Initial letter medicinal, use in folk medicine, contraindications. Initial letter medicinal - use in recipes of traditional healers

Sin .: medicinal cleaner, gods batozhok, dyman, field sage, lamb tongues, motherboard.

perennial herbaceous plant with a tetrahedral stem and opposite leaves. Has medicinal and aromatic value. It has pronounced tonic and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey plant.

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flower formula

In medicine

The initial letter medicinal is not included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation and is not used by official medicine. Meanwhile, the medicinal properties of the initial letter were widely used in medicine in the past, it was used as a laxative and emetic, as well as for respiratory diseases, for healing wounds and cuts. At present, the medicinal properties of the initial drug are undeservedly forgotten by Russian medicine, and the fact that they are not used is probably due to the poor knowledge of the plant.

However, in a number of countries (Germany, France, etc.), the initial drug is recognized as scientific medicine and is official medicinal raw materials. Drop cap preparations medicinal medicine These countries are recommended for the treatment of gout, epilepsy, as well as for radiculitis, rheumatism and bronchial diseases. Dried herb powder snuff used for headaches and.

G. Sobolevsky also confirms that the initial drug was used in official medicine many foreign countries and there are experimental studies scientific medicine that the plant can withstand many severe infectious diseases, suppress rabies viruses, stimulate immune system, cleanse the body of harmful toxic substances (detoxification).

Main active ingredients medicinal letters (bitterness, tannins) have found some use in homeopathy as a tonic for debility and asthma.

The herb of the initial drug is used in the preparation - Bad NSP Eight (NSP Eight), recommended primarily to improve the condition nervous system(with depression, anxiety, insomnia). The drug also has antioxidant properties and normalizes the work digestive tract

Contraindications and side effects

Serious side effects when using the initial drug was not detected, in general, the treatment is usually well tolerated. But before using it, you need to consult a doctor. Treatment with a drop cap is not recommended for pregnant, lactating women and children, as well as for the elderly, with poisoning and indigestion. Contraindications for the use of the initial drug also include various kinds allergic reactions because it causes hypersensitivity. Since the plant has a strong sedation should not be used to treat people with depressed state. It is undesirable to use drugs based on the initial letter with severe hypotension, it should be used with caution in gastritis with low acidity, varicose veins, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, as well as in severe heart diseases.

In other areas

Dried leaves of the initial drug are used as tea leaves instead of tea, because when dried, the leaves emit a specific smell of mint, have a spicy, astringent taste. The initial letter medicinal finds application in veterinary medicine.

Classification

The initial letter medicinal (lat. Betonica officinalis) is a species of the genus Chistets (lat. Stachys) of the family Lamiaceae, or Lamiaceae (lat. Lamiaceae, or Labiatae). The genus unites over 200 species of herbaceous plants (in most cases) and shrubs, growing mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones of both hemispheres and in the mountains of the tropics.

Botanical description

Initial letter medicinal - perennial 30-100 cm tall. The stem is tetrahedral. The leaves are opposite, entire, oblong-ovate with a crenate margin, without stipules. The flowers are light purple, bisexual, zygomorphic, collected in thyrsoid inflorescences from double curls. Perianth 5-membered. The calyx is joint-leaved, the corolla is 2-lipped. Stamens 4, 2 of which are longer. The flower formula of the initial medicinal letter is Ch (5) L (2.3) T4 P (2).

Upper ovary. The fruit breaks up into 4 erems. Flowering in June-August, fruiting in August-September.

Spreading

Distributed almost everywhere, especially in the European part of Russia and Western Siberia. Grows in clearings, wet meadows, deciduous and mixed forests, among thickets of shrubs (often in pastures, mountain meadows, light forests). Prefers slightly acidic, sandy, clay soils, from lowlands to foothills.

Distribution regions on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

The whole plant has medicinal properties, therefore, the entire aerial part is harvested during flowering, the tops up to 30 cm long are cut with scissors. Roots are usually harvested in autumn. The raw materials are dried in the shade, in well-ventilated rooms, in attics, under sheds, laying out in a thin layer, or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40-50°C. Ready raw materials are stored in paper bags, preferably in dry rooms - 2 years.

