Medicinal herbs photos with names from A to Z. Datura plant

The world of plants on planet Earth is very diverse. In the process of centuries-old evolution, they adapted to growing in different conditions: survive in northern regions with a cold climate, in deserts where there is practically no precipitation. In this article we will talk about wild plants, which come in different varieties. These include herbs, cereals, and shrubs. Some of them have a beautiful appearance, others are beneficial to humans, and others are dangerous weeds that harm garden crops.

What plants are called wild?

These are those species that spread by self-seeding or shoots without human participation or intervention. These plants do not need to be created special conditions. To life in natural environment they adapt themselves. Cultivated plant species appeared much later than wild ones. A person looks after them to get good harvest. He sows them, fertilizes them, waters them, weeds them, and loosens the soil in which they grow.

Wild plants have great energy value, therefore, they are now increasingly being used as food additives or as an independent dish. The fact is that they are not afraid of chemicalization of agricultural land, after which the soil contains large number poisons and nitrates.

If it is an initially non-poisonous plant, it is impossible to be poisoned by it, like many vegetables, for the cultivation of which increased doses of various chemical fertilizers are used. Here is a small list of names of wild plants that can be eaten:

• Nettle.
• Horsetail
• Sorrel.
• Oregano.
• St. John's wort.
• Mint.
• Raspberry.
• Currant.
• Thyme.
• Hop.
• Plantain.
• Chicory.
• Burdock.
• Snooze.
• Lungwort.
• Clover.
• Angelica.
• Ivan-tea.

Care must be taken when harvesting herbs. If for some reason we distinguish useful herbs from others it is impossible, it is better not to collect them, they can harm your health.

Classification

All plants are divided into cultivated and wild. There are many types of wild plants, for example:

• Herbs: nettle, spurge, cornflower, dandelion, plantain and many others.
• Shrubs: raspberries, forest grapes, currants, blackberries, etc.
• Trees: apple, pear, rowan, plum, oak, pine, birch, willow, etc.

There are wild plants that grow in the garden: onions, garlic, watermelons. In addition, plants are divided into medicinal, beneficial, edible and poisonous.

Families

In nature, there are a huge variety of plants that are conventionally divided into groups with similar properties, structure, appearance. Most of the flowering plants on the planet are monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Each of these classes is divided into families depending on the structure of the flower. The most numerous and widespread species belong to the following families:

• Lilies are herbs with a multi-year life cycle. They form bulbs, corms, and rhizomes. They differ in form and growing conditions. For example, lilies, tulips, goose onions.
• Poa (grass) is a family of plants (wild and cultivated) with a different life cycle. For example, bamboo, cane, millet, feather grass, etc.
• Solanaceae. Representatives of this family are mainly herbs or creeping shrubs and much less often trees. There are many among them poisonous species, for example henbane.
• Rosaceae - This family includes trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. For example, pear, cherry plum, apple tree, raspberry, currant, blackberry, strawberry, hemp, nettle, fig.
• Cruciferous plants are herbs, less often subshrubs, and shrubs as an exception. Examples of wild plants of this family: shepherd's purse, rapeseed, leftover, mustard, horseradish, cabbage.
• Compositae - the family includes 25 thousand species of herbaceous plants, shrubs, subshrubs, lianas, low growing trees. Example: elecampane, meadow cornflower, thistle, dandelion, sunflower, yarrow.
• Umbrella plants - this family includes herbaceous plants. Most known species- Siberian hogweed, ribbed hemlock, speckled hemlock.

Many wild flora have all parts that are edible, while some can only be eaten with fruits, such as acorns. They can be collected after the first autumn frosts. Acorns are edible if cooked correctly. But you should beware of unripe fruits of wild plants, they are poisonous. They are easily distinguished by their green color.

Wild apples are a favorite delicacy for children. They are especially good at winter time when they freeze. Foresters do not pass by wild raspberries and currants. The berries of these plants are much smaller, but they have a unique taste and aroma.

Edible wild plants

They often come across our path, but many people do not know that they can be eaten, although they are often used to treat various diseases. About what wild plants can replenish our diet with vitamins, read the article below.

Shepherd's Purse

The medicinal properties of this plant have long been known, but few people know that it is eaten. However, in China this herb is a vegetable. Here shepherd's purse used for preparing first courses, salads, and salted for the winter. Best time To use the plant for food - spring.

Surepka

This plant is the most common. The habitat is meadows, fields, vegetable gardens, pastures. Everything useful is contained in the leaves. But they need to be collected before the plant blooms. This herb has a bitter taste, so it is mixed with other types of greens when preparing a salad. Pancakes made from flowers, but fully bloomed, are tasty and healthy. However, the wild plant is contraindicated for people with stomach and intestinal diseases.

