.

Stems and greens of fresh midge put in a 200-glass up to the top, pour boiling water and bring to a boil in a water bath. Infusion cooled and filtered several times through a cloth so that the water did not get large particles of grass. The drug is injected into the eyes 4-5 times a day. Rinsing is not recommended because you could further damage the cornea. The same drug wash the eyes with conjunctivitis, chronic inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis).

In the treatment of cracked heels

Put a sock on the foot and pour fresh leaves of mochrys under the heel. This should be done in the morning. Then wear comfortable shoes. The greens abrade as you walk, and the juice penetrates the keratinized layer and cracks. The skin is disinfected, regeneration and restoration processes begin. In the evening remove the sock, remove the greens and wash your feet with soap and water. At night the heel is smeared with sea buckthorn oil or fat cosmetic cream. Cover the skin with a paper towel and put on a clean sock at night. The treatment lasts for several days until the cracks heal.

Diuretic and anti-inflammatory

Infusion made from dried herbs (a tablespoon per 250-gram glass), drink as a diuretic for swelling, as an anti-inflammatory potion - for cystitis and pyelonephritis. Raw materials are brought to a boil without a water bath.

The infusion is drunk three times a day, 70-80 ml. The drink is best taken before a meal. Decoctions and infusions made with the same amount of ingredients are an effective remedy for constipation, flatulence and colic.

For bruises and other injuries

Ground greens of woodlice are used for sprained ligaments, bruises, bruises. Place mush or shredded herbs on the affected area and lightly bandage with a cloth. The compress relaxes the muscles, reduces swelling and reduces pain. Do not apply the leaves of chokecherry to deep wounds, as there may be bacteria in the raw material, which has not been heat-treated.

To increase lactation

Mockweed contains substances that enhance the production of breast milk. It is recommended to use fresh greens. Juice is squeezed from the leaves and stems.

Grind the herbs in a mortar, place them in a piece of gauze and squeeze the liquid into a glass. Then add a couple of spoonfuls of liquid honey. To enhance lactation, women are advised to eat a teaspoon of the remedy three times a day.

In winter, to activate milk production, teas and infusions are prepared from dried herbs (a teaspoon per glass). It is good to sweeten the drink with honey.

With cataracts

Juice is squeezed from the leaves and stalks of starflower, then filtered through several layers of gauze or through a cloth until the pieces of green are gone. The juice is heated to 90 degrees, it is better to do it in a water bath. Do not bring the liquid to a boil. At the same time prepare a vessel for storage. Glass bottle and rubber cap boiled for 15 minutes. Glass container can also be ignited in the oven. Juice poured into a vessel, close the cork. Once or twice a day, the juice is put into the eyes with a sterile dropper (2-3 drops).

With psoriasis

Grind dried starflower in a mortar to a powdery state, then mix with melted chicken fat or Vaseline. A thin layer of ointment is smeared on the psoriasis-affected skin. Store the product in the refrigerator.

With psoriasis helps infusion for oral administration. Freshly squeezed juice is mixed with medical alcohol or ordinary vodka (in equal quantities). Drink a teaspoon three times a day, before noon, lunch and dinner.

Rheumatism and gout

Juice mixed with honey can relieve rheumatic pains and gout. Half a glass of freshly squeezed juice is mixed with honey (tablespoon). The remedy is eaten in a day, in four meals. In these diseases, it is useful to make compresses of whole leaves of mochry, but it is better to prepare a pulp of the greens.

An expectorant

For liquefaction and expectoration of phlegm, a drink from starwort is useful. Half a tablespoon of dried grass is placed in a half-liter container and boiled with boiling water. Divide the drink into two portions and drink the remedy twice a day. To improve the taste, it is good to add a little rosehip.

Nocturnal urinary incontinence in children

Folk healers believe that starwort treats children's enuresis. Green mocha or steamed dried raw material is poured into socks and put them on at night. The herb has a soothing effect, the baby will sleep soundly and gradually get rid of incontinence.

