Alocasia (or, as it is often called, trefoil, arum, weathering) has long taken root among our houseplants. This unpretentious flower has beautiful ornamental leaves and can predict rain. Alokaziya can help in the treatment of many diseases, but at the same time - it can easily be poisoned.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of alokazii has not yet been thoroughly investigated. It was studied by physicians and scientists in the Altai and the People’s Republic of China (Sichuan province). In the course of the research it was revealed that plant contains:
- flavonoids (quercetin, chalcones, hyperoside, etc.);
- alkaloids (5 different types, including aroin, similar in composition to quinine and aimaline);
- coumarins;
- hydrocyanic acid;
- mercury (4.0 ± 0.2 mg / kg);
- mercuric acid;
- cyanide compounds.
Did you know? The Buddhist healer Badmaev, being in St. Petersburg and providing medical assistance to the heir to the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II, actively used arum in his practice.
How useful Alokaziya: medicinal properties
The presence of poisons in the composition of arum did not allow this plant to officially become one of the recognized medicines. Nevertheless, alokaziya large root has long been used by man to cure many diseases, and in research institutes the properties of this plant were studied. Practice and research have shown that drugs from arum:
- inhibit the growth of hepatitis;
- have an anesthetic effect (with miositis, joint pain, osteochondrosis, toothache, stomach cramps, etc.);
- help with miasmatic poisoning;
- have an expectorant effect;
- possess healing and resorbing properties;
- have an antimicrobial effect;
- remove inflammatory, allergic reactions, help with insect bites.
Alocasia has found its use in traditional medicine - for the treatment of gout, tuberculosis, intestinal diseases, myomas, etc. 
Important! Most of the poisonous substances arum-alokazii contained in its juice - it can cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes.
Rules for the collection and storage of therapeutic raw materials
Alocasia is an indoor flower, therefore medicinal raw materials can always be kept at hand. His collection is carried out without harming the plant - it itself gives an unnecessary sheet.
At the moment when the growth of the young leaf (the fourth) begins, one of the old ones (as a rule, this is the lowest leaf) begins to dry out. This moment is the most suitable - it is necessary to cut the completed leaf together with a part of the stem. In this case, you should be careful and make sure that the poisonous juice does not sprinkle and does not get into your eyes or on the skin. It is worth using rubber gloves. After collecting the raw materials - be sure to wash your hands with soap.
If you have small children or pets in your house (especially cats), then it is better not to buy poisonous indoor plants like croton, indoor ivy, indoor boxwood, oleander, dieffenbachia.
Arum leaves are rarely harvested for the future. But you can, for example, pickle the leaves and use them in the future for trays. Sheet must be cut, mixed with 3 tbsp. l salt and leave for a day under the yoke. This portion is enough for a volume of water from 10 to 20 liters.Folk recipes: treatment of diseases
Depending on what treats alokaziya, alcoholic and water tinctures, balms and ointments are used by folk healers. Most of them are used externally - in the form of compresses, rubbing, lubrication. Internal use, as a rule, is recommended for oncological diseases (especially gynecological).
Did you know? Arum can predict weather changes - before the rain drops of moisture appear on the tips of the leaves.
Tincture on alcohol
The spirit tincture of arum is prepared in two versions - for external use (compresses, lotions and rubbing) and for internal.
For the manufacture of the first option, it is necessary to chop the leaves finely, place them in a glass container, and fill with vodka (completely covering them). Place tightly closed container in a dark place for 14 days. Before use, the infusion should be filtered. 
Compresses are used:
- with nodes on the thyroid gland, mastopathy (daily for 7 days - for 4 hours). After a three day break, repeat;
- with varicose veins - compresses should be done only on diseased areas. The compress should be fixed with an elastic bandage and worn for three days. It is necessary to limit mobility as much as possible, if possible - it is better to lie down and keep sore legs above head level (to put a pillow). After the end of the procedure, lubricate the diseased veins for over three months for the night with tincture;
- with dermatitis, eczema - lubricate problem areas of the skin.
Did you know? Alokaziya first appeared in Russia under Catherine II - under her orders, the arum was planted in the Winter Garden in St. Petersburg. This plant has grown two meters tall.
Water infusion
This infusion is made in two ways - hot and cold.
In the first case, the sheet of arum should be crushed, pour a liter of boiling water and insist for an hour. Such a tincture of Alokaziya has found its use in the treatment of cones on the legs and in the preparation of foot baths. Baths are best arranged at bedtime, within 20 minutes. At the end of the procedure - wrap up the sore foot with a woolen scarf.
In the second case, the crushed leaves must be poured with cool water (1:10) and infused for at least 24 hours. Apply this infusion for washing, rubbing, make compresses.
Leaf gruel
For the treatment of diseased joints and rheumatism, pulp from arum leaves is used. Fresh leaves should be ground with a blender or knife. Then grind the pestle in a porcelain mortar to obtain a mass of the same consistency. Apply gruel to compresses. It can be used in the preparation of ointments. 
Important! When making gruel from arum it is necessary to ensure that the leaves are not green (they still have a lot of poisonous juice). The leaf should be dark and withered, starting to dry.
Ointment
The ointment helps in the treatment of trophic ulcers, arthritis, rheumatic pains. For its production, any fatty base is used - badger fat, lard, melted butter or cream and fresh juice of alokaziya (3: 1). If gruel is used from the leaves, then you need to take two of its parts to three fat. To mix everything. This ointment is stored no more than a week in the refrigerator.
For the treatment of arthritis in traditional medicine they also use gentian, veronica officinalis, pleckranthus, bathing, yucca, wild rosemary, and even such a weed plant as wheat grass.
Contraindications
Persons under the age of 16, women who are pregnant and breast-feeding women, people with diseased kidneys, hemophilia, should refuse to take medications made on the basis of alokazii. Their use is also contraindicated in any allergic reactions. Before use, you need to test the drug on the delicate skin: drop on the inside of the crook of the elbow. 
Important! Medical treatment of alocasia can be life threatening. Use of alokazi is undesirable without consulting a doctor - The plant contains toxic substances.If any side symptoms appear in the treatment process - vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, etc., the drug should be stopped immediately. In houses, this plant is recommended to keep in the kitchen or in the bathroom. In the presence of small children - remove away from the nursery so that the child does not taste the leaf.
