We discussed the question of what a healthy lifestyle is, and today let’s start laying the foundation for this very healthy lifestyle and talk about how to properly collect medicinal plants.

After all, our green healers are the most accessible thing we have, given to us by nature itself and the Lord God. Agree, it is simply blasphemous not to take advantage of such a generous gift. Of course, you need to approach this matter with intelligence, knowledge and care, and you yourself understand this. And in this article I will tell you only about the very basics and some small nuances of this fascinating activity, so that it becomes easy not only for me, but also for any of you. So, let's begin.

General rules, without knowledge of which it is dangerous to approach the collection of medicinal plants

In general, according to science, one should not say “collect herbs”, but “collect raw materials”. So, let's go prepare raw materials. What does this concept include? Yes, exactly that part of the plant that will be collected in this particular case, which means any part of the plant from flowers to roots can be called raw material.

When collecting raw materials, you must adhere to the rules common to all herbs and collection times. Namely:

1. you need to clearly know what the plant you want to stock looks like. Otherwise, you can easily make a mistake, and the consequences of such a mistake can be very dire.
2. You need to collect medicinal plants away from the city and busy areas. highways, somewhere in the countryside with clean air and undisturbed ecology, as well as in a forest or meadow.
3. You should not collect large amounts of raw materials. You only need to collect as much as you can recycle as soon as you get home. Otherwise, the plants will deteriorate and there will be no benefit from them. And you’re not the only one who needs this plant, don’t be greedy, remember that you’re not the only one living on earth.
4. And finally, you need to correctly calculate the time and timing of collections, since the effect of the medicinal plant on your body largely depends on this.

Now let's go in order.

How to properly collect medicinal plants depending on what part of them is required for treatment

1. Flowers

Flowers need to be collected at the moment of their budding and flowering. That is, when the flower has bloomed well, has an attractive appearance and appropriate color, and the petals are firmly held in place. When the petals fall, the collection of flowers ends.

2. Seeds and fruits

Seeds and fruits are collected after they are fully ripe. If the fruits are soft, they must be removed with care so as not to crush them. And it is better not to shake small seeds from the plant, but to cut them directly on the branches and then thresh them. It will be more convenient this way. And, of course, some of the seeds and fruits must be left to the plant for further reproduction.

3. Greens or above-ground parts of plants

The leaves, stems, or entire above-ground part of the plant, called the grass, is harvested during flowering. It is at this time that the growth and formation of the green part of the plant ends, and the maximum amount of useful substances accumulates in the shoots, which contributes to the best effect when using it.

There is an opinion that leaves from trees should be collected after Trinity. However, Trinity is a moving holiday. It can be in early or mid-June, when the leaves are already quite large and succulent, or maybe in May, when the crown of the trees is still forming. It is correct to collect tree leaves around the summer solstice, i.e. June 22. This day is considered central, and three days are counted from it in each direction. Thus, it turns out that the best time for collecting leaves from trees is from June 19 to June 25. In general, foliage can be collected all summer until it begins to turn yellow.

4. Kidneys and bark

The buds and bark are usually collected in early spring, when sap flow begins. The buds can be collected when they are already swollen, but have not yet opened. The bark is harvested until early summer, until sap flow stops.

In order to separate the bark from the branch, semicircular cuts are made at a distance of 25-30 cm, then they are connected by two to three longitudinal cuts. The resulting strips of bark peel off, but not completely, let them hang and wilt a little, and then you can remove them.

5. Roots, rhizomes and tubers

The underground parts of plants - roots, rhizomes, tubers and bulbs - are dug up either in early spring or late autumn, it all depends on the length of the plant’s life. The underground part of annuals is collected in the fall, in mid-October - early November, when aboveground part has already died.

It is better to dig up the roots and rhizomes of biennials in late March - mid-April, i.e. in the spring of the second year. You can do the same with perennials. But if it was not possible to get the roots of a perennial plant in the spring, then this can be done in the fall at the end of the second and subsequent years.

Of course, many of you will say that these days almost everything can be bought, I agree. And yet, it is important to know how to properly collect medicinal plants, in case you want to do it yourself. Well, I’m waiting for all your views on this issue in the comments, every opinion is important to me. And next time I’ll tell you how to properly prepare decoctions, infusions and tinctures; as it turns out, not many people know how to do this correctly. and finally, I present to your attention a video on the topic.

That's it, goodbye until new posts, with love, Tatyana Surkova.

In April, it is time to collect the first herbs, buds, flowers, leaves, and tree bark. Every herbalist knows that April herbs have special strength and unique properties. Many people wait for this time for a whole year in order to have time to collect everything they need to prepare infusions, potions and medicines according to folk recipes. Not all medicinal herbs can be collected in April, but only those that are recommended.

