Centaury is an important plant in the field of medicine, as it has a number of useful properties. This herb cleanses the human body of toxins, effectively heals various wounds. Those who suffer from tuberculosis are also required as a medicine. But in order to properly use this plant to eliminate the ailment, you need to study its medicinal properties. The centaury grass became the subject of our review. We will find out in which situations traditional medicine recommends its use, and in which it is better to abstain.
What is centaury?
The common centaury, as gardeners call this most common variety of grass, is a two-year plant (less commonly, an annual plant), whose height does not exceed 40 centimeters. Moreover, its leaves are thin and small. The stems are single, they are tetrahedral in shape, and the basal ones are in the outlet. From the rhizome usually sprouts from 2 to 5 stems.
Centaury blooms with small bracts, the shade of which is bright pink tones. There are centaury flowers, both yellow and white, but this rarely happens. If the centaury is smaller (about 15 centimeters), it lacks a basal rosette of leaves, as well as inflorescences.
Calyx of a plant with a leaf-shaped form, divided into 4 or 5 shares. And the corolla has a cylindrical structure in the form of a tube bent along a flat bend. The elongated stamens are twisted together.
Varieties of centaury
There are 2 varieties of this plant - this is a small and spiky centaury. The leaves of a small plant are suitable for the manufacture of various teas and tinctures. Dried grass is stored in small cloth bags or in glass jars.
The spiky centaury differs from the small one in its inflorescence, which has acquired a shape similar to an ear. There is a spike-like analogue of this plant in the Altai Territory, as well as in Central Asia. It is bred on a large scale, as its natural reserves make it easy to do so.
Chemical composition and classification
The grass contains up to 1% alkaloid gentianin. In addition to gentianin, in centaury there are essential oils, phytosterols, ascorbic and organic acids, as well as flavone glycosides.
The centaury belongs to herbaceous plants of the gentian family. Due to its natural bitterness, which this herb is endowed with generously, it is suitable for stimulating appetite in humans.
In total, about 20 species of centaury are known, but only 2 are used in medicine: it is ordinary and beautiful.
Habitats and flowering period
It is possible to meet medicinal grass centaury in areas of subtropics and in places with a temperate climate. Therefore, countries such as Australia, Iran and Chile are quite rich in this plant. But in Russia it is quite possible to find a similar grass. She thrives actively in sunny meadows, various fields and arable lands, as well as at the edges, that is, in those places where light from sunlight is spread. Conversely, in a shady area, you should not look for this plant, since this is not its favorable conditions for prosperity.
There are many places where the centaury grows; there is also it in Ukraine (Carpathian region), Belarus, Turkmenistan and the Caucasus. Isolated areas with this grass are also found in Northern Altai.
This plant usually blooms in June. It is then that one should start collecting it for practical use for medicinal purposes. But the collection may take a whole summer, during which the raw materials necessary for practical purposes are prepared.
How is the collection and preparation of raw materials
The centaury is cut off entirely. At the same time, only small shoots for seed maturation remain in the ground. But to dry the cut grass must be extremely careful. To do this, it is laid on one side and dried in a special place where sunlight and moisture do not make their way. Once the grass has dried, it is placed indoors. At the same time, it should be well ventilated.
Raw materials procured in this way are stored for no more than 3 years. For the specified period of time, it is desirable to fully use it for any needs.
Medicinal properties of centaury grass
It is important to understand that centaury is a plant that will be very useful for humans. But in order to actively use it in the treatment process, it is worthwhile to first understand what specific healing properties this herb has. Among them, the following main ones can be distinguished:
- Elimination of various inflammatory processes. This herb can be applied to the wound, which will only contribute to the faster healing of cuts or burns. In this case, the plant does not cause any irritation.
- When taking decoctions or tinctures from centaury, it is possible to expel bile from the body.
- Stops instantly heavy bleeding. This is very important for those people who have poor blood coagulation.
- It allows you to get rid of constipation, as it improves the digestive process in the stomach with systematic use.
- Normalizes appetite.
What are the contraindications?
In addition to medicinal properties, centaury grass also has contraindications. They must be taken into account. For example, centaury contributes to an increase in a person’s body weight, as it stimulates his appetite. In this situation, it is important to control the intake of necessary calories for the body, since their excessive saturation will not lead to a positive effect.
