The medicinal properties of aspen have long been used in folk medicine.
The bark and buds of the tree for medicinal purposes are collected in early spring, and the leaves - in May and early June..
All this is well dried, and then, if necessary, used in the form of tinctures, decoctions and ointments.
Decoctions of buds and tinctures of bark and leaves with branches drink for colds, inflammation of the bladder, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids.
A powdered aspen buds, mixed with vegetable oil, wonderfully treat burns and wounds and remove warts and lichens.
Aspen bark, which can be used in decoctions and infusions, helps with disorders of the human nervous system and diabetes.
To do this, carefully crushed bark in the amount of one glass is poured with three glasses of boiling water and boiled for half an hour, and then wrapped and left for about six hours.
The finished broth is taken 3 tablespoons 30 minutes before meals.
For the treatment of complex diseases, such as joint damage and diabetes mellitus, the process of taking the drug can be long - up to two months. After this, you need to take a break for one month and only after this the course can be repeated.
The bark is also used to treat various colds..
To obtain a more complete and strong effect on preparations based on the plant bark, add aspen leaves and buds. This set of useful substances effectively reduces temperature and cures many problems of the respiratory system: pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, sore throat.
It is best to collect bark from April to May, at this time the movement of juice begins. To collect medicinal raw materials, young plants are chosen, those whose bark is no thicker than seven millimeters.
Care should be taken when removing the bark. For this, a sharp knife is used, with which an incision is made around the trunk.
The next incision is made at a distance of about ten centimeters. Vertical cuts are made in the resulting cylinder and the bark is carefully removed from the tree. Be careful not to snag the wood.
The collected raw materials can be dried in the oven.
Medicinal properties of the bark
Aspen bark has long been used as a highly effective natural medicine. Medicinal decoctions and tinctures prepared from the bark are used for a wide variety of ailments, as they have choleretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties.
The bark contains a large amount of useful substances, vitamins and valuable microelements. Including phenolic glycosides, various organic acids, tannins. It contains pectin, valuable glycine betaine, flavonoids, polysaccharides and many other substances necessary for humans. Speaking about the value of the bark, I would like to remind you that it was from it that aspirin was obtained long ago and the first antibiotics were made.
Traditional and folk medicine actively use the healing properties of this tree, including the bark, to treat inflammation of the joints, for example, arthritis, arthrosis. Remedies from the bark are used for rheumatism, kidney diseases, cystitis, and gastritis. With the help of decoction and tincture they treat inflammation of the prostate, hemorrhoids, and are used in the complex treatment of syphilis and cancer. The bark is used to normalize the functioning of the biliary system.
Due to its high antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, the decoction is used to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines. The infusion is taken for general strengthening of the body, as well as for healing skin tuberculosis. Used for toothache, lung diseases, gout, dysentery and many other ailments. It should also be said that a decoction of the bark is considered an effective treatment for diabetes.
An ointment is prepared from aspen bark, which is used externally for skin diseases, for example, boils, boils, lichen, psoriasis and eczema.
Aspen bark is used to get rid of worms, therefore it is used for opisthorchiasis and
giardiasis.
Preparation of medicinal products
Preparing the decoction
Recipe No. 1: Grind 1 cup of dried aspen bark (you can use pharmacy grade), pour into an enamel saucepan, pour 600 ml of hot water. Place the saucepan over low heat and simmer at a gentle simmer for 20-30 minutes. After this, remove the broth from the stove, wrap it in something warm, leave for another 6 hours, then strain.
For inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, joints, diabetes, gastritis, pancreatitis, colds and other ailments, take a quarter glass of the decoction between meals. The treatment is quite long - 2 months. After the course, take a break of 30 days, after which the treatment must be repeated.
Recipe No. 2: To enhance the effect, you can prepare a decoction from a mixture of aspen bark, leaves, and buds. To do this, mix all the ingredients in equal quantities, pour 1 tbsp. l. mixture 200 ml boiling water. Simmer over very low heat for an hour, then cool until warm, strain, take 2 tbsp. l. between meals.
Use this decoction for all of the diseases listed above, as well as to reduce high fever, in the complex treatment of coughs and colds, sore throats and acute, chronic bronchitis.
Tincture of bark with alcohol
To prepare this highly effective remedy, grind the dried bark, add 5 tbsp. l. raw materials in a glass liter jar. Pour in half a liter of good vodka. Close the jar tightly and put it somewhere dark for 2 weeks. Shake the tincture every evening. After this, you need to take 1 dessert spoon each time before meals.
Take the tincture for all the ailments listed above, as well as to get rid of helminths.
Preparation of ointment
The ointment is prepared in this way: Burn aspen bark, collect the ash, mix with pork fat (you can use neutral baby cream), store in the refrigerator. Use the ointment to treat skin diseases.
