Rhododendron: medicinal properties and contraindications, use in traditional medicine

Rhododendron is a representative of the Heather family. It grows in the Altai Territory, in the north of the Caucasus, in the Sayan foothills, in the Northern Kuriles. It can be found high up in the mountains. The shrub is not only beautiful, it has healing powers. The healing properties of rhododendron have been known for a long time.

Description

Rhododendron is a meter long, always green shrub. Crooked trunk dragging along the ground:

1. Dark brown bark with downy, scaly gray branches.
2. Emerald green oval leaves sit firmly on short petioles. The inside of the leaves is covered with dense felt.
3. The color range of flowers is diverse: from snow-white to the most delicate pink. No wonder the plant was called alpine tea and snow rose. Inflorescences resemble umbrellas.
4. Shrub blooms during the summer months. Propagated by seeds, which are collected in fruit-cases with opening doors.

Gardeners grow rhododendron as an exotic shrub.

Procurement and storage

Not all varieties of rhododendron are suitable for treatment. Special value in its foliage. Medicinal material is stored during the flowering of rhododendrons from shrubs no younger than two years old. Flowers, branches, root are also useful.

Dried raw materials are poured into clean glass jars, corked properly, cleaned where it is cool and dark. It is permissible to store in canvas bags, occasionally turning over. Shelf life - 2 years.

Varieties

Rhododendron is a chic shrub. Gardeners love it for its lush beauty. The plant will decorate any landscape. The variety of rhododendron shrubs and trees is great.

Daurian

The variety is called wild rosemary. Evergreen shrub, perennial lives five decades or longer. The height of the deciduous bush is 2 m. Dauria is the Far Eastern territory where wild rosemary grows, hence the name.

Daurian rhododendron blooms from spring, blooms for 15 days. Then the leaves appear. The flowers are slightly pinkish, snow-white or with a lilac tint. Silicon soil, rocky slopes, oak forests are the natural habitats of wild rosemary. Daurian rhododendron has long been known to Siberians, Far Eastern residents, Chinese, Mongols.

Golden

People call rhododendron black-maned, kashkara, kashkarnik, pyandarva. Shrub less than 1 m high (up to 85 cm) with creeping branches. The leaves are smooth: the outer side is greener than the inner. The flowers look like large bells tied together under an umbrella. The shrub blooms in May, flowering lasts about a month.The name of the plant speaks for itself: the flowers are golden yellow. Small seeds in capsules. Lots of seeds.

Caucasian

The name comes from the habitat of the plant. The average growth of a shrub is a little over half a meter. Creeping shoots. The leaves are smooth, dark green on one side, pubescent with a reddish tint on the other; with thick petioles. The inflorescence consists of 8-12 yellow-white bell flowers. Flowering begins in June, lasts more than a month. There were cases when the Caucasian rhododendron bloomed repeatedly.

Indian

More often the plant is called Indian azalea. In nature, the azalea is a shrub that gives many shoots. Small leaves are held on short petioles. Lush flowering: pink, red, white, purple flowers. Shrub photophilous, does not tolerate drought, high temperatures. In summer, the azalea in a pot is taken out into the street.

Metternich

Rhododendron high (1.5 m). This is the diameter of the crown. Dark green oval leathery leaves. Brown fluff on the inside. It blooms magnificently from June to July with snow-white flowers. The variety is frost-resistant, photophilous, pretentious to soil acidity.

Drying

The leaves are plucked by hand. The collected material is dried:

• outdoors under cover;
• in heated buildings;
• furnaces;
• electric dryers.

Drying outside is allowed only in a shady place. The leaves do not pile up, they lay out, sometimes they stir.

The electric dryer is not heated above 60 ° C in order to preserve the healing qualities of the plant.

Flowers, branches, root are dried in the same way.

Useful properties

Folk recipes in the preparation of life-giving potions use 4 types of rhododendrons: Caucasian, Dahurian, Golden, Sagan-Daila (Adams).

Varieties endowed with healing properties:

• knock down the temperature;
• pain relief;
• soothe;
• are antiseptic;
• sweatshop.

Rhododendron successfully affects the activity of the heart muscle, drives away unnecessary fluid, removing puffiness, and eliminates suffocation. Normalizes heart rate, lowers blood pressure, cholesterol.

Leaves treat:

• rheumatism;
• colitis;
• cold;
• epilepsy.

Normalization of metabolic processes in the body

In the treatment of metabolic disorders, drugs based on Adams' rhododendron are used. No wonder this species is called a grass that prolongs life. Buryats have long used a medicinal plant in the treatment of ailments, for the purpose of prevention. Leaf tincture, tea with flowers will help restore impaired metabolism.

