Winterberry: medicinal properties and contraindications

Wintergreen is a herb known for its medicinal properties. The plant is used in alternative medicine for over 1400 years, in addition, it is a subject of study in pharmaceutical science. It is used to create dietary supplements and herbal medicines. Prepare medicines from winterberry can also be used at home, the main thing is to know why it is useful and how to use it correctly.

Chemical Composition

The medicinal properties of honeysuckle - the result of the rich composition, which contains more than 3 dozen organic and inorganic compounds. Honeysuckle umbrella - the leader among the representatives of the genus by the concentration of antioxidants. It is these that have pronounced anti-cancer efficacy, rejuvenating properties, as well as restorative potential. But in the composition of the herb there are more useful substances that have therapeutic value:

• organic acids (gallic acid, salicylic acid);
• phenols;
• esters;
• triterpenoids;
• glycosides and saponins;
• bitternesses - ursone and others;
• tannins;
• rutin;
• B vitamins;
• potassium compounds;
• magnesium;
• nickel;
• iron;
• copper.

The presence of all the listed components in the composition of the herb is a fact confirmed by laboratory analyses and studies. All of the listed substances have a high concentration, so they are able to affect the human body.

How it looks and where it grows

Winterberry is a genus of plants that grow in the forest zone, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. This plant is artificially grown in many other regions. The genus includes many different species, but among all others, herbalists distinguish honeysuckle umbrella. Botanical characteristics of the plant:

1. Developed creeping root system.
2. The height of the plant is about 20-25 cm.
3. The leaves of the plant are evergreen, leathery and dense, deep green, lanceolate in shape, arranged on stems in an alternate order.
4. Inflorescences of 5-8 drooping small flowers. Flowers are white-red or pinkish in color.

Winterberry is characterized by prolonged flowering, can reproduce effectively by seeds. But still much better this plant is propagated by vegetative method. Therefore, if it is necessary to carry out transplanting, you can cut cuttings or root cuttings and plant the flower in your garden plot. The soil should be neutral Ph. The site for planting should be located in the penumbra. Winterberry likes moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant water in the roots, which from this begin to rot.

Types

The genus Honeysuckle is represented by several dozen varieties, among which not all can be used for medicinal purposes. The therapeutically valuable species is considered umbrella honeysuckle. But there are other varieties, the composition of which is almost identical. The only difference is that the umbrella honeysuckle contains all the active components in a significant concentration, which is why it was chosen by phytotherapy specialists as a medicinal plant among the variety of species.

In addition to Umbrella honeysuckle, there are two other representatives of this genus of plants, which have an identical composition, although less frequently used in folk medicine.

1. Japanese honeysuckle is a similar plant, found mainly in Asia, where it is highly valued for its anti-tumor properties.
2. Honeysuckle panicle is ubiquitous in the northern hemisphere and is popular in the forest zone of America.

These varieties of winterberry grow mostly in the natural environment. But it is possible to grow them in artificially created conditions. To do this, you need to choose a suitable shaded area with fertile loamy soil. It is desirable to choose a place in the penumbra. Often halcyon grows in room conditions, but it is quite demanding in care, does not tolerate overwatering. Pots with such a plant can not be installed on windowsills, overlooking the sunny side. An excess of ultraviolet rays can harm the plant.

All of these types of winterberry have been used since antiquity for treatment. Umbrella honeysuckle has been a popular herb since the Native Americans used it for its magical powers because they could not explain its therapeutic abilities.

Harvesting and storage

Gathering and harvesting wintergreen is very convenient, as it can be done three times a year. This plant gives abundant flowering three times throughout the summer. The timing depends on the climatic characteristics of the region in which the honeysuckle grows. As a rule, flowering occurs in the second half of each summer month. In regions with warmer and milder climates, flowering may continue until the end of September. It is during these periods, when the herb is actively opening its buds, you can begin to collect.

Almost all parts of the plant are used for harvesting, but you need to know something about the peculiarities of each of them.

