Money tree - medicinal properties and contraindications, benefits and harms of crassula for humans and the home, what the plant heals

Category: Traditional medicine, Succulents Published 12/24/2018 · Comments: · Reading time: 12 min · Views: 5,915

Crassula is more often called the money tree, because it is believed that this indoor plant with coin-like leaves can attract financial well-being to the house. However, this succulent is not only a symbol of wealth, but also an effective medicine from nature itself.

Crassula helps against hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal diseases, and is successfully used in dermatology and ENT practice and other medical fields. It is surprising that with such a wide range of applications, succulent is not so actively used as a medicine, but traditional healers highly appreciate it and are confident that with the correct preparation of products from the fat plant and compliance with the dosage, you can, if not get rid of ailments, then significantly improve the condition and reduce unpleasant symptoms.

General information and medicinal properties of Crassula

Crassula, crassula, coin or money tree can be found on many windowsills. Some people end up with a flower by chance, while others purchase it specifically to attract wealth and prosperity to their home.

This perennial bush is a representative of the genus of succulents from the Crassulaceae family. It has a tree-like trunk with a wide, rounded crown; thick branches bear fleshy teardrop-shaped leaves covered with dense skin. The color of the foliage is marsh green, with a reddish tint at the bottom.

Crassula is a flowering plant, but this process occurs quite rarely, after reaching 10 years of age, and is not particularly chic - the flowers are small, white, collected in inflorescences located in the molding axils.

Benefits of succulents for the home

Feng Shui experts are sure that the fat plant is very useful for the human home - it harmonizes the flow of positive energy, attracts prosperity and financial stability.

This is interesting! In order for the money tree to “work”, you should listen to the recommendations of followers of the Taoist practice of Feng Shui. According to the rules of organizing space, this green symbol belongs in the so-called wealth zone. It is determined using the Bagua grid - a square that is divided into 9 parts. The wealth zone is located at the bottom, in the right corner of the central square responsible for health.

Of course, the owner of the flower decides whether to believe or not to believe in this, but there is another scientifically proven positive effect of Crassula - it releases phytoncides that improve the composition of the air, kill pathogenic microorganisms, thereby preventing the spread of respiratory infections. Because of this wonderful property of Crassula, residents’ mood improves, their performance increases, and their sleep normalizes.

Valuable components of the plant

Unfortunately, scientists have not paid enough attention to Crassula and its composition is not as well studied as, for example, the composition of aloe. But botanists still managed to identify the active elements, thanks to which the succulent fell into the category of medicinal plants:

arsenic compounds are important participants in oxidative processes in mitochondria, preventing the loss of phosphorus by regulating its metabolism; they are an antidote for selenium intoxication;
flavonoids – affect the activity of most enzymes, work in many directions: cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, etc.; prevent premature aging of the body;
mucopolysaccharides - components that form the mucous filling of the foliage; have a softening, enveloping, astringent effect; accelerate regeneration processes in tissues.

It is assumed that money tree contains many vitamins and minerals, although there is no evidence of this.

About the medicinal properties of Crassula

Since ancient times, healers have used Crassula to prepare various potions; even then they highly valued the medicinal properties of this succulent plant. Modern research has confirmed that the money tree has a positive effect not only on a person’s wealth, but also on his health. It has the following actions:

antiviral - products with crassula are used to treat viral infections, they are especially effective in the treatment of sore throat;
healing and regenerating – succulent juice helps to cope with wounds, cuts, burns and other skin damage;
anti-inflammatory - this effect is useful for the treatment of various diseases - from sinusitis to arthritis;
emollient – compositions with Crassula can get rid of calluses;
antiseptic - thanks to this effect, succulent juice is recommended for the treatment of inflammation, including purulent abscesses and tissue damage that does not heal for a long time;
painkillers - quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms that accompany many ailments: arthritis, tonsillitis, stomatitis, etc.;
antipruritic - makes the plant useful in the treatment of dermatological diseases and insect bites;
antifungal - formulations with succulent juice are recommended to be applied to skin and nail plates affected by fungi.

Crassula is rich in vitamins, active biological components and flavonoids, which provides such a wide range of its uses.

