Medicinal plants and their use. Healing herbs and their properties and purpose
Sage
A longevity herb that promotes rapid recovery from many diseases. Perennial with numerous stems. The leaves are silvery-green, covered with a light fuzzy coating, blooms numerous purple flowers, collected in inflorescences.
It is indispensable for maintaining good health. Leaves collected in the second half of summer are used for medicinal purposes.
Improves memory, helps fight depression, and increases performance. Positively affects work digestive system, relieves intestinal colic.
It normalizes blood circulation and has a beneficial effect on the blood vessels of the brain, so its properties are used in the treatment of dizziness, and is also taken as a restorative agent after strokes.
For respiratory diseases it has an antiseptic and bactericidal effect. It will be beneficial for bronchial asthma, sore throat, laryngitis and chronic bronchitis.
For women who want to prolong their youth and beauty, it is very useful to carry out a course of rejuvenation with the help of sage, take the infusion in the morning, on an empty stomach. It contains female phytohormones, so it is believed that this medicinal herb helps with infertility, relieves inflammatory processes in gynecological diseases, treats frigidity and relieves nervousness during menopause.
Calendula
The most popular flower in summer cottages, flower beds and flower beds. annual plant, blooming from June to October with bright orange fragrant flowers. Its popular name, marigold, is familiar to everyone since childhood.
Tinctures and ointments are made from calendula flowers, and decoctions are used for lotions. Calendula infusions are taken for gastritis and colitis, liver and gall bladder diseases, coronary disease heart and chronic bronchitis.
And yet, this plant is more widely used for external use because it has a strong wound-healing effect. With the help of calendula tinctures you can cure herpes, various pustular diseases, oily seborrhea and eczema, conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Rinsing will help with stomatitis and periodontal disease. Douching – for cervical erosion.
However, despite the enormous advantages, the use of these drugs is not allowed for everyone. The use of infusions is contraindicated in case of low blood pressure and pregnancy. It is believed that even limited use of the plant can aggravate toxicosis and cause severe vomiting. It is not recommended to use infusions when treating children under 12 years of age.
Sea buckthorn
A thorny shrub with narrow long leaves and bright orange fruits. It got its name because large quantity berries tightly adjacent to the branch.
It is a very valuable plant containing a whole “bouquet” of vitamins. Such vitamin composition found very rarely in plants.
Entire books have been written about sea buckthorn treatment methods. There are countless diseases that can be cured with its help. Drugs can be used to treat a wide variety of internal chronic diseases– inflammation of the stomach, intestines, colitis. Very useful for hepatitis Fresh Juice.
Sea buckthorn oil improves memory, lowers cholesterol, protects against radiation exposure and prevents tumor growth. It is used to treat trophic ulcers, psoriasis, bedsores and burns.
People who consume fresh sea buckthorn fruits have a stronger immune system and an increased physical activity, including sexual. Tinctures made from fresh frozen berries help quickly cure the flu and coughing. A decoction of sea buckthorn branches is used for hair loss and baldness.
Coltsfoot
This plant has always saved us from many ailments. In ancient times, healers prepared a healing decoction that cured people from a suffocating cough. She is still very popular today.
Helps with colds, bronchitis, bronchial asthma. Drops from her decoction will cure the most severe runny nose.
For stomach irritation, warm, unsweetened tea brewed from coltsfoot leaves is very useful.
For skin diseases, it is applied to boils, abscesses and ulcers.
At erysipelas– powder from crushed raw materials is sprinkled on wounds.
Valerian officinalis
The root of this plant has a special healing effect.
Tinctures are used for weakness of the body, insomnia, stressful conditions, migraines, tachycardia.
With its help, some diseases of the liver and thyroid gland are treated.
Hot flashes during menopause are more easily tolerated.
Rose hip
Its fruits are an invaluable source of vitamins.
Will relieve vitamin deficiency, anemia and liver diseases.
Helps with serious colds, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Rosehip oil can be used to cure serious illness skin - psoriasis, and for women who dream of losing weight, this decoction will be very easy to do.
Peppermint
Absolutely everyone knows that mint is a very healthy plant. But, unfortunately, not every person is aware of all its beneficial properties.
Mint will help with heartburn, all kinds of inflammation, heart pain, food and alcohol poisoning.
Peppermint oil eliminates muscle pain that occurs after severe physical activity, and is also used to treat the spine.
The decoction relieves it toothache and itching from insect bites.
Peppermint drops will stop nausea and dizziness.
