The section describes medicinal plants - their places of growth and healing properties, rules for collection and storage. You will learn about how to take care of these plants, what role they play in human life. Below is a list by name in alphabetical order of the main medicinal plants from the point of view of medicinal use with detailed descriptions, pictures and recommendations for use for the treatment of various diseases.
Medicinal plants are a wide group of plants used in medical and veterinary practice for various types of diseases for therapeutic or preventive purposes. The medicinal properties of medicinal plants are due to the presence of certain chemical compounds in them - the so-called active substances.
Medicinal plants are used in the form of collections, or teas, powders, etc., or after processing (see, Dosage forms). Special groups of drugs prepared from medicinal plants at chemical-pharmaceutical plants include products of their primary processing (fatty and essential oils, resins, etc.), pure (without admixture of ballast substances) amounts of active substances, individual chemical compounds and their combinations. The active substances are distributed unevenly in medicinal plants. Typically, only those parts of the plant are used where the maximum amount of active substances accumulates. The composition and amount of active substances in medicinal plants changes throughout the year, with the age of the plant and depending on the conditions of its habitat, temperature, light, air, soil conditions, etc. Many medicinal plants are of only historical interest, since they are currently used in medicine are not used.
List of the most important wild and cultivated medicinal plants
The nomenclature of medicinal plants approved for use in medical practice contains about 160 names. Preparations or raw materials of 103 of these plants are described in the tenth edition of the State USSR (GPC). Requests for raw materials of medicinal plants are approximately half in terms of tonnage and about 75% in terms of nomenclature are satisfied through the collection of wild plants, and the rest - through cultivated medicinal plants.
A morphological description of annual medicinal plants introduced into the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR is also given, the content of biologically active substances in them is given, the viability of plants in new conditions is described and some issues of agricultural cultivation technology are considered.
Recently, interest in herbal medicine has increased, which in turn has increased the number of collectors. However, it is impossible to use medicinal plants without knowing their properties and chemical composition. Many medicinal plants, their distribution and use are described in popular publications. The chemical composition and methods of obtaining certain biologically active substances from plants are discussed in scientific works. Despite the seemingly abundance of well-known medicinal herbs, new ones are being discovered that are undergoing initial testing in botanical gardens and experimental stations. Botanical gardens located in different climatic zones of the globe have collections of various medicinal plants to study the biological characteristics, medicinal properties and methods of growing these herbs. Thanks to this, more and more new types of medicinal plants are being introduced into the industry. Seeds are the main material for exchange with other botanical gardens and other organizations. Similar work is being carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.
The section provides some information about annual medicinal plants grown in the experimental plot, and provides data on some long-known plants, but for some reason forgotten. Most plants synthesize useful substances in the above-ground mass - in the grass (chamomile, string, snakehead, fumes), in many species the seeds are valuable (coriander, anise, datura, flax, poppy, large plantain, etc.). Some plants have flowers with medicinal properties (calendula officinalis, blue cornflower, etc.).
Our long-term research shows that many introduced plants do not change their chemical composition, and often the quantitative content of active substances is not inferior to that of wild plants. The study of the chemical composition of medicinal plants was carried out jointly with the laboratory of the Institute of Physiology and Experimental Pathology of the High Mountains and the laboratory of natural compounds of the Organic Institute.
All plants are divided into two groups: 1) introduced into scientific medicine and included in the pharmacopoeias of the Soviet Union; 2) used in folk medicine. 
Medicinal plants are types of plant organisms used for the manufacture of therapeutic and prophylactic drugs that are used in medical and veterinary practice. Herbal medicines account for over 30% of all medicines traded on the world market. In the USSR, about 40% of the medicines used are made from plants.
About 2,500 plant species from the flora of the USSR, including those used in folk medicine, have medicinal value.
The diversity of soil and climatic conditions of the USSR allows the introduction on its territory of numerous species of foreign medicinal plants of the cold, temperate and subtropical zones.
More than 600 plant species can be used as raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in the pharmacy chain and for export. Of this amount, not counting minor medicinal plants, only about 200 species belonging to 70 families are practically used in medicine (mainly the families Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Legumes, Lamiaceae, Umbelliferae, Solanaceae, Buckwheat, Cruciferous, Ranunculaceae). About 70% of the medicinal plants used are used in herbal production, the remaining types are used in pharmacies, homeopathy and are exported.
When harvesting wild and cultivated medicinal plants, as a rule, individual organs or parts of the plant are collected.
