The benefits of black rowan berries. Black chokeberry. Beneficial features. Are chokeberry berries harmful?

The human body has an amazing ability to independently synthesize various substances necessary for healthy life. Cholesterol is just one of these self-reproducing organic compounds. However, its excess in the blood is fraught with serious health consequences. To maintain cholesterol at an acceptable level, you should eat foods that reduce its amount in the body.

Types of cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipophilic alcohol that does not dissolve in water. Most (about 80%) the human body produces independently. The remaining 20% ​​is ingested with food. The organic compound is the result of the work of the following organs — liver, intestines, adrenal glands, kidneys, gonads.

Contrary to popular belief, cholesterol is not always unhealthy. It is indispensable for:

• hormone production;
• synthesis of vitamin D;
• increase the body's resistance to diseases;
• maintaining nervous system;
• transportation of intracellular proteins.

IN human body There are 2 types of cholesterol:

• Good:
  • HDL - high-density lipoproteins. HDL dissolves well in water, prevents cholesterol from precipitating. Lipoproteins high density contribute to the removal of toxins, relieve excess harmful organic compounds;
• Harmful:
  • LDL are low density lipoproteins. They are harmful to the body in large quantities, because they concentrate and build up on the walls of the arteries. This causes their narrowing and eventually leads to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques;
  • VLDL are lipoproteins characterized by a very low density. The norm of their content in the blood is up to 1 mmol / l. If the above indicator is exceeded, the development of various diseases is possible - atherosclerosis, pancreatitis.

It is worth noting that all of the above types of cholesterol are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. However, their concentration in the blood must be under constant control. Any deviation from the norm indicates the beginning of serious health problems. To prevent cardiovascular diseases, you should eat foods that lower cholesterol levels.

Causes of High Cholesterol

To combat the increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood, it is necessary to determine the causes of its occurrence. To reduce its level in some cases, lifestyle changes will help, in others you will need to see a doctor.

Cholesterol levels can rise for the following reasons:

• inclusion in the daily diet of a large amount of fatty foods;
• excessive activity and passive smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• lack of physical activity (physical inactivity);
• obesity;
• pregnancy;
• the presence of diseases that are inherited from generation to generation:
  • familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC),
  • remnant hyperlipidemia,
  • analbuminemia;
• kidney problems:
  • nephroptosis,
  • glomerular nephritis,
  • kidney failure;
• pancreatic problems:
  • pancreatitis,
  • tumors;
• liver problems:
  • hepatitis,
  • cirrhosis,
  • extrahepatal jaundice,
  • liver dystrophy;
• atherosclerosis;
• elevated arterial pressure;
• ischemic heart disease (CHD);
• gout;
• Werner's syndrome, Cushing's;
• diabetes;
• taking certain medications.

The above list of reasons is not complete. Many other diseases also contribute to high blood cholesterol levels. Proper balanced nutrition will help to reduce its amount, lack of bad habits and stress. If lifestyle changes do not improve the clinical picture, this indicates the presence of a certain disease. In this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will prescribe tests and treatment.

How to lower cholesterol at home?

Cholesterol plays an important role in human life. As mentioned earlier, 80 percent of an organic compound is reproduced by the body itself. Its deficiency or excess is fraught with serious health problems.

To keep cholesterol levels within normal limits, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Give up smoking. Passive smokers similarly suffer from too much cholesterol;
• Stop abusing alcohol in large quantities;
• Exercise. Light physical activity keeps the vessels in good shape and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
• Avoid overwork and stressful situations;
• Observe the daily drinking norm - about 2 liters per day;
• Include healthy foods enriched with vitamins, minerals, pectins and fiber in your diet.

To lower the level of "bad" lipids, you should eat foods to lower cholesterol.

Avoiding the following foods helps lower blood cholesterol levels:

• fatty varieties meat - pork, beef, lamb;
• mayonnaise, ketchup and other sauces;
• fatty rich soups and broths;
• confectionery - pastries, sweets, cakes;
• dairy products with a fat percentage exceeding 5% - butter, condensed milk, ice cream;
• cocoa and coffee-containing drinks, black tea and sweet sparkling water;
• fast food - french fries, burgers;
• fatty second courses and side dishes - everything fried and fatty is prohibited.

The use of gentle cooking methods will help reduce blood cholesterol. To preserve more useful properties of products, preference should be given to boiling, stewing, baking, steaming or grilling. At the same time, it is recommended to limit the frying of foods and the use of oil in cooking.

Foods that lower cholesterol

There are many foods that can lower blood cholesterol. It is recommended to eat them for both men and women. There are no gender differences here. They will have the same beneficial effect on both sexes.

