Centaury
Useful properties and application of centaury
Botanical characteristics of centaury
Centaury is not only a beautiful biennial plant, but also an irreplaceable herb in folk medicine. It grows well in places where there is a lot of light and sun - in meadows, open forest edges and glades. The tetrahedral stem no more than 50 cm high has leaves of various shapes and white-pink inflorescences. This plant blooms for about two months - from July to August. This herb grows in Western Siberia and in some European zones.
Useful properties of centaury
Such a unique plant as centaury contains a large number of different elements: acids and alkaloids, as well as sulfur, iron, tin, essential oils and resins. Tea made from this herb improves appetite, and most importantly, restores bowel function. In addition, centaury has a choleretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect on the human body. It should be noted that this medicinal herb is used for bleeding, since it perfectly stops the blood. In folk medicine, centaury is also used as a laxative.
Application of centaury
Along with the folk, centaury is used in traditional medicine. Preparations from this medicinal herb are used for fatigue, nervous exhaustion and anemia, and will also help get rid of flatulence. Various infusions and decoctions have a beneficial effect on the human body with sinusitis, migraines, allergies and all kinds of skin diseases. Topical use of centaury medications will help heal eczema, rashes, or wounds that do not heal for a long time. Special fees, which include a centaury, effectively cope with alcohol addiction. For ear diseases, the juice of this plant is used.
Antihelminthic broth. To prepare it, take half a teaspoon of the herb of the plant and mix with the same amount of wormwood. Next, take the resulting mixture and pour a glass of boiling water. We put the composition on fire for 20 minutes. Strain the broth and you can take it. It must be consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach. One-time intake - 1 glass of broth. The course of treatment is 1 week, you can undergo treatment for a day more.
Tincture of centaury with vodka. We take 1 tablespoon of dry herb powder and pour 200 ml of vodka into it. We leave everything to brew for 2 weeks, not forgetting to shake it sometimes. As soon as the time for infusion has passed, the finished medicine must be filtered. It is recommended to take the tincture 20 drops half an hour before meals. This tincture increases appetite, normalizes the secretion of the glands of the digestive system.
Infusion of centaury with heartburn or nausea. To prepare this medicine, you need to take 5 grams of dry herb powder and pour them 25 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol, then leave to brew for 10 days and then strain. They use this medicine for constipation, diabetes mellitus, and to improve appetite. Take 20 or 30 drops of infusion three times a day a quarter of an hour before meals.
Centaury herbal tea. Take 1 teaspoon of the herb of the plant, cut into small pieces, and pour 250 ml of cold water. Leave the composition to brew for 10 hours. Do not forget to shake it periodically. After straining the contents, you need to warm it up a little. The tea is ready, it is advisable to drink it without sugar and any sweeteners.
Centaury from alcoholism
In combination with equally popular herbs, centaury is recommended for the effective treatment of alcoholism. It is this plant that has exceptional properties, thanks to which the craving for alcoholic beverages is eliminated, the work of all internal human organs is restored and the body is cleansed. Also centaury can quickly cope with a hangover.
A decoction of centaury: 2 tablespoons of herbs must be poured with 1 glass of boiling water and boiled for at least 10 minutes, then leave for 2 hours. Next, the resulting medicine should be taken 3 times a day, 1/3 cup. Such a decoction can significantly reduce the craving for alcohol in 10 days of consumption.
Alcohol tincture: for its preparation you will need 1 part centaury, 1 part wormwood and 4 parts thyme. 5 tablespoons of such a mixture should be poured with 500 grams of 70 percent alcohol, let it brew for 2 weeks and start taking 1 tablespoon before meals three times a day. The recommended course of treatment is at least two months.
Eritrean centaury
Centaury eritrean is a herbaceous plant whose height varies from 10 to 50 cm. It has a taproot and entire leaves. Bright pink flowers are collected in unusual corymbose inflorescences. The fruit of the plant is presented in the form of a narrow bivalve box with small brown seeds. The centaury blooms for three summer months. The aboveground part of this plant is used as a medicinal raw material, which is dried in the shade in the open air.
Small centaury
Small centaury is a short biennial plant with single stems and twigs. Basal leaves are collected in a socket. The graceful flowers have a deep pink tint. This herb blooms, as a rule, from June to September. This centaury variety can be found in the western part of Russia, in Central Asia, as well as in the Caucasus. This plant chooses such places as river floodplains, the outskirts of swamps and lakes. The centaury small is used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
Centaury umbrella
Umbelliferous centaury is characterized by bright pink flowers and a straight stem. The fruit of the plant looks like a cylindrical two-nested box. This grass variety blooms until autumn. The bitterness of Umbelliferae centaury perfectly stimulates the appetite, and also enhances the functions of the digestive system. Along with this, this plant has an antihelminthic effect due to the gentianin it contains. It should be noted that in medical practice, this centaury can be prescribed for colds.
Common centaury
The common centaury feels great in the vastness of all of Europe. This grass often grows in meadows and grassy slopes, sometimes it is found on river banks. It is a perennial plant with a small root, single stems and small basal leaves. The best time to harvest this herb is in the fall. A characteristic feature of this unique plant is the presence of bitterness in it. Used in the form of decoctions and infusions, centaury affects human immunity by reflexive action. In addition, this type of plant stimulates the heart functions and the entire circulatory system.
The centaury is beautiful
Beautiful centaury is different from other varieties in small size. The stem of the plant branches out from the very base, while the root rosette of leaves is not formed. The drooping centaury flowers are of a delicate pink color. Such a herb is common in the central part of Russia, and also found in the Carpathian region. The healing effect of the beautiful centaury is manifested in its general tonic effect on the human nervous system.
Contraindications to the use of centaury
There are no contraindications to the use of centaury. However, people who are sensitive to bitterness or have an ulcer in the stomach or intestines should not use this herb as a medicine.
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).
