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The medicinal properties of fir are highly respected in folk medicine - there are many remedies based on this useful plant. To assess the benefits and possible harm of fir, you need to carefully study its effect on the human body.
What are the benefits of fir?
The coniferous fir tree belongs to the Pine family and has huge reserves of valuable substances in its composition. Thanks to this, it has a positive effect on the body, namely:
- relieves inflammation and reduces tissue swelling;
- has a strengthening and immunomodulatory effect;
- accelerates recovery processes;
- has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and helps with pulmonary diseases;
- regulates the production of gastric juice and is beneficial for digestive ailments;
- stimulates cardiac and vascular activity;
- cleanses the body of toxins, toxic substances and poisons.
In folk medicine, not only fir cones and needles are used, but also other parts of the plant - buds, resin, bark. The chemical composition of different parts is quite different, so when studying the beneficial properties of fir, you need to understand what kind of raw material we are talking about.
Useful properties of fir needles
The beneficial properties of fir needles are most often used in recipes, since this raw material is easy to collect in large quantities. The chemical composition of fir needles contains antioxidants and vitamin C, vitamin A and phytoncides, essential oils and beta-carotene.
Decoctions and infusions based on fir needles are used to treat heart, vascular, and viral diseases. Fir needles are used in the treatment and prevention of pulmonary diseases; they are used for bronchitis and pneumonia, bronchial asthma and tuberculosis.
Another useful property of the raw material is that products based on pine needles promote rapid healing of wounds; they not only disinfect, but also restore tissue.
Medicinal properties of fir resin
Resin is the resinous mass secreted by the bark of coniferous trees. Fir resin consists of 70% resin, and the rest is essential oil - about 30%. This is much more than in all other parts of the plant.
The healing properties of fir resin are due to its powerful antiseptic effect. It is used primarily for treating scratches and wounds, cuts and burns, ulcers and boils. Pharmacies sell solutions of fir resin with a concentration of 5%, 25% and 30%; they can be used not only externally, but also internally.The medicinal properties of fir resin are used in the treatment of varicose veins and osteochondrosis, colds and inflammatory infections, gastritis and dental ailments.
Medicinal properties of fir bark
Dried fir bark is a valuable source of tannins, essential oil, resin and camphor oil. It contains valuable substances santhen and borneol, bornyl acetate and painless. Decoctions and tinctures based on the bark are used to treat scurvy and vitamin deficiency; they provide effective help for toothache and migraines.
Also, the properties of fir wood help with high blood pressure. Products based on raw materials help remove toxic substances from the body, so the bark can be used to cleanse the blood and tissues.
Medicinal properties of fir cones
Young fir cones contain ascorbic acid and tannins, tocopherol and carotene, and essential oil. Most often, cones are used in the treatment of joints; their properties relieve inflammation and pain in rheumatism, arthritis, radiculitis and osteochondrosis.
Fir cones are used both internally in the form of decoctions and externally. For example, you can make foot baths based on fir cones - the beneficial substances will penetrate the tissues through the skin and have a quick calming effect.
Medicinal properties of fir buds
Fir buds, which appear on tree branches in April, contain an impressive supply of vitamins E and C, as well as a huge amount of antioxidants. Kidneys are highly valued in the treatment of colds and inflammatory diseases, and their properties also help improve the condition of skin and hair.
Raw materials help to renew the body and strengthen protective functions, so consuming buds is useful if the immune system is weakened or during the period of recovery from an illness.
What does fir help with?
Fir treats symptoms of a wide range of ailments. Healing remedies based on fir are used:
- for colds - runny nose, cough, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis;
- for viral and fungal infections;
- for joint ailments - arthritis, sciatica, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, rheumatism, during the healing period of fractures;
- for skin diseases and injuries - diathesis and dermatitis, acne and cuts, burns, boils, diaper rash and bedsores;
- for toothache and headache;
- for angina pectoris and hypertension;
- for infectious diseases of the oral cavity - stomatitis, periodontal disease, caries.
Products based on the plant have a relaxing and calming effect, so the benefits of fir are in demand in the treatment of neuroses and insomnia.
Rules for procurement of raw materials
Since almost all parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes, useful raw materials are collected throughout the year. Namely:
- Fir buds are collected when they appear on the branches - at the end of March or April;
- conifer needles from young shoots are cut twice a year - from June to August or from October to February;
- tree bark can be harvested throughout the year, but it is better to do this in early spring, when juices are moving rapidly along the trunk, and the tree can release maximum nutrients;
- Resin can be obtained throughout the warm season - the main thing is that the air temperature at this time is not lower than 16 degrees;
- Mature fir cones are collected in September and October - before they begin to fall off naturally.
Fir resin and young buds are most beneficial when fresh. The needles are used both dried and fresh, depending on the recipe. But the bark needs to be dried; this is done in the air, spreading the crushed raw materials in a thin layer in a shaded place. Drying increases the benefits of fir bark and also extends the shelf life.