Chemical composition

Initial letter officinalis is rich in essential oils complex composition(aromatic substances: alcohols, phenols, terpenes, aldehydes, ketones and others organic compounds). Tannins, bitterness, alkaloids, proteins, resins, mucus, flavonoids, nitrogen-containing compounds betaine, betonicin, pigments, vitamins K and C, calcium salts and organic acids were also found in the aerial part of the initial drug.

Pharmacological properties

Therapeutic action medicinal herbs have been studied rather poorly. Meanwhile, the plant has well-defined pharmacological properties(anti-inflammatory, wound healing, expectorant, hemostatic, choleretic, diuretic, laxative, sedative, sedative, etc.) and can be used to treat many diseases. For example, a pronounced general strengthening property may well be used as aid V rehabilitation period after serious illnesses. In addition, the initial letter has a beneficial effect on metabolism in general and digestion. Also, the initial drug lowers blood pressure, improves blood circulation.

In addition, it has been noticed beneficial effect initial medicinal letters for colds, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, cough, sore throat.

Historical reference

The medical use of the initial medicinal letter has been known since ancient times. Among the Roman doctors, she had a paramount medicinal value, for example, Dioscorides and Galen considered the initial letter a powerful medicinal plant for many diseases. And the court physician Augustus (Anthony Musa) cured the emperor with the help of a medicinal initial, for which he received a great reward and during his lifetime a marble statue was erected to him.

Ancient healers believed that the initial letter had the power of "breeding, sneezing, strengthening." Doctors of the past (Gil Dan, Kranz, and others) recommended the initial letter for "cold aches", for damage to the lungs and kidneys. G. Sobolevsky also emphasizes that the initial letter was "in great honor and use" among the ancient Roman doctors.

One of the Italian doctors considered the initial letter a panacea for almost all ailments, he recommended it for uterine seizures and fainting, headaches and gout, numbness of the members and "black blockages", jaundice and sputum consumption. Other doctors considered the initial letter a mysterious remedy. A decoction in red wine was given for scurvy and other debilitating diarrhea.

Numerous handwritten medical books and herbalists of the 15th-18th centuries described the initial letter as a beautiful medicine. In these old medical books it was believed: "33 ailments can be treated with an initial letter." Bashkir healer and writer Rim Akhmedov in his book "In plants - healing power He writes about the initial medicinal letter: “The initial medicinal letter is truly universal ... Pharmacologists still underestimate this modest-looking plant, only a few herbal connoisseurs know its price.”

The initial letter medicinal was a constant companion in military campaigns of past centuries. Suvorov also recommended that his soldiers with a "strong stomach" use infusions from the herb of the initial letter, and a decoction of its leaves as a laxative.

Contemporary scientific name The initial medicinal letter (Betonica officinalis) comes from "betonica", which was called by the inhabitants of the Roman Empire.

There is a second name for the initial medicinal letter - medicinal cleaner.

Application in traditional medicine

Preparations from the initial drug were used in ancient times due to its properties - expectorant, sedative, analgesic, choleretic, hemostatic, antiseptic. In ancient traditional medicine the grass of the initial letter with flowers was used for weakness of the nerves, headaches and convulsive diseases. In those days, grass was used for fatigue, increased irritability, heartburn, cough, gout, diseases of the throat, liver and stomach, chest diseases and many other diseases. The rhizome was used as a laxative and emetic.

Many modern herbalists call the initial letter universal healer and is also widely used in folk medicine for diseases respiratory tract, diseases of the lungs and bronchi infectious origin, organs of the digestive tract, sore throat, stomatitis, periodontal disease, skin diseases, conjunctivitis. A decoction of the rhizome is also used for nervous diseases, weakness, decreased appetite, diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastritis, colitis. The aerial part of the initial drug is used to improve metabolism, from pressure, with fainting, hysteria, poor blood circulation, with pulmonary and uterine bleeding, colds, prolonged chronic cough, asthma, especially pulmonary tuberculosis.

Fresh crushed leaves of the initial cap are applied to long-term non-healing wounds and ulcers. Outwardly, the initial letter is used for rheumatism, tumors in the form of lotions and compresses, and poultices from the leaves are applied for bites of rabid animals.

