Medicinal plants and their use occupy an important niche in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals. Each medicinal plant has its own unique properties, indications and contraindications. For what purposes and in what ways can medicinal plants be used?
The properties of medicinal plants are numerous and varied. Each plant element produces special substances that affect the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, and also restores a person’s energy balance.
The detailed properties and characteristics of each medicinal plant are studied by such sciences as pharmacology, herbal medicine, and pharmaceutics. Since ancient times, the effects of medicinal herbs have been studied and put into practice by herbalists, healers, and specialists from traditional medicine.
When using medicinal plants in medicine and pharmaceuticals, experts divide them into several main groups, depending on the main active ingredients. Each group is characterized by the presence of certain therapeutic properties:
How are such plants useful?
The use of medicinal plants in the medical and pharmacological field is characterized by a number of undeniable advantages. Unlike most medications, herbal medicines are non-toxic, natural, bioavailable, and have a minimum of contraindications and possible adverse reactions.
In addition, doctors point to the following beneficial properties of medicinal plants:
Due to its mild impact and the absence of aggressive chemical substances, most medicinal plants can be completely safely prescribed in the treatment of pregnant and nursing mothers, elderly patients, and young children.
What diseases are they suitable for?
The range of uses of medicinal plants is very wide. Experts actively use them to combat the following diseases:
- disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system;
- diseases of a chronic nature, with frequent relapses;
- dermatological diseases;
- disturbances in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- pathologies affecting respiratory system;
- diseases urinary tract;
- nervous diseases;
- disturbances in the functioning of the neuroendocrine system.
In addition, many medicinal plants and medicines made from them are used to strengthen the human immune system.
Methods of using medicinal plants in medicine
The uses of medicinal plants in medicine and pharmaceuticals are divided into two main categories: internal and external. Medicines based medicinal plants taken orally in the form of infusions, decoctions, herbal teas, syrups, extracts and powders.
To carry out local treatment externally, powders, compresses from infusions and decoctions, as well as ointments from medicinal plants are used.
How are infusions prepared?
Healing infusions from medicinal plants can be used for oral administration, as well as for preparing compresses and lotions. In order to make an infusion, you will need a spoon of crushed medicinal herbs(the plant is selected taking into account its properties, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and functional purpose) and a glass of clean water.
Infusions are prepared using both cold and hot methods. In the first case, the herbs are poured with cool water, and then infused for 8 hours and filtered using gauze cloth.
With the hot cooking method, the vegetable raw materials need to be poured with boiling water and simmered for about 15 minutes over low heat. After this, the tincture is cooled and filtered using the same gauze cloth.
Making Herbal Powders
Powders from medicinal herbs are suitable both for oral administration and for local, external use. To prepare such a powder, first of all, you will need to prepare the raw materials - thoroughly dry the medicinal plant.
The preparation method itself is extremely simple: the plant is thoroughly crushed to a powdery state (this can be done using an ordinary coffee grinder or a special mortar, like real herbalists). The resulting medicine is stored in a dark place, in any container with a tight-fitting lid.
Alcohol tinctures from medicinal plants
Tinctures of medicinal herbs based on medical alcohol are characterized especially strong action, and therefore are taken in minimal concentrations agreed with the attending physician. Be sure to dilute alcoholic herbal tinctures in clean water!
Raw materials insist on medical alcohol over a temporary period of 10 days to 2-3 months. The resulting medicine is stored in a glass bottle, which is recommended to be tightly closed with a lid and placed in a dark place, protected from sunlight. When stored correctly alcohol tincture based on medicinal herbs, it retains its amazing healing properties for several years.
Herbal ointments
Based on medicinal herbs, you can also prepare a healing ointment, which is subsequently used for compresses and medicinal applications. Experts use both raw and dried herbs as raw materials for ointments.
In order to obtain an ointment, the phytoelement used in mandatory combines with a substance that has astringent action. For these purposes, you can use butter or vegetable oils, lard, Vaseline or lanolin.
Please note that the shelf life of ointments made from animal fats is short and can be no more than a few weeks.
Preparation of decoctions
Herbal infusions are considered one of the most common methods of using medicinal plants. Such products are absorbed by the body a little longer than infusions, but they have a longer and more pronounced effect.
In addition, preparing herbal infusions is extremely simple. You just need to pour a tablespoon of raw material with a small amount of water, boil, filter and dilute with clean water to the desired volumes.
However, herbal medicine specialists still do not advise abusing herbal decoctions, since when boiled, some active ingredients plants are destroyed. The maximum storage time for herbal decoctions is two days.
Possible adverse reactions
Although herbal medicines are generally well tolerated by patients, side effects, in some cases there is still a possibility of the following adverse reactions:
It is worth noting that the above unpleasant symptoms usually manifest themselves when using medicinal plants that have toxic effect, with prolonged use and non-compliance with the recommended dosage.
How to use medicinal plants correctly?
Experts identify the following rules for the use of medicinal plants that must be followed during treatment:
When are medicinal plants contraindicated?
The main contraindication to the use of medicinal plants is the patient’s increased tendency to allergic reactions, as well as individual intolerance to certain plant substances. Each individual plant has its own limitations for use.
Contraindications to the use of the most common medicinal plants are as follows:
A preliminary consultation with your doctor will help determine the presence or absence of contraindications to the use of a particular medicinal plant, making the therapeutic course extremely effective and, most importantly, completely safe!
The use of medicinal plants in the field of modern medicine and pharmaceuticals provides effective treatment a number of diseases. The advantages of using drugs based on medicinal plants are their safety, mild action, virtually no contraindications and adverse reactions, along with high efficiency indicators.