Crassula - possible contraindications

As I already mentioned, arsenic derivatives were found in Crassula, so contraindications are directly related to this component. Scientists strongly remind us that arsenic can accumulate in bones and cause serious harm, even causing fatal poisoning, in which the patient suffers from:

vomiting;
persistent diarrhea;
confused consciousness.

This is possible with self-medication and long-term use of money tree medications. Therefore, before drinking the juice or alcohol tincture of Crassula, it is important to think a thousand times whether the game is worth the candle.

Traditional medicine recipes with Crassula

Having this unusual tree on your windowsill, you should not miss the opportunity to use it for medicinal purposes. However, before starting treatment with fatty acids, it is worth learning how to use it correctly and prepare medicines based on it.

Treatment of pathologies of hemorrhoidal veins

Hemorrhoids are a common disease, accompanied by extremely unpleasant symptoms: pain, burning, bleeding, etc. And you can get rid of it with the help of a homemade ointment with Crassula juice, which is very easy to prepare at home:

you should take the fleshy leaves of the succulent and squeeze the juice out of them using any available method;
the healing liquid is mixed with regular Vaseline until a homogeneous composition is formed;
A cotton swab is soaked in the ointment and inserted into the anus.

It is recommended to carry out two procedures a day - morning and evening - to quickly eliminate inflammation and get rid of painful nodes.

Cold drops

Nasal congestion and runny nose can seriously complicate a person’s life, depriving him of sleep and throwing him out of his usual rut. To cure a runny nose, you can use pharmaceutical drugs or make medicinal drops yourself.

They are made from fresh succulent juice diluted with water in a 1:2 ratio. The composition should be taken into a pipette and placed 1 drop into each nostril. Frequent procedures will be required - 1-1.5 hour intervals.

For prolonged runny nose, which can lead to serious complications, such as chronic rhinitis, you can rinse the nasal passages with a medicinal solution. To prepare the product, you should take several flower leaves - 4-5 pieces, squeeze the juice out of them and add 3 tablespoons of boiled and cooled water to it. Washing is carried out 3 times a day.

Treatment of varicose veins

For varicose veins, alcohol tincture helps well, as it relieves pain and swelling and improves the condition of the vascular walls. To prepare it, you should take 5-6 leaves of crassula, place it in a glass container and pour 250 ml of alcohol or vodka. The container is sealed and sent to a dark place for 2–3 weeks.

The medicinal product should be lubricated and carefully, using massage movements, rub the areas with damaged veins, starting from the bottom and gradually moving upward.

To obtain a noticeable therapeutic effect, it is recommended to carry out 2-3 procedures per day for 4 weeks.

It is also useful to supplement the therapy with compresses from a mixture of succulent juice and petroleum jelly; 40 g of liquid petroleum jelly is taken per 50 ml of liquid. The resulting emulsion should be applied to a gauze or bandage and applied to the affected areas 2-3 times a day. Such compresses can also be done for hemorrhoids.

Use for colds and dental diseases

The medicinal properties of the fat plant make it possible to use products prepared from it to treat colds, diseases of the throat and mouth, and to relieve toothache. Herbalists advise rinsing your mouth or throat with a healing solution: it is prepared from the juice of 10 leaves of the plant, diluted in 250 ml of warm water. The procedure should be carried out 3-4 times a day.

You can quickly get rid of toothache by chewing a fleshy fresh leaf of the fat plant.

Therapy for joints

Succulent juice has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, so it can be used as part of a complex treatment for diseases and joint injuries. With its help, you can reduce the pain and inflammation that accompany arthritis, rheumatism, and sprains. To do this, it is recommended to make lotions and compresses:

chop the leaves of the plant;
put the pulp on gauze and apply to the sore area;
The bandage should be secured with a bandage and left for 1.5-2 hours.

You will need 3 treatments per day to feel relief. But you can also lubricate the affected area with fresh succulent juice.

For fungal infections of the nail plates

Nail fungus is a common infectious disease that can darken a person’s life, causing unpleasant symptoms: itching, burning, pain. It can be cured with the help of pharmacy and home remedies, if used correctly. Crassula is used as follows:

feet or hands should be soaked in a hot soap or soda solution to soften the nail plates;
Using scissors or a blade, you need to carefully remove dead layers of nails, if possible without touching healthy tissue;
you need to take the leaves of the plant, remove the skin from them and apply the pulp to the affected nail;
the bandage is secured with a bandage or plaster;
It is better to make a compress at night, removing it in the morning;
After the procedure, it is recommended to steam the nails in hot water, and then blot with a soft cloth and apply a medicinal antifungal agent.