List of foods to help lower cholesterol

With the help of the above products, you can quickly lower cholesterol in the body. In general, it is recommended to subject the products to a lesser degree of heat treatment. It should be cooked mainly on a steam or grill, cooking, stewing is also allowed. Eating lean meats such as chicken, rabbit, turkey, etc. will help prevent high cholesterol levels in the blood. Honey also lowers cholesterol to a similar extent.

To lower blood cholesterol levels, a person's diet should contain up to 30% unsaturated fats.

The products listed in the table will help rid the body of toxins and toxins, normalize metabolism and remove low molecular weight cholesterol. If necessary, you should consult your doctor.

To lower blood cholesterol, you can turn to folk medicine. For treatment, decoctions and tinctures based on various herbal plants are suitable.

WITH using a golden mustache (scented callisia)

1 leaf of a plant about 20 cm long is taken and crushed. The resulting slurry is poured 1 liter. boiling water. The container with the broth is covered and placed away from sun rays. After a day of infusion, the medicine for high cholesterol can be consumed. The patient should take tincture 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l. half an hour before meals.

Using . You should dial 2 tbsp. l. crushed and dried root of the plant and pour into a small saucepan. Then you need to pour 2 cups of water and cook for 10 minutes. on a small fire. The resulting broth is filtered and taken from cholesterol 4 r. per day for 0.5 cups after meals. The course of treatment is 3 weeks. If necessary, the decoction is repeated after a month.

Using . To lower cholesterol, the patient must brew 2 tbsp. l. inflorescences with a glass of boiling water. After 20 min. insisting the remedy will be ready. Take tincture before each meal, 1 tbsp. l. four times a day.

Using . The rhizome of the plant is dried and turned into powder. To lower blood cholesterol, you need to take 1 tsp. root powder in 30 minutes. before meals with a small amount of liquid. A noticeable result will be visible in a month.

To lower cholesterol, tinctures prepared from the following plants are also suitable:

• cyanosis azure;
• blue alfalfa;
• Dioscorea Caucasian;
• sophora japonica;
• Linden;
• calendula;
• plantain;
• valerian, etc.

The fruits, roots, leaves and inflorescences of the above plants will help lower the level of cholesterol in the body.

Vessel cleansing products

The concentration in the blood of a large amount of "bad" cholesterol leads to blockage of blood vessels. This, in turn, leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases. If you do not take any action to cleanse the blood vessels in a timely manner, you can die from atherosclerosis, heart attack, etc. First of all, you should adjust your lifestyle and diet.

Products that remove cholesterol:

• Watermelon. Helps the body produce nitric oxide, which in turn promotes vasodilation;
• Broccoli. Asparagus contains a lot of vitamin K and aminocarboxylic acids. This prevents clogging of blood vessels and prevents the growth of cholesterol;
• Pomegranate. It can be eaten in its natural form or as a juice. Beneficial features pomegranates improve blood circulation, protect the walls of arteries from atherosclerotic plaques;
• Persimmon. Due to its unique chemical composition, it is useful for cores. The presence of polyphenols fights high levels of cholesterol and fat in the vessels;
• Cranberry. Berries are rich in potassium, iron, which is good for health. The inclusion of berry juice in your daily diet can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by 45%;
• Chocolate. Eating dark chocolate will help lower cholesterol. It is recommended to eat about 20 grams per day;
• Asparagus. The vegetable contains folates, which cleanse the blood vessels and promote the resorption of blood clots;
• Fish. Useful for the diet due to the high content of omega-3 fatty acids. Thanks to them, the level of cholesterol will be under control.

The above list of products is not complete. To reduce the risk of complications with the cardiovascular system, it is worth following the rules healthy eating.

Prevention

Timely prevention of elevated cholesterol levels will help to avoid problems with the heart and blood vessels.

The level of cholesterol in the blood will not rise if the following conditions are met:

• Doing physical exercise. Jogging, swimming, cycling, as well as walking and simple physical education will have a beneficial effect on health;
• To refuse from bad habits. Smoking, frequent drinking of alcohol-containing drinks provokes an increase in "bad" cholesterol in the blood and contributes to the development of pathologies;
• follow the diet. It is recommended to eat small portions 4-5 times a day, preferably at the same time;
• Include healthy foods in your diet. Refusal of fatty foods, fast food, sweets will lead to lower cholesterol and improve well-being;
• Avoid nervous tension. Stress often leads to blood clots. To combat emotional overstrain, it is recommended to practice yoga or meditation.

Products against cholesterol should be distinguished by a high content of vitamins, fiber, biologically active and pectin substances. If the above tips did not have the desired effect, then there may be a need for drug therapy or surgery.