A choleretic remedy

The green juice of woodlice is a good choleretic remedy. It is prepared in the summertime. The collected leaves are carefully washed and crushed. For this purpose, a meat grinder or a cast-iron mortar with a pestle will do. The greens are transferred to gauze and squeeze out the liquid. The juice does not need to be cleaned to transparency, the drink does not require heat treatment. For a normal bile discharge, drink the juice three times a day, before meals, 40-50 mg. The remedy is stored in the refrigerator for no more than one day.

Treatment of erosion

Cervical erosion is treated with a concentrated solution of green leaves. In fresh juice of woodlice (0.5 cup) add the same amount of boiling water, bring the remedy to a boil, cool a little and strain. Soak a cotton swab in the liquid and place it overnight. The procedure is carried out for 5 days, then take a one-week break and repeat the course.

For weight loss

Overweight is associated with a slow metabolism. In addition to exercise and diet, it is recommended to take baths with herbs, which speed up the metabolism. For this purpose, a strong decoction is prepared (one and a half cups of dried herbs per liter of water). Raw materials are squeezed, the remedy is poured into a bathtub filled with water.

Types of medicinal compositions

Thermal exposure to dried or fresh grass helps to extract useful substances from the plant. Methods for preparing decoction, infusion, tea allow you to make medicines from woodlice all year round.

Alcohol makes it possible to obtain a drug with a long shelf life. Alcohol for several weeks is saturated with useful substances contained in plant raw materials. A concentrated product is obtained. Means of long shelf life are obtained by preparing oil with the greens of woodlice.

Infusion

Infusion is a remedy prepared from fresh leaves and stems or dried woodlice grass. Raw materials are measured according to the recipe, poured into a bowl and boiled water. The vessel is placed on a water bath and bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. After a while the vessel with the infusion remove from the stove and cool. Thus prepare infusions for oral intake and external use. The concentration of the solution depends on the purpose of the drug.

In folk medicine, a water bath is not always used. The infusion is simply brought to a boil on the stove and removed or boiled for some time.

Tincture

Tinctures are made with alcohol or vodka. Medical alcohol is diluted with boiled distilled or ordinary water if necessary. Alcohol is poured dried or fresh leaves and stems. If you take dry raw materials, the container is filled to a quarter, if the green leaves - fill the jar to the top. Tincture closed tight lid and insist 3-4 weeks in a dark place at a temperature of 18-22 degrees, then put in the refrigerator. The roots of woodlice in the preparation of tinctures do not use.

Decoction

Decoction differs from infusion only in the time of soaking in a water bath. When preparing infusions, steaming in a bath lasts no more than 10 minutes, or the outer pan is simply brought to a boil.

Decoctions are more concentrated, they are cooked longer. Boiling in the bath reaches half an hour. In the broth (compared to the infusion), the concentration of useful substances is greater.

Tea

Tea is prepared by simply brewing the raw material with boiling water. The vessel is sealed tightly and allowed to stand for a few minutes. It is used to prepare tonic and tonic teas. You can brew both green and dry herbs.

Oil

Herbal oil can be made, taking as a basis olive, castor, sunflower, soybean and fresh greenwort. If you want to prepare a fragrant remedy, oils from the drugstore - peach, rose, sea buckthorn, lavender or other - will do.

Leaves and stems of woodlice are chopped into 3 mm pieces and transferred to a small glass jar, which is pre-sterilized. Greens fill the entire container (almost to the neck). Raw Pour oil, filling the jar to the brim. The vessel is covered with a lid and left to insist in a dark place for 2-3 weeks. The room is maintained at a temperature not below plus 15 and not above plus 25 degrees. Every 2 days the jar is shaken without opening.

The product is considered ready in 3-4 weeks, after which the vessel is opened, the oil is strained through gauze, the herb is removed. But you can not filter, and leave pieces of grass in the oil base. The finished product is stored in the refrigerator. Such oil is used for rubbing for joint pain, for skin diseases.

