The first pharmacy that our ancestors contacted was the forest. Ancient manuscripts store many recipes from a variety of medicinal herbs. The elecampane, which was used in the treatment of the sorcerers, healers and priests, was no exception.
Cleansing Elena
A beautiful Greek legend is associated with the elecampane plant. Even the goddesses were envious of the beauty of the daughter of Zeus and Leda. Many rulers dreamed of marrying Elena. The cunning Odysseus, in order to avoid strife and quarrels, advised them: “Let the beauty herself decide with whom she wants to connect her life. And let the suitors swear that they will not raise weapons against her chosen one. ”
Menelaus became the chosen one of Helen, who later became the king of Sparta. And no one could imagine how much trouble their union would bring. After all, for ten years the blood of the Achaeans and Trojans was spilled because of Elena.
Paris, the son of the King of the Trojan, abducted Helen, and an angry Menelaus gathered his army and opposed Troy. The Greeks kept the Trojans under siege for ten years. And then the duel between Menelaus and Paris took place.
The beautiful Elena dressed in expensive clothes and climbed the tower to watch the fight. Having ascended the fortress walls, she remembered her native Sparta, and hot tears flowed from her eyes. Where they fell to the ground, there appeared plants with beautiful flowers, which were given the name "Elna Elenium" - the cleansing of Helen.
What is elecampane
Elenium (as the elecampane is called in Latin) is a perennial plant, with a thick rhizome of brown color, with velvety, elongated leaves and small yellow flowers.
Elecampane is growing in Europe and the Caucasus, Asia and the Middle East, Turkey, China, Mongolia, Altai and Siberia. Meadows, forests, riverbanks, forest-steppes from July to September delight the eye with yellow flowers.
“Nine forces”
Plant properties have been known for more than one thousand years. How to brew the root of elecampane and from what diseases, our ancestors still knew. The name of the herb “elecampane” reflects the deep faith of the ancestors in the good power of the grass. They were sure that the plant healed from nine evil diseases. And heals not only from ailments, but also from evil spirits.
They were fumigated with houses and chicken coops, so that the hens would rush well. Using this tool, they tried to protect cattle from mortality and hung plant stems in the stable and stable. This wonderful grass grew in every yard to protect the owners from misfortunes and troubles. But most valued elecampane as a therapeutic tool that heals from many diseases. And already in those days, dozens of medical recipes were known, and almost everyone knew how to brew and drink elecampane as a tonic.
Ancient healers
Healing elecampane was known to ancient healers: Pliny, Hippocrates, Dioscorides. Especially noted for its expectorant properties. Dioscorides also knew how to make elecampane from coughing, and he prescribed crushed elecampane root with honey 2 times a day to his patients. In ancient Rome, it was used as a seasoning for various dishes.
At a later time, elecampane wine was popular. Fresh rhizome juice was mixed with honey and red wine, boiled for 10 minutes and taken to increase the acidity of the stomach. Odo from Mena left poetic lines about elecampane; it describes these properties of elecampane.
Medieval medicine
Healers of the Middle Ages believed that elecampane is useful as a diuretic, firming and invigorating. The root of the plant was included in many potions of Arab medicine. For bone fractures, ointments were prepared where one of the components was elecampane root. The same remedy was used for bites of bees, scorpions, vipers. Skin diseases were treated with elecampane rhizomes soaked in vinegar.
Avicenna recommended that the root of elecampane be brewed as a means of “expelling the worms from the abdomen”, and hernia was healed with elecampane juice mixed with rut juice. In ancient treatises of Tibetan medicine, elecampane was included in almost all healing compositions.
Later this plant began to be used in Russia as a decongestant, hemostatic, choleretic and diuretic. It was also used in the treatment of tachycardia, bronchial asthma, whooping cough and skin diseases. It was in elecampane that inulin was discovered, an effective tool in the fight against diabetes.
Chemical composition
Elecampane root contains up to four percent of essential oils, which include:
- Alanthol is a colorless liquid with a strong antiseptic property;
- proazulene - caesyl alcohol, which turns during the distillation of plant materials and steam into azulene, which has anti-allergic and regenerative properties;
- a-tocopherol - a type of vitamin E;
- gum - high molecular weight carbohydrate;
- saponins - organic compounds from glycosides;
- organic acids;
- polysaccharides - up to 44% inulin, inulinin, pseudoinulin;
- resins and bicyclic sesquiterpene lactones.
Healing properties
Rhizomes of plants have expectorant, antimicrobial, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic and tonic properties. Most strongly manifested in the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract: normalize secretory and motor functions, relieve spasm, increase bile secretion, reduce acidity, kill parasites and fungi.
Its disinfectant and expectorant effect is proven. He found application in medicine for bronchitis and tracheitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, in the treatment of influenza and acute respiratory infections. How to make elecampane from coughing and with other diseases is described below.
It is used for diabetes, neurosis, epilepsy, atherosclerosis. Great anthelmintic. Elecampane is used in the absence of menstruation or hypomenstrual syndrome, so you need to know how to make elecampane with a delay in menstruation.
