Almost every person has some kind of indoor plants in their home. We have long been accustomed to them and hardly notice them. And we certainly don’t think about whether our proximity to plants brings us benefit or harm? Of course have . But there are few of them and, in general, they are not capable of causing significant harm. There are many more domestic plants that bring invaluable benefits to humans. For example, indoor plants decorate the interior, many of them are medicinal, some can repel harmful insects. But one of the most interesting properties of some houseplants is to purify indoor air and improve the microclimate.
Such plants are called a long word phytoncidoactive .
[!] Phytoncides are volatile active substances (organic and amino acids, essential oils, alkaloids) secreted by plants.
Phytoncides were first discovered by Russian biologist Boris Petrovich Tokin. The scientist noted that ready-made food sold in oriental bazaars and prepared in unsanitary conditions does not cause mass poisoning. It was concluded that oriental spices contained in food disinfect it. Based on this fact, the scientist suggested the presence in plants of special volatile substances called phytoncides. Subsequently, other botanists, both Russian and foreign, joined the study of phytoncides.
Each plant secretes phytoncides and they can have a variety of properties, antibactericidal, antifugal (antifungal), protistocidal (active against unicellular protozoa). Some phytoncides have been fully studied and isolated artificially, while others still remain a mystery to humans. And yet, no amount of chemistry can replace plants, this natural source of health.
Scientific experiments conducted with houseplants have revealed the most active absorber of harmful substances indoors. It turned out to be. Several plants can almost completely clean a room in 20 square meters within 24 hours. Chlorophytum can absorb substances such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde (a substance emitted by new chipboard furniture), ammonia, nicotine, and acetone. Various pathogenic bacteria and microbes living in the air space of the apartment are also afraid of chlorophytum. To enhance the cleansing properties of chlorophytum, it is recommended to put activated carbon in a bowl with the plant.
Chlorophytum
Another popular one home plant actively participating in the improvement of indoor air space - or pelargonium. The phytoncides secreted by geranium most actively fight anaerobic bacteria, such as staphylococci and streptococci. These bacteria cause many diseases: various respiratory tract infections, infections of the skin, digestive tract, muscles and bones. Therefore, it is very important to clean the indoor microclimate, including with the help of pelargonium. In addition, geranium essential oils help relieve fatigue and headaches, and increase a person’s mental and physical activity.
Geranium Dieffenbachia- a plant whose juice contains. But at the same time, Dieffenbachia can bring tangible benefits. The fact is that this spectacular plant perfectly purifies the air in the room. Dieffenbachia copes especially well with exhaust gases, so it is best to place the plant in a room whose windows overlook a busy highway. Other toxic substances - benzene, formaldehyde, xylene are also neutralized by dieffenbachia phytoncides.
Dieffenbachia Like Dieffenbachia, it is enough poisonous plant, which is not surprising, because these plants belong to the same family. But, at the same time, aglaonema successfully copes with household air pollutants - trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene - and makes the air in the apartment much cleaner. Just like geranium, aglaonema can cope with streptococcal bacteria.
Aglaonema A separate group of plants with high phytoncidal properties - cacti. Cacti successfully cope with many types of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. There is an opinion that cacti are able to fight harmful radiation from computer monitors, but no scientific evidence this theory does not exist.
Ivy- spectacular hanging plant, often found in our apartments. Not everyone knows that ivy is one of the most powerful phytoncidal plants. It purifies the air and successfully fights spores mold fungi, thereby saving us from allergies. Ivy is also recommended to be placed in smoking rooms, as the plant perfectly absorbs and neutralizes tobacco smoke.
Ivy Sansevieria or "pike tail" is a very common houseplant. And no wonder: this is one of the most. Sansevieria also perfectly purifies the air in the room in which it is located. The plant copes especially well with tobacco smoke and harmful bacteria.
Sansevieria A plant that has recently become fashionable is. Probably everyone will agree that the beauty of dracaena is undeniable. But, at the same time, dracaena has the ability to cleanse the indoor microclimate, successfully neutralizing harmful substances such as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde and many others.
Dracaena So, as you can see, house plants can not only decorate our premises and give aesthetic pleasure, but also improve the health of the air space and destroy many harmful substances. Caring for plants is generally not difficult, but how much benefit and beauty these pieces of nature bring to our homes!
In conclusion, table of basic houseplants that purify the air
| Dangerous substance | Industrial sources | Indoor sources | Effect on the human body | Neutralizing plants |
| Ammonia | Lightweight industry (production fabrics), food industry (soda production, sugar, organic dyes), sewerage |
Computer technique, tobacco smoke |
Annoys mucous membranes shell person and respiratory ways. In big concentrations Maybe cause pulmonary edema and larynx |
Anthurium Dendrobium Chrysanthemum |
| Acetone | Pharmaceutical production, chemical industry (production varnishes, paints, plastics) |
Freshly painted surfaces, solvents, |
Amazes central nervous system |
Spathiphyllum Dendrobium |
| Benzene | Chemical industry, production furniture |
Varnishes, paints, tobacco, carpet coatings, printers and cartridges |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system. Maybe call shortness of breath, convulsions, Head pain, disorders psyche |
Aglaonema Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Scindapsus Ficus Hamedorea Chrysanthemum Scheffler |
| Toluene | Paint and varnish industry, light industry |
Remove stains whether, means for the cleaning fabrics, other household chemicals, glues, paints, varnishes |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system, cutaneous covers. Strong carcinogen. |
Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Ficus Hamedorea |
| Trichlorethylene | Paint and varnish industry, light industry |
Remove stains whether, means for the cleaning fabrics, other household chemicals, glues, paints, varnishes |
Amazes liver, kidneys, central nervous system, cutaneous covers. Strong carcinogen |
Dracaena Ivy Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Ficus Hamedorea |
| Formal dehyde | Enterprises by recycling household waste, wastewater, traffic fumes |
Tobacco smoke, adhesives, varnishes, furniture made of chipboard and fibreboard, domestic plastic |
Allergy, asthma, amazes cutaneous covers |
Aloe Anthurium Guzmania Dendrobium Dieffenbachia Dracaena Kalanchoe Calathea Poinsettia Sansevieria Spathiphyllum Scindapsus Tradescantia Ficus Philodendron Hamedorea Chlorophytum Scheffler |
Phytoncides are natural antibiotics. You can often hear that this or that plant is useful to grow at home because it produces phytoncides. But not everyone can describe these substances in detail. Doctors say that phytoncides - natural antibiotics, and therefore they are recommended to be used for the prevention of colds. Let's look at how phytoncides affect human health and which plants contain them most.
First, let's define what these compounds are. This is the name for biologically active substances that have the properties of killing protozoan microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and also inhibiting their growth. It is for these properties got the name natural antibiotic.
Discovery of phytoncides happened thanks to a Russian researcher Boris Tokin in 1928. As a student at Moscow University, during one of his experiments he observed the following picture: when a drop of water with ciliates was placed next to a drop of garlic juice, the protozoa died within a few minutes. Studies using other plants instead of garlic have concluded that many of them can have a detrimental effect on bacteria at a short distance. Further study of this phenomenon showed that plants emit not only volatile substances, but also tissue juices.
