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Useful properties and application of alder
Botanical characteristics of alder
Alder is a tree whose height 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 blossoms in April. Single-sex flowers are collected in graceful inflorescences-earrings. Seeds are in cones until spring and only in March they get enough sleep.
Useful properties of alder
Alder cones contain unique tannins – tannin and gallic acid. The leaves contain flavonoids, protocatechin 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 the bark and leaves have a detrimental effect on some types of protozoa.
Alder application
Various parts of alder can be used for chronic enterocolitis, diseases of the digestive system, and exacerbation of intestinal infections. In addition, alder medicines can be used by patients with dysbacteriosis to quickly normalize the intestinal microflora.
Alder leaves. An effective alcohol extract “Alglutin”, which has a laxative effect, perfectly copes with chronic constipation. A decoction of the leaves is an excellent diaphoretic during colds. In addition, special foot baths can be made from a decoction of the leaves to help relieve fatigue. To do this, you need to take 20 grams of leaves and pour them with 1 cup of 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. Alder bark can be used to make a medicinal tincture, which is designed to solve colds, gynecological and digestive problems. The tincture is made as follows: five parts of vodka are taken for one part of the bark. After 2-3 hours, you can take an infusion of 25 drops 3 times a day.
Alder fruit. 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. To make a decoction, traditional medicine recommends taking 2 tablespoons of seedlings and pouring 250 grams of boiling water. After the product has completely cooled down, it must be taken before meals at least three times a day. Along with this, you can make an alcohol tincture. To do this, 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. Means containing alder root, with regular use, have a beneficial effect on the state of the female body, significantly increasing reproductive functions. To make a tincture, you need to take the dried root and grind it to a powder. 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 necessary after a 7-day break.
Alder gray
The gray alder is a short tree or large shrub with a shallow root system. This species has ovate leaves with soft hairy pubescence. Small flowers are presented in the form of earrings. Blooming in gray alder occurs at the end of March, it is pollinated by the wind. The fruits ripen at the end of October, but the cones themselves open in February.
Black alder
Tall black alder is a 20-meter tree with dark brown bark and large serrated leaves. Staminate flowers in elongated catkins form in autumn. The fruit appears in their sinuses. Black alder prefers low-lying swamps and lake shores, and also settles in floodplains. The flowering of the tree begins in April. Black alder forms unique pure forests, also found among coniferous and deciduous plantations.
Alder red
A slender red alder with a dense crown and an unusually straight trunk surprises with its beautiful leaves with pronounced veins. The tree can reach a height of more than 35 m. Purple male catkins may appear before the foliage blooms. Small egg-shaped female earrings at first have a green tint, and by winter they turn bright red and become knobs, 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. The alternate leaves with sharp double-serrated edges are located on the petioles and are not sticky at all. White alder has bisexual flowers, which are catkins. The fruits of the plant are presented in the form of flat one-seeded nuts. Such an 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 land.
Alder sticky
Sticky alder is a fairly tall deciduous tree with dark brown bark. Glossy rounded leaves have a dark green tint. In dangling earrings, flowers are formed. The fruit of the plant is a small nut with a very narrow wing, which develops in the axils of the pineal catkins. Sticky alder can live up to 200 years. Such a tree propagates by stump 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 soils with nitrogen.
Alder bush
Shrub alder is a small tree that does not grow above 5 m. Shiny leaves no longer than 10 cm long have a double-toothed edge. Unlike other types of alder, such a tree blooms at the same time as the blooming of ovoid leaves. Shrub alder grows quickly and is not picky about soils. She calmly tolerates shady places, a slight 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 seedlings are not toxic, but this does not mean that they can be used uncontrollably.