Our site 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 do not help them?
Unfortunately, many people do not know at all how to use medicinal herbs correctly - at what time of the year to collect them, how to store them, how to prepare the necessary preparations from them, and according to what scheme to be treated. Must know exact dosage and contraindications, since not all plants are safe for health - if used incorrectly, they can become not a medicine, but a poison.
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 the 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 medical treatment with herbs?
People are attracted to many qualities of medicinal plants. Indeed, unlike antibiotics, they do not cause allergic diseases and drug complications. However, they should not be opposed to drug treatment either - only a doctor can determine the necessary balance in taking 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 influence on various bodies. The experience accumulated over many centuries in the use of medicinal plants often allows for prevention and treatment. various diseases more “sparing” means than traditional drug (or, even more so, surgical) treatment. However, and official medicine by no means neglects the rich possibilities of medicinal plants: in fact, active ingredients majority pharmacological preparations – 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. Distinguish between simple and complex proteins.
Vitamins - organic matter synthesized mainly by plants. More than 20 vitamins are known, divided into two large kind- Water soluble and fat soluble.
Lipids are fats and fatty substances. Distinguish between simple and complex. Lipids serve as a source of energy in the body. From plants, a person receives unsaturated fatty acids that regulate fat metabolism and participate in the removal of cholesterol from the body.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds found mainly in plants. Carbohydrates include cellulose (fiber), starch, inulin, mucus, gums, pectins. Carbohydrates are very important for a person and are one of the main components of his nutrition. 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 organism. They play one of the main roles in metabolic processes.
Alkaloids are organic compounds containing nitrogen. Some alkaloids are poisons.
Glycosides are organic compounds widely found in plants that promote the transport and storage of various substances. Glycosides of some plants are used to treat heart disease.
Bitters are natural compounds also called isoprenoids. Composed of terpenes, terpenoids and steroids. In the human body, they are needed to enhance the choleretic function.
Tannins- natural compounds with astringent taste; in the composition of drugs exhibit astringent and bactericidal properties.
Steroids are organic compounds. Steroids include sterols, bile acids, D vitamins, sex hormones, adrenal hormones (corticosteroids). They are part of steroid glycosides used to treat heart disease.
Phenolic substances are a class of secondary compounds with different biological activity such as aromatic.
Phytoncides are products of secondary biosynthesis carried out by higher plants. Plants are isolated into environment esters, alcohols, terpenes, phenols. Phytoncides have a detrimental effect on pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, bacilli).
Flavonoids are compounds derived from flavones and flavones.
Why is it better to use decoctions and infusions of whole fees?
It is no coincidence that the 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 - perhaps not medicinal. That is why recipes traditional medicine built mainly on medicinal collections and mixtures.
Collect medicinal plants yourself or is it better to buy?
Self-harvesting of medicinal herbs is a difficult and troublesome business, requiring deep knowledge about where, at what time and how to collect each specific plant. The 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 of its 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 exactly which parts of the plants you will need - different parts are collected on different stages plant development.
In pharmacies, you can buy a variety of medicinal herbs and their fees. It is certainly easier and more convenient than collecting on your own, besides, many plants recommended for the treatment of certain diseases simply cannot be collected by ourselves - they are quite rare or not found in our area at all. On the other hand, self-harvesting is good for those who need to be absolutely sure that they will receive exactly the herbs they need as a result, and will have complete control over the entire process of collecting, preparing and preparing their medicine.
What is the harvest time for medicinal herbs?
In different periods of growth and development of a medicinal plant, the amount of active principles contained in it is not the same. Therefore, the time of collecting medicinal plants should be timed to coincide with the moment the most content in them these active principles.
Herbs should be collected certain deadlines and time. And herbalists clearly know these periods. So, Russian healers believed that the herbs collected for Ivan Kupala or Agrafena Kupalnitsa (on the night of July 6 and 7) had a special power. At the same time, some of them are able to heal people, protect them from the evil eye, damage and from the unclean, while others can harm people and send diseases. Today we understand that in the first case we are talking 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 grass or digging a root, the tradition prescribed to read a conspiracy (persuade, beg the grass to bring good and help a person, and also not be angry for taking her life).
When is the best time to pick herbs?
It is necessary to collect 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.
What parts of the plant are the most beneficial?
It is known that medicinal substances accumulate in a plant during a certain period of its development, and in its various parts, therefore, at a specific time, only those parts (leaves, flowers and inflorescences, fruits and seeds, roots and rhizomes) are collected, which in this moment contain the largest number useful substances. Their content in plants varies even during the day.
