Centaury is a herbaceous plant of the Gentian family. It is widely used in folk and official medicine. Before preparing centaury-based products, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the indications and contraindications for their use.
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What a centaury looks like: photo and description of the plant
During flowering, the centaury has small light pink flowers
Centaury is a perennial or annual plant with erect stems or branched shoots. Ovate oblong leaves form a rosette at its rhizome, and sharp leaves are located oppositely on the stems. The plant begins to bloom in the summer and during this period, small pale pink flowers appear, collected in inflorescences. By the end of summer, centaury plants ripen fruits, which are an oblong box that contains small brownish seeds.
The centaury is also known under such names as the spool, the seven-leafed, the thousand-leaf, the heart-leaf, the centaurus, the red-flower and the seven-leaf.
Herbal raw materials for the preparation of medicines can be bought at most pharmacies.
Centaury is used not only in folk, but also in official medicine. The plant is included in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation. Herbal raw materials can be purchased at almost any pharmacy. Centaury is also added to drugs for the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (Nefrosten, Kanefron).
What types of heart are used in traditional medicine
For the preparation of medicines, the centaury is most often used.
Experts count about 20 varieties of this plant. In traditional medicine, only a few types are used. The most popular of them is the common centaury or small. It is used to prepare medicines that are used in the treatment of liver and heart diseases, as well as diabetes and malaria.
The aerial part of the beautiful centaury is used for medicinal purposes.
In folk medicine, the aerial parts of the beautiful centaury are also used. From its stems, flowers and leaves, infusions and decoctions are prepared, which help to cure cholecystitis and get rid of heartburn.
Meyer's centaury differs from other species in white flowers
In many countries, Meyer's centaury is used for medicinal purposes. A decoction based on it is effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal and pulmonary diseases.
The following varieties of centaury are used extremely rarely in folk medicine:
- seaside, or coastal;
- spiky;
- swamp.
The healing properties of the plant
The hearthorn has the following beneficial properties:
- hemostatic;
- choleretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- hepatoprotective;
- antimicrobial;
- healing;
- decongestant;
- antispasmodic.
Centaury products also increase appetite and cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
Indications for the use of medicinal herbs
Indications for the use of medicines based on centaury:
- chronic diseases of the bladder and kidneys;
- cholecystitis;
- indigestion;
- chronic hepatitis;
- angina;
- ARVI AND ARI;
- pneumonia;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- diabetes;
- gynecological diseases;
- hypertension;
- dyskinesia of the urinary tract;
- skin diseases.
Taking heart-based products is recommended for the prevention of bladder stones. Decoctions and infusions help fight alcoholism. For women, they are recommended to increase lactation and normalize the menstrual cycle. Products made from centauri will also help reduce pain after childbirth or abortion. Men are advised to take alcoholic tincture from the spool for prostatitis and impotence.
Contraindications and side effects
List of contraindications to the use of a spool-based product:
- obesity;
- duodenal ulcer in acute and chronic form;
- pregnancy;
- acidity gastritis;
- children under 12 years of age;
- tendency to diarrhea;
- individual intolerance.
A decoction of centaury is allowed to be taken during breastfeeding, but it should be borne in mind that the taste of milk may change.
In case of overdose with centaury-based drugs, the following side effects may appear:
- nausea;
- indigestion;
- stomach ache;
- sweating and fever.
Popular recipes
For the preparation of medicines, only the aboveground part of the centaury is used. On the basis of plant materials at home, you can prepare:
- water infusion;
- broth;
- alcohol tincture;
- tea;
- oil for external use.
Infusion
Ingredient List:
- 35 g of plant materials;
- 650 ml of warm water.
Instructions for preparing the infusion:
- Fill the centaury with water.
- Let the product brew for 12 hours.
- Strain the infusion.
It is recommended to take the remedy for gynecological diseases. It is advisable to drink the infusion warm several times a day before meals.
Decoction
Ingredient List:
- 1.5 tsp. herbs;
- 500 ml of boiling water.
Instructions for preparing the broth:
- Pour vegetable raw materials into boiling water.
- Simmer the mixture over low heat for 20 minutes.
- Let the broth brew for 20 minutes.
- Strain the product.
Drink the broth 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day for 2 tbsp. l. in one go. The duration of the course of treatment for angina, acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections is 7 days.
Alcohol tincture
Ingredient List:
- 5 g of plant materials;
- 100 ml of alcohol.
Instructions for preparing the tincture:
- Pour alcohol over the grass.
- Remove the container with the product in a dark place for 20 days.
- Filter out the tincture.
It can help relieve nausea, heartburn and bloating, and increase your appetite. It is recommended to take it 12 drops before each meal.
Tea
Ingredient List:
- 12 g of grass;
- 230 ml warm water.
Step-by-step instructions for making tea:
- Mix ingredients.
- Let the tea brew for a day.
- Filter the product before use.
Drinking this tea is recommended for cystitis. It will also help increase milk supply in nursing mothers. Tea should be drunk warm several times a day.
Butter
Ingredient List:
- 100 g of dried crushed flowers;
- 100 ml of olive oil.
Step-by-step instructions for making oil:
- Pour flowers into a glass container.
- Pour the vegetable raw materials with olive oil.
- Fold the cheesecloth in 4 layers and cover the container with it instead of the lid.
- Move the jar to a well-lit place for 3 weeks.
- Filter out the oil.
- Pour the product into small jars and close them tightly with a lid.
Store the oil in the refrigerator. They can treat the affected areas of the skin with eczema and psoriasis, as well as rub sore joints.
Procurement and storage of plant materials
Harvesting plant materials, which will later be used for the preparation of medicines, should be during the flowering period of centaury. You need to cut off the stems above the root outlet. It is forbidden to pull out the plant by the root. It is recommended to carry out the collection of hearths away from the roadway and settlements. It is necessary to dry the collected centaury in a well-ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight. It is recommended to spread it out on paper in a thin layer.
It is recommended to store dried stems and leaves of centaury in a tightly closed glass container
Store plant materials in small glass containers or paper bags. The shelf life of dried leaves and stems is 2 years. High-quality raw materials have a pronounced bitter taste.
Feedback on the results of use
In our house we have a centaury, which was bought more for my husband who has problems with digestion. But I saw that it has a choleretic effect, so I took it myself a little. He helped her husband, felt its effect on himself.
Well, I will not say that I bought a centaury for myself, if only I had to buy my loved ones with problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract and stomach. The centaury decoction copes well with gastritis, as well as with heartburn, and, accordingly, with constipation, but with prolonged use it can cause indigestion, that it is better to observe the dose.
The effect of a centaury decoction appears after several tricks, the appetite increases. Therefore, the medicine is effective. But read the contraindications carefully before use. I forgot to do this and got severe abdominal pains, since one of the contraindications was reflux-exophagitis, and on top of that, an increased sensitivity to the drug was added. I took it for less than 2 days, and then these symptoms appeared and I had to interrupt the reception.
Video: features of the use of the spool in traditional medicine
Centaury is effective in the treatment of many diseases, but it is recommended to take funds based on it in conjunction with medicines prescribed by a specialist. It is also advisable to obtain the approval of the attending physician before using them.