Useful video

Cholesterol is both good and bad for health. Its content in the blood up to 5.2-5.6 mmol / l is acceptable norm for a person. However, lowering cholesterol levels is necessary when high rates are detected.

The materials posted on this page are for informational purposes and are intended for educational purposes. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your doctor! The company is not responsible for possible negative consequences resulting from the use of information posted on the site.

The fruit shrub, which is popularly called the chokeberry, is a plant full of surprises. Firstly, medicinal properties chokeberry are so pronounced and diverse that for the needs of pharmaceuticals it is grown on an industrial scale.

Secondly, this is not a mountain ash at all, although it belongs to the same Pink family. This is chokeberry - another botanical genus.

Thirdly, it is sometimes confused with chokeberry, a wild North American shrub with small, inedible fruits. It is correct to call the chokeberry, which is popular in Russian gardens, Michurin's chokeberry. It was he who, through a long breeding work cultivated the American wildcat, giving the world a valuable medicinal plant.

Chokeberry fruits in the strict botanical sense are not berries. These are small apples of black or purple-black color collected in seedlings with seeds inside.

The chemical composition of Michurin's chokeberry fruits is well studied. They contain:

Despite the fact that the fruits of chokeberry taste rather sweet, their calorie content is quite low - only 55 kcal per 100 grams of product.

The benefits of chokeberry for the body

The medicinal properties of the plant are determined by the content of vitamins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, pectins, tannins and the composition of mineral elements in it.

For example, the ratio of vitamins C and P in the fruits of chokeberry Michurin is so successful that after their use in the tissues, the content of hyaluronic acid increases.

This natural biopolymer is actively used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology.

Chokeberry as a medicinal plant has the following list of properties:

• regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
• reduces capillary permeability, strengthens vascular walls;
• stimulates the immune system;
• has a diuretic effect;
• increases the level of acidity of gastric juice;
• has an astringent effect on the intestinal walls, reduces peristalsis;
• has a hepatoprotective effect;
• reduces excitability;
• slows down the aging process of the eye;
• neutralizes the effects of radiation exposure.

Often, chokeberry is used to correct iodine deficiency conditions. It is believed that its fruits contain four times more iodine than any other. This is not quite the right opinion. The content of this element varies greatly depending on the region of cultivation. Aronia, growing on soils poor in iodine, will not be rich in iodine itself.

The benefits of chokeberry during pregnancy

Chokeberry is a plant that can reduce the manifestations of toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the hepatoprotective properties of its fruits.

For more later dates When many pregnant women suffer from edema, chokeberry juice can be used as a diuretic. True, you need to be careful with this.

If edema is accompanied by low blood pressure, it is better to refrain from using this product.

Aronia Michurina can be an adjuvant in the treatment of such pathologies of pregnancy:

• hypertension in pregnancy;
• pregnancy diabetes;
• placenta previa or abruption;
• intrauterine hematomas.

Before consuming the fruits of chokeberry, it is important to consult a doctor in order to exclude pathologies in which this product is contraindicated. It is also worth limiting it if pregnancy is accompanied by heartburn and constipation.

Chokeberry for children

You can introduce chokeberry into the children's diet from the age of two. Children do not always like a slightly astringent, sour taste, so it is better to combine chokeberry fruits with other fruits and berries - for example, use them as part of fresh juices, compotes or jelly.

As a remedy, chokeberry will help a child with diarrhea. It simultaneously gently inhibits peristalsis and supplies dietary fiber to the intestines, which bind and remove toxins. As a result, the stool quickly returns to normal.

The strong antioxidant effect of chokeberry fruits can also be used for viral infections, which children are usually susceptible to. In this case, drug therapy is supplemented with a warm drink from chokeberry with honey or fresh puree from its fruits.

Traditional medicine recipes

The experience of traditional medicine has accumulated many ways to use aronia for the treatment of various diseases.

As raw materials, you can use not only the fruits, but also the leaves of this plant, as well as its bark.

Harvesting of fruits can be carried out all autumn until the frost. The main thing is to correctly determine the right moment when the chokeberry is already ripe, but has not yet begun to crumble. It is better to collect leaves at the beginning of summer, and the bark - in late autumn, after leaf fall and the end of sap flow.

vitamin tea

To prepare a healing vitamin drink, dry fruits and leaves of chokeberry are taken in equal proportions. Next, 3 tablespoons of this mixture should be placed in a thermos and pour 0.5 liters of boiled and cooled water to 700C. Close the thermos and leave for 1 hour.