Chistets marsh

This is an edible plant with an unpleasant odor. But don't immediately reject it. The smell will disappear as soon as you start cooking the dish. Ripe tubers are suitable for food and should be collected at the end of summer. They are fried, boiled, dried, and salted for the winter. Chistets tend to fade quickly, so you need to collect as many plants as you need for cooking.

Clover

This unpretentious plant grows in nature as an annual and perennial herb with white, red, pink flowers. Clover is famous for its useful qualities. It contains vitamins and microelements that our body needs. Many peoples use the herb in different forms. It is dried to make a seasoning, an additive to flour. Fresh clover is used to make salads. In the Caucasus, pickled flowers of the plant are eaten. This grass is an excellent honey plant; the flowers are pollinated by bees and bumblebees. Honey produced by bees from clover nectar and pollen tastes great. This grass is an important part of livestock feed.

Rogoz

This representative of the flora belongs to wild herbaceous plants. In nature it grows near water bodies, in swamps and adjacent areas. The roots of this herb are edible. They can be baked, boiled, dried, pickled, and also ground into flour. The leaves located at the rhizome are suitable for salads.

Ivan-tea

This plant is also known as fireweed. All its parts are suitable for food. wild plant Many people use it to brew tea, but not everyone knows that it can be used to make flour and salads. The leaves and flowers are used to make wine, and the roots are used for casseroles.

Common bracken fern

The petioles of the plant, until they bloom, resemble snails. They are the ones used for food. Prepared from fern vegetable stew, it is salted for the winter. If the leaves have blossomed, such plants are not suitable for consumption. Fern harvesting time is late spring or early summer.

Beautiful flowering wild plants

These plants are beautiful in most cases when they bloom. It is generally customary to talk about flowers as something special and sublime. But in nature there are many wild plants, the flowers of which will compete with garden hybrids and varieties. And there is another category of plants. Once you intentionally plant them for beauty, you run the risk of never getting rid of them. In the garden and vegetable garden they compete with cultivated plants, as they consume 1/3 of all nutrients contained in the soil, and moisture. Weeds are very tenacious plants, they even adapt to the herbicides with which they are treated. But many wild, herbaceous plants are so beautiful that they can hardly be considered weeds. These include:

• Mayweed.
• The bell is crowded.
• Lily curly (saranka).
• May lily of the valley.
• Lychnis chalcedony.
• Day-lily.
• Kupena is fragrant.
• Black hellebore.
• Tansy and many others.

Dandelion

These plants are considered the most common urban weeds. They are very unpretentious and grow everywhere, with the exception of the Arctic, high mountain areas and Antarctica. This flower is a perennial wild plant. The genus dandelion includes more than 2000 apomictic microspecies, but in our country the most common is the medicinal one (field or common).

Violet

A genus of wild plants, numbering 500 species, about twenty of which are found in the European part of Russia.

Violets are annual, biennial and perennial. They are most common in the Northern Hemisphere, regions where temperate climate. Violets of many types are cultivated; they are grown as ornamental plants, in one place, without any transplants. But in abandoned gardens and parks they are running wild again.

Wild medicinal plants

The flora of our planet is amazing and diverse. Among the numerous families there are poisonous and edible plants, there are also those that are beneficial for agriculture and other industries. But wild medicinal plants that help a person cope with or prevent illness are of particular importance. Some of them are listed below in the article.

Coltsfoot

This wild plant blooms in April, as soon as the gentle sun warms the ground. In well-lit areas, yellow flowers appear, looking like little suns. This is mother and stepmother. The plant is medicinal and is used in medicine. For example, flower and leaf infusions are used to treat cough. The plant is an excellent honey plant for spring collection of pollen and nectar by bees.

Calamus common

Refers to perennial wild plants. It reaches a height of 10 cm. It grows near lakes, rivers, swamps, streams, and in flooded meadows. It is believed that next to calamus there is always clean water. The roots of the plant have medicinal value. They need to be harvested early in spring or late in autumn. They are dried and used for nervous disorders and fever.

Sweet clover

This plant reaches a height of one meter. Places of growth - meadows, fields, roadsides. The leaves and flowers of the plant are valued and should be harvested in June-August. The dried leaves are used to prepare a tincture, which is taken to treat gout, rheumatism, and insomnia. The plant also has diuretic properties. It should not be used during pregnancy or bleeding disorders.

Burdock (burdock) felt

This plant is easy to distinguish by big leaves and characteristic flowers and fruits. As a rule, burdock grows in wastelands, roadsides, and forests. This is a well-known and widespread representative of the flora. Rhizomes should be harvested before the onset of winter or early spring. An ointment is prepared from fresh roots to treat wounds and burns. The leaves are used to protect against bacteria and relieve heat well. They need to be applied to wounds. A decoction prepared from the roots helps in treating the intestines and stomach; it is used as a diuretic. The benefits of burdock in treatment various diseases has long been known, but the fact that leaves and roots young plant eat, few know. The roots of young plants are suitable for food. But if burdock is not cooked correctly, it will taste bitter. It is better to fry or boil it.