The scientist mixed the tissue juices of onion, garlic and horseradish and, adding a suspension of bacteria to the mixture, observed a very rapid, almost instantaneous death of the latter. Substances secreted by plants that have a detrimental effect on other plants, fungi, and microorganisms, the researcher called phytoncides. This word is formed from two words “phyton” (in Greek this is the name of the plant) and “cedere” translated from Latin - “to kill”. Thanks to this discovery, the biologist developed an entire system of knowledge that helped save the lives of many wounded during the Great Patriotic War.
Later, phytoncides were found in almost all plants. True, in some species beneficial features expressed more strongly, in others less so. These substances were not found in products of animal origin.
The influence of phytoncides on the human body:
not only benefits
Thanks to numerous studies, these substances are well studied today. Let's take a closer look influence of phytoncides on the human body.
In addition, phytoncides released by plants ionize the air well and make it cleaner due to their bactericidal properties. At the same time, there is a small group of plants that can cause poor health, dizziness, lethargy, and nausea. Some types of herbs and shrubs are even poisonous to humans due to their high content of phytoncides. A striking representative of this group is the marsh rosemary. Inhaling its aroma can cause dizziness and nausea; tissue juices and pollen of this plant are poisonous and can lead to severe poisoning. This also includes magnolia, which grows in the Far East of our country, China and Japan. The aroma of the flowers of this tree is poisonous to humans, so a flowering branch placed in an unventilated area can cause suffocation, headaches, coughing, lacrimation, and loss of consciousness. Phytoncides of such plants are called phytotoxins .
It has been reliably established that people living in mountainous and rural areas, as well as near forests, are less susceptible to colds and viral diseases, which, according to experts, is directly related to the effect of phytoncides. Known fact is that phytoncides strengthen the immune system, and a deficiency of these substances suppresses the immune system.
Many people are familiar with the situation when, being in a coniferous forest for a long time, we feel dizzy. It is this state that is a manifestation excess of phytoncides . Also, a blooming bouquet of bird cherry can cause headaches and malaise. Such conditions pass quickly enough after returning to the body’s usual environment.
Get excess of phytoncides, found in food, is very difficult, since they are contained mainly in living cells. Phytoncides are practically not preserved even with machining plants. Thus, phytoncides evaporate from onions and garlic approximately 20-30 minutes after cutting. These biologically active substances easily evaporate during heat treatment.
But the phytoncides of some plants can still be preserved by drying. In this case, they talk about the essential base of phytoncides. These include: mint, lemon balm, oregano, mustard, chamomile, cinnamon, ginger and some others.
Surely many will want to know what foods are sources of phytoncides. There are quite a lot of such products and they are all of plant origin. Let us list the plants richest in phytoncides:
Another excellent source of phytoncides is ginger. Plants are rich in phytoncides, which we often use as spices and herbs, as well as in hot drinks, for example: mint, lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, chamomile, cinnamon, etc.
Each of us has heard the expression: “To avoid getting sick, you need to eat more vegetables and fruits.” Many people think that it’s all about vitamins, but this is not entirely true. As we have already said, in many plant products contained phytoncides . These substances strengthen the immune system, improve heart function, and stabilize blood pressure. These remarkable properties make phytoncides especially important for athletes. Strengthening the immune system in sports– this is an urgent task for many, since during the period of intense training the body’s defenses decrease. In addition, there is a fairly noticeable load on the heart.
Of course, to support the body, you can use various synthetic drugs or - everyone chooses what is closer to them. And still phytoncides should not be neglected. That’s why it’s so important for athletes to add foods rich in these substances to their diet. However, the use of phytoncides is not limited to this. Athletes are recommended to exercise outdoors, for example in the forest. These types of training are most often practiced by skiers and track and field athletes.
Summarizing all of the above, we conclude that phytoncides have a generally positive effect on health. They strengthen the immune system, kill microbes in the air and ionize it, improve the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and have bactericidal and antiviral effects. In order to receive the required amount of phytoncides, it is enough to eat fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs, as well as take walks in the forest or park.
All plants secrete phytoncides. Phytoncides are volatile plant substances. The chemical composition of phytoncides has not been established, but their ability to cure many diseases has been known since ancient times. The most active phytoncides of onion, garlic, St. John's wort, fir, yarrow, radish, carrots, cranberries, mint, plantain, and sage. Along with the bactericidal (kill microbes) and bacteriostatic (suppresses the vital activity of microorganisms) effects, phytoncides have a beneficial effect on the function of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the tone of the bronchial muscles, thereby facilitating breathing in bronchial asthma.
In contact with living nature, a person in natural conditions inhales phytoncides. Volatile substances from horse chestnut, European larch, pine and common ash reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the surrounding air, especially for asthmatics, including gases - carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur. Phytoncides from many plants contribute to dust settling.
Downy and stone oak, ash, lemon wormwood, rosemary have a calming effect, improve cardiac activity and breathing.
Inhaling the phytoncides of ground fresh chamomile, wormwood, and lingonberry leaves clears the respiratory tract of pathogenic microbes. Phytoncides of evergreen walnuts, Italian and Crimean pine trees, Himalayan cedar, and cypress have a general strengthening and normalizing effect on immune reactions.
It has been noticed that a person’s stay for 5-7 hours in pine, mixed or deciduous forests normalizes activity nervous system, improve the functioning of the heart muscle.
Human presence in a pine-oak forest with a predominance of pine (80%) contributes to:
Phytoncides of garlic, onion and fir especially enhance the phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes.
Forests and forest plantations (squares, parks) successfully carry out the function of dust deposition and regulation of atmospheric microflora. Coniferous forests cope with this matter in summer and winter. Deciduous forests are mainly active in the summer, when the abundant foliage performs the function of photosynthesis. Dust particles and microorganisms settle in the crowns of trees, especially in summer, so the air in forests and parks is cleaner and contains significantly fewer allergens than in areas of residential and industrial buildings, and especially near roads.
Dust particles and microorganisms, settling in the tree crowns, come into direct contact on the surface of the leaves with phytoncides secreted by the plant, which have a bactericidal and fungicidal (kills fungi) effect. The interaction of chemicals from industrial and automobile emissions with phytoncides occurs both on the surface of leaves and in the atmosphere.
Forests significantly reduce noise levels, even to the point of absorbing them at some distance from the source, so staying in the forest relieves excess neuromuscular tension and stress reactions.
Under the influence of volatile plant substances, the air is ozonized, the amount of useful light ions in the atmosphere increases, and the radioactive background decreases. The forest microclimate is useful for asthmatics - reducing temperature fluctuations and air speed, warming the soil, and sufficient solar radiation create gentle conditions for hypersensitive and hyperreactive human respiratory tracts. Oxygen produced by forests plays an important role. All this has a beneficial effect on the processes occurring in the body.
Phytoncides from pine needles increase blood pressure in patients prone to hypertensive reactions (they are more sensitive to turpentine than healthy people), which is explained by the presence of pinene (turpentine) in the air. Therefore, staying in a pine forest is not recommended for people with high blood pressure.
Inhaling oak phytoncides, on the contrary, reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Phytoncides of birch, thyme, and linden have an antispasmodic effect on the bronchi. Lilac, pyramidal poplar, bison tonify the nervous system.
