Medicinal properties and contraindications of rhododendron, use in folk medicine

Rhododendron is a member of the Heather family. It grows in the Altai Territory, in the north of the Caucasus, in the Sayan foothills, and in the Northern Kuril Islands. It can be found high in the mountains. The bush is not just beautiful, it has healing powers. The healing properties of rhododendron have been known for a long time.

Description

Rhododendron is a meter-tall, always green shrub. A crooked trunk stretches along the ground:

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

Gardeners grow rhododendron as an exotic shrub.

Preparation and storage

Not all varieties of rhododendron are suitable for treatment. Its foliage is of particular value. Medicinal material is stored during the flowering of rhododendrons from bushes no younger than two years old. Flowers, branches, roots are also useful.

The dried raw materials are poured into clean glass jars, sealed properly, and stored somewhere cool and dark. It is permissible to store in canvas bags, occasionally sorting through them. Shelf life - 2 years.

Varieties

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

Daursky

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

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

Golden

People call rhododendron blackmane, kashkara, kashkarnik, pandarva. Shrub less than 1 m high (up to 85 cm) with creeping branches. The leaves are smooth: the outside is greener than the inside. The flowers look like large bells gathered under an umbrella. The shrub blooms in May, flowering lasts about a month. The name of the plant speaks for itself: the flowers are golden yellow. Small seeds in capsule fruits. There are a lot of seeds.

Caucasian

The name comes from the plant's habitat. The average height of the bush is just over half a meter. The shoots are creeping. The leaves are smooth, dark green on one side, pubescent with a reddish tint on the other; with thick petioles. The inflorescence consists of 8-12 yellow-white bell-shaped flowers. Flowering begins in June and lasts more than a month. There have been cases when Caucasian rhododendron bloomed more than once.

Indian

More often the plant is called Indian azalea. In nature, azalea is a shrub that produces many shoots. Small leaves are held on short petioles. The bloom is lush: pink, red, white, purple flowers. The shrub is light-loving and does not tolerate drought or high temperatures. In summer, azaleas in a pot are taken outside.

Metternich

Rhododendron is tall (1.5 m). The diameter of the crown is the same. Dark green oval leaves are leathery. Brown fluff on the inside. Blooms luxuriantly from June to July with snow-white flowers. The variety is frost-resistant, light-loving, and sensitive to soil acidity.

Drying

Leaves are picked by hand.The collected material is dried:

• in the fresh air under cover;
• in heated buildings;
• ovens;
• electric dryers.

Drying outside is allowed only in a shaded place. The leaves are not piled up, they are laid out, sometimes turned.

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

Flowers, branches, and roots are dried in the same way.

Beneficial features

Folk recipes in the preparation of life-giving potions use 4 types of rhododendrons: Caucasian, Daurian, golden, Sagan-daylya (Adams).

Varieties are endowed with healing properties:

• bring down the temperature;
• relieve pain;
• calm down;
• are an antiseptic;
• diaphoretic.

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

Leaves are used to treat:

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

Normalization of metabolic processes in the body

Medicines based on Adams rhododendron are used in the treatment of metabolic disorders. No wonder this species is called the grass that prolongs life. Buryats have long used medicinal plants in the treatment of ailments and for prevention purposes. Tincture of leaves and tea with flowers will help restore impaired metabolism.

Immunity

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

Effect on the gastrointestinal tract

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

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

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

The plant has a strong analgesic effect. Using medicinal herbs, you can reduce pain during menstrual periods in women. At this time, women are especially nervous. An infusion of Adams rhododendron leaves will calm the nerves and return the body to a state of balance. During menopause, rhododendron tincture will relieve hot flashes.

Headache

Tea with Caucasian rhododendron inflorescences has a tonic effect and relieves headaches. A tincture of golden rhododendron will help reduce high fever. Pour 200 ml boiling water 1 tsp. dry leaves, leave for half an hour. Drink 2 tsp. at least three times a day.

Pressure stabilization

An infusion of a medicinal plant will help bring high blood pressure back to normal. 20 g of dried leaves are brewed in a glass of boiling water and left for half an hour. Drink 1 tbsp before meals. l. (three times a day).

The remedy is not an “ambulance” for high blood pressure. It helps to gradually normalize the increased blood pressure. If it increases frequently, you should still consult a therapist.

Calming effect

An infusion of Rhododendron Adams leaves has amazing calming properties. Its regular use will restore disturbed sleep, calm the nerves, and help cope with stress. It is not for nothing that in Tibet the medicinal herb is used as a tonic. Buryats, where rhododendron has already been included in the Red Book, also take the plant as a tonic.

