Medicinal properties and contraindications of rhododendron, use in traditional medicine
Rhododendron is a member 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 in the mountains. The shrub is not only beautiful, it has healing powers. The medicinal properties of rhododendron have been known for a long time.
Description
Rhododendron is a meter long, always green shrub. The crooked trunk stretches along the ground:
- Dark brown bark with fluffy, scaly gray branches.
- Emerald-green oval leaves firmly sit on short petioles. The inner side of the leaves is covered with dense felt.
- The color range of flowers is varied: from snow-white to the most delicate pink. No wonder the plant was named alpine tea and snow rose. The inflorescences resemble umbrellas.
- The shrub blooms in the summer months. Propagated by seeds, which are collected in fruit-cases with opening doors.
Rhododendron growers grow as an exotic shrub.
Procurement and storage
Not all varieties of rhododendron are suitable for treatment. Especially valuable in its foliage. The medicinal material is stored during the flowering of rhododendrons from shrubs at least two years old. Flowers, branches, root are also helpful.
The dried raw materials are poured into clean glass jars, sealed properly, removed, where it is cool and dark. It is permissible to store in canvas bags, occasionally sorting out. Shelf life is 2 years.
Varieties
Rhododendron is a gorgeous shrub. Gardeners love it for its lush beauty. The plant will beautify any landscape. The variety of rhododendron shrubs and trees is great.
Daursky
The variety is called wild rosemary. An evergreen shrub, perennial lives for five decades and longer. The height of the deciduous bush is 2 m. Dauria is the Far Eastern territory where wild rosemary grows, hence the name.
Since spring, the Daurian rhododendron blooms, blooms for 15 days. Then foliage appears. The flowers are slightly pinkish, snow-white or with a lilac tint. Silicon soil, rocky slopes, oak forests are natural habitats for wild rosemary. The Daurian rhododendron has long been known to Siberians, Far Eastern residents, Chinese, Mongols.
Golden
The people call the rhododendron black-mane, kashkara, kashkarnik, pyandarva. Shrub less than 1 m in height (up to 85 cm) with creeping branches. Leaves are smooth: the outside is greener than the inside. The flowers are like large bells tied 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. There are many seeds.
Caucasian
The name comes from the habitat of the plant. The average height of the shrub is just over half a meter. Creeping shoots. 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 have been cases when the Caucasian rhododendron has bloomed repeatedly.
Indian
More often, the plant is called Indian azalea. In nature, azalea is a shrub that gives many shoots. Small leaves are kept on short petioles. Lush flowering: pink, red, white, purple flowers. Light-loving shrub, does not tolerate drought, high temperatures. In summer, potted azaleas are taken outside.
Metternich
Rhododendron is high (1.5 m). The diameter of the crown is the same. Dark green oval leathery leaves. On the inside there is a brown fluff. It blooms magnificently from June to July with snow-white flowers. The variety is frost-resistant, light-loving, pretentious to soil acidity.
Drying
Leaves are picked by hand. The collected material is dried:
- outdoors under cover;
- in heated buildings;
- ovens;
- electric dryers.
Drying outdoors is only allowed in a shaded area. The leaves are not poured in a mountain, they are laid out, sometimes they are turned.
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.
Beneficial features
Folk recipes in the preparation of life-giving potions use 4 types of rhododendrons: Caucasian, Daurian, golden, sagan-daila (Adams).
The varieties are endowed with medicinal properties:
- knock down the temperature;
- anesthetize;
- soothe;
- are antiseptic;
- diaphoretic.
Rhododendron successfully affects the activity of the heart muscle, drives out unnecessary fluid, removes puffiness, eliminates suffocation. Normalizes heart rate, lowers blood pressure, cholesterol.
Leaves are used to treat:
- rheumatism;
- colitis;
- a cold;
- epilepsy.
Normalization of metabolic processes in the body
In the treatment of metabolic disorders, drugs based on Adams' rhododendron are used. It is not for nothing that this species is called a herb that prolongs life. Buryats have long been using a medicinal plant in the treatment of ailments, for prophylaxis. Tincture of leaves, tea with flowers will help restore disturbed metabolism.
Immunity
Thanks to the large amount of vitamin C, rhododendron is able to restore and strengthen the immune system. Tincture, broth or tea increase the body's resistance to disease.
Effect on the digestive tract
An infusion is made from the leaves of the Daurian rhododendron, which is used to treat gastrointestinal poisoning, an inflamed mucosa.
In a glass of boiling water, 1 tsp is brewed. dry leaves. Drink 1 tsp. at least four times a day. Folk drugs will also help restore the intestinal microflora, disinfecting the body from harmful bacteria, pathogens of dysentery, E. coli, and other pathogenic microbes.
Resistance of the body to pain, stress and climate change
The plant has a strong analgesic effect. With the help of a medicinal herb, you can reduce pain on critical days in women. During 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 the climacteric period, rhododendron tincture will ease the condition with "hot flashes".
Headache
Tea with inflorescences of Caucasian rhododendron has a tonic effect, relieves headaches. A tincture of golden rhododendron will help bring down the heat. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tsp. dry leaves, leave for half an hour. Drink 2 tsp. at least three times a day.
Pressure stabilization
An 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 for 1 tbsp. l. (reception three times a day).
The remedy is not an "ambulance" for high blood pressure. It helps to gradually normalize the spike in blood pressure. With its frequent increase, you should still seek the advice of a therapist.
