Treatment of Osteochondrosis with Marsh Cinquefoil
Marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) is a perennial shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. This plant grows in marshy areas and along lake shores. Once you see cinquefoil, you won’t confuse it with any other plant: it is a tall grass, reaching up to a meter in height, with long, elongated serrated leaves and dark red flowers.
The remarkable healing properties of this plant have been mentioned in historical records dating back to the 17th century. Marsh cinquefoil has a biostimulating effect, meaning it activates the body’s natural defense mechanisms, thereby increasing its resistance. It is particularly effective in treating osteochondrosis and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Which Parts of Marsh Cinquefoil Are Used in Folk Medicine?
For medicinal purposes, the branched rhizomes of the plant are most commonly used, although the stems, leaves, and flowers also have healing properties. Some recipes even recommend using the entire plant. The grass and roots of cinquefoil are harvested at different times of the season. Today, dried plant materials are available in pharmacies. For spinal disorders, rhizomes are most commonly used.
The Basis of Its Healing Effects
The full range of chemical compounds in marsh cinquefoil has not yet been fully studied. However, it is known to be rich in vitamin C, provitamin A, resins, flavonoids, essential oils, organic acids, and trace elements such as copper, phosphorus, and potassium. Thanks to this composition, the plant has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties. Cinquefoil remedies improve joint mobility and help restore normal cartilage structure.
Medicinal Remedies for Osteochondrosis
Tincture for Internal and External Use
There are several methods for preparing this remedy:
- Alcohol-Based Tincture: Five tablespoons of cinquefoil roots are poured into 500 ml of vodka or alcohol. The mixture is infused for a week, with occasional shaking, then strained. Dosage: 50 ml three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. If the patient has gastritis or an ulcer, the tincture should be diluted with water.
- Extended Infusion Method: A third of a half-liter jar is filled with chopped cinquefoil and topped with good-quality vodka. The jar is sealed tightly and left to infuse for 21 days. The tincture is then strained and squeezed out. Dosage: one tablespoon mixed with a small amount of water, three times a day.
- Shorter Infusion Method: The plant material is mixed with vodka in a 1:5 ratio and infused for eight days. The tincture is then strained and consumed as follows: for the first eight days, one teaspoon three times a day after meals; for the next eight days, one tablespoon three times a day. After an eight-day break, the course is repeated.
Important Notes:
- During cinquefoil treatment, alcohol consumption and highly salty, sour, or spicy foods should be avoided.
- Some sources recommend rubbing the tincture (prepared using the second method) into the spine twice a day until function is restored.
Decoction for Internal Use
One tablespoon of cinquefoil (including stems, rhizomes, and roots) is added to one cup of water, brought to a boil, and simmered on low heat for about 15 minutes. The decoction is then cooled, strained, and topped up to 250 ml (to restore the original volume). Dosage: one-third of a cup, three times a day after meals.
Oil Extract for Rubbing
Five tablespoons of cinquefoil are mixed with 0.5 liters of vegetable oil and left to infuse for a week, with occasional shaking. The mixture is then strained and squeezed. The extract is massaged into the affected spine area at night, with the back covered by a woolen scarf or shawl.
Miracle Ointment
Our ancestors used goose fat as a base for this ointment. Today, we have more pleasant-smelling alternatives. In a glass container, mix:
- One tube of lanolin cream
- One tablespoon of cinquefoil tincture
- One teaspoon of red hot pepper tincture
- Three drops of vitamin E
- One tablespoon of honey
Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
Notes:
- The cinquefoil tincture is prepared using the first method described.
- The red hot pepper tincture is easy to make: one chili pepper is soaked in a glass of vodka and left in a dark place for about ten days.
- Vitamin E (oil solution) is available in pharmacies. Leftover vitamin E can be added drop by drop to night face cream—it gives the skin a healthy glow and smooths wrinkles.
Poultices with Cinquefoil
For localized back pain, cinquefoil can be used for poultices. Two tablespoons of the plant are poured with a small amount of boiling water and simmered for about five minutes. The softened plant material is then squeezed, wrapped in a thick cloth, and applied to the painful area.
Contraindications
Cinquefoil-based remedies have virtually no contraindications. However, they should not be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, in children under 14 years old, or by individuals with individual intolerance to the plant’s components.
Effectiveness of Treatment
Cinquefoil treatment for osteochondrosis should only be undertaken with a doctor’s approval. All application methods combine well with medications and physiotherapy. In some cases, cinquefoil tincture allows patients to significantly reduce or completely eliminate the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucocorticoids.
