Enotera - a plant that is considered a weed, but all its parts have healing properties. It is used not only in the treatment, but also in the prevention of various diseases, as well as in cosmetology.
The chemical composition of the evening primrose
Useful properties of evening primrose due to its chemical composition. The plant has a large amount of vitamin C, saponins, cyanogenic compounds, carotenoids, steroids, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, phenol carboxylic acids, flavonoids and tannins.
The latter are mainly found in the leaves of the plant. They are also rich in macro-and micronutrients (macro-elements: Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Se, C), polyterpenoids, mucus. Flowers also have a yellow pigment, and the roots - reducing sugars, resins, sterols.
The seeds of the plant are especially appreciated, as they produce valuable primrose oil, which is capable of drying out. It boasts the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, protein.
Did you know? Enotera (Oenotherae), belonging to the family of eunuchs, is also known as the two-year-old donkey. It is believed that its name comes from the Greek words "oinos" (wine) and "a ther" (wild beasts). That is, the flower has an intoxicating effect on animals. He also has popular names: night light, violet night, salad root, night candle, summer star, candlestick, primrose and others.
Healing properties oslinnika
At one time, the root of the enotery at the age of no more than a year was eaten as a vegetable. He was appreciated for high fleshyness. Then his decoction was used for colds, pulmonary tuberculosis. Over time, other parts of the plant were used.
So, traditional medicine advises the use of enothera in the treatment of thrombosis, arthritis, fungal diseases, tumors, asthma. In particular, the infusion of the leaves is given as a remedy for convulsions, with neuralgia of the heart, inflammation of the kidneys. This is a sedative. Externally, it is used as an antimicrobial agent for washing wounds. Infusion of herbs helps with strong diarrhea.
The healing properties of evening primrose are also transmitted to valuable fatty oil, which is made from its seeds. It is characterized by a high content of linolenic acid, which reduces the risk of thrombosis, has a beneficial effect on the body with liver cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, eczema. The oil is added to drugs designed to combat pruritic ichthyosis, diathesis, it is used to relieve premenstrual syndrome, prevent sclerosis.
Preparation of raw materials from evening primrose for therapeutic purposes
To use the enoteru for medicinal purposes, you need to know when and how to procure its component parts. So, the stems, inflorescences, leaves of the plant are removed during its flowering period, and the flowers themselves must be collected in the evening.
The root harvesting time is autumn. After digging, rinsing them is dried exclusively in the open air in the shade.
Seeds for application and production of oil in the first year after planting are not suitable for use, they are collected in the second. They ripen unevenly throughout the stem: from bottom to top. Therefore, the collection begins in mid-summer and ends in autumn. Or remove the ripened and immature seeds from the entire stem, when about 2/3 of the inflorescences have faded. In this case, the raw materials must be dried (up to 50ºะก) and threshed.
Important! Seeds as a remedy are used immediately after they are ground. In this state, they oxidize rapidly and acquire hazardous properties. You can also make butter from them: pour a portion of freshly ground evening primrose seeds in two pieces of fresh flax oil too and store the month in a dark place. Then drink infusion in small portions per teaspoon. Reception frequency - three times a day for two to three weeks.
Even the ripe boxes open up very hard. If you have specially planted a plant to collect seeds, it must be regularly fed well. Then about one half of a glass of raw material is removed from one bush. Seeds should be stored in a dry place until next year.
Recipes for the use of evening primrose in folk medicine
Enotera has long been used in folk medicine in Poland, Spain, Italy, Finland, Germany, France, Canada, and America. Our plant is also widely used folk herbalists and only recently began to be used in official medicine.
In us, evening primrose leaves have always been used to brew tea, which have been treated for diarrhea. Also for these purposes, based on them produced alcohol tincture. She was also effectively used as a sedative and antispasmodic. In quinsy and stomatitis, it is used as a rinse. A decoction of the roots of the plant for use inside has established itself as a remedy for tuberculosis and a general tonic.
With chronic fatigue
Enotera perfectly helps from fatigue and chronic exhaustion. A decoction of the herb of the plant is used. Take 3 tbsp. l leaves and stems, pre-shredded. They are poured into a container filled with two glasses of water, and brought to a boil. Boil for about four minutes and infuse for about an hour, then filter. One third of a glass of broth is drunk before meals. They do it three or four times a day.
With diarrhea and cramps in the intestines
In the case of diarrhea, enotera infusion is indicated. To prepare it, two teaspoons of chopped herbs are poured into a container and poured a glass of boiling water. Insist about an hour, filter and drink in small portions during the day. If diarrhea is accompanied by severe dehydration, weakness, the tincture must be prepared according to this scheme: enotera herb is poured with alcohol (one part of the herb to four parts of alcohol) and insist on three weeks. After straining, use 20-30 drops three times a day.
For skin diseases and eczema
Eczema treatment is carried out by not only washing the skin with an infusion of leaves and flowers of the plant, but also by taking it inside. To do this, grind the mixture poured a glass of boiling water, wrap and insist for at least three hours. After filtering, take a third of a glass for half an hour before meals three times a day.
