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Actinidia is perhaps the most striking representative of tree vines. The fruits of the plant are actively used in folk medicine and cooking. That is why the beneficial properties of actinidia and contraindications are considered an important point in acquaintance with plant culture.
The chemical composition and calorie content of berries
The berries are elliptical in shape, their length is 4–5 cm. The color is predominantly green with shades of yellow and orange. The taste of actinidia fruits is sweetish, there is sourness. Very reminiscent of pineapple, gooseberries, kiwi. The chemical composition of berries is characterized by an abundance of useful trace elements:
- vitamins A, E, B, K;
- folic acid;
- a nicotinic acid;
- sodium;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- iron.
In addition, actinidia is famous for its rich content of antioxidants, sugars, fiber, and the amount of vitamin C surpasses everyone’s favorite lemon, raspberry and currant. The calorie content of berries is about 50 kcal per 100 g.
Video “Healing properties of actinidia berries”
From this video you will learn what medicinal properties the actinidia berry has.
Medicinal properties of actinidia
Due to the content of a large number of useful trace elements and vitamins, actinidia fruits are actively used in medicine. Berries have a calming, expectorant, hemostatic effect. The presence of potassium in the composition ensures the normalization of blood pressure.
In addition, regular consumption of the fruits of the tree liana will prevent the occurrence of heart attack and stroke. Actinidia has a beneficial effect on the condition of the walls of blood vessels, which leads to the normalization of the tone of capillaries and veins.
In addition, the use of the plant for medicinal purposes is effective for:
- constipation;
- whooping cough;
- migraine;
- helminthiasis;
- respiratory diseases;
- pathologies of the digestive tract.
Folk recipes from medicinal berries
In folk medicine, not only berries, but also leaves and inflorescences of the plant are widely used. There are many recipes for infusions, decoctions, medicinal drinks from actinidia. In addition to medicinal properties, this type of woody vine has preventive properties.
In Japan, the culture is widespread even in official medicine. Preparations based on this plant have diuretic, anti-inflammatory properties. The plant is used for injections for angina pectoris, colds. In addition, decoctions and infusions based on actinidia are considered a good laxative.
Infusion of leaves and flowers
30 g of dried vine leaves should be poured with 100 ml of boiling water. The infusion must be held for 20 minutes in a water bath, then cool. Take in small amounts thrice a day. The tool helps in case of sciatica, diseases of the joints.
Concentrated infusion of berries
A tablespoon of berries is poured with a small amount of boiling water. After a few minutes of infusion, the broth must be cooled. Use 50-80 ml twice a day. The concentrate enhances immunity, general strengthening of the body. The tool is indispensable in the cold season.
Infusion of roots
The roots should be thoroughly washed, peeled and chopped. In a water bath, the roots are boiled until a strong, highly concentrated infusion is obtained. The tool copes well with gum disease, especially stomatitis.
The decoction is also used to treat joint pain and diseases of the female genitourinary system.
A decoction of the bark
30 g of dry bark must be poured with 1 glass of drinking water. For about half an hour, the composition must be held in a water bath, then cool and take 1 tbsp. l. after every meal.
Actinidia ointment
To prepare the ointment, you will need several berries of the bitter variety of actinidia. They should be crushed and combined with any fatty base. The ointment is intended for external use. Effective in the treatment of fractures.
Culinary uses of actinidia
In addition to medicinal properties, actinidia berries are widely used in cooking. There are quite a few recipes for preparing this fruit: compotes, juices, jams, jams. Such preparations for the winter will not only be a delicious dessert, but will also bring significant benefits to the body.
Harvesting and storage of fruits
Before harvesting, the fruits must be sorted out to remove excess debris. After that, the berries should be thoroughly washed and dried. To save the berries for the winter, you need to put them in a glass container and put them in a cool place, protected from sunlight. Quite often, the fruits are ground with sugar. Such preparation of berries ensures the preservation of the maximum amount of useful trace elements.
Berry jam
To prepare the original jam, you need to take the fruits of a tree vine and sugar in a 1: 1 ratio. Berries should be passed through a meat grinder and combined with sugar. The jam is sent to pre-prepared jars. Stored in a dark cool place for about 6 months.
For cooking, you will need much less granulated sugar. The fruits of the liana must be ground in a blender, sprinkled with sugar and left to infuse for 1-2 hours. After this time, the jam should be boiled for about half an hour, distributed into jars and rolled up.
Thermally processed jam, as a rule, is stored for more than a year.
Home wine
To make homemade wine, you will need 2 kg of fruits and 2,5 kg of granulated sugar, as well as 5 liters of water. Sugar must be divided into three parts. Fruits, drinking water and part of granulated sugar should be sent to a pre-prepared bottle. It is important to mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Put a rubber glove on the neck of the bottle.
You need to store the container in a warm place, protected from the rays of the sun. After 10–12 days, it is necessary to add the second part of granulated sugar, and after another 11 days, pour out the rest. When the glove falls off, which is considered the main sign of the readiness of the wine drink, it should be filtered, distributed in glass bottles and sent to the cellar.
A sparkling drink will come in handy in the cold season. It should be taken in a tablespoon before meals. A high concentration of vitamin C and ascorbic acid prevents vitamin deficiency and a decrease in the overall immunity of the body.
Possible harm and contraindications
Before eating actinidia in food or using it as a medicine, it is important to consider contraindications.
The berries of the tree liana are contraindicated in people suffering from varicose veins, increased blood clotting or thrombophlebitis. In addition, the plant is contraindicated for allergy sufferers. Also, do not use actinidia in case of kidney problems, gastritis and ulcers.
You should not give the fruits of the vine to children, otherwise it can provoke diathesis. Pregnant and lactating women should refrain from eating the fruit.
If there are no contraindications to eating actinidia berries, do not forget about the norm. Abuse of fruits can provoke problems of the gastrointestinal tract, including indigestion.
Actinidia has a lot of useful properties. It is widely used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology. However, self-treatment with a wood liana is unacceptable even in the absence of contraindications. Before regular and systematic use of the fruits of this culture, you should consult a doctor.