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

The blackthorn is a shrub of the order Rosaceae, popularly called the 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 shrubs. Indeed, in taste and useful properties, the blackthorn is very different from its blue-violet counterpart. Having a unique chemical composition, berries become a real medicine.... But, of course, provided it is used correctly. 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.

The composition of the thorns

The benefits of thorns for the body lie 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 are various amino acids, monosaccharides, essential oils and tannins. But its main value is vitamins and mineral components. Sloe is a source of vitamin A. Its content in berries is much higher than in the same carrots or other vegetables and fruits.

Vitamins of group B, vitamin C, E and PP are also present in large quantities. As for minerals, in berries you can find almost the entire periodic table, at least its useful component 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 of regular use of blackthorn berries.

At the same time, thorn 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 in medicinal purposes almost all parts of the plant can be taken, with the exception of the seeds.

Useful properties of the plant:

• Fresh thorn fruits, compotes, jelly and berry jam have a laxative effect, which makes it effective for the treatment of 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 gastric ulcer, gastritis and colitis.
• The thorn has a cleansing effect on all organs. With its help, it is advisable to cleanse the body of toxins, toxins and other toxic substances that have accumulated in it. The same cleansing property helps to normalize the intestinal microflora and reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms that live in its various departments.
• The cleansing action of thorns also extends to the liver and kidneys. Hence the common practice of including berries in the complex treatment of liver diseases.
• Blackthorn 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 beneficial property of blackthorn berries is normalization of work. nervous system... Infusions and fruit compotes help get rid of dizziness, relieve irritability and bouts of "nervous" nausea. The recipes effectively address the problems of depression and constant stress, providing a mild calming effect.
• The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of berries has found application 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 blackthorn and people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Due to its high potassium content, the berries have a strengthening effect on blood vessels and 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 immune system, directing the work of the defenses to prevent the development of diseases and combat existing chronic pathologies.
• Fresh sloe berries have also found their application in cosmetology. Masks and other cosmetics with pulp are used to treat acne, acne and pustules of rashes.
• The benefits of thorn berries for the body of women are elimination of PMS symptoms and reduction of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
• The thorn 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. By helping to establish metabolic processes and actively assimilate the food taken, the use of fruits prevents the appearance of fatty deposits.

Why the thorn is dangerous for the body

Assessment of the harm of thorn to 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. You should not exclude the likelihood of a strong allergic reaction when eating fresh juicy fruits.

Of the common side reactions:

• staining the tooth enamel in a bluish tint (removed naturally after a few days);
• weight gain due to uncontrolled consumption of berries in foods with a large amount 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, cooked without removing the bone, are not subject to long-term storage.

What is useful to cook from thorns

Few know that fresh berries perfectly complement ready-made main courses and light vegetable salads... But the most common uses for thorns are compotes, decoctions, and preserves. 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 simmer for 20-30 minutes. It is recommended to strain the finished compote before use..

Useful medicinal broth

A decoction is prepared from dense fruits, which have not broken the integrity of the peel... Rinse with 2 tablespoons. 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 (pitted)

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

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

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

Vanilla or cinnamon can be added to the thorn jam to enhance and diversify the taste.

In order for the blackthorn 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 thorns from the market, choose fruits that are free from rot and other defects.
2. The amount of healthy thorns 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 contained 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 blackthorn along with other berries and fruits, lean meats, herbs and vegetables. Which do not contain starch.

Here is such useful product - blackthorn berries. And if you have no contraindications to their use, you can independently assess 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 raw thorns in spite of everything, because the harm of thorns lies only in its "prickly".

General characteristics of the plant

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

Botanical description

The root-sprouting plant can grow in the form of a tall tree, up to 6 m tall, or in the form of a bush. The thorn bush has a main trunk and a strongly branched volumetric crown, reaching a height of 3 m.

• Roots. The plant is anchored in the soil by a strong root system with fleshy rhizomes and lateral roots that provide the thorn with sufficient moisture.
• Stems. Stem wood is particularly durable. The main trunk is covered with brown, or dark brown bark. It is erect and highly branched. There are many thorny thorns on the surface of the trunk and branches of the thorn. One-year young shoots, which are localized around the trunk and form a kind of thickets, often depart from the rhizomes of the thorn. Their surface is velvety to the touch due to dense pubescence. Shoots end with a thorn.
• Leaves. They are regularly replaced with young ones as the plants mature. Wedge-shaped at the base, they have a pointed tip. The shape of the leaf plate is obovate or elliptical. Each leaf sits on a branch on a medium-length petiole. The edge of the plate resembles the sharp teeth of a saw. Salient feature - leaf blooming as flowers wither.
• Flowers. They have a very delicate, white-pink color. They emit a delicate, pleasant aroma that attracts bees well, which makes thorns an excellent honey plant. Flowering begins early - in April, and may last until mid-May. The thickets of thorns bloom en masse, attracting insects to themselves. The flowers are located on the branches so densely that it seems as if the whole bush is covered with a white tablecloth.
• Fruit. Attached to the branches of thorns with medium-length stalks. The fruit is a drupe, characterized by juicy pulp, strongly associated with the seed. The green pulp has 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. Fruits of a dark blue color are densely covered with a waxy bluish bloom.

