Chinese ash (aylant otherwise) is a palm-shaped heat-loving deciduous plant, a native of Northern China.
Distributed in the European part of Russia, throughout Ukraine; widely used for landscaping settlements in the Crimea.
Description
The tree trunk is beautiful and slender, no more than half a meter thick. It has a cylindrical shape, characterized by a grayish-brown color and a furrowed structure of a thin bark.
The leaves are large, pinnate, similar to palm; on the underside of a bluish tint. Very large, in length can reach 60 centimeters. They consist of approximately 25 lanceolate, ovate leaflets with large denticles at the base, which produce an unpleasant odor when blooming and touching them. Young trees are characterized by openwork wide-pyramidal crown, in old specimens it is spherical, spreading.
Yellow-green flowers have a not very pleasant aroma, collected in large 20-centimeter panicles. Flowering time - mid-summer (July-August). The fruits of Chinese ash are a small (about 4 centimeters long) reddish-brown decorative lionfish, which stands out against the background of green foliage.
Characteristics
Chinese ash is a long-liver: the life span is from 80 to 100 years. It is characterized by rapid growth: by 5 years reaches 4-meter height, after 20 years, this figure is 20-35 meters. The crown diameter of an adult tree reaches an average of 20 meters.
In China, a tree is grown for propagation on the leaves of wild silkworms. For the same purpose, it was introduced to Russia in the 19th century. After the revolution, cultivation of this plant was discontinued. Subsequently, for the unpleasant smell, Chinese ash, which received the new name "stink", became the subject of mass uprooting and extermination.
Chinese ash, the name of which means "tree of the gods" in translation from Indonesian, is quite a light and heat-loving plant; at a young age has low frost resistance, with time acquires the ability to tolerate temperatures up to -20 ° C. Frozen crown has the ability to recover quickly due to rapidly growing young shoots.
Thanks to the powerful root system located close to the soil surface, Chinese ash is able to withstand strong winds.
It has the ability to give abundant root shoots, well strengthening the soil on the slopes and slopes.
How is Chinese ash propagated?
Trees and shrubs propagate by grafting, in small parts of the roots or seeds, which are recommended to be stored in a cool, dry place in cloth bags or paper bags. Germination persists for 2-3 years. Before sowing, which is done in autumn or early spring, it is recommended that the seed be soaked in water at room temperature for 1-2 days. The depth of incorporation into the soil is not more than 3 centimeters. Since the tree does not tolerate transplanting, it is recommended to plant it immediately in a permanent place. The plot should be shaded and well protected from drafts and plenty of sunlight.
Chinese ash (photo shows its beauty) is unpretentious in cultivation, grows best on well-moistened, loamy lands. Tolerantly refers to saline, dry stony and sandy soils.
Industrial use
The dense wood of Chinese ash is characterized by white or pinkish color and is used in the manufacture of high-quality paper, decorative products, original souvenirs, relief crafts, as well as for lining expensive furniture, ship cabins, and aircraft cabins. Powder is produced from aylant coal in some countries. The leaves of the plant are used as feed for silkworm caterpillars. The resinous juice of the bark has long been used for the production of varnishes and oil paints, as well as embalming corpses.
Medicinal properties
In Chinese medicine, ailant, characterized by its rich chemical composition, is valued for its healing properties. For medicinal purposes, bark, flowers, leaves and dried fruits of the plant are used. Fresh bark of Chinese ash treated dysentery, get rid of tape worms. Fruits are used for hemorrhoids and for the regulation of menstruation. In homeopathy, in the treatment of scarlet fever and diphtheria, fresh shoots, young bark and flowers of the plant are used, and fruits are used for diseases of the genitourinary system and biliary tract.
Leaves with antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties are used to prepare effective decoctions and medicinal infusions, which are successfully used as an anti-febrile remedy for diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and upper respiratory tract, for removing excess fluid from the body during rheumatism, arthritis and radiculitis . In addition, medicines based on Chinese ash are used as a laxative, hemostatic and wound healing agent.
Tree seeds are not recommended for use due to toxicity. In official medicine, Chinese ash is not used as a medicine.
Recipes based on Chinese ash
For the prevention of influenza and other viral infections, it is recommended that 2 teaspoons of crushed leaves and bark of the plant pour 200 ml of water, boil for 7 minutes over low heat, insist, then strain. Take three times a day for 2 tbsp. spoons.
With dysentery, you need to boil 2 tablespoons of crushed bark in 200 grams of water for half an hour. Then cool, strain, dilute with boiled water to the initial volume. Take 1/3 cup before meals three times a day.
Harvesting raw materials
Leaves are harvested in the first half of summer, and fruits are harvested as they ripen. Drying of the collected raw materials is done in the attics or in the shade under the awnings.
The bark is harvested in early summer, when it is most easily separated from wood. It is dried in any way at a temperature of +70 ° C.
Contraindications
There are no special contraindications to the use of Chinese ash. It is recommended to adhere to the dosage: the daily dose of cortex in the form of a decoction for adults should not exceed 16 g, otherwise a toxic effect occurs.
Since the bark and leaves have irritating properties, in people caring for such a plant, the appearance of a vesicle and pustular rash can be observed on the body.