In dermatology, an infusion of herbs is used orally for eczema, scleroderma (as a tonic and anti-inflammatory agent) and psoriasis. At excessive sweating hands and feet are recommended baths with herb initials, and for skin cancer - poultices from the roots.

Literature

1. Concrete // encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). SPb., 1890-1907.
2. Gubanov, I. A. et al. 618. Betonica officinalis L. – Initial letter medicinal // Illustrated guide to plants Central Russia. In 3 t. M .: T-in scientific. ed. KMK, In-t technologist. issl., 2004. V. 3. Angiosperms (dicotyledonous: dicotyledonous). S. 113.
3. Plant life (under the editorship of A.L. Takhtadzhyan). M. Enlightenment. 1978. V.5 (2). 454 p. Elenevsky A.G., M.P. Solovyova, V.N. Tikhomirov // Botany. Systematics of higher or land plants. M. 2004. 420 p.
4. Makhlaiuk V.P. Medicinal plants in folk medicine. Publisher: Niva Rossii. 1992

(or medicinal chistets, chemist's chistets, lat. Betonica officinalis; synonymous with Stachys officinalis) is a herbaceous perennial plant, the Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae) family. Folk names: letter, field sage, shrike, scrofula, betonika, grandmas. Latin name the initial letter Betonica, according to Pliny, comes from the name of the ancient people of the Vettones, who once lived on the lands Iberian Peninsula(on the territory of modern Italy and Portugal), and which was the first (according to Pliny) to use it in medicinal purposes. However, the plant mentioned by the ancient Romans was actually the foxtail chiste, often found in Southern Europe. First of all, its root was used, which in fresh has a disgusting smell and causes vomiting, which, along with a laxative effect and bloodletting, was considered one of effective methods treatment to eliminate "bad juices from the body."

Galen and Dioscorides considered the grass of the initial letter effective tool from all diseases. Galen recommended the use of grass with flowers for convulsive and headache attacks, weakness of the nerves. Also, the plant was used for diseases of the lungs, kidneys, and colds. IN ancient Rus' the tincture of the initial letter was drunk by pale girls to improve their complexion. Weak, stunted children were bathed in a decoction of grass drop caps. In addition, the grass well cleared purulent wounds from exudate.

Description

Perennial hardy plant. Rhizome fibrous, short, sheer. Stems are straight, tetrahedral, hairy, unbranched, 25-80 cm high; in the upper half they have no leaves or are rarely leafy. Basal leaves are collected in a rosette. Stem leaves are located approximately up to 2/3 of the height of the stem; they are opposite, petiolate, oblong-ovate, heart-shaped at the base, crenate along the margin, hairy, shortly pointed at the apex. The upper third of the stem has no leaves. The plant has a sharp, peculiar, unpleasant, intoxicating smell and an extremely unpleasant bitter taste.

The flowers are large, bisexual, pubescent, collected in many-flowered false whorls and end the stem in the form of a dense spike-shaped inflorescence. Bracts ovate. Calyx correct, bell-shaped, with 5 teeth, short-haired. Corolla falling, purple-red, occasionally white, two-lipped; upper lip oblong-ovoid, notched at the apex or entire; the lower one is three-lobed, inclined, with a wider, rounded, small-shaped middle lobe. Stamens four, ovary superior. Flowering time is June-August. The fruit is dry, consists of 4 trihedral, oblong, convex outside, smooth brown one-seeded nuts lying at the bottom of the calyx. Ripens from August to September. The initial letter propagates mainly by seeds, less often - vegetatively, does not form thickets.

It is found in the territories of most of Europe, the European part of Russia, Western Siberia, the Urals, the Caucasus, in the mountains of Central Asia, everywhere in Ukraine. It grows in lowlands and mountains, in forest-steppes, forests, meadows, glades, among shrubs, on edges, hillsides, near roads, in clearings. Dry loamy or sandy loamy, slightly acidic soil is suitable for it. tolerates well and bright light, and penumbra.