Immunity

Thanks to a large amount of vitamin C, rhododendron is able to restore and strengthen immunity. Tincture, decoction or tea increase the body's resistance to disease.

Effect on the gastrointestinal tract

An infusion is made from the leaves of the Daurian rhododendron, which is used to treat gastrointestinal poisoning, inflamed mucous membranes.

In a glass of boiling water, brew 1 tsp. dry leaves. Drink 1 tsp. at least four times a day.Folk remedies that disinfect the body from harmful bacteria, pathogens of dysentery, E. coli, and other pathogenic microbes will also help restore the intestinal microflora.

The body's resistance to pain, stress and climate change

The plant has a strong analgesic effect. With the help of medicinal herbs, you can reduce pain on critical days in women. At this time, women are especially nervous. An infusion of Adams rhododendron leaves will calm the nerves and return the body to a state of balance. In menopause, a tincture of rhododendron will alleviate the condition with "tides".

Headache

Tea with Caucasian rhododendron inflorescences has a tonic effect, relieves headaches. A tincture of golden rhododendron will help bring down the high temperature. Pour 200 ml of boiling water 1 tsp. dry leaves, insist half an hour. Drink 2 tsp. at least three times a day.

Pressure stabilization

Infusion of a medicinal plant will help to normalize high blood pressure. 20 g of dried leaves are brewed in a glass of boiling water, kept for half an hour. Drink before meals 1 tbsp. l. (reception three times a day).

The tool is not an "ambulance" for high blood pressure. It helps to gradually normalize the jumped pressure. With a frequent increase, you should still seek the advice of a therapist.

Calming effect

Adams rhododendron leaf infusion has amazing soothing properties. Its regular use will restore disturbed sleep, calm the nerves, and help cope with stress. Not without reason in Tibet medicinal herb is used as a tonic. The Buryats, where the rhododendron has already been listed in the Red Book, also take the plant as a tonic.

Effect on the heart

Normalize the work of the heart, regulate blood flow will help tincture of golden rhododendron. Dry crushed raw materials (1/5 part) are poured into a clean jar. Top up with vodka to the brim. Withstand half a month. 15 drops with water are treated.

Suffocation, tachycardia are treated in the same way.

Hangover cure

Adams herb tincture relieves the liver and blood of toxic substances, toxins, alleviates the condition of chemical and food poisoning. People drink it for hangovers, as the herb reduces alcohol intoxication.

Composition

Due to its chemical composition, rhododendron uniquely heals the body, treats various diseases, even those against which medical preparations are powerless.

Vitamin C

There is more vitamin C in the leaves, stems of the shrub than in citrus fruits.

Rhododendron medicine helps:

• cleanse the body of toxins, heavy metal compounds;
• restore vitality;
• regulate metabolism;
• accelerate tissue repair;
• increase the body's resistance to disease;
• strengthen vessel walls.

Rutin

Flavonoid found in rhododendron leaves. It has special healing properties:

• strengthens blood vessels;
• increases the penetration of ascorbic acid into the body, enhancing its effect;
• restores immunity;
• effective against inflammation;
• treats hypertension;
• normalizes the work of the adrenal glands;
• reduces allergic reactions;
• reduces cholesterol.

Fructose

Petals of the rhododendron shrub contain fructose, one of the valuable carbohydrates. It is good for the body:

• toning up;
• increases the amount of glycogen in the liver;
• restores the body from fatigue;
• strengthens the immune system;
• prevents caries, diathesis in children;
• replaces glucose in diabetes;
• cleanses the liver of toxic substances.

Arbutin

Its presence in the plant gives antiseptic power. Used in the treatment of inflammation in the bladder, since most of the arbutin from the gastrointestinal tract is removed through the kidneys and bladder.

Delays the formation of melanin in the skin, so the cosmetic industry uses arbutin to create whitening creams. Because of the benefits of arbutin, a dispute broke out between scientists.Some argue that the substance promotes the growth of tumors; others refute such judgments and believe that arbutin prevents their formation. There is still no consensus supported by scientific research.

Andromedotoxin

Flowers, leaves and even bush nectar contain this toxic substance, a chemical compound, in fact, a poison. First, andromedotoxin affects the brain, then paralyzes the entire central nervous system. May be fatal.

Be especially careful when taking rhododendron honey, it is dangerous for poisoning in case of an overdose.

