Creeping wheatgrass is a herbaceous perennial plant of the cereal family. People call it dog grass, wolf tooth, field fire, breadbasket or rye. The plant has a long rhizome, which spreads quickly on the ground. In view of this, he became almost the main enemy in the gardens and gardens.
But do not rush to throw wheatgrass root. The therapeutic properties and contraindications, which we will discuss in the next article, turn out to be inherent in him.
Description
Wheatgrass rhizome stretches horizontally, and reproduction occurs due to its processes. Erect stems can reach a height of one and a half meters. Long linear leaves are rough on the outside. Flowers are collected in inflorescences, spikelets, the length of which is from 7 to 15 centimeters.
Flowering plants occur in the first half of summer, and the fruit ripens in September. Few people know that wheatgrass root has medicinal properties (and contraindications, like any medicine), and when they see a growing plant in the garden, they try to get rid of it. However, this will not be easy to do, since the rhizomes can stretch for tens of meters and multiply in this way more and more. Yes and not worth it. Better to find them a useful application.
Kinds
There are approximately seventy plant species that are distributed mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. Creeping wheatgrass most often grows in Russia. Farmers feed them livestock.
Certain types are used for household needs. For example, with the help of wheatgrass grass, sands and dunes are fixed by the sea. Other cultures, called medium and elongated wheat grass, actively crossbreed. So hybrid varieties resistant to frost and parasites are bred, but the basis is the wheatgrass root.
Healing properties
Both contraindications and beneficial effects of the plant are mainly associated with rhizome. Studies conducted in laboratory conditions have confirmed the presence of beneficial substances in wheatgrass, which many perceive only as a weed.
It contains organic acids, fatty oils, levulosis, aveline, fructose, carotene, mucus, vitamin C and other components.
But its healing properties were well known in ancient times and the plant was widely used as a diuretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. It helps with the elimination of edema, as well as cystitis, nephritis and removes stones from the bladder.
For gastritis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, severe constipation and other similar diseases, wheatgrass root is used. The healing properties, indications for use are due to the emollient, expectorant and enveloping effect, facilitating the patient's condition.
In addition, the use of healing herbs helps with insomnia.
Composition
Have you noticed how cats and dogs find a plant when they are sick and eat its leaves? Natural instincts help you find the right medicine. In addition, wheatgrass effectively fights with worms that are in the body of animals.
The therapeutic effect, which is achieved both in animals and in humans, is provided due to its rich composition. So, the plant cells contain:
- ascorbic, malic acid ;
- carotene, mucus, pectin, saponin;
- trace elements magnesium, iron, sodium;
- phenolic compounds;
- essential, fatty oils;
- other compounds, including amino acids.
Dosage Forms
Raw materials are collected in late summer or early fall. In this case, rhizomes should be carefully separated from other parts of the plant and prepared for the winter.
It is sublimated in the oven or in dryers. The temperature should not exceed 60 degrees. The ability to break with a bang without deformation will show readiness. In this form, creeping medicinal properties retains wheat grass the longest .
Application is possible for 3 years. The raw material is odorless. But the taste is sweetish.
Recipes
Even in traditional medicine, wheatgrass roots are used to prepare various medications.
The healing properties and contraindications (recipes are different, depending on the disease) were invented by the healers in ancient times.
Consider those that are most common.
To cleanse the blood vessels take two tablespoons of raw materials, pour a glass of water at room temperature and insist 12 hours. Filter, then the grass is poured a glass of boiling water and add another poured glass. After cooling, the infusion is drunk for one day. The course of treatment lasts 3 months.
To clear the joints of salts, it is necessary to add a tablespoon of crushed rhizomes to a glass of boiling water. The mixture is insisted for a couple of hours and drunk a little during the day. The course lasts 7 days. Then they take a short break and resume treatment.
With skin diseases, a decoction of rhizomes gives a very useful effect. For this, 50 grams of raw materials are bred in five liters and heated in a water bath. After infusion, the broth is poured into a bath of water. Usually enough 10-15 baths, depending on the disease.
In case of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and biliary tract diseases, 100 g of prepared raw materials are taken, poured with a liter of boiling water, and evaporated over low heat until half of the liquid remains. After this, the product is cooled and drunk before meals in small doses.
Contraindications
When they are going to use any medicinal plant, including wheat grass, properties, treatment, contraindications should be carefully studied.
However, in the case of this plant, no specific contraindications have been identified to date. However, like any medicine, it should be taken with caution and not exceed the prescribed dosages.
It is not recommended to take remedies from rhizomes for children under two years of age, as well as for pregnant women. In addition, individual intolerance may appear, because of which you should immediately stop taking the drug.
Conclusion
Having examined the creeping wheatgrass, medicinal properties, the description of the plant, we can summarize what was said through the field of its application.
- Medicines containing plant rhizomes in their composition have diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative properties that help cleanse the blood.
- Creeping wheatgrass is often prescribed for rheumatism and gout. It also helps with skin diseases and female ailments.
- Together with the outflow of liquid, the plant helps to eliminate toxins, so that the skin is cleaned.
- It will be useful for catarrh of the respiratory tract. And baths with its addition will help with hemorrhoids, rickets and diathesis.
- The healing properties also regulate the metabolism of salts. Therefore, it is recommended for use in osteochondrosis and arthritis.
- Prolonged and regular use will lead to a decrease in blood cholesterol.
- In addition, the root has established itself as an excellent nourishing, regenerating and tonic.
Reviews
Often people begin to look closely at this plant when they notice how their pets stubbornly seek and eat this grass. And after learning this, which wheatgrass root has medicinal properties and contraindications for a person, they try it themselves.
So far no reviews have been found wherever they would speak out negatively about this natural healing remedy. Its soft but steady action, thanks to the rich composition of vitamins and minerals, has been proven even by medical research. So, the plant can be safely consumed, not forgetting at the same time about precautionary measures.