In some situations, this herb may be the main cause of diarrhea. Disease of the stomach and problems with the duodenum also often arise from exposure to the body of this plant.
When using centaury, it is very important to observe the necessary dosage. If you do not adhere to this condition, difficulties with the normalization of the digestive process will certainly appear in all its glory.
Those people who are prone to fullness should not take this herb as a healing potion, since the centaury increases the appetite.
What diseases can be cured of, methods of application
The list of main diseases that can be eliminated by the systematic use of centaury include:
- Alcoholism. They drink a special mixture of this plant 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. It is obtained by mixing 1 part of wormwood, as well as 4 parts of centaury. At the same time, 1 cup boiling water is poured into 1 tablespoon of the mixture, and then let it brew for 1 hour.
- The elimination of worms. Take 1 tablespoon of grass, put in a specific container. Half a glass of vodka is poured here, the contents are closed with a lid for 2 weeks. It is important to remember to periodically shake the tincture. And you need to do this at least 1 time per day. It is taken from 15 to 20 drops about 30 minutes before a meal.
- Treatment of chronic hepatitis. A tablespoon of centaury should be infused in boiling water (about 0.5 liters), let it cool, and then strain thoroughly. The medicine received is taken one hour before a meal. Patients take this decoction in 1/3 of a glass. In the same way, diabetes can also be cured.
- With inflammation of the gallbladder. For this purpose, prepare a special choleretic collection. Its composition includes equal amounts of centaury grass, flowers of sandy cumin and airy root. For 500 grams of water add only 6 grams of the resulting choleretic collection. The mixture is infused at night, and in the morning it is boiled for about 5 minutes after boiling. A glass of the prepared broth should be drunk on an empty stomach half an hour before meals.
Remember, self-medication can only aggravate the situation, so do not neglect a visit to the doctor. Only after his recommendation can drug therapy be combined with alternative.
The most famous herb recipes
You can prepare many different preparations from centaury grass, as well as peculiar tinctures that will become very suitable in folk medicine. But in order to understand which of them best treat a particular disease, you need to understand the intricacies of preparation.
Decoctions or tinctures prepared from the centaury ordinary are suitable for the elimination of skin diseases. They also have a very fruitful effect on the body and allow it to fight against such types of ailments as sinusitis and migraine. In some cases, this type of plant is used externally - this happens with eczema, as well as with open wounds that bleed heavily.
Plant juice will be most effective for eliminating earaches. The essence of the treatment is based on the fact that the juice enters the ear in a minimal amount - a few drops. But food allergies in children are best cured with a special decoction of centaury.
The centaury tincture on vodka is prepared as follows: it is necessary to mix vodka (about 200 grams) with the dry grass of the plant (1 tablespoon). A distinctive feature of this recipe is the very long cooking time of the tincture. After all, it will take at least two weeks to brew. But it should be constantly stirred and do not forget about it. Taking this medicine, a person can normalize the functioning of his digestive system.
With heartburn and nausea, a mixture prepared according to this recipe will become more effective: 5 grams of dry centaury powder is poured with 25 grams of ethyl alcohol. This mixture is infused for about 10 days, then it should be carefully filtered. Take 20 drops 30 minutes before a meal.
Herbal tea from centaury is prepared simply. To do this, take 1 teaspoon of crushed grass and add cold water (250 grams) to it. All this is infused for 10 minutes, and then filtered.
How to take?
The instructions for use recommend the use of centaury grass after consultation with your doctor. It is possible to treat tinctures from this plant at home, but only with a competent approach to this matter. Do not forget to consult with competent specialists in the preparation of tincture or decoction on your own, so as not to harm your health, as well as the well-being of your loved one, by any thoughtless action. The use of centaury herb depends on the person’s diagnosis.
Growing recommendations
In order to grow medicinal grass centaury, it is necessary to sow the seeds of the plant in the garden in the spring. For this, special holes are dug to a depth of 1.5 centimeters. The distance between them should be from 20 to 40 centimeters, and the row spacing - from 45 to 60 centimeters. Centaury is not particularly demanding on soil quality, so if everything is done correctly, then in June it will already be possible to collect a plentiful crop and prepare the necessary raw materials from it. In addition, on the site, this grass will look beautiful. She will definitely adorn the summer garden, because the flowers of the plant are bright pink. It is small, it can easily diversify the flower garden.