Caucasian rhododendron - medicinal properties and harm. Caucasian rhododendron - about medicinal properties, application, brewing tea

When you are advised to plant a Caucasian rhododendron, be careful, because there is a little confusion with them. The fact is that several species are considered to be Caucasian, growing on the mountains of the same name at altitudes of more than 1200 m above sea level. And at the same time there separate view with the same name. So, three varieties are classified as Caucasian rhododendrons: yellow, Caucasian and Pontic. That's about them and will be discussed in the article.

It's shade-loving hardy plant. But in the shade, its shoots grow chaotically and vary greatly in length, so the bush may look untidy.

In the sun it forms a compact even bush, but there it does not bloom. Rather, the buds appear, but dry up, not having time to bloom. And if found optimal lighting, then it is possible to get an even bush with incredibly beautiful yellow flowers.

His wonderful and strong aroma rivals the very best floral scents. It is from the flowers that azalea oil is obtained, which is used in perfumery in the creation of perfumes.

Description

• Deciduous medium-sized shrub up to 2 m in height, less often - up to 4. The crown can grow up to 2 m. Strongly branching and developed bush.
• During the year it can grow by 5-8 cm. wild environment a bush can live up to 100 years, less in a garden - about 50.
• The bark is light brown in color.
• Oblong-elliptical leaves up to 10 cm long look beautiful, ciliated along the edge. Young leaves, first pubescent on both sides, then naked. In autumn they turn yellow, red and orange.
• Flowering period from May to June. The duration of flowering is a little less than a month.
• Flowers bright yellow to orange. They are small 1-2 cm and are collected in inflorescences of more than 20 pieces! When the bush blooms, it is impossible to take your eyes off the abundant yellowness of the bush.

Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum)

In horticulture, mainly hybrids based on it are used. Most famous variety- Cunningham'sWhite, obtained by crossing with R. Pontius. Its main feature is absolutely white flowers.

Other hybrids are pink, golden yellow, speckled or not.

All species are quite capricious in cultivation and have special requirements for soils. It should be acidic (pH 4-5), loose, at the same time air and water permeable. Suitable soils, unfortunately, there are only higher middle lane Russia. Moscow and Leningrad regions are also favorable for growing rhododendrons. But the southern regions are not suitable at all.

Description

• Evergreen low shrub, reaching a height of 0.5-1.2 m.
• With dark brown bark and creeping branches up to 1 m.
• The leaves are also elliptical in shape. Thick, short-leaved and leathery with a dark green shiny surface.
• It blooms in early summer with inflorescences of 5-10 pcs. The disadvantage of this species is that it often blooms twice and autumn bloom does not suit him for the future, due to this weakening the summer.
• The flower is in the form of a bell, 3 to 5 cm in size. The colors of the flowers are white, yellowish-cream and pink with red dots in places.
• Fruits in the form of boxes with small seeds - ripen in August.

Pontic rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)

We have already mentioned that this type of rhododendron, when crossed with the Caucasian, gave a very popular white-flowered hybrid - Cunningham's White. On its basis, hybrids with blue flowers"Blue Ensign", "A. Bedford", "Blue Peter", "Anah Kruschke".

The Pontic species is a honey plant, and its honey contains significant doses of andromedotoxin, which can lead to poisoning. Pets that eat plants are especially often poisoned. Although this species has many healing properties. At present, they have not been studied enough to be widely used.

Description

• Evergreen shrub, similar to a tree from 3 to 6 m.
• The leaves are short-petiolate, alternate up to 27 cm long, dense, oblong-elliptical, leathery, pointed, narrowed towards the base.
• Blooms from April to May, in the mountains from June to July.
• Flowers up to 6 cm wide, in umbellate inflorescences. The fruits are like five-leaved boxes.

Caucasian, Pontic and yellow rhododendrons are also united by the fact that all these species are famous for their medicinal properties, therefore they are used in folk medicine. Many gardeners would love to grow these plants in their garden. Unfortunately, the species described above do not grow well in culture; their hybrids are mainly grown.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with other materials on the topic of Rhododendrons:

Caucasian rhododendron in nature distributed in the highlands of the Caucasus, especially a lot of it at an altitude of 1500-3000 meters above sea level. Found in Turkey.

