Holly grows a few feet tall in Central Europe, though in milder regions the tree can grow up to 15 feet tall. If you like it smaller, you can keep it lower by pruning it regularly. The thorns that are found on the edges of the leaves explain the name.
Occurrence and cultivation of holly
The berries, which are a popular winter ornament, develop in the fall. They are first green and later red. Through the seeds contained in the berries, the holly can reproduce. Holly, which can live up to 300 years, grows as either a shrub or tree with shiny, evergreen leaves that are ovate. The white flowers have four petals and appear in May through June. The berries, which are a popular winter ornament, develop in the fall. They are green at first and red later. Through the seeds contained in the berries, the holly can reproduce. This does not require much care or elaborate procedure. It is enough to put the berries in the ground. However, they must be ripe for this purpose. However, it may take up to three years before a sprout. Holly grows up more in beech and spruce forests and prefers moist and poor in lime soils. The location should be bright and rich in humus. Its natural distribution area is especially southern and western Europe. The shrub is especially popular in parks and gardens, for example, as a boundary element, decorative specimen shrubs, as well as for underplanting trees. Most species are dioecious. This means that it bears female as well as male flowers. In order for the beautiful bright red fruits to develop, several hollies should be grouped together. In general, the plant is an undemanding and evergreen shrub with a rather loose growth, but regular pruning makes it opaque.
Effect and use
Holly is very popular at Christmas time in flower arrangements and wreaths as a decoration due to its particularly high ornamental value. Not only the leaves look very interesting, but especially the red berries are beautiful to look at thanks to their bright color and provide variety. However, since the leaves and berries contain urolic acid and polyphenols, they should be used carefully with children in the home. Eating the berries and thus the toxins will cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach and intestinal discomfort. The first symptoms may appear after only two berries. The amount of 30 berries can already be life-threatening. The holly is also popular as a privacy plant. As an evergreen hedge it is an attractive eye-catcher. The beautiful red berries as well as the colorfully edged leaves create attractive focal points, enlivening the garden scene. Since the holly grows slowly (10 to 20 centimeters per year), it is also well suited as a container plant. However, when caring for it, protective measures should be taken in winter. During this season, they should be placed in the shade. In general, winter damage to frost-hardy container plants is not caused by freezing through the root zone, but by rapid freezing or thawing in the sun. This creates tension in the tissue, causing the cell walls to crack. This causes the parts of the plant to die. The holly is also popular because it provides food for bees in summer and birds in winter. It is also good for the psyche, because it helps to become calmer and more balanced. Breathing becomes deeper and more regular.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Holly is not without controversy as a remedy. The reason for this is the toxic substances contained in the berries and leaves. Nevertheless, the plant finds homeopathic use, because the plant is said to have several positive effects. In folk medicine, holly is used against flu and feverish colds. It is said to reduce fever and relieve cramps. In addition, holly is used in folk medicine to relieve whooping cough. But it shows excellent properties in any form of cough. In herbal medicine, holly is used internally and externally, for example, against bronchitis and rheumatism. The shrubby trees were also used in the past against gout and gastrointestinal problems. However, it is advised never to experiment with the plant yourself.Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort in the stomach and intestines and cardiac arrhythmia due to the toxic ingredients. Holly is also used for a side stitch. It generally has the following medicinal effects: It is cold-relieving, antipyretic, antispasmodic, expectorant, bowel-regulating, diuretic, rheumatism-relieving and tonic. Since the leaves contain the toxic substances to a lesser extent than the berries, only these are used to make a decoction, for example, against feverish colds or flu. To prepare tea, holly leaves are placed in a cup of lukewarm water, where they steep covered overnight. The next day, the tea is warmed and filtered. One to two cups of it can be drunk a day. The boiled leaves are said to have not only an antipyretic but also a diuretic effect. Therefore, holly has a positive effect on gout, rheumatism and kidney stones, as well as jaundice and bumps. The leaves can also act in a weakness and fatigue. For this reason, they are suitable for various general strengthening tea mixtures.
