Lingonberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications of tea, infusion, decoction and indications for use

Medicinal properties of lingonberry leaves

The homeland of the evergreen shrub is Siberia, the Far East, the Arctic. This is an uncultivated plant, so it can only be found in forests. It is very easy to notice lingonberries. She has glossy dense oval-shaped leaves and bright scarlet small fruits.

In folk medicine, the whole plant is used. All parts have useful qualities – from roots to berries. Its medicinal properties include:

• removal of salts and toxins from the body;
• destruction of helminths;
• removal of inflammation;
• stop bleeding;
• prevention and treatment of gynecological diseases;
• antihistamine properties;
• herpes treatment;
• temperature drop;
• increased immunity;
• antiviral properties;
• reducing the risk of malignant tumors;
• softening of stones;
• removal of edema;
• normalization of the cardiovascular system;
• lowering blood sugar;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• stabilization of the central nervous system;
• relief of menopausal symptoms.

Video “Useful and dangerous properties of lingonberries”

This video talks about the features of the use of lingonberries in traditional medicine.

Possible harm

Despite the usefulness of lingonberries as a medicinal plant, it must be used very carefully. Uncontrolled use can lead to undesirable consequences. It is impossible to use an infusion of lingonberry leaf without consulting a doctor in the following cases:

• during pregnancy;
• patients with kidney pathologies;
• children under the age of 12;
• people on a diet for weight loss;
• while taking antibiotics.

Hypersensitivity test

Before using lingonberries, you must carefully read the contraindications and make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to the chemical composition of the plant. You can determine individual intolerance using a mini-test. To do this, moisten the bandage in a concentrated solution, wrap it around the wrist and hold for 10 minutes. The first signs of hypersensitivity will be redness, tingling or itching.

Side effects when taking lingonberry leaf

It is necessary to use a medicinal plant strictly according to the instructions, without increasing the dose and course of treatment. Since lingonberries are a strong diuretic, their excessive consumption can lead to inflammation of the ureters and the removal of useful substances from the body.

When purchasing dried leaves, you need to pay attention to their color. It should be dark green, without impurities. If there is a gray coating on it, it is better to throw away such raw materials immediately.

Chemical composition

Lingonberry is not in vain included in the register of medicinal herbs. Its leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and other useful components:

1. organic acids. They are powerful diuretics, relieve inflammation, neutralize toxins.
2. Phenolic acids. They lower the temperature, reduce joint pain, eliminate neurosis.
3. Arbutin. Helps fight urolithiasis and cystitis, has analgesic properties.
4. Flavonoids, tannins. Responsible for cell regeneration, slow down the aging process.
5. Vitamins of group B, C. Contribute to the stable course of biochemical reactions, strengthen the immune system.
6. Micro, macro elements. Necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Rules of procurement

Lingonberries are harvested twice per season: immediately after the snow melts and at the end of fruiting. When the berries bloom or ripen, the plant loses some of its beneficial properties, so the collection is not made in summer.

The collected raw materials are carefully examined and sorted out. Dry the peeled leaves on a dry surface in the shade, turning regularly. The place for storing dried raw materials should be dark, dry, well ventilated. Dry leaves retain their medicinal qualities for 2 years.

Recipes

Lingonberries are used to treat or prevent diseases in various ways. It can be infused or brewed, but in all cases, the usefulness of the plant is not reduced. Below we look at some of the most common recipes.

decoction

Prepare as follows:

• 20 g of raw materials are steamed with a glass of boiling water;
• incubated for 30 minutes on a steam bath;
• cool, strain and squeeze the cake;
• warm water is introduced to a volume of 250 ml.

When ingested, the decoction is diluted with tea at the rate of 1: 1. Drink 125 ml once a day before meals. As a prevention of kidney disease, it is enough to halve the dose.

For external use, the decoction is not diluted. Treatment of the affected areas is carried out no more than 2 times a day.

Infusion

Infusion method:

• 10 g of raw materials are poured into a thermos and steamed with half a glass of hot water;
• let it brew for 3 hours;
• well strain.

For internal use, take 40 ml every 6 hours. For rheumatism, drink 125 ml 4 times a day.