Ready tea can be sweetened with honey and taken during seasonal epidemics as an immunostimulating agent. You can drink 2-3 glasses of this drink per day.

Aronia juice

Blackberry juice has many uses.

• hypertension;
• atherosclerosis;
• hypoacid gastritis;
• sleep disturbances caused by stress;
• diarrhea.

To prepare fresh chokeberry juice, you can use an ordinary household juicer or grind the fruits into a puree and squeeze through cheesecloth.

You can also prepare juice for the future. It is done like this:

1. Juice is squeezed out of the fruit.
2. For 1 liter of juice, 1 cup of sugar and a third of a teaspoon of citric acid are taken.
3. The juice is drained into an enamel bowl, warmed up slightly, sugar and citric acid dissolve in it.
4. Juice spills over glass jars or bottles, covered with a sterile lid and placed for sterilization in a pot of water for 15 minutes.
5. After sterilization is completed, the containers are rolled up or hermetically sealed.

This product is stored in a cool place. If the concentration seems too high, it is diluted with warm water in a ratio of 1: 1 before use. A child can be given chokeberry juice 150 ml, and an adult - 250 ml 2 times a day.

general health drink

You can prepare strengthening drinks from chokeberries with the addition of other ingredients: dry raspberries, rose hips, linden flowers, cherry and black currant leaves. All available raw materials are combined in equal proportions.

For preparation, 3 tablespoons of the mixture are taken, placed in a thermos and 0.5 liters of boiling water is poured. Everything is infused for 2-3 hours. If the drink is prepared with rose hips, you need to insist it longer - at least 12 hours. Drink warm, 2-3 cups a day.

Sometimes an alcoholic tincture of chokeberry is prepared as a stimulating and strengthening agent. They do it like this:

1. Take 500 grams of fresh ripe chokeberry fruits, 0.5 liters of vodka and 3 tablespoons of honey.
2. The fruits are poured into a suitable glass container, honey is also placed there.
3. Everything is poured with vodka and vigorously shaken.
4. The container is clogged and cleaned in a dark, cool place (not in the refrigerator).
5. For 2.5 months, the drink is shaken every 4 days.

Ready tincture can be taken 1 tablespoon to normalize sleep, stimulate appetite and indigestion.

Prevention of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a dangerous vascular disease, which is accompanied by the deposition of cholesterol on their walls. For its prevention, a decoction of chokeberry bark is used.

The prepared bark is crushed with a blender and dried. Then they take 5 tablespoons of raw materials, place in an enamel bowl, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and put on a small fire. The mixture is boiled for 2 hours, cooled, filtered and taken 20 grams 3 times a day.

With hypertension

The pronounced hypotensive effect of chokeberry makes it possible to use it for the treatment of hypertension. To reduce pressure, juice, infusion or decoction of chokeberry fruits are used.

To prepare the infusion, 0.5 cups of fresh or dried fruits are poured into a thermos, poured with 2 cups of boiling water and insisted for a day. Take 100 ml 3 times a day for a month.

A decoction is prepared from 1 cup of fruit and 1 liter of boiling water. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes, cooled and taken in the same way as the infusion.

It is important to constantly monitor the pressure. If it has stabilized, the intake of chokeberry should be limited.

With anemia (anemia)

Before proceeding with the treatment of anemia, it is necessary to establish its type. The fact is that with hemolytic or sickle cell anemia, chokeberry will not help. There will be little benefit from it with iron deficiency or folic acid deficiency anemia, since the content of iron and folic acid in this plant is low.

If anemia has developed as a result of bleeding, to supplement complex therapy you can use an infusion of chokeberry and rose hips. 0.5 l of boiling water is taken for 3 tablespoons, infused in a thermos for a day and taken 1 glass 3 times a day.

Medicinal blackberry liqueur with cherry leaves

As an anti-stress relaxing agent, you can take a light liquor.

Prepare it like this:

1. For 400 grams of chokeberry fruits, take 80 fresh cherry leaves, 300 grams of sugar, 1 teaspoon of citric acid, 1 liter of vodka and 1.5 liters of water.
2. The leaves are washed and boiled for 10 minutes, removed and the chokeberry is poured into the boiling broth.
3. After 10 minutes, add sugar, wait for it to dissolve, pour in citric acid and turn off the fire.
4. The mixture is cooled, filtered, combined with vodka and bottled.

This liqueur is stored in the refrigerator. You can take it at 40 grams before bedtime.

Chokeberry - indications and contraindications

Summing up all the information, you can systematize the beneficial properties of chokeberry and contraindications for its use:

It is important to understand that folk remedies are not independent treatments. They need to be used in combination with drug therapy.

Is it possible to freeze chokeberry for the winter?

