Goldilocks: medicinal properties and contraindications

Golden thistle is a common perennial of the Umbrella family. This plant is of great value for folk medicine, because it contains a unique combination of elements that are beneficial to health. To use the potential of this plant, it is important to know what its peculiarities are and what medicinal properties it possesses.

Chemical Composition

St. John's wort has long been studied by pharmaceutical companies. To date, the plant has been found in high concentrations of active components, which have been used even in the production of vitamin dietary supplements. Here are the main substances from the composition, which are present in the leaves and inflorescences in large quantities:

• saponins;
• flavonoids;
• vitamins C, K, PP, members of the B group;
• tocopherol;
• coumarins;
• tannins;
• mineral compounds and salts;
• organic acids;
• antioxidants.

The plant is very valuable as a source of active components affecting the digestive system, CNS. St. John's wort supports the cardiovascular system and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the blood vessels. In addition, the plant prolongs youth, takes care of the human immune system.

How does it look and where does it grow?

Golden thistle is a plant that is widespread in the European part of the Eurasian continent. It is difficult to find in Asia, but it can be grown in small quantities as an ornamental addition. The plant is found in the wild in fields, meadows, forest edges. It is not uncommon to see goldenrodushka along the banks of water bodies, but not in swampy areas.

It can be distinguished from other plants by the following signs:

• Creeping rhizomes;
• long, branched stems of a lilac-green hue;
• Height up to 1-1.2 m;
• Leaves oval or ovate, petiolate;
• umbrella-shaped, large inflorescences of multiple small flowers in yellow and lettuce hues.

Golden thistle blooms in spring and is common throughout the European part of the continent. On sunny days, you can observe bright, yellow-golden inflorescences, which are dotted with a small bush. But flowering is short, you need to have time to collect and harvest the raw material, while it is possible.

Collection and storage

The best time to collect and harvest the raw material is the period of flowering. It is worth waiting until the inflorescences of goldenrodulus begin to open in bright color and immediately proceed to cut off the tops. It is not necessary to pluck the plant with the root. Any perennial plants are best saved so that they can develop next year. There is no point in ripping out volodushka with the root - there are practically no valuable substances in the underground part of the plant. For therapeutic purposes, only the apex, the umbrella inflorescence, is used. It is enough to cut the tops 20 to 35 cm long.

The cut inflorescences should be placed very carefully in a basket or other perforated container. It is important not to damage them and not to crumple them in the process of delivery home. If you tamp the raw material in a bag or bag, it will be less useful, as some of the valuable components will evaporate with the juice.

You can dry herbs on pallets or on a spread out sheet of paper. It is important to dry it until it is brittle, so that there is almost no moisture left in the raw material. Only after the herb has dried completely, it is worth thinking about storage. Options for containers for medicinal collection:

• boxes;
• bags with a sealing zipper;
• cloth bags and zip-tied sacks;
• Glass or tin cans.

The storage life of raw materials depends on how well the conditions are organized. It is important for the grass to have a stable temperature in the room where it is stored. It is also important to observe the humidity, to keep it within the normal range - from 45 to 66%.

There is evidence that volodushka was used in fresh form. There are various recipes for the use of such raw materials. But as a result of chemical analyses of the dried herb, it was found that the concentration of active substances in it is 3 times higher.

Medicinal properties of volodushka goldenrodushka

Volodushka goldenrodushka is a medicinal plant. It helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this is the main sphere of application of the herb. But in addition to this, there are a lot of other advantages, which you should be aware of.