Rhododendron thickets form along the edges of snowy fields. The largest plantations grow in the mountains of Abkhazia.

In our country, the shrub can be found in Chechnya, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia. fit him and climatic conditions of the middle zone. In the gardens of Moscow and Leningrad region he is also quite popular.

Description and photo

Caucasian rhododendron- one of more than 1000 species of rhododendron. It is an evergreen, long-lived shrub of the Heather family.

Its height may vary. from 60 cm to 1.5 meters. Dark brown stems are raised or creeping along the surface of the soil.

The leaves are oblong, oval in shape, with pointed tips. They are painted dark green, and from below they are covered with a dense growth of reddish-brown small hairs, similar to felt.

Bloom

With its grace and beauty during flowering rhododendron can compete with rose.

The flowers of the plant appear in early summer, blooming on long "plush" peduncles.

The inflorescences consist of funnel-shaped bell-shaped flowers, the number of which can be about ten.

Hybrids are mainly grown in gardens and greenhouses. Caucasian rhododendron.

Varieties bred with its use have the most various coloration. They may be:

• absolutely white;
• white-yellow;
• white-pink;
• pink.

The inner surface of the bells, pharynx, in some varieties is covered with greenish or pinkish specks. Other varieties - without colored patches.

Blooming Caucasian rhododendron looks very chic. Flowering lasts about three weeks. It is possible that in mid-October the rhododendron will bloom a second time. But this doesn't happen every year, depending on weather conditions. If you create a shrub with all the conditions necessary for a fruitful life, it will delight with its exquisite beauty for several decades.

You can visually familiarize yourself with the Caucasian rhododendron in the photo below:

Medicinal properties and contraindications

Rhododendron used not only as an ornamental plant.

Its medicinal properties have long been known, which are successfully used in traditional medicine, as well as in the creation of various dietary supplements.

For medicinal purposes use:

• stem;
• leaves;
• plant petals.

Decoctions, tinctures are prepared from them, brewed like tea.

The chemical composition of the leaves of the shrub includes:

• theanine;
• arbutin;
• various acids;
• essential oils;
• vitamin C;
• vitamins.

The tannic properties of the plant are successfully used in dentistry for:

• stomatitis;
• periodontitis;
• bleeding gums.

Rhododendron will have an astringent effect in the treatment of diarrhea.

Helps heal cuts, burns and abrasions, purulent wounds on the skin.

Infusion of corollas of rhododendron it is advisable to drink with a cold. It is a diaphoretic, and, therefore, an antipyretic. Also has anti-inflammatory action.


This shrub is well known for who wants to lose weight. A tincture of rhododendron stems and leaves is a wonderful diuretic.

By removing excess water from the body, it helps to reduce swelling and reduce weight.

Parts of rhododendron are part of some dietary supplements for weight loss.

This tincture is used for the treatment of cardiac diseases. When it is used, the tone of the heart muscle increases, the heart rate decreases and the working capacity of the heart increases.

Rhododendron is treated joint diseases. To do this, insist the leaves: apply the infusion inside and make baths with infusion for diseased joints.

A decoction of alpine rose flowers has bactericidal action. This is successfully used for various disorders of the digestive tract. They are treated:

• staphylococcus;
• streptococcus;
• gastritis.

Some substances in the plant have sedative and hypnotic effect. Therefore, it should be taken when:

• insomnia;
• irritability.

It has an anticonvulsant effect in epilepsy.

In neuralgia tincture of leaves treat osteochondrosis and other neurological diseases. To do this, rub it into a sore spot. Weak narcotic properties of the plant are used for headaches.

WORTH KNOWING that along with useful substances in parts of the plant there are poisons in a minimal amount and potent agents.

So treatment with rhododendron is excluded with renal, hepatic insufficiency, as well as for pregnant and lactating mothers. In any case, before using rhododendron in medicinal purposes you should consult with your doctor or other specialist.

Useful video

This video will tell about such a unique plant as the Caucasian rhododendron:

Conclusion

Caucasian rhododendron is an amazing plant. It is very valuable as ornamental shrub, has significant medicinal properties, is a wonderful honey plant. In the middle zone of our country, the alpine rose is very popular among flower growers.

