Heather: medicinal properties and contraindications, rules of use

The heather plant belongs to the heather group. You can plant it both on the street, for example, in the garden, in the adjoining territories, and at home, placing it in pots. Heather has long been famous for its medicinal properties, but contraindications have also been found that act as an obstacle to taking plant-based remedies. However, this does not limit the use of heather in various branches of medicine.

Description and chemical composition of heather

The plant looks like a small branchy shrub. It grows in different parts of the world. To a greater extent, it can be found in Europe, North America and Africa, Asia (in the temperate climate zone).However, heather was also brought to Russia, and due to its beautiful appearance, it was planted next to houses

Until now, there is no complete information about the composition of the plant. Some components are not yet fully understood.

Inflorescences

Heather flowers contain vitamin substances, mineral and resin components, organic type acids, alkaloids that contain nitrogen and have a hemostatic, analgesic effect, improve the activity of the cardiovascular system.

The antiseptic therapeutic effect is due to the glycosides and arbutin that are part of the flowers. Due to flavonoids, tannins, quercetin, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antihistamine, diuretic, antitumor effect is achieved.

Leaves

Heather grass in its leaves contains phenols (including derivatives), coumarin, catechin, glycosidic substances, phenolcarboxylic acids (sinapic, coffee, chlorogenic, vinylic). In addition, the grass is rich in flavonoids, organic acids, tannins.

How to collect and procure raw materials

The main therapeutic effect of the plant is inflorescences. Therefore, it is the flowers that are harvested for therapeutic purposes. Harvesting occurs around August, when active flowering occurs. The required area is carefully broken off or cut off, excluding shoots.

Roots that are dug out of the ground with a shovel are less effective. Next, the root is cleaned of dirt, cut off the upper parts. The collection of roots falls in October (end), November (beginning).

Drying the plants is carried out in a dark place where open sunlight does not penetrate. For this purpose, an attic or a shed in the yard is better suited. Spread the future raw materials on paper or fabric in a thin layer, periodically turning over. You can also collect the stems with flowers in a bunch, tie with a thread and hang from the ceiling. The roots are dried in the same way: spread on a cloth or paper, placed in the shade.

Store raw materials in a cloth bag.

The beneficial effect of the plant on the body

The heather plant is useful due to its healing composition, which allows the use of products based on it for various diseases.

Skin effects

In the presence of a wound, burn, or other violation of the integrity of the skin, products with heather in the composition help to accelerate healing, destroy pathogenic microorganisms, clean the wound, relieve the symptoms of the inflammatory process.

In cosmetology, plant-based products are used to rejuvenate the epidermis, and also as a photoprotector, as they act prophylactically - from the formation of sunburn.

Apply plant extract due to the anti-seborrheic effect, which leads to the normalization of sebum production, preventing excessive greasiness of the hair and dermis.

Heather-based products are useful for oily, problematic, aging, combination skin, in the presence of inflammatory elements. If a skin disease develops, infusions and decoctions are added to baths.

Strengthening joints

Heather is used as a tonic for joint diseases, which include arthritis, polyarthritis, rheumatism, gout. In this case, an infusion is prepared from which compresses are made. In the finished product, a gauze piece is moistened, applied to the joint for 10 minutes. Apply a compress 3 times a day, until complete recovery.

Normalization of gastrointestinal functions

The plant helps fight diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, it may be gastritis or another pathology that occurs with an increase in acidity in the stomach.

Urinary tract and kidneys

Means based on the plant are used in the treatment of urinary tract pathologies - cystitis, urolithiasis, which can be explained by the diuretic effect of heather.

Improves metabolism

Heather improves metabolic processes in the body, so it is often used in the development of relevant diseases: diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, gout, obesity.

Ways to use heather

The plant, its flowers, stems, root, leaves are used to prepare infusion and decoction, as well as honey.

Heath tea

Making tea from the plant is not difficult. You need to take 2 tablespoons of raw materials (any part), pour 300 milliliters of boiling water, put on fire and simmer for 10 minutes. After removing from heat, cool the product, strain and use instead of regular tea throughout the day.

Heather infusion

To prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 tablespoons of raw materials, pre-crushed, pour 300 milliliters of boiling water, insist for an hour.The daily dosage and duration of administration differ depending on the primary condition for which the infusion is used.

Heath honey

Heath honey is produced by bees. It settles so quickly that crystallization occurs already in the combs, and the strength is so high that its removal from the combs in a natural way is almost impossible. For this reason, in most cases, heather honey is extracted by pressing on a special press that has plates and honeycomb pins.

Side effects and precautions

Negative reactions after taking heather-based funds, as a rule, occur against the background of neglect of contraindications. Cases of overdose have not been registered to date. In some cases, nausea and vomiting, pain in the epigastric region may occur

Contraindications to the use of heather

Harm to he alth can be caused if you do not take into account the existing contraindications to taking heather. Absolute limitations include hypersensitivity to the constituent components, pathologies that occur with low stomach acidity, constipation.

Conclusion

The heather plant has a unique composition, due to which it is valued in many branches of medicine. Since it contains only natural ingredients, heather rarely causes side symptoms, but it is still not recommended to abuse self-medication. Otherwise, you can not only slow down your recovery, but also harm your he alth.