Wild plants: names and photos. Names of herbs. Wild herbs: names. Medicinal herbs: names with photos Medicinal herbs in Belarus

It’s amazing how rich the nature of our latitudes is in wild herbs. Medicinal plants live widely in fields and meadows, in steppes and forests, on mountain slopes and in valleys. Many of them are well known to almost everyone, others are not so popular, but are also widely used in folk and official medicine. Below we will consider some wild herbs, their purpose and use by humans.

What herbs are: classification

Wild herbs are divided into several typologies:

• by life expectancy,
• as intended,
• by distribution.

Now let's look at each classification separately.

By life expectancy

According to their lifespan, wild herbs are divided into annual, biennial and perennial.

Here are examples of some of them:

• annuals - cinquefoil, as well as many others;
• biennials -, and others;
• perennials - field mint, burdock, and so on.

Did you know? The most common living creatures on planet Earth are plants. There are more than 370 thousand species.

By purpose

Herbs are also classified according to their human use. They are divided into spicy and medicinal. Already from the names of these categories it is clear what they are intended for and how they are used.

By distribution

The places where wild cereals grow allow us to divide them into those growing in forests, in the steppe and desert, in swamps and mountains, in meadows, orchards and orchards.

Photos, names, benefits of wild herbs

There are a huge variety of wild plants, and almost each of them can be found in the corresponding catalog or encyclopedia, with descriptions and photographs.
We will also tell you about some of the herbs common in our territory, presenting their photos, brief descriptions and positive effects on human health.

Did you know? A coffee substitute is made from roasted dandelion roots, and young leaves are fermented or pickled in the cooking of some peoples, like cabbage. In addition, wine from dandelion flowers has long been produced in England.

Dandelion (in Latin - Taraxacum Officinale) has unique healing properties. It is rich in vitamins A and C, it also contains iron and calcium, and is a good detoxifier. The roots and leaves are rich in bitter glycosides, acids, oils, choline, asparagine.
Dandelion is recognized as a plant that can have the following effects:

• choleretic,
• antipyretic,
• laxative,
• expectorant
• soothing,
• antispasmodic,
• mild sleeping pill.

Experimental chemical and pharmacological studies have proven that dandelion raw materials have antituberculosis, antiviral, fungicidal, anthelmintic, anticarcinogenic and antidiabetic properties.

In cooking, dandelion also has a well-deserved popularity: it is used to cook cabbage soup, prepare cutlets, make jam, and also prepare fortified spring salads. Dandelions are excellent honey plants: the honey collected from them is golden and aromatic, with a sharp aftertaste.

Video: beneficial properties of dandelion

St. John's wort (in Latin - Hypéricum perforatum) has beneficial ingredients that help a person maintain health. These are vitamin C, nicotinic acid, quercetin, rutin, carotene, sugars, saponins, hyperoside, tocopherol, phytoncides, essential oil, as well as bitter, tannin and resinous substances.

In pharmacology, St. John's wort is used to prepare a variety of drugs from it:

• antibacterial,
• antiseptic,
• painkillers,
• wound healing,
• antirheumatic,
• diuretics,
• choleretic,
• anthelmintic.

Important! St. John's wort has contraindications: it causes an increase in blood pressure, accelerates the elimination of antibiotics frombody, incompatible withantidepressants. In women who take oral contraceptives, it can reduce their effect. And men need to remember- with long-term use they may experience temporary impotence.

Recently, medical scientists conducted additional studies, during which it was found that St. John's wort has an antidepressant effect without side effects. This herb is also valuable because it is recommended by cosmetologists as an anti-aging, tonic, and antiseborrheic agent.

For a long time, healers used St. John's wort to heal:

• gynecological inflammations,
• haemorrhoids,
• headache,
• diseases of the liver and genitourinary system.

Video: beneficial properties of St. John's wort

Chicory (in Latin - Cichórium) has a rich chemical composition, due to which it normalizes the functioning of many body systems.

This plant can:

• stimulate increased immunity,
• heal wounds and eczema,
• have an antitumor effect,
• tone the body,
• relieve fatigue
• cleanse blood vessels.

Chicory also has detoxifying properties: it is able to normalize metabolic processes and remove toxins. By consuming chicory, you can cleanse the kidneys and improve blood composition, speed up peristalsis, eliminate heartburn, and increase appetite. Drinks made from it can replace coffee.
Chicory is also used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antibacterial agent for colds. Diabetics can also alleviate their condition by consuming this medicinal herb.

Stinging nettle (in Latin - Urtica urens) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) are two types of medicinal herbs that are used in both official and traditional medicine.

Nettle gained its popularity due to the following properties:

• diuretic,
• mild laxative,
• expectorant
• anticonvulsant,
• anti-inflammatory,
• antiseptic,
• painkiller,
• wound healing,
• blood purifier
• hemostatic.

Pregnant and lactating women use nettle to improve lactation and normalize iron levels in the blood. Its antidiabetic effect has also been proven.

Traditional medicine uses nettle for:

• dysentery,
• cold,
• constipation,
• dropsy,
• diseases of the liver and bronchopulmonary system,
• hemorrhoids,
• rheumatism,
• gout,
• boils,
• acne and lichen lesions of the skin.

Video: beneficial properties of nettle

Burdock (Latin: Arctium) is widely used in both medicines; Mostly its root is used. The root system of burdock is most rich in the polysaccharide inulin (about 45%), it contains tannin and essential oils, mucus, fatty substances, bitterness, resins, mineral salts, ascorbic acid, and protein.

Burdock root is used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, analgesic and choleretic agent; it helps in the formation of pancreatic enzymes.

This plant also has the following effects:

• laxative,
• antimicrobial,
• antiseptic,
• antiallergic,
• wound healing,
• antidiabetic.

Hogweed (in Latin - Heracléum) has long been known for its healing properties. It contains furocoumarins, which have a bactericidal effect, so anthelmintic drugs for animals are produced from it.