When is the best time to collect leaves?
The leaves are harvested during the period of bud ripening and flowering of plants, and only the lower leaves are selected so as not to disturb the flowering and fruiting process.
When is the best time to collect flowers and inflorescences?
Flowers and inflorescences are harvested at the beginning of flowering, when they contain the most nutrients and crumble less during storage.
When is the best time to collect herbs?
Herbs are harvested at the beginning of flowering, and in some cases - and in full bloom. With a knife (secateurs), the tops of the plant are cut off 15–30 cm long, without coarse 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 medicinal substances ripe fruits and seeds, but if they are overripe, they should not be taken. The stalks are separated immediately after harvest, and in the fruits of mountain ash, cumin 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 when the aerial parts die off (late summer - autumn).
All harvested parts of plants are collected in daytime(from 8-9 to 16-17 hours) and in dry weather. Raw materials are immediately put into bags or other suitable containers, but they are 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 annular incisions at some distance from each other, and then an incision along the trunk, from one ring to the other. Then the bark is peeled off, applying force from top to bottom.
In oak, the bark is removed only from the branches!
What rules must be observed when collecting and harvesting medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants should be collected only in ecologically clean areas: in no case in the city and not in others settlements, 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 for plants to pull them out whole - carefully collect only those parts that you need. When using the help of nature, do not forget to take care of its future: if you are picking flowers, always leave a few plants intact so that next year new plants appeared. Tubers, roots and bulbs can be dug out of the ground only after the seeds have ripened and crumbled.
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, pathogens will quickly start in them, and decomposition processes will begin).
How to dry medicinal plants?
The main task that must be solved when drying medicinal plants is to stop the destructive activity of enzymes (“fermentation”), that is, to protect the active principles contained in plants from changing them to long time. Plants should be dried carefully, in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sun rays.
When dried, a significant part of the water evaporates from the plants, and therefore the plants lose approximately as much in weight: grass - 70%, leaves - 80%, flowers - 75%, roots - 65%, bark - 45%.
At what temperature should medicinal plants be dried?
It depends on the characteristics of the plant: those that contain essential oils can be dried at a temperature not exceeding 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 an 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 with proper observance of the collection and harvesting technology, these losses are minimized. But gradually, over time, the active properties of 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?
In order to preserve well-dried material, both storage space and packaging are of great importance. Do not store plants in a damp room and uncovered. The prepared material absorbs moisture, as a result of which it collapses, changes in color and acquires a musty smell 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 and accessible for regular inspections. That is why a barn or basement cannot be used as a pantry for medicinal plants. It is better to store them in an unheated room at the living quarters.
Freshly harvested 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.
Do not store plants in plastic packaging, as essential oils react with plastic, forming compounds hazardous to health.
How to use medicinal plants correctly?
Medicinal herbs are used both internally and externally. Inside, they take juices squeezed from plants, decoctions, napar, infusions, tinctures, extracts from roots, bark, seeds and fruits, powders from dried parts of plants. Outwardly Healing herbs used in the form of baths, enemas, wrappings in a sheet soaked in a decoction of medicinal plants, in the form of lotions, poultices, compresses, applying plant parts and paste from them to sore spots, etc.
The most common dose for the use of medicinal herbs inside is 1 tbsp. a spoon "with a top" of a finely cut plant or mixture in a glass of boiling water or 4 tbsp. spoons with a "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, juice is prepared in the following way. The plant is washed, finely cut and placed, without stuffing tightly, in a glass jar. Pour in boiled water and leave overnight. In the morning, filter through cheesecloth, squeeze out the remainder. Juices are best drunk freshly prepared.
How to make a drug collection?
A collection is a mixture of several types of medicinal herbs. Typically, a collection includes 10 components or more. They are composed of plants that mainly enhance or support each other's action. Be aware that some plants are incompatible because they medicinal properties mutually neutralize (for example, large celandine and goose cinquefoil). From the fees, you can prepare infusions, decoctions not only for oral administration, but also for lotions, rinses, douches, microclysters, baths and poultices.
How important is it to follow the indicated dosage when treating with herbs?
Strict adherence to dosage when preparing and taking drugs from medicinal plants - indispensable condition treatment effectiveness.
