Medicinal plants are widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. A mother and stepmother is prescribed for coughs in children aged 3 years and older. Healing infusions, decoctions and potions are prepared from it. The funds have high expectorant properties, they are used for sputum production and unproductive coughing. Let's consider how exactly they affect the body.
The healing properties of the plant
The use of medicines prepared on the basis of the plant helps to overcome severe attacks, promotes a quick recovery and relieves the patient's condition. When the respiratory tract is affected by viral and bacterial infections, coltsfoot leaves are most often used. They are rich in such useful substances:
- faradiols and arnidiols;
- taraxanthins;
- stigmasterol;
- phytosterol;
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- sitosterol;
- organic acids;
- carotenoids;
- ascorbic acid;
- saponins;
- polysaccharides.
The components have a beneficial effect on the bronchi and lungs, mucous membranes. The plant is considered universal, it has a good effect on diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, relieves inflammation in the throat.
Also, the leaves of coltsfoot are recognized as a natural antispasmodic and antibiotic, they disinfect and eliminate viruses.
Benefits in treating cough
Used by the mother and stepmother for different types of coughs for children is quite widespread. It will be useful for both treatment and prevention. The plant has a beneficial effect not only on the respiratory tract, but also on the entire body - it increases tone and gives strength. If a child is worried about a dry cough, the remedy will become simply irreplaceable. Its leaves contain mucus, which coats the throat and soothes irritation. The action of this component is complemented by polysaccharides, they soften soft tissues and relieve pain.
Organic acids and saponins will help to ensure the normal functioning of the cilia of the epithelium of the bronchi and trachea. They thin mucus, promote its active excretion. When a cough is accompanied by phlegm, sterols, carotenoids and tannins come into effect. They improve expectoration and relieve inflammation. Vitamin C boosts immunity and removes toxins.
The tool is effective as part of complex therapy for such diseases:
- asthma;
- pneumonia;
- tracheitis;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- pulmonary weakness;
- catarrh of the lungs;
- whooping cough;
- tuberculosis.
Application features
Babies are shown taking medicines from mother and stepmother in lower dosages than adults. At the age of 3 to 6 years, the amount of medication at a time is reduced by 3 times, from 6 to 12 years old - by half, from 12 years old children can fully take decoctions and infusions.
The course of treatment or prophylaxis lasts no more than 15 days. If this time is not enough, then take a ten-day break and continue.
In total, in one year, you can not drink funds from mother-and-stepmother for more than 1.5 months. This can negatively affect the body, since the plant contains alkaloids. They tend to accumulate in tissues and cause intoxication.
Medicinal plants cannot be substituted for the main drug therapy, they can only be used as a supplement.
Recipes for funds
Every child can get rid of annoying coughs if they take medicines prepared from the mother-and-stepmother. Infusions, potions, medicinal mixtures and decoctions - all this can be used in therapy. Let's take a look at how you can use the plant.
Infusion. Gives good results in the treatment of pneumonia and asthma. For cooking, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials, it is better to grind them. Pour boiling water over coltsfoot and leave for 30 minutes. We filter the broth and give the child a teaspoon half an hour before a meal.- Cough tea. Take 1 tablespoon of dried leaves and cover with a glass of boiling water. Infuse the tea for 15 minutes, let the baby drink 3 times a day. If the child is not allergic to bee products, add a teaspoon of honey to the prepared drink to enhance the effect.
- Collection for cough. We take such dried plants in a ratio of 3: 2: 1: leaves of coltsfoot, plantain herb and thyme fruits. It is necessary to get half a tablespoon of the collection. Fill them with a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. We give the child to drink 3 times a day.
- Plant juice. Rinse the fresh leaves of the plant well, pour over them with boiling water and pass through a meat grinder or interrupt in a blender. Using cheesecloth, strain the juice, add water to it, the proportion of ingredients is 1: 1. Cook the mixture over low heat for 3 minutes, then remove and refrigerate. You need to take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day before meals.
- With milk. The drink will be useful for bronchial asthma, bronchitis, soothe coughing attacks. Squeeze 1 teaspoon of plant sap from fresh leaves and dissolve it in a glass of warm milk. Give your child a drink before bed. Do not store the medicine for future use, it loses its healing properties during long-term storage.
- Mix with sugar. If children do not like decoctions and infusions, they can prepare a cough mixture. Grind the dried leaves of the plant, mix with granulated sugar in a 1: 1 ratio, give your child a teaspoon 3 times a day. To improve the effect, drink the medicine with warm milk.
With chamomile and oregano. Take dried leaves of coltsfoot, chamomile and oregano in a 2: 2: 1 ratio, mix. The finished raw material should be a tablespoon. Pour the composition with 1.5 cups of boiling water and leave in a thermos or a saucepan wrapped in a towel for 3 hours. You need to drink a tablespoon of the infusion 3 times a day before meals.- Syrup. We wash the fresh leaves of the mother-and-stepmother well, scald with boiling water, cut and put in a half liter jar, sprinkling with sugar. We roll up the jar with a lid and put it in a dark place for 1 month. After this period, the mass will become homogeneous, add 1 liter of liquid honey to it, mix everything well. We insist for another 1 week, give the syrup to the baby 1 teaspoon a day.
- Inhalation. Pour 2 tablespoons of dried leaves with 1 liter of boiling water, let it cool slightly so as not to damage the mucous membranes. We cover the baby with a dense cloth, it is necessary for him to breathe healing steam for 15 minutes. The procedure is prohibited at elevated body temperature.
Infusion. Gives good results in the treatment of pneumonia and asthma. For cooking, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials, it is better to grind them. Pour boiling water over coltsfoot and leave for 30 minutes. We filter the broth and give the child a teaspoon half an hour before a meal.
With chamomile and oregano. Take dried leaves of coltsfoot, chamomile and oregano in a 2: 2: 1 ratio, mix. The finished raw material should be a tablespoon. Pour the composition with 1.5 cups of boiling water and leave in a thermos or a saucepan wrapped in a towel for 3 hours. You need to drink a tablespoon of the infusion 3 times a day before meals.Features of procurement
They buy leaves and flowers of mother-and-stepmother at the pharmacy, but you can also collect them yourself. If you need inflorescences, the collection will take place at the end of March or the beginning of April. Flowers open in the morning in sunny weather - this is the best time to cut. You can use small scissors or cut them off with your hands, the main thing is not to damage the raw materials.
Leaves are also best harvested in early spring, when the most nutrients are concentrated in them. The plant does not absorb carcinogens, but it is better to pluck it in places far from roads.
Spread the finished raw material in one layer on a clean cloth in a well-ventilated place. It is impossible that the sun's rays fall on the plant, they will kill all the useful components in it. Dried leaves and flowers are best stored in cloth bags.
Precautions and contraindications
You can not allow an overdose of funds or prolong the course of treatment on your own. Also, a complete contraindication to use is pregnancy and lactation. Expectant mothers can get a threat of miscarriage if they are treated by a mother and stepmother.
The choleretic properties of the medicinal plant make it dangerous in the presence of diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Exacerbations may also occur if the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted.In order to completely eliminate possible contraindications, it is imperative to consult a doctor before using the funds.
Be careful with additional herbs and ingredients. Honey, milk, plantain, elderberry, and other herbs can also negatively affect the body under certain conditions.
Let's summarize
It is beneficial to use a mother and stepmother to treat children. This herb is highly regarded for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and will help fight dry and wet coughs. However, it should be borne in mind that the child may have contraindications to this remedy. Therapy is carried out only after prior consultation with a doctor.