For humans, hogweed remedies are effective against psoriasis. The juice of the plant treats ulcers and purulent wounds, asthma and epilepsy. An anesthetic medicine for liver inflammation, as well as for jaundice, is prepared from the roots.

Hogweed is used in cooking, and it is also a complete fodder crop, which is combined with others and made from them into silage for livestock.

Hogweed contains trace elements, carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins, as well as tannins, chlorophyll, carotene, and essential oils. The flowers contain a lot of nectar, which the bees convert into excellent honey.

Important! It is necessary to handle hogweed with care, since its juice, if it gets on open areas of the body, can cause severe allergic reactions and burns that turn into huge blisters.

Oregano

Oregano, or oregano (in Latin - Origanum vulgáre) contains flavonoids, phytoncides, bitterness, tannins, essential oil, thanks to which preparations based on it serve as anti-inflammatory and choleretic agents. Oregano is used to treat whooping cough and bronchitis, and is taken as a sedative and pain reliever.

Medicines from this herb:

• increase appetite,
• improve intestinal motility,
• produce a diuretic effect,
• relieve epileptic seizures,
• relieve cramps,
• normalize the menstrual cycle.

Video: beneficial properties of oregano

Field or meadow mint (in Latin - Mentha arvensis) contains menthol, which has mild anesthetic properties. It is also an ingredient in medications for blood vessels and the heart: Validol, Valocordin, Zelenin drops and others.

The beneficial properties of mint are very versatile:

• mint can enhance intestinal motility, promoting timely emptying, limit putrefactive processes and fermentation;
• Infusions are prepared from dried leaves, which are used for nervous system disorders and insomnia;
• mint helps relieve nausea, produces a choleretic effect, eliminates diarrhea;
• alcohol tincture and oil solution are used to reduce swelling and pain due to inflammation of the respiratory system;
• The antimicrobial and gum-strengthening properties of essential oil are used for the production of toothpastes and powders, as well as infusions for rinsing the mouth.

Important! Mint should not be consumed by children under three years of age. Also, men of childbearing age should not get carried away with it, because it can reduce libido, and women who have problems conceiving, since this herb can aggravate the problem of infertility.

Tansy

Tansy (in Latin - Tanacetum vulgare) is known for having a powerful anthelmintic effect. It is also used to prepare a powder in the form of an insecticide against pests. Tansy contains alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, and tannins.

This plant is used for hepatitis to reduce the production of mucus that accumulates in bile. The herb has a positive effect on the muscle tone of the stomach and intestines, increasing secretion.

An infusion of basket inflorescences can:

• increase the amplitude of heart contractions,
• eliminate hypotension,
• heal stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Traditional medicine uses tansy in the treatment of:

• enterobiasis,
• hypoacid gastritis,
• hepatitis A,
• colitis,
• ascariasis,
• cholecystitis.

Compresses made from this herb are effective for purulent wounds and gout.

Video: beneficial properties of tansy

Plantain (in Latin - Plantago). There are two types of plantain used in medicine: flea plantain and Indian plantain. These medicinal herbs contain a lot of ascorbic acid, phytoncides and carotene.

Alcoholic and aqueous leaf extracts of plantain are used to treat severe forms of stomach and duodenal ulcers. The juice is used to treat gastritis and enteritis; it is drunk for better digestion of food. Special research by phytochemists has proven that plantain leaves contain elements that affect cholesterol metabolism.

An infusion of leaves is used to remove sputum in the following cases:

• bronchitis,
• pulmonary tuberculosis,
• bronchial asthma,
• pleurisy,
• catarrh of the upper respiratory tract,
• whooping cough

Plantain is known as an antiseptic because it can:

• relieve inflammation
• heal wounds
• anesthetize,
• cleanse the blood.

Medicines prepared from the plant can destroy Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, hemolytic staphylococcus, and pathogenic microbes in infected wounds.

Wormwood (in Latin - Artemísia absínthium) is used in gastroenterology. Its benefits are due to active ingredients such as absintin, anabsintin, flavonoids, thujone, pinene, cadinene, bisabolone, chamazulenogen, selinene.

Wormwood leaves are rich in phytoncides, alkaloids, capillin, ascorbic acid, provitamin A, malic and succinic acids, carotene and saponins.

• The presence of galenic substances helps stimulate the reflex function of the pancreas and improves the functioning of the gallbladder.
• Terpenes relieve inflammation and are pacemakers.
• The essential oil released from the plant has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.
• Saturated hydrocarbons found in grass have a bactericidal and fungicidal effect.
• Bitterness, which is also present, can stimulate appetite and normalize digestion.

Traditional medicine considers wormwood an excellent remedy for:

• insomnia,
• ascariasis,
• flatulence,
• obesity,
• migraine,
• enterocolitis,
• gastritis,
• kidney and liver diseases.

Video: beneficial properties of wormwood The plant is also useful for bad breath. Ointments are prepared on the basis of wormwood, which are used to treat fistulas, eye diseases, bruises and burns.

In combination with other herbs, wormwood is successfully used for:

• pulmonary tuberculosis,
• hypertension,
• fever,
• swelling,
• hemorrhoids.

Horsetail (in Latin - Equisetum arvense) is rich in flavonoids, derivatives of apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, silicic acid, as well as tannins.

Also present are oxalic, aconitic, linoleic, malic and ascorbic acids, fatty oils, alkaloids, calcium, carotene, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper and other substances.
Thanks to the listed components, horsetail has the following properties:

• cleansing,
• anti-inflammatory,
• antimicrobial,
• anthelmintics,
• diuretics,
• antiseptic,
• detoxification.

In medicine and cosmetology, horsetail is used in the form of infusion, lotion and decoction. It is used when following fasting diets in the process of losing weight. Cooks use young horsetail shoots by boiling or frying them and adding them to omelettes and casseroles, as well as as a filling for pancakes and pies.

