How useful and harmful is ficus
You can see flowers in pots in almost every apartment. Most are grown for decorative purposes, but there are also plants that can boast not only an attractive appearance. The article describes the benefits and harms of ficus, a popular inhabitant of our houses. So, is ficus harmful to humans or not?
The benefits and harms of ficus for humans
Plant features
Ficus, belonging to the mulberry family, comes from hot countries. An evergreen plant with more than 1000 varieties of shrubs, trees and vines, it is notable for its milky sap. It is he who is the key component that determines the harm of home tricks and their benefits.
The well-known mulberries and figs also belong to the representatives of this plant. Among domestic species (no more than 1.4-2 m in height), the most common are Benjamin's ficus (graceful, patterned, with small leaves) rubbery (powerful, large-leaved), Benedict, Bengal, lyre, dwarf. Differing in size, color of leaves and shape, they require different care. But all species are characterized by warmth and photophilousness, intolerance to drafts, addiction to a permanent place.
In the summer, it is advisable to move the flower to the balcony or garden, while remembering to provide protection from direct sunlight. Watering the ficus in the cold season is required once every 10 days, in the summer - much more often; the leaves are wiped daily, the air in the room where the plant stands must be very well humidified: fresh air is important for the flower. In spring and summer, the soil is fed with special fertilizers. It is recommended to transplant a young ficus every April, an adult - every 2-3 years. Reproduction takes place by cuttings and seeds. You should be careful! Rotting roots and leaf spots are signs of plant disease. Among other things, you need to be wary of pests.
The benefits of home ficus for people
This flower is not just a part of the interior; gardeners can tell a lot about its merits. Let's take a look at the main ones:
- Purification of the air in the apartment, saturation with oxygen, processing of harmful substances into amino acids.
- Healing property in the treatment of oncology, diseases of the joints, back, female ailments, hematomas: a decoction is prepared from the leaves and, depending on the type of problem, is applied to sore spots or taken internally. The most healing properties in relation to human health are possessed by the rubbery variety of the plant.
- Frozen juice from it is useful as a raw material in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
- It is an excellent base for alcoholic medicines that treat diseases of the oral cavity and toothaches by rinsing.
- According to popular beliefs, ficus is a powerful energy protection of the house from evil forces (according to popular belief).
Before external and internal use, it is imperative to consult a doctor. To prepare a decoction of ficus juice, scroll 3 leaves through a meat grinder and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.To prepare the tincture, pour the grated leaves with a glass of vodka and insist for 2 weeks in a dark, cool place. After straining, add egg yolk and 1 tbsp. l. honey. Store this tincture in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 weeks.
What other properties does
For diseases of the female reproductive system, traditional medicine advises taking a tincture of 1 tsp. a day, regardless of food for seven days, after half a month can be repeated. For fibroids, raw ficus juice is useful. Frozen juice or crushed ficus leaves are used to treat bruises and mechanical damage. A sheet with crushed gruel is applied to the boil, then a dressing is done. In the morning, pus comes out of it.
The usefulness of a flower is also determined by its type. As mentioned above, large leaves of rubber ficus are of the greatest value in folk medicine.
As for esotericism, it all depends on what you yourself believe in. There is an opinion that ficus should be purchased exclusively for the growing moon, and it is imperative to give the donor something in return. A flower received free of charge will only bring trouble to the new owner in the house. So give thanks to the one who gives you the flower, at least symbolically.
They also say that ficus helps childless couples. If you put it near the place where money or food is stored in the house, the family will be provided with prosperity. It is interesting that in Asian countries it is revered as sacred and is grown everywhere. To receive such a flower or thing with its image as a gift is a sign of great respect and a wish for success in business and personal life, since the ficus transfers its energy to the one to whom it is presented.
By planting such a flower in the house, the owner takes responsibility for it, for its prosperous existence in the home. With proper care, the ficus will benefit its owners and delight with its appearance.
Harm and contraindications
There are certain restrictions due to which not every owner can afford to keep a ficus in his apartment. What are its features that harm a person, cause damage to his health?
- Strong allergen. In the list of the most common causative agents of an allergic reaction, ficus occupies the top places along with cat hair and ticks. If asthmatics are present in the family, it is forbidden to start this plant.
- Ficus juice, getting on open wounds, can cause skin irritation. If there are pets in the apartment, you cannot let them feast on ficus leaves: the animal can get poisoned.
Before starting this plant at home, you should make sure that no family members have any intolerances. Precautions should not be neglected, otherwise the harm from indoor ficuses to health will be significant.
In general, we can say that this plant is a great option for a small apartment: unpretentious, cute and has a lot of useful properties. It is also understandable why ficus is harmful to a person, and if there are no such threats, there will always be a place for him in the house.