Plantain
The unsightly looking weed is familiar to everyone since childhood. Who among us has not applied its leaf to a broken knee?
This natural medicine, graciously given to the inhabitants of the earth by nature.
As an expectorant for bronchitis and tuberculosis.
As a tonic for dysentery and diarrhea.
Externally – for bee stings, boils and open wounds.
Lungwort officinalis
Widely used in herbal medicine for lung disease and hemoptysis.
A decoction of this herb is drunk for headaches and nervous diseases.
It improves blood composition, heals the kidneys and bladder.
Crushed raw materials are sprinkled on wounds to stop bleeding, and lungwort juice is used in oncology.
Elecampane
Its rhizomes have medicinal properties.
It is popularly believed that it can cure nine of the most serious diseases.
Renders great help for jaundice, dropsy, urinary retention, anemia.
It is useful for arrhythmia, varicose veins and atherosclerosis, recommended for impotence and painful periods.
Strengthens the immune system and protects against the flu virus.
Marsh cinquefoil
Treatment with this plant is slow and requires patience, but the results can exceed all expectations.
It is believed that it can help with stomach cancer.
Herbal medicine is perhaps the oldest method of healing from illness known to man. For centuries, people have studied what disease this or that part of a medicinal plant helps with. During this time, invaluable important experience was gained. To date, this experience has turned into solid knowledge that has been used with great success to heal many people. There are undeniable advantages in the use of medicinal herbs - for example, their use does not have a negative effect on the liver, and has almost no contraindications or side effects. But do not forget that before you start using any remedy (even a remedy Not traditional medicine) – be sure to consult with your doctor.
Healing herbs and their properties and purpose
Herbs have a very wide range healing properties. They cure both the simplest diseases (colds, allergies, runny nose, cough, minor abrasions and skin lesions), and complex ones - up to serious skin lesions, internal diseases: stomach ulcers, intestinal problems or gallbladder. Some herbs have sedative effect, and can cure insomnia or nervous disorder. Others are used to improve appearance(skin, hair), others – help with bleeding of various origins...
Herbs will help with heart disease, joint problems, and also with sexual problems. In addition, with the help of herbs you can significantly increase your vitality and maintain it at the required level.
The variety of medicinal herbs in Russia is enormous. There are many growing in our country medicinal plants, which can cure almost any disease. This marsh calamus, nettle, birch and pine, oak and bird cherry, mint and lemon balm, valerian and motherwort, lingonberry, hawthorn, St. John's wort, viburnum, celandine, clover and burdock, horseradish, rose hips, chicory... It is almost impossible to list everything. What is especially valuable is that these plants grow throughout Russia, they are quite common, and it will not be difficult for anyone to collect and prepare as many raw materials as needed, without resorting to buying herbs at a pharmacy.
So that herbal treatment has maximum effect, it is important to prepare the raw materials correctly, that is, to collect the grass at the right time, at the right stage of its growth. For each plant, this is usually determined individually. But the general criteria are as follows. Typically, raw materials (roots, leaves, branches, flowers) are collected during the period of greatest activity of the plant, that is, in the spring. The fruits are best harvested when fully ripe - usually in early autumn. All parts of the plant must be dried.
Use of medicinal herbs
1. Valerian and motherwort
Valerian and motherwort are used to relieve nervousness and insomnia. To do this, prepare a decoction of herbs (20 grams of herbs per glass of boiling water), which should be drunk before going to bed.
2. Mint
Mint will not only help calm your nerves, but will also help with heartburn and bloating. Tea will help with this - brew 50 grams of raw materials in a teapot, drink 1 glass.
3. Chamomile
Pharmaceutical chamomile is an excellent multifaceted remedy. It is suitable for gargling with sore throat, suitable for lotions in cases where there are inflammatory diseases skin, will help with discomfort in the stomach area, and will also become sedative. Chamomile is best prepared with a strong decoction - about 20 grams per 100 milliliters of water.
4. Celandine
Celandine is a “borderline” plant. On the one hand, as the name implies, it is an excellent assistant for a wide variety of skin diseases– if you take celandine externally. On the other hand, its use in the wrong concentration or orally can be associated with a risk to life. To heal skin problems An infusion is made from celandine, a bandage is moistened with it and applied to the affected area.
5. St. John's wort
St. John's wort, on the other hand, is only effective if consumed exclusively as a drink. St. John's wort will help with digestive diseases, and it is also known as a remedy against inflammation in the oral cavity.
