The bedstraw is widespread both in Russia and in other countries, and has many names. It is a plant with unique medicinal properties. Bedstraw is used in both official and traditional medicine. In addition to medicinal properties, he also has contraindications. Features of the bedstraw of this and plant photos will be presented in this review.
Names and Description
This plant has many names, such as:
- Honey cake.
- Honey grass.
- Whey grass.
- Breast.
- Spring bedstraw.
- Wormworm.
- Yellow porridge.
- Bedstraw yellow.
The present bedstraw is one of four hundred representatives of species of herbaceous plants belonging to the genus of bedstraws. This genus is part of a family called the Marens, which are dicotyledonous. The bedstraw under consideration has four subspecies.
This plant belongs to perennials. Its root is very branched and tenacious, the stem is lowered very low. Touching the ground, as a rule, it takes root. Like all others, a real bedstraw can rise above the soil only with the help of grass growing nearby, which is erect.
Appearance
The bedstraw is as follows:
- It reaches a height of 60 to 120 cm.
- It has a very branched root.
- It has a straight stem, weak, with a short edge.
- The leaves of the bedstraw present in the lower part are velvety, grayish in color. And on top - narrow, with a sharp end, shiny, dark green. Their length varies from one to three centimeters, in width they reach two millimeters. In the whorl (part of the stem or branch, where in one place there are three or more leaf or flower), the bedstraw is 8-12 mm wide.
- A photo of a bedstraw of the present demonstrates that its fruit resembles a nut, which is visually divided into two parts by a longitudinal constriction. The color of the fruit is brownish-brown, they are covered with a rare fluff.
- The flowers of the present bedstraw, photos of which are presented below, form a dense panicle with an elongated pyramidal shape. (The panicle, in botany, is a complex inflorescence that branches repeatedly and has simple inflorescences at the ends of branches). The diameter of the flowers is from two to three millimeters, they are small, bright yellow, emitting the smell of honey. Flowering time - somewhere in June or July.
Where grows
The grass of the bedstraw is widespread on the territory of the Eurasian continent. In our country, this plant is also found. It grows in all regions of Eastern and Western Siberia, in the Far East. And also in neighboring countries with Russia - in Belarus, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Ukraine.
According to one version, the name of the plant comes from the word “mary”, which in some Russian regions means lowland wetlands. Although the bedstraw does not grow directly on the swamps, it is often found near them, in a humid environment. And also it can be found in dry areas - in meadows, clearings, along roads and paths.
Collection and Harvesting
The bedstraw is real, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which will be described later, it is necessary to harvest during flowering, beginning in late May and ending in early September. The roots can be dug up all summer. Collect all parts of the plant, including the rhizome. At the same time, the stalks do not touch.
The most valuable for medicinal use are flowers and grass. Panicles are dried in a room that is well ventilated. And you can also carry out this process on the street, in a darkened place - if the weather allows. It should be non-hot, with a slight breeze.
In order for the inflorescences to be dried uniformly, it is necessary to distribute them with a thin layer on sheets of paper or on flaps of natural fabric. From time to time they need to be turned and turned over.
There is another way: to form bundles of flowers, tie them in several pieces and hang them by hooking them on a hook or attaching clothespins to a rope. Ready-to-eat raw materials are stored for three years. Sometimes fresh grass is squeezed, and the resulting juice is diluted with alcohol - thus the shelf life is increased. Bed grass has a bitter, astringent taste.
Use in different areas
The various properties of bedstraws have long been used by man. Here are some examples of its use:
- In the past, after drying, they were filled with mattresses. This was done due to the fact that the bedstraw contains a substance such as coumarin. Its smell contributed to a lesser dispersal of fleas.
- Due to the presence of chymosin in the flowers, this plant was used in the manufacture of cheeses, condensing milk with their help. To give the cheese a bright color, juice was added to it, squeezed from freshly picked copies of the plant.
- In the textile industry, a bedstraw was used to dye fabrics, giving it a bright yellow, golden or red color.
- The flowers of this plant contain honey glands that secrete nectar (a juice that contains a lot of sugars). Therefore, bedstraw is of interest to beekeepers.
Healing properties
The healing properties of the bedstraw of the present have been evaluated by ancient people. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Painkiller.
- Sweatshops.
- Diuretic.
- Relaxing.
- Restorative.
- Mild laxative.
- Wound healing.
- Hemostatic.
- Relieving cramping.
Thus, a real bedstraw, the photo of which we provide in the review, is a storehouse of healing properties.
Outdoor use
The indicated properties of this useful plant are used in the treatment of such external diseases as:
- Skin cancer.
- Abscess (inflammation of the tissues, accompanied by the formation of pus).
