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Holly holly (holly, common holly). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Holly holly (holly, common holly), Ilex aquifolium. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Holly (Ilex)

Family: Olive (Oleaceae)

Origin: Europe, West Asia, North Africa

Area: Holly holly is found in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is common in more temperate climates, including the UK, Ireland, and France.

Chemical composition: Holly leaves contain ilexin, which has properties similar to caffeine, as well as tannins, flavonoids and other biologically active substances.

Economic value: Holly holly is popular in landscaping for hedges, as its thick and prickly leaves form an impenetrable wall. Holly is also used in medicine as a tonic and antiseptic, and its berries are used to make decorative wreaths and garlands.

Legends and myths: The plant has a dense crown and pointed, shiny leaves with serrated edges, which in ancient times were considered a symbol of evergreen life and were used as decorations and symbols for Christmas and New Year. In Greek mythology, holly leaves were associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite, who protected these trees. In Celtic mythology, the holly was considered a sacred tree, which was a symbol of longevity, wisdom and stamina. In Christian symbolism, holly was associated with the Nativity of Christ, as its evergreen leaves symbolized eternal life. In addition, holly was used to make crosses and other religious items.

Holly holly (holly, common holly), Ilex aquifolium. Description, illustrations of the plant

Holly holly (holly, common holly), Ilex aquifolium. Botanical description of the plant, area, methods of application, cultivation

The Latin name of the genus Ilex comes from the name of the holm oak - Quercus ilex, which has some similarity of leaves with holly leaves.

Evergreen tree or shrub 1-5 meters tall. Rarely there are old and very tall trees up to 15-20 m high and with a trunk diameter of 30-80 cm. The bark of the tree is gray smooth. Shoots green, creeping.

The leaves are alternate leathery, elliptical or ovate, dark green shiny (glossy) on the upper side and light green on the lower side, 5-12 cm long and 2-6 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are serrated and wavy-curved.

The flowers are bisexual, small white, inconspicuous, with four petals, placed in the axils of the leaves, look like short-stalked corymbs, can be either red or white. Blooms in May-June. It grows slowly, lives up to 100 years or more.

The fruits are bright red spherical drupes, 6-10 mm in diameter. The fruits contain 4-5 one-seeded seeds. Fruiting from September to February. Holly berries are poisonous and are not used for food, but they are successfully eaten by birds without any harm to health. This method (endozoochory) is the main one in the distribution of holly seeds.

Naturally grows in the countries of Western and Southern Europe, North-West Africa and South-West Asia.

Holly is found in cedar-spruce and fir-spruce mountain forests, as well as on the plains in broad-leaved and mixed forests.

Holly is considered an ornamental plant that needs protection.

The organs of this plant contain many different substances, including ursolic and oleanolic acids, inbortin, glycosides, syringin. But the greatest value in terms of healing properties are bitterness and tannins, which are also part of the holly. The leaves and fruits of the plant contain the alkaloid theobromine, as well as dyes (ilexanthin, rutin).

Poisonous plant, not used for food.

Prickly holly leaves are used in modern pharmacology (Ilicis aquifolii folium). It also has tonic, cardiotonic and antiseptic qualities. Holly-based drugs have an antitumor effect and are often used to treat various cancers.

Decoctions and tinctures from this plant are used for bronchitis, flu and colds, rheumatism. Less commonly, they are used as a diuretic.

Some substances contained in this tree have poisonous properties - for this reason it is strictly forbidden to use holly for self-medication. Side effects from the use of this plant are not fully understood, but it is reliably known that severe diarrhea, vomiting and nausea are observed when poisoning with holly. In case of poisoning, the victim must rinse the stomach and be sure to see a specialist.

In folk medicine, holly leaves are recommended as an anti-febrile and diuretic. Berries have a laxative effect. Holly bark compresses help relieve severe pain. The local population of those regions where holly grows often uses its fruits to alleviate toothache. And in some areas, for example, in Switzerland, infusion of this plant is cured of constipation, insomnia and low-grade fever.

Holly is a poisonous plant, but its toxic properties were once valued by the Indians who inhabit North America. They learned to use tea holly (Ilex vomitoria) as a powerful emetic and laxative. In addition, decoctions of holly leaves have found their place in various religious rituals, as well as in ancient medicine, where they were used as an effective antidote. Somewhat later, the Indians began to grind the leaves of the plant, a decoction of which was called tea. Modern experts do not recommend inheriting the risky experience of ancient people, since this plant is poisonous, its improper use can lead to serious poisoning.

Hollies have long been valued by man. Like mistletoe, hollies were used in ancient Rome during the Saturnian winter festivities, on the site of which Christmas arose with the advent of Christianity. In the beliefs of the Druids, the holly symbolized the sun, so the ancient Celts decorated their homes with young shoots of the plant during the gloomy winter months.

Until now, the holly is a traditional Christmas plant and is widely used in Europe and America during the winter holidays as a decoration for the room and festive table, as a material for making Christmas wreaths, and even sometimes instead of the main Christmas tree - the Christmas tree.