The collection of medicinal plant materials is carried out at certain times - during periods of maximum accumulation of active substances. The collected raw materials are usually dried.
In the USSR, a comprehensive study of medicinal plants already known in medicine is being carried out (identifying their reserves, introducing them into cultivation, increasing productivity and finding ways to reduce the cost of raw materials, establishing better harvest times, conditions for drying and storing raw materials, preparing new drugs and dosage forms).
There is a search for new and cheaper sources of plant raw materials to replace already known imported or scarce medicinal drugs, as well as medicinal plants with new pharmacological and therapeutic effects (studying their chemical composition, pharmacological activity and therapeutic value, developing technology for the production of drugs and their manufacture) .
New medicinal plants and physiologically active substances of plant origin are identified through a complete or selective chemical and pharmacological study of the flora of certain regions of the USSR. At the same time, information about the use of certain medicinal plants in folk medicine is taken into account.
In targeted searches for a specific compound, species and genera that are phylogenetically close to the plant from which this compound was previously isolated are studied first.
Thus, to date, over 6,000 plant species have been previously studied for the content of alkaloids, over 4,000 for the presence of essential oils, about 2,000 have been studied for the presence of cardiac glycosides, about 3,000 saponins, about 1,000 flavonoids, and about 1,000 species of coumarins.
As a result, a large number of individual chemical substances have been isolated and many new therapeutic drugs have been created on their basis.
The flora of our planet is extremely diverse and beautiful. A huge number of different life forms of plants provide not only aesthetic pleasure, but also bring very tangible practical benefits: they are a source of nutrition, decorative elements, a supplier of medicines, a source of clean and fresh air filled with oxygen, etc.
Among all life forms of plants, a large place is given to herbs, both cultivated and wild. They occupy almost 50% of the total flora of the planet, so we will consider them.
Herbs: general characteristics
Most often, herbs include plants that have slightly modified shoots. That is, in the classical sense, a shoot should include a stem, leaves and a flower. So, not all structural parts may be observed in herbs. Often the stem is modified, the leaves acquire a shape and size that helps them adapt to environmental conditions as much as possible.
Of course, all herbs have a flower as a reproductive organ. However, they are also very different in size, shape and color. This factor will depend on the pollination method of the particular plant species.
Wild herbs are a very large group, including representatives from almost all known families of angiosperms. The names of herbs are very diverse. There are both historically established “names” and scientific data based on binary nomenclature (in Latin, the first name is genus, the second is species). For example, Leonurus heterophyllus, or motherwort.
The root system, shoot branching, flower and leaf structure - all these botanical characteristics will depend on the specific genus and species of plant, so it is impossible to identify any common morphological characteristics for all wild herbs.
Classification of herbs
The basis can be based on different signs, but the most commonly used division of herbs is:
- Annuals - buttercups, cornflowers, ageratums, cinquefoils, daturas, poppies, chamomiles - the names of herbs in this group can be listed for a very long time, since they are numerous.
- Biennials - mallow, spurge, sweet clover, lupine, forget-me-not, bellflower, viola and others.
- Perennials - begonia, anemone, alyssum, St. John's wort, reed, iris, wood sorrel, oregano, elecampane and others. The names of herbs in this category reflect their purpose. Obviously, this includes many well-known medicinal species.
In addition to this classification, another one can be given. The basis is the area of human use.
- Medicinal herbs - celandine, string, thyme, chamomile, sage, calendula, burnet, lily of the valley and others.
- Cultivated agricultural plants - vegetables, fruits,
- - ginger, fennel, horseradish, anise, parsley, basil, lemon balm, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, laurel and so on.
- Ornamental grasses - ornamental cabbage, bordered euphorbia, Daurian moonseed, young, bergenia, kochia, rogersia and many others.
According to the place of growth, all herbs can be divided into mountain, forest, meadow, swamp, desert, steppe and garden (weeds and cultivated plants).
Wild herbs of Russia
There are a lot of such representatives. Almost all wild herbs, names and photos of their representatives can be seen in any corresponding encyclopedia. Let's try to take a closer look at the diversity of Russian wild herbs.
More than 900 species are known only for medicinal purposes, and there are many others. Their distribution across climatic zones is uneven. It is known that most plants, including herbs, are located in the more southern, southeastern and eastern regions of our country. The northern, northwestern and western regions are densely populated, but not so diverse in species composition.
