Meadowsweet. Meadowsweet: types, medicinal properties, methods of use, contraindications, recipes
The most popular healer
(Filipendula ulmaria), or meadowsweet. People call meadowsweet honeywort, swamp honeydew. It grows in waterlogged places, loves swamps, and does not disdain the coasts of lakes, ponds and other bodies of water. This is a perennial herbaceous plant with rather large leaves, pubescent hairs below, which is why they are whitish and dark green above. The flowers are small, cream-colored, collected in a loose panicle, very fragrant, so in the thickets of meadowsweet the smell is simply intoxicating.
Over meadowsweet The bees are constantly buzzing. Dried flowers smell not only more intensely, but also somehow more tender, more delicate. The plant blooms for quite a long time - from June to August. At this time, raw materials are prepared by tearing off the apical part - a flower panicle with individual leaves. Of the biochemical composition, salicylic acid derivatives (esters, aldehydes) primarily attract attention.
Meadowsweet is widely used in folk medicine, and primarily as an effective diaphoretic and diuretic, capable of quickly stopping due to the high content of tannin compounds. In terms of anti-inflammatory ability, few plants can compare with meadowsweet; in addition, it is also powerful antiseptic.
In villages, infusions were prepared from the tops of stems with flowers and part of the leaves, which were considered the best remedy for diseases of the bladder, kidneys, and dropsy.
In Siberian folk medicine, an infusion of herbs with flowers is used for heart disease, choking, headaches, used as tea (1 tablespoon of flowers with leaves per 0.5 liter of boiling water).
Meadowsweet is used and how antitoxic agent, up to alcohol poisoning, and, very importantly, snake bites. In these cases, use a more intense infusion of flowers: brew 2 teaspoons in 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes and drink 2 tbsp. spoons 5-6 times a day before meals.
A decoction of the herb is used externally for washing wounds, ulcers, ulcers, boils. In addition, the decoction is also used to enhance hair growth. For this, 3 tbsp. spoons of meadowsweet flowers should be poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and rinse your hair with it every day, followed by rubbing. The course of treatment is 10 days.
Meadowsweet is used in the following forms.
Infusion: Infuse 1 teaspoon of flowers with leaves for 8 hours (overnight) in 1 glass of cooled boiling water in a sealed container. Strain, take 1/4 cup 4-5 times a day before meals. This infusion helps with diseases of the genitourinary system, dropsy.
Infusion: Leave 2 teaspoons of flowers in 300 ml of cold boiling water for 3 hours. Strain and drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day for gout and rheumatism.
I like to add meadowsweet flowers to any tea for flavoring - a pinch per glass. The tea turns out very tasty, and, in addition, has healing properties: diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic. The last circumstance must be taken into account and not drink tea at night.
Strong infusions: Brew 2 teaspoons of flowers with one glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and use for washing wounds, ulcers, and pustules. The same decoction can be used as a cosmetic product for removing acne. To do this, I advise you to make masks for 20 minutes at night for 10 days. Then I recommend a break for 5 days, after which the treatment is repeated.
For skin diseases and burns, the following ointment is effective:
Grind 5 g of meadowsweet flowers crushed in a coffee grinder, 9 g of petroleum jelly, 6 g of lanolin or fresh butter. The medicine is ready.
Russian zemstvo doctors successfully used complex treatment of chronic articular rheumatism with meadowsweet. To do this, a decoction of roots and herbs, taken equally, was taken orally: brew 1 teaspoon per 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink in 3 doses during the day. At the same time, an ointment was rubbed into the sore joint, for the preparation of which they took 1 part of powdered meadowsweet flowers and 5 parts of a fat base (unsalted butter, pork fat). Pre-melt the fat and mix thoroughly with meadowsweet powder.
Meadowsweet flowers are a valuable remedy for rubbing; if necessary, it can replace pharmaceutical preparations capsin, bom-benge and Sanitas balm. The flowers must be crushed into powder and ground with Vaseline in equal volume ratios.
A wound or burn can be covered with powder from meadowsweet flowers. It’s easy to prepare: rub the flowers between your palms.
In the old days, dried meadowsweet flowers were used for diaper rash on the legs: in addition to applying powder at night followed by bandaging, the bandages were changed during the day, applying fresh powder from the flowers.
In the northern coastal regions of Russia, a mixture of meadowsweet powder and fresh fish oil (cod, mackerel, herring) was used to lubricate skin affected by eczema. The course of treatment was carried out in two stages of 10 days, with a 5-day break between them. If necessary, the course was repeated.
It is advisable to apply meadowsweet in two stages. At first, during a feverish state, I advise you to drink an infusion of meadowsweet flowers for 3-4 days. Then, after a week, take either tea with meadowsweet, or a less concentrated infusion (1 teaspoon per 0.5 liter of boiling water, leave for 5 minutes and drink as a tonic for a week).