Tea

Often tea is used as a preventive measure. It strengthens the immune system, relieves swelling, helps fight stress. The recipe is simple:

• 40 g of raw materials are steamed with 1 liter of boiling water;
• insist a quarter of an hour under a towel;
• well strain.

Drinking tea is recommended every 6 hours for 1 glass, adding honey or jam.

Vodka tincture

Tincture is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, as well as people with stomach ulcers.

Method of preparation:

• 100 g of raw materials are steamed with 2,5 liter of boiling water;
• boil for 2 hours on low heat;
• strain;
• enter 0, 2 l of vodka;
• boil for 15 minutes, making sure that the infusion does not boil.

Alcohol tincture should be drunk 50 g before meals in the morning, afternoon and evening for six months.

Used in cosmetics

Lingonberry is very often used in cosmetology. Its biochemical composition has antibacterial, tonic, antioxidant effects on the skin and hair. Cowberry-based cosmetics rejuvenate, cleanse, and eliminate acne. Medicated shampoos help fight dandruff, seborrhea, and baldness.

Hair conditioner

As a rinse, you can use lingonberry infusion. It is prepared as follows: 50 g of dry raw materials are steamed with 1 liter of boiling water, then allowed to cool to room temperature. The resulting solution is washed with hair after washing with regular shampoo. After several procedures, they become shiny, strong and healthy in appearance.

Anti-inflammatory face mask

To eliminate inflammation on the skin of the face, as well as remove acne, you can prepare a special mask from lingonberries. 1 st. l. dry leaves are steamed with 200 ml of boiled water, then left to cool to room temperature. The solution is regularly wiped with problem areas throughout the day. The effect of such a mask is visible on the second day.

During pregnancy and edema

Use lingonberries during pregnancy should be very careful. Before taking it is necessary to consult a doctor. It is prescribed for inflammation of the organs of the genitourinary system, kidneys, to reduce sugar levels. Also, the infusion helps to remove puffiness. 10 g of raw materials are steamed with a glass of boiling water. Drink 50 ml every 6 hours.

During lactation

Cowberry tea increases milk flow. Before use, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as the properties of a medicinal plant with mother’s milk will be transferred to the child. Dry raw materials are ground to a powder state and steamed with boiling water at the rate of 10 g of raw materials per teapot. Tea is infused for 30-40 minutes. It can be slightly sweetened before use.

With mastopathy

Inflammation of the mammary glands is very dangerous for women’s health. Having noticed the first symptoms, as well as for the prevention of the disease, you should drink a course of medicinal decoction. It is prepared as follows:

• dry lingonberry, calendula, knotweed, linden, corn stigma, chamomile, elderberry, horsetail are mixed;
• 10 g of the collection is steamed with a glass of boiling water;
• languish for a quarter of an hour in a water bath;
• stand until completely cooled;
• strain, squeeze the cake.

The infusion is consumed 2 times a day, 100 ml for no more than 30 days. 5 ml of apple cider vinegar is added to each serving before taking.

Diuretic

Lingonberry is a powerful diuretic. It quickly relieves puffiness without causing bad consequences. The dosage depends on the diagnosis and can vary greatly. So, lingonberry decoction is used for cystitis, joint diseases, kidney stones, high blood pressure, prostatitis.

With cystitis

Lingonberry is rich in useful substances that effectively relieve inflammation. You can get rid of cystitis with an infusion of 20 g of raw materials, poured into a glass of hot water. The liquid is infused for an hour, then strained and drunk 100 ml before each meal.

For rheumatism and gout

The following infusion will help relieve pain during inflammation of the joints:

• 10 g of raw materials are steamed with a glass of boiling water;
• insist a quarter of an hour;
• strain, squeeze the cake;
• drink 125 ml every 6 hours.

Arthritis

Arthritis alone cannot be cured with medicinal herbs. It is taken as an adjunct to general treatment. However, lingonberry decoction will help to quickly relieve pain and restore mobility to the joints. 10 g of leaves are steamed with a glass of boiling water. Infuse for half an hour and drink strained before eating. Each time you need to brew a new infusion.

