Traditional medicine to help in the season of influenza and colds (and not only).

Our herbalist is the 14 most useful herbs you can rely on with a full description of valuable properties and a list of contraindications.

Aloe

This succulent plant was first found in countries in South Africa and Arabia. During the trip of the Russian ship to South Africa, one of the crew members picked up an unknown tropical fever, and had to leave it on the shore. Literally a month later, another team found the sailor in the same place ─ he looked much better. It turned out that in the jungle, he found a tropical plant that looked like a shrub and chewed its leaves (more likely from hunger), and then noticed that his health began to improve significantly. So, according to unofficial data, aloe fell into Russia.

In nature, more than 200 different types of aloe are known, but the most widespread in our country is a tree aloe or agave. As a rule, two useful products are obtained from its leaves ─ juice and gel. The first is more often used in medicine, the second is in cosmetology. Aloe juice contains beneficial trace elements: manganese, copper, potassium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, bromine, vanadium, iron, iodine, silver, fluorine, silicon, zinc, and many others.

Benefit

strengthens the immune system

cleans the blood

treats diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems

has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal effect

treats eye diseases

enhances the secretion of digestive glands

normalizes cholesterol

accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers

treats diseases in the gynecological field

relieves inflammation of the gums

Contraindications

Aloe juice should not be used for cancer, possible allergic reactions, uterine bleeding and pregnancy (only with the permission of the attending physician).

Ginseng

This perennial plant of the Araliae family grows mainly in mountainous areas, and most often it can be found in the Far East, in China, Tibet, Vietnam, Altai, and Siberia. China is recognized as the birthplace of the plant, and the pronunciation of its name is borrowed from Chinese (although in the original ginseng is spelled in two words and translated as “the root of life”). The most useful part of ginseng is really the root, in form resembling a small human figure (in connection with this, ginseng is sometimes translated from the same Chinese as “human root”).

Benefit

has anti-inflammatory effect

affects carbohydrate metabolism

lowers blood sugar

improves vision

increases endurance of the body and its resistance to stress, infections, changes in external

temperatures, etc.

equalizes blood pressure in hypotension

lowers cholesterol

activates adrenal function

stimulates blood circulation in the brain

speeds up fat metabolism

promotes rapid healing of wounds and ulcers

Contraindications

In cases of self-treatment, if you do not control the use of drugs containing ginseng, you may feel unwell, even fatal poisoning, so it’s best to consult with your doctor before taking it. Ginseng is completely contraindicated in the development of acute infectious diseases, with high blood pressure, pregnancy.

Eleutherococcus

In nature, there are about 30 different types of Eleutherococcus, but only one is used in medicine – Eleutherococcus spiny. This species is a shrub, with branching, thorny trunks (plant trunks can reach 4 meters in height) and fruits in the form of black berries. Eleutherococcus belongs to the Aralia family, as does ginseng and, accordingly, has similar properties. For this reason, it is often used for overwork as a tonic.

Benefit

tones up

improves performance

relieves chronic fatigue

puts the nervous system in order

helps to reduce blood sugar levels

helps in the prevention of oncology

has a calming effect on the eyes, a positive effect on vision in general

improves appetite

increases the body’s resistance to infectious diseases

helps with radiation and poisoning

contributes to the treatment of stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity

useful for restoring the menstrual cycle and for infertility

increases male sexual activity

Contraindications

Eleutherococcus is not recommended to be used for chronic insomnia, high blood pressure, fever, pregnancy, increased nervous excitability, as well as children under 12 years of age.

Coltsfoot

Tussilágo or “cough slegon” ─ this plant has this name in Latin. “Coltsfoot” ─ it is rather the Russian folk interpretation, the basis for which was the leaves of the plant, slippery outside and fluffy inside. The plant belongs to the family of the Astrov (complex flowers), and its main beneficial feature is the treatment of cough and other bronchodilator diseases. The coltsfoot contains alkaloids with antibacterial action and inulin, which improves the quality of food digestion and improves digestion.

Benefit

improves gastric acid secretion

decoction of the plant relieves muscle and joint pain

helps with inflammatory skin diseases (furunculosis, acne)

helps with excessive sweating of the feet

contributes to the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, fahrengit)

helps with dental problems (periodontal disease, gum disease)

treats bronchodilator diseases

Contraindications

It is not recommended to use the plant solution during pregnancy, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, asthenia, as well as for the treatment of alcoholism.

Sage

Salvia (Latin name of sage) is a large genus of shrub plants. By the way, with regard to the original name of sage, it comes from the Latin word salvere (from the Latin. “Be healthy”). The description of the use of this plant remained in the records of many Greek and Roman physicians. Hippocrates, in particular, called sage “holy grass.”

