Almost every person living in central Russia knows the appearance of aspen. The tree is equally attractive at any time of the year. It not only looks charming, but also brings many benefits. Certain parts of the plant are taken for production medicines and animal feed.

Almost every person living in central Russia knows the appearance of aspen

The correct name of the tree - “trembling poplar” - is not known to everyone. It received this name due to its ability to sway (tremble) intensely even from a slight blow of wind. Aspen has quite an impressive appearance- a columnar trunk with gray-olive bark and a lush crown. The trunk can be up to 1 m in diameter, and the height of a perennial representative often reaches 30-35 m.

With age, peculiar lentils form on the bark, which make the appearance of aspen even more attractive. It has high frost resistance. Grows in moist, acidified soil and is not afraid of shade. Distinctive feature It differs from similar trees, for example, poplar, in the unique shape of its leaves. It is also easy to calculate by the flowers that appear in the first days of spring.

The leaves are rhombic in shape with jagged edges, and their width often exceeds their length. The foliage is attached to the branches using thin cuttings, which also creates a trembling effect when swaying in the wind. The leaves of young aspen are similar to poplar, so they can sometimes be confused.

With age, peculiar lentils form on the bark, which make the appearance of aspen even more attractive.

Unusual inflorescences appear on aspen trees with the arrival of the first warm days of spring. They are divided into women's and men's, and their shape resembles jewelry - earrings. Reproduction occurs thanks to the seeds, which are located on the inflorescences. They spread throughout the areas adjacent to the tree due to the small pappus that is present on each inflorescence.

Gallery: aspen tree (25 photos)

Why aspen always trembles (video)

Beneficial features

Aspen can confidently be called a useful tree. It has many properties that are used by humans in various areas of life. Thus, the bark is often used as a biological active additive to food. It is cut into strips and dried. In winter, small quantities of crushed bark are added to food. This supplement tones and helps cope with fatigue.

The leaves of the tree are diamond-shaped, with jagged edges, and their width often exceeds their length.

Some people make flour from the bark - aspen bast, which can be used for cooking.

The leaves and bark are often used as medicine. A decoction of the leaves is a good expectorant. It is drunk for influenza and ARVI to reduce fever and high temperature bodies. The decoction is also used to treat other diseases:

• hemorrhoids;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pancreatitis.

The use of aspen decoction is recommended for people suffering from diseases of the genitourinary system. A decoction or tincture is useful for problems with work gastrointestinal tract. You do not have to buy the medicine at the pharmacy; you can prepare it yourself. The recipe is simple: add dried or fresh leaves with a small amount of water and boil over low heat. Cool the resulting decoction and drink it in a certain dosage, which is best agreed with your doctor.

Common aspen (video)

Use in construction

Aspen is a tree from which good material for construction is obtained. For this purpose, trees older than 35 years are used. Objects made from this material look very attractive, since the wood is white, soft and pleasant to the touch.

It is not used for the construction of residential premises, but is often used for finishing baths and saunas.

Landscape designers often use this tree as a material to implement ideas for landscaping. Aspen is planted in parks and city areas, as it is perfect for landscaping areas. In spring and summer, the tree is covered with dense greenery, which in the fall takes on a bright red hue with splashes of orange and yellow. The plant does not require special care and improves the quality of the soil in which it grows.

This plant ( Latin name Populus tremula) has another name - trembling poplar. It belongs to the willow family. Aspen can reach 30 meters in height, and the trunk can reach 1 meter in diameter. The crown of the tree, which has an ovoid or wide-cylindrical shape, is covered in the warm season with rounded leaves with denticles along the edges, which tremble at the slightest movement of air. This is where the second name for aspen came from. From early spring until autumn, the leaves are gray-green in color, and in the fall they change color, becoming golden yellow or brownish-red. The tree sheds its leaves for the winter. The aspen trunk is protected by greenish-olive bark, which, from completely smooth in young individuals, becomes dark gray and becomes covered with cracks as the tree ages. The trembling poplar lives up to 150 years.

In April, the first flowers begin to appear on the crown of the tree, which are collected in male and female inflorescences, which are large earrings reaching a length of about 15 cm. They evenly cover the entire crown of the tree. What is noteworthy is that aspen begins to bloom before the first foliage appears on its branches. The flowering period of trembling poplar lasts only a week. After a little more than a month, aspen seeds ripen in place of the flowers, which, thanks to the hairs on them, are easily transported by the wind through the air over long distances. Aspen very quickly takes up free space, so it is found almost everywhere. Aspen groves appear where forests have been cleared or the former forest (spruce, pine or broadleaf) was destroyed by fire. The habitat is distributed throughout Eurasia. In addition, this tree is also found in North Korea.

