Useful properties of blackthorn in folk medicine, the use of leaves, flowers, bark and roots. Freezing and drying plums and sloes Is it possible to dry thorns in a dryer

Tern is a shrub of the Rosaceae order, popularly referred to as prickly plum. Such a popular name was given to him because of the fruits, vaguely resembling plums. small size. But this is perhaps the only similarity between fruit tree and shrub. Indeed, in taste and useful properties, the turn is very different from its blue-violet counterpart. Having a unique chemical composition, berries become a real medicine.. But, of course, subject to proper application. And today we will tell you in detail about Teren: the benefits and harms of the plant, its use in healthy cooking and folk medicine.

Turn Composition

The benefit of the turn for the body lies in its chemical composition. Of the nutrients, you should pay attention to the high content of dietary fiber, organic acids, fiber and pectin. Also in sufficient quantities in the fruits there are various amino acids, monosaccharides, essential oils and tannins. But its main value is vitamins and mineral components. The turn is a source of vitamin A. Its content in berries is much higher than in the same carrots or other vegetables and fruits.

Also in large quantities are vitamins of group B, vitamin C, E and PP. As for minerals, almost the entire periodic table can be found in berries, at least its useful constituent part. So with a lack of potassium, calcium, iodine, zinc, sodium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus in the body, it is quite possible to make up for the lack by regular consumption of blackthorn berries.

With all this, the turn is a low-calorie product.. His the nutritional value is only 55 kcal per 100 g of berries. So they may well be included in the diet as a source of vitamins and minerals.

The benefits of thorns for the body

The uniqueness of the turn is that V medicinal purposes you can take almost all parts of the plant, with the exception of seeds.

Useful properties of the plant:

• Fresh sloes, compotes, jelly and berry jam have a laxative effect, which allows it to be effectively used to treat chronic constipation. In addition, they normalize the digestive system, relieve bloating and help solve the problem of chronic flatulence. Due to the enveloping effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, regular consumption of blackthorn fruits reduces the risk of developing stomach ulcers, gastritis and colitis.
• Turn has a cleansing effect on all organs. With its help, it is advisable to cleanse the body of toxins, toxins and other toxic substances accumulated in it. The same cleansing property helps to normalize the intestinal microflora and reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms living in its various departments.
• The cleansing action of the blackthorn also extends to the liver and kidneys. Hence the widespread practice of including berries in the complex treatment of liver diseases.
• Tern has an expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. This allows you to effectively use it in the complex fight against various diseases of viral and bacterial etiology.
• The next useful property of blackthorn berries is the normalization of work nervous system. Fruit infusions and compotes help get rid of dizziness, relieve irritability and bouts of "nervous" nausea. Recipes effectively solve the problems of depression and constant stress, providing a slight calming effect.
• The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of berries have been used in dental treatment. And the astringent property is used in the treatment of diseases of the gums and oral mucosa.
• It is useful to use the turn and people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Due to the high content of potassium, the berries have a strengthening effect on blood vessels and the heart muscle. And the normalization of heart rhythms prevents the development of many heart diseases. In addition, the use of berries helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and normalize blood pressure in people with hypertension.
• The rich vitamin composition allows you to activate the work immune system, directing the work of the protective forces to prevent the development of diseases and combat existing chronic pathologies.
• Fresh sloes have also found their use in cosmetology. Masks and other cosmetic products with pulp are used to treat acne, acne and pustules.
• The benefits of blackthorn berries for the body of women are the elimination of PMS symptoms and the reduction of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
• The turn is also useful for men, as it normalizes the work of the prostate gland. And this, in turn, is an excellent prevention of prostate adenoma.

There are several recipes for effective weight loss diets along with blackthorn berries. Helping to establish metabolic processes and actively assimilate the food taken, the use of fruits prevents the appearance of fatty deposits.

What is dangerous turn for the body

The assessment of the harm of the turn for the body is carried out on an individual basis. So, berries are dangerous for people with diseases caused by increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis and stomach ulcers in the acute stage. Do not exclude the possibility of a strong allergic reaction when eating fresh juicy fruits.