I would especially like to note the ability of meadowsweet in the brain. According to this indicator, meadowsweet flowers surpassed the famous overseas one by 3 times, which has been proven by scientific medicine. Here's meadowsweet for you.
Meadowsweet flowers have a type of aminophylline, therefore, to improve bronchial ventilation, it is effective to use teas and infusions from the flowers of this plant alone, as well as from the simplest mixtures with its participation, for example, black currant leaf + meadowsweet.
I had experience treating bronchitis in children using an oxygen cocktail. As a foaming agent, we used licorice syrup, and additionally, as a vasodilator, we used an infusion of meadowsweet flowers, which was added to the licorice solution, just 1 teaspoon per glass. The taste and smell are extraordinary, which is very important for children.
In conclusion, I recommend it, which all my friends and acquaintances like. Its composition is very simple: currant leaf - 5 parts, lemon balm - 2 parts, meadowsweet flowers - 1 part. Brew 1 tbsp. spoon of the mixture in 2 cups of boiling water, leave for only 5 minutes and drink the tea while it is still green. When it turns brown, both its taste and healing qualities are significantly reduced.
If we slightly change the composition, we will get a wonderful therapeutic and prophylactic agent. To do this, take a black currant leaf - 5 parts, and - 3 parts each, meadowsweet flowers - 1 part. Brew 2 tbsp. spoons per 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes and drink 0.5 cups 3 times a day before meals. This infusion has the ability not only to activate lymph formation, but also to enhance lymphatic drainage, which is very important for infectious diseases, as well as for cleansing the internal environment of the body from toxins at the cellular level.
Viktor Kosterov, herbalist, candidate of biological sciences (Moscow region)
Based on materials from the magazine “Healthy Lifestyle” No. 12, 2007
Meadowsweet or meadowsweet is a perennial plant that is a source of substances with high biological activity. Due to its unique composition, meadowsweet occupies one of the first places among medicinal plants.
The plant is a perennial, herbaceous plant, from the rose family, with a delicate aroma of beautiful flowers. Botanical structure of the plant:
- The rhizome is woody, quite rigid, and is located slightly buried in the soil. It contains numerous buds, from which flower stalks grow by mid-summer;
- The stem is erect, covered with smooth red-brown bark.
- Large, dense alternate, gray-green leaves, lanceolate, lobed or round in shape, have felt pubescence on the reverse side. At the base of the petiole there are large leaf-like structures - stipules. A special feature is the intermittently pinnate structure of large leaves with a central vein, alternating with smaller ones;
- By mid-summer, the tops of flowering shoots throw out dense panicles of inflorescences from many small white flowers, about 8 mm in diameter; a single corolla does not exceed 1 cm in diameter, consists of 5 petals and long stamens, which give the inflorescence a fluffy appearance.
- After pollination of the flowers, brown, almost black, naked, sickle-shaped, spirally twisted seeds-nuts ripen. The length of the fruit is 1-2 mm;
- Flowering time: summer days from July to August. At the end of summer there is a chance of re-blooming.
The aroma of blooming meadowsweet consists of almond, vanilla, and honey aroma.
Habitat
Distributed in nature in Europe, Asia Minor and Central Asia, Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, Siberia, and Mongolia. Preferring wet areas, meadowsweet occupies well-watered places: the banks of rivers, lakes, streams, rivers, grass swamps and moist deciduous forests.
Meadowsweet thickets on fertile, moist soils, difficult to pass through thickets.
The habitat of meadowsweet is fields and meadows Useful properties
The medicinal nature of meadowsweet was recognized by official medicine in the last century. The beneficial substances in the plant have been well studied and the plant is recognized as unique:
- The main constituent of the plant is salicylic aldehyde and its derivatives. The essential oil of meadowsweet flowers has a complex composition in which aldehydes and aromatic oils and esters are identified. These biologically active organic compounds have the ability to thin the blood, relieve inflammation, and destroy viral particles;
- The stems and leaves are rich in carotene and ascorbic acid, which allows the plant to be used for preparing vitamin salads;
- The herbaceous part of the flower contains tannins, water-soluble polyphenols, which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic properties, which are widely used in official medical practice;
- Meadowsweet roots are rich in flavonoids, food antioxidants. These compounds are able to interact with vitamin C, enhancing its effect in strengthening the immune system;
- The seeds and roots contain diterpene alkaloids with antispasmodic and local anesthetic properties, presumably their action is aimed at protecting the brain from oxygen starvation.
Each part of the plant has a certain value in its chemical composition and is used to treat many diseases.
