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Show all medicinal herbs. Wild plants: names and photos

The flora of our planet is extremely diverse and beautiful. A huge number of different life forms of plants gives not only aesthetic pleasure, but also brings very tangible practical benefit: is a power source, decorative elements, supplier medical supplies, a source of pure and fresh air filled with oxygen and so on.

Among all life forms of plants, a large place is given to herbs, both cultivated and wild. They occupy almost 50% of the total flora of the planet, so we will consider them.

Herbs: general characteristics

Most often, herbs include plants that have slightly modified shoots. That is, in the classical sense, a shoot should include a stem, leaves and a flower. So, not all structural parts may be observed in herbs. Often the stem is modified, the leaves acquire a shape and size that helps them adapt to the conditions as much as possible. environment.

Of course, all herbs have a flower as a reproductive organ. However, they are also very different in size, shape and color. This factor will depend on the pollination method of the particular plant species.

Wild herbs are a very large group, including representatives from almost all known families of angiosperms. The names of herbs are very diverse. There are both historically established “names” and scientific data based on binary nomenclature (in Latin, the first name is genus, the second is species). For example, Leonurus heterophyllus, or motherwort.

The root system, shoot branching, flower and leaf structure - all these botanical characteristics will depend on the specific genus and species of plant, so it is impossible to identify any common morphological characteristics for all wild herbs.

Classification of herbs

It can be based on different signs, but most often the division of herbs into:

Annuals - buttercups, cornflowers, ageratums, cinquefoils, daturas, poppies, chamomiles - the names of herbs in this group can be listed for a very long time, since they are numerous.
Biennials - mallow, spurge, sweet clover, lupine, forget-me-not, bellflower, viola and others.
Perennials - begonia, anemone, alyssum, St. John's wort, reed, iris, wood sorrel, oregano, elecampane and others. The names of herbs in this category reflect their purpose. Obviously, this includes many well-known medicinal species.

In addition to this classification, another one can be given. The basis is the area of human use.

Medicinal herbs - celandine, string, thyme, chamomile, sage, calendula, burnet, lily of the valley and others.
Cultivated agricultural plants - vegetables, fruits,
- ginger, fennel, horseradish, anise, parsley, basil, lemon balm, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, laurel and so on.
Ornamental grasses - ornamental cabbage, bordered euphorbia, Daurian moonseed, young, bergenia, kochia, rogersia and many others.

According to the place of growth, all herbs can be divided into mountain, forest, meadow, swamp, desert, steppe and garden (weeds and cultivated plants).

Wild herbs in Russia

There are a lot of such representatives. Almost all wild herbs, names and photos of their representatives can be seen in any corresponding encyclopedia. Let's try to take a closer look at the diversity of Russian wild herbs.

More than 900 species are known only for medicinal purposes, and there are many others. Their distribution across climatic zones is uneven. It is known that most plants, including herbs, are located in the more southern, southeastern and eastern regions of our country. The northern, northwestern and western regions are densely populated, but not so diverse in species composition.

So, we can cite as an example the region of Siberia (Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East, all nearby areas, up to Chukotka). Here the most common wild herbs, the names of which are as follows:

Among those listed you can find both medicinal and conventional types. They have one thing in common - these are representatives of the flora living in wild conditions. Herbs are plants that are simply impossible to cover in one article. Too many of them. European part Russia is represented by a variety of beautiful flowering herbs that form entire carpets of different colors, making the wild nature unimaginably beautiful. Among them are the names of herbs such as lingonberry, common loosestrife, speedwell, common heather, Fischer's clove, forest geranium, and chickweed.

Due to good climatic conditions, the central zone of Russia is famous for its many medicinal species of herbs, which also create a beautiful summer, spring and autumn landscape with their flowers. These are such as fragrant roses, lily of the valley, young shoots, oak grass, nightshade, blueberry, jasmine, hawkweed and others.

We will dwell on mountainous areas and their various herbs in more detail later.

