Alder
Useful properties and uses of alder
Botanical characteristics of alder
Alder is a tree, the height of which is about 20 m, and a powerful trunk in diameter can reach 50 cm. Young fluffy branches are complemented by petiolate leaves of a wide elliptical shape. Alder blooms in April. Unisexual flowers are collected in graceful inflorescences-earrings. The seeds are in cones until spring and only spill out in March.
Useful properties of alder
Alder cones contain unique tannins - tannin and gallic acid. The leaves contain flavonoids, protocatechic and chlorogenic acids. The bark boasts the presence of triterpene compounds and taraxerol. The cones of this tree have anti-inflammatory, astringent and disinfectant properties that have long been used in folk medicine. Volatile phytoncides of bark and leaves have a detrimental effect on some species of protozoa.
Alder application
Various parts of alder can be used for chronic enterocolitis, for diseases of the digestive system, for exacerbation of intestinal infections. In addition, alder drugs can be used by patients with dysbiosis to quickly normalize the intestinal microflora.
Alder leaves. Effective alcoholic extract "Alglutin", which has a laxative effect, copes well with chronic constipation. A decoction of the leaves is an excellent diaphoretic remedy for colds. In addition, from the decoction of the leaves, you can make special foot baths that help relieve fatigue. To do this, you need to take 20 grams of leaves and pour them 1 cup boiling water. After 15 minutes of infusion in a warm place, the composition must be filtered. It is recommended to take such a wonderful remedy 100 grams three times a day.
Alder bark. From the bark of alder, you can make a medicinal tincture, which is designed to solve colds, gynecological and digestive problems. The tincture is made as follows: for one part of the bark, take five parts of vodka. After 2-3 hours, you can take an infusion of 25 drops 3 times a day.
Alder fruits. A decoction of alder cones has hemostatic and astringent properties. It is indispensable for burns, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, skin inflammations. It should also be noted that this remedy can be prescribed for ulcers of the duodenum or stomach. For the manufacture of a decoction, traditional medicine recommends taking 2 tablespoons of seed fruits and pouring 250 grams of boiling water. After the agent has completely cooled down, it must be taken before meals at least three times a day. Along with this, you can make an alcoholic tincture. For this we take 5 parts of vodka and 1 part of cones. After 2 weeks of infusion, it is recommended to take 1-2 teaspoons of the medicine before meals. The duration of the course of treatment is at least 20 days.
Alder root. Products that include alder root, with regular use, have a beneficial effect on the state of the female body, significantly increasing reproductive functions. To make the tincture, you need to take the dried root and grind it to a powder state. Then we take 3 tablespoons and pour one liter of boiling water. After cooling and straining, douching is done with such an infusion immediately before bedtime. The course of treatment is exactly three weeks, and then a second course is required after a 7-day break.
Alder gray
Gray alder is a short tree or large shrub with a shallow root system. This species has ovoid leaves with soft hairy pubescence. Small flowers are presented in the form of earrings. Gray alder blooms at the end of March, it is pollinated by the wind. The fruits ripen at the end of October, but the buds themselves open in February.
Alder black
Tall black alder is a 20-meter tree with dark brown bark and large, jagged leaves. Stamen flowers in elongated earrings are formed in autumn. The fruit appears in their sinuses. Black alder prefers low-lying bogs and lake shores, and also settles in floodplains of rivers. The tree begins to bloom in April. Black alder forms unique clean forests, also found among coniferous and deciduous plantations.
Red alder
Slender red alder with a dense crown and an unusually straight trunk surprises with its beautiful leaves with pronounced veins. The tree can grow to over 35 m in height. Purple male catkins may appear before the foliage opens. Small female egg-shaped earrings at first have a green tint, and by winter they acquire a bright red color and become cones, amazingly decorating the tree.
Alder white
White alder is incredibly similar to a large shrub with a special ovoid crown. The light gray bark is unusually smooth. Alternate leaves with sharp double-serrate edges are located on petioles and are not sticky at all. White alder has bisexual flowers that look like catkins. The fruits of the plant are presented in the form of flat, single-seeded nuts. This alder is found in Western Siberia, the Urals, the Caucasus and some CIS countries. This wonderful tree grows on sunny forest edges, along the banks of ponds, as well as on abandoned arable lands.
Alder sticky
Glutinous alder is a fairly tall, deciduous tree with dark brown bark. The shiny, rounded leaves have a dark green tint. The dangling earrings form flowers. The fruit of the plant is a small nut with a very narrow wing, which develops in the axils of pineal catkins. Glutinous alder can live up to 200 years. Such a tree is propagated by pneumatic shoots. This species is widespread in some European regions of the CIS and Central Asia. These trees are unique in that they contribute to the enrichment of soil with nitrogen.
Bush alder
Shrub alder are small trees that do not grow higher than 5 m. Shiny leaves no more than 10 cm long have a double-toothed edge. Unlike other types of alder, this tree blooms at the same time with the blooming of egg-shaped leaves. Shrub alder grows quickly and is not picky about soils. She calmly endures shady places, a little frost. However, it is surprisingly demanding on soil moisture. Shrub alder can be easily found in the Far East, Eastern Siberia and the European zone of Russia. This variety is suitable for creating hedges.
Contraindications to the use of alder
Medicines from alder fruit are not toxic, but this does not mean that they can be consumed uncontrollably.
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).