So, we can cite as an example the region of Siberia (Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East, all nearby areas, up to Chukotka). Here the most common wild herbs, the names of which are as follows:
- parfolia;
- Tribulus;
- dandelion;
- sorrel;
- shepherd's purse;
- primrose;
- viburnum;
- calliper;
- Highlander;
- bergenia;
- various sedges;
- feather grass;
- sagebrush;
- quinoa;
- celandine and many others.
Among those listed you can find both medicinal and conventional types. One thing they have in common is that they are representatives of flora living in the wild. Herbs are plants that are simply impossible to cover in one article. Too many of them. The European part of Russia is represented by a variety of beautiful flowering herbs that form entire carpets of different colors, making the wild nature unimaginably beautiful. Among them are the names of herbs such as lingonberry, common loosestrife, speedwell, common heather, Fischer's clove, forest geranium, and chickweed.
Due to good climatic conditions, the central zone of Russia is famous for its many medicinal species of herbs, which also create a beautiful summer, spring and autumn landscape with their flowers. These are such as fragrant roses, lily of the valley, young shoots, oak grass, nightshade, blueberry, jasmine, hawkweed and others.
We will dwell on mountainous areas and their various herbs in more detail later.
Forest chin
A beautiful perennial plant with a bright pink corolla and a wonderful honey aroma that attracts pollinating insects from June until the autumn days of September. Many grazing animals choose this wild-growing beauty for food, since its roots, stems and leaves contain a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. Belongs to the Moth family (Bean family). Its main economic importance is as a perennial, it carries out annual soil drainage, participates in soil-forming processes, and is good for livestock feed. Has no medicinal value.
Buttercup caustic
A very widespread plant classified as poisonous. It is found in almost all zones of Russia and is highly adaptable to environmental conditions. Includes several types of grass, the names and photos of which can be seen below.
Buttercup varieties:
- caustic (“night blindness” in common parlance);
- Kashubian;
- creeping;
- Spring chistyak;
- garden and others.
It is not suitable for grazing animals, since the shoots of the plant are poisonous. Once dried to hay, it is safe. It is not used in conventional medicine, but in alternative medicine it is very common as a remedy for rheumatism, open wounds, boils, tuberculosis and burns.
Mountain herbs
The most famous among these are, of course, Altai herbs. A huge number of cosmetics, medicines, tinctures, balms, ointments are created based on extracts of these miraculous plants.
After all, the very air of this mountainous area seems to heal. Almost all plants grown on the rocky surfaces of Altai are medicinal. Animals that eat these herbs are the strongest and healthiest. People who use fees from these places for treatment have fewer chronic diseases than residents of other areas.
Some Altai herbs that have received national recognition and are most often used by humans:
- red brush (Rhodiola quadripalum);
- milk thistle;
- golden rod;
- hill solyanka;
- penny man;
- upland uterus (ortilia unilateral);
- Veronica black;
- White bloodroot;
- small basilisk;
- the rank is squat;
- burnet;
- common calendula;
- sweet clover;
- Umbrella hawkweed;
- marshmallow;
- Chokeberry;
- sandy immortelle and many others.
Balms that combine several herbal components are very common. They help with a variety of problems: cleanse, soothe, tone, normalize blood pressure, restore sleep, relieve headaches and chronic fatigue, and so on. Such wild mountain herbs, the names of which were given above, are very valuable objects of medicine.
Milk thistle
Another name for this Altai herb is milk thistle. Since ancient times, this plant has been revered as a very good medicinal assistant. Infusions from different parts of the herb help against liver diseases, cleanse the intestines and eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve swelling and treat jaundice and many other ailments.
The plant itself sometimes reaches 1.5 m in height. The leaves are very beautiful, with a white border and a dissected edge. The flowers look like round cones, dark pink or purple. A very valuable property of milk thistle, which allows it to be used in both folk and traditional medicine, is the complete absence of side effects.
Its beautiful appearance allows it to be used not only as a medicinal plant, but also as an ornamental plant in many gardens and orchards.
Rhodiola quadripalum
In common parlance - an endemic plant of the Altai region. One of the most popular among these mountain herbs. It is used in both folk and traditional medicine for the treatment of female diseases of the pelvic organs, infertility, male prostatitis, and inflammation. Helps stop bleeding, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and helps in the treatment of various types of viral and bacterial diseases.
Externally very interesting, unusual herbs. The description is as follows: low plants growing on rocky surfaces, with narrow, closely spaced leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and pale, but the leaflet-shaped fruits are very bright and red. The shape of the leaves resembles a brush, which is why this plant got its name.
