Since ancient times, people have known about the healing power of medicinal plants and in the treatment of patients, they were used everywhere. In Kievan Rus, from the first half of the 11th century, the names of medicinal plants began to be written down in letters and form herbalists. By decree of Peter I, at the beginning of the 18th century, “pharmaceutical gardens” were formed in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Lubny, where the necessary plants were actually grown.

But even today, the popularity of medicinal plants is great and they occupy a significant niche in human life. They help in the treatment of certain diseases, increase efficiency, improve the quality of our lives.

Among the 500,000 plant species known today, only a small part of them are actively used in modern medicine. There is a list of the main medicinal plants and herbs suitable for use in medical practice.

Particularly popular are such medicinal plants as: wild rose, St.

The use of medicinal herbs and plants

Medicinal plants should be used with caution, only after consulting with your doctor. Otherwise, it is realistic to cause irreparable harm to the body, since some plants may turn out to be poisonous, or they may not carry healing properties at all.

Everything is explained by the types of plants and herbs collected, the timing of collection, periods of accumulation of medicinal substances in them, which occurs unevenly. In some species, they are concentrated in the leaves, in others in the buds, stems, flowers and fruits, in others - in the bark or roots. Of particular importance is the time of collection, since the amount of medicinal substances accumulated in them depends on this factor.

Roots, tubers and rhizomes are harvested, as a rule, in early spring or autumn, when the aerial part fades.

Buds of birch, pine, poplar are harvested during their swelling, before the appearance of green leaves.

During the increased spring sap flow, the bark is removed. It was at this time that it is most rich in healing substances and is quite easily separated from the trunk.

The leaves are harvested when the buds are formed and during the flowering period of plants, only in dry weather. Flowers must be plucked with a pedicel, freed before drying from leaves, long peduncles, fruits.

Herbs are harvested exclusively in dry weather, after the dew has fallen. It is impossible to pull out herbs from the soil with a root system, this can lead to clogging of the necessary raw materials.

Fruits and seeds begin to be collected as they fully ripen, juicy fruits and berries are best picked in the morning or evening.

It is necessary to collect medicinal herbs and plants in places that are environmentally friendly. There is a whole science of herbal medicine - very ancient and meaning treatment with medicinal herbs.

With their help, a huge number of different diseases are treated: insomnia, atherosclerosis, bronchitis, eczema, gout, diseases of the stomach and duodenum, rheumatism, pustular inflammation of the skin, hypertension, cardiac and vascular systems, and others.

There is a classification in which a list of medicinal plants is indicated with a brief indication of their use.

To be treated with herbs seems to many at first glance as simple as shelling pears, but still, certain rules should be followed, namely:

• a doctor should prescribe and control the process of treatment with medicinal herbs and plants;
• all medicinal herbs should be purchased exclusively at the pharmacy;
• do not forget to read the instructions, where the therapeutic dose, and possible side effects, and the method of administration are indicated in detail:
• properly stored in optimal conditions for them.

Particular care should be taken when giving medicinal herbs to children. Their fragile body is quite sensitive to the slightest change in dosage.

Of course, our life without the use of medicinal plants and herbs is impossible, but in order not to cause irreparable harm to your body instead of the intended benefit, firstly, do not self-medicate, and secondly, be serious and careful in treatment.

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

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

3. Expectorant and emollient - calamus, budra, larch, dandelion, primrose (primrose) chamomile, hops, yasnotka.

5. Astringents (antidiarrheal) -, blackberry, St. John's wort, golden rod, willow, viburnum (berry juice), nettle, mint, white water lily *, dandelion, (bark), wormwood, *, couch grass, mountain ash.

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

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

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

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

10. Plants for lowering the acidity of gastric juice - barberry (roots), (leaf), volodushka.

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

12. Gallstone and kidney stones -, geranium, strawberry, cranberry, nettle, cloudberry, agrimony, pine, knotweed, yarrow, horsetail, blueberry, dog rose.

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

14. Peptic ulcer of the 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 digestion-improving - calamus, marshmallow, bergenia *, birch, lingonberry, budra.

16. With bronchial asthma - viburnum (juice of berries), coltsfoot, lemon balm, wormwood,.

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

18. Diaphoretic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory - birch, oregano, blackberry, strawberry, St. , string, bird cherry.

19. Diuretic - bergenia *, birch (buds), lingonberry, cedar, clover, cranberry, flaxseed, raspberry, juniper, cloudberry, dandelion, nightshade, primrose, bearberry, succession, celandine *, lamb.