Use of meadowsweet in official medicine
The study of the flower is aimed at obtaining medicines. Scientific pharmacological developments are represented by patents for the use of meadowsweet as:
- Anti-inflammatory agent;
- Immunostimulant;
- Antioxidant;
- Antiseptic drugs;
Extracts of various parts of meadowsweet are widely used in pharmacology, providing a positive effect on the body in the following cases:
- Colds are treated with a decoction of meadowsweet root, having a sweatogenic effect on the body;
- A decoction of meadowsweet herb helps lower blood pressure;
- Using a decoction of meadowsweet in medicine relieves pain during the complex treatment of ulcers;
- The astringent effect of meadowsweet is used to protect the walls of the stomach, ensuring normal digestion;
- The antioxidant properties of meadowsweet are used to prevent cancer. This plant has a general strengthening effect on the patient’s body throughout the entire period of illness;
- The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of meadowsweet decoctions are used to treat diseases of the epidermis;
All preparations prepared on the basis of meadowsweet are low-toxic. But its natural properties should be taken into account by people with low blood pressure.
After taking the drug, you should not immediately leave the room to avoid catching a cold. When using meadowsweet to treat any disease, careful monitoring of blood composition should be observed.
Contraindications for use
Like any medicine, the use of meadowsweet is limited due to its astringent and blood thinning properties. It cannot be used in the following cases:
- Presence of chronic constipation;
- Low blood pressure (hypotension);
- Blood clotting disorder;
Before you start using meadowsweet products, you should visit your doctor and get the necessary recommendations from him.
Use during pregnancy
Preparations and products from meadowsweet are recognized as low-toxic. The plant is used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases; formulations based on this herb are used to treat infertility. However, pregnancy is a case when the use of the plant is prohibited.
Children under 12 years of age should avoid using meadowsweet.
Meadowsweet in folk medicine
In traditional medicine recipes, all parts of the plant are used: above-ground and underground. Recipes have been used for many centuries and have positive results, despite the simplicity and availability of the compositions. Let's see what this useful plant cures:
- Hepatitis treatment
Take a tablespoon of dry meadowsweet and place it in a container filled with 1 glass of cold water. Heat the water to a boil and boil for 3 minutes.
The finished broth is kept for two hours. The product should be taken before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Swelling
For swelling associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, prepare an infusion of dry inflorescences poured into a glass of boiling water. The product is used an hour later, after preliminary filtering. Should be taken three times a day before meals.
- Psoriasis
To prepare the product, use a powdered composition of dry inflorescences. To do this, grind 4 tablespoons of Vaseline or baby cream with powder from meadowsweet inflorescences to a homogeneous consistency. Lubricate the affected areas with the prepared product until complete healing.
Meadowsweet is a unique remedy for the treatment of many pathologies of the body. Knowing the properties and characteristics of the plant, you can help yourself as much as possible. When solving health problems, you should not experiment by making your own recipes. They have long been known and tested. The help of specialists will eliminate mistakes.
One more condition: do not destroy medicinal plants in nature. Collect them in the required quantity.
Meadowsweet is even recognized by official medicine - the beneficial properties of this plant deserve the closest attention..
Description of meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Rosaceae family. This culture grows in Central and Western Asia, as well as in European countries. In Russia, meadowsweet is common in the European part. The plant prefers damp lowland and post-forest meadows, lowland grass swamps, edges of swampy forests, banks of reservoirs and ditches.
The height of the erect, smooth, densely leafy stems of meadowsweet is 1.5-2 m. The stem can be either simple or branched. The root system of meadowsweet is fibrous, the rhizome is creeping. The roots of meadowsweet do not have tuberous thickenings. Meadowsweet leaves are characterized by an intermittent pinnately divided shape. They are smooth and green on top and white tomentose underneath. When you rub the leaves in your hands, you can feel a pungent odor.
Numerous meadowsweet flowers have a strong aroma. They are collected in loose, dense panicles, the length of which can reach twenty centimeters. The stamens of flowers are significantly longer than the petals. The flowering season begins in June-July.
The fruit contains 10-15 bare, spirally twisted, single-seeded leaflets that harden as they ripen. Meadowsweet fruits ripen in July-August. Each plant produces about five hundred seeds - they are spread by both water and wind.
Chemical composition of meadowsweet
Meadowsweet contains large amounts of ascorbic acid. The chemical composition of the plant contains traces of coumarins, as well as phenol glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and chalcones. The herb contains caffeic and ellagic acids, essential oil, catechins. The flowers contain aromatic compounds, camphor, steroids, and fatty acids.
Application and beneficial properties of meadowsweet
Meadowsweet can be used for tanning and dyeing leather. The plant is a good honey plant, which is reflected in its popular names - honey plant, honey plant. Young shoots of meadowsweet are eaten as salad.
The plant is used in folk medicine (all its parts are used). Root decoctions help relieve spasms of the digestive organs, accelerate scarring of ulcers, prevent diarrhea, and are effective for kidney and liver diseases.
