In the dark woods and pine forests are often found juniper - a plant that is traditionally used in folk medicine as a remedy, as well as a seasoning for various dishes and a means for preserving vegetables. Medicinal properties of juniper have been known to doctors of ancient Egypt, in Russia, this plant was considered native Russian.

What is and where juniper grows

Juniper (Veres) - is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree from the cypress family. Its height reaches 1-3 meters, bark brown, scaly, leaves linear, dlinnozaostrennye, covered with a waxy bloom. Flowers in May, fruits single black shishkoyagody ripen in the autumn of next year.

Juniper is widely distributed in the European part of the country, in Siberia, the Caucasus, Western and Eastern Siberia, in the Urals. It grows in coniferous forests, forming thickets on the edges. It is found on the edge of forests, forest slopes of the mountains.

The chemical composition of juniper and Harvestable thereof medicinal raw materials

With the purpose of treatment using ripe fruit juniper (shishkoyagody) black and blue, which are collected in late autumn. The fruit shake to spread out under a bush canvas, then sorted, cleaned of impurities and dried in the open air, in a ventilated area or in a dryer at a temperature no higher than 40 ° C, with frequent stirring. Dry fruits in furnaces is not recommended, as this degrades the quality of raw materials. Well dried materials can be stored up to three years.

Juniper contain many sugars, resins, waxes, organic acids (acetic, ascorbic, malic acid), mineral salts, colorants and up to 2% of essential oils, which is composed of various biologically active substances.

The juniper crust contains a lot of tannins, and essential oils in the leaves - a lot of vitamin C and volatile (biologically active substances with a pronounced antimicrobial action).

Medicinal properties of juniper

Infusion Juniper has a diuretic effect, which is associated mainly with the presence in the fruit essential oil Essential oils and conception: can help the roses? Which enhances filtration processes in the kidney and inhibits the reabsorption of some salts - it promotes active removal of liquid from the body. But long-term use drugs juniper can irritate kidney tissue.

Preparations of juniper and enhance education and bile excretion, increase the secretion of gastric juice and locomotor activity (peristalsis) of the intestine, have antimicrobial action.

Essential oil of juniper helps liquefy secretions bronchial tubes and facilitates its removal due to increasing the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

The use of juniper in medicine

Drugs prescribed juniper:

• as a diuretic for edema renal and cardiovascular origin;
• as an antimicrobial agent in chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidney and urinary tract (in the complex therapy);
• acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract to liquefy phlegm and spitting it;
• in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract for appetite, improve digestion and intestinal motor activity;
• for liver and biliary tract (especially when stagnant bile and tendency to the formation of gallstones) to improve education of the liver and its excretion into the intestine;
• anemia;
• with a decrease in immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   (e.g., in furunculosis);
• with loss of strength (for example, after an illness);
• in inflammation of the joints Inflammation of the joints - how to relieve the pain?   (as baths and compresses).

Juniper contraindicated in acute inflammation, and especially infectious allergic diseases of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), because they irritate the kidney tissue, which may aggravate the patient's condition.

How to prepare medicines from juniper

Juniper in the home, you can prepare the infusion: tablespoon dried crushed fruit is placed in an enamel bowl, pour a glass of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heated in boiling water (for water bath) for 15 minutes, then cooled, filtered, pressing the fruit, made up to the original level and take on a tablespoon 3 times a day after meals (to keep the infusion can be no more than two days in the refrigerator).

In the spring, when a breakdown recommend chewing juniper fruit, starting with 4 a day and up to 15 (daily adding one) and then gradually reaching the baseline.

Juniper - a great medicinal plant, but it can also have negative effects on the body, so it is best to take on prescription.

Galina Romanenko

In many cases, the treatment of cough folk remedies is the best choice. These agents do not suppress the cough center, and do not interfere with the normal process of removing sputum, unlike various modern antitussives; In addition, a folk remedy for coughs rarely cause side effects.

Bow

Onions contain nutrients that help get rid of a cough and fight viruses, which are often all are infectious agents that cause cough. To make cough medicine, you will need one large or two medium-sized onions, grated on a fine grater, 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice and two tablespoons of honey. Put all ingredients in a bowl, and thirty minutes to one hour hold it in a water bath. Then cover the cup lid, and let stand for half an hour drug. Strain it, and ready to take cough syrup Cough syrup - how to choose the best?   one tablespoon once every one or two hours.

Ginger

Ginger is known for its antiviral properties. It helps when you cough, sore throat and runny nose. Place a few slices in a cup of ginger root or a pinch of dried ginger, cloves and cinnamon to taste, cover with boiling water and let stand for ten minutes. Drink one cup of ginger tea three to four times a day until the cough does not take place. You can also simply to chew pieces of ginger reproaching or take the juice of ginger for two or three teaspoons a day.