1. The plant contains phytosterols. They normalize the hormonal background, take care of the reproductive system, help both women and men.
2. The herb successfully lowers the fever, combats inflammatory processes and generally improves the well-being of colds.
3. The plant normalizes metabolic processes, restores the rate of metabolic reactions. This property is used in various metabolic disorders, as well as to combat obesity.
4. The plant has a beneficial effect on the immune system, protects the body at the cellular level. The herb cleanses the lymphatic system, activates antiviral agents, cleans the blood of toxins produced by pathogens.
5. The herb has the ability to heal wounds, regenerate skin after burns, accelerate postoperative recovery. Not only its ability to restore the integrity of the skin, but also the accompanying antibacterial effect, which does not allow the reproduction of pathogens, is considered valuable.
6. The plant has the ability to stimulate the production of enzymes necessary for effective digestion. This herb makes the pancreas, liver, stomach work harder.
7. Especially valuable is the effect of the plant on the liver. It has a protective effect, prevents the death of hepatocytes, increases the secretion of bile and increases the concentration of bilirubin in its composition.
8. By normalizing the metabolism, the plant eliminates cholesterol plaques and removes excess harmful fats from the body.
9. St. John's wort helps to cope with cancer, it is used most often in hormone-dependent tumors such as breast cancer, malignant neoplasms of the reproductive system.
10. In Western countries volodushka is used as a safe component of herbal teas that stimulate lactation. The herb enhances the production of breast milk, but also protects the breasts from stagnation and inflammation.
11. The plant has a beneficial effect on the capillaries and blood vessels. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases perfusion, due to which tissues and organs are well nourished and supplied with oxygen. Volodushka helps with varicose veins, hemorrhoids, stabilizes blood pressure, eliminates headaches, cramps and migraines.
12. The herb helps to cope with stress, and is also actively used to combat increased irritability, neuroses, insomnia of psychogenic nature. Effective use of the herb for panic attacks, meteosensitivity, as well as for IBS. It helps to normalize the feeling of flying and jet lag.
13. Plant has a pronounced diuretic effect, reduces inflammation in the urinary system, destroys pathogenic microflora.

In addition, volodushka used as a restorative, tonic. It can be used for rapid recovery after great mental, physical or emotional stress. Taking Volodushka helps to quickly cleanse the body of toxins, saturate it with beneficial minerals, vitamins and plant hormones for vigor and well-being.

Goldilocks in folk medicine

In alternative medicine, the inflorescences of Volodushka goldenrodushka are massively used as a component of complex collections, the basis for tea, infusion, decoction, alcoholic tincture. With the help of this plant it is possible to cope with severe chronic diseases that can torment a person for decades. But for each individual diagnosis is different therapy scheme with the use of the herbal collection. It is important to know how to properly use the herb for each specific disease.

To treat the skin

Volodushka has been used for skin diseases since ancient times. In the case of the latter, the use of this remedy is indicated even for severe infectious diseases accompanied by the appearance of purulent ulcers. This is not surprising, because volodushka has the ability to destroy pathogenic microflora, dry wounds, regenerate, relieve inflammation and even eliminate pain. The herb is able to accelerate the healing of wounds and ulcers, eliminate suppuration.

You can prepare an ointment based on volodushka - take any drugstore base (Vaseline, oil) or use vegetable fat (pig, goat). Boil in a deep container over low heat 50 g of grass and 200 grams of fat, infuse and strain. Cover the ointment with a lid and rub into the affected areas of the skin for allergies, neurodermatitis, seborrhea. The main advantage of volodushka for the treatment of skin - safety and absence of side effects. Externally apply baths for the treatment of the skin can even be applied to young children, but only with the permission of a doctor.

Liver cleansing

In alternative medicine, such a procedure as liver cleansing is popular. In fact, this approach allows you to cleanse not only this organ. Stimulating the secretion of bile and increasing its excretion is the way to cleanse the intestines, remove excess fat from the body, and improve liver function. Volodushka for liver cleansing can be used alone or as a complex collection.

Recipe for liver cleansing from one component:

• Take half a cup of crushed herbs;
• Pour into the bottom of an enamel pan;
• Pour 500 ml of cold water;
• Bring to a boil over low heat and simmer for 3 minutes after boiling;
• leave for 2 hours under a closed lid;
• Strain, wait until complete cooling and drink.

