Motherwort: benefits and use in folk medicine

There are often situations in life when stress literally knocks you out of balance. In this case, many resort to sedatives. Someone starts taking pills, and someone starts eating chocolate.

But it is best to use natural remedies, of course, after consulting with your doctor. So, what benefits and harms does motherwort tincture bring, and how to take it correctly?

Composition of motherwort tincture

The plant has about 15 varieties, but pharmacists are primarily interested in such species as:

• five-lobed;
• cordial.

These species are distributed in the Middle East, throughout Central Asia, Europe and Siberia. Favorite places of growth are ordinary roads and river banks, wastelands, pastures, and resting arable lands. The plant has gained recognition not only among ordinary people, but also in the official medical community.

Today, the product is used in a variety of forms: tablets, teas and tinctures. All these remedies help with nervous disorders, hysteria, and insomnia no worse than valerian tincture. There is also a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and thyroid gland. This effect on the body is possible due to the unusual composition of the plant.

1. Essential oils have a restorative and sedative effect on the nervous system.
2. Alkaloids, especially leotine, help strengthen the contractility of the heart, dilate blood vessels and regulate heart rhythm.
3. Anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, sedative and antioxidant effects, as in Echinacea tincture, are exerted by flavonoids.
4. The antiseptic effect is provided by the tannins contained in the plant.
5. Numerous groups of vitamins, as well as pigments, carbohydrates and mineral salts have a general strengthening effect.

Did you know? It is believed that the plant grows only in ecologically clean areas.

Benefits in cosmetology

Thanks to its unique chemical composition, motherwort is a good raw material for cosmetics.

For hair

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Dog nettle decoction is especially beneficial for oily hair. For rinsing curls, a decoction prepared from a tablespoon of herb and a liter of water is suitable (cook for 5 minutes, then leave for 3 hours). Dilute the finished infusion with 3 liters of clean water. Rinse clean hair with the resulting liquid.

Motherwort, nettle and oak (in a ratio of 1:2:2) are also good hair remedies; in particular, a decoction of these plants, when rinsed regularly, makes hair shiny and prevents hair loss. Instead of nettle, you can also take burdock root.

You can restore shine and healthy appearance to dry hair using a herbal mask. Mix castor oil, calendula and motherwort tinctures in equal portions, add a little water. This product must be applied to the hair and left for about an hour.

You can also strengthen weak hair with the help of plants. To do this, take motherwort, oak bark and onion peel in equal quantities. For 5 tablespoons of the mixture you will need 1 liter of water. Steam for about an hour. Cool the finished broth and strain. Rub into scalp before washing.

What does motherwort tincture help with?

The solution has a large number of beneficial properties that help support and strengthen the body, just like lemongrass tincture. First of all, you should pay attention to the fact that the main indications for taking the drink are:

• high level of nervous excitability;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system that are functional in nature;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• high blood pressure associated with vascular spasms;
• complex therapy of heart diseases;
• therapy for diseases of the thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract;
• menstrual irregularities, menopause.

The beneficial properties of plant infusion in cosmetology are well known, as it is used for skin rashes. It is used in the treatment of nervous disorders:

• headaches;
• increased irritability;
• insomnia;
• tearfulness;
• neuroses;
• hysteria;
• epilepsy.

A serious advantage of motherwort is that it does not inhibit the activity of the nervous system, but only reduces increased arousal and so on. The drink is also used for problems such as:

• atherosclerosis;
• depression;
• inflammatory processes of the respiratory system and bronchial asthma;
• flatulence.

Important! Despite the fact that the infusion usually goes well with many medications, it should not be used simultaneously with sleeping pills and sedatives. It greatly enhances their effect, which can cause serious harm to the body.

What does motherwort look like?

Motherwort is a perennial erect plant from the same family as mint (Lamiaceae), although it does not at all resemble its fragrant relative in taste or smell. On the contrary, it is very bitter, and its smell is not the most pleasant. In favorable conditions, an adult plant can form into a tall (almost 2 meters), branched herbaceous bush with hollow stems. For some people, contact with the dark green “hairy” leaves of motherwort results in itching and allergies.

Content:

• What does motherwort look like?
• How is it useful for humans?
• Daily norm and dosage
• Contraindications
• How to prepare
• Motherwort medicine at home
• Use in the food industry
• Benefits in cosmetology

At the end of June, small flowers of pink, purple or white appear on the bushes. The flowering period of motherwort continues throughout the summer. As a rule, thickets of this grass are found in damp places, near landfills, on crushed stone and limestone soil. This picky plant can appear in both sunny and shaded areas of wastelands - hence its name. But the Latin name of this plant is translated as “lion’s tail”, since during the flowering period it resembles the brush of a lion’s tail.

Instructions for using motherwort tincture

The infusion is used both internally and externally. Usually dilute a few drops in still water at room temperature. It is best to coordinate the course of treatment with your doctor, since each organism has its own characteristics. The average reception scheme looks like this:

• 30 drops are diluted in a glass of water;
• should be drunk before meals;
• Take 3 times a day for 1 month.

There are also several recommendations for the use of motherwort for individual cases.

• Take 25 drops of the drink three times a day for cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmia.
• 30 drops of infusion, drunk before meals, will help with heart pain, atherosclerosis and rheumatism.
• For nervous disorders, it is recommended to take 40 drops of the drink three times a day. But the course of treatment should be no more than 3 weeks.
• 30 drops of infusion twice a day, morning and evening, to increase postpartum uterine tone and relieve menopause symptoms.

Important! Can it be consumed internally as alcohol? Of course not! Drinks based on medicinal herbs are not alcoholic! Consumption in uncontrolled doses can lead to serious health problems.

