It's no secret that traditional medicine appeared long before the professional. For centuries people have deliberately searched for the healing properties of plants. By the method of attempts and defeats unique organic medicines were found. Oddly enough, in the era of nanotechnology, these recipes are not forgotten. They are passed from generation to generation and are used to this day. One of the folk remedies for various ailments remain pine cones. And in this article we will talk about their benefits.
Chemical composition
The pinecone is a modified shoot that develops at the ends of the branches of a famous tree. This is a derivative of the most common tree in the world. Its rich chemical composition is not inferior to any drug. First, as part of a pine tree, the fruit has a resinous content. This is a wonderful pleasant smell and rare valuable substances - terpenes. Secondly, this modified shoot is a source of vitamins of almost all groups: A, B1, C, E, H, U.
Did you know? A little-known and rather rare vitamin of group H, scientists have called "microvitamin". The fact is that the body needs it incredibly little, but it is still necessary for the normal functioning of the liver, immune system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, beauty of the skin, hair, teeth and nails.
And finally, the cones include calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, borneol, lipids, oleic acid, essential oils. Thanks to these incredibly useful elements, pine cones have earned widespread use in traditional medicine.
Secrets of the collection and when to collect
The quality of the fruit is directly influenced by the time and the way it is collected. The main ingredient of medicines are green shoots. It is believed that they contain a greater number of the above listed nutrients. That is why it is necessary to go to the “middle-aged” pine forest in May (in warm climatic conditions) or in July-August (in the regions of the Urals, Siberia and other cold areas). Our ancestors believed that the shoots would acquire unique healing or even magical properties if they were collected on the night of Ivan Kupala.
Important! Pine trees have the ability to "absorb" many toxic substances, so for a safe collection of shoots, try to choose clean lands that are far from the road or other polluting air factors.
Many people who have already encountered this process warn that there is still no clear period when it is necessary to collect pine cones. Many factors (humidity, age of a tree, density of a wood) influence the "ripeness" of this product. In order not to miss the ripening of cones, experienced foresters advise to monitor their growth. After all, very little red shoots are extremely quickly turning into the necessary green ingredients for popular recipes. But there is an opinion that red pine cones are a wonderful tool for treating and cleaning vessels, therefore, if you have such problems, you can collect some unripe shoots.
Horseradish, verbena officinalis, safflower and red onions also help in the treatment and cleaning of the vessels.
Ideal drug bumps should be soft, not lethargic, and as already noted, a pleasant uniform greenish color. Cones in any case can not have any visible damage by insects, rotten or other traces indicating damage and their inappropriate quality. They will be easy to cut with a knife, but not crumble. The size does not play a big role, shoots can be from one to four centimeters in length. There is still controversy over whether to flush the cones with water before use or not. On the one hand, it is considered that it is dangerous and wrong to use an unwashed product.
In addition to pine cones, medicinal properties have hop cones and thuja.
On the other hand, many housewives insist that almost half of the beneficial properties may disappear from washing the fruit. There is already a decision for you. For therapeutic purposes, it is necessary to collect the cones early in the morning. It is believed that at this time the process of sap flow begins, which fills them with healing properties. It's no secret that a young bump that dries will acquire a rich dark color. It is recommended to keep it in a fabric bag, cardboard box or paper bag, where moisture and direct sunlight do not fall. Shelf life - one and a half years.
Body benefits
Earlier, the incredibly rich chemical composition of pine shoots was described, which served to their great benefit to the body, provided, of course, reasonable use. Cones can lead to the following processes:
- Improving blood circulation by strengthening blood vessels.
- A significant increase in immunity.
- Preventing stroke, heart attack.
- Active skin regeneration.
- The enrichment of the whole body with minerals, which contributes to the rapid accretion of bones.
- Anesthesia for ulcers, gastritis, urinary system ailments.
- Normalization of blood pressure.
- Renewal of blood after internal bleeding.
- Soothing and tonic effect (depending on the recipe means, which includes shoots).
- Positive changes in the functioning of the organs of vision.
- Acceleration of metabolism (very important for people who are trying to lose weight).
- Improve hair growth.
- Optimization of water-salt balance of the whole human body.
Accelerated metabolism also contribute to plants such as peppers "Habanero", lagenaria, hellebore and cilantro.
Use in traditional medicine
Scientists could not afford to ignore the wide range of beneficial effects of pine cones. Numerous studies have led to the creation of a variety of drugs (from ointments to syrups) based on this ingredient. In most cases, pine shoots in traditional medicine are used as remedies for such diseases:
- ARVI, flu, cold;
- pneumonia;
- avitaminosis;
- bronchial asthma;
- bronchitis;
- cough;
- polyarthritis;
- heart failure.
