In childhood, many of us believed that the rare five-petaled lilac flowers bring happiness. And each time, when there was a find in the lush, fragrant inflorescences, they tried to eat it in order to surely catch the fortune. It is with this childish perception, as well as with the riot of spring colors, that most contemporaries associate lilac bushes. Surprise and some distrust cause the advice of folk healers on the use of tinctures, decoctions and teas from the branches and floral brushes of this plant. On the therapeutic properties and contraindications of lilac will be discussed further.
Description
How this bush looks like, everyone knows, because in our country it is found everywhere. For bright floral splashes, elegance and heady aroma with a special love for him include gardeners.
Did you know? The British are still wary of white lilacs. They are never placed in a room where sick people and poor ventilation lie. The tradition for a long time has taken root in the country to shower lilac bunches of the departed.
Scientists still can not agree on the classification of the genus Lilac. Today, it is believed that it includes from 22 to 36 species and about 2,300 varieties, two thirds of which were derived from common lilac. This species is especially popular in landscape gardening design. 
Externally, it is a medium-growth lignified shrub with thick grayish shoots, opposite green leaves and paniculate inflorescences of pink, purple, white, bluish, purple, magenta and cherry tones. Flowers are terry and simple. They appear in the first decade of May. After flowering at the place of bunches dry double-winged seeds are formed.
Read also about the beneficial properties of flowers: nasturtium, calendula, marigold, echinacea, cornflower, rose, safflower, cornflower, saffron, buttercups.
The chemical composition of flowers and leaves
The secret of lilac inflorescences is not at all in the external attractiveness and alluring aroma. It is stored in a complex of unique chemical components of the plant. That is why phytotherapists advise in the period of shrub budding to stock up on their foliage and flowers.
Did you know? In the name of the lilac botanists perpetuated the name of one of their ancient Greek heroes Naiad Syringa.
According to experts who studied the composition of the culture in the laboratory, her petals are rich in:
- glycosides (sinirgin, farnesin);
- phenoglycosides;
- essential oils;
- resins;
- alcohol substance farnesol;
- syringopyrkin;
- phytoncides.
In the foliage, in addition to the named components, various vitamins are found. Scientists say that at the moment the lilac in this aspect is not fully understood, so its potential is not fully disclosed.Learn more about the use of medicinal properties of shrubs and trees in folk medicine: raspberries, elder, hawthorn, dog rose, thorns, hazel, barberry, bird cherry, hibiscus, acacia, silver sucker, lime tree, rowan red, laurel, thuja.
The use of lilac
Flowers, bark, buds, seeds and foliage of lilac have long occupied their niche in traditional medicine, as a healing potion for many diseases. This raw material is considered as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. Due to this effect, it is used externally to treat various dermatitis, skin rashes, purulent and long healing wounds, bruises. In addition, lilac helps to reduce blood sugar levels and relieves headaches.
Did you know? In the French city of Grassi, lilacs are massively made essential oil. But this is a very troublesome and lengthy process. That is why 1 kg of lilac oil is worth around one million US dollars.
As phytotherapists say, lilac decoctions, tinctures and teas can cure colds, prolonged cough, inflammation in the kidneys, as well as relieve joint pain in gout, osteochondrosis, arthritis, rheumatism and polyarthritis (we will discuss the recipes for treatment later).
Many healers talk about the properties of lilac potion to clean the kidneys from sand and stones, to alleviate the condition of hypertensive patients and hypotensive. It is also an excellent remedy for the treatment of heel spurs and fungus on the legs. 
Read also about the beneficial properties of herbaceous plants: parsley, dill, arugula, basil, peppermint, lemon balm, soapworm, crested, catnip, borage, wormwood, yarrow, coltsfoot, nettle, swan, osota.
Use in traditional medicine
Folk healers warn that the effect of lilac therapy is possible only in complex treatment. But before you start it, you need to consult with your doctor and make sure that the plant does not cause you allergic reactions.
Most often for medicinal purposes using white lilac. Alcohol tincture, teas, decoctions and infusions are made from its raw materials.
Important! Some fragrant types of lilacs can cause severe headaches. Therefore, these bouquets are not recommended to put in closed rooms.