Cosmetic applications

Organic acids, vitamins and trace elements allow the use of starflower in cosmetology. For example, zinc helps to clear skin from acne, dandruff, treats infectious lesions of the skin. Vitamin C enhances metabolic processes. Vitamin E has a nourishing, rejuvenating, regenerating effect. For cosmetic purposes, use compresses, decoctions, baths and washes.

Acne treatment

To treat acne and other acne, decoctions and infusions of different concentrations are used. Glass of fresh green leaves (or half a cup of dried mocha) steamed, then in a water bath bring to a boil and cool. With this remedy you can wash, wipe the skin of the face or make compresses.

If there are blackheads on the chest and back, the remedy is added to the bath. To treat acne, decoction and infusion are also taken internally, a tablespoon, three times a day.

Recipe for fading skin

Moisten a napkin with slits for the eyes and lips in the warm decoction of woodlice and put it on the face. A thick dry towel is placed on top. The compress should be kept for 20-25 minutes, after which the skin is washed with warm water without soap and smeared with fatty cosmetic cream. The procedure is done twice a week.

Vitamin cream for face and hands

The green leaves of the plant are ground on a meat grinder or in a mortar, additionally kneaded by hand to release the juice. In the resulting green paste add peach oil, bought at the drugstore. It can be replaced with any simple cosmetic or baby cream. The mass is well mixed and whipped, then shifted into a clean plastic container and put in the refrigerator for a week. Cream with woodlice softens, cleanses and nourishes the skin, heals cracks and small wounds.

Recipe for nourishing and rejuvenating the skin

Crush a third of a cup of fresh leaves of midge, add a teaspoon of honey and the same amount of heavy cream. The mass is mixed well and applied to the face for 20-25 minutes. At the end of the procedure wash off the mask with warm water and apply a hydrating cream to the skin.

Recipe for nourishing hair

The remedy is prepared in the evening to use in the morning (or vice versa). Pour the dried grass chokecherry in a thermos and pour just boiling water. Close the lid and leave for 12 hours. After shampooing your hair rinse with infusion from the thermos. With regular use of such a rinse hair will be healthy, smooth and shiny. Such an infusion treat seborrhea and inflammation of the scalp, rubbing the red and itchy places.

Mullein herb in cooking

Mockweed does not have a pungent taste and smell, it can be combined with many products. The herb is added to salads, omelets, pie filling, berry and herb drinks, first and second courses, combined with vegetables and fruits.

Spring Salad

To prepare the May salad you will need:

• 2 hard-boiled eggs;
• a bunch of green woodlice;
• The same amount of dandelion leaves;
• 50 g of cheese (mozzarella is best);
• A bunch of green onions.

To make the dandelion leaves not bitter and become softer, they are steeped in boiling water. Finely chop the mocha, dandelion, and green onion feathers. Eggs are cut into small cubes, cheese is cut into slices or grated on a grater with coarse mesh. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, salt and mix. Dress the salad with unsweetened yogurt or cream. If desired, you can add a little sugar.

Seasoning with garlic.

Mokritsa will help to make an unusual green condiment. The cook will need:

• 100 g of horseradish paste;
• 3 medium slices of garlic;
• A bundle of mochrica.

The herb is passed through a meat grinder, garlic is rubbed on a fine grater. Ingredients are thoroughly mixed, if necessary, add salt. The seasoning will complement the taste of meat dishes and soups.

Omelette with greens and woodlice

To prepare the dish, you will need:

• 2-3 eggs;
• a bunch of green mocha (about 150 g);
• small onion;
• A few sprigs of parsley and dill;
• vegetable or melted butter.

Shred the onion and lightly fry in oil. Shred the chokecherry with boiling water and add it to the onions. After a minute add chopped parsley and dill, close the pan with the lid and leave the dish to stew for 2 minutes. Eggs are beaten, a little milk or water is added and the greens are poured. The omelet can be stirred or baked as a single "pancake" while cooking.