6. Licorice
Licorice is called "golden root" or "sweet root" due to its flavor. It can not only cure a cough, but also tone the body and saturate it with vitamins transition period spring or autumn. For this, licorice root is finely chopped, infused in a water bath for about an hour, then the broth is poured into a thermos.
7. Sage
Sage gargles are successfully used in the treatment of throat diseases. In addition, the benefits of sage will be appreciated by young mothers who stop breastfeeding - the fact is that consuming sage decoction helps reduce the amount of breast milk. At the same time, it does not need to be brewed too strongly - about 2 tablespoons of dry herb per half liter of water.
8. Plantain
Plantain is used to treat various wounds and skin diseases. Medicines are not made from it; it is enough to tie a clean plantain leaf to the problem area and do not forget to change the bandage often.
9. Dandelion
Dandelion is the first assistant for problems with the digestive system. It cures gastritis and even stomach ulcers. The dried root (10 grams) is used as a medicine, which is infused for about an hour in a glass of hot water.
10. Sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is used for skin lesions; it accelerates healing and relieves inflammation. Sea buckthorn is also an excellent remedy for colds - to do this, you need to drink its juice, and also rinse your mouth and throat with the juice diluted half and half with water.
Herbal treatment is the most ancient way to combat all kinds of diseases. Over the thousands of years of its existence, man has discovered and studied the healing properties of hundreds of medicinal plants that can help this or that disease. Behind long history, many were created effective recipes, many of which have survived and are used in folk medicine today.
This section of the site presents many types of medicinal herbs, including field species, with high-quality photographs, the name of each plant and detailed description their beneficial properties and methods of use.
Despite the enormous pace of development of traditional medicine and all the new products that the pharmaceutical industry offers, the use of medicinal plants to treat all kinds of diseases still remains relevant and does not lose its popularity. They can be used both for the prevention and treatment of various chronic and acute diseases in any field of medicine.
Medicinal herbs used in folk medicine can be fresh or dried, used both externally and internally. Medicinal herbs are much safer for human health than pharmaceuticals. They have and fewer contraindications, And side effects on the body.
For treatment use:
- tinctures;
- decoctions;
- extracts;
- infusions;
- tea fees.
Despite its apparent simplicity and harmlessness, alternative treatment requires knowledge and caution. After all, for positive result, medicinal raw materials, must be collected correctly. And the tinctures, decoctions or extracts made from them are prepared only according to exact recipes. We should not forget about dosages. This is especially true for those medications that need to be taken orally.
It is advisable, before preparing medicine from herbs, to study our website, which lists medicinal herbs, photos with names, learn about the indications and contraindications of a particular medicinal plant, and methods of their preparation. You must not forget to carefully examine the raw materials for the medicine itself. It should be free of mold, dirt and other defects.
1) Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)
Perennial herbaceous plant with a very developed rhizome. It grows as a weed in fields, especially on clay soils, in meadows, along river banks, and in thinned forests.
The above-ground part - green summer shoots - is collected in June - August. Dry in attics with good ventilation.
The drug is used as a diuretic for heart and other diseases accompanied by congestion.
2) Spring primrose (Primula veris L.)
Perennial herbaceous plant. Blooms in early spring. Grows in forests, among bushes, on slopes.
The leaves are collected at the beginning of flowering, when they contain the greatest amount of vitamins, and immediately dried. The roots are dug up in autumn or early spring and dried in the attic or open air.
Tinctures from the leaves are used for vitamin deficiencies, and a decoction of the roots is used as an expectorant.
3) Common hop (Humusuls lupulus L.)
Perennial herbaceous liana. It grows in damp places, along river banks, on forest edges, among bushes, and sometimes in forests.
Hop inflorescences (“cones”) are harvested in August – early September. Dry immediately - in the air or in attics. The infusion is used for neuroses, insomnia, gastritis, and cystitis.
4) Lovage (Levisticum officinale Koch)
Also refers to perennial herbaceous plants with a straight cylindrical branched stem up to 2 m high. It grows mainly in Ukraine and is cultivated as a medicinal, ornamental and spicy plant.
All parts of the plant smell pleasant. Collected in September - October. The decoction is used for dropsy, nervous and heart diseases.
5) Common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill)
Mainly biennial, sometimes perennial herbaceous plant, up to 2 m high. Distributed in the Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia, cultivated in Ukraine; is running wild in Crimea.
Fennel fruits are harvested at the beginning of ripening, when they acquire a greenish-yellow color. Dry in the shade with good ventilation. The decoction is used as an appetite stimulant and digestive improver. Used in Food Industry and in perfumery.
