There are plants that have not only the drug, but also the toxic properties. Therefore, they should be treated with great caution. However, in the capable hands of these plants tend to have a great curative effect on the human body.

Arnica mountain and its botanical characteristics

Arnica montana is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family with a thick horizontal rhizome and numerous adventitious roots. Stem simple single height from 20 cm to 60 cm, covered with hairs, with 1-3 pairs of leaves, distant from each other and decreasing upward. Lower leaves collected in the rosette. They are quite thick, yellow-green, elliptic or oblong, with rounded tip, bare or slightly pubescent, with a well defined main vein and lateral veins arcuate.

The flowers are collected into large baskets, one to five baskets on the stem. In the flowering period (from June to August), the diameter reaches 8 cm. The pointed tepals with attenuate apex, thickly covered with curly hairs. Receptacle as fibrous, reed flowers of golden yellow, much longer than the tepals.

The fruits - achenes up to 6 cm, narrowed at both ends, rough-hairy.

Arnica grows in light of coniferous forests, grassy meadows and forest edges, mountain meadows, and humus sandy soil, but not in the limestone. It is found in the lowlands to the highlands.

Procurement of raw materials from the mountain arnica

Medicinal raw materials are baskets mountain arnica, and sometimes - and the grass root. Harvesting in natural lands is prohibited, as the plant is a rare species and to be protected. Cultivation of medicinal arnica with great difficulty, so its medicinal raw materials are imported from abroad.

The dried flower baskets Arnica montana have a pleasant aroma and a spicy, bitter, a bit burning taste.

The chemical composition of mountain arnica and its impact on the human body

The dried raw material contains an essential oil Essential oils and conception: can help the roses?   (most of it is contained in the root), flavonoids, colorants lutein arnidol and faradiol, tannins, organic acids (acetic, valeric, malic, lactic), bitter substances, gum, vitamin C, sugar, inulin and some other substances.

Action Arnica montana when taking drugs inside - antispasmodic (dilates blood vessels, including vessels that feed the heart muscle) and muscles of internal organs) and exciting, outside - hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, astringent skin and mucous membranes. Therapeutic effects has mostly faradiol, which has a local irritant effect on human tissue and promotes the resorption of hemorrhages. Arnica montana also has a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system: under its influence accelerated heart rate.

At the same time, mountain arnica on the one hand has a tonic effect on the spinal cord, and on the other - inhibits the activity of the cerebral cortex. Therefore, drugs that obtained on its basis, in small doses, have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, and large - soothing and overwhelming convulsions.

Arnica montana has also choleretic, anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the contraction of the uterus. Apply this plant and how anti-sclerotic means: it lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Use of Arnica montana for the treatment of various diseases

Arnica is used in the form of infusions, decoctions and ointments from flowers and roots in some cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, ischemic heart disease Heart disease and heart attacks: that every woman should know   and others), stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, rheumatism Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart .

Inside the tincture of Arnica montana are used in a variety of bleeding in obstetric and gynecologic practice. And after the birth for a better uterine contractions

As an external remedy arnica is applied in the form of lotions and wet bandages for cuts, bruises, burns, exudates, pustular skin diseases, trophic ulcers, minor burns and frostbite, it helps to quickly stop the bleeding.

In addition, arnica is used for nervous disorders, various inflammations and reduces pain at the site of the lesion.

Arnica is considered a poisonous plant and use it in high doses can be fatal, and external - to the acute skin diseases. Not allowed the use of Arnica montana pregnant women - it can cause abortion.

Medicinal products based on mountain arnica

The pharmacy you can buy tincture of Arnica montana, it is administered orally to 30 drops per tablespoon of milk as a styptic.

Independently, you can prepare an infusion of dried arnica flowers bought at the pharmacy: a tablespoon of raw pour in enamelware cup of boiling water, close lid and keep in a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures   15 minutes, then cooled in a water bath for 45 minutes, filtered, made up to the original level and take tablespoon three times daily.

Galina Romanenko

Sweet clover (lat. Melilotus) is currently growing on the planet almost everywhere. This is a perennial plant in height from 60 to 200 centimeters. He is often seen in the meadows, vacant lots, roadsides. Sweet clover has a taproot, branched stems, sometimes quite thick and strong. The leaves consist of three small oblong leaflets. During flowering clover abundantly covered with long tassels, consisting of small yellow or white flowers with a sweet fragrance. Kiel significantly shorter than the others parts of the flower, and it is a lot of honey.

Then there are wide black-seeded pods, often heavily wrinkled.

Flowers of all kinds of clover have a strong sweet scent; when they are dried, the smell becomes even stronger and more enjoyable.

The Latin name for clover means "honey lotus." He was very fond of bees. Furthermore, from this plant are often harvested fodder for livestock.

Useful properties of sweet clover

Useful properties of sweet clover have been known since ancient times. The famous ancient physician Galen recommended to their patients, who included members of the imperial family, an ointment prepared on the basis of clover, as a remedy for joint pain and various inflammations.

Today used for medicinal purposes all of the clover. Typically, flowers and buds were collected in May and dried.

The main active substance is a coumarin clover - crystalline solid which is formed during the drying process. Furthermore, sweet clover contains related coumarin compounds: gidrokumarinovaya acid ortokumarinovaya acid, lactone and aromatic oils Essential Oils - whether they will help in a difficult moment? .

Sweet clover has carminative and laxative effect, and also has anticoagulant properties. It can help with heart spasms, sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams , Headaches and migraines, high blood pressure and angina.

Respiratory diseases clover can be used as an expectorant. Inhalation using broth clover helps with asthma; Some sources say that the same effect is produced by the inhalation of smoke from the combustion of dry clover. To check the effectiveness of this method may be unsafe for many reasons, it is recommended to restrict inhalation.

Sweet clover can be used as a remedy for amenorrhea. Mix equal volumes of dried clover, centaury and flowers mother and stepmother. Pour boiling water the grass at the rate of one glass of water a tablespoon of the collection. Let sit for 2 hours, then strain the broth. Within a month, take 2 cups a day of infusion. In inflammatory diseases such as ovarian helps broth supplemented with oregano.

How to use the clover?

To prepare tea from clover to use in various diseases, including colds, brew 1-1.5 teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of boiled water. You can drink tea with honey and brew it with mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness , Sage Sage - cvyaschennaya grass   and other herbs. If high blood pressure can drink half a cup of this decoction two to three times a day.

The same decoction can be used externally with festering wounds, burns, tumors, swellings, boils. Good help ointment of sweet clover: thoroughly mix 2 tablespoons of fresh flowers with 2-4 tablespoons of butter. The resulting mixture is heated over a low heat for 5-10 minutes. When it hardens, the ointment can be used. Oil preparations such ointments should not contain salt and any other flavorings. Do not apply ointment on the open wounds.

Sweet clover has a fairly strong effect, and take it, especially for a long time, is possible only after consultation with your doctor.