The use of fir in folk medicine
The medicinal properties and contraindications of fir are used for dozens of different ailments. Based on wood parts, needles and resin, plants make useful infusions, decoctions, extracts and oils; if used in accordance with recipes, the properties of the coniferous plant will have a healing effect.
Fir tincture
An alcoholic tincture based on pine needles and young fir buds has powerful beneficial properties. In large quantities, it can cause damage, but when used correctly, it perfectly helps with respiratory and joint ailments - rheumatism and arthritis, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Make the tincture as follows:
- young buds and fir needles are carefully crushed and poured into a glass vessel in a volume of 150 g;
- pour 500 ml of vodka into the raw material, cork it, shake it and put it in a dark, warm place for 2 weeks;
- Every 3 days the container is shaken, and when the tincture is completely ready, it is filtered and poured into another container.
Fir tincture should be consumed three times a day on an empty stomach in the amount of 1 large spoon. For joint diseases, rubbing and compresses with pine tincture are beneficial; they have a warming and analgesic effect.
Fir infusion
You can prepare a healthy water infusion from fresh or dried fir needles. Its properties will help in the treatment of gastritis and ulcers, atherosclerosis and inflammatory diseases. Fir infusion is used for cystitis in women and prostatitis in men, for kidney and gallbladder diseases, for hypertension and high cholesterol.
Preparing fir infusion is very simple. To do this you need:
- grind fresh pine needles in a blender, meat grinder or by hand;
- pour a large spoon of raw material with 200 ml of warm water;
- Cover with a lid and leave in a dark place for 3 hours.
After this, the fir infusion needs to be stirred, filtered and squeezed out the soft pine needles through gauze. Use the remedy three times a day on an empty stomach or immediately after meals, 2-3 sips.
Fir decoction
Another valuable remedy based on fir needles is an aromatic decoction, which is especially beneficial for anemia, vitamin deficiency and a tendency to frequent colds. To prepare it you need:
- rinse fir needles in the amount of 2 large spoons thoroughly, pour a glass of boiling water;
- put on the stove for 20 minutes over low heat;
- Allow the broth to cool and brew for half an hour.
Drink the decoction in the amount of 1 glass per day, and this volume should be divided into 2-3 servings.
You can prepare the product in another way - in a thermos. To do this, pour 500 ml of boiling water into 5 large spoons of fir needles, seal the thermos tightly and leave overnight, and filter the drink in the morning. It is used in the same way as a classic decoction.
Fir tea
For insomnia, neuroses, stomach ailments and a tendency to edema, it is useful to drink fir tea - or rather, a medicinal mixture consisting of dried fir needles and fermented fireweed tea.
- The raw materials are mixed in equal proportions and poured into a teapot in the amount of 2 small spoons.
- Fir and fireweed are poured with hot water, but not boiling water, and left to brew for 10 minutes.
- If desired, honey is added to the drink to increase benefits and improve taste.
If you drink fir tea for at least 2-3 weeks, the condition of the nervous system will noticeably improve, and insomnia will go away. Tea will also have a beneficial effect on sore throat and rhinitis, psoriasis and sinusitis, headaches and joint pain.
Fir honey
Fir honey is a tasty and healthy delicacy - it has a vascular-strengthening and immunostimulating effect, helps with edema and tumors, colds and infections. The delicacy is produced mainly in the Mediterranean - in Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and France. The raw material for its production is not pollen, but the so-called honeydew, or honeydew, which is produced by insects that feed on fir sap.
Honeydew fir honey differs from ordinary honey in its darker color, resinous aroma and less sweet taste.It contains a large amount of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals.
Real fir honey can be purchased in specialized stores. However, if you wish, it is possible to make a delicacy at home that is as close in properties as possible to honeydew honey. To do this, crushed fir needles must be placed in ordinary flower honey for several months and wait until they impart all the beneficial properties to the bee delicacy.
Honey is also made from fir buds at home - the raw material is boiled for a quarter of an hour, then infused for a day, and then mixed with sugar in equal proportions and boiled for another 1.5-2 hours. The resulting product has a lot of useful properties, but is more of a syrup and cannot fully replace honeydew honey.
Fir kvass
Fir kvass is a healing drink that helps with digestive disorders and nervous ailments. Kvass is prepared using copper water, and the recipe looks like this:
- a liter of clean water is boiled in a copper vessel until half of the original volume remains;
- when the water has half boiled away, add a new portion of water to 3 liters and pour 2.5 cups of fir needles with this mixture;
- add 100 g of honey or sugar to the drink and stir thoroughly;
- after the product has cooled to 25 degrees, add 10 g of dry yeast.