1. Flowers collected at the peak of flowering contain the maximum concentration of active ingredients.
2. Grass (leaves and stems) have a lower concentration of therapeutically important components.
3. The rhizome accumulates a lot of valuable substances, but in the process of drying and storage most of them volatilize, so it is better to collect the grass and inflorescences.

In order to collect and harvest the inflorescences, you need to cut them, spread out on a horizontal surface a piece of clean natural cloth and dry away from sunlight.

You can not collect herbs and inflorescences separately, and cut plants under the root, leaving 2-5 cm of the above-ground root part. In this form plants can be left to dry on a spread out clean paper or cloth. Once the herb is completely dry, it should be placed in airtight storage containers or in cloth bags. Here are the basic rules of storage:

1. The room where the herbal raw material is stored should not be damp.
2. It is important that the herb is stored in a place where there is no pungent extraneous odors.
3. The maximum storage period is 3 years.
4. If there is mold on the herb, or it began to exude an unpleasant odor, it is forbidden to use as medicinal raw materials.

Many people believe that the best place to store herbs is in the kitchen. But it is important to understand that in the kitchen you can store medicinal raw materials only if they are in hermetically sealed glass jars. Otherwise, the vapors, temperature changes, and foreign odors will significantly shorten the shelf life.

Medicinal properties of the herb honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a pharmacopoeial plant recognized in Germany and the United States. In addition, its medicinal properties are also widely used in non-conventional medicine. Due to its rich composition, this herb is able to produce pronounced therapeutic effects in the human body without dangerous side effects and harm to health. Specialists from the field of phytotherapy, as well as scientists who study the composition and pharmacological properties of plant raw materials, managed to identify 12 therapeutic effects of winterberry.

1. Due to the content of bitterness and organic acids, honeysuckle is able to dissolve and remove kidney stones from the body. The herb can be used only in the early stages of urolithiasis, because in addition to the ability to crush stones, it has a diuretic effect.
2. The herb contains unique bitternesses, which have hepatoprotective effect, protect liver cells and cleanse the liver. They stimulate the production of bile, purify, contribute to the gradual destruction of gallstones in the gallbladder.
3. Because of its bitterness and esters, honeysuckle also stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, improves digestion and increases the digestibility of food.
4. Honeysuckle has beneficial effects on the health of the kidneys, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Taking an infusion of herbs as part of a complex therapy for infections of the urinary system gives good results.
5. Winterberry helps with migraines, vasospasms. It is able to balance the blood pressure, relax, relieve spasms, and accelerate the recovery of nervous tissue.
6. Winterberry has the ability to heal ulcers and long non-healing wounds, regardless of their location. It accelerates scarring of postoperative stitches, helps with stomach ulcers and trophic ulcers.
7. Due to its antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral action, honeysuckle gives results in various infectious diseases of skin, eyes, mucous membranes.
8. This herb is a powerful stimulant of the immune system. It promotes rapid recovery from various sluggish inflammatory processes, supports the body after severe illness, speeding up its recovery.
9. The plant is used in diseases of the joints and has a mild analgesic effect, it partially replaces and complements the treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
10. Winterberry activates regenerative processes in lung diseases and bronchial infectious etiology, is used in the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis as a complement to antibiotic therapy.
11. The herb is effective for diabetes and is also a powerful preventive agent. It normalizes blood sugar levels and partially restores the sensitivity of cells to insulin.
12. The plant has the ability to stimulate the processes of hematopoiesis, cleanses the lymphatic system.

Due to such an extensive list of medicinal properties and the huge potential of umbrella honeysuckle is part of many therapeutic and preventive collections.

For women

Honeysuckle has a special effect on the female body, as she is able to harmonize the production of hormones and maintain balance. Honeysuckle gives results in the treatment of cancer of the female reproductive system. The herb is also used in the treatment of such female diseases:

• adnexitis;
• cervical erosion;
• Cysts and other types of benign neoplasms;
• Menstrual disorders.