Harvesting and storage of aspen

Various parts of the tree have healing properties:

• bark (harvesting period - early spring, when the sap begins to move along the trunk);
• buds (harvested at the same time as the bark, as soon as they begin to swell);
• leaves (harvested during May - June).

The collection of bark occurs as follows: on young shoots of trees, the bark is cut in a circle in two places, and then a longitudinal cut is made between these cuts, and the bark is carefully removed from the branch. After this, all the harvested bark is laid out in a thin layer and dried on fresh air in a shaded place. Harvested aspen leaves are dried in the same way. But the buds collected from the tree must be immediately dried in an oven heated to 60-70°C. You can store dried raw materials in a dry place, placing it in a linen bag or cardboard box, but no more than three years.

Use in everyday life

Currently, the use of aspen in everyday life is limited to the use of wood. In addition to aspen firewood, aspen lining, which has a reddish color, is very popular. This color gives the wood a large number of iodine contained in it. That is why aspen is highly valued for cladding the walls of baths and saunas.

But our ancestors never fermented cabbage without aspen twigs, which were placed in a barrel with pickling so that the product would not ferment. In addition, they also consumed the bark of this plant in winter. The powder obtained by grinding dry bark was added to food. This helped relieve fatigue and restore muscle performance. This property of aspen was especially valued by hunters making long hikes in search of prey.

Composition and medicinal properties of aspen

1. Aspen leaves are rich in: glycosides (their content reaches 2.2%), salicin directly; carotene; ascorbic acid (vitamin C); proteins; fats; fiber.
2. The bark of this tree is rich in: glycosides (their content reaches 4.4%), in particular salicin, salicorotin, tremulacin, bitter glycosides and populin; essential oils; pectin; salicylase enzyme; tannins (their content reaches 10%); minerals: copper, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, iron, iodine and nickel.
3. Trembling poplar buds are rich in: glycosides (salicin and populin); benzoic and malic acids; tannins; essential oils.
4. Our official medicine does not use aspen preparations to treat diseases. However, Western European doctors use drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry based on aspen to combat pathologies in the prostate and bladder.
5. Medicinal raw materials from aspen can be prescribed as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diaphoretic, antirheumatic, diuretic and expectorant drug.
6. An infusion and decoction prepared from aspen buds will help with arthritis, gout, hemorrhoids, Bladder, prostate gland, lungs.
7. An alcoholic infusion of aspen buds will help fight gastritis, dysentery, cystitis and hemorrhoids.
8. An ointment prepared using aspen buds will help speed up the healing of wounds, chronic ulcers, and also relieve pain in the joints.
9. A decoction of aspen bark can be used if the patient has gastritis, diarrhea, or disorders normal operation digestive tract.
10. Fresh aspen leaves are indispensable in the treatment of hemorrhoids. They are also used for poultices for gout or rheumatism. The juice obtained by squeezing fresh aspen leaves can cleanse the skin of warts and lichens.

The use of aspen in folk medicine

Followers traditional methods treatments have been used for quite a long time and have been successfully used healing properties aspens to combat various diseases. However, before using a recipe for one or another healing remedy obtained from aspen raw materials, it is necessary to consult with a qualified specialist about the possibility of this. Only with his consent can one prepare aspen-based healing remedies at home for the purpose of their further use. Below are examples of recipes for such remedies.

Poultices made from fresh aspen leaves used to combat hemorrhoids

Fresh aspen leaves must be crushed, and then take 2-3 tablespoons of this mass, wrap it in gauze and steam it. After this, the poultice must be applied to the area affected by hemorrhoids. The same poultices will relieve pain in the joints when they are affected by arthritis. The procedure must be performed 3 to 4 times within one week. Please note that the break between poultices must be at least 24 hours.

A decoction of aspen bark prescribed for the treatment of prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal pathologies, bladder and fever

Dry aspen bark is ground to a powder in a mortar. Take one and a half tablespoons of this powder, pour half a liter of water over it and bring it to a boil, putting it on the fire. After the volume of liquid is reduced by half, remove the decoction from the heat and strain. Add honey to the broth according to your taste. You need to drink the composition three times a day, drinking 70-80 ml of the product at one time.

