Healing properties of fir. A decoction infused with fir resin for Raynaud's disease

And in winter and summer, the evergreen Fir adequately meets all the weather pranks of nature. That is why the adamant emerald Fir among the ancient Slavs was a symbol of patience, dignity and rebirth.

Shamans made talismans from Fir, giving the owner tremendous intellectual and physical strength. In addition, like many conifers, Fir was a symbol of the new year and the birth of a new life.

fir names

According to one version, the Russian word "fir" comes from the Karelian "pihka", which means "resin". Thanks to resin, Fir branches have an amazing fragrant aroma.

According to another version, the word comes from the Latin "Fichte", which actually translates as "Spruce". Latin name"Abies" also translates to "spruce".

What does fir look like

Fir is a pyramidal tree with dense green needles. The branches of the Fir start from the ground itself, like that of the Spruce.

Some types of tree reach 40 meters in height, but the diameter of the trunk remains about half a meter.

The root system consists of a central root deep into the ground and several near the surface. Thanks to this root system, Fir is incredibly stable. Even strong hurricanes are not capable of harming a tree.

The bark of the tree is smooth with small thickenings - nodules, which contain fragrant resin.

Where fir grows

Fir is mainly distributed in the Urals, Siberia and Far East. Some species are found in Canada and Alaska. Fir trees are even found in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Fir - quite demanding thermophilic tree and loves fertile, moderately moist soil. However, there are about 50 species of Fir growing in the world. The most common in Russia is the Siberian Fir.

When the fir blossoms

Fir grows slowly and in the first years of life adds only a few centimeters in height. Flowering occurs in spring in May.

Purple female cones ripen throughout the summer and fall off in September. When all the seeds leave the cone, it completely crumbles.

The average age of the Fir ranges from 300 to 400 years. The tree begins to bloom at about 60 years of age.

Medicinal properties of fir

For medical purposes, bark, cones, resin, needles and branches are used.

Fir "legs" contain vitamin C. In addition, essential oil is extracted from them, which is a valuable component of many medicinal and cosmetic products. This oil is also extracted from the branches of the tree.

Fir needles are able to remove accumulated harmful substances from the body. In addition, it is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Infusions and decoctions of pine needles are taken to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Fir needles infusion is also an excellent immunostimulating agent. This is especially true in the spring. This drink not only strengthens the immune system, but also calms nervous system.

Fir cones are steamed in a water bath and used to treat rheumatism and to eliminate joint pain.

Application of Fir

Despite the thorny branches, fir brooms are widely used in Siberia. Fir oil is also added to shampoos to normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

For carpentry, Fir wood is not of particular interest. Due to the lack of resin in wood, it is more prone to decay than other species. However, Fir wood is the most valuable raw material for paper production.

Resonant Fir wood is used for the manufacture of soundboards of various musical instruments.

Resin, extracted from the bark of a tree, is used in the optical industry, medicine and perfumery.

Contraindications

When using Fir products for medical purposes, it is necessary to remember about the individual intolerance of the components.

Fir oil should be used with extreme caution by nursing mothers and people with heart problems.

Before using Fir products in the treatment of any disease, you should consult your doctor.

Fir can be propagated by layering. If one of the lower branches touches the ground, it can take root and form a new tree. Fir elfin is an unusual natural phenomenon.

Cut Fir needles fall much less than Spruce needles, so Fir is sometimes given more preference on New Year's holidays.

Fir cones unlike others conifers arranged vertically.

Fir contains phytoncides, so it can be used to disinfect a room.

Fir trees are very sensitive to factors such as dust and smoke, so they are rarely found in cities.

Illustrations by: solik25 , merlu , vovafritz , Nick Vasiliev (Yandex. Photos)

Do you know what kind of tree a fir is? It is an evergreen with a deep root system. It has a wide conical shape with outstretched branches. The tree grows slowly, with an annual growth of 3 to 5 centimeters. At 30 years old, the size of a fir tree reaches two to three meters in height, and in general, some species of this plant can grow up to sixty meters.

Prefers in nature open sunny places and partial shade. Fir needles can be either gray-blue or dark green. She has tough and relatively thick shoots. Likes fresh, deep, slightly acidic soil. Can grow even on sandy, dry soil. best time fir planting - from March to November. This plant looks great both in and in a single planting. Fir flowering (the photo of the tree is presented in this article) is beautiful.

The tree lives 300-400 years, old-timers are also known in history, which were more than 700 years old.

The name of the plant comes from the German Fichte, which means "spruce" in translation.

How to distinguish fir from spruce?

The fir tree (the description will be presented to your attention below) looks like a spruce, and an inexperienced person can easily make a mistake. However, the differences between the two plants are significant.

What does a fir tree look like? His crown is located at the base of the trunk, unlike spruce and pine. The needles are very soft, with long and flat needles. Spruce needles are hard, short and prickly. Each fir needle has two white stripes on the underside. The needles are slightly sharp, located on reproductive shoots, or rounded towards the end (such needles grow on vegetative branches).

The needles on fir branches grow only on two sides, so the shoots themselves look “flat”. In spruce, the needles are located on the shoot in a circle.

There are two types of fir cones - men's cones are more like earrings made of small "flowers". Female cones are large, cylindrical or egg-shaped, growing upwards, as if "sitting" on a branch. Spruce cones usually hang down.

In winter, fir needles remain bright, unlike other conifers, whose needles fade slightly in the cold season. If you cut a fir branch and bring it home, then the needles will not dry out and fall off, unlike Christmas tree needles. Therefore, fir is more often used in home decoration for the New Year holidays, beautiful compositions are created from twigs that can look good for a very long time.

Types of fir

In total, there are about 50 species of fir, some of them are quite low, only 30 cm in height and look more like shrubs. Mighty trees are also found, up to 80 m high. Some varieties grow in southern countries, for example, in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico. But most of all, fir is common in the forests of Europe and Russia, from the Southern Urals to the Arctic Ocean. Accordingly, the frost resistance of fir depends on its type.

Siberian fir

The Siberian fir tree species is a frost-resistant plant that is common in the taiga northern forests of Russia. Usually chooses to grow places closer to the water, for example, in river valleys and highlands. Siberian fir (a photo of the tree is given below) has a cone-shaped and rather narrow crown. The needles are dark green with soft, shiny and narrow needles. The length of the needles is three centimeters. Traditionally, two white stripes on the underside of each needle. The size of adult Siberian fir trees is quite impressive. They reach a height of 30 meters.

The trunk of the plant is gray in color, the bark is smooth, thin at the top and on the branches, and thick and cracked below.

The cones are light brown in color, grow straight up on the branch.

There are several varieties of Siberian fir - blue, motley, elegant.

Siberian fir is valuable plant and protected by the state.

Fir Nordmann (Caucasian)

This is an endemic plant found only in the Caucasus, therefore it is included in the list of protected plants. Lives in nature for 500 years.

Caucasian fir is a tall, powerful tree that grows up to sixty meters in height. In this case, the thickness of the trunk can even reach two meters. The crown of this tree is lowered low, the shape is conical, the top is narrow.

Dark green needles, with slightly pointed, long four-centimeter needles. There are two white stripes on the underside of each needle.

The bark on the trunk is smooth and shiny, even in its lower part. Only when the tree reaches the age of eighty, cracks may appear on the trunk below.

Cones ovoid, large. Usually they are twenty centimeters long and five in diameter. Young cones have dark green color, and when ripe, they turn brown.

Nordmann's fir also has its own varieties - golden, gray, weeping, upright.

Korean fir

The homeland of this plant is the mountains of the southern part of the Korean peninsula. This plant tolerates high altitude conditions well, including winter frosts, because it grows at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. The peculiarity of this type of fir is that it is in young age grows very slowly. However, after a few years, its growth is greatly accelerated. This is a relatively low fifteen-meter tree, with a rather thin trunk up to eighty centimeters. The crown has a traditional conical shape.

A feature of this species is the color of the bark. Young trees have a thin, smooth, ash-colored bark. With age, this color changes to purple or dark brown with a chestnut tint. At the bottom of the trunk of trees that have lived for several decades, the bark is covered with cracks.

