Norway maple.

Norway maple: description, application and medicinal properties

Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a tall tree belonging to the maple family. It is widespread in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and Western Siberia. Norway maple prefers deciduous and mixed forests, and also climbs the mountains to an altitude of 1900-2000 m above sea level. Norway maple can grow either singly or in groups.

The leaves of Norway maple are rounded-angular, palmately lobed and pierced by numerous veins of varying thickness. The tree blooms in the spring, before the leaves bloom. The flowers are collected in greenish-yellow bunch-shaped inflorescences. Each fruit produces one flat, rounded grain, lenticular in shape, but larger.

Norway maple wood is used in turning and carpentry, for the manufacture of musical instruments and furniture. Norway maple leaves can be used to dye wool yellow. They are placed on a baking sheet as a lining when baking bread in a Russian oven. Syrup and surrogate sugar are obtained from the juice.

Norway maple also has many medicinal properties. Norway maple leaves and fruits are medicinal raw materials. The leaves are harvested in the first half of summer, dried in the sun and dried in the attic or in a dryer. The fruits are collected when ripe and dried in a dryer or oven at a temperature of 50-60°C. Store in bags or closed wooden containers for no more than 2 years.

Norway maple leaves contain carbohydrates, aldehydes (alpha-hexenoic, beta-hexenoic), organic acids (acetic, succinic, phthalic), polyisopropenes (squalene), rubber, carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, xanthophyll epoxide, etc.) , nitrogen-containing compounds (methylamine, etc.), vitamins C and E, phenol carbonic acids (salicylic, gallic), tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, higher fatty acids, lipids (phytinyl linolenate) and other substances. The seeds contain cyclotols (quebrachite), rubber and fatty oil.

A decoction of leaves and seeds of Norway maple has a diuretic, antimicrobial, antipyretic and wound-healing effect. It helps with diseases of the genitourinary system, colds, wounds, burns and other skin injuries. Also, a decoction of maple leaves can be used to treat colds of the upper respiratory tract and cough.

Norway maple is also used in cosmetology to improve skin condition. Extracts from maple leaves and seeds are included in creams and masks for the face and body, which help moisturize and nourish the skin.

However, you should not overuse decoctions and extracts of Norway maple, as this may cause unwanted side effects. Also, before using any medicines based on Norway maple, you should consult your doctor.