In addition, pine is famous for its phytoncidal properties and, therefore, can inhibit the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria. A decoction of cones can be used for inhalation and therapeutic baths, taken orally.
Did you know? At the end of the 20th century, science proved (experimentally) that the tannins inherent in a pine cone in combination with its vitamin components have the ability to stop the dying off of brain cells, which often accompanies a post-insult condition. Thus, taking this drug, patients get a chance to live in the same way as before the transfer of the disease, because the thought processes remain normal.
Recipes in traditional medicine
The people are always inventive, therefore there are enough options and recipes for medicines from pine shoots. The most current ones have the following instructions:
- Medicinal properties of pine cones infusion with vodka well known. It is commonly used in diseases of the stomach. To prepare the healing liquid, it is necessary to chop the green shoots finely, and then in a glass container pour them with pure vodka (without any impurities) in a ratio of 1:10. The older generation did this procedure using moonshine, which was considered an ideal combination with pine cones. Nowadays, of course, you can use industrial alcohol. Mixture insist one to two weeks in a dark cool place. Take the drug two or three times a day, one tablespoon before meals. This proportion is calculated on a person weighing 70 kg, but if you weigh less, then the dose should be reduced to one teaspoon.
- Pine cones with Cahors - less popular mixture than with vodka, but incredibly useful. It will help to cope with a strong cough, sore throat and pain in the lungs. It is necessary to spend the whole month on preparation of tincture, but it is worth it. The recipe is this: a one-liter jar needs to be filled with small green cones, covered with sugar (about five tablespoons), covered tightly with a lid and left for two days, then covered with cahors, shaken and hidden in a dark cool place. We use the elixir twice a day, one tablespoon after a meal.
- Jam pine cones - not just a medicine, but also a magical, delicious delicacy, which will surely be enjoyed by everyone. There are thousands of recipes for unusual jam, as they are treated for colds, sore throat, flu, acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis, and are also used for prevention. To make jam, you need to collect one kilogram of the main ingredient. Cones are washed, put in a saucepan and filled with cold clean water. One kilogram of sugar is added to the container and placed on a small fire. It costs 1.5-2 hours to cook, constantly stirring and removing the white foam. Jam should be thick. After cooking, it can be consumed immediately or rolled up in sterilized jars, like any other jam. You can eat exotic jam with tea or another drink, but it is advisable to do it in small portions.
- Medicinal decoction of pine cones can be a worthy substitute for pharmaceutical preparations for cleansing the skin and general rejuvenation of the whole organism. According to legend, this is a secret tool of oriental beauties. To prepare it is very simple. It is necessary to fill the bumps with water in a ratio of 1: 3, boil for 3-5 minutes, do not need to cook longer, to preserve vitamins as much as possible. You can drink broth as warm as tea, but not more than three glasses a day. Yes, and to the taste, by the way, this tool resembles fragrant herbal tea.
- There are pine cones recipes from such a serious disease as a stroke. You can make a mixture of 70% alcohol. To do this, cut in half 5 fruits and pour a glass of alcohol, leave in a dark place for two weeks. Before use, you need to shake well. For prophylaxis, use 1 teaspoon in the morning after eating and every other day, and for treatment - three times a day after meals.
Prevent stroke and such plants as marigolds, cantaloupe, carrots and wild rose.
- Medical tincture on pine cones with the addition of at least healing honey can be useful for hypertension. It is prepared in this way: fill a one-liter jar with small green cones, pour in a glass of honey, allow to stand for 2-3 days and pour vodka in such a way that the container is completely filled. After a week of aging in a dark place, the medicine can be taken twice a day after eating food.
Contraindications
It should be borne in mind that with this product you need to be careful. After all, pine cones, in addition to a huge list of medicinal properties, still have contraindications. That is why self-medication is not recommended. It is best to consult a doctor and get his approval.
Important! Drugs from alcohol-based cones are strictly forbidden for children, the only exception is tincture on Cahors, but it can be taken from the age of 12, and the dosage itself should be reduced twice.
A pine cone can harm people with kidney problems, pregnant or lactating girls, individuals over 60 years of age, patients with hepatitis and allergies.
In addition, pregnant women are contraindicated in plants such as fennel, white acacia, blackberry, ziziphus, purslane and marigolds.
If you do not have contraindications and the use of this folk remedy was not prohibited by the doctor, then boldly use the unique healing properties of pine. After all, it’s not for nothing that they have been so respected since past centuries.