Hogweed

This plant has a perennial life cycle, is powerful, has large sizes: two meters high. Distributed everywhere. Place of growth - meadows, fields, coniferous forests, gardens, banks of reservoirs. In folk medicine, rhizomes and leaves are used, from which soothing infusions are prepared to relieve seizures, prevent and treat skin diseases (for example, scabies), and digestive disorders. Fresh leaves are used as a lotion for rheumatism. Hogweed is an edible plant. Its herb, dried, pickled or salted, is added to first courses.

Kislitsa

The plant is distinguished by its small height (up to 10 cm) and creeping shoots. Places of growth - forests, shores of lakes, rivers. Oxalis prefers to grow in moist soil and shade. Prepared from the plant herbal infusion. It is used in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases. The herb has a diuretic and analgesic effect. It is also used externally, especially helping in the treatment of festering wounds. In addition, sorrel is suitable for consumption. Soups are made from it.

Nettle

There are two types of medicinal herbs that are used in official and traditional medicine: stinging nettle and stinging nettle. This plant has a diuretic and expectorant, laxative and anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and wound-healing, analgesic and hemostatic effect. Pregnant women who take nettle infusions normalize the level of iron in their blood. In folk medicine, nettle is used to treat:

• I have a cold.
• Dropsy.
• Constipation.
• Dysentery.
• Gout.
• Haemorrhoids.
• Liver.
• Bronchi and lungs.
• Rheumatism and much more.

Mint

The genus contains about 42 species, and this is not taking into account garden hybrids. It is valued as a medicinal plant, containing large quantities of menthol, which has an anesthetic effect. This substance is included in drugs for the treatment of heart and vascular diseases: “Valocordin”, “Validol”, Zelenin drops. Mint has the following beneficial properties:

• Normalizes intestinal function.
• It puts the nervous system in order.
• Eliminates insomnia.
• Relieves nausea.
• Helps with diarrhea.
• Reduces swelling, relieves pain during inflammatory processes of the respiratory organs.
• Strengthens gums, destroys germs. It is used to rinse the mouth.

Plantain

IN medicinal purposes Two types of this plant are used: flea plantain and Indian plantain. They contain ascorbic acid, carotene, phytoncides. Plantain extracts obtained from the leaves of the plant are used to treat severe gastrointestinal ulcers. The juice is taken for gastritis and enteritis. It improves digestion. Leaf infusions help remove mucus from bronchitis, pleurisy, whooping cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, and asthma. In addition, plantain is used in the following cases:

• To cleanse the blood.
• Healing of wounds.
• Relieving inflammation.
• Pain relief.

Wormwood

This plant is used in gastroenterology. Its leaves are rich in substances beneficial to the human body. The benefits of nettle are as follows:

• It has a stimulating effect on the reflex function of the pancreas.
• Normalizes the activity of the gallbladder.
• Relieves inflammation.
• The essential oil contained in the plant stimulates the nervous system.
• The bitterness present in the herb stimulates appetite and normalizes digestion.

Quinoa

This herb is well known to the older generation. During the war and lean years, quinoa seeds were ground and added to rye flour and baked bread. It, of course, did not have an attractive appearance and was tasteless, but it helped to survive. Quinoa is valued for its chemical composition. It contains potassium and rutin in large quantities. Thanks to this medicinal herb widely used in cardiology. In addition, it is useful for treating diseases:

• Respiratory organs.
• Stomach.
• Skin.
• Inflamed wounds.

Quinoa has wound-healing and soothing, cleansing and expectorant, choleretic and diuretic effects. This herb is edible. It is used to prepare cabbage soup, soups, cutlets, mashed potatoes, and even bake bread. Quinoa dishes are very filling.

That's what they call it life form higher plants. Among them there are poisonous varieties and those that can be eaten. Tea is brewed from individual herbs and infusions are made for internal and external use. Different types contain different beneficial substances (in the root or in the shoots), extracts of which are also used in perfumery, the production of cosmetics, household chemicals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alcoholic drinks.

Avran

(lat. Gratiola officinalis) is a poisonous herbaceous plant common in Central and Eastern Europe. There are many common names for avran: God's grace, grace, fever grass, horse tinder, moknets, deer grass, draciolia, bloodworm. The Russian-language name is of Turkic origin and translated means “to be sick.”

Aloe

(lat. Aloe- bitter) is a perennial plant with fleshy, sword-shaped leaves that form rosettes as they grow. The name of the plant comes from the Arabic language, but in Russian there are several common nicknames for aloe - agave, rannik, sabur.

Althea

(lat. Althaea officinalis) is a perennial medicinal plant. The name of the herb comes from the Greek word Althaca, which means “heal” or “multi-beneficial.” In the Russian and Ukrainian languages, there are several popular names for marshmallow: marshmallow, mallow, kalachiki, rozha, wild rose, palyanitsya, dog, pasirnik, ruzha psyacha and others.