The needles of the Korean fir are very beautiful, thick and lush. However, the needles are harsh and slightly curved upwards, have a saber shape. Below, each needle is an ash-silver color that spreads along two stomatal bands.

The cones of this type of fir are very beautiful, cylindrical in shape, of an unusual purple color. However, the size of the cones is small, reaching only three centimeters in diameter, and only seven centimeters in length.

This very beautiful tree is very popular in landscape design, because its varieties are very different from each other. For example, "Blue Standard" has bright purple buds, and "Piccolo" reaches a height of only 30 centimeters.

Balsam fir

This type of fir (a photo of a tree and cones is given in this article) was brought to the territory of Eurasia from across the ocean, since it is naturally distributed in the USA and Canada. Balsam fir grows in latitudes with a rather harsh climate, up to the tundra. It is also found in the highlands, at an altitude of up to two thousand meters above sea level. The peculiarity of this plant is that it is not long-lived, like other types of fir, its limit is 200 years.

Balsam fir has not very high growth- up to twenty-five meters. The thickness of the trunk in this case can reach seventy centimeters.

The bark is ash-colored and smooth on young trees. Brown with a reddish tint, the trunks are found in old plants.

Needles of balsam fir up to three centimeters in length. The needles are not sharp, dark green, soft. If you rub a few needles in your palms, you can feel a pleasant characteristic smell. The peculiarity of the needles of this tree is that its needles are “long-playing”, they do not fall off for seven years.

This fir has very beautiful cones of interesting shape, up to ten centimeters long, but at the same time narrow - just over two centimeters in diameter. Young cones are very beautiful, they have a dark purple. When they ripen, they change color and become brown and resinous.

Interesting varieties of balsam fir. "Hudson" - a dwarf tree with dense branches and a wide crown and variegated color of needles. "Nana" is also a low shrub-like plant, only 50 centimeters in height. The color of the needles is unusual, has a yellow-green tint.

How to plant fir?

Like all conifers, the fir tree (the photo and description of which became the subject of our review) is an unpretentious plant. However, certain features and rules when planting and caring for this tree must be known.

When planting, it is better to take a container culture, since such plants can be planted almost all year round. They take root well in spring, summer, and even autumn. The only time it is not recommended to plant plants is during severe frosts in frozen ground.

What are the advantages of container cultures?

The lump with the roots is preserved in its entirety. For conifers, this is extremely important. The fact is that on the roots of all coniferous plants, including fir, a special microorganism lives - mycorrhiza, which helps plants absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. When dried, this microorganism dies. If it is proposed to buy a coniferous seedling with an open root system, then in no case should you buy it. Most likely, such a tree will not take root.

The coniferous fir tree is a champion in endurance, perfectly withstands drought. Nevertheless, it must be planted correctly so that it subsequently grows well, looks beautiful, fluffy. One of the first conditions for the proper planting of fir is the choice of location. It should be well lit, sunny or, in extreme cases, light partial shade. The second condition is to properly dig a hole in which to plant fir.

How to dig a hole when planting?

It is necessary to dig a hole for the future plant, approximately 20 centimeters wider and 30 centimeters deeper than the clod of earth protecting the roots of the seedling. How to correctly determine the depth of a dug hole? This is easy to do - put the shovel handle across the pit. It will serve as the defining level. Place a seedling with a clod of earth in a hole and look at the level of how deep the plant will be planted.

In no case should the root neck be buried, from there the first root of the seedling will grow after planting. This place only needs to be lightly sprinkled with earth. Therefore, if you have deepened the hole too much, then you must definitely add earth or make a drainage layer. Broken brick can be used as drainage. Fir does not like when moisture stagnates in the roots.

Work with the drainage layer and top dressing of the plant

The drainage layer is lightly sprinkled with earth. After that, you should again measure the depth of the hole, whether it is suitable for the seedling or not, not forgetting to use the shovel handle. If everything is in order, then a little mineral fertilizer can be applied to the layer of earth covering the drainage, one hundred grams will be enough. After that, be sure to mix the soil so that there is no direct contact of the fertilizer with the roots of the plant.

We place the seedling in the hole and fill in the open space around the roots. Well, if you use a special mixture for this:

1. - 3 parts.
2. Sand - 1 part.
3. Peat - 1 part.

Proper planting of fir and watering

Try to plant the plant strictly vertically. The soil around the stem of the seedling should be slightly tamped down with your hands to settle any voids that may have formed during planting. You can form a side around the plant from the ground so that water does not spread when watering. Water the plant well immediately. This should be done from a watering can or hose, substituting a hand under the stream of water so that the soil does not erode.

You can pour water directly on the top of the fir, on the twigs - conifers love this very much. Water the seedling should be three times, allowing water to soak into the soil each time. Just need to pour about a bucket of water.

The first watering is very important for the survival of the plant, which must be saturated with moisture. In addition, all the voids that still remain in the hole are gradually filled with heavy, moist earth.

Mulching

After the moisture has been absorbed, it is advisable to mulch the plant. You can do this with peat or coniferous wood chips, the spruce branches of the thuja are also suitable. Carefully cover with this material on the ground, and it is not necessary to remove it during subsequent watering. It will perfectly pass moisture and prevent it from evaporating excessively.

fir care

After planting, coniferous plants are watered quite often. Once a week, a bucket of water should be poured under the tree. minerals, which were introduced into the root system during planting, will last for approximately 2-3 years. Throughout this period of time, the plant does not need to be fertilized with fertilizers.

sunburn

young conifer tree fir is afraid of sunburn. In spring and summer, when the sun begins to bake strongly, fir needles can burn, turn yellow and then crumble. You can avoid this if you slightly shade the plant with straw, spruce branches or craft paper, burlap, leaving gaps for diffused lighting. It is also necessary to protect the seedling from the wind. To do this, it should be tied to a peg.

When and how to use fertilizers?

After the plant is well rooted, and this will happen in 2-3 years, you can begin to fertilize it. Fir - evergreen, it does not require rapid replenishment of nutrients as for deciduous trees. Therefore, it does not need a lot of fertilizer.

The best fertilizer for conifers (including fir) is the introduction of good humus or compost into the trunk circle. How to do it? Loosen the soil a little, apply fertilizer and mix it with the ground. You just need to be careful at the same time, since the root system of the fir is shallow, so it’s worth dropping fertilizers only on the very surface of the soil.

The following mineral fertilizers are suitable for fir: 30-40 grams of nitroammophoska per square meter of the trunk circle. Top dressing is applied once a year, in spring or at the very beginning of autumn. In no case should you fertilize the soil for fir in late autumn. This can provoke the growth of new shoots that do not have time to mature and suffer in winter, freeze.

pruning

Nature has endowed the fir with a very beautiful crown, as a rule, this plant does not need pruning. Unless in the spring you will notice after the winter a broken branch or a dried one, as a result of some kind of physical impact. For example, there was too much snow, and branches young tree couldn't handle the load.

If fir grows and develops in conditions suitable for it, then the immunity of the plant will be strong. The tree will not suffer from diseases or pests. However, if the plant experienced stress, for example, during a hot dry summer there was little watering and the branches dried up, the needles began to fall off, such a plant may be affected by diseases.

Fir usually suffers from fungal diseases. Especially favorable for the appearance of the fungus raw, warm winter. This can be dealt with by using special preparations.

Phytotherapy

Of all the species of this plant, Siberian fir is mainly used for medical purposes (photos of the tree and leaves, or rather the needles were filed above). Many different medicines are produced from its resin.

Resin in fir is formed in special formations, nodules, on the stem of the plant. It contains 30% essential oil and 70% vegetable resins. Turpentine is produced from fir resin, which is widely used. For example, for turpentine baths according to Dr. Zalmanov's prescription.

Fir essential oils (photo of the tree and leaves above) are remarkable in that they have a calming effect on the human nervous system, relieve migraines. They can be used for baths and massages by adding to the base oil. Fir essential oil is also used for cosmetics, in particular, for very effective hair masks. There are no contraindications to the use of this natural remedy, except for individual intolerance, allergies.