On the packaging of medicinal herbs sold in pharmacies, the method of preparation, single and daily dose reception. At home, in the absence of pharmacy scales, medicinal herbs are usually dosed with spoons. The average dose for the preparation of infusions and decoctions when taken orally is 2 tbsp. tablespoons of dry grass 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 a glass: a teaspoon holds about 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). For the preparation of infusions, mainly water is used. Infusions can be prepared both hot and cold.
In the hot method, the crushed feedstock is poured into a bowl and poured with boiling water, usually in a ratio of 1: 10 (1 part of a plant to 10 parts of 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 in a hot way is a water bath: right amount medicinal raw materials are poured with water at room temperature (about 18 ° C) in porcelain, glass or enameled dishes, which are placed in another container, bigger size, with boiling water (in a boiling "water bath") and heated in it with frequent stirring for 15 minutes, then cooled for 45 minutes and filtered.
In a cold way, infusions are prepared as follows: raw materials are poured necessary quantity cold boiled water and insist from 4 to 12 hours, and then filtered.
How to prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs?
Decoctions are used to extract active principles from roots and rhizomes, bark, wood, coarse leaves, dry fruits. These parts of the plant require a fairly long heat treatment, since they have a dense structure. To prepare a decoction, 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, after which it is filtered and squeezed in gauze. The decoction is diluted with boiled water to the desired volume.
It is important to observe the following rule: herbal decoctions in no case should they be cooked in aluminum or other metal utensils to avoid an undesirable reaction 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 a tincture, 5 parts of vodka or alcohol are added to 1 part of the crushed raw materials, after thorough mixing, the mixture is placed in a dry, cool place, protected from light (it is advisable to prepare the tincture in a dark glass container). Depending on the purpose of the tincture, the period of its infusion can vary 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 for 20 g of raw materials, take 100 ml of alcohol and get a 20% tincture. Ready tinctures are stored in tightly stoppered bottles.
How to prepare napar from medicinal herbs?
To prepare steam, medicinal herbs are poured with boiling water and steamed (simmered) in a cooling oven for the whole night. In the morning, the steam is filtered through gauze, after which it is ready for use. For the preparation of steams, the least coarse parts of plants are used, i.e. leaves, flowers, grass, fruits.
How to prepare herbal powder?
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 powdering wounds, ulcers and preparing ointments.
How to prepare an ointment from medicinal herbs?
Ointments are medicines which are used for outdoor use. They are prepared by mixing plant powders with an ointment base; 4 parts of the base are taken for 1 part of the plant. As an ointment base, you can use pork or interior fat(lard), unsalted butter or any vegetable oil, petroleum jelly (preferably - yellow color). Powder, tincture or Fresh Juice plants. You can make ointments different concentration: 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 on the basis of vegetable oil or mineral fats, have more long term storage than ointments on pork fat, but the latter are superior in quality.
How to do medicinal herbal baths?
Baths are prepared as follows. Pour 40–60 g of grass with 2–5 liters of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes or boil for 10 minutes on low heat, filter and pour into a bath filled with water (water temperature is 36–40 ° C). To prevent the formation of steam in the room, first pour cold, and then hot water. Take a bath for 10-15 minutes, you must first rinse in the shower.
Important! During the procedure, the heart area should be above water.
The usual course of treatment with herbal baths: 2-3 times a week for 15 days.
How to brew medicinal herbs bought 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 a simple infusion of herbs.
It is most reasonable to prepare infusions in the evening, so that in the morning you can take the medicine. It is very convenient to use a glass teapot with a piston for “brewing” herbs. In the evening, put the amount of herb indicated on the package into it, pour boiling water over it, and in the morning you will get 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. Therefore, the permissible shelf life of the broth is small: a day at room temperature, two days in the refrigerator.
Do dosages of medicinal herbs differ for children and adults?
When using medicinal plants, it should be borne in mind that the doses of the drug for an adult, a teenager and a child are not the same. When choosing the right dosage for a child or teenager, you can focus on the following recommendations:
Adults 1 dose
7 to 14 years 1/2 dose
4 to 7 years 1/3 dose
3 to 4 years 1/6-1/4 dose
1 to 2 years 1/8-1/6 dose
up to 1 year 1/12-1/8 dose
It is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and take into account the characteristics of your body. Buying herbal preparations at the pharmacy, always pay attention to notices about contraindications to the use of herbs.