Pansies

(lat. Viola tricolor) is one of several popular names for a flower known scientifically as tricolor violet. In various Slavic countries and their regions, people call it in their own way: viola, three-flowered, Ivan-da-Marya, brothers, brother-and-sister, but the most common name remains Pansies.

Aster

(lat. Aster- star) is a plant known for its huge number of species and diversity color palette. In science, annual varieties belong to the genus Callistephus chinensis (Callistephuschihensis). The Greek word "Callistephus" means "beautiful wreath". It is this type of flowers that has gained the greatest popularity, has become widespread and is known as garden or Chinese aster.

Astragalus wooliflora

(lat. Astragálus dasyánthus) or Astragalus dense-flowered is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Legume family and the numerous genus Astragalus, which has almost 2000 species. Its name is believed to come from the Greek word " astragalos" This was the name of a dice made from lamb ankles. The plant has many popular names - cat's pea, Polish recount, centaury, Scythian grass of life.

Ledum

For respiratory diseases, use wild rosemary herb in the form of infusions; it is also a diuretic, disinfectant and antiseptic.

Oil from the wild rosemary plant is an ideal remedy for a runny nose.

Periwinkle

The genus of this plant is Latin name Vinca, translated meaning “to entwine.” Its representatives belong to the Kutrovye family and are creeping herbs or subshrubs. IN wildlife Mostly found is the small periwinkle, which has the following popular names: grave grass, blueberry, burial ground, brilliant green, ivy, khreschatik, noyushka, wreath, cornflower, witches violet.

Valerian

The most common version of the origin of the name is from Lat. “valere” – “to be healthy.” The species system of valerian is diverse; many types of valerian, used both in official and folk medicine, have medicinal value.

Knapweed

Decoctions and infusions of cornflower are used for: inflammatory and chronic kidney diseases, inflammation of the urinary tract, edema, urolithiasis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, urethritis, cystitis, pyelitis, nephrosis, decreased vision, liver disease and biliary tract. Helps resolve problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Elecampane

Elecampane preparations improve expectoration of sputum, reduce intestinal secretory activity, normalize metabolism, stimulate bile formation, increase diuresis, and have antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties. Elecampane preparations are used internally for chronic and acute bronchitis, enterocolitis, functional diarrhea, colitis, chronic and acute pharyngitis, gingivitis, tracheitis, difficult-to-heal wounds, and periodontal disease.

St. John's wort

This plant was credited with the ability to drive away evil spirits. St. John's wort protected against ghosts and witches, and the purple juice obtained by pressing flower buds was considered a charming remedy. IN medical purposes They mainly use the herb St. John's wort - leaves and young shoots.

Ivan-tea

The name is associated with the role of the plant in the history of trade, in an era when “Russian tea” made from fireweed grass was one of the most exported products from Russia to the countries of Albion and Europe. Traditional and Popular Russian name“Ivan”, thanks to the light hand of foreign dealers and suppliers, became firmly entrenched in the name of the then popular drink, which became famous on the world market.

Calendula

It gained fame after Queen Margaret of Navarre called this plant her favorite flower and ordered it to be grown in her garden. It has antispasmodic and anticonvulsant effects. People believe that calendula helps with spleen disease, crushing stones in the bladder, with hypertension and cough, stomach cramps, cardiac neuroses, alveolar pyorrhea, burns, for the treatment of wounds, non-healing ulcers and fistulas.

Clover

This is a plant of the legume family. The flowers depend on the species and are red, pink or white. Herbalists have been using clover since ancient times as a source of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins A, B and C. In medicine, they use the leaves, stems and flowers, which are collected during flowering.

Hemp

It grows in Western Siberia, the Volga region, and Altai in the European part of Russia. Nowadays, this plant is cultivated in almost all countries. Officially, the plant is allowed to be grown and consumed only in Colombia. In other states, cultivation, consumption, distribution or possession is criminally punishable.

Nettle

Distributed in Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia, and North America. It can be found in the CIS countries, India, China, Japan, the USA and Great Britain. A large amount of vitamins and useful substances makes nettle one of the most used plants in official and folk medicine, dietetics and cosmetology. The most commonly used plant is stinging nettle.

Red brush (rhodiola)

In folk medicine, Rhodiola quadrupartum is prescribed for prostatitis, prostate adenoma and diseases of the genitourinary system. The red brush is used in the complex treatment of neoplasms (tumors); as an adaptogen and as a means of rejuvenating the body. The main medicinal properties of red brush include: adaptogenic, immunostimulating, hemostatic, tonic. The red brush is successfully used in gynecology.

Burnet

There are about 27 types of burnet, but not all are the most famous and useful. Burnet preparations help with various types of bleeding, such as uterine bleeding, hemoptysis, gastric, heavy menstruation, hemorrhoids, etc. Burnet is used externally as a means to promote the healing of wounds, abrasions and cuts.