However, with prolonged and uncontrolled use, even natural remedies may cause significant harm to health. Therefore, before starting treatment with medicinal plants, you must definitely consult with a specialist and strictly follow his recommendations in the future!
Our “herbalist” is the 14 most useful herbs that you can rely on full description valuable properties and a list of contraindications.
Aloe
This plant of the succulent genus was first discovered in the countries of South Africa and Arabia. During the Russian ship's voyage to South Africa, one of the crew members contracted an unknown tropical fever and had to be left ashore. Literally a month later, another team found the sailor in the same place - he looked much better. It turned out that in the jungle he found a tropical plant that looked like a bush and chewed its leaves (most likely from hunger), and then noticed that his health began to improve significantly. This is how, according to unofficial data, aloe came to Russia.
More than 200 different types of aloe are known in nature, but the most common in our country is aloe vera or agave. As a rule, two useful products are obtained from its leaves: juice and gel. The first one is more often used in medicine, the second one in cosmetology. Aloe juice contains useful microelements: manganese, copper, potassium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, bromine, vanadium, iron, iodine, silver, fluorine, silicon, zinc and many others.
Benefit
strengthens the immune system
cleanses the blood
treats diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems
has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal effects
treats eye diseases
enhances the secretion of the digestive glands
normalizes cholesterol levels
accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers
treats gynecological diseases
relieves inflammation from gums
Contraindications
Aloe juice should not be consumed when oncological diseases, possible allergic reactions, uterine bleeding and pregnancy (only with the permission of the attending physician).
Ginseng
This perennial The Araliaceae family grows mainly in mountainous regions, and most often it can be found in the Far East, China, Tibet, Vietnam, Altai, and Siberia. China is recognized as the birthplace of the plant, and the pronunciation of its name is borrowed from Chinese language(although in the original ginseng is written in two words and translated as “root of life”). The most useful part ginseng is really a root, shaped like a small human figurine (in connection with this, ginseng is sometimes translated from the same Chinese as “root man”).
Benefit
has an anti-inflammatory effect
affects carbohydrate metabolism
improves vision indicators
increases the body's endurance and its resistance to stress, infections, changes in external temperatures, etc.
equalizes blood pressure in case of hypotension
lowers cholesterol levels
activates adrenal function
stimulates blood circulation in the brain
accelerates fat metabolism
promotes fast healing wounds and ulcers
Contraindications
In cases of self-medication with uncontrolled use of drugs containing ginseng, a deterioration in health may occur, even leading to fatal poisoning, so it is better to consult a doctor before taking it. Ginseng is completely contraindicated in the development of acute infectious diseases, with increased blood pressure, pregnancy.
Eleutherococcus
In nature, there are about 30 different types of Eleutherococcus, but only one is used in medicine - Eleutherococcus senticosus. This species is a shrub with branching, thorny trunks (plant trunks can reach 4 meters in height) and fruits in the form of black berries. Eleutherococcus belongs to the Araliaceae family, like ginseng and, accordingly, has properties similar to it. For this reason, it is often used as a tonic for fatigue. By the way, Eleutherococcus is included in classic composition Russian drink "Baikal".
Benefit
tones
increases performance
relieves chronic fatigue
tidies up the nervous system
helps reduce blood sugar levels
helps in the prevention of cancer
has a calming effect on the eyes, has a beneficial effect on vision in general
improves appetite
increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases
helps with radiation and poisoning
helps treat stomatitis and other oral diseases
useful for recovery menstrual cycle and for infertility
increases male sexual activity
Contraindications
Eleutherococcus is not recommended for use for chronic insomnia, high blood pressure, fever, pregnancy, increased nervous excitability, as well as for children under 12 years of age.
Coltsfoot
Tussilágo or “cashlegone” is the name this plant bears in Latin. “Coltsfoot” is more of a Russian folk interpretation, the basis for which was the leaves of the plant, slippery on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The plant belongs to the Aster family (Asteraceae), and its main beneficial property is the treatment of cough and other bronchodilator diseases. Coltsfoot contains alkaloids that have antibacterial effect, and inulin, which increases the quality of food absorption and improves digestion.
Benefit
improves the secretion of gastric juice
A decoction of the plant relieves muscle and joint pain
helps with inflammatory skin diseases (furunculosis, acne)
helps with excessive sweating of the feet
promotes the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, farengitis)
helps with dental problems (periodontal disease, gum disease)
treats bronchodilator diseases
Sage
Salvia ( Latin name sage) is a large genus of shrubby plants. By the way, as for the original name of sage, it comes from the Latin word salvere (from Latin “to be healthy”). Descriptions of the use of this plant remained in the records of many Greek and Roman physicians. Hippocrates, in particular, called sage a “sacred herb.”
There are about 700 species of salvia recorded around the world. However, in medical purposes, in theory, only 100 of them are used, but in practice, there are only 2 types of sage known for their medicinal properties - meadow sage (wild) and medicinal sage (specially grown in gardens and vegetable gardens). Sage leaves are mainly used for treatment: decoctions, tinctures, oils and ointments are prepared from them. Fresh sage leaves are used externally only. The leaves contain vitamins, phytoncides, essential oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids, resins and tannins, natural antioxidants.
Benefit
helps with treatment skin diseases, external wounds, ulcers, tumors
has anti-inflammatory properties
has a general strengthening effect on the body
limits sweating
helps with diarrhea
helps prevent arthritis and treat frostbite
has antiseptic and antispasmodic effects
effective in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and women's diseases
helps improve memory
has a strengthening effect on hair (slows down the process of baldness in men)
Contraindications
Women should not use sage during breastfeeding, as it helps reduce lactation (however, when the time comes to wean the baby breast milk, sage, on the contrary, will be useful)
Nettle
Nettle owes its original name and sad popularity among children to the stinging hairs covering its stems and leaves. In theory, we are all early childhood We know that you should not touch nettles with your hands, because you can get burned or “stained,” but in practice, the benefits of nettles significantly exceed its malicious property of “stinging” everyone (except for the nettle tree native to New Zealand, the touch of which not only burns, but also basically life-threatening).
