Fig, fig, fig tree - these are all names of the same plant, which we firmly associate with Mediterranean life. Anyone who has ever tasted fig fruits knows how delicious they are. But, in addition to their delicate sweet taste, they are also very beneficial for health. And here's an interesting detail: it turns out that figs are completely unpretentious plant. In addition, it can be successfully grown on a plot in middle lane or in the house - in a container.

Quite often, difficulties in growing tomato seedlings arise even among experienced summer residents. For some, all the seedlings turn out to be elongated and weak, for others, they suddenly begin to fall and die. The thing is that it is difficult to maintain in an apartment ideal conditions for growing seedlings. Seedlings of any plants need to be provided with plenty of light, sufficient humidity and optimal temperature. What else do you need to know and observe when growing tomato seedlings in an apartment?

Delicious vinaigrette with apple and sauerkraut - a vegetarian salad made from boiled and chilled, raw, pickled, salted, pickled vegetables and fruits. The name comes from the French sauce made from vinegar, olive oil and mustard (vinaigrette). Vinaigrette appeared in Russian cuisine not so long ago, around the beginning of the 19th century; perhaps the recipe was borrowed from Austrian or German cuisine, since the ingredients for Austrian herring salad are very similar.

When we dreamily sort through bright packets of seeds in our hands, we are sometimes subconsciously convinced that we have a prototype of the future plant. We mentally allocate a place for it in the flower garden and look forward to the cherished day of the appearance of the first bud. However, buying seeds does not always guarantee that you will eventually get the desired flower. I would like to draw attention to the reasons why seeds may not sprout or die at the very beginning of germination.

Spring is coming, and gardeners have more work to do, and with the onset of warmer weather, changes in the garden occur rapidly. The buds are already beginning to swell on plants that were still dormant yesterday, and everything is literally coming to life before our eyes. After a long winter, this is good news. But along with the garden, its problems come to life - insect pests and pathogens. Weevils, flower beetles, aphids, clasterosporiosis, maniliosis, scab, powdery mildew- the list could take a very long time.

Breakfast toast with avocado and egg salad is a great way to start the day. The egg salad in this recipe acts as a thick sauce that is seasoned with fresh vegetables and shrimp. My egg salad is quite unusual, it is a dietary version of everyone’s favorite snack - with Feta cheese, Greek yogurt and red caviar. If you have time in the morning, never deny yourself the pleasure of cooking something tasty and healthy. You need to start the day with positive emotions!

Perhaps every woman has at least once received a blooming orchid as a gift. It’s not surprising, because such a living bouquet looks amazing and blooms for a long time. Orchids are not very difficult to grow. indoor crops, but failure to comply with the main conditions for their maintenance often leads to the loss of a flower. If you are just getting started with indoor orchids, you should find out the correct answers to the main questions about growing these beautiful plants in the house.

Lush cheesecakes with poppy seeds and raisins prepared according to this recipe are eaten in no time in my family. Moderately sweet, plump, tender, with an appetizing crust, without excess oil, in a word, exactly the same as my mother or grandmother fried in childhood. If the raisins are very sweet, then you don’t need to add granulated sugar at all; without sugar, the cheesecakes will be better fried and will never burn. Cook them in a well-heated frying pan, greased with oil, over low heat and without a lid!

Cherry tomatoes differ from their larger counterparts not only in the small size of their berries. Many cherry varieties are characterized by a unique sweet taste, which is very different from the classic tomato taste. Anyone who has never tried such cherry tomatoes with their eyes closed may well decide that they are tasting some unusual Exotic fruits. In this article I will talk about five different cherry tomatoes that have the sweetest fruits with unusual colors.

I started growing annual flowers in the garden and on the balcony more than 20 years ago, but I will never forget my first petunia, which I planted in the country along the path. Only a couple of decades have passed, but you’re amazed at how different the petunias of the past are from the many-sided hybrids of today! In this article, I propose to trace the history of the transformation of this flower from a simpleton into a real queen of annuals, and also consider modern varieties unusual colors.