Video: beneficial properties of horsetail

Quinoa (in Latin - Atriplex) is useful in the treatment of rheumatism and helps relieve emotional stress. Due to the large amount of rutin and potassium, it is used in cardiology and for atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels.

Did you know? Quinoa has long been used as food during war or crop failure: rye flour with ground quinoa seeds was used to make bread. Such bread, although not attractive in appearance or taste, still helped people survive in times of famine.

Preparations made from it are used to treat:

• chronic and acute diseases of the lower respiratory tract,
• stomach diseases,
• skin diseases,
• inflamed wounds.

The plant also serves as:

• anti-inflammatory,
• wound healing,
• cleansing
• diuretic,
• expectorant
• choleretic,
• sedative.

Vegetarians have appreciated quinoa because it contains a lot of protein: cabbage soup made from it, as well as cutlets, soups, purees and bread, allow you to stay full for a long time.

Video: beneficial properties of quinoa

Celandine (in Latin - Chelidonium) has many useful components: it contains up to twenty toxic substances that destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoan microorganisms.

Beneficial effects of celandine:

• helps with cramps,
• relieves inflammatory processes,
• can relieve pain and calm,
• has antitumor and bactericidal effect,
• serves as a diuretic
• heals wounds,
• increases lactation in lactating women,
• Medicines from celandine cleanse the lymph from infections.

When using small doses of celandine:

• blood pressure decreases;
• cardiac activity slows down;
• neuroses, convulsions, paralysis, epilepsy disappear;
• the functioning of the pancreas is improved.

When using celandine in treatment, it is important to remember that you cannot independently exceed the dose of the prescribed amount of the drug, otherwise this will lead to dangerous side effects.

Important! You should start taking this herb with a minimum dose, gradually increasing it to the required dose.

41 once already
helped

Not so long ago, herbs were the only available remedy in the fight against a wide variety of diseases. Belarusians have been studying plants for centuries, and almost everyone has heard about the magical properties of St. John's wort, nettle or chamomile. Today, the need for such knowledge has disappeared, but the magical power of herbs has not disappeared anywhere. We found out where in Belarus you can learn in detail about medicinal herbs and borrow experience from the past.

"Apothecary Garden"

On the territory of Narochansky Park, 15 kilometers from the village of Gatovichi, there is an entire excursion and tourist complex dedicated to herbs. It's called the "Apothecary Garden".

It is not surprising that this phytocorner appeared precisely on the territory of the Naroch region, where 1,400 plant species grow.

The “Apothecary Garden” is a place away from cities and even villages, where on a small plot of land you can see dozens of useful herbs, not in dried form, but while they are growing, so as not to confuse them with other plants in the field in the future.

Guides of the unusual garden will share useful information about the use of herbs from the centuries-old experience of not only Belarusians, but also European monasteries that were actively involved in herbalism.

You can walk around the Apothecary Garden on your own or book a tour to get to know the plants in detail. In addition to excursion activities, the “Apothecary Garden” is also engaged in the procurement of herbs. Here, herbs are grown and dried on an industrial scale, and then sold throughout Belarus. You can also buy local products in the garden, in a special herbal shop, where you will be advised what tea to drink to sleep well or to boost your immunity. And you can try everything at your local herbal bar.

By the way, herbs here are used not only for teas and medicines. They are also used to make skin and hair care products, aromatic sachets and steaming baths.

Museum of Aromas of Herbs and Plants in Grodno

Last year, the Museum of Aromas of Herbs and Plants opened in Grodno, where special attention is paid to smells. A simple but exciting idea came to the minds of the employees of the Ecological and Biological Center for Children and Youth, on the basis of which the museum now operates.

In the summer, students and teachers collect medicinal herbs, which then become museum exhibits. Dried herbs are placed in small jars, which museum visitors open and try to guess the plant by smell. Here you can not only remember how different herbs smell, but also learn how and why they are used. For example, rosemary improves immunity, and geranium repels moths.

Now the museum displays about 70 plants. But this summer employees are going to increase this figure. Herbs, by the way, are collected not only from fields and forests near Grodno, but also grown in their own garden. The museum also makes aromatic sachets and soap and plans to expand the range.

Museum of medicinal herbs in the village of Strelno

In the village of Strelno, not far from the city of Ivanovo in the Brest region, like in all other Belarusian villages, there used to be many housewives with encyclopedic knowledge of herbs. But it was in Strelno that people were found who wrote down everything that local residents knew about herbal medicine and opened a museum there.

Several notebooks with handwritten secrets of using medicinal plants, a herbal calendar and hundreds of dried bouquets hung in the attic can now be found in the Museum of Healing Herbs in Strelno. For 27 years, tourists from different countries have been going there to get to know Belarusian folklore better and learn the health secrets of past generations. And museum workers are still collecting information about herbs from old-timers in the region so that traditional medicine at its best is not forgotten. In addition to the excursion, they also offer to try healthy and, of course, very aromatic teas.

Herbalist's house in Rubezhevichi

At first glance, the herbalist’s house in Rubezhevichi is no different from other herbal pharmacies operating throughout Belarus. But those who know the history of this Herbal House and the people who have dedicated many years of tireless work to it understand why this pharmacy stands out from the rest.

The herbalist's house appeared in Rubezhevichi in 1875. All residents of the village then actively collected herbs, which were then sold in the pharmacy. In the 1940s, Stanislav Vilkotsky, a doctor and part-time lover of traditional medicine, became a local herbalist. He read so much literature on this topic that people from all over the area began to come to him for advice, because at that time plants were still the main means of treatment.

After some time, herbal medicine was recognized as useless, and herbal pharmacies began to close throughout Belarus. But the Herbalist House in Rubezhevichi was so popular that it continued to operate. Over time, the name of Stanislav Vilkotsky ended up on a memorial plaque on the pharmacy building, and he was replaced by an equally experienced pharmacist and herbalist Anatoly Grigoriev. He made sure that even in this time of numerous tablets and syrups, people did not forget about herbs. Almost a century and a half has passed, and the residents of Rubezhevichi still collect herbs in the summer and take them to the pharmacy, which has thousands of recipes for herbal remedies and their use.

