Grushanka
Useful properties and use of wintergreen
Botanical characteristics of the wintergreen
Wintergreen is a perennial herb. The root is thin, creeping. The height of the stems can reach 35–40 cm. The leaves of the plant are quite large, round-ovate, serrate. The flowers are beautiful purple-red in color, they are small, reaching only 15 mm in diameter. The flowers of the wintergreen are collected in inflorescences that grow in tassels. The fruit is a capsule.
Flowering occurs from May to June, fruit ripening from June to July. Wintergreen grows exclusively in coniferous forests, often found in thickets of dwarf cedar, extremely rarely in deciduous forests. Its habitats are the Far East, Siberia, the Caucasus, Central Asia. The plant is harvested in the usual way, collection and harvesting in large volumes is possible.
Useful properties of the wintergreen
Wintergreen is a medicinal plant. Since ancient times, its stem, leaves, flowers (much less often - the root and grains) have been used by traditional healers to treat various kinds of diseases.
The leaves, flowers and stem of the plant contain tannins, iridoids (monotropein), triterpenoids (taraxerol), phenols, ericolin, naphthoquinone, chymafilin, as well as vitamins, trace elements, essential oils and resins, which explains the amazing capabilities of the wintergreen. The roots contain steroids, glycosides, quinones and organic acids.
The plant is harvested during the flowering period. For this, the raw materials are laid out in a thin layer (about three centimeters) and carefully dried in well-ventilated rooms, avoiding direct sunlight.
The use of a wintergreen
Wintergreen is widely used in folk and traditional medicine, as well as in herbal medicine. Plant-based preparations have an antiseptic, astringent effect in case of severe disorder (diarrhea). Indications for use are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, radiculitis, hernia, joint pain, headaches, epilepsy.
Wintergreen compresses are effective as anti-inflammatory and wound-healing agents. They are used to wash purulent wounds.
Herbal infusions are also used to treat many types of skin diseases, scrofulous ulcers, gynecological problems, scurvy, as well as for the treatment of cancer.
Grushanka is popular in Tibetan and Chinese medicine.
In Tibet, with the help of decoctions and infusions from the plant, inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, bone tuberculosis, and some liver diseases are treated. Preparations based on wintergreen are used as an effective wound-healing and antipyretic agent.
In China, for the preparation of decoctions and infusions, only the aerial part of the plant is used: leaves and flowers. They are used for animal and insect bites as a powerful antidote for poisoning. Grushanka is an effective pain reliever and hemostatic agent. The herb is also used externally - as compresses, it is used to rinse the mouth, gargle the throat, with purulent blepharitis and skin diseases.
Today the plant is of great interest for scientific and traditional medicine, in connection with which its healing properties continue to be studied.
Recipes for making tinctures and decoctions
Recipe No. 1. To prepare a medicinal infusion, pour 20 g (2 teaspoons) of raw materials (leaves and flowers) into a container, pour 200 ml of boiling water over it, then simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes. After infusing the broth for 45 minutes, strain it. The medicine is taken 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.
Recipe No. 2. To prepare a medicinal broth, take 15 g of raw materials (roots or grains), which are poured into 180 ml of boiling water and placed in a boiling water bath for half an hour. After that, you should remove the composition from the bath and insist for 10 minutes, strain and measure 180 ml. The preparation prepared in this way is taken 3-4 times a day after meals, 2 tablespoons.
Winter infertility treatment
In folk medicine, wintergreen is highly regarded as a powerful stimulant of the gonads, which makes it an excellent remedy for the treatment of male and female infertility, the causes of which are associated with inflammatory processes of the reproductive system.
In modern gynecology, grushanka is a part of drugs for the treatment of infertility, chronic adnexitis, endometriosis, obstruction of the tubes and a number of other diseases.
It should be noted that herbal treatment is a long-term process, therefore, in order to achieve results, it is recommended to undergo a course of treatment, the duration of which is 3–6 months.
Wintergreen tincture recipes
Recipe number 1. To prepare alcoholic tincture, take 50 grams of dry wintergreen (its aboveground part), pour 500 g of vodka, then put the container in a dark place and insist for 2 weeks (it is recommended to shake it periodically). After two weeks, the composition must be filtered. The drug is taken 30 drops three times a day 30-40 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals.
Recipe number 2. An effective remedy for the treatment of female and male infertility (most often recommended for obstruction of the tubes, as well as for infectious diseases caused by Trichomonas, ureaplasma, chlamydia) is an infusion of the boar uterus, wintergreen and winter-lover. The peculiarity of the tincture is that it has a positive therapeutic effect on the entire genitourinary system.
