Herbal tea was once the main tea drink. Only since then, when black and other varieties of tea were brought to Russia, did it give way. Now that the fashion for a healthy lifestyle has reappeared, herbal tea is once again becoming very popular. The benefits of herbal tea are undeniable and are confirmed today by many scientific studies. Indeed, what could be better than drinking a cup of healthy herbal tea on cold winter days? So what are the benefits of herbal tea and is there any harm?
Herbal tea is tea obtained by brewing herbs, flowers, and plant roots. You can make this tea with any herb. We need to calm down after a hard day at work, relieve the first signs of a cold, relieve nausea or bloating - we resort to herbal teas.
In winter, this tea will warm, raise our immunity. In summer - an excellent cooling and healthy drink. After all, all herbs have healing properties. And in addition to simply quenching thirst, herbal tea can solve a number of health problems.
Benefits of herbal tea
Herbal tea has many health benefits. It can be drunk hot or cold. At all times and all over the world, such tea is valued as a drink that gives the key to health and longevity and is the most ancient drink. How can I benefit from drinking herbal tea?
The main benefit of such tea is that when brewing any part of the plant, we get a healing drink with all the beneficial properties inherent in given plant in an easily digestible form. In addition, herbal tea is:
excellent source of vitamins and minerals;
flavonoids;
antioxidants;
tannins;
ether compounds.
Herbal teas are simple, inexpensive, and effective. It's one way to drink delicious drink caffeine-free and non-drug prevention and treatment of certain diseases.
Flavonoids and antioxidants found in tea drink, help to remove toxins and heavy metal compounds from the body, have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and digestive systems, capillaries and connective tissues, and promote faster healing. Flavonoids, as scientists believe, can have an antitumor effect, slow down the aging process.
Tannins also help the body fight many diseases, have astringent properties, and relieve inflammation.
Depending on the herb or several types of herbs being brewed, herbal tea may have the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory;
Antibacterial;
Immuno-strengthening and immunostimulating;
Tonic;
Relaxing and soothing;
As a rule, herbal tea is drunk without sugar. But you can add sweetener if you like. It is better if it is natural honey or stevia. 
Harm of herbal tea
It is hard to imagine that herbal tea can do any harm. However, certain requirements must be met.
First of all, this applies to the herbs from which you will prepare tea. Their collection should be carried out in an ecologically clean area so that they do not contain harmful substances from industrial enterprises or highways and roads.
Never buy herbs from the market until you know exactly where they were collected. It is better to buy at a pharmacy or a store.
Some herbs are only for healing. Drinking them in the form of tea is not recommended. These are herbs such as comfrey, ephedra, willow bark, celandine, dubrovnik, lobelia and the like, which contain poisonous and toxic substances. They are taken strictly in a certain dose and strictly regulated time.
There may be individual intolerance to some herbs, which can manifest itself in the form of a rash, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, coughing, sneezing, and so on.
The main purpose of herbal tea is prevention. Therefore, do not brew too strong tea.
Be sure to consult with your doctor or specialist, especially if you are currently undergoing treatment and taking medication, pregnant or breastfeeding. 
How to brew herbal tea
Herbal tea is essentially a decoction or infusion made from the herb, leaves, bark, seeds, or flowers. It does not contain caffeine and is drunk, as a rule, for the sake of prevention and for their own pleasure due to the beneficial properties of the herb or herbal collection.
As noted by many scientists, herbal tea is much better than vitamins in tablets. So to save everything healing properties, herbal tea must be properly brewed.
One of the main requirements is brewing tea in a sealed container. To do this, you can use a teapot, in a mug or a glass with a lid. When the herb is brewed, it releases essential oils.
When brewing some herbs, after brewing them hot water must be kept in a water bath. It is allowed to brew in a thermos.
It is better to pour some herbs first with warm boiled water and then bring to a boil over a fire and boil for several minutes. As a rule, bark or fruits are brewed in this way.
How to choose herbal tea
When it comes to choosing herbal tea, the first thing you need to know is for what purpose you will be drinking it. Now you can buy ready-made herbal preparations intended for specific purposes. These are vitamin, to strengthen the immune system, for children, especially for women or men and compiled by specialists in a clear proportion.
Herbal tea should contain nothing but the herb itself, no artificial flavors or colors.
