Aspen

Growing, useful properties and application recipes aspen

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Botanical characteristics of aspen

Aspen is a dioecious weed forming a tree which can grow up to 30 meters in height. The bark of the tree is smooth, gray in color, but sometimes green color. Aspen leaves rounded or rhombic, glabrous, with rounded teeth along the edges. The leaves are painted in two colors: top – green, bottom – bluish color. Leaves have flattened stalks, through which they move.

The plants are dicotyledonous flowers of small size, are collected in inflorescence-earrings. Female flowers have a pistil with a superior ovary and 2 stigmas purplish, male flowers consist of 5, 6, 7, or 8 stamens and the anthers red. Aspen blooms, until that moment, until the new leaves are coming out (April). Immediately after flowering the fruits ripen (may-June). The fruits of the ASP – boxes, consisting of two valves. Inside the fruit are in large numbers of fluffy seeds. Seeds are very light and small. The plant root system is deep in the soil, so he is not afraid of fires.

Aspen is common in forests, forest-steppe zones, on the waterfront, marshes and ravines. It grows all over Russia, Mongolia, Crimea, China, Europe and Kazakhstan.

Useful properties of aspen

In the aspen bark contains many useful substances, such as aromatic and fatty acids, tannins, carbohydrates and fenolglikozidy. The buds of the plant contain essential oil, resin, flavones and mineral salts. Fresh aspen leaves are rich in vitamin C, carotene and various enzymes.

Aspen has a range of useful substances. Most often the plant is used as a diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspen has antipyretic, diuretic and astringent properties.

Aspen prepared tincture, which is used in gout, rheumatism, problems with urination and bladder inflammation.

The use of aspen

Aspen is widely and long used in folk medicine as an effective and versatile drug. The formulations are prepared from buds, leaves and bark of the plant. Made from aspen drugs have analgesic properties. A decoction of aspen is used to treat gastritis, diarrhea and as a tool that enhancesappetite and improves the digestive tract.

Tincture of the buds of the plant helps with cystitis, hemorrhoids and dysentery. Kidney prepare an ointment for external use, which is used for bruises, ulcers and wounds. Aspen leaves used in a poultice that help in the treatment of rheumatism, hemorrhoids and gout.

Alcohol tincture of aspen bark hypertrophy of the prostate. The bark need to be removed in early spring with thin branches. To prepare this tincture, take 1 tablespoon of aspen bark and grind it into a powder. Further, this powder, pour 100 ml of vodka and leave for 14 days to infuse. Take this tincture before a meal 1 teaspoon (30-40 drops) three times a day. The same tincture can be prepared from the buds of plants.

A decoction of the bark with the deterioration of appetite, and gastritis. It is very easy and quick to prepare. Take 5 tablespoons of bark of the plant, which pour a glass of boiling water. Now put part of 30 minutes on the fire. Take a decoction need 3 meals per day before a meal.

Aspen bark in pulmonary tuberculosis. Take 1 tablespoon of the bark of a young specimen plants and fill it with 500 ml of boiling water. Pour everything into a thermos and leave for 12 hours to infuse. Now ready to divide the infusion into two parts and drink in small SIPS one part in the morning and the second before bed.

Ointment for gout, burns and ulcers. Take 10 grams of buds the plants and grind to a powder. Add to this mass of 40 grams of vaseline (or butter). Mix everything thoroughly and use the tool to lubricate the festering of wounds, ulcers and rubbing the sore spots for rheumatism and gout.

Aspen eczema. You need to take aspen firewood and burn them and the ash obtained from them, connecting with butter and used as a treatment for eczema.

Means to increase appetite. Take 1 tablespoon of aspen bark and fill it with two cups of water. Put the composition in a quarter of an hour on the fire, then remove and leave for 3 hours to infuse, wrapped the container with infusion with a towel. Take this remedy for coughs and colds.

Contraindications to the use of aspen

To date, contraindications to the use of this medicinal plant is not known. But still do not forget about the individual intolerance of drugs from aspen.