Here is a selection of proven recipes:
- With diabetes, bronchial asthmaincluding chronic, pour 2-3 tablespoons of dried buds into a thermos and pour 400 ml of boiling water over them. Leave it for 6 hours. Then throw the drug on a strainer and drink 30 ml three times a day before meals.
- The use of lilac tincture on vodka is important when osteochondrosis and rheumatism. The healing drink according to the classic recipe is prepared from 100 g of fresh leaves and buds. Raw materials are poured into a liter jar and poured with alcohol or vodka on the neck. Then close the capron cover, for 14 days sent to a dark place to infuse. After the specified time, strain off, drink 20 drops daily, 2 times a day before meals. For acute pains, it is recommended to rub the affected areas.
- With renal colice and inflammatory processes use a decoction of 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves of lilac (fresh or dry) and 1 cup of boiling water. When all the ingredients are combined, put the saucepan on a slow fire and simmer for another 3-5 minutes after boiling. Then wrap the potion well and send for several hours to infuse in a warm place. The finished drug is recommended for internal use and 1 tablespoon before each meal.
- The same broth can be washed ulcers on the body and other skin lesions, as well as making compresses for bruises and deep abrasions. With dermatitis, it is recommended to apply fresh bark of the shrub to sore spots. And when boils phytotherapists advise to make a bandage with a soft fresh foliage of lilac.
- The most common recipe is from lilac joint pain. In such situations, an ointment is prepared from the kidneys collected in early spring. Raw materials will need to pre-grind to a powdery look. For 1 tablespoon of this drug you will need 4 pieces of Smaltz and 1 teaspoon of honey. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until smooth. Pound the affected areas with the prepared remedy every night before bedtime.
- Getting rid of gout will help three times a day taking vodka tincture of lilac 15 drops before a meal.
- To dissolve small kidney stones and removing sand from the urinary canals, as well as with cystitis, prepare an infusion of 200 ml of boiling water and 1 tablespoon of dry foliage of shrubs. After an hour, the potion must be filtered and you can drink 1 tablespoon before each meal.
- With painful menstruation and a high body temperature will help tea from 2 tablespoons of lilac flowers and 1 cup of hot water. Drinking is recommended to take in the form of heat 3 times a day.
- If the heel spur torments, you will need compresses from alcohol tincture. Also, to improve the effect, you can take 30 drops orally daily.
Important! In conditions of proper storage, lilac raw materials do not lose their medicinal abilities for 2 years.
Contraindications and harm
Like any medicinal vegetation, lilac has healing properties and contraindications. First of all, beware of such therapy should allergy sufferers. Never engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment. This erroneous path does not always lead to recovery. Remember that botanists assign lilac bushes to poisonous plants. Therefore, with special care should prepare the drug, clearly observing these dosages. 
Broths, teas and tinctures of lilac are not recommended for people with gastritis, increased acidity of the stomach, menstrual disorders, chronic renal failure, constipation and glomerulonephritis.
Be sure to check with your doctor about the feasibility of using the drug during pregnancy, lactation and children under 12 years of age. In these questions one cannot trust a neighbor, a friend, because each case is individual, and mistakes can be fraught with serious consequences.
Important! Lilac buds and flowers need to be collected until the moment of their disclosure, and foliage - in early June, before it becomes tough. The bark is cut only with young shoots.
Harvesting and storage
For herbal medicine harvested all parts of lilac.
Flower clusters are cut at the beginning of budding along with the tops of the branches. After they are hung in the open air away from direct sunlight and dusty roads. 
The ideal place for drying is a well ventilated attic. The leaves and bark of young shoots can be spread out with a thin layer on a fabric flap or dried in an electric dryer. In the latter version, it is recommended to set the temperature at 40 ° C and constantly monitor the state of the raw materials.
After drying, it is recommended to distribute all the blanks into paper bags or cloth bags, put in a dry dark place.
Decorating your compound, this shrub can bring not only aesthetic pleasure. If necessary, he becomes a faithful assistant and healer. The main thing is to use it correctly. Having learned from what helps tincture, decoction, tea and ointment of lilac, we hope you will not experiment with your health and be sure to consult with experts. After all, very often we harm ourselves.