Contraindications
There are few contraindications to the use of aspen bark, but they do exist. It should not be used if you have allergic reactions, chronic constipation or individual intolerance.
In any case, before using aspen bark to treat ailments, be sure to obtain your doctor’s permission. Be healthy!
Taken from
On one of the articles on our website, a reader left a comment that aspen bark is a panacea for almost all diseases. We became interested and studied in more detail the beneficial properties and contraindications of aspen bark.
An inconspicuous aspen tree with greenish-gray smooth bark is a common plant in central Russia. Transparent, sparse aspen trees in summer attract with patterned shadows and the cool rumble of ever-trembling leaves. In autumn, they attract attention with the hot crimson color of the foliage and the harvest of boletus mushrooms.
Traditional healers value the tree for the amazing medicinal properties of aspen bark. Our ancestors noticed that as soon as an aspen tree fell in the forest, all kinds of forest inhabitants came to it. Hares, moose, deer, mice, beavers. Anyone who is able to gnaw the bark will definitely trample a path to the aspen trunk, although the aspen bark tastes very bitter, exactly like cinchona. Fallen birch trees are not so popular (although the same birch tree is useful for , and , and , and ).
A relatively small tree has roots that go deep into the soil. From the underground depths, aspen extracts nutrients and moisture, rare chemical elements that give the tree tissue healing properties.
Aspen bark: its benefits and harms
The healing bitterness of aspen bark has antimicrobial, antitussive and anthelmintic effects. Fights inflammation and increases the body's defenses. Infusions, extracts, decoctions and preparations created on the basis of plant materials are taken orally during a comprehensive fight against the disease. Externally, decoctions are used to heal skin diseases, wounds, burns and inflammations.
There are practically no contraindications to the use of aspen bark, except for the unpleasant bitter taste and individual intolerance. Since the bark has an astringent effect, patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders and constipation should take aspen extracts with caution.
Alcohol tinctures from aspen bark should also not be taken - alcohol is poison, and given that there are ways to use aspen bark without alcohol, it is stupid to poison yourself during treatment.
Chemical composition of plant materials
The benefits and harms of aspen bark are explained by the content of a number of substances in it. The most valuable is salicyl, a natural analogue of aspirin. Aspirin owes its creation to the bark of willows, the family of which also includes aspen. The presence of salicyl provides the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect of aspen bark. After taking the drug, sweat is released profusely, and the thick blood becomes thinner. Aspen bark contains:
- Carbohydrates that promote rapid absorption of the drug.
- Substances containing aromatic components.
- Phenolglycosides.
- Tanning ingredients.
- Complex fatty acids.
The combination of beneficial qualities of aspen bark helps in the fight against the most serious diseases: pneumonia, tuberculosis, rheumatism, malaria.
Proper harvesting of aspen bark for medicines
The largest amount of medicinal substances is contained in the tree bark during spring sap flow. Therefore, the bark is collected in the spring, cutting it off from young shoots. Trees should grow away from busy highways and big cities so that there is no concentration of harmful substances in the collected plant material. The bark from young trees is dried and then ground to a powder. All possible types of medicines are made from the resulting powder.
When is a decoction of aspen bark used?
The use of aspen bark decoction copes well with many diseases.
- Salicyl in the decoction successfully fights influenza, feverish conditions, malaria and colds.
- Vitamin bitterness improves digestion and awakens appetite, which is very useful for an organism weakened by disease.
- Some substances in the decoction can relieve pain and relieve body aches.
- In the complex treatment of gastritis and diarrhea, the softening and astringent properties of aspen bark are used.
100 grams of dry crushed aspen bark are poured with a liter of boiling water and simmered in a water bath for 15 minutes, then left to infuse for 3 hours. The strained mixture is cooled and taken half a glass or a glass daily.
Aspen bark for the treatment of prostatitis
Prostatitis is a common disease that requires drug treatment. According to doctors, aspen bark has a beneficial effect on men's health during complex treatment.
For prostatitis, tinctures and decoctions are used, but we recommend avoiding treatment with alcohol and using decoctions. You need to use the same recipe that we described two paragraphs above. Take 200 ml of this decoction 3 times a day before meals. The course lasts 3 months.
As a result, pronounced symptoms of the pathology practically disappear. The prostate affected by the disease decreases in size, and the process of urination is normalized. But given the seriousness of this disease, we recommend that treatment be carried out under the supervision of your doctor.
Topicals and extracts
Weakened immunity is effectively boosted by aspen bark extract, which has pronounced strengthening properties. The medicinal extract purchased at the pharmacy is taken in courses. During a two-month course, drink 15 drops three times a day. Experts say that aspen bark extract has cancer-protective properties. It is used in a complex of therapeutic drugs for cancer patients.