It is necessary to apply the obtained remedy for a week, combining with a low-calorie carbohydrate-free diet consisting of vegetables. Frequency of intake - 5-6 times a day (40-50 ml at a time), after each use it is necessary to have a snack. It is enough to eat at least 1 apple or carrot, so that the body has an opportunity to eliminate the remaining bile.

As a component of a complex collection, you can use wormwood with bitter wormwood and rose hips. You need to take a mixture of equal parts of plant raw materials, pour ½ cup 500 ml boiling water. Boil and insist the same instructions, drink 50 ml before each meal.

When pancreatitis.

If there is chronic inflammation of the pancreas, after each meal there is a feeling of heaviness, belching, flatulence, volodushka will help restore the functioning of the digestive system. You need to prepare a decoction of 30 grams of grass and 1 liter of water. Boil on a water bath for 20 minutes.

It is not enough just to boil the decoction, you need to sustain it, trying to maintain the temperature as long as possible, so that it infuses better. To do this, you can wrap the container with a warm blanket or pour the liquid into a voluminous thermos. Ready to drink the infusion 3 times a day for 2 tablespoons before meals.

Varicose veins treatment

Varicose veins are dangerous because due to it the blood supply to tissues and organs is disturbed. Over time, thrombosis can join this disease, and this is already a life-threatening situation. With the help of volodushka, you can treat dilated veins in the initial stages, if there is no thrombosis. To do this, you need to take an oral infusion of the herb. It contains quercetin, rutin, ascorbic acid. These ingredients increase the elasticity of blood vessels, prevent their fragility. In addition, volodushka normalizes the functioning of the liver, and this organ also independently produces substances necessary for vascular health.

The list of ingredients for preparing a therapeutic infusion of Volodushka consists of 2 tablespoons of dry herbs and 800 ml of hot boiled water. Infuse for about an hour.

Infusion retains all the natural power of the plant, it is safe and non-toxic if you do not exceed the single dosage, which is a maximum of 60 ml. You need to drink the infusion 2 times a day on a regular basis for at least 2 months. It is also useful to enrich the diet with cabbage of all kinds, consume garlic and drink tea mushroom kvass. These additional products will only enhance the effect of the herb. Infusion, prepared according to this recipe, can be used for compresses and lotions for varicose veins.

In gastritis and colitis

Usually colitis is a consequence of gastritis, but sometimes with inflammation of the intestines, the pathological process extends to the stomach. Goldenseal is effective for these two diagnoses if used correctly.

1. With colitis, you need to brew an infusion of boiling water - for 1 tablespoon 600 ml of water. Drink 50 ml of infusion, diluting it with warm boiled water. Frequency - 3-4 times a day, be sure to eat something after taking the medicine.
2. When gastritis with reduced acidity, volodushka should be used in the form of infusion, which is prepared according to the traditional recipe. Drink it before a meal, 10-15 minutes, in an amount of 30 ml at 1 time. The period of treatment is 3 weeks.
3. With gastritis with hyperacidity, the treatment regimen is the same, but in this case it is recommended to use the remedy 20-30 minutes after a meal.

If volodushka causes nausea after ingestion or has a negative effect on appetite, you should immediately discontinue treatment. It is also worth completely abandoning treatment if, in addition to nausea, there are cutting pains in the stomach or intestines. This is a dangerous condition. Such side effects usually occur when gastritis and colitis have developed into ulcers. If ulcers are present, the herb can only hurt and cause bleeding.

From colds

Cure many times faster, even if there is no time for bed rest, you can with Volodushka goldenrodushka. This herb has a truly miraculous ability to put patients with the flu on their feet. But you need to know how to use it correctly. It is important to combine the reception of herbal remedy with plenty of fluids. So, the basic rules of application with colds and acute respiratory infections:

1. Drink infusion of volodushka golden (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of boiling water) instead of water, at least 4-5 cups a day.
2. Combine taking herbal medicine with plenty of fluids.
3. With a strong cough, use the heated infusion for inhalations and compresses on the chest.