Decoction of meadowsweet leaves - anti-inflammatory agent, used for diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract, joints. It is prescribed for gout and metabolic disorders.
A decoction of inflorescences performs the function diuretic, provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. Used for hypertension, cystitis, nephritis, urethritis. The drug is also used as a mild sedative and sedative.
Dry herb powder helps healing of wounds, burns, eczema(it is used in its pure form or added to ointments). This product is used to prevent diaper rash and bedsores. An infusion of meadowsweet herb is prescribed for colds.
Preparation of meadowsweet
Meadowsweet roots are harvested in the spring (before the growing season begins) or in the fall (after its completion). Flowers and leaves are cut off during the flowering period. The raw materials are dried under sheds or in the attic. The shelf life of raw materials varies - roots retain their properties for three years, and grass and flowers for a year.
Contraindications to the use of meadowsweet
Meadowsweet cannot be used:
For chronic constipation
With a tendency to hypotension
For poor blood clotting
For thrombocytopathy
In case of hypersensitivity to the plant
Meadowsweet is a plant with many beneficial properties. Medicinal raw materials have been used for a long time to treat various ailments.
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The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!
Many gardeners know meadowsweet(or meadowsweet) as an ornamental, unpretentious, and, most importantly, beautiful plant, numbering more than 15 species. But few people know that some types of meadowsweet have medicinal properties and help cure many diseases.These medicinal types of meadowsweet include:
- vyazolifolny;
- six-petalled;
- Kamchatka;
- palm-shaped.
Meadowsweet plant (meadowsweet)
Meadowsweet (this plant is also called meadowsweet) is a tall perennial plant with a stem whose height reaches 60 - 150 cm. The flowers of the plant are distinguished by a yellow-white hue and large dense paniculate inflorescences. The flowers emit a fragrant aroma. Meadowsweet grows in swampy meadows (mainly in river floodplains), near water bodies, and in dense thickets of bushes.
Application
Today, meadowsweet is used in folk medicine, and is also included in the register of the official pharmacopoeia of Russia. This plant is used as an anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent.Meadowsweet is indicated for the treatment of the following conditions and diseases:
- rheumatism;
- hypertension (meadowsweet preparations lower blood pressure by about 40 percent in just 20 minutes);
- diseases of the nervous system;
- skin diseases (wounds, burns, ulcers, diaper rash, eczema);
- bladder diseases;
- kidney diseases;
- haemorrhoids;
- inflammatory pain;
- diarrhea;
- suffocation;
- headache;
- runny nose;
- dysentery;
It is important that meadowsweet, having a wide range of medicinal properties, is practically harmless to the human body, since it does not cause allergic reactions.
For medicinal purposes, mainly the grass and flowers of meadowsweet are used.
Meadowsweet flowers
Meadowsweet flowers are used as a diaphoretic. In addition, bleeding and diarrhea are treated with infusion from this part of the plant.To prepare the infusion, 1 tbsp. The flowers of the plant are poured with 450 ml of boiling water and left to infuse for three hours in a closed container. Next, the infusion is filtered and 2 tablespoons are drunk. every two hours.
The dry flower is sprinkled on burns on the skin.
Meadowsweet herb
A decoction of meadowsweet herb is indicated for the following pathologies:- gout;
- pneumonia;
It should be noted that a decoction of meadowsweet herb is recommended for washing your hair, as it enhances hair growth.
1 tbsp. meadowsweet herbs along with sprouts should be poured with half a liter of boiled water, then leave the product to infuse overnight. The strained infusion is taken four times a day, 50–70 ml, before meals.
Meadowsweet ointment is used to treat many skin diseases. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix the following ingredients:
- meadowsweet grass powder – 5 g;
- Vaseline – 10 g;
- lanolin – 5 g.
Meadowsweet six-petalled (common)
Common meadowsweet (or six-petalled meadowsweet) differs from the previous species in the presence of roots with tubers and a less lush white flower cap. In addition, the height of this perennial plant does not exceed 80 cm. This type of meadowsweet grows in meadows and forest edges, although its thickets can also be found on roadsides.
This rather rare type of meadowsweet is used in the treatment of the following pathologies:
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- kidney diseases;
- urinary tract diseases;
- rheumatism;
- gout;
- women's diseases;
- leucorrhoea;
- haemorrhoids.
Meadowsweet root
Basically, the roots of the plant with its tuberous thickenings are used for medicinal purposes, since it is the roots that contain tannins, glycosides, and starch. It is thanks to these substances that the plant is used as an astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic.Also, the roots of six-petalled meadowsweet are one of the components of the preparations that are indicated for stomach pain.
If we talk about the tubers of the plant, they are used in the treatment of leukemia.
The decoction of rhizomes given below is used to wash purulent wounds and snake bites.