For inflammatory lung diseases, it is recommended to inhale the garlic smell. To do this, peel 1 clove, grind it and wrap it in two pieces of cotton wool, which are placed in both nostrils. Inhale for 5-10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Ground garlic can be placed in a jar (keep closed) and inhaled, covered with a towel (sheet), 3-4 times a day.
Before each inhalation, you need to prepare fresh “porridge”.
A similar procedure can be performed with tincture of myrtle or fir, etc.
You can also inhale plant phytoncides through an inhaler. To do this, the juice of garlic or another plant is diluted with saline or just water in a ratio of 1:2, 1:3. The solution is poured into the drug container of the inhaler. Inhale for 10-15 minutes daily or every other day, 20-25 inhalations per course of treatment.
Juniper has a pronounced anti-asthmatic effect. This plant belongs to the cypress family. As you know, cypress was grown in ancient times near religious places of worship to purify the air and improve the health of the area. Common juniper (yalovets) - evergreen coniferous shrub or tree.
Its fruits are bluish-violet with a waxy coating and contain: sugar - 40%; little-studied bitter resins - 10%; oil with a high fat content, tannins, apple, formic and acetic acid, and the terpene compounds of juniper berries contain menthol and camphor - essential oils - 2%. Juniper needles are rich in vitamin C - about 266 mg.
Essential terpene oils have a pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effect, and therefore antiallergic, since bacteria and fungi are strong allergens.
In hot weather, juniper emits a strong aroma - its phytoncides (volatile essential compounds) purify and refresh the air.
Excellent conditions for patients with bronchial asthma are created by nature among the mountains covered with juniper thickets.
Almost all asthma sufferers feel better while in juniper groves. Children with asthma, sent to such sanatoriums for treatment, get rid of attacks from the first days of their stay and, at the end of the treatment period, go home practically healthy. But after leaving the sanatorium area, for most of them, after some time, attacks of bronchial asthma resume, but in a milder form.
Many doctors are convinced, however, that complete recovery in juniper groves is quite possible, but only after staying in this area for many years.
The healing effect of air is enhanced by the addition of an infusion of juniper berries as an expectorant and antispasmodic at the rate of 10 berries per 200.0 ml of water, 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day.
Attention! Among the junipers there is one poisonous species - the Cossack juniper. It is notable for having blue-black, lumpy berries. When preparing medicinal juniper berries, carefully avoid this poisonous variety.
An infusion of juniper berries with long-term use (take 2 months - 2 months off; repeat such alternations 2-3 times throughout the year) brings relief to those suffering from asthma even outside the sanatorium area.
The following articles on this topic will also help you.
Baturin Ilya
Purpose: to study the phytoncidal activity of some types of indoor plants based on their effect on microorganisms.
Objectives: - study material about the phytoncidal properties of plants, including indoor plants;
Determine the degree of phytoncidal activity of some types of indoor plants by their effect on microorganisms, identify plants with the greatest phytoncidal activity;
Subject of research: the influence of tissue juices and volatile fractions of different types of indoor plants on the culture of ciliates.
Object of interest: some types of indoor plants; culture of simple organisms (ciliates).
RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL PROGRAM FOR
YOUTH AND SCHOOLCHILDREN “STEP INTO THE FUTURE”
CITY SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE
SCHOOLCHILDREN “STEP INTO THE FUTURE, JUNIOR!”
Head: Elena Aleksandrovna Petrova, biology teacher of the first qualification category, MAOU “Secondary School No. 5”, Ust-Ilimsk, Irkutsk region
Russian Federation
Irkutsk region
Ust-Ilimsk city
year 2012
Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ _3_
1. Literary reference.
1.1Indoor plants in human life __________________________________________ _4_
2. History of the discovery of phytoncides_________________________________________________ _5_
3. General information about phytoncides ________________________________________________ _6_
4. Phytoncidal properties of indoor plants_____________________________________________8
5.Therapeutic effects of volatile plant emissions on humans _________________________________9
Introduction.
Since ancient times, man has sought to decorate his home with plants. Interior landscaping arose as an element of human culture that meets his aesthetic needs. Man felt himself to be one with nature, and he turned to it for healing, bringing a piece of living nature into his home. This desire was intuitive. Currently, a scientific approach to interior gardening involves a combination of aesthetic perception of the beauty of form, color of flowers and leaves of plants with another, useful function plants, which has been known for a long time: living plants improve the composition of the air and purify the atmosphere.Working with literary sources, we found out that most plants, including indoor plants, have bactericidal and protistocidalproperties, i.e. capable of causing the death of bacteria and single-celled organisms. Phytoncidal properties have been identified in more than 40 species of indoor plants. Modern people, including schoolchildren, spend a significant part of their time indoors, whereThe air is saturated with microorganisms, including pathogens.Therefore, knowledge on this topic allows you to choose for landscaping classrooms, offices, living rooms types of indoor plants that can help improve the indoor air quality.
Purpose: to study the phytoncidal activity of some types of indoor plants based on their effect on microorganisms.
Tasks: - study material about the phytoncidal properties of plants, including indoor plants;
Determine the degree of phytoncidal activity of some types of indoor plants by their effect on microorganisms, identify plants with the greatest phytoncidal activity;
Subject of research: the influence of tissue juices and volatile fractions of different types of indoor plants on the culture of ciliates.
Object of interest: some types of indoor plants; culture of simple organisms (ciliates).
The concept of “houseplants” includes all varieties and hybrids that humans have managed to achieve as a result breeding work select and remove over centuries. And the history of indoor floriculture began back in the 13th century. Winter 1240 The Dutch King William arrived in Cologne, and a magnificent reception was held in his honor in a room decorated with flowering trees and shrubs. It was the very first winter garden in Europe, skillfully created by the outstanding gardener Albert Magnus. However, the unusualness of the spectacle contributed to the fact that Magnus was accused of witchcraft. However, the first experiment to create winter gardens turned out to be successful and found support.
Peter I built a small pavilion in Peterhof and kept citrus fruits in it. They were delivered with great difficulty on sailing ships.
The first indoor plants were the most unpretentious specimens of bulbous and tuberous plants. IN Botanical Garden Since the time of Peter the Great, St. Petersburg has had a special department where you can purchase any plants on display and get advice on growing them.
Green plants have become integral part people's lives, their images can be found on coats of arms, banners, fabrics, paintings, dishes and other objects. With the help of indoor plants, the deficit in human communication with nature is compensated, which occurs not only in adults, but also in children, as a result of being busy at school in lessons and at home in front of the TV or computer screen. What a person experiences at the level of sensations, scientists call “videoecology” - this is a field of knowledge that clarifies the relationship between people and what is in front of their eyes. Video ecologists claim that a person’s eyeball periodically at some moments searches for something to “catch on to” in order to rest a little. Such an object that has a beneficial effect on the eyes and, accordingly, on the nervous system are indoor plants.
Humanity has long used plants as living filters.Indoor plants are able to neutralize harmful substances and gases that enter tissues along with carbon dioxide.
