Content
Small petals annual, also called erigeron, outwardly resembles a chamomile with small, thin, petals. In fact, the flower is very common both in the wild and as an ornamental garden culture. It is highly popular with plant breeders not only for its unlucky appearance, but also for its medicinal properties.
For medical purposes, only the ground part of the plant is used; it is harvested during the flowering period.
Description and characteristics
The annual small petal (erigeron annuus) is an invasive species from North America. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and until the middle of the 20th century was widespread as a garden and decorative culture. After that, he began to meet in the wild. Today, the annual small petal is widespread everywhere, especially in the central regions of Russia, for the most part it is considered a weed.
Belongs to the Astrov family (Compositae). A herbaceous plant, the bush of which reaches about 100 cm in height. At the same time, it should be noted that the climatic conditions of Russia for the one-year-old small petal were much better than in its homeland, so you can find specimens growing up to 150 cm in height.
The shoot is erect, branchy closer to the apex. It has a bristly-lowered surface in the lower part, and in the upper part it is prickly-bristly. Leaf plates vary in shape from oval to oblong-lanceolate. Towards the top of the shoot, they gradually decrease in size. Basal leaves are the largest, reaching a length of 4 to 17 cm and a width of up to 4 cm. Their base is wedge-shaped, and the edges are coarsely toothed with a sharp or slightly rounded apex. Stem leaves are petiolate, 2 to 9 cm long. The uppermost ones are sessile, with smooth or irregularly serrated edges and a sharp end.
Inflorescence is loose paniculate or corymbose up to 0.8 cm long and up to 1.5 cm across. Baskets are numerous, from 5 to 50 pcs. The cover of green pubescent leaves is hemispherical, two- or three-row, with the outer leaves shorter than the inner ones. Pseudo-lingual flowers, 80-125 pcs. in a basket, arranged in 2 rows. The marginal flowers are white or pale blue, and the tubular disc flowers are yellow in shade.
At the end of flowering, achenes appear, small in size (0.8-1.2 mm), lanceolate. In ligulate flowers - with a single-row tuft, in the rest - double-row, while the crest is 2-2.5 times larger than the achenes themselves.
Chemical composition
The annual small petal is a plant that has been used in folk medicine since the 18th century, and all thanks to its medicinal properties due to its rich chemical composition.
The entire terrestrial part of erigeron contains a large amount of essential oils (0.3-0.6%) containing a-limonene, terpenoids and aldehydes. These substances give the plant not only an unusual lemon scent, but also make it an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, the following substances were found in the composition of the small petals:
- tannin;
- flavonoids;
- choline;
- resin;
- tannins;
- vitamin C;
- mineral salts.
The healing properties of the annual small petal
The small petal itself is an annual, despite the fact that it looks like a rather simple and unremarkable plant in the photo, it is considered in folk medicine an excellent assistant in the treatment of many diseases.
The main feature of the annual small petal is that it is not addictive with prolonged use.
The composition rich in trace elements makes it possible to use this plant as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. And the content of tannin and flavonoids in it contributes to the excretion of uric acid, which is an indisputable advantage in the treatment of gout.
It is also worth noting that the plant has a hemostatic effect, therefore it is recommended to take it for hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding. And poultices can reduce or completely prevent pain.
The tannins found in the annual petal make it a good remedy for diarrhea.
The antiseptic and analgesic properties of erigeron help with angina. The use of the plant against hair loss has also been noted.
Application methods
In folk medicine, flowers, leaves and young stems of the annual small petal are used. They are used in a variety of variations, in the form of an infusion or decoction, and also as lotions or poultices.
Infusion
Infusion of small-petal annual is used to eliminate pain. Prepare it as follows:
- Take 20 g of dried erigeron herb, pour it into a liter glass jar.
- Pour it with 1 liter of hot water.
- Insist for 10-15 minutes.
Decoction
For the broth, dried stalks of the annual small petal are often used. The cooking scheme is similar to obtaining an infusion:
- 1 tsp dried herb of erigeron with a slide is poured into a half-liter jar.
- Pour it with ¼ l of boiling water.
- Allow the broth to brew until it cools completely.
Tea
For the preparation of medicinal tea, in addition to the annual small petal, other plants are also used. For example, for a drink that allows you to alleviate cystitis and urethritis, you should prepare a collection of equal amounts of erigeron, hibiscus, goldenrod and birch leaves. After 1 tbsp. l. Brew the resulting mixture in 1 liter of boiling water. It is recommended to drink such tea no more than 3 glasses a day.
You can also prepare a medicinal drink to cleanse the body and remove toxins. In this case, the annual small petal, meadowsweet and goldenrod are mixed in equal amounts. 1 tsp the resulting mixture is brewed in 250 ml of boiling water. You can drink 2 glasses of tea a day.