Worldwide, there are about 700 species of salvia. However, for medical purposes, in theory, only 100 of them are used, and in practice, the sage species known for their healing properties are only 2 – sage meadow (wild) and medicinal sage (specially grown in orchards and vegetable gardens). For treatment, mainly sage leaves are used: decoctions, tinctures, oils and ointments are prepared from them. Fresh sage leaves are applied only externally. The leaves contain vitamins, phytoncides, essential oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids, resinous and tannins, natural antioxidants.

Benefit

helps in the treatment of skin diseases, external wounds, ulcers, tumors

has anti-inflammatory properties

has a tonic effect on the body

limits sweating

helps with diarrhea

helps to prevent arthritis and treat frostbite

has antiseptic and spasmolytic effects

effective in preventing and treating diabetes and female diseases

improves memory

has a strengthening effect on hair (slows down the process of baldness in men)

Contraindications

Do not use sage for women during lactation, as it helps to reduce lactation (however, when the time comes to wean the baby from breast milk, sage, on the contrary, will be useful)

Nettle

Nettle owes its original name and sad popularity among children to stinging hairs covering its stems and leaves. In theory, we all know from early childhood that you cannot touch nettles because you can get burned or “get wet”, but in practice nettles benefit significantly exceeds its snideful ability to “sting” (except for nettle trees from New Zealand, touching the which not only burns, but in principle is life-threatening).

In Russia, you can find only two types of nettles – stinging nettles and stinging nettles. Nettle contains carotene (it is more there than in carrots and sorrel), ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nickel, sodium, copper, titanium, manganese, boron, iodine, phosphorus, iron, and also vitamins A, B1 , B2 and PP, and the content of vitamin C, nettle surpasses even lemon. Nettle is often used to prepare various decoctions for medical purposes, but its leaves can also significantly brighten the taste of many soups in cooking.

Benefit

cleans the blood

increases blood hemoglobin level

contributes to the treatment of skin diseases (boils, acne, eczema)

possesses hemostatic and healing effects

helps the female body to recover faster after childbirth

relieves the symptoms of PMS and menopause

helps to improve the tone of the cardiovascular system, improves heart function

helps in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica, relieving muscle pain

can be applied for hair and scalp care, reduces hair loss

improves digestive system, gives choleretic and laxative effects

normalizes blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus

Contraindications

Nettle is contraindicated in pregnancy, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis.

Ginkgo biloba

The main places of origin of ginkgo biloba are Japan and Southeast Asia. It existed on our land in the Mesozoic era. Ginkgo biloba has long been one of the main drugs of Asian medicine, and today it is successfully used in the West and in Russia, as a means to improve memory and prolong youth. The composition of the extract from the leaves of ginkgo biloba includes more than 40 biologically active compounds. This plant also has its own unique components ─ bilobalids and ginkgolides (to which it owes its unusual name), and it is they that largely determine its particular pharmacological activity.

Benefit

stimulates mental activity

improves concentration, clarity of thinking and memory

slows down the development of senile dementia and brain aging processes

relieves dizziness and headache

fights depressive states

stimulates quick response and performance

eliminates anxiety, anxiety and irritability

stimulates sexual activity

improves sleep

Contraindications

Do not use ginkgo biloba extract for women during pregnancy.

Kombucha

Kombucha, or, as it is called in Russia, Kombucha ─ is a symbiosis of vinegar and yeast. Kombucha came to us in the XX century through Transbaikalia straight from China. In everyday life and traditional medicine in both Russia and the pioneer countries of Kombucha (China, Japan, India), it is not the mushroom itself that is used, but its infusion. In Japan, geisha drank infusion kombuchi for weight loss, rinsed his hair, removed pigment spots and even warts on the skin. In India, the infusion of Kombucha fixed paint on fabrics. In China and Russia, they also drink it as an invigorating and perfectly thirst-quenching drink. Kombucha copes well with therapeutic tasks, as it contains many healing components (alkaloids, vitamins, enzymes, glycosides, aromatic substances, as well as sugar, acetic acid and alcohol).

Benefit

strengthens the immune system

has antibacterial and antiviral effects

helps in the treatment of rhinitis, sore throats, bacterial disinteria

soothes

tones up

relieves mental fatigue

restores the microflora of the stomach after taking strong drugs

Contraindications

Due to its high sugar content, Kombucha may not be useful for people suffering from fungal diseases, obesity, or diabetes.

Alfalfa

The perennial plant of the legume family, which is considered to be the birthplace of China, has a high nutritional value, and therefore is often used in digestive disorders. The plant contains isoflavones and flavones (substances that regulate hormonal activity in women), saponins (substances that block cholesterol absorption) and chlorophyll, which helps cleanse the entire body. Alfalfa also contains minerals (iron, zinc, potassium, calcium) and acids (citric, malic, ascorbic, fumaric, oxalic).

Benefit

cleanses the body

helps women’s health (menopause, breastfeeding)

helps in the treatment of cystitis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, pyelonephritis

stops nasal bleeding

promotes the removal of kidney stones

helps boost hair growth

removes redness and swelling

Contraindications

It is not recommended to use alfalfa during pregnancy and autoimmune diseases.