The importance of indoor plants is multifaceted. Many of them are capable of saturating the air with aromatic phytoncidal substances that kill pathogenic microbes and have a beneficial effect on human life. Some can help get rid of the disease. Plus, indoor plants are simply beautiful. As John of Kronstadt said: “Flowers are the remains of heaven on Earth.”
2. History of the discovery of phytoncides.
Phytoncides (from Greek. phyton – plant and lat. caedo - kill) biologically active substances produced by plants that kill or suppress the growth and development of microorganisms. 1
Phytoncides (from Greek. phyton – plant and lat. caedo - kill), formed biologically active substances that kill or suppress the growth and development of microorganisms; play an important role in plant immunity and in the relationships between organisms in biocenoses. (New illustrated encyclopedia, Moscow Book World LLC scientific publishing house. 2
The ideological father of all research on phytoncides of lower plants and bacteria is the famous Russian biologist I.I. Mechnikov is one of the founders of modern medicine. The doctrine of phytoncides represents a special page in medicine, in the history of aromatherapy.
Volatile phytoncides of higher plants were first discovered in 1928-1930. A.G. Filatova and A.E. Tebyakina. The essence of the main discovery, which turned out to be the initial one in the consciousness of the biological doctrine of phytoncides, was that higher plants, when they are wounded, produce volatile antimicrobial substances.
The term phytoncides itself was proposed by the Russian scientist B.T. Tokin in 1934 to designate volatile substances with antimicrobial properties that are released by plants. In 1928, B.P. Tokin described an interesting observation: if a pulp of crushed onion or garlic is applied to a glass slide, and next to it is a drop of water in which ciliates float, then in a few minutes the cells will die. Similar experiments were carried out with many plants and various microorganisms, and the result was repeated to one degree or another.
In addition, B.P. Tokin drew attention to the fact that food products prepared in oriental bazaars in unsanitary conditions do not cause outbreaks of infectious diseases. The scientist suggested that the abundance of oriental spices somehow protects food from spoilage. He examined the substances contained in spices and discovered that the antiseptic effect was provided by volatile components. He proposed to call these “volatile plant poisons” phytoncides.
In relation to higher plants, numerous evidence of the role of phytoncides in their immunity was obtained in experiments of the school of D.D. Verderevsky. Interesting observations were made by M.N. Khanin, A.F. Prokopchuk, L.A. Nikolaeva, L.V.Krivolazova, Yu.I. Smetanin - employees of the Kuban Medical Institute. Phytoncidal properties were initially discovered only in a few plants, but as they were studied, their range expanded.
___________________________
1 Encyclopedia of Wildlife, volume 9, page 129
2 Great Russian Encyclopedia", 2005, p. 87
According to Academician V.G. Drobatko, about 85% of higher plants have them.
The antimicrobial properties of phytoncides have led to a large number of studies on their use in medicine, veterinary medicine, plant protection, in the storage of fruits and vegetables, in Food Industry and etc.
The heyday of the study of phytoncides occurred between 1950 and 1980. During these years, extensive research was carried out in the USSR on the antiviral, antibacterial, immunotropic and other effects of substances isolated from plants using extraction and other methods.
3. General information about phytoncides.
From a chemical point of view, phytoncides are a complex
gaseous and easily evaporating compounds, which may include both inorganic and organic compounds: simple compounds such as strong acid and ammonia, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, volatile formaldehydes, alcohols, low molecular weight ethers fatty acids, resins. Thus, phytoncidal complexes have a complex chemical composition, which determines the specificity of their action on different groups of microorganisms.
Plants produce phytoncides in order to provide themselves with protection from bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that can cause various diseases. The amount of phytoncides secreted by a plant changes during ontogenesis and increases when the plant is wounded. According to Professor B.P. Tokina’s plant “sterilizes itself” with the help of phytoncides. In a healthy plant, phytoncides are also involved in various metabolic processes.
Phytoncides of different plant species differ in their composition and action. The protective role of phytoncides is manifested not only in the destruction of microorganisms, but also in the suppression of their reproduction, in stimulating the vital activity of microorganisms that are antagonists of pathogenic forms for a given plant, in repelling insects, etc. There are phytoncides contained in plant tissues in dissolved form, and volatile fractions of phytoncides released into the atmosphere, soil, and water (in aquatic plants). Volatile phytoncides are able to exert their effect at a distance, for example, phytoncides of oak, eucalyptus, pine leaves, etc. In addition, volatile phytoncides cause the appearance of negative ions in the air and reduce the content of heavy positively charged ions in it, which has a good effect on human well-being and health
Active phytoncides are contained in onions and garlic: vapors and extracts from them kill Vibrio cholera, diphtheria bacillus, and pyogenic microbes. According to the generic Latin name of garlic - allium - its active principle is called allicin. Once you chew garlic for a few minutes, most of the bacteria living in the oral cavity die. The use of plants with a high content of phytoncides helps to get rid of microbes from the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. The bactericidal properties of plants are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, in particular of the upper respiratory tract.
Usnic acid, a phytoncide from the usnea lichen, inhibits tuberculosis bacteria.
Many phytoncides are released from plants in a gaseous state. currant leaves, walnut, oak, alder, yellow acacia emit hexenal, which in very small concentrations kills protozoa.
The resistance of potatoes and carrots to fungal diseases is determined by the phytoncide they contain - chlorogenic acid. The disease “snow mold” on cereals, caused by the fusarium fungus, destroys the phytoncide benzoxazoline, which is formed in the tissues of cereals when damaged. Phytoncides of onions, garlic, and bird cherry kill the late blight fungus that affects potatoes (potato rot). Phytoncides of mustard, horseradish, and eucalyptus have a detrimental effect on bacteria, causing disease cotton It is useful to plant garlic bulbs between the beds garden strawberries. Garlic phytoncides will prevent the delicate plant from getting gray rot. It is interesting that phytoncides have a much stronger effect on pathogens of human and animal diseases than on pathogens of plants that have already adapted to their direct action. Thus, phytoncides of orange and lemon are 40 times more likely to kill the dysentery bacillus, which causes serious illness in humans, than the bacterium that infects lemon trees.
Scientists have calculated that the Earth's plants annually release into the atmosphere about 490 million tons of phytoncides, volatile substances that kill or suppress the growth and development of microorganisms.
However, phytoncides should not be considered only as specific protective substances. They can take part in thermoregulation and other life processes of plants. Being one of the factors of plant immunity, phytoncides play an important role in the relationships between organisms that make up biocenoses. The works of N. G. Kholodny, A. A. Chesovennaya and others. It has been proven that phytoncides play an important role in allelopathy, i.e. in the chemical interaction of plants in phytocenoses. It has been established that plants of one species inhibit or, conversely, stimulate the germination of pollen, growth and development of plants of other species. For example, wheatgrass and oat phytoncides stimulate the germination of alfalfa pollen, while timothy grass phytoncides inhibit this process.
Phytoncides are also released by microorganisms and lower fungi. They are called antibiotics. Many potent medicines are prepared on their basis.
4. Phytoncidal properties of indoor plants.
Academician N. G. Kholodny suggested that volatile substances released by higher plants and found in the air around us are “atmospheric vitamins” or “vitamin-like substances” that can be absorbed by the human lungs and have a beneficial effect on his body. Everyone knows the effect of volatile substances in the air of a pine forest and oak forest on a person’s general well-being and on his nervous system. From this point of view, landscaping cities, workshops and areas of factories, and residential premises by selecting plants whose phytoncides act most favorably is of great health value.
