Alocasia is an evergreen ornamental plant, loved by many gardeners for its decorative appearance. Not everyone at the same time knows that the flower can be used for medicinal purposes.

Description and chemical composition

The trefoil, as the plant is also called, has a short thick stem growing up, some species are creeping. In home gardening, it grows from 40 cm to 2 m. On long stalks are large, carved leaves in most species.

Color may be different depending on the type:

• dark green;
• light green;
• motley;
• with red splashes.

Inflorescence in the form of a cob, shrouded in a green veil with the edges wrapped inward. After flowering, red, round-shaped berries appear.

The full composition of alocasia is unknown, since research on this subject is still ongoing. The presence of such substances in the composition is known:

• coumarins;
• flavonoids;
• alkaloids;
• cyanides;
• saponins;
• mercury;
• tannins.

Did you know? In the Russian Empire, the flower came as a gift to Empress Catherine II, who replenished them with a collection of plants from her winter garden.

Plant properties

Despite the lack of interest in official medicine in the plant, folk healers are well aware of its beneficial properties.

Benefit

The wide spectrum of the plant’s action makes it possible to prepare preparations based on it for the treatment of many diseases. The list of healing properties is impressive:

• anti-inflammatory;
• regenerative;
• antioxidant;
• enveloping;
• painkiller;
• antitoxic;
• antibacterial;
• strengthening (vessels);
• sedative.

See also how to take care of Polly's alocasia at home.

Harm and contraindications

Improper use and excess dosages can not only harm, but lead to death of the patient. The plant contains mercury and hydrocyanic acid. Therefore, when taking a folk remedy, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Side effects may also occur:

• nausea;
• vomiting
• dizziness;
• digestive tract problems;
• general weakness.

Before using medications based on alocasia, you must always consult a doctor for contraindications.

Unconditional contraindications:

• age younger than 16 years;
• period of pregnancy and lactation;
• hemophilia;
• pathology of the kidneys and liver;
• allergy.

What diseases does he cure

Due to the presence of flavonoids, in particular quercetin, the dosage forms of the trefoil help fight atherosclerosis and support the heart muscle. Alocasia is useful for women with gynecological diseases.

Its action improves blood flow to the pelvic organs. Positive dynamics are observed after the use of ointments and tinctures for skin diseases. Antioxidant action strengthens the immune system, being an additional therapeutic agent for many diseases.

Oncology

The trefoil's ability to kill cancer cells became known after experiments conducted in China by scientists at the Sichuan University. In the course of research, it was found that after using a plant-based drug, liver carcinoma began to recede. From cancer they use tincture of trefoil, which also gives strength to an organism weakened by chemotherapy, saturates it with antioxidants.

Learn how to care for large-root alocasia at home.

Thyroid disease

With inflammation of the thyroid gland, the formation of nodes, compresses and lotions from alcohol tinctures significantly alleviate the situation. They perfectly warm and relieve inflammation.

Varicose veins

From varicose veins, compresses are also used, applying to the site of bloated veins. The beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels and veins allows patients to do without surgical intervention. At the time of treatment, rest is indicated, and the course of treatment is 3 months.

Stomach ulcer

The enveloping and healing effect on the stomach ulcer is tincture of alcohol with the addition of honey. The active components in the shamrock accelerate the regeneration of cells of the mucous membrane, relieve pain.

Important! Tincture with an ulcer can not be taken in the acute stage.

Cooking Recipes

From trefoil, drugs are prepared for external and internal use. Large-root alocasia, its leaves or tubers are used in our latitudes.

Alcohol tincture

Instead of alcohol, you can use vodka to make alcohol tinctures. Use it for both external and internal use. Sequencing:

1. Wash the leaves to dry.
2. Grind to a state of porridge.
3. Pour alcohol in equal proportions.
4. Insist in a dark place for 21 days.

Gruel from leaves

The therapeutic hardwood mass is prepared in porcelain or ceramic dishes, grinding to the consistency of a thick sauce. The resulting tool in the form of compresses relieves rheumatic pain, helps in the treatment of skin diseases.

Water infusion

Infusion on water is used for external use. Prepare the product without heat treatment in order to maintain maximum healing properties. Cooking Instructions:

1. Grind 100 g of plant flowers.
2. Boil and cool 0.5 l of water, pour chilled crushed mass.
3. Insist for a day.
4. Apply immediately (do not store the product for longer than a day).

Did you know? The English breeders who bred a hybrid of alocasia - Amazonica, were awarded a special prize by the Royal Society of Gardeners of Great Britain.

Ointment

The ointment is prepared for external use. The number is calculated for one treatment course, since the product is stored for no longer than 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

There are two ways to cook:

1 way:

1. Cook deciduous gruel.
2. Stir to a homogeneous consistency with any fatty mixture: petroleum jelly, animal fat.
3. The amount of oily base is approximately equal to the amount of the main component.

2 way:

1. Prepare tincture (water).
2. Mix with a greasy base.
3. For ointment, you need to take part of the infusion and four parts of the base.

Juice

For medicinal purposes, juice is used to relieve pain with rheumatism, arthrosis. Before use, it must be diluted, a portion is prepared for one application.

Sequencing:

1. Wash and dry the leaf with petiole.
2. Grind into a homogeneous mass.
3. Press the resulting porridge with gauze.
4. Use immediately.

Oil

When preparing as an auxiliary extracting component take any non-drying oil, for example, linseed or hemp. Cooking method:

1. Grind a large leaf into gruel.
2. Pour 100 ml of oil.
3. Insist in dark glass for 14 days.
4. After clean the impurities through cheesecloth.
5. Pure product is stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Important! Please note that pure juice in case of accidental contact with the mucous membrane will cause severe pain and inflammation, leaving a painful burn on the skin. Prepare all potions with gloves and glasses.

The use of alocasia

All medicines are prepared from foliage that has begun to dry: it is less toxic than green.

Outdoor

Most often, for external use, oil or ointment is used. Rubbed into painful places with skin problems or joint pain. Using rubbing can cure or reduce symptoms:

• psoriasis;
• dermatitis of various origins;
• ulcers on the skin;
• arthritis;
• arthrosis;
• rheumatic pains.

Lotions and compresses from tinctures are used to eliminate venous congestion and inflammation of the thyroid gland. In order not to burn the skin, an alcohol preparation for compress is diluted in equal parts with boiled water.

With varicose veins, the compress is wrapped in a plastic bag for a greenhouse effect. It is important to protect healthy veins and blood vessels from the effects of the drug. At the same time, keep the diseased limb at rest and on a raised platform.

In the treatment of thyroid gland, it is necessary to ensure that the product does not fall on the mucous membranes. Compress hold no more than 4 hours.

For external use, leafy gruel baths are also prepared. Water procedures are performed before bedtime. Treatment sessions are effective for the following problems with the limbs:

• gout;
• arthrosis of the joints;
• edema;
• injuries.

Internal

For internal use, infusions are used: alcohol or water. Before use, you need to consult your doctor. For each individual case, the phytotherapist develops his own scheme, from which you can not deviate from the negative consequences. The product is usually diluted with boiled water and taken before meals. The medicine helps with the following conditions:

• oncology;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• respiratory problems;
• BPH;
• gynecological diseases;
• cardiovascular disease.

Any treatment should be under the supervision of an experienced phytotherapist, after consultation with a specialized doctor. Alocasia-based drugs are strong and effective, but still an aid to the main therapy.