“The plant of eternal life” - this is the name of the mysterious flower annual driedflower, or immortelle. It is used as a decoration at home, because cut and assembled into bouquets, it can stand for a very long time. People have also heard about its healing properties: for many centuries, dried flowers have been used to treat various diseases.
Plant description
This plant belongs to the aster family. The height of the annual dry wind (as the immortelle is sometimes called) is usually 10-50 centimeters. The stems are straight, the leaves are very narrow. The flowers of the plant are small, their color can range from pink to purple. The size of the flowers is 1-2 centimeters. The fruits of the immortelle are achenes with a crest, which consists of two bristles. The root of the plant is pivotal, extremely poorly developed and slightly branched. The dried flower blooms and bears fruit annually from July to November.
The immortelle received its name not by chance. The thing is his ability to be stored for a long time in a cut form. Even after a few months, the flowers hold well on their legs and are fragrant.
Annual driedflower habitat
Immortelle is widespread in the south-east of Ukraine, in the Crimea and the Caucasus. It grows in Western Europe, in the Mediterranean, in the Balkans. Usually he prefers steppes, meadows, dry slopes. You can find this plant on the forest edges, in the thickets of shrubs.
Rules for the collection and storage of dried flowers
Immortelle should be harvested during flowering. Usually a plant is torn out of the soil along with the root. It should be dried in the attic under a roof of iron or under awnings, sprinkled on paper or fabric. The layer of grass should not be more than five to seven centimeters. It must be mixed regularly. It is very important that there is good ventilation in the place where the dried flower is dried.
The dried dried flower annual should be packaged in small bags and stored in a ventilated room for no more than three years.
Healing properties
Among the useful properties of an annual driedflower:
- hair strengthening;
- improvement of the general condition of the skin;
- cleansing the body of toxins.
It is worth noting that in traditional medicine this plant is used as a remedy for insomnia, a sedative. It also helps with heartburn. It is advised to use it for the treatment of hypertension, gonorrhea, colds, cholecystitis. In ancient times, the healing properties of immortelle grass were known, allowing it to be used for bites of rabid animals.
By the way, immortelle has absolutely no side effects. Due to this, it is part of the gastric and choleretic collections. The only drawback of a dried flower is its taste. Decoctions with him are very bitter.
Disease treatment
The healing properties of immortelle grass help to get rid of a number of diseases. The infusion of this plant is an excellent remedy for toothache. In addition, dried flower is often used as a heart remedy, it is often prescribed for various nervous disorders. The dried flower helps one year and with cholecystitis and low acidity of the juice of the stomach.
By the way, this plant is also actively used in scientific medicine! Dried flowers is part of the unique Zdrenko collection, which doctors prescribe for patients to treat bladder papillomatosis. In folk medicine, immortelle is often used for dermatoses. It is believed that decoctions and infusions of this medicinal herb can heal even from mental disorders. The plant of the astro family also helps to cleanse the body of cholesterol.
Contraindications
Despite all the advantages and useful properties, the immortelle has a number of contraindications. You must follow certain rules, adhere to the exact dosage, use all the ingredients that make up the decoction or infusion based on the annual dried flower.
It is not recommended to use immortelle during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is contraindicated in children under seven years of age. With caution, it is worth using immortelle with individual intolerance.
We bring to your attention the most popular recipes with immortelle.
In the treatment of heart disease, cholecystitis and nervous disorders
Of course, an immortelle cannot replace a visit to a doctor and medications. But it should be used as an aid. Two teaspoons of dried flowers need to pour a glass of boiling water, then wrap and insist for three hours. Immortelle infusion should be taken one tablespoon three to four times a day.
With painful menstruation
For one liter of boiling water, you need to take 15 grams of dry chopped immortelle and 10 grams of horsetail. Insist the composition for at least half an hour, then - strain it thoroughly. Take such an infusion three times a day for 50 grams.
With uterine bleeding
Traditional medicine is well known for the hemostatic effect of annual dried flowers. For 2 cups of boiling water, 15-20 grams of dry chopped grass will be required. It is necessary to insist the immortelle until the water cools down. Then you should strain the infusion. It is recommended to take 1/3 cup three times a day.
For the treatment of stomach ulcers and intestinal disorders
To get a collection that helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to take 15 grams of field horsetail and 20 grams of the following herbs:
- annual dried flower;
- large plantain (always with roots);
- St. John's wort
- centaury;
- yarrow.
The dry mixture must be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted in a warm place for half an hour. The resulting infusion is recommended to drink three times a day. The best option is half a glass in one go.
