Many summer residents encounter a plant such as sow thistle in their garden. Some consider it a common weed and immediately try to get rid of it. However, garden sow thistle has useful properties that every owner of private plots with a vegetable garden and garden should become familiar with.
Description of the plant
To become familiar with the main features of the plant, you need to understand its detailed description.
Thistle is a group of herbaceous annual plants that belong to the Asteraceae group. This family includes more than seventy varieties of grass, but only a few of them are often found in vegetable gardens.
The common features that unite all the main types of plants include:
- tallness, due to which some seedlings grow up to two meters;
- a deep root that grows four meters deep;
- branching of stems;
- lignified base.
Chemical composition
This herbaceous plant is not used in animal husbandry because it cannot be used as fodder. It is also not used in official medicine, since scientific research on sow thistle has not been carried out.
However, in folk medicine, the herb is often used, since it contains the following useful elements:
- carotene contained in the above-ground part of seedlings;
- inulin, located in the root system;
- tannins accumulating in leaves and stems;
- acids;
- alkaloids.
All these components are useful for the human body and therefore medicinal decoctions and tinctures are often prepared from thistle.
Medicinal properties of thistle
Before using the herb, you need to understand its medicinal properties.
Leaves and stems
The benefits of thistle stems and foliage have been repeatedly proven by people who use plants for medicinal purposes. Green leaves contain a lot of choline, alkaloids and other beneficial microelements that help restore health.
The beneficial properties of the above-ground parts of plants include the following:
- helps cleanse the intestines and cope with constipation;
- acts as a pain reliever;
- copes with inflammatory processes;
- removes worms from the body;
- has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and intestines.
What are the benefits of the root?
The root system of the plant, as well as its above-ground part, has beneficial properties. It contains inulin with alkaloids, which help eliminate inflammatory processes occurring in the kidneys. Also, these microelements help cope with diarrhea and get rid of the symptoms of bone tuberculosis.
Regular use of decoctions of sow thistle rhizomes helps improve the body's protective properties. Such remedies are also used for the occurrence of colds.
Indications for use
There are several cases when you need to use medicinal products prepared from the foliage or rhizomes of young grown thistle:
- the appearance of warts on the surface of the skin;
- bleeding wounds;
- acne;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- tuberculosis;
- colds;
- sensorimotor disorders.
Use in folk medicine
In folk medicine, several medicines prepared from green thistle are used.
Plant juice
If people need external treatment, sow thistle juice can be used. It helps get rid of carbuncles, abscesses and warts that appear on the skin.
Also, freshly squeezed herbal juice acts as a laxative and can be used to relieve constipation. It is recommended to take at least one teaspoon of the product daily.
You should not drink too much juice, as this may cause diarrhea.
Thistle decoction
You can prepare a medicinal decoction from any part of thistle plants. The most useful products are those made from yellow field grass. It has pronounced medicinal properties and is considered more effective in treating diseases.Experts recommend using medicinal decoctions to get rid of inflammation, bleeding or pain.
To prepare a remedy, you need to add a spoonful of thistle to two hundred milliliters of water. The liquid is boiled for three minutes, after which it is cooled and used for treatment.
Herbal infusion
Sometimes, instead of decoctions, people use medicinal tinctures made from thistle. This medicine will help cope with nervous disorders, strengthen the body and overcome frequent headaches. To create an infusion you will need a glass of water and ten grams of dry herbs. The raw materials are filled with boiled liquid, covered with a lid and left for an hour and a half. You should drink the tincture four times a day, one spoon per day.
Alcohol tincture
Some people prepare tinctures with alcohol, which are highly effective in fighting colds or headaches.
To create an alcohol tincture you will need one sow thistle root, 10 milliliters of alcohol and 100 milliliters of water. The roots of the plant are placed in a container with liquid and left to infuse for two and a half weeks.
The prepared tincture must be stored in the refrigerator, as it will spoil at room temperature.
Thistle honey
Thistle honey is used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine. This yellowish composition has a pleasant floral aroma and a sweet aftertaste. When treating, you can use both liquid and crystallized honey.
Fresh honey is used to treat colds. It also helps restore immunity, improve brain activity, cope with boils and speed up wound healing. Every day you need to eat one spoon of honey.
How to use it in cooking
In cooking, sow thistle grass is used:
- In raw form. A salad is prepared from raw thistle, to which, in addition to herbs, fresh vegetables are added.
- Boiled. Boiled sow thistle can be found in first courses. For example, they make a delicious soup from it or add leaves to borscht.
Contraindications and harm
Experts do not recommend using sow thistle decoctions for people who have an individual intolerance to it. This may lead to allergy symptoms. It is also contraindicated in children under 2-3 years of age. Girls should not be treated with herbs during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Garden sow thistle is considered a useful herb, which is often used in folk medicine. Before using such a plant, you need to familiarize yourself with its description, composition and features of its use in medicine.
