Round-leaved Wintergreen is a perennial plant with a creeping, long root. Stems erect, up to 30 cm tall. The leaves are round, dark green in color, leathery on the stems, in the form of a rosette of leaves at the bottom of the stem. Higher on the stem, one or two elongated ovoid, brownish, sheath-like leaves. Leaf edges are usually smooth or slightly serrated. At the beginning of summer, the plant also begins to bloom - from June to August. Flowers white or pink, aromatic. Flower flat, wide open. A spike-shaped inflorescence is formed on the stem, which consists of 8-15 flowers. In August, the fruits begin to ripen - round boxes 5 mm long.

In folk medicine, the above-ground part of the Round-leaved Wintergreen - the leaves of the plant is used. The plant is harvested during flowering. Collect only healthy and undamaged leaves, in dry weather. The plant is spread on sieves and dried in well-ventilated and shaded places. Spread in a layer no thicker than 3 cm. Ready drug is stored in paper bags for no longer than one year.

The composition of the plant includes flavonoids (comipherol, quercetin, avicularin, kaempferol), arbutin, hydroquinone, methylarbutin, essential oil, mucilage, tannins, resins, saponins, hyperoside, homoarbutin, himaphylline, aviculirin, amyrin, bitter substance urson, ericoline, organic acids (gallic acid , quinic acid, ascorbic acid), gum substances, andromedoxin, trace elements (zinc, copper, magnesium, barium, etc.), quinones (himaphylline, renifolin).

Medicinal significance

Round-leaved Wintergreen increases the amount of daily urine output, thereby increasing the release of salts from the body, which is useful in case of gout and joint diseases.

In the case of various forms of diabetes, a drop in the amount of sugar in the blood can be observed, the appetite improves and digestive processes normalize. The mucilage substances in the plant cover the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, small intestine and stomach, thus helping to get rid of inflammation. Tannins normalize the functioning of the digestive tract. Flavonoids strengthen capillary walls and regulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Science has determined that the Round-leaved Wintergreen has pronounced bactericidal properties against putrefactive bacteria that develop in the oral cavity. The tannins present in the plant strengthen the teeth and gums, also preventing an unpleasant smell in the breath. The plant extract stimulates microcirculation in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, the plant has a reparative effect. Because of these properties, there are countries that produce hygiene products using this plant.

Thanks to the chemical composition of the plant, this plant is also widely used in folk medicine, in the form of decoctions, infusions and applications.

Round-leaved Wintergreen has diuretic, choleretic, astringent, pain-relieving, bleeding-stopping and wound-healing effects. Decoctions of the plant are used for medicinal and preventive purposes to treat the digestive system (cholecystitis, dysbacteriosis, inflammation of the liver, gallstones, spastic syndrome, diarrhea, ascites), bone tuberculosis, pathologies of the excretory system (cystitis, chronic kidney diseases), skin lesions (purulent wounds, furunculosis etc.), in the early stages of diabetes, edema, bronchitis, blepharitis, epilepsy, stomach ulcers, etc

Decoctions and infusions of the plant are widely used to ease the condition of arthrosis, arthritis and gout patients. Regular consumption of wintergreen will reduce blood glucose levels, which is useful for diabetics. It will improve appetite and normalize metabolic processes in the body.

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of the plant, it can be used to treat and regulate the digestive tract, as well as to treat chronic bronchitis.

The antiseptic properties of the Round-leaved Wintergreen can be used to treat inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa (stomatitis, gingivitis), the plant will also relieve toothache and give fresh breath.

The juice of the plant can speed up the wound healing process.

Plantings of round-leaved wintergreen flowers are used to rinse the eyes, in case of conjunctivitis.

The round-leaved wintergreen is of particular importance in gynecology. This plant is an effective remedy for various diseases of the female genital organs. The plant has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. In gynecology, decoctions and infusions of this plant are used, and it is also used for rinsing in cases of vaginitis, colpitis, gonorrhea, adnexitis, leucorrhoea, atony and uterine prolapse and postpartum bleeding.

Alcoholic extract of the round-leaved wintergreen is an effective remedy for infertility (must be used long-term). Herbal mixtures are often used for the treatment of infertility, in which this plant is one of the dominant ones, usually mixed together with sedum, four-leaf radiola, etc.

The plant can also be used to treat male diseases - urethritis, edema, prostate inflammation caused by gonorrhea.

For men

The plant is used in mixtures to treat prostatitis and prostate adenoma.

Not recommended for use

Despite the fact that this plant is endowed with many medicinal properties, it has its own rules of use. Round-leaved wintergreen is not recommended for use: during pregnancy and lactation, in children, in case of thrombophlebitis, hypotonia, varicose veins, increased blood viscosity.

The plant, during its use, can also cause an allergic reaction - visible as hives on the skin.