Effect on the heart

Golden rhododendron tincture will help normalize heart function and regulate blood flow. Dry crushed raw materials (1/5 part) are poured into a clean jar. Top up with vodka. They last for half a month. Treat 15 drops with water.

Choking and tachycardia are treated in the same way.

Anti hangover

Adams herb tincture relieves the liver and blood of toxic substances and toxins, and alleviates the condition of chemical and food poisoning. People drink it when they have a hangover, since the herb reduces alcohol intoxication.

Compound

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

Vitamin C

The leaves and stems of the bush contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits.

Rhododendron medicine helps:

• cleanse the body of toxins and heavy metal compounds;
• restore vitality;
• regulate metabolism;
• accelerate tissue restoration;
• increase the body's resistance to disease;
• make the walls of blood vessels stronger.

Rutin

The flavonoid is found in rhododendron leaves. It has special healing properties:

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

Fructose

The petals of the rhododendron bush contain fructose, one of the valuable carbohydrates. It is beneficial for the body:

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

Arbutin

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

It delays the formation of melanin in the skin, which is why the cosmetology industry uses arbutin to create whitening creams. Because of the benefits of arbutin, a dispute has flared up between scientists. Some argue that the substance promotes the growth of tumors; others refute such judgments and believe that arbutin prevents their formation. There is still no consensus, confirmed by scientific research.

Andromedotoxin

The flowers, leaves, and even nectar of the bush contain this toxic substance, a chemical compound that is essentially poison. First, andromedotoxin affects the brain, then paralyzes the entire central nervous system. May be fatal.

You should take rhododendron honey especially carefully; it is dangerous for poisoning in case of overdose.

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

Essential oil

It has a detrimental effect on bacteria, so it is used in the treatment of inflammation and infections. Essential oils are effectively used by the perfume industry, as it is recognized that adding rhododendron oils to lotions, such as shaving lotions, reduces skin itching, being gentle on sensitive skin.

Rhododendrin

The leaves of the plant contain rhododendrin. Thanks to it, drugs treat diseases of the cardiovascular system: heart failure, arrhythmia.

Gallic acid

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

Treatment

The leaves, flowers, branches, roots, and petioles of rhododendron have healing powers.

Leaves

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

Flowers

Folk recipes from flowers alleviate tachycardia, relieve swelling, venous stagnation of blood, and help with hypertension. Dahurian rhododendron flower petals taste sweet and smell aromatic. They even make jam and cut them into salads.

Traditional medicine recipes

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

Recipe 1

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

Recipe 2

An analgesic that relieves muscle fatigue and strain is a decoction of golden rhododendron. Pour 0.5 g of dried leaves into an enamel pan, add 1 glass of water, place on the stove, and boil for 15 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. l. (three times a day).

The decoction also disinfects wounds and ulcers. It can be used to gargle a sore throat; treat stomatitis, sore throat.

Recipe 3

An infusion of Caucasian rhododendron is used when sleep is disturbed, headaches, cramps, and during menopause are used to alleviate the condition. 2 g of dried leaves of the plant are brewed in a glass of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes, filter. Treat with 1 tsp. three times a day.

Recipe 4

A tincture is made from the leaves and flowers of the Caucasian bush, which is used to treat tachycardia, shortness of breath, and hypertension. Swelling is removed. 20 g of dried flowers with leaves are poured with 1 glass of vodka. Leave in a dark place for half a month. Strain. Drink 25 drops with water at least 3 times a day.

Recipe 5

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

Recipe 6

Rhododendron tea will help reduce high fever and treat colds. To prepare it, 5 g of dry herb leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water. Leave for an hour and filter. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

Recipe 7

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

Recipe 8

Stomach ulcers and inflammation of the duodenum are treated with the juice of Daurian rhododendron flowers. The juice is squeezed out of the inflorescences, mixed with cream and drunk. Rhododendron tea will cure a sore throat. Tea has an antiseptic effect; it is not only drunk, but also gargled. Brew 1 tsp. a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour. Treated with 1 tbsp. l. a day 3 times. There are many more folk recipes for treating rhododendron.

Homeopathic medicine rhododendron

When preparing a homeopathic medicine, use golden rhododendron: fresh leaves and shoots with flower tips.

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

• aches in bones and joints;
• toothache;
• the appearance of edema;
• digestive disorder;
• ear and eye diseases;
• health of women during menopause.

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

conclusions

The rhododendron bush has not only a luxurious appearance. It is a natural cure for many diseases. The healing properties of rhododendron can bring not only benefits, but also harm if used thoughtlessly.

Before using medicinal herbs, you should consult your doctor.