In the spring, the old, blackened leaves, which last year were torn from the trees and thrown to the ground by the autumn wind, will be hidden by young shoots. And then they will disappear completely. Leaves, grass and even forest giants - trees, having outlived their life, disappear, becoming part of the very soil that once gave them life. This is the eternal law of nature. Without soil animals, fallen leaves, pine needles, and branches would decompose five times slower, turning the whole world into a dirty landfill.
The small inhabitants of the earth are a huge force. Usually we simply forget about them, although myriads of invisible beings are constantly near us. It’s hard to even imagine that a pinch of earth weighing one gram is home to one and a half million organisms. A hectare of arable soil of various types contains from 600 kilograms to 5 tons of microbes. There are countless bacteria around us. Some of the microorganisms are human helpers, others spoil the fruits of his labor, and others are enemies that cause various diseases.
Animals have a rather complex and subtle defense system that protects them from invading microbes. How do plants protect themselves? After all, they are also affected by viral, fungal and other diseases. If some plants do not get sick, it means they are able to protect themselves. People have long noticed that some plants have antimicrobial properties.
Brewers knew that hops added to the fermenting mass prevented putrefactive microflora from developing. Wormwood and oregano have the same properties. Hunters have their own observations - they covered the caught game with herbs, and it was kept fresh. Tarragon and common thyme have such preservative properties.
Many scientists have noted that plants, their tissues or special volatile fractions are capable of killing many microorganisms, some protozoa. But no scientific explanation was found for this. A Soviet scientist revealed this secret Boris Petrovich Tokin. He noticed that the ciliates that were in the cup containing the onion pulp had all died. The scientist repeated the experiments over and over again. The onion and garlic pulp killed pathogenic bacteria. Volatile substances of plant origin, which so mercilessly dealt with microorganisms, were called by B. P. Tokin phytoncides(from the Greek “phyto” - plant, Latin “cido” - I kill).
It turns out that volatile substances are protective forces for plant organisms. Aboveground parts of plants release phytoncides into the atmosphere, underground parts into the soil, and aquatic parts into water. The amount of these substances varies depending on the season, the physiological state of the plant, soil and weather. Most of them are at the time of flowering. At first it was believed that only essential plants have phytoncide.
Research has shown that the phenomenon is characteristic of the entire plant world. It just manifests itself in different ways. Some of the phytoncides are volatile and can exert their effect at a distance, others are formed in the juice of tissues at the time of damage to the cell membranes.
Phytoncides can also be released from intact leaves, although not from all plants. For example, if a drop containing live ciliates falls on an oak or birch leaf, after a while they die. Staphylococcus aureus microbes die on the leaves of bird cherry and linden. The leaves of poplar and birch destroy microbes the fastest (within 3 hours).
If we calculate the entire huge area of the green surface of our forests and fields and take into account that damaged leaves are constantly present and in significant quantities, we can understand why, with all the exceptional ability of microbes to reproduce, it is not possible for microbes to fill the entire globe.
According to scientists, all Together, plants emit about 490 million tons of volatile substances into the atmosphere each year. We inhale them with air, absorb them into the body, and disinfect our lungs.
Many examples can confirm that phytoncides are active. Take at least the simplest one. There is a large bouquet of bird cherry or white lilies in a vase. The aroma fills the room. But you should not leave these flowers here overnight, otherwise you will wake up in the morning with a severe headache.
The culprits will be phytoncides, their effects are very strong. If you put chopped bird cherry leaves under a glass cover and place a fly or mouse there, then after a while the animals will die. Bird cherry phytoncides even kill rats. Residents of the Caucasus know well that you should not sleep under a walnut tree: you will have poor sleep and a headache the next day. Phytoncides in walnut leaves repel flies, mosquitoes and other insects.
Volatile phytoncides of the green belt put forward a strong barrier to pathogenic microbes. They have the ability to kill bacteria from a distance. In addition, plants also contain non-volatile bactericidal substances- their second line of defense. The juice of the needles of pine, spruce, juniper, poplar, oak, birch and many other plants has bactericidal properties. It is important to spend more time in the forest, especially pine forests, to plant landscaping in the yard, street, even apartment.