Since ancient times, not only resin or resin has been used for medicinal purposes. Needles, bark and even wood can also help get rid of many diseases. Fir needles contain a large number of vitamins, especially vitamin C. Its content is especially high in winter, it helps trees and animals that eat needles to survive the cold.

In summer, the content of essential oils in fir needles increases. In addition to vitamin C, the needles contain vitamins A, E. Preparations from fir needles and decoctions have a diuretic property and help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Needles can help a person with heart disease, colds, broncho-pulmonary, rheumatic. The range of application of fir needles is quite wide. The successful use of preparations from fir needles in post-stroke manifestations is known.

Vitamin infusions are prepared from paws and needles. In order to preserve the content of vitamin C in fir needles, it must be collected in winter and stored under snow in the yard or in the freezer of the refrigerator. In summer, coniferous fir legs can be used immediately.

Fir branches are also used for bath procedures. This is especially useful in winter - add a fresh, small foot of fir to a birch broom for a steam room. This will enhance the healing massage. Under the influence of boiling water, the needles will begin to release useful essential oils that are pleasantly smelling and good for the skin and respiratory organs.

It must be remembered that resin and needles should be collected only outside the cities, in ecologically clean areas - in the forest, taiga, away from industrial enterprises.

Long walks in the fir forest are very useful. Here the air is always clean and saturated with phytoncides, which are excellent for the respiratory system. It strengthens the immune system and helps asthmatics.

musical plant

Fir is used not only for healing, but also for the manufacture of musical instruments. This wood has very good properties for creating beautiful sound resonance. When the tree dries, empty resin passages are formed inside the trunk and bark, which have a wonderful resonating effect.

Fir- This is a genus of evergreen conifers belonging to the Pine family. About 50 species of fir are known, growing mainly in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Of these, Siberian fir is mainly used for medical purposes.

The Russian name of the species, presumably, comes from the Karelian word "pihka", which means "resin" in translation. It is also widely believed that the name of the genus comes from the German word "Fichte", which translates as "spruce". The Latin name of the genus - "Abies" comes from the Indo-Germanic word "abh", which translates as "abundant", which is explained by strong branching and dense foliation of branches.

Fir is a monoecious dioecious plant. This means that trees are not divided into male and female, but on each individual both male and female reproductive organs are formed.

Fir can be easily distinguished by vertically growing cones, reminiscent of candles on a festive tree. They ripen all summer, and fall off in the autumn or early winter season, releasing seeds.

Interesting fact! A distinctive feature of fir from other conifers is that it can be propagated by layering. Its basal branches hang fairly close to the ground. When in contact with the ground, they take root, give roots, and a separate fir grows.

Fir, like spruce, gives a large shade, and in the thickets of fir there is always little light.

Forest fir begins to bloom at 60-70 years old, and growing in open space - at 30-40 years of age. The first 10 years fir grows rather slowly, and then growth accelerates. A tree can live 300-500 years, and some species can live up to 700 years.

Types of fir

Siberian fir - description, collection of medicinal raw materials

Latin: Abies sibirica

Siberian fir is the most common type of fir in Russia. The tree can reach 25 - 40 m in height. It has a narrow conical crown.

The trunk is fractured at the bottom, cylindrical at the top. The trunk diameter can reach 0.6 meters. The wood is light yellow, almost white.

The branches are thin, in the absence of interference descend to the ground. Young branches are very densely covered with needles.

The tree has a long central root that goes deep into the ground, from which many lateral roots extend. Thanks to a powerful root system and a columnar crown, Siberian fir is resistant even to the strongest winds. At the same time, on wet soils, the fir tree forms a surface horse system. Roots often have mycorrhiza.

The bark of the plant is smooth, moderately thin, dark gray in color. On the bark there are special thickenings called nodules. They replace the resin passages characteristic of conifers in trunks and branches. They contain fragrant thick resin, bitter in taste (also called "fir balsam"). On one fir, you can find up to six hundred of these nodular formations of various sizes.

Buds developing at the ends are resinous, spherical or rounded, well protected by numerous densely growing scales covered with resin.

Siberian fir shoots are yellow-gray, with sparse hairs. On the shoots are needles growing spirally. Leaves-needles - flat, straight or slightly curved, not prickly, with a groove in the middle; glossy, dark green; have a fragrant smell; they reach 3.5 cm in length, up to 0.2 cm in width. On the reverse side of each needle there are two whitish lines with a wax coating, each with 3-4 rows of stomata. Each leaf-needle lives 6-12 years. When falling off, a small flat scar remains on the shoot.

Interesting fact! characteristic feature fir is that the needles do not fall off even when the branches and shoots dry out. Therefore, many of New Year they prefer to buy fir - after all, when the tree dries, the needles immediately begin to crumble.

The lower branches of fir often reach a huge length (up to 10 m), growing to the sides. At the same time, they often put down their own roots and, breaking away from the mother tree, can exist independently for a long time, creating the so-called. fir elfin (unlike cedar elfin, fir is not an independent plant species).

Siberian fir blossoms in the month of May. In Siberian fir, the generative organs of reproduction form spikelets. Male spikelets are light yellow, elliptical, reach a length of 0.5 - 0.8 cm, a width of up to 0.5 cm. Pollen is formed in them. Each speck of dust has two air cavities that allow male gametophytes to travel great distances. When the male spikelet ceases to produce pollen, it falls off.

The female generative reproductive organs of Siberian fir are dark red cones, usually formed on young branches of the previous year. The cones are directed vertically upwards. In the axils of the scales, spirally growing in the cone, two ovules are formed. By the time the seeds ripen, the cones become larger (up to 10 cm in length) and acquire a light brown hue. In autumn, the cones begin to fall off. Together with the seeds, the scales also fall, and the cone rods remain on the branches for a long time. This distinguishes fir cones from the cones of other conifers.

Collection of medicinal raw materials

For the preparation of medicines, needles, buds, young branches and fir bark are harvested. Buds are harvested at the beginning - middle of spring, branches - at the end of spring, bark - in any season. Young fir needles are harvested twice a year - in summer and from October to February.

white fir

Latin: Abies alba

White fir (comb, European) is a tree reaching a height of 30-65 m, with a trunk up to two meters in diameter. The life expectancy of a plant is 300-400 years.

In young trees, the crown is elongated and pointed; over time, it becomes oval-pointed, and in old trees it becomes dull.

The bark of the plant is smooth, gray with a brownish tinge.

The branches grow horizontally or at a slight upward angle.

The needles grow up to 3 cm long and 2-3 mm wide. They grow on branches parallel to each other, the tips are blunt or with a small notch. The front side of the needles is dark green, glossy, on the reverse side there are two white pores.

Young cones of white fir are green. Ripe cones are dark brown, oval, 10-17 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. Like most fir species, the cones mature and shed their scales in the first two months of autumn.

White fir seeds are quite large, up to 1 cm in length.

It has a thick tap root, usually deep into the ground, from which thinner lateral roots emanate.

Nordmann fir (Caucasian fir)

Latin: Abies nordmanniana

Nordmann fir (Caucasian fir) is a type of fir that reaches a height of 50 meters. The diameter of the trunk can reach two meters. The crown is pyramidal.

The Nordmann fir is called the Apollo fir, after the Greek god of the Sun. It is also called the Trojan horse tree - there is a legend that Caucasian fir wood was used in the construction of the horse. Today, this tree is the most popular among Europeans on Christmas Day.

In nature, it lives in the mountains of the Caucasus and in Asia Minor.

Nordmann fir has longer duration life - up to 700 years.

The needles bloom late. It has a light green color with two white lines on the back. As it matures, the shade changes to dark green, and the needles become shiny. The needles grow forward, reaching 4 cm in length.

The bark of the Nordmann fir when young is smooth and grey. Turns brown as it matures.

Nordmann fir begins to bloom in the first half of May. The cones of the Nordmann fir are ellipsoid-cylindrical, up to 20 cm long and 4-5 wide. Male cones are reddish in color, while female cones are green at first, and when ripe they acquire a brownish tint and are poured with resin.

