Medicinal properties and contraindications of woodlice herb, health benefits and harms

Chickweed grass has medicinal properties. This plant has a complex effect on the human body and helps to cope with unpleasant diseases. In this case, it is necessary to choose the right folk recipe and strictly follow the rules for its use. Before using woodlice for therapeutic purposes, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications and side effects.

Where does woodlice grow?

The plant got its name due to its attraction to damp places. Grass grows well in areas where the soil never dries out. It grows best in the shade, around bushes and under fences. Thanks to this, the leaves of the plant constantly remain moist and cool.

Woodlouse has other names. It is often called chickweed or chickweed. The plant is also called canary grass.

Beneficial properties for the human body

Many people are interested in the benefits and harms of plants. The healing properties of woodlice are manifested when used locally and internally. The plant has the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• sedative;
• aseptic;
• analgesic;
• expectorant;
• choleretic;
• hemostatic.

Thanks to these features, the culture produces a complex effect on the body. Woodlice is often called the heart grass. This is due to the high potassium content in the composition. Thanks to this, the plant has a beneficial effect on the condition of the heart muscle, helps relieve pain and normalizes the functioning of the organ.

The use of woodlice helps achieve the following results:

1. Cope with spasms and colic of liver origin. The plant eliminates pain in the stomach, flatulence, and stool disorders in the form of constipation.
2. Replenishes the lack of vitamins and minerals, helps increase hemoglobin content and strengthens the body's defenses.
3. Normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, produces a calming effect, and copes with irritability.Chickweed can be used as an anticonvulsant to prevent epileptic seizures in children.
4. Stimulates recovery from colds. These include viral infections, pneumonia, tracheitis. The herb also helps with bronchitis. It also alleviates the condition of tuberculosis, which is accompanied by hemoptysis.
5. Helps cope with pain from arthritis, rheumatism, myositis. The plant eliminates the symptoms of sprains and radiculitis.
6. Eliminate purulent skin lesions. The use of woodlice helps to cope with non-healing wounds.
7. Cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. Woodlice can be used to combat acne.
8. Cope with mastitis and activate lactation.

What parts are used?

In medicine, the above-ground part of this medicinal plant is usually used. It can be used fresh or dry. Freshly squeezed plant juice is also very useful.

It is recommended to dry woodlice in the shade. Thanks to this, it will retain the maximum number of useful characteristics. Chickweed has many healing properties.

Thanks to this, it can be used locally, in the form of compresses, lotions, and baths. The plant is also suitable for oral use. It is used in the form of juice or infusions. Decoctions are also often made.

The plant contains many vitamins. Therefore, it is recommended to put its greens in salads or soups in the spring. This helps restore vitality and eliminate anemia.

Indications and contraindications

Key indications for the use of the herb include the following:

• rickets in children;
• avitaminosis;
• joint pathologies;
• damage to the nervous system;
• anemia;
• pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
• weakened immunity;
• pathologies of the organ of vision;
• gynecological diseases.

Woodlice has no serious contraindications. However, the plant causes a serious decrease in blood pressure. In this case, it is not recommended to use grass.

Use in folk medicine

The plant can be used in different ways. It is worth choosing a specific prescription taking into account the diagnosis.

Woodlice juice for eyes

To make juice from grass, you need to follow these steps:

• prepare grass – 500 grams;
• wash well;
• squeeze out the juice;
• Place the finished drink in a bottle.

Fresh juice is recommended for injection into the eyes. This is done for pathologies of the cornea or retina. It is usually recommended to use 1-2 drops 4 times a day.

Infusion for treating eczema, ulcers, poorly healing wounds

For this infusion, it is recommended to take 1 large spoon of herb and mix with a glass of boiling water. Leave for 4 hours, then filter.

For topical use, the resulting infusion is recommended to treat wounds. It is also worth applying compresses to damaged areas of the epithelium.

The composition can also be taken orally for joint diseases. To do this, you should drink a quarter glass of the product 4 times a day. This is done before meals.

Woodlice decoction for skin diseases

To cope with dermatological pathologies, you can make a healing decoction. To do this, it is recommended to take 4 large spoons of herb and combine with 1 liter of water.

Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes. Leave for 2 hours and filter. Use the finished composition in the form of compresses. It helps with lesions of the dermis.