Lavender

Lavender is a subshrub, up to 60 cm high. It is widespread in India, Arabia, southern Europe, northern and eastern Africa, and even the Canary Islands. There are about 30 varieties of this shrub. Lavender is widely used in cooking, household chemicals, production of soft and alcoholic drinks, toilet soap, deodorants, air fresheners, perfumes and cosmetics.

Burdock

Burdock originally appeared in the Mediterranean and then spread widely throughout the world. It usually grows in the southern regions, steppe zones, along river valleys and gullies. It is also often found under the walls of buildings, in parks, under fences, along the edges of gardens, as well as in forests with good humidity. Widely used in folk medicine. Most often the roots are consumed, less often the leaves with fruits.

Poppy

Different parts of the plant are used for different purposes. In cooking, only seeds are used - small, dark grains with a round shape. Poppy seeds are sprinkled on baked goods to add more aroma and taste. Mixing with powdered sugar, make filling for buns and various sweet cakes.

Coltsfoot

Perennial, order Asteraceae (Asteraceae or Asteraceae). This plant can be seen blooming in early spring. Coltsfoot is very common in Eurasian countries and North Africa. In North America, this plant has been grafted and is now also quite common.

Mint

Mint is a fragrant and healthy plant. It contains a large amount of essential oil - menthol. It is used as a folk remedy against many diseases, as well as in cosmetology - it is added to shampoos, creams, lotions and other products.

Tansy

The name itself comes from the Czech or Polish word “pizmo”, which means “musk”, that is, the smell is of organic origin. In fact, all plants of this species have a very strong, rich aroma, and the smell is emitted by every cell of this plant.

Plantain

Of the more than 200 species of this plant highest value have two - flea plantain and large plantain. They are considered the most healing. This plant has been known for its medicinal properties for more than a thousand years. Juice from plantain leaves is taken in the form of lotions, fresh cuts, rinses for bruises, chronic ulcers, wounds, fistulas, boils, and abscesses. In the form of a compress fresh leaves used for furunculosis and purulent wounds.

Sunflower

Herbaceous species annual plants. The stem grows up to 3 m high, straight, covered with hard hairs. The leaves are oval-heart-shaped, dark green, up to 40 cm long, covered with hard, short, pubescent hairs. Flowers have large diameters of 30-50 cm; during the day, young sunflowers turn towards the sun .

There are many plants that represent high nutritional value and having medicinal properties, but at the same time they are not cultivated and grow in the wild. This suggests that humanity still has many opportunities in using flora. Scientists have calculated that approximately two hundred and fifty species of different species grow in Siberia alone. edible plants, and this is not counting algae and mushrooms. Next we will talk about those representatives of wild flora that have medicinal properties.

This plant contains tannins, gum, ascorbic acid, essential oils, starch. It enhances production hydrochloric acid our stomach, lowers blood pressure for hypertension, it is a good expectorant and has a calming effect.

Calamus is especially useful for gastritis with low acidity, ovarian failure, pulmonary diseases, as well as decreased sexual potency and pathological menopause.

Hawthorn

The fruits of this plant are edible; they contain organic acids (ascorbic acid, etc.), fructose, pectins, saponins, starch and flavonoids.
This plant is used to obtain a valuable heart remedy, which perfectly improves the activity of the heart muscle. Hawthorn is especially useful for cardiac arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, hypertension and cardiac weakness.

Elecampane

IN therapeutic purposes The root of this plant is used. It contains mucus, essential oils, inulin, and sesquiterpene lactones. Elecampane is used to treat colds, women's, pulmonary, kidney, and gastrointestinal ailments. With its help you can get rid of tachycardia, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In addition, the root of this plant is used in the treatment of diabetes.

Blackberry

Oregano

A perennial plant that is actively used in traditional medicine. Oregano is used to treat hypertension, insomnia, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, jaundice and helminthiasis. In addition, it is also used as an external agent - for skin diseases, allergies, inflammation of the lymph nodes. Infusions based on this plant are used to gargle for colds and sore throats.

St. John's wort

This is a fairly common plant that has many healing properties. It contains flavonoids, saponins, rutin, coloring, resinous and tannin substances, vitamins PP, P and C, carotene, essential oils, carotene, various trace elements and anthocyanins. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing, antiulcer, antisclerotic, antispasmodic, choleretic, tonic, sedative and strengthening agent. It helps cure diseases of the digestive tract, bladder, urinary incontinence, pulmonary tuberculosis, kidney and liver diseases, nervous diseases(depression). It is used in the treatment of colds and flu, heart weakness, bleeding of various etiologies, hemorrhoids and increased swelling. In addition, it is used as an external remedy to get rid of leucorrhoea in women, various skin diseases, and also as a rinse for lesions of the oral cavity.

