In contrast to their counterparts of conifers- pine, juniper, and fir- spruce yes does not apply to plants used by official medicine. However, the healing properties of spruce cannot be denied. In particular, they are relevant during the period of seasonal outbreaks of infectious diseases.
In folk medicine, the tops of young shoots with buds, collected during the flowering period in May, are used. Immature cones and resin are also appreciated, which is preferably collected from June to September.
The needles contain essential oil, tannins, resins, vitamin C, volatile, carotene, aluminum, manganese, chromium and iron salts.
Chemical analysis also proves the presence of flavonoids, resins, essential oils and phytoncides in pollen, and fatty oil in the seeds of cones. A similar composition of biologically active substances explains the anti-zygotic, diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic, wound healing and analgesic effect.
Useful recipes
In ancient times in Canada, spruce tips and spruce, along with juniper, were used to disinfect rooms where sick people were: when burning branches, a large number of phytoncides are released, due to which the antibacterial effect is manifested.
The main forms of preparations from the parts of spruce are decoctions, infusions, and ointments.
· With gout, rheumatism, radiculitis, as well as with nervous disorders and to normalize sleep, baths with the addition of a decoction of young spruce shoots are good. To do this, take 200 g of chopped branches, pour 1 liter. Boiling water and boil for 30 minutes. After insisting, strain and add to the prepared bath.
· The broth is most often prepared from cones: 50g of crushed dry immature cones are poured with a glass of hot water and boiled for 30 minutes, then filtered. They are used as a strong antiseptic for gargling with tonsillitis, tonsillitis, for inhalation and instillation into the nose with rhinitis and sinusitis.
· The infusion is prepared from chopped spruce needles. 2 tbsp. tablespoons of raw materials pour a glass of boiling water and insist on half an hour. This volume of infusion is drunk during the day, breaking into 4-5 receptions. Such a drink is recommended for use in cases of urinary tract infections, urolithiasis, and rheumatism, as an expectorant for bronchitis and tuberculosis, and vitamin C deficiency.
· Often, crushed kidneys of ordinary spruce are used to obtain infusion. For this, 2 tbsp. tablespoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiled water and boiled for 30 minutes, then cooled and filtered. Infusion is a strong antimicrobial and spasmolytic agent.
· With heart disease, drink an infusion of spruce bark.
· As an antiseptic and wound healing external remedy, traditional healers often use an ointment made from a mixture of equal parts of beeswax, butter, and spruce resin. In the manufacture of the drug, of course, it is necessary to comply with sanitary standards, using only pure products without impurities.
Spruce tips essential oil is used in neurology as a psychostimulant.
Turpentine, which is used in rubbing ointments for sciatica, rheumatism, and joint diseases, is also obtained industrially from spruce.
Activated carbon is produced from spruce wood, which is used as an adsorbent for poisoning and intoxication of various etiologies.
Comments