What are the properties and how to use peach leaves?
Peach is a plant belonging to the subgenus Almond, genus Plum, family Pink. The peach, as we are used to seeing it, is not found in the wild. In its structure, it is a hybridization product of several types of peach, almond, plum and apricot. Many of us love this fruit and often eat it (as a dessert or a snack), however, not everyone knows that not only the sweet fruits of the tree are useful, but also its foliage.
So, peach leaves have a lanceolate shape and a jagged edge. They are endowed with medicinal properties, therefore they are widely used, primarily in traditional medicine.
Botanical features
The peach itself is a deciduous tree. Often it has a wide crown with many single leaves due to the dense branching of the tree. Leaf plates have a serrated edge, and the base of the leaf grows in the form of a wedge, and towards the end it becomes sharper. The surface is smooth. It is worth noting that, despite the fact that usually the leaves have a bright green tint, it is not uncommon for the appearance of brown or purple tan marks. The blooming of the leaves of a tree, traditionally, coincides with its flowering - numerous flowers appear from the leaf sinus.
Healing properties
Peach leaves have almost the same set of positive characteristics as the fruit of the tree. Such functions are due to the chemical composition, which includes substances of a polyphenolic nature, phytoncides and flavonoids, as well as elements with tannic properties.
Yes, first of all peach leaves can boost the immune system and promote faster wound healing. In addition, their systematic use stimulates active and frequent urination, and also has a laxative and astringent effect. Due to this, the leaves are used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases of the joints, as well as in violation of the gastrointestinal tract (in particular, with constipation).
A decoction of the leaves will be useful for those who want to lose a few extra pounds - it has a diuretic effect. In addition, a drink based on peach leaves is recommended for people who suffer from diseases of the kidneys and pancreas. As an adjuvant, it can also be taken with cirrhosis of the liver.
As for specific vitamins and microelements, peach leaves contain B vitamins, provitamin A, antioxidant substances, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other useful components.
Despite such a variety of positive characteristics, before drinking tea or decoction, you should consult a doctor in order to avoid negative consequences (especially if you have various types of allergies and individual rejection of the remedy).
How to assemble and prepare?
There are four stages in the harvesting process.
- Collection. It is important to remember that you can start collecting leaves only when the plant has completely faded. This should be done in dry weather (if it rained the day before, then you should wait until the tree is completely dry). Leaves should be plucked at their very base, which is located at the ends of the branches.
- Preparatory stage. Now the collected leaves need to be inspected and sorted out, separating the damaged and spoiled ones.
Important! If you notice that the leaves you have collected are curled, you can not use them. Peach leaf curl is a fungal plant disease that can be caused by high humidity or sudden changes in temperature. Such a tree needs to be treated.
- Drying. In order to prepare the leaves, they must be completely dried. This procedure must be performed in a dark room (direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves). Care should be taken to ensure that the room in which the leaves are dried is well ventilated. Permissible temperature conditions - up to +50 degrees Celsius. Useful advice! If you are a happy owner of a dryer, then you can use it to dry peach leaves. Thus, you will significantly speed up the process.
- The final step is storage. After the leaves you have collected are completely dry, they must be placed in a paper or fabric (canvas) bag or bag. The maximum storage period is 24 months.
Application
Due to a large set of positive properties and a relatively simple harvesting process, peach leaves are very popular, acting as the basis for the preparation of various types of decoctions that have a positive effect on the human body. Consider the most popular and effective recipes.
Tea for colds
In order to cure a cold and strengthen your immune system, you can take tea from peach leaves. The drink recipe is quite simple.
So, 1 tablespoon of dried leaves must be poured with boiling water in a volume of 200-250 milliliters. Next, you should let the tea brew (30 or 40 minutes).After that, the drink can be taken orally. Add honey if desired.
To treat a cold in this way, the drink should be consumed at least twice a day (morning and evening).
Anti-inflammatory decoction
This decoction should be prepared and consumed for the treatment of rheumatism, endometriosis, as well as in case of disruption of the genitourinary system (gynecological diseases, urolithiasis, etc.).
In order to prepare a healing agent, you need to take 10-12 large dried leaves and pour cold water over them.
A container with leaves and water should be put on fire and brought to a boil. After the broth boils, it is necessary to reduce the heat and boil the leaves for another 10-15 minutes.
Then the drink must be removed from the heat and let it brew for 2.5 - 3 hours. After complete cooling, the decoction should be filtered and taken orally (the maximum dose is 3 cups every 24 hours).
Baths for skin diseases
These treatment procedures are indicated for people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, boils or allergic rashes of various types. A side effect of the process will be rejuvenation and toning of the skin.
So. To prepare healing lotions, you need a glass of dry leaves, which should be poured with 1 liter of boiling water. After the solution has been infused for several hours, it must be filtered and added to the bath.
This bath should be taken for at least 30 minutes. After it, you do not need to dry yourself - it is better to put on a bathrobe or wrap yourself in a blanket (blanket).
Thus, you are convinced that everyone's favorite peach tree has not only tasty fruits, but also a useful deciduous crown.Leaf decoctions can be used as a folk remedy for the treatment of a large number of diseases and disorders of the human body.
Decoctions of peach leaves are suitable for use - they can be presented in the form of tea, infusion or even healing baths. If you follow the instructions and prescriptions, the medical indicators of health will definitely increase.
Do not forget that self-medication can have a detrimental effect on the body, so be sure to consult a professional doctor. He will give the right advice!
For information on how to brew fruit leaves instead of tea, see the following video.