- Cuts.
- Bruises.
- Burns.
- Festering sores and wounds.
- Eczema
- Abscesses.
- Boils.
- Mastitis.
Ingestion
Internal use of bedstraw is indicated for the following types of diseases:
- Angina.
- Cold.
- Inflammation of the lungs and other diseases associated with coughing.
- Atherosclerosis (damage to arteries due to improper metabolism of fats and proteins).
- Skin abnormalities accompanied by pain.
- Heart ailment.
- Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the intestines and stomach).
- Gastralgia (pain in the abdomen).
- Intestinal colic.
- Dysentery.
- Malfunctioning of the biliary tract and liver.
- Female diseases.
- Jade (renal inflammation).
- Neurasthenia.
- Epilepsy.
- Diabetes.
- Bleeding.
Forms of use of bedding
For internal and external use of bedding, a variety of forms are used. These include powder, freshly squeezed juice, tincture and steam. Another bedstraw can be used in the form of an ointment, which is prepared by rubbing it with butter or other fat.
Powder made from dried and crushed plants is used as a powder. To prepare the infusion, take five tablespoons of herbs and half a liter of boiled water. The mixture is infused for five hours, after which it is carefully filtered.
How to cook steamed
Such a dosage form as napar is not known to everyone, so we will consider it in more detail. Napar is a long-known folk method of making infusions, in which the most delicate parts of a plant — fruits, leaves, flowers and grass — are vaporized.
It cannot be used in its pure form in modern conditions, since the steam was cooked in a Russian stove, which cooled overnight.
Today, the pairing is done differently, while taking the following into account:
- As a substitute for the method with a Russian stove, vegetable raw materials that are previously crushed are placed in a clay or porcelain container. Then it is poured with boiling water and left overnight to cool.
- With this method, the result partially loses its effectiveness, so it is preferable to use a thermos or oven.
- When preparing a steam for internal use, a concentration of the feedstock (measured in grams) is needed at which 10 volumes of steam will be obtained (in milliliters).
- For external use, a concentration of about three times that is used.
- The resulting substrate deteriorates very quickly, so it will have to be prepared every day. In extreme cases, you can leave it in the refrigerator for no more than three days. In such a situation, before use, it must be heated over low heat, not boiling.
Examples of using
Different forms of bed remedies are used for various diseases. Here are some examples.
- Porridge from bedstraw grass is used for breast infiltrate. This disease is the formation in the tissues of cells with an admixture of lymph and blood. This increases the volume of the breast and its density above normal.
- The powder is taken orally with dysentery, which is cured due to the astringent properties of the plant. And they also fall asleep wounds on which ulcers formed.
- Freshly squeezed juice is prescribed for people with diabetes and suffering from impotence.
- An ointment made from juice gives a great effect on the formation of abscesses and various inflammations.
- Infusion is used in the treatment of heart disease, for example, with angina pectoris. They also make lotions and take baths when there are wounds and ulcers, other skin lesions.
Real bedstraw: contraindications
In addition to the great benefits mentioned above, the bedstraw has a number of contraindications. They are as follows:
- Since it has a strong diuretic effect, this plant should be used with great care for people suffering from diabetes.
- A real bedstraw has a stable astringent effect, that is, when applied topically, it condenses tissues or forms a tight protective film. Therefore, interruptions for a period of one week should be provided for in the courses of treatment.
- Due to the certain toxicity of this plant, it is not recommended to use it for pregnant, lactating women and young children.
- Another factor of contraindications is the individual intolerance to the components that make up the bedstraw.
And also you can’t use it for diseases that include:
- Bowel obstruction.
- The exhaustion of the body.
- Blockage of veins.
- Stones in the kidneys.
- Low pressure.
Mythical Fleur
A number of beautiful traditions and rituals are associated with the bedstraw. Here is some of them:
- In Christianity, there is a legend according to which the bedstraw was part of the hay litter of the newborn Jesus Christ in the Bethlehem manger.
- This herb is associated with the name of the goddess Frigg from the mythology of the ancient Norwegians, who is the patroness of married women. She assisted them during childbirth. Therefore, representatives of the Scandinavian peoples, using the bedstraw as a sedative, called it "Frigga grass."
- The pagans used a bedstraw to decorate the altar, viewing it as an offering to the gods, which is associated with its melliferous properties.
- In magical rites, he is associated with the moon, making amulets from him that support motherhood and female power.
From the foregoing, we can conclude that a simple bedstraw, being, in fact, a small, unremarkable weed, with small flowers, can help people defeat a serious illness. In this case, it is necessary to consult with doctors, observe the dosage and take into account all contraindications.