Useful properties of harvested chokeberry are best preserved when the fruit is dried. A simpler method of storage - freezing - unfortunately, is not suitable. At low temperatures, an important component of chokeberry fruits, tannin, is destroyed. Berries lose their characteristic astringent taste, become sweeter, but most of the benefits disappear.

Proper preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials guarantee the effectiveness of finished products. Careful attention to the recommendations and contraindications will help to avoid possible complications. Subject to these two conditions, chokeberry will be a strong help in the treatment of many diseases.

Foreword

Many of us have heard of chokeberry. But not everyone knows what this plant is and whether it has anything to do with mountain ash. Let's try to understand this, and at the same time we will talk about useful qualities ah "blackberries".

Where it grows best, taste

Chokeberry, black mountain ash, black aronia - all these are the names of one shrub from the Pink family. Grown as an ornamental or medicinal plant. Its homeland is North America, on the territory Russian Empire shrub came at the end of the 19th century.

Initially known only as ornamental plant, but, through the efforts of the famous scientist I. V. Michurin, in 1935 the Lickernaya variety was bred, which was distinguished by large fruits and a rather sweet taste. Later, this variety became the ancestor of a line of new varieties, which, in addition to decorative functions, had medicinal and table values.

The fruits of black color really resemble outwardly the well-known mountain ash. They have a tart, sweet taste with a slight sourness.

Did you know?IN early XVI century, ubiquitous merchants from the Netherlands established contact with one of the tribes of the indigenous inhabitants of North America - the Delawares. Dutch merchants paid attention to flour mashed from local berries. She had an unusual pleasant taste and, according to the assurances of the Indians, a lot of useful qualities. So in the Old World they learned about chokeberry, later called chokeberry.

The nutritional value

chokeberry has a great nutritional value(per 100 g of product):

• calorie content - 55 kcal;
• proteins - 1.5 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 10.9 g;
• fiber - 4.1 g;
• water - 80.5 g;
• pectins and tannins - 2.5 g;
• iodine - 5.5 mcg;
• potassium - 160 mcg;
• vitamins: P (up to 0.5 mg), as well as A, C, E, group B.

Collection and storage

You need to collect "chokeberry" during the day, in dry weather. In order for the fruits to be well stored, it is necessary that they are not raw at the time of harvest. Berries should be plucked in a whole bunch - so they will be better stored. Even properly harvested fresh aronia will not last long. In order to extend its shelf life, it is necessary to dry or freeze the berry.

Important! It is very important not to overdry the chokeberry when drying in the oven. The fact that the berry is overdried is indicated by the appearance of a red-brown hue on the surface of the fruit.

Proper drying is carried out as follows:

1. The fruits are cut off from the bunches, then they must be washed and allowed to drain.
2. On a baking sheet on which paper is spread, put a thin layer of rowan fruits and put in the oven.
3. At a temperature of + 45 ° C, it is kept for half an hour, then the temperature is increased to + 60 ° C and dried until fully cooked.

Ready dried and cooled fruits can be poured into plastic bottles and seal them tightly. You can hang the fruits, without removing them from the branches, in a cool, dry place. Thus, they can also be stored for a long time.

Application in traditional medicine

Traditional medicine widely uses this plant in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Let's consider the main ones:

Did you know? In addition to black chokeberry, there is also a red one. It is used in ornamental gardening.

How to use for medicinal purposes

In folk medicine, both fruits and leaves of chokeberry are used. We will cover some of the simplest and most common uses for chokeberry.

General strengthening decoction for immunity

To prepare it you will need:

• dried aronia berries - 20 g;
• water - 0.2 l.

We brew the rowan with boiling water and simmer on the smallest fire for 15 minutes. Then leave to brew (30 minutes) and strain. We take 100-120 ml three times a day.

With hypertension

It is necessary to prepare:

• freshly squeezed blackberry juice - 50 ml;
• honey - 1 tbsp. l.

Mix the ingredients and take half an hour before meals. Or just eat 100 g of fresh berries. The course of admission is 30-45 days.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

If you suffer from disorders in the digestive tract (if you have low acidity), it is recommended to eat 100 g of fresh berries daily 30-40 minutes before meals. This should be done for 5-7 weeks, depending on the result, the course can be continued.

For skin diseases

Applying compresses based on freshly squeezed chokeberry juice, you can successfully deal with various diseases skin: acne, dermatitis, itching, peeling, eczema.

Important! Aronia fruits are rich in iodine, which the plant selects through the roots from the soil. Therefore, the more of this element in the ground, the more it will be in the fruits and leaves of the plant and the more useful it will be.« chokeberry» .

