Chinese ash: description, medicinal properties

Chinese ash (ailant otherwise) is a heat-loving deciduous palm-like plant native to North China.

Distributed in the European part of Russia, throughout Ukraine; It is widely used for gardening of settlements in the Crimea.

Description

The trunk of the tree is beautiful and slim, not more than half a meter in thickness. Has a cylindrical shape, characterized by a grayish-brown color and a furrowed structure of the thin crust.

The leaves are large, pinnate, similar to palm; From the underside of the bluish shade. Very large, in length can reach 60 centimeters. They consist of approximately 25 lanceolate, ovate leaves with large denticles at the base, exuding at unblocking and touching them an unpleasant odor. Young trees are characterized by openwork wide-pyramidal crown, in older specimens it is spherical, spreading.

Yellow-green flowers have a not very pleasant aroma, collected in large 20-centimeter panicles. The flowering time is mid-summer (July-August). The fruits of Chinese ash are a small (about 4 centimeters long) reddish-brown ornamental lionfish that stands out clearly against the background of green foliage.

Characteristics

Chinese ash is a long-liver: the life span is from 80 to 100 years. Characterized by rapid growth: by the age of 5 reaches 4-meter height, in 20 years this indicator is 20-35 meters. The diameter of the crown of an adult tree is on average 20 meters.

In China, a tree is grown for reproduction on wild silkworm leaves. With the same purpose in the XIX century was imported into Russia. After the revolution, the cultivation of this plant was discontinued. Subsequently, for an unpleasant smell, Chinese ash, which received the new name "stink", became the subject of mass uprooting and extermination.

The Chinese ash, whose name means "the tree of the gods" in Indonesian translation, is a fairly light and thermophilic plant; At a young age has a low frost resistance, eventually acquires the ability to transfer temperatures to -20 ° C. The frozen crown has the property of quickly recovering due to the rapidly growing young shoots.

Thanks to a powerful root system located close to the soil surface, Chinese ash is able to withstand strong winds.

It has the property of giving abundant root shoots, which well strengthens the soil on slopes and slopes.

How does the Chinese ash tree multiply?

Trees and shrubs reproduce by grafting, small parts of roots or seeds, which are recommended to store in a dry cool place in tissue bags or paper bags. Germination lasts for 2-3 years. Before sowing, which is produced in autumn or early spring, it is recommended to pre-soak the seed material in room temperature water for 1-2 days. Depth of embedment in the soil - no more than 3 centimeters. Since the tree does not tolerate the transplant, planting it is recommended immediately to a permanent place. The site should be pritenen and well protected from drafts and an abundance of sunlight.

Chinese ash (photo demonstrates its beauty) is unpretentious in growing, best grows on well-moistened, loamy lands. Tolerant refers to saline, dry stony and sandy soils.

Industrial use

The dense wood of Chinese ash is characterized by white or pinkish color and is used in the production of high-quality paper, decorative products, original souvenirs, relief handicrafts, as well as for facing expensive furniture, ship cabins, aircraft parlors. Of the ailant coal in some countries produce gunpowder. The leaves of the plant are used as feed for silkworm caterpillars. The resinous crust of the bark has long been used for the production of varnishes and oil paints, as well as embalming corpses.

Medicinal properties

In Chinese medicine, ailant, characterized by a rich chemical composition, is valued for medicinal properties. For medicinal purposes, bark, flowers, leaves and dried fruits of the plant are used. Fresh bark of Chinese ash treated for dysentery, get rid of tapeworms. Fruits are used for hemorrhoids and for regulating menstruation. In homeopathy in the treatment of scarlet fever and diphtheria, fresh shoots, a young bark and flowers of the plant are used, and fruits - with diseases of the genitourinary system and bile ducts.

Leaves that have antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties are used to prepare effective decoctions and medicinal infusions that are successfully used as an anti-febrifuge, for diseases of the kidneys, bladder, upper respiratory tract, for removing excess fluid from rheumatism, arthritis and radiculitis . In addition, medicines based on Chinese ash are used as a laxative, hemostatic and wound-healing agent.

The seeds of the tree are not recommended for use because of their toxicity. In official medicine, Chinese ash is not used as a medicine.

Recipes based on Chinese ash

For the prevention of influenza and other viral infections, 2 teaspoons of crushed leaves and plant bark should be poured in 200 ml of water, boil for 7 minutes on low heat, insist, then strain. Take three times a day for 2 tablespoons. Spoons.

When dysentery it is required to boil 2 tablespoons of crushed bark in 200 grams of water for half an hour. Then cool, drain, dilute with boiled water to the initial volume. Take before meals three times a day for 1/3 cup.

Procurement of raw materials

Collection of leaves is made in the first half of summer, harvesting of fruits - as it ripens. The drying of the collected raw materials is carried out in attics or in the shade under canopies.

The bark is harvested at the beginning of summer, when it is most easily separated from the wood. It is dried in any way at a temperature of +70 ^o C.

Contraindications

There are no special contraindications to the use of Chinese ash. It is recommended to adhere to the dosage: the daily dose of bark in the form of decoction for adults should not exceed 16 g, otherwise a toxic effect occurs.

Since the bark and leaves have irritating properties, in people caring for such a plant, a bubble and pustular rash can appear on the body.