Birch buds. Birch buds are collected together with twigs at a time when they swell, but have not yet produced leaves. Branches with buds are usually dried in a warm, dry and ventilated room. Once they are dried, the buds can be removed from the branches, used for their intended purpose, or stored further. In April, when the buds are just ready to bloom, they contain the maximum amount of useful substances. As soon as the buds open and the first leaves appear, most of these substances are quickly used up for the necessary growth, development and functioning of the leaves. Therefore, it would be ideal to collect them in April. Sometimes the buds are collected at the end of March, but sometimes this is complicated by the fact that the birches simply cannot be approached because of the snow.
In addition to birch trees, pine buds are collected in April. If the scales are still tightly pressed to the bud, but the bud is already beginning to swell, this means that they are ready for collection.
In April, black poplar buds are also collected (relevant for Kuznya).
LEAVES
In mid or late April (harvesting until mid-May) lingonberry leaves begin to bloom. At this time, lingonberry leaves can be collected. Now they are concentrated a large number of various useful substances. Lingonberry leaves in April are strong and rich. Collected in early spring, they not only have good properties, but can also be stored many times longer than those collected in the summer.
Bearberry leaves are collected in April. They harvest calamus, valerian, elecampane, angelica, zamanikha, and violet.
BARK
Oak bark. The bark from young oak trees is collected before the first leaves begin to bloom. As you can already understand, at this time useful substances, various juices and vitamins circulate inside the tree. The bark on centuries-old oak trees is often already dead, and in order to get to the bark that still retains its functions, you will have to seriously damage the trunk of the old oak. Young oak trees easily survive the loss of a small part of the bark.
In addition to oak, herbalists collect the bark of viburnum and alder buckthorn.
ROOTS
Don't forget about the roots. Plant roots have very strong properties, which are often used in folk medicine and various folk recipes, starting from delicious recipes dishes and finishing medicines and magic.
In April, when the swelling buds require more substances, vitamins, when after a long winter the plants begin to absorb everything that has accumulated during this time from the thawing soil, the roots contain a lot of different substances.
In April, the roots of elecampane, male fern, cinquefoil erect, snakeweed, dandelion roots, burnet, and burdock are collected.

And, of course, do not forget about the following rules of any herbalist:
It is better to collect on clear and sunny days.
Only healthy-looking plants should be collected.
Do not take plants near roads, industrial enterprises, factories, or outbuildings.
It is best to collect fruits and buds in the morning - 8-9 o'clock.
It is better to collect bark, roots and leaves in the late afternoon - 16-18 hours.
The collected plants must be thoroughly washed to remove dirt, dust and soil.

May is in no way inferior to April in terms of the number of plants that enter their maximum stage of development. The following are lists of plants that you can go out to collect when the last month of spring is outside:

Herbs: spring adonis, lily of the valley, officinalis dandelion, shepherd's purse, club moss, common plantain, tricolor violet, horsetail, celandine, knotweed, mantle, nettle, oxalis, cat's paw.

Leaves: warty birch, lingonberry, stinging nettle, lily of the valley, coltsfoot, spring primrose, black currant, bearberry, trefoil watch, plantain, white lily, strawberry, bergenia.

Buds: warty birch, Siberian fir, forest pine, black poplar.

Flowers: red hawthorn, lily of the valley, coltsfoot, spring primrose, bird cherry, white lily of the valley, coltsfoot.

Roots: angelica officinalis, burdock, dandelion, comfrey, peony, creeping wheatgrass, horseradish, coltsfoot, marshmallow, bergenia.

Bark: oak, viburnum, alder buckthorn.

Chaga and Icelandic moss are also collected in May.
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The first month of summer is June, a wonderful time for all herbalists. Vegetable world is entering its full strength, many plants have already bloomed and continue to collect juices in order to grow and nourish the fruits. Collecting herbs in order to use them for their intended purpose is not at all the privilege of experienced herbalists. Anyone can do this. However, here it is worth understanding that you need to have a good understanding of the types of plants, methods of their preparation and use. Otherwise, this can lead to very unpleasant situations, including poisoning. Collect only those plants that you have an accurate understanding of. If you doubt which plant is in front of you, then stop trying to take it with you.

A few more tips for those who are planning to go into the forest, field, meadows to collect medicinal herbs.
1. Under no circumstances collect plants near industrial centers or near roads. Also avoid fields and surrounding areas that are treated with herbicides and pesticides. Avoid landfills. It is best, as the old wisdom says, to collect herbs at such a distance from human habitation, where the crow of a rooster cannot be heard.
2. It is recommended to collect plants in the morning, immediately after the dew has dried. It is believed that plants should not be collected after rain. Collect in dry weather.
3. Do not take herbs that are damaged by diseases and have obvious differences, defects, or damage.
4. Place different herbs in different bags and dry separately.
5. The best container for collecting plants is a basket, since here the grass does not wrinkle and does not lose its properties.
6. After the collected grass is brought home, you should quickly check your harvest, weed out any random grass of other types that you do not need, and quickly start drying. This should not be delayed, since delay in drying can cause a loss of a lot of beneficial properties and substances of plants. Drying can preserve everything beneficial features until you decide to use them.
7. To dry, use dry, warm and ventilated places. The grass should be laid out on some dry surface, preferably wood or paper. In this case, the plants should not be crumpled or piled in a heap. The grass should lie flat and in a thin layer so that it can dry quickly and prevent mold, rot or pests from growing in it. The faster you can dry the plants, the better quality your raw materials will be.
8. Drying is considered complete when the leaves are ground into powder; the fruits do not stick together, do not smear, and do not release juice; roots and bark do not bend, but when bent they break with a bang.
9. Dried plants should be stored in dry and dark rooms.

