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Mullein (less commonly, barn) is a plant, most of which are wild-growing weeds. Decorative views adorn flower beds. But the mullein got the most fame as a herb used in folk medicine to treat a number of diseases, especially hemorrhoids.
Botanical description of common mullein
Common Mullein belongs to the Nornichkov family. It has other names: "royal scepter", "divin grass", "bear ear". This herbaceous plant is perennial, less often - biennial. Mullein has a single stem, the height of which is from 1.5 to 3 m, so that the bear’s ear is clearly visible among other herbs. Leaves have a slight white pubescence.
In the first year of life, the mullein forms a rosette of leaves at the root, and flowering begins only in the second year. Each flower consists of 5 yellow petalsforming a spike-shaped inflorescence, reminiscent of the appearance of a bright candle. By autumn, fruits are formed - small boxes in which there are small seeds.
Mullein has one very interesting difference from other plants: it prefers to grow on sparse soils. If the seeds fall into fertile soil, the plant will practically not bloom and will soon die at all. Therefore, a bear's ear can be found on the sandy edges of forests and meadows, roadsides. Often the plant grows on rocky soils with a low content of nutrients.
Divin grass can be found in Europe, as well as in northern Africa and the Caucasus. The common mullein was introduced to North America by people, where it also took root well. It feels great in temperate climates, without making any special demands on environmental conditions.
Useful properties of mullein
Places and features of the collection of mullein plants
Mullein is easy to spot in its natural growing environment in bright yellow colors. When choosing plants for the procurement of medicinal raw materials, you need to pay attention to environmental safety: it is extremely undesirable to collect grass growing along busy roads or chemical plants.
Harvesting of mullein is usually carried out during its flowering: in July and in August. All components of the aerial parts of the plant will be useful, but it is the petals that are endowed with the greater healing power. In autumn, you can dig and dry the roots.
Folk healers do not advise collecting wilted or moist inflorescences. After harvesting, the cut grass must be thoroughly washed from dirt and dried in a dark, dry and well-ventilated area to prevent decay. Mullein should be periodically turned over so that it dries evenly.
The bear’s ear will become fragile over time, and its corollas will acquire a delicate golden color. Well-dried petals are fragrant with a sweet aroma with light honey notes. When these signs appear, the raw materials can be removed in paper or cloth bags and sent for storage in a dark cabinet or pantry.
The chemical composition of a bear’s ear
The healing properties of mullein are due to the content in this herb of an extensive list of useful substances that help the body to cope with ailments or ailments. The bear ear contains:
- alkoloid verbascenins;
- aucubin and catalpole, which are iridoids;
- vitamins, the most significant of which are beta-carotene and ascorbic acid;
- hesperidin (flavonoid);
- tannins;
- saponins;
- ether compounds, etc.
Also, in the mullein common, there are micro and macro elements necessary for the functioning of all systems of the human body.
The healing and beneficial properties of mullein
Thanks to such a rich composition that nature has endowed with mullein, the plant is used in folk medicine. It is useful in that:
- Tannins contribute to wound healing, produce a calming and astringent effect. Therefore, the ear of a bear is known primarily as a herb that helps people suffering from hemorrhoids.
- Content plays a major role. iridoidsthat relieve inflammation, remove toxins from the body, reduce pain. Also, these compounds improve the functioning of the human immune system and, according to some, have antitumor effects.
- Coumarin reduces blood density, which prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels.
- Hesperidincontained in mullein in large quantities, has a beneficial effect on the state of the human circulatory system, strengthening the walls of blood vessels and lowering their tone. This flavanoid stimulates the saturation of the heart with oxygen and reduces the degree of allergy.
In addition to the medicinal properties, decoctions and infusions of mullein have a restorative effect on humans. Vitamins and minerals saturate the body, which contributes to its proper functioning.
How to collect mullein
Contraindications and side effects of mullein
The use of folk remedies made from mullein is useful for:
- Gastrointestinal ailments: gastritis, hepatitis, ulcers.
- atherosclerosis and hypertension;
- respiratory diseases;
- hemorrhoids;
- dermatological diseases (primarily with eczema);
- dental diseases associated with a violation of the integrity of the oral mucosa (gingivitis, stomatitis, etc.).
Mullein does not contain hazardous substances, so the use of alternative medicines with its content has practically no contraindications. The exception is:
- pregnant and lactating women;
- Small children;
- people with individual intolerance;
- tendency to bleeding.
The question of starting treatment with a bear ear is strongly recommended to be solved in conjunction with the attending physician. If any deterioration occurs, the use of grass must be discontinued.
The use of mullein in folk medicine
In alternative medicine, mullein is used both internally and externally. So, ointment and oil from a plant are used for abscesses, hemorrhoids, eczema. You can drink infusions and decoctions for diseases of the cardiovascular system and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Alcohol tincture is relevant for relieving symptoms of sprains, arthritis, radiculitis.
Recipes of decoctions and infusions
You can prepare an oral preparation according to 2 recipes:
- A tablespoon of mullein flowers is placed in a pan or thermos, pouring 250 ml of boiling water. Wrap the container and leave at least 1 hour. After filtering, the infusion is ready for use: the recommended dosage is about 100 ml three times a day after meals. The optimal course of treatment is 10 days.
- To prepare a decoction, you need 50 g of dry petals and a glass of water. They are put on fire and boiled for a quarter of an hour. After the liquid has cooled, it is ready for use. To make the broth more convenient to drink, it is filtered.
For hemorrhoids, you can drink mullein like tea. 3 teaspoons are brewed in a teapot or thermos, and they are drunk 2-3 times a day.
Mullein Oil
To prepare mullein-based oil, you need 100 ml of high-quality olive oil and 3 tablespoons of plant flowers. They are mixed in a transparent, resealable container and left on the window for 10 days so that direct sunlight falls on the composition. Periodically shake the oil.
When the oil is ready, it remains to strain it and put it in the refrigerator. Such a tool can be used for skin lesions, hemorrhoids and even otitis media.
Preparation and features of the use of mullein ointment
Also with hemorrhoids, an ointment from the seeds of the plant will be effective. They are removed from the fruit boxes, ground to a powder state and mixed with butter to a ratio of 1: 2. Such a remedy will be effective for bleeding caused by hemorrhoids. It is important to remember that eating seeds inside is strictly prohibited!
The use of mullein in folk medicine
Alcohol tincture of a bear ear
If the joints and lower back hurt, then tincture of alcohol will help relieve unpleasant sensations. The ratio of mullein and vodka flowers is 1:10. After mixing all the ingredients, the tincture is left for 10 days. After readiness, the drug is used twice a day until a stable remission occurs.
Mullein is one of the plants that is easy to find in nature and they help people in the treatment of diseases. The main thing is to observe the rules for collecting and preparing folk remedies.