20. Hemostatic medicinal plants - bergenia *, barberry, blackberry, St.

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

22. For rheumatism, gout and sciatica - 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, succession, blueberries.

23. Against burns - burnet, meadowsweet, sea buckthorn (oil from berries), wild rose (oil from fruits).

24. Anti-alcohol - hoof *.

25. for eye diseases - chamomile, bird cherry, blueberries.

26. Wound-healing and antiseptic - bergenia *, birch (tar), raven 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*, wild rose, yasnotka.

27. Antihemorrhoid medicinal herbs and plants - barberry, stellate, St.

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

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

1) Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)

Perennial herbaceous plant with a very developed rhizome. It grows like a weed in fields, especially on clay soils, in meadows, along river banks, in sparse forests.

Collect the aerial part - green summer shoots - 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.

Collect leaves at the beginning of flowering, when they contain the greatest amount of vitamins, and immediately dry. The roots are dug up in autumn or early spring, dried in the attic or in the open air.

Tinctures from the leaves are used for beriberi, a decoction of the roots - as an expectorant.

3) Common hop (Humusuls lupulus L.)

Perennial herbaceous vine. It grows in damp places, along the banks of rivers, on the edges, among shrubs, sometimes in forests.

Harvest inflorescences ("cones") of hops in August - early September. Dry immediately - in the air or in attics. The infusion is used for neurosis, insomnia, gastritis, cystitis.

4) Lovage medicinal (Levisticum officinale Koch)

It also refers to perennial herbaceous plants with a straight cylindrical branched stem up to 2 m high. It grows mainly in Ukraine, cultivated as a medicinal, ornamental and spicy plant.

All parts of the plant smell good. Collected in September-October. The decoction is used for dropsy, nervous and heart diseases.

5) Common Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill)

Basically a biennial, sometimes perennial herbaceous plant, up to 2 m high. Distributed in the Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia, cultivated in Ukraine; runs wild in the 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 aid. It is used in the 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 harvested in autumn (September - October), shaking them from the bush onto the litter.

Air dry or in attics. The drugs are used as a diuretic. Used in the food industry.

7) Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.)

Grows among bushes, on edges, in lowlands and 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 harvested 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 the leaves is used as a hemostatic agent.

8) Common Heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill)

Evergreen, branched shrub, 30-70 cm high. It grows on poor soils, in forests, damp places, in the mountains, on the edges, mountain pastures. Found in Russia and Ukraine.

Collect the aerial part (grass) 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 medicinal (Archangelica officinalis (Moench.) Hoffm.)

It is a herbaceous biennial plant up to 2 m high. Grows in marshes, along river banks. Cultivated as a medicinal and spice plant.

Collect the root 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. Grow in weedy places. Distributed in forest-steppe and steppe regions.

Harvest motherwort herb (tops of stems) during flowering. Dry in attics. The drugs are used as a cardiac sedative.

11) European hoof (Asarum europaeum L.)

A perennial herbaceous plant, overwintering with green leaves resembling the print of a horse's hoof. Grows in deciduous and mixed forests.

The rhizome (with roots) and leaves are harvested in spring (April - May). An infusion of herbs is used for cardiovascular diseases to normalize blood circulation.
12) White mistletoe (Viscum album L.) (damn pomelo)

Collect leaves and annual shoots in autumn and winter. Dry indoors or in an oven at a low temperature. The drugs are used as a means of lowering blood pressure (for atherosclerosis with high blood pressure and related phenomena).

13) Purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)

Biennial plants with stem height up to 1.2 meters. Leaves are collected from plants of the second year of life, sometimes 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 the activity of the heart and blood vessels, in chronic insufficiency and other heart diseases.

14) Ephedra two-spike, conifer (Ephedra distachya L.) (ephedra, Kuzmicheva grass)

Shrub with yellow-greenish finely ribbed branches. Outwardly similar to horsetail. It grows on rocky places, sands, especially on seaside and steppe slopes. Ephedra is widespread in the forest-steppe and steppe parts of Ukraine.

Collect thin branches, called "grass", in August-September. Dry indoors or in the air. The drugs are used as tonic nervous and cardiovascular systems, with bronchial asthma, shock, bleeding.

15) Ruta odorous (Ruta hortensis Mill.)

Perennial shrub with a very strong smell. Lives in the wild in the Crimea.

Only the upper parts of the stems are harvested from the rue during flowering. Drying is done in the shade or in attics. The drugs are used as a stimulant, antiseptic, antispasmodic.

On this I have all the guys, the first selection is completed.

As mentioned, this is only a mini idea of ​​​​medicinal herbs. Posts are being prepared that will tell you the useful and medicinal properties of each plant, how to use it, in what doses and for what diseases.

See you in new posts. Good luck, happiness and health to you.