Burns, wounds, eczema and even hemorrhoids are effectively treated with ointments made from the ashes of burnt bark. The ash remaining from the burnt bark is combined with Vaseline and solid oils. The resulting mixture is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas. Ointments help in treating rheumatoid or gouty joints.
Aspen bark for the treatment of diabetes
When treating diabetes mellitus, a steady reduction in sugar levels is important. It is possible to achieve normalization of indicators in a fairly short time using time-tested recipes of traditional medicine. Preparations made from aspen bark will help reduce sugar levels, speed up metabolism and lose excess weight.
A decoction of aspen bark for diabetes is prepared from a spoonful of crushed dry raw materials and a small amount of boiling water. The mixture is kept for 10 minutes on low heat. The strained, cooled broth is drunk in the morning, half a glass.
The raw bark can be ground in a blender. For one part of the bark take 3 parts of water. The mixture is infused in a dark place for several hours, and then taken half a glass. Decoctions are especially effective in the initial stages of the disease. Consultation with a doctor before starting treatment is required. After all, the best effect is achieved through a complex process.
Aspen bark is widely known for its anthelmintic properties. A powerful natural remedy acts effectively and carefully in the treatment of opisthorchiasis and giardiasis, without causing harm to the human body.
- A high concentration of phenoglycosides ensures the anthelmintic activity of the plant extract.
- Populin in decoctions has hepatoprotective properties, which are indispensable for opisthorchiasis.
- Tanning components have an anti-inflammatory effect and soften irritated mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Glycosides help to completely cleanse the body.
- Salicyl improves immunity.
Health 03/01/2018
Dear readers, today let’s remember the benefits of a tree like aspen. Aspen is widespread in Russia; everyone has heard of the “trembling aspen leaf”; in the fall, groves of these trees attract mushroom pickers with their boletus harvest. A not very large tree has many beneficial properties for our health - and all thanks to its healing bark. And it is about the medicinal properties of aspen bark, its composition and use, and contraindications that we will talk today.
Traditional medicine has long known the benefits of aspen bark. Healers used it to treat a variety of ailments - diseases of the lungs, joints, etc. It began to be used in pharmacology not so long ago, although its composition and properties have already been studied in laboratories.
Aspen bark is gray-green and smooth, tastes bitter, but this bitterness is the key to its healing power. Aspen takes deep roots and thus receives valuable substances from the soil.
The benefits of aspen bark are due to the content in it of a large number of different substances and compounds, the combination of which is unique. Scientists have discovered salicyl in it - this is a natural similarity to aspirin. Interestingly, aspirin was invented thanks to willow bark, and willow is related to aspen. Thanks to salicylic, aspen bark reduces fever and relieves inflammation.
In addition, aspen bark contains:
- complex fatty and organic acids;
- carbohydrates;
- phenol glycosides (except salicin – populin, salicortin);
- tannins;
- phenolcarboxylic acids;
- fatty oils and bitterness;
- ethers;
- flavonoids;
- polysaccharides;
- cellulose;
- terpenes;
- minerals – iron, zinc, cobalt, potassium, manganese, iodine, etc.;
- vitamin C and carotene.
We can say that aspen bark has a rich composition that other plants cannot compare with. So, it contains even more vitamin C than lemon. And the set of glycosides is generally considered unparalleled. That is why aspen bark has so many medicinal properties.
The healing properties of aspen bark
What does aspen bark help with? A decoction of it is taken for colds and flu, and for fever - salicyl will help here. The decoction will also relieve body aches, and the bitterness will awaken the appetite, which is important in case of illness. The decoction is also used to treat skin diseases and burns.
Effects of aspen bark on the body
Aspen bark has the following effects on the body:
- antipyretic, diaphoretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- restorative;
- antioxidant;
- antiseptic and antimicrobial;
- expectorant, antitussive;
- emollient, astringent, antidiarrheal;
- diuretic, choleretic;
- antirheumatic;
- sedative and analgesic;
- secretory;
- increases appetite;
- anthelmintic.
To strengthen the immune system
Aspen bark stimulates the functions of the immune system. In folk medicine, aspen bark was used as a general tonic.
For the heart, blood vessels, blood
Aspen bark is beneficial for hematopoiesis and improves the production of blood cells. It helps strengthen the heart muscle and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It also normalizes blood clotting, blood sugar and cholesterol.
To cleanse the body
Aspen bark helps remove toxins, metal salts, and radionuclides from the body. It is used for recovery after radiation exposure.
For the respiratory system
Aspen bark is used to treat and prevent lung diseases. This is an ancient antitussive remedy. The bark in a decoction is used for whooping cough, asthma, pleurisy, and tuberculosis.
