Content
- 1 Description of the Caucasian rhododendron and where it grows
- 2 Chemical composition
- 3 Useful properties of Caucasian rhododendron
- 4 Preparation and application methods
- 5 Application in traditional medicine
- 6 Contraindications
- 7 Cultivation of Caucasian rhododendron
- 8 Collection and procurement
- 9 Conclusion
The medicinal properties of Caucasian rhododendron are respected in folk medicine. Plant-based products are used to treat chronic and acute ailments.
Description of the Caucasian rhododendron and where it grows
The Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum) is a plant from the Heather family with a recumbent stem covered with dark brown bark. In height, it usually rises to 1.5 m, has oblong evergreen leaves with red tomentose pubescence on the underside.
Judging by the photo and description of the Caucasian rhododendron, at the end of May the plant blooms in small umbellate inflorescences, consisting of snow-white, cream, pinkish, yellow buds. It retains its decorative appearance for about a month, after which oval seed pods of a grayish-rusty color are formed in place of the flowers.
It grows in the highlands of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus and Turkey. You can see low bushes in North Ossetia and Dagestan, in Ingushetia and Karachay-Cherkessia, in Chechnya and Adygea.
Chemical composition
The Caucasian rhododendron is a very beautiful ornamental plant. However, traditional medicine appreciates it for its medicinal properties due to its rich composition. The plant contains:
- tanning components;
- antioxidants;
- essential and fatty oils;
- vitamin C;
- ursular acid;
- flavonoids;
- natural sugars;
- glycosides and alkaloids;
- mucus and bitterness;
- triterpenes;
- gallic acid;
- compounds limonene, camphene and ylangen;
- arbutin and betulin.
Useful properties of Caucasian rhododendron
Caucasian rhododendron, when used carefully, brings great benefits to the body. In particular, the plant:
- helps to reduce fever and increases sweating;
- normalizes cholesterol levels and strengthens blood vessels;
- has a calming effect on the nervous system;
- promotes weight loss and burns body fat;
- has a diuretic effect and helps to fight edema;
- has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects;
- improves heart function and accelerates blood circulation;
- cleanses the liver and removes toxins from organs and tissues;
- lowers blood pressure;
- has anticonvulsant properties;
- helps with intestinal colitis;
- relieves rheumatism and arthritis.
The Caucasian rhododendron can be used in the treatment of migraines and diseases of the reproductive system.
Medicinal properties of Caucasian rhododendron for men
Caucasian rhododendron has a strong tonic effect and helps men stay active at a young and mature age. This applies to both the genital area and general endurance - the plant strengthens the immune system, makes the body more resistant to diseases.
The use of rhododendron-based products is useful for the prevention and treatment of inflammation of the genitourinary system. The plant helps with prostatitis and prevents the development of cancer.
Medicinal properties of Caucasian rhododendron for women
Rhododendron finds use in the treatment of infertility and cervical erosion. The beneficial substances in the plant eliminate pelvic inflammatory processes and even out the hormonal background. You can use rhododendron-based products during menopause, they will improve your well-being and help strengthen joints and connective tissue. In women of reproductive age, decoctions of a medicinal plant relieve pain with severe menstruation.
Preparation and application methods
Traditional medicine offers several ways to process the leaves of the Caucasian rhododendron. On the basis of the plant, you can prepare water and strong alcohol products.
Tincture
Tincture of the plant helps to reduce pressure, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and helps with insomnia. Prepare the product as follows:
- 20 g of dry leaves are poured into a glass of good vodka;
- close the container with a lid and shake well;
- put away in a dark place for two weeks;
- after the expiration date, it is passed through cheesecloth.
You need to take the tincture only 25 drops once a day.
Infusion
To improve sleep, with convulsions and for the treatment of epilepsy, an aqueous extract of the plant is prepared. The recipe looks like this:
- a pinch of dried leaves in an amount of about 2 g is poured with a glass of hot water;
- the agent is kept under the lid for 20 minutes;
- the cooled infusion is passed through folded gauze.
You need to drink the medicine three times a day, a large spoonful.