For the preparation of the tincture, a wintergreen, an upland uterus, and a winter-lover are taken in equal proportions (50 g each), a mixture of herbs is poured with vodka (1.5 l). It is necessary to insist the medicine for 2 weeks (while shaking it periodically). A tincture is taken in 1 teaspoon, the number of doses is 3 times a day. In the presence of infections, women are required to douch.
Wintergreen essential oil
Essential oils prepared on the basis of wintergreen are highly valued in cosmetology and medicine.
Young shoots and leaves are used for the preparation of oils.
The value of an essential oil lies in its healing effect on the body. Thanks to the active substances that penetrate deeply through the skin into the tissue, there is a powerful antiseptic, analgesic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, resorption, soothing, astringent, carminative, vasodilator, antitussive, stimulating, diuretic effect.
The use of oils also helps to increase lactation in women.
In cosmetology, the essential oil from the wintergreen is used as an antiseptic. It is an indispensable medicine for the treatment of skin ailments, and is also used for skin care, and solves the problems of acne and scabies.
Oil can be added to lotions for an effective moisturizer.
Wintergreen oil is an effective remedy in the treatment of cellulite (when combined with other essential oils).
Essential oils are used for skin diseases, infectious inflammations, eczema, and inflammation of the genitourinary system. In addition to the remedy, they are used as an air freshener.
It is worth noting the psychophysical effect of wintergreen oil on the human body. It calms, improves mood, increases mental activity, attentiveness. The oil helps to relax and get rid of negative emotions and stress.
Essential oils based on wintergreen should be used with caution by people with a tendency to allergic diseases.
Wintergreen tincture
Wintergreen tinctures help to cope with a number of serious diseases, such as diseases of the genitourinary system, infertility, prostatitis, rheumatism and arthritis, joint diseases, intestinal tuberculosis, and breast cancer. Tinctures are used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and hemostatic agent.
Wintergreen tincture recipes
The tincture is intended for the treatment of infertility. The course of treatment depends on the complexity and disease. In addition, this recipe is recommended for rheumatism, severe headaches, stomach pains, fever, purulent kidney diseases, internal bleeding, and chronic inflammation of the genitourinary system. Use a tincture for gargling the throat and mouth, for which it is diluted in a ratio of 1: 5.
Recipe number 1. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour 40 grams of dry raw materials (leaves of a wintergreen) into a container, pour 300-400 ml of boiled water and leave for 0.5 hour, then strain thoroughly. Reception scheme: 0.5 cups 4 times a day. You need to take the medicine 30-40 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals.
The product is effective for washing open wounds, as well as for rinsing the throat and mouth.
Recipe number 2. 10 grams of a leaf of a wintergreen should be poured into a container and poured with boiling water (1 glass). It is necessary to insist the composition for half an hour, after which it should be thoroughly filtered. Dosing regimen: 1/4 cup 30-40 minutes before meals or 1.5-2 hours after meals 3 times a day. The infusion is used for joint diseases, in the case of arthritis.
Recipe number 3. 2 teaspoons of dry raw materials (leaves of round-leaved wintergreen) need to be poured with boiling water, carefully wrap and leave for 2 hours, then strain. Reception scheme: 1-2 tablespoons 30-40 minutes before meals or 1.5-2 hours after meals 3 times a day. It is used for rheumatism, arthritis.
Recipe No. 4. 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials (round-leaved wintergreen herb) should be poured with boiling water (1 glass), wrapped and infused for 2.5–3 hours, and then filtered. Dosage regimen: 1/4 cup 30-40 minutes before meals 3 times a day. The course of treatment is three to four weeks. The agent is effective for treating inflammation of the prostate gland.
Umbrella wintergreen
Umbelliferous wintergreen is a perennial herb. It belongs to the wintergreen family. The rhizome of the wintergreen is creeping, the height of the erect stem in height is from 8 to 20 cm. Shoots in the lower part of the plant are ascending, branched. Leaves obovate, oblong, narrowed towards the petiole, leathery above, close on the stem below, pale. The flowers are pink, drooping, located on long pedicels and gather in umbellate inflorescences. The fruit is a capsule.
Wintergreen blooms from mid to late summer.
This species of wintergreen grows in Western Siberia and the Far East of Russia. It can be found on soil fertilized with humus, in shady and pine forests. The aboveground part of the plant is used as a medicinal raw material. It is collected during the flowering period.
