Winter-lover (Chimaphila) belongs to the Heather family, numbering about 20 flowering species. The plant has the ability to retain green foliage even after snow falls, which is the reason for the origin of the name "winter lover". The growing area covers natural zones located in the temperate climatic zone and in the northern regions of the planet. The grass prefers forest belts dominated by pine and spruce.
For the cultivation of winter lovers, basically one species is used - the umbrella winter lover, known more in the popular dialect as the wintergreen. For the first time, the wintergreen began to be used as a remedy several centuries ago by the peoples of North America. The winter-lover received recognition in official medicine in the United States when the country's lands were engulfed in a civil war. Doctors in the field made herbal decoctions and gave them to the soldiers who were in the hospital to drink as a diuretic and astringent. For many years, the plant has been very popular among the rural population of the United States. The medicinal properties of the winter-lover have also long been known in our area.
Features of wintergrass herb
Winter-lover is a perennial flowering plant that is able to maintain a green leaf color all year round. Creeping rhizome, with a network of branched root shoots. The leaves are characterized by a leathery texture and sharp edges. The inflorescences look like umbrellas, which consist of several lush flowers. Their color can be either pure white or pale pink. In shape, the flowers resemble the heads of bells with spreading, drooping petals. Winter-lover bears fruit at the end of the season with folding bolls filled with small achenes.
Growing winter lovers in the open field
Landing winter-lover
For planting winter lovers choose semi-darkened areas with light loose soil. An important condition for growing winter lovers is good drainage properties of the soil. If an acidic and saline substrate predominates on the site, the culture will develop poorly and quickly die. Seedlings for planting in the garden are easy to borrow from the forest.
Prepare the soil in advance. It is dug up and mixed with crumbling needles and branches of coniferous trees. Planting activities are completed with abundant watering and mulching of the site with a layer of any organic material.
Under favorable conditions and the right choice of location, the winter-lover grows safely for decades in the same place.
Caring for winter lovers in the garden
Winter-lover care is quite simple. Stagnant water is a threat to the underground part. Watering should be moderate. It is recommended to dilute water for irrigation with citric acid. In order not to cause burns to the leaves, water is applied exclusively under the roots.After absorbing moisture, the planting area is loosened and weeds are removed from it, which drown out the root system of the culture.
Unlike adult bushes, young bushes are best mulched. The winter-lover is fed a couple of times during the season with mineral and organic fertilizers. From organic matter, mullein or bird droppings diluted in water are suitable.
Collection and storage of winter lovers
Procurement of raw materials for winter lovers is done in dry summer weather. Only healthy vegetative parts are harvested. Trash debris and the remains of other plants are removed. Drying of herbs is organized in a dark ventilated room. The temperature for drying must be kept within 50 ºC. An oven or drying cabinet is perfect for these purposes. When the raw material begins to crumble, indicating that the herb is ready, it is transferred to paper bags or boxes and stored in a ventilated room.
The dried leaves of the winter-lover can be used for about 3 years. During this time, valuable properties are preserved.
Types and varieties of winter lover with a photo
Cultural garden forms include the following plant species:
Umbrella winter-lover (Chimaphila umbellata)
Either the winter-lover, or the wintergreen, is found in the taiga forests of Eurasia and is a low-growing evergreen shrub with woody stems and a creeping rhizome. The root system of the plant is fibrous, has short root layers. The leaf blades are collected in tight whorls and are attached to the stems by petioles. The structure of the leaves is dense and leathery to the touch, the surface is colored dark green. The sharp-toothed edges of the plates are turned upward. The shape of the flowers is bells with drooping heads, painted in a pink shade. They gather at the top of the stem in a multi-flowered umbrella. The fruits of the wintergreen are spherical; after ripening, the peel cracks. Small achenes are found in the pulp of the fruit.
Japanese Wintercat (Chimaphila japonica)
The plant grows mainly in Korea and Japan, and for the Far East, this herb is generally considered one of the most common of those that can be seen in the taiga. The perennial has a creeping rhizome. The lower layer of leaves is covered with scales. Shoots are erect and directed towards the sun. The height of the shoots does not exceed 15 cm. The leaves are arranged in opposite order and alternate with lanceolate and finely serrated leaf blades. The heads of the flowers look down. Their diameter ranges from 13 to 18 cm. The length of the spherical seed capsule is 5 mm.
Useful properties of winter lover
The healing properties of winter lover
A whole storehouse of useful microelements was found in the composition of the winter-lover plant, which can positively affect the activity of the body as a whole and improve the microflora. Among such components, it is worth highlighting first of all: arbutin, essential oils, resins, arbutin, ericolin, glycosides, ursolic and salicylic acids. The combination of chemicals allows the herb to be used as an effective antiseptic, pain reliever and diuretic.
Zimolyubka removes harmful salt deposits from the body and normalizes the performance of the digestive system. Decoctions and infusions are prescribed to be taken by patients with diabetes mellitus, since the tissues contain substances that cause a decrease in blood sugar. Raw winter lovers are used for diseases associated with the genitourinary system. We are talking about cystitis, nephritis and urinary disorders.
Traditional healers use the herb to treat prostatitis, various inflammation of the alimentary canal, diabetes, gout, rheumatism, and hernia. Patients with oncology are advised to take winter-lover at the same time as the medication prescribed by doctors. Broths cope with diarrhea, leaves heal wounds and abrasions, relieve inflammation on the face and chest.
On the basis of winter-lover, teas, decoctions, infusions and tinctures are made. Among the drugs that fight obesity, you can also find a tincture of this herb.However, it is better to check the reception with your doctor to avoid the risk of overdose.
Preparation of the broth
It is required to take 1 tbsp. crushed and dried raw materials, pour 2 tbsp. boiling water and leave to simmer on the stove for 10-15 minutes, not forgetting to stir. The finished broth is insisted for at least 3 hours, filtered and poured into a thermos. Drink 2 tablespoons before meals with internal bleeding and inflammation.
Half a glass of broth, drunk on an empty stomach, relieves puffiness of the skin. In case of digestive problems, it is recommended to take a third of a glass of winter-lover 3 times a day.
Contraindications
Along with other medicinal plants, winter-lover also has a number of contraindications, therefore, the intake of drugs made on its basis should be agreed with doctors. You can not take the herb for pregnant women, lactating women, people suffering from pressure drops and chronic constipation, as well as hypertensive patients and young children. If a person has a predisposition to the formation of blood clots, it is better to refrain from taking winter lover.