In the case of flu and bronchitis, the cough is not suppressed, but made more productive. Then only a doctor can recommend aspen bark or not. This is especially true for children.
To renew the body
Aspen bark as an antioxidant eliminates free radicals. This slows down the aging process. Also, products with aspen bark accelerate cell regeneration.
For the digestive system
Infusions and decoctions of aspen bark are used for digestive disorders, to improve appetite and secretion. The bark helps in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, and intestinal infections. It is a folk remedy for dysentery.
For kidneys and bladder
Aspen tree bark is a strong anti-inflammatory agent. The decoction will improve urination in case of cystitis and nephritis.
For tumors
The benefits of aspen bark as an antitumor agent are known. In complex treatment, it can be prescribed to destroy benign and malignant tumors.
For the thyroid gland
Taking aspen bark is good for the thyroid gland. The decoction will help normalize the functioning of the hormonal system.
For the musculoskeletal system
Aspen bark is good for bones, joints, and muscles. It helps with inflammation, swelling and salt deposits, radiculitis, arthrosis, and joint pain. It is also an effective remedy for sciatica and neuralgia. Decoctions are useful not only for bones, but also for teeth.
For diabetes
Aspen bark is useful for type 2 diabetes. It stimulates the production of insulin, and its enzymes that normalize metabolism are also important. Aspen bark normalizes sugar and improves the functioning of the pancreas.
For prostate adenoma
Aspen bark is used for prostate adenoma. This is part of a complex treatment that takes place under the supervision of a specialist. The decoction is taken in courses of 3 months until the dangerous symptoms go away. In addition, a decoction of the bark normalizes the functioning of the genitourinary system. The bark helps with prostatitis and impotence.
For the nervous system
The bark has a mild sedative effect. It calms, improves sleep, reduces anxiety, and helps with depression.
For skin
Decoctions, compresses, and lotions with aspen bark are good for skin health. Wounds, abrasions and burns heal. The bark is used for ulcers, boils, eczema, etc.
For weight loss
Research has shown that aspen bark can be used as a dietary supplement for weight loss. It cleanses the intestines of toxins, speeds up metabolism, and normalizes fat and hormonal metabolism. Aspen bark helps remove excess fluid, and the decoction can have a mild laxative effect. All this, with the right diet, will contribute to weight loss.
Other beneficial properties of aspen bark
Aspen bark is also used for rinsing for sore throats, stomatitis, and toothaches. After tooth extraction, the bark heals the mucous membrane well. Aspen bark also helps with bacterial infections. For example, it is used against staphylococcus.
Methods of using aspen bark in folk medicine
What uses of aspen bark are suitable for home treatment? How to prepare medicinal products with it and how to take them?
Decoction
The decoction is suitable for all cases of treatment. A concentrated decoction and infusion is used externally to gargle or lubricate the gums. Aspen bark will provide an antimicrobial, antiseptic, and analgesic effect.
The decoction is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark, pour a glass of water, boil over low heat for 3 minutes. Leave for an hour and filter. Take 1-2 tbsp. l. three times a day half an hour before meals.
Infusion
Recipe for infusion of aspen bark: 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours. Strain and take chilled. The dosage is the same as for the decoction.
The course of taking infusion and decoction of aspen bark is no more than 30 days. If treatment needs to be continued, take a two-week break.
For children under 12 years of age, treatment with aspen bark and dosage can only be selected by a doctor. The same applies to the treatment of diabetes and prostate adenoma; clear recommendations from a specialist are needed. Self-medication is best avoided.
Tincture
In some cases, using tincture of aspen bark with vodka is suitable. The proportions are as follows: for 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark 10 tbsp. l. vodka. In a tightly sealed container, leave the mixture for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. The container is shaken periodically. Strain and take a teaspoon three times a day before meals. You can dilute 50 ml of boiled water. Externally, the tincture is used for local action on boils and ulcers.
Ointment
In folk medicine, ointment with aspen bark is used. This remedy is used for wounds, burns, boils, rheumatism, gout. For cooking, you need the ash that remains after burning the bark. 10 g of ash is mixed with 50 g of petroleum jelly or fat (pork, goose). The resulting mixture is applied in a thin layer to problem areas.
Oil hood
An oil extract with aspen bark is also suitable for the skin. Take powdered bark and olive oil 1:5, mix, leave for 2 weeks at room temperature, filter.
Aspen bark can be included in herbal teas or pharmaceutical preparations. Most often these are means to strengthen the immune system or to treat the respiratory system. Aspen bark goes well with the following herbs:
- St. John's wort;
- sage;
- plantain;
- coltsfoot;
- eucalyptus;
- calendula.