In Russia you can find only two types of nettles - stinging nettle and stinging nettle. Nettle contains carotene (there is more of it than in carrots and sorrel), ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nickel, sodium, copper, titanium, manganese, boron, iodine, phosphorus, iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2 and PP, and in terms of vitamin C content, nettle surpasses even lemon. Nettle is often used for cooking various decoctions for medicinal purposes, but its leaves can also significantly brighten the taste of many soups in cooking.
Benefit
cleanses the blood
increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood
helps treat skin diseases (boils, acne, eczema)
has a hemostatic and healing effect
helps female body recover faster after childbirth
relieves symptoms of PMS and menopause
helps improve tone of cardio-vascular system, improves heart function
helps in the treatment of rheumatism, radiculitis, relieving muscle pain
Can be used for hair and scalp care, reduces hair loss
improves performance digestive system, gives choleretic and laxative effects
normalizes blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus
Contraindications
Nettle is contraindicated during pregnancy, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and atherosclerosis.
Ginkgo biloba
The main places of origin of ginkgo biloba are Japan and Southeast Asia. It existed on our land back in the Mesozoic era. Ginkgo biloba has long been one of the main drugs in Asian medicine, and today it is successfully used both in the West and in Russia as a means to improve memory and prolong youth. The extract from Ginkgo biloba leaves contains more than 40 biologically active compounds. This plant also has its own unique components ─ bilobalides and ginkgolides (to which it owes its unusual name), and it is they that largely determine its special pharmacological activity.
Benefit
stimulates mental activity
improves concentration, clarity of thinking and memory
slows down the development of senile dementia and brain aging processes
relieves dizziness and headaches
fights depression
stimulates reaction speed and performance
eliminates feelings of restlessness, anxiety and irritability
stimulates sexual activity
improves sleep
Contraindications
Women should not use ginkgo biloba extract during pregnancy.
Kombucha
Kombucha or, as it is called in Russia, kombucha ─ is a symbiosis of a vinegar stick and yeast fungi. Kombucha came to us in the 20th century through Transbaikalia straight from China. In everyday life and folk medicine, both in Russia and in the countries that pioneered kombucha (China, Japan, India), it is not the mushroom itself that is used, but its infusion. In Japan, geisha drank kombucha infusion to lose weight, rinsed their hair with it, and dark spots and even warts on the skin. In India, kombucha infusion was used to fix paints on fabrics. In China and Russia, it is also drunk as an invigorating and excellent thirst-quenching drink. Kombucha also copes well with medicinal purposes, as it contains many healing components (alkaloids, vitamins, enzymes, glycosides, aromatic substances, as well as sugar, acetic acid and alcohol).
Benefit
strengthens the immune system
has antibacterial and antiviral effects
helps in the treatment of runny nose, sore throat, bacterial dysentery
calms down
tones
relieves mental fatigue
restores gastric microflora after taking strong drugs
Contraindications
Due to the high sugar content, kombucha may not be useful for people suffering from fungal diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
Alfalfa
A perennial plant of the legume family, whose homeland is considered to be China, has a high nutritional value, and therefore is often used for digestive disorders. The plant contains isoflavones and flavones (substances that regulate hormonal activity in women), saponins (substances that block the absorption of cholesterol) and chlorophyll, which helps cleanse the entire body. Alfalfa also contains minerals (iron, zinc, potassium, calcium) and acids (citric, malic, ascorbic, fumaric, oxalic).
Benefit
cleanses the body
helps women's health(during menopause, breastfeeding)
helps in the treatment of cystitis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, pyelonephritis
stops nasal bleeding
helps remove kidney stones
helps stimulate hair growth
relieves redness and swelling
Leuzea
Leuzea grows high in the mountains. The most famous places where you can pick a bouquet of Leuzea are Altai, Sayan Mountains, and the mountains of Kazakhstan. People often call this plant “deer root,” and all because in the fall, deer deer that live in some mountainous areas dig up and eat its roots. Actually, thanks to them, the usefulness of Leuzea was once discovered.
Due to the biostimulants concentrated in the root of Leuzea, the plant is also often called a natural anabolic (a substance that gives energy, increases endurance, and promotes rapid muscle recovery). So Leuzea root can often be found in popular sports supplements.
Benefit
improves blood composition
stimulates life processes body
promotes vasodilation, thereby regulating blood pressure
increases hemoglobin levels
has a tonic and restorative effect
treats apathy, depression
increases performance
lowers blood sugar levels
can help fight alcoholism and impotence
Contraindications
Leuzea root is contraindicated for use in cases of epilepsy, arrhythmia, sleep disorders, arterial hypertension, increased nervous excitability, chronic diseases liver and kidneys, acute period infectious diseases.
Sagebrush
Even the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophanes wrote about it in his works. Over the entire history of wormwood, about 400 species have been bred. There are about 180 species in our country, of which the most popular is wormwood. The plant is a straight stem about 1.5 meters high with leaves and yellow (sometimes reddish) flowers. The stems and leaves of wormwood contain a lot of useful substances and essential oils. In addition, carotene, ascorbic acid, potassium salts, malic and succinic acid. By the way, another popular type of wormwood is tarragon, which you definitely know as tarragon. Wormwood is a component of absinthe and some other vermouths.
