ALDER (alnus glutinosa)

	A
	ALDER
	*alnus glutinosa*

Name
ALDER

Scientific Name
alnus glutinosa

ALDER

Other Names:

Black Alder, Alno

The authors of the classic antiquity did not know the varied medicinal properties of the alder. Who first wrote about them was Santa Hildegarda, German benedictine abbess of the century XII, that published two interesting treaties on medicinal plants. In centuries XVIII and XIX, when the palúdicas fevers made damage and the concerned quinine of America was difficult to obtain, the alder crust was used successfully as febrífugo, to which it was described as European quinine. At the present time, the alder continues itself using in fitoterapia, besides to have other many applications. Its crust is used to tan the leather and his serrín to smoke meats and fish. Its wood is very resistant to the water and practically imputrescible, and with her some bridges are done of London and Venice; in addition, it serves to make excellent pile shoes.

Habitat: frequent in the humid forests of all tempered Europe. It grows sporadically in some regions of North America

Description:

The alder is a pretty tree of the family of the betuláceas; in optimal conditions it can reach the 30 m.s of height and the century of age. In winter it is teared the pages out of completely, bringing forth the new leaves during the spring, that are of viscous tact and dark green color. The crust is grayish and it is cracked. It is a tree that grows up in humid zones, marshes, borders of rivers and in the fresh and shaded forests. In the Peninsula it is easy to find it by all the Pyrenean one and in northern mountain ranges. Also it is not rare to see forming it long rows, bordering ways and shading parks and gardens.

Properties and indications: the crust of the alder is very rich in tannin (until 20%). It also contains a colorante of glucosídico type, emodina red substance, and lipídicas substances. By his tannin wealth, it is a great astringent, that as much dries and tans the mucous in internal use as external. In addition, it has febrífugas properties.

It is indicated in the following cases:

Diarreas summery, gastroenteritis and colitis.

Estomatitis (inflammation of the buccal mucosa), tonsilitis and faringitis: Garglings with the resulting liquid of their decocción are made.

Varicose, sores and hurt ulcers of difficult healing: Its decocción is applied in compresas on the affected zone.

Febrile diseases like the paludismo or the brucelosis, when it is indicated to lower the fever. In these cases the cofoundation of the crust by oral route is applied, under facultative control.

The leaves of the alder, contain tannin and sugars, in addition to a glutinous substance that covers them, composed by two alcohol (glutinol and glutanol) and their corresponding acids. These are their properties:

Vulnerarias, that is to say, that helps to heal the wounds and to cure the contusions. They turn out specially useful to heal to the sore feet and the gallings that take place as a result of long long walks, or of inadequate footwear. The flattened leaves are placed, within the socks, with their superior face in contact with the skin. One takes place a lightening in the sensation of fatigue of the feet, and a fast treatment of the gallings.

Antireumáticas: one becomes involved to the patient with leaves of alder warmed up previously to the sun or within a furnace, covering well the sore zone. To cover with a blanket. This "bath of leaves" turns out a good remedy to alleviate the rheumatic and artrósicos pains, besides to have sudoríficos and purifying effects.

Galactófagas, that is to say, that causes the retirement of the milk of the mothers who raise. For it, during several consecutive days, a cataplasm is placed on the breasts.

Use: decocción that is prepared with 30-40 grams of crust of young branches, that are made boil during 15 minutes; 2 or 3 daily cups are taken.

For external use, the same decocción is used for rinsings and garglings, as well as for compresas. In cataplasms the leaves are applied locally, or as vulnerarias (flattened within the sock with the superior face in contact with the plant of the foot), like antirheumatics (covering the sore zone, after to be warmed up in a furnace), or as galactófagas (on the breasts). The alder leaves must be applied green, whenever it is possible, specially when are used like vulnerarias.

Leaves. Directly put in the plant of the feet, with the viscous matter in contact with the skin. It is a homemade remedy for the pain feet.

Crushed leaves. Directly on the sines of the woman one says that it cures the striae.

Decocción for washings. In 1/2 water l.s they are boiled during 10 15 minutes gr.. of crust. This liquid, once warmed up, filters and it is possible even to be used for washings of ulcers, sores, hurt and hemorroides..

Garglings. In 1 water l. 40 are boiled gr.. of crust; it is let cool, is strained and once sweetened to the taste of each one garglings are made, having been able repeat the operation several times to the day. It is very useful in cases of faringitis.

Common Uses:

Antirheumatic Antidiarreico Astringent

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