Leuzea sofloridae

It is a wild medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of functional disorders. nervous system. With its help you can get rid of impotence, depression different types overwork (both psychological and physical). Leuzea is used in the treatment of alcoholism and vegetative-vascular disorders. Its consumption has an excellent effect on the blood supply to the brain and muscles; in addition, it normalizes the amount of hemoglobins and red blood cells in the blood, makes sleep normal and promotes appetite and performance.

Field mint

This plant has anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, analgesic, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effects. Infusions based on it stimulate appetite, reduce the acidity of gastric juice, neutralize nausea and stop stomach cramps and colic.

Field mint also has a positive effect on the body during colds and pulmonary diseases. It is also used externally to get rid of wounds, ulcers and tumors. In addition, frostbite, arthritic and rheumatic pain are treated with lotions and washes.
It is necessary to differentiate this plant from peppermint grown in gardens and orchards.

Clover

The flowers of this plant contain B vitamins, vitamin C, carotene and glucosides. They have a diuretic and expectorant effect. Traditional medicine advises using clover for pulmonary and kidney diseases, and also for anemia. Many healers are confident in the anti-cancer properties of this plant.

We considered only a small part of all wild plants medicinal plants. In fact, many experts traditional medicine We are sure that each plant has certain therapeutic properties.

Wild plants come in different varieties. They can be found in the field, in the forest, and even on summer cottage as weeds. These can be herbs, flowers, and cereals. Those interested in nature native land, knows that they are not only beautiful, but can also bring great benefits to a person. However, these representatives of the domestic flora can also be dangerous weeds, posing a serious threat to gardeners. Getting rid of these weeds is quite difficult.

Wild plants can be both enemies and friends of humans, so understanding them is very important, especially for those who live close to nature - in rural areas.

Wild plants: examples

One can give a great many examples of such representatives of the fauna. Among these plants there can be a variety of different ones. In general, they can be divided into three groups. The first group includes plants that bring neither benefit nor harm to humans. These are the majority. As a rule, they are used by animals and birds as pasture. The second group includes plants that bring benefits to humans. And finally, the third group includes flowers and herbs, which it is advisable to avoid, since they only bring harm to a person.

The “harmful group” includes poisonous shrubs (for example, poisonous weed) and weeds that cause great harm to agriculture, drowning out beneficial plants (for example, wheatgrass or sow thistle) . The “useful” group includes the following:

In many wild plants there are “cultivated” doubles. As a rule, in this case they differ from each other in size and appearance. For example, wild sorrel differs from sorrel grown in the garden by being smaller in size and having a different leaf shape. In the same way, wild strawberries differ from their “cultivated” relatives, strawberries or Victoria, in the shape of the leaves, the size and taste of the berries.

Peculiarities

These representatives of the flora many interesting features . You can read about this in school textbooks on botany, as well as in special reference books. Among the most striking features the following can be distinguished:

There are many poisonous plants among wild plants. posing a mortal danger to humans. One of the most dangerous is the poisonous vekh; it was even used in the old days as poison when they wanted to destroy an unwanted person. In order to avoid mortal danger, you need to know what they look like poisonous plants. You can see their photographs on the Internet and in specialized literature. And children should firmly know that tearing, much less putting them in their mouths, without the permission of adults is strictly prohibited.

This basic rule of safe behavior in the forest and field must be strictly observed. Farmers who prepare their own feed for livestock must also be familiar with poisonous plants by sight. Among the wild ones there are herbs that are harmless to humans, but can cause serious food poisoning in pets.

Practical benefits

Among these plants there are many medicinal. Also, many wild plants are excellent food for small and large livestock. If you read about the benefits of these plants, you can learn a lot of interesting things. From time immemorial, many herbs in Rus' were considered medicinal, beneficial, and even nutritious: during the hungry years of crop failure, many herbs were eaten. Of course, among wild herbs and flowers there are many poisonous and harmful weeds. Therefore, it is very important not to confuse beneficial wild plants with harmful or “neutral” ones, which bring neither benefit nor harm.

So, for example, There are two types of wild sorrel: edible sorrel (small small leaves) and “horse” sorrel, which has no nutritional value and does not have a pleasant taste (a plant with a thick long stem and large leaves, shaped like edible wild sorrel). Many wild plants that have practical benefits are purposefully planted and grown by people. For example, clover can grow on its own, or it can be grown as feed for large and small livestock or as a honey plant for beekeeping.

Now there are few people who are well versed in the benefits of wild plants, with the exception of botanists. However, in old times in Rus' there were a lot of herbalists. They not only prepared medicines from them, but also attributed sacred or magical properties. Practical knowledge about the benefits of wild plants was mixed with superstitions. Currently, the ancient science of herbs has turned into a practical branch of medicine - herbal medicine.

