Content
- 1 What it looks like and where it grows
- 2 Chemical composition
- 3 Why is thuja useful for human health
- 4 Preparation and application methods
- 5 The use of thuja in traditional medicine
- 6 Application in cosmetology
- 7 Contraindications to the use of thuja
- 8 Collection and procurement
- 9 The use of thuja on the site, in the apartment
- 10 Conclusion
The benefits and harms of thuja for humans deserve careful consideration. An ornamental plant has numerous medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine.
What it looks like and where it grows
Thuja is a coniferous plant from the Cypress family, which is very popular in decorative breeding. It is an evergreen shrub or tree with a maximum height in nature of up to 70 m, the crown can spread to 2.5-6 m. The leaves of a young thuja are needle-like, soft, and in an adult they are in the form of scales. It produces shoots of two types - growth ones, located symmetrically-radially, with long internodes, and trophic, flattened type with branching in one plane. Thuja produces oval or oblong cones with flat seeds.
It grows naturally in North America and South-East Canada. Artificially coniferous trees and shrubs are planted around the world in parks and gardens. You can meet thuja in Russia not only in the Moscow region, but also in Siberia, it tolerates cold snaps well and feels comfortable on any soil.
Chemical composition
The beneficial properties of thuja for the human body are explained by its rich composition. Shoots, cones and shrub seeds contain:
- resin;
- ascorbic acid;
- saponins and glycosides;
- sesquiterpene alcohols;
- flavonoids;
- thuic acid;
- tannins and tannins;
- essential oils;
- phytoncides;
- pentoxifylline;
- aromadendren;
- mineral salts.
Thuja also contains thujone, a neutrotropic toxin. In small quantities, it is able to be beneficial, but in case of an overdose it poses a great danger to the body.
Why is thuja useful for human health
The useful properties of the Crimean thuja and other plant species are very diverse. Fruits and seeds of a bush with proper use:
- have a tonic and calming effect;
- relieve inflammation and fight bacterial infections;
- serve as the prevention of oncology;
- have antirheumatic effects and help with joint pain;
- promote the regeneration of skin lesions;
- relieve puffiness due to diuretic properties;
- have antiviral and antifungal effects;
- promote expectoration when coughing and bronchitis;
- relieve fatigue and help fight insomnia.
Among the indications for the use of thuja are vitamin deficiency and anemia.The plant saturates the body with valuable substances and is especially beneficial in the cold season. Also, herbal preparations help fight allergies.
Why are thuja cones useful?
Young thuja buds have pronounced sedative properties, promote relaxation and relieve fatigue. Funds based on them are used to eliminate muscle spasms, for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. Thuja tinctures and decoctions strengthen the immune system, improve oxygen circulation in the body, and promote rapid cell renewal.
What helps thuja tincture on alcohol, vodka
In an alcohol base, the beneficial substances in the thuja are especially well preserved. The finished product is considered universal and has a wide range of valuable properties, namely:
- relieves swelling due to the diuretic action;
- promotes expectoration;
- accelerates the outflow of bile;
- relieves inflammatory processes with pyelonephritis and liver diseases;
- eliminates pain in rheumatism and gout.
Thuja alcohol tincture is used internally, as well as for rubbing, compresses and rinsing.
What helps thuja infusion
Water infusion of young shoots is used for liver and kidney diseases. The remedy relieves inflammation well and promotes the removal of solid calculi from the internal organs. You can also use the drink for bleeding and gynecological diseases to eliminate infections.
What is thuja broth useful for
Thuja broth is considered less useful than tincture or infusion, since some of the valuable substances in it are destroyed during heat treatment. But with proper preparation, such a remedy still retains many vitamin components. Thuja decoction is used mainly by external methods to disinfect injuries. It can also be used internally as an expectorant and disinfectant, used for rinsing and healing baths.
The use of thuja brooms for a bath
Fresh shoots of thuja are used in the creation of bath brooms. When applied in a steam room, they help:
- strengthen immunity and body endurance;
- relieve stress and restore strength;
- improve skin elasticity and relieve puffiness;
- eliminate inflammation and acne.
The aroma exuded by pine brooms helps to ease breathing with nasal congestion and has a beneficial effect on the bronchi and lungs.
Preparation and application methods
On the basis of thuja cones and shoots, folk medicine prepares several effective medicines. You can use them according to recipes externally and internally.