Rhododendron has a huge number of names. This is an alpine rose and alpine tea, that is, a plant that is accustomed to growing in the most difficult conditions, in the foothills and in the mountains. AT vivo forms undergrowth and dense thickets. It is used as a landscape gardening culture. Today, many gardeners are interested in what plants have medicinal properties to grow them on their plots. Caucasian rhododendron is a unique flower that will decorate your flower bed and at the same time provide enough raw materials for making decoctions and tinctures.

general description

For summer residents of central Russia, this is not quite a typical decoration. garden beds, so it is worth talking about it in a little more detail. Caucasian rhododendron is a fairly large shrub, 60-120 cm high, with dark bark and creeping branches. The leaves are very showy, elliptical in shape, dense, thick and leathery.

The plant blooms in the first half of summer, when most of the pets in your garden are just waiting for their turn to bloom buds, and spring tulips and roses have already faded. And every year the Caucasian rhododendron pleases with its appearance. The flowers are collected in 5-10 pieces, the inflorescence is an umbrella. Each of them resembles a bell, the diameter of which can reach 2-5 cm. The color is different - from white to pink and yellow.

Valuable composition

Most often, stems, leaves and corollas of flowers are harvested for medicinal purposes, and plants of the first year of life are not used. Caucasian rhododendron is a storehouse of all kinds useful substances. Essential oils and tannins, acids and minerals (aluminum, lead, barium, silver and copper) and a number of other compounds make it possible to classify the plant as one of the most useful in the world.

But in fairness, it should be noted that the composition also contains a toxic substance. No wonder the second name of the plant is Andromeda flower. It is the andromedo toxin that is contained in its leaves and beautiful corollas. But, despite this, the plant has been widely used to treat various ailments for many centuries.

Growing a plant

You can buy seedlings in specialized stores. The second option is to grow young plant from seeds. But in order for the bush to live on your site for many years, you need to know what conditions the Caucasian rhododendron prefers. Planting and caring for it have their own characteristics. This is a shrub with its own "character", it grows slowly, but the wait is worth it. mature plant can bloom for several decades in a row.

For normal development, acidic, humus-rich soil is required. Mandatory requirements: that the earth be saturated with peat and nutrients and moderately hydrated. Even if the site is not located in a lowland, but ground water go deep, the ground needs to be drained. Without this, the bush will wither. root system it is not very well developed, so the soil around needs to be loosened, but not dug up.

reproduction

If you have one on the site flowering bush, then you can plant a whole flower bed. Plants propagate by layering. To do this, the lower branch is added dropwise next to the mother plant. When it takes root, it will be possible to cut off. Now you have a young plant. Wild species can be planted from seeds. To do this, they need to be sown in the ground in early spring.

The Caucasian rhododendron, the photo of which you see in the article, is a capricious and whimsical plant. Anyway, that's how they make it. garden conditions. Growing it is not so easy, given that it is extremely thermophilic and does not tolerate even cold winds. Excessive moisture is detrimental, so it is recommended to plant a bush in large vase, which can be removed under a canopy. By the way, it is desirable to water this plant exclusively with rainwater. Tap water contains lime and chlorine, which can kill your green pet.

Procurement of raw materials

The first year the bush usually does not bloom, but in the second year it is already possible to start harvesting leaves. To do this, they are collected in the morning and evening hours and laid out thin layer for drying. Necessarily in the shade so that direct sunlight does not fall on the raw materials. An attic would be ideal. Remember to stir them often so that the leaves dry evenly. After that, pour the resulting raw material into a fabric bag.

Properties

There are practically no such areas of medicine in which the Caucasian rhododendron would not be used. The medicinal properties of the plant allow us to consider it the best natural healer. Cardiologists know this plant well and recommend it to their patients. Preparations based on rhododendron improve heart function and reduce venous pressure, have a diuretic effect, which makes it possible to treat patients with kidney diseases.

But that is not all. Doctors confirm that the infusion of this plant can have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, and also has tannic properties.