For type 2 diabetes

Since the medicinal plant is able to stabilize sugar levels, it is often prescribed for type II diabetes. Cowberry is also useful for the pancreas. Thanks to its biochemical composition, it helps to regenerate damaged cells. 20 g of raw materials are poured into 250 ml of boiling water. Boil over low heat for half an hour. Ready broth is taken before each meal 10 minutes before meals.

For the kidneys

To remove stones or sand from the kidneys, as well as to cope with inflammation, you can use the following decoction:

• 20 g of leaves are steamed with a glass of hot water;
• insist for an hour;
• strain, squeeze the cake;
• drink before each meal 20 ml.

With bleeding

To stop bleeding of various types, lingonberry infusion is taken, prepared as follows:

• 40 g of raw materials are steamed with a glass of water at room temperature;
• put in a water bath and simmer for half an hour;
• strain, squeeze the cake;
• drink before each meal 70 ml.

From pressure

In order to lower high blood pressure, lingonberry broth can be prepared in two ways:

1. Mix 1 tsp. dry leaves with the same amount of crushed berries. The resulting mixture is steamed with 250 ml of hot water and drunk every day for a half month. The course is repeated after 30 days.
2. 20 g of dry raw materials insist in a glass of boiling water. Drink for 2 weeks daily.

With pancreatitis

Kvass from lingonberries will help relieve inflammation of the pancreas. Its preparation consists of several steps:

• 1 kg of fresh raw materials are carefully sorted for spoiled berries and washed well;
• squeeze juice out of them;
• the remaining cake is poured into 5 liters of cold water;
• bring to a boil over medium heat, boil for 2 minutes;
• strain, squeeze the cake;
• yeast, lemon zest, sugar, honey are introduced into the cooled broth;
• left to ferment for 15 hours.

With prostatitis

Cowberry tincture to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis is prepared as follows:

• 40 g of raw materials are steamed with a glass of hot water;
• put in a water bath and simmer for a quarter of an hour;
• cool, strain, squeeze the cake;
• drink every 6 hours, 50 ml.

To enhance the medicinal properties of the infusion, St. John’s wort or echinacea is added to it.

Enuresis remedy

Without consulting a doctor, it is impossible to give children lingonberry decoctions to drink. You can get rid of enuresis with an infusion of a mixture of medicinal plants. In addition to lingonberries, it includes arnica, dill, thyme, yarrow, chamomile, shepherd’s purse, St. John’s wort. 10 g of crushed raw materials are steamed with 250 ml of hot water and infused for half an hour. Strained infusion at room temperature is taken throughout the day, 20 ml.

With diathesis in infants

A decoction of a plant mixture with diathesis can not only be drunk, but also bathe a child in it. 10 g of a mixture of lingonberry leaves, nettle, plantain, St. John’s wort is steamed with 250 ml of boiling water and infused for half an hour. The strained solution is given to the baby in ½ tsp. every 8 hours. The duration of the course is 45 days.

Lingonberry leaf for weight loss

The effect is achieved by removing excess fluid from the body, and not by burning fat. For 1 month of taking lingonberry tea, you can lose up to 3 kg of weight. A decoction is made from lingonberry leaves and linden flowers at the rate of 2: 1. The mixture is steamed with 300 ml of hot water and infused in a thermos for 6 hours. Strained liquid is taken before each meal, 30 minutes before meals, 100 ml.

Lingonberry leaves for gastritis

Cowberry decoctions and teas should not be taken by people with high levels of acidity. There are many recipes for gastritis, but most often a simple infusion is prepared to treat the disease. 10 g of leaves are steamed with 250 ml of hot water, infused for half an hour and drunk 100 ml strained before each meal (for 20 minutes).

Lingonberry leaves for urolithiasis

It is necessary to remove stones with the help of lingonberry broth very carefully. It is best used as a preventive measure. 20 g of leaves are steamed with 200 ml of boiling water and boiled for 20-30 minutes over low heat. Strain, squeeze the cake, add liquid to a volume of 200 ml. Take before each meal 3 tbsp. l.

Despite all the usefulness, lingonberries will not forgive excessive passion for it. Treatment or prevention must be approached sensibly and consciously in order to minimize the risk of complications.