Fir belongs to the pine family. It is distinguished from pine by soft, shiny, flat needles and the ability to maintain lower branches for a long time. White stripes located on the underside of the needles give the fir an incredibly elegant look. Another advantage of fir - vertically located cones.
Up to 10 years, trees grow very slowly, but after this time, their development is greatly accelerated, after which it does not stop until a very old age. Fir is a long-lived tree, and in comfortable conditions it can live up to 400 years.
The needles of these powerful plants with a pyramidal crown has a huge therapeutic potential: baths and inhalations with it help to get rid of radiculitis, polyarthritis, colds and scurvy.
Fir: chemical composition of the plant
Needles and young branches of fir contain from 3 to 3.5% of the essential oil, which consists of 30 - 60% of bornyl acetate, from 10 to 20% of camphene, from 8 to 12% of α-pinene, as well as α-pellandrene, bisabolene.
Fir needles contain vitamin C in an amount of 0.3%, and the bark of the plant contains 13% tannins and 15% fir balsam. Vitamin E and more than 30% fatty oils are present in the seeds of the plant.
What is useful fir for the human body
Since ancient times, fir has been used in traditional medicine, its healing properties are invaluable, but the plant also has a number of contraindications that must be taken into account before using it.
Did you know? Fresh branches of fir can be used at home for air disinfection, as they emit a huge amount of phytoncides.For therapeutic purposes, apply sap, needles and buds of the plant. In Russia, fir oil was used in cases when it was necessary to calm the nervous nervous system, reduce the intensity of pain in radiculitis and myositis, relieve inflammation from the affected joints during arthritis or gout.
And besides, it contains a huge amount of phytoncides, which makes it an excellent means for the prevention of viral infections, influenza and tonsillitis, stimulates the immune system in various immunodeficient states and eliminates diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Fir baths are a simple and effective way to get rid of excessive sweating of the feet, they are also indicated for neuralgia, hysteria, skin diseases and bronchitis, but are contraindicated for individual intolerance and allergies.
Medicinal properties of fir, as used conifers
In folk medicine, the fir is prepared extracts, tinctures, tinctures and decoctions. Water extract from the buds and pine needles of fir is often used to treat scurvy, as well as an excellent analgesic and diuretic.
Relieve pain and inflammation of the joints with rheumatism help Fir steam warming. To do this, plant the buds in a container with a lid and pour it with cold water, bring them to a boil and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove the dishes from the fire, instead of the lid, they place a wooden lattice on it, on which they place their feet and cover them with a warm blanket or rug. The feet are heated with fir steaming for about 20 minutes, after which the limbs are rubbed with a warming ointment and warm wool socks are put on.
From the green needles of plants are preparing the famous Florentine water (fir extract) by steaming fir pine foot (dressed in the needles of the ends of young shoots).
This part of the plant contains a huge amount of biologically active substances with unique healing properties.
Florentine water has a powerful immune stimulating effect, which allows it to be used even with prolonged human stay in ecologically unfavorable areas. Among other things, this tool is great at treating diarrhea and intestinal colic.
Fir extract stimulates blood formation, boosts immunity and accelerates regeneration processes, due to which it is often used in the treatment of non-healing wounds and trophic ulcers. In addition, fir extract has a pronounced antiseptic, antiviral and neuroprotective effects. The use of Florentine water improves the potency and reduces the unpleasant symptoms of hangover.
Important! Fir oil is not recommended to be consumed on an empty stomach, since even in therapeutic doses in this case it can cause the strongest digestive system disorder.
Decoction of pine needles and fir cones Used to treat kidney and bladder diseases, as well as relieve inflammation of the small and large intestines. In Tibetan medicine, fir is used to treat tuberculosis and bronchial asthma. Inhalation of the vapors of the plant allows you to quickly remove bronchospasm and facilitate the discharge of sputum.
Powdered fir needles - an excellent remedy for burns. It stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues and prevents their infection.
Application of needles
The needles contain essential fir oil, which is a source of camphor, whose healing properties help to normalize the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Did you know? Systematic bath procedures with fir broom is an excellent remedy for many skin diseases, they reduce the manifestations of psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.From the needles of fir prepare tinctures that help get rid of insomnia, the effects of stress and increased nervous irritability. Vitamin drinks are prepared from it, which are considered to be an excellent means of vitamin deficiency, the use of which has a powerful immunostimulating and restorative effect.
Daily reception vitamin fir drinks shown during the rampant seasonal viral infections and eliminates the use of medication. To prepare such a drink, you need to take half a glass of pine needles and pour them with a liter of cold boiled water, boil the drug on low heat for 30 minutes and insist one hour, drain and add three tablespoons of lemon juice to it. Take half a cup three times a day. Before use, you can add a teaspoon of honey. A decoction of green needles has a pronounced diuretic, diaphoretic, choleretic and analgesic effect. Compresses of coniferous broth help to reduce pain during frostbite and contribute to the rapid restoration of cold-damaged tissues. From dry shredded needles, mixed with lard, prepare a means for the treatment of purulent wounds and ulcers.
Use of fir oil
Fir oil - This is a miracle drug, which is shown in the treatment of many diseases. It is a reservoir of a huge amount of bioactive substances, vitamins and phytoncides and has a pronounced sedative, tonic and rejuvenating effect, stimulates the adrenal glands and improves the release of sputum.
Did you know? In the pharmaceutical industry, fir oil is used to produce synthetic camphor, on the basis of which preparations are made that are used to treat infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, chronic and acute heart failure, as well as to stimulate respiration and blood circulation during collapse.
The composition of fir essential oil includes substances that have a pronounced bactericidal and antiseptic effect, such as borneol, terpinolin, camphor, myrcene, tsineol, sabinen, and also lauric, oleic and caproic acids. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial properties of fir oil, consider ways to use it and find out which treatment is best for treating diseases.
Fir oil is used for medicinal purposes externally and internally, both in pure form and in the form of inhalation. Often, based on it, prepare various therapeutic ointments, creams and balms. The main feature of the oil is that, when ingested, it does not decompose under the influence of enzymes present in the gastrointestinal tract, and, being absorbed into the blood, is delivered unchanged to the affected organ.
When applied externally it is most often used to treat wounds for the prevention of suppuration and their speedy healing. The oil contains more than 35 substances that help restore the integrity of the skin. When mixing fir oil with pork, badger or goose fat, an excellent remedy is obtained for the treatment of purulent wounds, dermatitis, eczema and trophic ulcers.
This tool is used to relieve inflammation and reduce pain in osteochondrosis, radiculitis, arthritis and gout. Its systematic use helps to improve the local lymph and blood flow and increase the trophic nutrition of tissues.
Aromatherapy and inhalation with fir oil - an excellent remedy for angina, bronchitis and viral infections. It is believed that it is able to cleanse the space of pathogenic microorganisms no worse than incense, eucalyptus and lavender.
Contraindications to the use
Despite the fact that fir oil has excellent healing properties, it has some contraindications, and therefore, before you start using it, you should consult with your doctor.
Important! Those who suffer from an increased seizure syndrome or are prone to epilepsy attacks, it is better to refuse to use fir and its derivatives for medicinal purposes, since sharp odors can provoke an onset of an attack.Regardless of the chosen method of treatment, fir oil is contraindicated for women during pregnancy, as well as those who suffer from its individual intolerance. In addition, when it is used, it is recommended to refrain from alcohol intake, since it greatly weakens the effect of the substances contained in fir, which will not allow to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Fir is a unique plant with powerful healing potential. And if you use it correctly, you can do without the use of expensive pharmacies.