When harvesting herbs on your own, you need to dry them in the shade or under a canopy, spreading them out in one layer or tying them in small bunches. Drying herbs in the oven is allowed, while the temperature should not exceed 35 degrees. Can be dried in the electric dryer for fruits and vegetables.
Herbs are stored in tightly closed paper bags, cardboard boxes or cotton bags. The shelf life depends on the particular herb. Usually it's one or two years. 
The most useful herbal teas for every day
For many centuries, people have passed on information about the healing powers of herbs from generation to generation. With so many herbal teas to choose from today, it can be difficult to know which tea to choose. Here are just some of the healthy herbal teas you can drink every day. In fact, there are many more.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is the most famous tea. It has calming properties, helps lower blood sugar levels, and improves digestion. They also drink tea for colds, coughs, bronchitis, and use it to gargle the throat and mouth. Studies have shown that chamomile tea can reduce death rates by almost 29 percent.
Elderflower tea
Elderberry flowers are traditionally used in the treatment colds. This tea is an effective decongestant, helps to clear the nasal passages of mucus.
It also has diaphoretic properties, cleanses the lymph nodes, strengthens the immune system. Elderflower tea is drunk for allergies, asthma, in the treatment of fungal infections, urinary tract infections, and toothache.
Melissa tea
Melissa is a member of the mint family. These herbs have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain. The plant is rich in antioxidants and contains the powerful compound eugenol.
Lemon balm tea can be drunk with digestive problems, with sleep, with stress and anxiety.
Fennel Tea
This is the most famous tea, which is drunk with bloating and increased gas formation. It has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, relieves spasms, removes bad breath.
Mint tea
Traditional tea for nausea and vomiting. Tea stimulates the production of bile, improves digestion, soothes and promotes sound sleep. 
Tea with lemongrass
Lemongrass has a positive effect on digestion, calms the nerves and lowers blood pressure. It will also help with insomnia, acne, colds.
Tea with lavender
Lavender is known for its relaxing properties. Lavender tea is most often drunk to relieve stress and calm the nerves. It will also help with stomach problems, relieve pain associated with arthritis or other bone diseases, headache.
Echinacea tea
Echinacea has excellent tonic properties. They also drink this tea to boost immunity, for colds, to relieve pain in the joints and muscles.
nettle tea
Nettle is rich in minerals. It is a good source of iron, calcium, silicon. Nettle tea is a good anti-inflammatory agent, improves skin condition, fights allergies, improves blood composition.
thyme tea
Thyme tea can be drunk during a cold. Thyme contains essential oils that protect the body from viruses and infections. It also helps with coughing as an expectorant. It will help with pain in the stomach, throat, with menstrual pain.
Tea with red clover flowers
This tea is especially well known for its ability to reduce symptoms and ailments during menopause. If you suffer from frequent hot flashes, disturbed sleep - brew a cup of tea with red clover. 
rosemary tea
The aroma of rosemary, according to scientists, helps improve cognitive performance, help prevent brain aging.
Tea with ginger
Ginger tea is a good remedy in the early stages of infections. They drink it for rheumatic pains, it dilates blood vessels and stimulates blood circulation, promotes weight loss.
Hibiscus tea
Red hibiscus tea is a very versatile tea. It can be drunk hot or cold. It perfectly quenches thirst, improves appetite, fights colds. This tea is also good as a laxative and diuretic.
This particular type of green tea is very rich in antioxidants. It contains 17 times more antioxidants than blueberries and 7 times more than dark chocolate.
Oolong tea promotes weight loss. With a large amount of antioxidants, it can reduce bad cholesterol, good prevention of cardiovascular disease, improve skin condition.
Pu-erh tea is the only tea that can mature and improve with age. Studies have shown that it can reduce fat deposits, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea can help with headaches, insomnia, eczema, high blood pressure, and allergies.
The use of this tea can improve the condition of the skin, clear it of acne, promotes the strengthening and growth of hair.
This tea can also be attributed to herbal teas. It is rich in antioxidants, contains vitamins and valuable minerals that have a beneficial effect on the heart, liver, DNA cells.
This is not a complete list of the best herbal teas. In the summer, collect the leaves of strawberries, currants, raspberries, stock up on rose hips and other berries. all this is perfect for brewing delicious and healthy herbal tea.