Forest chin

A beautiful perennial plant with a bright pink corolla and a wonderful honey aroma that attracts pollinating insects from June until the autumn days of September. Many grazing animals choose this wild-growing beauty for food, since its roots, stems and leaves contain a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. Belongs to the Moth family (Bean family). Its main economic importance is as a perennial, it carries out annual soil drainage, participates in soil-forming processes, and is good for livestock feed. Medicinal value does not have.

Buttercup caustic

A very widespread plant classified as poisonous. It is found in almost all zones of Russia and is highly adaptable to environmental conditions. Includes several types of grass, the names and photos of which can be seen below.

Buttercup varieties:

caustic (" night blindness"in common parlance);
Kashubian;
creeping;
Spring chistyak;
garden and others.

It is not suitable for grazing animals, since the shoots of the plant are poisonous. Once dried to hay, it is safe. It is not used in conventional medicine, but in alternative medicine it is very common as a remedy for rheumatism, open wounds, boils, tuberculosis and burns.

Mountain herbs

The most famous among these are, of course, Altai herbs. Great amount cosmetics, medicines, tinctures, balms, ointments are created based on extracts of these miraculous plants.

After all, the very air of this mountainous area seems to heal. Almost all plants grown on the rocky surfaces of Altai are medicinal. Animals that eat these herbs are the strongest and healthiest. People who use fees from these places for treatment have fewer chronic diseases than residents of other areas.

Some Altai herbs that have received national recognition and are most often used by humans:

Balms that combine several herbal components are very common. They help with the most different problems: cleanse, soothe, tone, normalize blood pressure, restore sleep, relieve headaches and chronic fatigue And so on. Such wild mountain herbs, the names of which were given above, are very valuable objects of medicine.

Milk thistle

Another name for this Altai herb is milk thistle. Since ancient times, this plant has been revered as a very good medicinal assistant. Infusions from different parts herbs help against liver diseases, cleanse the intestines and eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve swelling and treat jaundice and many other ailments.

The plant itself sometimes reaches 1.5 m in height. The leaves are very beautiful, with a white border and a dissected edge. The flowers look like round cones, dark pink or purple. Very valuable property milk thistle, allowing it to be used in both folk and traditional medicine, is complete absence side effects.

Its beautiful appearance allows it to be used not only as a medicinal plant, but also as an ornamental plant in many gardens and orchards.

Rhodiola quadripalum

In common parlance - Endemic plant Altai Territory. One of the most popular among these mountain herbs. Used in both folk and traditional medicine for treatment women's diseases pelvic organs, infertility, male prostatitis, inflammation. Helps stop bleeding, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system, helps with treatment various kinds viral and bacterial diseases.

Externally very interesting, unusual herbs. The description is as follows: low plants growing on rocky surfaces, with narrow, closely spaced leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and pale, but the leaflet-shaped fruits are very bright and red. The shape of the leaves resembles a brush, which is why this plant got its name.

The most common medicinal herbs

This group includes many representatives around the world. There is also a wide variety of them in Russia. After all, almost all plants (with the exception of highly poisonous ones) contain useful alkaloids, essential oils, resins, tannins, minerals and other components that allow them to be used as medicinal herbs. The names of the most common and famous representatives of this group, growing in our country, are as follows:

Obviously, it is simply impossible to list all the plants, since their species diversity is too great.

Aloe arborescens

Among household potted plants, agave, or aloe, is often used as a medicine. It is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves topped with thorns. Aloe juice contains many (up to 200) different beneficial substances. They are the ones who help heal open wounds, inflammation, bacterial and viral diseases.

The most common herbs

They have been used as medicines since ancient times, but most often as nutritional supplements, making dishes refined, original and very aromatic. Some titles herbs In Russia, we will summarize the article: horseradish, dill, parsley, celery, parsnips, black pepper, cardamom, peppermint, lemon balm, mustard and some others.

1) Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)

A 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.

Leaves are collected at the beginning of flowering, when they contain greatest number vitamins, and immediately dry. 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 a 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). An infusion of the herb 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 tonics for the nervous and cardiovascular systems, 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.

