We continue the time of “vitaminization” and healing with berries that grow in our gardens and forests. Which ones? Food technologist Nadezhda Chizhova advises.
“The berry of life and longevity” – this is how the Chinese call sea buckthorn. Our neighbors from the Far East know more about the properties of this plant than anyone else, since the tradition of its use in Chinese folk medicine goes back many centuries.
Sea buckthorn is a berry of life and longevity
Health for the sake of …
Sea buckthorn berries are called “natural pantry” for a reason – they contain more than 100 biologically active substances.
Sea buckthorn is a versatile plant and is almost completely used in medicine. Sea buckthorn berries, leaves, and sea buckthorn oil are also beneficial. In addition to oil, various decoctions and infusions are used for medicinal purposes. Regular intake of sea buckthorn juice will help fight insomnia and increased nervous irritability. The high medicinal properties of sea buckthorn oil when taken orally have been proven: the indicators of cholesterol metabolism improved, the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow improved, the excretion of radionuclides that entered the body was accelerated, etc. Externally, sea buckthorn oil is used mainly for healing wounds and burns, preventing premature skin aging strengthening hair. With trophic ulcers, bedsores, erosions, cracks and inflammatory diseases of the skin and mucous membranes (oral cavity, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, genitals, etc.). The best results are obtained with a combination of external application of sea buckthorn oil and its intake.
Due to the high amount of vitamins, the benefits of sea buckthorn for the immune system are also enormous. With the systematic use of sea buckthorn berries for food, the protective functions of the body increase, and the condition of the skin improves. Sea buckthorn is very useful for people suffering from extreme exhaustion or anemia.
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Sea buckthorn juice is widely used as an anti-aging elixir. For example, swallowing and rubbing the skin of the face and neck is recommended for women seeking to maintain youth.
The use of sea buckthorn oil for the face is well suited for aging, flabby and wrinkled skin. Sea buckthorn oil is recommended for dry skin of the face, suffering from roughness and flaking. The use of sea buckthorn oil is also effective in case of impaired skin pigmentation. It is advisable to use cold pressed and diluted sea buckthorn oil.
Sea buckthorn juice is able to eliminate hair defects such as brittleness and dryness, revitalize curls, and also prevents dandruff formation. It is recommended to apply fresh berry juice to slightly damp clean hair and stretch it along the entire length, and then wrap the hair in a terry towel. After an hour, the hair should be rinsed with warm and soft water.
Interesting Facts…
It is reliably known that in ancient times, horses were fed with specially prepared young twigs and sea buckthorn leaves. Moreover, they got this tasty treat only before competitions or equestrian parades. After such feeding, the horses gained weight, their physical endurance increased, their appearance improved: the coat became shiny, shiny and smooth. Knowing about the benefits of sea buckthorn for horses, the ancient Greeks also used the leaves and berries of the plant to restore strength, treat skin and inflammatory diseases in humans. The experience gained by Greek doctors spread to European countries, and there sea buckthorn gained fame as a reliable remedy for skin and stomach ailments.
Lingonberry is a storehouse of useful substances, which allows using this berry for both health and cosmetic purposes. It is not for nothing that it is called “the berry of immortality.”
Lingonberry – “berry of immortality”
Health for the sake of …
This northern berry contains a huge amount of anthocyanins (up to 15 species), which are able to maintain the integrity of capillaries and restore collagen fibers. In addition, anthocyanins improve vision, increase its acuity, so it is very useful to include lingonberries in the diet of schoolchildren. And the presence of copper in the berry makes it indispensable for those who suffer from high blood sugar levels. Lingonberry juice prevents the occurrence of neuroses and anemia, which makes this berry especially attractive for pregnant women. Lingonberry is also effective as an antiseptic, wound healing and tonic.
As for the leaves of lingonberry, which have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and choleretic effect, they are used in medicine even more often than berries. For example, a decoction from the leaves is great for treating kidney disease and gout, since it can soften and remove salts and stones.
In addition, lingonberry is rich in vitamins C and A, and also contains calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron.
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Since it has long been noted that lingonberry extract has a rejuvenating effect, gives the skin elasticity and acts as an antioxidant, it is often used in cosmetology. Lingonberry leaves have anti-inflammatory, astringent and disinfectant properties, therefore, infusions and decoctions from the leaves of this plant are used for hair loss, dandruff, itching of the head, as well as for irritation and inflammation of problem skin.
If you want to lose weight, then lingonberry can become your ally here too: it has pronounced diuretic and purifying properties. At the same time, the combination of a large amount of vitamins and minerals, fiber and calories – only 40 kcal per 100 grams – ensures a smooth weight loss, and the soothing properties of lingonberries will help maintain psychological balance.
Universal recipe
To use this wonderful berry all year round, you can make a universal workpiece – rub lingonberries with sugar. In this form, it can be used as ordinary jam, added to tea, made lingonberry juice, pies and other dishes.