The root system is deep. At the same time, Caucasian fir grows better on loose soils.

The tree grows quite quickly. May exist in heavily shaded environments. It is whimsical to humidity of the environment. Withstands severe frosts (up to 25 degrees below zero).

Nordmann fir is used as decorative tree. Below are the most popular hybrids of this type of fir:

• Golden Spreader is a dwarf hybrid with a characteristic hollow in the center of the crown. Grows slowly. In ten years it grows up to one meter. The needles are glossy, golden on the outside. On the reverse side - matte, light yellow. They are seated in rock gardens.
• Jadwiga is a variety characterized by rapid growth and great height tree. The needles are unusually long, dark green on the outside, bright white on the back. The crown is dense, solid.
• Pendula is a slow growing hybrid. It has an elongated crown.
• bright green. The plant is quite whimsical to damage and unnatural humidity. Planted in arboretums and garden plots.

Korean fir

Latin: Abies korean

Korean fir - a type of fir, reaching a height of 15 meters, with a cone-shaped crown.

The bark of young plants is smooth, light gray, often with a red tint. In mature trees, the bark is rough, strongly cracking.

The needles form a dense cover on the branches. The needles are up to 2 cm long and 0.25 cm wide, strong, dark green on the outside, glossy on the back, with two white stripes.

The cones are cylindrical in shape. They reach 6-7 cm in length and up to 3 cm in width. When the buds ripen, they take on a purple-red hue.

The natural habitat is the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Prefers high terrain, one to two kilometers above sea level.

Fraser fir

Latin: Abies fraseri

Fraser Fir is an ornamental cultivar of fir. It grows up to 12 m in height and up to 50 cm in width. Has a conical crown. Natural habitat - North America. It is characterized by fluffy needles, silvery below, small cones with protruding covering scales.

Fraser fir can withstand severe frosts well.

Balsam fir

Latin: Abies balsamea

Balsam fir is a tree belonging to the genus fir, reaching 20-25 m in height. The pyramidal crown descends to the very ground.

Balsam fir lives up to 150-200 years.

The bark of the plant is gray-brown, smooth.

Needles from 1.5 to 2.5 cm in length, blunt or notched at the end. Dark green on the front side, glossy on the reverse side, with white lines.

Cones - oval-cylindrical, up to 10 cm long and 0.2-0.25 cm wide.

Roots are shallow.

grows in North America, predominantly in eastern and central Canada, and in the northern United States.

In the vast majority of cases, Siberian fir (Abies sibirica) is used for the preparation of medicines in official and traditional medicine.

Compound

Fir balm

From fir balsam get a number of useful products. The most important of them are: turpentine, diterpene alcohol, abenol, abietic acid, neoabietic acid, resins.

Fir balm (gum) contains the following substances:

• Essential oil (up to 30%);
• Resins (up to 70%).

Wood

Fir wood contains more than 4% essential oil, which is more than 80% camphor. The most useful essential oil is found in the shoots and thin young branches of the tree.

Roots

Fir roots are also rich in essential oil (about 8%). The composition of the essential oil of fir roots is represented mainly by camphor, safrole and cineole (eucalyptol).

In addition to camphor, fir essential oil contains substances such as:

• Camphen;
• Byzabolen;
• Camphorene;
• Acetylaldehyde;
• organic acids.

fir seeds

Fir seeds are rich in solid fatty oils (up to 30%), which consist of acylglycerols of lauric, carmic and oleic acids, and also contain a large percentage of vitamin E.

Bark

Fir bark is rich in tannins - their content reaches 13%. But most of all, the bark contains resin (fir balsam) - up to 16%.

Fir composition:

• Flavonoids;
• Phytosterols;
• Vitamin C (more than 0.3% in needles);
• Carotene;
• Tocopherols.

The composition of fir oil

The volume and composition of fir oil in needles and tree bark undergo changes throughout the year. The largest volume of essential oil from fir needles can be obtained at the end of spring and at the end of the growing season. It is noteworthy that just at this time the bark contains the smallest percentage of essential oils. As for the change in the qualitative composition of fir oil, it should be taken into account that the most important substance in its composition, bornyl acetate, reaches its maximum concentration in late autumn and early winter.

The substance most significant in terms of human health benefits that is part of fir essential oil is bornyl acetate, which is an ester of borneol and acetic acid. In addition, the essential oil of all parts of fir contains the following substances:

• Tannins;
• Vitamin C;
• Carotene;
• Tocopherols;
• Borneol;
• Camphen;
• alpha-pinene;
• beta pinene;
• Dipentene;
• Phelandren;
• A-phellandrene;
• Santen;
• Painless.

Fir resin is 50% resin acid.

Tannins
Action:

• Tannins have the property of creating insoluble molecular bonds with salts of alkaloids and heavy metals. Due to this, they are actively used in the manufacture of antidotes for oral poisoning with morphine, cocaine, atropine, mercury, cobalt, lead, etc.;
• Have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
• Have a vasoconstrictive effect on the intestinal wall;
• They have an antibacterial effect against staphylococci and other bacterial infections;
• Show hemostatic properties;
• They serve as an excellent antidote for bee stings.

Vitamin C
Action:

• Is a strong antioxidant;
• Takes part in the synthesis of steroids, collagen, procollagen, L-carnitine, serotonin;
• Regulates the permeability of capillary walls by inhibiting the activity of hyaluronidase;
• plays important role in the metabolism of cholesterol and pigment substances;
• Normalizes the separation of bile;
• Normalizes the secretory function of the pancreas and the endocrine function of the thyroid gland;
• Plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system, increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases;
• Possesses anti-inflammatory and antiallergic action;
• Slows down the secretion and accelerates the decomposition of the hormone histamine.

Carotene
Action:

• It has a strong antioxidant effect, protects cell membranes from destruction by free radicals;
• Plays an important role in the formation of new epithelial tissue cells, normalizes their functions and increases resistance to infections;
• Protects the skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• Has antixerophthalmic action;
• Increases the body's resistance to malignant processes;
• Provides night vision along with vitamin A.

Vitamin E
The action of tocopherols:

• Has an antioxidant effect;
• Participates in tissue metabolic processes;
• Prevents the destruction of red blood cells;
• Reduces permeability and fragility of small vessels;
• Normalizes reproductive function;
• Prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis;
• Prevents degenerative-dystrophic processes in the heart and striated muscles, normalizes the nutrition of muscle tissue and the heart;
• Activates the formation of a number of proteins in the body, including collagen;
• Slows down the formation of cholesterol in the body;
• activates the formation of heme and heme-containing enzymes - hemoglobin, myoglobin, etc.

The composition of fir needles

Fir needles contain essential oil (3-3.5%). Obtaining essential oil from fir needles, it is used as a basis for obtaining camphor.

The composition of fir needles includes the following substances:

• Carotene;
• Carbohydrates;
• Proteins;
• Vitamins C, E;
• Phytoncides;
• Flavonoids;
• Trace elements: cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and some lead.

Phytoncides
Phytoncides in the composition of fir have a pronounced bactericidal effect. That is why fir preparations are recommended for use in colds. Fir phytoncides are so strong that in some aspects they are stronger than antibiotics. However, they are not harmful to health.

Flavonoids
Flavonoids are not very stable compounds. Therefore, with improper preparation or storage, they are destroyed, and the product does not carry their benefits. Flavonoids have a number of properties in relation to the human body:

• vasodilating;
• vascular strengthening;
• decongestant, venostabilizing;
• anti-sclerotic;
• immunostimulating;
• hypotensive;
• antitumor;
• antioxidant;
• antihypoxic;
• anti-allergic;
• estrogen-like;
• detoxifying, etc.

trace elements
Iron:

• Hemoglobin, which includes iron, provides oxygen transport to all tissues;
• Myoglobin, which also contains iron, supplies oxygen to muscle cells and can store it;
• Takes part in DNA synthesis, therefore it is required for cell division and growth;
• Plays an important role in protein metabolism;
• Necessary for the formation of thyroid hormones, which are responsible for the regulation of a number of metabolic processes;
• Participates in the maintenance of immunity.