So, what plants need to be collected and prepared in June:

Leaves: birch, primrose, bearberry, shepherd's purse, stinging nettle, coltsfoot, clubmoss, European hoofed grass, currant, sweet clover, wild strawberry, cornflower, fireweed, speedwell, lily of the valley, warty birch, three-leaved watch, plantain big, wormwood, blueberry, black henbane.

Needles: Siberian fir, forest pine.

Herbs: bird's knotweed, sweet clover, gray jaundice, small centaury, parsnip, shepherd's purse.

Buds: warty birch, Siberian fir, forest pine.

Flowers: hawthorn, rowan, lilac, wild strawberry, cornflower, clover inflorescences, linden blossom, speedwell, black elderberry, flowering tops of celandine, lily of the valley, chamomile, heart-shaped linden, coltsfoot.

Fruits: wild strawberry, red hawthorn, bird cherry.

Roots: angelica officinalis, burdock, dandelion, comfrey, peony, horseradish, orchis.

Chaga, sprigs of wild rosemary, “herringbone” horsetail.
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July is a real expanse for the herbalist. The middle of summer, when meadows, fields and forests abound with herbs and flowers, when fruits begin to ripen, is the time to prepare useful and healing potions for the whole year. If you like to collect herbs and use the gifts of Mother Nature, then here you can find out what kind of herbs, leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, etc., to go out in July.

Grass: hemlock, blue cornflower, sweet clover, fireweed, meadow clover, bindweed, St. John's wort, cinquefoil anserina and erecta, coltsfoot, thyme, horsetail, string, celandine, sage, clearweed white and other lambswort, thistle, heather, knotweed, hare cabbage, meadowsweet, oregano, centaury, calendula, lyubka bifolia, mint, wormwood, plantain, motherwort (dead nettle), chamomile, angustifolia fireweed, stinging nettle, scepter-shaped mullein, creeping thyme, common yarrow, tricolor violet, spring adonis, marsh calamus, marsh rosemary, yellow rosemary, larkspur reticulate, toadflax, dandelion, parsnip, marsh grass.
Leaves: storekeeper, oregano, calendula, centaury, bileaf, mullein, mint, wild strawberry, common raspberry, common bearberry, warty birch, three-leaved watch, coltsfoot.
Flowers: immortelle sandy (tsmin), heather, storekeeper, oregano, calendula, centaury, lyubka bifolia, mullein, mint, chamomile inflorescences, motherwort cordial (deaf nettle), calendula officinalis (marigold), cordate linden, common tansy, red hawthorn, blue cornflower, Spanish lichen, coltsfoot, brown rosehip.
Fruits: blueberries, viburnum, common raspberries, black currants, caraway seeds, red hawthorn, juniper, bird cherry, blueberries, brown rose hips.
Bark: common viburnum.
Roots: burdock, peony, horseradish, dandelion, comfrey, male fern, orchis.
Buds: Siberian fir, forest pine, warty birch.
Needles: Siberian fir, forest pine.
Collection poisonous plants(treats carefully and only with knowledge of the matter) - Common ram (moss moss), black henbane (dark, black), field thistle (sow thistle and thistle).

Nature takes care of us and gives us real treasures - medicinal plants. When collecting medicinal herbs, do not forget to treat nature with care and precision. Do not litter or break trees and shrubs; cut grass and plants carefully so as not to damage the main trunk or root of the tree.
Plants should be collected either in the morning from 8 to 9 am, or in the late afternoon from 4 to 5 pm. It is advisable that the weather be dry and sunny. Under such conditions, you can prepare plants that have the maximum amount of valuable substances.

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August, like other summer months of the year, is rich in medicinal plants, which are collected by herbalists. Each month offers certain types of plants for collection, as well as certain parts of plants, depending on their maturity. It is necessary to adhere to the deadlines set by nature in order to take only the gifts of the earth that are truly useful for humans, and also not to harm nature in vain, because a plant that is picked at the wrong time and that cannot help a person will simply die.
Herbs: Peppermint (water pepper), nettle, tansy, plantain, marsh grass, barberry, lingonberry, fireweed, meadowsweet, horsetail, heather, field loach, St. John's wort, clover, Snapdragon, chamomile, celandine, oregano, caraway, meadow calamus, marsh calamus, wild rosemary, knotweed, sweet clover, centaury, dandelion, garden parsley, wormwood, yarrow, shepherd's purse.
Flowers: blue cornflower, tansy inflorescences, flat-leaved eryngium, sandy immortelle, red hawthorn, coltsfoot, fragrant chamomile.
Leaves: black currant, bearberry, barberry, henbane, lingonberry.
Fruits: black currant, unripe anise, red hawthorn, blueberry, calendula officinalis (marigold), viburnum, common raspberry, rowan, horse chestnut, hops.
Buds: Forest pine
Bark: Viburnum viburnum
Roots: Blue cyanosis, meadow calamus, marsh calamus, valerian officinalis, angelica officinalis, dandelion officinalis, male fern, garden parsley, evasive peony, burdock, bergenia, elderberry, ninesil, burnet, yellow capsule, erect cinquefoil, soapwort, primrose, chicory , horse sorrel.
Needles: Forest pine

© Denis Blintsov.