In ancient times, midwives in every village kept wintergreen in their medicine cabinets because this plant had the ability to quickly stop uterine bleeding, speeding up the recovery of women in labor in case of obstructed labor. Even today, honeysuckle is used in herbal preparations, as effective as water pepper.

For men

For men's health, honeysuckle is used as a separate medicinal raw material and as part of collections. This plant is generally beneficial to the male body, and also has a preventive and therapeutic effect on the reproductive system.

Medicinal properties of wintergreen, especially significant for men:

1. Supporting the functioning of the prostate gland, prevention and treatment of cancer of this organ.
2. Stimulation of production of hormones responsible for libido and reproductive function.
3. Treatment of urinary tract infections.
4. Extension of the reproductive period and the prevention of early impotence.

In addition, the umbrella plant can be taken by men engaged in heavy physical labor and sports. Infusion of this plant helps to quickly restore strength, increase stamina in sports.

For children

Children under 12 years of age are strictly forbidden to use herbal raw materials zymolubka, because it can have a negative impact on physical development and lead to serious allergic reactions. Children over 12 years of age are allowed infusions based on winterberry, but only after consultation with a doctor or phytotherapist, as there is an increased risk of side effects if the dosage is incorrect.

For children over the age of 12 years, honeysuckle umbrella is no less useful than for adults. Take this plant can be used both for the prevention and treatment of such children's diseases:

• cystitis, kidney disease;
• stomatitis;
• streptococcal and staphylococcal skin diseases;
• postoperative conditions;
• decreased immunity.

Also as part of a complex therapy, the herb can be used to maintain a normal condition in children with type II diabetes mellitus.

When losing weight

Winterberry is a plant that can activate the metabolism, so it is used to combat excess weight. Due to the ability to cleanse the body of toxins, the herb not only speeds up the process of eliminating excess weight, but also promotes recovery.

The effectiveness of the herb in weight loss is due to the fact that it has these properties:

1. Activates the process of digestion and by stimulating the production of enzymes makes it more effective.
2. Accelerates metabolic processes, affecting the rate of fat burning.
3. Stimulates the removal of toxins and waste.
4. It has a diuretic effect, due to which it quickly removes excess fluid from the body.

For weight loss honeysuckle is used alone or as part of the collection as a tea. Today, pharmaceutical companies produce dietary supplements that include the raw material of this plant.

Winterberry in folk medicine: Recipes

Use the full therapeutic potential of the plant is possible only with the right selection of recipes, according to the diagnosis, as well as adhering to the recommendations on the duration of the course.

1. With diabetes, you need to take an aqueous infusion of the herb after each meal. It is better to prepare an infusion at once for the whole day - 1.5 tablespoons per 500 ml of boiling water. Drink 100 ml at 1 reception.
2. With cancer, it is desirable to use an alcoholic tincture of 20 drops 3 times a day. The duration of the course of treatment - 3 months, but every 20 days you need to make a short break.
3. In infectious skin diseases the reception of honeysuckle is carried out internally and externally. Externally, you can make compresses and wash ulcers with the infusion. Inside take 3 times a day for 20 drops of tincture in alcohol, before meals.
4. Stomatitis should be used a water infusion to rinse the mouth 5-6 times a day. The infusion is prepared with a pinch of soda, pouring 1 teaspoon of dried flowers 200 ml of water.
5. With low immunity drink an infusion of winterberry and echinacea, infusing 2 tablespoons of grass in 500 ml of water. Take 100 ml 2 times a day for three weeks.
6. Against tuberculosis in a thermos infused 2 tablespoons of grass in 400 ml of boiling water. Drink 50 ml 3 times a day.
7. With ulcers and bleeding drink before eating 150 ml of broth warm. In a water bath for 5 minutes boiled in 1 liter of water 3 tablespoons of raw materials.
8. For prostatitis use a vodka tincture of 1 tablespoon 2 times a day.
9. For the digestive system for peptic ulcer, cholecystitis and pancreatitis take alcoholic tincture of 30 drops 3 times a day. The duration of the course - no more than 30 days, and then must follow the same break.
10. For the urinary system only a water infusion is suitable, it is not recommended to use alcohol-based means. Drink the infusion 4 times a day with cystitis, 50 ml. With chronic kidney disease, it is recommended to start each day with a tea that includes this herb.
11. For female ailments, as well as in disorders of the menstrual cycle, take an infusion based on hop cones and honeysuckle, mixed in a ratio of 1:1. A tablespoon of raw materials take 400 ml of boiling water, infused better in a thermos.
12. When bleeding use an alcoholic tincture under the following scheme. The first day - 5 times 20 drops. The second day - 3 times 20 drops. The third day - 2 times 20 drops. On the fourth and fifth day take 20 drops in the morning. If there is no result on the third day, and the bleeding does not stop, do not hesitate - it is important to consult a doctor, as with a large amount of blood loss there is a risk to life and health.