Vodka infusion for stomach pain

To cope with pathologies of the digestive system, you should take 1 large spoon of dry herb and combine it with 300 grams of water. Leave for 2 weeks, then filter. Drink once a day.To do this, add 15 drops of the substance to a glass of water.

Woodlice juice for acne

The juice of the plant is suitable for eliminating rashes. To do this, it is recommended to take 500 grams of fresh grass, wash and squeeze the juice. Apply fresh mixture to affected areas of skin. It is recommended to do this 4 times a day.

Chickweed herb infusion

The infusion helps cope with many diseases:

1. For sleep disorders, it is recommended to take 15 large spoons of the herb and combine with 1 liter of boiling water. Leave for 8 hours. Drink the strained product in a quarter glass.
2. To stimulate lactation, you should drink half a glass of chickweed infusion.
3. You can use this product to prepare compresses for swelling.
4. For mastopathy, you can pour boiling water over the herb and place it on the affected breast.

For women's health

Woodlice decoction is useful for women to drink 10 days before menstruation. This will help avoid pain and delays in menstruation.

If female diseases develop, it is enough to soak a cotton swab in the composition and place it in the vagina before going to bed. The manipulation should be done for 5 days, then interrupted for the same period and treated again.

Using woodlice in cooking

To avoid the development of vitamin deficiency, it is recommended to eat early plants. The first branches and leaves should be collected at the end of April or beginning of May. They are used to make salads. It is also useful to add plantain leaves to such dishes.

In addition, there are other recipes with the “participation” of woodlice. To make the salad, you need to mix the grass with green onions, add a boiled egg, dill and salt.

At the end of summer you can cook healthy cabbage soup. In addition to wood lice, it is permissible to put carrots, beet tops, potatoes, and tomatoes in them.

To make the filling for the pies, it is recommended to fry the onion and mix with chopped wood lice and sorrel.

To make seasoning for meat and fish, it is recommended to take 20 grams of garlic and 50 grams of horseradish per 200 grams of chopped herbs. Grass can be added to any dish. This will make them much more useful.

Application in cosmetology

Woodlice significantly improves skin condition. It helps to moisturize and smooth the epithelium, cope with minor wrinkles, and improve the shade and structure of the dermis.

To do this, you should use the following recipes:

1. Take the herb and fill the jar with it. Pour boiling water over and cover. After 20 minutes, pour the resulting product into the bath. It is recommended to take it within half an hour. This procedure helps cleanse the epithelium.
2. If dry calluses appear on your heels, you should put fresh woodlice in your shoes. You need to walk in it all day, wash your feet and apply cream. If you carry out the procedure 3-4 times a week, you will be able to completely forget about the problem.
3. To smooth out wrinkles and achieve a pronounced rejuvenating effect, it is recommended to take fresh woodlice leaves and add a small spoonful of cream and honey to them. As a result, you will be able to get a miraculous mask.
4. To make a compress for fading dermis, it is recommended to prepare a decoction of chickweed. Then soak a soft cloth in it and apply to the skin. Cover the top with a towel and leave for at least 20 minutes.
5. For acne, you should use a decoction of the herb. To do this, it is enough to use it every day to wash your face. After manipulation, the skin should dry naturally.

Side effects

If you are allergic to this plant, there is a risk of redness and itching.In addition, woodlice can lower blood pressure. It is worth considering that the herb stimulates the secretion of the digestive organs.

Collection and storage of plants

For the preparation of medicinal compositions and addition to various dishes, it is recommended to use exclusively above-ground fragments of the plant. The maximum useful elements are contained in green sprouts. They are recommended to be consumed immediately after collection. In winter, it is worth using dried stems. One storage method may be freezing.

It is recommended to collect woodlice in May. At this time, it has the juiciest and softest stems. In this case, it is recommended to pull out the woodlice by the roots and place it for drying in a dry place that is well ventilated. Plants should be turned over systematically.

After drying, the culture should be placed in glass jars, paper bags or textile bags. The plant can be stored for a maximum of 1 year. However, it is best to consume it in advance.

Woodlice is a healing plant that produces a complex effect on the body. With the help of this herb you can cope with various pathologies and strengthen the immune system. To achieve success in treating ailments, you should strictly follow the rules for making decoctions and infusions. It is also necessary to take into account possible contraindications to the use of woodlice.