Salad with spicy chicken, mushrooms, cheese and grapes - aromatic and satisfying. This dish can be served as a main dish if you are preparing a cold dinner. Cheese, nuts, mayonnaise are high-calorie foods; in combination with spicy fried chicken and mushrooms, you get a very nutritious snack, which is refreshed by sweet and sour grapes. The chicken in this recipe is marinated in a spicy mixture of ground cinnamon, turmeric and chili powder. If you like food with fire, use hot chili.

The question is how to grow healthy seedlings, all summer residents are concerned in early spring. It seems that there are no secrets here - the main thing for fast and strong seedlings is to provide them with warmth, moisture and light. But in practice, in a city apartment or private house, this is not so easy to do. Of course, everyone experienced gardener There is a proven way to grow seedlings. But today we will talk about a relatively new assistant in this matter - the propagator.

The Sanka tomato variety is one of the most popular in Russia. Why? The answer is simple. He is the very first to bear fruit in the garden. Tomatoes ripen when other varieties have not even bloomed yet. Of course, if you follow the growing recommendations and make an effort, even a novice grower will receive a rich harvest and joy from the process. And so that your efforts are not in vain, we advise you to plant high-quality seeds. For example, such as seeds from TM “Agrosuccess”.

Task indoor plants in the house - to decorate the home with your own appearance, to create a special atmosphere of comfort. For this reason, we are ready to take care of them regularly. Care is not only about watering on time, although this is important. It is also necessary to create other conditions: suitable lighting, humidity and air temperature, and make a correct and timely transplant. For experienced flower growers there is nothing supernatural about this. But beginners often face certain difficulties.

Tender cutlets from chicken breast It’s easy to prepare with champignons according to this recipe with step by step photos. There is an opinion that it is difficult to make juicy and tender cutlets from chicken breast, but this is not so! Chicken meat contains virtually no fat, which is why it is a bit dry. But if you add cream, white bread and mushrooms with onions to the chicken fillet, it will turn out amazing delicious cutlets, which will appeal to both children and adults. IN mushroom season try adding wild mushrooms to the minced meat.

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 tree, but it won’t be a good neighbor with a cherry tree.

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:

1. Bactericidal - suppression of the growth of pathogenic cells;
2. Fungicidal - fight against fungal diseases;
3. Protistocidal - destruction of protozoan single-celled organisms that cause malaria, dysentery and other ailments;
4. Compounds toxic to ticks and insects;
5. 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 ethers 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 high humidity lower than in the sun on a hot day, and in a summer forest the content is much higher than in a winter forest.

It is not at all necessary that volatile substances be emitted by crops with strong odor. Their production is possible without the presence of essential oils (for example, crushed oak leaves, plantain and nettle).

Properties of conifers

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 arterial pressure, therefore, it is better for hypertensive patients to avoid prolonged stay in a 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. Effective in treating colds, diabetes mellitus, are also useful for cardiovascular diseases, due to their vasodilating properties, they 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 with 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.

All plants secrete phytoncides. Phytoncides are volatile plant substances. Chemical composition phytoncides have 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

In contact with living nature, a person in natural conditions 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. Interaction chemical substances Industrial and automobile emissions with phytoncides occur 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, people with high blood pressure stay in pine forest Not recommended.

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 a fresh “gruel”.

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, apple, formic and acetic acid, and the terpene compounds of juniper berries contain menthol and camphor - essential oils- 2%. Juniper needles are rich in vitamin C - about 266 mg.

Applications of juniper

Essential terpene oils have a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect, and therefore antiallergic, since bacteria and fungi are strong allergens.

In the heat, juniper spreads 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 - juniper Cossack. It is notable for having blue-black, lumpy berries. Preparing medicinal berries juniper, 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.

There are numerous microorganisms in the air of any room where people live or work. Many indoor plants emit volatile substances that can purify the air of pathogenic bacteria.

Microorganisms are always present in residential areas. Among them there are many that do not cause the slightest harm to people, but there are also causative agents of a wide variety of diseases. In autumn and winter time the risk of contracting influenza or acute respiratory viral infections, which are transmitted by airborne droplets, increases. Streptococci and staphylococci are also always present in rooms, and tuberculosis bacillus is also not uncommon these days in places where there are a lot of people.

People have increasingly begun to think about what environmentally friendly methods can be used to purify indoor air. Is it possible that they can cleanse the house of germs?