The healing properties of medicinal herbs depend on many factors: the place of growth, the time of collection, the proper drying and storage. You need to collect medicinal herbs away from roads, in clean fields, meadows, mountains and forests. Different parts of plants are collected at different times when they contain the maximum amount of medicinal substances. So:

• You need to collect flowers and herbs as soon as the first buds bloom;
• You need to collect herbs and leaves at the beginning of flowering plants;
• It is necessary to harvest bark and buds from trees and shrubs from March to May;
• Collect fruits when fully ripened;
• Rhizomes and roots can be harvested in early spring or autumn.

Dried leaves, herbs and flowers retain their properties for up to 2 years; dry fruits can be stored for up to 3 years; well-dried bark, roots and rhizomes are preserved healing properties up to 5 years. But subject to proper drying and storage.

When and how to collect medicinal plants? Their usefulness depends on the correct assembly of herbs. Medicinal raw materials can only be collected in dry weather . Herbs collected in rain, fog or with dew dry poorly and are unsuitable for storage.

Basic rules for collecting plant materials:

1. You need to collect medicinal plants in environmentally friendly places (if possible) or from your own garden.
2. Plants need to be collected in the morning, from 8 to 10 o'clock (if there is no dew) or in the afternoon from 16 to 18 o'clock (before dew begins to fall). Place cut parts of plants in bags, preferably fabric ones. Do not stuff the plants into bags so that they do not heat up. We do not recommend using plastic bags, as the plants heat up quickly and sweat there.
3. Cut herbs carefully using a sharp knife or pruning shears. You cannot uproot a plant (such careless picking has caused the extinction of many plant species). On every bush from which you cut grass, leave a few branches untouched . This is done so that the plant produces seeds, and next year new offspring appeared. This is especially important for annuals and biennials, which reproduce only by seeds. For example, caraway seeds and chamomile.
4. You can dig up roots and rhizomes in the fall, after the seeds ripen and self-sow, or in the spring. You can only dig up the roots of mature plants; do not touch young plants. Before you start digging, collect the seeds from the plant, dig up the roots, and sow the collected seeds in their place. Be sure to fill the resulting holes with earth and level them. For such a caring attitude towards nature, she will thank you with healing, medicinal raw materials.
5. If possible, try not to collect herbs from one place every year. This will help the plants recover and reproduce. This is especially important for St. John's wort, oregano, and thyme.
6. It is strictly forbidden to collect medicinal herbs near roads, near fields treated with pesticides, near factories, factories, power plants, nuclear stations, etc. Plants damaged by diseases and pests should not be collected.

Where and how to dry medicinal plants? The quality of medicinal raw materials depends on proper drying - the preservation of aromatic and essential oils, tannins, vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

Drying rules:

1. Dry herbs, flowers, fruits, roots and bark in a well-ventilated, shady room or under a canopy at a temperature of 30-40°C. The faster the raw material dries, the better quality it will be.
2. Slow drying, at a temperature not exceeding 35°C, is needed for oregano and common thyme (thyme).
3. There are several ways to dry herbs. Tie into bundles and hang on ropes “head down”. Or spread it on a surface (mesh, wood, plywood, fabric or paper, but not newspapers) in a thin layer, in one row. To speed up the drying process, turn the herbs 2-3 times.
4. Make sure that no moisture gets on the plants during drying. Due to increased dampness and prolonged drying, plants acquire an unsightly brown color.
5. While drying, protect herbs, flowers, leaves and fruits from direct sunlight. Sun rays contribute to the destruction of active substances and chlorophyll. What causes plants to lose their green color (petals brightness) and beneficial properties. Such plants are no longer suitable for use.
6. Roots and rhizomes can be dried in the sun (except those that contain essential oils). If there is no sun, dry the roots in a dryer or oven at low temperature.
7. You cannot dry herbs in attics where there are mice or pets climbing around. The presence of flies or other insects is unacceptable.
8. The end of drying of the raw materials is indicated by the rustling sound of the herbs, the leaves rub in the hands, the roots and stems easily break, producing a typical crunch. Properly dried plants retain their scent and green color.
9. It is not recommended to overdry plant materials.

Where and how to store dried medicinal herbs? Well-dried herbs should be immediately packed in bags with vents, boxes or baskets, in a thin layer so that they “breathe”. Do not pack the bags tightly, as the grass will quickly deteriorate. Fragrant plants should be stored in glass jars with a tight lid, kept in the dark. Store bags, bags or baskets with herbs in a well-ventilated, dry and dark room. They should not be stored close to food, vegetables and fruits, especially aromatic ones.
The proximity of herbs to soaps, powders, cosmetics and so on.

COLLECTION, DRYING

(STABILIZATION) OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PRESERVATION OF RAW MATERIALS OBTAINED FROM THEM

Plant materials and medicines can be obtained from both cultivated and wild plants. A significant part plant species medicinal raw materials in many countries are currently obtained from cultivated plants. In Bulgaria, with the exception of essential oil crops, the main source of production raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and medicinal plants are the natural resources of these plants. However, their natural deposits are continuously decreasing or being exhausted, which is why it is necessary to direct efforts to obtain raw materials from cultivated plants. It is known that plants introduced into culture have a number of advantages - larger yields, higher content of biologically active substances, mechanized harvesting, etc.
For drying (stabilization), either the aerial parts of the entire plant or its individual organs are collected and processed into medicinal raw materials.
From the moment of tearing, significant biochemical changes begin to occur in the plant and its corresponding organ. With the correct direction of these biochemical changes, it is possible to obtain the necessary composition of the collected and dried raw materials. In some cases, changes occur under the influence of enzymes, especially during drying. For medicinal composition In them, the time of year during collection and drying conditions also matter.