It is used to treat skin diseases: with furunculosis, eczema, dermatosis, purulent and non-healing wounds.
Elecampane root is included in many collections for weight loss, as it normalizes digestion, accelerates bowel movement, and reduces cravings for sweets. Below is a recipe for how to brew elecampane for weight loss.
Elecampane wraps are recommended in the fight against cellulite.
The roots of the plant are used in cosmetology to rejuvenate, cleanse, and tone the skin. Also used for dandruff, to strengthen hair.
The use of elecampane
Alanton, made from the roots of elecampane, is sold in pharmacies, tablets used in peptic ulcer disease. “Alantolactone” - a means to get rid of helminths. Shredded elecampane roots are also on sale with instructions on how to brew elecampane. Independently prepare infusions, decoctions, ointments and alcohol tinctures:
- The broth is prepared in a water bath. Pour boiling water into a glass of finely chopped roots, put in a bowl of boiling water and hold for half an hour. Cool and add water to a glass. Drink a decoction of 1 spoon half an hour before meals.
- To prepare the infusion, pour a spoonful of elecampane with a glass of boiling water. For six hours, insist and drink 1 spoon 3 times a day. Another way to brew elecampane was proposed by Bulgarian healers. It is prepared in a cold way, in which many useful substances are preserved. Pour a teaspoon of elecampane with cold water and insist for at least 8 hours. Drink the infusion up to 8 times a day.
- For alcohol tincture, pour two tablespoons of the roots of the plant with 0.5 l of vodka and insist 10 days. Shake occasionally, strain and drink 20 drops.
Elecampane for weight loss
Elecampane has been used successfully in various diets due to its diuretic property. In addition, its properties improve intestinal motility, accelerate the process of emptying, and regulate metabolism. In addition, if you know how to brew elecampane, you can reduce the craving for salty, sweet and sour. Gum has a beneficial effect on the process of losing weight.
A glass of water pour one spoonful of rhizomes and boil for two minutes. Insist half an hour, drink 3 tablespoons four times a day.
With diabetes
The root of the plant contains up to 40% inulin, which replaces sugar and starch for diabetics. There is also D-fructose in it - one of the active substances for the treatment of diabetes. Bitterness, contained in the root, enhances the secretion of the pancreas and regulates cholesterol and sugar. In diabetes mellitus, elecampane can be brewed as an anti-sclerotic and sedative, used to improve the condition as a whole, as well as for concomitant diseases - stomatitis, gingivitis, skin inflammation and joint pain.
A liter of water pour one tablespoon of the root and boil for 25 minutes. Wrap the dishes with broth. After 4 hours you can drink. Take 4 times a day for 1 spoon.
Elecampane for cough
Essential oils and saponins in the composition of the plant have an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and mucus-releasing effect. Therefore, the root of elecampane is recommended for acute and chronic cough. The mucus after its administration is diluted and removed with sputum. In addition, the bitter substances contained in the root of the plant strengthen immunity and are recommended for bronchial asthma, when the body is weakened.
To prepare a cough broth, pour 300 ml of boiling water one and a half tablespoons of the roots of elecampane and put it to simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. Cool the broth, drink three teaspoons every three hours.
You can make an herbal mix. Here's how to brew the root of elecampane from coughing correctly in the form of a bronchodilator collection:
- To collect, you need to take equal amounts of elecampane root, anise and thyme. A liter of water pour two tablespoons of the mixture and boil for 15 minutes. Wrap the broth, insist 4 hours. Drink 1 glass for 10 days.
- For infusion from bronchitis, you need one teaspoon of the root and a glass of warm water. Insist 10 minutes. Drink 4 times a day in 60 ml. You can add honey.
Such a composition not only cleans the lungs of mucus, but also relieves inflammation, anesthetizes, has an immunomodulating effect, eliminates shortness of breath and wheezing.
Psoriasis treatment
Elecampane, which has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, in the form of ointments and lotions is used for psoriasis:
- To prepare the ointment, you need to pour two tablespoons of root powder into 50 ml of water. Keep the resulting mixture in a water bath for 20 minutes. Cool and mix with medical solid oil. Rub the ointment once a day. After 40 minutes, wash off with household or baby soap.
- For tincture, you need to pour 0.5 grams of red wine into 120 grams of roots. Boil for 10 minutes and drink three times a day as a tonic.
Elecampane for colds
The resins, flavonoids, gelenin, saponins, mucus and alkaloids that make up the plant have a diaphoretic, diuretic, bactericidal and restorative agent. Elecampane is an excellent tool to combat the causative agents of a viral infection:
- Dissolve small pieces of elecampane root during the day, but no more than three pieces.
- For herbal collection from colds, pour a liter of water with equal parts of elecampane and angelica root. Boil for 10 minutes, cool. Drink 150 ml twice a day.