Calendula (marigold) is a flower that stands out among others with its bright color. Low bushes with delicate orange inflorescences can be found on the side of the road, in the meadow, in the front garden next to the house, or even in vegetable beds. Calendula is so widespread in our area that it seems that it has always grown here. Read about interesting decorative varieties of calendula, as well as the use of calendula in cooking and medicine in our article.
I think many will agree that the wind is well perceived by us only in a romantic aspect: we are sitting in a cozy warm house, and the wind is raging outside the window ... In fact, the wind walking through our sites is a problem and there is nothing good in it. By creating windbreaks with plants, we break a strong wind into several weak streams and significantly weaken its destructive power. How to protect the site from the wind, will be discussed in this article.
Modern ferns are those rare plants of antiquity, which, despite the passage of time and all sorts of cataclysms, not only survived, but in many respects were able to maintain their former appearance. In a room format, of course, it is not possible to grow any of the representatives of ferns, but some species have successfully adapted to living indoors. They look great as single plants or adorn a group of decorative foliage flowers.
Pilaf with pumpkin and meat is an Azerbaijani plov, which differs from the traditional oriental plov in the way of cooking. All ingredients for this recipe are cooked separately. Rice is boiled with ghee, saffron and turmeric. The meat is fried separately until golden brown, pumpkin slices as well. Separately, prepare onions with carrots. Then everything is laid in layers in a cauldron or a thick-walled pan, a little water or broth is poured in and simmered over low heat for about half an hour.
Basil is a wonderful all-purpose seasoning for meat, fish, soups and fresh salads- well known to all lovers of Caucasian and Italian cuisine. However, upon closer inspection, basil greens are surprisingly versatile. For several seasons now, our family has been drinking fragrant basil tea with pleasure. In a flower bed with perennials and in flowerpots with annual flowers, a bright spicy plant also found a worthy place.
Thuja or juniper - which is better? Such a question can sometimes be heard in garden centers and in the market where these plants are sold. He, of course, is not entirely correct and correct. Well, it's like asking which is better - night or day? Coffee or tea? Woman or man? Surely everyone will have their own answer and opinion. And yet ... But what if we approach without prejudice and try to compare juniper and thuja according to certain objective parameters? Let's try.
Red Cauliflower Cream Soup with Crispy Smoked Bacon is a delicious, tender and creamy soup that adults and children will love. If you are preparing a dish for the whole family, including toddlers, then do not add a lot of spices, although many modern children are not at all against spicy flavors. Bacon for serving can be prepared in different ways - fry in a pan, as in this recipe, or bake in the oven on parchment for about 20 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees.
For some, the time of sowing seeds for seedlings is a long-awaited and pleasant chore, for some it is a difficult necessity, and someone thinks about whether it is easier to buy ready-made seedlings on the market or from friends? Whatever it was, even if you refused to grow vegetables, for sure, you still have to sow something. These are flowers, and perennials, conifers and much more. A seedling is still a seedling, no matter what you plant.
A lover of humid air and one of the most compact and rare orchids, pafinia is a real star for most orchid growers. Its flowering rarely lasts longer than a week, but it is an unforgettable sight. Unusual striped patterns on the huge flowers of a modest orchid want to be considered endlessly. In room culture, pafinia is rightly credited to the ranks of species that are difficult to grow. It became fashionable only with the spread of interior terrariums.
Pumpkin marmalade with ginger is a warming sweet that can be cooked almost all year round. Pumpkin has a long shelf life - sometimes I manage to save a few vegetables until summer, fresh ginger and lemons are always available these days. Lemon can be substituted for lime or orange for a variety of flavors - variety in sweets is always nice. Ready marmalade is laid out in dry jars, it can be stored at room temperature, but it is always more useful to prepare fresh products.
In 2014, the Japanese company Takii seed introduced a petunia with amazing Petal color is salmon-orange. By association with the bright colors of the southern sunset sky, the unique hybrid was named African Sunset (“African Sunset”). Needless to say, this petunia instantly won the hearts of gardeners and was in great demand. But in the last two years, the curiosity has suddenly disappeared from shop windows. Where did the orange petunia go?
In our family Bell pepper love, so we plant it every year. Most of the varieties that I grow have been tested by me for more than one season, I cultivate them all the time. And every year I try to try something new. Pepper is a heat-loving and rather whimsical plant. About varietal and hybrid varieties of tasty and productive sweet pepper, which grows well with me, and will be discussed further. I live in middle lane Russia.
