Section 4

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, another tree cures hypertension, etc. They also tried to understand why a different tree leads to negative results. 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. From the tissues of various trees, useful substances with pronounced biological and biochemical activity have been isolated. And although such substances are usually contained in trees in small quantities, they quite often have a strong effect on certain organs or systems of the body.

Before you start collecting medicinal plants, you need to know the plants themselves (which, by the way, is not difficult, if you know the trees at least by their external characteristics), to be able to distinguish them from other similar species (say, poplar from aspen), to know the places where these or those trees grow. And do not procure healing raw materials near roads, factories, landfills.Collection is subject only to those parts of trees that are indicated as medicinal.Many patients independently at home prepare for themselves and loved ones of various medicinal forms, especially decoctions, infusions, tinctures, powders, ointments. In this regard, we consider it necessary to remind the rules of preparation of these medicinal forms.

Dozens of tree species are used in the treatment of many diseases, of which we will consider only those that are more often used in practical medicine, mainly folk medicine. Most of these trees grow in the habitat of our fellow citizens.We will give a general characterization of medicinal trees. We will give a list of diseases in which the parts of various trees, their individual organs are used.Medicinal raw materials of apricot are seeds, oil obtained from them. In addition, in medical practice, fruits and apricot gum are widely used. It is very useful for health in liver diseases and hypertension.Medicinal raw material of quince - seeds and mucus on them, but in folk medicine with therapeutic purposes are used leaves of quince, its fruits.

Acacia flowers contain glycoside, robinia, essential oil (with the smell of tree flowers), containing methyl ether, and other inherent substances of acacia. Its flowers have an expectorant effect, they are also used in the treatment of colds. Orange fruit contains organic acids, sugars, nitrogenous and coloring substances, mineral salts, vitamins A, B, B2 and C. Rich orange and phytoncides. The peel of the fruit contains several types of essential oils.In medical practice, used infusion of birch leaves, which has a diuretic effect, and decoction of the kidneys - and choleretic effect. Finished raw material - dark brown or brown buds - should not contain other parts of the plant (earrings, branches) more than 8%, foreign impurities.Preparations of birch buds are used for rubs, compresses and baths for myositis, arthritis, poorly healing wounds, eczema, bedsores.

Cherry fruits contain sugars (glucose, fructose), vitamins A, C, PP, as well as organic acids (citric, malic), tannins, coloring substances. Cherry fruit has such a vital trace element as copper, which has a favorable effect on the processes of hematopoiesis. Cherries are rich in tannins and enzymes. Its bark contains tannins, glycosides, citric acid.Infusion of pomegranate flowers used for heavy menstruation, liquid stool. Externally, it is used for faster healing of wounds. Poultices of flowers are used to apply to inflamed areas. Pomegranate juice gargle mouth cavity with inflammatory processes in the throat.

Pear fruits contain sugars, organic acids (mainly malic acid), tannins, pectin, minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, phytoncides. The common pear is quite rich in vitamins A, B2, B6, C.The common pear has always been considered an excellent dietary product. Common oak, namely its bark has long been widely used in the treatment of all sorts of ailments. Decoction of it was used for baths and gargles for diseases of the oral cavity, burns, skin cracks, eczema, hemorrhoids. Infusion was also used for diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding. Tincture is used for gargles for inflammatory processes of the oral cavity. In folk medicine is often used therapeutic willow white. Its bark in the form of decoction, which is used for feverish conditions, rheumatism, as well as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent for stomatitis, gingivitis and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. Use the infusion as a styptic, diuretic and choleretic.

Figs are very valuable because they contain a lot of sugar. Quite a lot of figs proteins, which are well digested by the body, vitamins, a lot of salts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron, fiber and oxalic acid. Our ancestors knew well that horse chestnut increases the stability of blood vessels, improves blood composition. It is proved that the medicinal raw material from this tree favorably affects the cardiovascular system, so decoction of chestnut leaves is useful in coronary disease, rheumatism. Siberian cedar is rich in vitamin C and carotene. In addition, the needles, buds and young shoots contain essential oils and trace elements (manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, iodine).

In folk medicine, sycamore maple has long been used in the treatment of kidney and bladder diseases, as well as an expectorant for colds. Infusion of crushed fruits washed purulent and hard-to-heal wounds. Laurel noble is able to remove toxins from the body, increase immunity. Infusion of it kicks out sand and stones from the kidneys, relieves spasms, stimulates appetite. It is included in the composition of vegetable oil, which is used in the treatment of arthritis, myositis, neuralgia. Citrus lemon, due to the high content of citric acid in it, well quenches thirst, has a diuretic and choleretic effect. Lemon has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anthelmintic effects.

Small-leaved linden is widely used in folk medicine. Its flower has long been used as a diaphoretic. Infusion of flowers is recommended for gargling the mouth, pharynx in inflammatory processes.Magnolia large-flowered causes a prolonged and persistent lowering of blood pressure, dilates blood vessels, reduces heart palpitations and heart pain, improves the general condition of patients, has a diuretic effect.Mandarin Japanese, namely its decoction of dried peel promotes appetite, improves digestion, has an expectorant effect. Tangerine juice is recommended to rub into the skin affected by fungi.

Common oleander contains glycosides that have a pronounced effect on the heart muscle.Tincture prepared from oleander leaves is recommended for nervous exhaustion, poor memory, headache, insomnia, vomiting, flatulence, wet eczema, lichen planus, and heart failure.Gray alder, namely cones, bark and copalpidia contains tannins. The leaves contain glycosides, various acids. In addition, the bark contains resins.Gray alder is used in folk medicine as an antiseptic agent. Tincture is used for colds, rheumatism. Crushed young leaves are applied to wounds and boils. Preparations of cones, leaves and bark, in addition, found use in the treatment of gout.Even Avicenna recommended the use of ground walnuts with honey to treat pulmonary tuberculosis. Decoction of walnut leaves are used for baths in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, rickets, acne, pustules, eczema and mouthwash for sore throat and inflammation of the gums. The infusion is also used for the same purpose.