Tincture from seeds, thuja cones on alcohol, vodka
For inflammatory and cold ailments, you can prepare an infusion of thuja cones on vodka. They do it like this:
- 500 g of crushed raw materials are poured into 2 liters of good vodka;
- add four large tablespoons of liquid honey;
- mixed and closed in a dark place for two weeks.
From time to time, the tincture is taken out and shaken. After the expiration date, it is required to strain it, and you need to use the product 15 drops on an empty stomach up to four times a day.
You can also make a drug using alcohol. In this case, the recipe will look a little different:
- 30 g of crushed cones and thuja seeds are poured with 200 ml of 70% alcohol;
- cork and put away in a darkened cabinet for 14 days;
- filter after expiration.
They use the tincture according to a similar algorithm for problems with bile outflow, edema and inflammation.
Infusion
A water infusion is prepared on young shoots of thuja. The recipe looks like this:
- 20 g of raw materials are crushed and poured into 1 liter of hot liquid;
- stand under the lid for four hours;
- filtered before use.
You need to drink the infusion 200 ml up to three times a day. It is usually used as a diuretic and to remove worms.
Decoction
A decoction with good anti-inflammatory qualities is prepared from hard cones and dry thuja seeds. Traditional medicine offers the following recipe:
- 50 g of finely chopped raw materials are poured into 1 liter of cold water;
- bring to a boil and boil over low heat for 30 minutes;
- removed from the stove and kept under the lid until it cools.
The filtered thuja broth is taken in small portions of 150-200 ml three times a day. Also, the agent can be added to medicinal baths to relieve skin inflammation.
The use of thuja in traditional medicine
The beneficial properties of thuja for treatment in recipes are used for a wide range of diseases. Traditional medicine offers several effective algorithms.
With herpes
Thuja's antiviral properties help to quickly cope with herpes and other infections. For treatment, a tincture is prepared:
- pour two large spoons of young shoots with 250 ml of medical alcohol;
- put away in a dark place for two weeks;
- filter when ready.
You need to use the remedy ten drops three times a day.
With thrush
The use of the healing properties of thuja is in demand for fungal diseases. To combat thrush in women, it is recommended to prepare the following infusion:
- a large spoonful of plant cones is poured into a thermos;
- pour 500 ml of boiling water;
- close and leave to infuse for an hour.
The filtered product is cooled and used for douching and washing in the morning and evening. You need to continue treatment for a week.
With cystitis
The use of western thuja in medicine is in demand for inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary sphere. The following tincture is good for cystitis:
- three large spoons of needles and seeds are poured with 200 ml of alcohol;
- close the vessel with a stopper and put it in a dark place for two weeks;
- shake the container daily.
The resulting thuja tincture is filtered and poured into a clean bottle. You need to take the remedy twice a day on an empty stomach, a single dosage is 30 drops. For convenience, the drug is diluted in 100 ml of water.
With joint ailments
The use of thuja needles and plant seeds is in demand for arthritis and rheumatism. The remedy is done like this:
- two large spoons of raw materials pour 500 ml of hot water;
- leave under the lid for an hour;
- filter and cool.
It is necessary to take the infusion 50 ml three times a day.
With hemorrhoids
Lotions with thuja infusion relieve inflammation and stop bleeding in hemorrhoids. Prepare the following remedy:
- a large spoonful of crushed cones are poured with 250 ml of boiling water;
- left in a closed form for an hour;
- filtered and cooled to a warm state.
In the infusion, it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad, squeeze slightly and apply to the anus for half an hour. The procedure is carried out during the week in the evenings.
For gynecological infections
The medicinal properties of thuja help get rid of sexually transmitted diseases. In complex treatment, such a remedy is used:
- 20 g of chopped fresh needles and shoots are poured into 1 liter of hot water;
- kept in a thermos for three hours closed;
- filter the sediment through cheesecloth.
The infusion must be drunk half a glass three times a day. It is also used for douching in the morning and evening.
From warts and papillomas
For the removal of warts, as well as for polyps and papillomas, they use vodka-infused water. The tool is done like this:
- 45 g of seeds and crushed cones are poured with 150 ml of alcohol, vodka or even cologne;
- put away in a dark place for two weeks;
- filter through cheesecloth.
Thuja tincture is used exclusively externally - you need to lubricate the skin daily.