Weed, ganja and hashish belong to the same group of drugs. In fact, this is the same drug made from herbal ingredients. Marijuana is obtained through the processing of hemp. The effects of marijuana use have been a subject of heated debate for decades. Many people are in favor of legalizing its use, while others are strongly opposed. What marijuana is and what its use entails must be considered in the smallest detail.
The first signs of smoking weed are considered inadequate, uncontrollable behavior, a change in reaction to what is happening
This drug is obtained by processing cannabis. For its manufacture, stems, flowers and even seeds are used. Each type of product obtained has in its composition "tetrahydrocannabinol" (abbr. THC), which affects the mental perception of the surrounding space. In addition to it, the drug contains more than four hundred chemical compounds.
For the use of herbs, special devices are used. In European countries such as the Netherlands, the use of soft drugs is legal. In specialized stores, you can buy not only a “bong” (a device for smoking grass), but also the drug itself.
In the CIS countries, cigarettes and shoals are used to consume grass. A joint is a gutted cigarette, into which a narcotic substance diluted with tobacco is "hammered". Some drug addicts create special steam baths from the grass and inhale the formed vapor.
Some "gourmets" use weed to create various culinary specialties and even tea insist on it.
There are stronger analogues, also of plant origin. In their composition, the content of THC is much higher and their use leads to the development of mental illness. Among such remedies, the most popular are hashish and oil obtained from cannabis extract.
The effect of weed on men
The consequences of marijuana smoking on the male body can be expressed in problems with potency. As a result of the use of such drugs, harmful substances enter the lungs. Through the walls of this organ, the substance enters the circulatory system and scatters throughout the body. Once in certain parts of the brain, the drug begins to affect the cells responsible for all types of perception. This state is similar to euphoria and drug addicts call it "high". Just a few minutes after using marijuana, the following symptoms are observed:
- change in the perception of the world around;
- dry mouth and thirst appear;
- bouts of unreasonable laughter;
- increases the speed of the heartbeat;
- blood pressure increases.
Recognizing a person who has used weed is quite simple. A person has a pronounced redness of the eyes. Behavior becomes inadequate, in a similar state of the drug addict may be haunted by a sense of fear and bouts of paranoia. Smoking such substances significantly increases appetite.
A more serious effect of weed on the male body is the deterioration of brain activity
What will happen if you smoke weed is quite difficult to predict. The effect of a drug on the body depends on such factors as: the way it is used, the amount of psychoactive substances and the combination with other intoxicants. Not a small role is played by the individual susceptibility of the body.
Harm from the use of weed for the male body
The consequences of smoking weed for men are expressed by a number of specific factors. The active substance found in cannabis has a strong effect on certain brain regions. This is associated with the appearance of symptoms such as:
- problems with concentration;
- lethargy;
- memory problems;
- distortion of perception.
In addition, there are problems with coordination, balance and reaction. Any activity related to the concentration of attention to small details can become unbearable torment. People experiencing such problems need to stop driving a car, as driving it requires quick thinking.
Smoking weed significantly affects the state of a person's mental abilities. So the use of cannabis at a young age can lead to the appearance of pathologies in the brain. As a result of such deviations, a person begins to experience problems with memory, the ability to learn decreases, and the vocabulary becomes noticeably impoverished.
Regular consumption of such products can lead to the risk of developing mental illness. Often, men who are fond of grass develop schizophrenia and bouts of paranoia. In addition, there is the possibility of the appearance of such phenomena as: depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
The use of smoking mixtures containing narcotic substances leads to problems associated with the respiratory organs. The first symptoms can be expressed in cough and shortness of breath. A person becomes more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia and pneumonia. Cannabis contains a huge amount of carcinogens, substances due to which cancer cells develop. To date, it is impossible to say with accuracy whether the use of "grass" provokes the appearance of cancerous tumors in organs other than the lungs.
There is a lot of controversy these days about whether soft drug use causes addiction. Many experts say that for the appearance of dependence, a much longer period of time is needed than with the use of other drugs. But it is worth saying that the regularity of use leads to the fact that a person ceases to imagine his life without the use of such means. According to studies, one in five men who have tried such a drug is in a state of strong dependence on its use. This type of addiction is similar in symptoms to the use of nicotine.
An attempt to quit is accompanied by irritability and an irresistible desire to smoke. Such stress leads to sleep disturbances, constant anxiety and a change in character.