Butter
Petal annual oil is used as a hemostatic agent mainly for uterine bleeding. To do this, take 5-10 drops orally, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
Tincture
An alcoholic tincture of small petal annual is an excellent remedy for the treatment of arthritis. Before use, it must be diluted with water.
Application in traditional medicine
The annual small petal is used in folk medicine in the treatment of a variety of diseases. But at the same time, it is important to observe the correct preparation, the ratio of the components and the method of using this or that remedy, be it an infusion, a decoction or tea.
For the treatment of rheumatism
For rheumatism, it is recommended to take an infusion (tea). For this:
- 20 g of dried herb of one-year-old small petals are brewed with 1 liter of boiling water.
- Withstand the product for 15 minutes, then filter.
- Drink the resulting drink 1 glass 3 times a day after meals.
The course of herbal remedy is 3 weeks.
With alcohol intoxication
The collection, mixed from flowers and grass of a small petal annual (10 g each), the same amount of St. John's wort, sage and horse sorrel seeds, is recommended for use in case of alcohol intoxication.In this case, adhere to the following actions:
- 2 tbsp. l. collection, pour 500 ml of boiling water and put everything in a water bath.
- While stirring, boil the composition for 2 minutes.
- After, covered with a cloth, the broth is infused for another 30 minutes.
- The finished drink should be taken every hour, 50 ml until the signs of alcohol poisoning disappear completely.
With endometriosis
As a therapeutic agent for endometriosis, it is also recommended to use an infusion from the following herbal collection:
- In an equal amount, prepare a mixture of small petals annual, lemon balm, yarrow, meadowsweet, lavender, wormwood and calendula.
- 4 tsp collection is poured with boiling water (1 l).
- Close with a lid and insist for 1 hour.
This infusion is taken for 3 weeks, 50 ml 3 times a day.
For toothache
To eliminate toothache, it is advised to use freshly harvested shoots of erigeron. In this case, a couple of branches of the plant are steamed with boiling water for no more than 2-3 minutes, then the product is allowed to cool. Cotton wool or a small piece of gauze folded in several layers is moistened in it and applied to a sore tooth. Leave a lotion until the pain subsides.
For bowel disorders
For diarrhea and bowel disorders, a strong tea made from the herb of small petal annual helps well. The infusion itself is prepared and taken according to the following scheme:
- 1 tsp dried erigeron is poured into 250 ml of boiling water.
- The agent is insisted for 10 minutes, after which it is filtered.
- They drink tea throughout the day in small sips.
With arthritis
The most effective remedy in the treatment of arthritis is an alcoholic tincture of small petal annual. It helps to relieve joint pain as well as slow down inflammation.
To prepare the product, use 30 drops of alcoholic tincture per 1 liter of boiled warm water.
To cleanse the body and remove toxins
Tea based on small-petal annual, in addition to insecticidal properties, also has a diuretic effect, which helps to remove toxins and toxins from the body. Therefore, it is often taken as a cleanser.
Tea is prepared from the collection of erigeron, goldenrod and meadowsweet by steeping with boiling water.
Drinking herbal tea is recommended no more than 2 glasses a day.
Against hair loss and to strengthen hair
In addition to traditional medicine, annual small petals are also used in cosmetology. A decoction of erigeron helps well if it is used against hair loss and to strengthen and accelerate hair growth. The tool itself is prepared as follows:
- 30 g of small petals annual herb is poured with hot water.
- Put the resulting mixture in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes.
- Remove the broth, insist for another 2 hours.
- Then they filter and rinse the hair with it after washing.
Contraindications
Despite the impressive chemical composition of the annual small petal, this plant is not toxic and is not addictive. Erigeron is not able to accumulate harmful substances, therefore it is relatively safe for humans. But before using any remedy based on it, you should definitely consult with your doctor, since an allergic reaction is possible. Also, contraindications include individual intolerance and pregnancy.
Collection and procurement
The collection of annual small-petals for medicinal use can be carried out throughout the vegetative period (from June to September). But the most favorable time for harvesting raw materials is still considered the period of the beginning of flowering. It falls around the end of June and the beginning of July.
If the bush of the plant is tall enough, then only the tops of the shoots should be cut off, without affecting the coarse part of the stems.
After collection, the cut shoots are distributed in bunches of the same size and tied with a thread.The collected plants are suspended for drying in a place protected from direct sunlight, best of all - under a canopy. This is necessary to maximize the preservation of all the beneficial qualities of erigeron.
Since the herbaceous part and small-petaled flowers are often used for medicinal purposes separately, after complete drying, it is recommended to separate the buds from the stems and arrange them in different containers.
The shelf life of dried raw materials in a cardboard box is no more than 1 year. After the plant begins to lose its medicinal qualities.
Conclusion
Small petal annual is a very unremarkable plant, but its rich chemical composition makes it a good healing agent. Naturally, the herbal tea should be used for medical purposes only after consulting a specialist. And also it is better to use it as an auxiliary, rather than the main medicine.