The month of March is best suited for collecting aspen bark - the period of spring movement of juices. Choose trees in environmentally friendly places, away from roads and businesses. The bark is cut from young aspens, the thickness of the cut is 4-5 mm. The bark is cut carefully and not too much so that the plant recovers. Young branches of an adult tree are also suitable for harvesting.
At home, the bark is cut into small pieces and dried. Just a dry place without direct sunlight will do. Dry bark can be ground into powder.
It is best to store the bark in linen bags. Raw materials will be stored for 1-2 years (it is important to avoid dampness during storage).
Watch a video about the use of aspen bark in folk medicine, how to prepare raw materials, and how to make a decoction.
Possible harm and contraindications
Like all herbal remedies, aspen bark has its contraindications. In rare cases, there may be allergies and intolerances to it. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not take products containing aspen bark. Before treating children under 5 years of age, you should definitely consult a doctor. Advice from a specialist on the use of bark is also necessary for chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
The medicinal properties of aspen bark are very numerous; it is a unique medicinal natural remedy for many diseases. If you can’t go to the forest in the spring, you can always buy ready-made aspen bark at the pharmacy. The bark is sold separately, in collections and as an extract. Aspen is a wonderful tree, whose bark protects and heals our body.
A decoction of aspen bark has a lot of beneficial properties. Aspen is a tree that reaches a height of up to 35 meters and a diameter of up to a meter.
Its leaves are round in shape with long roots flattened in the middle. This creates the effect of foliage trembling at the slightest breath of a meter. This is where the expression “trembles like an aspen stake” comes from.
If we talk about the place of growth, this tree species is famous for its particular importance in the forest-forming species of the Russian Federation. The most concentrated territorial location is observed in the European part of the country, in Siberia and the Far East.
In addition to the beauty and uniqueness of the plant, it has long been used in medicinal methods. It extracts its beneficial properties from the depths of the soil, where aspen roots penetrate and extract truly rare and healing substances.
The harvesting season begins in April and lasts until mid-June. To ensure that the decoction of aspen bark has more positive effects, only young trees are used to obtain raw materials. The collected bark is cut into pieces and dried either in the oven or in a dark place.
Useful properties and for what diseases it is used
The practical use of this tree species has been observed for more than a century. Aspen was most popular during the Inquisition, where it was used to make stakes and crucifixes for execution.
Gradually, this barbaric method of using wood gave way to the most gentle use in folk medicine, where the healers of that time appreciated it and widely used it in their practice.
Valuable substances are contained in the foliage and buds, but the most concentration is observed in the bark of the plant. A decoction of aspen bark can have an effective diuretic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effect on the human body. Its use is permissible in the event of the following diseases and pathological disorders:
- diabetes;
- cystitis;
- gout;
- furunculosis;
- joint pain;
- skin rashes;
- eczema;
- arthrosis;
- rheumatism;
- helminthiases;
- arthritis;
- nervous disorders;
- colds;
- respiratory system disorders;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- scurvy;
- hernia;
- syphilis;
- feverish conditions;
- pancreatitis;
- loss of appetite;
- urinary incontinence;
- dysentery;
- haemorrhoids;
- dental diseases;
- diarrhea;
- tuberculosis;
- malaria.
Folk recipes for aspen decoctions
A decoction of aspen bark has beneficial properties when prepared correctly. Listed below are several folk recipes based on the constituents of this tree species:
- An integrated approach to treatment is most effective, especially in combination with other tree components. So the preparation of this recipe is based on young aspen bark, its twigs and buds, previously crushed and in the amount of 1 tablespoon. These components are poured into 1 cup of boiling water and left for 10 minutes. One-time use of the decoction is in the amount of half a glass. You need to drink it 4 times a day, that is, the decoction is prepared at least 2 times. The duration of treatment is 1 month, after which a break is taken for 10 days and the course is repeated again. This drink is useful for kidney diseases, and especially for nephritis.
- The following decoction of aspen bark is effective against emerging helminthiases. To remove helminths, a more concentrated strength of the decoction is needed. In order for the treatment to achieve the desired effect, you need to take 50 grams of crushed aspen bark and 500 ml of cold water. Mix the mixture in an enamel bowl and place on low heat. After the mixture boils, you need to let the broth cook for another 10 minutes, remove from heat, let it brew for 3 hours and filter. You need to drink this drink 2 sips before meals no more than 5 times a day. This treatment is also used for giardiasis and opisthorchiasis.
- Another recipe for preparing a decoction is based on dry crushed aspen bark in the amount of 1 cup, which is poured with 3 cups of boiling water. Next, the resulting mixture is placed on the fire and brought to a boil. After boiling the broth for another 30 minutes, the mixture is removed and infused for several hours, after which it is filtered and taken 20 drops before meals 3-4 times a day. This remedy is effective for diabetes mellitus and a certain group of nervous diseases. The treatment course lasts for 2 months with a necessary break of 30 days.