Those who wish to be treated and recovered with the help of wintergreen should undergo a preliminary examination of the body to exclude the presence of contraindications. It is also important to coordinate the reception of herbal remedies with your doctor in chronic diseases. If possible, it is also worth to consult with a specialist in phytotherapy, to develop an optimal regimen of therapy.

Types of medicinal compositions with honeysuckle

Prepare medicines from honeysuckle can be made at home, but it is important to know the proportions, as well as the rules of preparation. There is nothing difficult about it - the recipes are simple, requiring no knowledge of any pharmaceutical technology. For treatment and prevention, only basic dosage forms that can be prepared with your own hands are sufficient.

Infusion

An aqueous infusion of herbal raw materials is the easiest and fastest to prepare a dosage form. The disadvantage of infusions is that they can not be stored for a long time. But this is not a problem, because a new portion can be prepared for each day, following these instructions:

• 2 tablespoons of herbs pour into a clean container;
• Pour boiling water (500 ml);
• Insist under a lid for 1 hour.

After an hour, be sure to strain the infusion, because a longer infusion will make it too strong. You can prepare in a thermos, then you need to take not 2 spoons of raw materials, but 1.5, the result will turn out the same.

Tincture

Alcohol tincture is prepared on pure medical alcohol. For 100 ml of alcohol, you need to take 1 tablespoon of dried inflorescences. Insist in a closed container, in a dark place. Term - 14 days. Store such a tincture is better in the refrigerator no longer than 2 years.

You can prepare a vodka tincture. For 0.5 liters of vodka you need to take 5 tablespoons of plant raw materials - inflorescences and herbs. Insist for 21 days. After that, the vodka tincture must be filtered, pour into a clean bottle and store in the refrigerator. If during storage the tincture became turbid or there was sediment, it is better to strain it again.

Decoction .

Leaves and inflorescences are used for decoction. Prepare this medicinal form is better on a water bath - 2 tablespoons of raw materials pour 400 ml of water, boil for 10-15 minutes, and then cool and strain. The decoction can be stored in the refrigerator no longer than 3 days.

Tea

Tea from honeysuckle is the kind of dosage form that is more suitable for preventive purposes than for treatment. The reason is the lower concentration of active substances. The tea is prepared as follows:

• 1 teaspoon of raw materials poured into a cup;
• Pour 250 ml of boiling water;
• infuse without putting a lid on it.

You can prepare a concentrated infusion in a brew kettle, pour into cups and dilute with hot boiling water. The tea has a pleasant floral aroma and is soothing and relaxing. It can be flavored with honey or small amounts of sugar.

Cosmetic applications

Grass honeysuckle is included in the list of plants that have been actively used for beauty and health of the skin, strengthening and revitalizing the hair. The active substances it contains promote rapid regeneration at the cellular level, normalize the Ph balance and at the same time help improve the blood supply to tissues. Winterberry is suitable for solving such cosmetic problems:

• peeling of the skin;
• loss of elasticity;
• Vascular stars on the face and cheeks (couperose);
• acne;
• dark circles under the eyes.