Modern herbalists no longer attribute wild herbs magical properties, but they are used to make medicines that effectively treat many serious diseases, including oncology. Many people leading a healthy lifestyle actively include edible roots in their daily diet. Their main advantage is that they contain powerful antioxidants that slow down the process of physiological aging.

Wild plants have been playing since ancient times important role in a person's life. They may also be friends" and "enemies". Therefore, it is very important to know “by sight” both useful and poisonous. Useful wild plants are human’s first assistants in treatment, nutrition, agriculture. To make the most of them beneficial properties, you need to read specialized literature on botany, biology and the nature of your native land as often as possible.

Man has always used medicinal wild plants for nutrition and treatment. In order for these plants to be beneficial and help in treatment, one must be able to properly use medicinal wild plants and prepare them correctly.

Proper use and preparation of medicinal wild plants is the key to your health.

One of the main components of wild plants is. Without them, normal functioning of the body is impossible. Many vitamins are not formed in the body, but enter it only through food.

In addition to vitamins, plants contain useful substances, without which the body cannot exist normally. Interest in the proper use and preparation of medicinal wild plants is growing every day.

The large kingdom of wild plants is the richest source of biologically active substances. Thanks to them, a large number of dosage forms, which have a beneficial effect on all organs and systems of humans and animals.

Proper use of medicinal wild plants

The beneficial properties of wild plants are higher than those of cultivated plants. They grow in such conditions that they have to fight for their existence. Under such conditions, they produce substances that bring more benefit than the same substances in cultivated ones.

Only when correct use wild plants, you can get positive results in the treatment and prevention of serious diseases.

Both traditional and scientific medicine widely use natural resources to heal humanity from many ailments. The better the quality of the raw materials, the more effective the effect of medicines obtained from wild plants. It is necessary to strictly follow the basic rules for their preparation.

If technological methods are applied incorrectly, then some of the beneficial substances will be destroyed, and the prepared medicine may turn out to be useless.

When collecting medicinal raw materials, you need to make sure that this is exactly the plant that you need. Some of them appearance similar to those from which there is no benefit at all. For example, stinging nettle is very useful for nutrition and treatment, but stinging nettle does not have such properties. You can read about the proper collection of medicinal plants

I can give you an example. Early spring I collected young nettles in the forest for a salad. I went through it and washed it thoroughly. Then she scalded it with boiling water and let the water drain. I lightly squeezed the nettle leaves into a cup to remove any remaining water. Since the water was boiled, I drank this water along with nettle juice (the water was colored by nettle juice) in several doses.

You may not believe me, but at that moment my vision immediately improved. I wouldn’t have noticed this if it weren’t for the window; it seemed to me that there was no glass on the frame. I saw the landscape outside the window so clearly. There was no such effect from the nettle that grows in my dacha. I realized that it was stinging nettle that I had collected in the forest. Be careful, nettle has contraindications.

At home, you can prepare decoctions, tinctures, juices, extracts, powders, ointments, infusions, teas, oils. Below are general guidelines for cooking at home: medicines. Deviation from these standards will lead to poor quality preparation of the medicine.

It is necessary to strictly observe the standards specified in the recipes and adhere to the specified method. Recipes must be selected from trusted sources. Be sure to read the contraindications so as not to harm your body even more.

Preparation of medicinal wild plants

Before preparing the medicine, you need to make sure good quality vegetable raw materials. It may be moldy and contain pests, debris, dirt, and other plants. The shelf life of raw materials should not be expired.

Dishes can be enamel, glass, clay or porcelain. There should be no chips on the dishes. It is advisable to have separate containers for preparing medicines.

Before use, plant materials must be crushed: you can cut them with scissors, break them with your hands, grind them in a coffee grinder, grind them in a mortar, or pass them through a meat grinder.

After grinding, it is necessary to measure the required amount of raw material. One teaspoon contains 5 grams of crushed raw materials, a dessert spoon contains about 10 grams, one tablespoon contains 15 grams, and with the top – 20 grams.

To prepare medicines in liquid form, measure out the required amount of crushed raw materials and add the measured amount of water or alcohol. Then infuse or boil without bringing to a boil or keep in a water bath. The resulting liquid is filtered.

When preparing and using any plants you need to remember: EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF EVEN THE MOST HEALTHIEST PLANTS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS POISONING AND EVEN DEATH.

INSTRUCTIONS . Infusions are prepared from fresh or dried flowers, leaves, soft stems or herbs. You can infuse with hot or cold water. If cold water is used, it must be boiled. Pour raw materials required quantity water and leave for as long as indicated in the preparation methods. Cold infusions can be stored for no more than 3 days.

When preparing hot infusions, pour boiling water over the measured amount of raw materials, cover with a lid and place in a warm place to infuse. Hot infusions can be stored for no more than 2-3 days.

DECOTIONS. For decoctions, dense parts of plants are used - roots, bark. Measure out the crushed raw materials, pour boiling water over them and place on low heat or in a water bath. Boil for 15-20 minutes, leave in a warm place for a while and strain. Be sure to add cooled boiled water to the original volume. Decoctions are stored for no more than 3 days.