Phytoncides inhibit the development of bacteria

All plants have an antimicrobial effect to one degree or another. It is known that in a pine forest the air is clean, there are almost no pathogenic bacteria in it. Coniferous plants secrete phytoncides - biologically active substances that kill or suppress the growth and development of not only bacteria, but also microscopic fungi and protozoa. Characteristic representatives phytoncides are essential oils. Phytoncides have not yet been studied enough, because most of them cannot be collected in sufficient quantities to conduct laboratory research.

Houseplants also produce phytoncides that can purify the air. Researchers from different countries conducted experiments with different types plants and obtained encouraging results.

To check whether indoor plants really kill bacteria, two identical test tubes with harmful microorganisms were placed in two identical chambers with ordinary air; indoor lemon. After a certain time, air samples were taken from the chambers.

According to the results of the study, it turned out that in the chamber where there was a pot of lemon, the air was much cleaner. Not completely sterile, of course, but it contained several times fewer pathogens than in the control chamber. Pathogenic microorganisms die on their own - they need a nutrient medium to live, suitable conditions(certain temperature, air humidity). But the presence of indoor lemon greatly accelerated the purification of the air.

This fact is confirmed by the experiments of Novosibirsk scientists who conducted air studies in one of the city kindergartens. In the premises of this institution, specially selected plants that produce phytoncides (aloe, begonia, asparagus) were placed. It turned out that the content of microorganisms in the air of this kindergarten was at a level comparable to the air in sterile rooms in medical institutions.

Pelargonium zonal

The results of a study of juice from crushed leaves of pelargonium, aloe and Kalanchoe on bacterial colonies (staphylococci, tetracocci, rods) have also been published. In accordance with the data obtained, Pelargonium zonalis has the greatest phytoncidal activity of tissue juices. It acts on all types of test cultures of microorganisms. Aloe showed a phytoncidal effect on tetracocci. Kalanchoe did not act on staphylococci and tetracocci, but acted on rods.

What indoor plants emit phytoncides?

All indoor plants are capable of producing volatile substances that are released into the indoor air and have biological activity. But not all of them have the same effect on people and microorganisms.

For example, indoor lemon releases a whole complex of substances that have a beneficial effect on humans, purify the air, increase efficiency, and resistance to stress. All plants of the citrus family have the same effect to one degree or another.

Coniferous plants are very effective at cleaning the house from almost all common types of microbes. The most common of them is indoor. Juniper can destroy streptococci and even tubercle bacilli. In ancient times, they used it to fumigate the rooms of the sick. You can grow decorative juniper at home. Like Araucaria, it does not like high temperatures, but grows well in a cool room.

Unlike conifers, which are difficult to grow, they are found in almost every home. This is one of the most. And it also purifies the air perfectly! And our great-grandmothers knew this well. All parts of the plant contain substances that can neutralize viruses and bacteria. Essential oil also affects the human nervous system: its aroma calms, relaxes, and improves sleep.

There are quite a lot of such plants: cyperus, peperomia obtufolia, myrtle, sansevieria and others. All these plants have an antimicrobial effect and can become an effective barrier to the spread of various infections.

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We spend most of our lives indoors, so it is very important to take care of its environmental well-being. It is known that many indoor plants improve not only the aesthetic design of premises, but also their hygienic condition. They moisten the atmosphere, release phytoncides into it, destroying microbes, and some plants even absorb harmful radiation and the vapors that fill modern apartments. These properties of indoor plants are especially important for housewives who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. In other rooms of the apartment, the air is also polluted: various solvents contained in paints, adhesives, plastics and finishing materials, tobacco smoke, bacteria and numerous allergens that have a harmful effect on the body. On ecological state our homes are influenced by numerous technical devices. Research shows that the concentration of toxic substances in apartment air often reaches such a degree that people develop upper respiratory tract diseases, bronchitis, and allergic conditions. American scientists have found that thousands of people fall ill every year from diseases resulting from the influence of toxic substances in the air of residential buildings and institutions in the United States.

Many indoor plants are successfully used to clean and improve indoor air. In enclosed spaces they are able to fight viruses and other pathogens. For example, thanks to the phytoncides it secretes, common myrtle reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms by half, and crested chlorophytum cleanses the air of microbes by 88% in 24 hours! In addition, this plant absorbs many harmful substances, purifying the air better than many air purifiers. It is no coincidence that scientists have proposed chlorophytum to purify the air in spacecraft.

