Hazel (hazel): useful properties and contraindications

The use of common hazel in medicine is in demand for a wide variety of diseases. Hazel leaves and bark are used for digestive ailments and poor blood circulation, for colds and inflammations.

What it looks like and where it grows

Common hazel, hazel, or hazelnut (Corylus avellana), is a deciduous shrub or tree of the Birch family, with a flattened spherical or ovoid crown. The trunk of the plant is covered with a light, smooth bark of a brownish-gray shade with transverse stripes, the shoots of hazel are brownish with pubescence. The roots of the hazel are superficial, but powerful and branched, one process usually stands out strongly against the background of the others in length and thickness.

Common hazel reaches 5-7 m in height

Common hazel has rounded, oval or slightly elongated leaves with teeth at the top. Scattered pubescence can be seen on the underside of the plates along the veins. Inflorescences appear before buds open between February and April. The plant produces long, multi-flowered male flowers and short axillary female flowers, which are fully formed in the previous growing season.

In August and September, hazel gives small nuts in a dense shell with a leaf-shaped green wrapper. The fruits of the shrub are usually collected in bunches of 2-5 pieces, less often they are located singly. The nuts themselves under the shell are spherical or slightly elongated, light or dark brown in color.

Under natural conditions, common hazel can be found throughout Europe, in the Middle East and the Caucasus, in Norway and even beyond the Arctic Circle. In Russia, hazel grows in the steppe zones and in the European part of the country; it most often chooses mixed and deciduous forests, the banks of reservoirs and hillsides. Common hazel can develop for an average of 100 years.

The chemical composition of hazel and the calorie content of nuts

The benefits and harms of hazel for humans are determined by its chemical composition. The leaves, fruits and bark of the plant contain:

• essential oils;
• sucrose;
• fixed oils;
• copper, iron and zinc;
• vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and B9;
• alcohols and tannins;
• betulin;
• cellulose;
• vitamins A and K;
• tocopherol;
• potassium, magnesium, sulfur and manganese;
• the substance myricitrosite;
• organic acids.

The nutritive value of hazelnut is quite high.There are about 628 calories in 100 g of fruits, while 60.7 g are fats, and 14.9 g and 16.7 g are proteins and carbohydrates, respectively.

What helps and how is hazel useful for the human body

With proper use, the fruits, bark and leaves of common hazel have a beneficial effect on the human body. Namely:

• promote expectoration when coughing and remove phlegm;
• improve blood circulation and help with varicose veins;
• stimulate digestion and prevent the development of constipation;
• have a beneficial effect on the condition of the kidneys and urinary tract;
• have a wound healing and regenerating effect;
• have mild analgesic properties;
• cleanse the epidermis of acne and blackheads;
• help with skin irritations and insect bites;
• protect against the development of anemia and maintain a healthy body weight;
• strengthen immunity and speed up recovery from colds.

You can use ordinary hazel to remove toxins and toxins from the body.

Common hazel-based products improve memory and concentration

Why hazelnuts are useful

Hazelnuts are useful for gaining weight with a lack of muscle mass and for improving brain function. The fruits of common hazel help get rid of flatulence, help dissolve stones in the kidneys and urinary tract, and protect the liver from ailments.

The healing properties of the hazelnut shell

The shell of an ordinary hazelnut is often used in the preparation of decoctions and tinctures. Funds based on it:

• lower blood pressure;
• improve the condition with migraines and dizziness;
• stop bleeding;
• help with hemorrhoids and varicose veins;
• facilitate the condition with joint ailments;
• cleanse the skin and promote healing when used externally.

It is recommended to use the medicinal properties of the wrapper of hazel nuts and shells for diarrhea, the powder from the raw materials has an astringent effect.

The healing properties of hazel leaves

Hazel leaves are high in flavonoids, essential oils and antioxidants. They have good anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, help with diseases of the stomach and intestines, as well as wounds and cuts. Decoctions and infusions of leaves can be used to treat anemia, to rinse with angina and stomatitis, to strengthen immunity.

The healing properties of hazel bark

The bark of common hazel is rich in tannins and has a pronounced healing effect. Funds based on it are used for inflammation and bleeding, to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and in the treatment of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

Decoctions and infusions of hazel bark have diuretic properties. You can take them with a tendency to edema and with fine sand in the kidneys.

Properties of hazelnut extract

In pharmacies, hazelnut extract is available for purchase - a homeopathic remedy with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Among the indications for the use of the drug are:

• skin diseases - dermatitis and eczema;
• periodontal disease and sore throat;
• diarrhea;
• hemorrhoids and varicose veins;
• furunculosis;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• toothache and ear pain;
• stomach ulcer.