With gout
The anti-inflammatory properties of thuja relieve pain and swelling with gout. Such an infusion has a good effect:
- 20 g of young shoots are crushed;
- pour 1 liter of hot water;
- leave under the lid for four hours.
The filtered agent is consumed three times a day, 200 ml each.
With kidney stones
The diuretic properties of thuja help to remove small stones from the kidneys and bladder. The drug is done like this:
- 40 g of chopped young shoots are poured with 2 liters of liquid;
- leave to infuse for 3-4 hours closed;
- filter.
You need to consume the infusion 150 ml three times a day on an empty stomach.
With uterine bleeding
The healing properties of the thuja tree are used to stop uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Traditional medicine recommends the following remedy for preparation:
- a large spoonful of crushed shoots is poured with 200 ml of hot liquid;
- insist in a closed thermos for an hour;
- filter from sediment.
You need to take the drug 30 ml three times a day.
Application in cosmetology
Home cosmetology uses mainly thuja seed essential oil. It has moisturizing and toning properties, cleanses the skin and prevents aging. Usually, the oil is added in a volume of 2-3 drops to purchased or homemade masks and creams.
You can also use thuja pomace in combination with any base for massage. The tool helps fight cellulite, stretch marks and allergic rashes. Ether is added to shampoos and rubbed in its pure form into the hair roots - this allows you to stop hair loss.
With problem skin and weakened strands, you can use decoctions of the plant for washing and rinsing. It is not recommended to wipe the face with alcoholic tincture, but it is allowed to use it to cauterize acne pointwise.
Contraindications to the use of thuja
The healing properties of thuja fruits and its shoots are not the same for everyone. You cannot use decoctions and infusions of the plant:
- with gastric ulcer;
- with pancreatitis;
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with circulatory disorders;
- with diabetes mellitus;
- with individual allergies;
- under the age of 14.
Tuyu is not used simultaneously with strong pain relievers, immunosuppressants, antidepressants and antibiotics, as well as psychotropic substances and stimulants.
During treatment, it is necessary to adhere to small dosages in order to prevent poisoning. Side effects of thuja include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding. With a severe overdose, acute ailments of the kidneys and liver, convulsions and asthma attacks may develop.
Collection and procurement
It is necessary to harvest thuja cones and shoots for medicinal purposes from April to May. During this period, raw materials contain a maximum of valuable substances. The collected branches and cones are laid out in an even layer on a baking sheet and dried in the shade - on the street under a canopy or at home in a warm room. Store raw materials in paper bags at room temperature away from sunlight.
The use of thuja on the site, in the apartment
Decorative thuja is not only bred in summer cottages, but also grown indoors. The culture is unpretentious and does not require special complex care.
In the room, thuja can be of great benefit. Its needles release essential oils that decontaminate the air, kill harmful microorganisms and improve the indoor climate. The culture ensures the prevention of viral and bacterial diseases, has a beneficial effect on the well-being in hypertension.
But at the same time, it is recommended to keep the plant in the house not in the bedroom, but in the living room or hallway.The benefits and harms of thuja smell are not always the same - with prolonged inhalation of a pleasant aroma, a headache may develop. It is also important to make sure that it does not cause allergies before purchasing a plant.
Thuja will benefit or harm in the country - it depends on where exactly it is planted. Placing ephedra is not recommended next to fruit trees, which often suffer from the same diseases and pests. Birches, willows, walnuts and flowers with a developed root system will become bad neighbors.
But irises, chamomiles, phloxes, garden geraniums and daffodils can be placed near a coniferous shrub, they have similar requirements for soil and watering. With a successful placement, the thuja will provide useful air near the house and, moreover, can scare off some pests.
The magical properties of thuja and folk omens
Folk omens endow thuya with mystical properties. It is believed that the shrub has a powerful positive energy and wards off evil spirits, and also helps a person to reveal their individuality.
Signs call the plant a source of inspiration, endow it with healing and protective properties. At the same time, the benefits and harms of thuja in the garden, according to popular belief, are not always the same. Some superstitions claim that the tree negatively affects marriage, attracts thieves to the house and even provokes disease.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of thuja for humans are closely related to each other. It is possible to use tinctures and decoctions of the plant for medicinal purposes, but dosages must be observed. The cones and shoots of thuja contain toxic substances that can cause severe poisoning.
