Common lilac.

Common lilac: description, application and medicinal properties

Common lilac is a shrub of the olive family that can reach a height of 2 to 7 meters. Its root system is powerful, and the leaves are dark green and do not turn yellow when they fall. Common lilac blooms from May to June, with flowers of lilac-violet shades, sometimes white. This shrub tolerates polluted and dusty air, making it ideal for use in urban environments. The lilac fruit is a capsule with light brown seeds that ripen in July.

Common lilac is distributed throughout Russia. It grows in private plots, gardens, parks and often runs wild. It is cultivated as an ornamental shrub. The leaves, flowers, bark and buds of this plant are medicinal raw materials.

Lilac inflorescences are collected during budding along with branches, tied into bunches and dried in the shade, in the attic or under a canopy. The leaves are collected in dry weather in the first half of summer and also dried in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of 60°C, scattered in a thin layer. The bark is collected from young stems (sometimes along with the leaves). The collected medicinal raw materials are stored in a bag or closed wooden container for 2 years.

Various parts of lilac contain essential oil, phenoglycoside sinigrin, syrygnopicrin and farnesol. Chemically, it has not been sufficiently studied.

Infusion and tincture of lilac leaves are used in the treatment of malaria, inflammatory kidney diseases, and stones in the renal pelvis. To prepare the infusion, pour 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves into 1 glass of hot water, bring to a boil, leave in a warm place for 2-3 hours, filter and squeeze. Take 1 tablespoon 4 times a day before meals for 2 weeks. If necessary, treatment is repeated after 2-3 weeks, which allows for 3-4 courses.

To use lilac as an antipyretic and diaphoretic, the infusion is made a little differently: 2 tablespoons of the mixture are poured with 1 glass of boiling water and left for 1 hour in a warm place. Take 1 glass 3-4 times a day, warmed.

To prepare the tincture, pour 1 glass of lilac flowers into 0.5 liters of vodka and leave for 2 weeks. Used in the form of lotions and compresses in the treatment of wounds, bruises and rheumatism. The bandage is changed 4-5 times a day.

There is also information that an infusion of lilac buds and flowers is used for bronchial asthma.

Common lilac can also be used to treat festering wounds and ulcers that are difficult to heal. In this case, use fresh lilac leaves or their strong decoction. To do this, the affected area is steamed with hot water, covered with well-washed fresh raw materials and bandaged. On the first day, the bandage is changed 3-4 times, and then - once a day.

Thus, the common lilac is a shrub of the olive family, which is widely used in medicine. Its leaves, flowers, bark and buds contain valuable medicinal properties that can help in the treatment of various diseases. Infusion and tincture of lilac can be used for antipyretic, diaphoretic procedures, as well as in the treatment of wounds and ulcers. Despite this, you should consult your doctor before starting treatment with lilac.