For cooking you will need: 1 kg of lingonberries and sugar to taste (from 1 to 2 kg). Rinse and dry the berries a little, wipe them with a blender or meat grinder. Stir, place in jars and cover with lids. Everything! The home doctor is now always at hand.
Small but …
Despite all the advantages of lingonberry, it also has contraindications: gastritis with high acidity, cholecystitis, low blood pressure (hypotension), urolithiasis, stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer.
Interesting moment
The mysterious name of lingonberry – “berry of immortality” – comes from an old mystical legend. According to her, lingonberry refers to those plants that have been hit by drops of living water, which gives people immortality. A swallow carrying this water in its beak was stung by a wasp during its flight. Unable to endure the pain, the bird spilled water on pine, cedar and lingonberry. Since then, thanks to the life-giving drops, these three plants remain green all year round.
The fact that cranberries have useful properties was known in Russia already in the XNUMXth century. It was considered an unsurpassed remedy for scurvy and cough, and the juice of the berry was used to lubricate weeping wounds.
Cranberry – “rejuvenating berry”
Health for the sake of …
Cranberries have not lost their popularity in our time. According to scientists, cranberry juice stops the growth and spread of cancer cells. Cranberries contain substances that prevent the formation of blood clots and plaques. In addition, it strengthens the walls of blood vessels, cleanses the blood and helps fight colds and flu.
By the content of valuable substances, cranberries can be called a “home first aid kit”. There are organic acids, glucose, fructose, sucrose and, of course, many vitamins. Vitamin B, for example, has a positive effect on hair, nails and the nervous system, vitamin C strengthens the immune system, vitamin A preserves vision, improves skin condition. By the way, because of the quinic acid contained in cranberries, paired with a high percentage of vitamin C, the berry received the nickname “northern lemon”. Quinic acid gives some bitterness in taste, but the bitter the berry, the healthier it is. It also contains many minerals: potassium, calcium, boron, phosphorus, iodine, sodium, silver, iron, manganese and magnesium.
Cranberry is an excellent antioxidant, protecting the cells of the body from the harmful effects of the environment. It is because of this property that it was nicknamed the “rejuvenating berry”.
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The properties of the “rejuvenating berry” are widely used in cosmetology. Cranberry not only tones and nourishes the skin, but also helps to cope with some skin problems.
To eliminate the oily sheen of the skin, it is enough to wipe the face in the morning and in the evening with fresh cranberry juice. Tired and sluggish skin will be well revitalized with a tonic made from cranberry juice mixed with water in equal proportions. It can be used as facial compresses.
Mix a tablespoon of cranberry juice with beaten egg white for a good mask for oily skin. Apply the mask on the face for 10 minutes, then rinse with water.
For mature skin, a mask made from a tablespoon of cranberry juice, a spoonful of sour cream and egg yolk is good.
Cranberry also copes well with skin diseases (with burns, diathesis, psoriasis, all kinds of lichen, etc.). To make the ointment, you will need two tablespoons of large ripe berries. Rub them and squeeze through cheesecloth. Mix the resulting juice with petroleum jelly and lanolin, about 50 grams each and store in the refrigerator.
Small but …
Doctors do not recommend using cranberries for people with diseases such as gout and urolithiasis. In no case should “gastritis” and “ulcers” eat berries and drink cranberry juice, especially during periods of exacerbation of diseases.
Universal recipe
American cranberry sauce.
You will need: 450 g of cranberries, 115 g of sugar, 1 tangerine, 1 lemon, 2 tbsp. l. water. Peel the citrus zest, cut into thin strips. Cut the pulp. Dissolve sugar and water in a saucepan, let it boil and simmer for a couple of minutes until dissolved. Add zest and pulp. Boil for another minute in the same mode. Add cranberries and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Serve chilled. The sauce is equally good for both meat and vegetable dishes and rice or pasta.
The fruits of black chokeberry (chokeberry) are considered an effective immunostimulant, they improve the general condition of the body and increase its resistance to various infections.
Blackberry berries – a natural immunostimulant
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Many scientists have come to the conclusion that regular consumption of mountain ash improves liver function, normalizes the endocrine system and enhances immunity. Chokeberry is used for atherosclerosis, bleeding, allergies and diabetes mellitus. One of the most useful properties of mountain ash is its ability to rid the body of heavy metals, radioactive substances, decay products, therefore it is recommended to be included in the menu for people living in ecologically unfavorable areas.
The black chokeberry contains vitamins C, PP, E, carotene, B2, B9, R. By the way, it is in the content of vitamin P that the chokeberry “surpassed” all known fruit and berry plants. Meanwhile, its lack leads to intradermal hemorrhages, and the regular use of vitamin P normalizes the condition of the capillary walls, increasing their strength and elasticity. In addition, the berry is good because it contains a huge amount of iodine. Therefore, chokeberry well normalizes the work of the organs of the endocrine system.
