The best herbal medicinal plants. Properties of medicinal plants and their use

The section tells about medicinal plants - their places of growth and healing properties, rules for collection and storage. You will learn 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, in terms of application in medicine, medicinal plants With detailed descriptions, pictures and recommendations for use for the treatment of various diseases.

Medicinal plants - an extensive group of plants used in medical and veterinary practice for various diseases with therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. The medicinal properties of medicinal plants are due to the presence in them of certain chemical compounds - the so-called active substances.

Medicinal plants are used in the form of fees, or teas, powders and others, or after processing (see, Dosage forms). Special groups drugs prepared from medicinal plants at chemical and pharmaceutical plants are products of their primary processing (fatty and essential oils, resins, etc.), pure (without admixture of ballast substances) amounts of active ingredients, individual chemical compounds and their combinations. Active ingredients are distributed unevenly in medicinal plants. Usually only those parts of the plant where it accumulates are used. maximum amount active substances. The composition and amount of active substances in medicinal plants change 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 only of historical interest, as they are currently 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 (SFH). Requests for raw materials of medicinal plants are approximately half in terms of tonnage and about 75% in terms of nomenclature are satisfied by collecting wild plants, and the rest - due to cultivated medicinal plants.

A morphological description of annual medicinal plants introduced into the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR is also given, 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 are considered.

AT recent times increased interest in herbal medicine, which in turn increased the number of pickers. 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. Chemical composition, methods for obtaining certain biologically active substances from plants are considered in scientific papers. Despite the seemingly numerous medicinal herbs, new ones are being opened, which are undergoing initial tests in botanical gardens and at experimental stations. Botanical gardens located in different climatic zones the globe, have collections of various medicinal plants to study the biological characteristics, medicinal properties and methods of growing these herbs. Thanks to this, 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 carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.

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

Our long-term studies show that many introduced plants do not change their chemical composition, and often the quantitative content of active substances is not inferior to the content in 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 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 - types of plant organisms used for the manufacture of therapeutic and prophylactic drugs that are used in medical and veterinary practice. vegetable medicines make up over 30% of all medicines circulating on the world market. In the USSR, about 40% of the applied medical preparations made from plants.

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

The variety of soil and climatic conditions of the USSR makes it possible to introduce into its territory numerous species of foreign medicinal plants of the cold, temperate and subtropical zones.

More than 600 species of plants can be used as raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in the pharmacy network and for export. Of this number, except for secondary medicinal plants, only about 200 species belonging to 70 families are practically used in medicine (mainly of the family Asteraceae, Rosaceae, legumes, labiales, umbrella, nightshade, buckwheat, cruciferous, buttercup). About 70% of the medicinal plants used are used in galenic production, the rest of the species are used in the pharmacy network, homeopathy and are exported.

When harvesting wild and cultivated medicinal plants, as a rule, they collect individual bodies or plant parts.

The collection of medicinal plant materials is carried out at a certain time - 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 culture, increasing productivity and finding ways to reduce the cost of raw materials, establishing better harvesting dates, conditions for drying and storing raw materials, preparing new drugs and dosage forms).

There are searches for new and cheaper sources of plant raw materials to replace already known imported or scarce medicinal preparations, 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 plant origin revealed by continuous or selective chemical and pharmacological study of the flora of individual regions of the USSR. At the same time, information about the use of certain medicinal plants in traditional medicine is taken into account.

In directed searches for a particular compound, species and genera that are phylogenetically close to the plant from which this compound has already been isolated are primarily studied.

So, to date, more than 6,000 plant species have been previously studied for the content of alkaloids, for the presence essential oils- more than 4000, about 2000 species were studied for the presence of glycosides of cardiac action, about 3000 saponins, about 1000 flavonoids, about 1000 species of coumarins.

As a result, a large number of individual chemicals have been isolated and many new medicinal preparations have been created on their basis.

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.