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For medicinal purposes, the initial herb (stems, leaves, flowers) is harvested, less often - roots and rhizomes. During flowering (June-August) in clear, dry weather, after the dew subsides, the grass is cut along with the basal leaves. When harvesting grass for seeding the soil, 10% of the plants are left. Grass is loosely placed in baskets or bags. Before drying, yellowed or damaged by insects leaves and stems are removed. The grass is dried in the shade on the street or in a ventilated room, spread out in a thin layer or tied in loose bundles, or with artificial heat at t up to 40 ° C. The shrinkage is about 5:1. After drying, the stems should break. Dried grass has an unpleasant, rancid odor and a very unpleasant bitter taste. Raw materials are stored for 2 years in a dry place. Roots and rhizomes are harvested in early spring or after fruit ripening in late autumn; dry like grass. Keep 3 years.

Plants with which the initial medicinal letter is confused

Plants of the Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae) family are often quite similar to each other, therefore, when collecting them, care must be taken and attention should be paid even to small features so as not to confuse them.

Useful properties of the initial drug

The initial letter contains tannins, bitter, resinous substances, proteins, betonicin, stakhidrin, turicine, choline, organic acids, saponins, carotenoids, essential oil, flavone vitamins K and C, glycosides, calcium salts, alkaloids, anthocyanins. Its seeds contain fatty oil, which contains stearic, palmitic, oleic, linolenic and linoleic acids.

Application

In medecine:
Shows choleretic, diuretic, laxative, astringent, expectorant, sedative, anti-asthma, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antiseptic, analgesic effect; improves digestion, increases blood circulation. The initial letter is used as a hemostatic agent for uterine or pulmonary bleeding, subinvolution of the uterus after or abortions. For accelerated healing wound infusion drop caps drink with.

Infusion and decoctions of herbs are used for colds, tracheitis, coughs with purulent sputum, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, jaundice, diseases Bladder, kidney, urinary tract, liver, gastrointestinal diseases, cystitis, cardiovascular diseases, scrofula, epilepsy, headache, and hypertension, stroke, atherosclerosis, nervous diseases, poor blood circulation, fainting, anemia, eye diseases, female diseases, joint pain, sciatica and rheumatism, arthritis.

How wound healing agent infusion of drop caps is externally used to wash wounds, ulcers, apply crushed fresh leaves. For sinusitis or chronic rhinitis infusion of initial letters wash the nose. Pounded dried leaves used as a snuff for chronic rhinitis ( prolonged runny nose) and sinusitis, headache.

Preparations of the roots and rhizomes of the initial cap are used as a laxative or emetic. A decoction of the roots of the initial cap is used for colitis, poor appetite, gastritis, kidney or liver disease, nervous diseases.

In other areas:
The initial letter is a good honey plant. Grass caps dye wool in grayish-red, brown-brown and brown-olive tones. The roots are used in tanning leather. Dry grass drop caps are used as a remedy for rodents. The initial letter is decorative, suitable for decorating lawns in gardens or parks.

Traditional medicine recipes with a medicinal letter

Initial herb infusion for all types of bleeding, jaundice, headaches, dizziness, gout, circulatory disorders, joint pain. 1 table. l. herbs for 1 tbsp. boiling water, insist 1 hour, filter, take 1 tbsp. l. 3 p. a day before meals. If you let the infusion brew for 2 hours, then it is taken 4 r. daily before meals 1-2 table. l. at high blood pressure as a sedative and expectorant. With sinusitis, an infusion is instilled into both nostrils 5–6 r. per day for a full pipette, which is why the contents maxillary sinuses liquefies and is released. Used for rinsing with stomatitis and other inflammations of the mouth and throat.

Infusion of the herb drop cap for pneumonia, hemoptysis, bronchitis, tracheitis, asthma, whooping cough, diarrhea, hypertension, gastritis with hyperacidity, dizziness, increased nervous excitability . 15–20 gr. herbs initial letter 6 hours insist in 0.4 liters. boiling water in a thermos, then filtered. Drink 3-4 r. per day, 50-100 ml.