The collection is carried out in bright and sunny times

It is advisable to collect medicinal plants in sunny and daylight hours and at the right time of year, manually or mechanically. When collected by hand, herbs, leaves and flowers are placed in vessels adapted for this purpose (baskets, bags, boxes, etc.), making sure that they are not crushed or squeezed, after which they are quickly transferred to a place for drying. If transport is difficult, then the collected plant parts are spread indoors in a thin layer on shelves, floors, etc. The plant material can remain there for no longer than 10-12 hours.
When collecting and drying wild plants, it is especially important to preserve several specimens in the deposit. For example, if you collect rhizomes and roots before the seeds ripen, the plant will not be able to reproduce and will disappear from this place. When collecting stems, you cannot pull the entire plant out of the soil, but only cut off its above-ground parts.
To preserve the natural deposit, collection of wild medicinal plants should be carried out periodically using different areas.
When from herbaceous plants Only underground organs (tubers, roots and rhizomes) are used; when harvesting, the above-ground part of the plant should be cut off and discarded. When you need to take only the above-ground part of herbaceous plants, as already mentioned, when collecting it is advisable to cut off only it, without uprooting the entire plant.
Flowers, leaves and fruits are collected one at a time by hand or using suitable tools (scissors, knife, etc.). If, when collected, the medicinal plant consists of stems of herbaceous plants, especially cultivated ones, they must be mowed with a scythe, sickle or reaper.

The time of year has a special meaning.

The time of year in which the collection takes place is of particular importance. Biochemical processes are constantly occurring in the plant and collection must be carried out precisely at the moment when a composition with the most favorable pharmacological effect has been formed in it. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to follow certain rules when collecting and drying. So, for example, above-ground organs (flowers, leaves, the entire above-ground part) are collected during the flowering period of the plant, and underground organs (roots, rhizomes and tubers) are collected in the spring, when the growing season has not yet begun, or are collected in the fall, when it is already coming to an end. . Listed rules collection of medicinal raw materials, in most cases, however, do not take into account the peculiarities individual plants and conditions, the time of collection of which determines the increase or decrease of biologically active substances during one growing season. Therefore, to determine when a plant, resp. these parts of it. are in “pharmacological maturity,” that is, when they contain the largest amount of medicinal substances, it is necessary to monitor quantitatively the accumulation of substances during the growing season. If the medicinal substance belongs to the reserve category, such as, for example, mucous substances and carbohydrates in general, then the raw material - the underground organ, naturally, should be collected in the fall, since during this final period of the growing season, when collected, the underground organs are most rich in reserve substances. However, if the active component belongs to the group of secondary formed substances, for example, alkaloids, this rule does not need to be followed. when collected. For example, the roots of belladonna during this period are also the richest in starch, but its alkaloids are contained in greater quantities in the roots collected before the onset of autumn (in comparison with their content in autumn roots). This example, like many others, shows that. that the appropriate season for collecting medicinal plants should be determined taking into account the pharmacological maturity of the plant. It is also important to collect plants and what part of the day the medicinal plant will be collected. It is known, for example, that the biological activity of plants containing cardiac glycosides decreases at night due to the breakdown of glycosides and increases again during the day when assimilation begins, that is, the biosynthesis of glycosides. It reaches its maximum in the afternoon and this time is most suitable for collecting such plants.
Immediately after collection, collected plants or their organs are subjected to processing for the purpose of preservation, that is, to bring them into a state during which there will be no change in their composition during storage before industrial processing or use in a pharmacy.
Some types of raw materials are not canned, as they contain components that decompose during this process. Such raw materials are processed into pharmaceuticals while still fresh. Most of various types the collected raw materials can be canned; its purpose is to inactivate enzymes contained in fresh plant material, which will favor the breakdown of biologically active substances in medicinal raw materials.
For some time after collection, the plant organ continues to live, although under completely changed metabolic conditions. Profound changes in tissues begin when, due to loss of moisture, a state of withering occurs in which tissue cells gradually die, that is, they cease to be regularly functioning metabolic systems. The enzymes they contain, which no longer take part in the biochemical processes of living tissue, spontaneously catalyze the breakdown of labile substances contained in the cell. From this it can be seen that the changes that occur during the transformation of the fresh part of the plant into medicinal raw materials play a huge role.