Chlorophytum is grown in room conditions already for 200 years. This plant has beautiful curved leaves with a white and cream stripe. In spring and summer, thin shoots that fall in a cascade first appear small flowers, and then - leaf rosettes, which look very impressive in a hanging basket. Chlorophytum grows quickly, rarely gets sick, is unpretentious, but loves sunlight.

Asparagus reduces the number of harmful microorganisms by half, krasulla - almost three times. Ficus, william, white-spotted begonia, geranium, and modest aglaonema have a special antimicrobial effect (despite the modest appearance, it effectively kills streptococci). Monstera, spurge, cyperus, and small-flowered chrysanthemum are also considered good phytoncidal flowers. If you “settle” eucalyptus and myrtle or figs in the room, then not only germs, but even flies and mosquitoes will not remain in the room. Ivy copes well with toxins and other aliens from the street, different kinds ficus, philodendron and common agave (aloe). Eucalyptus trees (ball, twig and ash) are ideal for killing viruses.

Dracaena and dwarf date palms are recommended to be placed near the computer, as these plants absorb xylene emitted by monitors. It is also believed that cacti should be placed near computers, as they are able to absorb harmful radiation. It is useful to grow scindapsus in a room where people smoke - it actively absorbs nicotine along with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Philodendron (a plant with large, oddly shaped leaves), as well as Dieffenbachia and anthurium, have a beneficial effect on water and gas exchange, reducing air dryness. Ferns also perfectly humidify the air, which is especially important in winter when the heating is on. In addition, ferns neutralize formaldehyde released from new furniture and carpets. Cereus and codiaum can restore the ionic composition of air.

Roses and orchids heal the atmosphere around them; moreover, they bloom beautifully and smell pleasant. The air in the room will be significantly purified in just three weeks if you decorate the windowsill with indoor grapes.

Sansevieria (also called pike tail) can compensate for the lack of oxygen in a city apartment. This plant can be compared to a real oxygen plant. It works especially productively during the daytime. Everyone knows a coffee tree perfectly ozonizes the air. Prickly pear and aloe fight well against various fungi, and krasulla can reduce their numbers by seven times.

By the way, in order to make the air in your home cleaner, it is not at all necessary to turn your apartment into an impenetrable jungle. 5-6 plants at least half a meter high are enough. And of course, you need to select them taking into account your needs.

Indoor plants can also be used to treat certain diseases. For example, rosemary officinalis helps with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial asthma, etc. With an increased tendency to diseases of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, it is also useful to place indoor lemon and begonia in the room where most of the time is spent white-spotted, pelargonium, white oleander, spring primrose, ficus elastica or homemade geranium. The air saturated with phytoncides of these plants will benefit and healthy people: the functional activity of the body will increase, its protective forces.

Laurus nobilis helps with spastic conditions. People with increased nervous excitability are recommended to grow oregano, snakehead, lavender, lemon balm, and monarda in the house, which have a calming effect.

Geranium relieves insomnia, neuroses and some other diseases of the nervous system, and reduces blood pressure. By the way, geranium juice has phytoncides equal in strength to the phytoncides of onion and garlic. To obtain 50 g of fresh geranium juice, collect 150 g of leaves of this plant, fill them with fresh drinking water (settled, since chlorine destroys geranium phytoncides) and leave for 2 hours. Then the leaves are passed through a meat grinder and the juice is squeezed out through double gauze. You can also use a juicer. Store the juice in a glass or earthenware container in the refrigerator, but no more than two hours, as it quickly loses its healing properties.

Peppermint phytoncides have a vasodilating effect. This plant promotes concentration, so experts advise placing a pot of mint on your desk.

At home, you can grow some coniferous plants, for example, araucaria, cypress and cypress, yew, pine (Himalayan, Weymouth and others), juniper, cryptomeria, thuja and arborvitae, etc. Their phytoncides have a beneficial effect not only on the respiratory tract, but also on nervous system. They fill the apartment with negatively charged ions, which are very useful for diabetics, people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, and also for those who suffer from frequent headaches. In addition, the negative ions released coniferous plants, neutralize the harmful effects of household appliances. Spruce and pine perfectly fight the smallest dust that cannot be collected with a vacuum cleaner, and cypress and juniper are excellent noise absorbers: if you cover the entire window with them, the sounds coming from the street will become 30% quieter.