Tea from a drop cap herb for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases, asthma, cough with abundant mucous sputum. 1 teaspoon pour 250 ml of a spoon with a slide of herbs. boiling water, 20 minutes to insist. After straining, tea is used for rinsing or drinking 1 cup. 1–3 p. daily. Honey can be added to improve the taste.

Infusion of roots with leaves of the initial cap with choleretic and diuretic action. Take ½ tables. spoons of leaves and ½ tablespoon of the roots of the initial, pour 200 ml. boiling water. After insisting 2 hours, strain the composition. Take infusion 3-4 p. 1 table per day. spoon.

A decoction of herbs with honey for diseases of the respiratory system. Dry grass drop caps (20 gr.) Boil for 15 minutes. in 200 ml. water, cool, filter and drink 4 r. per day, 50 ml. before meals, adding honey.

Herbal decoction for external use. 25 gr. herbs initial boil in 200 ml. water, evaporate to 1/2 of the initial volume. Cool, strain. Lubricate wounds, ulcers.

A decoction of the herb with port wine for pulmonary bleeding, to normalize blood pressure, improve metabolism, strengthen immunity and treat atherosclerosis. We take 2 tablespoons. herbs, pour 1 glass. boiling water and put on a small fire for 5 minutes, then insist 20 minutes. and we filter. Add to the infusion 40 ml. port. Use means on 70 ml. 3 p. a day before meals.

A decoction of the roots of the letter. 20 gr. dry roots of the initial cap pour 1 cup. boiling water, set for 20 minutes. to the fire. After straining, take a decoction of 1 table. lies. three times a day as a laxative.

A decoction of the roots of the initial letter in milk. 15 gr. crushed roots of the initial letter are boiled in 0.5 liters. milk 20–30 min. on a small fire, insist for 2 hours, strain. Drink 1/4 tbsp. 3-4 p. a day before meals. With jaundice, nervous exhaustion, gout, chest pain, sciatica, gastritis, colitis, diseases of the kidneys, bladder, liver, decreased appetite and general weakness the infusion is drunk for three weeks, then the treatment is interrupted for a week and the course is repeated. For hepatitis, the infusion is used for two - 3 weeks, 3 r. per day for 1/3 stack.

Tincture of herb initial letters alcohol. The grass of the drop cap is poured with 40% vodka or alcohol 1: 1, let it brew. The resulting tincture is taken 1 teaspoon. spoon, spreading in 3 tables. spoons of cold boiled water 2-3 p. per day in postpartum period with subinvolution of the uterus or uterine bleeding associated with inflammation.

Tincture of the flowers of the initial letter for fainting, high pressure and disorders of the nervous system. Fill a glass jar with a third of the crushed dry flowers of the initial letter. Fill with vodka up to the neck. Put in a dark, warm room for 2 weeks, then strain. Take 20-30 drops diluted in a small amount of water.

Collection with plexitis, sciatica. Initial letter, grass - 50 gr.; wormwood paniculata, grass - 35 gr.; - 20 g; flowers - 40 gr. To 3 tables. lies. mix pour 1 liter. boiling water, insist overnight, boil for 5 minutes in the morning. Drink 100 ml. 2 p. in a day.

Collection with the initial medicinal letter for kidney diseases. Letter, grass - 2 tables. spoons; tricolor violet, grass - 2 tables. spoons; black poplar, buds - 2 tables. lies. To 1 tables. lies. collection pour 1 stack. boiling water. 20–30 min. insist. Drink 1/2 tbsp. 3-4 p. a day before meals.

Bath with a decoction of the initial letter for skin diseases, non-healing wounds, bedsores. Steamed 0.5 liters. boiling water 500 gr. herbs, boil for 10 minutes. and pour into the bath, mix. Baths are taken no longer than 15 minutes. every other day, only 8-10 procedures are carried out.

Trays with grass: 25 gr. herbs drop caps in 2.5 liters. boiling water insist 30 min. Do foot baths.

Contraindications

The initial letter should not be used for severe hypotension, gastritis with zero acidity, vascular thrombosis, pregnancy, children under 2 years old, individual intolerance to plant components. In any case, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.