Our indoor plants, such as geranium and begonia, reduce the content of microorganisms in the surrounding air by 43 percent, cyperus - by 59, chrysanthemum - by 66. And we sometimes deny these plants a corner on the windowsill, replacing them with exotic wonders. True, among them there are fighters for healthy air. If you put eucalyptus and myrtle in a room, they can grow indoors, then you won’t find flies, mosquitoes and many microbes there.
Pine is one of the most popular phytoncidal plants. When samples are taken from the soil surface and from a certain depth or from the air in various forests - oak and birch groves, pine forests - there are a variety of microorganisms everywhere, but their numbers are different everywhere.
A hectare of deciduous forest releases 2 kilograms of volatile phytoncides daily in summer, coniferous forest - 5, and juniper - 30 kilograms. This amount is enough to kill all the germs in a medium-sized city. That's why the quantities are so different. There are 10 times fewer of them in the air of a pine forest than in a birch forest. Although the birch tree very conscientiously fulfills the duties of an environmental health worker: it mercilessly deals with microorganisms that the wind brings into the birch grove.
In plantations where warty birch grows at the base, there are only about 450 microbes in one cubic meter of air. And in operating rooms, where everything, including the air, must be sterile, according to existing standards, the content of 500 non-pathogenic microorganisms per cubic meter of air is allowed.
The air of pine forests is clean and beneficial. It is not for nothing that many sanatoriums and hospitals were built in pine forests. The phytoncides of this tree, as a rule, increase the body's defenses: pine air, as it were, tones it. Children who have lived at least several years in an area rich in pine forests are less susceptible to colds.
Almost all species included in the pine genus have antimicrobial properties. Coniferous trees mercilessly deal with harmful microflora. Juniper, perhaps, the champion among them. It emits about six times more phytoncides than other conifers, and fifteen times more than deciduous trees. There are more than two dozen species of juniper in our country. Among them there are trees and shrubs. Now they all need protection to one degree or another.
Juniper is very sensitive to air pollution from industrial waste: around many cities it has practically disappeared. And junipers grow slowly; in most species, due to various disorders, seed regeneration does not occur.
Oak is an excellent forest health worker. Century-old trees stand as a powerful barrier to various bacteria. There is no life for them in the oak forests. Maple, as studies by biochemists have shown, not only has high phytoncidal activity, but is also capable of absorbing substances harmful to humans, such as benzene.
All this speaks of the healing value of every tree and every herb. A person gains vigor in a spring forest, steppe, in a flowering meadow - wherever the air is filled with the aroma of volatile plant secretions.
Scientists come to the conclusion that volatile substances, penetrating through the lungs and skin into the human body, kill and inhibit the development of pathogenic microbes, protect it from infectious diseases, and embalm tissues. Phytoncides normalize heart rate and blood pressure, actively participate in metabolism, and have a beneficial effect on the human psyche.
People who live in forested areas are much less susceptible to upper respiratory tract diseases compared to city dwellers. The value of green areas and intra-city plantings is enormous. And not only because plants produce oxygen.
The green barrier has an important property - it improves the air. Plant leaves, when exposed to a certain length of sunlight, emit electrons that ionize the surrounding air. Ionized air has a beneficial effect on human well-being.
The degree of ionization of air oxygen, which determines its biological activity, is of great importance. The air of the mountains is considered the most healing. There are 20 thousand negative ions in one cubic centimeter of air. In industrial cities, in crowded premises, their concentration ranges from 100 to 500.
In today's age of growing technology, people spend more and more of their time indoors, depriving themselves of the healing air of forests and fields, saturated with biologically active plant substances and light negative ions that support the normal functioning of the body in natural conditions.
By taking care of the greenery of our cities and villages, planting trees and shrubs around houses and along the streets, laying out lawns and flower beds, laying out gardens and parks in the suburbs, growing indoor flowers, we join the ranks of our friends who give us health and good mood.
Almost every person has some kind of indoor plants in their home. We have long been accustomed to them and hardly notice them. And we certainly don’t think about whether our proximity to plants brings us benefit or harm? Of course have . But there are few of them and, in general, they are not capable of causing significant harm. There are many more domestic plants that bring invaluable benefits to humans. For example, indoor plants decorate the interior, many of them are medicinal, some can repel harmful insects. But one of the most interesting properties of some houseplants is to purify indoor air and improve the microclimate.
Such plants are called a long word phytoncidoactive .