6) Common juniper (Juniperus communis L.)
Shrub or low tree. Grows in pine forests, on the edges. Juniper cones are collected in the fall (September - October), shaking them from the bush onto the litter.
Dry in air or in attics. The drugs are used as a diuretic. Used in the food industry.
7) Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.)
It grows among bushes, on the edges, in lowlands and in the foothills. The roots are harvested in early spring or late autumn (October). Collect no more than ¼ of the plant's root system further from the root. Dry in attics or under sheds.
The bark is collected during the period of sap flow, the leaves - after flowering. The drugs are used as choleretic agent, as well as for bleeding associated with inflammatory processes. An infusion of leaves is used as a hemostatic agent.
8) Common heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill)
An evergreen, branched shrub, 30-70 cm high. Grows on poor soils, in forests, damp places, in the mountains, on forest edges, and mountain pastures. Found in Russia and Ukraine.
The above-ground part (grass) is collected during the flowering period (July - September). Dry in the shade in the air, in the attic, indoors, laying out a thin layer. A decoction or infusion is used for cholelithiasis, colds, rheumatism, gout and as a diuretic and diaphoretic.
9) Angelica (Archangelica officinalis (Moench.) Hoffm.)
This is a herbaceous biennial plant up to 2 m high. Grows in swamps and along river banks. Cultivated as a medicinal and spicy plant.
The roots are collected in spring and autumn. Dry in attics, indoors. The infusion is used as a diuretic and carminative, as well as to enhance intestinal motility.
10) Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.)
Perennial herbaceous plants, up to 1 m high. They grow in weedy places. Distributed in forest-steppe and steppe areas.
Motherwort grass (the upper parts of the stems) is collected during flowering. They dry in attics. The drugs are used as a cardiac sedative.
11) European hoofweed (Asarum europaeum L.) (varagusha, hairweed)
A perennial herbaceous plant that overwinters with green leaves resembling the imprint of a horse's hoof. Grows in deciduous and mixed forests.
The rhizome (with roots) and leaves are collected in the spring (April - May). The herbal infusion is used for cardiovascular diseases to normalize blood circulation.
12) Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) (devil's broom)
Leaves and annual shoots are collected in autumn and winter. Dry indoors or in an oven at low temperature. The drugs are used as a means of reducing arterial pressure(with atherosclerosis with high blood pressure and related phenomena).
13) Digitalis purpurea L.
Biennial plants with a stem height of up to 1.2 meters. Leaves are collected from plants of the second year of life, sometimes also rosette leaves of the first year (from July to autumn).
Dry immediately after collection indoors at a temperature of 40-60 degrees. The drugs are used as a tonic and regulating agent for the heart and blood vessels, chronic failure and other heart diseases.
14) Ephedra two-spikelet, ephedra (Ephedra distachya L.) (ephedra, kuzmichev grass)
Shrub with yellow-greenish thin-ribbed branches. Externally similar to horsetail. Grows on rocky places, sand, especially on coastal and steppe slopes. Ephedra is widespread in the forest-steppe and steppe parts of Ukraine.
Thin branches called “grass” are collected in August-September. Dry indoors or outdoors. The drugs are used as nervous tonics and cardiovascular system, for bronchial asthma, shock, bleeding.
15) Ruta hortensis Mill.
Perennial shrub with very strong odor. It lives in the wild in Crimea.
Only the upper parts of the stems are collected from the rue during flowering. Drying is done in the shade or in attics. The drugs are used as a stimulant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic.
That's all for me guys, the first selection is complete.
As stated, this is just a mini introduction to medicinal herbs. Posts are being prepared that will tell you the beneficial and medicinal properties of each plant, how to use it, in what doses and for what diseases.
See you in new posts. I wish you success, happiness and health.
Our website provides answers to questions about medicinal herbs.
Before using any prescription, consult your doctor.
Everything you need to know about medicinal plants.
Why do people say that herbs don't help them?
Unfortunately, many people do not know at all how to use medicinal herbs correctly - at what time of year to collect them, how to store them, how to cook from them necessary medications and according to what treatment regimen. You definitely need to know the exact dosage and contraindications, since not all plants are safe for health - if used incorrectly, they can become poison rather than medicine.
How do medicinal plants help?