The book of Eliza Ozheshko and her native village

One of the hobbies of the writer Eliza Ozheshko was herbs. She traveled around Belarus, communicated with many healers, collected plant names and her own herbarium. Much of what she learned ended up in the book “People and Flowers over the Neman”, written in Polish. This was in 1888.

Today the writer has many fans. Some also became infected with her passion for herbs. For example, Tatyana Sovenkova, head of the local history museum in the village of Milkovshchina, where Eliza Ozheshko was born, is sure that instead of buying vitamins at the pharmacy, you should go into the forest and collect them. She researched in detail everything that Eliza Ozheshko wrote about herbs, and now willingly shares her knowledge. And thanks to a small collection of herbs, their aroma, which the writer loved so much in her time, can now be constantly felt in the museum itself.

The flora of our planet is extremely diverse and beautiful. A huge number of different life forms of plants provide not only aesthetic pleasure, but also bring very tangible practical benefits: they are a source of nutrition, decorative elements, a supplier of medicines, a source of clean and fresh air filled with oxygen, etc.

Among all life forms of plants, a large place is given to herbs, both cultivated and wild. They occupy almost 50% of the total flora of the planet, so we will consider them.

Herbs: general characteristics

Most often, herbs include plants that have slightly modified shoots. That is, in the classical sense, a shoot should include a stem, leaves and a flower. So, not all structural parts may be observed in herbs. Often the stem is modified, the leaves acquire a shape and size that helps them adapt to environmental conditions as much as possible.

Of course, all herbs have a flower as a reproductive organ. However, they are also very different in size, shape and color. This factor will depend on the pollination method of the particular plant species.

Wild herbs are a very large group, including representatives from almost all known families of angiosperms. The names of herbs are very diverse. There are both historically established “names” and scientific data based on binary nomenclature (in Latin, the first name is genus, the second is species). For example, Leonurus heterophyllus, or motherwort.

The root system, shoot branching, flower and leaf structure - all these botanical characteristics will depend on the specific genus and species of plant, so it is impossible to identify any common morphological characteristics for all wild herbs.

Classification of herbs

The basis can be based on different signs, but the most commonly used division of herbs is:

• Annuals - buttercups, cornflowers, ageratums, cinquefoils, daturas, poppies, chamomiles - the names of herbs in this group can be listed for a very long time, since they are numerous.
• Biennials - mallow, spurge, sweet clover, lupine, forget-me-not, bellflower, viola and others.
• Perennials - begonia, anemone, alyssum, St. John's wort, reed, iris, wood sorrel, oregano, elecampane and others. The names of herbs in this category reflect their purpose. Obviously, this includes many well-known medicinal species.

In addition to this classification, another one can be given. The basis is the area of ​​human use.

1. Medicinal herbs - celandine, string, thyme, chamomile, sage, calendula, burnet, lily of the valley and others.
2. Cultivated agricultural plants - vegetables, fruits,
3. - ginger, fennel, horseradish, anise, parsley, basil, lemon balm, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, laurel and so on.
4. Ornamental grasses - ornamental cabbage, bordered euphorbia, Daurian moonseed, young, bergenia, kochia, rogersia and many others.

According to the place of growth, all herbs can be divided into mountain, forest, meadow, swamp, desert, steppe and garden (weeds and cultivated plants).

Wild herbs in Russia

There are a lot of such representatives. Almost all wild herbs, names and photos of their representatives can be seen in any corresponding encyclopedia. Let's try to take a closer look at the diversity of Russian wild herbs.

More than 900 species are known only for medicinal purposes, and there are many others. Their distribution across climatic zones is uneven. It is known that most plants, including herbs, are located in the more southern, southeastern and eastern regions of our country. The northern, northwestern and western regions are densely populated, but not so diverse in species composition.

So, we can cite as an example the region of Siberia (Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East, all nearby areas, up to Chukotka). Here the most common wild herbs, the names of which are as follows:

• parfolia;
• Tribulus;
• dandelion;
• sorrel;
• shepherd's purse;
• primrose;
• viburnum;
• calliper;
• Highlander;
• bergenia;
• various sedges;
• feather grass;
• sagebrush;
• quinoa;
• celandine and many others.

Among those listed you can find both medicinal and conventional types. One thing they have in common is that they are representatives of flora living in the wild. Herbs are plants that are simply impossible to cover in one article. Too many of them. The European part of Russia is represented by a variety of beautiful flowering herbs that form entire carpets of different colors, making the wild nature unimaginably beautiful. Among them are the names of herbs such as lingonberry, common loosestrife, speedwell, common heather, Fischer's clove, forest geranium, and chickweed.

Due to good climatic conditions, the central zone of Russia is famous for its many medicinal species of herbs, which also create a beautiful summer, spring and autumn landscape with their flowers. These are such as fragrant roses, lily of the valley, young shoots, oak grass, nightshade, blueberry, jasmine, hawkweed and others.

We will dwell on mountainous areas and their various herbs in more detail later.

Forest chin

A beautiful perennial plant with a bright pink corolla and a wonderful honey aroma that attracts pollinating insects from June until the autumn days of September. Many grazing animals choose this wild-growing beauty for food, since its roots, stems and leaves contain a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. Belongs to the Moth family (Bean family). Its main economic importance is as a perennial, it carries out annual soil drainage, participates in soil-forming processes, and is good for livestock feed. Has no medicinal value.

Buttercup caustic

A very widespread plant classified as poisonous. It is found in almost all zones of Russia and is highly adaptable to environmental conditions. Includes several types of grass, the names and photos of which can be seen below.

Buttercup varieties:

• caustic (“night blindness” in common parlance);
• Kashubian;
• creeping;
• Spring chistyak;
• garden and others.