Benefits of the flower for the gastrointestinal tract

In gastroenterological practice, this plant is rarely used, however, it helps improve the condition of patients with peptic ulcers, colitis, gastritis and other gastrointestinal ailments. In this case, the money tree is used simply - chew 2 leaves in the morning, without drinking anything or having breakfast for 50–60 minutes.

Therapy for diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems

An infusion prepared from Crassula is effective for treating inflammatory processes, including those of infectious origin. Therefore, it is often recommended to take it for cystitis, urolithiasis, urination problems and other pathologies. The product is prepared as follows:

flower leaves – 5–6 pcs., pour 200 ml of boiling water;
cover with a lid, wrap and leave for an hour;
The liquid should be filtered and taken 1 tbsp an hour before meals, in the morning and evening.

It is important! The recommended duration of therapy is one and a half weeks. If you shorten this period, you may not expect any improvement. However, longer treatment will not be beneficial - increasing the dosage of fatty acids can lead to serious intoxication. It is important to observe moderation.

Crassula for the treatment of kidney ailments

In folk medicine for kidney diseases, herbal decoctions are used quite often, including those from Crassula. There are many recipes for its preparation, but most often the product is made according to this algorithm:

5–6 succulent leaves are ground to a pulp;
the vegetable mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water, covered with a lid and infused for 50–60 minutes;
The finished broth should be strained 2-3 times and taken 1 tbsp before meals. l.

Succulent for herpetic infection

Few people have not encountered such an unpleasant disease as herpes; it is also called a “cold” on the lips. With this disease, the plant can also help, just lubricate the painful area with fresh fatty acid juice, after several procedures there will be no trace of herpes left, although only temporarily.

Fighting acne, ulcers and boils with Crassula To improve the condition of inflamed skin, cleanse it of excess sebum and impurities, you can wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in fresh succulent juice.

To get rid of ulcers, boils, and large pimples, it is recommended to apply compresses from the pulp of the plant. The paste is applied to the affected area and the bandage is secured with a bandage. The product will draw out pus, soothe hyperemic skin and promote speedy healing.

Crassula for insect bites

In the summer, this home healer is especially useful, as it helps against bites of various insects - gadflies, mosquitoes, etc. To get rid of itching, swelling and discomfort, it is recommended to make juice from the leaves of the succulent and lubricate the damaged areas with it 5-6 times a day.

Treatment of wounds, burns and hematomas

Money tree is a powerful natural antiseptic that can disinfect and have an anti-inflammatory effect. It's very easy to use:

the leaves of the flower are crushed in any convenient way;
the green mass is spread on a napkin made of bandage or gauze;
The compress is applied to the injury and secured with a bandage.

The procedure is carried out several times a day, after 3.5-4 hours the plant mass is replaced with fresh one.

Money tree treatment

Crassula helps in the treatment of many diseases. The plant is used in dentistry, neurology, and therapy. Healers use the healing properties of the money tree to treat:

gouty pain;
trophic ulcers;
bruises, sprains;
wounds, cuts;
swelling after insect bites;
purulent inflammation;
burns;
frostbite;
polyps in the nose.

If you use money tree in the form of rinses, lotions, compresses, the medicinal plant helps to cope with diseases:

ulcer of the duodenum, stomach;
stomatitis;
haemorrhoids;
angina;
herpes;
runny nose;
varicose veins;
thrombophlebitis;
inflammation of the oral cavity;
arthrosis;
arthritis;
osteochondrosis;
dermatitis;
onychomycosis;
sinusitis;
tonsillitis.

Money tree for runny nose

A stuffy nose and difficulty breathing are symptoms of a cold that make life difficult. If the situation repeats frequently, changes in the mucous membrane appear, and infection may enter the brain. Money tree helps relieve the condition when you have a runny nose. You can easily make nasal drops from Crassula. Necessary:

take one leaf;
squeeze out the juice;
add 2 times more boiled water;
drip several times a day.