Enzyme activity largely depends on the concentration of hydrogen ions in the plant. They are usually quite active at a pH between 7 and 10. Some enzymes are also activated in an acidic environment.
Sometimes the action of enzymes on medicinal substances contained in fresh plants is beneficial for their pharmacological effect, but in other cases the resulting changes are undesirable. In the first case, this effect can be enhanced by pre-fermentation, and in the second case, if this is undesirable and worsens the composition and activity of the medicinal raw material, it is necessary to proceed with rapid drying or stabilization of the raw material. For example, the formation of coumarins due to enzymatic action in plants containing them, the transformation of reduced anthraquinones into anthraquinones under the action of oxidative enzymes, the hydrolytic decomposition of the glycoside sinigrin, etc. - all these are cases of desired enzymatic changes, as a result of which medicinal raw materials acquire a therapeutic effect.
In other cases, however, the enzymatic processes that have taken place lead to the breakdown of the active substances and to the limitation or cessation of their therapeutic effect. The influence of enzymes has a harmful effect on labile glycosides, which are contained in digitalis raw materials, on alkaloids of hyoscyamine medicinal substances, etc. These types of decompositions are prevented by inactivation of enzymes, resulting in the so-called. stabilized medicinal raw materials. Proposed various methods stabilization of raw materials: the fresh part of the plant in a closed space is exposed to hot vapors of alcohol or chloroform, after which the raw materials are dried; in the event that water vapor does not change the composition of the raw material, stabilization can also be carried out under the influence of water vapor.
In stabilized raw materials, enzymes are inactivated and cannot be reactivated. Stabilization by these methods is a radical way of preserving raw materials, but due to the fact that this is an expensive process, they prefer to preserve it by drying. This removes water from the fresh part of the plant, so the action of the enzymes is not eliminated, but only delayed. By moistening the raw materials, conditions are again created for the activation of enzymes and the possibility of decomposition processes.
In general it is very difficult or almost impossible to save chemical composition and the biological effect of fresh plant parts completely unchanged in the raw material. When drying and preserving, the main thing to strive for is to prevent a sensitive loss of active components and preserve their therapeutic effect.
Fresh plant parts must be thoroughly cleaned before drying. Mechanical impurities are removed from underground organs by immersing them in running water for a short time and then shaking vigorously. When the roots and rhizomes are not subjected to such purification, they are found to have a high mineral content, which reduces the effect of the raw material. From some roots, according to the requirements of the pharmacopoeia, it is necessary to scrape off the bark before drying, which can be very easily done immediately after removing them from the soil. This manipulation makes it easier to further transform them into powder, since most of the bast fibers are removed.
The above-ground parts of the plant, before drying them, should be cleaned of any foreign parts of the same or other plants that have entered them during collection.
After cleaning, the raw materials are dried. Proper drying should be carried out taking into account the chemistry of the active components in the raw material. Drying of compacted and fermentable material is not allowed. Herbal medicinal raw materials must be dried quickly at the temperature established for the given type and composition of the raw material. As experiments have shown, the most suitable temperature for drying raw materials is about 50°C. At this temperature, the action of enzymes weakens or stops completely. In some cases, it is recommended to initially dry at a higher temperature, and then at a temperature of about 50°C.
Quick drying is carried out in special drying chambers, elevator
5 Modern herbal medicine
dryers, vacuum dryers, etc., which are equipped with devices for temperature regulation. It is especially necessary to dry quickly juicy fruits containing vitamins. In this case, the temperature can be increased to 70-90°C, due to which a significant part of the vitamins is preserved. It is also necessary to quickly dry raw materials containing cardiac glycosides and raw materials containing alkaloids. At a temperature of 50′C and good air ventilation, the raw material is dried without changing its medicinal composition.
Parts of plants containing essential oils are dried slowly, spreading them out in a thicker layer, at a temperature not exceeding 25-30°C. Under such conditions, during drying of medicinal raw materials, the content of essential oil may increase, and the quality of the oil may improve. Slow drying is also allowed for raw materials whose active components are stable and do not easily undergo enzymatic degradation.
Under the influence of direct sunlight, green leaves and colored flowers become discolored - they become yellow, brown, pale, etc. Such types of raw materials, which have lost their natural color, are unsuitable for consumption. On direct sunlight You can dry parts of the plant that do not contain dyes - seeds, roots, bark, rhizomes, etc.