It is not suitable for grazing animals, since the shoots of the plant are poisonous. Once dried to hay, it is safe. It is not used in conventional medicine, but in alternative medicine it is very common as a remedy for rheumatism, open wounds, boils, tuberculosis and burns.

Mountain herbs

The most famous among these are, of course, Altai herbs. A huge number of cosmetics, medicines, tinctures, balms, ointments are created based on extracts of these miraculous plants.

After all, the very air of this mountainous area seems to heal. Almost all plants grown on the rocky surfaces of Altai are medicinal. Animals that eat these herbs are the strongest and healthiest. People who use fees from these places for treatment have fewer chronic diseases than residents of other areas.

Some Altai herbs that have received national recognition and are most often used by humans:

• red brush (Rhodiola quadripalum);
• milk thistle;
• golden rod;
• hill solyanka;
• penny man;
• upland uterus (ortilia unilateral);
• Veronica black;
• White bloodroot;
• small basilisk;
• the rank is squat;
• burnet;
• common calendula;
• sweet clover;
• Umbrella hawkweed;
• marshmallow;
• Chokeberry;
• sandy immortelle and many others.

Balms that combine several herbal components are very common. They help with a variety of problems: cleanse, soothe, tone, normalize blood pressure, restore sleep, relieve headaches and chronic fatigue, and so on. Such wild mountain herbs, the names of which were given above, are very valuable objects of medicine.

Milk thistle

Another name for this Altai herb is milk thistle. Since ancient times, this plant has been revered as a very good medicinal assistant. Infusions from different parts of the herb help against liver diseases, cleanse the intestines and eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve swelling and treat jaundice and many other ailments.

The plant itself sometimes reaches 1.5 m in height. The leaves are very beautiful, with a white border and a dissected edge. The flowers look like round cones, dark pink or purple. A very valuable property of milk thistle, which allows it to be used in both folk and traditional medicine, is the complete absence of side effects.

Its beautiful appearance allows it to be used not only as a medicinal plant, but also as an ornamental plant in many gardens and orchards.

Rhodiola quadripalum

In common parlance - an endemic plant of the Altai region. One of the most popular among these mountain herbs. It is used in both folk and traditional medicine for the treatment of female diseases of the pelvic organs, infertility, male prostatitis, and inflammation. Helps stop bleeding, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and helps in the treatment of various types of viral and bacterial diseases.

Externally very interesting, unusual herbs. The description is as follows: low plants growing on rocky surfaces, with narrow, closely spaced leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and pale, but the leaflet-shaped fruits are very bright and red. The shape of the leaves resembles a brush, which is why this plant got its name.

The most common medicinal herbs

This group includes many representatives around the world. There is also a wide variety of them in Russia. After all, almost all plants (with the exception of highly poisonous ones) contain useful alkaloids, essential oils, resins, tannins, minerals and other components that allow them to be used as medicinal herbs. The names of the most common and famous representatives of this group, growing in our country, are as follows:

• pharmaceutical camomile;
• White bloodroot;
• coltsfoot;
• lemon balm;
• Umbrella wintergreen;
• hog uterus;
• common raspberry;
• large plantain;
• motherwort five-lobed;
• calamus;
• Golden root;
• fragrant collision;
• Red viburnum;
• calendula;
• Schisandra chinensis;
• common rose hip;
• Eleutherococcus senticosus;
• echinacea;
• series;
• celandine and many others.

Obviously, it is simply impossible to list all the plants, since their species diversity is too great.

Aloe arborescens

Among household potted plants, agave, or aloe, is often used as a medicine. It is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves topped with thorns. Aloe juice contains many (up to 200) different beneficial substances. They help treat open wounds, inflammation, bacterial and viral diseases.

The most common herbs

They have been used since ancient times as medicines, but most often as food additives that make dishes refined, original and very aromatic. We will give some names of Russian spicy herbs at the end of the article: horseradish, dill, parsley, celery, parsnip, black pepper, cardamom, peppermint, lemon balm, mustard and some others.

Our “herbalist” is the 14 most useful herbs that you can rely on with a full description of their valuable properties and a list of contraindications.

Aloe

This plant of the succulent genus was first discovered in the countries of South Africa and Arabia. During the Russian ship's voyage to South Africa, one of the crew members contracted an unknown tropical fever and had to be left ashore. Literally a month later, another team found the sailor in the same place - he looked much better. It turned out that in the jungle he found a tropical plant that looked like a bush and chewed its leaves (most likely from hunger), and then noticed that his health began to improve significantly. This is how, according to unofficial data, aloe came to Russia.

More than 200 different types of aloe are known in nature, but the most common in our country is aloe vera or agave. As a rule, two useful products are obtained from its leaves: juice and gel. The first one is more often used in medicine, the second one in cosmetology. Aloe juice contains useful microelements: manganese, copper, potassium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, bromine, vanadium, iron, iodine, silver, fluorine, silicon, zinc and many others.

Benefit
strengthens the immune system
cleanses the blood
treats diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems
has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal effects
treats eye diseases
enhances the secretion of the digestive glands
normalizes cholesterol levels
accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers
treats gynecological diseases
relieves inflammation from gums

Contraindications
Aloe juice should not be consumed if you have cancer, possible allergic reactions, uterine bleeding or pregnancy (only with the permission of your doctor).

Ginseng

This perennial plant of the Araliaceae family grows mainly in mountainous regions, and most often it can be found in the Far East, China, Tibet, Vietnam, Altai, and Siberia. China is recognized as the birthplace of the plant, and the pronunciation of its name is borrowed from the Chinese language (although in the original ginseng is written in two words and translated as “root of life”). The most useful part of ginseng is really the root, which is shaped like a small human figurine (for this reason, ginseng is sometimes translated from the same Chinese as “man root”).

