Alocasia is a decorative foliage plant. Very often it is used for interior decoration of apartments and offices, which is associated with its amazing exotic beauty.
But the owners of this tropical flower very often do not even assume that they are dealing with a very unusual plant - healing and poisonous at the same time.
In this article we will consider in detail what is alocasia - the healing properties and use of this plant.
Description
Alocasia (arum) is an evergreen perennial ornamental tuberous herbaceous houseplant of the aroid family with large dense oval-heart-shaped leaves on juicy long petioles and thick rhizome. It is amazingly beautiful large leaves that are the main decoration of this flower. They can be green, variegated, and also with very thick veins. It is also interesting that no more than 3 of them grow on the stem, since when the 4th leaf appears, the very first dries out, and then dies. Most likely, therefore, this flower is popularly called the “shamrock”, while the entire stem is covered with scars from previously dried leaves.
The alocasia plant, the medicinal properties of which are described in the article below, is quite large. It reaches a height of one, periodically and two meters, which depends on the particular species.
Chemical composition
Initially, it must be emphasized that the chemical composition of the arm is not well understood. But studies conducted by Altai Medical University and Altai State University have shown that large-root alocasia (its medicinal properties are actively used in folk medicine) contains poisons and also mercury.
Scientists have also found the presence of biologically active substances in arma, among which are: flavonoids, quercetin, lycuroside and hyperoside, alkaloids and coumarins. In alocasia, a total of 5 different alkaloids were found, one of which is close in composition to aimalin and quinine.
In addition, studies have revealed a complete absence in the composition of the arma of anthracene derivatives, tannins and saponins of substances, fluroglucins and cardiac glycosides.
Alocasia plant: medicinal properties
Despite its strong toxicity, and probably due to it, Arm has long been used in traditional medicine in China to treat cancer. The anticancer potential of a plant, namely its water extract, was studied at the University of Sichuan. There it was proved that the growth of hepatoma is suppressed by Polly alocasia, whose healing properties are not limited to this.
In general, arma is the strongest biogenic stimulant with high phytoncidal properties, excellent medicinal effect, in addition, it strengthens the immune system. Tincture of this plant also helps with rheumatism, thrombophlebitis, allergies, polyarthritis, hemorrhoids, with a variety of skin diseases, including psoriasis. Arma is also used to treat gout and spurs, with the deposition of salts, paralysis, tuberculosis, enlargement of the thyroid gland, various tumors, myomas and mastopathies.
And experts in traditional Chinese medicine recommend this tincture for pneumonia, pain in the intestines and stomach, and toothache.
But you need to remember that the appropriateness of using such drugs can only be determined by a qualified doctor, in this case, self-medication can have negative consequences.
If you have recommendations, then we will consider a recipe for tinctures from alocasia, which can be prepared at home.
Alocasia tincture
Tincture is prepared using alcohol or vodka. The leaves of the plant need to be crushed in a plastic or porcelain bowl and pour vodka (1: 1). It is necessary to insist in a dark place for about 14 days (more often recommended three weeks). The drug is externally used in the form of compresses, rubbing or lotions for a variety of dermatological diseases (psoriasis, eczema, etc.), thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids.
Gruel from leaves
The gruel is prepared from the fresh leaves of the plant, grinding them in a porcelain or wooden mortar. The finished product is used in the form of compresses for the treatment of rheumatic and joint diseases, in dermatological practice.
Alocasia: healing properties of ointment
This medicinal product can be prepared using gruel, which is obtained from grinding the leaves of a plant by mixing them with a fat base (lanolin, petroleum jelly, lard, etc.). This ointment can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 weeks. It can also be prepared from tincture of alocasia by mixing it with a base (1: 4). Storage time is almost unlimited in this ointment from the alocasia plant. The healing properties (photo in this article) of this remedy relieve pain in arthrosis, arthritis and rheumatism, and help in healing trophic ulcers.
Alocasia oil
The oil is made on the basis of gruel, by the method of oil extraction. It is recommended to use non-drying oils, such as olive, as an extractant. The finished product, prepared from the leaf of the plant, you need to pour 100 ml of oil and stand for two weeks in a jar of dark glass. After insisting, the mixture must be filtered, and then squeeze the residue. You can save the drug for three months in a cool place. Alocasia plant oil, the healing properties of which are described in detail in this article, are used for rubbing or in the form of compresses for joint and rheumatic pains.
Baths
The infusion is prepared in a "hot way." For this, alocasia (a flower whose medicinal properties help with joint pain) is crushed, the resulting raw material is poured in a thermos with a liter of boiling water. The mixture is infused for 1 hour. This infusion is enough to create a bath volume of up to 10 liters. Such procedures for gouty cones should be performed every day before bedtime; the exposure period is 20 minutes. After the procedure, diseased joints need to be wrapped with a fabric of wool.
Leaf infusion
The active substances that make up the arm are destroyed when exposed to high temperature, therefore, all preparations must be prepared using the “cold method”. To prepare a water infusion, you need boiled chilled water. She poured crushed alocasia (flower), the healing properties of which help to cope with various skin diseases. The infusion period is about a day. The therapeutic infusion can also be stored for a maximum of 24 hours. The drug should be used for washing, compresses and lotions.
Salty alocasia
Salting of plant leaves is carried out for the preparation of medicinal raw materials. For each leaf of the arm, you need 2 tablespoons of salt. The raw materials need to be crushed, then mix thoroughly with salt. Put the finished mixture for 24 hours under oppression. Such raw materials are enough to prepare a bath of up to 20 liters.