“Beautiful stranger” begonia: useful and harmful properties for home and humans

The abundance of begonia bushes on garden plots, window sills and loggias is due to the delicate and elegant appearance of the flower. The plant does not require special conditions for growth, it feels great in a room or house.

Is it true that begonia is poisonous? What are the features of the use of leaves and flowers in medicine? Read about all this in detail in this article. You can also watch a useful video on this topic.

What is this plant?

This is an annual flower that is not inferior to perennials in the beauty of its inflorescences (read about perennial and annual species here). The genus begonias has more than 1000 subspecies, the homeland of which is the hot and humid areas of Asia, America and Africa. The plant is suitable for planting in pots and in open ground. Read about garden begonia care here, and here you will learn about how to grow this plant at home in a pot.

ATTENTION: Begonia adapts better in the shady corners of the garden or on the balcony (during the hot season). The size of the flowers varies from small to gigantic (depending on the particular variety or hybrid).

Inflorescences are simple, terry or camelliform. The stems are low and vertical, the rhizome is tuberous or creeping. The leaves are distinguished by a unique color: from pale green to a bronze hue. For home cultivation, they usually choose a species - begonia is ever flowering (such a bush does not tolerate cold weather).

Chemical composition

Begonia is rich in various micro and macro elements.. On their list are copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium, as well as:

• organic acids;
• mucous and resinous substance;
• proteins and sugar;
• alkaloids;
• saponins.

Begonia leaves contain fatty acids (linoleic, oleic). A variety of chemical composition determines a complex therapeutic effect.

Leaves, stems, rhizomes are used in traditional medicine recipes.

Useful and harmful properties for the home

In the leaves of a roomy beauty, a large percentage of volatile - substances that have a cleaning and disinfecting effect. If we talk about the benefits that the plant brings, then you need to pay attention to the fact that the air in the room becomes cleaner, and this affects a number of processes:

• improvement of immunity;
• fatigue reduction;
• increased performance;
• mood improvement.

IMPORTANT: Begonia leaves reduce staph bacteria in the air (up to 80%). Also, the plant neutralizes the toxic effect that synthetic materials, as well as synthetic winterizer and plastic, release. Because of this unique property, flower pots are recommended for use in bedrooms and living rooms.

Toxic or not?

The genus begonias is divided into 2 general groups: it is decorative-deciduous and ever-flowering. Evergreen begonia and its hybrids are included in the group of poisonous plants.. All parts of the flower are equally poisonous.

If they get on the mucous membranes, they cause burns and irritation; when swallowing plant fragments, a feeling of nausea and vomiting appears. Pots with begonia should be placed above the level of access for children and pets (on shelves, suspended).

Healing qualities

Scientists have proven the healing effect of begonia. Among the useful properties:

• antiallergic;
• antiseptic;
• wound healing;
• antispasmodic effect.

Begonia-based products help stimulate blood circulation and are used to treat wounds, ulcers, burns. Previously, the plant was widely used to eliminate abdominal pain and dehydration. In the recipes of traditional medicine, the extract from begonia leaves is used to grind sick joints.

In more detail about whether it is possible to keep begonia at home and why it is needed, read this article.

Recipes for use in traditional medicine:

The plant is part of many healing ointments and rubbing. Most often, begonia is used in the following cases.

Against ulcers, burns, wounds

1. Rinse fresh leaves, dry and pass through a meat grinder (it is better to use a meat grinder, which is no longer useful in everyday life and in cooking).
2. Squeeze the resulting slurry, then strain, to get the juice.
3. Pour boiled water at a rate of 1: 1.

TIP: The resulting solution can be stored in a tightly closed jar in the refrigerator. Warm up in a steam bath before use. Use as compresses.

Gastric ulcer, pathology of the lungs with hemoptysis

1. To prepare the tincture, you should get the juice from the begonia leaves (identical to 1 recipe).
2. Then pour in alcohol (40%) in a 1: 1 ratio.
3. Close the container tightly and insist 14 days in a dark place.
4. Strain the resulting mixture.

It is necessary to drink tincture of 10-15 drops per 1 tbsp. water. The course of treatment is 3 times a day for half an hour before meals for a month.

Getting rid of sprains and bruises

1. Rinse the begonia leaf and attach it to the sore spot with the back side.
2. Leave overnight.
3. The plant will help relieve swelling and reduce soreness.

In addition, begonia is of particular value as a generator of positive energy. The plant passes through itself and transforms negative waves, letting in the room only positively charged energy.

What could be harmful to humans?

The presented plant can not only heal, but also harm. When preparing any recipes, it is important to follow the dosage and doctor's recommendations. Self-medication leads to poisoning by even non-toxic varieties of begonia. What harm does poisonous begonia do to humans?

1. Failure to comply with the dosage in recipes that involve ingestion entails severe poisoning.
2. If poison enters the eyes, vision problems (short-term blindness) may occur.
3. Pure begonia juice, getting on the skin, causes itching, burning and burn.
4. Eating foliage entails severe indigestion or poisoning.

Contraindications and risks

Before taking various home remedies that contain begonia in the composition, a preliminary consultation with a specialist is required. The list of main contraindications includes allergy and individual intolerance to the plant, the period of pregnancy and lactation, an early age (children, adolescents).

It is not recommended to carry out treatment during an exacerbation of chronic pathologies, with an epidemic of influenza and SARS. It is forbidden to apply pure plant juice to open wounds and ulcers.

So, begonia is a beautiful and healing plant that, if the dosage is not followed, can pose a threat to human health. The intake of therapeutic compounds is important to coordinate with the doctor. Begonia pots should be placed outside the reach of children and animals.