Of the common adverse reactions:

• staining of tooth enamel in a bluish tint (removed naturally after a few days);
• weight gain due to the uncontrolled use of berries in foods with a lot of sugar (for example, jam).

The seeds of blackthorn berries contain amygdalin, a poisonous substance that reacts with the aquatic environment. Therefore, ready-made sweet dishes, jelly and compotes prepared without removing the bone are not subject to long-term storage.

What is useful to cook from the turn

Few know that fresh berries perfectly complement ready-made main courses and light vegetable salads. But the most common ways to use the turn are compotes, decoctions and jams. Let's talk about them.

Compote

For 1.5 liters of pure water, you will need about 200 g of berries, half a glass of sugar and a little citric acid (on the tip of a knife). Pour the washed berries with water and add citric acid. Bring to a boil, add sugar and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. It is recommended to strain the finished compote before use..

Useful healing decoction

A decoction is prepared from dense fruits, in which the integrity of the peel is not broken.. Rinse with 2 tbsp. berries and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Cover the container with a lid and leave for 1 hour. Strain the finished broth, and use according to the recipe, depending on the type of disease.

Blackthorn jam (seedless)

To prepare healthy jam, peel 2 kg of berries from stones and cover them with sugar (about 0.5 kg). Without stirring, leave the container with berries overnight.

The next morning, boil the berries until tender. If before cooking you find that the released juice is not enough, you can add a little boiled water.

Arrange the finished jam in sterilized jars and roll up. Store preferably in the refrigerator.

To enhance and diversify the taste, vanilla or cinnamon can be added to the blackthorn jam before turning it off.

In order for the turn to be really useful and not cause any harm to the body, the choice and use of berries must be approached wisely:

1. Berry picking starts after the first frost. When buying a turn on the market, choose fruits without signs of rot and other defects.
2. The amount of a useful turn is 100 g per serving. During the week, it is recommended to feast on berries no more than two times.
3. The maximum amount of nutrients is found in the fresh fruits of the plant. Fresh berries cannot be stored for more than 7-10 days. Dried, frozen and dried thorns are stored for a year.
4. For the benefit of the figure, it is recommended to use the turn along with other berries and fruits, lean meat, herbs and vegetables. which do not contain starch.

like this useful product- blackthorn berries. And if you have no contraindications to their use, you can independently evaluate their beneficial effects on the body. Just remember to follow the above tips.

Blackthorn is not so easy to collect - the whole plant is densely covered with tenacious thorns. But the medicinal value encourages traditional healers and representatives of official medicine to harvest the raw material of the turn no matter what, because the harm of the turn lies only in its “thornness”.

General characteristics of the plant

Blackthorn is a sprawling thorny shrub with plum-colored drupes, which is why one of the popular names for the plant is prickly plum.

Botanical description

The root-sprout plant can grow as a tall tree, up to 6 m tall, or as a bush. The thorn bush has a main trunk and a strongly branched volumetric crown, reaches a height of 3 m.

• Roots. The plant is fixed in the soil by a powerful root system with fleshy rhizomes and lateral roots, providing the turn with a sufficient amount of moisture.
• stems. Stem wood is particularly durable. The main trunk is covered with brown or dark brown bark. It is upright and highly branched. On the surface of the trunk and branches of the turn there are many prickly thorns. One-year-old young shoots often depart from the rhizomes of the thorn, which are localized around the trunk and form a kind of thicket. Their surface is velvety to the touch due to dense pubescence. The shoots end with a thorn.
• Leaves. They are regularly replaced by young ones as the plant matures. Wedge-shaped at the base, they have a pointed apex. The shape of the leaf plate is obovate or elliptical. Each leaf sits on a branch on a petiole of medium length. The edge of the sheet plate resembles sharp saw teeth. Feature- leaf opening as the flowers wither.
• Flowers. They have a very delicate, white-pink color. They exude a delicate, pleasant aroma that attracts bees well, which makes the turn an excellent honey plant. Flowering begins early - in April, can continue until mid-May. Blackthorn thickets bloom en masse, attracting insects. The flowers are located on the branches so densely that it seems as if the entire bush is covered with a white tablecloth.
• Fruit. They are attached to the branches of the turn with the help of medium-length stalks. The fruit is a drupe, characterized by juicy pulp, strongly associated with the seed. The flesh of the green fruit is distinguished by a sweet-sour taste and astringency, which disappears soon after the first frost. The fruit itself is small, its diameter can reach 1.5 cm. The fruits are dark blue in color and are densely covered with a waxy bluish coating.

