Herbs are the greatest gifts of nature. They can easily be ingested in the form of medicinal teas. If used the right way, they can heal, as well as fortify the human body.
One of the universal herbs, familiar to all, is smoketree. Along with salvia and linden, it is ones of the most preferred herbs, having clearly expressed astringent and anti-inflammatory effects. The leaves of the smoketree contain tannins, such as gallotannins, gallic acid, flavonol glycosides and essential oils.
Smoketree in the form of tea should only be taken internally under strict medical supervision. To make it, pour 4 1/5 cups (1 L) boiling water over 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped leaves. Boil for about 5 min. and then let them soak for about 1 hour.
Smoketree remedies are mostly applied topically - baths, washes, gurgling, herbal compresses and others. They're widely used for hemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, difficultly healing wounds (but not as a compress because it smothers the wound), mouth sores, stomatitis, lichens, festering sores and teen acne, boils, gum inflammation.
The herb is also used to treat hair loss, leg sweating, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery. Smoketree extract also finds use as an aid in treating various diseases of the genitourinary system.
To make compresses and washes, pour 8 1/3 cups (2 L) of boiling water over 2 oz (50 g) of smoketree leaves and boil for 20 min. Leave the remedy to sit for an hour, then strain it through a gauze. Apply the compresses and washes 1-2 times a day.
For vaginal washes, rinsing and gurgling, make it the same way as the tea. Strain through a gauze. Apply 1-2 times daily.
Smoketree remedies and teas expire very quickly - in about 12 hours, and then only if stored in the refrigerator.