- To prepare, you need to take 45 g of crushed aspen bark and boil it in 500 ml of water. In this case, evaporation should occur to ½ of the original volume. After this, the broth should be filtered and taken 3 times a day, 80 ml. To improve the taste, you can add honey or granulated sugar.
- A decoction of aspen bark is best taken for a long time (about 60 days of regular use) for joint diseases and diabetes.
- If intense blood loss has been observed, a decoction of aspen bark can significantly improve the condition and restore hemorrhagic parameters.
- When making ointments based on this tree species, it is possible to use baby creams or any other good cream as a base. Such ointments are effective in the treatment of eczema, boils, burns and other skin lesions.
- For men in advanced age, a decoction of aspen bark is recommended for regular preventive use. Such actions significantly reduce the risk of prostate adenoma.
To make the decoction more useful, remove the bark from young trees carefully when using a knife. When preparing, you need to ensure that the wood is not touched; its presence in medicinal raw materials is undesirable. - As in any other cases, before starting therapy with aspen bark, you need to consult a doctor to identify indications and prescribe the necessary dosages.
Contraindications for use
Long-term use (more than 2 months) of medicinal decoctions based on aspen bark is not recommended due to the possible development of chronic constipation. Restrictions include pregnant women
women and nursing mothers, since the possible risk of harm to the child’s health has not been fully studied.
Properties and composition of aspen bark
The unique properties of some plants sometimes baffle even those types of people who are well acquainted with many representatives of the green pharmacy. Aspen, which is easy to find in any mixed or deciduous forest in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and other European countries, is simply a storehouse in its composition of substances. It is the combination of a dozen microelements and vitamins in one plant that makes this inconspicuous tree irreplaceable for pharmaceuticals and traditional healers. Of particular value is the bark of the tree, used for the preparation of various medicinal preparations.
The healing properties of aspen bark have been noticed for a very long time; the first mention of the use of the plant for the treatment of diseases goes back to the distant past. Surprisingly, even animals do not ignore the plant: as soon as the aspen falls, almost all herbivores and predatory forest animals immediately appear.
Aspen owes its rich and unique composition to its well-developed rhizome, which, in relation to the tree itself, often exceeds the length of the plant trunk. Decoctions from aspen bark are particularly bitter and have an unpleasant aftertaste, but, nevertheless, this is a very useful medicine in its properties, and this is not the only way the plant is used: healers prepare tinctures, ointments, compresses and other preparations from the raw materials.
Medicinal properties
What is valuable is that almost all aspen is used for the preparation of medicines, from the buds and leaves to the rhizome. The most valuable raw material is considered to be tree bark; it is from it that the main means for treatment are prepared. What can be treated with aspen bark:
- Radiculitis and other neurological diseases.
- Hernia.
- Syphilis.
- Digestive problems and gastrointestinal tract organs.
- Diseases of the bladder and urinary system.
- Hypertrophic condition of the prostate gland.
- Scurvy.
- Fever.
- Haemorrhoids.
- Sciatica.
If we take the whole plant as a whole, then aspen is suitable for treating a number of complex diseases:
The list of diseases that are successfully treated with drugs made from aspen can be listed for a long time; it’s easier to say that the plant in its own way is a panacea for a dozen, if not hundreds of different diseases and their symptoms.
Chemical composition
The most valuable substance found in aspen is salicyl (aspirin), which has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. In combination with other useful components, medicinal preparations made from the plant are particularly effective in curing complex diseases. The composition of aspen bark includes:
- Phenolglycosides.
- Fatty acid. One of the most complex and rare in nature.
- Tannins.
- Carbohydrates.
- Natural flavors.
- Sterols.
- Squirrels.
- Wax.
- Coumarin.
- Resins.
- Pectins.
- Mineral salts.
- Phenol carbonates.
- Flavonoids.
- Anthocyanins.
- Fatty oil.
- Bitterness.
- Carotene, vitamins A, C.
In combination, the plant has powerful anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, with high cell regenerability, strengthening the immune system and other especially valuable properties necessary for the treatment of a number of difficult-to-treat diseases.
Contraindications
A huge advantage of preparations prepared from aspen bark is the fact that the substance has practically no contraindications, if you do not take into account individual intolerance. You also need to carefully use preparations made from aspen bark for that category of people who have an increased allergic reaction.
Experts warn: an overdose of any medications can negatively affect the functioning of the body, the same rule applies to drugs prepared from aspen bark, whether the medicine is purchased or made at home.
Questions about preparation and storage
The preparation, drying and storage of raw materials of medicinal plants can have serious differences. In the case of aspen, harvesting can begin in March, using the wood of the plant to extract the juice. Then, with the appearance of buds, they continue to harvest buds, then leaves, and only then tree bark.