Zinc:

• Prevents premature aging, prolongs the life of cells, improves their condition, promotes their regeneration due to the ability to stimulate the synthesis of insulin-like growth factor, testosterone and somatotropin;
• Has a healing effect;
• Participates in the synthesis of a number of enzymes;
• It is found in the endocrine glands, blood cells, liver, kidneys, retina;
• contributes to the maintenance of immunity;
• necessary for the growth process;
• regulates hormonal balance, influencing the work of the lower cerebral appendage, pancreas and gonads.

Cobalt:

• Takes part in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
• Stimulates the growth of red blood cells, thereby improving the delivery of oxygen to all tissues;
• It is a component of cyanocobalamin;
• Cobalt can accumulate in the liver, and from there it can be transported to all organs and tissues;
• Participates in the absorption of iron by the body;
• Normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, participates in the formation of the myelin layer of the brain;
• Improves metabolism;
• Starts the process of formation of DNA and RNA, which are carriers of genetic information;
• Activates bone growth; this is of great importance for children and women during menopause, in which bone mass decreases due to hormonal changes.

Manganese:

• Endogenous formation of the most important components of bones and cartilage; ensuring the correct structure of bones;
• Participates in the metabolism of iron;
• Participates in the formation and metabolism of cholesterol;
• Plays an important role in the oxidation of dextrose;
• Ensures the absorption of copper by the body, and together with it takes part in hematopoiesis;
• Activation of a number of important enzymes, as well as ascorbic acid, B-group vitamins, biotin;
• Necessary for the formation of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.

Copper:

• Participates in the synthesis of a number of proteins and enzymes;
• Needed to convert iron to hemoglobin protein;
• responsible for the activity of the aromatic amino acid tyrosine, which plays an important role in establishing skin and hair color;
• Participates in the formation of collagen, thereby strengthening bones;
• promotes the synthesis of elastin - an elastic protein responsible for the elasticity of connective tissue;
• Stimulates the activity of hormones of the lower cerebral appendage;
• regulates the functions of the endocrine system;
• serves as an essential component of the myelin coating of neurons, without which they are not able to transmit impulses, and are destroyed.

Fir properties

• General strengthening;
• Tonic;
• Adaptogenic;
• expectorant;
• Diuretic;
• Disinfectant;
• Antibacterial;
• Anesthetic;
• Detoxification;
• Anti-inflammatory.

What pathologies does fir help with?

• Cough;
• Runny nose;
• SARS;
• Tuberculosis;
• flu, cold;
• Acute and chronic tonsillitis;
• Bronchitis;
• Inflammation of the lungs (in particular, croupous pneumonia);
• Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve;
• Sinusitis;
• Wounds, damage to the skin;
• Diathesis in a child;
• Inflammation of the gums and oral cavity;
• Pain in the tooth, periodontal disease, stomatitis, gingivitis, etc.;
• arthrosis;
• Rheumatism, sciatica;
• Osteochondrosis;
• angina;
• Oncological diseases;
• Hypovitaminosis;
• Scurvy.

fir treatment

Fir needles - useful properties

Siberian fir needles contain a number of substances that are beneficial to health, as well as vitamins and biologically significant elements.

Fir needles are a valuable source of ascorbic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant, regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, and plays an important role in the endogenous synthesis of such an important hormone as insulin. In addition, it contains a large amount of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Together, these two vitamins increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases, and also destroy and remove toxins and poisons from the body. Accordingly, fir needles have these properties.

Thanks to the phytoncides contained in the needles, it has an antibacterial effect, is effective in combating viral infections, promotes healing of wounds, regulates the secretion of digestive juice in the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates the activity of the heart, and disinfects the air. Fumes of needles eliminate bronchospasm in bronchial asthma and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, effectively eliminate migraine.

Fir has an expectorant effect, helps to remove sputum and cleanse the respiratory tract.

Fir needles are successfully used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, used as an adjuvant therapy for tuberculosis and tumor pathologies. The diuretic and antibacterial properties of fir needles help with kidney pathologies and cystitis. The needles start the process of cleansing all the cells of the body.

fir cones

Siberian fir cones serve as an excellent remedy for rheumatism and other joint pathologies. One of the most popular recipes is a steam foot bath. To do this, the cone is poured with boiling water, and the legs hover over the basin, covering them with some kind of dense cloth.

fir branches

Fir branches, as well as the needles of the plant, are rich in essential oils, and therefore serve as raw materials for the production of fir oil.

Fir preparations

Decoctions and infusions of fir needles

Preparations from fir needles have been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Decoctions and infusions of fir needles are effective for catarrhal pathologies of the respiratory system and its infections:

• Bronchitis;
• Croupous pneumonia;
• Tuberculosis of the lungs, etc.

Ingestion of decoctions and infusions of fir needles is useful for people with pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. Fir activates the process of cleaning blood vessels and capillaries, reduces their fragility, normalizes blood composition, removes toxins from it. Infusion of needles is known as a drink that increases the body's resistance to infections, normalizes the state of the nervous system. The drink strengthens the immune system. Its detoxifying properties of decoctions and infusions of fir needles are also known - it removes heavy and radioactive metals from the body.

fir extract

Properties of fir extract:

• Antioxidant;
• Detoxification;
• Hepatoprotective;
• Antiulcer;
• Anti-inflammatory.

Action of fir extract:

• Promotes the activation of the immune system; increases resistance to viral and bacterial infections;
• It has an adaptogenic effect, increases the body's ability to adapt to adverse factors;
• Prevents the growth of neoplasms, prevents the appearance of metastases; used in the prevention of tumor pathologies;
• Promotes the activation of the process of hematopoiesis and tissue replacement;
• Enhances potency;
• Facilitates alcohol withdrawal.

Camphor

Camphor, which is isolated from fir oil, is used as a substance that excites the central nervous system and stimulates the work of the heart.

Fir oil

Properties of fir essential oil

Fir needle oil has the following beneficial properties:

• Antibacterial;
• General strengthening;
• Tonic;
• Exciting;
• expectorant;
• Wound healing;
• Anti-inflammatory.

Fir oil - indications for use

Fir oil has a pronounced antibacterial effect, and therefore it is used in the treatment of infectious and catarrhal pathologies, including:

• Pneumonia;
• Croupous pneumonia;
• Bronchitis;
• Inflammation of the larynx;
• Tracheitis;
• Acute tonsillitis;
• Inflammation in the ear.

In addition to catarrhal pathologies, fir oil helps to cure a number of diseases of various origins:

• Psoriasis;
• Skin fungus;
• Tuberculosis;
• Unstable pressure;
• Collapse;
• Infectious diseases.

Also, fir oil increases vitality in case of overwork, bad mood, irritability , stress or neurosis .

Fir oil is an effective remedy for bruises and sprains, myositis and muscle pain, rheumatism, arthrosis, arthritis, sciatica and osteochondrosis.

It should be borne in mind that fir oil is an aphrodisiac.

Allergy to fir oil

There is a risk of developing an allergy to fir oil, although this is rare. Among the allergic reactions are itching, pink-red spots or swelling, which disappear within 3 days. However, such situations can be prevented by knowing if there is a tendency to allergic reactions to fir. To do this, drop 10-15 drops of fir oil on the front side of the leg or arm, and rub it into the skin properly. If spots appear the next morning or the next day, this indicates an allergy. Otherwise, there is no allergy.

Contraindications to the use of fir and its preparations

It is not recommended to use fir preparations for allergies to them. It is forbidden to use fir preparations with individual intolerance to fir. People with heart palpitations should carefully use fir oil in the treatment of certain diseases.

Penetrating into the blood, fir oil is present in it for several days. However, it has the ability to accumulate in the body. Therefore, fir oil can be consumed internally only in small doses - no more than 5-10 drops per day, depending on tolerance. External use of fir oil is a maximum of 10 g per day.

Fir and its preparations are contraindicated in convulsions and a tendency to such, for example, in epilepsy.

Do not forget that fir oil has a laxative effect.

Fir oil is contraindicated in the presence of peptic ulcer.