Alcohol tincture from aspen buds, used to combat gastritis, dysentery, cystitis and hemorrhoids

It is necessary to pour 1 part of aspen buds with ten parts of vodka. Let the vodka sit on the kidneys for 48 hours. Then the tincture must be filtered. Drink it in the amount of one teaspoon at a time three times throughout the day until you feel better.

A decoction of aspen buds used in the treatment of kidney diseases, bladder diseases, diabetes mellitus and cough

It is necessary to pour one tablespoon of aspen buds with 200 ml of boiling water, and then put the container on the fire and boil the buds for 60 minutes. After this, removing the broth from the heat, strain it and take 1-2 tablespoons three times throughout the day.

A decoction of aspen branches, its leaves and bark, used in the treatment of jade

Grind young aspen branches, its bark and dry leaves in a mortar. Then take 1 tablespoon of this raw material and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Place the container with the broth on the fire, bring the liquid to a boil, and let the broth simmer for another 10 minutes. Then remove it from the heat, let the liquid cool at room temperature and strain the broth. Take half a glass at a time. During the day you need to carry out three doses.

Ointment from aspen buds, used to relieve joint pain due to arthritis

Aspen buds must be ground in a mortar, and then mixed with vegetable oil in equal parts. The resulting ointment must be rubbed into joints affected by arthritis. This remedy relieves pain very well.

An infusion of aspen buds used for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)

Grind 2 teaspoons of aspen buds using a mortar. Pour them into a thermos and add 200 ml of boiling water. After this, close the thermos and leave it for 60 minutes to allow the broth to infuse. Then strain the infusion and carefully squeeze out the buds. Dosage for taking this product: 1 tablespoon of infusion half an hour before meals. It is necessary to perform 3 doses throughout the day.

Contraindications for use

• Since all aspen products have an astringent effect, their use is strictly prohibited for chronic constipation.
• It is necessary to limit the use of medicinal products from aspen for intestinal dysbiosis.
• It is quite rare, but still there is the presence of personal intolerance to aspen. In this case, the use of preparations from aspen raw materials is also strictly prohibited.

Almost every person knows what aspen looks like. Its round leaves are easy to recognize among all the variety of trees. The tree grows in almost every yard. For many centuries, healers used parts of aspen for medicinal purposes, and craftsmen highly valued the qualities of the wood. Interestingly, there are many signs and superstitions associated with aspen.

Almost every person knows what aspen looks like.

What does aspen look like?

Common aspen (Populus tremula) belongs to the willow family of the Poplar genus. People often call it the whispering tree, the shaking tree. An adult plant can reach 35 m in height and 1 m in diameter. Young trees have smooth light green bark. In those that are older, it is dark gray and has numerous cracks and internodes. Thanks to this feature, aspen is easy to recognize among other trees after the autumn leaves fall.

The root is very powerful, going deep into the ground, with a large number of shoots. Thanks to this root system, it is aspen forests that most often form in areas after forest fires. After all, even if the trunk was burnt, the roots remained alive and young shoots very soon appeared from them. And since the tree belongs to the fast-growing category, restoration occurs in just a few years.

The aspen tree is decorated with its unusual foliage. The tree's ovoid crown consists of many round, heart-shaped leaves with a serrated edge that look like coins. Each leaf “sits” on a long petiole, flattened at the top. This structural feature explains the fact that all aspen leaves begin to move at the slightest breath of wind. On an adult tree, foliage appears 3 weeks after flowering. At the beginning of autumn, it acquires bright warm colors - from yellow-lemon to purple-red and crimson. It is the aspen with its fluttering multi-colored crown that becomes the main decoration of the forests before the leaves fall.

Medicinal plant mistletoe

Common aspen (Populus tremula) belongs to the willow family of the Poplar genus

The tree's buds are large and ovoid. In the spring, fragrant earrings with small, inconspicuous flowers from 5 to 15 cm long bloom from them. Aspen blooms in April-May, while the branches are still bare. Since this plant is bisexual, the colors of the earrings are different. In males, it takes on a pink, reddish tint, and in females, from white to pale green. A month after the start of flowering, numerous small seeds are formed, which are carried by the wind over long distances. They germinate quickly, which explains such a wide distribution of aspen.

In addition to Russia, it forms deciduous forests in Kazakhstan, Korea, China, Mongolia, as well as in Western European countries.