Interestingly, the mature fruits are attached to the branches so tightly that they can hold on until the next spring. From an adult bush, you can collect up to 4 kg of fruit.

Growth area

Thickets of thorns consist of small bushes. When the plant develops singly, it forms a voluminous tall bush. Often, blackthorn can be found on the side of the road, on the sunny forest edge or in a wasteland. Thickets are formed in ravines and on slopes, as well as in gullies. The thorn develops especially well on soil rich in calcareous salts.

The territory of the turn is the European continent, Asia Minor, and also North Africa. Often found in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan. On the territory of Russia, it actively grows in the European part, as well as in the North of Siberia.

Procurement of raw materials

The saturation of the plant with useful substances makes it possible for the therapeutic purpose of all its parts. The turn for the winter is harvested in stages.

• Bark preparation. It starts in early spring - in March. The bark is cut in slices from the main trunk and adult branches. The area of ​​cuts should be small to quickly tighten the damage. You can not damage the wood with a knife, so as not to destroy the plant. The bark of the blackthorn is laid out under the sun in the open air or dried with a dryer, at a temperature of about 60 ° C.
• Flowers preparation. It starts from mid-April - the period of budding or the beginning of flowering. Inflorescences are carefully cut or plucked, laid out under diffused sunlight on a fabric or paper pallet. Dry by regularly turning the raw material.
• Leaf preparation. It begins after the plant has completely bloomed, when all the flowers have already wilted, and the leaves have blossomed well. It is advisable to collect the most large leaves, dry them under a canopy in the open air or in a dryer.
• Preparation of young shoots. They are harvested in the middle, end of June, since it is then that the highest concentration of nutrients is concentrated in the shoots. Young shoots are tied into panicles, hung out under diffused sunlight or in a shaded place, in the open air. You can spread the raw material in a thin layer on a pallet or dry it in an oven or dryer.
• Fruit preparation. It begins in September, when still greenish fruits contain a large amount of tannins. Harvesting of the turn continues until mid-October. It is at this time that berries that taste good are harvested, ideal for making desserts and jams, as well as medicines broad spectrum of action. A certain part of the tannins is preserved in the fruits even after frosts.
• Root preparation. Begins in late autumn. Harvesting is desirable to be carried out among artificial or naturally growing thickets, since it is there that the restoration of the number of plant individuals occurs quickly. Dig up the roots, wash them with running water cold water, dried in the sun and dried in the oven or electric oven.

To obtain fresh fruits in winter, you can freeze the turn. To do this, the berries are sorted, washed with clean water, dried from moisture. After that, the fruits are laid out on a wide pallet in one layer, put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Berries are poured into a bag or plastic container.

Frozen fruits are stored for no more than six months. Dried fruits, leaves, inflorescences, shoots are stored for a year in a well-ventilated dark place, packed in paper or cloth bags. The bark and roots can be stored for up to three years.

What is the value of berries ...

All parts of the blackthorn are rich in tannins, which have a number of therapeutic properties.

• Astringent action. It is manifested by the ability of tannins of blackthorn fruits to form albuminates with proteins of the skin and mucous membranes - special proteins of a dense structure. A film of albuminates protects the damaged areas of the epithelium from mechanical and chemical irritation.
• Healing action. Under the action of tannins, irritation of damaged areas is reduced, which accelerates the rate of epithelization.
• Antimicrobial action. The tannins of the blackthorn fruits have bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, that is, they eliminate bacterial and fungal infections and prevent their development in the area of ​​skin damage.
• Antiexudative action. Turn reduces the production of exudate in the area of ​​damage, dries weeping wounds and ulcers.
• Anti-inflammatory action. It consists in the ability of the turn to reduce the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes - the main inflammatory mediators that provoke hyperemia and swelling of inflamed tissues.