You can not drink alcohol, combining it with the treatment with fir oil. Any alcohol-containing drinks, including beer, during therapy and two more days after stopping the intake of fir oil are contraindicated. If you take alcohol directly after fir oil, unpleasant symptoms may occur, and the medicinal effect of the drug will disappear.

Attention! Fir oil is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as small children!

What is the difference between a fir tree and a fir tree?

Both spruce and fir have a wide range of uses in folk and official medicine. There are main differences between spruce and fir:

• Fir has advantages when using wood for decorative purposes. It is always more symmetrical, there are no resin passages in it, and the needles fall off much later than that of a Christmas tree.
• Spruce is a more unpretentious plant, it grows faster than fir. Ornamental spruce cultivation requires less financial resources and labor.
• Fir needles - not prickly, soft. Fir needles are wider and larger than spruce needles. On spruce, the cones are directed downwards, and on fir, on the contrary, upwards.
• spruce wood stronger than wood fir. Therefore, the first is more often used in the manufacture of furniture.

The use of fir in baths and saunas

Fir brooms for a bath are not as common as ordinary ones (birch or oak). Such brooms are more often used by connoisseurs of thrills. However, fir brooms are very popular in Siberia and the Far East.

Many are puzzled by the fact that fir has rather sharp needles. However, if you properly prepare the needles, it will practically not prick. The broom must be properly steamed in boiling water, and before the procedure itself, it is recommended to steam and warm the skin, giving it softness and elasticity. Then the injections of softened needles will not be felt.

Procedures with fir needle brooms are used as a massage, due to which blood flow increases and heavy sweating begins. A bath with a fir broom is useful for the respiratory and nervous systems, the heart and blood vessels, as well as for strengthening the immune system. It is also recommended for articular pathologies, diseases of the spinal column, colds. Bath procedures with fir needles are recommended for skin diseases, as they soothe exacerbations, accelerate wound healing and perfectly cleanse the skin. They are also recommended for people suffering from gout and neuralgic pathologies. Bath procedures with a fir broom help eliminate muscle spasms and muscle pain.

Due to the antiseptic and bactericidal properties of fir needles, bath procedures with fir brooms are very useful for colds and flu, coughs and runny nose. Healthy people are advised to combine a bath with a fir broom with hardening - this will increase the body's defenses and improve health.

Concerning psychological aspect, then a bath with a fir broom has an exceptionally beneficial effect. It will help eliminate fatigue, relieve stress, emotional experiences, help to relax, improve mood.

If you put a few drops of fir oil on a broom, this will only make the procedure even more useful.

Fir oil for hair

Popular masks with fir oil

Adding fir oil to shampoo
Pour the amount of shampoo that you need to wash your hair into a cap or beaker, and add 2-3 drops of fir oil to it. Fir oil will normalize the sebaceous glands and eliminate oily hair. Adding fir oil to shampoo is also effective in treating dandruff, but it must be used regularly - every 3-4 days, only 10-15 procedures.

Attention! Fir oil for washing hair should be used sparingly and at the recommended dosages, otherwise you can achieve the opposite result and provoke skin irritation.

Aroma combing with fir oil
Many do not believe in the effectiveness of aroma combing, since it does not involve direct contact of fir oil with hair roots. At the same time, not everyone likes the smell of fir oil.

But if the smell of fir oil is pleasant to you, aroma combing with it will help prevent the development of not only dandruff, but also many fungal pathologies. One aroma-combing a week will serve as an excellent prevention.

For the aroma combing procedure, a natural bristle comb is needed. 3-4 drops of fir oil are dripped onto the comb, and the hair is gently combed until the oil disappears.

Massage mask for dandruff and hair growth
A pure essential composition of fir oil is used. It is most effectively used when mixed with another, unrefined vegetable oil. This recipe uses burdock oil.

Two tablespoons of burdock oil are warmed up a little, 4-5 drops of fir essential oil are dripped into it, and stirred properly so that fir oil dissolves without residue in burdock oil. This may take several minutes.

Fingertips are dipped into the resulting mixture, and the scalp is massaged in tech. 10-15 min. After that, the head should be washed with shampoo, and rinsed under the shower.

This method is also effective for restoring dry and damaged hair.

Mask for strengthening hair
Ingredients:

• Honey - 1 tbsp;
• Fir oil - 2-3 drops;
• Freshly squeezed onion juice 45 tbsp.

The ingredients are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous composition is obtained. The finished mixture is rubbed with fingertips into the skin of the scalp.

After applying the entire composition to the scalp, it is kept for 30-40 minutes, before that, covering the head with plastic wrap. Such a mask will restore and strengthen the hair roots, improve their nutrition and activate their growth, and prevent alopecia.

Nourishing mask
In a cup or glass, mix chicken yolk, 3 tablespoons of rum and two drops of fir oil. All these components are thoroughly mixed until a uniform composition is obtained. Fir oil is dripped last.

The resulting mixture is rubbed into the scalp. After applying the mask, it is left for 20-30 minutes, and then washed off (it is not recommended to use hot water).

Masks for oily hair with fir oil

mask 1
Dry and chop the burdock root and marigold inflorescences. Mix two tablespoons of each ingredient, and one tablespoon of oak bark. Pour all 100 ml of boiling water. Put on fire, and heat in a water bath for half an hour, then cool, drip 2 drops of fir oil, mix well. Apply the composition to the hair, and leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse in the shower.

Mask 2
Brew one tablespoon of quince seeds in 200 ml of water at 80-85 degrees. Then put on fire, and heat in a water bath until boiling. Filter the composition and allow to cool slightly. Then add 2-3 drops of fir essential oil and mix well. You will get a jelly-like consistency. In a warm form, apply to the hair roots and massage them. After 50 min. rinse off in the shower. The mask should be done every day for 6-7 days.

mask 3
Dry the linden flowers and grind. Boil eight tablespoons of linden flowers in 200 ml of boiling water, put on fire and heat in a water bath for no more than three minutes. Remove from heat, let cool and filter.

Pour 1 tbsp into the broth. freshly squeezed lemon juice, 50 ml of eucalyptus tincture, one or two drops of fir essential oil. Shake everything well and apply to the hair from the horses to the ends. The head should be covered with polyethylene and tied with a scarf. Half an hour after applying the composition to the hair, remove the plastic film and wash your hair with shampoo. The composition is applied to the hair 1-2 times a week. Course - 4-5 weeks.

mask 4
Dry coltsfoot leaves and marigold flowers and grind into powder. Take three tablespoons of each ingredient, pour 100 ml of water at 80 - 90 degrees, put on fire and heat in a water bath for a while. 2-3 min. Allow to cool, filter, drop 1-2 drops of fir essential oil into the liquid, add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and a tablespoon of eucalyptus tincture. Apply the mask on the hair for half an hour. Apply the mask to the hair every 3-4 days for 4-5 weeks.

mask 5
Grind one onion with a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice from the resulting slurry through gauze. Mix two tablespoons of castor bean oil with the same volume of juice squeezed from the onion, drop one or two drops of fir essential oil, and mix everything well until smooth. Apply the composition to the hair from roots to ends. Cover the head with polyethylene and a towel. After 40 min. rinse off in the shower.

mask 6
Finely chop parsley, take three tablespoons of parsley and pour 1 tbsp. castor oil. Add 1 tsp. forty-degree vodka, drop one or two drops of fir essential oil, and mix everything properly. Take the resulting composition with your fingertips and massage the hair roots until everything is used up. Then cover the head with polyethylene, and tie with a scarf. After half an hour, wash your hair with shampoo under running water. Apply the mask to the hair every 3-4 days. The course is 4-5 weeks.

mask 7
Mix one or two drops of fir essential oil with five drops of peach oil. Dissolve a tablespoon of rock salt in 200 ml of cow's milk, and then pour the resulting mixture of oils into it, and mix everything properly until completely dissolved. Wet your hair first. Apply the mask while massaging the hair roots. Rinse under running water after 15 minutes. Apply the mask every 3-4 days.