Application

As you can see, the plant is able to qualitatively change the state of health, due to which it is widely used in medicine. But do not rush to perceive it as a panacea for all diseases. Before use, be sure to consult a doctor and ask him if it is possible to use Caucasian rhododendron. and contraindications must be agreed even if you have chronic diseases.

The most widely used infusions and decoctions. They are used in cardiovascular diseases, especially in severe insufficiency. With gout and rheumatism, as well as diseases of the joints, it is recommended to take baths with infusion of leaves. A tincture of the stems is considered a valuable raw material for heart diseases and edema, dropsy and migraines, and headaches.

Rhododendron is widely used for colitis and stomach diseases. In this case, a decoction or tincture can be used. Dentists often prescribe tincture for bleeding gums and periodontal disease.

Contraindications

Caucasian rhododendron, despite the presence of a toxic substance in the composition, is allowed for admission to almost all groups of patients. There are contraindications, but they are not so many. It is not recommended to use drugs based on this plant during pregnancy. During lactation, it is also worth canceling the intake, since there is no reliable data on whether it penetrates into breast milk. Nephrologists strongly discourage the use of the plant for kidney treatment without a thorough examination. Individual allergic reactions are also a reason for immediate withdrawal.

Recipes

The easiest way is to prepare a decoction. To do this, you need to take 2 g of dry leaves and pour them with a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for 10-25 minutes, then strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. To prepare the tincture, you will need 200 ml of vodka and 20 g of crushed leaves. All mix in glass bottle and put in a dark place for two weeks. After that, strain and take 20 drops 3 times a day. The duration of admission is determined individually.

Instead of a conclusion

Now you can easily recognize this plant if you see a photo of the Caucasian rhododendron. The healing properties of this shrub are simply wonderful. They can be studied for a very long time. Almost every doctor can say that this plant can be successfully used in his practice. But we do not call for the use of infusions and decoctions without a doctor's prescription, because there are cases of individual intolerance. In addition, the course of treatment of each patient includes various drugs with which herbal medicine may not be combined. Therefore, be sure to consult with your doctor.

In any case, the original rhododendron bushes with bluebell flowers will be a wonderful decoration for your garden. Young seedlings are very whimsical, but if you manage to keep them for the first year, then later they will require much less effort.

Rhododendrons are plants from the heather family.

The golden rhododendron is evergreen shrub reaching one meter in height. Its trunk spreads along the ground and for the most part is curved. The bark of this plant has a dark brown color, the branches are covered with glandular-fluffy scales. The leaves of golden rhododendron are placed on short petioles. They are alternate, entirely extreme, dark green above, lighter below. The leaf shape is obovate or elliptical. inflorescences this plant consist of several flowers and resemble umbrellas located at the ends of branches. The fruits of the golden rhododendron are cylindrical boxes with drop-down doors, inside of which there are seeds.

The considered variety of rhododendron grows in Altai, the North Caucasus, the Far East, Sakhalin, the territory of the Sayan Mountains, the Northern Kuriles. It is found mainly in mountainous areas located at an altitude of 1.5 to 3 thousand meters above sea level.

The Caucasian rhododendron is a shrub whose height is 60-120 cm. The bark of this plant is dark brown, the branches are sloping, creeping. The leaves are elliptical in shape, with a short petiole. They are dense to the touch, leathery, thick, dark green on top, gray-green below. The flowers of the Caucasian rhododendron with a diameter of 2-5 centimeters are collected five to ten pieces in inflorescences-umbrellas. Their color can vary from white to pink or yellowish-cream, with reddish speckles in the center. The fruits of this plant have the form of five-celled boxes, in which small seeds are located.

The Caucasian rhododendron grows mainly in illuminated areas, in the foothills, mountains in South-East Asia, in the Caucasus, in Siberia, in the Far East.

The Qinghai rhododendron is small sizes evergreen shrub with many branches.

The Daurian (Siberian) variety of rhododendron is a deciduous shrub with branches sticking up. In height, it can reach two meters. Its distribution area is Eastern Siberia, the territories of Transbaikalia, the south of the Far East, as well as certain regions of Northern Mongolia, Korea, and Northeast China.