Alcohol tinctures

Alcohol tincture of chokeberry is best done without sugar. Its natural sweetness is quite enough for mountain ash, but if you add sugar, it will be more like a table liqueur, but we give a recipe for tincture, which is intended for therapeutic use.

You will need:

• chokeberry fruits - 1.5 kg;
• food alcohol (70%) - 1 l.

You need to prepare the tincture as follows:

1. We separate the berries from the branches, rinse well, let drain and dry.
2. Pour the berries into a glass bottle (well washed and dry), fill it with alcohol so that the fruits are completely covered (the approximate amount of alcohol is indicated).
3. Close the jar tightly with a lid, shake and remove away from light for 8-9 weeks (periodically shaking the contents).
4. After the specified time, we filter the contents, pour into glass containers, cork tightly and put in a cool place.

If you take this tincture of 30-50 ml 15 minutes before meals, you normalize the secretion of the stomach, strengthen the immune system. The tool is an excellent antioxidant, inhibits oxidative processes (otherwise - aging) in the body. It should only be borne in mind that we are talking about taking tinctures for treatment and prevention in moderate doses. If you still want to make a tincture with added sugar, then the following recipe will suit you.

Take:

• chokeberry fruits - 1 kg;
• granulated sugar - 2 tbsp.;
• vodka - 1 l.

When everything is prepared, the berries are washed and dried, you can proceed:

1. Pour the rowan into a bottle and mash into a puree.
2. Pour the sugar in there.
3. Stir the puree, cover with a thin napkin and leave for 2 days.
4. After 2 days, pour alcohol, close and put for 8-9 weeks in a dark place.
5. After the specified time, strain the tincture and pour it into a container.

Keep the tincture in a cool place.

Avitaminosis, off-season period

To combat beriberi, you will need an infusion, for which you need to take:

• chokeberry (fresh or dried) - 1 tbsp. l.;
• water - 1 tbsp.

Pour the fruits with boiling water for 30-40 minutes, drain through a strainer and take 100-120 ml three times a day.

Did you know? Aronia has become widespread on the territory of the former USSR thanks to the Altai fruit and berry station. It was from there, from Gorno-Altaisk, that the plant began to be mass-produced on state farms and collective farms.

For thyroid diseases

For problems with the thyroid gland, you can prepare a decoction for which you will need:

• chokeberry fruits (fresh or dried) - 5 tbsp. l.;
• water - 0.5 l.

Pour boiling water over the berries, let it brew for 2.5-3 hours. Drain the broth, squeeze the berries slightly directly into the broth. Take 200 ml three times a day 40 minutes before meals. This should be done within 1 month. Then - 6-8 weeks break. After that, the procedure should be repeated.

To prepare a decoction with fresh blackberries, take:

• fresh chokeberry juice - 50-60 ml;
• milk - 50-60 ml;
• honey - 1 tbsp. l.

Mix all the ingredients and take before meals three times a day. Course - 20-25 days. After a two-week break, you can continue. For thyroid diseases, you will also need a recipe that uses aronia grated with sugar:

• chokeberry fruits - 1 kg;
• granulated sugar - 1 kg.

Grind the berries with granulated sugar, pack in jars, refrigerate. Take a teaspoon three times a day.

For weight loss

Aronia lowers blood sugar, removes cholesterol, toxins and breaks down subcutaneous fat. In addition, it normalizes endocrine processes and the outflow of bile. Such unique properties have made the fruit an excellent tool for weight loss.

For these purposes, you need to use the juice of chokeberry. During the harvest period, when there is a lot of fresh juice, you can make its stocks for the winter - canned. You need to take juice 50 ml three times a day. You should not drink more, since the property of mountain ash to improve the quality of gastric juice can stimulate appetite.

For diabetes

Infusion of berries:

1. Pour dried fruits into a thermos, at the rate of 30 g of chokeberry per 0.5 l of water.
2. Pour boiling water and leave for 10-12 hours (it is better to do it at night).
3. Take three times a day for 0.5 cups.

To prepare the decoction, we need:

• dry leaves of black chokeberry - 3 tbsp. l.;
• water (boiling water) - 500 ml.

Pour the leaves with boiling water and simmer on the smallest fire for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the stove and let it brew for an hour, then strain. Take 1 glass three times a day.

How can be used in home cosmetology

A variety of useful properties of "chokeberry" led to its use in cosmetology.

Important! The use of chokeberry juice or tea from it has a beneficial effect on the condition of women during pregnancy.

Mask for normal skin

Mask from the fruits of chokeberry, honey and milk.

