Kalina

It seems that our ancestors always knew about the healing abilities of viburnum. They gave us the oldest recipes, which mention not only juicy bright scarlet berries, but also their seeds, leaves, flowers and even bark. This gift of nature can save you from many diseases, since the berries have general health-improving properties and rarely cause allergies.

General characteristics and useful components

Viburnum is a beautiful shrub with white honey-bearing flowers and bright scarlet berries. The shrub reaches 1,5-4 meters. It is most often seen in the forest, although it also takes root well in gardens. More than 120 species of this plant are known, which have spread in Eurasia, North Africa and the Americas. There are poisonous ones among them, as in the Caucasus. The most famous representative of this family is Viburnum opulus or red viburnum. Our ancestors used the fruits of this plant as a natural dye, and to give the fabric a dark green hue, it was immersed in a decoction of viburnum bark.

Viburnum fruits ripen quickly and have a bitter-sweet, slightly tart flavor. The most delicious, fragrant and healthy berries become after the first frost. At this time, with their vitamin composition, they are not inferior to blackcurrant or chokeberry.

The chemical composition of berries is vitamins A, C, P and E, organic acids, antioxidant substances, pectin, tannins, phytoncides and glucose ^[1]. It is thanks to pectin that viburnum is considered beneficial for digestion, and the unique substance viburin, which is responsible for the bitter taste of berries, is indispensable for the cardiovascular system. The fruits of this plant contain iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, iodine, copper, phosphorus, as well as acetic, valeric, oleic and formic acid in sufficient quantities. ^[2].

Many useful components are rich not only in berries, but also in leaves, shrub bark, so they are also used for therapeutic purposes, for example, to eliminate dermatitis or bleeding. As for the seeds, they are rich in many healthy fats, and the snow-white flowers of viburnum are not only a source of delicious aroma, but also many minerals. This part of the plant is used to keep the vocal cords working. Roots, bark and leaves are rich in tannins and resinous substances, organic acids and ascorbic acid. They have a strong antispasmodic effect, and are also known for their immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, astringent, diuretic properties. ^[3].

100 g of berries contain about 26,3 kcal, 7 g of carbohydrates and there are no fats and proteins.

Useful Properties

Viburnum berries help lower blood sugar levels, so they are considered beneficial for people with diabetes. They improve digestion, have diaphoretic and diuretic properties. Berries are also useful for kidney diseases, edema, high cholesterol and improper fat metabolism. Kalina is recommended for people with reduced immunity, diseases of the heart, blood vessels, unstable blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia and many other health problems. ^{[4] [5]}.

In traditional and traditional medicine, this plant is remembered when it is necessary to heal:

• inflammatory processes of various origins ^[6];
• colds and viral illnesses;
• bleeding gums;
• diseases of the digestive organs ^[7];
• stagnation of bile;
• hypertension;
• neurological disorders ^[8];
• edema;
• gallstones ^[9];
• low acidity gastritis;
• bowel disorders;
• hemorrhoids;
• skin diseases;
• excessive sweating of hands;
• malignant formations ^{[10] [11]};
• inflammation of the appendages;
• PMS in women ^[12].

How to harvest viburnum

Mostly viburnum grows in moist pine forests, where there is shade, it can also often be seen among other shrubs near water bodies.

The bark of the plant should be harvested in April immediately after sap flow. Juicy shoots are also harvested in early spring, and flowers from May to June, but only those that are fully opened. Berries can be harvested as early as September, but after the first frost they become less bitter and more saturated with vitamins. Berries should be cut in whole bunches so as not to damage the pulp.

You can stock this useful plant in different ways. The most useful berries are fresh, so freezing is considered the best way to harvest. Also, ripe fruits can be dried or ground with sugar.

It is also recommended to dry the berries in whole inflorescences in a cool ventilated place for 7-9 days. After this stage, the remaining liquid is removed by placing them in an oven at a temperature of approximately 50 degrees Celsius. Store dried fruits in linen bags in a dry place protected from the sun.

