The use of maple in traditional medicine: medicinal properties and contraindications

Many have heard of the beneficial properties of maple sap. In our latitudes, its prey is not too common, but the people of North America love this drink and honor this tree. So much so that Canadians since the 18th century have used a piece of sugar maple as a state symbol, and since 1965 it has been emblazoned on the official flag of Canada. However, not only maple sap brings benefits to the human body, other “organs” of the tree - leaves, bark, fruits, flowers - have healing properties. In folk medicine, apply juice, syrup, honey, decoctions, infusions of maple. We will talk about how to use these funds and what diseases they help to get rid of in this article.

Chemical composition

To figure out what substances have the healing properties of maple, consider its chemical composition. Although, we immediately note, since maple is not used in official medicine, its composition has been poorly studied. It is known that tree sap contains sugars and organic acids, in particular ascorbic, malic, acetic, and also minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and silicon. There are saponins, alkaloids, tannins in fruits, leaves and bark. The leaves contain organic and phenol carboxylic acids, carotenoids, rubber, resin, nitrogen-containing substances, flavonoids, vitamins C and E, fatty acids, lipids. Oil, cyclotry and rubber were found in the seeds.

The healing properties of maple

Due to this rich composition, maple is endowed with a whole range of healing properties and has found application in folk medicine. In particular, he has:

• immunomodulatory;
• anti-inflammatory;
• tonic;
• antiseptic;
• painkillers;
• antipyretic;
• diuretic;
• astringent properties.

Funds from maple can improve the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, favorably influence the nervous system, improve the functioning of muscles and joints, improve blood circulation, reduce pressure.

In addition, the maple is actively used in dendrotherapy. It is believed that touching him is charged with positive energy, relieves depression, negative thoughts and fatigue.

Its properties are unique maple sap. It is used as an effective bile and diuretic, in the pathologies of the cardiac system, for cleaning vessels, in the periods of beriberi and epidemics of viral diseases. It is also a powerful antioxidant.

Maple honey plant

Maple is also famous for its wonderful honey plant. Its honey content is quite high and amounts to 150-200 kg per 1 ha of landings. And for field maple, this figure can even reach 1000 kg per 1 ha. From one maple, bees can collect up to 10 kg of honey in early spring.

Most often, light-colored maple honey, however, Tartar or black-maple maple gives dark honey with a bright and rich flavor. It has an immunomodulatory and sedative effect on the human body, helps with atherosclerosis, increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood, improves lactation.

Harvesting and storage of raw maple

Healing actions are peculiar only to the young organs of the plant, so they must be collected in spring and summer.

Maple leaves need to be harvested at the beginning of summer, when the tree is at the budding stage. First, they are slightly dried, laid out in open areas under the sun, then removed under a canopy or in well-ventilated rooms, where the sun's rays do not penetrate. You can dry the leaves in the attic, terrace, under a canopy. If available, you can use a dryer. The temperature in it should be + 50 ... +60 ° C.

Maple bark for medicinal purposes is harvested in the spring when sap flow begins.

The buds are plucked in early spring, as soon as they are swollen. First they are kept in a cool room with good access to oxygen. Then dried.

Flowers tear as soon as the tree begins to bloom. They are sent for drying immediately. The place where the flowers are dried should be sheltered from the sun and well ventilated.

The fruits of the two-handed harvested harvested after ripening. Dry them in the dryer or in the oven.

Raw materials must be stored in cardboard boxes or paper, tissue bags. They retain their useful properties for two years after collection. If you have the question "When and how to collect maple sap?" Usually, maple starts shedding one to two weeks earlier than birch trees do. Sap flow is limited to a period of several weeks.

In order to properly extract the juice and not harm the tree, a small hole, about 1.5 cm in diameter, is made in the trunk, at a distance of 30 cm from the ground. A special spout is inserted into it (it can be easily made from improvised means). A tube is inserted into the spout, and its end is lowered into the container where it is planned to collect the juice. From one hole to the maximum, you can sharpen 30 liters of juice.

Keep the juice in a cool place.If it is planned to be stored for a long time, then the best way to prepare it is to prepare a syrup (it is stored for one year in this form) or roll it up in a bottle with sealed caps.

Recipes for maple in traditional medicine

Long-term practice of maple in the manufacture of folk remedies to combat various diseases has developed a number of recipes. Syrup, decoction, tincture - this is what can be made from maple for medicinal purposes. With the most common and effective recipes you can find below.

With a general breakdown

As a tonic and sedative, it is recommended to drink maple sap. It is useful to use both for people with a weakened body, and for pregnant women with cancer.

