Common prutnyak
Common twig belongs to a species of tree-like shrubs of the Vitex genus of the Lamiaceae family. Known around the world under the following names: Vitex sacred or ordinary, Abraham's tree, Chaste, Monk's pepper (lat. Vítex ágnus-cástus).
Vitex - twig is widely used in pharmacology. You can also see twigs in garden plots along flower beds and in landscape design as a decorative plant.
Pollinated by insects, partial self-pollination possible. Propagated by seeds and vegetative green and lignified cuttings, produces abundant growth from the stump. Lives up to 55−62 years.
What does it look like
Appearance (photo) of common twig Vitex sacred is a tree-like shrub 4-8 meters high.
The plant is grey-tomentose with dense appressed hairs. The branches are brown with a pungent aroma. The root is taproot, well branched, and has adventitious roots. The leaves are opposite, green, on long petioles. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, pointed, entire, matte above, and below with a white coating due to the effect of pubescence. 5−10 cm long.
The flowers are two-lipped, purple, collected in dense spike-shaped inflorescences at the tops of the branches. The calyx is five-membered, shorter than the corolla. Four stamens protruding above the corolla. The color of the corolla is blue.
The fruits of the common twig are a dark, dry drupe, 3-4 mm in diameter. Flowering period from June to October. Fruiting time is October - November.
Fruits of common twig in gynecology
For centuries, traditional medicine has been actively using this plant in the gynecological field. The great healer Hippocrates (in the 4th century BC) mentioned the unique properties of chaste vitex in his writings. Modern homeopaths recommend taking the tincture for menstrual irregularities and severe symptoms of PMS (irritation, headache, apathy, anxiety, depression, discomfort in the chest).
The fruits of common twig have proven themselves to be excellent in gynecology. The tincture of this plant is considered the best natural analogue of estrogens. The herb restores the functioning of the reproductive system and helps women with disrupted hormonal levels and endocrine diseases. It is an excellent stimulator of the pituitary gland and regulates the production of progesterone, thereby normalizing the cycle.
Simply necessary in the treatment of infertility. Even in seemingly the most advanced cases it shows positive results, thanks to the stimulation of ovulatory function. The plant is especially effective in combination with angelica. Helps cure mastitis, polyps, endometriosis, mastopathy, cysts and adnexitis. It is advisable to use together with and for a long time.
Where does it grow
The distribution area of common twig is North Africa: from Algeria and Morocco to Tunisia, Southern Europe: from Spain to the southern coast of Crimea, temperate climate and subtropical zones of Asia: Western Asia (Turkey, Cyprus, Israel), Transcaucasia (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan) , Central Asia (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan).
Prutnyak grows on different soils. The plant can mainly be found on rocky, sandy, and loamy soils. It grows along the banks of rivers, ditches, along ravines, on the coast, and forms small thickets.
Leaves, flowers, fruits, branches
Leaves, flowers, fruits, branches, and less often the bark of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials. For several centuries, the plant has been used to treat many diseases. Hippocrates spoke about the medicinal properties of the plant.
This is what the fruits of the common twig look like. You can take decoctions, infusions and alcohol tinctures both for the treatment of diseases and for their prevention.
It is useful for women to drink tea from the fruit for PMS, menopause, infertility and to maintain women's health. Men can use a tincture based on the plant to improve potency, mood, and as a treatment for colds.
Common twig is also used in different countries as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. The plant has a spicy aroma and goes well with other spices. Externally, the fruits resemble black peppercorns.
Chemical composition
Chemical composition:
- flavonoids;
- micro- and macroelements;
- sabiene;
- camphor;
- quinone;
- pinene;
- alkaloids;
- tanning elements;
- ascorbic acid.
The essential oil of the fruit contains pinene, cineole, and sabinene. Fatty oil obtained from vitex fruits contains the following acids:
- ant;
- oil;
- vinegar;
- valerian;
- propionic;
- nylon.
For the production of dosage forms, fresh, recently harvested or frozen fruits are mainly used.
Thanks to its unique composition, twigs are used to support immunity.
Medicinal properties
The plant is effective when used regularly. If you do not want to prepare tinctures or decoctions from the components of the plant at home, then you can purchase common twig at the pharmacy.