In addition to tannins, blackthorn fruits contain a lot of other useful components.

Blackthorn leaves, in addition to tannins, contain bitterness, flavonoids, and phytoncides. This gives them health benefits:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibacterial;
• antioxidant;
• antiplatelet;
• vozoprotective;
• cardiostimulating;
• secretory.

The chemical composition of blackthorn flowers has not been thoroughly studied. It is known that the amygdalin glycoside contained in it is in low concentrations, and therefore has therapeutic properties:

• diuretic;
• laxative;
• diaphoretic;
• expectorant;
• antispasmodic;
• antibacterial.

The bark and roots of the blackthorn are saturated with tannins, and therefore are actively used as an antidiarrheal agent.

The glycoside amygdalin is found in high concentration in the sloe pit. It must not be swallowed due to the toxicity of said substance. Amygdalin breaks down in the body with the formation of poison - hydrocyanic acid.

Benefits of the turn

The flowers and leaves of the blackthorn are actively used in folk medicine as a diuretic for various intoxications and swelling of a cardiac or renal nature. The beneficial effect of blackthorn leaves on blood vessels allows you to fight capillary fragility, varicose veins. Indications for the use of blackthorn in vascular pathologies expand to vasculitis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

The diaphoretic properties of blackthorn fruits are useful in febrile conditions, and antibacterial properties in inflammatory and infectious diseases skin. In addition, it is known about the ability of preparations from thorn flowers to eliminate nausea.

Improving metabolism when using thorns makes it possible to alleviate the patient's condition with gout, since the plant is able to remove salt deposits from the body. The hypoglycemic effect of berries makes it possible to use them in diabetes mellitus.

Medicinal preparations of the root and bark are used for diarrhea, as a fixing agent, as well as for colitis of various origins, to restore and optimize bowel function.

Impact on the body

The rich chemical composition of the fruits determines their widespread use for medicinal purposes.

Turn is also endowed with anti-allergic properties, due to its detoxifying properties. Interestingly, most of the therapeutic effects of the turn are not accompanied by the manifestation side effects. It is for this reason that sloe contraindications include only individual hypersensitivity reactions. But the use of the turn with breastfeeding and pregnancy must be agreed with the doctor.

Therapeutic use

Recipes for the use of thorns are varied. Below are the most common ones.

Infusion

Peculiarities. It is taken orally for the treatment of chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, ureter. With the help of infusion, you can significantly speed up the metabolism. Cleansing the body allows you to get rid of skin diseases of an infectious and allergic nature. The infusion is used to wash wounds, eliminate rashes, and also for the face as a remedy for acne.

Preparation and application

• Two tablespoons of a mixture of flowers and leaves are poured into a glass of slightly cooled boiled water.
• The remedy is insisted all night (about eight hours).
• In the morning, filter, drink inside a quarter cup, three times a day.

Decoction

Peculiarities. With the help of such a decoction, you can reduce fever, remove symptoms of fever and speed up recovery from colds and viral diseases.

Preparation and application

1. Dried rhizomes (5 g), pour a glass of boiling water, put in a slowly boiling water bath.
2. The remedy is simmered for half an hour.
3. Remove from the bath, cool for three hours, then filter.
4. Take orally a quarter cup, three times a day.

Fruit remedy

Peculiarities. A decoction of the fruit is taken orally for various inflammatory diseases, regardless of their location (rheumatism, gout, cystitis, pancreatitis, colitis, bronchitis).

Preparation and application

1. A couple of tablespoons of dried fruits are poured with half a liter of boiling water.
2. The fruits are simmered over low heat for 10 minutes.
3. After removing from the fire, the product is filtered. Take half a glass, four times a day, before meals.

Tincture

Peculiarities. It is necessary to make a tincture from the blackthorn, taking into account the fact that before preparing it, the fruits are rinsed with water without washing off the wax coating.

