Wormwood bitter is included in the list of medicinal plants, which have been used since ancient times in folk medicine. In addition, this plant is included in the pharmacopoeia (a collection of standards that standardize the quality of medicines) in over 200 countries and is widely used in official medicine and homeopathy. On the beneficial properties of wormwood, its use in medicine and contraindications, let's talk in this article.
Composition and medicinal properties of Artemisia
Useful properties of wormwood:
- anti-inflammatory;
- bactericidal;
- antifungal;
- antiparasitic;
- pain reliever;
- antipyretic;
- wound healing;
- choleretic;
- diuretic;
- tonic;
- purifying, etc.
Of course, the medicinal properties of wormwood are due to its unique composition, which includes: vitamins A and C, carotene, organic acids - malic and succinic, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phytoncides, potassium salts, essential oil, etc.
Medical use of wormwood
For medicinal purposes, wormwood preparations (infusions, decoctions, alcohol tinctures, liquid extract, oil, ointments) are used, which are made from fresh or dried herbs. In some cases, directly apply freshly cut or dried grass in a crushed form. The plant is harvested and harvested from July to August, stored in dried form for no more than two years.
The most common are infusions and decoctions of wormwood, which will retain the properties of the plant to a large extent. To make a tasty infusion of a tablespoon of fresh herbs or half a spoonful of dry pour a glass of boiling water and insist half an hour. To prepare a decoction, wormwood is poured with water in the same proportion, but no longer boiling, but cold; after boiling the broth languishes on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Diseases that can be treated by wormwood:
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diseases of the liver and gallbladder;
- diseases of the nasopharynx, oral cavity, respiratory tract;
- parasitic infections;
- skin diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- nerve diseases;
- damage to the skin, bruises, wounds, etc.
In addition, wormwood is used to stimulate appetite, eliminate bad breath, with anemia , insomnia, improve metabolism, and treat alcoholism.
The healing properties of wormwood are effective for solving problems with hair, namely, this plant helps to cope with increased fat content of hair. To do this, after washing, the hair should be rinsed with infusion of wormwood.
Side effects and contraindications to the use of Artemisia
Like all medicinal plants, wormwood, besides good, can cause harm to the body. But this is possible only if you neglect contraindications to its use, and also exceed the recommended dosage. A prolonged internal intake of wormwood and an overdose may cause mild poisoning and vomiting, and in the most severe cases - lead to general toxic effects of a central nature,
Remember that, in addition to strict compliance with the prescription dosage when preparing preparations from Artemisia, this plant is forbidden to consume more than two weeks in a row (you should take a break in the course of treatment).
Wormwood preparations are not recommended for infants, during pregnancy and lactation, with peptic ulcer of stomach and duodenum, increased gastric secretion, enterocolitis, anemia, frequent bleeding.