TINCTURES obtained from plant materials based on alcohol and water. The crushed raw materials are poured with alcohol (40-90%), cognac, vodka, wine, tightly closed and infused at room temperature V dark place up to 7 days. Strain the tincture, pour into a prepared dark glass container, seal well and store in a cool place.

EXTRACTS at home, it is obtained by evaporating in a closed container to half the volume. Higher quality extracts are obtained in the factory.

OINTMENTS obtained by thoroughly mixing powdered plant materials with lanolin, petroleum jelly, butter or vegetable oil (preferably olive) and other fat-containing products. Store in a cool, dark place. It is advisable to use immediately after preparation.

OIL obtained in the following way: 5-7 tbsp. spoons of vegetable raw materials crushed in a coffee grinder or mortar pour one liter of boiling water vegetable oil(just not olive oil, it is not recommended to heat it). The dishes with oil and herbs are placed in a water bath for half an hour. Cool the finished herbal oil slowly by covering with something warm. After 1.5 hours, strain the finished oil. This oil can be used to lubricate the mucous membranes in case of diseases of the oral cavity, as well as wounds, burns and other skin injuries.

JUICES obtained in the usual way. The juice is squeezed through a juicer or press from berries, fruits, herbs, leaves, roots, and tubers. Pour into sterilized jars, pasteurize and seal. Store in a cool place, preferably used within a year.

POWDERS obtained from various parts of plants: leaves, flowers, grass, bark, rhizome roots by grinding. Can be ground in a coffee grinder, but powder ground in a mortar has more healing properties. Maybe because a person transfers a piece of his energy to him. Store in a tightly closed glass jar in a dry place.

FEES obtained by mixing different plants in a certain proportion according to special recipes. You can brew it as tea or prepare decoctions, infusions, ointments.

Use of plants in cooking

From wild plants, as well as from cultivated plants, you can prepare a variety of very healthy dishes. At the same time special attention It is necessary to pay attention to the doses of consumption of wild plants. If cooked incorrectly, plants lose their beneficial qualities.

Snacks and condiments prepared just before serving. Plant parts containing bitterness are blanched in cold water within 20-30 minutes. Some plants must be soaked in cold salty water for 20-30 minutes, changing the water frequently. Allow to drain and cut or tear by hand. Mix everything necessary ingredients and season with any sauce. Add salt and necessary spices to taste.

Can be cooked powder for seasonings The green parts of plants or roots are washed and dried well. After grinding, put away for storage and use as needed.

From wild plants are prepared main courses . The green parts of plants are mainly used.

Widely used in food green puree . It can be used as an independent dish and as a dressing for first and second courses, for sauces and gravies, used as a side dish, and also for decorating sandwiches. To prepare the puree, the greens are washed, blanched, drained and ground through a sieve or mashed with a spoon. Add salt to taste (you can do without it) and add various spices. Use immediately after preparation.

Use the following methods on your own at home: preservation and conservation of wild plants .

DRYING - you can dry any edible berries, fruits and plants growing in the wild. After processing, the raw materials are dried in ovens, ovens, special devices and in a natural way. After drying, the resulting products are stored in paper bags, V glass containers in a dry, dark place.

PRESERVATION BY HEAT- This is sterilization and pasteurization.

CANNING WITH SUGAR. Only white sugar should be used. Granulated yellow sugar and refined sugar are unsuitable for this purpose. The concentration of syrups must be adjusted depending on the sugar content of the plant and the type of product being prepared. At home, sugar is measured out in jars, glasses, and spoons. We must remember that in liter jar- 800g of sugar, in a half-liter - 400g, in a thin tea glass - 200g, in a faceted glass - 160g, in a tablespoon - 25g, in a teaspoon - 10g.

JAMS AND JAMS. The best way preparing jam - alternating heating followed by cooling. The amount of cooking depends on the fruits and berries. Jams made from wild berries and fruits are not inferior in nutritional value to preserves. Jams are cooked in one step, without standing. It is best to pack jams and jams hot into sterilized jars and seal with lids.

JAM AND MARMELADE. Fruits and berries are pureed with sugar for 45 minutes. The resulting jam is placed in clean jars, allowed to cool and covered with plastic lids.

When preparing marmalade, fruit and berry puree is boiled for more than 45 minutes, but not more than one hour. IN finished form The puree should have a jelly-like consistency. To obtain a jelly-like mass, sour varieties of apples, plums, gooseberries or red currants must be added to marmalade from wild berries and fruits.

The finished marmalade is poured into a deep baking tray and allowed to harden. After hardening, cut into slices, sprinkle with powdered sugar and dry in the oven at a temperature of 50-60°C. Marmalade should be stored in a cool, dry place in cardboard boxes with a lid.

Good health to everyone!