Herb loosestrife: medicinal properties and contraindications, use in folk medicine

The medicinal properties and contraindications of the herb deserve careful consideration. A useful plant helps with inflammatory processes and improves digestion.

Composition and value of the plant

Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) has high medicinal value. The beneficial properties of the plant are determined by its composition. The merlin contains:

essential oils and flavonoids;
pectin and glucose;
saponins and anthocyanins;
polyphenols and phenolcarboxylic acids;
tannins and glycosides;
carotene.

The roots and above-ground parts of the plant are rich in vitamin C and organic acids. Due to this, loosestrife has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

The loosestrife is widespread in Russia in all regions except the northernmost

Useful properties of merlin

The medicinal loosestrife has a beneficial effect on the human body. In particular:

relieves pain and relieves inflammation;
fights bacterial processes;
stops bleeding;
helps eliminate swelling and improves kidney function;
promotes tissue healing in case of damage;
improves the functioning of the nervous system and relieves insomnia and depression;
tones and increases energy.

Using herbal decoctions and infusions is useful for diarrhea. Merlin has astringent properties and quickly stops diarrhea.

The use of loosestrife in folk medicine

The beneficial properties and contraindications of loosestrife are widely known in folk medicine. The herb is included in many official pharmaceutical preparations. It is used:

for migraines and nervous disorders;
with bleeding;
for diarrhea and digestive disorders;
when exhausted;
for colds;
for hemorrhoids and prostatitis;
for gynecological diseases in women.

Infusions and decoctions of the plant are used externally for wounds and burns.

Recipes

Traditional medicine offers several main options for using loosestrife. Medicines are prepared from the leaves, roots, stems and flowers of the plant and have similar healing properties.

Infusions

An infusion of the leaves and stems of loosestrife is beneficial for migraines and stomach pain, weakened immunity and hemorrhoids. You can prepare it as follows:

20 g of dry leaves are crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water;
keep covered for 50 minutes;
filter the cooled product through folded gauze.

You need to take the drug 50 ml four times a day.

Another useful infusion is prepared from the dried flowers of a medicinal plant.Traditional medicine offers the following recipe:

pour a large spoon of raw material into a glass of water;
heat on the stove, reduce the heat to low and simmer for another five minutes;
keep the product covered for an hour.

The finished infusion is filtered and taken two large spoons three times a day. You can drink it for gastritis, ulcerative colitis and pancreatic diseases.

Externally, infusions of loosestrife leaves and flowers are used for compresses for bruises and varicose veins.

Decoction

A decoction of medicinal loosestrife has strong diuretic properties and has a disinfectant effect. It is also used for nervous disorders, sexually transmitted diseases and cycle disruptions in women, for convulsions and severe coughing.

You can prepare a useful remedy according to this recipe:

dry merlin roots are crushed in a volume of 5 g;
pour 200 ml of water into the raw material;
Bring to a boil over low heat and leave on the stove for another 20 minutes;
leave for an hour and filter through cheesecloth.

The product is used mainly externally and for rinsing.

A decoction of loosestrife can be added to hot baths to relieve stress and improve skin condition.

Tincture

An alcohol tincture of loosestrife helps with diarrhea and bacterial processes in the intestines, and strengthens the immune system. Prepare a homemade preparation according to this recipe:

the stems and leaves of the plant are crushed in a volume of 100 g;
in a glass vessel, pour the raw material into 1 liter of vodka or diluted alcohol;
when closed, put away in a dark place for two weeks;
After the expiration date, strain.

The tincture is taken orally, 20 drops three times a day. The drug is first diluted in a small amount of water. It is best to use the product on an empty stomach to achieve a quick effect.

You can rub the joints with arthritis and rheumatism with tincture of loosestrife

Merlin tea

For weakened immunity, swelling and abdominal pain, it is useful to drink tea from merlin flowers. Traditional medicine offers the following recipe:

two large spoons of raw material are poured into 1 liter of fresh boiling water;
cover with a lid and leave to stand for half an hour;
pass the finished drink through a fine sieve or folded gauze.

You need to drink tea 3-4 cups per day. For a good taste, you can add a little honey or a slice of lemon to the drink, the benefits will only increase.

When preparing tea, the herb of loosestrife can be combined with regular tea leaves.

How to take it correctly

Traditional medicine offers several effective algorithms for using loosestrife for diseases. The medicinal plant should be consumed in accordance with the recipes and in the indicated dosages.

Merlin for depression

Merlin has sedative properties, helps normalize sleep and relieves increased anxiety. For depression, prepare the following infusion:

dried flowers of the plant are crushed in a volume of 5 g;
pour 250 ml of boiling water;
keep covered for half an hour.

The strained infusion is consumed 50 ml three times a day on an empty stomach. The product can also be added to regular tea, the medicinal effect will be the same.

For immunity

Tea made from loosestrife flowers strengthens the immune system and helps protect against viruses and colds. In autumn, it is especially useful to prepare the following drink:

a small spoonful of dried flowers is poured into a thermos;
pour a glass of boiling water;
leave closed for ten minutes;
filter through a layer of gauze.

Take vitamin tea 250 ml up to three times a day.If desired, you can put a spoonful of honey in it, but adding sugar is undesirable.

For hemorrhoids

The herb loosestrife strengthens blood vessels, increases the elasticity of their walls and improves blood circulation. You can take products based on it for hemorrhoids to quickly eliminate nodes and prevent their occurrence in the future.

For medicinal purposes the following decoction is prepared:

15 g of dry merlin leaves are poured into 180 ml of liquid;
process in a water bath for 15 minutes;
Leave the product covered for another 45 minutes.