Slow drying

Slow drying is carried out in the open air and in rooms adapted for this purpose. With this method of drying the material, good results are observed in areas with a dry and warm climate. The raw materials to be dried are spread in a thin layer on wooden frames with a mesh bottom, which ensures better ventilation when the frames are positioned one above the other during drying; Dry until the plant parts become brittle and lose their elasticity.
Colored buds - Gemmae, are dried at moderate temperatures, spreading them in a thin layer and stirring frequently to avoid mold and caking.
Leaves - Folia, during the drying process are spread in a thin layer. More large leaves spread each separately.
Flowers - Flores, are also spread in a thin layer to avoid the need to mix them during the drying process.
Herbs - Herbae, are usually tied in small bunches, which are hung in a dry, warm and ventilated area to dry. This method is not recommended in all cases, since often the leaves of the inner stems in the bunch darken. Then they are dried, just like leaves and flowers.
Non-juicy fruits and seeds - Fructus et semina, such as plants of the family. Umbrellas, mustard, flax, etc., contain a small amount of moisture and there is no need for special conditions to dry them. It is enough to keep them in ventilated areas after they are dried in the sun or in a dryer.
Juicy fruits - Fructus, are best dried in a dryer until they no longer stick together.
The bark, Cortices, when fresh contains a small amount of water compared to other parts of the plant, and is easier to dry - outdoors or in ventilated areas.
Roots, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs - Radices, Rhizomata, Tubera, Bulbi, dried after cleaning. Thick roots and rhizomes, if they are not cut, must be dried at a low temperature (about 40 ° C), which ensures uniform evaporation from their internal and external parts without changing color and without disintegrating the active substances. Uncut and thick roots dry slowly. Thin or chopped thick roots dry out much faster.
A method for drying medicinal raw materials using infrared light has been introduced. In this case, infrared rays penetrate into the plant material, as a result of which the drying process occurs very quickly. However, this method is difficult to use when large quantities raw materials.
Medicinal raw materials can also be dried by lyophilization. This method is used when drying plant materials, the active components of which are especially easily broken down. Lyophilization is carried out at low temperature (about 20°C). The moisture content in the dried material is only 2-4.5%. It has been established that with this method of drying medicinal raw materials containing tropane alkaloids, there is a higher percentage of alkaloids than in raw materials dried at 50°C.
During the drying process, the raw material is preserved, but its complete stabilization is not guaranteed, as a result of which some authors believe that galenic preparations (tinctures, extracts, etc.) are more advanced forms in which the healing factor is in a more stable form. Now highly purified drugs are used, which are more stable than galenic ones. IN Lately In Bulgaria, dry (sprayed) aqueous extracts from raw materials - dispersions - have also been introduced into practice.
Pure substances isolated from raw materials have significant advantages in comparison with them or with herbal preparations prepared from raw materials, since only in this form can their therapeutic effect be preserved and controlled. However, this effect does not always coincide with the pharmacological effect of medicinal raw materials. Therefore, therapy is introduced dosage form, which has the most favorable pharmacological effect, which is achieved experimentally. Sometimes the composition of raw materials changes during drying under the influence of other factors that are not of biological origin. Thus, acidic substances formed during drying can cause racemization of optically active components contained in the fresh plant.
After drying, the raw materials are subjected to new cleaning, sorting, final drying, respectively. crushing and packaging. The purpose of the last cleaning is to remove from the raw material any foreign parts of plants that have accidentally entered it or parts that have lost their natural color during drying. The raw materials are finally dried so that the moisture content in it meets the requirements required by the pharmacopoeia or standards. Overdrying should not be allowed, since such raw materials easily break down and turn into powder (especially leaves, flowers) during packaging and transport.
Sorting is carried out in accordance with the instructions of the standards for various qualities of the same type of raw material (I, II and III) and, depending on the purpose - pharmaceutical or industrial raw materials.

Pharmaceutical or industrial raw materials

Medicinal raw materials (except for some small fruits and seeds) are used in pharmacy practice or in pharmaceutical factories in a chopped state or crushed into powder. For slicing, special cutting machines, mills, sieves, etc. are used in rooms designated for this purpose. Some types of raw materials - leaves, flowers, roots and rhizomes - are pressed for greater convenience and to avoid losses. Leathery leaves, small flowers, some rhizomes and roots are not pressed. The grinding of medicinal raw materials during pressing is insignificant; In this way, molding is avoided if the raw material contains moisture within acceptable limits.
When packaging raw materials, packaging material is also important. Chopped and ground raw materials intended for pharmacies are packaged, depending on their nature, in ordinary or double (with an inner layer of parchment paper) bags or well-closed boxes. Types of medicinal raw materials intended for processing are packaged in bags, bales, paper bags, etc.

Medicinal raw materials in pharmacies and warehouses must be stored in such conditions as

Thus, when drying medicinal plants, an important requirement must be observed - that the storage room for raw materials be dry, clean and ventilated with a clean, durable wooden floor. Individual packages cannot be stacked on top of each other, but must be placed on shelves so that they can be taken and inspected at any time without stirring. However, some types of raw materials that are especially hygroscopic or contain essential oils are best stored in sealed containers. According to the rules and requirements of the Pharmacopoeia, poisonous and potent drugs must be stored separately from the rest, in special cabinets that are locked with a key.

A LOT OF USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE SITES:

http://www.medunica.info/index.htm

http://www.gulnara.narod.ru/

http://znaxapb.ru/sbor_trav.html

http://www.lifekod.ru/zizn/item/134-sbor_rasteny

http://www.fialca.ru/calendar/

APRIL
Plant collection in April

Birch - sap, buds
Lingonberry - leaves
Snake knotweed - rhizomes
Elecampane tall - rhizomes with roots
Oak - bark
Viburnum viburnum - bark
Alder buckthorn - bark


Pine - buds

Black poplar - buds

MAY
Plant collection in May

Adonis spring - grass


Red hawthorn - flowers, fruits
Lingonberry - leaves

Oak - bark
Viburnum viburnum - bark

Stinging nettle - leaves
Alder buckthorn - bark
Buckthorn brittle - bark

Large burdock - roots

Dandelion - grass, roots
Comfrey - roots
Male fern - rhizome
Shepherd's purse - grass
Spring primrose - leaves, flowers
Peony evasive - roots

Creeping wheatgrass - rhizomes
Black currant - leaves
Pine - needles, buds
Bearberry - leaves
Black poplar - buds
Violet tricolor - herb
Horsetail - grass
Horseradish - roots
Bird cherry - flowers

JUNE
Plant collection in June

Adonis spring - grass
Marsh wild rosemary - leafy branches
Black henbane - leaves
Birch warty - leaves, buds
Red hawthorn - flowers, fruits
Blue cornflower - flowers
Three-leaf watch - leaves
Knotweed - grass

Angelica officinalis - roots
Gray jaundice - grass


Icelandic lichen - thallus
European hoofweed - leaves
Stinging nettle - leaves
May lily of the valley - grass, leaves, flowers
Linden heart-shaped - flowers
Large burdock - roots
Coltsfoot - flowers, leaves
Dandelion - grass, roots
Comfrey - roots
Parsnip - grass
Shepherd's purse - grass