5 g of meadowsweet rhizomes are poured into a glass of boiling water, then the product is boiled over low heat for another 15 minutes, cooled and carefully filtered. With this decoction you can not only wash wounds, but also douche (for example, with leucorrhoea).
Important! It is the common meadowsweet that has the most pronounced astringent, diuretic, and hemostatic properties, therefore this type of plant is most often used in scientific medicine.
Kamchatka meadowsweet (Kamchatka meadowsweet)
Kamchatka meadowsweet grows on Sakhalin Island, the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands. This is one of the tallest species, the height of which varies between 1.5 - 3 m. Large inflorescences of Kamchatka meadowsweet are distinguished by a snow-white or cream shade. This medicinal plant grows in damp areas.
Both the aboveground part of the plant (stems, leaves, flowers) and rhizomes with roots act as medicinal raw materials.
Kamchatka meadowsweet is credited with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-scorbutic effects, therefore preparations from this plant are used in the treatment of diarrhea, gastrointestinal diseases, epilepsy, poorly healing wounds and bites.
Boiled meadowsweet leaves are applied to a sore tooth as a pain reliever, while crushed leaves are used to treat burns.
For internal use, the following infusion is indicated: 1 tbsp. dry and thoroughly crushed herb is poured into a glass of boiling water, and then the resulting composition is infused for two hours, filtered and consumed 50 ml four times a day.
Meadowsweet (meadowsweet)
This perennial plant, common in the Far East, grows in forest meadows and bushes. Meadowsweet got its name from its large, finger-shaped leaves, which in their shape resemble the palm of a hand. Unlike other species, meadowsweet has long underground rhizomes. The height of the plant does not exceed one meter. The stems, leaves, flowers, and roots of the plant are used for medicinal purposes.
A decoction of the herb and roots of the plant is taken for:
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- epileptic seizures;
- spasmophilia;
- burns.
To prepare a decoction of meadowsweet, 1 tbsp. dry and thoroughly crushed leaves should be poured with 200 ml of water, then boiled for 4 minutes, then leave the decoction for two hours and strain. The product is taken warm, half a glass, no more than three times a day.
Collection and storage
Meadowsweet blooms from June to July, while the fruits ripen from July to August. The rhizomes and roots of the plant are harvested in the fall (from September to October) or early spring (from March to April). Dig out the roots and rhizomes with shovels, then shake them off the ground and cut them into strips 10–15 cm long. Next, use a knife to cut off the above-ground parts of the plant, which are immediately washed in cold water. The collected raw materials, spread out in a thin layer on paper or fabric, are dried in the attic or under canopies, and the room must be well ventilated.
Properly collected and dried raw materials have a dark brown color, a characteristic odor and a bitter-tart taste.
Raw materials are stored in a dry and well-ventilated area for no more than three years.
Composition and medicinal properties of meadowsweet
Vitamin C
Action of vitamin C:- participates in the biosynthesis of corticosteroid hormones, which are responsible for the body’s adaptive reactions;
- increases immunity;
- eliminates inflammation;
- stabilizing effect on connective tissue;
- improves the psycho-emotional state because it affects the formation of dopamine, norepinephrine, as well as serotonin and endorphins.
Tannins
These substances precipitate protoplasmic proteins, thereby exerting either an irritating or astringent effect on the mucous membranes (it all depends on the concentration of the solution).Properties:
- astringent;
- hemostatic;
- antioxidant.
Phenolic compounds (monotropitin, spirein)
Properties:- stimulating (activate the functioning of the adrenal cortex);
- antiseptic;
- diuretic;
- adaptogenic (increase the body's defenses);
- antispasmodic;
- sedative;
- choleretic;
- hemostatic.
Salicylic acid
Action of salicylic acid:- normalizes capillary permeability, thereby preventing tissue swelling;
- participates in the formation of inflammatory mediators;
- suspends the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, which play an important role in the development of inflammation, as well as pain, which relieves inflammation.
Flavonoids
Properties:- anti-inflammatory;
- antiallergic;
- antivirus;
- anti-carcinogenic;
- antioxidant;
- choleretic;
- antiulcer;
- diuretic;
- antispasmodic.
Catechins
These substances neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing the development of cancer. In addition, catechins resist the effects of bacteria and prevent cell destruction, thereby significantly slowing down the aging process of the body.Phenolcarboxylic acids
Action:- relieve inflammation;
- accelerate the process of bile excretion;
- strengthen kidney function;
- stimulate the antitoxic function of the liver.
Essential oils
Action of essential oils: - normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- soften cough;
- enhance the separation of mucus from the bronchi;
- improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic;
- stimulating;
- sedative.
Fatty acids
Action of fatty acids:- participate in the process of energy formation;
- participate in the construction of membranes, which make up the skeleton of cells;
- normalize metabolism, being components of various lipids.
Glycosides
Properties:- diuretic;
- antimicrobial;
- sedative;
- laxative;
- expectorant;
- vasodilator;
- disinfectant.