The strained decoction is taken four times a day, 80 ml.

For diarrhea

The loosestrife plant has pronounced astringent properties and quickly stops diarrhea. The medicine for diarrhea is prepared as follows:

chop leaves and stems in the amount of three large spoons;
pour 300 ml of hot liquid into the raw material;
Boil the mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes;
The finished drink is kept covered for at least four hours.

You need to take the strained product 70 ml three times a day on an empty stomach.

Merlin decoction cannot be stored, so it is prepared anew every day.

For ulcerative colitis

The healing and analgesic properties of loosestrife can be beneficial for ulcerative colitis. The medicine is prepared as follows:

mix 20 g of loosestrife and long-leaved speedwell;
add 10 g each of ivy bud and wintergreen;
mix the components;
measure out 20 g of the collection and pour in 150 ml of boiling water;
keep covered until completely cool.

After the expiration date, filter the infusion and drink half a glass three times a day.

Important! The use of loosestrife for ulcerative colitis must be agreed with a doctor.

For gastrointestinal diseases

An infusion of loosestrife herb has a good effect on gastritis, diseases of the liver and pancreas. The recipe for preparing the product looks like this:

15 g of dried plant buds are poured into 200 ml of hot water;
leave under a closed lid for an hour;
filter the product through cheesecloth.

You need to take a large spoonful of the infusion three times a day on an empty stomach.

For migraines

Alcohol tincture of loosestrife has analgesic properties, has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and relieves their spasm, and also reduces blood pressure. For migraine, prepare the following drug:

dry grass is crushed in a volume of 10 g;
pour 100 ml of vodka;
when closed, put away in a dark place for five weeks;
Shake the vessel from time to time.

The finished tincture is filtered and taken 20 drops three times a day on an empty stomach.

To prevent the tincture from burning the mucous membranes, first dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:4

For respiratory diseases

Derbennik improves the condition of asthma and promotes expectoration in bronchitis, relieves inflammation in pneumonia and pleurisy. For medicinal purposes, an infusion is prepared from the flowers of the plant:

pour 15 g of dry buds into a glass of boiling water;
cover with a lid and leave for an hour;
filter the warm drink through folded gauze.

You need to take the medicine 15 ml three times a day on an empty stomach.

For prostatitis

The anti-inflammatory properties of loosestrife help cope with the symptoms of prostatitis in men. Traditional medicine suggests preparing the following remedy:

60 g of dried flowers and leaves are poured with 600 ml of clean water;
bring to a boil and immediately remove from the stove;
keep under the lid for an hour, then filter.

You need to take the infusion 50 ml three times a day.To enhance the beneficial effect, the product can be added to baths, this will also help relieve inflammation.

For a cold

Vitamins and organic acids in the composition of loosestrife stimulate the immune system, have an antipyretic effect and promote recovery from acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. The following remedy has good effectiveness:

dry stems of loosestrife finely chopped;
pour 250 ml of hot water into 5 g of crushed raw materials;
keep warm under the lid for four hours;
strain from the sediment.

The healing infusion is drunk three times a day, 50 ml in between meals. Every day a new portion of the medicine is prepared; even in the refrigerator it quickly loses its beneficial properties.

Compresses

Merlin is widely used externally in the treatment of joint and skin diseases. In particular, the plant benefits:

for wounds and healing burns;
for bruises with serious hematomas;
for allergic irritations;
for eczema and lichen.

Compresses with loosestrife herb have a good effect on the body for rheumatism, osteochondrosis and arthritis. The beneficial substances in the plant penetrate into the tissues through the skin and have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

To prepare compresses, it is better to use loosestrife hot or warm.

For wounds and bruises

Fresh juice from loosestrife leaves has a pronounced healing effect. The washed green plates are ground in a blender to a paste, and then applied to a clean cloth or gauze and applied to the affected skin area.

The compress is secured on top with a bandage and insulated with a bandage. After the application has dried, it is replaced with a new one. You can use the merlin many times without restrictions during the day.

For joint diseases

For rheumatism and arthritis, compresses with a decoction of the plant are beneficial. The remedy is done as follows:

pour 200 ml of boiling water over a large spoon of crushed merlin roots;
Boil for ten minutes over low heat;
keep covered for an hour and strain to remove sediment.

It is necessary to moisten a piece of folded gauze in the solution and secure it with a bandage on the sore joint. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the evening shortly before bedtime in order to leave the compress on throughout the night.

Restrictions and contraindications

When treating, it is necessary to take into account the contraindications of merlin - in some cases it can cause harm to the body. It is not recommended to use the plant:

during pregnancy;
during lactation;
with hypotension;
with a tendency to constipation;
for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis;
with increased blood clotting;
with atherosclerosis;
for individual allergies.

For inflammation of the intestines and stomach, loosestrife is taken with caution and with the permission of a doctor. Do not offer grass to children under 12 years of age.

Collection and procurement of raw materials

The leaves, buds and stems of the plant are collected in June and July - before flowering or at the very beginning. The roots of the grass are dug up in the fall before frost, when the loosestrife goes into a dormant state. The day for collecting raw materials is chosen to be dry and clear; collection is carried out only in clean areas located away from industrial facilities and roads.

Upon returning home, the leaves and roots are dried in a warm and well-ventilated place in the shade. When all the moisture has evaporated from the raw material, it can be packaged in paper bags and stored in a darkened cabinet.

Merlin retains its valuable properties for up to two years

Conclusion

The medicinal properties and contraindications of loosestrife herb are in demand for many diseases. The plant is mainly used to improve digestion and for inflammatory processes. The perennial is considered quite safe, but can be harmful if there is increased blood density and sluggish metabolism.