There is also a recipe for maple milk that can have an immunomodulatory effect. A glass of milk should be mixed with two tablespoons of maple juice, resulting in a tasty and very healthy drink.Well proved, with a general breakdown, and maple syrup, so it also found application in medicine. Preparing the composition of the freshly collected juice by evaporation: the container with the juice is placed on the fire and heated until the liquid evaporates by half. Optionally, you can mix a small amount of sugar. After the syrup has cooled, it will acquire a thick and viscous consistency. It can be added to tea or to various dishes such as pancakes, pancakes, waffles.

And from maple syrup is preparing another useful tool - maple oil, the use of which is mainly common in cooking. The syrup is first heated to a temperature of + 112 ° C, and then cooled to + 52 ° C. With constant stirring it turns out the consistency in the form of a cream. Butter, just like syrup, is served with pancakes, waffles, pancakes, toasts, pies.

When coughing

When coughing, it is advised to infuse maple seeds. To do this, 1 teaspoon of seeds is placed in 200 ml of water (boiled). Stir and leave for 40 minutes. Then the liquid is passed through cheesecloth and drink 50 ml before meals.

With colds

Also, when you cough and cold, you can use a mixture of milk and maple juice. A glass of milk should be boiled for about three minutes. Cool and pour a glass of maple sap into it. If desired, and if available, you can add a tablespoon of maple honey. The tool will be effective if you drink it three times a day.

A decoction of maple leaves is an antipyretic agent.

With stomatitis

The maple leaf, among other things, contains substances that allow its medicinal properties to be applied in case of diseases of the oral cavity - stomatitis, gingivitis, quinsy, etc.

Preparing a decoction of 1 tablespoon of chopped leaves and boiled water (300 ml). The mixture must be boiled on low heat for half an hour. After cooling, the decoction can be used for rinsing the mouth. It is recommended to carry out this procedure three times a day.

Also, when diseases of the oral cavity well helps decoction of maple seeds. It will need 1 tablespoon of raw materials and a glass of water. The broth is boiled for half an hour. After cooling and filtering, add water to fill the glass.

With diarrhea

For gastrointestinal disorders, accompanied by diarrhea, use a decoction of maple bark. In 10 g of bark, add a glass of boiled water and boil for several minutes.After straining it is ready for use. It is drunk 50 g three times a day.

With colic and kidney diseases

With colic and kidney problems, tincture of maple seeds and leaves helps to cope. Its recipe is as follows: mix 1 teaspoon of seeds and 2 tablespoons of chopped leaves, add boiling water, place in a water bath and roast for 30 minutes. After straining, they drink 50 g three to four times a day.

This same infusion is advised to use for urolithiasis, because one of the properties than useful maple leaves is to help dissolve stones and remove sand.

You can also use a decoction of the leaves. Before each meal, it should drink a 50-milligram glass.

With diseases of the stomach

People with gastritis recommend decoction of maple leaves. It is prepared by pouring 1 tablespoon of dry or fresh leaves with a glass of boiling water. Liquid insist for half an hour and drink three times a day. If you suspect you have any serious illness, or if your condition has not improved after using maple products, go to the hospital immediately.

With joint disease

To relieve inflammation in the joints also drink maple broth. Three dry leaves pour 1.5 cups of water. The resulting solution is brought to a boil, then take the following scheme: one month to 0.5 cups three times a day before meals, a break - a week. Then the course is repeated twice more.

For radiculitis and pain in the joints, they also externally use alcohol tincture of 20 g leaves and 100 ml of vodka. Before applying the tincture should be four days.

To increase potency

Alcohol tinctures of young maple leaves are recommended for men who suffer from impotence. The leaves are chopped in a meat grinder or blender and alcohol is added to them. Alcohol should be 1/3 of the number of leaves. Infusion consumed inside five times a day. The effect can be expected four weeks after the start of use.

There is one more recipe for an agent that improves potency: young leaves are poured into a thermos, filled with a glass of boiling water. Drink cold take four times a day.

For the healing of purulent wounds

In the presence of purulent wounds, it is advised to treat them with an antiseptic, and then apply a dressing with crushed maple leaves.Such a compress should be applied to the affected areas of the body every day. The course of treatment is 1 week.

Contraindications

Maple has almost no contraindications to use. And they can concern only those who have individual intolerance. In addition, pregnant women and young children are advised to use maple-based products only after consulting a gynecologist and a pediatrician. After all, the plant contains alkaloids.

As you can see, the maple is a truly universal tree. With decorative purposes, it is planted in city parks and squares, and its wood is used to make musical instruments and furniture. Leaves, bark, fruits and sap were adopted by folk healers in the treatment of many diseases. Well, the bees love maple for the wonderful smell and make the tree valuable to beekeepers.