[!] Phytoncides are volatile active substances (organic and amino acids, essential oils, alkaloids) secreted by plants.
Phytoncides were first discovered by Russian biologist Boris Petrovich Tokin. The scientist noted that ready-made food sold in oriental bazaars and prepared in unsanitary conditions does not cause mass poisoning. It was concluded that oriental spices contained in food disinfect it. Based on this fact, the scientist suggested the presence in plants of special volatile substances called phytoncides. Subsequently, other botanists, both Russian and foreign, joined the study of phytoncides.
Each plant secretes phytoncides and they can have a variety of properties, antibactericidal, antifugal (antifungal), protistocidal (active against unicellular protozoa). Some phytoncides have been fully studied and isolated artificially, while others still remain a mystery to humans. And yet, no amount of chemistry can replace plants, this natural source of health.
Houseplants with a high content of phytoncides
Scientific experiments conducted with houseplants have revealed the most active absorber of harmful substances indoors. It turned out to be. Several plants can almost completely clean a 20 square meter room in 24 hours. Chlorophytum can absorb substances such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde (a substance emitted by new chipboard furniture), ammonia, nicotine, and acetone. Various pathogenic bacteria and microbes living in the air space of the apartment are also afraid of chlorophytum. To enhance the cleansing properties of chlorophytum, it is recommended to put activated carbon in a bowl with the plant.
Chlorophytum
Another popular houseplant that actively participates in improving the indoor airspace is pelargonium. The phytoncides secreted by geranium most actively fight anaerobic bacteria, such as staphylococci and streptococci. These bacteria cause many diseases: various respiratory tract infections, infections of the skin, digestive tract, muscles and bones. Therefore, it is very important to clean the indoor microclimate, including with the help of pelargonium. In addition, geranium essential oils help relieve fatigue and headaches, and increase a person’s mental and physical activity.
Geranium Dieffenbachia- a plant whose juice contains. But at the same time, Dieffenbachia can bring tangible benefits. The fact is that this spectacular plant perfectly purifies the air in the room. Dieffenbachia copes especially well with exhaust gases, so it is best to place the plant in a room whose windows overlook a busy highway. Other toxic substances - benzene, formaldehyde, xylene are also neutralized by dieffenbachia phytoncides.
Dieffenbachia Like Dieffenbachia, it is a rather poisonous plant, which is not surprising, because these plants belong to the same family. But, at the same time, aglaonema successfully copes with household air pollutants - trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene - and makes the air in the apartment much cleaner. Just like geranium, aglaonema can cope with streptococcal bacteria.
Aglaonema A separate group of plants with high phytoncidal properties - cacti. Cacti successfully cope with many types of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. There is an opinion that cacti are able to fight harmful radiation from computer monitors, but there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.
Ivy- a spectacular hanging plant, often found in our apartments. Not everyone knows that ivy is one of the most powerful phytoncidal plants. It purifies the air and successfully fights mold spores, thereby saving us from allergies. Ivy is also recommended to be placed in smoking rooms, as the plant perfectly absorbs and neutralizes tobacco smoke.
Ivy Sansevieria or "pike tail" is a very common houseplant. And no wonder: this is one of the most. Sansevieria also perfectly purifies the air in the room in which it is located. The plant copes especially well with tobacco smoke and harmful bacteria.
Sansevieria A plant that has recently become fashionable is. Probably everyone will agree that the beauty of dracaena is undeniable. But, at the same time, dracaena has the ability to cleanse the indoor microclimate, successfully neutralizing harmful substances such as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde and many others.
Dracaena So, as you can see, house plants can not only decorate our premises and give aesthetic pleasure, but also improve the health of the air space and destroy many harmful substances. Caring for plants is generally not difficult, but how much benefit and beauty these pieces of nature bring to our homes!