In the process of life, plants, under the influence of light energy, produce biologically active substances from inorganic substances obtained from soil, carbon dioxide, water. These chemical compounds have a certain effect on the human body: mineral compounds, vitamins, tannins, phytoncides (“natural antibiotics”) and other substances can have a beneficial effect on metabolism, immunity, and the functioning of various organs and systems.
Is it possible to replace drug treatment with herbs?
People are attracted to the many qualities of medicinal plants. After all, unlike antibiotics, they do not cause allergic diseases and drug complications. However, to contrast them drug treatment should not either - only a doctor can determine the required balance in intake medicines and medicinal herbs. It must be remembered that the effect of the same plant on health different people may be different and depends on the characteristics of the organism. Each plant has its own characteristics of effects on various organs. The experience gained over many centuries in the use of medicinal plants often makes it possible to prevent and treat various diseases using more “gentle” means than traditional drug (or, moreover, surgical) treatment. However, official medicine does not at all neglect the rich potential of medicinal plants: in fact, active ingredients majority pharmacological drugs – plant origin or their synthetic analogues. And the herbs themselves are often prescribed by doctors as an alternative or addition to the traditional course of treatment.
What are medicinal plants made of?
Medicinal plants are those that contain biologically active, medicinal substances for humans: proteins, vitamins, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes, alkaloids, glycosides, bitterness, tannins, steroids, phenolic substances, phytoncides, flavonoids, essential oils etc.
Proteins regulate all life processes of the cell. There are simple and complex proteins.
Vitamins are organic substances synthesized mainly by plants. More than 20 vitamins are known, divided into two large types - water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Lipids are fats and fat-like substances. There are simple and complex ones. Lipids serve as a source of energy in the body. People get fatty foods from plants unsaturated acids, regulating fat metabolism and participating in the removal of cholesterol from the body.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds found mainly in plants. Carbohydrates include cellulose (fiber), starch, inulin, mucus, gums, and pectins. Carbohydrates are very important for humans and are one of the main components of their diet. With a lack of carbohydrates, intestinal diseases can occur, blood sugar levels drop, memory deteriorates, and unreasonable fatigue appears.
Enzymes are complex proteins that speed up chemical processes in the body. They play a major role in metabolic processes.
Alkaloids are organic compounds containing nitrogen. Some alkaloids are poisons.
Glycosides are organic compounds widely present in plants that contribute to the transfer and storage of various substances. Glycosides from some plants are used to treat heart diseases.
Bitters are natural compounds also called isoprenoids. Consist of terpenes, terpenoids and steroids. In the human body they are needed to enhance the choleretic function.
Tannins are natural compounds that have an astringent taste; in the composition of drugs they exhibit astringent and bactericidal properties.
Steroids are organic compounds. Steroids include sterols, bile acids, vitamins D, sex hormones, and adrenal hormones (corticosteroids). They are part of steroid glycosides used to treat heart diseases.
Phenolic substances are a class of secondary compounds with various biological activities, such as aromatic ones.
Phytoncides are products of secondary biosynthesis carried out by higher plants. Plants release esters, alcohols, terpenes, and phenols into the environment. Phytoncides have a detrimental effect on pathogens(viruses, bacteria, fungi, rods).
Flavonoids are compounds derived from flavan and flavone.
Why is it better to use decoctions and infusions of whole herbs?
It is no coincidence that people believe that the action of one plant is less effective than the action of collecting several herbs. The effect is associated not only with the different effects of different plants, but also with the fact that the action of one plant is often stimulated by the substances of another - which may not be medicinal. That's why recipes traditional medicine built mainly on medicinal preparations and mixtures.
Collect medicinal plants yourself or is it better to buy?
Self-harvesting medicinal herbs- a complex and troublesome matter, requiring deep knowledge of where, at what time and how each specific plant should be collected. Active principles, i.e. biologically active substances that have a healing effect on the human body, are often found throughout the plant - in the roots, leaves, flowers. But more often they are concentrated only in certain organs, and therefore only part of the plant is often used for medicinal purposes. When collecting herbs to treat a specific disease, you need to know which parts of the plants you will need - different parts are collected at different stages of plant development.
In pharmacies you can buy a wide variety of medicinal herbs and their preparations. This is, of course, easier and more convenient than collecting it yourself; besides, many plants recommended for the treatment of certain diseases are simply impossible to collect yourself - they are quite rare or not found at all in our area. On the other hand, self-collection is good for those for whom it is important to be absolutely sure: they will receive exactly the herbs that they need, and will have complete control over the entire process of collecting, preparing and preparing their medicine.
What is the harvesting time for medicinal herbs?