With tuberculosis
The expectorant, anti-inflammatory, disinfecting properties of elecampane grass are excellent for tuberculosis. The benefits and harms of brewing and drinking tuberculosis are listed below. In addition, elecampane heals pulmonary ulcers and strengthens debilitated patients:
- For tincture, it is necessary to grate 2 cups of fresh root through a grater, pour 0.5 l of vodka and insist for nine days. Drink one spoon for 2 months.
- Herb collection can be prepared from bone tuberculosis: in a thermos, pour 3 cups boiling water and a half tablespoons of elecampane, two tablespoons of comfrey roots, one spoonful of linden flowers and spring primrose. Insist 12 hours and drink 150 ml 4 times a day.
Elecampane in cosmetology
Even in ancient times, elecampane was used to improve skin tone and elasticity. To prevent wrinkles and restore aging skin even then they knew how to brew elecampane. Reviews of our contemporaries confirm that means with elecampane significantly improve the condition of the skin. Ecology, lack of sleep and stress do their job. You can not wait for skin problems, but use elecampane products for prevention:
- Prepare a lotion for skin elasticity from 0.5 liters of dry wine and 50 grams of roots. Put the resulting mixture for 10 minutes on a slow fire. Wipe the face with the mixture twice a day. Keep refrigerated.
- To cleanse the skin, prepare an infusion of 50 grams of roots and a glass of vegetable oil. Boil the mass, pour into sealed dishes and insist a week in a dark place. Wipe the face with a warm mixture, the infusion is removed with wet tampons.
- An ointment for inflammation is prepared from 50 grams of roots and 5 tablespoons of melted lard. Apply ointment to affected skin for 20 minutes.
- From peeling the skin will help a decoction of 0.5 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of elecampane. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes, strain and mix with 2 tablespoons of starch. Apply slurry to affected skin and rinse off after 15 minutes.
To strengthen hair
From ancient times, decoctions and infusion of elecampane were used to strengthen hair and prevent dandruff:
- Herbal preparations are used to grow and strengthen hair: in equal parts, take the roots of burdock and elecampane, St. John's wort. A liter of water pour four tablespoons of the mixture. Boil for 10 minutes. Rub into the hair roots, can be taken orally 150 ml three times a day before meals.
- Prepare an infusion of dandruff from 0.5 l of boiling water and 3 teaspoons of elecampane root. The mixture is insisted for half an hour. Infusion can moisten hair, rub into the scalp. Rinse with clean water after half an hour. This tool is also used for oily hair.
Elecampane in gynecology
The root of the plant has been used since ancient times and quite successfully to stimulate ovarian function, eliminates pain during menstruation, normalizes the cycle, relieves inflammation and stops lactation. Elecampane is a very effective tool in gynecology, if you know how to brew elecampane to call menstruation correctly. It contains a substance that enhances hematopoiesis, therefore, after a few tricks, improvements are noticeable:
- With a delay, elecampane provokes menstruation after a few tricks. But you need to know not only how to brew elecampane to cause menstruation, but also remember that it is important to follow the recommended dosage so as not to cause bleeding: 50 ml twice a day.
- A broth with a delay is prepared from 300 ml of hot water and one spoon of roots. The mixture is boiled for 5 minutes, wrapped and insisted for half an hour. Strain and drink no more than 100 ml per day.
- The same decoction when lowering the uterus will soothe the pain. Similarly, you can brew elecampane for miscarriage. Before using elecampane, it is best to consult a doctor.
For problems with conception
A decoction of elecampane is also recommended for infertility. Its effectiveness is due to the fact that the plant will relieve inflammation and improve metabolism, thereby eliminating the most common causes of infertility. In addition, elecampane has a positive effect on the body as a whole. A correctly selected course of treatment normalizes the cycle, strengthens the reproductive system. And it should be remembered that treatment with herbal remedies is a long process:
- For conception, it is recommended to use a tincture of two parts of vodka and 1 part of the roots. Insist until sediment, strain and take twice a day. Shake the solution before use.
- The same tincture is successfully used for prolapse of the uterus, urinary incontinence, inflammation of the appendages. You can soak the swab with tincture and moisten with a mixture of aloe and honey (1: 1). Tampons are placed daily. Tincture and a mixture of aloe honey are taken equally.
- For conception, it is also recommended that the herbal collection: 6 tablespoons of the roots of elecampane, burdock and dandelion in equal parts pour 0.5 liters of sixty percent alcohol. Insist, shaking daily, 21 days. As soon as a white precipitate appears at the bottom of the dishes, the tincture is ready for use. Drink 50 ml twice a day.
Contraindications
Means of elecampane are contraindicated during pregnancy, since they can provoke bleeding.
It can not be taken with lactation. Elecampane has a diuretic property, and liquid is eliminated from the mother’s body, which leads to “burnout” of milk. 2-3 hours after taking the drug, changes are observed: the breast becomes softer, the pain sensations subside, the milk ceases to arrive with the same intensity.
Elecampane is contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys and heart, excessive blood viscosity and chronic constipation. It is important to remember that when taking herbal preparations, it is important to follow the specified recipe and the recommended dosage. Consultation with a specialist will help to assess the state of health correctly and not harm health.