Procurement and storage

Used for medicinal purposes various varieties plants, in particular Daurian, golden, Caucasian, Indian, as well as Metternich's rhododendron. As a rule, traditional healers use the leaves of this plant in the preparation of preparations. Their collection is carried out from two-, three-year-old rhododendrons during the flowering period. Raw materials are dried under sheds, in warm rooms, ovens, special dryers (at a temperature of 50-60 degrees) or simply in the open air, excluding direct sunlight. In this case, the leaves are laid out in a thin layer and periodically mixed.

household applications

Today, rhododendrons are actively used in ornamental gardening, in the manufacture of furniture, carpentry, turning products, as well as in the perfume and leather industries.

Medicinal properties

1. Preparations prepared on the basis of rhododendrons have an analgesic, bactericidal, antipyretic, diaphoretic, and calming effect.
2. The plants in question have a positive effect on the heart. They remove excess fluid from the body, relieving shortness of breath, palpitations, edema, increase cardiac activity, lower the level of arterial (Dahurian rhododendron) and venous pressure (golden plant variety).
3. Leaves are used to treat rheumatism, chronic colitis, colds, vegetative neurosis, epilepsy. They help to stop bronchitis, cough with phlegm, have a calming effect on the lungs, and ease the course of asthma.
4. A tea brewed from the flowers relieves sore throats and headaches.
5. The plants in question act as bactericidal agents. They are effective against pathogenic microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract, streptococci, staphylococci.
6. Therapeutic baths based on Daurian rhododendron are indicated for nervous breakdown, neuralgic pains, sciatica, with the deposition of salts.
7. Infusion of flowers is recommended to be taken as a sedative, hypnotic. It should also be used for cardiovascular diseases, in particular myocarditis, pain in the heart area, and colds.
8. A decoction of the flowers of these plants is drunk for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including enteritis, gastroenteritis, gastritis, as a diuretic composition for nephrolithiasis.
9. Tincture of leaves and flowers of rhododendrons should be rubbed into damaged areas with sciatica, neuralgia, polyarthritis, osteochondrosis.
10. In homeopathy, a tincture of fresh leaves is prescribed for poisoning with mercury vapor, for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, headache, diarrhea, runny nose, as well as for people suffering from difficulty urinating, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

Application in traditional medicine

Here are the cooking recipes medicines based various kinds rhododendron.

Infusion of the leaves of the Caucasian rhododendron, used for sleep disorders, irritability, headaches, convulsions, premenstrual syndrome

Pour dry leaves of the plant (2 g) with boiling water (200 ml), leave for ten to fifteen minutes. After the product has been filtered, use it three times a day, one tablespoon of the tablespoon.

Tincture of Caucasian rhododendron, recommended for use in shortness of breath, palpitations, venous congestion, edema, hypertension

Pour the crushed leaves and flowers of the plant (20 grams) with vodka (200 ml), keep in a dark place for 14 days, strain. You need to drink the composition twice - three times a day, 20-25 drops, diluted with a small amount of drinking water.

Infusion of Daurian rhododendron leaves, taken for poisoning, inflammation of the mucous membrane, headaches

Pour the crushed dry leaves of the plant (1 tsp) with boiling water (250 ml), let the product cool. Use it three to four times a day, one teaspoonful. The resulting composition allows you to get rid of excess fluid in the body, reduces shortness of breath, normalizes the heart rhythm.

Rhododendron Adams leaf infusion used as a sedative

Pour a dry plant (1 tsp) with boiling water (1 l), leave for 30 minutes. Drink the infusion should be a third of a glass before meals three times a day.

Rhododendron Adams infusion used for headaches, colds

Pour dry crushed raw materials (2 g) into a thermos and pour boiling water (250 ml). The composition must be infused for two hours. After that, it is filtered and drunk one tablespoon of the dining room twice - three times a day.

Tincture from the leaves of golden rhododendron, which has a bactericidal effect

Fill the container one-fifth with the dry leaves of the plant in question, filling it to the top with vodka or alcohol, let the composition brew for 14 days. Then strain the product and drink 10-15 drops, adding them to 100 ml of water.

