Useful properties of Adams rhododendron and other flower species: what healing effect on people does azalea have, is it poisonous or not, and what is the harmful effect?

Azalea is a beautiful plant that attracts with long lush flowering. In addition, this is a real natural doctor, able to help with various health problems. Having made the decision to grow azalea at home, it is necessary to first find out the features of this indoor flower, and also to find out whether the chemical composition of the plant contains toxic components, and what kind of health benefits and harm the flower can cause. Consider the topic in more detail.

Is a houseplant poisonous or not?

Truth or myth?

Azalea (rhododendron) contains the glycoside andromedotoxin, a toxic substance related to neurotoxins. This poison has a general narcotic effect. At first, the substance affects the nervous system excitingly, then it causes depression. It affects the heart muscle, thereby disrupting the activity of the heart.

Important! With severe poisoning, a coma and even death are possible.

What is poisonous?

All parts of the plant are poisonous: stems, leaves and flowers. Especially a lot of andromedotoxin is found in azalea leaves.

The harmful effect of a flower

When ingested, andromedotoxin leads to severe poisoning. The most common cases of rhododendron poisoning are children and cats. Therefore, it is especially important to keep the plant out of the reach of children and animals. Poisoning develops very quickly. In the absence of timely help, a few hours after eating the stems, leaves or flowers of azalea, death occurs.

Symptoms of azalea poisoning:

profuse salivation;
burning in the mouth;
weakness;
nausea, vomiting;
severe pain in the gastrointestinal tract;
intestinal colic;
diarrhea;
heart palpitations;
weak, frequent pulse;
shallow, rapid breathing;
pallor of the mucous membranes;
cramps
paralysis of the limbs.

Attention! Contact rhododendron juice on the skin leads to irritation.

The plant has a pronounced aroma that can cause dizziness and loss of consciousness. Do not place blooming azaleas in the bedroom. People who are sensitive to odors and prone to allergies are not recommended to keep this plant at home.

How it is useful: therapeutic effect

Blooming azalea acts as a magnificent decoration of the house. Flowering lasts an average of just over two months. On the basis of the plant, useful decoctions, infusions, tinctures, as well as tea are prepared (for more information about rhododendron tea, see here).

The following medicinal and healing properties of azalea are highly appreciated:

bactericidal;
insecticidal;
phytoncidal;
tonic;
general strengthening;
antipyretic;
sweatshops;
painkillers;
soothing.

Plant-based drugs help with diseases such as:

cardiovascular failure;
hypertension;
blood diseases
rheumatism;
gout;
colitis;
cold;
bronchitis;
asthma;
neurosis;
epilepsy;
migraine;
erosion;
colpitis;
vaginitis;
liver disease
vomiting

IMPORTANT! Azalea-based products are recommended only after consultation with your doctor.

Sweatshops and narcotic drugs are also produced from rhododendron. The plant is used to make perfumes and soaps, as well as to obtain tannins.

Adams

This is a plant-stimulant with tonic and adaptive properties. Tea made from Adams azalea leaves benefits the body when used in recommended dosages: relieves fatigue, improves mood, gives energy. Infusions and decoctions contribute to the destruction of streptococci. These funds are also used externally: for the treatment of ulcers, wounds, rinses of the mouth and throat.

Caucasian

Preparations based on this plant have a positive effect on the human body:

Improve blood circulation.
Normalize high blood pressure.
They have anti-inflammatory effect.
Relieve pain.
Soothe.
They have antiseptic and bactericidal properties.
They have an antipyretic effect.
A decoction of fresh foliage has an antitoxic effect.

Besides, substances contained in the root of the plant reduce the body's ability to absorb fats. The use of drugs from the herb Caucasian rhododendron is one of the ways to prevent and treat the following problems:

cardiovascular disease due to lower blood pressure;
osteoporosis;
osteochondrosis;
polyarthritis;
rheumatism;
bronchitis;
angina;
heat;
asthma;
sleep disturbances;
migraine;
dental diseases;
gum disease;
enteritis;
gastritis;
gastroenteritis;
overweight;
gynecological diseases;
mercury poisoning.

Watch a video on how Caucasian rhododendron is useful and how to brew it:

Golden (Kashkara)

Means from this plant have a large number of medicinal properties:

Relieve swelling.
Eliminate headaches.
Muscle relax with cramps.
They have anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic effect.
Normalize the heartbeat, reduce shortness of breath, increase the speed of blood flow, reduce venous pressure in case of cardiovascular diseases.
Help with rheumatism.

Instructions on how to make azalea tea

Preparation of inventory and ingredients

To preserve the beneficial properties of the plant, it is important to properly collect and prepare the raw materials:

Choose a plant at least two years old.
Collect medicinal leaves and flowers during the flowering period.
Lay out for drying in a thin layer on a litter in a dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.

To make healthy azalea tea you will need the following ingredients:

leaves: fresh - 2 pieces or dried - 4 pieces;
hot water - 1 cup;
milk - 1 cup.

Required Inventory:

metal container with a lid;
sieve or gauze.

Correct dosage brewing

Put the leaves on the bottom of a metal container.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
Leave to infuse under a tight lid for 5-6 minutes.
Strain.
Pour in milk at room temperature.
Bring to a boil over low heat.

Such a drink is an excellent tonic and helps to normalize blood circulation. What is useful for:

colds
coughing;
sore throat;
reduced immunity;
heart diseases.

Tea needs to be drunk hot and fresh. Before use, you can add a little salt and hot pepper to taste.

ATTENTION! It is important to adhere to the recipe exactly. Subject to doses, the drink increases working capacity and tone. In case of an overdose, it causes urinary retention, impairs renal function, and excites the nervous system.

It is not recommended to drink tea from azalea in such cases as:

individual intolerance, allergy;
childhood;
pregnancy;
lactation;
kidney disease
tissue necrosis.

With caution, you should take such a drink to people suffering from chronic or severe diseases. Before using azalea products, you should consult your doctor.

What if a person was poisoned by a plant?

If you do not provide timely assistance with rhododendron poisoning, a coma and a fatal outcome are possible. Therefore, urgent measures should be taken:

Call an ambulance.
Perform gastric lavage:
- Drink the victim with plenty of salted water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Induce vomiting by pressing on the base of the tongue. Carry out the procedure several times until a clean liquid flows out.
Make a cleansing enema.
Give the victim a sorbent. For every five kilograms of a person’s weight, one tablet of activated carbon is required. This drug can be replaced with such medicines as Smecta, Enterosgel, Lactofiltrum. If no medicine is available, give the victim approximately 100 grams of rye bread crackers.

Important! Before arrival, the ambulance must lie in bed. You can put a cold compress on your head. Give the victim strong tea.

Azalea is able to decorate the house with its lush flowering. This plant has many medicinal properties. The use of azaleas is relevant in official and traditional medicine, in homeopathy. The plant is also used in the manufacture of soaps and perfumes.

It must be remembered that all parts of the azalea contain poison. This must be taken into account in the case of growing this flower in the house. When using azalea-based products for medicinal purposes, it is important to adhere to accurate dosages.