The most common medicinal herbs
This group includes many representatives around the world. There is also a wide variety of them in Russia. After all, almost all plants (with the exception of highly poisonous ones) contain useful alkaloids, essential oils, resins, tannins, minerals and other components that allow them to be used as medicinal herbs. The names of the most common and famous representatives of this group, growing in our country, are as follows:
- pharmaceutical camomile;
- White bloodroot;
- coltsfoot;
- lemon balm;
- Umbrella wintergreen;
- hog uterus;
- common raspberry;
- large plantain;
- motherwort five-lobed;
- calamus;
- Golden root;
- fragrant collision;
- Red viburnum;
- calendula;
- Schisandra chinensis;
- common rose hip;
- Eleutherococcus senticosus;
- echinacea;
- series;
- celandine and many others.
Obviously, it is simply impossible to list all the plants, since their species diversity is too great.
Aloe arborescens
Among household potted plants, agave, or aloe, is often used as a medicine. It is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves topped with thorns. Aloe juice contains many (up to 200) different beneficial substances. They help treat open wounds, inflammation, bacterial and viral diseases.
The most common herbs
They have been used since ancient times as medicines, but most often as food additives that make dishes refined, original and very aromatic. We will give some names of Russian spicy herbs at the end of the article: horseradish, dill, parsley, celery, parsnip, black pepper, cardamom, peppermint, lemon balm, mustard and some others.
In connection with the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the interest of the population, especially from the affected areas, in the most valuable medicinal plants has recently increased sharply. Ginseng is of particular interest.
It is difficult to grow bread, but even more difficult to grow this root of life. One of the most popular plants in the world, ginseng, grows only in China, Korea and the Primorsky Territory. Meanwhile, this miraculous plant feels great on our Belarusian soil. Today the republic has the largest industrial ginseng plantation in Europe.
Back in 1986, at the state farm “Minsk Vegetable Factory”, a true enthusiast and devotee of ginseng cultivation, the chief agronomist of the farm, Georgy Violentiy, with all the assistance and support of the then director of the state farm V.S. Kashevsky, founded an industrial ginseng plantation on an area of 6 hectares.
But Georgy Violenty raised not only ginseng. He planted a whole medicinal garden of many rare plants. Such as zamanikh, Chinese lemongrass, Manchurian aralia, Korean mountain weed, Japanese arizema. Among this diversity are Japanese dioscorea, mountain arnica, European swimmer, echinacea and dozens of other rare and endangered plants protected by law. This is how the Medicinal Garden was born.
In recent years, data have been obtained in Korea that ginseng protects a person not only from external radiation, but also has a protective effect when radionuclides enter the body. This effect is longer lasting than that of other drugs, and manifests itself not only when it is administered prophylactically before irradiation, but also when it is administered some time after irradiation. In addition, it has been established that ginseng also promotes the removal of radionuclides from the body, including cesium-137 and strontium-90 from bone tissue. This amazing root of life regulates the number of red blood cells, leukocytes and hemoglobin in the blood, and has a positive effect on the function of the endocrine glands. In addition to radioprotective properties, ginseng has a number of other properties that increase the body's resistance to harmful factors. This is evidenced by data from the Obninsk Institute of Radiobiology. Taking preparations from ginseng root is recommended for all persons over 40 years of age as a tonic, strengthening, stimulating, healing agent for the body, as well as a means of prolonging life and active mental and physical activity.
Today we help everyone purchase seeds. It's nice that Europe recognized us. In 1998, a pan-European jury awarded our project a national award entitled “Preservation and further development of the Violentia Medicinal Garden.” Officially, it sounds like this: “Henry Ford European Prize for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage and the Environment.”
In 1998, at an international conference at the University of Moson-Magyaróvary in Hungary, I had the opportunity to give a presentation and show a video about ginseng. Our work was appreciated very highly, since there is nothing like it in Europe.
The plantation is the property of the republic. It is one of a kind, unique, therefore priceless and today it is important to preserve and expand it.