Decoction
A decoction of Caucasian rhododendron leaves has a beneficial effect on joints and ligaments. To prepare it you need:
- measure out a small spoonful of dried leaves;
- pour 1 liter of hot water;
- boil, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for another five minutes;
- remove the product from the stove and leave under the lid for half an hour.
The finished broth must be filtered. They drink it three times a day, only 50 ml each, the therapy continues for a month.
How to brew Caucasian rhododendron tea
For headaches, colds and weakened immunity, it is useful to prepare tea based on the Caucasian rhododendron. The recipe looks like this:
- the teapot is scalded with boiling water to warm up the walls;
- a large spoonful of dry leaves of the plant is poured to the bottom;
- pour 250 ml of boiling water;
- leave to infuse under the lid for a quarter of an hour;
- passed through cheesecloth.
Rhododendron-based tea is consumed in 1/3 cup daily. Treatment is carried out for a month, and then a two-week break is taken.
Application in traditional medicine
Caucasian rhododendron is quite common in home health recipes. Traditional medicine offers proven uses.
With a cold
With flu and ARVI, healing tea from the Caucasian rhododendron brings a good effect. The recipe looks like this:
- 1/2 small spoonful of dry leaves pour 250 ml of boiling water;
- leave under the lid for ten minutes;
- filter the product;
- add a glass of milk;
- heated to a hot state, but not boiled.
Tea is consumed in the same volumes as usual, adding honey to it if desired.
With shortness of breath and tachycardia
Infusion of rhododendron helps to even out the heartbeat, eliminates shortness of breath and helps to get rid of edema. The medicine is prepared as follows:
- dry leaves of the plant are crushed in a volume of 5 g;
- pour raw materials with a glass of boiling water;
- leave closed for two hours, and then filter.
You need to drink the infusion up to three times a day, only 20 ml.
With intestinal inflammation
In acute and chronic intestinal inflammation, the following infusion is beneficial:
- measure out a small spoonful of dried rhododendron leaves;
- pour a glass of boiling water;
- kept under the lid for two hours;
- filtered after cooling.
Take home medicine two large spoons three times a day on a full stomach.
Under stress
Milk broth of mountain rhododendron with the addition of spices has a good soothing effect. Traditional medicine offers the following recipe:
- two fresh leaves of the plant are mixed with two large spoons of dried raw materials;
- in an enamel pan, pour the collection with a glass of hot water;
- simmer over low heat for five minutes under the lid and remove from the stove;
- add a decoction of 250 ml of milk and heat again;
- when boiling, immediately turn off the heat and add a pinch of salt and pepper to the drink.
A medicinal decoction with an unusual taste helps to relax and restore peace of mind. It should be consumed in volumes of no more than 250 ml per day.
For insomnia
The beneficial properties of Caucasian Rhododendron help regulate sleep. For medicinal purposes, a simple infusion is prepared:
- a small spoonful of dry leaves is crushed;
- pour 250 ml of boiling water;
- keep under the lid until it cools.
The filtered agent is consumed three times a day, 20 ml, for the last time, shortly before going to bed. The infusion allows you to cope not only with insomnia, but also with irritability. You can also use the remedy for migraines and convulsions.
With angina
The medicinal properties of the yellow Caucasian rhododendron eliminate bacterial processes in the throat with angina and facilitate swallowing. For therapy, you can prepare an infusion of the plant:
- 20 g of dry raw materials of rhododendron are crushed;
- in a thick-walled dish, pour a glass of boiling water;
- stir, cover and wrap the container with a towel;
- insist for two hours and filter through cheesecloth or sieve.
You need to drink the product in a large spoon up to five times a day. The infusion is suitable for rinsing, and it can be used both for angina, and for stomatitis and gingivitis.
With radiculitis
In case of joint ailments, a strong tincture of rhododendron gives a beneficial effect, it is usually used externally for rubbing. The tool is prepared according to the following algorithm:
- 30 g of dry leaves and flowers of the plant are crushed;
- pour raw materials 200 ml of high-quality vodka;
- put in a dark place for two weeks;
- remove the vessel regularly to shake.