Benefit
has an anti-inflammatory effect
affects carbohydrate metabolism

improves vision indicators
increases the body's endurance and its resistance to stress, infections, changes in external temperatures, etc.
equalizes blood pressure in case of hypotension
lowers cholesterol levels
activates adrenal function
stimulates blood circulation in the brain
accelerates fat metabolism
promotes rapid healing of wounds and ulcers

Contraindications
In cases of self-medication with uncontrolled use of drugs containing ginseng, a deterioration in health may occur, even leading to fatal poisoning, so it is better to consult a doctor before taking it. Ginseng is completely contraindicated in the development of acute infectious diseases, high blood pressure, and pregnancy.

Eleutherococcus

In nature, there are about 30 different types of Eleutherococcus, but only one is used in medicine - Eleutherococcus senticosus. This species is a shrub with branching, thorny trunks (plant trunks can reach 4 meters in height) and fruits in the form of black berries. Eleutherococcus belongs to the Araliaceae family, like ginseng and, accordingly, has properties similar to it. For this reason, it is often used as a tonic for fatigue. By the way, Eleutherococcus is included in the classic composition of the Russian drink “Baikal”.

Benefit
tones
increases performance
relieves chronic fatigue
tidies up the nervous system
helps reduce blood sugar levels
helps in the prevention of cancer
has a calming effect on the eyes, has a beneficial effect on vision in general
improves appetite
increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases
helps with radiation and poisoning
helps treat stomatitis and other oral diseases
useful for restoring the menstrual cycle and infertility
increases male sexual activity

Contraindications
Eleutherococcus is not recommended for use for chronic insomnia, high blood pressure, fever, pregnancy, increased nervous excitability, as well as for children under 12 years of age.

Coltsfoot

Tussilágo or “cashlegone” is the name this plant bears in Latin. “Coltsfoot” is more of a Russian folk interpretation, the basis for which was the leaves of the plant, slippery on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The plant belongs to the Aster family (Asteraceae), and its main beneficial property is the treatment of cough and other bronchodilator diseases. Coltsfoot contains alkaloids that have an antibacterial effect, and inulin, which improves the quality of food absorption and improves digestion.

Benefit
improves the secretion of gastric juice
A decoction of the plant relieves muscle and joint pain
helps with inflammatory skin diseases (furunculosis, acne)
helps with excessive sweating of the feet
promotes the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, farengitis)
helps with dental problems (periodontal disease, gum disease)
treats bronchodilator diseases

Sage

Salvia (Latin name for sage) is a large genus of shrubby plants. By the way, as for the original name of sage, it comes from the Latin word salvere (from Latin “to be healthy”). Descriptions of the use of this plant remained in the records of many Greek and Roman physicians. Hippocrates, in particular, called sage a “sacred herb.”

There are about 700 species of salvia recorded around the world. However, in theory, only 100 of them are used for medical purposes, and in practice, there are only 2 types of sage known for their medicinal properties - meadow sage (wild) and medicinal sage (specially grown in gardens and vegetable gardens). Sage leaves are mainly used for treatment: decoctions, tinctures, oils and ointments are prepared from them. Fresh sage leaves are used externally only. The leaves contain vitamins, phytoncides, essential oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids, resinous and tannin substances, and natural antioxidants.

Benefit
helps in the treatment of skin diseases, external wounds, ulcers, tumors
has anti-inflammatory properties
has a general strengthening effect on the body
limits sweating
helps with diarrhea
helps prevent arthritis and treat frostbite
has antiseptic and antispasmodic effects
effective in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and women's diseases
helps improve memory
has a strengthening effect on hair (slows down the process of baldness in men)

Contraindications
Women should not use sage during breastfeeding, as it helps reduce lactation (however, when the time comes to wean the baby off breast milk, sage, on the contrary, will be useful)

Nettle

Nettle owes its original name and sad popularity among children to the stinging hairs covering its stems and leaves. In theory, we all know from early childhood that we shouldn’t touch nettles with our hands, because you can get burned or “stained,” but in practice, the benefits of nettles significantly exceed its malicious property of “stinging” everyone (except for the nettle tree native to New Zealand, touching which not only burns, but is, in principle, life-threatening).

In Russia you can find only two types of nettles - stinging nettle and stinging nettle. Nettle contains carotene (there is more of it than in carrots and sorrel), ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, nickel, sodium, copper, titanium, manganese, boron, iodine, phosphorus, iron, as well as vitamins A, B1 , B2 and PP, and in terms of vitamin C content, nettle surpasses even lemon. Nettle is often used to prepare various decoctions for medicinal purposes, but its leaves can also significantly brighten the taste of many soups in cooking.

Benefit
cleanses the blood
increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood
helps treat skin diseases (boils, acne, eczema)
has a hemostatic and healing effect
helps the female body recover faster after childbirth
relieves symptoms of PMS and menopause
helps to increase the tone of the cardiovascular system, improves heart function
helps in the treatment of rheumatism, radiculitis, relieving muscle pain
Can be used for hair and scalp care, reduces hair loss
improves the functioning of the digestive system, gives choleretic and laxative effects
normalizes blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus

Contraindications
Nettle is contraindicated during pregnancy, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and atherosclerosis.

Ginkgo biloba

The main places of origin of ginkgo biloba are Japan and Southeast Asia. It existed on our land back in the Mesozoic era. Ginkgo biloba has long been one of the main drugs in Asian medicine, and today it is successfully used both in the West and in Russia as a means to improve memory and prolong youth. The extract from Ginkgo biloba leaves contains more than 40 biologically active compounds. This plant also has its own unique components ─ bilobalides and ginkgolides (to which it owes its unusual name), and it is they that largely determine its special pharmacological activity.

Benefit
stimulates mental activity
improves concentration, clarity of thinking and memory
slows down the development of senile dementia and brain aging processes
relieves dizziness and headaches
fights depression
stimulates reaction speed and performance
eliminates feelings of restlessness, anxiety and irritability
stimulates sexual activity
improves sleep

Contraindications
Women should not use ginkgo biloba extract during pregnancy.