The extract is taken orally in a small spoonful once a day on an empty stomach or applied to the skin, after diluting with water in a ratio of 1: 5.

Why hazel is useful for men

Common hazel increases the general endurance of the body and is beneficial for men, primarily during hard physical work. In addition, hazel can be used to prevent strokes and heart attacks, plant-based remedies strengthen blood vessels and the heart. Hazel prevents the development of oncological processes in the reproductive sphere, and also increases potency and increases the ability to conceive.

Hazel's anti-inflammatory properties help manage prostatitis and adenoma

Preparation and application methods

Traditional medicine suggests preparing alcoholic tinctures and water medicines based on common hazel. In both cases, hazel reveals its useful qualities well and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Hazel tincture on vodka, moonshine

Hazel tincture is usually prepared on fresh leaves. The recipe looks like this:

1. The plates of the plant are crushed in a volume of three large spoons and 250 ml of vodka or moonshine are poured.
2. Close the vessel with a lid and put it in a warm, dark place for two weeks.
3. Strain and pour into a clean container.

You need to take a tincture of common hazel twice a day, 40 drops. The remedy is beneficial for prostatitis and adenoma in men, as well as for thickening of the blood.

Moonshine for the preparation of tincture of hazel take only double purification

Infusion, tea

For hemorrhoids and varicose veins, it is recommended to prepare an aqueous infusion of common hazel. They do it like this:

1. 20 g of dry bark is crushed.
2. Pour 300 ml of boiling water into a thermos.
3. Leave covered for 4-5 hours.
4. They are filtering.

The finished infusion should be divided into four equal portions and drunk during the day.

Infusion of common hazel bark retains valuable properties for no more than a day

With digestive disorders and weakened immunity, tea from the leaves of the common hazel tree helps. The recipe is as follows:

1. Pour a large spoonful of fresh leaves with a glass of boiling water.
2. Cover the container with a lid and leave for four hours.

The filtered drink should be consumed 1/3 cup three times a day, preferably on an empty stomach.

Decoction of hazel leaves

In inflammatory processes and poor blood circulation, properties of hazel wood and its leaves are used. For therapeutic purposes, such a decoction is prepared:

1. The plates are crushed together with the branches.
2. Measure 15 g of raw material and pour 300 ml of water.
3. Boil over the lowest heat for half an hour, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from the stove and let it brew for about ten minutes.

The strained broth must be topped up with clean water to its original volume. A medicinal drink is taken in accordance with a specific recipe, but usually no more than 30 ml three times a day.

A decoction of common hazel can be used to treat skin damage and inflammation

Baths

With exacerbation of hemorrhoids and prostatitis, baths with a decoction of hazel are especially recommended. The drug is done as follows:

1. 150 g of dry or fresh raw materials are poured into 1 liter of water.
2. Boil for five minutes.
3. Remove from the stove and insist until the liquid turns brown.
4. They are filtering.

The finished broth is poured into a container for sitting baths and the lower body is lowered over it so as not to touch the liquid directly. The healing effect is achieved through exposure to hot steam. You need to carry out the procedures in the evenings.

Steam baths with a decoction of hazel leaves should be prepared daily for two weeks

The use of common hazel in folk medicine

Traditional medicine widely uses tinctures and decoctions of hazel to improve blood circulation and relieve inflammation. When using medicinal products, it is important to adhere to clear dosages and algorithms.

The use of common hazel in prostatitis in medicine

With prostatitis in men, not only lotions and baths with hazel are beneficial. You can prepare a decoction for internal use according to this recipe:

1. 2 kg of hazelnuts are peeled from the shell and the latter is poured with three liters of water.
2. Raw materials are boiled for three minutes.
3. Remove from the stove, wrap the container properly and leave for four hours.
4. The cooled agent is filtered.

The broth should be taken 15 ml three times a day for two months.Then they take a break for two weeks and repeat the course.

The use of common hazel for varicose veins in medicine

The valuable properties of hazel help to improve the condition of the veins with varicose veins. For medicinal purposes, the following infusion is prepared:

1. Chop hazel bark in the amount of two large spoons.
2. Pour raw materials with 500 ml of boiling water.
3. Cover the container with a lid and incubate for 10-12 hours.
4. Filtered.

You need to take an infusion of 30 ml shortly before meals.