Green pasta for sandwiches

For 3 to 4 sandwiches you will need:

• 100 g mocha leaves;
• 30-40 g of garlic;
• 20 g of parsley herbs;
• 100 g of butter;
• ground pepper or black pepper and salt.

Garlic is rubbed or pressed through a garlic masher, chokecherry and parsley are passed through a meat grinder. Garlic and herbs are put in a bowl, add melted butter and whisk thoroughly. The paste is spread on bread. You can take both white loaf and black rye bread. Store the pasta in the fridge.

Vegetable ragout

To make this dish you need:

• potatoes;
• carrot;
• zucchini;
• sweet bell pepper;
• cabbage;
• onion.

These ingredients are taken in equal quantities. The cook also needs:

• mocha greens;
• a feather of green onion;
• basil leaves.

In a deep pan put the vegetables, cut into cubes, pour water and stew under a lid until half cooked. Then add onions fried in butter. Add chopped chokecherry, basil and green onions.

How to get rid of woodlice in the garden

It is difficult to fight with woodlice, although this weed has a loose, weak root system. Numerous thin roots grow only in the top layer of soil. The plant is difficult to eradicate. It multiplies quickly, the overgrowth gets thicker and at the end of the season the weed will multiply and reduce the yield of vegetable plants several times.

Mockweed multiplies well in acidic soil, so reducing acidity is an effective method of combating this weed. In the spring, chopped chalk, wood ash, dolomite flour, which are very effective for deoxidizing soils, are added to the soil. But the addition of sawdust, needles, peat, fallen leaves of apple trees and plum trees, on the contrary, will increase the acidity.

The acidity of the soil reduces the solution of baking soda. Dilute half of a 500-gram packet per bucket. If biting midge invaded garden paths, table salt can help. It is sprinkled on areas that need to be cleared of weeds. This method is not acceptable for the garden, because many plants, bushes and flowers do not grow on salted soil.

During weeding it is necessary not to mow the weeds, but to dig them out with their roots and throw them away from the plot. The roots left in the ground will very quickly sprout, and the ground will once again be covered with a green carpet of weeds.

Deep loosening helps prevent seeds that have fallen into the ground from germinating. Seeds can germinate if they are at a depth of 5-10 mm, they will not sprout if they are moved deeper.

Mulching with film also helps. To be sure of the result, you need to take a black film, press it with soil poured on top, and bury the edges.

The weed can be destroyed with herbicides. Preparations Tornado, Round up, "Agrokiller" destroy all vegetation. They are used in the fall, when all the crops are harvested. The chemicals "Gezagard", "Miura", "Lazurite" destroy only weeds.

Folk ways to control the weed allow the use of an acid mixture, which includes:

• acetic acid and water (2 cups each);
• citric acid (10 g sachet);
• alcohol (30 g);
• liquid soap (half a shot).

The ingredients are mixed and sprayed with a sprayer on the leaves of starwort. The composition acts like a manufactured herbicide, but the root system is preserved. The rains will wash away the acids, and woodlice will quickly return to their place.

Mockweed is successfully displaced by cultivated perennials. Plant flowers and low shrubs to control the weed. Mockroot will disappear if you plant aquilegia, hawthorn, centranthus and other crops on the acid bud.

Contraindications to use

Therapeutic means based on the grass of mocha should not be used if you have an individual allergic reaction to the plant. Starwort is good for lowering blood pressure, so remedies from this herb are useful for hypertensive people, but contraindicated for hypotension. With problems with the stomach and intestines, gastritis, ulcers, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Consultation is also necessary for pregnant women, infants and young children.

The small white flowers of starflower do not open in rainy weather. A folk omen says that if the corollas do not open in the morning, the day will be rainy. This plant is very loved by poultry, even parrots eat it with pleasure.

Photo of woodlice herb