Pharmacological properties of the plant:
- anti-inflammatory;
- tonic;
- antibacterial;
- pain reliever;
- sedative;
- antifungal;
- restorative.
The plant relieves PMS symptoms in women. Decoctions and infusions based on the plant can relieve pain in the lower abdomen, eliminate migraines, and improve the psycho-emotional state.
Prutnyak contains natural hormones estrogens, which are necessary for women's health . Therefore, it is used to treat gynecological diseases that are caused by hormonal disorders. Prutnyak promotes the production of progesterone, which ensures the normal functioning of all systems and organs. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, prutnyak in gynecology is effective in the treatment of infertility, mastitis, endometriosis, polyps and ovarian cysts.
Prutnyak for men helps with impotence, is taken to activate libido. For these purposes, infusions of the plant are used.
The plant improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Relieves inflammation and pain in diseases of the digestive system.
The components of the twig lower body temperature, fight bacteria, and remove excess fluid from the body.
Tinctures and extract of common twig are used in the treatment of stress, replacing antidepressants with them. The components of the plant promote the production of happiness hormones and improve mood.
The flowers of the plant are used to prepare decoctions added to the bath. After taking baths with the addition of twig, the skin becomes clean, healthy, smooth, and inflammation goes away.
Decoctions from parts of the plant are used to treat headaches, dizziness, malaria and gonorrhea.
How to collect
Different parts of the plant are harvested at different times of the year. Harvest flowers during the flowering period, leaves in the spring before the flowering period. If you need bark, harvest it in early spring. Collect fruits after full ripening - in the autumn.
Dry the plant outside or in a well-ventilated, shady place. Dry the fruits in a special dryer for vegetables and fruits. The drying temperature should not be more than 40 degrees.
Store harvested raw materials in bags made of natural fabrics or in jars. The beneficial properties of the plant last for 2 years.
Healing properties of the plant
Vitex vulgaris has unique properties; since ancient times it has been considered a tree of longevity.
The high content of vitamin C in raw materials helps strengthen the immune system and cope with pathogens. Infusions and decoctions help with bacterial infections, increase the body's defenses, and have antiseptic properties. The medicinal properties of the plant are:
- relieves fever;
- has a mild diuretic and diaphoretic effect;
- normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- relieves headaches;
- normalizes hormonal levels in women;
- treats infertility;
- has an antimalarial effect;
- helps with sexually transmitted diseases, urolithiasis, sexual impotence, malignant tumors.
Prutnyak is a shrub that reaches a height of 4 m.
Common twig extract is used in complex therapy in the treatment of chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Recommended for menstrual irregularities and accompanying premenstrual symptoms.
The fruits of the plant normalize the functioning of the hypothalamus, which regulates the course of hormonal and endocrine processes. Stimulates the activity of the ovaries, cures uterine fibroids and cystic formations in the mammary glands. The plant reduces uterine secretions when the placenta is expelled. Reduces the production of prolactin, normalizes the hormone in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle.
The plant also normalizes the digestive system and has tonic properties. Helps tidy up the nervous system and has a stimulating effect on the speech apparatus.
The extract of the fruits of the common twig is used in oncology, in the complex therapy of cancer of the rectum, colon, stomach, breast and prostate gland.
The plant is used to treat liver pathologies and spleen diseases. Prutnyak compositions, included in various medicines, are used for the complex correction of endometriosis, fibroids, fibroids, prostatitis and amenorrhea.
The plant is used to naturally restore hormonal levels after taking contraceptives.
How to use
Prutnyak (Vitex) preparations can be purchased at the pharmacy. Folk remedies based on the plant can be prepared at home and it is not difficult to do.
If you do not want to purchase twigs at the pharmacy, then use recipes. If you are taking hormonal contraceptives, consult a specialist before using prutnyak. The plant reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Tincture for the stomach
The tincture can be used to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in case of pathologies of the liver and spleen. Carry out treatment in a course of 2-3 months, take a break for a week and repeat. The tincture is contraindicated for people with gallstone disease.
Ingredients:
- Prutnyak fruits - 50 gr.