Increasing the amount of grass consumed leads to a syndrome of disturbed consciousness
The effect of this product on a young organism is very strong. When marijuana use begins in adolescence, processes associated with impaired perception occur. This can be expressed in poor academic performance, problems in relationships with peers and communication with the fairer sex. Such people cease to experience certain desires and aspirations that make a normal person constantly progress in their own development.
Harm and consequences
The effects of marijuana smoking have haunted scientists for a century. Every year, data from various studies are published that talk about the dangers of its use. Cannabis has been used for a long time to create medicines. Based on this fact, the fighters for its legalization say that its use does not bring much harm to the body. According to them, all the effects on the body have a temporary effect and pass as quickly as the intoxicating effect itself.
According to statistics, we can say that there is some truth in such assurances. When used once every few months, we can talk about the relative safety of its use. However, the regular use of hemp and products made from it causes serious damage to the condition of the body. To date, the following effects of use have been scientifically proven:
- respiratory diseases;
- increased risks associated with the appearance of infections of the larynx;
- problems with memory and concentration;
- decrease in the level of intelligence;
- the appearance of depression, psychosis, panic;
- infertility.
The last symptom is temporary in men. Women from the use of grass, may experience problems with menstruation. The use of such products during pregnancy is highly not recommended, as their use affects the development of the fetus.
When using cannabis in combination with nicotine, the risk associated with the development of cancerous tumors increases several dozen times.
Substances made from hemp have the same psychotropic active ingredients - tetrahydrocannabinols (THC)
Development of addiction
Whether it is harmful to smoke weed is difficult to say. In order to get addicted to its use, you need to use it regularly. In connection with this fact, many say that there is no dependence on the use of cannabis. But based on the facts of statistics, it is safe to say that the use of marijuana and its analogues leads to addiction in fifteen percent of cases.
A clear sign of the presence of such an addiction is the appearance of unpleasant symptoms associated with the withdrawal syndrome. Similar symptoms are expressed in jumps blood pressure, the appearance of headaches and heart spasms. In addition, psychological dependence is pronounced. In order to remove the effects of the use of weed, a person needs medical treatment.
Formation of dependence occurs rather slowly. Experts distinguish two characteristic stages.
- initial stage may take two to five years. During this period of time, the person does not experience any physical attraction to the use. Each smoking process is accompanied by vivid effects lasting several hours. With regular use of smoking herbs, it becomes necessary to increase the dosage in order to achieve the desired effect. It is with the increase in dose that the formation of psychological dependence is associated.
- Second phase is about five to ten years of smoking experience. Every year the psychological need for use is growing. The effect of cannabis is observed for only a few hours, which leads to changes in character. Due to a lack of dose, a person may show irritability, incontinence and experience problems with concentration.
It is at this stage that the body becomes dependent on the substances that are part of hemp. Without a favorite dose, a person has difficulty with banal trifles. This stage can also be much longer. For some drug addicts, it is observed throughout life.
Smoking herbs are primarily dangerous because when they stop “inserting”, a person switches to heavier drugs. If you do not turn to a specialist in time, then dependence on cannabis can eventually develop into heroin, which is almost untreatable.
Even after the first use, marijuana can cause hallucinations, visions, negative feelings and emotions.
Why do people use drugs
Today, when the promotion of a healthy lifestyle is gaining momentum, the percentage of people who use various psychoactive substances is steadily increasing. According to people, this is due to the fact that the use of marijuana helps to relax, relieve stress and feel euphoric. Today, when any human action is accompanied by a certain stress, it is more important than ever to achieve such effects. However, for this, it is necessary to use completely different methods.
In most cases, the following reasons are pushing the use of hemp products:
- misunderstanding of relatives and friends;
- an attempt to get away from problems;
- problems in communicating with peers and the opposite sex.
In addition, the media and Hollywood are to blame for the popularization of drugs. It is with a rich lifestyle that many teenagers associate drug use. In an attempt to compare with their favorite heroes, they begin to use illegal substances.
In contact with
If in the beds and in the flower bed you can fight the annoying with the help of vinegar and other heavy "artillery", then the balding spots after treatment will look even worse. You can keep the green areas of the site clean by constantly uprooting unnecessary vegetation and or by sowing lawn grass, which destroys weeds. Is there really such a thing or is it a rumor? What is the best way to sow a lawn and how to do it right? We found answers to these questions from experts.
