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As startling as it sounds, we breathe, live, work and enjoy life in an environment literally teeming with all sorts of microorganisms \u2013 bacteria, yeast, protists and microscopic pathogens (viruses). And all of them, like man, claim their right to exist, and in a categorically and extremely persistent way for that matter. In most cases – at the expense of other organisms – plant and animal, relying on their large quantity, insignificant size (600 billion bacteria have a mass of only 1 g), their unusually fast reproduction, their extraordinary adaptability, ingenuity and cunning. To combat this dangerous enemy, the human organism has a complex, deeply echeloned defense system called the immune system, which consists of several levels – external (skin, mucous membranes), internal, based on phagocytosis (the destruction of pathogens by commando cells called phagocytes) and specific, relying on the so-called antibodies (protein substances with a strict selective action in relation to specific pathogens, produced mainly by the blood-forming organs – bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes). This extremely complex defense structure is managed and regulated by the nervous system, and more precisely by its most highly organized part \u2013 the cerebral cortex. And when, for one reason or another (overcooling, fatigue, starvation, malnutrition, improper diet) this protective system is breached, the organism falls into the captivity of pathogens, which, for a shorter or longer period, dispose of its organs and systems at its discretion and in its own interest. This is often associated with serious damage or even physical destruction of the affected organism. Caught in such a hopeless situation, our distant ancestors, helpless and desperate, instinctively reached out to Nature, seeking in it protection, help and salvation. Thus, for many centuries, based on the principle of “trial and error”, they have accumulated invaluable knowledge about the healing effect of a huge number of plants. <\/p>\n
The main reason determining the healing effect of a number of plants was established only in 1928. This was done by the student from Moscow University and future professor Boris Tokin. He found that for self-defense against microorganisms, viruses and other pathogens that threaten them, plants have special discharges that make part of their immune system, created and perfected in the course of thousands of years of evolution and fight against pathogens. This discovery is one of the most significant achievements of science in the 20th century. Since then these incredible substances, called phytoncides (in Greek “phyton” means plant, and in Latin “cedo” – to kill), have been the subject of extremely great interest. It is now known that phytoncides are produced by practically all plants, especially when they are injured. Even just by touching rosemary, geranium, lemon balm, rosary, tomatoes, etc. the air around is filled with the specific smell of countless phytoncides. The role of these substances is reduced to suppression of vital activity or the destruction of pathogens, stimulation of the development of their antagonists (adversaries), expulsion of parasites and harmful insects, etc. A unique feature of phytoncides is their specificity. Even in negligible quantities, they are able to suppress the development of some microorganisms and stimulate others, thus playing an extremely important role in regulating the microflora of the air, water and soil. Some of the phytoncides are volatile substances that are released into the atmosphere from the aerial parts of plants, another is produced by their roots and fall into the soil. In addition to this external protection, plants also have an internal one – even more powerful phytoncides patrol the intracellular sap to guard their security. <\/p>\n
The chemical nature of phytoncides is extremely diverse, which is why their systematization from this point of view is impossible. Their unifying feature is related to their pronounced abiotic effect. Some phytoncides are components of essential oils, others refer to terpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, etc. The power and spectrum of action of these amazing substances is simply astounding. A hectare of pine forest emits half a kilogram of phytoncides in one day, and juniper – as much as 3 kilograms. That is why the air in these forests is almost sterile – 1 cubic metre contains only 200-300 bacteria! The phytoncides released by the fir kill the causative agents of whooping cough, dysentery and typhoid, those of the pine – Koch’s bacilli (causing tuberculosis) and colibacilli, and those of the birch and poplar kill the golden staphylococcus, known as a “superbug” due to its high resistance to antibiotics. It has been established that, in addition to having a bactericidal effect, the phytoncides of essential oils are characterized by an extremely beneficial effect on the nervous system, expressed in a calming, invigorating effect. Each of us has felt this impact in a coniferous forest high in the mountains. <\/p>\n
Onions and garlic have been on the human table for thousands of years thanks to their pronounced beneficial properties, most of which are due to the powerful phytoncides they contain. Those in garlic, for example, kill Koch’s bacilli and a whole range of extremely dangerous bacteria – staphylococci, streptococci, the causative agents of salmonella, dysentery, typhoid, diphtheria, etc. Carbol (an aqueous solution of phenol), which is a recognized and widely used antiseptic, kills the causative agents of tuberculosis in 12 hours, and garlic juice, diluted a hundred times, deals with them in just a few minutes. This effect is mainly due to the essential oil alucin contained in it. Unfortunately, during heat treatment, it is destroyed. It has been established that the regular use of garlic has an extremely beneficial effect on the body – it lowers blood pressure, strengthens capillaries, normalizes the level of cholesterol and sugar in the blood, improves digestion, eyesight, etc. Research carried out in Japan, China, India and USA proves, that the population that more often uses garlic in their menu is much less susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. The antibacterial effect of garlic phytoncides halves after four months, and disappears completely after eight. Onion phytoncides are less active but much more volatile. Anyone who has cleaned or cut an onion has been convinced of this. Like garlic, onion phytoncides kill a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, in case of respiratory diseases, it is recommended to inhale the phytoncides released from onion pulp. It is no coincidence that it is an indispensable ingredient in all recipes involving ground meat, which is particularly susceptible to infection by a number of pathogens. It is also no coincidence that in the culinary recipes of the Orient and the East, where, due to the high temperatures, the risks for the development of pathogenic microorganisms are great, many spices are present in abundance – cumin, hot peppers, black pepper, allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc., which are rich sources of phytoncides. The first application of bay leaves was not in cooking, but to disinfect the water in which the hands were dipped before sitting at the table. <\/p>\n
It has been established that a number of indoor plants, through the phytoncides released by them, sterilize the premises and have a beneficial effect on the respiratory and nervous systems, improve sleep and self-esteem. For example, kalanchoe phytoncides destroy not only bacteria, but also fungal spores. Sanseviera (Indian sword) and geranium sterilize the air to levels comparable to the mountain air of a pine forest. Myrtle, begonia, hibiscus, etc. have a similar effect. Begonia, aloe, muraya, lavender and kalanchoe effectively remove molds. <\/p>\n
As knowledge of phytoncides deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that our ancestors were right to reach out to Nature for help. One\u2019s insightful and ingenious mind has sheltered, encrypted in it a huge number of extremely useful substances for us. We just have to find them. <\/p>\n
Source: jivotatdnes.bg<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Phytoncides – the invaluable ally in the war against microbes Dr Dimitar Popov As startling as it sounds, we breathe, live, work and enjoy life in an environment literally teeming with all sorts of microorganisms \u2013 bacteria, yeast, protists and microscopic pathogens (viruses). And all of them, like man, claim their right to exist, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":546,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n