IN different periods growth and development of a medicinal plant, the amount it contains active beginnings It doesn't happen the same way. Therefore, the time for collecting medicinal plants should be timed to coincide with the moment the greatest content in them these active principles.
Herbs should be collected certain deadlines and time. And herbalists clearly know these periods. Thus, Russian healers believed that herbs collected on Ivan Kupala or Agrafena Bathing Day (on the night of July 6 and 7) have special powers. At the same time, some of them are able to heal people, protect them from the evil eye, damage and evil spirits, while others can harm people and send illnesses. Today we understand that in the first case we're talking about about herbs that have no contraindications for use, in the second - about herbs with poisonous or intoxicating properties. Herbs had to be collected on certain days, hours, phases of the moon, and before picking the grass or digging up a root, tradition prescribed reading a conspiracy (persuading, begging the grass to bring good and help a person, and also not to be angry for being deprived of life).
What weather is best to pick herbs?
It is necessary to collect the above-ground parts of plants, especially flowers, in dry weather and after the dew has disappeared. Only in this case it is possible to preserve their natural color during drying and protect them from bacterial and fungal decomposition. Otherwise, the plant will inevitably lose its Medicinal properties.
Which parts of the plant are most useful?
It is known that Medicinal substances accumulate in the plant in certain period its development, and in its various parts, therefore, at a specific time, only those parts are collected (leaves, flowers and inflorescences, fruits and seeds, roots and rhizomes) that are in this moment contain the greatest amount of useful substances. Their content in plants changes even during the day.
When is the best time to collect leaves?
Leaves are harvested during the period of bud ripening and flowering of plants, and only the lower leaves are selected so as not to disrupt the process of flowering and fruiting.
When is the best time to collect flowers and inflorescences?
Flowers and inflorescences are collected at the beginning of flowering, when they contain the most useful substances and crumble less during storage.
When is the best time to collect herbs?
Herbs are collected at the beginning of flowering, and in some cases even at full flowering. Using a knife (secateurs), cut off the tops of the plant, 15–30 cm long, without rough ground parts.
When is the best time to harvest fruits and seeds?
Fruits and seeds are harvested gradually as they ripen. Remember that the richest in medicinal substances ripe fruits and seeds, but if they are overripe, they should not be taken. The stalks are separated immediately after harvesting, and for the fruits of rowan, caraway and dill - after drying.
When is the best time to dig up roots and rhizomes?
Roots and rhizomes are dug up with a shovel in early spring or during the period of death of the above-ground parts (late summer - autumn).
All harvested plant parts are collected during the daytime (from 8–9 to 16–17) and in dry weather. The raw materials are immediately put into bags or other suitable containers, but not stuffed tightly.
How to remove bark from trees?
In order to remove the bark from the trunk and branches, you need to make two ring cuts at some distance from each other, and then a cut along the trunk, from one ring to the other. Then the bark is peeled off, applying force from top to bottom.
Oak bark is removed only from its branches!
What rules must be followed when collecting and preparing medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants should be collected only in ecologically clean areas: in no case in the city or in other populated areas, not near roads, away from any enterprises, not only industrial, but also agricultural (where crops and plantings are treated with pesticides).
It is pointless and harmful to plants to pull them out entirely - carefully collect only those parts that you need. When using nature's help, don't forget to take care of its future: if you collect flowers, always leave a few plants untouched so that new plants will appear next year. Tubers, roots and bulbs can be dug out of the ground only after the seeds have ripened and fallen off.
Grass and other above-ground parts of plants should be collected on a fine sunny day after the dew has disappeared (otherwise wet plants will not be stored, pathogenic microorganisms will quickly appear in them, and decomposition processes will begin).
How to dry medicinal plants?
The main task that needs to be solved when drying medicinal plants is to stop the destructive activity of enzymes (“fermentation”), that is, to protect the active principles contained in the plants from changes for a long time. Plants must be dried thoroughly, in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct exposure. sun rays.
When dried, a significant part of the water evaporates from plants, and therefore the plants lose approximately the same amount of weight: grass - 70%, leaves - 80%, flowers - 75%, roots - 65%, bark - 45%.
At what temperature should medicinal plants be dried?
This depends on the characteristics of the plant: those that contain essential oils can be dried at a temperature no higher than 30–35 °C; for glycosides the upper permissible temperature limit is 55–60 °C, for vitamin C – 80–90 °C. As a rule, fruits and roots are dried in the oven at a temperature of 40–60 °C.
