Bedstraw
Useful properties and uses of the present bedstraw
Useful properties of bedstraw
Bedstraw is an excellent perennial honey cake of the madder family. Straight short-pubescent stems grow in height from 10 to 75 cm. The upper shiny leaves with a pointed edge have a dark green tint, the lower ones are represented by grayish-velvety pubescence. Small yellow flowers of the plant are collected in dense pyramidal panicles. They have a delicious honey aroma. This plant blooms from mid-June to late August. Bedstraw has a bitter, astringent taste.
As a rule, not only flowers and grass, but also plant rhizomes are widely used for medicinal purposes. It boasts an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, analgesic, diaphoretic, laxative, tonic, estrogenic, sedative and hemostatic effect on the human body. In addition, the bedstraw has a powerful wound healing effect. Almost all parts of the plant contain flavin and tannins, various glycosides and acids, as well as coumarins, carotenoids anthraquinones and vitamin C.
Bedstraw is indicated as a sedative and pain reliever. It is prescribed for kidney ailments, stomach pains, diarrhea, jaundice, various bleeding, for the treatment of skin rashes, wounds and abscesses, as well as for hysteria and epilepsy. In addition, the plant has been proven to be effective in treating skin cancer.
Application of bedstraw
Miraculous bedstraw rhizomes have long been used to treat pneumonia, endometritis and kidney disease. Such an excellent antipyretic agent is also effective for various problems of the cardiovascular system. Bedstraw is part of many herbal preparations that are indicated for infectious diseases. A medicinal decoction from such a plant significantly enhances potency, and in the absence of female discharge, it restores the menstrual cycle.
Outwardly, various decoctions and infusions of the plant are prescribed for bruises, purulent wounds and cuts, as well as for the treatment of extensive burns. A decoction from the aerial part is often prescribed by gynecologists for douching for uterine cancer and cervical erosion. With infiltration of the mammary gland, it is recommended to apply mashed gruel from the herb of the plant to the chest area. With dysentery, the intake of grass powder inside is indicated. Healing bedstraw juice is prescribed for diabetes mellitus. In the presence of ulcers, it is recommended to fill the wounds with plant powder. Herb juice ointment effectively relieves inflammation in abscesses.
To prepare the infusion, take 400 grams of boiling water per 4 tablespoons of herbs, infuse the mixture for about 4–5 hours, after which the infusion must be well filtered - and you can use it for taking baths and lotions for various wounds, ulcers and other skin lesions. With impotence, a course of fresh juice intake is prescribed 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons. For the treatment of angina pectoris, experts recommend using bedstraw infusion at the rate of 20 grams of rhizomes per 500 ml of boiling water.
Types of bedstraw
There are several main types of such a plant, which are extremely common in the territory of the CIS countries.
Northern bedstraw. The northern bedstraw is a perennial plant. Its height can vary from 15 to 85 cm. Small lanceolate leaves with three veins are arranged in whorls of several pieces. The northern bedstraw boasts beautiful white flowers. It is widespread in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, as well as in the Caucasus. As a rule, such a plant prefers forest meadows and damp floodplains. It often settles on stony placers, the outskirts of swamps, rocks and along roads. The flowers, leaves and stems of the northern bedstraw are used for medicinal purposes.
The bedstraw is real. The bedstraw is a wonderful perennial with a straight, branchy stem. The yellow flowers, collected in an interesting dense panicle, have a wonderful honey aroma. Such a plant smells fragrant throughout the summer months. The true bedstraw is found in grasslands. He prefers nutritious soils, where he grows huge plantations. In height, this species can reach about 60–70 cm. The pointed leaves of a true bedstraw are dark green above, and below they have a velvety pubescence of a gray tint. The taste of such a plant is rather bitter and slightly astringent.
Cleavers. The tenacious bedstraw is an unusual malignant plant that is resistant to grazing. The stems of such a plant are dotted with small teeth, thanks to which it climbs over smooth bread straws. The stems are covered with narrow whorled leaves. White small flowers are collected in rare axillary semi-umbrellas. Fresh juice of the herb is indicated for diseases of goiter and liver, and it is also used against cancer and dropsy. The herbaceous plant presented is an excellent diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. It is indispensable for all kinds of skin lesions and diseases of the epidermis.
Fragrant bedstraw. The perennial fragrant bedstraw is a beautiful herb, the height of which ranges from 10 to 65 cm. The obverse leaves are collected in charming whorls of about 8 pieces. The inflorescences of the fragrant bedstraw consist of several apical half-umbels, at the base of which there are about five bracts. Delightful fragrant flowers are located on short pedicels. Their diameter does not exceed 7 cm. The fragrant bedstraw blooms from mid-spring to early summer. It is distributed in Crimea, the European part of Russia, Belarus, Siberia, the Far East, as well as in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Since such a plant contains a huge amount of useful trace elements and substances, it is widely used for medicinal purposes.
Common bedstraw. The common bedstraw is a rather tall herbaceous plant that grows up to 85 cm. The small branching faceted stem bears whorled small leaves of a linear type. Above the leaves have a weak pubescence, from below the pubescence is more significant. Delicate golden flowers are abundantly located at the ends of the shoots. The common bedstraw blooms from late June to September. Its habitat is formed by forest edges, slopes, dry meadows and small slopes. The common bedstraw is rich in essential oils, silicic acid, tannins, as well as flavonoids and organic acids.
The bedstraw is soft. The soft bedstraw is an amazing herbaceous plant with a smooth tetrahedral stem. Lying or ascending stems are covered with linear-oblong leaves, at the ends of which there are small thorns. The leaves are collected in small whorls of 8 pieces each. White and rather small flowers are arranged in numerous semi-umbrellas. They are collected at the ends of the stems in graceful panicles. The presented species blooms in late June or early July. It grows well on grassy slopes, in meadows, and is also often found along roads. In case of heart disease, a soft bedstraw is simply irreplaceable. It should be noted that it is widely used in modern homeopathy.
Contraindications to the use of bedstraw
Since bedstraw has a pronounced diuretic effect, it is prescribed with caution to people with diabetes. Treatments with such a plant should include weekly breaks due to the astringent effect. It is not recommended to use bedstraw for small children and expectant mothers.
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).