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Lush cheesecakes in a pan with banana-apple confiture is another recipe for everyone's favorite dish. So that cheesecakes do not fall off after cooking, remember a few simple rules. Firstly, only fresh and dry cottage cheese, secondly, no baking powder and soda, and thirdly, the density of the dough - you can sculpt from it, it is not tight, but pliable. good dough with a small amount of flour will only come out of good cottage cheese, and here again see the paragraph "firstly".
What medicinal plants have useful properties, this is an axiom - otherwise these herbs would not be called medicinal. However, few people know exactly what properties medicinal plants have - for which diseases their use is recommended, and for which, on the contrary, the use of medicinal herbs is strictly prohibited. To understand this issue, read this material.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of medicinal herbs and plants
In this section of the article, you will learn about the properties and use of such medicinal plants as marshmallow, immortelle, valerian, elecampane and oregano:
Marshmallow officinalis . The roots have an expectorant, softening, enveloping, analgesic effect, reduce irritation of the skin and mucous membranes during inflammatory and ulcerative processes.
Contraindication of this medicinal plant is pregnancy, in infancy- constipation,.
Sandy immortelle. It has analgesic, hemostatic, blood-purifying, choleretic, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, antimicrobial, antihelminthic action. Also, this medicinal plant has the ability to increase blood pressure.
The plant has low toxicity, however, the dosage should be strictly observed. Contraindicated in cholestasis.
Valerian officinalis. It reduces the excitability of the nervous system, dilates the vessels of the heart, normalizes sleep, relieves spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, has anticonvulsant activity, antihelminthic and carminative properties. Overdose can cause nausea, heart failure, headache, drowsiness.
Contraindicated in patients with increased blood clotting, chronic enterocolitis.
Elecampane is high. Regulates the secretory function of the stomach and intestines, stimulates the metabolism in the body, has a calming, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, choleretic, expectorant, diaphoretic and antihelminthic properties.
Caution should be exercised in the use of elecampane in kidney disease, it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Oregano ordinary. The medicinal properties of this medicinal plant are to stimulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate appetite, relieve spasms of the stomach and intestines.
Helps with: headache, nausea, vomiting, in women regulates menstrual cycle, indicated for insomnia, epilepsy, rickets, diathesis,.
Contraindicated in pregnant women.
Healing properties of medicinal plants and their benefits to humans
Here are the properties of such medicinal plants and herbs as ginseng, St. John's wort and calendula:
Ginseng ordinary. Restores strength after illness, promotes longevity. Due to its properties, the use of this medicinal herb is indicated for normalizing blood pressure. Ginseng effectively helps digestion, stimulates cardiac activity, hematopoiesis, increases the function of the sex glands. But it should be remembered that in case of an overdose, headaches, insomnia, and an increase in blood pressure are possible.
Contraindicated in pregnancy, hyperexcitability and bleeding, inflammatory diseases.
St. John's wort . Healing properties of this medicinal plant help with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, Bladder, . Has a calming effect on nervous system, has a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, analgesic, wound healing, urinary and choleretic properties. The plant is slightly poisonous.
Contraindicated in pregnancy, children under 12 years of age, with phototherapy.
Calendula officinalis. Used as an expectorant, diaphoretic, urinary and cholagogue. The benefit of this medicinal plant is that it calms the central nervous system, regulates cardiac activity, and lowers blood pressure. It has anti-inflammatory, astringent, bactericidal, wound healing, blood pressure lowering properties.
Medicinal herbs: useful properties and contraindications
And what are the medicinal properties and contraindications of such herbs as nettle, burdock, coltsfoot and lungwort?
Stinging nettle . It has a tonic, vitaminizing, stimulating, hemostatic, wound healing, analgesic, diuretic and laxative properties. The medicinal properties of this medicinal herb are that it enhances metabolism, improves blood composition, removes excess sugar from the body, and reduces allergic reactions.
Contraindicated in pregnancy increased risk thrombosis, serious illnesses kidney and violation.
Burdock . Apply when nephrolithiasis, gout, rheumatism. It has strengthening, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying, antibacterial, urinary, diaphoretic properties, stimulates the production breast milk. The use of this medicinal plant for humans is great in the treatment of skin diseases - acne, rashes, lichen, eczema, boils,.
Contraindicated in pregnancy and intestinal colic.
Common coltsfoot . It has anti-inflammatory, stimulating, enveloping, expectorant, softening, disinfecting properties. Prescribed for catarrh of the stomach, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, colds, tuberculosis, arterial hypertension, cough, choking, dropsy, scrofula and.