The section tells about medicinal plants - their places of growth and healing properties, collection and storage rules. You will learn about how to take care of these plants, what role they play in human life. Below is a list by name in alphabetical order of the main, from the point of view of medicinal use, medicinal plants with detailed descriptions, pictures and recommendations for use for the treatment of various diseases.

Medicinal plants are a large group of plants used in medicine and veterinary practice for various types of diseases for therapeutic or preventive purposes. The medicinal properties of medicinal plants are due to the presence of certain chemical compounds in them - the so-called active substances.

Medicinal plants are used in the form of collections, or teas, powders, etc., or after processing (see, Dosage forms). Special groups medicines prepared from medicinal plants at chemical-pharmaceutical factories consist of products of their primary processing (fatty and essential oils, resins, etc.), pure (without admixture of ballast substances) amounts of active substances, individual chemical compounds and their combinations. The active substances are distributed unevenly in medicinal plants. Typically, only those parts of the plant are used where the maximum amount of active substances accumulates. The composition and amount of active substances in medicinal plants changes throughout the year, with the age of the plant and depending on the conditions of its habitat, temperature, light, air, soil conditions, etc. Many medicinal plants are of only historical interest, since they are currently used in medicine are not used.

List of the most important wild and cultivated medicinal plants

Nomenclature of medicinal plants approved for use in medical practice, contains about 160 titles. Preparations or raw materials of 103 of these plants are described in the tenth edition of the State USSR (GPC). Requests for raw materials of medicinal plants are approximately half in terms of tonnage and about 75% in terms of nomenclature are satisfied through the collection of wild plants, and the rest - through cultivated medicinal plants.

Also given morphological description annual medicinal plants introduced into the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR, the content of biologically active substances in them is given, the viability of plants in new conditions is described and some issues of agricultural cultivation technology are considered.

Recently, interest in herbal medicine has increased, which in turn has increased the number of collectors. However, it is impossible to use medicinal plants without knowing their properties and chemical composition. Many medicinal plants, their distribution and use are described in popular publications. The chemical composition and methods of obtaining certain biologically active substances from plants are discussed in scientific works. Despite the seemingly abundance of well-known medicinal herbs, new ones are being discovered that are undergoing initial testing in botanical gardens and experimental stations. Botanical gardens located in different climatic zones of the globe have collections of various medicinal plants for study biological features, medicinal properties and methods of growing these herbs. Thanks to this, more and more new types of medicinal plants are being introduced into the industry. Seeds are the main material for exchange with other botanical gardens and other organizations. Similar work is being carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.

The section provides some information about annual medicinal plants grown in the experimental plot, and provides data on some long-standing known plants, but for some reason forgotten. Most plants synthesize useful material in the above-ground mass - in the grass (chamomile, string, snakehead, fumes), in many species the seeds are valuable (coriander, anise, datura, flax, poppy, large plantain, etc.). In some plants medicinal properties flowers have (calendula officinalis, blue cornflower, etc.).

Our long-term research shows that many introduced plants do not change their chemical composition, and often the quantitative content of active substances is not inferior to that of wild plants. The study of the chemical composition of medicinal plants was carried out jointly with the laboratory of the Institute of Physiology and Experimental Pathology of the High Mountains and the laboratory of natural compounds of the Organic Institute.

All plants are divided into two groups: 1) introduced into scientific medicine and included in pharmacopoeias Soviet Union; 2) used in folk medicine.

Medicinal plants are types of plant organisms used for the production of medicinal and prophylactic drugs, which are used in medical and veterinary practice. Herbal medicines account for over 30% of all medicines traded on the world market. In the USSR, about 40% of the medicines used are made from plants.

About 2,500 plant species from the flora of the USSR, including those used in folk medicine, have medicinal value.

The diversity of soil and climatic conditions of the USSR allows the introduction on its territory of numerous species of foreign medicinal plants of the cold, temperate and subtropical zones.

As a raw material for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in pharmacy chain and more than 600 plant species can be used for export. Of this amount, not counting minor medicinal plants, only about 200 species belonging to 70 families are practically used in medicine (mainly the families Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Legumes, Lamiaceae, Umbelliferae, Solanaceae, Buckwheat, Cruciferous, Ranunculaceae). About 70% of the medicinal plants used are used in herbal production, the remaining types are used in pharmacies, homeopathy and are exported.

