2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Spiraea (Spiraea) is one of the most common shrubs in Bulgaria. At the same time beautiful, unpretentious in terms of growing conditions, the shrub has been known for centuries for its therapeutic and healing properties. Growing spirea in your garden has a double effect - at the same time you will arrange your yard beautifully, and you will always have on hand "aspirin from nature", as spirea is often called.
These ornamental shrubs are grouped into a large family, which includes about 80 different species of spirea. The most common in our country is the May bush (Spiraea x vanhouttei), which is actually a hybrid of the species Sp.cantoniensis and Sp. Trilobata. Other common species are Douglas-fir, which blooms in pink with elongated flowers, gathered in dense and narrow inflorescences resembling those of lilac.
Japanese spirea (Sp. Japonica) is characterized by dark pink flowers collected in thyroid panicles, while willow-leaved spirea may be pink or white flowers collected in cylindrical inflorescences. One of the most beautiful species of spirea is considered to be the so-called Thunberg spirea (Spiraea Thunbergii), blooming with many tiny white flowers, resembling snowflakes.
That is why the bush is known as May snow. They make it extremely preferred for arranging the garden because it creates a unique atmosphere of late winter in the spring.
The different types of spirea also differ in the time of flowering and especially in the color. For example, white spirea blooms in late spring and early summer. Spiraea with pink and red inflorescences begins to bloom in early summer.
The beautiful colors of spirea you can pick in June, because then is the beginning of flowering and the best time to collect young flowers and petals. If you tear them off later, drying will not be so easy and they may crumble to dust.
It is very important to note that the colors of spirea should never be boiled, because its active ingredients are extremely sensitive to heat. On the other hand, you can steam them, and in order not to evaporate during steaming, it is good to cover the cup.
Growing spirea
Growing spirea is extremely easy because it is not a pretentious shrub. However, it likes sunny to semi-shady places, with moderately moist soil, and in summer it should be watered more often. Does not tolerate prolonged drought or excessive soil moisture.
The right time to plant spirea is October-November, as well as spring, and propagation is by shoots, branches and cuttings. It is easiest to transplant in spring and autumn. Spiraea can be pruned repeatedly in the spring, which does not prevent it from growing rapidly again later and blooming.
Almost all species of spirea grow quickly and form a lush and dense crown, which creates a pleasant atmosphere in the yard. For a beautiful accent in the garden, spirea can be planted alone, as a single shrub, and in combination with other flowering and deciduous ornamental plants. It is widely used to make beautiful flowering hedges.
Composition of spirea
When we stretch the colors of spirea between your fingers and hands, a pleasant and strong aroma spreads. This is because they are rich in active substances. They are rich in salicylic derivatives, similar to those in aspirin. It is believed that there is no other such plant with a healing effect of the high content of natural salicylates, which are harmless analogues of aspirin.
However, their anti-inflammatory action does not pose a risk to the gastric mucosa, as with the use of aspirin. Spirea flowers are rich in coumarins, essential oils, flavonoids, ritin, heparin, minerals, salicylates, vitamin C and many essential oils.
Benefits of spirea
Since ancient times the colors of spirea have been used to treat a variety of problem conditions, including rheumatism. During the Middle Ages, healers continued this tradition, discovering that spirea helped with fluid retention and inflammation of the urinary tract.
Spiraea has anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic and diuretic properties. Successfully used in cystitis, pleurisy, sand in the kidneys, rheumatism and gout. Modern research is clear that spirea has a pronounced nerve sedative effect, which is many times stronger than that of valerian.
It is no coincidence that we have spirea and first applied as an anti-stress agent. The herbal mixture of spirea has a double effect - it has a calming effect, and at the same time improves mood because it stimulates serotonin - the hormone of happiness. In other words, if you apply a decoction of spirea, you can enjoy a good mood and calm.
Among other things, spirea effectively supports the digestive system because it soothes colic and dyspepsia, gastritis, inflammation of the intestines and stomach, peptic ulcers, enteritis and stomach ulcers. It also helps with irritable bowel syndrome.
Spiraea It can relieve menstrual pain, muscle problems, stop inflammatory processes and is therefore an effective remedy for flu and respiratory problems.
The medicinal plant is a great antidote for poisoning and infections, relieves pain and lowers fever. This useful herb helps relieve the symptoms of bacterial and viral conditions such as smallpox and chickenpox. As mentioned, spirea is a natural aspirin and can be used in cases where you usually take the drug.
Spiraea has also been shown to be effective in diseases of the urinary system - diseases of the bladder and kidneys, cystitis, gout, water retention, dropsy, sand in the urine, inflammation of the urethra and kidney stones. The external application of spirea is on wounds and inflamed eyes.
How to use: Pour 2 tbsp. colors spirea with 500 ml of hot water. Let them simmer for 10-15 minutes to 1 hour. Take 100 ml of decoction 4 times daily before meals.
Harm from spirea
Although useful, spirea there are some contraindications. Spirea flowers or root is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Logically, the herb is also contraindicated for people who are allergic to aspirin and salicylic because of the similar substances in spirea and aspirin.
The herb is not recommended for people who are taking anticoagulants or suffer from heart, kidney and liver failure.
In addition, prolonged use of spirea infusion for more than 3 weeks is contraindicated because overdose can damage the kidneys and heart.
