Description, medicinal properties and other names of wintergreen

This perennial plant with lush green foliage prefers climates with long, harsh winters. This is why it received its official name, wintergreen. However, it is commonly known as heartwort, bitter grass, goldenrod, deadwood, and pine izgom. The plant is renowned not only for its unique natural resilience but also for its valuable medicinal properties, which aid in the fight against a variety of ailments.

Description of the plant

Wintergreen belongs to the Ericaceae family and is an evergreen subshrub growing to a height of 18-23 cm. It has a robust woody rhizome and small shoots with fleshy, dark-green foliage. During the flowering period, which lasts from June to August, umbrella-shaped racemes of 7-12 soft pink flowers develop at the ends of the shoots. By mid-September, flowering ceases, and in its place, fruits—small, round seed capsules—form.

History of discovery

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The history of wintergreen's use as a medicinal herb dates back to the 18th century. It was then that the first European explorers of North America noticed that Native American tribes held this inconspicuous plant in particularly high esteem, considering it a true gift from the gods.

It was later discovered that this veneration had a perfectly rational basis, as wintergreen saved local aborigines from a variety of ailments. Its fresh leaves were used to stop bleeding and heal burns, while infusions and decoctions were used to treat the eyes, joints, and spine.

Ancient Native Americans possessed many secret recipes based on wintergreen. The plant was believed to possess not only medicinal but also magical properties, so it was also used in numerous witchcraft and love potions. However, unlike its modern name, the Native American name for the herb had a completely different meaning. In the Mohican language, it was pipsisikweu, or "crushing into small pieces."

This definition was not accidental, as Native Americans believed that pipsisikweu somehow magically facilitated the crushing and removal of kidney stones. As it later turned out, this belief has a completely scientific explanation: the plant's leaves contain a special substance that actually dissolves small kidney stones.

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The conquerors of North America gradually mastered the secret knowledge of the indigenous Indians and then spread it throughout Europe. Despite all the evidence of the effectiveness of wintergreen, its use in Russia never became officially recognized. Nevertheless, healers in Siberia and Altai today actively use this plant to treat their patients from many serious ailments.

Composition and beneficial properties

The beneficial properties of wintergreen are explained by its rich chemical composition. The herb contains macro- and microelements, vitamins A and C, flavonoids and tannins, phenols, organic acids, glycosides and triterpenoids, as well as bitterness and resins. Medicinal properties of wintergreen:

• antiseptic;
• choleretic;
• tonic;
• general tonic;
• pain reliever;
• antispasmodic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• diuretic;
• astringent.

In alternative medicine, the plant is used to treat a wide variety of ailments. It is used for bladder, kidney, and prostate problems, joint problems, stomach and intestinal ulcers, diabetes, chronic skin conditions, depressive disorders, and nervous and physical exhaustion. Regular intake of decoctions and infusions which include wintergreen, promotes:

• normalization of digestion;
• reducing blood sugar levels;
• increasing performance;
• strengthening the immune system;
• rapid healing of wounds;
• increased appetite;
• elimination of swelling;
• removal of parasites;
• relieving nervous tension.

Moreover, wintergreen is an effective aid for weight loss. This is due to its ability to remove excess fluid from the body, which is known to significantly slow metabolism and prevent the intestines from cleansing itself of waste products.

Despite these benefits, the plant, like all other medicinal products, must be used with extreme caution. Failure to follow the recommended dosage or uncontrolled use of the herb can lead to the opposite effect and negate all the medicinal properties of wintergreen. Contraindications to the use of herbal culture are:

• a tendency to allergic reactions to one or more components of the herb;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• thrombophlebitis;
• haemorrhoids;
• constipation.

Traditional decoction

A classic decoction recipe is used for gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory processes, and bleeding. It can also be used for compresses and lotions. Preparation: Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over 25 grams of crushed dried herb, then simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for about 2-3 hours. Store the decoction at room temperature for up to 48 hours. Application:

1. For bleeding and inflammatory processes - orally 30-40 ml 15-20 minutes before meals.
2. For swelling - 2-3 tablespoons in the morning on an empty stomach.
3. For the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, colitis, gastritis, etc.) - 60-70 ml 3-4 times a day (20-30 minutes before meals).
4. For skin inflammations and wounds, soak a sterile bandage or cotton wool in the decoction and wipe the problem area at least 5-6 times a day.

