What are the effects of ash leaves?
The common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) contains ingredients with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic properties. Its traditional use for mild joint pain (as in gout and rheumatism) and urinary tract problems therefore seems reasonable. In the second case, the action of the plant is based on an increase in the amount of urine, which ensures flushing of the urinary tract. Thus, pathogens such as cystitis are flushed out more easily.
The leaves of the ash tree contain, among other things, iridoid bitter substances, flavonoids, tannins and derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid. The bark contains, for example, iridoid bitter substances, tannins and coumarins.
How is ash used?
The leaves (Fraxini folium) collected and dried in early summer and the bark of younger twigs (Fraxini cortex) are used for therapeutic purposes.
The bark of the ash tree, on the other hand, is not suitable for a tea infusion. However, alcoholic extracts of the fresh bark are available in drop form. Information on use and dosage can be found in the package insert or obtained from the doctor or pharmacist.
Ash is often used in combination with other medicinal plants.
What side effects can ash tree cause?
There are no known side effects for ash leaves or bark.
What you should be aware of when using ash leaves
When using ash leaves to flush the urinary tract, you must also drink plenty of fluids.
When preparing tea for urinary tract problems, it is useful to combine it with other medicinal plants, such as hawthorn root, nettle or birch leaves.
Those who suffer from heart failure or kidney disease should not use ash leaf preparations.
See a doctor if fever, urinary retention, cramps during urination, or blood in the urine occur during treatment of urinary tract problems. For joint problems, a doctor’s visit is advised if the joints swell inflammatory or you get a fever.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your complaints persist for a long time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
How to get ash tree and its products
You can obtain ash leaves for tea preparation as well as corresponding ready-to-use preparations in pharmacies. For proper use, please read the enclosed package information or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Interesting facts about the ash tree
About 60 species of the plant genus Ash (Fraxinus) are found everywhere north of the equator. In our regions, the most commonly seen is the deciduous common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). The tree grows up to 30 (rarely 40) meters high, for example in hornbeam, floodplain and slope forests, and bears large, imparipinnate leaves.
Even before the leaves emerge, inconspicuous flowers sprout in dense panicles from the ash’s typical black winter buds. They develop into winged fruits that hang down from thin stems until late summer.
