Veronica medicinal
Useful properties and application of Veronica officinalis
Botanical characteristics of Veronica
Veronica officinalis is a plant of the plantain family. This perennial herb grows up to 15–30 cm in height, forms sod with branches rushing upwards. Veronica's stem is creeping, with a uniform pubescent surface, rooting at the nodes. The leaves of the plant are narrow-lanceolate or linear, sharp, fine-toothed, occasionally whole-edged. Flowers are collected in multi-flowered clusters growing from the axils of the upper leaves.
Veronica officinalis blooms from mid-summer to autumn. The fruit is a glandular-pubescent flattened capsule. Plant habitats have been identified in Madeira, Azores. Veronica also grows in Europe, Turkey, Transcaucasia, Iran, Sakhalin, Dagestan, and the European part of Russia.
Useful properties of Veronica
Folk healers procure the aboveground part of Veronica. The stems, leaves and flowers contain carotene, ascorbic acid, bitterness, glycosides, tannins. The plant destroys microbes, has disinfecting properties. The analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and wound-healing effect of Veronica officinalis was revealed.
The plant is distinguished by the content of alkaloids, malic, lactic, citric acids, microelements. Also in its aboveground part, the presence of anthocyanins, fatty and essential oils, vitamins, aromatic compounds was found. Broths of Veronica can be taken as an expectorant and anticonvulsant remedy.
Veronica's application
The medicinal herb Veronica is used for external treatment of any wounds and skin diseases. Washing and bathing with drugs based on Veronica are effective for non-healing wounds, ulcers, purulent rashes, and itching. From the infusion of the herb, an excellent medicine is obtained that relieves fungal skin lesions, used for sweating feet.
Veronica is used in homeopathy and is an excellent choleretic agent. It is included in the composition of breast tea, which is recommended for dry coughs, bronchial asthma and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. With gastrointestinal diseases, gastritis with low acidity, Veronica, thanks to the bitterness and tannins contained in it, quickly restores the body, stimulates the appetite and normalizes the intestines.
The recipe for the decoction has been known for a long time: 2 tablespoons of herbs are poured in a thermos with two glasses of boiling water, insisted and taken 3-4 times a day 20 minutes before meals.
The diuretic properties of Veronica's infusion are useful in diseases of the urinary tract, help with gout. Veronica medicinal is used for nervous overexcitation, during menopause. The soothing properties of the plant eliminate insomnia and headaches. taking Veronica officinalis helps to stop bleeding - both internal and external. With a fresh broth, taken orally, you can save yourself from the effects of the bites of poisonous spiders, snakes, and the steamed grass of Veronica should be applied to the lesions.
Veronica Dubravnaya
Veronica oakravnaya has a stem, ascending or prostrate, covered with two rows of small hairs. In June-September, small light blue flowers appear, gathering in loose axillary brushes, located opposite each other in the upper part of the stem. The fruit of the plant is a flattened capsule with numerous ovoid, smooth and flat seeds. The rhizome is thin, creeping. The medicinal herb grows on forest edges and clearings in the European part of Russia, Altai, Western Siberia, the Far East, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Decoctions and infusions of the plant are prescribed by folk healers for colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma. The use of Veronica is acceptable for diseases of the liver, kidneys, bladder, stomach. The medicinal herb cures rheumatism, stops internal bleeding, improves health during menopause, helps to cope with insomnia, exhaustion of the body.
Outwardly, the grass is used in the form of lotions for boils, burns, for washing wounds. To treat the skin from fungal infections, you need to pour 1 glass of Veronica's herb juice with 1 glass of 90 percent alcohol and leave for 10 days.
Contraindications to the use of Veronica
Contraindications for the use of Veronica officinalis have not been identified.
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).