Calming effect
An infusion of Adams rhododendron leaves has an amazing soothing effect. Its regular use will restore disturbed sleep, calm the nerves, and help cope with stress. It is not without reason that medicinal herb is used in Tibet as a tonic. Buryats, where rhododendron has already been included in the Red Book, also accept the plant as a tonic.
Effect on the heart
The tincture of golden rhododendron will help to normalize the work of the heart, to regulate the blood flow. Dry crushed raw materials (1/5 part) are poured into a clean jar. Top up with vodka to the brim. Withstand for half a month. They are treated with 15 drops with water.
Choking, tachycardia is treated in the same way.
Hangover
Tincture of Adams' herb relieves the liver and blood of toxic substances, toxins, relieves the condition of chemical and food poisoning. People drink it for a hangover, as the herb reduces alcohol intoxication.
Composition
Due to its chemical composition, rhododendron heals the body in a unique way, cures various diseases, even those against which medications are powerless.
Vitamin C
There is more vitamin C in the leaves and stems of a 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;
- make the walls of blood vessels stronger.
Rutin
The flavonoid is 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 adrenal glands;
- reduces the manifestation of allergic reactions;
- reduces cholesterol.
Fructose
The petals of the rhododendron bush contain fructose, one of the valuable carbohydrates. It is good for the body:
- tones 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 mellitus;
- cleans the liver of toxic substances.
Arbutin
Its presence in the plant imparts antiseptic power. It is used in the treatment of inflammation in the bladder, since most of the arbutin is removed from the gastrointestinal tract through the kidneys and bladder.
Delays the formation of melanin in the skin, which is why the cosmetology industry uses arbutin to create whitening creams. Over the benefits of arbutin, a controversy flared up between scientists. Some argue that the substance promotes the growth of tumors; others refute such judgments and believe that arbutin interferes with their formation. There is still no consensus, confirmed by scientific research.
Andromedotoxin
Flowers, leaves and even nectar of the bush contain this toxic substance, a chemical compound, in fact, poison. First, andromedotoxin affects the brain, then paralyzes the entire central nervous system. May be fatal.
It is especially necessary to take rhododendron honey with particular care, it is dangerous for poisoning in case of an overdose.
When using medicinal preparations with rhododendron inside, an overdose of the medication 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 by the perfume industry as it is recognized that the addition of rhododendron oils to lotions, such as shaving, reduces itching by gently affecting sensitive skin.
Rhododendrin
There is rhododendrin in the leaves of the plant. Thanks to him, drugs are used to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system: heart failure, arrhythmia.
Gallic acid
Organic rhododendron acid prolongs the youth of the body, slows down the aging process.
Treatment
Leaves, flowers, branches, root, petioles of rhododendron possess healing power.
Leaves
They contain especially many useful substances, therefore 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 edema, venous blood congestion, help with hypertension. In the Daurian rhododendron, flower petals are sweet in taste, smell aromatic. They even make jam from them, cut into salads.
Traditional medicine recipes
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, relieves muscle fatigue, overstrain - a decoction of golden rhododendron. Pour 0.5 g of dried foliage into an enamel pan, pour 1 glass of water, place on the stove, boil for 15 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. l. (reception three times a day).
Also, the decoction disinfects wounds, ulcers. They can gargle a sore throat; treat stomatitis, sore throat.
Recipe 3
Infusion of Caucasian rhododendron is used when sleep is disturbed, headaches are tormented, with convulsions, during menopause to relieve the condition. 2 g of dried plant leaves are brewed in a glass of boiling water. Withstand 15 minutes, filtered. They are treated for 1 tsp. three times a day.
Recipe 4
A tincture is made from the leaves and flowers of the Caucasian shrub, which is used to treat tachycardia, shortness of breath, and hypertension. Edema is removed. 20 g of dried flowers with leaves are poured with 1 glass of vodka. Insist in a dark place for half a month. They are filtering. Drink 25 drops with water at least 3 times a day.
Recipe 5
A soothing drink is made from Adams leaves. Grass (1 tsp) is poured with 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, to treat colds. For its preparation, 5 g of dry herb leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water. Insist an hour, filter. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
Recipe 7
A decoction of snow rose will help to relieve nervous tension, pain in osteochondrosis, joint pain. Dry grass leaves (5 g) are poured with water (1 l). Boil for 10 minutes. After removing from the heat, insist half an hour. Drink the broth warm every day, 50 ml 3 times.
Recipe 8
A stomach ulcer, inflammation of the duodenum is treated by the juice of the flowers of the Daurian rhododendron. 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 for an hour. They are treated for 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day. There are many more popular recipes for rhododendron treatment.
Homeopathic medicine rhododendron
When preparing a homeopathic remedy, a golden rhododendron is used: fresh leaves and shoots with flower tops.
Indications for the use of Rhododendron to alleviate the condition of meteorological people:
- aching bones, joints;
- toothache;
- the appearance of edema;
- disorder of the digestive process;
- ear and eye diseases;
- health of women during menopause.
Arthritis pain is also treated with the homeopathic remedy Rhododendron. It not only eliminates pain, relieves nervousness, mental and physical stress.
conclusions
The rhododendron shrub has more than just a luxurious appearance. It is a natural remedy for many diseases. The healing properties of rhododendron can bring not only benefits, but also harm when used thoughtlessly.
Before being treated with medicinal herbs, you should consult your doctor.