It is necessary to strictly observe the dosage of the reception, not exceeding the dose! The presence of alkaloids and glycosides in some parts of the initial letter, if the indicated dosages are exceeded, can cause intoxication of the body (poisoning). Symptoms of drug overdose ABCs: cardiopalmus, weakness, hypotension, nausea and vomiting, dizziness.

Description of the initial drug

It is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the mint family. The height of the letter does not exceed 1 meter. The stem of the plant is tetrahedral, straight, almost without leaves, pubescent.

The leaves are opposite, their shape is ovate-heart-shaped. Purple-red flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescence. The fruit of the initial letter is 4 oblong nuts collected, which are located on two cups.

The plant has a peculiar smell, salty-bitter taste. The initial flower blooms for a long time: from June to September. Fruit ripening lasts a month, namely from August to September.

The initial letter is very common in the European part of the CIS, in the Tien Shan, the Pamirs and the Caucasus. Loamy, slightly acidic soil of coniferous and mixed forests is suitable for it. Also, the initial letter is found in meadows, near roads, between thickets and shrubs.

Useful properties of the initial letter

IN medicinal properties apply grass, roots and rhizomes of the initial letter. The plant has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, choleretic properties. Preparations prepared from the initial letter have a calming, analgesic, pressure-reducing effect. The initial letter normalizes the metabolism in the body, stabilizes digestion and improves blood circulation.

In the presence of signs of nervous excitability, epilepsy, constipation, dizziness and migraine, teas and decoctions from the initial cap are used. Outwardly, a drop cap is used to wash ulcers, wounds, chronic runny nose And .

In homeopathy, the initial letter is used as a tonic for asthma and weakness of the body.

The use of the initial letter in folk medicine

The initial letter is used in folk medicine for bronchitis, hemorrhoids, cystitis, migraine, epilepsy and many other diseases. This plant has astringent property and wound-healing action.

Preparations from the roots and rhizomes of the plant are used as an emetic and laxative. A decoction of the roots of the initial cap is used for colitis, poor appetite, liver or kidney disease, and nervous diseases.

An infusion prepared on the basis of the leaves, roots or rhizomes of the plant helps to cure sciatica, gout, cystitis and neuroses.

Preparations from the aerial part of the plant are used as a hypotensive, sedative nervous tension, a metabolic normalizing agent for atherosclerosis, kidney disease and hypertension.

The initial letter has a hemostatic property, so it helps with bleeding of the lungs and uterine bleeding.

Treatment with a medicinal letter

IN medicinal purposes collect grass, leaves, roots and rhizomes of the initial drug. Infusions and decoctions from this plant are used for diseases such as rheumatism, hysteria, bronchitis and in the case of many other diseases. Externally, preparations from the initial cap are used for rheumatism, for washing wounds, and for convulsions.

Herbal tea. Tea is prepared easily and quickly. To do this, you need to take 1 teaspoon with a slide of plant grass and pour 250 ml of boiling water over it, then leave it to infuse for a quarter of an hour. After straining the finished tea, it is used for rinsing or ingestion (if there is diarrhea or other intestinal disorders). Depending on the need, you can take a cup 1-3 times daily. Some patients with asthma or with profuse mucous sputum are prescribed this tea by doctors.

Infusion of grass (leaves) initial letters. To prepare it, you will need 1 tablespoon of raw materials, which must be poured with one glass of boiling water and left to infuse for 2 hours. After straining, the remedy is taken 4 times every day before meals, 1-2 tablespoons. This infusion lowers blood pressure, soothes. It is also used as an expectorant.

A decoction of the roots of the letter. We take 20 grams of dry roots and pour them with a glass of boiling water, put on fire for 20 minutes. After straining the finished broth, it is taken in a tablespoon three times a day as a laxative.

Infusion of roots and leaves of the initial letter. To prepare it, you need to take half a tablespoon of the leaves and the same number of roots of the initial letter and pour them with 200 ml of boiled water. After insisting 2 hours in a cold place, strain the composition. You need to take this infusion 3-4 times a day. One-time admission- 1 tablespoon of medicine. This infusion has a diuretic and choleretic effect.