Benefit
stimulates the body's vital functions
gives the body tone
has cleansing properties
fights pyogenic infections
has an anthelmintic effect
helps in the treatment of eczema, bronchial asthma and rheumatism
used to rinse the mouth when there is an unpleasant odor
Horsetail
Horsetail ─ perennial herbaceous plant, known to many gardeners as a difficult to eradicate weed. Horsetail reproduces by spores, looks like a mini Christmas tree and is a bit like a horse's tail (horsetail is a derivative of "tail"). As befits a weed, horsetail does not have its own historical homeland, it is only known in different countries, depending on the climate, its height varies. For example, in Russia it reaches no more than 1-1.5 meters, but in South America You can also find a 12-meter plant. Horsetail contains many useful substances and elements ─ vitamin C, flavonoids, potassium salts, silicic acid salts, bitterness, saponins, carotene, resins and tannins.
Benefit
stops bleeding
heals wounds and ulcers
has a strong diuretic effect
has antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and restorative effects
treats diarrhea
treats eczema, ringworm and dermatitis
recommended for the prevention of tuberculosis
useful for arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism
Contraindications
The use of horsetail is contraindicated during pregnancy, nephrosis and nephritis.
Motherwort
This perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family usually grows in vacant lots, hence its name. The motherwort's distribution area is very extensive: it can be found in Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus, Western Siberia. The most common type of plant is motherwort. It is its solution that calms in stressful situations and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart. Of all the known calming herbs, motherwort has the most strong impact: it contains flavonol glycosides, essential oil, saponins, the alkaloid stachydrine, tannins and carotene.
Benefit
helps treat neuroses, heart diseases
helps with gastrointestinal disorders
has a beneficial effect on sleep and menstrual disorders
heals wounds and burns
used in the early stages of hypertension
Contraindications
Motherwort is contraindicated during pregnancy, arterial hypotension, bradycardia, stomach ulcers, and erosive gastritis.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family. There are only 9 species of echinacea in nature, and the most studied is Echinacea purpurea, which is used in medicinal purposes. In appearance, Echinacea resembles chamomile (only the petals are of a different color), and you have probably often encountered it in nature. Stems, flowers, leaves and rhizomes with roots are used as medicinal raw materials. All parts of Echinacea contain polysaccharides, essential oil, caffeic acid esters (echinacoside), glycosides, resins, betaine, organic acids (cerutic, palmitic, caffeic, linoleic, oleic, as well as phyto-sterols, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, tannins, polyenes and alkaloids). Echinacea is a powerful herbal antibiotic.
Benefit
has an immunostimulating effect
increases the body's resistance to viral and infectious diseases (due to caffeic acid)
has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
helps with burns, furunculosis, wounds, abscesses, urticaria, insect and snake bites, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases
used for diseases caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, ionizing radiation, chronic inflammatory processes
helps in the treatment of polyarthritis, rheumatism, gynecological disorders, prostatitis, upper respiratory tract diseases
If you have an acute stage of the above diseases, you should consult your doctor before using these plants and their derivatives. These plants, with rare exceptions, are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The section tells about medicinal plants - their places of growth and healing properties ah, rules of collection and storage. You will learn about how to take care of these plants, what role they play in human life. Below is a list by name in alphabetical order of the main medicinal plants from the point of view of medicinal use with detailed descriptions, pictures and recommendations for use for the treatment of various diseases.
Medicinal plants are a wide group of plants used in medical and veterinary practice for various types of diseases for therapeutic or preventive purposes. Medicinal properties medicinal plants are due to the presence of certain chemical compounds in them - the so-called active substances.
Medicinal plants are used in the form of collections, or teas, powders, etc., or after processing (see, Dosage forms). Special groups of drugs prepared from medicinal plants at chemical-pharmaceutical plants include products of their primary processing (fatty and essential oils, resins, etc.), pure (without admixture of ballast substances) amounts of active substances, individual chemical compounds and their combinations. The active substances are distributed unevenly in medicinal plants. Typically, only those parts of the plant are used where the maximum amount of active substances accumulates. The composition and amount of active substances in medicinal plants changes throughout the year, with the age of the plant and depending on the conditions of its habitat, temperature, light, air, soil conditions, etc. Many medicinal plants are of only historical interest, since they are currently used in medicine are not used.
List of the most important wild and cultivated medicinal plants
Nomenclature of medicinal plants approved for use in medical practice, contains about 160 titles. Preparations or raw materials of 103 of these plants are described in the tenth edition of the State USSR (GPC). Requests for raw materials of medicinal plants are approximately half in terms of tonnage and about 75% in terms of nomenclature are satisfied through the collection of wild plants, and the rest - through cultivated medicinal plants.
A morphological description of annual medicinal plants introduced into the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR is also given, the content of biologically active substances in them is given, the viability of plants in new conditions is described and some issues of agricultural cultivation technology are considered.
IN Lately interest in herbal medicine increased, which in turn increased the number of collectors. However, using medicinal plants without knowing their properties and chemical composition, it is forbidden. Many medicinal plants, their distribution and use are described in popular publications. The chemical composition and methods of obtaining certain biologically active substances from plants are discussed in scientific works. Despite the seemingly abundance of well-known medicinal herbs, new ones are being discovered that are undergoing initial testing in botanical gardens and experimental stations. Botanical gardens located in different climatic zones of the globe have collections of various medicinal plants to study the biological characteristics, medicinal properties and methods of growing these herbs. Thanks to this, more and more new types of medicinal plants are being introduced into the industry. Seeds are the main material for exchange with other botanical gardens and other organizations. Similar work is being carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.
The section provides some information about annual medicinal plants grown in the experimental plot, and provides data on some long-known plants, but for some reason forgotten. Most plants synthesize useful substances in the above-ground mass - in the grass (chamomile, string, snakehead, fumes), in many species the seeds are valuable (coriander, anise, datura, flax, poppy, large plantain, etc.). In some plants medicinal properties flowers have (calendula officinalis, blue cornflower, etc.).
