The healing properties of bearberry, which people have long called bear's ears, are used not only in folk medicine, but also in traditional medicine. This plant is used for a variety of diseases, and it acts very gently and at the same time effectively.
Description
The young plant looks like grass. However, in fact, bear ears are an evergreen branched perennial shrub, the height of which can reach up to 130 cm. It belongs to the heather family. Its shoots are long and leafy. Young twigs are greenish-brown in color, while older ones become reddish over time.
The leaves are oblong-ovate in shape, from 12 to 26 mm long and 4-9 mm wide. From above, they are leathery, glossy and have a dark green color. Pale pink five-toothed flowers form apical drooping brushes. The berry is spherical with a diameter of 6-8 mm, inedible. The plant blooms in May, and the fruits are formed from July to September.
Many confuse lingonberries and bear ears. They are indeed very similar, but they have a few differences. If you look closely, you can see that the lingonberry has a leafit is bent down and covered with small black dots, while in bearberry it is flat and a dense network of slightly depressed veins is clearly visible on it.
Chemical composition and applications
In bear ears grass, its leaves are the most valuable. They are collected, dried and various tinctures, decoctions, lotions, etc. are prepared from them. This plant is quite widely used in pharmacology, since its composition is rich in the following extremely useful components:
- ascorbic and organic acids;
- trace elements and resins;
- tanning and coloring components;
- hydroquinone and arbutin glycoside;
- mineral s alts and flavonoids.
Due to its chemical composition, this shrub can restore he alth. All of the above components have a wound healing, diuretic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
What is used for
The use of bear ears herb is effective in the treatment of colds and coughs, and it is not for nothing that it is included in the majority of breast preparations sold in pharmacies. On the basis of this plant, even remedies are made that are used for bronchial asthma. The herb is indispensable during the treatment of cholelithiasis, and is also used to prevent and get rid of infections that can be sexually transmitted. A decoction made on the basis of this plant and used in the form of lotions promotes healing well.ulcers, wounds and abscesses.
Healing properties of this herb is also used in Tibetan medicine. Various infusions and decoctions are made from it. Tibetan healers advise using them for people suffering from Graves' disease, gonorrhea, sinusitis and pulmonary tuberculosis. Herb-based ointments help treat gout and aching joints.
As you can see, this plant helps in the treatment of many diseases, but before you start using it, you need to consult your doctor. It has long been known that any medicine can cause serious and even irreparable harm to human he alth if used incorrectly.
Contraindications
The use of bear ears has its limitations. Before proceeding with treatment, you need to carefully study all contraindications. Preparations based on this herb should not be consumed:
- For various diseases of the stomach. The use of the plant often causes nausea and diarrhea.
- When pregnant. This plant, which has a diuretic effect, can provoke pressure on the muscles of the uterus, which will lead to termination of pregnancy or premature birth.
- In diseases of the kidneys and especially in acute forms of their course.
- While breastfeeding. The leaves of the plant contain a significant amount of tannins that can provoke colic and constipation in babies.
- For allergic reactions to this plant.
- Children under 12.
Collecting grass
Many are wondering where you can find bear ears, because this herb is quite rare. In nature, it can grow both as separate bushes and merging into one fluffy carpet that can stretch for several hectares. The plant prefers well-lit, open and warm areas with sandy soil. Also, its shoots can be found among the stones and in the forest. You need to collect leaves in dry weather and before the moment when there is still no frost. Otherwise, the raw materials may deteriorate during drying.
The leaves of the plant are harvested only after the end of fruiting, since you need to take the top of the shoot. Under no circumstances should grass be uprooted. The shoots should be carefully cut off with scissors, then next year lateral processes will appear in their place, and the bush will become even denser and more magnificent. We must not forget that it is impossible to cut off all the shoots on the plant at once, otherwise it may die. It is allowed to remove a maximum of 20-25% of their total amount at a time. The same rule applies to harvesting bearberry flowers.
Drying and storage
The collected leaves should be immediately spread in an even layer on some flat surface, and then covered with gauze to prevent various insects from entering. It is best to dry bear ears grass outdoors under cover. So it will be constantly wrapped around by the wind and will not get wet during the rain. Also, the collection can be dried in a well-ventilatedindoors or in the attic of the house. In the same way, the flowers of the plant are prepared for storage.
Usually, in dry and sunny weather, this takes no more than two or three weeks. The finished collection is poured into cloth bags and stored in a dark, dry place. Due to the fact that the plant contains a significant amount of glycosides, insects do not threaten already dried leaves. Before preparing infusions, teas or decoctions, dry leaves are removed from the branches. At the same time, the raw material should not have any smell.
Bear Ears Cooking Instructions
As mentioned above, this plant helps with many diseases, greatly alleviating the condition of patients. The preparation of folk remedies is a simple process, so drugs can be made at home. Below are some of the easiest recipes in the article.
For a restorative infusion, you need 10 g of leaves and 200 ml of hot water. The raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, poured with boiling water and covered with a lid. After 15 minutes, the infusion is cooled, filtered, and the precipitate is squeezed out. Boiled water is added to the resulting liquid until a full glass is filled. The infusion can be stored for 24 hours in a dark and cool place. It is recommended to take it 30-40 minutes after eating 1/2 cup no more than 5 times a day.
Recipe for rheumatism bear ears is also very simple. To do this, take one tablespoon of raw materials, pour a glass of cold water and leave for 10 hours. You can do this at night, and in the morning boil for 5 minutes and givehim to brew for half an hour. Strain and drink 1 tbsp. l. no more than six times a day and only 3 hours after eating.