(Fig. 27) is a perennial herbaceous plant up to 60 cm high. It grows in meadows, along roads, clearings, and clearings. The leaves contain bitter and tannin substances, carotene, vitamins C and K, and a large number of other substances. Collected throughout the summer and until late autumn, dried in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of 40-50°C. Juice and infusion from the leaves are used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Rice. 27. Large plantain
Chamomile officinalis, or pharmacy(Fig. 28) is a widespread annual herbaceous plant in Belarus, growing in gardens, vegetable gardens, near homes, in fields and along roads. Flower baskets without pedicels are collected at the stage of full flowering (June-July), dried in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of 35-40°C. Chamomile essential oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. An infusion of flowers is used to rinse the mouth and throat for sore throats, laryngitis, etc. Chamomile is often used in combination with other plants.
Rice. 28. Chamomile (pharmacy)
Birch(see Fig. 29) grows everywhere in Belarus. For medicinal purposes, they use buds, leaves, juice, as well as tar obtained from birch wood and the birch mushroom (chaga) growing on it. The swollen resinous buds are collected in winter and early spring, when they have not yet blossomed. The fragrant and sticky leaves are collected in May during flowering. Birch buds contain essential oil, leaves contain vitamin C, resins, antibiotic substances with strong antimicrobial properties. Kidney tincture is prescribed as a diuretic and choleretic agent. Infusions, decoctions and tinctures with diuretic and diaphoretic properties are prepared from fresh birch leaves. Compresses are also made from them on joints for rheumatism, to relieve neuralgic pain. Birch sap is used for some lung diseases, bronchitis, tuberculosis as a general tonic. Birch charcoal (carbolene) - finely ground, odorless and tasteless black powder, insoluble in water - is used as an adsorbent. Infusion of birch mushroom (chaga) is used for peptic ulcers, gastritis and also for tumors as a general tonic
Fig. 29. Silver birch
(Fig. 30) grows in the zone of coniferous, coniferous and birch forests throughout the territory of Belarus. Its berries contain about 12% tannins, organic acids, sugars, vitamins, microelements (copper, manganese, etc.). The leaves are rich in essential oils, organic acids, as well as substances that have a hypoglycemic effect. Blueberries are used in medical practice as an astringent and dietary agent for acute and chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in children, in the form of infusions and decoctions. For mild intestinal lesions, use blueberry jelly or a decoction of dried blueberries (pour a tablespoon of berries with a glass of boiling water, leave for 6-10 minutes, filter and drink warm, 0.5 cups 4 times a day). A decoction of blueberry berries and leaves is used for pain in the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Eating fresh and dried blueberries has a positive effect on the blood supply to the retina, which improves night vision. An infusion of the leaves reduces blood glucose levels and is used in the treatment of diabetes.
Rice. 30. Blueberries
Or cinnamon(Fig. 31), found throughout the republic, grows on the edges, clearings and river valleys. Rosehips are harvested in August or September, when they turn red or orange-red. The pulp of rose hips contains up to 11% vitamin C, up to 2.5% vitamin B1 and B2, as well as organic acids, sugars, etc. The oil obtained from the seeds contains fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols (vitamin E). Rose hip tea and infusion have a general tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic, and general strengthening effect, reduce blood sugar, and normalize metabolic processes. The infusion is used to treat diabetes, reduces cholesterol in the blood, and lowers the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Rosehip preparations are used to treat skin diseases.
Rice. 31. May rose hips
(Fig. 32) is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is found throughout the territory of Belarus, growing mainly in groups in flooded and swampy areas, forest edges. The root system of valerian is powerful, with a characteristic odor, and consists of a thick but short rhizome (3-4 cm long) and numerous thread-like roots. The roots are collected in September-October, when they contain the greatest amount of active ingredients. To dry, they are laid out indoors in a thin layer for 2 days, turned 2-3 times a day, then a dryer is used at a temperature of 35-40°C. The rhizome with roots contains essential oil, as well as tannins, organic acids, and starch. Valerian preparations are widely used in medical practice and at home as a sedative for nervous excitement, hypertension, palpitations, insomnia and as a digestive aid. Valerian is included in such drugs as Corvalol, Valocordin. At home, to obtain an infusion, 10 g of dried and crushed roots and rhizomes are poured into 200 ml of boiling water, boiled for 30 minutes, then infused for 2 hours. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
Rice. 32. Valerian officinalis
(Fig. 33) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a thick taproot. It grows in meadows, clearings, near roads, on streets, in gardens, parks and vegetable gardens. The roots are harvested in August-September during the period of wilting of the leaves, washed with water, dried gradually, first under a canopy for 3-4 days, and then in dryers at a temperature of 60-70 ° C and good ventilation. Dandelion is used to stimulate appetite and improve digestion, as a diaphoretic, choleretic, expectorant, tonic and enhances the body's protective properties. The root is part of gastric, appetizing, diuretic and diabetic teas. To prepare the decoction, pour 3 tablespoons of crushed root into 2 cups of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes, and filter. Drink 1 glass 2 times a day half an hour before meals.