Our long-term research shows that many introduced plants do not change their chemical composition, and often the quantitative content of active substances is not inferior to that of wild plants. The study of the chemical composition of medicinal plants was carried out jointly with the laboratory of the Institute of Physiology and Experimental Pathology of the High Mountains and the laboratory of natural compounds of the Organic Institute.
All plants are divided into two groups: 1) introduced into scientific medicine and included in the pharmacopoeias of the Soviet Union; 2) used in folk medicine. 
Medicinal plants are types of plant organisms used for the manufacture of therapeutic and prophylactic drugs that are used in medical and veterinary practice. Herbal medicines account for over 30% of all medicines traded on the world market. In the USSR, about 40% of used medical supplies made from plants.
About 2,500 plant species from the flora of the USSR, including those used in folk medicine, have medicinal value.
The diversity of soil and climatic conditions of the USSR allows the introduction on its territory of numerous species of foreign medicinal plants of the cold, temperate and subtropical zones.
More than 600 plant species can be used as raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in the pharmacy chain and for export. Of this amount, not counting minor medicinal plants, only about 200 species belonging to 70 families are practically used in medicine (mainly the families Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Legumes, Lamiaceae, Umbelliferae, Solanaceae, Buckwheat, Cruciferous, Ranunculaceae). About 70% of the medicinal plants used are used in herbal production, the remaining types are used in pharmacies, homeopathy and are exported.
When harvesting wild and cultivated medicinal plants, as a rule, individual organs or parts of the plant are collected.
The collection of medicinal plant materials is carried out at certain times - during periods of maximum accumulation of active substances. The collected raw materials are usually dried.
In the USSR, a comprehensive study of medicinal plants already known in medicine is being carried out (identifying their reserves, introducing them into cultivation, increasing productivity and finding ways to reduce the cost of raw materials, establishing better harvest times, conditions for drying and storing raw materials, preparing new drugs and dosage forms).
A search is underway for new and cheaper sources of plant raw materials to replace already known imported or scarce ones. medicinal drugs, as well as medicinal plants with new pharmacological and therapeutic effect(study of their chemical composition, pharmacological activity and therapeutic value, development of technology for the production of drugs and their manufacture).
New medicinal plants and physiologically active substances plant origin is identified through a complete or selective chemical and pharmacological study of the flora of certain regions of the USSR. At the same time, information about the use of certain medicinal plants in folk medicine is taken into account.
In targeted searches for a specific compound, species and genera that are phylogenetically close to the plant from which this compound was previously isolated are studied first.
Thus, to date, over 6,000 plant species have been previously studied for the content of alkaloids, over 4,000 for the presence of essential oils, about 2,000 have been studied for the presence of cardiac glycosides, about 3,000 saponins, about 1,000 flavonoids, and about 1,000 species of coumarins.
As a result, a large number of individual chemical substances have been isolated and many new therapeutic drugs have been created on their basis.
Herbal treatment is the most ancient way to combat all kinds of diseases. Over the thousands of years of its existence, humans have discovered and studied the healing properties of hundreds of medicinal plants that can help with this or that disease. Over its long history, many effective recipes have been created, many of which have survived and are used in folk medicine today.
This section of the site presents many types of medicinal herbs, including field species, with high-quality photographs, the name of each plant and detailed description their beneficial properties and methods of application.
Despite the enormous pace of development traditional medicine and all the new products that the pharmaceutical industry offers, the use of medicinal plants to treat all kinds of diseases still remains relevant and does not lose its popularity. They can be used both for the prevention and treatment of various chronic and acute diseases in any field of medicine.
Medicinal herbs used in folk medicine can be fresh or dried, used both externally and internally. Medicinal herbs are much safer for human health than pharmaceuticals. They have fewer contraindications and side effects on the body.
For treatment use:
- tinctures;
- decoctions;
- extracts;
- infusions;
- tea fees.
Despite its apparent simplicity and harmlessness, unconventional treatment requires knowledge and caution. After all, for positive result, medicinal raw materials, must be collected correctly. And the tinctures, decoctions or extracts made from them are prepared only according to exact recipes. We should not forget about dosages. This is especially true for those medications that need to be taken orally.
It is advisable, before preparing medicine from herbs, to study our website, which lists medicinal herbs, photos with names, learn about the indications and contraindications of a particular medicinal plant, and methods of their preparation. You must not forget to carefully examine the raw materials for the medicine itself. It should be free of mold, dirt and other defects.
Our website provides answers to questions about medicinal herbs.
Before using any prescription, consult your doctor.
Everything you need to know about medicinal plants.
Why do people say that herbs don't help them?
Unfortunately, many people do not know at all how to use medicinal herbs correctly - at what time of year to collect them, how to store them, how to cook from them necessary medications and according to what treatment regimen. You definitely need to know the exact dosage and contraindications, since not all plants are safe for health - if used incorrectly, they can become poison rather than medicine.
How do medicinal plants help?
In the process of life, plants, under the influence of light energy, produce inorganic substances, obtained from soil, carbon dioxide, water, biologically active substances. These chemical compounds have a certain effect on the human body: mineral compounds, vitamins, tannins, phytoncides (“natural antibiotics”) and other substances can have a beneficial effect on metabolism, immunity, and the functioning of various organs and systems.
Is it possible to replace drug treatment with herbs?