Garlic

On the antibacterial and antiviral properties of garlic have been known to people since ancient times, although, of course, there was no information as its chemical composition, which are at our disposal today. Garlic can be used to treat cough in several ways. Firstly, it can simply has - two or four claw per day. You can also prepare a decoction of healing with garlic; To do this you need two or three claw garlic, two cloves and half a teaspoon of oregano. Put the ingredients in a small saucepan, pour a cup of water and bring to a boil. Cook the broth for 15-20 minutes on low heat, then remove the pan from the heat. Strain the broth and drink by adding a teaspoon of honey.

Curcuma

Turmeric is particularly useful in dry cough. Mix one teaspoon turmeric Turmeric: the benefits and harms of the Indian saffron   and a teaspoon of ajwain seeds (optional) with a glass of water. Bring the water to a boil and continue to boil until its volume is reduced by half. Add the broth is ready spoonful of honey, mix thoroughly. Take a tablespoon of this means three to four times a day.

Cloves

Mix a few tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of ground cloves, and put the mixture in the refrigerator for two to three hours. Take one teaspoon of honey with cloves to four times a day. This medication is well softens the throat and reduces inflammation.

Mustard

Mix one part of mustard powder to two parts of flour and water to obtain a homogeneous paste is not too liquid. Apply this paste evenly on a small dish towel, fold it in half, and put it on his chest. Keep this homemade mustard plaster on the skin for at least twenty minutes.

Radish

Rub a radish on a fine grater and mix it with a few tablespoons of honey. Cover with this mixture cup lid, and leave it in a dark cool place at least five hours. Then, take a teaspoon of honey and radish at least three times a day.

Gargling with salt water

It's not the most pleasant, but very effective procedure that helps to speed up the removal of phlegm. Mix 0.5 liters of warm water with one tablespoon of salt. When the salt is completely dissolved, rinse with a solution of the throat for a few minutes. Repeat the process three or four times per day. Similarly, one can use a solution of salt and soda, and lemon juice with water (two or three tablespoons of juice in 0.5 liters of water).

Aloe

Mix a quarter teaspoon of aloe juice Aloe - its amazing healing properties   with a teaspoon of honey. Take this medication two to four times per day. For even greater effect can be added to this tool quarter tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Salvia

Prepare the broth, bay of one tablespoon dried sage Sage - cvyaschennaya grass   a cup of boiling water. Drink one to three cups of broth sage until the cough will not pass. Sage is an excellent expectorant and has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Thyme and mint

These plants help to purify the respiratory tract of phlegm, has antispasmodic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. Pour into a cup of one teaspoon of thyme and mint and pour boiling water over the grass. Cover the bowl lid and let it brew broth 20-30 minutes. Ready broth with honey is recommended to drink two or three times a day. You can also prepare a cough syrup by mixing about one and a half cups of broth thyme and mint and a half cup of honey. If honey is poorly soluble, heat syrup over low heat, stirring constantly. Take one tablespoon of this medication up to five times a day until the cough does not take place. The syrup can be stored in a refrigerator in a tightly closed glass containers, to three months.

Honey Mustard

Mix the honey and mustard powder in a ratio of 2: 1, and take a teaspoon of the drug several times a day.

Cayenne pepper

The lingering cough may lead to quite severe pain in the chest. Cayenne pepper is effective against these pains. In addition, it accelerates recovery from various respiratory infections due to its antimicrobial properties. To prepare a tasty and sharp cough syrup and mix until smooth quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper, one tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of water, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger. Take a tablespoon of the syrup at least twice a day.

Lime

This representative of the citrus family is one of the best remedies for coughs and colds, and use it for medicinal purposes in various ways. For example, you can just chew on lemon slices (you can pre-sprinkled them with sugar), drink warm water with lemon juice (two Solovykh tablespoons of juice on a cup of water), or add lemon herb tea. It is an effective remedy for coughs get if you mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with one tablespoon of honey and a pinch of cayenne, red or black pepper. This medicine has antiseptic properties and helps with inflammation of the mucous membranes in the throat.

Carrot juice

Carrots contain a lot of vitamins and other nutrients that can help you get rid of cough. Drink 0.5-1 glass of carrot juice four times a day. If desired, it can be mixed with a small amount of honey and / or lemon juice.

Marshmallow root

Marshmallow is an effective expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent. Pour a tablespoon of crushed root Althea cup of boiling water and let it brew broth for at least six hours. Then strain it, add a spoonful of honey and drink. A decoction of marshmallow can drink one glass, two or three times a day.

Milk and honey

One of the best known and loved (especially children) folk remedies for cough. Drink two to three cups of hot milk with honey daily until stop coughing. Further honey can be added to milk pinch ground ginger and / or pepper.