From a practical point of view, hollies are of most interest as windbreaks, seashore plants (because of their high salt tolerance) and as very reliable hedges.

In garden design, hollies find great use in forest belts of natural or wild gardens, where they provide much-needed shelter for insects and food for birds, thanks to their berries, which remain on the plants virtually until new blooms begin. It is thanks to birds that hollies reproduce and spread in nature by eating berries, they spread the seeds contained in them everywhere. Young holly sprouts are among the most intrusive weeds that appear in the most inaccessible places under hedges or under fences.

Hollies planted in tapeworm and in groups look great. Good partners for hollies are traditionally mahonia, hydrangeas, spindle trees and many other trees. Hollies lend themselves well to curly haircuts, so they make beautiful topiary. Bonsai hobbyists love to work with slow growing holly trees.

As a garden plant, hollies do not require much attention. They are ready to grow on sandy and clay soils, provided they have good water permeability and humus content. Hollies are ready to put up with partial shade, but it should be borne in mind that in varieties with bicolor leaves, the contrast of colors is best manifested in the open sun.

It is better to plant young hollies in winter or early spring, older ones do not like to be disturbed. When shopping for a new plant at a garden center, be sure to consider the need for cross-pollination for most cultivars and that one plant may not be enough to produce abundant fruit. Formative pruning is done after fruiting. Many hollies benefit from pruning. In bicolor varieties, shoots with green leaves are cut off, if any.

The most common holly cultivars in cultivation are the female varieties Handsworth New Silver and Golden King with green-yellow leaves and red berries, as well as Amber, a compact shrub with spectacular orange berries. Of the male cultivars, the best known are Silver Queen, Ferox Argentea, which has small spotty leaves. It is worth noting two valuable self-pollinating varieties - JC van Tol and Pyramidalis - trees and shrubs with bicolor green-yellow leaves almost without thorns and with red berries. Young shoots have a pronounced purple hue.

Of the diseases, hollies are sometimes affected by late blight (Phytophthora), which leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. Plants affected by the disease should be destroyed, and the soil in the entire area should be disinfected.

Holly holly (holly, common holly), Ilex aquifolium. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• From diseases of the stomach: for the treatment of diseases of the stomach, you can use holly in the form of a decoction. To do this, pour 2 teaspoons of crushed holly leaves into 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain and drink 1/2 cup in the morning and evening before meals.
• For a cold: for the treatment of colds, you can use holly in the form of an infusion. To do this, pour 2 teaspoons of chopped holly leaves with a glass of boiling water. Let it steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain and drink 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day.
• For headaches: for the treatment of headaches, you can use holly in the form of a compress. To do this, cut fresh holly leaves and push through a meat grinder. Apply the resulting mass on the forehead and back of the head and hold the compress for 10-15 minutes.
• For skin diseases: for the treatment of skin diseases, you can use holly in the form of an infusion. To do this, pour 2 teaspoons of chopped holly leaves with a glass of boiling water. Let it steep for 30 minutes, then strain and use to wipe the affected areas of the skin 2-3 times a day.

Cosmetology:

• Dandruff: in order to get rid of dandruff, you can use a decoction of the leaves of the holly holly. To do this, pour 2 tablespoons of chopped holly leaves with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Then strain and use the resulting decoction to wash your hair after shampooing.
• For acne: in order to get rid of acne, you can use a decoction of the leaves of the holly holly. To do this, pour 2 tablespoons of chopped holly leaves with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Then strain and use the resulting decoction to wipe the face 2-3 times a day.
• From wrinkles: Holly mask can be used to reduce the visibility of wrinkles. To do this, grind 2 tablespoons of fresh holly leaves and mix them with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply the mask on your face and keep it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• From edema: in order to relieve swelling, you can use holly holly compresses. To do this, cut fresh holly leaves into small pieces and place them on the affected skin. Keep the compresses on for 10-15 minutes.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Holly holly (holly, common holly), Ilex aquifolium. Growing tips, soil selection, seeding depth and spacing, plant care; tips for harvesting and storage

Holly holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a beautiful evergreen tree with sharp leaves and red berries that can grow up to 10 meters in height.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing holly holly:

Cultivation:

• Holly holly prefers moist but well-drained soils.
• Seeds should be planted at a depth of about 1-2 cm in the ground in spring or autumn.
• The distance between plants should be at least 1-2 meters to give enough space for growth and development.
• Plants need regular watering and fertilization, especially in the first years of growth.
• Holly holly needs regular pruning to maintain its shape and encourage growth.
• The plant needs to be watered abundantly during periods of drought and dry periods of the year.
• Holly leaves can be infested with many diseases and pests, so they should be checked regularly for diseases.

Workpiece:

• Holly berries can be used to make decorative wreaths or dye.
• The berries should be picked in early autumn when they are at their peak of maturity.
• Berries can be used fresh or dried in the sun.

Storage:

• Dried holly berries should be stored in a cool and dry place in hermetically sealed packaging.
• Berries can be stored for several years if properly dried and stored.

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