In conclusion, table of basic houseplants that purify the air
| Dangerous substance | Industrial sources | Indoor sources | Effect on the human body | Neutralizing plants |
| Ammonia | Lightweight industry (production fabrics), food industry (soda production, sugar, organic dyes), sewerage |
Computer technique, tobacco smoke |
Annoys mucous membranes shell person and respiratory ways. In big concentrations Maybe cause pulmonary edema and larynx |
Anthurium Dendrobium Chrysanthemum |
| Acetone | Pharmaceutical production, chemical industry (production varnishes, paints, plastics) |
Freshly painted surfaces, solvents, |
Amazes central nervous system |
Spathiphyllum Dendrobium |
| Benzene | Chemical industry, production furniture |
Varnishes, paints, tobacco, carpet coatings, printers and cartridges |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system. Maybe call shortness of breath, convulsions, Head pain, disorders psyche |
Aglaonema Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Scindapsus Ficus Hamedorea Chrysanthemum Scheffler |
| Toluene | Paint and varnish industry, light industry |
Remove stains whether, means for the cleaning fabrics, other household chemicals, glues, paints, varnishes |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system, cutaneous covers. Strong carcinogen. |
Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Ficus Hamedorea |
| Trichlorethylene | Paint and varnish industry, light industry |
Remove stains whether, means for the cleaning fabrics, other household chemicals, glues, paints, varnishes |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system, cutaneous covers. Strong carcinogen |
Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Ficus Hamedorea |
| Formal dehyde | Enterprises by recycling household waste, wastewater, traffic fumes |
Tobacco smoke, adhesives, varnishes, furniture made of chipboard and fibreboard, domestic plastic |
Allergy, asthma, amazes cutaneous covers |
Aloe Anthurium Guzmania Dendrobium Dieffenbachia Dracaena Kalanchoe Calathea Poinsettia Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Scindapsus Tradescantia Ficus Philodendron Hamedorea Chlorophytum Scheffler |
Since 1928, thanks to the work of Alexander Fleming, people have become aware of antibiotics. Since 1943, they have entered into mass production and widespread medical use. However, along with the benefits, many unpleasant factors of their negative impact on the body have been discovered (allergic reactions, disorder of intestinal microflora, reduction of natural immunity to a minimum limit, and others).
The question arises: are there really no natural antibiotics in nature, ones that are created by living organisms themselves and do not have such a powerful destructive effect along with a therapeutic effect? It turns out they do exist. And relatively recently they were discovered and called phytoncides.
What are phytoncides
These groups of substances are volatile compounds of various chemical natures that are found in plant organisms. If we consider the term itself, it consists of two components: phyton - “plants” and caedo - “to kill”. From here the biological meaning of these compounds becomes clear - they are capable of inhibiting other plants.
However, after more thorough research, it became clear that they destroy not only them, but also microorganisms, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and some viruses. Thus, phytoncide is a natural antibiotic of targeted action, formed under natural conditions.
The benefits of phytoncides for the human body
The main benefit of phytoncides for the human body is that when they enter the human lungs with air, phytoncides can neutralize bacteria, fungi and even viruses that are hidden in the body and are waiting for a favorable time for the development of infections, primarily of the respiratory tract and ENT organs . Both coniferous and deciduous tree species can produce phytoncides.
Some of the most useful plants that produce phytoncides are pine, fir and juniper. They can significantly reduce the number of tuberculosis pathogens in the air. Fir suppresses Staphylococcus aureus, and the camphor it contains improves metabolic processes in the heart muscle.
How are phytoncides produced?
Phytoncides are produced most during the flowering period of plants (trees, shrubs, grasses) and in sunny weather. Among such plants, the champions are coniferous trees (pine, spruce, juniper), while deciduous trees distinguish them 2-3 times less. Among them, oak, maple, birch, and linden play a significant role in air purification.
Don't forget about berry plants - raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, black currants, cherries. In addition to purifying the surrounding air that we inhale with their phytoncides, berries consumed in any form (raw, in the form of decoctions, fruit drinks, etc.) can additionally enrich us with a sufficiently large amount of useful substances.
Daily dose of phytoncides for humans
In order to receive a sufficient “dose” of phytoncides, it is necessary to spend up to 1 hour a day in the green area during the warm season.
Plants that secrete phytoncides
The plants that produce phytoncides listed above are not the entire list. In addition to those mentioned, they include:
bison;
ylang-ylang;
all citrus fruits;
orchids;
Walnut;
tulips;
forget-me-nots;
calendula;
celandine;
lily of the valley and many others.
The use of extracts of these and other plants is the basis of alternative and traditional medicine.