Berries covered with sugar will not lose their benefits. To do this, a third of the jar must be filled with washed berries and covered with a thick layer of sugar, but do not fill the vessel completely and do not tamp. To remove the bitterness, the berries can first be dipped in boiling water.

Vitamin Recipes

Kalin juice

Berry juice can be prepared in two ways. The easiest is to squeeze the liquid through gauze folded in 4-6 layers. Such a product in tightly closed jars can be stored for a long time, but only in the refrigerator. The longer such a product is stored, the less bitterness remains in it. If you add sugar to the drink and bring it to the consistency of jelly, then it can be kept even at room temperature.

For the second method of preparing viburnum juice, you will need 0,5 liters of water and viburnum and 100 g of sugar. The fruits should be poured with water and boiled over low heat until tender. Then they need to be squeezed out, add sugar, boil again and distribute in clean jars.

To strengthen immunity

If you grind 100 g of viburnum, lemon zest, 200 g of aloe and peeled walnuts, and then add honey and a little butter to the mixture, it will turn out to be a very useful tool for strengthening immunity. Take this medicine in a tablespoon every time after eating.

A decoction of the bark against colds

Viburnum bark has many healing properties. And one of them is the treatment and prevention of diseases of the respiratory system.

To prepare the medicine, you will need 2 tablespoons of crushed bark, which should be boiled over low heat for 10 minutes, and then insisted for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid, add 10 drops of sea buckthorn oil and 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink half a glass 25 minutes before meals.

Cold remedy

Mix in equal proportions (1 tablespoon each) viburnum bark, thyme, chamomile, mint. Add a glass of boiling water and leave for 5 minutes. Strain, add a little honey and a glass of fresh viburnum juice. Drink half a glass half an hour before meals.

With bronchitis and pneumonia

Mix 1 tablespoon of wild rose, viburnum, chamomile, calendula. Pour 5 cups of boiled water and cook over low heat for 4-6 minutes. Leave for at least 6 hours. Consume 1 tablespoon before meals.

With angina

Prepare an infusion from a mixture of viburnum berries and flowers in equal parts, pour boiling water, wrap and leave for 4 hours. Gargle with warm liquid 5-6 times a day.

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Mix in equal shares of motherwort, valerian root and young stems of viburnum. Add a glass of hot water to the mixture and boil for 2-3 minutes. Take in small portions.

Kalina in cosmetology

In cosmetology, juice from berries is most often used. It is useful for oily skin prone to breakouts. Also, viburnum juice is an effective remedy for freckles. To lighten them, you need to wipe your face twice a day with a cotton pad soaked in healing juice. The same product will help get rid of age spots, but for this it is no longer enough just to wipe your face, and viburnum juice masks will come to the rescue. For 10 days, apply a cloth soaked with viburnum juice on the face.  After each procedure, thoroughly lubricate the face with a nourishing cream.

Recipes kalinovyh masks for face

1. Mix viburnum juice and egg white in a 1:1 ratio. The course of treatment is 3 weeks. Apply daily, keep for about 30 minutes. The effect is lighter skin.
2. Mix a tablespoon of unripe viburnum fruits (pre-mash) and a teaspoon of honey. Apply to face and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water, slightly acidified with lemon juice. Then apply a nourishing cream.
3. Add a little viburnum juice to the face cream. Apply daily with a thick layer. Remove residues in 40 minutes with a paper towel.

Contraindications and possible side effects

Since the berries have a hypotensive effect, people with low blood pressure should not abuse them. Also, without the advice of a doctor, you should not use viburnum for people who have been diagnosed with a tendency to form blood clots in the bloodstream and with increased blood clotting. People with gout should not get carried away with berries, since the fruits contain a lot of organic acids. Viburnum is forbidden for kidney diseases, increased acidity of the stomach, during pregnancy.

Kalina is an amazing plant. In order to fully experience its healing properties, it is important to understand how to properly use berries and remedies from them.

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