Starch
Used as an enveloping agent in the treatment of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, starch belongs to the class of easily digestible carbohydrates, which, transforming into glucose, quickly saturate the body with energy.Wax
It has bactericidal and astringent properties, therefore it is used in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds and various skin diseases. Properties of meadowsweet
- Astringent;
- antibacterial;
- diaphoretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- wound healing;
- antiseptic;
- antiscorbutic;
- anthelmintic;
- tonic;
- restorative;
- bactericidal;
- diuretic;
- choleretic (strengthens the liver’s ability to fight toxic damage to the body);
- pain reliever;
- antidiabetic;
- diuretic;
- antipyretic;
- antitumor.
Treatment using meadowsweet
Due to their composition, meadowsweet preparations are widely used in medicine in the treatment of the following pathologies:- headaches;
- rheumatic joint damage;
- cold;
- arthralgia;
- dysentery;
- epilepsy;
- gout;
- inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract;
- hypertension;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- spasms of internal organs;
- bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- pneumonia;
- festering wounds;
- malignant tumors;
- haemorrhoids;
- diarrhea;
- insomnia;
- anemia;
- psoriasis;
- cardiac edema;
- intestinal and gastric polyps;
- intestinal atony;
- respiratory diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- neuritis of the facial nerve;
- inflammation of the sciatic and trigeminal nerves;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- trophic ulcers;
- inflammation;
- migraine;
- herpes zoster;
- diaper rash;
- non-healing wounds;
- bedsores;
Both the aboveground and underground parts of the meadowsweet are used for medicinal purposes, namely:
- root;
- grass;
- flowers.
Root
The rhizomes of the plant, like its roots, are used in the treatment of arterial hypertension, nervous disorders, and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Meadowsweet root can be used to remove helminths. Preparations from meadowsweet, which include roots, have an anticonvulsant and also a calming effect on the central nervous system, relieve pain, and stop bleeding. In addition, in the official pharmacopoeia, rhizomes, as well as root tubers, are used in the manufacture of certain herbal medicines, that is, drugs obtained from natural raw materials through extraction or extraction.Grass
Used as a tea to relieve fatigue and normalize sleep. Also, preparations from the meadowsweet herb are indicated in the treatment of a runny nose. Powder from the grass is used to cover wounds, burns, eczema, and to treat diaper rash on the legs.Flowers
The flowers are mainly used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, anthelmintic and astringent for diarrhea, bleeding, chest pain, stomach and intestines. Meadowsweet flower is also used to treat heart disease, to eliminate hysterical convulsions and relieve headaches. Application of meadowsweet
In folk medicine, meadowsweet is used to cure throat and chest diseases, aches, choking, hernias, as well as gastrointestinal disorders and anemia. In some cases, meadowsweet preparations can be used as an antitumor agent.Scientific medicine has also recognized the benefits of this plant, which is part of the multicomponent collection Zdrenko, indicated in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, intestinal ulcers, hemorrhoids) and bladder.
This collection has the following range of effects on the body:
- wound healing;
- soothing;
- laxative;
- immunostimulating;
- choleretic;
- diuretic.
Zdrenko's herbal collection is indicated for the treatment of hormone-dependent benign and malignant tumors, including:
- fibroids;
- fibroids;
- breast and uterine cancer;
- prostate cancer.
Mostly meadowsweet preparations are used in the form of tinctures, infusions, decoctions, ointments, and tea.
Tincture
This form of meadowsweet preparations is used to treat long-term non-healing wounds, trophic ulcers and other skin lesions. Alcohol tincture of meadowsweet has an antibacterial effect, therefore it promotes rapid granulation and epithelization of the affected surface of the skin. In addition, it has been proven that the tincture of the plant has a sedative and anticonvulsant effect, as a result of which it is prescribed to calm the central nervous system, reduce capillary permeability and reduce the formation of erosions and ulcers directly in the stomach. The remedy is also used for various hormonal disorders, goiter, and female diseases.To prepare a tincture for compresses, dried meadowsweet (herb) is poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:5, respectively. The product is infused for at least five days. You can use the pharmacy version of the tincture, which is taken orally, 25 drops per 150 ml of water three times a day, before meals.
Decoction
A decoction of the roots of the plant is taken orally for:- malignant neoplasms;
- hypertension;
- rheumatism;
- nervous diseases;
- intestinal disorders;
- diseases of the kidneys and bladder of inflammatory origin;
- epilepsy;
- gout
1 tsp crushed dried raw materials are poured into two glasses of boiling water, boiled in a water bath for half an hour, after which the broth should be filtered and, diluted with boiled water, brought to the original volume. Take one tablespoon three times a day, after meals.
For douching, the decoction is prepared at the rate of 25 g of meadowsweet per liter of water.