Preparation and application

1. A kilogram of ripe, washed fruits, free from stones, is placed in glass jar, fall asleep 300 g of sugar.
2. The neck of the jar is closed with gauze. The vessel is placed for three days in a warm and sunny place.
3. Vodka or diluted alcohol is poured into the fermented mixture, mixed thoroughly.
4. The jar is closed with a lid. Infuse the mixture for two weeks at room temperature.
5. Shake the jar daily for the first week.
6. After the expiration of the infusion period, the resulting drink is filtered through several layers of gauze.
7. Use inside 30 ml, three times a day.

Often, the fruits of the blackthorn are introduced into the preparations for weight loss, correction of pressure, and relieving inflammation.

Role in cooking

Blackthorn fruits are actively used for cooking first and second courses, desserts and sauces. The famous tkemali sauce includes sweet and sour pulp of these fruits. Bulgarians add fruits to porridge to give them a special flavor. Jam and blackthorn jam, as well as jelly and compotes with its addition, have a special taste.

Drinkers appreciated the taste of the fruit handmade. Prickly plum is used to flavor vodka, moonshine is made from overripe berries. The blackthorn-based wine has an interesting color and a sweet and sour, slightly astringent taste. The preparation of liqueurs from sloes at home has also gained popularity.

Livka

Peculiarities. It takes a long time to prepare, but the result is a very tasty and healthy low-alcohol drink.

Cooking

1. 4 kg of fresh, ripe sloes are pitted, placed in a container, 3 kg of sugar are added, 200 ml of water are added.
2. The mixture is placed in a warm, sunny place for fermentation. The neck of the container is tied with gauze.
3. After active fermentation begins, the container is transferred to a warm place, a rubber glove is put on the neck, piercing one finger.
4. Infusion in a warm place is carried out until the moment when the glove is completely blown away.
5. The drink is filtered in storage containers, lowered for a month in the basement, for aging.

Useful properties of the turn are relevant in everyday life. Artificial planting of thorns is often carried out to strengthen the soil near ravines, the banks of a reservoir. A powerful root system prevents soil displacement and landslides. Often the turn is grown as hedge to protect gardens. At proper care behind the plant, you can form a crown or shrubs, wrapping this quality for the benefit of the household.

According to breeders' feedback, the turn is perfect for the role of a rootstock in the selection of new types of apricot, peach and others. garden plants. Wood and bark are used for tanning leather. By boiling the fruits in alkali, a red dye is obtained. Popular in the furniture industry, because its reddish-brown wood lends itself well to polishing.

The healing properties of thorns have been known for a long time. Thanks to modern research, modern official medicine does not refute them either. In ancient times, the plant was endowed with magical properties, and the places where the seeds of the thorn sprouted were considered sacred.

The fruits of the blackthorn are used mainly for the production of wines (table, dessert, strong), low-acid - for the preparation of jam, tea surrogates and other products.

At the same time, it was found that the blackthorn for winemaking can be used not only in a mixture with other fruits, but also in its pure form. The process of alcoholic fermentation proceeds actively and during natural fermentation, wines with an alcohol content of 14.75-15% are obtained. Blackthorn wine is distinguished by its high palatability and delicate pleasant aroma. The only drawback inherent in wine made from blackthorn is that the clarification processes proceed slowly in it, despite the significant content of tannins. It is known that fully mature thorns, after they have been "captured" by frost, become less tart; juice from them in some countries is used to mask the vices of wines.

The fruits of the wild blackthorn are also used for the production of alcoholic beverages (vodka). To do this, they are first subjected to alcoholic fermentation, followed by distillation of the alcoholic liquid.

It is also possible to obtain juices, extracts, syrups from the fruits of the blackthorn and use them for the production of liqueurs, tinctures, liqueurs and vinegar. It is noted that alcoholic drinks made from blackthorn have a positive effect on digestion.

Blackthorn fruits contain a significant amount of pectin, so they can be used in the confectionery industry in the production of not only jams, but also jams, marshmallows, marmalade, candied fruits, caramel fillings and many other products.

