Rhododendron (plant) - Beneficial Properties Of Rhododendron, Rhododendron Flower, Rhododendron Cultivation. Rhododendron Daurian, Adams, Japanese, Caucasian

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Rhododendron

Useful properties of Daurian rhododendron

Useful properties of rhododendron

Rhododendron is a very useful plant and its uses are varied. They are grown as decorative flowers and are used in various industries. But some of them are of the most invaluable importance for human health. Rhododendrons of Adams, Daurian, golden, yellow, Caucasian, Ungern are applicable in medicine due to the content of andromedotoxin, rhododendrin, ericolin, arbutin. Long-term studies have shown that the biochemical composition of these plants is enormous.

Ascorbic acid was found in the leaves, an increased concentration of this vitamin is observed in the summer months. The indisputable advantages are the presence of phytoncidal, bactericidal and insecticidal properties of rhododendrons. The tannins of the pyrocatechol group were found in almost all parts. There is no doubt that the plants are unique and many of them have medicinal properties, besides they are used for the production of perfumes, they contain essential oils, they have a strong smell of flowers, leaves and branches.

Products with rhododendron have antipyretic, diaphoretic, analgesic properties. The composition of the leaves is not so harmless - tannins, arbutin, rutin, a toxic glycoside (andromedotoxin) require special care in their use. Almost all types of rhododendrons choose cliffs, rocky slopes, sandy river banks for habitation. They are harvested during the flowering period, dried under a canopy, laid out in a thin layer.

Application of rhododendron

Plants are indispensable in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, with their help you can increase the strength of heart contractions, increase blood flow. In the treatment of rheumatism, chronic colitis, autonomic neuroses, epilepsy, colds, use an infusion of leaves.

Infusion of leaves: pour 1 teaspoon of crushed dry leaves with a glass of boiling water, insist, filter and drink 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day. This infusion is recommended for poisoning, inflammation of the mucous membranes, migraine. It removes excess fluid from the body, reducing shortness of breath and normalizing heart rhythm.

Reception of the leaf infusion is recommended in the treatment of infertility and inflammation of the uterus.

With erosion of the uterus, it can be used for douching, diluting 1 spoonful of infusion with a liter of boiled water. Since ancient times, in Asian and Eastern countries, some types of wondrous plants have been used for treatment, and in each individual case, only one, any of them, since they differ in biochemical composition and pharmacological action.

Rhododendron flower

Rhododendrons are graceful and elegant like roses, flowers look spectacular against the background of the glossy greenery of the plant. They are the first of all garden flowers to bloom, they have different colors, giving decorative beauty to the garden. Flowers are similar to bells, collected in corymbose or umbellate inflorescences. The inflorescences are very lush, each one looks like a separate bouquet.

Growing rhododendron

All rhododendrons are shrubs with peculiar features. They grow slowly, but retain an excellent appearance, bloom profusely for several decades in a row. Their development requires an acidic, rich in humus and nutrients, loose, nutritious, peaty soil, moderately moist. The land needs to be drained. Since the root system of rhododendrons does not deepen much, the soil must be carefully loosened, digging is excluded.

Rhododendrons can be propagated by layering for this on a branch, which is located at the base of the bush, an incision is made, then the branch is lowered into a hole and covered with a loose soil mass. After a while, roots germinate at the place of the incision, the seedling is separated from the mother plant and planted in the spring on a garden bed in partial shade. Wild species of rhododendrons are propagated using seeds. They are sown in spring, mixed with fine sand, they give good shoots with abundant watering.

It is not so easy to grow these plants; it must be borne in mind that they are capricious, thermophilic and do not tolerate cold well. In addition, it is important not to allow it to get wet and pay attention to which plants are growing in the neighborhood. The most profitable options for rhododendron are larch, spruce, pine and apple trees. It is advisable to water all plants of this family only with rain, melt water, water from water pipes contains chlorine and lime, and has a detrimental effect on development. In winter, the bushes must be hidden under a film shelter in the form of a hut.

Rhododendron seeds

The main reproduction of rhododendrons is carried out by seeds, which are always checked for germination. To do this, up to 100 pieces of each type are sown on wet filter paper, cotton wool or gauze, watering is done daily, spraying from a spray bottle, preventing the soil from drying out. When the first leaves appear on the shoots, the quality of the future plant can be determined and the grown planting material can be planted in the soil in the plots.

Rhododendron varieties

Highly decorative woody plants, incredibly graceful, rich in color of flowers and splendor of flowering. There are about 1300 wild-growing species, and more than 600 varieties are used in horticulture. Rhododendrons are extraordinary during flowering. The medicinal properties of only a few species are known.

Dahurian rhododendron grows wild in Siberia and the Far East. Its height can reach 2 m, has short leaves, blooms in May. Siberian healers prescribe infusion of the leaves as a diaphoretic, diuretic, pain reliever. The ability of the infusion to reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, enhance cardiac activity is manifested.