Under the influence of chokeberry juice, emotional imbalance, blood pressure and heart rate are reduced. Also, due to the high content of anthocyanins, the berry is useful in the diet of cancer patients.
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If you are overweight and want to lose weight, then the use of chokeberry will help fight obesity. Due to the high content of anthocyanins, which regulate body weight, the chokeberry blocks the growth of adipose tissue and fights against the occurrence of a false feeling of hunger. The pectin substances that make up the chokeberry tone the intestinal walls and help cleanse the body.
Universal recipe
To prepare the juice, the berries are washed, poured with water (at the rate of 100 g of water per 1 kg of berries), heated to 60 ° C and, stirring constantly, kept at this temperature for up to half an hour until the berries become soft. Then they are passed through a meat grinder or kneaded with a wooden pestle, the mass is wrung out.
Homemade liqueur recipe
To prepare a drink, take 100 berries, 100 cherry leaves, 1 liter of water, boil for 15 minutes and add 0,5 kg of sugar. Refrigerate. After cooling down, add 0,5 l of vodka. Keep covered for 10 days in a dark place. You can add lemon juice to taste, then strain.
Small but …
Due to the high content of organic acids, chokeberry is not recommended for exacerbations of stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as for hyperacid gastritis, low pressure, thrombophlebitis and increased blood clotting.
Interesting fact
Two centuries ago, scientists drew attention to a small shrub – black chokeberry. At first it was grown as an ornamental plant … before Michurin took over it. He crossed chokeberry with bitter, resulting in a variety of liquor with sweet tart berries, which began to be eaten. Michurin did not stop at this achievement and began to cross the chokeberry with bird cherry, medlar and hawthorn. Thus, larger-fruited varieties with sweet berries were born.
Kalina is one of the most famous plants, the miraculous properties of which have been described in many legends and tales. People say that viburnum heals not only the body, but also the soul, drives away gloomy thoughts and instills hope.
Kalina – a symbol of beauty and health
Health for the sake of …
As a rule, most of us know that viburnum is good for colds and high blood pressure. But the list of medicinal properties of the berry is not limited to this.
Kalina contains a unique substance – viburnin, which has a vasoconstrictor effect, and viburnum juice helps to cleanse the blood vessels. Valerian acids give the Kalina a special value, thanks to which it has an excellent soothing effect. In addition, the miraculous power of viburnum can heal a husky voice and restore an almost lost voice.
Kalina contains an incredible amount of vitamins (C, A, E, K, B6), minerals, organic acids, tannins, pectin, which is involved in the normalization of digestion. By the way, there is more vitamin C in viburnum than in lemon.
Kalina with honey is used for various diseases of the upper respiratory tract, cough, edema of cardiac origin.
The viburnum bark is not as attractive in appearance as the berry, but this does not detract from its healing properties. A decoction of the bark has a fairly high hemostatic ability. It helps even with very extensive internal bleeding. In addition, a decoction of the bark helps with insomnia and is also good as a sedative.
To prepare the broth, take 2 tablespoons of bark in a glass of water, boil for 10 minutes and drink half a glass 2 times a day. Broths are also drunk for colds. With inflammation of the gums, rinse the mouth with a decoction of the bark.
When treating, it should be borne in mind that viburnum can cause a sharp drop in pressure.
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In cosmetology, viburnum is used as a restorative, tonic and rejuvenating agent. Lotions, shampoos, gels, face masks, and creams are made from it. Moreover, the viburnum mask can be easily prepared at home.
For example, those with oily skin can prepare a mixture that will tighten enlarged pores and remove oily sheen. It is necessary to take a tablespoon of viburnum juice, add to it slightly beaten egg white, a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix everything thoroughly. Apply the mask on the face for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. For those whom nature has endowed with normal or dry skin, this mask can be improved for their type. To do this, you just need to replace the protein and lemon juice with a nourishing cream. This mask is applied for 10 minutes and washed off with warm water.
To restore elasticity and freshness to aging skin, prepare a mask of two tablespoons of viburnum juice, egg yolk, honey (a teaspoon) and a tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk everything well and apply on face, neck and décolleté for 15 minutes. Rinse off first with warm and then cold water.
By the way, the viburnum mask slightly brightens the skin.
Useful recipe
Viburnum jelly
Pass clean, dried berries through a juicer. Add sugar to the resulting juice at a rate of 1: 1 or 1: 2. Stir well, put on low heat, heat, stirring constantly. When the sugar is completely dissolved, the jelly is ready. Pour it hot over sterilized jars, roll it up. Do not discard the remaining raw materials. It can be used for making fruit drinks, drinks.
Small but …
Kalina should be used with caution by people with increased blood clotting, as well as a tendency to form blood clots.
Viburnum berries are bitter, so it’s best to pick them after the first frost. In this case, the bitterness will disappear, and the fruits will become sweetish, pleasant to the taste. Berries can be dried, frozen.