We know that herbal and animal medicines are closer in nature to the human body than synthetic drugs, their action is milder, they rarely give side reactions. This is why herbal medicines and natural products have always been so popular.

Each plant has special properties that affect the human body in different ways. The world of medicinal plants is a kind of living laboratory that synthesizes and releases substances that have the ability to restore a person's energy, strengthen his physical health, nervous system and psyche.

The state of health and the quality of our life depends on how reasonably and correctly we use the healing substances contained in plants and the power of the sun, the properties of medicinal plants.

Agree, people and diseases have always walked side by side, but humanity has survived. This means that there is a system of healing the body, which can get rid of diseases, restore health. And this system is folk medicine, which has been known since ancient times, tested by many years of medical practice. The kingdom of plants is an inexhaustible source from which, even in ancient times, people drew a precious balm from all sorts of diseases.

Many different plants grow on Earth, in which roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits are able to have a therapeutic effect on the human body and animals. They can be found everywhere: in forests, steppes, swamps, mountains, gardens and orchards.

The properties of different types of plants are due to the presence of natural chemicals in them: alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, vitamins, minerals, organic acids, bitterness, essential oils, tannins. Depending on the presence of these substances, herbal remedies can exhibit tonic, soothing, analgesic, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and other actions.

Medicinal plants and their uses

Man in the nature around him has always been interested in medicinal plants and their use. The first mention of herbal treatment - herbal medicine - appeared in China around 2500 BC.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Indians and Aztecs 1000 B.C. e. already knew about the properties of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants were used for their pharmacological properties - many tonic, laxative, soothing plants were known, which are used by man in our time.

The site "Journey to the World of Nature" in the heading describes a variety of folk and modern scientific medicine, in our daily life to restore energy, improve health, improve the quality of human life.

Watch an interesting video about the healing properties of herbs - a story about the power of nature by a famous monastery herbalist:

So let's draw health from the plant kingdom - an inexhaustible source of life!

Medicinal plants are herbs, any parts of which (leaves, root, rhizome, flowers) are used in folk medicine for the preparation of various potions.

Types of medicinal plants

In medicine, medicinal plants are classified into the following types:

• Official. Plants that are allowed at the state level. Their types are listed in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation.
• Medicinal plants in folk medicine. The largest category. The species included in it are little described, but are widely used among the people. Plants in this category have not been tested in modern pharmacology, but are distributed in countries where medicine is not available.
• Pharmacopoeia. Plants included in the official category. Requirements for their quality are described in the article of the State Pharmacopoeia.

Medicinal plants are also divided into:

• herbaceous - chamomile, chicory, St. John's wort, calamus, cowberry and others;
• shrubs and shrubs - wild rose, lilac, hawthorn, sophora, barberry, viburnum, juniper;
• creepers - grapes, hops, ivy, Caucasian Dioscorea;
• trees - birch, linden, elder, willow, eucalyptus, almond.

The use of medicinal plants

Medicinal plants have been used by the people since ancient times. The main scope of their application is the manufacture of medicines for external and internal use.

From medicinal plants are made:

• infusions;
• decoctions;
• extracts;
• dried herb powder;
• ointments;
• lotions.

For the preparation of medicines in medicine and among the people, all parts of plants are used:

• flowers;
• leaves;
• fruit;
• roots;
• rhizomes;
• seeds;
• bark;
• kidneys.

Medicinal plants are excellent for the treatment of many diseases. But most often they are used as an adjuvant therapy with the parallel use of medications.

For eyes

To improve vision, blueberries, cranberries, and cloudberries are used. Fruits also have a positive effect on the eyes, and.

Eye treatment with medicinal plants should be agreed with the attending physician. They do not treat diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and serious infections.

For the treatment of colds

Various medicinal plants are used to treat colds. With the first symptoms of a cold will help to cope:

• St. John's wort;
• chamomile;
• sage;
• yarrow;
• linden flowers;
• raspberry;
• strawberry;
• dandelion;
• horseradish.

Decoctions, teas, tinctures, fruit drinks are made from plants. Herbs are used for inhalation and as a solution for gargling.

The most effective anti-cold remedy is. It has an anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effect on the human body.

For the treatment of nasal congestion is used, and. Complex drops are made from them and instilled into the nose.

To cure pneumonia, a decoction of elecampane and St. John's wort is prepared. Bronchitis is treated with black elderberry and oats.

For the treatment of women's diseases

Medicinal plants are widely used in gynecology. For the treatment of uterine bleeding, yarrow and nettle leaves are used.

