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As the name implies, the mantis is a relative of wormwood and wormwood. It is called the mantis tree, because earlier it was grown in monasteries as a medicinal plant, then it came to the gardens and the name remained. Artemisia is a strongly aromatic plant, but it is often confused with the heat-loving lemon balm (Artemisia balchanorum), which is a completely different plant, although you will often read descriptions about it in the descriptions.
The mantis is a perennial semi-shrub of the aster family. The root is older, woody. The height of a well-developed bush reaches 0.7-1.5 m. Stems erect, woody, leaves on stems, oval in shape and often divided into thread-like parts. The upper leaves of the stem are whole. The entire plant is covered with a wax coating. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow, collected in a flower basket with a diameter of 3 mm. In the Northwest, the plant blooms in August-September. Fruits - seed pods, small, greenish-gray in color, flattened, ripen only in Southern regions. The mass of 1000 seeds is on average 0.2-0.3 gr. When seeds are stored, they quickly lose their germination and in practice, they only germinate when they are naturally sown from the plant.
The plant is dried in a well-ventilated and shaded place, haying in bundles or spreading on sieves; in forced dryers, provided you provide low temperatures. The plant is stored in paper bags for no longer than two years.
The plant contains a large amount of essential substance 0.62%, making the plant extremely strong. The leaves of the plant contain alkaloid abrotanin, tannins, flavonoids, bitter substances, coumarins, group A, B, C vitamins, organic acids and resins, and other valuable components. Due to the chemical composition of the plant, especially the presence of essential substances, the plant enhances the effectiveness of other plants in medicinal mixtures.
Medicinal significance
All parts of the mantis are used in folk medicine. Decoctions and infusions of this plant are worth using in case of inflammation of the gall bladder; to improve the functioning of the digestive tract; in angina, anemia and scrofula; to remove toxins from the body; to normalize the menstrual cycle; to improve appetite.
Crushed root is used in the form of applications on bruises, dislocations and sprains. A mouthwash with an extract of
Southernwood and chamomile to treat severe toothache. The plant is also used in cosmetology, skin treatment, against hair breakage and loss.
The mantis has not only a beautiful external appearance, but also has many valuable properties. Therefore, it is worth planting 2-3 bushes of this plant also in the backyard garden. In addition, this plant is not demanding on growing conditions.
Substances present in the plant normalize bile output and increase the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. Southernwood
preparations help to relieve spastic pain. They have an antifungal effect. It is often used as a fever reducer.
Southernwood helps eliminate inflammatory processes and helps heal wounds quickly. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
It is also worth mentioning the value of mantis for women:
- Reduces pain symptoms during menstruation;
- Southernwood preparations normalize the body's condition during the climacteric period;
- Southernwood is a powerful remedy for genital infections in women.
It is important to know that it is necessary to consult a specialist before using mantis.