Common hazel removes heaviness and pain in the legs and removes small spider veins

With thrombophlebitis

Treatment with a hazel leaf is carried out with thrombophlebitis, hazel thins the blood. Traditional medicine recommends preparing such a tincture:

1. Six large tablespoons of dry leaves are crushed and poured with 500 ml of vodka.
2. The closed vessel is removed in a dark place for a week.
3. At the end of the term, filter the product.

Tincture of common hazel is consumed 40 drops twice a day on an empty stomach.

With bronchitis

Common hazel has expectorant properties and helps with severe coughs. For the treatment of bronchitis, the following remedy is prepared:

1. 50 whole nuts are poured with warm water and kept for ten hours;
2. After the time has elapsed, the kernels are ground into a slurry and left in the same liquid for three hours;
3. Bring the mass to a boil over medium heat;
4. The hot slurry is pushed through cheesecloth to separate the liquid.
5. Add 20 g of honey and five large tablespoons of cream to the product.
6. Stir well.

The resulting nut milk is taken twice a day, a large spoonful on an empty stomach. The tool helps to remove phlegm, fights bacterial processes and at the same time has a rather pleasant taste.

To enhance lactation

Common hazel fruits increase milk production in women when breastfeeding. Traditional medicine recommends eating 10-15 whole nuts daily along with warm green tea.

For anemia and chronic fatigue

The beneficial substances in the composition of hazelnuts have a beneficial effect on low hemoglobin levels and loss of strength. Such a tool has a good effect:

1. 250 g of whole kernels are ground to a fine crumb state.
2. Mix raw materials with half a glass of natural honey.
3. Bring the mass to homogeneity.

You need to take the remedy three times a day on an empty stomach for 30 g.

It is recommended not to swallow a mixture of hazelnut and honey immediately, but slowly dissolve in the mouth.

With colitis

The medicinal properties of common hazel are beneficial for intestinal inflammation and colitis. The remedy is done like this:

1. Grind 150 g of nuts into powder.
2. The raw materials are poured with an equal amount of pure water.
3. Mix well until a homogeneous viscous consistency.

The tool should be consumed 50 g three times a day on an empty stomach.

With urolithiasis

The medicinal properties of hazel herb can be used for small stones in the bladder. Traditional medicine offers the following recipe:

1. Dry leaves are crushed to a powder.
2. Measure out two large spoons of raw materials and pour 500 ml of boiling water into a thermos.
3. Leave covered for 10-12 hours.
4. At the end of the term, filter.

The infusion should be taken four times a day for 1/4 cup. It is recommended to continue treatment for at least a month.

With jaundice

The valuable properties of common hazel improve the condition of the liver, fight inflammatory processes and contribute to the restoration of the organ. The drug is done as follows:

1. Half a jar of 1 liter is filled with hazel leaves.
2. Pour the remaining space with dry white wine.
3. Close the vessel tightly and put it in a dark place for a week.
4. After the expiration of time, filter.

The finished product is consumed three times a day, 50 ml on an empty stomach. In total, you need to take the tincture no more than three weeks; before starting treatment, you should consult your doctor.

Application in cosmetology

Common hazel has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin. Most often, hazelnut oil is used for cosmetic purposes, which is available for purchase in pharmacies and specialized stores. The tool is included in scrubs and lotions, anti-aging creams and masks, anti-cellulite wraps.

The gruel from the ripe fruits of common hazel is used as a natural dye. The semi-liquid mass, when applied, is capable of giving the hair a chestnut shade. The effect does not last long, but the agent does not have a harmful effect on the curls either.

Decoctions and infusions of hazel are used for washing with acne and inflammation

Contraindications to the use of hazel

The beneficial properties and contraindications of the hazel leaf, bark and fruits of the plant are not the same for everyone. You cannot use hazel-based products:

• with individual allergies;
• with diabetes in severe forms;
• with exacerbation of pancreatitis and stomach ulcers.

It is also not recommended to take the fruits of common hazel in pure form or in mixtures with a tendency to excess weight and severe liver diseases. Nuts are high in calories and high in fat, so they can be harmful.

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The magical properties of hazel

In popular belief, common hazel is considered a sacred tree with strong magical properties. According to the signs, hazel protects from evil forces and cleanses the surrounding space, attracts wealth to the home and heals mental wounds. In omens, hazel acts as a tree of wisdom and can give the gift of foresight.

Conclusion

The use of common hazel in medicine is especially in demand for vascular diseases and inflammatory ailments. The advantage of the hazel is its safety, there are few contraindications for the plant, if the dosages are observed, it will not cause harm.