Contraindicated in pregnancy, liver disease, children under 2 years.
Lungwort officinalis . It has anti-inflammatory, softening, expectorant, antiseptic, hemostatic and wound healing properties. The properties of this medicinal herb are used for diseases of the stomach, intestines, kidneys, respiratory organs, women's diseases, scrofula and hemorrhoids.
Contraindicated in pregnancy, increased blood clotting.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of herbs (with photo)
Below are photos of medicinal herbs and describe the properties of medicinal plants such as lemon balm, mint, dandelion, plantain, wormwood and motherwort:
Melissa officinalis. Regulates the activity of the heart, calms the nervous system, stimulates appetite, enhances the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, suppresses nausea and vomiting. The beneficial properties of this medicinal herb are that it has a sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, laxative and diaphoretic effect. Reduces blood pressure.
Contraindicated if needed increased concentration attention.
Peppermint . It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, expectorant and choleretic properties. The healing properties of this medicinal herb are used to stimulate appetite, stimulate secretory function gastrointestinal tract. It is not recommended to use it when, in large quantities, it contributes to the deterioration of sleep, reduces the secretion of breast milk.
Herbal treatment. tableContraindicated in pregnancy and increased heart rate.
Yarrow . It has a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal,. Reduces blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscles, enhances uterine contractions, stimulates the production of breast milk.
Three-part series . It has hemostatic, antiallergic, wound healing, antiseptic, sweating and diuretic properties. It is used to improve digestion, in case of metabolic disorders, it is effective for colds, coughs, as well as gout, rickets,. Outwardly, the series is used for diathesis, for the treatment of psoriasis, scrofula, and various skin diseases.
Contraindicated in children under 3 years of age and in the second half of pregnancy.
Salvia officinalis . It has hemostatic, soothing, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antimicrobial properties. Reduces sweating and milk production in nursing mothers. Externally used for hair loss. Not recommended for acute nephritis, pregnancy, inflammation of the kidneys and a strong cough.
Attention! When using the medicinal properties of plants and herbs, always pay attention to contraindications to their use.
Herbal treatment
Herbal treatment has now become very popular, traditional medicine recommends a huge number of recipes for herbal treatment of various diseases. I present to your attention information about the use of certain medicinal plants for the treatment of specific diseases.
Herbal treatment. Application for various diseases
| Diseases | Herbal treatment | Plant Parts Used |
| 1. Atherosclerosis with high blood pressure | 1.Aronia 2. Hawthorn 3.Highlander bird 4. Marigolds (Calendula) 5.White willow 6. Motherwort 7. Sushenitsa swamp 8. Baikal skullcap 9. Astragalus woolly-flowered |
Fruit Flowers and fruits grass and roots Roots and leaves Grass and flowers |
| 2. Atherosclerosis with low blood pressure | 1. Sandy immortelle 2. St. John's wort 3. Burnet 4. Large plantain 5. Stalnik plowed |
flowers Flowers and grass Roots and rhizomes |
| 3. Heart failure (weakness of the heart muscle) | 2. Stalnik plowed 3. Hawthorn 4. Marigolds (Calendula) 5. Motherwort 6. Baikal skullcap 7. Wild strawberry |
Grass and flowers Fruits and flowers Roots and leaves fruits and leaves |
| 4. Herbal treatment of uterine spasms and blood vessels | 1. Licorice naked 2. Violet tricolor 3. Mother-and-stepmother 5. Wild strawberry 6. Curly parsley |
Roots Leaves, flowers fruits and leaves Seeds, leaves, flowers |
| 5. Insomnia, neuroses | 1. Black elderberry 2. Angelica officinalis 3. Meadowsweet 4. Hawthorn 5.White willow 6. Motherwort 7. Violet tricolor 9. Chin meadow 10. Rosehip 11. Baikal skullcap |
Fruits, flowers Leaves, flowers Leaves, flowers Flowers, fruits Roots and leaves |
| 6. Diseases of the liver (hepatitis), cholecystitis | 1. Sandy immortelle 2. Calendula (marigolds) 3. Mother-and-stepmother 4. Cornflower blue 5. Wild strawberry 6. Rosehip 7. Gray alder 8. Carrot seed 9. Violet tricolor 10. Blackcurrant 11. Dill fragrant |