People are attracted to the many qualities of medicinal plants. After all, unlike antibiotics, they do not cause allergic diseases and drug complications. However, they should not be opposed to drug treatment either - only a doctor can determine the necessary balance in taking medications and medicinal herbs. It must be remembered that the effect of the same plant on health different people may be different and depends on the characteristics of the organism. Each plant has its own characteristics of impact on various organs. The experience gained over many centuries in the use of medicinal plants often allows for prevention and treatment various diseases more “gentle” means than traditional drug (or, especially, surgical) treatment. However, official medicine does not neglect the rich potential of medicinal plants: in fact, the active ingredients of most pharmacological drugs– of plant origin or their synthetic analogues. And the herbs themselves are often prescribed by doctors as an alternative or addition to the traditional course of treatment.
What are medicinal plants made of?
Medicinal plants are those that contain biologically active, medicinal substances for humans: proteins, vitamins, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes, alkaloids, glycosides, bitterness, tannins, steroids, phenolic substances, phytoncides, flavonoids, essential oils, etc.
Proteins regulate all life processes of the cell. There are simple and complex proteins.
Vitamins – organic matter, synthesized mainly by plants. More than 20 vitamins are known, divided into two large types - water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Lipids are fats and fat-like substances. There are simple and complex ones. Lipids serve as a source of energy in the body. People get fatty foods from plants unsaturated acids, regulating fat metabolism and participating in the removal of cholesterol from the body.
Carbohydrates - organic compounds, found mainly in plants. Carbohydrates include cellulose (fiber), starch, inulin, mucus, gums, and pectins. Carbohydrates are very important for humans and are one of the main components of their diet. With a lack of carbohydrates, intestinal diseases can occur, blood sugar levels drop, memory deteriorates, and unreasonable fatigue appears.
Enzymes are complex proteins that accelerate chemical processes in organism. They play a major role in metabolic processes.
Alkaloids are organic compounds containing nitrogen. Some alkaloids are poisons.
Glycosides are organic compounds widely present in plants that contribute to the transfer and storage of various substances. Glycosides from some plants are used to treat heart diseases.
Bitters are natural compounds also called isoprenoids. Consist of terpenes, terpenoids and steroids. In the human body they are needed to enhance the choleretic function.
Tannins– natural compounds with an astringent taste; in the composition of drugs they exhibit astringent and bactericidal properties.
Steroids are organic compounds. Steroids include sterols, bile acids, vitamins D, sex hormones, and adrenal hormones (corticosteroids). They are part of steroid glycosides used to treat heart diseases.
Phenolic substances are a class of secondary compounds with various biological activities, such as aromatic ones.
Phytoncides are products of secondary biosynthesis carried out by higher plants. Plants are isolated in environment ethers, alcohols, terpenes, phenols. Phytoncides have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, rods).
Flavonoids are compounds derived from flavan and flavone.
Why is it better to use decoctions and infusions of whole herbs?
It is no coincidence that people believe that the action of one plant is less effective than the action of collecting several herbs. The effect is associated not only with different exposures various plants, but also with the fact that the action of one plant is often stimulated by the substances of another - which, perhaps, is not medicinal. That is why traditional medicine recipes are based mainly on medicinal mixtures and mixtures.
Collect medicinal plants yourself or is it better to buy?
Independently harvesting medicinal herbs is a complex and troublesome task, requiring deep knowledge of where, at what time and how to collect each specific plant. Active principles, i.e. biologically active substances that have a healing effect on the human body, are often found throughout the plant - in the roots, leaves, flowers. But more often they are concentrated only in certain organs, and therefore only part of the plant is often used for medicinal purposes. When collecting herbs to treat a specific disease, you need to know which parts of the plants you will need - different parts are collected at different stages plant development.
In pharmacies you can buy a wide variety of medicinal herbs and their preparations. This is, of course, simpler and more convenient than collecting it yourself, besides, many plants recommended for the treatment of certain diseases are simply impossible to collect yourself - they are quite rare or not found at all in our area. On the other hand, self-collection is good for those for whom it is important to be absolutely sure: they will receive exactly the herbs that they need, and will have complete control over the entire process of collecting, preparing and preparing their medicine.
What is the harvesting time for medicinal herbs?
During different periods of growth and development of a medicinal plant, the amount of active principles contained in it is not the same. Therefore, the time for collecting medicinal plants should be timed to coincide with the moment of the highest content of these active principles in them.
Herbs should be collected at specific times and dates. And herbalists clearly know these periods. Thus, Russian healers believed that herbs collected on Ivan Kupala or Agrafena Bathing Day (on the night of July 6 and 7) have special powers. At the same time, some of them are able to heal people, protect them from the evil eye, damage and evil spirits, while others can harm people and send illnesses. Today we understand that in the first case we are talking about herbs that have no contraindications for use, in the second – about herbs with poisonous or intoxicating properties. Herbs had to be collected on certain days, hours, phases of the moon, and before picking the grass or digging up a root, tradition prescribed reading a conspiracy (persuading, begging the grass to bring good and help a person, and also not to be angry for being deprived of life).
What weather is best to pick herbs?
It is necessary to collect the above-ground parts of plants, especially flowers, in dry weather and after the dew has disappeared. Only in this case it is possible to preserve their natural color during drying and protect them from bacterial and fungal decomposition. Otherwise, the plant will inevitably lose its healing properties.
Which parts of the plant are most useful?
It is known that medicinal substances accumulate in a plant during a certain period of its development, and in its various parts, therefore, at a specific time, only those parts (leaves, flowers and inflorescences, fruits and seeds, roots and rhizomes) that currently contain greatest number useful substances. Their content in plants changes even during the day.
When is the best time to collect leaves?
Leaves are harvested during the period of bud ripening and flowering of plants, and only the lower leaves are selected so as not to disrupt the process of flowering and fruiting.
When is the best time to collect flowers and inflorescences?
Flowers and inflorescences are collected at the beginning of flowering, when they contain the most useful substances and crumble less during storage.
When is the best time to collect herbs?