Rice. 33. Dandelion officinalis
(Fig. 34) is a perennial herbaceous plant distributed throughout Belarus in dry places. Peduncles along with leaves are collected during flowering and dried at a temperature of 35-40 ° C in dryers or in air under a canopy. St. John's wort preparations have an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic effect, stimulate regenerative processes, are widely used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, for healing wounds, ulcers, burn surfaces, for the treatment of chronic stomatitis, sinusitis, inflammatory processes of the skin, etc. .
Rice. 34. St. John's wort
(see Fig. 35) grows in mixed and coniferous forests, in damp shady places, in clearings and clearings, in ravines, and is common in home garden culture. Fruits, leaves and flowers have a healing effect. The fruits contain organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric, ascorbic, salicylic), sugars (glucose and fructose), mucus, pectin and protein substances, carotene, vitamins A, group B, biologically active substances, due to which they have anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antipyretic and anti-sclerotic properties. properties are useful as a preventive and therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders, diseases of the respiratory tract, gastritis, enteritis. To prepare the infusion, take 2 tablespoons of dried raspberries, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 15-20 minutes and filter, drink hot 2-3 times a day. Decoctions from the leaves have a good astringent effect.
Rice. 35. Common raspberry
(Fig. 36) is found along river banks, in fields, meadows throughout the territory of Belarus. For medicinal purposes, rhizomes and roots are used, which are harvested in autumn or early spring. The variety of biologically active substances makes it possible to widely use elecampane as an expectorant in the form of an infusion for acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as for low acidity of gastric juice and inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis), peptic ulcers, for the treatment of skin diseases and purulent wounds. The infusion is prepared by pouring 30 g of root into 1 liter of boiling water, cool, and take 0.5 cups 3 times a day. Elecampane is also included in various medicinal preparations.
Rice. 36. Elecampane tall
(Fig. 37) is a perennial herbaceous plant common in Belarus. Collected during the budding period - at the beginning of flowering, cutting off young shoots 2-3 times over the summer. The leaves contain about 2.5% essential oil, organic acids, tannins, carotene, trace elements (copper, manganese) and other chemical compounds, the main one being menthol. In the form of an aqueous infusion, mint leaves are used as a remedy to improve digestion, relieve stomach cramps, and nausea. To prepare the infusion, take 2 tablespoons of leaves per 2 cups of boiling water, brew it like tea and drink 0.5 cup 2 times a day before meals. Mint is included in various mixtures, stomach tablets, delicious teas, etc. Peppermint oil is included in many medications (Corvalol, Valocordin, Pectussin), dental drops and other products; it is also used to improve the taste of mixtures. Pure menthol is used in the treatment of skin diseases (eczema, neurodermatitis, dermatitis, urticaria), and colds.
Rice. 37. Peppermint
(Fig. 38) is an evergreen berry plant, widespread throughout Belarus (especially in the north) in mixed forests and swampy conifers. The berries contain organic acids, sugars, pectin, tannins and coloring substances, vitamin C, microelements, and thanks to benzoic acid they can be kept fresh for a long time. Lingonberry juice and syrup are used for hypovitaminosis, injuries, inflammatory processes, increased body temperature, after operations and serious illnesses.
Rice. 38. Lingonberry
Linden(Fig. 39). Linden flowers collected at the beginning of flowering, when some of them have not yet bloomed, are used as a remedy. They contain tannins and dyes, essential oils, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc. Flowers are dried in the shade in the fresh air. It is believed that the active substances contained in flowers enhance the activity of sweat glands and dilate blood vessels. Linden blossom is used in the form of a hot water infusion for colds (1-2 teaspoons of linden blossom are brewed with a glass of boiling water and drunk hot). Linden inflorescences can be part of medicinal preparations used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach, liver and intestines.
Fig 39. Small-leaved linden
(Fig. 40) grows on the edges of mixed forests, among bushes, often in gardens and parks. Elderberry flowers contain essential oil, rutin, malic, acetic and valeric acids, fruits contain glucose, fructose, organic acids, tannins and dyes. Flowers are collected during flowering, fruits - during full ripening. Flowers have diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant effects. Preparations in the form of infusions and extracts are used for inhalation, rinsing for various diseases of the respiratory tract, leaves - as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the kidneys and bladder.