Do properties change during drying and storage?
Of course yes. Some of the healing properties are lost, but when correct observance collection and procurement technologies reduce these losses to a minimum. But gradually, over time, the active properties of the harvested herbs weaken. However, dried medicinal herbs usually become completely unsuitable for consumption only after a few years (subject to storage rules). Some plants have a shorter shelf life.
How to properly store medicinal plants?
To preserve well-dried material great importance have both storage space and packaging. Plants should not be stored in a damp place or uncovered. The prepared material absorbs moisture, as a result of which it deteriorates, changes color and acquires a musty odor as a result of the activity of microorganisms that have fallen on it, in particular mold fungi. The storage room must be dry, well ventilated, accessible regular checkups. That is why a barn or basement cannot be used as a storage room for medicinal plants. It is better to store them in an unheated room in a living space.
Freshly collected herbs cannot be stored in the container in which you originally put them for more than 3-4 hours - the plants will cake and deteriorate.
Plants should not be stored in plastic containers, as essential oils react with plastic, forming compounds that are hazardous to health.
How to use medicinal plants correctly?
Medicinal herbs are used both internally and externally. Juices squeezed from plants, decoctions, steams, infusions, tinctures, extracts from roots, bark, seeds and fruits, powders from dried parts of plants are taken internally. Externally Healing herbs used in the form of baths, enemas, wrapping in a sheet soaked in a decoction of medicinal plants, in the form of lotions, poultices, compresses, applying plant parts and pastes from them to sore spots, etc.
The most common dose for using medicinal herbs internally is 1 tbsp. a heaping spoonful of finely chopped plant or mixture per glass of boiling water or 4 tbsp. spoons with “top” per liter of boiling water.
How to get juice from medicinal herbs?
Juices from medicinal plants are obtained using a juicer or press. If there is no juicer, the juice is prepared as follows. The plant is washed, finely chopped and placed, without stuffing tightly, in a glass jar. Pour boiled water over it and leave overnight. In the morning, filter through cheesecloth and squeeze out the remainder. Juices are best drunk freshly prepared.
How to make a medicinal collection?
A collection is a mixture of several types of medicinal herbs. Usually the collection includes 10 components or more. They are composed of plants that primarily enhance or support each other’s effects. Remember that some plants are incompatible, since their medicinal properties are mutually neutralized (for example, greater celandine and cinquefoil). From the collections you can prepare infusions and decoctions not only for oral administration, but also for lotions, rinses, douches, microenemas, baths and poultices.
How important is it to follow the indicated dosage when using herbs?
Strict compliance dosages when preparing and taking preparations from medicinal plants are an indispensable condition for the effectiveness of treatment.
The packaging of medicinal herbs sold in pharmacies always indicates the method of preparation, single use and daily dose reception. At home, in the absence of pharmacy scales, medicinal herbs are usually dosed with spoons. Average dose for preparing infusions and decoctions for oral administration – 2 tbsp. spoons of dry herb per 0.5 liters of water. A tablespoon contains on average: flowers, leaves and grass - 4-5 g, roots, rhizomes and fruits - 6-8 g - although these data are very approximate.
The easiest way to measure the required amount of water is with a spoon or glass: a teaspoon holds approximately 5 g, a dessert spoon - 10 g, a tablespoon - 15 g, a glass - 200-250 g of water.
How to prepare an infusion of medicinal herbs?
Infusions are used to extract active principles from those parts of plants that release them relatively easily (grass, leaves, flowers, fresh fruits). Mostly water is used to prepare infusions. Infusions can be prepared either hot or cold.
With the hot method, the crushed raw materials are poured into a bowl and poured with boiling water, usually in a ratio of 1:10 (1 part plant to 10 parts water). Infusions intended for external use are prepared more concentrated (1:5). They are best made in a thermos: the raw materials are poured with boiling water and the thermos is kept open for 15–20 minutes, then it is closed with a lid and left overnight, and filtered in the morning. Another option for preparing infusions using a hot method is a water bath: the required amount of medicinal raw material is poured with water at room temperature (about 18 ° C) in a porcelain, glass or enamel container, which is placed in another container, bigger size, with boiling water (into boiling " water bath") and heat in it with frequent stirring for 15 minutes, then cool for 45 minutes and filter.
Infusions are prepared using the cold method as follows: the raw materials are poured with the required amount of cold boiled water and leave for 4 to 12 hours and then filter.
How to prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs?