It is known that a hectare of deciduous forest releases 2 kg of volatile phytoncides per day in summer, 5 kg of coniferous forest, and 30 kg of juniper forest, which are destructive to microorganisms, of volatile substances. Indoor plants also release phytoncides and purify the air from the microorganisms it contains. For example, begonias and geraniums reduce the content of microflora in the surrounding air by 43%, cyperus - by 59%, and small-flowered chrysanthemum - by 66%.
Research is currently underway to select types of indoor plants that have bactericidal and protistocidal properties that can cause the death of bacteria and single-celled organisms. Phytoncidal properties have been identified in more than 40 species of greenhouse plants. Scientists have compiled an assortment of indoor plants of tropical origin that can be used for preventive and therapeutic purposes at home and in crowded places: in kindergartens, schools, medical and other institutions, which can be combined into 3 groups:
Group 1 - plants whose volatile secretions have pronounced antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity against airborne microflora. (Sansevieria three-striped, dieffenbachia spotted, scindapsus variegated, cissus antarcticus, tetrastigma Voignier, pelargonium (geranium) fragrant, Coleus Bloom, evergreen pyramidal cypress, common oleander, evergreen boxwood, ficus Benjamin).
Group 2 - plants whose volatile secretions improve cardiac activity, increase immunity, and have calming, anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic effects.
(Attractive monstera, fragrant pelargonium (geranium), Sambac jasmine, common myrtle, lemon).
Group 3 - phytofilter plants that absorb harmful gases from the air. For example, the indoor plant spathiphyllum is able to absorb acetone, nephrolepis and ficus plants absorb formaldehyde. The same group of plants includes: chlorophytum crested, ficus Benjamin, cissus Antarctic.
In the late 1970s - 1980s. a direction emerged called phytodesign. Its founder, A.M. Grodzinsky, gave it the following definition: “Phytodesign is the use of plants to improve the habitat in artificial systems" The objectives of phytodesign are: cleaning and improving indoor air, humidifying, ionizing and enriching it with substances that have a beneficial effect on human health, as well as creating a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment.
To improve the indoor air quality, plants with high phytoncidal activity are used. The most phytoncidal active are the following: chlorophytum crested, violets, dracaenas, yucca, monstera, Arabica and Arabian coffee, Kalanchoe, hibiscus, lemons and others.
It is noteworthy that most indoor plants are of subtropical and tropical origin, so their peak production of phytoncides occurs in the winter-spring period. This is very valuable because... It is at this time that the incidence of acute respiratory diseases is especially high.
When studying the phytoncidal activity of plants during the day, it was found that it is maximum during the day and minimum at night. There is evidence that the intensity of phytoncide production is related to the intensity of respiration - in the dark, plants practically do not emit phytoncides. The release of phytoncides is also affected by the composition of the soil and air temperature - poor nutrition and lower temperatures reduce the release of volatile substances by plants. In addition, some authors note that temperature has the greatest influence on the quantitative content of phytoncides. Increasing it from 15 degrees to 20 leads to a significant increase in the amount of phytoncides in the air. An increase in air humidity negatively affects the release of volatile phytoncides, but moisture deficiency in dry times reduces phytoncidal activity. Changes in illumination only slightly affect the content of volatile phytoncides.
5.Therapeutic effects of volatile plant secretions on humans.
The champion among flowers is chlorophytum. This plant alone is enough to reduce the effects of nitrogen oxides in a room where a gas welder has been working for several hours. To absorb formaldehyde released by thermal insulation from synthetic materials, an average-sized apartment will require 40 chlorophytums. The same number of plants almost completely cleared the air of pathogenic particles in a 20-meter living room. Moreover, the cleansing properties of flowers are noticeably enhanced if placed in flower pots Activated carbon.
Chlorophytum also has a significant bactericidal effect. Specialists All-Russian Institute Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) found that within 24 hours this flower almost completely cleanses the air of harmful microorganisms.
This plant is unpretentious, it grows well both in cool rooms, at a temperature of 10-12 degrees, and in rooms with central heating. It is quite light-loving, but also tolerates darkening. In summer, chlorophytum requires abundant watering and in a large pot can produce so many shoots that it seems as if the plant has spread a green curtain around itself.
Another widespread plant that secretes biologically active substances (citranella and geranium oils, as well as menthol and turpentyl, which kill streptococci and staphylococci) is indoor geranium, or pelargonium. That is why it is recommended to keep this flower in the bedroom. Inhaling these healing compounds, a person calms down, which is very important for stress, neurosis and insomnia.
Pelargonium is a light-loving plant, feels good in a sunny window, it needs light and fertile soil. In winter, the flower is watered moderately and pruned in February-March. The removed apical stems are used as cuttings: they are slightly dried and planted in boxes.
Another phytoncidal plant for rooms is the elegant variegated Dieffenbachia. It purifies the air of living rooms from toxins, so its place is in living quarters whose windows overlook a noisy highway or a large plant or factory.
In the room, Dieffenbachia must be placed in a well-lit place (but it does not tolerate direct sunlight). The flower loves warmth, intensive watering and spraying with soft water at room temperature. With a lack of moisture, the plant stretches in length and sheds lower leaves, as it grows, the top needs to be pinched. Dieffenbachia should be replanted with caution: its juice can burn the mucous membranes.
Indoor plants such as ficus, ivy, dracaena, and aglaonema also have phytoncidal properties.
Ficus is a houseplant with large leathery leaves. Grows well in very bright rooms, but not in direct sunlight. In autumn or winter, ficus often sheds healthy green leaves. Most often this happens due to overwatering. Therefore, experienced gardeners advise not to water the plant in winter, but only spray the leaves.
Numerous varieties of common ivy grow well in cool rooms. Ivy is shade-tolerant; he needs support to grow. In spring, it is necessary to trim the shoots; it is also advisable to regularly spray the plants and wash the leaves.
Among the most unpretentious useful plants also applies dracaena Most often grownfragrant dracaena- a large plant with light green leaves, wavy along the edges. More decorativevariegated dracaenas, but they need more heat, high humidity air and a bright location, while a regular plant takes root well in semi-dark places.From time to time, the dracaena should be bathed in the shower, removing dust from it.
Aglaonema is a plant with leathery, patterned leaves. It is not demanding of light, is heat-loving and winters well in a room with central heating. In summer, the plant is watered abundantly; in winter, watering is reduced. After flowering, small red berries may appear, but these fruits are poisonous.
Laurel laurel, an evergreen shrub with leathery, fragrant leaves, is now extremely rare in rooms, but in vain: the substances it secretes kill viruses and bacteria, including the tuberculosis bacillus. It is especially useful to keep this plant for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, spasms of the intestines and biliary tract. Laurel is light-loving and grows well only in a sunny window. The plant is easy to trim and is usually given a spherical shape. Until late autumn, laurel can live outdoors.
