Common hazel
Reproduction, care and recipes for using the beneficial properties of hazel
Botanical characteristics of hazel
Hazel is a tall shrub that belongs to the hazel family. The brown branches of the plant have white lentils on their surface. The buds of hazel are rounded, slightly compressed from all sides. The leaves sit on short petioles, their shape is like an egg. The leaves have a sharp edge, and their edges are jagged. The stamen flowers of the plant are located in the catkins, while the pistillate ones are in the flower buds. The fruit of the hazel is a brownish-yellow nut, which is in a green plyus. This shrub is long-lived; it can live for about 80 years. In April, hazel begins to bloom, after which the leaves begin to bloom. Fruit ripening occurs at the end of summer.
Hazel is a common plant in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the CIS. The Caucasus is another place where hazel grows. This shrub prefers fertile soils, mixed forests, forest edges and ravines.
Breeding hazel
Hazel propagates by layering, stump growth, seeds and root suckers. For example, if you want to grow decorative hazel, then it must be propagated by layering. The seed method of reproduction involves sowing ripe seeds into ready-made soil. Before sowing, the seeds must be moistened with kerosene - this is necessary to protect them from rodents. If the region is arid, then before planting the seeds should be stratified, after which they should be sown in the ground (in the fall). For spring sowing of seeds, it is necessary to do the following: soak the seeds for 5 days, then 4 months they undergo stratification in the sand. Almost at the end of stratification, the seeds must be placed under the snow, and then they are already sown into the ground.
Hazelnut care
Hazel is not able to withstand sandy soils and waterlogging. This shrub requires a drainage layer of rubble. Before the first leaves appear, it is necessary to apply fertilizers to the soil, namely mullein, saltpeter, urea.
During the planting period, the plant needs watering. And for 4 days after planting, hazel also needs to be watered. As weeds appear, they must be removed, while simultaneously loosening the soil.
Hazel is resistant to winds and shade, but in the presence of cold winds and shade, the plant will give a small harvest. Based on this, it becomes clear that it is better to plant hazel in a sunny and sheltered place from the winds. To get a bountiful harvest, you just need to plant a few hazel bushes nearby.
Useful properties of hazel
Hazel leaves contain sucrose, essential oil and myricitrozil. The fruits of this plant are rich in vitamins, proteins and sugars, mineral salts and fats. Nuts have an immunostimulating effect. Hazel fruits are useful for people with diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Nuts promote milk production in breastfeeding women. Hazel is a laxative, so it is used for constipation. The plant has antipyretic and astringent properties. Hazel is used as a means that dilates blood vessels. This medicinal plant dissolves kidney stones, stimulates all body functions.
Application of hazel
In folk medicine, fruits, roots, leaves and bark of the plant are used. A decoction of hazel is used for malaria. Infusion of the bark of this shrub helps with varicose veins, varicose ulcers, capillary hemorrhages. Hazel leaves are an excellent remedy for vitamin deficiency, rickets, bowel diseases and anemia. The broth prepared on the basis of the leaves helps with kidney diseases, hypertension.
The fruits of the plant are used for epilepsy or gallstone disease. A decoction from their shells is used for colitis. The fruits in relation to honey help with rheumatism, tumors and ascariasis.
Hazel fruits are recommended for people who have undergone surgery, a serious infectious disease, or just children in order to strengthen their condition and stimulate development.
Hazel juice for anemia. To prepare it, you need to take fresh young leaves of the plant, which are in the last stage of flowering, and make a squeeze out of them. Ready juice should be taken in 2 tablespoons, which are pre-mixed with two tablespoons of honey. Take this juice no more than 5 times a day before meals.
Hazel decoction for diarrhea. Take 10 grams of dry cupule and fill them with 100 ml of boiling water. Place the composition on low heat for a quarter of an hour. After removing from heat, leave the product to brew for 2 hours. After straining, the broth can be used 50 ml 4 times a day.
Infusion of hazel bark and leaves. To prepare it, you will need 20 grams of crushed leaves and pour 200 ml of boiling water over the bark. Leaving the medicine for 4 hours to infuse, filter. You need to take such an infusion 50-60 ml no more than four times a day.
Contraindications to the use of hazel
There are no contraindications to the use of this plant, except for the individual intolerance of hazel.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