Is there a grass that destroys weeds on the lawn: dispelling myths
As much as one would not like to believe in the existence of a miracle grass that suppresses other vegetation on the site, but practitioners say that it is unrealistic to create an ideal lawn in this way. In fact, agronomists single out a certain group with a powerful root system, through which other crops are unable to break through. But this is possible only in the second year after sowing, when the shoots get stronger. And until that moment, there is still a need to remove weed "conquerors" and make sure that they do not form a seed. With the growth of sprouts of lawn grass, for various reasons, thinning of crops is possible, which will again entail the appearance of weeds. Therefore, the key to an always green and clean lawn is constant cleaning, dense sowing, proper grass care and an impressive layer of turf.
Important! So that weeds do not grow in the garden and in the courtyard, in the fall it is important to dig up the soil and carefully collect the remaining roots, tops and seed pods.
What to do?
In order to help the lawn grass to strengthen, you need to make an effort. It is important during this period to take care of the condition of the soil, timely and remove the weeds that have appeared. Let's take a look at how to act competently in this direction.
Soil preparation
Seeding grass for lawns, which displaces weeds, should be carried out on plowed land. When exactly to carry out this procedure, the beliefs of experts differed. Some believe that when the soil is turned over, its aeration increases, and in winter it is cleared of infectious pathogens and harmful insects. In addition, the absorption of the introduced is improved. Others agree with the former, but warn of the dangers of digging in hot weather, since the weed grains raised from the depths are already saturated with moisture and begin to germinate faster under the sun's rays, covering the entire area. Obviously, it is better to prepare the land for the lawn in the fall, because in the case of the spring version, in a week you will have to wield a hoe in the front garden. Thoroughly walk along the dug-up bed with a rake, thus selecting all the rhizomes. On running zones, you will need two.
weeding
In early spring, be sure to clear the site of excess vegetation that has appeared.
And do not forget that the source of weed seed stocks is, which we apply as fertilizer in the fall, and neighboring areas, including roadsides, "no man's" territories near fences, under and the like. Do not allow meter-long giants to stretch out in these zones, because sooner or later they will be in your courtyard. Pay special attention to . After a long rain, they must be pulled out along with the roots.
One weed is not enough. Until seedlings of lawn grass grow up, it is necessary to regularly remove unnecessary crops from the site. Moreover, it is advisable to do this carefully so as not to thin out the crop. Do not leave the torn tops on the field, collect them in a bucket, and then dry and burn.
Did you know? Weeds become active in the first two weeks of May and in mid-July.
Processing with chemicals
Agrochemists recommend that when laying a lawn, it is imperative to treat the soil chemicals from weeds. This procedure is especially advisable in areas overgrown with wheatgrass, birch, thistle and other aggressive crops. The method of their etching is effective, since it destroys not only the above-ground part of the plants, but also the root system. In addition, herbicides disinfect the substrate from pathogens of fungal and bacterial diseases, as well as insects. The disadvantage of introducing chemicals, experts call their long-term presence in the soil and the negative impact on, and crops. Based on this, chemistry should be resorted to only in some cases when other methods of weed control are powerless. 
Herbicides should be applied selectively, spraying them in clear, dry weather on heavily infested areas. Failure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations specified in the instructions for use is fraught with damage to herbal crops. Therefore, it is important to calculate the appropriate dosage.
Lawn fertilization
The amount of fertilizing required for a lawn varies greatly from source to source. Some experts believe that the procedure should be repeated after each mowing of grass, that is, once every seven days. Others argue that a single fertilizer per season is enough. Practitioners advise to revitalize herbal plants between May and August with an interval of three weeks. And in the fall, you need to fertilize the lawn no more than once a month.
The composition of the substrate also affects the amount of top dressing. On loam, agronomists recommend fertilizing less often, and on sandy loam - more often. The main indicator of the need for top dressing in all cases is the condition of the grass. 
Nutrients are best applied in wet weather, but on dry plants. In the beginning, grasses need nitrogen-containing complex fertilizers. Some flower dressings, with the exception of coniferous crops and other flowers growing in an acidic substrate, can also serve as an alternative option. Urea and urea are also recommended. Starting from August and in autumn, the lawn is fertilized either with mineral complexes labeled "autumn". Top dressing can be carried out by watering or scattering granular fertilizers over the lawn.