Herbs are collected at the beginning of flowering, and in some cases even at full flowering. Using a knife (secateurs), cut off the tops of the plant, 15–30 cm long, without rough ground parts.
When is the best time to harvest fruits and seeds?
Fruits and seeds are harvested gradually as they ripen. Remember that the richest medicinal substances ripe fruits and seeds, but if they are overripe, they should not be taken. The stalks are separated immediately after harvesting, and for the fruits of rowan, caraway and dill - after drying.
When is the best time to dig up roots and rhizomes?
Roots and rhizomes are dug up with a shovel in early spring or during the period of death of the above-ground parts (late summer - autumn).
All harvested plant parts are collected in daytime(from 8–9 to 16–17 hours) and in dry weather. The raw materials are immediately put into bags or other suitable containers, but not stuffed tightly.
How to remove bark from trees?
In order to remove the bark from the trunk and branches, you need to make two ring cuts at some distance from each other, and then a cut along the trunk, from one ring to the other. Then the bark is peeled off, applying force from top to bottom.
Oak bark is removed only from its branches!
What rules must be followed when collecting and preparing medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants should be collected only in ecologically clean areas: in no case in the city or in other populated areas, not near roads, away from any enterprises, not only industrial, but also agricultural (where crops and plantings are treated with pesticides).
It is pointless and harmful to plants to pull them out entirely - carefully collect only those parts that you need. When using nature's help, don't forget to take care of its future: if you collect flowers, always leave a few plants untouched so that new plants will appear next year. Tubers, roots and bulbs can be dug out of the ground only after the seeds have ripened and fallen off.
Grass and other above-ground parts of plants should be collected on a fine sunny day after the dew has disappeared (otherwise wet plants will not be stored, pathogenic microorganisms will quickly appear in them, and decomposition processes will begin).
How to dry medicinal plants?
The main task that needs to be solved when drying medicinal plants is to stop the destructive activity of enzymes (“fermentation”), that is, to protect the active principles contained in the plants from changes for a long time. Plants must be dried thoroughly in well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight.
When dried, a significant part of the water evaporates from plants, and therefore the plants lose approximately the same amount of weight: grass - 70%, leaves - 80%, flowers - 75%, roots - 65%, bark - 45%.
At what temperature should medicinal plants be dried?
This depends on the characteristics of the plant: those that contain essential oils can be dried at a temperature no higher than 30–35 °C; for glycosides the upper permissible temperature limit is 55–60 °C, for vitamin C – 80–90 °C. As a rule, fruits and roots are dried in the oven at a temperature of 40–60 °C.
Do properties change during drying and storage?
Of course yes. Some of the healing properties are lost, but if the collection and harvesting technology is followed correctly, these losses are minimized. But gradually, over time, the active properties of the harvested herbs weaken. However, dried medicinal herbs usually become completely unsuitable for consumption only after a few years (subject to storage rules). Some plants have a shorter shelf life.
How to properly store medicinal plants?
To preserve well-dried material great importance have both storage space and packaging. Plants should not be stored in a damp place or uncovered. The prepared material absorbs moisture, as a result of which it is destroyed, changes in color and acquires a musty odor as a result of the activity of microorganisms that have fallen on it, in particular mold fungi. The storage room must be dry, well ventilated, and accessible to regular inspection. That is why a barn or basement cannot be used as a storage room for medicinal plants. It is better to store them in an unheated room in a living space.
Freshly collected herbs cannot be stored in the container in which you originally put them for more than 3-4 hours - the plants will cake and deteriorate.
Plants should not be stored in plastic containers, as essential oils react with plastic, forming compounds that are hazardous to health.
How to use medicinal plants correctly?
Medicinal herbs are used both internally and externally. Juices squeezed from plants, decoctions, steams, infusions, tinctures, extracts from roots, bark, seeds and fruits, powders from dried parts of plants are taken internally. Externally Healing herbs used in the form of baths, enemas, wrapping in a sheet soaked in a decoction of medicinal plants, in the form of lotions, poultices, compresses, applying plant parts and pastes from them to sore spots, etc.
The most common dose for using medicinal herbs internally is 1 tbsp. a heaping spoonful of finely chopped plant or mixture per glass of boiling water or 4 tbsp. spoons with “top” per liter of boiling water.
How to get juice from medicinal herbs?
Juices from medicinal plants are obtained using a juicer or press. If there is no juicer, the juice is prepared as follows. The plant is washed, finely chopped and placed, without stuffing tightly, in a glass jar. Pour boiled water over it and leave overnight. In the morning, filter through cheesecloth and squeeze out the remainder. Juices are best drunk freshly prepared.
How to make a medicinal collection?
A collection is a mixture of several types of medicinal herbs. Usually the collection includes 10 components or more. They are composed of plants that primarily enhance or support each other’s effects. Remember that some plants are incompatible, since their medicinal properties are mutually neutralized (for example, greater celandine and cinquefoil). From the collections you can prepare infusions and decoctions not only for oral administration, but also for lotions, rinses, douches, microenemas, baths and poultices.
How important is it to follow the indicated dosage when using herbs?
Strict adherence to dosage when preparing and taking preparations from medicinal plants is an indispensable condition for the effectiveness of treatment.
The packaging of medicinal herbs sold in pharmacies always indicates the method of preparation, single and daily doses. At home, in the absence of pharmacy scales, medicinal herbs are usually dosed with spoons. The average dose for preparing infusions and decoctions when taken orally is 2 tbsp. spoons of dry herb per 0.5 liters of water. A tablespoon contains on average: flowers, leaves and grass - 4-5 g, roots, rhizomes and fruits - 6-8 g - although these data are very approximate.