Mask 8
Mix two chicken yolks with 2 tablespoons of natural honey, drop one or two drops of fir essential oil into the mixture, mix well. Take the composition with your fingertips and massage the hair roots with it. When the entire composition is used up, it is necessary to cover the hair with polyethylene, and bandage it with a scarf. After 1 - 2 hours, the mask can be washed off under running water. This mask can be done every 3-4 days.

Mask 9
Dilute three tablespoons of mustard powder with some volume of warm clean water to get a mass of pasty consistency. Drop one or two drops of fir essential oil into it, and mix well. Hair should be wetted before the procedure. Apply the composition to the hair, from roots to ends, and hold for a maximum of 10 minutes. It is recommended to wash off the composition with acidified water at room temperature, or with some kind of infusion. This mask is done every 6-7 days.

The healing properties of fir, an evergreen coniferous tree from the pine family, have been known since ancient times. In many diseases, treatment with infusions of fir and fir oil helps well. In the treatment, almost all parts of fir are used: needles, buds, bark, resin. Fir needles, in addition to essential oil, contain manganese, zinc, copper, a little lead, and a high content of vitamin C. Fresh fir legs secrete phytoncides, which have a detrimental effect on pathogens. The room becomes almost sterile if there are fir branches in it.

Beauty fir is considered almost a panacea. Its buds and needles are harvested in March-April, young branches - in May - early June, resin - in the summer, and the bark can be taken all year round. If you pour a handful of young needles hot water and let it brew for a day, you can rinse your mouth so that your gums are healthy and your throat does not hurt. And if you drink such an infusion in a few sips, then the blood will become more fluid, clean, and will take off a cold as if by hand. And if you rub 4-5 drops of fir oil into your chest, you can even tame an old cough.

Fir is a plant species that belongs to the genus of trees. In a favorable climate, it can grow up to 45 meters in height, and in crown diameter, it can be about 50 cm.

The shape of the tree does not change during the entire period of growth and has the shape of a cone. Fir branches are rather thin and lowered to the ground, especially if the tree grows singly, and not in a group with its relatives. Fir needles (needles) are located along the entire branch in a spiral order, one at a time. Fruits (cones) - have a cylindrical or ovoid shape. Fir is different from other coniferous trees. Trees are considered long-lived, they delight with their greenery and aromas for 150 - 200 years.
The most interesting thing that distinguishes it from other conifers is that the cones grow upwards. Cones when ripe begin to crumble, they are long, dark brown.

Fir needles also have their own special properties. It is not prickly at all, a pleasant aroma emanates from it. The needles of the needles are flat, long, saturated green, tender and soft to the touch. The tree is considered a long-liver, it can grow up to two hundred years. Excellent lumber is obtained from its wood, which is used even in shipbuilding and the production of musical instruments. The wood is well processed, there are no ordinary resin pockets in it.

The light thin bark of most species contains resin-bearing nodules with a transparent resin that looks like honey.

For medicinal purposes in folk medicine, bark, needles and kidneys are used.

The astringent property of the bark is used in the form of decoctions as an external remedy for tumors and burns (in the form of compresses). For periodontitis and toothache, apply steamed fresh Siberian fir buds. In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, turpentine, obtained from the resin of the plant, will relieve pain and irritation.

Painkillers and distractions with turpentine.

Add to 100 ml. alcohol in a tablespoon of turpentine, camphor alcohol and table vinegar (9%), and you will get excellent tool for rubbing in diseases of the joints.

In the pharmaceutical industry, fir oil is used to produce synthetic camphor. Its preparations are used in inflammatory processes, in acute and chronic heart failure, in collapse, to stimulate respiration and circulation in lobar pneumonia and other infectious diseases.

Also, camphor alcohol is used externally for rubbing with colds, myositis, neuritis, articular rheumatism.

fir needles

Many of us do not even realize what healing power fir needles have. Here is a list of diseases in which needles can help:

Chemical composition

Siberian fir needles are a real pantry of useful substances and vitamins. The needles contain from 250 to 350 mg of vitamin C.

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and promotes accelerated oxidation of toxins and their removal from the body. Under the influence of vitamin C, the elasticity and strength of blood vessels increase. Together with vitamin A, it protects the body from infections, blocks and neutralizes toxic substances in blood.

Pine needles are a source of beta-carotene. In the body, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, which provides good vision, increases the body's resistance to infections.

Fir needles contain essential oil, macro- and microelements. The phytoncides present in the needles are antimicrobial substances. They have a detrimental effect on viruses, accelerate wound healing, regulate the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate cardiac activity, and purify the air. Coniferous aroma relieves bronchospasm in asthma and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, successfully treats headaches.

The most important healing product from fir - essential fir oil. But fir is not valuable for oil alone. Fir (florentine) water - a by-product in the production of oil, as well as resin (resin), needles, cones, bark and even sawdust - were widely used in medicine.
Resin (resin) has long been used to treat wounds, especially infected ones, ulcers, colds, coughs, stomach ulcers. The bark containing tanides and resins (balm) is used externally for tumors and burns. Fir cones are an effective remedy for rheumatism and other catarrhal lesions of the leg joints. Why pour cones with boiling water and warm the legs for a couple, covering them with a blanket on top. Steamed sawdust applied to sore spots also helps.
Old red fir needles (from fallen trees) together with fresh and dry cedar needles (1:1:1) are very useful for dry "warming" baths.
An aqueous infusion of the kidneys and bark is the oldest antiscorbutic, it is also used as a diuretic and analgesic for colds and rheumatic pains. A decoction of young pine needles is drunk as a diuretic and disinfectant for diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Needles and bark contain a large amount of phytoncides, so that staying in coniferous forest beneficial effect on health.

Healing drink from pine needles

Take fresh fir needles, pass through a meat grinder, pack in plastic bags for 1 tbsp. spoon (make sure that the juice does not flow out) and store in the freezer. To prepare a healing potion, take out a briquette with needles, pour a glass of boiled chilled water and leave for 3 hours in a dark place. Then stir, strain, wring out raw materials.

Drink 1/4-1/3 cup infusion 3-4 times a day before or after meals.
This coniferous drink is rich in vitamins and microelements, useful for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infectious and inflammatory diseases, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, prostate adenoma, prostatitis, diseases of the kidneys, liver, urinary and gall bladders, tinnitus, hernia, urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, helps with weakening of vision, mastopathy and uterine fibroids, treats hemorrhoids, perfectly relieves fatigue.
Needle remedy regulates blood pressure, reduces elevated level cholesterol and blood sugar, helps to cope with excess weight, relieves shortness of breath, treats the musculoskeletal system.
In addition, the described infusion cleanses the body, normalizes metabolism, strengthens the immune system, protects against premature aging and prolongs life.

Fir oil for the treatment of joints .
1. First, the joint is warmed up with a sea salt compress.
I heat the salt in a dry frying pan, pour it into a bag of canvas and apply it to the sore spot. Hold until the heat spreads throughout the leg.
2. At this time, compress paper is impregnated with fir oil and applied to the joint heated with salt.
3. Tie a sore spot with a warm woolen scarf and hold the compress for no more than 30 minutes so that there is no irritation or even burns. With sensitive skin, a burn may occur, therefore, for the first time, the procedure time should be set experimentally: look every 10 minutes to see if the skin has reddened.

A few more recipes using fir oil.

With angina 1-2 drops of pure oil will need to be dropped onto the inflamed tonsil with a pipette, or smeared with oil with a swab. This function you will need to do 2-3 times a day, after 4-5 hours for 2-3 days. In the chronic form of angina, in addition to lubricating the tonsils, 1-2 drops of fir oil are instilled into the nose (if it does not cause allergic reactions). At bronchitis and pneumonia a good result is rubbing the body with oil and inhalation. In economic conditions, this is done as follows: pour boiling water into an enameled bowl or a teapot, add 3-4 drops of fir oil, cover with a blanket or a scarf and a steam-oil mixture breathe for 10-15 minutes .. After which the patient is rubbed and covered with a warm blanket.

