Mentrast is a medicinal plant of the species Ageratum conyzoides L., indicated to assist in the treatment of joint pain, mainly related to osteoarthritis, in addition to menstrual cramps, wounds or urinary infection, due to the presence of substances in its composition such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, coumarins and essential oils, with anti-aging properties. -rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and healing.
The normally used part of this medicinal plant, which is also known as goat catinga and purple picão, are the leaves, leaves or seeds, from which substances with medicinal properties are extracted for the preparation of tea or capsules.
Mentrast can be found in natural product stores or compounding pharmacies, or offered by the SUS, as part of the National Program of Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC), and should be used with the guidance of a doctor or herbalist, as it can be toxic to the liver and increase blood pressure when consumed in high doses.
What is the midriff used for?
Mentrast is indicated to help in the treatment of:
- Muscle pain;
- Arthrosis;
- Arthritis;
- Rheumatism;
- Headache;
- Menstrual cramps;
- Urinary infection;
- Intestinal gases;
- Diarrhea;
- Dysentery;
- Bruises;
- Fever;
- Gripe;
- Pneumonia;
- Wounds or ulcers on the skin;
- Burns.
Mentrast has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, healing, febrifuge, carminative, tonic and antidiarrheal properties, due to the essential oils in its composition, such as chromene and preconene, coumarins such as benzopyrone, alkaloids such as pyrrolizidine, dehydro pyrrolizidine and licopisamine, in addition to flavonoids and tannins.
Although it has many benefits, mentrast should not replace medical treatment with medicines or be used without guidance from a doctor or herbalist.
How to use
Mentrast can be used in the form of tea, compresses or capsules, prepared with the leaves, leaves or seeds of this plant.
1. Tea time
Mentrast tea can be used to treat the flu, reduce menstrual cramps and help treat osteoarthritis.
Ingredients
- 5 g of dried mentrast leaves;
- 500 mL of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the dried mint leaves together with water. Then let it rest, strain, wait for it to cool and drink 1 cup two to three times a day, for 7 to 10 days.
In the case of rheumatism, bruises, arthritis, muscle pain and even osteoarthritis, compresses with mentrast tea can be applied to the area of pain to alleviate symptoms. To make the compress, simply soak a clean towel in mentrast tea and apply it to the area up to 3 times a day.
2. Mentrasto capsules
Mentrast can also be found in capsules and/or powder, in health food stores and compounding pharmacies, which can be taken daily, or as recommended by your doctor.
Doses may vary according to the amount of mentrast in the composition of the capsules, and therefore their use should only be carried out under the guidance of a doctor or a professional with experience in medicinal plants, with individualized doses.
Possible side effects
The side effects of mentrast are more common when this plant is used in doses greater than those recommended or for a prolonged period of time, for more than 3 weeks of use, which may result in increased blood pressure, hypertensive crisis and liver damage.
Who shouldn’t use
Mentrast should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have diabetes, high blood pressure or liver problems.
Furthermore, this medicinal plant should not be used by people who use anticoagulant medications or who are allergic to mentrast.
What is the difference between mentrast and St. John’s wort?
Although mentrast is often popularly called St. John’s wort, these medicinal plants are different and have different medicinal properties as well.
The mentrast belongs to the species Ageratum conyzoides L., while St. John’s wort, also called St. John’s wort or hypericum, belongs to the species Hypericum perforatum, It is normally indicated to help combat mild to moderate depression, anxiety and muscle tension, or even PMS symptoms. See what it is for and how to use St. John’s wort.
Bibliography
- LEVITA, J.; et al. Potential of Ageratum conyzoides in Inhibiting Nitric Oxide Synthase. Pak J Biol Sci. 24. 8; 840-846, 2021
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH – SECRETARIAT OF HEALTH CARE – DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY CARE. Integrative and Complementary Practices – Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy in Primary Care. 2012. Available at: <https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/praticas_integrativas_complementares_plantas_medicinais_cab31.pdf>. Accessed on January 18, 2023
- KOTTA, JC; et al. Medicinal Effect, In Silico Bioactivity Prediction, and Pharmaceutical Formulation of Ageratum conyzoides L.: A Review. Scientific (Cairo). 2020. 6420909, 2020
- CHAHAL, R.; et al. Ageratum conyzoides L. and Its Secondary Metabolites in the Management of Different Fungal Pathogens. Molecules. 26. 10; 2933, 2021
- YADAV, N.; et al. Phytochemical constituents and ethnopharmacological properties of Ageratum conyzoides L. Phytother Res. 33. 9; 2163-2178, 2019