Important! After nitrogen-containing fertilizing, the lawn must be watered so that the substance does not provoke burns on the foliage, quickly dissolves and reaches the root zone.
A haircut
Lawn mowing is best planned when the ground is wet and the grass is dry. Stems should be at least 10 cm. Do not worry that you will trample the plants in the process. This will benefit them, the shoots will become more dense and bushy. Before working, check the sharpness of the blades and set them to the maximum level, since only the tops need to be removed. By cutting the grass too low, you run the risk of dry stubble. 
Subsequent procedures in humid and warm weather are recommended to be carried out in a week, and in a drought - in two. Make sure that each haircut is on the same level. Organize the last mowing of the site before frost, as sprouts that are too tall will not survive the cold. In addition, this process should not take place in strong winds - the injured tips of the blades of grass will affect the future state of the lawn.
Often, during haircuts, summer residents face a number of problems: either the grass is cut bald on bumps, then it turns brown after cutting, or in general, ribbed stripes appear on the lawn. To avoid these unpleasant consequences, first learn how to use a mower. Then check the set height on both sides of the mower drum (it should be the same).
Gather stones, sticks, walk across the lawn with a rake and level the mounds of earth. During operation, do not press the handle and do not pull the mower in different directions. Sprinkle existing bumps in advance with mulch. And in order to keep the lawn even and smooth after mowing, change the direction of the strips with each cut to a perpendicular one.Important! After mowing, the lawn will turn brown if the mower has blunt blades.
Experts believe that cut grass should definitely be removed from the lawn, even though it can serve as fertilizer for growing stems. 
The fact is that withered sprouts will provoke the appearance of weeds, earthworms, which will lead to surface porosity and diseases of grass crops. In addition, soil aeration will decrease. Make sure that the haircut is systematic, only then you can achieve the formation of a dense turf through which weeds cannot break through.
List and description of popular herbicides
The appearance of weeds on the lawn is regarded by experts as evidence of a poorly prepared site, an illiterate choice of lawn mixture and lack of care. 
It is in such cases that it is advised to resort to dressing unwanted vegetation with herbicides. Many of them are registered for use in Ukraine. The following preparations are popular with gardeners:
- "Glyph" ("Glyphos") is an aqueous solution of isopropylamine salt. Effective in the fight against cereals, dicotyledonous and perennial weeds.
- (, Roundup Bio") - the main component: isopropylamine salt. Used to breed malicious perennials such as
In favorite children's fairy tales, the hero often turned to herbs for help. Either he or his assistants looked for the right twigs and flowers, treated terminally ill people and opened locks. In real life, the properties of herbs were known to sorcerers and healers, who passed them on to their successors.
Every medicine is a poison, and every poison is a medicine. It is the same with herbs - for each there is a certain dosage, the excess of which threatens with trouble. Sorcerer-healers knew how to collect the healing gifts of nature so as not to offend Mother Earth and preserve the properties of herbs: some could simply be torn, others needed to be dug up along with the root - and always with a bone spatula. The time of day for the collection also varied, but all this was known to the wise healers. Another thing is herbs, the mere name of which speaks of their unusualness, isolation from a number of other medicinal plants.
Flower of the Riverwomen
The overbearing grass has many names, among them is the "mermaid flower". The plant has magical powers that can destroy any evil spell. Europeans believed that a young beauty turned into this flower, laying her hands on herself because of the betrayal of her beloved. Among the Celts, fairies and elves slept in its petals. At night, the little people woke up and danced on their bed, singing outlandish songs that human ears could not recognize. And this flower is a simple water lily.
Some Slavic tribes had a belief that the lily is nothing more than a beautiful mermaid turned into a flower. Hence its second name. Insidious maidens in the light of the moon led round dances near the rivers, and lured late travelers. Woe to those who want to listen closer to the marvelous voices of the river inhabitants - luring a person to themselves, the mermaids forever left him their prisoner. And at the same time, the insidious flower enjoyed special reverence among the Slavs: the ancestors considered it the most powerful amulet. The dried root of the lily was put into the amulet, and always carried with you, especially when going on a long journey. Odolen-grass kept the owner from hunger and cold, diverted the attention of dashing people and returned home unharmed and with good luck.