Video materials on the topic of the article
From this video you will learn what phytoncides are:
Helpful Tips:
Beneficial properties of juniper:
Useful properties of garlic:
All plants secrete phytoncides. Phytoncides are volatile plant substances. The chemical composition of phytoncides has not been established, but their ability to cure many diseases has been known since ancient times. The most active phytoncides of onion, garlic, St. John's wort, fir, yarrow, radish, carrots, cranberries, mint, plantain, and sage. Along with the bactericidal (kill microbes) and bacteriostatic (suppresses the vital activity of microorganisms) effects, phytoncides have a beneficial effect on the function of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the tone of the bronchial muscles, thereby facilitating breathing in bronchial asthma.
Tree phytoncides
When in contact with living nature, a person naturally inhales phytoncides. Volatile substances from horse chestnut, European larch, pine and common ash reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the surrounding air, especially for asthmatics, including gases - carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur. Phytoncides from many plants contribute to dust settling.
Downy and stone oak, ash, lemon wormwood, rosemary have a calming effect, improve cardiac activity and breathing.
Inhaling the phytoncides of ground fresh chamomile, wormwood, and lingonberry leaves clears the respiratory tract of pathogenic microbes. Phytoncides of evergreen walnuts, Italian and Crimean pine trees, Himalayan cedar, and cypress have a general strengthening and normalizing effect on immune reactions.
It has been noticed that a person’s stay for 5-7 hours in pine, mixed or deciduous forests normalizes the activity of the nervous system and improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
Human presence in a pine-oak forest with a predominance of pine (80%) contributes to:
- a significant increase in the body's defenses;
- increased tissue respiration;
- acceleration of glycolysis and phosphorylation reactions;
- activation of phagocytosis.
Phytoncides of garlic, onion and fir especially enhance the phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes.
Functions of the forest
Forests and forest plantations (squares, parks) successfully carry out the function of dust deposition and regulation of atmospheric microflora. Coniferous forests cope with this matter in summer and winter. Deciduous forests are mainly active in the summer, when the abundant foliage performs the function of photosynthesis. Dust particles and microorganisms settle in the crowns of trees, especially in summer, so the air in forests and parks is cleaner and contains significantly fewer allergens than in areas of residential and industrial buildings, and especially near roads.
Dust particles and microorganisms, settling in the tree crowns, come into direct contact on the surface of the leaves with phytoncides secreted by the plant, which have a bactericidal and fungicidal (kills fungi) effect. The interaction of chemicals from industrial and automobile emissions with phytoncides occurs both on the surface of leaves and in the atmosphere.
Forests significantly reduce noise levels, even to the point of absorbing them at some distance from the source, so staying in the forest relieves excess neuromuscular tension and stress reactions.
Under the influence of volatile plant substances, the air is ozonized, the amount of useful light ions in the atmosphere increases, and the radioactive background decreases. The forest microclimate is useful for asthmatics - reducing temperature fluctuations and air speed, warming the soil, and sufficient solar radiation create gentle conditions for hypersensitive and hyperreactive human respiratory tracts. Oxygen produced by forests plays an important role. All this has a beneficial effect on the processes occurring in the body.
Pine phytoncides
Phytoncides from pine needles increase blood pressure in patients prone to hypertensive reactions (they are more sensitive to turpentine than healthy people), which is explained by the presence of pinene (turpentine) in the air. Therefore, staying in a pine forest is not recommended for people with high blood pressure.
Inhaling oak phytoncides, on the contrary, reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Phytoncides of birch, thyme, and linden have an antispasmodic effect on the bronchi. Lilac, pyramidal poplar, bison tonify the nervous system.
Garlic phytoncides
For inflammatory lung diseases, it is recommended to inhale the garlic smell. To do this, peel 1 clove, grind it and wrap it in two pieces of cotton wool, which are placed in both nostrils. Inhale for 5-10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Ground garlic can be placed in a jar (keep closed) and inhaled, covered with a towel (sheet), 3-4 times a day.
Before each inhalation, you need to prepare fresh “porridge”.
A similar procedure can be performed with tincture of myrtle or fir, etc.
You can also inhale plant phytoncides through an inhaler. To do this, the juice of garlic or another plant is diluted with saline or just water in a ratio of 1:2, 1:3. The solution is poured into the drug container of the inhaler. Inhale for 10-15 minutes daily or every other day, 20-25 inhalations per course of treatment.