The easiest way to measure the required amount of water is with a spoon or glass: a teaspoon holds approximately 5 g, a dessert spoon - 10 g, a tablespoon - 15 g, a glass - 200-250 g of water.
How to prepare an infusion of medicinal herbs?
Infusions are used to extract active principles from those parts of plants that release them relatively easily (grass, leaves, flowers, fresh fruits). Mostly water is used to prepare infusions. Infusions can be prepared either hot or cold.
With the hot method, the crushed raw materials are poured into a bowl and poured with boiling water, usually in a ratio of 1:10 (1 part plant to 10 parts water). Infusions intended for external use are prepared more concentrated (1:5). They are best made in a thermos: the raw materials are poured with boiling water and the thermos is kept open for 15–20 minutes, then it is closed with a lid and left overnight, and filtered in the morning. Another option for preparing infusions using a hot method is a water bath: the required amount of medicinal raw material is poured with water at room temperature (about 18 ° C) in a porcelain, glass or enamel container, which is placed in another container, bigger size, with boiling water (into a boiling “water bath”) and heat it in it with frequent stirring for 15 minutes, then cool for 45 minutes and filter.
Using the cold method, infusions are prepared as follows: the raw materials are poured with the required amount of cold boiled water and infused for 4 to 12 hours, and then filtered.
How to prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs?
Decoctions are used to extract active principles from roots and rhizomes, bark, wood, rough leaves, and dry fruits. These parts of the plant require quite a long heat treatment, since they have a dense structure. To prepare the decoction, the crushed raw materials are poured cold water, mix thoroughly, put on fire, bring to a boil, and then keep on low heat for 20–30 minutes, then filter and squeeze in gauze. The broth is diluted with boiled water to the required volume.
It is important to follow the following rule: herbal decoctions should never be prepared in aluminum or other metal containers to avoid an undesirable reaction with the metal.
How to prepare a tincture of medicinal herbs?
I use vodka or 40–70% alcohol as an extracting factor in tinctures. Usually, to prepare the tincture, 5 parts of vodka or alcohol are added to 1 part of the crushed raw material; after thorough mixing, the mixture is placed in a cool, dry place, protected from light (it is advisable to prepare the tincture in a dark glass container). Depending on the purpose of the tincture, its infusion period can range from 7 to 40 days. At the end of this time, the tincture is filtered, then the gauze is squeezed out and filtered again.
As a rule, to prepare a tincture, take 100 ml of alcohol per 20 g of raw material and obtain a 20% tincture. Ready tinctures Store in tightly sealed bottles.
How to prepare steam from medicinal herbs?
To prepare the steam, medicinal herbs are poured with boiling water and steamed (simmered) in a cooling oven for the whole night. In the morning, the napar is filtered through cheesecloth, after which it is ready for use. To prepare steam, the least coarse parts of plants are used, i.e. leaves, flowers, grass, fruits.
How to prepare powder from medicinal herbs?
To prepare the powder, well-dried raw materials are ground in a mortar or coffee grinder. The powder is most often used for oral administration, for sprinkling on wounds, ulcers and preparing ointments.
How to prepare ointment from medicinal herbs?
Ointments are medicines that are used for external use. They are prepared by mixing plant powders with an ointment base; For 1 part of the plant take 4 parts of the base. As an ointment base, you can use pork or interior fat (lard), unsalted butter or any vegetable oil, petroleum jelly (preferably yellow color). Powder, tincture or Fresh Juice plants. You can prepare ointments of various concentrations: for example, to get a 10–20% ointment, you should take 10–20 g of powder per 100 or 200 g of fat or 5–10 ml of tincture per 95 g of fat. The choice of base depends on various considerations: for example, ointments made with vegetable oil or mineral fats, have a longer shelf life than lard ointments, but the latter are superior in quality.
How to make medicinal herbal baths?
Baths are prepared as follows. Pour 40–60 g of herb into 2–5 liters of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes or boil for 10 minutes over low heat, filter and pour into a bathtub filled with water (water temperature – 36–40 °C). To prevent steam from forming in the room, pour cold water first and then hot water. Take a bath for 10–15 minutes, first you need to rinse in the shower.
Important! During the procedure, the heart area should be above the water.
The usual course of treatment with baths with medicinal plants: 2-3 times a week for 15 days.
How to properly brew medicinal herbs purchased at a pharmacy?
Strictly speaking, collections of medicinal plants must be prepared in a water bath: here the requirements of the pharmacopoeia are consistent with the recommendations of experienced herbalists. But practice proves that extraction, i.e., the release of useful substances from plants, also occurs with simple infusion of herbs.
It is best to prepare infusions in the evening so that you can take the medicine in the morning. It is very convenient to use a glass teapot with a piston for “brewing” herbs. In the evening, place the amount of herb indicated on the package into it, pour boiling water, and in the morning you will receive a perfectly infused, chilled drink, ready to drink.
How long can the prepared decoction be stored?
The medicinal properties of the decoction do not last long - microbes begin to multiply in it, “thanks to” which various enzymatic processes are launched in the decoction. That's why permissible period The decoction's shelf life is short: a day at room temperature, two days in the refrigerator.
Are the dosages of medicinal herbs different for children and adults?
When using medicinal plants, it must be taken into account that the doses of the drug for an adult, adolescent and child are not the same. When selecting required dosage For a child or teenager, you can focus on the following recommendations:
Adults 1 dose
from 7 to 14 years 1/2 dose
from 4 to 7 years 1/3 dose
from 3 to 4 years 1/6-1/4 dose
from 1 year to 2 years 1/8-1/6 dose
up to 1 year 1/12-1/8 dose
You need to strictly follow the dosage and take into account the characteristics of your body. Buying herbal teas at the pharmacy, always pay attention to the notices about contraindications for the use of herbs.
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