Preserves and jams made from blackthorn are distinguished by their characteristic aroma and spicy taste.

The turn can also be successfully used for the production of marinades - canning with acetic acid, as well as for canning in hermetically sealed containers in the production of compotes.

In some areas, the fruits of the blackthorn are naturally dried in the sun or under sheds, as well as with the help of warm air in fruit and vegetable dryers and in Russian ovens.

The kernels of the seeds (pits) of the blackthorn are very rich in fat and contain amygdalin, so they can be used for the production of fatty and essential bitter almond oils.

Blackthorn seed shells can be used in the chemical industry for the production of activated carbon.

The fruits, flowers, bark and roots of blackthorn are used in folk medicine as a blood purifier and for gastrointestinal diseases. A decoction of the roots is used for dental diseases, as a rinse.

big medicinal value have thorn flowers as a gentle laxative and emollient.

Dried sloe leaves are used in some areas as a substitute for tea.

It should be noted that the peoples of the Caucasus find application for all parts of the blackthorn plant. In addition to nutritional and taste value, the juice from the fruit of the blackthorn, boiled in lye, is used to color the cloth red.

Turn can be used to create hedges.

It can be introduced into shelterbelts, used to strengthen ravines and as rootstocks for plum orchards (dwarf) and peach.

The turn gives a brown-reddish, very hard wood ( specific gravity from 0.71 to 0.94).

The wood of the thorn, although it has considerable hardness and is quite well polished, does not have a beautiful color, warps and cracks; used for the production of tool handles and other purposes. Bark and wood contain a significant amount of tannins, so they can be used for tanning leather. The bark contains dyes, and when vitriol is added to it, black dye and good quality ink can be obtained; an alkaline decoction of the bark gives a yellow color.

Tern is a honey plant.

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Blackthorn is a shrub that has long been known in many countries of the world. Some people associate it with Jesus Christ (it was from this plant that his wreath was made), but most often the blackthorn is famous for its beneficial properties, which allow it to be used as a medicinal raw material. As a result, questions arise as to whether how to dry the turn and what can be cooked from it.

Calorie content and chemical composition of the turn

Before proceeding to a discussion of the beneficial properties of the berries, leaves or flowers of the blackthorn, it is worth talking about its calorie content and chemical composition. There are only 54 kcal per 100 grams of the product, due to which it can be called low-calorie. The turn also contains 1.5 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat and 9.4 g of carbohydrates (per 100 g).

Blackthorn fruits contain glucose, fructose, fiber, malic acid, pectin, tannins, vitamins A (RE), E, ​​C and B2. Among the microelements included in the composition, one cannot fail to note iron, which accounts for 10.6% per 100 grams of the product. It is also worth remembering macronutrients: potassium (9.6% of the required daily allowance), calcium (3.2%), magnesium (4.3%). The berries of the plant are also characterized by the content of phosphorus, iron and sodium, which also has a positive effect on medicinal properties oh thorns.

A large amount of vitamins C and E is found in the leaves of the shrub, where they are harmoniously combined with phenolcarboxylic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids.

Did you know? In many beliefs and legends, the turn is a symbol of suffering, trials and difficulties that fall on the fate of a person. However, having overcome them, he becomes the owner of many benefits. Considering beneficial features shrubs, this is partly true.

Useful and healing properties of thorns

As you can see, blackthorn fruits contain a lot of valuable and useful substances for human health: sugars, organic acids, fiber, etc. Due to this, they have a diuretic (diuretic), astringent, diaphoretic and antiseptic effect. This means that such berries are great for normalizing the digestive system (useful for indigestion, diarrhea), relieving nausea, stopping vomiting, destroying microbes and bacteria.

In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the bush are also often used, from which herbalists brew teas (act as a home diuretic, laxative and healing agent), infusions (bandages soaked in them are applied in the form of compresses to wounds, which significantly reduces the healing time). Together with the berries, the leaves of this miraculous plant excellent for the role of an aid in diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, nephritis, urolithiasis. You can use the fruits of the turn and to increase appetite. Simply put, knowing the right recipes, you can safely use any part of the plant for treatment.