Shepherd's purse tea is an excellent remedy for menstrual problems. If a woman has inflammation, the following herbs help to treat it:

• chamomile flowers;
• plantain leaves;
• yarrow herb;
• St. John's wort;
• bergenia root;
• horsetail

To make the female menopause less painful, gynecologists recommend using decoctions from medicinal plants such as birch, mint, yarrow, buckthorn, viburnum.

Viburnum bark is used for menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menstruation).

For men

Medicinal herbs have a beneficial effect on men. For the treatment of male infertility, they use: centaury, garcinia cambogia, blueberry leaves, mulberries, birch leaves, lingonberries, bearberry, horsetail, milk thistle, sage, calendula, wild rose, tricolor violet, wild rose.

Dandelion and nettle leaves contribute to the production of male testosterone. Adding ginger to coffee or other drinks and dishes gives a man strength, vigor, self-confidence and tones the muscles.

For vessels and heart

For the treatment of hypertension, chokeberry, medicinal valerian, sweet clover, marsh cranberry, five-lobed motherwort, stamen orthosiphon, common mountain ash and horse sorrel are used.

Marsh cudweed dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and calms the nervous system.

Coronary heart disease is treated with apricot, fluffy birch, hawthorn, wild strawberry, wild garlic and Chinese magnolia vine.

Ordinary corn is used for atherosclerosis. Corn columns with stigmas normalize the metabolism in the body, and reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood.

For kidney and urinary problems

Medicinal plants effectively cope with kidney diseases and urinary system problems. To cleanse the kidneys, it is recommended to consume flax, shepherd's bags, bearberry, elderberry and tricolor violet. The listed herbs have a diuretic effect, but unlike medicines, they do not wash out calcium from the human body.

For the treatment of renal inflammation, bearberry, yarrow, birch buds are used. To get rid of edema due to improper functioning of the kidneys, you should drink an infusion of oats.

If a person suffers from a disease such as cystitis, baths from such medicinal plants will help him: birch, currant, eucalyptus leaves, sage grass, sweet clover, chamomile and calendula flowers.

To dissolve stones in the urinary organs, infusions of carrot seeds, lingonberries, strawberry leaves and parsley should be used.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

For the treatment of problems associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, you should choose the right medicinal plant. Some herbs can help with a certain disease, while others can harm.

If the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines suffers, the treatment will help:

• sea ​​buckthorn fruits;
• rice grains;
• oat flakes;
• althea root.

Plants envelop the walls of the stomach and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the work of the digestive tract.

Medicinal plants such as snake knotweed root, tea leaves and birch buds will help to cope with diarrhea. They create a protective film and prevent the penetration of chemically active substances and microorganisms.

Sea buckthorn oil and pectin do an excellent job with ulcers and erosive diseases of the gastric mucosa. If a person has constipation or flatulence, then medicinal plants that have an astringent effect will not work. Anise fruits, dill and fennel seeds and hay leaves have an effective effect in this case.

To cure hemorrhoids, the following medicinal plants are used:

• leaves and strings;
• flowers, calendula and chamomile.

A properly selected collection of medicinal plants will help cure diarrhea, intestinal infection and other gastrointestinal diseases at the first symptoms.

Outdoor use

There are a number of medicinal herbs that are used only externally. For example, . For external use, calendula leaves and flowers are suitable. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote the healing of wounds on the hands and feet.

Such a medicinal plant as fireweed is a hemostatic agent for the human body. It also has soothing properties and promotes faster healing of wounds.

Celandine is used to make lotions as a cure for rashes, lichen, acne, diathesis, purulent wounds and ulcers.

The crushed leaves of the plant are applied to infected wounds.

Since childhood, each of us has known such a medicinal plant as plantain. Its leaves are applied to wounds. They have a hemostatic effect, wound healing and anti-inflammatory action.

Nervous and mental problems

For the treatment of neurosis, chamomile roots and flowers, transverse mint leaves, fragrant dill, and nettle are used. Pharmacy chamomile helps a person cope with mental problems.

Medicinal plants have a calming effect on the human nervous system, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory effect, relieve increased irritability.

Nerves are treated with prickly hawthorn, black elderberry, motherwort, oregano, stork and fragrant dill.

Contraindications to the use of medicinal herbs

Despite the effectiveness of herbal treatments, they should be used with caution. A plant such as celandine should not be consumed orally in large quantities. Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing problems.

The correct dosage should be observed when using the drug collection, which contains spring adonis. This is a poisonous plant.

If a person has increased secretion of the stomach, it is not recommended to use the roots of common calamus. Aloe does not apply in the presence of open wounds, uterine bleeding, cystitis, during pregnancy.

In the presence of serious diseases, the use of medicinal plants should be agreed with the doctor!