Which aspen bark should I use?
A special feature of harvesting aspen bark is the age of the tree: old plants are considered inferior in this regard, since the surface of the raw material has flaws and is subject to various diseases during the growth process.
Healthy trees with a layer of material at least 5 mm thick are suitable for harvesting bark. Bark is removed only from healthy trees, and the place where the collection of raw materials is planned must be in an ecologically clean area.
If harvesting is done from mature trees, the bark is removed not from the trunk, but from young branches, where the raw materials will be of the highest quality.
What time of year should I start harvesting?
Many novice herbalists naively believe that raw materials such as bark can be collected throughout the year, which is a grave mistake. Each plant has its own time factor, during which the raw material acquires all the necessary microelements and vitamins.
The formation of aspen bark after the winter period begins in February and continues until the end of April. Starting in May, you can begin harvesting raw materials, selecting sunny or simply dry days, continuing to collect until the end of June. Before the start of harvesting, an important factor is the end of the aspen flowering period; it is from this moment that harvesting can begin. With the onset of heat, the bark loses some properties under the influence of heat, so further collection is considered inappropriate.
How not to harm a tree?
For the workpiece, use a special knife with a long and sharp blade, which will be convenient for making cuts. To properly remove the raw material, the bark is trimmed from all edges, carefully lifting it from underneath, making sure that it is peeled off correctly from the wood.
To avoid the death of the tree, you do not need to remove a lot of bark from one trunk at a time. Experienced herbalists take two or three cuts from each tree, then the areas will be completely restored by winter and the tree will not begin to dry out. The correct harvesting technique is considered to be two cuts of bark from the trunk and several from branches of suitable thickness, then minimal damage will be caused to the tree, and it will not suffer from heat and pests during the growth process.
How to dry aspen bark correctly?
The harvested raw materials are cut into narrow strips (5-7 cm) and laid out on any surface with the condition that at the time of drying the raw materials will not be exposed to direct sunlight: ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on many microelements.
Summer sheds with good air circulation are ideal for drying. During drying, the raw materials are turned over from time to time, ensuring uniform drying of moisture from the layers of bark.
How long can you store?
Like any raw material from which medicines are made, aspen bark has an expiration date. Provided that the room temperature is stable and the percentage of humidity does not exceed normal standards, the bark can be stored in paper bags or fabric bags. In this case, the raw materials can be stored for 2.5-3 years, but if there is high humidity in the room, or vice versa dryness, the shelf life of the bark is reduced by about six months, provided that the structure of the material has not become unusable (rotting).
Treatments made from aspen bark
Aspen bark can be used in a variety of ways, with the most popular forms of medicine being infusions, ointments, decoctions and compresses. Preparation recipes differ based on the composition of the ingredients involved and the form of the medicinal product.
In addition to the listed types of medicines, juice is also extracted from aspen. This substance is particularly beneficial, but it is extracted only from tree wood.
Tincture of aspen bark
The crushed raw materials (1 tablespoon) are poured with moonshine (can be slightly diluted alcohol), in a ratio of 1:10, and the mixture is poured into a glass container and tightly closed (can be rolled up). The substance is infused for 21 days, in a room where it is relatively dark and cool (you can use a closet or pantry). During this period, from time to time (every two days), the mixture is thoroughly shaken. At the end, filter the tincture and take 1 tsp per day. three times, an hour before meals, with a small amount of cold water.
Decoction of aspen bark
A decoction is practically the same type of tincture, with the difference that it is prepared faster, and the remedy itself is not so strong. You will need a tablespoon of crushed raw materials, which must be brewed with boiling water and continue to cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes, after which it will take another 20 minutes for the medicine to gain strength (infuse).
Before use, filter the decoction and warm it slightly, drink the medicine during the day, three to four times. The substance has proven itself in the treatment of infectious diseases, colds, problems with digestion and the gastrointestinal tract.
Infusion
Infusion refers to drugs that can be used both externally and internally. The raw materials need to be crushed and poured with boiling water, brewing the mixture like tea. A tablespoon of raw materials will require a little more than a glass of boiling water; it is better to brew the mixture itself in a porcelain or enamel bowl, which must be covered and left for at least an hour.
An infusion of aspen helps solve problems of skin diseases, dysentery, pneumonia, it is an excellent remedy for removing gallstones, and also in dentistry, as a prophylactic remedy after tooth extraction.
Ointments
Aspen ointment is an excellent remedy for treating skin diseases, wounds, bruises, and burns. Even such a serious disease as eczema can be treated under the influence of the substances that the medicine possesses. The material for making ointment from aspen bark is tree ash, which must be mixed as follows:
- 1 tsp. ash (you can finely grind the substance).