For tuberculosis and rheumatism
For the treatment of rheumatism and tuberculosis, decoction of evening primrose roots is used. To do this, add a tablespoon of crushed roots to a glass of water and bring to a boil. Then the mixture should be kept on low heat for 10 minutes, then insist two hours. After straining, the obtained infusion can be taken before meals one or two tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
In the treatment of prostate adenoma
In the treatment of prostate adenoma, it is necessary to prepare a mixture of herbs, which includes evening primrose. The mixture consists of a tablespoon of Hypericum, cornflower grass, comfrey root, evening primrose, two tablespoons of golden root and three sorrel. A tablespoon of such a mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for at least two hours. After straining is taken in a teaspoon before meals three times a day. The course of treatment is a month.
To improve kidney function
Helps the plant to improve the work of the kidneys. To do this, prepare a mixture of spring adonis, fenugreek, blue vervain, yellow gentian, catnip, St. John's wort, comfrey, blueberries, olinlin. Plants are taken in equal proportions. If one component is not, the mixture will retain its properties. Her three tablespoons are poured with two cups of boiling water and boiled for five minutes. The broth is cooled, filtered. It is necessary to take after meals three times a day for a third cup. The course of treatment is a month.
Useful properties of evening primrose oil during pregnancy
Enotera is extremely useful for women who are expecting a child. Often it is prescribed to take inside in the form of oil, which is packaged in capsules and sold in a pharmacy. It is important not to prescribe it yourself, but to consult with your doctor. Reception of oil will saturate the body with essential fatty acids, improve the functioning of the digestive tract, and will have a generally strengthening effect on the body.
Important! Before using evening primrose oil, check if you have an allergic reaction to it. To do this, apply a little product on the bend of the arm or wrist and follow the reaction of the skin. If no changes occur on the skin within 24 hours, the oil can be used for its intended purpose.
In addition, evening primrose oil improves skin elasticity, firmness, which helps prevent stretching, rupture of the cervix, improves the elasticity of the pelvic ligaments. Oil helps to maintain the necessary hormonal balance, has a positive effect on the development of the child, ensuring its normal formation of nerve cells and the brain.
Recipes for use in cosmetology at home
In addition to the healing properties that are used in medicine, the enotere has found application in cosmetology. It is used to care for dry and sensitive skin that is flaky, has allergic inflammation. If you regularly use plant oil for skin care, it evens out its moisture index, loses signs of wilting, pigment spots, it becomes softer, more elastic.
As already stated evening primrose oil perfectly fights with all sorts of irritations, itching and peeling, which even have the nature of diseases: psoriasis, eczema, and more. It removes redness, inflammation, nourishes and softens the skin.
Did you know? Oil is not recommended to be applied in pure form. Stimulating the work of the sebaceous glands, it increases the fat content of the skin. Beauticians recommend adding 3-4 drops of oil to the night cream before use to achieve a rejuvenating effect. Also, oil is used as a cleansing agent for the skin.
The tool is well proven for massages. It improves the effect of other components of the massage mixture, increasing their therapeutic effect, producing a relaxing effect.
Perfectly proven tool for hair care. A few drops of it are also recommended to be added to conventional care products. The oil will help to cure dandruff, overcome hair loss, as well as improve their structure, give them health, strength and radiance.
Inflicting it on the nails, you nourish them with essential vitamins, strengthen, soften the cuticle.
With dry skin
For dry skin care you can make the following mixture: a teaspoon of evening primrose oil, shea, avocado, two teaspoons of jojoba, two drops of lavender oil, chamomile, geranium. Having mixed the specified components, they can be applied as night or day cream.
With stretch marks
Effective enotera from stretch marks. To do this, you need to prepare a cream based on the following mixture of oils: two teaspoons of evening primrose oil, three for jojoba and walnut each, four for cocoa and five drops of lavender oil. The mixture is rubbed into stretch marks after each shower.
Pigment spots and freckles
To get rid of freckles and other pigment spots, prepare a mixture based on the following oils: a teaspoon of cocoa, two - enotera, five drops of safflower and two petitgrain, rosewood, lemon. The mixture is rubbed into pigmented areas.
Contraindications and side effects of enothera
Many argue that there are no contraindications for using enotera at all, but it is still not recommended to use its oil uncontrollably. If you take too many decoctions or tinctures of evening primrose, you may experience headache, weakness, nausea. Some experts categorically do not recommend the use of any parts of the plant for epilepsy, schizophrenia. It is not recommended to combine it with epileptogenic drugs and fenotizianami.
Separate sources claim that enotera oil can increase vascular permeability and intraocular pressure. In the period of menopause, it is recommended to take it with fish oil or be sure to eat fatty fish. Since the plant enhances the synthesis of female sex hormones, during this period there is a big risk of neoplasms.
As you can see, the enotera, especially the oil prepared from its seeds, perfectly supports the body. Improving the condition of the skin, it helps to fight a large range of various diseases. Both official and traditional medicine use other parts of the plant: stems, leaves, buds, roots. At the same time, there are practically no contraindications to their use.