Gallery: aspen (25 photos)

Healing properties of aspen (video)

It is believed that the name aspen itself comes from the word “blue”. Our ancestors also noticed that the place where a tree was cut turns blue. In ancient times this was given magical significance. However, modern scientists have found that this is a chemical reaction to the interaction of tannins contained in wood with the metal of an ax or saw. The interesting texture of wood is highly valued by craftsmen, who use wood as a material to create objects for various purposes.

The Latin name of aspen – Populus tremula – is translated into Russian as “trembling man”. This is what they say about a frozen or frightened person - he trembles like an aspen leaf. There is a widespread belief that the property of a tree to flutter its leaves even in calm weather is due to the fact that the traitor of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot, once hanged himself on it. And, according to superstition, with every memory of this terrible event, the aspen tree begins to tremble in fear.

Preparing white cabbage for the winter: the best recipes with photos

However, as scientists have found out, this tree never grew in Palestine: neither in biblical times, nor in our days.

Experts explain the property of leaves to flutter simply. It's all about the structure of the leaf. Anyone who has looked closely at what an aspen tree looks like has noticed that its leaves are relatively wide and dense to the touch, while the petioles are very long and flexible. That's why they can't keep their leaves straight. This simple fact explains the sensitivity of aspen to any air movement.

The aspen tree is common in temperate climates. This species must be distinguished from poplar, its closest relative. With a slight blow of wind, its crown begins to move, which is why this plant is also called the “trembling poplar.” However, it is valued not only for its decorative qualities. Various parts of the tree are used for construction purposes and medicine, and the shoots are used as animal feed.

Description of the species

The aspen tree grows up to 15-20 m in height, some representatives can reach 30 m. This species has a straight columnar trunk up to 1 m in diameter and gray smooth bark with an olive tint. On average, aspen trees have a lifespan of 80 to 100 years, but some centenarians can grow to 150 years or more.

Aspen has several characteristic features:

• the bark remains smooth even in mature trees, sometimes shallow longitudinal cracks appear;
• rounded leaves that are light green at the beginning of the season, then darken, turn yellow and fall off;
• flat, but powerful and wide root system;
• The flowering period occurs at the end of July or beginning of May.

The leaves are round in shape and located on long, flat stalks.

In the photo, the aspen tree can be confused with poplar. To distinguish between these two varieties, it is enough to compare their leaves. They are round and jagged along the perimeter, and their width exceeds their length. Their peculiarity is that they are attached to flat cuttings. Thanks to this shape, they bend well, and at the slightest breath of wind the crown begins to move. The front side of the plate is shiny, the back is matte.

When describing an aspen tree, the shape and color of the flowers also matter. They are bisexual and form inflorescences - catkins. Female flowers are bright burgundy, male flowers are light green. In autumn, seed pods form on them, which are then carried by the wind.

What is the value of wood?

Aspen is grown on an industrial scale or parts of wild trees are used. The bark is prepared for the winter and eaten to tone the body and strengthen the immune system. Branches are added to sauerkraut to increase shelf life. Previously, flour was prepared from this plant, which was used in baking bread. Nowadays this tree is valued for its quality wood, and also continues to be used in folk medicine.

The sex of a tree can be determined by the color of the inflorescences.

In medicine

Different parts of the aspen tree are a source of organic acids, vitamins, carbohydrates and other useful substances. Decoctions and infusions are prepared from its leaves and bark; shoots are used to prepare tinctures and ointments. The products can also be added to restorative baths. Depending on the method of application, aspen allows you to get rid of a number of problems:

• decoctions - for wet cough and excessive sweating;
• leaves - against hemorrhoids, seasonal diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• bark in the form of tinctures - for arthritis, cough, inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, as well as to stimulate immune defense and improve appetite;
• annual shoots - for bleeding;
• baths have a general strengthening effect and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.

Medicines based on aspen can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Aspen is popular exclusively in folk medicine. Such products have a milder effect than pharmaceutical drugs, but before using them you should consult your doctor.

For cultivating the soil

Aspen improves the properties of the soil on which it grows. In autumn, abundant leaf fall can be observed, and trees also shed small branches. Over the winter, this material undergoes a series of chemical transformations and becomes a useful fertilizer. In addition, the root system has its own characteristics. The roots are shallow, but spread over a considerable distance. In the soil in which the aspen grew, multi-level passages remain, which are used by more demanding crops. The cultivation of this species is practiced to improve clayey and insufficiently fertile soils with low moisture conductivity.

Aspen has a powerful root system and often displaces other plants.

