Coral viburnum is a common shrub reaching up to 3 meters in height with white flowers and red fruits, forming clusters similar to those of rowan. It is found on fertile, moist soils, in deciduous and alder forests, often on the banks of streams and rivers, and in thickets. For years, natural folk medicine has been using viburnum to alleviate various health ailments.
Fruit healthy, but not raw!
The plant blooms in May and June, and bears fruit in August and September. Particularly medicinally valuable are its fruits and bark. The bark is usually obtained in early spring from young shoots, which, unlike the older ones – brown, are green in color. It is used to make decoctions and extracts. Its composition includes antioxidant flavonoids and coumarin derivatives, tannins, organic acids, and vitamins C and K. The fruits are spherical, bright red, with one flat stone inside. They are a bit bitter in taste. They are poisonous when raw! They lose their toxic properties only after freezing or under the influence of high temperature. So you can successfully make preserves from them, because they contain a lot of sugars, fiber in the form of pectins, tannins, vitamins C and P and carotene.
What can viburnum help with?
Traditionally, the plant is used to treat so-called female ailments. However, this is not the only possibility. Therefore, we present a wide range of health-promoting applications.
- For painful and heavy menstruationThe bark and the coumarin contained in it, which has antispasmodic properties, are important here. Thanks to this, it relieves menstrual pain by contracting the muscles of the uterus and relaxing them. In addition, the compounds contained in the bark have the effect of reducing the amount of bleeding.
- For pregnant womenThe viburnum bark extract has an anti-abortion effect, helping to maintain pregnancy, and also prevents premature birth when there is a risk of not carrying the pregnancy. In addition, a decoction of the bark inhibits vomiting and nausea, and eliminates painful cramps in the leg muscles. Pregnant women intending to use viburnum should, however, agree with their attending physician.
- Helpful in food ailmentsViburnum flower infusion aids digestion. The organic acids contained in them stimulate the secretion of saliva and the production of digestive juices. In addition, the antibacterial properties are conducive to the treatment of diarrhea. You can also help yourself with viburnum in the case of severe intestinal cramps, colic and use it as an auxiliary in pain resulting from peptic ulcer disease.
- For colds and fluVitamins A, C and P present in the fruit mean that the juice from them can be safely used in states of weakened immunity. It is a natural strengthening agent that will speed up the defeat of the infection and relieve its unpleasant symptoms. Viburnum is especially recommended for persistent cough.
- For relaxationTea made of dried viburnum fruit has a calming effect, reducing stress and tension. It can be successfully drunk to calm down and also in case of problems with falling asleep.