Kombucha

Kombucha or, as it is called in Russia, kombucha ─ is a symbiosis of a vinegar stick and yeast fungi. Kombucha came to us in the 20th century through Transbaikalia straight from China. In everyday life and folk medicine, both in Russia and in the countries that pioneered kombucha (China, Japan, India), it is not the mushroom itself that is used, but its infusion. In Japan, geisha drank kombucha infusion to lose weight, rinsed their hair with it, removed age spots and even warts on the skin. In India, kombucha infusion was used to fix paints on fabrics. In China and Russia, it is also drunk as an invigorating and excellent thirst-quenching drink. Kombucha also copes well with medicinal purposes, as it contains many healing components (alkaloids, vitamins, enzymes, glycosides, aromatic substances, as well as sugar, acetic acid and alcohol).

Benefit
strengthens the immune system
has antibacterial and antiviral effects
helps in the treatment of runny nose, sore throat, bacterial dysentery
calms down
tones
relieves mental fatigue
restores gastric microflora after taking strong drugs

Contraindications
Due to the high sugar content, kombucha may not be useful for people suffering from fungal diseases, obesity, and diabetes.

Alfalfa

A perennial plant of the legume family, whose birthplace is China, it has high nutritional value, and therefore is often used for digestive disorders. The plant contains isoflavones and flavones (substances that regulate hormonal activity in women), saponins (substances that block the absorption of cholesterol) and chlorophyll, which helps cleanse the entire body. Alfalfa also contains minerals (iron, zinc, potassium, calcium) and acids (citric, malic, ascorbic, fumaric, oxalic).

Benefit
cleanses the body
helps women's health (menopause, breastfeeding)
helps in the treatment of cystitis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, pyelonephritis
stops nasal bleeding
helps remove kidney stones
helps stimulate hair growth
relieves redness and swelling

Leuzea

Leuzea grows high in the mountains. The most famous places where you can pick a bouquet of Leuzea are Altai, Sayan Mountains, and the mountains of Kazakhstan. People often call this plant “deer root,” and all because in the fall, deer deer that live in some mountainous areas dig up and eat its roots. Actually, thanks to them, the usefulness of Leuzea was once discovered.

Due to the biostimulants concentrated in the root of Leuzea, the plant is also often called a natural anabolic (a substance that gives energy, increases endurance, and promotes rapid muscle recovery). So Leuzea root can often be found in popular sports supplements.

Benefit
improves blood composition
stimulates the vital processes of the body
promotes vasodilation, thereby regulating blood pressure
increases hemoglobin levels
has a tonic and restorative effect
treats apathy, depression
increases performance
lowers blood sugar levels
can help fight alcoholism and impotence

Contraindications
Leuzea root is contraindicated for use in cases of epilepsy, arrhythmia, sleep disorders, arterial hypertension, increased nervous excitability, chronic liver and kidney diseases, and acute infectious diseases.

Sagebrush

Even the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophanes wrote about it in his works. Over the entire history of wormwood, about 400 species have been bred. There are about 180 species in our country, of which the most popular is wormwood. The plant is a straight stem about 1.5 meters high with leaves and yellow (sometimes reddish) flowers. The stems and leaves of wormwood contain many beneficial substances and essential oils. In addition, carotene, ascorbic acid, potassium salts, malic and succinic acids were found in wormwood. By the way, another popular type of wormwood is tarragon, which you definitely know as tarragon. Wormwood is a component of absinthe and some other vermouths.

Benefit
stimulates the body's vital functions
gives the body tone
has cleansing properties
fights pyogenic infections
has an anthelmintic effect
helps in the treatment of eczema, bronchial asthma and rheumatism
used to rinse the mouth when there is an unpleasant odor

Horsetail

Horsetail is a perennial herbaceous plant, known to many gardeners as a difficult to eradicate weed. Horsetail reproduces by spores, looks like a mini Christmas tree and is a bit like a horse's tail (horsetail is a derivative of "tail"). As befits a weed, horsetail does not have its own historical homeland; it is only known that in different countries, depending on the climate, its height varies. For example, in Russia it reaches no more than 1-1.5 meters, but in South America you can find a 12-meter plant. Horsetail contains many useful substances and elements ─ vitamin C, flavonoids, potassium salts, silicic acid salts, bitterness, saponins, carotene, resins and tannins.

Benefit
stops bleeding
heals wounds and ulcers
has a strong diuretic effect
has antispasmodic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and restorative effects
treats diarrhea
treats eczema, ringworm and dermatitis
recommended for the prevention of tuberculosis
useful for arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism

Contraindications
The use of horsetail is contraindicated during pregnancy, nephrosis and nephritis.

Motherwort

This perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family usually grows in vacant lots, hence its name. The area of ​​distribution of motherwort is very extensive: it can be found in Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Western Siberia. The most common type of plant is motherwort. It is its solution that calms in stressful situations and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart. Of all the known soothing herbs, motherwort has the most powerful effect: it contains flavonol glycosides, essential oil, saponins, the alkaloid stachydrine, tannins and carotene.

Benefit
helps treat neuroses, heart diseases
helps with gastrointestinal disorders
has a beneficial effect on sleep and menstrual disorders
heals wounds and burns
used in the early stages of hypertension

Contraindications
Motherwort is contraindicated during pregnancy, arterial hypotension, bradycardia, stomach ulcers, and erosive gastritis.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family. There are only 9 species of echinacea in nature, and the most studied is Echinacea purpurea, which is used for medicinal purposes. In appearance, Echinacea resembles chamomile (only the petals are of a different color), and you have probably often encountered it in nature. Stems, flowers, leaves and rhizomes with roots are used as medicinal raw materials. All parts of echinacea contain polysaccharides, essential oil, caffeic acid esters (echinacoside), glycosides, resins, betaine, organic acids (cerutic, palmitic, caffeic, linoleic, oleic, as well as phytosterols, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, tannins, polyenes and alkaloids). Echinacea is a powerful herbal antibiotic.