There is an erroneous opinion 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 a beneficial effect to 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 are 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 - types of plants, therapeutic actions which are not officially confirmed at the country level, or the species are 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. AT this group includes the largest number of species and requires an individual approach in each individual case.

The chemical composition of medicinal plants

Part various herbs includes a number of those or other useful substances that are essential for human body. For positive effect, the plant must contain biologically active substances.

Important active ingredients:

A separate group is occupied by 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. You only need to collect healthy plants, during the period of active maturation. Young undeveloped species are ineffective, like old ones due to a large number fibers. The place of collection is of great importance. 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:

• Pick 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, protecting from direct sun rays. You will find details about harvesting and drying in articles for a particular type of plant.

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 - what time of the year to collect them, how to store them, how to cook from them necessary drugs and according to what scheme to be treated. You definitely need to know the 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, to contrast them drug treatment also should not be - only a doctor can determine necessary balance in taking medications 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 impact on various organs. The experience accumulated over many centuries in the use of medicinal plants often allows for the prevention and treatment of various diseases with more “sparing” means than traditional medical (or, even more so, surgical) treatment. However, and official medicine by no means neglects the rich possibilities of medicinal plants: in fact, active substances most pharmacological preparations - of 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 fat-like 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 the body. 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 present in plants that contribute to 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 are natural compounds with an astringent taste; in the composition of drugs exhibit astringent and bactericidal properties.

Steroids are organic compounds. Steroids include sterols, bile acids, vitamins of group D, 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 various biological activities, such as aromatic.

Phytoncides are products of secondary biosynthesis carried out by higher plants. Plants are isolated in 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 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 traditional medicine recipes are built mainly on medicinal preparations and mixtures.

Collect medicinal plants yourself or is it better to buy?

Self-harvesting of medicinal herbs is a complex and troublesome business, requiring deep knowledge of where, at what time and how each particular plant should be collected. Active principles, i.e., biologically active substances that have a healing effect on the human body, are often found throughout the plant - in 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-collection 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. And therefore, the time of collecting medicinal plants should be timed to coincide with the moment of the greatest content of these active principles in them.

Herbs should be collected at certain times and times. 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 (to persuade, beg the weed to bring good and help a person, and also not to be angry for being deprived of 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 most nutrients. 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 cuts 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 other 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 gone (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 their changes for a long time. Plants should be dried carefully, in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight.

When dried, a significant part of the water evaporates from the plants, and therefore the plants lose approximately as much weight 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, the juice is prepared as follows. 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. Remember that some plants are incompatible, as their medicinal properties are mutually neutralized (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 the dosage when preparing and taking drugs from medicinal plants is an indispensable condition for the effectiveness of treatment.

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, larger, 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.

Cold infusions are prepared as follows: raw materials are poured with the required amount of 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. boiled water the broth is diluted to the desired volume.

It is important to observe the following rule: in no case should herbal decoctions be prepared in aluminum or other metal utensils in order to avoid adverse reaction with metal.

How to prepare a tincture of medicinal herbs?

I use vodka or 40-70% alcohol as an extracting factor in tinctures. Usually, to prepare the tincture, 5 parts of vodka or alcohol are added to 1 part of the crushed raw 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 dish). 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 that are used for external 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 prepare ointments of various concentrations: for example, to get a 10–20% ointment, you should take 10–20 g of powder per 100 or 200 g of fat, or 5–10 ml of tincture per 95 g of fat. The choice of base depends on various considerations: for example, ointments made on the basis of vegetable oil or mineral fats, have a longer shelf life 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 herbs 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 selecting 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.

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. Therefore, medicines from plants 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 him 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 ethnoscience, which has been known since ancient times, has been tested for many years 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 capable of exerting therapeutic effect on the human and animal body. 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, sedative, 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 Everyday life to restore energy, improve health, improve the quality of human life.

look interesting video about medicinal properties herbs - a story about the power of nature of the famous monastery herbalist:

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

Herbal treatment. Table

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 increased 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 reduced 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, neurosis	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. Blackcurrant 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 (disease thyroid gland)	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.