When harvesting wild and cultivated medicinal plants, as a rule, individual organs or parts of the plant are collected.

The collection of medicinal plant materials is carried out in certain deadlines- during periods of maximum accumulation of active substances. The collected raw materials are usually dried.

In the USSR, a comprehensive study of medicinal plants already known in medicine is being carried out (identifying their reserves, introducing them into cultivation, increasing productivity and finding ways to reduce the cost of raw materials, establishing best timing collection, drying and storage conditions for raw materials, preparation of new drugs and dosage forms).

A search is underway for new and cheaper sources of plant raw materials to replace already known imported or scarce medicinal drugs, as well as medicinal plants with new pharmacological and therapeutic effect(study of their chemical composition, pharmacological activity and therapeutic value, development of technology for the production of drugs and their manufacture).

New medicinal plants and physiologically active substances of plant origin are identified through a complete or selective chemical and pharmacological study of the flora of certain regions of the USSR. At the same time, information about the use of certain medicinal plants in folk medicine is taken into account.

In targeted searches for a specific compound, species and genera that are phylogenetically close to the plant from which this compound was previously isolated are studied first.

Thus, to date, over 6,000 plant species have been previously studied for the content of alkaloids, over 4,000 for the presence of essential oils, about 2,000 have been studied for the presence of cardiac glycosides, about 3,000 saponins, about 1,000 flavonoids, and about 1,000 species of coumarins.

As a result, highlighted a large number of individual chemical substances and many new therapeutic drugs have been created on their basis.

To make your search easier, we provide this list: Disease - Plant. , which are marked with an asterisk, are each poisonous in their own way, so be careful! Read more about contraindications

2. Plants that increase blood pressure - Eleutherococcus, lowers -.

3. Expectorants and emollients - calamus, budra, larch, dandelion, primrose (primrose), chamomile, hops, jasmine.

5. Astringents (antidiarrhea) - blackberry, St. John's wort, golden rod, willow, viburnum (berry juice), nettle, mint, white water lily*, dandelion (bark), wormwood, *, wheatgrass, rowan.

6. Laxative medicinal herbs and plants - (berry), knotweed, bearberry, yarrow, chicory, thyme, string, horse sorrel (roots), jasmine.

7. Bitter herbs that stimulate appetite - dandelion, plantain, wormwood, chicory.

8. Enveloping and adsorbing plants - mullein, larch, Lyubka, wormwood, yarrow, chicory.

9. Metabolic disorders - blueberries, oregano, strawberries, fireweed, cranberries, nettles, fireweed, nettles, agrimony, licorice, string, bird cherry, blueberries (leaves).

10. Plants to reduce acidity gastric juice- , barberry (roots), (leaf), volodushka.

11. Choleretic - calendula, viburnum, nettle, white water lily*, juniper, mint, tansy, plantain, wormwood, agrimony, knotweed, yarrow, hops, celandine*, horse sorrel.

12. Gallstone and kidney stone diseases - geranium, strawberry, cranberry, nettle, cloudberry, agrimony, pine, knotweed, yarrow, horsetail, blueberry, rose hip.

13. Anthelmintic and anti-giardiasis - valerian, hoof*, tansy, pine, chicory.

14. Peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum- calamus, St. John's wort, calendula, viburnum, fireweed, white water lily*, burdock, coltsfoot, sea buckthorn (oil), tansy, plantain, chamomile, licorice, marsh cudweed*.

15. Gastrointestinal improve digestion - calamus, marshmallow, bergenia*, birch, lingonberry, budra.

16. For bronchial asthma - viburnum (berry juice), coltsfoot, lemon balm, wormwood,.

17. Soothing central nervous system- calamus, hawthorn, valerian, speedwell, blackberry, willow, viburnum (bark), willowherb, mullein, meadowsweet, linden, lemon balm, mint, primrose, chamomile, pine, hops, thyme, clearweed.

