Rowan red: useful properties, video
Red mountain ash can be found almost everywhere in the temperate zone. In Russia, these are steppe, forest-steppe, the Caucasus and the Urals. Mountain ash is widespread in Europe, the countries of Western Asia and the mountainous regions of the continent, as well as in the United States and Canada. Thanks to such a wide geography, legends about this tree can be found among many peoples.
The first legends about mountain ash are found in ancient Greek mythology. One of them tells about Hebe, the goddess of youth. So that she could prepare the elixir of youth, the gods gave her a magic cup, which was later stolen by evil demons. The gods sent an eagle to save the vessel. During the battle, the blood and feathers of a noble bird fell to the ground, and rowan trees grew in their place. Therefore, rowan berries resemble drops of blood, and the leaves look like feathers.
The Latin name for mountain ash, aucuparia, comes from the words avis – bird and capere – to attract, to catch. The fact is that the fruits of this tree are very fond of birds and are often used by hunters as bait.
The Scandinavians believed that the first man was created from ash and the first woman from mountain ash. The Swedes believe that if the mountain ash has bloomed early, diseases should be expected in autumn and winter. And in Finland, they believe that the abundant flowering of this tree will bring a rich harvest of rye.
The Indians use rowan trees to determine what the coming winter will be like. According to legend, in one year severe frosts came, such that it was impossible to find food for either people or forest dwellers. People went in search of food, but everywhere in the forest lay only the corpses of small animals and birds. Then the tribes united and appealed to the great spirit of Manit for salvation and protection from starvation. And he told them to take a drop of blood from each dead animal and grease the trunks of trees with it. People fulfilled this order, and the next day on all the trees they touched, clusters of scarlet berries grew, which small animals and birds were happy to eat. The Indians rejoiced for a long time and glorified Manita, and he promised them that every time before the approach of a harsh winter he would send a bountiful harvest of mountain ash.
The magical power of red mountain ash
Of course, mountain ash has not spared the attention of healers and healers. Many peoples believe that this tree has a strong energy. Therefore, it is often used in various rituals.
In the cultures of different peoples, you can often find a ban on the use of a knife in the manufacture of mountain ash amulets, and sometimes – on any use of tree branches or its berries, except for ritual purposes. There is a belief that mountain ash protects houses from lightning strikes, and also helps travelers not to go astray. In a number of European countries, she was planted in cemeteries in order to protect the dead from dark forces.
If you look closely at the rowan berries from below, you can see a small five-pointed star. And, as you know, the pentagram is considered one of the strongest pagan protective symbols. Hence the beliefs about the magical power of wood
The inhabitants of the British Isles believe that mountain ash is able to protect from dark witchcraft, protects the house next to which it grows. Therefore, amulets were often made from the branches of this plant, most often in the form of a cross.
In Russia, with the help of this tree, the most serious ailments were cured. The patient was taken to the forest and laid under the mountain ash so that it would take away bad energy from him. In addition, its berries and branches were used for fortune-telling, as well as a remedy for the evil eye and spoilage, made of them amulets against evil spirits.
Rowan is valued not only for its magical properties. If you look at it from a scientific point of view, you can find many beneficial properties that are successfully used in folk and traditional medicine.
The berries of this tree contain a large amount of vitamins: B1, B2, C, E, K, PP, carotene and folic acid. They also contain sugars, amino and organic acids. Studies have shown that a quarter of the periodic table can be found in these red fruits, in particular:
– bromine; – iron, – iodine; – potassium; – calcium; – magnesium; – manganese; – copper; phosphorus and others.
Thanks to such a rich composition, traditional healers have long been using mountain ash to treat diseases of the liver, digestive system, and gall bladder.
Rowan is recommended as a source of vitamins for patients with diabetes mellitus. In addition, it has diuretic, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it possible to use it for urolithiasis, cystitis, inflammation of the bladder, glomerulonephritis.
Rowan is successfully used for arrhythmia, heart failure, cerebral vasospasm, rheumatism. The berries of this tree have been used since ancient times to stop uterine bleeding, including in the postpartum period, and also as a contraceptive.
Contraindications of mountain ash include high blood clotting, ischemia, and increased acidity of the stomach. Also, it should not be used by people who have had a heart attack or stroke.
Amygdalin, which is part of mountain ash, helps the body cope with a lack of oxygen. This property was used even in ancient Russia, when those who were burnt from a faulty stove were fed with red berries. And the pectins contained in them help to cope with heavy metal poisoning, as well as radiation sickness.
Rowan fruits have a mild laxative effect, normalize metabolism and improve the binding of carbohydrates, so nutritionists recommend them to those who want to lose weight.
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