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

Growing area

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

Terne growing area - the European continent, Asia Minor, as well as North Africa. It is 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 with the healing purpose of all its parts. Blackthorns are harvested in stages for the winter.

• Bark harvesting. Begins in early spring - in March. The bark is cut in slices from the main trunk and adult branches. The cut area should be small to quickly heal the damage. Do not damage the wood with a knife so as not to destroy the plant. The bark of thorns is laid out under the sun in the open air or dried using a dryer at a temperature of about 60 ° C.
• Preparation of flowers. Begins from mid-April - budding period or the beginning of flowering. The inflorescences are carefully cut or plucked, laid out under diffused sunlight on a cloth or paper tray. Dry by regularly turning the raw material.
• Harvesting of leaves. It begins after the plant has completely faded, 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.
• Harvesting young shoots.They are harvested in the middle, end of June, since it is then that the greatest concentration of nutrients is concentrated in the shoots. Young shoots are tied into panicles, hung 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.
• Harvesting of fruits.Begins in September, when still greenish fruits contain a large amount of tannins. The harvesting of thorns continues until mid-October. It is at this time that delicious berries are harvested, ideal for making desserts and jams, as well as medicines with a wide spectrum of action. A certain part of the tannins remains in the fruit even after frost.
• Harvesting of roots. 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 a running cold water, dried in the sun and dried in the oven or electric oven.

For fresh fruit in winter, you can freeze thorns. To do this, the berries are sorted out, washed with clean water, dried from moisture. After that, the fruits are laid out on a wide pallet in one layer, put in the freezer for a couple of hours. The 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.

Why are berries valuable ...

All parts of the thorn are rich in tannins, which have a range of therapeutic properties.

• Astringent action.It is manifested by the ability of the tannins of thorn fruits to form albuminates with proteins of the skin and mucous membranes - special proteins of a dense structure. A film of albuminates protects damaged areas of the epithelium from mechanical and chemical irritation.
• Healing action. Under the influence of tannins, irritation of the damaged areas is reduced, this accelerates the rate of epithelialization.
• Antimicrobial action. The tannins of thorn fruits have bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, that is, they eliminate bacterial and fungal infections, prevent their development in the area of \u200b\u200bskin damage.
• Antiexudative action.Blackthorn reduces the production of exudate in the damaged area, dries out weeping wounds and ulcers.
• Anti-inflammatory action. It lies in the ability of blackthorn to reduce the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes - the main mediators of inflammation, provoking hyperemia and swelling of inflamed tissues.

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

Thorn leaves, in addition to tannins, contain bitterness, flavonoids, phytoncides. This endows them with health benefits:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibacterial;
• antioxidant;
• antiplatelet;
• antiprotective;
• cardiac stimulating;
• secretory.

The chemical composition of thorn flowers has not been thoroughly studied. It is known that one hundred 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 thorns are saturated with tannins, and therefore are actively used as an antidiarrheal agent.

The glycoside amygdalin is found in high concentration in the blackthorn bone. It should not be swallowed due to the toxicity of the substance mentioned. Amygdalin breaks down in the body with the formation of a poison - hydrocyanic acid.

The benefits of thorns

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

The diaphoretic properties of thorn fruits are useful for feverish conditions, and antibacterial properties for inflammatory and infectious diseases skin. In addition, the ability of thorn flower preparations to eliminate nausea is known.

Improving metabolism with the use of blackthorn allows you 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.

Medicines 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.

Effects on the body

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

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

Therapeutic use

Recipes for using thorns are varied. Below are the most common ones.

Infusion

Features. 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 for washing wounds, eliminating rashes, and also for the face as a remedy for acne.

Preparation and application

• Pour two tablespoons of a mixture of flowers and leaves with a glass of slightly cooled boiled water.
• The remedy is insisted all night (about eight hours).
• Filter in the morning, consume a quarter of a glass, three times a day.

Decoction

Features. With the help of such a decoction, you can reduce fever, remove the symptoms of fever and accelerate 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. Simmer the remedy for half an hour.
3. They are removed from the bath, cooled for three hours, and then filtered.
4. It is taken orally in a quarter of a glass, three times a day.