Medicinal properties of juniper
Juniper has a pronounced anti-asthmatic effect. This plant belongs to the cypress family. As you know, cypress was grown in ancient times near religious places of worship to purify the air and improve the health of the area. Common juniper (yalovets) is an evergreen coniferous shrub or tree.
Chemical composition
Its fruits are bluish-violet with a waxy coating and contain: sugar - 40%; little-studied bitter resins - 10%; oil with a high fat content, tannins, malic, formic and acetic acids, and terpene compounds of juniper berries contain menthol and camphor - essential oils - 2%. Juniper needles are rich in vitamin C - about 266 mg.
Juniper uses
Essential terpene oils have a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect, and therefore antiallergic, since bacteria and fungi are strong allergens.
In hot weather, juniper emits a strong aroma - its phytoncides (volatile essential compounds) purify and refresh the air.
Excellent conditions for patients with bronchial asthma are created by nature among the mountains covered with juniper thickets.
Almost all asthma sufferers feel better while in juniper groves. Children with asthma, sent to such sanatoriums for treatment, get rid of attacks from the first days of their stay and, at the end of the treatment period, go home practically healthy. But after leaving the sanatorium area, for most of them, after some time, attacks of bronchial asthma resume, but in a milder form.
Many doctors are convinced, however, that complete recovery in juniper groves is quite possible, but only after staying in this area for many years.
The healing effect of air is enhanced by the addition of an infusion of juniper berries as an expectorant and antispasmodic at the rate of 10 berries per 200.0 ml of water, 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day.
Attention! Among the junipers there is one poisonous species - the Cossack juniper. It is notable for having blue-black, lumpy berries. When preparing medicinal juniper berries, carefully avoid this poisonous variety.
An infusion of juniper berries with long-term use (take 2 months - 2 months off; repeat such alternations 2-3 times throughout the year) brings relief to those suffering from asthma even outside the sanatorium area.
The following articles on this topic will also help you.
In 1928, thanks to the research of Alexander Fleming, the world became aware of antibiotics. At the same time, Boris Petrovich Tokin made the discovery of natural substances that suppress the growth of many pathogenic organisms, which were later called “phytoncides.”
The role of natural antibiotics in nature
The role of plants in the formation of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide is well known. A lesser known fact is that any representatives of the kingdom of Flora secrete volatile or non-volatile phytoncides, but the effect on one or another type of microorganism is different.
The immunity of trees and shrubs to a particular disease is ensured by the formation of these substances.
Biologists have noticed the influence of substances secreted by some representatives on stimulating or inhibiting the vital activity of others, even those located at some distance. Vegetable growers will never plant tomatoes and potatoes or melons and cucumbers next to each other, but melons will get along well with radishes, and potatoes with beans. An apple tree gets along well with a pear, but it won’t be a good neighbor with a cherry.
When they enter a person’s lungs along with inhaled air, natural antibiotics neutralize viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Oxygen ionization is also ensured, as a result of which its biological activity increases.
Classification
Among volatile and non-volatile compounds, several types can be distinguished:
- Bactericidal - suppression of the growth of pathogenic cells;
- Fungicidal - fight against fungal diseases;
- Protistocidal - destruction of protozoan single-celled organisms that cause malaria, dysentery and other ailments;
- Compounds toxic to ticks and insects;
- Substances that stimulate or inhibit the development of other plants and bacteria.
Factors influencing the activity of phytoncides
During the daytime, several times more volatile esters are released than in the early morning or evening. In homogeneous forests (pine, birch) their activity is higher than in mixed ones; in the shade and in conditions of high humidity it is lower than in the sun on a hot day, and in the summer forest the content is much higher than in the winter.
It is not at all necessary that volatile substances be emitted by crops with a strong odor. Their production is possible without the presence of essential oils (for example, crushed oak leaves, plantain and nettle).
Properties of coniferous trees
The most popular types of trees that release beneficial esters include conifers, the leader of which is juniper. People suffering from asthma will feel improvement due to the anti-allergic effect of this plant.
Spruce, pine, fir, cedar - these coniferous trees help cure ARVI, and also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Probably for this reason, residents of mountainous areas are less likely to suffer from nervous and mental disorders, which is directly related to longevity.