You will need:

• chokeberry fruits - 2 tbsp. l.;
• milk - 2 tbsp. l.;
• honey - 1 tsp

Using a blender, make puree from mountain ash, add honey with milk to it. Soak the pre-prepared fabric (gauze) base well with the resulting mass and apply on the face for 20 minutes. After removing the mask, wash your face warm water and moisturize with cream.

Mask of chokeberry with an apple.

Ingredients:

• chokeberry - 3 tbsp. l.;
• medium-sized apple - 1/2 pc.

Grind the apple with chokeberry in a puree using a blender. Then do everything in the same way as in the previous recipe.

Mask of rowan with beets.

For her, take:

• chokeberry pulp - 3 tbsp. l.;
• grated raw beets - 1 tbsp. l.;
• vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l.

Combine and mix all ingredients. Apply on gauze, gauze - on the face. Do not keep the mask longer than 10-13 minutes. Wash off with warm water, then apply the cream.

Mask for dry skin

Mask of chokeberry with butter for dry skin.

Ingredients:

• rowan pulp - 2 tbsp. l.;
• melted butter - 1 tsp.

Mix the ingredients and apply the resulting mass on the face. After 20 minutes, remove the mask with a swab, rinse off the residue with warm water and apply the cream.

Rowanberry mask with honey.

Ingredients:

• chokeberry pulp - 2 tbsp. l.;
• honey - 1 tsp;
• sour cream - 2 tsp

Did you know? Chokeberries have 20 times more vitamin P than oranges, and 2 times more than black currants. Red currants, raspberries and strawberries are noticeably inferior to chokeberry in terms of the content of acids of organic origin. Raspberries and strawberries contain only a quarter of the amount of iodine that is in« chokeberry» .

Mask for oily skin

Mask of chokeberry with dill for oily skin.

To prepare it you will need:

• chokeberry pulp - 2 tbsp. l.;
• dill - 1 bunch.

Using a blender, chop the dill, combine with the pulp of chokeberry. Apply the resulting mass on the face. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes, then rinse off the residue and moisturize with cream.

In the event that you suffer from acne, a mask of chokeberry and currant is suitable for you:

1. Take in equal proportions (2 tablespoons each) currant and aronia berries, use a blender to puree.
2. Saturate the gauze prepared in advance with the resulting mass and apply on the face. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
3. After that, wash your face and use a cream.

To make a cucumber and chokeberry mask, take 2 tbsp. l. grated fresh cucumber and 2 tbsp. l. fruits of chokeberry. Mix the ingredients and apply on your face. Next, you should do everything the same as in the previous recipe.

Scrub

From the fruits of chokeberry, you can also prepare a facial scrub. To do this, grind half a glass of fruits with a blender and add coarse (preferably sea) salt to the resulting mass until a thick consistency is formed. Apply to the face, gently massaging like a normal scrub, then rinse with warm water.

Important! There is more vitamin C in chokeberry leaves than in fruits. At the time of flowering, its content in 100 g of leaves is more than 105 mg.

For hair

Aronia berries will also help improve the condition of the scalp and hair. Use a blender to puree 250 g of fruit. Half an hour before shampooing, rub the mass into the scalp and hair roots. Based on the fruit, you can prepare a useful hair rinse.

For him you will need:

• rowan fruits - 20 g;
• water - 450 ml.

Pour chokeberry (dried or fresh) with boiling water, put on the smallest fire. After 15 minutes, remove the broth from heat, let cool and strain. Apply after washing your hair.

Use in cooking

In addition to being used in medicinal purposes, chokeberry is actively used in cooking. From it you can cook a lot of delicious and healthy meals. Blackberry adjika, compote, jam, jelly, syrup, chokeberry raisins, marshmallow, homemade wine - and that's not all full list dishes using useful berries. You can add fruits when stewing meat, and also prepare chokeberry grated with sugar as a filling for pies.

Her beautiful saturated color used as a dye in the manufacture of jelly, homemade ice cream. Chokeberry is a storehouse of useful substances that will help cure many ailments, as well as give beauty and youth to those who use this useful berry.

The chokeberry is a highly branching shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. In height, this plant can reach three to four meters. The young chokeberry has a compressed crown of compact size. Over time, it becomes more sprawling (its diameter can be up to one and a half to two meters). Annual shoots are red-brown in color, later they become dark gray. The leaves of chokeberry are whole, elliptical or obovate, wide, located on short petioles. Their length is 4-8 centimeters, width is 3-5 centimeters. The margins of the leaves are crenately serrated and have a sharp transition to a short sharp tip. From the upper side they are leathery, glossy, dark green in color, from the lower part they are slightly pubescent, whitish in color.

