Fir is a plant belonging to the genus gymnosperms, the Pine family. About 50 species of it grow in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in the temperate zone. Siberian fir is most widely used for pharmaceutical purposes. Essential oil obtained from the paws of the plant (the ends of young branches and needles) is considered a biologically valuable product, raw material for the production of medical camphor - the main component of various medicines. In addition, its medicinal properties have long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of colds, pulmonary, skin and rheumatic lesions. For this, often used fir balsam, reviews of which are given in the article below.
Chemical composition
This coniferous tree, which reaches 30-40 meters in height, has a round trunk and a narrow pyramidal crown. The branches of the plant are drooping and thin, smooth bark of saturated gray color. Thickening of various sizes that occur when the cortex is displaced and the trunk grows are called nodules. They are filled with resin, also called "fir balm." The needles (leaves) are flat, fragrant and non-spiky, slightly curved or straight, dark green in color. The tree blooms in May-June, while the seeds ripen by September.
For medical purposes, young branches, bark, buds and needles of a tree are used. Fir cream, balm, decoctions and infusions are prepared from them. The bark is harvested all year round, in March - the kidneys, while with a fir foot it is advisable to stock up in the winter, keeping it on the flooring along with layers of snow - this way valuable essential oil is stored in the raw materials.
It should be noted that in the composition of the needles were found:
- volatile;
- carotene;
- flavonoids;
- carbohydrates;
- proteins;
- vitamins E and C;
- trace elements: cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, copper.
In addition, in an amount of more than 3% essential oil, the composition of which is presented:
- camphene;
- bornyl acetate;
- apinene;
- borneol;
- santenom;
- dipentene;
- bisabolene;
- A-fellandren;
- tocopherol;
- vitamin C.
Carmic, oleic and lauric acids, vitamin E are part of the seeds. The components of resin are essential oil and resins, while the bark is rich in tannins and fir balsam.
Beneficial features
The healing properties of fir are explained by its composition. It is widely used for medicinal purposes (for example, fir balm "Siberian Health"). In official medicine, synthetic camphor is used, which is made from plant oil, all kinds of drugs from it are prescribed for the treatment of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, rheumatism, and infectious lesions. The use of fir in the form of camphor is recommended as a mild analeptic to enhance breathing and blood circulation in the treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis, strokes, bronchospasm, in case of poisoning with narcotic and sleeping pills or carbon monoxide.
The antibacterial, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory and general strengthening properties of the plant are used in the application of plant oil in the fight against infectious and catarrhal diseases, stress, increased fatigue and neurosis. With external use, they treat sprains, bruises, and reduce pain in muscles and joints with rheumatism, arthrosis, osteochondrosis and radiculitis.
In folk medicine, the use of fir in the form of water infusions of needles and kidneys, which have diuretic and antibacterial properties, is advised for colds, scurvy, cystitis, and renal lesions. Needle preparations are prescribed topically for rinsing the mouth and throat in case of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and larynx, and apply compresses for frostbite of the skin and expansion of veins. It is also worth noting that the needles vapor due to volatile production, included in its composition, strengthen the body by disinfecting the air.
Fir balm
Fir balm found application in a variety of cases. It has excellent wound healing properties, is good for the treatment of abscesses, festering wounds. Using it inside helps to strengthen the immune system, normalize metabolism.
Fir balm is sold in pharmacies today. You only need to remember that it is extremely important for internal use that the dosage is respected. More than enough a teaspoon of the remedy taken in a glass of water. The drug also has a number of interesting features. For example, it refracts light at the same angle as glass. Due to this, in optics they glue the lenses in glasses.
Composition
The balm contains the following substances:
It is produced by extraction from shoots of Siberian fir, which grows in ecologically clean parts of the Siberian taiga of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
Fir balm is a substance of saturated brown color with light shades from dark brown to greenish, thick, bitter in taste, with a pasty uniform consistency. It is worth noting that with further storage in open containers or technological evaporation it turns into a dense dense substance of black color, which has a bitter coniferous aftertaste. It resembles the appearance of a mummy, while the shelf life is increased several times.
Positive impact
Fir balm is used in the following cases:
- helps rapid tissue repair;
- it is a potent antiseptic soft agent that has the effect of rapid rejection and localization of necrotic tissues;
- relieves the body of vitamin hunger;
- cleans and heals abscesses, purulent wounds, inflammatory internal and external processes;
- removes poisons and toxins from the body;
- suppresses dysenteric, putrefactive sticks;
- recommended at low pressure;
- with diabetes reduces sugar levels;
- improves metabolic processes, due to which body weight is normalized;
- improves lymph flow in the body, while inflammation of the lymph nodes decreases;
- Helps the retention in the body of vital trace elements, including iron, magnesium, calcium;
- reduces the risk of liver disease, heart;
- helps fast bone fusion;
- has a filtering effect on the absorption by the intestines of all kinds of harmful components that enter the body due to a violation of the ecological balance;
- reduces the percentage of colds;
- provides skin health;
- the intestinal-alkaline balance is restored, there is a rapid healing of gastric ulcers, as well as all stages of gastritis;
- actively used for disinfection of the digestive tract;
- in the form of ointments for diaper rash, burns, fungal diseases, purulent wounds, wet and dry eczema;
- eliminates the possibility of suppuration on postoperative sutures, tissue regeneration accelerates, pain effects are reduced;
- eliminates inflammation of the oral mucosa in the prevention and treatment of stomatitis, tonsillitis;
- It can replace the best toothpastes, while saturating the gum and tooth tissues with necessary microelements and eliminating putrid foul odor;
- metabolic disorder, salt deposition, slagging of the body;
- heals calluses, cracks, small wounds of skin tissues;
- eliminates polyps in the intestine, restoring the natural intestinal microflora inherent in humans;
- with a high content of mucus in the bronchi, nasopharynx, intestines, lungs, heals pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis.
Using
A teaspoon of balm must be diluted in a glass of clean drinking water. It can also be used as an additive to medicinal formulations and ointments. If you want to provide precious immunity to your weakened immune system, then use systematically balm with honey, boiling water, milk. It should be noted separately that it is recommended for use by lactating and pregnant women.
The use of the product should be careful, because due to its ability to actively expel toxins, stones from the body, an exacerbation of the disease can occur due to overload of the excretory system, therefore, the initial dose should not exceed 1 teaspoon half an hour before meals, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach . In case of an ulcer, drink balm with honey in a ratio of 1: 1.
Contraindications
The use of balm is contraindicated in:
- tendency to cramps;
- hypersensitivity to the plant;
- gastric ulcer;
- epilepsy.
In addition, the drug is not recommended for young children. The simultaneous administration of funds based on alcohol and plant oil is also prohibited. Before using the balm, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Fir balm: application, reviews
After studying the reviews about the use of balm, you can understand that he is actually able to cope with a variety of problems that arise with the human body. Some in their positive comments also note its availability. But there are also skeptical statements of people who trust exclusively in medical treatment. We have nothing to answer to this - this is a personal choice of everyone.