With the flu, it was necessary to rub fir oil into the collar zone of the back, chest, do foot massage along the reflex zones 4-5 times a day (after 5-6 hours). After this procedure, the patient needs to drink an anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic herbal collection and cover himself with a warm blanket. With all this, it is recommended to drip 1 drop of oil into the nose. Improvement will come in a day. Chronic runny nose it is possible to cure it like this: 3-4 times a day with fir oil, you need to lubricate and massage the area of ​​​​the maxillary sinuses, while it is preferable to instill fir oil into the nose 1 drop.

At strong cough instill before going to bed 2-3 drops of fir oil on the tip of the tongue. There is information about the cure of colitis, enterocolitis with fir water. For these purposes, coniferous water is taken 0.5 cups 3 times a day for 20 minutes. before eating. With a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer, coniferous water should not be consumed. Some authors advise fir oil to cure angina pectoris: 2-3 drops of fir oil are rubbed into the area below the nipple 3-4 times a day. It can be especially useful to do this on the eve of magnetic storms and sudden changes in weather pressure, which usually cause a negative shift in the state of well-being.

Of dry inhalations for the prevention of viral infections and coughing, inhalations from paper and fabric are the most effective. Put 3-4 drops of oil on them and breathe in the aroma.
. Rubbing fir oil into the bruised area speeds up the healing process.
. With angina, you need to apply pure oil to the tonsils with a pipette or cotton swab. Repeat 2 to 5 times a day with an interval of 4-6 hours.
With sciatica, it is good to rub fir oil into painful places.
Fir oil contains biologically active substances that have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, wound healing and tonic effects. Camphor, obtained from fir oil, is used in medicine as a means of stimulating the central nervous system. Camphor alcohol is widely used for rubbing with myositis, neuritis and articular rheumatism.
Fir oil contraindications
Scientists of the Vladivostok Medical Institute found that the oil does not decompose in the gastrointestinal tract, but penetrates into the blood and accumulates in painful foci of the body. And only two days after taking the oil is excreted from the body. Keeping this in mind, it is necessary not to overload the body with oil, not to allow it to increase the heart rate!
In addition, a small proportion of people may experience allergic reactions. Checking the predisposition to allergies is simple: drip 10-15 drops of oil on the back of the arm, chest or leg and rub it in. If red spots do not appear on the body the next day, then treatment can begin.
Fir Recipes

The use of needles

Vitamin drink.

This drink is especially useful in winter.

1 way.

Take 2 tablespoons of needles, rinse in cold water, put in a bowl with a lid, pour a glass of boiling water and put on fire for 20 minutes. The drink is cooled and insisted for half an hour.

2 way.

5 st. spoons of needles pour 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos, leave overnight, strain in the morning and drink throughout the day.

You can consume 1 glass per day, breaking its use into 2-3 times.

3 way

You will need 1 tablespoon of bark and needles and 200 grams of hot boiled water. Let it brew in a saucepan with a closed lid until the broth cools completely. Strain and consume 50 ml 4 times a day before meals. The duration of the course is 2 weeks, then a break for 10 days and again a repetition of the reception for 2 weeks.

4 way

You can brew tea from young branches of needles and small buds. This tea helps boost immunity.

Restoration of the vascular system:

Take five tablespoons of chopped pine needles, add 3 tablespoons of crushed rose hips, 2 tablespoons of onion peel. Pour 700 ml. water, bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Leave to infuse overnight, wrap in warm material. Strain in the morning and take from 0.5 to one and a half liters per day. Reception-3 months.

For stroke, lemon is included in this recipe, the recommended dose is up to 2 lemons per day, half a lemon at a time.

FOR PAIN IN THE JOINTS. Fir sawdust pour boiling water. Steam in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, then wring out and apply warm to the sore spot. Wrap with plastic wrap and a warm cloth. Treat daily until noticeable improvement.
FUNGUS. Make lotions with pure fir oil for 25-30 minutes. If the ends of the fingers are affected, then it is better to place them in a container with oil for 20-25 minutes. Continue treatment until complete recovery, usually it occurs within 7-10 days.
OSTEOCHONDROSIS. Fir branches to crush and warm, then attach to the sore spot. Do it better in a steam room. After a 30-minute compress, you should take a steam bath with a fir or birch-fir broom. For prevention, massage with fir oil 5-7 times a month.
ANGINA, ARRYTHMIA, TACHYCARDIA. Do an external rubbing of 10-15 drops of oil in the heart area, just below the nipple and up to the middle of the lateral line on the left. After 1-2 minutes, spasms will be relieved. If necessary, repeat. Even with the most severe attack, relief is sure to come after the first rubbing.
ANGINA. Lubricate the tonsils with a cotton swab with fir oil or irrigate them with oil using a syringe. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
HERPES. At the first signs of the onset of the disease (itching, burning), apply a cotton swab soaked in fir oil and hold for 25-30 minutes. Repeat after 5-6 hours. A good effect is achieved by alternating procedures from fir oil and delicate fine-grained (scientifically, fat-like) honey, preferably from acacia.

Treatment with infusion, decoction, resin of fir.

For skin diseases:
two glasses of hot boiled water, pour five tablespoons of chopped fir needles, leave for two to three days. Drink half a glass three times a day for 1.5 months.

Fir is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the Pine family. Our post will tell you in detail about this plant.

Description

Fir is a powerful plant. The diameter of the trunk of an adult tree is 1.5-2 meters, the height is 80-100 meters, about the size of a 30-storey building! This the tallest tree in Russia. Its dense dark green crown grows from the very bottom of the trunk, has the shape of a cone. From a distance, the tree looks like a huge dark green pyramid.

Rod a powerful root goes deep into the ground. The wind can't blow down a tree like that.

The young bark is smooth and gray, thickens with age, becomes covered with cracks. The bark has many resin passages and convex tubercles in which resin accumulates. The needles are narrow and flat, non-thorny and soft to the touch, live 10-15 years, do not fall off even after the branches dry.

At first, the tree grows very slowly, and at the age of 12-14, the growth rate increases. Fir is a long-liver. She lives an average of 300-400 years, some species live up to 600-700 years.

A forest of firs is called a fir forest. It is always very dark and damp. At the roots grow and, lingonberries, herbs. In the fir forest you can often find aspens, beeches, oaks, maples.

Distribution and types

Fir distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere planets (, the northern part of the mainland Eurasia). Siberian fir is found even in the polar regions in the lower reaches of the Yenisei. On the territory of Russia, 10 types of trees grow. Rich in these conifers and East Asia especially Japan.

Some species are found in the northern part: in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Algerian fir grows in North Africa.

Today 47 species of fir are known: Siberian, white, Caucasian, Korean, balsamic, Sakhalin, hard, Himalayan, magnificent and others.

reproduction

Fir is a monoecious plant. It means that male and female cones grow simultaneously on the same tree. They are easy to distinguish from each other. The male cones hang down like earrings, while the female ones stand upright like candles. This fir differs from other conifers.

The first time the tree blooms in 40-60 years. During flowering, female cones of red-violet color appear. Pollinated by the wind. 2-3 weeks after pollination, they close tightly, and seeds begin to ripen in them. In late autumn, the cones crumble, the seeds, which are very odorous, fall out, are carried by the wind, or. Once in the ground, they germinate. Seed germination lasts 2 years.

Unlike other trees, fir propagated by cuttings. Its lower branches are so low that they often touch the ground and take root. This is how a young tree grows.

Fir grows well both in open places and in the shade, loves warmth, but endures frosts with firmness, loves moisture and fertile soils. It grows well only in clean air, dies with smoke and gas pollution.

Use in the national economy

Even in hoary antiquity, healers appreciated the beneficial properties of fir. Its needles are a valuable source of vitamin C, conifer infusion used to treat scurvy, vitamin deficiency, raising immunity.

In folk medicine, infusions and decoctions from the roots, bark, branches and cones of fir are used.

Fir oil is used to obtain medical camphor. His added to cosmetic products. Also, the essential oil of this tree is part of the important drug "Urolesan". Fir balsam extract has found wide application in medicine as an effective wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent.

And a few more facts:

• fir brooms for baths are very common in Siberia;
• fir wood is softer than spruce, but suitable for construction and furniture making;
• decorative species are often planted in home gardens and in park areas.

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