If suddenly the body temperature rises above 38 degrees, it is necessary to bring it down urgently. To do this, brew 1 teaspoon of herb in a mug of boiling water and drink as hot tea as possible in large sips. You can add natural honey to it to provide the body with the glucose necessary for recovery, as well as valuable minerals and vitamins. An important point - in no case can you make compresses and inhalations when you have a fever, because these procedures can only make it worse in a state of fever.

In genitourinary infections

Infectious diseases of the genitourinary system are effectively treated in men and women, if you apply for this purpose decoction of the herb or the same alcoholic tincture. It can be used only after leaving the stage of exacerbation, when the condition has stabilized.

In an acute condition, a decoction is used. It is necessary to take 2 parts of orthosiphon stamen, the same amount of volodushka, wormwood (1 part). Boil the mixture of herbs, and then simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes and infuse. Ready-made medication after cooling, strain through gauze and drink 30 ml every 2 hours. It is important during treatment to avoid hypothermia, and try not to eat acidic foods that can irritate the inflamed mucosa of the kidneys and urinary tract.

For cystitis

With inflammation of the bladder, volodushka is used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic. This plant is able to quickly restore the body, eliminate the infection. When inflammation of the bladder, baths based on decoction of the herb are useful. You need to boil a glass of goldenrodushka inflorescences in 2 liters of water. Boil for at least 15 minutes. Do not wait until it cools, immediately dilute in a ratio of 1:2 cold boiled water and take a bath for 10-15 minutes. Relief comes almost immediately, but only baths are not enough. Must use a means on the basis of the plant inside. Treatment regimens differ depending on the selected dosage form:

• alcoholic tincture - 10 drops 4 times a day for 3 days;
• tea - 3 times a day;
• Infusion - 100 ml 3-4 times a day.

You need to monitor your well-being. If on the second day of the use of herbal remedies does not get better, you should definitely go to the doctor and ask him to prescribe antibiotics. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing serious complications.

From insomnia

Volodushka goldenrodushka is successfully used to combat insomnia. The plant acts differently than sedatives and sleeping pills. Due to the content of plant hormones, the herb stimulates the production in the body of the sleep hormone - melatonin. The sleeping effect is mild - after taking the infusion it is possible to fall asleep easily and quickly, to have a deep sleep throughout the night and in the morning to feel awake and active.

Infusion for insomnia is recommended to take at least 10 days, but can be used as a single remedy for stress or during mental and emotional overload.

From constipation

In chronic constipation is advisable to make a complex treatment to normalize the functioning of the digestive system as a whole. For such purposes just right volodushka, because it helps restore normal intestinal tone and increase peristalsis. Grass normalizes the balance of microflora. The plant stimulates digestion by increasing the secretion of enzymes. In addition, volodushka makes bile more saturated, and this inevitably leads to a laxative effect. To cope with occasional constipation, it is enough to drink a cup of tea from volodushka with honey on an empty stomach.

From hypertension

For high blood pressure, volodushka can help almost instantly, but you need to have a pre-prepared medicine that can be used during attacks. For this purpose it is necessary to prepare an alcoholic tincture, it can be stored for a long time and is also convenient to carry with you, so that in case of need to take immediately at the appearance of the first signs of rising blood pressure.

Tincture should be prepared not on vodka, but on alcohol. Alcohol 70% will do, but it is better to buy a bottle of pharmacy ethanol with a concentration of 96%. You can make the tincture directly in a bottle with alcohol - it is usually packed in dark glass bottles, and this is an ideal container for preparing and storing medication. Take a tablespoon of herb for 100 ml of alcohol, incubate for 30 days, and then strain. Take the tincture for hypertension as follows:

• 10 drops every morning for prevention;
• In hypertensive crisis 1 teaspoon and 3 hours later, the same amount.