When ingesting medicinal preparations with rhododendron, an overdose of the medicine should not be allowed. Be sure to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations.

Essential oil

It has a detrimental effect on bacteria, therefore it is used in the treatment of inflammations and infections. Essential oils are used effectively in the perfume industry, as it is recognized that the addition of rhododendron oils to lotions, for example, for shaving, reduces itching, while being gentle on sensitive skin.

Rhododendrin

There is rhododendrin in the leaves of the plant. Thanks to him, drugs treat diseases of the cardiovascular system: heart failure, arrhythmia.

Gallic acid

Organic acid of rhododendron prolongs the youth of the body, slows down the aging process.

Treatment

Leaves, flowers, branches, root, petioles of rhododendron have healing power.

Leaves

They contain especially many useful substances, so the leaves are the most valuable material of the rhododendron shrub. Diseases of the heart, blood vessels, rheumatism, chronic colitis, epilepsy are treated with preparations from rhododendron leaves.

Flowers

Folk recipes from flowers relieve tachycardia, relieve swelling, venous blood stasis, help with hypertension. The Dahurian rhododendron has sweet-tasting flower petals and a fragrant smell. They even make jam, cut into salads.

Recipes of traditional medicine

Flowers, stems, leaves of rhododendron in folk medicine are used in the preparation of medicinal drinks, ointments, potions.

Recipe 1

Infusion that restores intestinal microflora. It has a detrimental effect on E. coli, salmonella. Dry material of golden rhododendron (1 tsp) is brewed with 250 ml of boiling water, wait 2 hours. Drink warm 2 or 3 times a day for a tablespoon.

Recipe 2

Pain reliever that relieves muscle fatigue, overstrain, - a decoction of golden rhododendron. 0.5 g of dried foliage is poured into an enameled pan, poured with 1 glass of water, placed on the stove, boiled for 15 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. l. (reception three times a day).

Also decoction decontaminate wounds, ulcers. They can gargle an inflamed throat; treat stomatitis, sore throat.

Recipe 3

Infusion of Caucasian rhododendron is used when sleep is disturbed, headaches, convulsions, in menopause to alleviate the condition. 2 g of dried leaves of the plant are brewed in a glass of boiling water. Incubate for 15 minutes, filter. Are treated for 1 tsp. three times a day.

Recipe 4

From the leaves, flowers of the Caucasian shrub, a tincture is made, which is used to treat tachycardia, shortness of breath, and hypertension. Remove swelling. 20 g of dried flowers with leaves are poured with 1 glass of vodka. Insist in a dark place for half a month. Filter. Drink with water 25 drops at least 3 times a day.

Recipe 5

A soothing drink is made from Adams leaves. Grass (1 tsp) pour 1 liter of boiling water. Withstand 40 minutes in a thermos. Take no more than 1 glass per day, before meals, divided into 3 parts (three times a day).

Recipe 6

Rhododendron tea will help to bring down the high temperature, treat colds. To prepare it, 5 g of dry grass leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water. They insist an hour, filter. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

Recipe 7

Relieve nervous tension, pain in osteochondrosis, joint pain will help a decoction of the snow rose. Dry grass leaves (5 g) are poured with water (1 l). Boil for 10 minutes. After removing from heat insist half an hour. Drink a warm decoction every day, 50 ml 3 times.

Recipe 8

Stomach ulcer, inflammation of the duodenum treats the juice of Dahurian rhododendron flowers. Juice is squeezed out of the inflorescences, mixed with cream and drunk. Rhododendron tea will cure a sore throat. Tea is endowed with an antiseptic effect, it is not only drunk, but also gargled. Brew 1 tsp. a glass of boiling water, an hour insist. Treat 1 tbsp. l. a day 3 times. There are many more popular recipes for the treatment of rhododendron.

Homeopathic remedy rhododendron

In the preparation of a homeopathic preparation, golden rhododendron is used: fresh leaves and shoots with flower tops.

Indications for the use of Rhododendron to alleviate the condition of weather-dependent people:

• aches in the bones, in the joints;
• toothache;
• appearance of edema;
• digestion disorder;
• ear and eye diseases;
• women's he alth during menopause.

Arthritis pain is also treated with the homeopathic remedy Rhododendron. It not only eliminates pain, relieves nervousness, mental and physical overstrain.

Conclusions

The rhododendron shrub does more than just look luxurious. It is a natural cure for many diseases. The healing properties of rhododendron can bring not only benefits, but also harm if thoughtlessly used.

Before treating with a healing herb, you should consult your doctor.

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