Prunus - a true Russian tree that is appreciated for the beautiful flowers, delicious and healthy fruit, fruit reminiscent of cherry. It is often planted in gardens around the houses, and of flexible thin branches made hoops arc, wicker boxes, baskets and other items needed in the economy.

The botanical characteristics of wild cherry

Bird cherry - tree from the Rosaceae family (subfamily plum) up to 10 m. The leaves are alternate, short, elliptical, opaque bottom and a little wrinkled, on the edge - sharply serrated. On top of the stem at the base of the leaf blade has two glands. The flowers are white, fragrant, collected in the drooping hand. Sepals and petals five, stamens many, one pistil. Fruits - black globose drupe up to 7 mm in diameter, sweet, strongly astringent, with a rounded egg-bone. In the flowers of wild cherry contains a large number of volatile, which disinfected air. Blossoms in May - June, fruits in July - August.

It grows in damp places in the riverine forests along streams, rivers, ravines, thickets in the Urals, western Siberia, the North Caucasus and in the European part of our country. He likes acidic soil oak and birch forests.

The chemical composition of wild cherry and collection of medicinal raw materials

Medicinal raw materials are cherry fruit and tree bark. Fruits are harvested ripe, dried in the sun or in ovens and dryers at 40-60˚S. Make sure that the fruit is not burnt. The bark is removed during the early spring sap flow, is dried by any available method and triturated. The dried raw material can be stored in a dry place for up to 5 years.

The leaves, fruits and flowers of wild cherry especially a lot of volatile organic compounds volatile production, which kill harmful bacteria and insects.

The cherry fruit contains tannins, organic acids (malic and citric), essential oils Essential oils and conception: can help the roses? Sugars, volatile, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt and magnesium. In leaves, bark, flowers and seeds contains much phytoncide and glycoside amygdalin from which the human body is formed prussic acid. Therefore, bird cherry pits, as well as cherries, apricots and other stone fruit are not recommended to consume in large quantities.

Effect of wild cherry on the human body

Cherry fruit has astringent and antibacterial properties, so they are taking with diarrhea of ​​various origins, including intestinal infections, both in fresh and in the form of decoctions and infusions.

A decoction of the bark of bird cherry in folk medicine used as a diuretic for kidney and cardiovascular system, as well as a diaphoretic for colds, accompanied by high temperature. This broth relieves spasms in the gastrointestinal tract.

Externally the infusion of cherry fruit is used for washing eyes with purulent conjunctivitis. That extract also rinse your mouth with stomatitis and throat, sore throat and upper respiratory tract. Infusions of fruit, bark and flowers of wild cherry makes douching Douching - a controversial procedure   at various genital infections in women.

Fresh cherry fruit, and tea made from dry raw materials, have excellent health properties.

In the fight against flies, lice and other insects use a decoction of the bark and other plant parts.

How to prepare medicines from wild cherry at home

Houses made of bird cherry can be prepared:

• decoction of the bark of bird cherry: teaspoon dried minced raw pour cold water, bring to a boil, simmer for fifteen minutes, then drain, squeeze, bring to a baseline boiled water and take on a third cup 3 times a day for diarrhea Diarrhea (diarrhea) - a familiar nuisance , Heat and swelling;
• cherry fruit broth: tablespoon dried minced raw pour a glass of cold water, put in a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures   for 15 minutes and then cooled for 45 minutes, strain, wring out, to add to the original level of boiled water and take half a cup 2-3 times a day before meals with a variety of digestive problems;
• the infusion of the flowers of wild cherry for external use: tablespoon dried minced raw pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain, wring out and wash the eyes with conjunctivitis;
• infusion of leaves and flowers of wild cherry for washing festering wounds and ulcers: tablespoon dried minced raw pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain, wring out and washed with warm infusion of wounds and ulcers;
• tea from the leaves of wild cherry: teaspoon dried crushed leaves of bird cherry brew cup boiling water, leave for 15 minutes and drink as a fortifying agent.

Fresh cherry fruit can be eaten on the half cup several times a day.

Galina Romanenko

Gathering Thyme marks one of the most important Orthodox holidays - Trinity. On this day, flowering thyme carpet the floors of the houses, out of it make bouquets, making wreaths, put in a vase. It is believed that thyme, gathered on this day, have special healing properties.

Botanical properties of thyme

Thyme or creeping thyme (Bogorodsk grass) - is a perennial herb or subshrub plant of the family grubotsvetnyh (yasnotkovyh) with a strong pleasant odor. The leaves are small, oval-oblong, stems numerous travel along the ground, flowers, small, mauve. There are more than 30 species of thyme, in our country there are more than ten.

Thyme is found almost throughout Russia, it grows on the slopes of hills and hillocks, dry pine forests and steppes. Homeland thyme is considered the Mediterranean coast. In ancient Greece, this plant is valued for its aromatic properties. Currently, it cultivated in Europe, USA, Canada.

Thyme is used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Beekeepers appreciate thyme honey for good quality.

Medical raw material is the aboveground part - the grass and flowers. Harvest Thyme flowering period in May and June. Cut off the tops of the plants (flowers and stems with leaves), dried to the shade under a canopy, and store in a cool dry place.

The chemical composition and medicinal properties

The Thyme contains volatile oil Essential oils and conception: can help the roses? , Which is composed of terpenes (thymol, borneol and other biologically active substances), organic acids (aminolonovaya, coffee, quinine and other), flavonoids (compounds having the ability to increase the permeability of blood vessels), vitamins (ascorbic acid, the precursor of vitamin A - carotene), tannins (nitrogen-free binders), resins (they have a healing and antimicrobial properties), bitterness, fatty oil, gum (part of the solidified juice is used as the binding component), colorants.

Thyme has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant, wound healing, calming, anticonvulsant, analgesic and diuretic properties. In addition, the thyme is an excellent anthelmintic, but due to it contains bitters improves appetite.

Indications and contraindications for use

Infusions, decoctions and extracts of thyme is used inside:

• inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial tubes and lungs as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant;
• in diseases of the throat as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent;
• skin diseases as the anti-inflammatory agent;
• in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract for the normalization of its work and the restoration of appetite;
• for hypertension as a sedative and anti-stress agent;
• with nervousness and sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams   as a sedative;
• osteochondrosis with a pinched nerve as a painkiller and sedative;
• edema of different origin as a diuretic;
• as an anthelmintic in the tapeworm.

Outwardly infusions of thyme is used to treat skin diseases, wounds, diseases of the joints, muscles and peripheral nerves in the form of baths, lotions and compresses.

Preparations made from thyme contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases of the liver and kidney, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcers, reduced thyroid function, pregnancy and breastfeeding Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   child.

How to prepare and take drugs from thyme

Thyme prepare infusions and decoctions:

• thyme tincture for oral administration: a half tablespoon dried minced raw pour a glass of boiled water, in a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures   30 minutes, filtered, made up to the initial level and take on a third cup three times a day before meals as an expectorant and sedative;
• thyme tincture for external use: two tablespoons raw pour a glass of boiled water, in a water bath for 30 minutes, filtered, made up to the initial level and used as a gargle, compresses and lotions;
• infusion of thyme bath: 1-1, 5 cups of minced raw pour a liter of boiled water, 30 minutes in a water bath, filter, wring out and added to the bath.

Since infusions perishable, it is better to cook every day or stored in the refrigerator, but not more than two days.

The pharmacy you can buy the drug Pertussin, which includes an extract of thyme. This drug is used as an expectorant.

Galina Romanenko