Amino Acids
.Amino acids are organic compounds that are part of all protein substances of animal and plant organisms as a basic element. Amino acids are also part of antibiotics, vitamins, and other compounds important to the body. Currently, approximately 20 different amino acids have been isolated. Amino acids are mostly well soluble in water. Ten amino acids are not synthesized in the human body. If there is a lack of these essential amino acids or in the case of complete absence of at least some of them in the food, it is impossible to synthesize complete proteins, as a result of which the normal vital activity of the body is disturbed and various diseases occur.
Histidine, for example, which is among these amino acids, is used in the treatment of gastric ulcers, is part of the proteins of plant organisms, and is well soluble in water.
Organic resins
.Organic resins are substances of plant origin, of complex chemical composition, close to essential oils, usually insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents (alcohol, ether, gasoline, etc.).). The chemical composition of resins is still poorly understood. Organic resins do not go rancid, rot, spoil, or easily ignite. Organic resins have a pleasant odor and phytoncidal properties.
By their structure, these bodies are amorphous, located in plants in special receptacles - resin passages. When the plant is injured, organic resins flow outward and tighten, like a band-aid, the wounded area, protecting the internal tissues from drying out and penetration of microorganisms. Organic resins are sticky to the touch, have a characteristic odor, and some dry quickly on wood due to volatile evaporation or polymerization processes. Other organic resins remain liquid or semi-liquid for a long time and are called balsams. Some flow out with gum, with essential oils (amber is a resin that has been in the ground or in water for thousands of years).
Organic resins are found in pine needles, rhubarb, St. John's wort, ginger, birch buds and leaves, aloe (25-30% resinous substances in the sap).
In medicine, organic resins are used for the preparation of plasters, tinctures, internally, as a laxative (alapa, podophyllin). Pine resin is included in the wound-healing patch "kleol"; benzoic resin has disinfectant properties.
Resinous plant substances (frankincense, myrrh, rosin) were used in Egypt to embalm corpses.
Organic resins, like waxes, are found in essential oils. They are fragrant, reduce the volatility of oils, slow their deterioration and when distilled, most of them remain in the sediment. Due to this, the odor of essential oils, not extracted from plants, is more stable, much slower to volatilize, long does not spoil, which undoubtedly increases the pharmacological activity of essential oils.
Chinese and Indian fans are known to retain their flavor for decades. Sandalwood oil, on the other hand, applied to wood, will volatilize in a few days. Similarly, cinnamon retains its odor for years, while cinnamon oil volatilizes and spoils relatively quickly.
Fatty oils
.Fatty oils are organic compounds that are esters of glycerol and higher fatty acids. Fats are made up of both the fatty acids and unsaturated acids. Fatty oils often have fatty acids in their composition. These are palmitic, stearic, myristic, lauric and other acids.
Fatty oils are formed mainly in the seeds, only olive oil is obtained from the pulp of the olive fruit. They are insoluble in water, hardly soluble in cold alcohol, more easily in hot alcohol. Fatty oils produced by plants are used in medicine mainly for external use as emollients (ointments, creams, soaps, etc.).), for the preparation of plasters, and also serve as solvents for camphor used for subcutaneous injections.
Fatty oils (peppermint, caraway, cinnamon, clove, sage) have significant bactericidal property against E. coli and pathogenic intestinal flora.
Some fatty oils have strong effects like castor oil, chaulmugrass oil, etc.
The role of fat in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is generally recognized. Animal fat, which contains cholesterol, can raise blood cholesterol, while most vegetable oils help lower it. Vegetable fatty oils contain unsaturated fatty acids: linoleic, linoleic, oleic, which, combining with cholesterol, form soluble compounds that are easily excreted from the body. These acids are called essential acids, i.e., essential acids. е. essential; they are not synthesized by the body. Corn, sunflower, olive and other oils have the most valuable properties.
In countries where the population eats mainly vegetable fatty oils (Italy, Japan, China, etc.), it is important to note that the use of vegetable fatty oils in the diet is a major issue.), atherosclerosis is much less common than in countries where the diet is dominated by animal fats (America, Western Europe, Scandinavian countries).
In phytotherapy, the species, aroma and flavor inherent in plants also have an effective influence.
Special studies have established that green and yellow parts of the spectrum (the predominant color of vegetation of fields, meadows, forests - suppliers of medicinal plants) most favorably affect vision and nervous system, and plant odors - on the well-being and performance of man.
The type, aroma, taste of substances entering the oral cavity affect the composition and amount of saliva secreted, and the composition and amount of gastric juice depends on their odor and taste. Plant products sufficiently possess the desired properties in this regard.
The VIII new edition of the French Pharmacopoeia therefore pays great attention to the taste, odor and appearance of dosage forms. Apparently, for this purpose, the pharmacopoeia includes rose, lemon, clove, bergamot and other essential oils, aromatic syrups (lemon, mandarin and orange blossom).
When treating with fresh plants, the liquid part of the plant has a positive therapeutic effect.
Water is known to be a constituent of all cells, tissues and body fluids, making up approximately 65% of an adult's body weight. Water is involved in all metabolic processes. A person should receive a minimum of 1 -2 liters of water per day; in some diseases - more, in others - less. In addition to quantity, the quality of the water consumed is also important. Adherence to a specific water regimen is an important part of overall therapy.
Fluid restriction has a negative effect on salt metabolism. If the body loses 10-20% of its water, death can occur. Consuming distilled water or water that does not contain the necessary chemical elements can cause unpleasant consequences.
Cell sap of fresh plants is water with dissolved in it mineral and organic substances, which is absorbed by the intestine slower than free fluid, is not retained in the tissues and quickly leaves the body, increasing the excretion of metabolic products.
Potassium salts, such as those soluble in cell sap, are rapidly eliminated from the body with urine. Together with them removed fluid, sodium salts and nitrogenous slags, which is especially valuable in cardiovascular failure, kidney disease, circulatory disorders, when it is necessary to strengthen the removal of fluid from the body with urine..