flowers Leaves, flowers flower petals Leaves, fruits Cones, leaves Fruits, leaves, buds Seeds, grass, flowers |
| 7. Diseases of the kidneys (nephritis), bladder (cystitis) | 1. Astragalus woolly-flowered 2. Hernia is smooth 3. Blackcurrant 4. Common cumin 5. Lingonberry 6. Wintergreen round-leaved 7. Curly parsley 8. Black elderberry 9. Meadowsweet 10. Wild strawberry |
Flowers, grass Buds, fruits, leaves Flowers, seeds, grass Leaves, fruits Leaves, flowers Leaves, flowers, seeds Leaves, fruits leaves flowers Leaves, fruits |
| 8.Gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum | 1. Horse chestnut 2. Large plantain 3. Sushenitsa marsh 4. Sandy immortelle 5. Meadowsweet 6. Licorice naked 7. Gray alder 8. Wintergreen round-leaved 10. Curly parsley 11. Rosehip |
Fruits, flowers, leaves Leaves, flowers Leaves, cones Flowers, leaves Leaves, flowers, seeds |
| 9. Herbal treatment of edema (cardiac, renal, ascites) | 1. Angelica officinalis 2. Field horsetail 3. Bulb onion 4. Calendula 5. Lingonberry 6. Black currant 7. Carrot seed 8. Hanging birch 9. Black elderberry 10. Common blueberry 11. Rosehip 12. Curly parsley |
Leaves, roots, flowers Leaves, fruits Leaves, buds, fruits Flowers, seeds Flowers, fruits Shoots, leaves, fruits Leaves, seeds, flowers |
| 10. Cold, flu, acute respiratory infections, SARS | 1. Chin meadow 2. Mother-and-stepmother 3. Fennel odorous 4. Rowan ordinary 5. Licorice naked 6. Black elderberry 7. Violet tricolor 8. Black currant 9. Dill fragrant |
Grass Flowers, leaves Flowers, fruits Fruits, flowers Buds, leaves, fruits Flowers, seeds, grass |
| 11. Herbal treatment of dystrophy (exhaustion) | 1. Rowan ordinary 2. Calendula 3.White willow 4. Angelica officinalis 5. Black currant 6. Mother-and-stepmother 7. Japanese Sophora 8. Rosehip 9. Wild strawberry 10. Common hazel 11. Edible honeysuckle 12. Onion 14. Blueberry 15. Elm-leaved meadowsweet |
Fruit Leaves, roots, flowers Buds, fruits, leaves Flowers, leaves Fruits, flowers fruits, leaves fruits, leaves Flowers, leaves |
| 12. Herbal treatment diabetes | 1. Walnut 2. Blueberries 3. White yasnotka 4. Large plantain 5. Sandy immortelle 6. Aronia chokeberry 7. Licorice naked 8. Sushenitsa marsh 9. Edible honeysuckle |
Leaves, catkins, pericarp Grass with flowers |
| 13. Thyrotoxicosis (thyroid disease) | 1. Aronia chokeberry 2. Hawthorn 3. Five-lobed motherwort |
Fruit Flowers, fruits |
| 14. Herbal treatment uterine bleeding, hemophilia, hemorrhoids | 1.Highlander bird 2. Aronia chokeberry 3. White yasnotka 4. Highlander kidney 5. Stalnik plowed 6. Rosehip 7. Highlander bird 8. Horse sorrel 9. Sushenitsa swamp 10. Field horsetail 11. Gray alder |
Grass Flowers, fruits Grass with flowers Roots, grass Shoots, flowers, leaves Leaves, cones |
| 15.Ischemic stroke, thrombophlebitis | 1.White willow 2. Red clover 3. Calendula 4. Wild strawberry 5. Horse chestnut 6. Meadowsweet |
bark, leaves Leaves, fruits Leaves, flowers, fruits, bark of young branches Seeds, flowers, leaves |
| 16. Herbal treatment of dermatitis (for external and internal use) | 1. Hanging birch 2.Grushanka round-leaved 3. Hernia is smooth 4.White willow 5. Red clover 6. Meadowsweet 7. Bulb onion 8. Carrot seed 9. Marigolds 10. Gray alder 11. Walnut 12. Large plantain 13. Black currant 14. Licorice naked 15. Violet tricolor 16. Field horsetail 17. Horse sorrel 18. White yasnotka |
Kidneys, earrings Flowers, leaves Leaves, flowers Flowers, seeds Leaves, cones unripe fruits, catkins, pericarp, leaves Leaves, buds Leaves, flowers, shoots Grass with flowers |
| 17. Female infertility, menopause, postmenopause | 1. Japanese Sophora 2. Stalnik plowed 3. Common hop 4. Garden beans 5. Red clover 6. Chinese green tea 7. Male fern |
fruits, buds pod pods young shoots |
| 18. Herbal treatment of male menopause (androgen deficiency syndrome), impotence, male infertility | 1.Highlander bird 2. Common cumin 3. Licorice naked 4. Hernia is smooth 5. Common hazel 6. Dill garden 7. Bulb onion 8. Wintergreen round-leaved 9. Rhodiola rosea |
Grass Seeds, grass, flowers Leaves, catkins, young shoots Grass, flowers, seeds Leaves, flowers |
| 19. Herbal treatment of cataracts, vascular fragility, hemorrhages | 1. Japanese Sophora 2. Common blueberry 3.Chinese green tea 4. Edible honeysuckle |
fruits, buds Leaves, fruits, shoots Leaves, fruits |
● The above table is a new development of herbalists in Russia.