Evaluate all the benefits of milk thistle in the fight against hypertension can also be used with an aqueous infusion. Pour in a thermos 1 tablespoon of the herb 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave until it cools, ie for about 10-12 hours. Drink the ready remedy 1 tablespoon 3 times a day until the symptoms of hypertension disappear, but no longer than 4 weeks. Then take a break for a month.

Types of medicinal compositions

There are several varieties of medicines that are traditionally prepared from volodushka for various diseases. Some of them can be prepared and stored for a long time, for example, the tincture will not spoil even in a year. But some versions of medicines from the plant need to be prepared immediately before use, or for a maximum of 3-5 days. Traditional recipes, proportions and preparation technology - below.

Infusion

Infusion with water is prepared from the inflorescences of the plant, preferably from dry ones - they have more useful substances. For preparing an infusion, any container resistant to high temperatures will do. But practice shows that it is best to prepare the infusion in a thermos, because this type of utensil allows you to keep warm for a long time. For the medicine you need 400 ml of water and a tablespoon of herbs. When everything is steamed and infused for 2 hours, drain the liquid through a sieve and drink 20-50 ml, depending on the condition, diagnosis and needs of the body.

Tincture .

Prepare a tincture can be made with vodka or alcohol, including the golden daisy in complex tinctures, combining it with other herbs. But for the classic tincture the following proportions are used:

• 1 cup of the herb per 1 liter of vodka;
• per 100 ml of alcohol 1 tablespoon of the collection.

Prepared raw materials should be sorted, crushed, packaged in a container. The container should be made of glass - in containers of other materials should not prepare the tincture. Use of plastic bottles is categorically contraindicated - the remedy will turn out toxic and dangerous to health. Keep the tincture in a dark and warm place, shaking 2 times a week. After 30 days, pour the tincture into a clean bottle, pass several times through a filter of gauze and absorbent cotton. The maximum shelf life of the finished remedy - 1 year for vodka tincture, 2 years for the alcohol version.

Decoction

Boil a remedy from volodushka goldenrodushka can be on a stove or in a water bath. The first method is more convenient and faster, the second is more troublesome, but it allows you to save the maximum concentration of active ingredients in the decoction. There are advantages in preparing an infusion - it turns out strong, and it can be stored a little longer than an infusion. The decoction can be prepared at once in large quantities. The concentration of raw materials for each liter - 1/2 cup. It is necessary to boil the herb for at least 10 minutes, but not longer than half an hour, so as not to evaporate all the useful elements. When the decoction is ready, cool and then strain.

Tea

Goldenseal tea is a universal remedy that can be used for almost all diseases for which this herb is effective. It has the same properties as other medicinal forms, but contains a smaller concentration of active ingredients. Tea is drunk for colds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and digestive disorders. You can start a holiday feast with a cup of tea - it will help prevent indigestion, improve appetite, increase the production of digestive enzymes and increase the concentration of acid in the gastric juice.

The tea should be prepared in a cup with thick walls, soak for no more than 5 minutes, and then strain and drink. For 200 ml of boiling water take a teaspoon (without a slide) of the herb. For convenience, you can brew tea in a special teapot for brewing and then pour into cups, add honey or syrup. Also for convenience, you can pack tea in paper bags to brew metered: 1 cup - 1 bag.

Contraindications for use

The plant can not be used in the therapy of diseases in the presence of contraindications. The main reason to refuse treatment with volodushka is the presence of allergies. If there is no hypersensitivity reaction, it is worth making sure that there are no such contraindications:

• The presence of calcified large stones in the gallbladder;
• Clogged bile ducts;
• liver failure;
• Peptic ulcer in the acute stage.

With caution should use the plant in pancreatitis. Many gastroenterologists recommend not to use it in the acute stage, because the plant can stimulate the production of enzymes and gastric juice, which can lead to irritation of an already inflamed organ.

Golden thistle is beneficial to human health, but only if used correctly. You should not abuse the plant or exceed the dosage. In the case of unusual symptoms, it is necessary to cancel the intake of herbal medicines and consult a doctor.

Photo of volodushka