And finally, another group of useful, phytoncidal plants - cacti and other succulents, especially those with long needles, come from Peru, Chile and the mountainous regions of Mexico. According to experts, these plants not only kill microbes, but also reduce harmful ionization of the air, protecting us from electromagnetic radiation. The place for these flowers is near the TV and computer monitors. For normal growth they need a lot of heat and light, but direct sun rays they need to be taught gradually.
With the help of flowers you can also increase air humidity. Flowers that need a lot of moisture usually return it through their leaves. These are violets, cyclamen, various ferns.
6.Prevention of respiratory diseases.
The incidence of acute respiratory diseases in children and adults currently remains high. This problem is especially acute in children's organized groups. When even practically healthy children stay in enclosed spaces for a long time, the overall contamination of the air with microorganisms increases.
Some plants serve as a filter for harmful substances, acting as a “green liver”. They can accumulate most pollutants from the atmosphere, especially compounds of sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, formaldehyde, phenolic compounds, some metals, and use them as a source of macro- and microelements for building a number of structural and functional systems. In most cases, these are tropical plants that have increased air-purifying ability due to their ecological and biological abilities:
Fast-growing plants with a large number of stomata on the leaves, for example, ficus benjamina;
Plants that reproduce vegetatively with the help of “babies”, for example, Chlorophytum crested.
Plants are epiphytes that have special aerial roots, for example, some orchids, or special scales - trichomes on the leaves, for example, some bromeliads.
Ficuses effectively purify the air in the apartment from toxic formaldehydes, and they not only bind toxic substances, but also feed on them, converting them into sugars and amino acids. It has also been established that ficus plants successfully filter other toxic substances from the air, for example, benzene evaporation products, trichlorethylene, and pentachlorophenol.
Chlorophytum is a well-known unpretentious houseplant. It is believed that it purifies the air much better than special technical devices. The results confirmed that chlorophytum has a pronounced ability to absorb gases. It was found that one medium-sized plant with ampelous shoots ending in children with aerial roots can completely neutralize the primary concentration of xenobiotics toluene and benzene (437 - 442 mg/m 3) after 216 hours.
Experts from the World Health Organization list electromagnetic and ionizing radiation from displays, electrostatic fields, noise, and ultraviolet radiation from screens as possible risk factors. Plants can discharge static electricity. For example, if you bring an electrified ebonite stick to a plant, a discharge will occur. Employee of the Institute of Human Ecology and Hygiene and environment Ph.D. L.M. Teshkeev, it is recommended to regularly carry out wet cleaning your workplace, use plants or set up a small aquarium on your desk. The significance of the widely advertised cactus for these purposes should be clarified. The cactus does not absorb radiation - it does not need it!!! The electromagnetic field that a computer, as well as any electrical household appliances, creates around itself is much more familiar to us than to a cactus. However, as physicists explain, the needles - “receivers” of the cactus can take on “charges” of the electrostatic field, but in this case the needles must be wet. However, frequent watering and spraying will harm the cacti!
Overall, I think the number of plants in our school should be increased, especially on the third floor. This will lift the mood of students, increase academic performance and productivity.
7. Obtaining a culture of protozoa (ciliates) necessary for research.
Initially, it is necessary to obtain a culture of Bacillus subtilis, which is food for ciliates. For this purpose inIn a clean bowl, add a little meadow hay (without flowers) at the rate of 100 g per 1 liter of water and boil it for 15-20 minutes until a strong infusion is obtained. When it cools down, it must be filtered using a funnel and cotton wool. Then cover the jar with the filtered infusion with gauze. After a couple of days, a bacterial film will appear on the surface, due to which the ciliates will feed.
To obtain a culture of ciliates, a culture of ciliates, which can be taken from a natural reservoir, must be added to the previously obtained infusion with Bacillus subtilis bacteria. To do this, first fill a test tube with water from the bottom layer of the pond, which must be examined under a microscope. If the sample contains other ciliates in addition to the shoe, it is necessary to dilute the water taken from the pond clean water until only shoes remain in it. The top of the jar should be covered with a piece of gauze, folded in half, so that cysts of other protozoa do not get into it. After five to seven days, the ciliates will begin to multiply abundantly, and they can be examined under a microscope at a magnification of 30-40 times. Initially, various ciliates develop in the hay infusion, but gradually slipper ciliates begin to predominate.
In addition to the method described above for obtainingciliate cultures, we tried to obtain a culture of these protozoa by adding water from an aquarium to a cooled decoction of hay. “Old” water, in which almost no decay processes occur, is unsuitable for planting a crop. Water should be taken from aquariums with regular partial water changes. From the same aquariums it is useful to collect rotten leaves and stems of plants, squeezing large quantities of ciliates from them into the nutrient medium. A mixture of decoction with aquarium water should have the color of thick tea.
For the development of the culture, minimal light and a temperature not higher than 18-20°C are required. Strong light and heat accelerate the decay process, and in an incubator jar it should occur at a slower pace.
1-2 days after planting the culture, the water in the jar becomes very cloudy and begins to emit a putrid odor. Gradually the smell disappears, and after 5-6 days upper layers In waters richest in oxygen, clusters of ciliates appear.
7.1. Effect of tissue sapsome types of indoor plants for the culture of ciliates
We used a variant of the method for determining the phytoncidal activity of plant extracts developed by B.P. Tokin. In this case, the activity of phytoncides included in the plant tissue sap is determined.
Equipment: leaves of indoor plants with petioles, microscope, mortar and pestle, pipette, slides and coverslips, a vessel with a culture of ciliates, cloth for wiping the microscope and slide, clean water for rinsing, stopwatch.
Completing the work: preparing equipment for work: we obtained tissue juice from plants by preparing a slurry, grinding the leaves of plants using a pestle and mortar.Squeeze out a few drops of the juice of the plant under study through cheesecloth.
Drops of the ciliate culture were applied to a glass slide and the activity of the ciliates was observed under a microscope. Then they applied drops of plant juice next to the drop with ciliates, and connected the two drops. We observed changes in the activity of ciliates until they died, noting the time using a stopwatch. The experiments were carried out twice. The data was entered into a table. (Annex 1)
Plant phytoncidity is calculated using the formula: A=100:T,
where A – phytoncidal activity (%); T is the time of death of microorganisms (in minutes). Examples of calculations are presented in Appendix 2.
Conclusion: different types of indoor plants exhibit different phytoncidal activity of cell sap. The highest activity of tissue sap phytoncides can be noted in tiger begonia, zonal geranium, chlorophytum crested, and Kalanchoe. Of the studied species of indoor plants, fuchsia and ficus Benjamin showed the least phytoncidal activity. Many species of phytoncidal-active indoor plants that we have identified coincide with the literature data.
7.2. Definition remote phytoncidal activitysome types of indoor plants.
In this case, the influence of the volatile fraction of phytoncides on protozoa is determined. For the study, we took plants that, according to the results of the previous experiment, showed the greatest phytoncidal activity: chlorophytum crested, zonal geranium, tiger begonia, Kalanchoe.
The leaves of these plants were crushed in a mortar to a paste.A drop of water with protozoa (ciliates) was placed on a glass slide and, at a distance of a few millimeters from it, a pulp from the plant under study was placed. Changes in the mobility of ciliates were observed under a microscope. They recorded the time during which they all stopped moving. The data was entered into table 2 (Appendix 2).