Infusion of leaves of golden rhododendron, which has an antipyretic effect

Pour dry crushed leaves of the plant (1 tsp) with boiling water (200 ml), insist for an hour. After straining, use the composition in warm form one tablespoon three times a day.

Contraindications

Preparations based on rhododendron should not be taken:

• during pregnancy,
• during breastfeeding,
• people with tissue necrosis and severe kidney disease.

The genus Rhododendron belongs to the Heather family. There are over 600 species of this plant., which are mainly represented by evergreen and deciduous shrubs and small trees. Among them there are several medicinal species which have been used in medicine for a long time.

Caucasian rhododendron

This species is a low shrub or grass reaching a height of no more than one and a half meters. Its stem is recumbent and quickly covered with dark bark.
The leaves are mostly narrow or oval in shape, reinforced on the underside with a layer of light brown felt.

The flowers are small (no more than 3 cm in diameter), collected in an umbrella inflorescence. Shades are always light - from snow-white to cream and light pink. Sometimes there are pinkish flowers with red dots in the very center, which looks especially beautiful. The Caucasian rhododendron has been used for several centuries in local folk medicine as a cure for many diseases. More about this in the relevant section.

Rhododendron Adams

This species is distributed in the east of Russia: in the upper reaches of the Bureya River, in the Sayan Mountains, and also everywhere in the coastal regions of the Far East: on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and on Sakhalin. It also lives in the North-East of the Tibetan Plateau. It grows no more than half a meter tall. The leaves are evergreen, small in size (up to 1 cm wide, up to 2 cm long).

The plant has long been used for medicinal purposes, since the healing substances that make up it are of great benefit as a tonic that stimulates the work of the heart, kidneys and brain. There is evidence that with the help of this plant, headaches, hangovers and problems with potency are treated.

This species is particularly winter hardy.- it grows in regions with a sharp continental climate: Siberia, Buryatia, Mongolia, Far East. It is a low-growing shrub (40-60 cm in height). Leaves are evergreen, leathery, bright colours and attractive oval shape.

Thanks to the rich chemical composition components of rhododendron have a complex effect on the body.
They increase the heart rate, treat bronchitis, reduce the number of asthma attacks, help with colds, sciatica and various forms neuralgia.

Dahurian rhododendron

This species is distributed east of the Altai Mountains. It got its name due to the name of some areas of Transbaikalia, where the Daur people lived. In our country, the plant is better known under popular name"ledum". Interestingly, the full-scale study of the plant began only in the 1970s.

However, the locals know about it. healing properties not the first century. It is used in the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels in order to reduce pressure and optimize heart rate. It also has a bactericidal effect, due to which it is used as a wound healing, as well as in the treatment of skin diseases.

How to grow rhododendrons (video)

Places of growth of the Caucasian rhododendron

The plant is endemic to the Caucasus. This means that the species lives exclusively in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus. Especially often it can be found at an altitude of 1600 to 3000 meters. In Russia, it grows in the North Caucasus - in all republics (Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia).

In the South Caucasus, it lives at about the same heights. Partially distributed in Turkey - along the Lazistan and Arsiyan mountain ranges. Since the flowers of the plant have white, milky and cream shades and settle in whole colonies, during the flowering period, the slopes of the mountains look especially beautiful- Caucasian rhododendron creates a unique subalpine landscape.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

Dried leaves and flowers are mainly used for medicinal purposes. They are harvested when the rhododendron blooms. Moreover, the collection is carried out from 2- and 3-year-old plants. Dry in a ventilated, darkened room (this should not be done under the open sun).

For the drying process, all the collected raw materials are laid out in one layer on a clean cloth. . Important so that the room is not too humid and stuffy - constant ventilation is required. Dry until fully cooked (with light compression, the flowers and leaves should break easily). Further placed in glassware and tightly close the lid, since the leaves and flowers easily absorb moisture. Store for a maximum of 2 years in a dark place at a temperature not exceeding +5 ° C.

