Even in ancient times, many witch doctors, shamans, courtiers and folk healers tried to find out the reason for the healing power of various plants, including trees. They tried to understand why the medicinal raw material of one tree cures joints, gives strength, another tree cures skin ailments, the third tree cures hypertension, etc. д. Also tried to figure out why a different tree leads to negative results. Such ignorance gave rise to all sorts of speculations, legends. Certain plants were often given superstitious names, the meaning of which usually corresponded to the mechanism of their action. For example, aspen was called gentian, whisper-tree, black poplar - osokory. There were also common names for medicinal plants such as privet, sicklewort, etc.It was only with the development of chemistry that it became possible to penetrate into the mechanism of action of plant (as well as animal) tissues.
Useful substances with pronounced biological and biochemical activity have been isolated from the tissues of various trees. And although such substances are usually found in trees in small amounts, they quite often have a strong effect on certain organs or body systems.
The chemical composition of healing wood raw material is represented, in addition to water (which is known to be 70-90% of the weight of the tree), organic and mineral substances. Among organic substances, a distinction is made:
1) products of primary synthesis, which include proteins, fats (represented by lipids), carbohydrates (sugars), enzymes, vitamins;
2) products of secondary synthesis, represented by alkaloids, glycosides (many of which stimulate cardiac activity), phenolic substances, essential oils, resins, organic acids, and several other substances and their compounds.
Alkaloids
.Alkaloids belong to a group of nitrogen-containing organic substances with pronounced physiological activity. Most alkaloids are poisonous or potent substances. Some of their representatives have selective action on certain organs or tissues.
Pharmacists derive the largest number of highly effective therapeutic drugs from alkaloids.
Glycosides
.Glycosides belong to an important group of biologically active inclusions in plant tissues. These useful substances are quickly destroyed by the enzymes of the plants themselves, so for greater safety, and therefore to increase the effectiveness of plant raw materials, it should be (when collected) quickly subjected to drying and stored in a dry room, avoiding desiccation.
Some medicinal trees (e.g. plums, cherry trees) are characterized by their poisonousness and therefore have their pronounced effect on certain organs. Glycosides of such plants are included in drops and mixtures, which are prescribed as sedatives and analgesics. But the cardiac glycosides found in the tissues of some trees (such as oleander) have a strong effect on the heart muscle.
Saponins
.These substances of the plant world are related to glycosides in a number of their properties. Some representatives of saponins have hypotensive effects, t. е. lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Other saponins have diaphoretic effect, others have vomiting effect, etc.д.
Phenolic compounds
.These compounds are mostly aromatic in nature. A number of phenols have anthelmintic effects, other phenols have antitumor effects, and still others have antifungal effects.
Phenolic compounds, known as flavonoids, help to eliminate radioactive substances from the body. Phenolic compounds include tannins, which are found in the tissues of a number of tree species. Oak (its bark), birch, bird cherry, etc. are especially rich in tannins.
Medicines prepared from this kind of trees have an astringent effect, bactericidal action and are most often used to treat a number of gastrointestinal diseases. These healing remedies are good for gargling the throat. They also have a good styptic effect (when applied topically). Due to their ability to precipitate alkaloids and glycosides, heavy metal salts, they are used as antidotes.
Essential Oils
.The plant world is rich in such oils. These oils are insoluble in water. Medicinal plants containing essential oils such as cedar, eucalyptus, lemon are suitable for the preparation of healing oils and ointments. These oils are found mainly in the leaves and fruits.
Essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anthelmintic effects. Some of these oils have found use in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. Such oils are used as expectorants and sedatives. Widely used for inhalation.
Resins
.Resins are close to essential oils in their chemical composition. Most resins are insoluble in water, but are well soluble in acetyl, ether. By the way, long non-drying resins are called balsams. Such fragrant balsams are obtained from resin-rich pine, fir, birch buds. These resins are widely used to prepare plasters, tinctures. Pine resin has long been a part of the well-known to many kleol, which (in the form of a patch) has an excellent wound-healing effect.
The resins of some medicinal trees have laxative, diuretic and sedative effects.
Organic acids
.These acids are found in every member of the plant kingdom. They determine not only the taste of the plant, but in some cases its odor as well.
Organic acids belonging to the so-called fatty series are rich in citric acid, malic acid. The latter is found in significant amounts in the fruits of rowan, dogwood, pomegranate, barberry, and, of course, in apples. These acids have a mild irritating effect and help to improve appetite, metabolic processes in the body.
Vitamins
.Many vitamins (C, B vitamins) are found in tree tissue. But they are especially rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Lemons, apples, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, etc. are considered rich in this vitamin.
MICRO - AND MACROELEMENTS
.Fruits, seeds, leaves, bark of many medicinal trees contain in their tissues a certain amount of minerals necessary for humans, such as iron, copper, potassium, manganese. We will focus in more detail on the micro- and macronutrient composition that is included in various medicinal plants.
Phytoncides
.Phytoncides produced by plants, especially trees, are useful substances that have antimicrobial properties and are a factor in the natural immunity of flora. In addition to antimicrobial action phytoncides can have and antihelminthic properties, as well as provide general stimulating, anti-inflammatory, regenerative, anti-allergic and other effects on the human body.
Especially rich in phytoncides are such healing trees as pine, cedar, eucalyptus, cherry, poplar. They have the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and viruses as well as pathogenic fungi to a greater extent. And in this respect, they are equal to the phytoncidal characteristics of garlic, onions and horseradish.
Phytoncide-containing preparations prepared from the above trees are prescribed in the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as hypertension, atherosclerosis.
Enzymes
.Enzymes are specific proteins (of trees, other plants, animals, including humans) that can accelerate many times the chemical reactions taking place in living organisms. That is, enzymes are powerful biological catalysts.
The absorption and assimilation of nutrients by various plants, the synthesis and breakdown of proteins and other substances in the tissues of plants and, of course, any other living organism is a set of enzymatic reactions.
The enzymes contained in the fruits, seeds, leaves and bark of various trees have an appropriate therapeutic effect on a particular diseased organ. In the articles that follow, we will learn which medicinal plants and trees are most useful for treating a particular ailment. And enzymes play an important role in this..
