Want to know what are the health benefits of lilac bark, the main lilac bark uses, and natural remedies with lilac bark? Continue reading this article and find out what they are.
Lilac bark (Syringa vulgaris) is one of the three natural medicines from the lilac tree, together with the lilac flowers and leaves. Indeed, the lilac is not just a beautifully scented flowering tree, but a natural source of amazing remedies. We’ve previously presented to you the health uses of lilac flowers and leaves, and now we want to share with you the health benefits of lilac bark. Before we get to the health benefits of lilac bark, here is how to harvest lilac bark.
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How to Harvest Lilac Bark
Lilac bark is harvested in the spring, with the onset of vegetation, when it is easily detachable from the branches (usually before flowering). On this occasion, the lilac tree’s crown can be groomed, removing the certain crooked branches that do not fit into the desired crown shape. The bark is cut lengthwise with a sharp knife about 20-30 cm (7-12 inches).
Cut the bark into smaller pieces and lay them to dry in the shade, in a thin layer, on wooden frames, sheets of paper, or mats, in airy and well-ventilated spaces (attics, verandas, balconies). After drying, pack the lilac bark in linen or paper bags. Crushed it coarsely only before use. Now let’s get to the health benefits of lilac bark.
Health Benefits of Lilac Bark
Lilac is a valuable source of active compounds, as this study shows, and has astringent and tonic properties. Lilac bark is rich in tannins, resins, and syringin, the latter shown to modulate immunological functions. Syringin is one of the main active compounds in the Ayurvedic herb called Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as well as in Siberian ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus), both with strong immune-boosting properties. Traditionally, lilac bark is used to alleviate diarrhea, treat bleeding hemorrhoids, and flush intestinal parasites, and is prepared as a decoction, tincture, or medicinal wine. Here is how to make these medicines from lilac bark.
3 Natural Recipes with Lilac Bark
Now that you know the main health benefits of lilac bark, here is how to make natural medicine from lilac bark at home.
1. How to Make Lilac Bark Decoction
Simmer 4 tablespoons of dried and coarsely chopped lilac bark over low heat for 30 minutes in 500 ml (2 cups) of water in a stainless steel or enamel pot. After done simmering, add water to make for the evaporated quantity. Strain the decoction while still hot using gauze or thin cotton fabric. Can be sweetened to taste with raw honey.
2. How to Make Lilac Bark Tincture
To make lilac bark tincture soak 20 g of dried and coarsely crushed lilac bark in 100 ml of food alcohol or other homemade distilled alcohol, for 10 days, stirring 3-4 times a day. Strain the tincture through gauze, and pour it into a glass bottle. Leave it to decant in the refrigerator for 6 days, for complete clarification. Gently transfer the clear part to another amber glass bottle, removing any residue that has settled on the bottom of the bottle. Store in glass amber bottles with a dropper. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of preparation. Shake before use.
3. How to Make Medicinal Lilac Bark Wine
To make lilac bark medicinal wine, soak 50 grams of dried and coarsely crushed lilac bark (about 4 tablespoons) in a liter of red wine for 10 days, stirring 2-3 times a day. Strain the wine through a gauze without squeezing the residue, then leave to decant for another 6 days, to clarify the wine. If some wine has evaporated during this process, add more over so that in the end, you have 1 liter of medicinal wine.
Store in 200 or 250 ml amber bottles (6-8 oz) at room temperature. The shelf life is 1 year if the wine used in the preparation has at least 11% alcohol content. If the wine has less than 11% alcohol content, store, the medicinal wine in the refrigerator.
Beware! Due to the alcohol content of the lilac bark tincture and the medicinal wine, their use is not recommended for drivers or those with an intolerance to alcohol.
4 Natural Remedies with Lilac Bark
1. Liver Protection
The therapeutic effect is due to the syringin, which has similar properties to silymarin from milk thistle or artichoke. The recommended dose is 2 cups of lilac bark decoction a day (sweetened to taste with honey). Due to its hepatoprotective effect, lilac bark decoction is also recommended for patients who have been prescribed many synthetic drugs in their treatment protocols by doctors, knowing that all drugs are metabolized in the liver. This is one of the most important health benefits of lilac bark.
2. Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Of the health benefits of lilac bark, we have to mention hemorrhoids. Bleeding hemorrhoids respond well to treatments with plants that contain tannin, lilac bark being one of them. The recommended dose is 2 cups of lilac bark decoction a day (sweetened to taste with honey). The treatment is complemented by sitz baths with lilac bark baths, plus ointments and natural suppositories.
3. Diarrhea
One of the key health benefits of lilac bark is in treating diarrhea, because lilac bark has astringent properties, due to its high content of tannins. In this situation, you can use either one of the three lilac bark preparations as follows.
- Decoction: 2 cups of tea a day, sweetened with honey.
- Tincture: 30 drops, 3 times a day, into a cup of dandelion tea.
- Wine: 3 tablespoons twice a day after meals.
4. Intestinal Parasites
One of the least known health benefits of lilac bark is in clearing intestinal parasites, as lilac bark has strong deworming properties.
- Decoction: one cup a day, sweetened to taste with honey.
- Tincture: one teaspoon a day, into a cup of herbal tea (of your choice).
- Wine: one cup a day, after meals.
This deworming treatment is done in the evening, before bed, for 3 days straight. On the fourth day, taking a purgative (30 grams of sodium sulfate or Epsom salt) is recommended to induce bowel movements and purge out the parasites.
Read More About Lilac:
6 Health Benefits of Lilac Flowers, Uses, and Natural Remedies
7 Health Benefits of Lilac Leaves, Uses, and Natural Remedies
We hope that learning about the health benefits of lilac bark, and how to harvest lilac bark and use it as medicine has made you more empowered and happy. Now that you know what are the health benefits of lilac bark, share this article so more people can use this information. Stay healthy, naturally!
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