The use of thorns for medicinal purposes

Useful properties of berries, leaves, flowers and even rhizomes of blackthorn have been found wide application in non-traditional (folk) medicine. So, the turn copes well with edema, dysentery, candidiasis, vaginitis, nonspecific colitis and general intoxication of the body. At food poisoning the use of blackthorn berries allows you to quickly cleanse the body of toxins and improve the functioning of the digestive tract. A decoction prepared from sloe branches is an excellent helper in the treatment of gout, and also helps to remove uric acid salts from the body.

Antioxidants and flavonoids, which are part of the berries, reduce capillary permeability and improve blood circulation, promoting blood clotting. Knowing how useful the turn is, and wanting to test its beneficial properties on your own experience, the following recipes for making teas, decoctions or infusions will come in handy.

Important! The seeds of the fruits of the plant contain a toxic glycoside - amygdalin, which splits off hydrocyanic acid, so you should immediately get rid of them.

Blackthorn flower and leaf tea

Blackthorn flower and leaf tea used for cystitis, chronic constipation and prostate adenoma. In addition, it has a pleasant taste and aroma, thanks to which this drink can be drunk daily as a general tonic.

It is not difficult to prepare such tea: the dried leaves and flowers of the blackthorn are mixed, and then two full teaspoons of the raw material (with top) are poured into ¼ l of water, after which the resulting composition should be slowly brought to a boil and filtered. Tea is consumed daily, but no more than two cups a day.

Blackthorn juice

Useful not only dried turn, but also juice from fresh berries. In particular, it helps to get rid of jaundice, and also acts as an antibacterial agent, having a negative effect on Giardia and other protozoa. It is also effective for skin diseases, in the treatment of which appropriate compresses will help.

To prepare juice, the pulp of the fruits of the shrub is separated from the stone, heated to 60-70 ° C and kneaded into a pulp. The juice squeezed out of it can be consumed immediately or rolled into jars.

Infusion of thorn flowers

An infusion made from thorn flowers has a positive effect on metabolism, and also normalizes liver function. In fact, it is prepared in the same way as tea: 40 g of dried flowers are poured into a glass of boiling water and left to infuse for 40 minutes, after which they are filtered and drunk 150 ml three times a day. This recipe is also suitable in cases where you need to get an effective laxative from shrub flowers. In addition, if there are problems with the liver, kidneys, bladder and for colds, the following infusion will be useful: 40 g of blackthorn flowers are poured into a glass of warm boiled water and filtered after infusion for 10 hours. Take the remedy before meals four times a day for ¼ cup.

Prepare an infusion using sloe leaves, very simple: one glass hot water there is one tablespoon of crushed leaves of the plant, after which the resulting composition must be boiled over medium heat for 15 minutes. After the liquid has cooled, it is filtered and squeezed. Ready infusion is taken in ½ part of a glass (you can also take a full glass) three times a day before meals. This remedy has good diuretic properties, so it is recommended to use it for edema, diseases of the kidneys and organs of the genitourinary system.

The leaves of the blackthorn are also often used to heal wounds and ulcers, in the treatment of which the fresh parts of the bush are simply applied to sore spots, and the dried parts are steamed in boiling water and compresses are made from them.

Blackthorn tincture

For the preparation of tincture from the blackthorn, its berries are also suitable. Pre-harvested fruits of the shrub (it is advisable not to wash them, but simply select good and intact ones) are poured into a jar and poured with vodka, moreover, so that the berries are covered 5 cm above their level. The tincture needs constant monitoring, and as the vodka is absorbed, it must be topped up. After three months, the liquid is drained, and sugar is added to the berries (10 kg of fruit will need 1.5 kg of sugar). After that, the fruits must be kept for another month (until the syrup is formed), and then filtered and mixed with the liquid that was separated at the very beginning. Within six months you will feel just an incredible aroma of tincture.

Decoction of berries

Incredibly useful and general tonic is decoction of blackthorn berries, for the preparation of which you will need to pour 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried raw materials with a glass of boiling water, leaving it to infuse for 1 hour. Take liquid on an empty stomach (in the morning) for 4 days. A decoction of blackthorn berries can be used to increase appetite, as well as a diuretic, astringent and antiseptic.