It must be remembered that pine effectively fights Koch's bacillus, which causes tuberculosis, but at the same time increases blood pressure, so it is better for hypertensive patients to avoid prolonged stay in the pine forest. The bacilli of diphtheria, whooping cough and even Staphylococcus aureus die near the presence of thuja and fir. Any coniferous trees increase antibacterial protection of the skin and immunity.
Properties of deciduous trees
Deciduous trees also release biologically active substances, but in smaller quantities. For example, oak has the ability to lower blood pressure, but poplar, on the contrary, constricts blood vessels, which causes blood pressure to increase.
Stimulation with birch and linden phytoncides, which dilate the bronchi and have a calming effect on the nervous system, has an extremely positive effect on the respiratory system. Linden blossom is an excellent remedy against headaches, colds, and fever. Bird cherry phytoncides contain hydrocyanic acid, under the influence of which protozoa die within 5 minutes, and mites - 15 minutes. It has even been noticed that if you leave a bouquet of bird cherry in the bedroom, you can get mild poisoning and wake up with a headache the next morning.
Properties of shrubs
One of the most well-known expectorants are herbal preparations based on wild rosemary, used even against the most severe suffocating cough in whooping cough. Bronchitis and bronchial asthma can also be treated with an infusion of this plant.
Lingonberries and cranberries are widely used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system. Fruit drinks made from these berries have a diuretic effect and create an acidic environment in the bladder and kidneys, which prevents the growth of bacteria. Lingonberries and cranberries are rich in vitamins; their regular consumption helps strengthen the immune system.
To strengthen the heart and blood vessels, the properties of hawthorn are used, which has a vasodilating effect and can have a calming effect on the nervous system without a sedative effect.
When treating with natural remedies, infusions of elderberry bark, leaves, fruits and inflorescences are actively used. Sore throats and colds are treated with elderberry decoctions; lotions and baths are used against rheumatism, arthritis, burns, and boils. Elderberry jelly has a good laxative effect.
Barberry is considered a plant that prolongs youth. The juice from its berries can stop bleeding and reduce fever. Barberry is useful for liver diseases (gallstones, cholecystitis, hepatitis).
Decoctions and infusions of lilac help fight diseases of the respiratory system (pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma), diabetes, and stomach ulcers. Lilac baths and lotions are useful for bruises, rheumatism, and purulent ulcers.
Properties of herbs
Infusions of phytoncidal herbs are used not only externally, but also for oral administration.
The most famous herbs used in the treatment of colds are calendula, thyme, sage, oregano and elecampane. All of them are used as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. Calendula also has a wound-healing and analgesic effect, oregano and thyme have an expectorant effect, sage has an anticonvulsant and vasodilator effect, and elecampane has an anthelmintic effect.
For problems with the urinary system, herbs are used whose phytoncides are not destroyed before being eliminated from the body: St. John's wort, kidney tea, cornflower, bearberry.
Chamomile, wormwood, plantain, cumin, and sage are used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Skin ailments are cured by external use of string, calendula, and celandine.
Properties of indoor plants
A person usually spends more than half of the day at home, including sleeping at night. It is important that the microclimate in the apartment is as harmless as possible, which can be achieved by growing indoor plants.
Perhaps the most recognizable houseplant is the geranium. The air in the premises in which it is grown contains almost 50% less protozoan microorganisms. Ficus and begonia also successfully fight microbes.
Chlorophytum, dracaena and dieffenbachia absorb harmful substances from the air that enter through windows from the street.
Any indoor greenery improves the air quality in apartments and even the most unpretentious ones decorate the surrounding interior.
Phytoncides on a personal plot
In your garden or dacha, you can successfully grow natural healers, famous for their medicinal properties.
Onions, horseradish, garlic - they are all used not only in cooking as seasonings, but also in folk medicine. They are effective in the treatment of colds, diabetes, and are also useful for cardiovascular diseases, thanks to their vasodilating properties, and strengthen the immune system.
Red pepper helps digestion, improves the condition of bronchial asthma and bronchitis, and accelerates hair growth.
Melissa and mint help with stress, calm the nervous system, and relieve headaches.
Harm from phytoncidal plants
The popular saying “Everything is good in moderation” also applies to the treatment of diseases using traditional medicine. It is always possible that there may be an individual intolerance to certain substances, the occurrence of allergic reactions, and with excessive consumption, a deterioration in well-being.