Benefit
has an immunostimulating effect
increases the body's resistance to viral and infectious diseases (due to caffeic acid)
has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
helps with burns, furunculosis, wounds, abscesses, urticaria, insect and snake bites, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases
used for diseases caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, ionizing radiation, chronic inflammatory processes
helps in the treatment of polyarthritis, rheumatism, gynecological disorders, prostatitis, upper respiratory tract diseases

If you have an acute stage of the above diseases, you should consult your doctor before using these plants and their derivatives. These plants, with rare exceptions, are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Sage

A longevity herb that promotes rapid recovery from many diseases. Perennial plant with numerous stems. The leaves are silvery-green, covered with a light fleecy coating, and bloom with numerous purple flowers collected in inflorescences.

It is indispensable for maintaining good health. Leaves collected in the second half of summer are used for medicinal purposes.

Improves memory, helps fight depression, and increases performance. Positively affects the functioning of the digestive system, relieves intestinal colic.

It normalizes blood circulation and has a beneficial effect on the blood vessels of the brain, so its properties are used in the treatment of dizziness, and is also taken as a restorative agent after strokes.

For respiratory diseases it has an antiseptic and bactericidal effect. It will be beneficial for bronchial asthma, sore throat, laryngitis and chronic bronchitis.

For women who want to prolong their youth and beauty, it is very useful to carry out a course of rejuvenation with the help of sage, take the infusion in the morning, on an empty stomach. It contains female phytohormones, so it is believed that this medicinal herb helps with infertility, relieves inflammation in gynecological diseases, treats frigidity and relieves nervousness during menopause.

Calendula

The most popular flower in summer cottages, flower beds and flower beds. An annual plant that blooms from June to October with bright orange fragrant flowers. Its popular name, marigold, is familiar to everyone since childhood.

Tinctures and ointments are made from calendula flowers, and decoctions are used for lotions. Calendula infusions are taken for gastritis and colitis, liver and gallbladder diseases, coronary heart disease and chronic bronchitis.

And yet, this plant is more widely used for external use because it has a strong wound-healing effect. With the help of calendula tinctures, you can cure herpes, various pustular diseases, oily seborrhea and eczema, conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

Rinsing will help with stomatitis and periodontal disease. Douching – for cervical erosion.

However, despite the enormous advantages, the use of these drugs is not allowed for everyone. The use of infusions is contraindicated in case of low blood pressure and pregnancy. It is believed that even limited use of the plant can exacerbate toxicosis and cause severe vomiting. It is not recommended to use infusions when treating children under 12 years of age.

Sea ​​buckthorn

A thorny shrub with narrow long leaves and bright orange fruits. It got its name because of the large number of berries that fit tightly to the branch.

It is a very valuable plant containing a whole “bouquet” of vitamins. This vitamin composition is very rare in plants.

Entire books have been written about sea buckthorn treatment methods. There are countless diseases that can be cured with its help. The drugs can cure a variety of internal chronic diseases - inflammation of the stomach, intestines, colitis. Fresh juice is very useful for hepatitis.

Sea buckthorn oil improves memory, lowers cholesterol, protects against radiation exposure and prevents tumor growth. It is used to treat trophic ulcers, psoriasis, bedsores and burns.

People who consume fresh sea buckthorn fruits strengthen their immune system and increase physical activity, including sexual activity. Tinctures made from fresh frozen berries help quickly cure flu and severe cough. A decoction of sea buckthorn branches is used for hair loss and baldness.

Coltsfoot

This plant has always saved us from many ailments. In ancient times, healers prepared a healing decoction that cured people from a suffocating cough. She is still very popular today.

Helps with colds, bronchitis, bronchial asthma. Drops from her decoction will cure the most severe runny nose.

For stomach irritation, warm, unsweetened tea brewed from coltsfoot leaves is very useful.

For skin diseases, it is applied to boils, abscesses and ulcers.

For erysipelas, powder from crushed raw materials is sprinkled on the wounds.

Valerian officinalis

The root of this plant has a special healing effect.

Tinctures are used for weakness of the body, insomnia, stressful conditions, migraines, tachycardia.

With its help, some diseases of the liver and thyroid gland are treated.

Hot flashes during menopause are more easily tolerated.

Rose hip

Its fruits are an invaluable source of vitamins.

Will relieve vitamin deficiency, anemia and liver diseases.

Helps with serious colds, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Rosehip oil can cure a serious skin disease - psoriasis, and for women who dream of losing weight, using its decoction will make this very easy.

Peppermint

Absolutely everyone knows that mint is a very healthy plant. But, unfortunately, not every person is aware of all its beneficial properties.

Mint will help with heartburn, all kinds of inflammation, heart pain, food and alcohol poisoning.

Peppermint oil eliminates muscle pain that occurs after heavy physical activity, and is also used to treat the spine.

Its decoction relieves toothache and itching from insect bites.

Peppermint drops will stop nausea and dizziness.

Plantain

The unsightly looking weed is familiar to everyone since childhood. Who among us has not applied its leaf to a broken knee?

This is a natural medicine, graciously given to the inhabitants of the earth by nature.

As an expectorant for bronchitis and tuberculosis.

As a tonic for dysentery and diarrhea.

Externally – for bee stings, boils and open wounds.

Lungwort officinalis

Widely used in herbal medicine for lung disease and hemoptysis.

A decoction of this herb is drunk for headaches and nervous diseases.

It improves blood composition, heals the kidneys and bladder.

Crushed raw materials are sprinkled on wounds to stop bleeding, and lungwort juice is used in oncology.

Elecampane

Its rhizomes have medicinal properties.

It is popularly believed that it can cure nine of the most serious diseases.

Provides great help for jaundice, dropsy, urinary retention, anemia.

It is useful for arrhythmia, varicose veins and atherosclerosis, recommended for impotence and painful periods.

Strengthens the immune system and protects against the flu virus.

Marsh cinquefoil

Treatment with this plant is slow and requires patience, but the results can exceed all expectations.

It is believed that it can help with stomach cancer.