To grow these plants in an apartment with central heating a cool room is necessary, as coniferous indoor plants cannot tolerate high temperatures and dry air in winter. They do well in cool rooms with plenty of light and air. In summer they need abundant watering; in winter they are watered very rarely, at the same time preventing the soil from drying out.

You can grow real cedar at home, but in miniature. For this they use special equipment bonsai, invented by the Japanese in ancient times. It consists of artificially slowing down plant growth. Their crown shape and branch structure are the same as those of large trees, and in size they do not exceed ordinary indoor plants.

Figs are also grown at home ( fig tree), which at good conditions can produce several kilograms of tasty, nutritious dietary fruit. Thanks to its beautiful foliage, figs become a true decoration of the home.

Plants such as aloe and Kalanchoe are excellent home doctors.

Aloe juice contains a mixture of various anthraglycosides, a significant amount of a resinous substance of complex composition, phytoncides, vitamins, bitterness, enzymes, and traces of essential oil. It has a laxative, bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect against various microbes. Fresh aloe juice is an effective remedy for treating various wounds, burns and other skin injuries. Aloe juice syrup with iron is prescribed as a general tonic. Biostimulated aloe juice is used in various medicinal mixtures. To prepare biostimulated aloe juice, cut off the lower or middle, well-developed leaves, wash boiled water, allow to dry, after which they are placed in a sealed container in a dark, cool place with a temperature of 4-8 ° C for 2 weeks. Then the leaves are ground in a meat grinder and the juice is squeezed out.

To prepare a general strengthening mixture, take 150 g of biostimulated aloe juice, mix with 250 g of honey and 350 g of Cahors. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. For cooking water infusion The biostimulated leaves are passed through a meat grinder, water is added in five times the amount, infused for an hour, heated to a boil and, after boiling for 2-3 minutes, filtered. Used in the form of lotions for various diseases skin, for rinsing the mouth and throat during inflammatory processes and drink 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day for gastrointestinal diseases.

Lotions made from fresh juice of biostimulated aloe leaves (2-3 times a week for 10 minutes) - effective remedy, toning the skin, preventing the appearance of wrinkles and eliminating inflammation and irritation.

Evaporated aloe juice - sabur - has been used for chronic constipation for a long time, 0.1-0.3 g per night. The laxative effect occurs after 8-10 hours.

However, it should be borne in mind that aloe preparations can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. They are contraindicated for inflammation of the liver, bladder, uterine bleeding, hemorrhoids, severe cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, acute forms of gastrointestinal disorders and in the last months of pregnancy.

Kalanchoe pinnate juice stimulates the restoration of damaged tissues, has antiviral activity, has an anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore used for wound healing. Kalanchoe juice is also effective for tonsillitis, periodontal disease, and stomatitis. To obtain juice, washed leaves and stems are kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, the juice is squeezed out and, if necessary (for example, for long-term storage), sterilized or diluted with alcohol (vodka) to a strength of 20%.

All of the above indoor plants, as well as many others, can be successfully used to improve the ecological situation of your home. However, before you start growing on the windowsill new flower, you should make sure that no one in the household is allergic to its aroma. You should not take it into a house where there is Small child, plants with poisonous leaves - boxwood, oleander, dieffenbachia. It is interesting that phytoncides are released not only by living plants, but also by dried flowers, so compositions using echinacea, lavender, lemon balm, and snakehead not only create coziness, but also release essential oils that are beneficial to human health. Essential oils of plants and herbs regulate emotions and physical reactions, strengthen the body's defenses against infectious diseases, and can stimulate the formation of leukocytes in the blood. Different essential oils have connections with specific organs of the body.

Geranium oil activates the adrenal cortex, which helps normalize the body’s hormonal balance and reduces symptoms premenstrual syndrome, helps with menopausal disorders. With its help you can cope with sudden mood swings, tension, fussiness, and depression.

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