For hair, wintergreen is used as a restorative for severe hair loss and early alopecia. Also effective is the use of infusion to rinse exhausted, damaged and brittle hair.

Compresses from dark circles and spider veins

For compresses, a decoction prepared according to a classic recipe is used. It is necessary to clean the skin, soak a piece of bandage in warm decoction and apply to the problem areas. The procedure should be done in the evening, and after it apply moisturizing cream. To eliminate dark circles under the eyes, you can use cotton pads - moisten them in decoction, put them on the eyelids and rest for 10-15 minutes.

Rejuvenating lotion

The best way to use all the medicinal and rejuvenating power of wintergreen is the preparation of a lotion based on this herb. To do this, you must first make an alcoholic tincture according to the classic recipe, and from it - a lotion, which is as effective as many professional skin care products. Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of aloe tree juice;
• 50 ml of alcoholic tincture of honeysuckle umbrella;
• 50 ml of decoction of honeysuckle.

All the ingredients should be mixed, and then pour the lotion into a clean container with a lid. Use the product to wipe skin on the face 2 times a day. Do not hurry to apply moisturizing cream after using the lotion - let the active ingredients absorb, it should take at least 5-10 minutes.

Balm for hair

To prepare a balm for hair, you need to take 1 tablespoon of the herb, pour it 100 ml of boiling water and steep under a lid. When the liquid cools, strain it, add 2 tablespoons of oat flour and the same amount of apple cider vinegar. Stir it all, and the resulting porridge rub into the scalp for 1 hour, and then rinse. Repeat the procedure every week.

Tincture for acne

With acne, you can use a strong alcoholic tincture, which should be applied locally - on each pimple or boil. The medication is prepared from 100 ml of alcohol and 2 tablespoons of herbal raw materials. It is necessary to insist in a dark, cool place for at least 2 weeks. After that, you need to strain the tincture and pour into a bottle with a tight lid for storage. Use a remedy for acne can be done in two ways:

1. Soak a cotton swab in the tincture and dab inflamed pimples. Repeat the procedure 3 times a day. The pimples will go away quickly and the skin will recover. Winterberry quickly relieves inflammation and itching.
2. If, in addition to acne, there is also a strong blockage of pores, you need to add alcoholic tincture in water for steaming the face. The vapors will open pores, and the active components of the plant will normalize the secretion of skin glands, eliminate pathogenic microflora and protect the skin from inflammation.

You can also use wintergreen in tandem with other kinds of medicinal plants. For hair, the herb can be mixed with an infusion of burdock root and nettle leaves. With acne you can combine honeysuckle with plantain and celandine.

Rubbing with ice cubes

To maintain skin turgor and increase its elasticity is worth using ice cubes made from the infusion of honeysuckle. To make a cosmetic ice take 1 tablespoon of grass and insist on 150 ml of water. When the infusion cools completely, you need to strain it. Give a mold for freezing ice cubes with boiling water to kill pathogenic bacteria. Wipe with frozen ice cubes every morning and evening after washing, before applying moisturizing or nourishing cream.

Contraindications to use

It is strictly forbidden to use the herb in case of individual intolerance. In the case of any symptoms of allergy, even slightly pronounced, it is necessary to immediately cancel the use of herbal remedies. But these are not all contraindications. Medicines based on honeysuckle can be dangerous if taken under such diseases and conditions:

• pregnancy;
• Breastfeeding (can be administered only after consultation with your doctor);
• thrombosis;
• thrombophlebitis;
• constipation;
• hemorrhoids;
• hypertension;
• insomnia.

In addition, honeysuckle has side effects if used uncontrollably and inordinately. Common negative phenomena:

• nausea;
• dizziness;
• headaches;
• weakness;
• loss of appetite.

If such effects have occurred, you should stop using the medicinal plant for a while. If in 2-3 days the side effects do not go away, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Winterberry is an effective medicinal plant that is used for the prevention and therapy of diseases. You can assess its potential benefits only in the absence of contraindications, as well as by following the recommendations regarding the preparation of medicines and dosage.

Photo of winterberry