Conclusion: exposure time to protozoa has increased; volatile phytoncides immobilize ciliates at a distance, but more slowly. The phytoncidal activity of the volatile fraction of the studied plants did not completely coincide with the phytoncidal activity of the cell sap of the same plant species. The highest activity of volatile phytoncides can be noted in geranizonal and Chlorophytum crested, the lowest (of the studied species) - in geranizonal (Appendix 3).
Conclusion.
We determined the phytoncidal activity of some types of indoor plants, studying the influence of phytoncides of cell sap and volatile fraction on the culture of protozoa (ciliates). The basis was a version of the method for determining the phytoncidal activity of plant extracts developed by B.P. Tokin.
We found that Different types of indoor plants exhibit different phytoncidal activity of cell sap. The highest activity of tissue sap phytoncides can be noted in tiger begonia, zonal geranium, chlorophytum crested, and Kalanchoe. Of the studied species of indoor plants, fuchsia and ficus Benjamin showed the least phytoncidal activity. Many types of phytoncidal-active indoor plants we identified coincide with literature data.
By determining the activity of phytoncides of the volatile fraction of the most phytoncidal active plants (based on the results of our research), we found thatthe time of exposure to protozoa has increased; volatile phytoncides immobilize ciliates at a distance, but more slowly. The phytoncidal activity of the volatile fraction of the studied plants did not completely coincide with the phytoncidal activity of the cell sap of the same plant species. The highest activity of volatile phytoncides can be noted in Geranizonal geranium and Chlorophytum crested, the lowest (of the studied species) - in Geranizonal geranium.
A study we conducted at school No. 5, where we study, showed that the majority of phytoncidal plants are located in classrooms primary school. This indicates that children in grades 1-4 are more protected from acute respiratory and other infectious diseases than secondary school students.
We found that there are very few phytoncidal plants on the second and third floors, and in some offices there are none at all (rooms No. 311, 313, 303, 217, 218, 304). But this is where they will come in handy, since there are classrooms with a large information load - mathematics, history, Russian language, computer science. There are many plants in rooms No. 209 (Russian), but few plants with pronounced phytoncidal activity. There are no plants at all in computer science classrooms, although they are needed there most of all, because these classrooms have computers.
There are especially many plants in the biology, geography, and foreign language classrooms, which indicates that these classrooms have good ecology.
A study of the degree of ecological state of the air environment of school classrooms showed the need for additional landscaping with phytoncidal plants. The percentage of phytoncidal plants to the total number of plants in the school is 27%.
Based on the results obtained, it is possible to give the following recommendations: when landscaping premises, especially classrooms and apartments, it is necessary to take into account not only the decorative value of indoor plants, but also their phytoncidal activity, as well as the ability to absorb harmful substances from indoor air and humidify the air due to increased transpiration. In addition, when selecting types of indoor plants, it is necessary to take into account, for example, the toxicity of some plants and the ability to cause allergies.
The most valuable plants for indoor landscaping are:
Chlorophytum, different types of begonias (including tiger begonia), zonal geranium,Kalanchoe (bryophyllum Degremona), variegated dieffenbachia, etc.
Work on this topic will continue. It is planned to study the phytoncidal activity of previously taken plants to compare the phytoncidal properties in winter and summer, as well as to study the phytoncidal properties of other plants.
Using the results obtained, we recommend:
Use plants that produce phytoncides (chlorophytum, pelargonium, dieffenbachia, lemon, dracaena, monstera, etc.) for landscaping offices and floors.
Ventilate rooms more often where there are few indoor phytoncidoactive plants
Produce every Saturday general cleaning in the offices
Carry out wet cleaning in offices thoroughly, using detergents
To bring to the consciousness of every middle and senior student the need to have replaceable shoes
In health corners, distribute recommendations on the use of indoor plants for aesthetic and health-saving purposes.
Bibliography.
Appendix 1. 3 min.
Appendix 2.
Geranium fragrant
10 sec. - active
2 minutes. 5 sec. – slow
2 minutes. 35 sec. – partially died (12-died, 3-alive)
3 min. 25 sec. - everyone died.
A = ≈ 30.7
Chlorophytum crested
Observing the movement of protozoa:
25 sec. – active
30 sec. - slowly
1 min. 40 sec. – active
3 min. - everyone died.
A = 100/3 33.3
Crassula
Observing the movement of protozoa:
30 sec. – active
1 min. 10 sec. - slowly
1 min. 30 sec. – 11 dead, 3 alive
3 min. - everyone died
A = 33
Appendix 3
...a drop of culture liquid (cleaned ciliates) is placed. Next, a smaller drop of plant juice is added to them (the juice is prepared immediately before the experiment: a freshly picked leaf of the plant under study is kneaded in a mortar):
...and the time is recorded on the stopwatch:
Knowing the time of death of the protozoa, phytoncidal activity can be calculated using the formula:
A = ,
where A is phytoncidal activity, and T is the time of death of the protozoa
To determine the death of protozoa, you will need a magnifying glass or microscope:
Under a microscope, protozoa look like this:
All photographs used in the work were taken by the author.
Scientists have long thought about methods and means of plant protection. And not out of idle curiosity. A thorough study of this storehouse of nature led to the discovery of volatile compounds, the so-called phytoncides, which vegetable world releases into the environment to protect against bacteria, fungi, birds, insects and animals.
Many phytoncides have been isolated in pure form, and their chemical nature has been established. It turned out that some plants have phytoncides - organic acids, others - essential oils, amino acids, and alkoids.
Everyone knows that forest air is very good for health, and one of the most important reasons for this is the presence of phytoncides in it, which kill or suppress pathogenic organisms and have a healing effect. You should not think that by releasing phytoncides, plants take care of our well-being - they protect themselves first of all.
Phytoncides– these are substances of plant origin that have the property of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Name "phytoncide" comes from the merger of Greek "phyton" ("plant") and Latin "caedo" ("I kill"). Distinguish volatile And non-volatile phytoncides of tissue juices. Non-volatile phytoncides are found in all plants.
The phytoncidal properties of plants were discovered in 1929 by a prominent Soviet researcher, Professor B.P. Tokin. Scientist crushed fresh leaves various trees, grated horseradish or radish, onion or garlic, mixed them with water and observed under a microscope how bacteria and protozoa living in this water behave. Before our eyes, they changed the nature of their movement, the shape of their bodies, and finally died. This is how the effect of plant phytoncides was discovered. Subsequently, it turned out that phytoncides have not only a destructive effect on bacteria and protozoa, but also a number of other functions. They play an important role in the creation.
Boris Petrovich Tokin (1900–1984) – Soviet biologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, founder of the Department of Embryology of Leningradsky state university, creator of the doctrine of phytoncides.
Based on numerous studies conducted by the laboratory of Professor B.P. Tokin, the time of death of protozoa after non-contact exposure to phytoncidal trees was established:
In nature, the phenomenon of phytoncides is universal. However, there are differences in phytoncidal activity among different species. Moreover, phytoncides from tree leaves differ in their antimicrobial action from fruits, etc.
Some phytoncides have a detrimental effect on microbes, while others only inhibit their growth.
