Medicinal properties and contraindications for the use of heather grass, composition

The heather plant is part of the heather group. You can plant it both outdoors, for example, in the garden, in local areas, 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 products. 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 branched shrub. It grows in different parts of the world. It can be found to a greater extent 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 began to be planted next to houses.

To this day there is no complete information about the composition of the plant. Some components have not yet been fully studied.

Inflorescences

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

The antiseptic therapeutic effect is due to the glycosides and arbutin contained in the flowers. Due to flavonoids, tanning components, quercetin, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antihistamine, diuretic, and antitumor effects are achieved.

Leaves

The heather grass in its leaves contains phenols (including derivatives), coumarin, catechin, glycosidic substances, phenol carbonic acids (synapic, caffeic, chlorogenic, vinylic). In addition, the grass is rich in flavonoids, organic acids, and tannins.

How to collect and prepare raw materials

The main medicinal effect of the plant is exerted by the inflorescences. Therefore, it is the flowers that are collected 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 have less medicinal effectiveness. Next, the root is cleaned of dirt and the upper parts are cut off.Root collection occurs in October (end), November (beginning).

Plants are dried 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 material on paper or fabric in a thin layer, turning it over periodically. You can also collect the stems with flowers in a bunch, tie them with thread and hang them from the ceiling. The roots are dried in the same way: laid out on cloth or paper, placed in the shade.

Store raw materials in a fabric bag.

Beneficial effects 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.

Effect on skin

If there is a wound, burn, or other violation of the integrity of the skin, products containing heather help speed up healing, destroy pathogenic microorganisms, clean the wound, and relieve symptoms of the inflammatory process.

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

The plant extract is used due to its antiseborrheic effect, which normalizes sebum production, preventing excess greasiness of the hair and dermis.

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

Strengthening joints

Heather is used as a tonic for joint diseases, which include arthritis, polyarthritis, rheumatism, and gout. In this case, prepare an infusion from which compresses are made.A piece of gauze is moistened in the prepared product and 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 could be gastritis or another pathology that occurs with increased acidity in the stomach.

Urinary tract and kidneys

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

Improves metabolism

Heather helps improve 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

An infusion and decoction, as well as honey, are prepared from the plant, its flowers, stems, roots, and leaves.

Heather 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 the heat, cool the product, strain and drink instead of regular tea throughout the day.

Heather infusion

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

Heather honey

Heather honey is produced by bees. It shrinks so quickly that crystallization occurs already in the honeycombs, and its strength is so high that its removal from the honeycombs naturally is almost impossible.For this reason, in most cases, heather honey is extracted by pressing on a special press that has plates and honeycomb-shaped pins.

Side effects and precautions

Negative reactions after taking heather-based products, as a rule, occur against the background of neglect of contraindications. No cases of overdose have been reported to date. In some cases, nausea and vomiting, pain in the epigastric region may occur.

Contraindications to the use of heather

Harm to health can be caused if you do not take into account the existing contraindications to taking heather. Absolute restrictions include hypersensitivity to the components included in the composition, pathologies occurring with low acidity of the stomach, and 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 cause harm to your health.