Infusion of herbs. We take 2 tablespoons of grass, pour a glass of boiling water and put on low heat for 5 minutes, after which we insist for 20 minutes and filter. Next, add 40 grams of port to the infusion. Use the drug should be 70 ml three times a day before meals. This infusion helps with pulmonary bleeding.

Tincture of flowers of the letter. Take a glass jar and cover a third with dry flowers (crushed). Pour vodka on top to the neck of the jar. Put the composition in a dark but warm room for 14 days, then strain. Use the remedy for high blood pressure, fainting and disorders of the nervous system. It is necessary to take 20-30 drops, diluted with a small amount of water.

Contraindications for the use of the letter

It is strictly forbidden to use the initial letter for pregnant women. And the rest can use this plant, but only carefully! It is necessary to observe the dosage of the reception, in no case do not exceed the dose!

Expert editor: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna| Phytotherapeutist

Education: A diploma in the specialty "Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the University named after N. I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Moscow University of Peoples' Friendship (2008).

Perennial herbaceous plant of the labiaceae family, up to 1 m high. In spring, a bunch of leaves on long petioles and 1-3 long stems grow from the root. The stem is erect, tetrahedral, covered with hairs, bent down, bears only 2 pairs of opposite leaves, basal leaves are collected in a rosette. The leaves are oblong-heart-shaped, crenate. The stem ends in a cone-shaped spikelet. The smell of the plant is quite strong, peculiar, the taste is salty-bitter. Blooms in July-August. The flowers are reddish-purple, collected in semi-whorls. The fruit consists of 4 nuts. The initial letter ripens in August-September.

Where the initial medicinal letter grows.

The initial letter grows in meadows, near roads, in thickets, in clearings among shrubs in the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia, in the Caucasus.

Collection of medicinal letters.

The entire aerial part of the plant is used as a medicinal raw material. Prepare it in initial period flowering dry clear weather after the full moon. Grass is loosely placed in bags. Before drying, yellowed leaves and plants spoiled by insects are removed. Dry the raw materials in a well-ventilated darkened room, in the air in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, scattering in a thin layer.

Letter storage.

Dried leaves and stems with bulb flowers are stored in boxes lined with paper for 2 years.

The use of herbs in medicine.

In the official medicine of Russia, the initial letter is not used. Plant preparations have anti-inflammatory, choleretic, expectorant, anti-asthma, wound healing, soothing, antiseptic, hemostatic, analgesic, metabolism-enhancing effect, reduce blood pressure, increase blood circulation and regulate digestion.
Applied inside for diseases of the liver, lungs, bronchi, tracheitis, tuberculosis, asthma, persistent cough, pulmonary bleeding, inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, increased nervous excitability, epilepsy, migraine, dizziness, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, gastritis with low acidity, with constipation, indigestion, jaundice, hypertension; externally - for washing wounds and ulcers, with sinusitis and chronic rhinitis.

Useful properties of herbs.

In folk medicine, grass and roots of the initial drug are used. They have a choleretic, laxative, analgesic, sedative, antiseptic, hemostatic, wound healing, expectorant effect, lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, metabolism. In folk medicine, an infusion of flowers of the initial letter is used for heart diseases, especially for heart neurosis, it is useful for jaundice, dropsy and spoilage. The leaves of the initial letter purify the blood. Apply fresh washed leaves to wounds, ulcers, bedsores.
Tea from a drop cap: grind, brew dried leaves with boiling water and drink with sugar, jam or honey.
Infusion of herbs drop cap: 15-20 g of herbs insist in 400 ml of boiling water for 6 hours in a thermos, then strain. Drink 50-100 ml 3-4 times a day for hemoptysis, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, tracheitis, whooping cough, gastritis with high acidity gastric juice, diarrhea, hypertension, increased nervous excitability, dizziness.
Infusion of herbs drop cap: 25 g of herbs to infuse in 2.5 liters of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use for baths with sweaty feet.
A decoction of the roots of the initial letter: boil 15 g of crushed roots over low heat in 500 ml of milk for 20-30 minutes, leave for 2 hours, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day before meals for general weakness, decreased appetite, diseases of the kidneys, bladder, liver, gastritis, colitis.
A decoction of the initial herb: boil 20 g of dried herb in 200 ml of water for 15 minutes, strain. Drink with honey 50 ml 4 times a day before meals for respiratory diseases.
Another way: boil 25 g of herb in 200 ml of water until half of the original volume is evaporated. Use to lubricate wounds, ulcers.
A decoction of the roots of the initial letter: 20 g dried roots boil in 200 ml of water for 20 minutes, strain. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day as a laxative.
Sprinkle festering, long-healing wounds and ulcers with the powder from the grass of the initial letter. Sniff the powder from dried leaves for chronic rhinitis, headaches.