Infusion
Meadowsweet infusion is indicated for the treatment of the following pathologies:- rheumatism;
- gout;
- swelling;
- haemorrhoids;
- hernia;
- diarrhea;
- insomnia;
- suffocation;
- anemia;
- kidney and bladder diseases;
- inflammatory processes;
- mastopathy;
- erosion;
- infertility;
- postpartum complications;
- bleeding;
- psoriasis;
- hepatitis;
- leukemia;
- cancer of various localizations;
- gastrointestinal diseases.
To prepare the infusion, 1 tsp. meadowsweet rhizomes are poured with 250 ml of cold - and most importantly, boiled water. The product is infused for about 8 hours, filtered and consumed throughout the day, in small sips.
Meadowsweet tea
Tea is brewed from the flowers of the plant, at the rate of one teaspoon per glass of boiling water. Infuse for five minutes. This drink is effective as a diuretic for nephritis, bladder diseases and stomach pain. In addition, this tea helps strengthen the immune system. Meadowsweet ointment
This form of meadowsweet preparations is used primarily for the treatment of rheumatism and skin lesions. To prepare the ointment, you need 20 g of rhizomes, ground to a powder, mixed with 90 g of butter (you can use petroleum jelly or lanolin instead of butter). The ointment is rubbed into the joints affected by rheumatism (or into areas of the skin that require treatment) three to four times a day.Contraindications
Meadowsweet preparations are contraindicated in the following conditions:- chronic constipation (the plant has an astringent effect);
- tendency to hypotension (low blood pressure);
- poor blood clotting;
- thrombocytopathy (can cause bleeding);
- hypersensitivity to the plant.
Meadowsweet during pregnancy
Meadowsweet, despite its low toxicity, belongs to the class of poisonous plants, therefore it is contraindicated during pregnancy. It is also not recommended for use by children under 12 years of age.Recipes with meadowsweet
Hemostatic decoction
2 tsp Dry meadowsweet roots pour 300 ml of boiling water, then leave the product in a boiling water bath for about half an hour. Then the broth is cooled at room temperature for about 10 minutes, filtered and drunk one-fourth of a glass three times a day (before eating).This decoction has hemostatic, antitumor, sedative and anticonvulsant properties, due to which it is used in the treatment of tumors.
Decoction for leucorrhoea
The roots and flowers of the plant (20 g) are poured with a liter of boiling water, and then infused in an airtight container in a water bath for 30 minutes. The strained and cooled broth should be douched 2-3 times a day.The same decoction, but more concentrated (2 tablespoons of raw material per 250 ml of boiling water), is used externally in the form of analgesic and anti-inflammatory compresses for various female diseases.
Infusion for diarrhea
1 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over the rhizomatous tubers of meadowsweet, let it brew in a boiling bath for ten minutes, then leave the broth to steep for another two hours. Take a tablespoon four times a day, before eating.Tincture for stomach diseases 3 tbsp. pour a liter of boiling water over the collection, close the lid tightly and let the product brew for two hours. Take this infusion one glass twice a day, 30 minutes before eating. Recipes with meadowsweet - video
Before use, you should consult a specialist.
Meadowsweet (meadowsweet) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. In nature, it grows in temperate climates; meadowsweet can be found in meadows, river banks or lakes. It is harvested during the flowering period, dried and used to prepare medicinal decoctions and infusions. The meadowsweet plant can also be grown at home - it is characterized by long and abundant flowering.
Description of the plant
Meadowsweet combines more than 16 varieties, 4 of which are used in folk medicine. These are perennial plants that have a straight, strong stem and leaves of different shapes - they differ depending on the species. The meadowsweet grass in nature reproduces by seeds, grows quickly and forms thickets. Bushes can reach from 80 to 150 cm in height. Flowers form inflorescences, painted in white or bright shades, appear in late spring and early summer.
Types of meadowsweet and their uses
Meadowsweet is grown as an ornamental plant to decorate gardens or flower beds. Only 4 varieties are suitable for medicinal purposes: vyazolistny, six-petalled, Kamchatka and palmate. Varieties of this herb are easily distinguished by the shape of the leaves, the size and color of the flowers.
Meadowsweet six-petalled (common)
Common meadowsweet is one of the most useful species. An adult plant does not exceed 60-80 cm in height, and has a developed rhizome with tubers. It can be found in well-lit areas: in meadows and roadsides, and the grass can also grow on forest edges. The flowers form paniculate inflorescences with a white tint and a pronounced scent.
This type of meadowsweet is used for medicinal purposes. Infusions and decoctions are prepared from its root, leaves and dried flowers. Such remedies help with various pathologies:
- chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diseases of the kidneys and urinary system (meadowsweet has a diuretic effect);
- arthritis, arthrosis, joint pain of various origins;
- decoction of rhizomes - for washing wounds from bites of poisonous animals and insects.
