Alocasia (or, as it is often called, trefoil, arum, weathering) has long taken root among our houseplants. This unpretentious flower has beautiful ornamental leaves and "can" predict rain. Alocasia can help in the treatment of many diseases, but at the same time - it can easily be poisoned.
- Chemical composition
- How useful Alokaziya: medicinal properties
- Rules for the collection and storage of therapeutic raw materials
- Folk recipes: treatment of diseases
- Tincture on alcohol
- Water infusion
- Leaf gruel
- Ointment
- Contraindications
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of alokazii has not yet been thoroughly investigated. It was studied by physicians and scientists in the Altai and the People’s Republic of China (Sichuan province). In the course of the research it was revealed that plant contains:
- flavonoids (quercetin, chalcones, hyperoside, etc.);
- alkaloids (5 different types, including aroin, similar in composition to quinine and aimaline);
- coumarins;
- hydrocyanic acid;
- mercury (4.0 ± 0.2 mg / kg);
- mercuric acid;
- cyanide compounds.
How useful Alokaziya: medicinal properties
The presence of poisons in the composition of arum did not allow this plant to officially become one of the recognized medicines. Nevertheless, alokaziya large-root has long been used by man to cure many diseases, and the properties of this plant have been studied in research institutes. Practice and research have shown that drugs from arum:
- inhibit the growth of hepatitis;
- have an anesthetic effect (with myositis, joint pain, osteochondrosis, toothache, stomach cramps, etc.);
- help with miasmatic poisoning;
- have an expectorant effect;
- have healing and absorbing properties;
- have an antimicrobial effect;
- remove inflammatory, allergic reactions, help with insect bites.
Alocasia has found its use in traditional medicine - for the treatment of gout, tuberculosis, intestinal diseases, myomas, etc. 
Rules for the collection and storage of therapeutic raw materials
Alocasia is an indoor flower, therefore medicinal raw materials can always be kept at hand. His collection is carried out without harming the plant - it itself gives an unnecessary sheet.
At the moment when the growth of the young leaf (the fourth) begins, one of the old ones (as a rule, this is the lowest leaf) begins to dry out. This moment is the most suitable - it is necessary to cut the completed leaf together with a part of the stem. In this case, you should be careful and make sure that the poisonous juice does not sprinkle and does not get into your eyes or on the skin. It is worth using rubber gloves. After collecting the raw materials - be sure to wash your hands with soap.
Arum leaves in store rarely harvested.But you can, for example, pickle the leaves and use them in the future for trays. Sheet must be cut, mixed with 3 tbsp. l salt and leave for a day under the yoke. This portion is enough for a volume of water from 10 to 20 liters.Folk recipes: treatment of diseases
Depending on what treats alokaziya, folk healers apply alcoholic and aqueous tinctures, balms and ointments. Most of them are used externally - in the form of compresses, rubbing, lubrication. Internal use, as a rule, is recommended for oncological diseases (especially gynecological).
Tincture on alcohol
The spirit tincture of arum is prepared in two versions - for external use (compresses, lotions and rubbing) and for internal.
For the manufacture of the first option, it is necessary to chop the leaves finely, place them in a glass container, and fill with vodka (completely covering them). Place tightly closed container in a dark place for 14 days. Before use, the infusion should be filtered. 
Compresses are used:
- with nodes on the thyroid gland, mastopathy (daily for 7 days - for 4 hours). After a three day break, repeat;
- with varicose veins - compresses should be done only on diseased areas. The compress should be fixed with an elastic bandage and worn for three days. It is necessary to limit mobility as much as possible, if possible - it is better to lie more and keep sore feet above head level (to put a pillow). After the end of the procedure, lubricate the sick veins for three months for the night with tincture;
- with dermatitis, eczema - lubricate problem areas of the skin.
Water infusion
This infusion is made in two ways - hot and cold.
In the first case, the sheet of arum should be crushed, pour a liter of boiling water and insist for an hour. Such a tincture of Alokaziya has found its use in the treatment of cones on the legs and in the preparation of foot baths. Baths are best arranged at bedtime, within 20 minutes. At the end of the procedure - wrap up the sore foot with a woolen scarf.
In the second case, the crushed leaves must be poured with cool water (1:10) and infused for at least 24 hours. Apply this infusion for washing, rubbing, make compresses.
Leaf gruel
For the treatment of diseased joints and rheumatism gruel from arum leaves is used. Fresh leaves should be chopped with a blender or knife. Then grind the pestle in a porcelain mortar to obtain a mass of the same consistency. Apply gruel to compresses. It can be used in the preparation of ointments. 
Ointment
The ointment helps in the treatment of trophic ulcers, arthritis, rheumatic pains. For its manufacture is used any fatty base - badger fat, lard, ghee or cream and fresh juice of alokaziya (3: 1). If gruel is used from the leaves, then you need to take two of its parts to three fat. To mix everything. This ointment is stored no more than a week in the refrigerator.
Contraindications
Persons under the age of 16, women who are pregnant and breast-feeding women, people with diseased kidneys, hemophilia, should refuse to take medications made on the basis of alokaziya. Their use in any allergic reactions is also contraindicated. Before use, you need to test the drug on the delicate skin: drop on the inside of the crook of the elbow. 