- Vodka - 0.5 liters.
How to prepare : Chop the fruits, pour vodka. Leave for 2 weeks. Filter before taking.
How to use : Dilute 10 drops of tincture in a third of a glass of water. Take 30 minutes before meals once a day.
Result : The tincture relieves inflammation and has an analgesic effect.
Decoction for gynecology
Common twig has wide application in gynecology. Preparations based on the plant treat inflammation, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis. In combination with other medications, it is taken for chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
Start treatment of gynecological diseases in the second half of the cycle and continue until the next one. Treat gynecological diseases in a course. The duration of the course is at least 3 months.
Ingredients:
- Prutnyak fruits - 2 tbsp.
- Water - 1 liter.
How to cook : Pour water over the fruits, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Wrap the container in which the infusion was cooked for 40 minutes.
How to use: Take 100 ml 4 times a day.
Result : Uncomfortable sensations in the lower abdomen, pain and inflammation disappear.
Tincture for mastopathy
Prutnyak is used for various types of mastopathy. Sometimes mastopathy occurs due to excessive worries and an unbalanced psychological state. With regular use of prutnyak, sleep is normalized, the product calms the nervous system.
Prutnyak reduces the production of prolactin. The effectiveness of treating mastopathy with pharmaceutical preparations based on twigs has been proven by official medicine.
Ingredients:
- Chopped fruits of the plant - 50 g.
- Vodka - 1 glass.
How to prepare : Pour pure alcohol over the fruits, leave for 15 days. Shake the tincture periodically.
How to use : Take the tincture in the morning, 60 drops 30 minutes before meals, once a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
Result : Dissolves seals, relieves inflammation. Improves mood, relieves depression.
Tincture for potency
Common twig is used as a tonic for men. The plant activates potency and improves libido.
Ingredients:
- Dry fruits of the plant - 2 tbsp.
- Alcohol - 1 liter.
How to prepare : Grind the fruits in a mortar and pour in alcohol. Leave for 2 weeks. Strain the tincture before using.
How to use : Take 25 drops of tincture, dilute in 80 ml of clean water. Take 2 times a day for 2 months.
Result : Inflammatory processes decrease, male strength increases.
Folk remedies
No less effective are folk remedies that you can prepare yourself. To do this, you can use the following recipes.
For mastopathy
Peculiarities. Alcohol extract helps with mastopathy. It ensures the resorption of compactions and tumors in the chest and thyroid gland. This drug can be used to treat neuroses and depression. It is used to restore the functioning of the spleen and liver, and is prescribed for the treatment of gallbladder pathologies. Take the medicine only in the morning, 60 drops half an hour before meals. Treatment is continued for 21 days.
Compound:
- twig fruits - 50 g;
- medical alcohol - a glass.
Preparation
- The fruits are crushed.
- The rod is filled with alcohol.
- Infuse the product for 15 days. Be sure to shake it from time to time.
- Strain.
For the stomach
Peculiarities. The recipe is suitable for treating the stomach. For pathologies of the liver or spleen, it is recommended to prepare a vodka tincture of common twig. This drug is taken 10 drops, after diluting them in a third of a glass of water. Take the medicine half an hour before meals once a day. Treatment lasts about two to three months. Then they take a break for a week and repeat the therapy again.
Compound:
- twig fruits - 50 g;
- vodka - 0.5 l.
Preparation
- The crushed fruits are poured with vodka.
- Keep the tincture for two weeks.
- Filter before use.
The tincture is strictly contraindicated in patients who have gallstones.
For potency
Peculiarities. For sexual weakness, inflammatory processes and male infertility (spermorrhea), a special tincture made from the fruits of the twig is recommended. To combat potency pathologies, you need to dilute 25 drops of the drug in 80 ml of water. The drug is taken twice a day for two months.
Compound:
- dry fruits - two tablespoons;
- alcohol - 1 l.
Preparation
- The fruits of the twig are pounded in a mortar.
- The powder is filled with alcohol.
- Leave for 15 days and filter.
For infertility in women
Peculiarities. To restore the reproductive system, women are recommended to use a decoction of twig fruit. Take the medicine 100 ml four times a day. Therapy begins in the second half of the cycle and continues until the start of the next one. For infertility, treatment is continued for at least three months.