A large group of plants, parts of which serve as raw materials for obtaining medicines. These include those in which at least one of the parts contains a therapeutic agent.
Medicinal plants are used in folk and traditional medicine for preventive and therapeutic purposes.
Exists misconception that medicinal plants are used exclusively in traditional medicine, but if you look at the composition of any of the drugs, most of them contain natural ingredients. To date, more than 350 thousand plant species are known to be recognized as medicinal.
The use of medicinal herbs
A medicinal plant must contain one or more useful substances, but it is not always distributed evenly in the culture itself. It is necessary to know which part of the plant is used for treatment and how it is useful. Also, a number of herbs have useful properties only in a certain period, for example, during the flowering period, or even before flowering, you need to collect and dry the leaves.
Herbs are used as raw materials for the manufacture of preparations for internal and external use.
For internal use, prepare decoctions, infusions, tinctures based on essential oils and alcohol. The plant is used both fresh and dry.
For external treatment prepare ointments, tinctures, compresses, various herbal baths.
Some herbs are used as spices in cooking, prepared salads, eaten raw. All this brings beneficial effect for the body.
In medicine, juice from freshly squeezed leaves and stems is often used.
Depending on the variety, both all parts of the plant and some (seeds, root, stem, leaves, flowers) can be useful.
Classification of medicinal plants
medicinal plants classified into 3 main groups.
Official medicinal plants - varieties that are allowed in the country for the preparation of medicinal products.
Pharmacopoeial - officially allowed, but subject to special requirements.
Traditional medicine plants are plant species whose medicinal effects have not been officially confirmed at the country level, or the species have been little studied by science. But this does not mean that the plant does not have medicinal properties, perhaps in another country it is officially confirmed. IN this group includes the largest number of species and requires individual approach in each individual case.
The chemical composition of medicinal plants
The composition of various herbs includes a number of those or other useful substances that are essential for human body. For a positive effect, the plant must contain biologically active substances.
Important actively useful material:
separate group occupy vitamins: C ( vitamin C), a group of vitamins B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12), vitamin D, A, E.
Collection and preparation of raw materials
For a positive effect, you need to know when and how to collect herbs for further drying and harvesting. It is necessary to collect only healthy plants, during the period of active maturation. Young undeveloped species are ineffective, like old ones due to a large number fibers. Great importance there is a collection point. Choose the most environmentally friendly areas, do not pick flowers along railways and highways, near metropolitan areas and large enterprises. Choose wild herbs along the forest and along river banks. Medicinal plants are considered to be wild nature and not grown in botanical gardens.
Basic rules for harvesting herbs:
- Pluck the ripe and healthy grass without roots.
- Pluck only part of the leaves from one plant, otherwise it will lead to its death.
- Cut roots only from chopped trees and bushes.
- Each medicinal plant has its own collection period and certain parts.
- The buds are harvested during their maturation in early spring, as soon as they begin to swell, before growth begins.
- The bark is cut in the spring during the movement of juices.
- Flowering and leaves are plucked during the period of active flowering.
- Seeds and fruits are harvested in autumn after the crop has matured.
- The roots are cut in late autumn, when the plant goes into a dormant period.
When collecting, be sure to use gloves and beware of getting juice or pollen in the eyes, on exposed skin and mucous membranes.
Drying is carried out in a well-ventilated and dry room, protected from direct sunlight. You will find more information about harvesting and drying in the articles to certain kind plants.
