Deadly substances
.Tannins, or tannins, are found in almost all plants in some quantity and are nitrogen-free aromatic compounds derived from polyatomic phenols. Tannins are accumulated in various plant organs, mainly in the bark and wood of trees and shrubs, as well as in the underground parts of herbaceous perennials; the green parts of most plants are poorer in tannins. Tannins are non-poisonous, have a characteristic astringent flavor and many have P-vitamin activity. The latter include catechins contained in many fruits and berries, and especially a lot of them in berries of common and black rowan, in tart apples, tea leaves. Catechins are water soluble and are well preserved when plants are carefully dried.
Earlier in Russia, oak bark was usually used to treat leathers in order to seal them and make them impermeable to water, so this process is called tanning, and the substances themselves are called tanning agents.
Tannins and plants containing them are used externally as an astringent and bactericidal agent, for inflammation in the mouth and pharynx, alveolar pyorrhea, burns and bleeding, and internally as an anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal agent. In addition, tannids are used in heavy metal and alkaloid poisoning.
Astringent and anti-inflammatory action of tannids is based on the formation of a film on mucous membranes as a result of interaction of protein substances with tannids, preventing further inflammation. Tanides applied to burned places and wounds also coagulate proteins and are therefore used as a local styptic. Tannin has an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa.
In contact with air, tannins are oxidized under the influence of special enzymes and change into substances insoluble in cold water, colored in dark brown or red-brown color (browning of cut apples, quince, potatoes, etc.).).
Plants containing tannides and often used in medicine include: oak bark, bark and leaves of birch, bark and fruit of calamus, leaves and flowers of cherry, herbs St. John's wort, oregano, horse sorrel, bitter wormwood, sawdust, marsh wheatgrass, immortelle, sage, succession, horsetail, leaves and berries of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, rhubarb leaves, cranberries, etc.
Pigments
.Pigments are coloring organic substances of plants, complex organic compounds; many are chemically poorly understood. Pigments are found mainly in the roots, flowers, leaves of plants, and in the peels of fruits. Plants containing coloring organic substances have long been used by folk medicine for various diseases, especially as disinfectants and wound-healing agents.
More than 300 species of plants rich in coloring substances are used in folk medicine of Azerbaijan. Eastern peoples (Azerbaijan, Iran) widely use henna to color the nails of hands and feet, and this coloring is done mainly for hygienic purposes. The coloring organic substances of henna has a bactericidal property. Preparations of henna (ointments and solutions of coloring substances) are used for sweating feet, eczema, for the treatment of purulent wounds.
In the East, various waters containing, besides essential oils, coloring organic substances, are widely used for disinfecting hands.
The various varieties of berry wines, which themselves contain coloring organic substances or are somewhat tinted with coloring substances isolated from mallow, blueberry, or other plants, have a distinctly therapeutic property.
Pigments of some plants (henna, sumac, maple, clover, pomegranate, walnut, etc.).) in the form of an aqueous solution have been tested with positive results in clinics for the treatment of burns and infected wounds. The bactericidal properties of vegetable dyes were tested on daily cultures of staphylococci, streptococci, intestinal bacteria, and on the healing of infected wounds in rabbits. The trial found that purulent wounds were rapidly cleared of pus, wound granulation increased, and complete healing of purulent wounds occurred within a few days.
The green parts of plants contain the well-known pigments chlorophylls ranging from 0.6-1.2% of the dry weight of the leaf, containing up to 2.7% magnesium. Its biological importance in plant life is immense. Recently, its medicinal property has been established. Chlorophyll has been reported to have stimulating and tonic effects, increase basic metabolism, increase the tone of the uterus, intestines, cardiovascular system and respiratory center; stimulate granulation and epithelialization of affected tissues. Chlorophyll also affects the overall blood picture by increasing the number of white blood cells and hemoglobin.
Nettle leaves, for example, in addition to vitamins C, K, B2, pantothenic acid and other active substances, contain up to 5% chlorophyll. Their infusion is used as a vitamin remedy, and mainly as a means of increasing blood coagulation in pulmonary, hepatic, gastrointestinal and uterine bleeding, as well as a means of increasing the percentage of hemoglobin and the number of red and white blood cells. The positive effect of the infusion of nettle leaves, especially on the state of the blood, apparently due to the fact that it has a lot of chlorophyll and other active substances. Chlorophylls, the green pigments of plants, are a substance similar in chemical structure to human blood pigment.
The study of some aspects of the action of plant pigments has shown that plant coloring organic substances have active biological properties and require further detailed study..
