Benefits and Harms of Medicinal Plants

Many people consider the best doctor - nature: it helps to cure almost all the sick and never slanders their colleagues. Indeed, in the manuals on traditional medicine and non-traditional methods of treatment, you can find a cure for any disease: from small wounds, ulcers and cuts, ending with diabetes and pneumonia. And the experience of the ancient peoples of the world, especially the eastern flourishing civilizations, makes one believe in the miraculous properties of plants. The theme of our today's article is "The Benefits and Harm of Medicinal Plants."

Undoubtedly, medicinal plants contain biologically active substances that can help in curing those or other diseases, but it is also necessary to take into account the ecological state of the area where plants are collected, as they absorb all harmful chemicals from the environment. It is important to harvest plants in accordance with the calendar: all in good time! So, for example, yarrow should be collected from July to September, and St. John's wort only in July. This is due to the fact that at a certain time the plant (or some of its parts: leaves, fruits, roots) accumulate the maximum amount of medicinal substances: the leaves must be well-formed, but fresh, the flowers blossomed but not crumbled, and the fruit ripe , but not yet falling. Particular attention should be given to careful handling and proper storage. Plants must be cleaned, cleaned of dirt and foreign objects, prepare a dark and cool place for storage. At home, you can also make juice (it is recommended to start the collection through a meat grinder and then strain it in a juicer), powder (using a conventional coffee grinder) or infusion (boiling the raw material in water for 15 minutes and keeping the refrigerator for 2 days).

Each medicinal plant should be well studied before use: all properties, active substances contained, contraindications.

Let's consider some methods of treatment on an example of a nettle, a camomile and an aloe, as the most widespread in national medicine, and, apparently, absolutely harmless plants.

Flower chamomile baskets can be collected from June to September. Chamomile infusion is an excellent remedy for sore throat in combination with marigold flowers and eucalyptus (in equal parts), rinsing with this solution 2 times a day relieves the inflammation of the throat and hardens it. Infusion of chamomile in combination with fennel, in turn, is used for stomach ulcers. Herb infusion and chamomile flowers are also used for washing eyes in inflammation. Chamomile is widely used in the manufacture of various masks for the face, for hair, giving them shine and strength. The broth of only 2 tablespoons of chamomile allows you to get rid of bad smell from the mouth.

Aloe vera juice is effective in bronchitis in a mixture with other substances, such as butter and bee honey. Take should be, after diluting hot milk, twice a day. Aloe juice is also used to treat gastritis, drinking a teaspoon 3 times a day for half an hour before meals, the treatment course is quite long - more than two months. It is important to know that aloe preparations affect blood circulation, strengthening the flow of blood to the pelvic organs. Contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder, with uterine bleeding, internal inflammatory processes.

Nettle collection is carried out from May to September. With wounds, cuts, scratches, it is enough to make a bandage impregnated with the juice of nettle. A broth based on a pinch of nettle flowers is an excellent expectorant, and the nettle leaf infusion is used as a hemostatic. The filtered tincture of May Nettle on vodka or 70% alcohol when taken 2 times a day (on a hungry stomach 30 minutes before eating and before going to bed by a teaspoon) gives vivacity, improves the heart and blood composition, the movements become easier, and the sclerosis passes. Nettle is an excellent remedy for dandruff and prevents hair loss. Before using the products of the nettle, you should consult a doctor. Preparations from this plant are contraindicated in hypertensive patients with atherosclerosis, people with high blood coagulability. Also, they are not recommended for bleeding caused by tumors of the uterus and appendages.

Thus, we were convinced that at the present moment innumerable applications of medicinal properties of plants are known for the treatment of various diseases, the benefits and harms of medicinal plants must be taken into account when they are taken. But it is necessary to study these methods yourself either very carefully, having assessed all the positive properties, correctly preparing the drug, observing all the requirements of cleanliness and environmental friendliness, considering all contraindications, or (which is a more reliable option) after consulting with a specialist in this field. It is also recommended to use the collection of medicinal herbs offered in pharmacies of the city, as they guarantee the ecological compatibility and quality of processing and storage.