A little about phytotherapy

Currently in our country centralized harvesting of medicinal plants is carried out and many of them enter the pharmacy network in sufficient quantity. Before introducing medicinal plants into medical practice, a number of special studies are conducted, their chemical composition and action( first on animals) are studied, and only after thorough clinical trials the USSR Pharmacological Committee permits the use of a new drug or medicinal plant in medical practice. Often, the collection and preparation of medicinal plants are made by patients themselves. It should be remembered that in nature there are similar to medicinal plants, poisonous plant species containing potent and poisonous substances. Therefore, medicinal plants can only be used for the doctor's prescription and in strict accordance with the dose indicated to them. Do not need to use the advice of those who are not well versed in medical matters. Therefore, before starting the collection of medicinal plants, it is necessary to study their botanical characteristics from the atlas of medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants rarely cause adverse reactions, including allergic ones. Skilfully prepared collections can be taken for years if necessary, which is extremely important in the treatment of chronic diseases. Various infusions of herbs contribute to the release of harmful metabolic products, purify the body. They normalize the level of cholesterol, reduce or increase the level of blood pressure, improve blood supply to the brain and heart muscle, restore bowel function, improve sleep, relieve nervous tension, increase efficiency. All of the above does not negate the fundamental position that only a doctor prescribes various collections of herbs. Proper use of phytotherapy is possible only with the established medical diagnosis of the disease, reflecting in addition to the nature of the pathological process of a particular organ its stage, treatment option, activity phase, the degree of functional disorders, as well as concomitant diseases of other organs. In addition, to obtain the desired clinical effect, it is necessary to have a clear idea of ​​the mechanism of action of the active factors of the drugs used. As for the dosage, it is purely individual. Dose selection is also a tactical task of the doctor, it can vary at the beginning of treatment and in the course of the course of the disease, with the main goal being to achieve maximum clinical effect with minimal side effect.

The common opinion about the supposedly complete harmlessness of medicinal plants is incorrect. With unreasonable self-treatment, poisoning, malfunctioning of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, spontaneous abortions and other disasters are possible. But the main danger lies in the fact that therapeutic herbs, masking some manifestations of the disease, can do a disservice to the patient - it may be too late to see a doctor.

The term "medicinal herbs" does not need to be understood literally. It means different parts of many plants, not only herbaceous. These can be fruits, seeds, flowers, kidneys, leaves, bark, tubers, rhizomes, roots and bulbs. Collect them at a time when they contain the maximum amount of nutrients. You can not collect grass growing in the city, near roads, as they contain a large number of toxic substances. Many medicinal herbs grow well in the central part of the country in orchards and garden areas. You can grow St. John's wort, celandine, chamomile, marshmallow, barberry, hawthorn, elecampane, sweet clover, oregano, peanut, boar, calendula, sea buckthorn, coriander, sage, horsetail, mint etc. Rhizomes, roots and tubers are harvested early in the spring until the appearance of abovegroundpart or fall after its withering. They are excavated with a shovel, retreating from the base of the stem for 15-20 cm, shaking off the remains of the soil, put them in a basket, then washed in cold running water with a soft brush. For drying, the roots are laid out on sackcloth or on grass. Small roots can be dried entirely, large pre-cut lengthwise and across into small parts.

Kidneys should be collected during their maximum swelling, but before the appearance of green leaves. Bloomed buds do not contain the necessary drugs. The bark is removed in the spring, during the sap movement;it is during this period that it is most rich in valuable medicinal substances and is easily separated from the trunk. As a medicinal raw material, bark of branches affected by lichen can not be used. The leaves are collected during the flowering period of plants, in dry weather, after the fall of dew.

Fruits and seeds use only mature, since they are the most rich in medicinal substances. Collection of juicy fruits and berries should be done in the morning or evening hours, collected in the heat, they quickly deteriorate. Do not pick berries damaged by worms or other pests.

After collecting medicinal herbs they contain a large amount of moisture. If moisture is not removed, the raw material rot and becomes unsuitable for the preparation of drugs due to the destruction of medicinal substances. Dry plants in well-ventilated rooms - in attics, in sheds. It should be dry and hot. Before drying, the herbs are cleaned of all strangers, as well as from parts that have rotted and lost their natural color. The collected raw materials are finely cut and immediately laid out a thin layer on clean paper( not a newspaper!), Matting, gauze frame, wooden shelf. Raw materials are mixed during drying. Properly dried, it retains color and aroma. If after drying the leaves and flowers are easily triturated in their hands, and the roots and stems are broken, then the raw material is well dried.

Store harvested herbs in cardboard boxes, tissue bags, paper bags, plywood boxes. Sharply smelling plants should be kept in a closed glass or metal container. With proper storage, the shelf life of flowers and leaves is up to 2 years, roots and bark are 2-4 years.

Now about how to prepare medicines. The strongest therapeutic effect of the juices of fresh plants, followed by broths and infusions of freshly collected, still fresh raw materials. The most widespread in phytotherapy was infusions and decoctions, for the preparation of which dried raw materials and water are required. According to popular recommendations for hot infusions herb soars all night in the oven. However, in modern conditions it is much easier to use a thermos bottle. The recommended dose of dry raw materials, usually 2-4 tbsp.l. In the evening, pour into a thermos with a capacity of 0.5 liters, pour to the top with steep boiling water and close. Overnight the grass is infused. Drink infusion in a warm form, for this it is poured into a glass or a cup, slightly cooled, stirring with a spoon. Infusion can not be stored in the thermos for more than a day, it should be drunk in 3-4 meals, for 20 -30 minutes before meals, if there are no other recommendations of the doctor.

For broth the raw material is put in enameled dishes, poured with water, covered with a lid and boiled for 15-20 minutes on low heat. The liquid is added with boiling water to the original volume. Take decoctions in a warm form before eating. If the decoctions or infusions are for external use, they are prepared from a double dose of raw materials. Daily doses depend on the characteristics of the patient, including on his age, weight, the nature of the disease. If there is no strong remedy in the infusion or decoction, sometimes the dose is increased to 4-6 st.l.raw materials.

In folk medicine it is believed that when treating herbs it is better to use not individual plants, but collections. They can include up to 20 components. Duration of treatment with herbal remedies up to 3-4 months, with monthly breaks of up to 5-7 days. Some authors believe that the duration of treatment is almost unlimited, but in such cases, after 2 months of treatment, 2-week breaks are made. Do not take infusions during menstruation. Sometimes in the first days of taking infusions of herbs cause heartburn, nausea, a feeling of heaviness under the spoon. Then in a glass with a warm infusion add a little honey, jelly or mashed berries. Days 7-10 grass is taken not to eat, but after, after 30-40 minutes. Improvement in herbal medicine usually occurs after 2-3 weeks of treatment, but the persistent effect can be achieved only with prolonged and regular use of herbs - at least six months, and sometimes 1.5-2 years. After the course of treatment, to prevent an exacerbation of the disease, it is advisable to take medical treatment twice a year, in spring and autumn, for 2 months. Treatment with herbs, like any treatment, will not bring the expected results, if you do not observe a healthy diet, break the diet, smoke, drink alcohol, excessively strong tea or coffee, lead a sedentary lifestyle. All this is recommended by doctors of any specialties. Remember, the more bad habits you have, the more difficult it is for a doctor to help you.