18. Diaphoretic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory - birch, oregano, blackberry, strawberry, St. John's wort, willow (bark), viburnum, cranberry, nettle, kupena, meadowsweet, linden, raspberry, mint, coltsfoot, plantain, chamomile, currant , string, bird cherry.

19. Diuretics - bergenia*, birch (buds), lingonberry, cedar, clover, cranberry, toadflax, raspberry, juniper, cloudberry, dandelion, nightshade, primrose, bearberry, string, celandine*, damask.

20. Hemostatic medicinal plants - bergenia*, barberry, blackberry, St. John's wort, viburnum (bark), nettle, meadowsweet, burdock, lemon balm, sea buckthorn, plantain, motherwort, chamomile, rowan, knotweed, yarrow, horsetail, thyme, yasami.

21. Anti-tuberculosis - calamus, birch (buds), budra*, nettle, buttercup*, coltsfoot, plantain, knotweed, bearberry, chin, celandine*, Icelandic moss.

22. For rheumatism, gout and radiculitis - birch, lingonberry, oregano, (needles), willow (bark), cedar, nettle, lily of the valley *, linden, larch (needles and resin), burdock, buttercup *, juniper, mint, aspen , nightshade, chamomile, pine, bearberry, hops, thyme, string, blueberry.

23. Against burns - burnet, meadowsweet, sea buckthorn (oil from the berries), rosehip (oil from the fruit).

24. Anti-alcohol - hoof*.

25. at eye diseases- chamomile, bird cherry, blueberry.

26. Wound-healing and anti-putrefactive - bergenia *, birch (tar), crow's eye *, oregano, blackberry, chickweed, St. John's wort, calendula, cedar, fireweed, clover, nettle, linden, burdock, buttercup, juniper, mint, linden, fir, plantain, marsh cudweed*, yarrow, chicory, celandine*, rose hips, jasmine.

27. Antihemorrhoidal medicinal herbs and plants - barberry, chickweed, St. John's wort, strawberry, cedar, mullein*, cat's foot, nettle, buckthorn*, burdock, raspberry, dandelion, nightshade, rowan, yarrow, horse sorrel.

28. Medicinal plants and herbs for skin diseases— birch (tar), oregano, viburnum (berry juice), clover, hoof*, yellow egg capsule*, white water lily*, burdock, buttercup*, raspberry (leaves), aspen, fir, plantain, chamomile, licorice, knotweed, poplar , yarrow, horsetail, hops, string, celandine*, rose hips, jasmine.

29. Plants against insects - white water lily*, tansy, celandine*.

As practice shows, we do not always know how to competently and fully use the gifts of Mother Nature, who generously provided us with natural medicines with which our ancestors treated many diseases. It's time to remember the healing properties of herbs and plants, their role in medicine, rules of administration, harm and benefit.

Medicinal plants in medicine

The healing properties of plants have been used by all peoples of the world for thousands of years. It was with their help that people treated many diseases, turning to nature and its gifts. Today there are about 12,000 in the world medicinal plants who have healing properties and are used in both traditional and folk medicine. At the same time, medicinal plants are often perfectly combined with other types of treatment.

But medicinal plants are used not only for therapeutic, but also for preventive purposes, for example, to cleanse the body. Regular cleansing is one of the secrets of people who, even in old age, can boast of excellent physical and mental health.

Of course, medicines from plants do not have pronounced pharmacological activity, since they act on the body slowly, but in some cases it is plants that are more effective than their synthetic “brothers”. Thus, among the 3,000 drugs that are used in modern medicine, about 35–40 percent are made from medicinal plants, and the number of herbal drugs increases every year.

However, it is important to remember that only a doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe a medicinal plant, while self-medication may not lead to desired result(at best) or make you feel worse (at worst).

What is the secret of the effectiveness of herbal medicines?
The fact is that plants are a biogenetically formed complex consisting of active substances and other (secondary) elements, including:

This kind of complex, which is formed in a living cell, is more similar to the human body than active substance created chemically. Therefore, medicinal plants are more easily assimilated by the body and have fewer side effects.