Use in gynecological diseases

Numerous positive reviews from women indicate that the use of wintergreen in gynecology produces remarkable results. Traditional medicine has collected many ancient recipes that are effective in treating various women's ailments. The most popular compositions:

1. To normalize the menstrual cycle and treat erosion: Pour a glass of boiling water over 50-60 g of dried herbs (flowers and leaves), then simmer over low heat for 7-8 minutes. Cool, then strain. Dilute with a small amount of warm boiled water and drink 50-100 ml morning and evening before meals.
2. Tincture for infertility. In a glass container, mix 50 g each of wintergreen, orthilia secunda, and wintergreen, then pour 1.5 liters of vodka over the mixture. Store in a dark place for 3-4 weeks. Take 0.5-1 teaspoon daily with a small amount of tea, water, or juice.
3. A mixture for fibroids. Mix equal parts wintergreen, wintergreen, and orthilia secunda. Pour 20 g of the mixture into a glass of hot water. Simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes, remove from the stove, and let steep for about 60 minutes. Drink 60-70 ml 3 times daily.

Herbal teas for men

Wintergreen is also a good aid for men's health issues. It effectively treats inflammation of various origins, prostate enlargement, as well as decreased potency and infertility. Fees for men:

1. For inflammation of the genitourinary system, infertility, and to improve potency, mix equal amounts of dried wintergreen, motherwort, yellow zelenchuk, couch grass root, aspen and black poplar leaves, parsley, hawthorn and blackthorn flowers, and asparagus. Pour 300-400 ml of water over approximately 30-40 g of the mixture. Let it steep for 10-12 hours, then bring to a boil and simmer for 1-2 minutes over low heat. Remove from the stove, cool, and drink 100-120 ml 3 times daily before meals.
2. Recipe for prostatitis: Pour 250-300 ml of cold water over 1 teaspoon of dried wintergreen. Bring to a boil over low heat, then simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool, and then strain. Drink the infusion 30 minutes before meals, 2 tablespoons 3 times daily.

Recipes for all occasions

Universal recipes with wintergreen can help combat various ailments, strengthen the immune system, improve vitality, promote weight loss, eliminate parasites, and heal wounds. When preparing and consuming these remedies, it's crucial to adhere to the recommended dosages. Tinctures and decoctions with wintergreen:

1. Anthelmintic. Mix 25 g of dried herbs: wintergreen, wintergreen, orthilia secunda, and burnet. Pour one liter of vodka over the mixture and leave in a dark place for 30 days. Take 10 drops of the tincture on an empty stomach once daily. The course of treatment is one month.
2. Weight loss infusion. Mix about 3-4 tablespoons of dried wintergreen with 1 liter of cold water. Let it steep for 9-12 hours, then bring to a boil and immediately turn off the heat. Cool and take 2-4 tablespoons 3 times daily before meals.
3. An invigorating drink. Place a pinch of dried herb in a glass container and pour 200-250 ml of boiling water over it. Let it steep for 30-40 minutes. Drink like regular tea. You can add sugar or honey to taste, if desired.
4. Wound healing remedy. Chop fresh wintergreen leaves and mix with vodka (2:1 ratio). Let the tincture steep in a dark place for 30-40 days, then use as compresses and lotions.
5. For poisoning: Grind the fresh above-ground parts of the plant (flowers, stems, and leaves) in a meat grinder, then squeeze the juice through cheesecloth. Add 1 teaspoon of juice to 100 ml of room-temperature water. Drink twice daily before meals.
6. Tea for diabetes. Grind dried wintergreen flowers and leaves in a blender or coffee grinder. Pour about 2 teaspoons of the resulting powder into 1-1.5 cups of boiling water. Strain and drink in equal portions throughout the day.
7. For tuberculosis. Pour about 100 grams of dried and crushed wintergreen herb into two glasses of vodka. Seal the container tightly and leave in a dark place for 2-3 weeks (the longer the steeping time, the more effective the medicine). Drink 35-40 drops 3 times daily, 15-20 minutes before meals.
8. Antiseptic poultice. Pour ½ cup of boiling water over a few tablespoons of dried, crushed plant leaves and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, then squeeze the resulting pulp, place it on sterile gauze, and apply to the affected area.
9. For healing burns and purulent wounds. Grind fresh leaves of the plant into a thick paste. Apply the resulting paste to the affected area for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm chamomile infusion.

Rules for procurement and storage

Since wintergreen blooms throughout the summer, there's plenty of time to harvest it. However, experienced herbalists advise following a few rules when harvesting the plant. General recommendations for collecting herbs:

• the plant should be collected only during its flowering period (best in the last days of each summer month);
• the preparation must be done in dry, sunny weather;
• Do not tear off leaves and flowers, but carefully cut them off with a sharp knife;
• Collection is carried out only in ecologically clean regions located far from highways.

Drying is done on wide, flat trays lined with parchment paper. The room where the leaves are being dried should be kept at maximum temperature and minimum humidity. To ensure even drying and prevent rotting, the leaves and flowers should be turned daily.