Common meadowsweet is a rather rare species. However, it has the most pronounced medicinal properties and has found application in official medicine.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is the most common variety. It is a tall herbaceous plant, can reach up to 150 cm. Its natural habitat is forest thickets, the banks of swamps and reservoirs. This species is also used in folk medicine and is included in official preparations. It has a pronounced anticonvulsant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, and can be used for a number of diseases:
- disorders of the heart and blood vessels, especially hypertension;
- nervous system disorders;
- dermatological problems, including burns, ulcers, diaper rash and dermatitis of any origin;
- any inflammatory pathologies of internal organs;
- colds.
From the photo, meadowsweet can be easily distinguished from ordinary meadowsweet. This plant is larger, has a straight, strong stem and feathery leaves. The inflorescences have a white tint, but they are larger and more lush.
Meadowsweet Elegans
The meadowsweet variety Elegance is distinguished by its bright decorative inflorescences, painted in a purple hue. These are bushes of medium height (50-100 cm) with original palmate leaves. They grow quickly, so they can be used to create floral arrays or Meadowsweet can also be added to bouquets, but more often it is planted in open ground.
This variety is popular for home breeding for several reasons:
- unpretentiousness to living conditions - plants tolerate temperature changes well and adapt to weather conditions;
- duration of flowering - the period lasts throughout the summer;
- the ability to endure the winter in open ground without shelter.
Photos of meadowsweet Elegance will be different. The shades of the flowers vary from soft pink to bright crimson, and the height of the plant also differs. This depends not only on the growing conditions, but also on the method of reproduction - individuals grown from seeds are smaller and weaker.
Variety Captivity
Meadowsweet Plena are low ornamental plants that can reach up to 40 cm. They are popular in landscape design due to their spectacular appearance and ease of care. This variety adapts well both in the shade of trees or taller shrubs and in open areas. It is popular for decorating flower beds, creating lush floral arrays and low decorative borders.
At the end of May or beginning of June, flower stalks up to 15 cm in length appear on each bush. They bear lush white inflorescences, which consist of flowers about 1 cm in diameter. The flowering period lasts at least a month.
Red meadowsweet Venusta
Meadowsweet Venusta is one of the largest varieties. Mature bushes can reach up to 2.5 m in height and are distinguished by a particularly strong stem and developed rhizome. The flowers are collected in lush inflorescences and acquire various shades of pink. Meadowsweet begins to bloom in early summer, but retains its decorative appearance until the first frost due to the unusual shape of the leaves. They are large, five- or seven-lobed.
Red meadowsweet is a wild plant. It can be found everywhere: in the forest-steppe zone, on the banks of rivers and reservoirs. In landscape design, these flowers are popular when creating hedges, landscaping adjacent areas and recreation areas.
Bushes can be planted both in open areas and in the shade of trees and in mixed plantings with larger plants. However, severe darkening can lead to loss of flowering.
Growing at home
Meadowsweet can be found in natural conditions. For medicinal purposes, it is collected during the flowering period, and it is also sold in pharmacies in dried, crushed form. Decorative varieties are often grown at home. They quickly take root and do not require daily care or shelter during the cold season.
There are two ways to propagate meadowsweet: by seeds and division. The first method is simpler; just collect the seeds and plant them in late autumn. They need stratification (they must withstand winter temperature changes), so spring planting is not suitable for them. A more reliable way is cuttings. Areas of rhizomes or shoots with 2-3 vegetative buds are suitable for planting. They can simply be placed in the ground at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. The procedure is carried out in September or April.
Meadowsweet is an unpretentious plant. It can grow and bloom in the shade or in the open sun and even tolerate short periods of drought. However, there are several rules that will help achieve the fastest growth and lush flowering of bushes:
- maintain constant soil moisture in the flowerbed;
- periodically loosen the soil;
- weeds are removed for decorative purposes - meadowsweet quickly displaces foreign crops;
- bushes can be replanted at least once every 5 years;
- Neutral or slightly acidic soils are best.
Meadowsweet has one peculiarity - its rhizome grows upward. If you do not periodically add new soil under the bush, it may end up in the open sun.
Photos of meadowsweet, planting and caring for which is not difficult even for beginners, will differ. Thanks to the wide variety of varieties, you can choose shorter or taller varieties with flowers of different shades. These plants are more suitable for growing in open ground and landscaping areas, but they can also be grown for cutting. In bouquets they harmonize with other flowers, complement pastel colors and dilute brighter shades.
Meadowsweet (meadowsweet) is more than 15 varieties of wild herbs. They are used for decorative and medicinal purposes, collected in natural conditions or grown at home. The plants look spectacular thanks to large, bright inflorescences and unusually shaped leaves. This is a non-standard solution for decorating flower beds, lawns or prefabricated bouquets.
Meadowsweet in the garden - video