Therefore, it is not surprising that scientific medicine, which considers traditional methods treatments that are imperfect and archaic, nevertheless resorts to the help of medicinal plants that have proven their effectiveness and usefulness over the course of their existence. And this is not surprising, because medicinal herbs and plants do not have any chemical additives, since nature itself endowed them beneficial properties, creating a kind of safe “natural pills”.

Little of, modern science Not only is the experience of traditional medicine being studied and carefully tested, but the arsenal of therapeutic agents is also being replenished.

Medicinal plants and their uses

When deciding to resort to the help of medicinal plants, it is necessary to take into account the important fact that among plants there are a large number of potent and poisonous species. Therefore, it is better to purchase herbs and infusions from pharmacies.

In addition, you can collect medicinal plants yourself (for this you need to have a good understanding of plants and herbs, since they are often similar in appearance, but have various properties) or purchase from experienced herbalists.

The following are made from medicinal plants:

Infusions

The infusions are well absorbed and have a quick and, most importantly, strong effect. To prepare infusions use:

cold method - the crushed plant (or collection) is poured with cold boiled water, infused for 5 - 8 hours, after which the mixture is filtered through gauze,
hot way– the crushed plant (or collection) is poured with boiling water and placed on the fire for 20 minutes, it is important not to bring the water to a boil, then the infusion is squeezed out through cheesecloth.

The generally accepted ratio for preparing an infusion is 1 tbsp. dry crushed plant per 250 ml cold water or boiling water.

Decoctions

Decoctions are absorbed by the body somewhat slower than infusions, but they last longer. It should be taken into account that certain substances may evaporate or be destroyed during the boiling process. In addition, decoctions often contain quite a lot of foreign substances that weaken the effect of the main medicinal substances, as a result of which this method of treatment can negatively affect the body.

To prepare a decoction, you need to add water to the crushed plant and bring to a boil, then strain and bring to the desired volume by adding boiled water. Both decoctions and infusions are stored for no more than one to two days.

Tinctures

Tinctures are prepared using alcohol, due to which they have a strong effect, and therefore the medicine should be taken in small doses (no more than 20 drops, and in some cases - no more than two drops, diluted in a few tablespoons of cold boiled water). Plants are infused for mostly 10 days (sometimes several months). The tincture is stored in a sealed glass container. The shelf life is several years, and the medicine does not lose its healing properties.

Powders

Used for both internal and external use. For preparation, dry plants and herbs are used, which are ground in a mortar or crushed using a coffee grinder. The powder is stored in a tightly closed container.

Ointments

Typically used for compresses. The ointment is prepared by grinding fresh or dry plants, which are mixed with an astringent.

Binders:

petrolatum,
lanolin,
unsalted pork lard,
fresh butter or vegetable oil.

Important! Ointment, the astringent of which is animal fat, is a highly perishable product.

Extracts

They are a concentrated dosage form extracted from biologically active substances contained in plant medicinal materials.

Syrups

These are medicinal preparations in the preparation of which concentrated plant juice and sugar are used. The syrup can be diluted with various preservatives that are approved for medical use.

Properties of medicinal plants

The medicinal properties of medicinal plants used in scientific and folk medicine are due to the presence of biologically active substances in them, namely:

Alkaloids

Today, drugs containing alkaloids are one of the most significant places in the control system of many physiological processes observed in the body not only of a sick person, but also of a healthy person.

The most used alkaloids:

The main plants of the alkaloid group:

Glycosides

The most used glycosides:
1. Cardiac glycosides:

digitalis,
lily of the valley,
Adonis.

Due to their high toxicity, cardiac glycosides, widely used in medical practice, are considered poisonous. In addition, they have a steroid structure, which makes them similar in properties to hormones.

2. Anthraglycosides:

buckthorn,
rhubarb,
cassia,
aloe.

This group of low-toxic glycosides has a laxative effect.

3. Saponins.
They have the following effects on the body:

expectorant: roots of istod, roots of cyanosis and primrose,
diuretic: kidney tea herb,
choleretic: St. John's wort.

In addition, saponins:

lower blood pressure,
provoke vomiting,
have a diaphoretic effect.