Decoction of bark and roots

The roots and bark of the blackthorn, as well as the rest of the shrub, have a number of medicinal properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that various decoctions of them are often used in folk medicine. The roots have been harvested since autumn, for which these parts are first dug up and left for a short time in the sun. At the second stage, the raw materials prepared in this way should be placed in a special dryer or in a conventional oven for further drying (in the end, the roots should break easily without changing their color much).

There are several ways to prepare a decoction of the bark and roots of blackthorn. When using the first option, 20 parts of water fall on one part of the dried roots and bark. The resulting mixture is brought to a boil and left to languish in a water bath for 20 minutes. The finished product is cooled and taken 1-2 tablespoons 4-5 times a day. Such a decoction is excellent for the role of antipyretic and diaphoretic.

For the second method, 5 g of crushed root or bark is brewed in 200 ml of boiling water, then placed in a water bath and boiled for 30 minutes, and then allowed to brew for another hour. Ready cooled and filtered broth should be taken three times a day for 1/3 cup (after meals).

If desired, you can prepare a decoction only from the bark. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of dry crushed raw materials with a glass of boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. The finished product can be used instead of tea. For douching, one glass of decoction should be diluted with boiled water in a 1: 1 ratio.

Thorn root decoction can be used for diarrhea and during respiratory diseases, and it also improves the general condition of the patient with malaria.

Decoction of young shoots and branches

Another good diaphoretic is a decoction of finely chopped, pre-dried sloe branches(in its action, such a remedy is not inferior to raspberries and has an antipyretic effect). To prepare such a decoction, pour 1 teaspoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and leave to simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. You need to use the product in a warm form, but there are no requirements for dosage.

Methods for harvesting and storing raw materials from sloes

Whatever you decide to cook from berries or sloe leaves, in any case, they must first be sorted out and washed. If you picked the fruits yourself, you can simply rinse them, while the purchased berries are washed more thoroughly, changing the water several times.

Flowers are being prepared during their budding period, and the leaves immediately after flowering. Young shoots are to be collected and harvested in May or June. At this time, they can be well dried in the fresh air, in the wind or in the shade, and also placed in a ventilated area. The bark can be removed from the tree before it blooms, and the roots are best dug up in the fall. In the future, having slightly dried them in the sun, you can dry them in ovens.

The fruits of the blackthorn can be harvested as they ripen, but it is better after the first frost. They are well suited for making compotes (you can roll them up in jars for the winter), wines, tinctures, syrups, marmalades and even pickles. Any product will have an attractive color, pleasant smell and original sweet and sour taste.

Freezing can also be used to preserve fruits, however, in this case, do not forget that Before packing the berries, the seeds must be removed from them.

• Pre-treatment is recommended for fruits that quickly oxidize (apricots, apples, peaches, berries, etc.): they should be heated to 100 ° C, then cooled, and after that they should be mashed.
• Place a solid tray on a sieve, grease it lightly vegetable oil so that the finished pastille does not stick to the tray.
• Distribute the prepared mass evenly over the pallet, while making the layer in the middle thinner than along the edges. .
• No more than 2 cups of puree should be used per pallet.
• You can check the readiness by stickiness in the center: the finished one practically does not stick.
• Remove marshmallow while still warm, then roll it into a tube, cool, wrap cling film and place in an airtight container. Marshmallow will keep much longer in the refrigerator.

Temperature - 60°C

Time - 12-14 hours

Pasta is a great appetizer. It can be reconstituted by diluting with water or juice and used as a sauce or puree. It is easy to make a wonderful dessert for children from marshmallow - as a layer in biscuits or filling for pies. To make sugar-free jam, three parts of marshmallow must be poured with one part of boiling water. Marshmallow is prepared from fruit or vegetable puree or grated fruit, but then the layer turns out to be thick. Previously, at your own discretion, the workpiece can be boiled and sweetened with sugar or honey.