Levzey

Levzeya grows high in the mountains. The most famous places where you can pick a bouquet Levzei ─ Altai, Sayan Mountains, Kazakhstan. The people of this plant is often referred to as “maral root”, and all because in the fall deer-deer living in some mountainous areas, dig up and eat its roots. Actually, thanks to them, the usefulness of the Leuzei was once discovered.

For biostimulants, concentrated in the root of the left-hand crop, the plant is also often referred to as a natural anabolic (a substance that gives energy, increases endurance, and promotes rapid muscle recovery). So the Leuzea root can often be found in popular sports supplements.

Benefit

improves blood composition

stimulates the body’s vital processes

promotes the expansion of blood vessels, thereby regulating blood pressure

increases hemoglobin level

has a tonic and tonic effect

treats for apathy, depression

increases performance

lowers blood sugar

can help in the fight against alcoholism and impotence

Contraindications

Levzeya root is contraindicated to take with epilepsy, arrhythmias, sleep disorders, hypertension, increased nervous excitability, chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys, the acute period of infectious diseases.

Sagebrush

Even the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophanes wrote about her in his writings. In the entire history of the wormwood, about 400 of its species were bred. There are about 180 species in our country, of which the most popular is wormwood bitter. The plant is a straight stem about 1.5 meters high with leaves and yellow (sometimes reddish) flowers. In the stems and leaves of wormwood a lot of useful substances and essential oils are concentrated. In addition, carotene, ascorbic acid, potassium salts, malic acid and succinic acid are found in the wormwood. By the way, another popular type of wormwood is tarragon, which is known to you as tarragon. Bitter wormwood is a part of absinthe and some other vermouths.

Benefit

stimulates the body’s vital activity

gives the body a tone

has cleansing properties

fights suppurative infections

has anthelmintic action

helps in the treatment of eczema, asthma and rheumatism

used for rinsing the mouth with an unpleasant odor

Contraindications

Wormwood is not recommended to use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, anemia, bleeding, enterocolitis, gastric ulcer, gastritis. In large doses, wormwood can cause a breakdown of the nervous system.

Horsetail

Horsetail is a perennial herbaceous plant, known to many gardeners as a difficult to eradicate weed. Horsetail breeds spores, looks like a mini-Christmas tree and a bit like a horse’s tail (horsetail is a derivative of the “tail”). As befits a weed, horsetail does not have its historical homeland, it is only known that in different countries, depending on the climate, its height varies. For example, in Russia it reaches no more than 1-1.5 meters, but in South America you can also find a 12-meter plant. Horsetail contains a lot of useful substances and elements ─ vitamin C, flavonoids, potassium salts, salts of silicic acid, bitterness, saponins, carotene, resins and tannins.

Benefit

stops bleeding

heals wounds and ulcers

has a strong diuretic effect

has antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and tonic effect

cures diarrhea

treats eczema, lichen and dermatitis

recommended for prevention of tuberculosis

useful for arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism

Contraindications

The use of horsetail is contraindicated in pregnancy, nephrosis and nephritis.

Motherwort

This perennial plant of the family yasnotkovyh usually grows in wastelands, hence its name. The territory of distribution of motherwort is very extensive: it can be found in Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Western Siberia. The most common plant species is heartwort. It is his solution that calms in stressful situations and has a beneficial effect on the heart. Of all known soothing herbs, motherwort has the strongest effects: it contains flavonol glycosides, essential oil, saponins, stachidrin alkaloid, tannins and carotene.

Benefit

contributes to the treatment of neurosis, heart disease

helps with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

It has a beneficial effect on sleep and menstrual disorders.

heals wounds and burns

used in the early stages of hypertension

Contraindications

Motherwort is contraindicated in pregnancy, hypotension, bradycardia, gastric ulcer, erosive gastritis.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Aster family. In nature, there are only 9 species of Echinacea, and the most studied is Echinacea purpurea, and it is used for medicinal purposes. Echinacea resembles chamomile in its appearance (only petals of a different color), and you must have often come across it in nature. As a medicinal raw materials are used stems, flowers, leaves and rhizomes with roots. All parts of Echinacea contain polysaccharides, essential oil, caffeic acid esters (echinacoside), glycosides, resins, betaine, organic acids (cerutic, palmitic, caffeic, linoleic, oleic, as well as phyto-sterols, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, tannins, polyenes and alkaloids). Echinacea is a powerful herbal antibiotic.

Benefit

has an immunostimulating effect

increases the body’s resistance to viral and infectious diseases (due to caffeic acid)

anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect

helps with burns, furunculosis, wounds, abscesses, urticaria, insect and snake bites, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases

used for diseases caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, ionizing radiation, chronic inflammatory processes

helps in the treatment of polyarthritis, rheumatism, gynecological disorders, prostatitis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Contraindications

Do not take echinacea lactating and pregnant women, as well as in the presence of autoimmune diseases and tuberculosis.