Peony evasive - roots


Great plantain - leaves
Common plantain - herb
Wormwood - leaves


Pine - needles, buds
Marsh grass - grass
Creeping thyme - herb
Common caraway - herb
Violet tricolor - herb
Horsetail - grass
Horseradish - roots

Bird cherry - flowers, fruits
Blueberry - leaves
Greater celandine - grass
Orchis - tubers

JULY
Plant collection in July

Adonis spring - grass
Calamus marsh - grass
Marsh wild rosemary - grass
Black henbane - leaves, buds
Birch warty - leaves


Blue cornflower - flowers
Three-leaf watch - leaves
Blueberries - fruits
Peppermint - herb
Knotweed - grass
Sweet clover - herb
Oregano - herb
Angelica officinalis - roots
Gray jaundice - grass
Larkspur reticulata - grass
St. John's wort - herb
Wild strawberry - fruits, leaves
Small centaury - grass

Viburnum viburnum - fruits
Fireweed angustifolia - herb
European hoofweed - leaves

Stinging nettle - leaves
Linden heart-shaped - inflorescences

Large burdock - roots
Onion - bulb
Common toadflax - grass
Common raspberry - fruits, leaves
Coltsfoot - flowers, leaves

Field mint - herb


Male fern - rhizomes
Parsnip - grass
Shepherd's purse - grass


Peony evasive - roots
Siberian fir - buds, needles
Moss clubmoss - grass, spores
Great plantain - leaves
Common plantain - herb
Wormwood - herb, leaves
Common wormwood - herb
Motherwort pentaloba - herb
Fragrant chamomile - flower baskets
Black currant - fruits
Forest pine - needles, buds
Marsh grass - grass
Creeping thyme - herb
Common caraway seeds - fruits
Bearberry - leaves

Violet tricolor - herb
Horsetail - grass
Horseradish - roots
Trifid succession - grass

Blueberries - fruits
Greater celandine - grass
Rosehip cinnamon - flowers, fruits
Orchis - tubers

AUGUST
Plant collection in August

Adonis spring - grass
Calamus marsh - rhizomes, grass
Marsh wild rosemary - grass
Sandy immortelle - inflorescences
Red hawthorn - flowers, fruits

Blueberries - fruits
Knotweed - grass
Sweet clover - herb
Oregano - herb
Angelica officinalis - roots
Gray jaundice - grass
Small centaury - grass
Calendula officinalis (marigold) - inflorescences

Fireweed angustifolia - herb
Scepter-shaped mullein - flower corollas
Stinging nettle - leaves
Common groundsel - grass, roots
Icelandic lichen - thallus
Large burdock - roots
Onion - bulb
Common raspberries - fruits
Coltsfoot - flowers, leaves
Carrots - seeds, roots
Dandelion officinalis - herb, roots
Comfrey - roots
Male fern - rhizomes
Shepherd's purse - grass
Parsley - herb, roots
Tansy - inflorescences
Peony evasive - roots
Moss clubmoss - grass, spores
Great plantain - leaves
Wormwood - herb
Fragrant chamomile - flower baskets
Rowan - fruits
Blue cyanosis - rhizomes
Forest pine - needles, buds
Marsh grass - grass
Common caraway seeds - fruits
Bearberry - leaves
Common yarrow - herb
Violet tricolor - herb
Horsetail - grass
Common hops - cones
Horseradish - roots
Trifid succession - grass
Bird cherry - fruits
Blueberries - fruits
Garlic - bulbs
Greater celandine - grass
Rosehip cinnamon - fruits

SEPTEMBER
Plant collection in September

Valerian officinalis - rhizomes
Snake knotweed - rhizomes

Calendula officinalis (marigold) - inflorescences
Viburnum viburnum - bark, fruits
Cranberry - fruit
Stinging nettle - leaves

Buckthorn laxative (zhoster) - fruits
Potentilla erecta - rhizomes
Large burdock - roots
Onion - bulb

Carrots - seeds, roots

Gray alder - cones
Male fern - rhizomes
Shepherd's purse - grass

Parsley - herb, roots
Peony evasive - roots
Moss clubmoss - spores
Great plantain - leaves
Wormwood - herb
Fragrant chamomile - flower baskets
Rowan - fruits
Blue cyanosis - rhizomes
Common caraway - herb
Bearberry - leaves
Common yarrow - herb
Violet tricolor - herb
Horsetail - grass
Common hops - cones
Horseradish - roots
Wild chicory - roots
Rosehip cinnamon - fruits
Horse sorrel - rhizomes

OCTOBER
Plant collection in October

Valerian officinalis - rhizomes
Snake knotweed - rhizomes
Angelica officinalis - rhizomes with roots
Viburnum viburnum - bark, fruits
Cranberry - fruit
Burnet plant - rhizomes and roots
Potentilla erecta - rhizomes
Onion - bulb
Carrots - seeds, roots
Common juniper - cone berries
Dandelion officinalis - roots
Comfrey - roots
Gray alder - cones
Male fern - rhizomes
Spring primrose - rhizomes with roots
Creeping wheatgrass - rhizomes
Field steelweed - roots
Bearberry - leaves
Wild chicory - roots
Rosehip cinnamon - fruits
Horse sorrel - rhizomes and roots

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