The use of herbs initial letter in folk medicine

In folk medicine, the initial letter is used primarily for liver diseases and jaundice - both separately and in mixtures. In addition, it is used for bad gastric digestion, for asthma and coughs as an expectorant, facilitating sputum production, and also as a mild laxative. Leaves and stems sometimes cause sneezing. It is taken in steam and decoctions of 20.0 g per 1 liter of water, as well as in powder for a day from 1 to 3 g in 4 doses.
When bleeding from the lungs, they drink 2 wine glasses daily (each about 30.0 g) of the following decoction from the initial letter: 2 tablespoons of port wine and 1 tablespoon of the leaves of the initial letter are taken for 1 glass of water. Boil for 5 minutes from the start of boiling and steam for another 20 minutes. Taken cold.
With sciatica, they drink 3 cups a day of a decoction from the following mixture: Leaves of the initial letter - 50.0 g, Branches of the wormwood god-tree - 35.0 g, Bobovnik - 20.0 g, Black elderberry flowers - 40.0 g This mixture is taken three tablespoons per 1 liter. Boiling water, soar overnight in the oven, boil for 5 minutes in the morning. At the same time, rub the sore spot with the following composition: Formic alcohol- 4 tablespoons, alcohol tincture chestnut fruit - 3 tablespoons, alcohol tincture of henbane seeds (poison) - 2 tablespoons and 1 spoon of camphor oil.

Behind long years meeting her, I was convinced that this is the most valuable medicinal plant has not yet received widespread recognition. But it was not in vain that the people used to say in ancient times: sell a coat - buy a letter. Pay attention to the eagerness with which small children drink the infusion of the initial letter: apparently, instinct tells them that it is this medicine that will give recovery.
The initial letter is universal, has a healing effect on the entire body. In other words, it strengthens the immune system. Therefore, with its help it is easier to deal with colds respiratory organs, bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary bleeding with tuberculosis. Initial letters treat diseases of the liver and gallbladder, bladder and kidneys, gastrointestinal diseases. An infusion of herbs is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis and gout. In the form of lotions, it is used for varicose veins veins with trophic ulcers. The effect of the initial letter is well manifested in the depletion of the nervous system.

The use of herbs drop cap for geriatrics in old age.

Boil 1 tablespoon of herb in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes at the lowest boil. You can add 2 tablespoons of grape wine - if desired. Drink a glass a day in 3-4 doses. Do not combine with other plants. The remedy is immunotropic and blood-purifying, helps with atherosclerosis, improves metabolism, lowers blood pressure.

The use of herbs drop cap for hyperhidrosis of the hands.

Brew at the rate of 1 tablespoon of herbs per glass of boiling water - make baths with excessive sweating of the hands.

The use of herbs drop cap for lung cancer (with hemoptysis).

Brew 1 full teaspoon of herbs in a glass of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, strain. Pour 2 tablespoons of strong grape port into the infusion. Take 60 ml 2 times a day before meals. (I have often used this remedy in the complex for lung cancer.)

The use of herbs for sinusitis.

Infusion of a drop cap at the rate of 1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours - instill into each nostril a full pipette of infusion at least 5-6 times a day, the liquefied content of the maxillary sinuses quickly begins to stand out. This remedy has helped many.

Herb contraindications.

For many diseases, I prescribe the initial letter, even for such ailments not mentioned in medicine as "spring fatigue", because it has few contraindications. The initial letter is undesirable for gastritis with low acidity, with pronounced hypotension. The letter is contraindicated in case of a threat of thrombosis, since the stachidrine contained in the herb promotes blood clotting. You can not use the letter during pregnancy.