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Larch

Useful properties and applications of Siberian larch


Useful properties of larch

In the composition of larch includes the essential oil, ascorbic acid, tannins, anthocyanins, gum, flavanols, organic acids. As a medicinal raw material used the needles, young shoots, resin, wood, buds. Pine needles are harvested during the summer, but it is the collection carried out in late June and early August, when the raw material increases the content of vitamin C. Young shoots and buds are harvested in spring, the SAP is extracted by the method of cuttings during the growing season, in its composition are essential oil and resin, a large number abietinus acid.


The use of larch

In folk medicine the needles of the tree are used for preparing a beverage used to quench thirst and as a preventive remedy for many diseases. The needles are suitable for salads, forming the basis of the diet. Larch sponge is used as a laxative and styptic. The essential oil is used for the manufacture of ointments, plasters, and in its pure form it is effective as an external remedy for rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and other diseases.

The inhalation of essential oils in folk medicine prescribed as antibacterial agents with gangrene of the lungs and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis. Infusions from the bark and shoots is recommended for the treatment of hernia, infusion of needles used for the treatment of hypermenorrhea. Toothache well to a turpentine compress, superimposed on the cheek, with sciatica compress this additional cover hot warmer. Baths with infusion of fresh branches is effective in gout. The infusion of needles used for colds with a cough and constipation. Infusions from the bark or needles is an effective remedy for bleeding gums.

Infusion: 20 g of fresh pine needles, pour a glass of cold milk, boil for 6-7 minutes on low heat, infuse for at least an hour and strain. Take 3 tablespoons of infusion half an hour before meals three times a day.


Bump larch

Larch bump similar to a lifeless black rose and the resemblance is quite often exploited by some fans of the craft, combining them with "everlasting" flowers. Cones are divided into several types: mens – short-lived, dissipation pollen – and female – hard, scaly, sticking up. After the eruption of seeds they odrevesnevshie and2-3 years remain on the branches. This raw material is part of drugs.

Green cones produce honey by collecting them in may to Mature. It is used in asthma, gastro-intestinal diseases, when physical or mental exhaustion.


Seeds larch

The plant reproduces by seeds that ripen in the cones, and they are of great value. In pure, dense stands, when the distance between plants is small, and the age of trees reaches 60-100 years, they are the best quality. From pine they have low germination and light color. Sometimes the seeds germinate only in the second year, so planting material should be soaked for two weeks in clean water. Then prepare the soil, mixing it with sand and sawdust.


Needles of larch

Larch has narrow, soft, straight or curved, 3-4 cm long, with a width of 1-1,5 mm, blooms in early spring, yellow in October. It has a high productivity of photosynthesis. Beam needles is crucial in the physiological functions of the tree and in addition crown (90 % of the total weight of needles). In the needles contain essential oils.

For medicinal purposes the raw material used for preparation of infusions, soft drinks, and broths. These products help in bleeding gums, toothache and sore throat. When you cough, for example, the needles can be boiled with milk and breathe the broth.

The fruit of the larch

The fruits of the plants are finally formed in September-October and are in the shape of small cones. They ripen seeds. During the full maturation of the scales on the fruits open and the seeds fall to the ground. Often, the fruit is used in the medical and industrial sectors. For medicinal purposes they are used as ingredients for preparation of various decoctions, infusions, ointments and other medical preparations. They are also good for the manufacture of Souvenirs and bouquets.


The bark of the larch

The bark of the trunk and large branches of the larch brown, thick, outer layer with deep cracks. In old trees the bark thickness can reach 10 cm and more. Procured raw material used for medicinal purposes and in the chemical industry, producing dyes it. The bark is a source of health and dietary pectin and other nutrients. It contains lipids in the form of wax, related to the complex esters of ferulic acid.

Infusions of the bark are used as an external remedy in the treatment of abscesses and festering wounds, trophic ulcers andhemorrhoids. This is a good tool for treatment of prostatitis, cysts and cancer of the skin. Modern American scientists have studied the medicinal properties of the bark and found that it contains a huge amount of arabinogalactan extract increases the immunity of the body.


Varieties of larch

There are about 20 species of this woody plant. They look very similar, but there are varieties of dwarfs. Needles they have blossoms in early spring, and the fall is painted in pale lemon to deep Golden-orange color. The trees tolerate winter and spring frosts. They are light and suitable for them low acid soil.

The grades obtained from the European larch, Siberian and campfire, often planted in parks and gardens. Wide popularity was received trees with dangling crown. They form stacks of descending with many dense shoots.

Larch Siberian. Most often cultivate this cultivar is characterized primarily by the size of the cones and the number of scales on them. The cones are large (up to 5 cm), bark dark, the tree itself is chunky and powerful, reaches a height of 40 m. this frost-resistant, wind-resistant and light-loving plants do not require high soil moisture and air.

The tree quickly develops on different types of soil, but prefers calcareous. It is better than other types tolerate drought, resistant to pests and disease, grows well in urban environments. It is propagated by seed. Common Siberian larch from the East of the Arkhangelsk region to the Altai and the Yenisei.

Larch conifers. This is one of the most valuable in the industrialized varieties. The tree has a dense durable wood, growing up to 50 m. Some specimens can live up to 500 years. It is the only coniferous tree that in winter drops needles, however, the seedlings retain their foliage throughout the year. This ability was formed as a result of adaptation to the harsh climatic conditions of the environment. Growing this species in the mountains of Europe, in the Carpathian mountains, in Asian part of Russia.

Daurian larch. In the far East is the most common type of conifers. In favorable conditions, they reach a height of 25-30 m. the bark is red, in old trees very thick. Young shoots, straw-colored, pubescent or glabrous. The needles are light green, smooth on top, the bottom ribbed. Cones are small, oval. Blooming and flowering of the kidneys occurs almost simultaneously in late April or early may.

The maturation of the cones takes place in late August and early September. In dry weather they immediately disclosed. This species is adapted to the harshest of conditions. It grows on high mountains, in the lowlands, in the valleys of the rivers, inhabits rocky soils, boggy and peaty locations, including shallow permafrost.

The Japanese larch. This beautiful fast growing tree up to 35 m. Long, thick, almost horizontal branches form a broad crown. The barrel is covered by a relatively thin red bark. Young shoots reddish-gray color, from the old branches, the bark is dark brown, slightly shiny. The needles are blue-green, to 5 cm long.

Young cones are yellowish, round, covered with leathery scales. In autumn the needles are painted in bright yellow, creating a beautiful bright spot in the crop.

From frost, this species is usually not affected. Demanding to soils, prefers clay and loam. Plant photophilous, grows well in the city. Growing Japanese larch in Japan on Honshu island, on dry Sunny slopes of the mountains.


Contraindications to the use of larch

Her medicines are contraindicated if you are hypersensitive pine oils, with peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines. We also do not recommend the use of decoctions and infusions of pine needles after strokes and heart attacks, in severe pathology of the Central nervous system. Larch is contraindicated during pregnancy.