With its help, it is possible to lower blood pressure, it has an expanding effect on the coronary vessels, regulates shortness of breath. Dahurian rhododendron root is used for dysentery. The substances hyperoside, avicularin, resins and essential oils in alcoholic extracts have a depressing effect on the activity of pathogenic bacteria and infections in the human body.

Rhododendron Adams is popular among Siberian hunters, brewed tea from the leaves raises the mood, relieves fatigue, tones up and gives a supply of energy.

The plant has a pleasant aroma, similar to strawberry, after drying, the smell remains. Rhododendron Adams is mentioned in Tibetan treatises as a stimulant plant with tonic and adaptive properties. An essential oil containing farnesene, nerolidol, germacron is present in the leaves.

Young shoots contain ursolic and oleanolic acids, triterpenoids and flavone derivatives. Mongolian healers recommended the plant in the treatment of cholera, diphtheria and for the destruction of streptococci. Infusions and decoctions are used for external use - washing infected wounds, ulcers, for rinsing the mouth and throat.

Infusion of rhododendron Adams: pour 1 teaspoon of raw materials with a liter of boiling water, insist for 30 minutes and drink 1/3 cup 3 times a day, before meals.

Rhododendron Japanese low bush, winter-hardy. Blooms in May-June. There are many varieties of this species. Parts of the plant contain andromedotoxin, orsellinic acid methyl ester. This type of plant is being studied in detail, while it is used for the manufacture of furniture, joinery and turning products.

Caucasian rhododendron grows in the nature of the Caucasus Mountains, glycosides, saponins, tannins are found in it. The leaves also contain polysaccharides, ketones, essential oils, phenolic acids. Healers use Caucasian rhododendron as an antirheumatic agent. Bronchitis and infectious diseases are successfully treated. Useful properties of this type in gynecology. Extracts in water in the form of rinsing are effective for gum problems, for the treatment of tonsillitis, stomatitis. The Caucasian rhododendron is an excellent honey plant.

Deciduous rhododendron has many types: Canadian, Ledebour, Japanese, costerianum, pink, sticky, Vaseya, yellow. During the flowering period, any of them decorates the gardens with bright colors. Incomparable rhododendrons bloom in spring and early summer, captivating with an abundance of flowers.

Hybrid rhododendron includes many evergreen varieties - Azurro, Homer Vaterer, Katevbinsky, Hackmanns, Bernstein, Brigitte, Gold bouquet and many others. Shrubs bloom in June.

Schlippenbach's rhododendron grows in the south of Primorsky Krai, in the countries of East Asia. It is a beautiful deciduous plant that lives in deciduous forests and on dry rocky slopes, it takes root in gardens, although it grows slowly. In addition to the fact that the shrub is incredibly beautiful, it is also a useful medicinal plant that is very much appreciated in Eastern, Tibetan, Indian medicine.

Currently known for its narcotic, antispasmodic, hemostatic, astringent action. It is used in folk medicine as a stimulant of sexual activity and a diuretic.

Pink rhododendron comes from Canada, winter-hardy, unpretentious. It develops well in both humid and dry climates, belongs to deciduous varieties. Loves light places, slightly acidic, loose soils. Although the flowers are small, there are many of them and they form a lush cap.

Rhododendron golden, perhaps more often than other types, is used in the treatment of many diseases. It is used for insomnia, nervousness. The infusion from the plant relieves swelling, headaches, relaxes muscles in case of convulsive manifestations.

Rhododendron infusion recipe: 2 g of dry crushed raw materials are poured into a thermos, poured with 1 glass of boiling water and insisted for 2 hours. The filtered drink is consumed 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day.

Russian botanist I. Gmelin noted that a decoction of the leaves helps during the treks in the mountains from fatigue and muscle pain. In patients with cardiovascular insufficiency, when taking a tincture from a plant, an increase in the speed of blood flow is observed, and the work of the heart is normalized.

Rhododendron tincture recipe: fill 1/5 of the glass container with raw materials and fill to the top with alcohol or vodka. Insist for two weeks. Drink 10-15 drops, diluted with water (0.5 cups).

Indoor rhododendron has a superficial root system, so it is advisable to grow it in wide shallow pots. Like all rhododendrons, it loves an acidic environment, a drained soil rich in humus and potassium. In summer, the plant should be kept in a shady corner of the balcony without drafts, regularly sprinkling the leaves.

Contraindications for rhododendron

Rhododendrons are able to cope with diseases that are ineffective in other ways. It is advisable to consult a doctor before use. The beneficial properties of infusions and decoctions will have a beneficial effect only with strict adherence to the dosage! The plant is contraindicated for children, pregnant women, with tissue necrosis, serious renal diseases.

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).