The ash tree is a strong and resistant tree, belonging to the oleaceae family and native to Great Britain, which can reach more than 30 meters in height.
It has a smooth, pale gray bark when young, which becomes rough with age. From the trunk, branches with small opposite leaves of an intense green color come out, and the beam is paler; they are composed of 7 or 13 leaflets with a serrated edge.
The flowers are small, inconspicuous, brown or reddish-brown in color, and are gathered in pendulous branches. The samara-type fruit is dry, lanceolate, green at the beginning and brown when ripe, and with bitter seeds.
The therapeutic history of the ash goes back to Serenus Sammonicus, who was the first to advocate the use of the seeds in the treatment of dropsy or fluid retention. Theophrastus and Dioscorides describe it and attribute to it the virtue of counteracting the poison of snakes; and Pliny, copying Theophrastus, affirms that the leaves of the ash tree kill all non-ruminant animals that eat them; now, Teofrasto had said that about the yew tree, as Laguna later clarified; the error is due to the fact that in Greek milos is yew and melia, ash tree, and Pliny confused the two names.
Bahuin in the 16th century and Glauber in the 17th century advocated the use of ash bark in the treatment of renal lithiasis and chronic nephritis, and until the discovery of quinine, its astringent and febrifuge virtues were highly appreciated, to the extreme. that Beerhave, in 1718, affirmed that it was as effective as quinine if the dose is doubled, so that it can perfectly replace it.
The ash tree, likewise, was widely used for magical purposes. In this sense, it was customary in Scotland to give a spoonful of ash sap to newborn children so that they would be healthy.
Today, the leaves are used as livestock feed and for making furniture. He was brought to America for his showy bearing in the outfield.
healing properties
The bark of the ash tree has tonic or astringent properties, which is why it is a remedy to facilitate digestive processes or to stop the diarrhea. The bark used in infusion or decoction has a febrifuge action, decreasing the fever.
The presence of mannitol in the bark is responsible for the diuretic action of the ash tree. For this reason, it is consumed as an infusion in periods of fluid retention. Externally applied in poultices and internal is used as a remedy for pain rheumaticarthritic and to reduce the swelling or edema in the legs.
As for its leaves, they are also astringent and have a slight laxative and diuretic effect. Likewise, they are usually chewed to strengthen weak gums (gingivitis) or with periodontal disease
Ash seeds were considered aphrodisiac and virility enhancers, and decayed ash wood was used as an ingredient in a powerful aphrodisiac powder.
Because the ash tree was considered a magical-healing tree for a long time, the belief still persists of passing children through a cleft in the trunk of the tree to heal fractures, hernias, rickets, warts and other diseases. In some regions, they even split the trunk of a young ash tree that is still alive following a ritual and pass the child around, if it healed, so will the child.
folk remedies
Remedy with ash for fluid retention Boil 20 g of dried ash leaves and a few mint leaves in 200 cm of water. Strain, sweeten and drink 2 cups daily for up to 2 weeks.
Remedy with ash for arthritis and rheumatism: Boil 50 g of ground ash bark in 400 cm of water for 20 minutes. Place still hot on a clean cotton cloth and apply to the affected area. Remove as soon as it cools down and place a hot one again. Perform this remedies several times a day.
Remedy with ash for constipation Pour 1 tablespoon of dried and powdered ash leaves into a cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool. Drink 1 cup before bed.
Remedy with ash against insomnia Place a handful of fresh ash leaves under your pillow. This is an old remedy.
Remedy with ash for warts Passing fresh ash leaves over a wart several times and then saying aloud: «Ash, ash, please remove this wart.» This remedy is, like the previous one, old.
Remedy with ash to lose weight: Boil in half a liter of water 15 g of ash leaves and 15 g of corn stigma for 10 minutes. Let stand and strain. Take throughout the day.
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Caution
People who have a tendency to produce kidney stones should not eat this plant, because the root is rich in oxalate.
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