After the specified time, the tincture is filtered and poured into another container. The remedy is used to rub sore joints with radiculitis, rheumatism and arthritis. You can also moisten gauze or a clean cloth in the tincture and apply a compress to the affected area.
With infertility
Infusion of rhododendron is used in the complex treatment of infertility. It is necessary to prepare such a remedy:
- a small spoonful of dry plant materials is poured with 250 ml of boiling water;
- kept closed for half an hour and filtered.
The infusion should be consumed three times a day, a large spoonful. Natural medicine will help relieve inflammation. However, for the sure elimination of infertility, it is necessary to combine a folk remedy with official medicines.
With erosion of the cervix
With erosion of the cervix, a decoction of two medicinal herbs is used. The recipe looks like this:
- dry leaves of rhododendron and calendula are mixed 5 g each;
- pour the collection of 250 ml of hot water;
- leave to infuse under the lid for 30 minutes.
A warm douching agent is used, they are carried out twice a day until the condition improves.
With increased pressure
Caucasian rhododendron has a beneficial effect on hypertension and helps to get rid of pressure surges. You can prepare the following drug:
- dried raw materials in the volume of a small spoon pour 250 ml of boiling water;
- brew under the lid for half an hour;
- filtered through folded gauze.
You need to take the drug 15 ml three times a day on an empty stomach until the pressure indicators improve.
With edema
In the fight against edema, a tincture of fresh leaves and flowers of the Caucasian rhododendron is used. The cooking algorithm looks like this:
- the raw materials are cut as small as possible and 20 g are measured;
- pour high-quality vodka in a glass vessel with opaque walls;
- put away in a cool, dark place for two weeks.
The finished tincture is filtered and taken three times a day. A single dosage is 20 drops per 150 ml of water. The tool not only helps to eliminate edema, but also helps with tachycardia and frequent high blood pressure.
Contraindications
The medicinal properties and contraindications of the Caucasian rhododendron are closely related to each other. Plant-based products cannot be used:
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with chronic hypotension;
- with serious kidney disease;
- with individual allergies;
- with exacerbation of stomach ulcers and pancreatitis;
- with tissue necrosis.
It is forbidden to offer decoctions and infusions of the plant to children under ten years old. Alcohol tincture of rhododendron is indicated for use only for adults and on condition that there are no chronic liver diseases and a tendency to alcoholism.
Cultivation of Caucasian rhododendron
In nature, this type of rhododendron grows only in the Caucasus mountains, but culturally it is bred in the middle lane. Planting is carried out in the spring after the establishment of heat, picking up a shady and well-humid area with a high content of peat in the soil.
The shrub is placed in a hole about 50 cm deep with a mandatory drainage layer at the bottom, immediately watered abundantly and mulched the near-trunk circle. Crop care is mainly reduced to regular soil moistening at least twice a week. With drought, the rhododendron begins to wilt, and dark spots appear on the leaves.
Fertilizers for the plant are applied three times per season, potassium and phosphorus are added to the water for irrigation. The shrub has good frost resistance, but for the winter it is still recommended to cover it with spruce branches or agrofibre to protect it from severe frosts.
Collection and procurement
For medicinal purposes, it is customary to use flowers and leaves of rhododendron. They are usually harvested simultaneously during the flowering period, preferably from plants at least three years old. By this time, rhododendron accumulates a maximum of useful properties.
Leaf plates and buds are cut off by hand or cut with scissors.The raw materials are sorted out, then laid out in a thin layer on a baking sheet and left under a canopy in the fresh air to dry. From time to time, the workpieces are mixed. Direct sunlight should not fall on the rhododendron, otherwise the medicinal properties of the raw material will noticeably decrease.
When the leaves and buds become brittle, they can be arranged in glass jars or paper bags and stored in a dry, dark place. The Caucasian rhododendron retains useful properties for two years, after which a new collection is required.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of the Caucasian rhododendron are used for inflammatory processes and heart ailments. The plant should be consumed with caution due to the presence of toxins in the composition, however, when following the recipes, the leaves and flowers of the shrub are of great benefit.