4. Bitter glycosides:

sagebrush,
gentian,
dandelion,
centaury.

Properties of bitter glycosides:

increase appetite,
enhance gastric peristalsis,
improve food absorption,
I increase the secretion of gastric juice.

5. Flavonoids:

hawthorn,
chokeberry,
liquorice root,
tansy,
buckwheat.

Flavonoids are different:

P-vitamin activity,
bactericidal effect,
choleretic effect,
removal of radioactive substances.

Coumarins and furocoumarins

Coumarins are found predominantly in the following plant families:

umbrella,
legumes,
Rutaceae.

Furocoumarins, which are a group of natural compounds, have the following properties:

vasodilator
antispasmodic,
antitumor,
photosensitizing.

Essential oils

This is a group of fragrant and easily volatile substances that are found mainly in flowers, leaves, and fruits of plants.

The most common essential oils:

Pharmacological properties:

Resins

A thick liquid with a characteristic aroma, which in its own way chemical composition close to essential oils. Resin that does not harden over a long period of time is called balm.

Plants from which resins are obtained:

Resin properties:

bactericidal,
antiputrefactive,
wound healing,
laxative.

Tannins

This group was named for its unique ability to tan leather.

Plants with tanning properties include:

Properties:

astringent,
bactericidal,
anti-inflammatory,
hemostatic,
anti-inflammatory.

Also used for poisoning with alkaloids or salts of heavy metals.

Vitamins

Vitamins play a primary role in the process of metabolism, absorption and use of basic nutrients, which are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. A lack of vitamins leads to disruption of the functioning of organs and systems, as well as to a decrease in performance. It should be noted that the medicinal properties of plants are most often associated with the presence of a whole complex of substances in them.

Taking medicinal plants

When taking herbal medicines, you must follow the rules below.

1. Before taking herbs, you should definitely consult with your doctor, who will select the required dose and develop a regimen for taking the drug.

2. Potent herbal preparations are taken for 7 to 20 days, then a ten-day break is taken, after which the course of treatment is resumed.

3. Preparations of medicinal plants, no different strong effect, it is allowed to take no more than two months.

4. Remember that the dosage indicated in the prescription is intended for use by an adult, therefore, when taking the medicine by children, adolescents and sick people, it is necessary to reduce the dose, following the recommendations of a specialist.

5. In the absence of clear instructions in the prescription regarding use, it is recommended to take the drug half an hour before meals.

6. Strictly observe the duration of use of the medicinal plant, since certain toxic plants can provoke the following reactions:

7. You cannot take medicinal plants without indications, otherwise you can “undermine” the immune system. The body must learn to fight infection on its own. And only if he cannot cope with the problem, you can help him by taking herbal preparations.

8. During the process, the use of medicinal plants is prohibited alcoholic drinks and fatty foods.

9. It is undesirable to take long breaks in treatment, as this may lead to the need to repeat the entire course.

10. Raw materials should be stored in a dry and, most importantly, clean place, and for storage it is necessary to use closed containers into which dust cannot enter. It is also necessary to exclude contact of the medicinal plant with animals, which are often carriers of dangerous diseases.

11. Infusions and decoctions must be prepared daily, as they spoil very quickly, especially in the summer.

12. Plants used for medicinal purposes must undergo careful monitoring. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase them in pharmacies or special medicinal shops.

Important! Sometimes the use of medicinal plants can provoke a deterioration of the condition (especially in the first days of taking the drug, infusion or decoction). You should not be afraid of such manifestations, because in this way the immune mechanism is activated. But if after 3–4 days no improvement is observed, it is better to stop taking the drug or replace it with another (similar).

The benefits of medicinal plants

The benefits of medicinal plants are undeniable:

low toxicity,
possibility of long-term use,
complexity of impact,
no significant side effects,
easy absorption by the human body,
bioavailability,
rare cases of intolerance,
wide range actions,
high degree activity against strains of microorganisms, as well as viruses that have managed to acquire resistance to various synthetic agents during their existence medicines, including antibiotics.