- 50 gr. Vaseline.
After thoroughly mixing both substances, the medicine is considered ready for use. In addition to ointments, you can make an oil extract at home, substances that can also be used to treat a number of diseases.
- Olive oil – 5 tbsp. l.
- Powdered bark - 1 tbsp. l.
Having mixed both substances, you need to additionally cover the container with a tight lid, leave the product for 12 days, then strain the liquid using gauze. As with the ointment, the extract perfectly treats complex skin diseases, allergic reactions, wounds, and bruises.
What diseases does aspen bark help with?
Experienced healers and doctors speak only with respect of preparations made from aspen bark, since nature, with the help of this plant, helps people cure the most serious diseases without any additional medications. The list of serious diseases includes:
The list of diseases that can be cured with the help of aspen bark is far from complete; ointments and tinctures perfectly solve the problems of inflammation, cure skin diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Treatment recipes
For each disease there is a separate formulation of medicinal drugs, although some of them practically do not differ either in the method of preparation or in the composition of the substances involved in it.
Aspen bark for diabetes
Aspen can be used to treat both types of diabetes. You will need a tablespoon of medium-ground bark, pour a glass of boiling water over it and continue boiling for no more than 10 minutes, after which the substance is allowed to cool arbitrarily and strain. The medicine, divided into two parts, is taken on an empty stomach, in the morning and in the late afternoon. The substance found in the bark helps the body independently produce the required amount of insulin, simultaneously regulating blood sugar levels.
Aspen bark for prostate adenoma
Pour 2 tbsp into a glass of water. l. crushed raw materials, and after it boils, immediately remove from heat. Some healers advise brewing the bark as tea and letting it brew, due to the fact that heat treatment destroys most of the beneficial microelements. The “tea” should be infused for at least 2 hours, after which the sediment is decanted, and the liquid itself is divided into three equal proportions and drunk per day. The course of treatment depends on the complexity of the disease and usually lasts 2-3 months, after which a break is taken (depending on the complexity of the disease) and continued again.
Aspen bark for opisthorchiasis
2 tbsp. l. bark (you don’t have to chop it) pour a glass of boiling water and continue to simmer over low heat for 12-15 minutes, drain the cooled liquid. The medicine is taken on an empty stomach, 3-4 times a day an hour before meals for at least 3 weeks, after which a week-long break is taken and repeated again.
Aspen bark for tuberculosis
Even such a complex disease as tuberculosis is treated with decoctions and tinctures from aspen. This method of treatment is very popular in the Eastern and central parts of Siberia and Transbaikalia. The product is prepared according to the principle that is popularly referred to as “steaming”. You will need a thermos, into which you pour a spoonful of chopped bark and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water.
The infusion should be kept in a thermos for at least 12 hours, after which it is decanted and, divided into two parts, drunk twice: morning and evening, in small sips, provided that the potion is warm, but not hot.
For hemorrhoids
Treatment of hemorrhoids with aspen bark has two options for use: in the first case, it is steam inhalation, when using an ordinary basin into which a previously prepared hot decoction is first poured, the affected area is treated by sitting on the vessel. The procedure is performed infrequently to avoid disruption of the mucosal surface.
The second method is to prepare a medicine that is taken orally. For a glass of boiling water, you will need a tablespoon of crushed cheese, which you continue to simmer with the brew for up to 5 minutes, after which it is decanted when cooled down. Take the decoction three times a day an hour before meals, 50 ml at a time. People suffering from constipation are not recommended to use the remedy due to the presence of strong tannins in the decoction.
From Giardia
2 tbsp. l. bark (with a slide) pour 300 ml of moonshine, or alcohol diluted to 60%, after which it is allowed to brew for 12 days. The substance needs to be shaken from time to time. After straining, the tincture is considered ready. Take the medicine with a small amount of water, a tablespoon half an hour before meals 3 times a day. Treatment takes from 2 to 3 weeks, during which a strict diet regarding fatty, salty and spicy foods is followed.
For pancreatitis
1 tbsp. l. crushed bark is poured into 0.5 liters of water, which must be boiled and cooked for at least 30 minutes, after which the substance is allowed to brew for at least 3-4 hours, using a regular thermos. The filtered tincture is consumed in 50 ml, three times a day, 40 minutes before meals (half an hour is not enough, an hour is a lot).
For herniated spine
You will need two glasses of coarsely chopped bark, which pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes. The resulting mixture must be infused, wrapped in a warm blanket for at least 3 hours. Shortly before bedtime, the bath is filled with warm water, and the infusion is allowed to dissolve completely (5 minutes). The treatment procedure lasts from 15 minutes to half an hour, after which it is recommended to lie down in bed and wrap yourself tightly in a blanket.
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