At the end of September, the leaves of the chokeberry turn red-purple. The flowers of the shrub under consideration are bisexual, white, 5-petal. They are collected in a corymbose inflorescence with a diameter of 5-6 centimeters. The fruits are quite juicy, sour-sweet berries of spherical, less often compressed-rounded shape, with an astringent, tart flavor. Green fruits are slightly pubescent, mature ones are naked, black, covered with a shiny bluish bloom. The fruit ripening period is at the beginning of September.

The eastern part of North America (Canada) is considered the birthplace of the chokeberry. On the territory of the CIS, the plant is cultivated mainly in the Non-Black Sea region of the European part, in the Urals, Western Siberia. It also occurs in the Baltics.

Harvesting and storage of chokeberry

In folk medicine, as a rule, only chokeberry berries are used. Their preparation is carried out when the fruits reach full maturity (when crushed, they secrete dark ruby ​​juice). For long storage berries are cut with a shield, strung on wire, fishing line and hung in a barn or attic. In this form, they can be stored until frost arrives. It is recommended to dry the fruits of the shrub in question in a special dryer, oven at a temperature of fifty to sixty degrees.

Application in everyday life

Made from chokeberry delicious jam, useful fruit tea. In industry, the fruits of this plant are used in the production of jam, jam, jelly, soft drinks, bakery and confectionery products.

The composition and medicinal properties of chokeberry

1. Aronia berries have anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antispasmodic, choleretic, laxative effects. They also produce a capillary-strengthening, diuretic, anti-sclerotic effect on the body.
2. The fruits of this plant are prescribed for violations of blood clotting, hemorrhagic diathesis, hypertension, bleeding of various origins, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, radiation injury. They are also recommended for use in hypertension, radiation injury, diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis, allergies, in violation caused by the use of anticoagulants.
3. Chokeberry promotes the outflow of bile, improves the condition of the liver. The juice of this shrub is used in the treatment of burns.
4. Preparations prepared on the basis of chokeberry (this is how the plant in question is called) are used for many serious diseases, including infectious and cardiovascular diseases, when the permeability of the vascular walls changes to a large extent.
5. Extract, infusion, powder from chokeberry berries should be taken to reduce the fragility of capillaries caused by the action of radioactive substances, x-rays.
6. Aronia has a positive effect on the state of the body with capillary toxicosis, various forms gastritis, characterized by low acidity, toxicosis.
7. Phytoncides contained in this plant resist the development of sticks that cause dysentery, as well as Staphylococcus aureus.
8. When using chokeberry, headache decreases, the content of vitamin "P" in the body increases.
9. Medicines based on chokeberry are used in the complex therapy of thyrotoxicosis, in the treatment of cancer.
10. Fresh fruits, juice from berries are prescribed for hypertension, including in situations where this disease has led to atherosclerotic changes.
11. Aronia berries contain sorbitol, a natural sugar substitute, as a result, the fruits of this plant are useful for patients with diabetes.
12. Currently, folk healers use chokeberry to treat measles, typhus, ischemic disease heart, scarlet fever, angina pectoris, some diseases that affect the nervous system.

The use of chokeberry in folk medicine

A decoction of chokeberry berries, which has a general strengthening effect on the body

Pour dry fruits of chokeberry (20 g) with boiling water (200 ml), put on a small fire and cook for five to ten minutes. Let the product cool for twenty minutes, strain it, drink half a glass three times - four times a day.

Means based on the fruits of chokeberry, taken for hypertension of the first and second degree (for the prevention of atherosclerosis)

Mix fresh juice of berries (50 g) with honey (1 tablespoon), drink the composition three times a day 30 minutes before meals for 10-45 five days.

Infusion of chokeberry berries used in diabetes

Chopped chokeberry berries (1 tbsp) pour boiling water (1 l), let it brew for half an hour. It is recommended to drink the resulting infusion two to three tablespoons three to four times a day.

Aqueous infusion of chokeberry, taken for gastritis

Place dry berries (2-4 tablespoons) in a thermos, where pour two cups of boiling water. After insisting the composition for 10-12 hours, drink it in half a glass twenty to forty minutes before meals.

Vitamin tea based on chokeberry

Pour dry berries (1-2 tablespoons) with boiling water (500 ml), simmer for 10 minutes. After that, let the composition brew for about five to six hours. Should it be used? cup three times a day, adding honey or granulated sugar.

Contraindications

Chokeberry should not be taken:

• with gastritis, accompanied by increased secretory activity of the stomach;
• with duodenal ulcer, stomach;
• with a low level of blood pressure;
• with thrombophlebitis;
• with frequent constipation;
• people who have increased blood clotting;
• with individual intolerance.