Weeds are not useless. Their beneficial properties help relieve the most common ailments. Weeds have long been called the "green pharmacy underfoot." They provide both emergency relief and cure chronic illnesses. Medicinal herbs are widely used in folk medicine and are available in the form of infusions, ointments, and compresses.
Uses of dandelion
Dandelion is a prominent representative of medicinal herbs. Various parts of this plant are used to treat conditions of the stomach and pancreas, liver, lymph nodes, and joints. This bright yellow flower can purify the blood and lower cholesterol and blood sugar. The leaves, flowers, and roots are used to prepare medicinal infusions and decoctions.
The plant material is harvested in early spring. The above-ground parts of the dandelion are soaked in salt water to remove the bitter taste. They are then chopped and dressed with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. The result is a vitamin-rich salad.
To prepare the infusion, rinse the flowers with cold water. Then dry them in a dark place for 4-5 hours. Place the flowers in a glass jar, filling it 3/4 full, and lightly pack it down. Pour vodka or ethyl alcohol over the jar and store it in a dark place for 3 weeks, shaking the contents periodically. Then strain and store it again.
You may be interested in:The tincture should be taken:
- for colds, coughs, bronchitis – 20-30 ml 3 times a day half an hour before meals;
- for anemia, nervousness, hypertension, swelling, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and as a general tonic - 20-30 ml 3 times a day half an hour before meals according to the scheme: 21 days of intake, a week break, so 3-4 courses.
Contraindications for use:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- gallstones, removed gallbladder;
- exacerbation stage of gastrointestinal diseases;
- intolerance and allergy.
Plantain: An Indispensable Lifesaver
Another herbal remedy is plantain. It heals wounds and has diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. The leaves also have medicinal properties. They are added to spring salads as a green herb to replenish vitamins.
The leaves are best harvested in June-July. Pick off the green stems and dry them in the shade. The dried leaves can be stored in boxes or cloth bags for up to two years. They can be used to make infusions, decoctions, and extracts.
A healing decoction of plantain leaves is prepared in two ways:
- Pour 2 tablespoons (10 g) of raw material into hot (60-80 degrees) water, place in a water bath and boil for 30 minutes, strain;
- Pour 1 tablespoon into a liter of boiling water, heat for 10 minutes over low heat, remove, cover and leave for 24 hours, strain.
Take the decoction as follows:
- for cough – 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals for a week;
- for gastritis and stomach ulcers - half a glass 15-20 minutes before meals 3 times a day;
- For skin problems (ulcers, boils, abscesses) – rinse with a decoction, make a lotion or compress – 2-3 times a day.
Celandine as an ambulance
The name of this herbaceous perennial speaks for itself: celandine. This weed can clear skin of warts, relieve spasms and inflammation, and have bactericidal, diuretic, and choleretic properties. Medicinal components are found in both the above-ground parts of the plant and its roots.
You may be interested in:The herb is harvested in May and June. The stem is cut 5-10 cm above the ground, then the root is removed.
The collected mass should be dried in a well-ventilated area, spread out in a single layer, and stirred once a day. Juice is squeezed from the fresh roots. The fresh juice is intended for external use. It is used to treat calluses and boils, remove warts, and remove papillomas.
To prepare juice, grind the root in a blender until it becomes a paste, place it in a clean cloth and squeeze out.
Steam the callus, treat it with juice, and let it dry. Repeat for 7-14 days. Apply compresses to the callus to treat furunculosis, papillomas, and warts. The juice is not used internally. Taking celandine decoctions and infusions internally should only be done under the supervision of a specialist.
You may be interested in:Many weeds are nutritious and beneficial, containing vitamins and capable of solving our health problems. But moderation is key: before brewing an herbal tea or making an infusion, you need to learn how to properly use this natural remedy. Then it will bring benefit, not harm.
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