Andromedotoxin and other active ingredients of rhododendron

1. Andromedotoxin- This is a toxic substance from the class of glycosides, however, in moderate doses, it acts as a sedative, but the dosage should be strictly monitored.
2. Vitamin C, an increased concentration of which was found precisely during the flowering of rhododendron.
3. Tannins, acting as an anti-inflammatory and fixative.
4. Essential oils, inhibiting the reproduction of bacteria and viruses, as well as serving as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Important! Since some of the substances that make up the rhododendron are poisonous, the dosage should be strictly observed, and those people who fall into the group with contraindications should also refrain from using preparations based on it (for more details, see the corresponding section).

Medicinal and beneficial properties of the Caucasian rhododendron

Thanks to the beneficial effect of the active ingredients of rhododendron it has a healing effect on different systems organs:

• wound healing and bactericidal;
• painkiller;
• antipyretic;
• diuretic;
• tonic and restorative.

Used in the treatment of:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• fever;
• rheumatism;
• gout;
• gynecological diseases;
• neuralgia, epilepsy;
• easy excitability, irritability;
• periodontitis and stomatitis.

Healing properties of Caucasian rhododendron (video)

IT IS INTERESTING

In the Caucasus, rhododendron is used for landscaping gardens and parks. It looks good in group plantings, as borders for decorating paths and marking the natural borders of flower beds.

The use of Caucasian rhododendron in folk medicine

The plant is used in various dosage forms- as tea or decoction from dry raw materials, as well as in the form of alcohol infusions.

Against insomnia and epilepsy

An infusion of leaves is brewed at the rate of 2-3 grams of crushed raw materials per glass of boiling water. You can insist just a few minutes, and then strain and take 2 teaspoons three times a day, regardless of the time of lunch and dinner. You need to store the medicine in the refrigerator.

With tachycardia and shortness of breath

A teaspoon of crushed and a teaspoon of flowers is poured into a glass of vodka. You need to insist 2 weeks in a dark place, and then use 25 drops three times a day before each meal. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

tea for colds

During a cold and also to restore strength after infectious diseases, tea is made from half a teaspoon of crushed leaves (poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes). A glass of non-cold milk is added to the tea and the mixture is brought to a boil, then immediately turned off. You need to use it like regular tea. Add honey, sugar or lemon to taste.

Infusion of hypertension

For the treatment of high blood pressure, 1 leaf (20 grams of dry raw materials) is taken and poured with a glass of boiling water. You need to brew for half an hour, and use a large spoon three times a day before each meal.

From cervical erosion

In this case, a decoction is used for daily douching: a teaspoon of raw materials in a glass of boiling water; you need to brew for half an hour. You can add such de quantities of dry calendula. Douche twice a day until complete recovery.

About the benefits of rhododendron honey

Honey, made on the basis of the flowers of the Caucasian rhododendron, has gained notoriety since ancient times, since several cases of poisoning were noticed - people were delirious, they had hallucinations, and with a strong overdose, even deaths were observed.

However modern ways obtaining honey made it possible to completely eliminate the risk of poisoning - honey from rhododendron has a characteristic beige shade, tart taste, which differs from the usual honey in that rhododendron honey is not so sweet. Used in the treatment of colds, bronchitis, infectious diseases.

Homeopathic preparations with rhododendron

The Caucasian rhododendron is used to prepare a group of homeopathic preparations. The essence of their action is based on the fact that substances are used that cause disease in humans in large doses. But for treatment, these same substances are used in small quantities.

This is how they treat:

• hypertension;
• diseases of the nervous system (neuralgia, epilepsy);
• feverish conditions;
• headaches;
• general malaise: overwork, weakness, loss of tone;
• poisoning with mercury and other heavy metals;
• diseases of the mucous membranes.

Varieties of rhododendron (video)

Contraindications and harm of rhododendron

You should refuse treatment with any preparations based on rhododendron for the following persons:

1. Pregnant and lactating women at any stage.
2. Suffering from low blood pressure.
3. Individuals with renal insufficiency of any stage.
4. Suffering from tissue necrosis.

Important! If during therapy it does not become easier, and signs of poisoning appear (headaches, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, increased salivation), treatment should be stopped immediately and the session should be continued only after the approval of the doctor.

Caucasian rhododendron is a time-tested medicine. However, it is important to strictly observe the dosage and not start therapy without first consulting with your doctor.