Phytoncides of some plants tend to influence various classes of microorganisms (bacteria, protozoan unicellular animals, microscopic fungi, etc.), while others selectively suppress only certain types of microbes. Thus, phytoncides create immunity and support the natural immunity of plants to various types diseases.
Plant phytoncides have different chemical natures. As a rule, this is a complex of compounds - glycosides, terpenoids, tannins and other substances that do not belong to the three main classes natural compounds– proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Bird cherry
Volatile fractions of the kidneys bird cherry contain hydrocyanic acid; cyanide-containing glycosides were found on bird cherry leaves.
In plants such as larch, warty birch, elm, small-leaved linden, Norway maple, common ash, phenolic compounds and organic acids were detected. Condensation from crushed leaves birch, oak And bird cherry contains organic acids and aldehydes, i.e. substances formed during the oxidation of alcohols, and quinones resulting from the oxidation of aniline were found in volatile substances.
70% of plants that have a phytoncidal effect contain alkaloids of plant origin - organonitrogen substances. Plant phytoncides include essential oils, dyes (pigments), etc.
In total, there are about 500 species of trees that have phytoncidal properties. Scientists have calculated that the Earth's plants annually release about 490 million tons of phytoncides into the atmosphere.
Pronounced phytoncidal trees and shrubs in central Russia include juniper, pine, spruce, birch, oak, poplar, bird cherry, rowan, and lilac.
Coniferous plants are truly record holders for the release of phytoncides. Yes, 1 ha juniper releases 30 kg of volatile substances per day; about 20 kg are released pine And spruce. Among the southerners they are famous for their phytoncidal activity cypress trees, thuja occidentalis, yew berry. Thanks to the ability of plants to release phytoncides, the air in parks contains 200 times less bacteria than the air in the streets.
Some plants produce highly volatile phytoncides, others - low-volatile.
It turned out that it is not at all necessary that plant substances that have an odor emit volatile phytoncides. They can also be produced by plants that do not contain essential oils. Thus, they have excellent phytoncidal properties freshly chopped oak leaves.
At the same time, some essential oil plants (i.e., those that secrete volatile essential oils) have a rather weak effect on bacteria (for example, phytoncides secreted by geranium leaves kill single-celled organisms only after a few hours). Some plants lose their phytoncidal properties when they die, while others can retain them for quite a long time. It is assumed, for example, that the ability of larch wood to survive for hundreds and even thousands of years is associated with its phytoncidal properties.
Volatile phytoncides are able to penetrate through the lungs and skin into the human body. They inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms and protect against infectious diseases. Phytoncides normalize heart rate and blood pressure, participate in metabolism, reduce blood sugar levels, have a beneficial effect on the blood circulation in the brain, liver condition, bactericidal activity of the skin, as well as on the immune and nervous system.
When inhaling volatile phytoncides coniferous trees The resistance of red blood cells to oxygen deficiency increases, their lifespan almost doubles, and they have a positive effect on the function of the entire circulatory system. It is no coincidence that people living in forested areas are much less susceptible to upper respiratory tract diseases compared to city dwellers.
Volatile phytoncides affect physical and chemical composition air. They help increase the concentration of negative ions in the air and reduce the number of positive ones. Phytoncides ionize oxygen in the air, thereby stimulating its biological activity. In addition, they improve the efficiency and economy of cell energy and promote the settling of dust particles.
Strong, somewhat intoxicating aroma of flowers and leaves bird cherry cleans the air of germs. Its leaves, flowers, bark and fresh fruits have phytoncidal properties. Bird cherry produces the most powerful phytoncides containing hydrocyanic acid. Protozoa die under the influence of its phytoncides after 5 minutes, ticks - after 15 minutes. Especially a lot of phytoncides are released by young leaves in spring and summer; in the fall they are released much less.
Bird cherry phytoncides have antimicrobial and insecticidal properties; they are destructive to fungi. Collars made from steamed bird cherry branches and a decoction of the bark rid animals of lice. Previously, peasants soaked seeds in a decoction of branches before sowing to combat plant pests. Cases of mild poisoning from bird cherry flowers have been described when bouquets were left overnight in a bedroom or other enclosed space. In experiments on animals, it was found that bird cherry phytoncides (crushed leaves under a cap) depress their nervous system and reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Oak phytoncides reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension
Experience of phytoncidotherapy with leaves oak shows that after several sessions the pressure in patients with hypertension at all stages of the disease decreases significantly. And the folk custom of going to the bathhouse with an oak or birch broom is also a way of using volatile phytoncides released by plant leaves.
In contrast to volatile oak phytoncides, lilac, pyramidal poplar, hawthorn they are narrowing blood vessels, increase blood pressure, stimulate the cardiovascular system.
Scientific research recent years prove that phytoncides birch trees And linden trees dilate the bronchi, stimulate the respiratory system. Phytoncides secreted by young leaves birch trees, relieve overstrain of the central nervous system. Birch sap also has excellent phytoncidal properties. Phytoncides linden trees have a good anti-cold and antipyretic effect, relieve headaches.
Birch phytoncides relieve overstrain of the central nervous system
The pleasant aroma of a coniferous forest is created by the volatile fractions of resin - aromatic terpene compounds and essential oils - evaporating through small wounds and young needles. On a hot day they evaporate more intensely. Some people with cardiovascular diseases may feel worse in a coniferous forest. Persons with heart disease find it difficult to breathe and feel stuffy. But if it is windy and the forest is sparse, staying in it is very useful.
Coniferous phytoncides increase the resistance of red blood cells to oxygen deficiency
Phytoncides fir, Siberian cedar And Siberian spruce have a stimulating effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and other systems, which is especially evident during physical activity. They also have a positive effect on the dynamics of cerebral circulation, the condition of the liver, the bactericidal activity of the skin and the immune system in general.Phytoncides of fir, cedar and spruce have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, stimulate metabolic processes.
It has been proven that thuja And fir reduce the number of microbes in the air, including the causative agents of diphtheria and whooping cough. Thus, scientists have proven that inhaling volatile substances from fir stimulates some forms of natural immunity. In cosmetology, juniper phytoncides are used to disinfect the skin and heal wounds and cracks.
It is more difficult for pathogenic microbes to adapt to the action of phytoncides of higher plants than to antibiotics obtained from lower plants - microscopic fungi. This important fact, indicating the prospects of using phytoncidal preparations for the prevention and treatment of diseases.
If you do not have the opportunity to often travel to the forest or nature, then essential oils coniferous plants will allow you to enjoy healing scents without leaving your home. They will create favorable microclimate, which will allow you to simultaneously heal and relax. By conducting a course of aromatherapy, you will satisfy your “phytoncidal hunger”. Using individual parts of plants: needles, buds, branches, bark, cones, you can carry out healing procedures at home. From the prepared raw materials it is not at all difficult to make infusions, tinctures, decoctions, teas, ointments, powders, inhalation mixtures and extracts for healing baths. A tree can live for a very long time. The power accumulated over the years, the majestic beauty, the history of his life, which has developed over many human generations, evoke delight and admiration. But, unfortunately, such a happy fate is rare. Throughout their life, trees are exposed to many factors that weaken their vitality and shorten their lifespan.