Decoctions are used to extract active principles from roots and rhizomes, bark, wood, rough leaves, and dry fruits. These parts of the plant require quite a long heat treatment, since they have a dense structure. To prepare the decoction, the crushed raw materials are poured cold water, mix thoroughly, put on fire, bring to a boil, and then keep on low heat for 20–30 minutes, then filter and squeeze in gauze. The broth is diluted with boiled water to the required volume.
It is important to comply next rule: herbal infusions Under no circumstances should they cook in aluminum or other metal containers to avoid unwanted reactions with the metal.
How to prepare a tincture of medicinal herbs?
I use vodka or 40–70% alcohol as an extracting factor in tinctures. Usually, to prepare the tincture, 5 parts of vodka or alcohol are added to 1 part of the crushed raw material; after thorough mixing, the mixture is placed in a cool, dry place, protected from light (it is advisable to prepare the tincture in a dark glass container). Depending on the purpose of the tincture, its infusion period can range from 7 to 40 days. At the end of this time, the tincture is filtered, then the gauze is squeezed out and filtered again.
As a rule, to prepare a tincture, take 100 ml of alcohol per 20 g of raw material and obtain a 20% tincture. Ready tinctures are stored in tightly sealed bottles.
How to prepare steam from medicinal herbs?
To prepare the steam, medicinal herbs are poured with boiling water and all night steam (simmer) in a cooling oven. In the morning, the napar is filtered through cheesecloth, after which it is ready for use. To prepare steam, the least coarse parts of plants are used, i.e. leaves, flowers, grass, fruits.
How to prepare powder from medicinal herbs?
To prepare the powder, well-dried raw materials are ground in a mortar or coffee grinder. The powder is most often used for oral administration, for sprinkling on wounds, ulcers and preparing ointments.
How to prepare ointment from medicinal herbs?
Ointments are medicines which are used for external use. They are prepared by mixing plant powders with an ointment base; For 1 part of the plant take 4 parts of the base. As an ointment base, you can use pork or interior fat (lard), unsalted butter or any vegetable oil, petroleum jelly (preferably yellow). Powder, tincture or fresh plant juice are added to the preheated ointment base. You can prepare ointments of various concentrations: for example, to get a 10–20% ointment, you should take 10–20 g of powder per 100 or 200 g of fat or 5–10 ml of tincture per 95 g of fat. The choice of base depends on various considerations: for example, ointments made with vegetable oil or mineral fats, have a longer shelf life than ointments based on pork fat, but the latter are superior in quality.
How to make medicinal herbal baths?
Baths are prepared as follows. Pour 40–60 g of herb into 2–5 liters of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes or boil for 10 minutes over low heat, filter and pour into a bathtub filled with water (water temperature – 36–40 °C). To prevent steam from forming in the room, pour cold water first and then hot water. Take a bath for 10–15 minutes, first you need to rinse in the shower.
Important! During the procedure, the heart area should be above the water.
The usual course of treatment with baths with medicinal plants: 2-3 times a week for 15 days.
How to properly brew medicinal herbs purchased at a pharmacy?
Strictly speaking, collections of medicinal plants must be prepared in a water bath: here the requirements of the pharmacopoeia are consistent with the recommendations of experienced herbalists. But practice proves that extraction, i.e., the release of useful substances from plants, also occurs with simple infusion of herbs.
It is best to prepare infusions in the evening so that you can take the medicine in the morning. It is very convenient to use a glass teapot with a piston for “brewing” herbs. In the evening, place the amount of herb indicated on the package into it, pour boiling water, and in the morning you will receive a perfectly infused, chilled drink, ready to drink.
How long can the prepared decoction be stored?
The medicinal properties of the decoction do not last long - microbes begin to multiply in it, “thanks to” which various enzymatic processes are launched in the decoction. That's why permissible period The decoction's shelf life is short: a day at room temperature, two days in the refrigerator.
Are the dosages of medicinal herbs different for children and adults?
When using medicinal plants, it must be taken into account that the doses of the drug for an adult, adolescent and child are not the same. When selecting required dosage For a child or teenager, you can focus on the following recommendations:
Adults 1 dose
from 7 to 14 years 1/2 dose
from 4 to 7 years 1/3 dose
from 3 to 4 years 1/6-1/4 dose
from 1 year to 2 years 1/8-1/6 dose
up to 1 year 1/12-1/8 dose
You need to strictly follow the dosage and take into account the characteristics of your body. Buying herbal teas at the pharmacy, always pay attention to the notices about contraindications for the use of herbs.