If the illness continues for a long time, a nasal rinsing solution, which has anti-inflammatory properties and eliminates swelling, helps in treating a runny nose. It is made from the leaves of the coin tree. To prepare the composition you need:

take 10 leaves of crassula;
squeeze out the juice;
filter through several layers of gauze;
add 150 ml of water;
rinse your nose three times a day.

Crassula for hemorrhoids

This disease causes discomfort and is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. The Crassula plant has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and regenerative properties, so it helps in the treatment of hemorrhoids. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be dealt with in a short time. The patient will quickly receive relief when using the plant externally. Necessary:

take a large leaf of crassula;
cut lengthwise;
Apply to the sore spot for a few minutes.

If the disease is complicated by the appearance of hemorrhoidal cones, tampons with homemade ointment help. They stop bleeding, accelerate tissue regeneration, and reduce pain. To prepare a useful composition from fatty mushrooms you will need:

take 10 large leaves;
grind;
squeeze the juice through cheesecloth;
add the same amount of Vaseline;
make a tampon;
place on the hemorrhoid for 15 minutes;
carry out the procedure in a lying position;
repeat 2 times a day.

For varicose veins

This disease is accompanied by heaviness in the legs, swelling, and pain. For varicose veins, traditional healers recommend dressings with an alcohol solution of crassula. The plant helps eliminate swelling, relieve pain, and reduce knots. The course of treatment is a month, after three - repeat. It is necessary to lubricate the sore spots until the composition is absorbed. 3 courses are required per year. To prepare the medicine:

take a dark glass container with a lid;
chop 20 leaves of a domestic tree;
pour a glass of vodka;
put in a dark place for a month;
Filter the prepared solution.

For acne

People of any age face this unpleasant problem. Acne not only causes psychological problems, but is also accompanied by painful symptoms, boils, and itching. Thanks to its antiseptic, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory properties, fatty grass helps to cope with the problem. The method of treating the disease depends on its manifestations:

small, newly appeared pimples should be wiped with a swab moistened with a solution of juice;
for large abscesses - apply a paste of leaves at night, secure with a band-aid, this will help draw out the pus and relieve inflammation.

For sore throat

Throat diseases are caused by a variety of causes. A home plant with antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal properties helps alleviate the condition of sore throat caused by any pathogens as an addition to the main therapy. To treat a sore throat, Crassula is used as a gargling solution. To prepare it, you need:

take 10 leaves of the plant;
squeeze out the juice;
filter;
add a glass of boiled water;
gargle until the symptoms of sore throat disappear.

For arthritis

When diseased joints swell and make it difficult to move, Crassula is used in addition to complex therapy. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help improve the patient's condition in a few weeks. To reduce pain and get rid of swelling, you need to use freshly squeezed juice of coin tree leaves. Desirable:

rub the solution into sore joints at night;
prepare juice before use;
the amount depends on the size of the affected area.

Crassula - a folk cosmetic product

As practice shows, medicinal plants are used not only as medicines, but are also successfully used in cosmetology. The amazing healing properties of the fat plant have also proven to be in demand in the beauty industry; effective products are prepared from the flower to care for the skin of the face, body, nails and hair.

Hair rinse composition

The active components of the plant have a positive effect on the condition of the hair: accelerate growth, strengthen hair follicles, make the hair structure more elastic and elastic, and add additional shine. The rinse with fatty acids is recommended for those with weak hair that is rapidly falling out.

The care product is prepared according to the following recipe:

about 200 g of flower foliage should be washed under running water and placed in a glass container;
vegetable raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water, covered and infused for an hour;
the solution is filtered and used warm as a hair rinse.

To significantly improve the appearance of your hair, you should use it 2-3 times a week for a month. The valuable substances of the money tree will quickly eliminate the damage that is caused to the hair by poor environmental conditions and a deficiency of vitamin and mineral components.

Face masks

Crassula can be used to prepare a universal facial product that has a complex effect: cleansing, rejuvenating, soothing and softening. The mask helps against acne and inflammation, saturates the skin with valuable substances.

Algorithm for preparation and use:

You should cut off several small leaves of the fat plant or one large one, rinse with water and dry slightly;
it needs to be broken or cut so that juice begins to flow out of the cracks;
the healing liquid is applied to spot inflammations and pimples;
The product remains on the skin until completely absorbed.

