The immortelle is considered quite unpretentious plant, which can be found on the forest edges or the sandy river bank. Its distinctive feature is a whitish edge on a low stem, flowers of yellow-lemon color and pointed leaves. Despite its homeliness, the grass has a lot of unique properties that are due to its composition.
Plant characteristic
An immortelle is a plant that belongs to the Compositae family and has a weakly branched rhizome. The stem of the culture is straight, with white-topped pubescence; it can reach a height of up to 35 cm. Stem leaves are medium, and upper leaves are sessile lanceolate.
The immortelle flowers are painted in golden-orange color and are collected in small baskets. Of them formed a complex inflorescence in the form of a dense corymboid panicle. At the end of flowering on the plant, the fruit is formed in the form of achenes with a tuft. Immortelle actively blooms from June to late September. Mostly such a plant can be found on sandy soils, along forest roads and in young pine plantings.
Chemical composition
The value of the immortelle is due to the fact that it includes a complex of unique natural substances. First of all, it is a source of fatty acids, which have a rejuvenating and regenerating effect. In addition, the immortelle contains essential oils, flavonoids, carotenoids and steroids.
Of particular value are the flowers of the plant, which contain arenarine. It is a natural and powerful antibiotic that in a short time disinfects pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, it is effective in combating various viruses.
The composition of the flowers and leaves of the plant includes such useful substances as chromium, selenium, potassium, boron, copper, iron, aluminum and zinc. In addition, the immortelle contains ascorbic acid and vitamin K.
Medicinal properties of herbs and flowers
With the help of immortelle it is possible to alleviate the patient’s condition and cure various diseases.
Grass has on the human body:
- sedative;
- antimicrobial;
- diaphoretic;
- choleretic;
- hemostatic;
- laxative;
- antispasmodic;
- anti-inflammatory effect.
The immortelle ointment is used in the treatment of boils, cuts and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Tinctures and decoctions of herbs are used to improve metabolic processes in the body, help treat intestinal pathologies and have a positive effect on the nervous system. Often immortelle is used when you want to lose those extra pounds and to rejuvenate the skin.
The plant is widely used for the treatment and prevention of diseases such as ulcers, tuberculosis, hepatitis and cholecystitis. In addition, with its help it is possible to alleviate the patient's condition with dermatitis, angina pectoris, hypotension and pneumonia.
Collecting and drying immortelle
For the preparation of medicines it is best to use inflorescences of sandy immortelle. They must be harvested at the beginning of the flowering period, while the side baskets have not yet opened. It is not recommended to collect the immortelle at a later date, since it is no longer so useful.
Collected inflorescences are strictly forbidden to keep in the pot for more than 4 hours, as they will deteriorate. It is recommended to collect vegetable raw materials in dry weather after the dew has come down. In the same area it is allowed to harvest the inflorescences several times as the grass blossoms.
The collected plant should be spread out in a thin layer on a cloth or paper and dried in a shaded place. It is strictly forbidden to dry the immortelle in direct sunlight, as it will lose some of its useful properties. To store the harvested vegetable raw materials are allowed no more than 3 years.
Recipes of traditional medicine and the use of immortelle
Properly harvested and dried plant helps to get rid of various diseases. A combination of immortelle with other herbs and infusions and decoctions based on them give a good effect. Plant remedies help to get rid of excess weight, jaundice, gastritis and conjunctivitis.
Decoction of flowers for liver disease
To prepare the broth of the immortelle is necessary:
- add 10 grams of dried immortelle flowers to an enamel bowl and pour them with a glass of cold water;
- put the resulting mixture into a water bath and simmer on the fire for no more than half an hour;
- after a while, remove the broth from the stove and cool to room temperature;
- filter means, squeeze the flowers and add boiled water to a volume of 200 ml.
Such a folk remedy is recommended to drink 1/4 cup no more than 3 times during the day half an hour before meals. Store immortelle decoction must be in the refrigerator for no more than two days.
Medicine for chronic gastritis
Often the immortelle can be found in the composition of funds intended for the treatment of pathologies of the digestive system. In chronic gastritis, it is recommended to use the plant in combination with nettle, chamomile and corn silk.
To prepare an effective remedy for chronic gastritis, you need:
- combine in equal proportions such herbs as the immortelle, nettle, plantain, mint and corn silk, adding chamomile and St. John's wort to the mix;
- a tablespoon of such a plant mixture brew 200 ml of boiling water;
- cool to room temperature and filter.
Drinking such a tool is recommended instead of the usual tea with exacerbation of gastritis. Take the medicine should be half an hour before meals several times a day in the form of heat.
An immortelle can increase pressure, but with caution it is allowed to take as a means to maintain the liver. For the preparation of a medicinal product it is recommended to combine it with a three-leaf watch.
You can prepare a folk remedy according to the following recipe:
- mix 15 grams of dry immortelle and watch leaves;
- vegetable mixture brew 2 liters of boiling water;
- bring the resulting mixture to a boil, simmer over low heat until the liquid evaporates to 1 liter.
Cooked broth is recommended to drink several times a day for 50-60 ml for 1 month.
Infusion with cystitis
To prepare a cold infusion based on the immortelle, 15 grams of vegetable raw materials should be brewed with a glass of boiling water and left for an hour in a sealed container. After a while, filter the medium and drink a tablespoon every hour. It is recommended to drink no more than 8-10 spoons per day, and hyperpolymenorrhea and uterine bleeding are the main indications for treatment with this remedy.
At home, you can prepare a cold infusion of immortelle, pouring 10-15 grams of raw material with 200 ml of boiled water. Mixture insist at least 8 hours, then filter and drink 20 minutes before meals several times a day for 1/2 cup.
Immortelle against excess weight
The combination of immortelle with other herbal remedies allows you to cope with excess weight. Patients who monitor their weight, instead of the usual teas prefer to drink herbal, which include chamomile, St. John's wort, immortelle and birch buds.
Herbs are taken in equal proportions, for example, 10 grams. A tablespoon of such a plant mixture is brewed with 200 ml of boiling water and infused for 20-30 minutes. A glass of herbal infusion is necessary to drink for 2 times: in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening after eating.
Patient reviews indicate that it is possible to achieve the desired effect in just a few tricks of such an agent on the basis of an immortelle.
At home, you can make a decoction in a different way: pour 2 tablespoons of herbal mixture into a thermos and pour it with a liter of boiling water. This tea is recommended to drink in the form of heat in the evening after eating.
With the help of this tea one can achieve the following effect:
- immortelle has a laxative and diuretic effect, therefore it quickly cleanses the body and improves intestinal motility;
- chamomile is an analgesic, and with its help it is possible to activate metabolic processes;
- St. John's wort strengthens the body, soothes the stomach and has a tonic effect on the body;
- birch buds remove excess water from the body and have a choleretic effect.
In addition, preparations on the basis of immortelle have anti-sclerotic effect and help to lower cholesterol in the blood.
Restrictions and contraindications
An immortelle has long been famous for its beneficial properties, however, the plant has some contraindications, and its incorrect use can cause harm to the body.
It is strictly forbidden to use the plant fresh, because its bitterness damages the mucous membrane of the mouth and stomach, and can also cause vomiting. In order to get the maximum benefit from the immortelle, it is recommended to prepare an extract from inflorescences.
The immortelle does not have any strict contraindications to treatment, but funds based on it are not allowed to be taken for a long time. Medical practice shows that outdoor use of the plant does not cause any harm.
It is best to refuse the use of immortelle products for patients with hypertension and individual intolerance to individual components of the herb.