Arbutin, homoarbutin, flavonoids, tannins, hyperoside avicularin, chymafilin, kaempferol, amirin, urson bitter substance, ericolin, gallic acid, organic acids, resins, mucus, gums, andromedotoxin, quinic acid are found in the aerial part of the wintergreen, which explains plant properties.
Umbrella wintergreen is used by homeopaths and traditional healers to treat many diseases.
The herb is an effective diuretic and disinfectant, it is prescribed for cystitis, kidney disease, edema, urolithiasis, urinary retention, nephritis, hematuria, gonorrhea, urethritis and other kidney diseases.
Wintergreen promotes the removal of nitrogenous and chloride salts, and therefore it is prescribed for joint diseases and gout.
Infusions and preparations based on the umbelliferous wintergreen help to establish the digestive tract, get rid of constipation, they have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce blood sugar levels, help improve appetite, and are prescribed for severe wet coughs, bronchitis.
Grushanka is known for its disinfecting and astringent properties, and therefore it is used in combination with other drugs to treat tuberculosis.
Traditional healers prepare decoctions from wintergreen for gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, intestinal tuberculosis, and prostatitis.
It is known the use of preparations based on the herb for tumor diseases: tumors of the lips, breast. Herbal preparations are used for carcinoma, various solid tumors, lip and breast tumors.
Round-leaved wintergreen
Round-leaved wintergreen is a perennial herb. It belongs to the wintergreen family. The height of the stem reaches 15–30 cm. The rhizome is creeping. The stem of the plant is straight. The leaves of the wintergreen are round, leathery, hibernating, serrated at the edges, at the roots are collected in a socket. The flowers are characterized by a white or slightly reddish color, they are small, characterized by drooping growth, when assembled they form a brush. Fruits are spherical capsules.
The round-leaved wintergreen blooms from June to July. Fruit ripening occurs at the end of summer. Grushanka is interesting for its medicinal properties. Since ancient times, teas have been brewed on its basis and tinctures have been prepared. In Russia, traditional healers with the help of herbs healed kidneys, dropsy, infertility, as well as female bleeding.
Chinese herbalists also knew about the healing properties of the wintergreen. They used (and continue to use) it as an antibiotic.
It has been scientifically established that preparations prepared on the basis of wintergreen are an effective bactericidal agent in the fight against bacteria that multiply in the oral cavity. In dentistry, there are special medical and hygienic products aimed at combating caries, periodontal disease, stomatitis, gingivitis.
Traditional medicine uses the wintergreen more actively. It is recommended as an antiseptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiperspirant and hemostatic agent.
Decoctions and infusions are prescribed for diseases of the genitourinary system, inflammation of the prostate gland. Round-leaved wintergreen is also used externally for disinfection of festering wounds, ulcers, as well as for rinsing the mouth and throat. Douching for thrush is recommended for women.
Recipes for the preparation of decoctions and tinctures from wintergreen
Recipe number 1 (Infusion of a wide spectrum of action). 2 teaspoons of raw materials (grass) must be poured into a container and pour 1 cup of boiling water. It is necessary to insist the agent for 2 hours, after which it should be thoroughly filtered. Reception scheme: 1–2 tablespoons 30–40 minutes before meals 3 times a day. The addition of honey is allowed.
Recipe number 2 (Broad-spectrum tincture). 4 tablespoons of dry raw materials (grass) should be poured into a dark container, pour 0.5 liters of vodka and leave for 3-4 weeks in a cool dark place. The tincture must be shaken every day. After the expiration of the period, the drug must be filtered. Dosing schedule: 20-30 drops 30-45 minutes before meals 3 times a day.
Decoction and tincture are effective for many diseases. They are prescribed for dropsy and edema, for inflammation of the joints and the gastrointestinal tract, for gout, as well as to increase appetite, normalize the activity of the digestive system. Recommended remedies from wintergreen for constipation, ulcers, hernias, prostatitis, cystitis, infertility, obstruction of the fallopian tubes. Decoctions and tinctures are considered an effective remedy for diseases of the throat and larynx, for headaches and migraines.
Contraindications to the use of wintergreen
To date, no specific contraindications to the use of the wintergreen have been identified. However, it has been noted that it can lower blood pressure, so drugs based on it should be taken with caution by people suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure).
You should not take funds from wintergreen without consulting a doctor with varicose veins, increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