If you apply the medicinal juice 4-5 times a day, then after 2-3 days the inflammation will disappear, the skin will become cleaner and smoother.

And to dry the epidermis and reduce fat content, you can prepare a mask according to the following recipe:

the leaves of the plant are crushed to a pulp, from which juice is abundantly released;
Add beaten egg white and ground oatmeal (1 tsp) to the pulp (1 tsp);
the mixture should be stirred and left for 30 minutes;
a homogeneous thick mass is applied to the skin of the face in an even layer;
after a quarter of an hour, the product is washed off with warm water.

You shouldn’t do the procedure often; one mask a week is enough, so that after a month and a half, the skin is noticeably cleansed and refreshed, and gets rid of oily sheen.

Undoubtedly, the money tree has unique healing properties and is an effective natural medicine, however, it also has contraindications that are important to consider so as not to harm your health.

Crassula - money tree: medicinal properties, use in folk medicine, recipes

Crasula for herpes:

One of the most popular ways to use money tree is to prepare an antiviral remedy to treat herpes.
It is noteworthy that you can spend time grinding the leaves into a healing pulp in a mortar, or you can lubricate the source of the disease with squeezed juice from a Crassula leaf.
The herpes should be lubricated approximately every half hour until the inflammatory process decreases.
You can also make a small compress by soaking a cotton sponge in toast juice and attaching it to the skin with a band-aid.

Crassula is effective in the treatment of viral herpes
Crassula for ingrown toenails:

Pick a large fleshy leaf from a tree and break it
The place where the sheet is broken should be applied to the inflammation on the skin where the nail has grown in.
Place cling film on top of the leaf and wrap your finger.
As in the previous advice, a compress made from a sponge soaked in fatty acid juice and attached to the sore finger with a band-aid is also effective.
Leave the compress on for several hours; after removing the sheet, you can cut off the softened nail.

Crassula is effective in treating ingrown nails
Crassula for gastrointestinal diseases:

When you wake up in the morning, drink a glass of clean water
After 20-30 minutes, eat 2 small clean money tree leaves.
After 40-60 minutes, be sure to have a hearty breakfast

Crasula for kidney diseases:

To treat kidneys, you should prepare a tincture in advance
For the tincture, you need to cut off five medium-sized leaves of the crassula.
The chopped leaves should be poured with a glass of boiling water.
The medicine should infuse for approximately 2-3 hours.
After this, the tincture should be filtered through cheesecloth.
You should drink the tincture 1 tbsp. before every heavy meal.

Crassula decoctions and infusions treat inflammatory diseases

In what cases should Crassula not be used?

Like other medicines, a medicinal succulent has both benefits and harm to the body. The latter is possible if fatty acids are used incorrectly, the dosage or regimen is not followed, or existing contraindications are ignored.

It is important! The plant juice and pulp contain arsenic, so you should be especially careful when taking it orally. If consumed excessively, severe poisoning can occur. Vomiting, diarrhea and high fever are the main signs of intoxication. In this case, the intake is stopped immediately and standard procedures are carried out: gastric lavage, taking adsorbents, replenishing the water balance.

It is recommended to take medications for internal use with Crassula after consulting a specialist and testing for idiosyncrasy and allergic reactions.

If you are going to apply an external product with Crassulus to the skin, it is worth checking and lubricating a small area of skin on the inside of the wrist or elbow. If there is itching, burning, or the skin turns red, then the external use of the plant, as well as the internal one, is canceled.

This succulent is not used to treat the following categories of people:

pregnant and lactating women;
children under 16 years of age;
patients who are allergic to this flower.

☝️ Contraindications

Despite the large number of positive qualities, this plant also has contraindications. In addition, it contains arsenic, albeit a little. But this substance makes crassula potentially dangerous for some people. The use of the plant for treatment is contraindicated:

pregnant women;
nursing mothers;
children under 16 years of age;
for allergy sufferers;
people with individual intolerance.

Even if a person is not at risk, you should not use products based on this flower for long. Otherwise, you may get poisoned. The main symptoms of intoxication are fever, diarrhea and vomiting. This occurs due to the accumulation of arsenic in the body. The duration of therapy when taking drugs orally should be no more than 2 weeks.