Properly made decoction of overpowered grass can defeat even severe poisoning. It was also used for less lofty purposes than saving lives - for example, it removed a toothache. Young Slav women asked the healers for love potions prepared on the basis of a lily. A real panacea, but there is one problem: only a person pure in heart and soul could get the root of the grass. In other hands, the plant lost all its properties - both magical and healing. By the way, it is very convenient for the charlatans of that time: did the potion not work? So your soul is unclean, dear man. And there is nothing to wipe off here, go about your business, clean your soul.
Now, during the period of the revival of Slavic culture, overpowered-grass is gaining popularity again. A lot of amulets with her symbol appeared on sale, for every taste and color. the lily will keep you from the evil eye, and will bring good luck in business. Official medicine also does not deprive the magic plant of its attention: various extracts and extracts are used in the treatment of many diseases. These are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and ointments for festering wounds, and diseases of the genitourinary system.
gap-grass
Another legendary plant that was highly respected by the Slavs. The gap-grass owes its outlandish name to an unusual property: the scatter of seeds is accompanied by a fairly loud pop, and even the lightest touch can provoke it. This herb with magical properties is garden balsam.
The target audience of gap-grass is quite extensive: these are powerful warriors and dodgy thieves. Ordinary inhabitants were also not averse to acquiring a magical amulet with a piece of a plant. No wonder, because with its help you can open any lock, and crush even the highest wall, and the gap-grass protects its owner from any weapon. And, as usual, getting the coveted plant is not at all easy.
It was possible to break the balsam at any time, only now magical properties will not be in it. Therefore, the hunters for the gap-grass were preparing to extract it on the Kupala night: it was then that the plant gained full strength. And at this moment the difficulties do not end: at night it was necessary to go to a wasteland and mow the grass until the working tool breaks. The next stage - everything that could be mowed, the herb hunter collected in an armful and threw it into the river. The stem that swims against the current will be the desired plant. As a person who has lived for many years in the village, I can responsibly declare: mowing grass in a wasteland, especially on flat terrain without stones, before the scythe breaks, is a thankless task. So you can carry on until dawn. But they did mow! And after the getter noticed the desired stalk, it should be taken out of the river with a white cloth.
In Europe, this process looked different and was more brutal. The horse was hobbled with iron, and released into free meadows, and they themselves noticed where the fetters would break. It was there that they then looked for a gap-grass, and when they found it, they collected it with the help of white or red shreds. When the treasured plant was in the hands of the hunter, he made an incision in his left palm and put a stalk into it, after which he bandaged his hand until it healed. Something tells me that healing in this case might not have happened. And yet, from that moment on, all the gates of the world were opened to man. Another evil belief said that you need to touch the offender with your left hand - and send him to the forefathers soon.
The magic of balsam has remained in the distant past, but its medicinal qualities are still valued in the medical industry. Urolithiasis, purulent wounds and ulcers, hemorrhoids - preparations with gap-grass are able to cope with each of these ailments.
Plakun-grass
The trinity of legendary herbs is completed by the plakun-grass, known to us under the name loosestrife loosestrife. Every self-respecting healer kept a bunch of dried loosestrife, just in case. And there were many cases: it is not without reason that the annals call the plant "mother of all herbs."
Because of its peculiarity - fluffy flowers - the loosestrife got its nickname. Dew accumulated in the villi of the petals, and in the morning the plant "wept", dropping large drops to the ground.
This is another herb that can only be collected on Kupala. However, if the gap-grass was searched at night, then the dawn was the time of the loosestrife. The sorcerers were looking for a new plant, holding several pieces of the old one in a cherished bundle in their bosom: it was believed that this speeds up the search and leads a person to the right place, attracting him through the dried brethren.
Plakun-grass is more a home amulet than a road one. The undead are afraid of the smell of loosestrife, and do not even come close to the hut. Dried flowers were placed in the amulet: they kept their owner from evil spirits and envious people from the human race.
But plakun-grass is especially valued for its ability to find hidden treasures and treasures. A sorcerer who knew the right spell, with the help of a loosestrife, could recognize the language of the surrounding fauna, but a simple person was not destined to master this amazing gift.
Modern medicine uses loosestrife as a sedative. Whether it's insomnia or depression, plakun-grass will relieve any nervous breakdown, normalize sleep and create all the conditions in the body to stay in a peaceful state.
Marvelous legends lie right under our feet. The strong names of outlandish herbs absorbed with mother's milk hid plants familiar to the eye. And how many more of these disguised green Guardians do we not know?