The kvass is left to ferment for a day, and then filtered and poured into glass jars or bottles. You need to store kvass in the refrigerator, otherwise it will quickly spoil. Since a carbonated drink can be irritating to the stomach, you should drink kvass only after meals and in small quantities, half a glass three times a day.
Fir water
Healing fir water, which I also call Florentine, is extracted in the process of obtaining fir essential oil and, in fact, is a by-product of distillation. However, the colorless liquid has a rich composition, which contains polyphenols, minerals and flavonoids. The positive effect of the healing properties of fir water is observed in a wide range of diseases - from conjunctivitis to radiation sickness.
The easiest way to purchase high-quality fir water is at a pharmacy. However, a product with similar properties can be prepared at home. For this you will need:
- pour 100 ml of warm water into a bottle;
- add literally 3 – 5 drops of fir oil to it;
- Close the cap tightly and shake the bottle vigorously for 10 minutes.
Fir water can be used both internally and externally. For douching and rubbing, Florentine water is usually used three times a day, 100 ml, and the product can be taken orally, 30 ml three times a day. It is important not to exceed dosages, otherwise the beneficial properties of water can easily turn into harm.
Fir oil
Fir essential oil is used for infectious diseases, skin ailments and injuries, and diseases of the respiratory system. The oil contains cineole, pinene and borneol, and therefore has a pronounced antiseptic effect. Its beneficial properties are in demand for colds and bronchitis, pneumonia, prostatitis and cystitis, toothache and inflammation of the gums, arthritis and rheumatism.
You can buy high-quality essential oil at the pharmacy, but it should be used in very small quantities.For example, for a sore throat, you need to add only 2 drops of fir oil to salted water with honey; the same amount of product is used to lubricate the tonsils, for a strong cough, for rubbing joints and as part of cosmetic face masks.
It is impossible to make real fir oil at home - this requires special equipment. But you can prepare a similar remedy:
- pour olive oil over the needles and young fir buds and leave in a water bath for 4 hours;
- squeeze out the raw materials, pour fresh pine needles into the container and fill it with the resulting oil;
- keep the mixture in a water bath for another 4 hours and cool.
The beneficial properties of homemade oil will be lower than that of pharmaceutical oil, but such a remedy will also be effective in the treatment of joint ailments and inflammation.
Fir extract
Fir extract, which is obtained from the spring young needles of the plant, has beneficial properties. Externally, the extract looks like a dark brown viscous substance with a bitter taste; the product contains resins, tannins, phytoncides and tocopherol in large quantities.
It is impossible to make an extract at home, but it is not difficult to buy it at a pharmacy. The healing agent is used to strengthen blood vessels and improve blood composition, to disinfect tissues and cleanse cuts and purulent wounds.
For internal use, fir extract must be diluted with water - add half a teaspoon of the product to a glass of water. Baths with fir are also beneficial; you only need to add 150 g of concentrated extract to the collected container.
Fir in aromatherapy
Since fir essential oil has bactericidal, antifungal and antiviral properties, it is often used to scent rooms. A few drops of oil are added to a special aroma lamp, and the pleasant pine smell in the room not only has a calming effect on the nervous system, but also helps get rid of colds and respiratory ailments.
Fir purifies the air and eliminates pathogens, prevents mold from appearing in the house, and reduces the amount of dust. Inhaling a tonic aroma helps with insomnia and headaches, chronic fatigue and muscle weakness.
The smell of fir in an apartment brings benefits and harm - with moderate use, essential oil will have a positive effect, but an overdose may cause migraines. It is not recommended to use fir for aromatization if you have allergies; in addition, you should not add more than 4-5 drops of oil to treat a small room.
Fir during pregnancy
The beneficial properties and contraindications of fir are determined individually. During pregnancy, the use of the plant should be approached with caution. It is strictly not recommended to use any fir-based products internally; the plant is classified as embryotoxic and can seriously damage the fetus, especially in the early stages.
Pregnant women can treat cuts and bruises with fir oil; they are allowed to lubricate inflamed gums with fir-based products or add oil and decoctions to warm baths.
But aromatherapy should be approached with caution; for many women, even the aroma of fir causes severe nausea during pregnancy.While the room is being aromatized, it is better for a woman to leave the room and return to it only when the smell weakens.
Contraindications
Despite all the beneficial properties, treatment with fir poses a danger in certain diseases and conditions of the body. Contraindications for fir are:
- tendency to seizures and epilepsy;
- acute phase of peptic ulcer or gastritis;
- allergy to components present in fir;
- children's age up to one year.
Small children should not use fir internally - only external use of oil and decoctions is allowed, the same applies to pregnant women and nursing mothers. It is forbidden to use fir-based products at the same time as drinking alcohol - this will only cause harm.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of fir, when used correctly, can significantly improve your health. The needles, resin, bark and buds of the plant are used not only in home medicine, but also in official medicine, which further confirms the powerful healing effect of fir.