Motherwort herb - beneficial properties

The herb is useful for men because it has the properties to correct the activity of the genital area and restore the functioning of the reproductive organs.

Motherwort herb for men

Properties of the plant for the male body:

• reduces the cholesterol index in the blood and prevents the development of atherosclerosis, which is
• an important factor for men after 45-50 years;
• tidies up hormonal levels;
• affects the adrenal glands and increases testosterone synthesis;
• cleanses liver cells of toxic compounds;
• removes excess fluid from the body and relieves swelling;
• nourishes the heart muscle and prevents the development of heart attacks and strokes;
• increases the concentration of active sperm in semen, which promotes better conception;
• affects the functioning of the pancreas and prevents the development of diabetes.

Motherwort herb for women

Since ancient times, the herb has been used as part of herbal remedies for women for severe menstrual pain, PMS and menopause, as well as for nervous overexcitation and neurasthenia. Motherwort is useful for the following disorders in the body:

• pain during menstrual flow;
• Irregularity of the menstrual cycle;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• neuroses, anxiety syndrome and insomnia;
• increased blood pressure and headaches;
• low uterine muscle tone.

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The diuretic and sedative effects of motherwort reduce the development of such pathologies:

• hypertension and thrombosis;
• tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias;
• headaches, including migraines;
• neuroses and neurasthenia;
• swelling;
• infertility caused by neurotic disorders.

In addition to these properties, the herb suppresses inflammatory processes in the body and is an antibacterial herbal remedy that can be effectively used in the treatment of infectious pathologies, colds and flu.

For the treatment of infertility during the period of planning conception, it is necessary to take 100 ml three times a day of an infusion of the following herbal mixture for 2-3 months:

• motherwort grass and calendula inflorescences;
• immortelle and chamomile inflorescences;
• buckthorn bark and St. John's wort;
• yarrow and bearberry;
• plantain and horsetail.

All components are taken in equal volume and 8 tsp. collection you need 500 ml of boiling water. Leave the liquid for 2-2.5 hours.

Contraindications for use

Motherwort infusion not only brings benefits, but in some cases can cause significant harm. This is why it is important to consult with doctors before taking a medicinal drink.

• Pregnant women should avoid using tinctures with motherwort. The drink causes uterine contractions and can cause uterine bleeding or even miscarriage.
• Nursing mothers should also avoid it, as if it gets into the milk, it can harm the development of the child.
• The alcohol solution should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
• It should not be used by people suffering from low blood pressure; it is better to drink ginseng tincture.
• Due to the high alcohol content in the infusion, it should not be consumed by people with peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestines.
• If your menstruation is too heavy, it is better to avoid use, as there is a risk of increased bleeding.
• In case of allergic reactions to the plant itself, it is contraindicated to use any drugs based on it.
• Drivers, people working in hazardous industries, military personnel and anyone for whom reaction speed is of paramount importance should not use the medicinal infusion.

Important! Any abnormalities in the body when using the infusion should alert you. If you notice this, stop treatment immediately, as this may subsequently lead to allergic reactions and organ pathologies.

How to prepare

This medicinal plant is best harvested during the flowering period, when its juice contains the most beneficial substances. It is advisable to take tall plants (reaching half a meter in height) and with a stem thickness of half a centimeter. Only the tops of dog nettles are suitable as a healing potion. After collection, they are spread in an even layer on paper in a warm but ventilated place and turned over from time to time. To preserve maximum medicinal components in the herb, it is important to avoid direct sunlight during the drying period. Properly dried herb can be stored for 3 years.

Simple recipes for motherwort tincture at home

Like any ordinary infusion, a medicinal infusion can also be prepared at home. It doesn't take much time and doesn't require any special knowledge.

Water infusion

This recipe will be useful for those who suffer from various types of neuroses and for whom the consumption of alcoholic beverages is contraindicated.

Ingredients

Cooking process

• Pour the medicinal herb into the container.
• Water must be poured into the pan and brought to a boil.
• Then pour boiling water over the herbal mixture.
• Cover it with a lid and leave to steep for 20-30 minutes.
• Next, strain the liquid into a clean bottle and drink a tablespoon three times a day on an empty stomach.

Alcohol tincture of motherwort

A classic alcohol-based drink is well suited for those who have problems with sleep, shortness of breath and heart rhythm. It is recommended to take the infusion three times a day, 30 drops before meals.

Ingredients

Cooking process

• Pour a glass of food alcohol of the required strength.
• Pour the dry herbal mixture into the same glass.
• Close the glass well and place it in a dark, warm place to infuse.
• After about 2 weeks, strain the liquid, pour into a storage container and you can use it.

Now you know how useful motherwort tincture is, what harm it can cause and how to drink it correctly. Do not forget that the use of any medicinal infusion requires a serious approach and consultation with a doctor. Have you used it for treatment? Perhaps you have a special recipe? Be sure to share this in the comments.

Common Questions

How and when should you collect motherwort?

For therapeutic purposes, the tops of the stem with inflorescences are used. Harvesting should be carried out during the flowering period - from late June to mid-August. It is necessary to cut off the tops of stems that have reached 5 mm in diameter. The length of the cut raw material should not exceed 40 cm.

Is it possible to drink products with this plant if you have low blood pressure?

It is necessary to refrain from taking the herbal remedy for patients with severe hypotension, as well as with sudden fluctuations in pressure.

Can motherwort tablets cause headaches?

In cases of drug overdose and hypotension, patients often experience side effects in the form of headaches.

How long can you drink it without a break?

There are different regimens for taking the drug - a course of 20 days with a break of 10 days, or 30 days with a break of 2 weeks.

Motherwort herb is an effective herbal remedy for systemic and cardiac pathologies, which is recognized by official medicine. The drug should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision.

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