Rice. 40. Black elderberry
(Fig. 41) is often found in forests and river valleys of Belarus. The bark and fruits are used for medicinal purposes. The bark is harvested in the spring. It contains tannins and dyes, resins, organic acids, and vitamins. The bark is used as a soothing, antipyretic, antimicrobial agent, the fruits are used as a dietary and multivitamin product that has a positive effect on cardiac activity, has a restorative and diuretic effect. A water decoction of flowers is drunk for coughs and colds and other diseases.
Rice. 41. Viburnum
Rowan and chokeberry(Fig. 42) - plants common in Belarus. The fruits contain pectin, coloring, tannins, organic acids, sugars, vitamins C and P, and a lot of carotene. Fresh or dried berries and preparations made from them are used for heart diseases, low acidity of gastric juice, as a mild laxative, diuretic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory agent. The medicinal properties of chokeberry berries are mainly due to vitamins, tannins and coloring substances. Extracts, juices, and infusions are used for hypertension, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, and allergic skin diseases. Chokeberry berries are especially effective for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.
Rice. 42. Rowan
(Fig. 43). In medical practice, buds and turpentine processing products - turpentine - are usually used. Young needles contain vitamin C and essential oils. Tar is a product of dry distillation of pine wood; it is part of Vishnevsky and Wilkinson ointments. Steamed pine buds are used for inhalation for respiratory diseases. Turpentine (ointments, compresses) is used for radiculitis, rheumatism and gout, as well as for inhalation as an antimicrobial agent.
Rice. 43. Scots pine
Bird cherry(Fig. 44) grows along river banks, forest clearings, and edges. For medicinal purposes, fruits (berries) are used, which are separated from the stalks and dried in an oven or dryer at a temperature of 50-60°C. The berries contain tannins, organic acids, sugars, and vitamins. Fresh fruits, flowers and leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. A decoction of the berries is used as an astringent for disorders of the digestive tract.
Rice. 44. Bird cherry
(Fig. 45) is a herbaceous plant. Stems, leaves and flowers contain formic acid, which gives it pungency, vitamins C, B2, K, carotenoids, tannins, antimicrobial substances, and mineral salts. The presence of vitamin K in nettle preparations increases blood clotting and the amount of hemoglobin. Used for anemia and internal bleeding. An infusion of flowers and leaves is used for chronic skin diseases (furunculosis, eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis).
Rice. 45. Stinging nettle
(Fig. 46) is a perennial herbaceous plant. Found on sandy soils and thinned pine forests. Flowers are collected at the stage when they have not fully bloomed (June-August), dried in the shade, and stored in a dry, dark place. The flowers contain compounds that stimulate the secretion of bile, gastric and pancreatic juices, relax the muscles of the intestines, gall bladder and blood vessels, and have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Preparations from immortelle enhance the secretion of bile by liver cells, change its chemical composition, reduce the level of bilirubin and cholesterol, relieve spasms of the gallbladder sphincters, improve the action of the bile ducts, and promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. They are used for liver diseases, cholelithiasis, and after hepatitis. Included in preparations for the treatment of kidney diseases, bladder diseases, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, neuralgia, etc.
Rice. 46. Sandy immortelle
Review questions
- Name the main types of medicinal plants growing in Belarus.
- Name the timing of collection and methods of preparing medicines from chamomile flowers.
- List the diseases for which valerian rhizome is used.
- When are small-leaved linden flowers collected, for what diseases are they used?
- List the diseases for which rose hips, blueberries, raspberries, lingonberries, viburnum, and rowan are used.
Not so long ago, herbs were the only available remedy in the fight against a wide variety of diseases. Belarusians have been studying plants for centuries, and almost everyone has heard about the magical properties of St. John's wort, nettle or chamomile. Today, the need for such knowledge has disappeared, but the magical power of herbs has not disappeared anywhere. We found out where in Belarus you can learn in detail about medicinal herbs and borrow experience from the past.
"Apothecary Garden"
On the territory of Narochansky Park, 15 kilometers from the village of Gatovichi, there is an entire excursion and tourist complex dedicated to herbs. It's called the "Apothecary Garden".
It is not surprising that this phytocorner appeared precisely on the territory of the Naroch region, where 1,400 plant species grow.