Aspen wood in construction

Aspen is also processed into boards. For construction purposes, mature trees that have reached the age of 40-45 years are suitable. The wood is light and has virtually no pattern. It has several features:

• high resistance to high air humidity and precipitation;
• soft but uniform structure;
• long service life - it does not crack over time;
• low cost.

Aspen wood is an unstable species and is therefore not suitable for residential construction. However, it is popular in the manufacture of wells, baths and other buildings, as well as in the production of matches.

In landscape design

It is important to understand where the aspen tree grows in order to use it in landscape design. It prefers well-lit areas and crowds out other plant varieties.
Representatives of this species grow quickly, forming up to 3 m of young growth in the first years. They are not afraid of heat and frost, and quickly recover after winter. However, they have one problem - the center of the trunk often rots.
With age, trees become loose and fragile, so when growing them under cultural conditions, it is important to check their condition annually.

Aspen is popular in landscape design not only for decorative purposes, but also due to its beneficial properties:

• aspen plantings provide good protection from the wind;
• on the banks the tree prevents the soil from sliding;
• in large populated areas it is used for landscaping and air purification;
• rarely catches fire.

Aspen is widespread everywhere. In most cases, it forms separate plantings, displacing less strong trees. In nature, it reproduces by seeds, but it is more convenient to purchase and plant seedlings. These are strong trees with a wide root system, unpretentious to growing conditions. They are popular in construction and, and also continue to be used for the preparation of folk medicines.

Mythology about the aspen tree - video

• PFAF rating medicinal properties: 2
  
• Action: hemostatic, astringent, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antirheumatic, choleretic, antiparasitic, diaphoretic and expectorant, mild analgesic.
• Traditional medicine uses bark, young shoots, buds and leaves as medicinal raw materials.
• IN leaves contains carbohydrates, organic acids, carotenoids, vitamin C, carotene, flavonoids, phenol glycosides, anthocyanins and tannins. They have a weak diaphoretic, expectorant and stimulating effect.
• Leaves Aspens are used to treat hemorrhoids.
• Bark contains carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose, etc.), aromatic acids, phenol glycosides, tannins, higher fatty acids (capric, lauric, arachidic, behenic, etc.), bitter glycosides populin and salicin. In addition, a whole range of microelements was found in aspen bark (in mg/kg of dry matter): 23-28 copper, 0.03 molybdenum, 0.06 cobalt, 138-148 zinc, 83-90 iron, 0.1-0. 3 iodine, 0.7-1.0 nickel. It has a weak diaphoretic, expectorant and stimulating effect.
• Young decoction bark used for kidney diseases, cystitis and other bladder diseases, urinary retention and salt deposition in joints, gout, urinary incontinence, colitis, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, cold cough, nephritis, gastritis and poor digestion, dyspepsia, diarrhea, coughing, and also as an appetite stimulant. Aqueous extract Aspen bark is used to treat opisthorchiasis.
• The combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in bark aspen makes it promising in complex treatment tuberculosis, smallpox, malaria, syphilis, dysentery, pneumonia, coughs of various origins, rheumatism and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder.
• IN kidneys carbohydrates (raffinose, fructose, etc.), aromatic acids, tannins, essential oil and triglycerides of phenolcarboxylic acids.
• Tincture kidney in 70% alcohol or vodka and a water infusion of the kidneys has pronounced antimicrobial properties and is used as a diaphoretic or anti-inflammatory for colds. An infusion or decoction of buds is a popular remedy for fever, old colds, pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis.
• IN wood Aspen contains cellulose, nectasan, and resin.
• Young shoots, buds, bark, leaves used as a hemostatic and astringent. A decoction of buds, young leaves, and shoots is used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent for feverish conditions and gastritis. Steamed buds and leaves are applied for joint pain.
• Alcohol tincture, ointment (aspen bark or ash with fresh pork fat), fresh juice are used externally to treat burns, eczema, and boils.
• According to some data, salicin contained in parts of the plant acts as a natural aspirin in the human body.
• Medicinal raw materials of aspen are used in herbal treatment of people’s state of mind (as part of drugs that relieve fears, anxiety, anxiety).
• Dendrotherapy. Aspen helps well with inflammation and in cases where you want to quickly get rid of mental turmoil. It is necessary to avoid prolonged contact with aspen: headaches, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, nausea and even loss of consciousness may occur. Aspen is active from 14:00 to 18:00 and in cool weather. The energy of aspen can be compared to a strong cold shower.