Compound:
- twig fruits - two tablespoons;
- water - 1 l.
Preparation
- Vitex fruits are placed in a pan of water.
- The mixture is boiled for 20 minutes over low heat.
- Wrap the pan in a warm scarf and infuse the drink for 40 minutes.
- Then the broth is filtered.
Chasteberry decoction has analgesic properties, so it can be used for joint pain and fractures as an effective pain reliever.
From fibroids
Peculiarities. An alcohol tincture prepared according to a special recipe helps against fibroids and other benign tumors in the uterus. Take the medicine 30 drops twice a day before meals.
Compound:
- twig fruits - two-thirds of a glass;
- alcohol - approximately 0.7 l.
Preparation
- Vitex fruits are placed in a liter jar.
- The top of the raw material is filled with alcohol to the very edge.
- Infuse the drink in a warm place for 21 days.
- Then filter.
An alcohol tincture of vitex fruits effectively eliminates acne if the latter is caused by hormonal disorders.
For amenorrhea
Peculiarities. With scanty menstruation or its complete absence, a wine infusion of twig leaves with the addition of seeds will help. To restore the cycle, in case of amenorrhea, the drug is consumed half an hour before meals, 30 ml. Repeat the dose three times a day for six months.
Compound:
- dry vitex leaves - 25 g;
- twig seeds - 25 g;
- Cahors wine - 0.5 l.
Preparation
- The leaves and seeds are ground into powder.
- Raw twigs are poured with wine.
- Infuse the wine product for 30 days.
- The drink is filtered.
From menopause
Peculiarities. To reduce the discomfort caused by menopause, eliminate insomnia and neurosis, an infusion of twig leaves is recommended. It helps eliminate inflammation, effectively relieves spasms, and relieves pain. Drink 50 ml of the drink four times a day for two weeks.
Compound:
- twig leaves (chopped) - two tablespoons;
- hop cones - 10 pcs.;
- mint leaves - 10 g;
- lemon balm - 10 pcs.;
- water - 200 ml.
Preparation
- The components are crushed and mixed.
- Three tablespoons of raw materials are poured with boiling water.
- Let the drink steep for an hour, then filter it.
Numerous reviews of common twig indicate that the treatment of gynecological problems with this plant was effective. Herbalists also claim that the oil squeezed from the seeds helps with cancer. Fresh juice obtained from the leaves eliminates depression and helps cope with heart pain. And alcohol tinctures normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system.
Pharmacy drugs
The following drugs are produced based on twigs:
- Cyclodinone is a herbal drug. Contains twig extract in the ratio of 0.192−0.288 g. per 100 gr. solution or 3.2−4.8 mg per tablet. Normalizes hormonal balance, regulates the menstrual cycle, reduces chest discomfort.
- Mastodinon - used in the treatment of mastopathy, contains extracts of natural plants. Suitable for the treatment of menstrual irregularities, used for infertility and nervous conditions. It is included in metabolic processes smoothly. A good analogue to synthetic drugs.
- Pregnoton is a mineral complex. Suitable for women planning pregnancy. Helps eliminate factors that interfere with conception. The drug relieves nervous conditions, normalizes the menstrual cycle, and compensates for vitamin deficiencies. The composition includes magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamins B, C, E.
- Menifib is a herbal medicine whose components have a normalizing effect on sex hormones. Normalizes the menstrual cycle. Used for PMS, hormonal and cycle disorders.
In pharmacies you can buy twig in the form of tincture, tea, tablets, granules, extract and capsules. All drugs are available without a prescription.
Contraindications
There are few contraindications for the use of twigs. If you follow the recommended dosage in recipes or adhere to the dosage specified in the instructions for the drug, then practically no side effects have been identified.
Contraindications for use:
- childhood;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- individual intolerance to plant components.
The following side effects may occur when consuming prutnyak:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- itching;
- skin rashes;
- diarrhea.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of common twig
Healing plant raw materials are widely used in folk medicine and are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases represented by:
- hormonal imbalances;
- severe premenstrual syndrome with swelling;
- scanty menstruation or its absolute absence;
- anovulatory cycles;
- disorders and disruptions of the menstrual cycle due to the use of contraceptives;
- infertility caused by hyperprolactinemia;
- severe climacteric syndrome.