The “Apothecary Garden” is a place away from cities and even villages, where on a small plot of land you can see dozens of useful herbs, not in dried form, but while they are growing, so as not to confuse them with other plants in the field in the future.
Guides of the unusual garden will share useful information about the use of herbs from the centuries-old experience of not only Belarusians, but also European monasteries that were actively involved in herbalism.
You can walk around the Apothecary Garden on your own or book a tour to get to know the plants in detail. In addition to excursion activities, the “Apothecary Garden” is also engaged in the procurement of herbs. Here, herbs are grown and dried on an industrial scale, and then sold throughout Belarus. You can also buy local products in the garden, in a special herbal shop, where you will be advised what tea to drink to sleep well or to boost your immunity. And you can try everything at your local herbal bar.
By the way, herbs here are used not only for teas and medicines. They are also used to make skin and hair care products, aromatic sachets and steaming baths.
Museum of Aromas of Herbs and Plants in Grodno
Last year, the Museum of Aromas of Herbs and Plants opened in Grodno, where special attention is paid to smells. A simple but exciting idea came to the minds of the employees of the Ecological and Biological Center for Children and Youth, on the basis of which the museum now operates.
In the summer, students and teachers collect medicinal herbs, which then become museum exhibits. Dried herbs are placed in small jars, which museum visitors open and try to guess the plant by smell. Here you can not only remember how different herbs smell, but also learn how and why they are used. For example, rosemary improves immunity, and geranium repels moths.
Now the museum displays about 70 plants. But this summer employees are going to increase this figure. Herbs, by the way, are collected not only from fields and forests near Grodno, but also grown in their own garden. The museum also makes aromatic sachets and soap and plans to expand the range.
Museum of medicinal herbs in the village of Strelno
In the village of Strelno, not far from the city of Ivanovo in the Brest region, like in all other Belarusian villages, there used to be many housewives with encyclopedic knowledge of herbs. But it was in Strelno that people were found who wrote down everything that local residents knew about herbal medicine and opened a museum there.
Several notebooks with handwritten secrets of using medicinal plants, a herbal calendar and hundreds of dried bouquets hung in the attic can now be found in the Museum of Healing Herbs in Strelno. For 27 years, tourists from different countries have been going there to get to know Belarusian folklore better and learn the health secrets of past generations. And museum workers are still collecting information about herbs from old-timers in the region so that traditional medicine at its best is not forgotten. In addition to the excursion, they also offer to try healthy and, of course, very aromatic teas.
Herbalist's house in Rubezhevichi
At first glance, the herbalist’s house in Rubezhevichi is no different from other herbal pharmacies operating throughout Belarus. But those who know the history of this Herbal House and the people who have dedicated many years of tireless work to it understand why this pharmacy stands out from the rest.
The herbalist's house appeared in Rubezhevichi in 1875. All residents of the village then actively collected herbs, which were then sold in the pharmacy. In the 1940s, Stanislav Vilkotsky, a doctor and part-time lover of traditional medicine, became a local herbalist. He read so much literature on this topic that people from all over the area began to come to him for advice, because at that time plants were still the main means of treatment.
After some time, herbal medicine was recognized as useless, and herbal pharmacies began to close throughout Belarus. But the Herbalist House in Rubezhevichi was so popular that it continued to operate. Over time, the name of Stanislav Vilkotsky ended up on a memorial plaque on the pharmacy building, and he was replaced by an equally experienced pharmacist and herbalist Anatoly Grigoriev. He made sure that even in this time of numerous tablets and syrups, people did not forget about herbs. Almost a century and a half has passed, and the residents of Rubezhevichi still collect herbs in the summer and take them to the pharmacy, which has thousands of recipes for herbal remedies and their use.
The book of Eliza Ozheshko and her native village
One of the hobbies of the writer Eliza Ozheshko was herbs. She traveled around Belarus, communicated with many healers, collected plant names and her own herbarium. Much of what she learned ended up in the book “People and Flowers over the Neman”, written in Polish. This was in 1888.
Today the writer has many fans. Some also became infected with her passion for herbs. For example, Tatyana Sovenkova, head of the local history museum in the village of Milkovshchina, where Eliza Ozheshko was born, is sure that instead of buying vitamins at the pharmacy, you should go into the forest and collect them. She researched in detail everything that Eliza Ozheshko wrote about herbs, and now willingly shares her knowledge. And thanks to a small collection of herbs, their aroma, which the writer loved so much in her time, can now be constantly felt in the museum itself.