The following conditions are treated with the help of medicinal plants:

chronic diseases,
recurrent diseases,
gastrointestinal pathologies,
pathologies of the urinary tract,
pathologies of the respiratory system,
skin problems,
functional disorders neuroendocrine system.

Herbs are often used in the treatment of chronic diseases in the elderly, children, and pregnant women. It is recommended to take medicinal plants during recovery period coming after surgical operations and severe debilitating diseases.

Harm from medicinal plants

The plant can not only heal, but also harm health, which must be remembered when taking any medicinal plant. Therefore, it is extremely important to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding the dosage, method and time of taking the drug.

Self-medication can provoke poisoning even from non-poisonous plants.

Yes, long-term use sweet clover may provoke:

dizziness,
nausea,
vomiting
migraine,
drowsiness,
liver dysfunction,
disruption of the central nervous system.

St. John's wort long-term use leads to:

narrowing blood vessels,
increased blood pressure.

Nettle cannot be used in the presence of the following conditions:

increased blood clotting,
hypertension,
atherosclerosis,
bleeding.

With long-term use yarrow Dizziness and skin rash may occur.

The following medicinal plants that have an abortifacient effect are contraindicated for pregnant women:

Poisonous medicinal plants

There are quite a large number of poisonous plants, an overdose of which can lead to deterioration of health and even death.

It must be said that the toxic properties of many medicinal plants do not disappear during drying or heat treatment. Many poisons present in plants have no taste or smell, which makes them especially insidious and dangerous.

Particularly poisonous plants, the intake of which must be carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor and in the dose prescribed by him:

Popular medicinal plants

Aloe vera

This plant has truly unique medicinal properties:

moisturizes the skin,
smooths out wrinkles,
eliminates sunburn,
heals cuts and scratches,
relieves inflammation, providing a calming effect,
reduces itching and burning,
relieves swelling.

Burdock

With the help of greater burdock you can get rid of:

In addition, this plant is used to cleanse the blood, as a diuretic and diaphoretic.

Marigold

Modern medicine uses marigolds to treat:

bites,
sprains of varying degrees,
pain in the eyes,
varicose veins veins

A decoction or infusion of marigolds will help cure chronic infection and relieve the fever.

Chamomile

Preparations, the main element of which is chamomile, affect the body as follows:

increase the secretory function of the digestive glands,
stimulate the process of bile secretion,
increase appetite,
relieve spasms localized in organs abdominal cavity,
reduce gas formation in the intestines,
relieve pain
eliminate inflammation,
regulate the menstrual cycle,
relieve itching,
increase sweating.

In addition, chamomile has antimicrobial and antiallergic properties.

Echinacea

This culture has the following properties:

Echinacea is widely used in the treatment of such diseases:

Echinacea is also prescribed after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and also after treatment with antibiotics.

Peppermint

This plant is rich in the following elements:

Vitamin A,
Vitamin C,
manganese

Properties:

reduces symptoms such as “irritable bowel”,
eliminates digestive disorders,
relieves fever
normalizes the digestive process,
fights flatulence,
reduce nausea,
relieves headaches,
reduces inflammation,
dilates the blood vessels of the heart, lungs and brain.

Tea tree

Oil tea tree used in the treatment of the following diseases:

Properties:

antiseptic, bactericidal,
immunomodulatory,
antifungal,
antiviral.

Ginseng

Promotes overall health of the body, which is affected as follows:

Sage

Sage leaves have the following properties:

Sage is indicated for the following disorders:

angina,
Qatar upper respiratory tract,
bronchitis,
pneumonia,
tracheitis,
laryngitis,
inflammation of the mucous membrane oral cavity,
obesity,
articular rheumatism,
arthritis,
menopause

In addition, sage preparations increase blood pressure and also enhance sexual activity and potency.

Calendula

This plant has the following properties:

Calendula is used in the treatment of:

St. John's wort

This plant has the following properties:

St. John's wort is widely used for:

Medicinal plants, widely used in both scientific and folk medicine, are capable of not only treating, but also maintaining the functioning of the body, thereby increasing performance and endurance, improving the quality of human life.