Alcohol tinctures based on herbal raw materials are used to treat men suffering from premature ejaculation, increased sexual excitability and impotence. Also, this medicine allows you to lift your mood, cure insomnia, get rid of headaches and neuroses. Treatment of diseases of the liver and spleen, getting rid of malaria and gonorrhea is carried out with medicinal decoctions, and essential oils cope well with gynecological pathologies.
Prutnyak has practically no contraindications. Restrictions on admission will be the presence of individual intolerance, childhood, pregnancy and breastfeeding. The lack of data on use in cancer also makes the use of drugs in such patients undesirable.
Dry extract of common twig fruit
The active ingredient of the drug "Agnukaston" or "Cyclodinone" is represented by a dry extract of the fruits of the common twig. The main indications for the use of such a drug are irregularities in the menstrual cycle, the presence of mastodynia and premenstrual syndrome. The drug is available in the form of film-coated tablets, as well as drops for oral administration.
Contraindications for use include excessive sensitivity to the active components, as well as pregnancy and the period throughout lactation.
How to recognize medicinal herbs (video)
Fresh and frozen vitex fruits
From the beginning of September until the end of October, the fruits ripen. The fruits are a spherical drupe, black in color and reach a size of 3-4mm. Fresh and frozen fruits are characterized by the presence of organic acids , essential oils, alkaloids, vitamins, tannins, coumarins and flavonoids.
The essential oil contains a fairly high content of pinene, cineole, sabinene, palmitic acid and other useful components. Fatty oils obtained from fruits contain formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric and caproic acids. For the production of liquid dosage forms, fresh, recently harvested or frozen fruits are most often used.
Varieties
There are no specific varieties of Prutnyak on the territory of Russia. In the Pacific Ocean region, the following species are of economic importance:
- V. cofassus - native to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In these countries the plant is called vitex. A word is placed in front indicating the place of growth and harvesting of wood. In the Solomon Islands, this breed is also known as vasa, vata, asang bitum and hasara.
- V. glabra and V. quinata - grow in the western part of the island of New Guinea (Irian), and therefore have the name West Irian vitex (West Irian twig).
For more information about the rod, watch the video:
What to remember
- Common twig is a medicinal plant that helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases, restoration of potency in men, nervous conditions, skin inflammation and viral diseases.
- Before use, study the contraindications, dosage, beneficial properties, and reviews of common twig.
- Different parts of the plant should be collected at different times of the year.
- Pharmaceutical preparations based on the plant are commercially available.
- Before using any rod components, consult a specialist.
Beneficial features
This medicinal plant has a wide range of therapeutic properties: antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, antifungal and disinfectant effect. The ancients, in particular Dioscorides, attributed medicinal properties to vitex sacred to cure inflammation of the uterus, dropsy, fissures in the anus, eliminate snake and insect bites, induce menstruation and increase the amount of milk in nursing mothers.
In addition, Dioscorides considered the twig very useful for men, recommending treating male infertility and inflammation of the testicles with the fruits of vitex. The side effects they mentioned were drowsiness and headache.
Today, doctors consider the main beneficial property of twigs to be the normalization of the level of sex hormones. This herbal healer, possessing a set of essential oils, iridoids and their glycosides, flavonoids, which include isovitexin, fatty acids and fat-soluble flavones, reduces the production of prolactin, bringing the ratio of hormones in the second phase of the menstrual cycle to normal, which allows you to correct menstrual irregularities and disruptions cycle, and also relieve pain in the mammary glands.
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This medicinal plant has a wide range of therapeutic properties: antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, antifungal and disinfectant effect.
In addition, there is information that prutnyak has an antimalarial effect, improves the functioning of the digestive organs, is useful for gonorrhea and other sexual diseases, and tones the body as a whole. The seeds, saturated with essential oils and ascorbic acid, are used to make a special substance that helps with cancer. Fresh vitex juice is used in homeopathy to treat depression and nervous pathologies.