Fruit remedy

Features. A decoction of the fruits is taken orally for various inflammatory diseases, regardless of their localization (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 heat, filter the product. Take half a glass, four times a day, before meals.

Tincture

Features. It is necessary to make a tincture of thorns, 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 fruit, pitted, is placed in glass jar, pour 300 g of sugar.
2. The neck of the jar is closed with gauze. The vessel is placed in a warm and sunny place for three days.
3. Pour vodka or diluted alcohol into the fermented mixture, mix thoroughly.
4. The jar is closed with a lid. The mixture is infused for two weeks at room temperature.
5. Shake the jar daily for the first week.
6. At the end of the infusion period, the resulting drink is filtered through several layers of gauze.
7. Take 30 ml orally, three times a day.

Often, blackthorn fruits are included in the composition of fees for weight loss, pressure correction, and relieving inflammation.

Role in cooking

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

Drinking lovers appreciated the taste of the fruit hand made... The prickly plum is used to flavor vodka; moonshine is prepared from overripe berries. A thorn-based wine has an interesting color and a sweet-sour, slightly astringent taste. Making sloe liqueur at home has also gained popularity.

Pouring

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

Preparation

1. 4 kg of fresh, ripe blackthorn is pitted, placed in a container, 3 kg of sugar are poured, 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. Insisting in a warm place is carried out until the glove is completely deflated.
5. The drink is filtered in storage containers, lowered for a month in the basement, for aging.

Useful properties of blackthorn are relevant in everyday life. Artificial planting of thorns is often carried out to strengthen the soil near ravines, the banks of the reservoir. The strong root system prevents soil displacement and collapse. Thorns are often grown as hedge to protect garden areas. When proper care behind the plant, you can form a crown or shrubs, wrapping this quality for the benefit of the farm.

According to the reviews of breeders, blackthorn 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 to tan 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, they are not refuted by modern official medicine. In ancient times, the plant was endowed with magical properties, and the places where thorn seeds sprouted were considered sacred.

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

At the same time, it was found that 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 is active and with natural fermentation, wines are obtained with an alcohol content of 14.75-15%. Blackthorn wine is distinguished by high taste and delicate pleasant aroma. The only drawback inherent in a wine made from thorns is that the clarification processes proceed slowly in it, despite the significant content of tannins. It is known that fully ripe blackthorn fruits, 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 thorn are also used for the production of alcoholic beverages (vodka). To do this, they are preliminarily subjected to alcoholic fermentation, followed by distillation of the alcoholic liquid.

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

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

Jams and jams made from thorns are distinguished by their characteristic aroma and piquant taste.

Sloe can be successfully used for the production of marinades - canning with acetic acid, as well as for canning in a hermetically sealed container in the production of compotes.

In some areas, thorns are naturally dried in the sun or under awnings, 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 thorns are very rich in fat and contain amygdalin, therefore they can be used for the production of fatty and essential bitter almond oils.

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

Fruits, flowers, bark and roots of blackthorn in folk medicine are used as a blood purifier and for gastrointestinal diseases. A decoction from the roots is used for dental disease, as a gargle.

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

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

It should be noted that the peoples of the Caucasus find use for all parts of the thorn plant. In addition to nutritional and gustatory value, thorn fruit juice, boiled in lye, is used to dye the canvas red.

Sloe can be used to create hedges.

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

Thorn gives a brownish-reddish, very hard wood ( specific gravity from 0.71 to 0.94).

Although the wood of thorns has considerable hardness and is fairly well polished, it does not have a beautiful color, warps and cracks; used for the production of handles for tools and other purposes. Bark and wood contain a significant amount of tannins, therefore 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 broth of the bark gives a yellow coloration.

Blackthorn is a melliferous 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 thorn is famous for its beneficial properties, which allow it to be used as a medicinal raw material. In this regard, questions arise about how to dry the sloe properly and what can be made from it.

Calorie content and chemical composition of blackthorn

Before moving on to discussing the beneficial properties of blackthorn berries, leaves or flowers, it is worth talking about its calorie content and chemical composition. There are only 54 Kcal per 100 grams of the product, thanks to which it can be called low-calorie. The sloe also contains 1.5 g of proteins, 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, \u200b\u200bC 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 about the 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 is also has a positive effect on medicinal propertiesah thorns.

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

Did you know? In many beliefs and legends, the thorn 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 bush, this is partly true.

Useful and medicinal properties of blackthorn

As you can see, the fruits of the blackthorn 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 digestive disorders, diarrhea), relieving nausea, stopping vomiting, and killing germs and bacteria.

In addition to fruits, bush leaves are often used, from which herbalists brew teas (act as a home diuretic, laxative and healing agent), infusions (dressings 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 perfect for the role of an auxiliary agent in diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, nephritis, urolithiasis. You can also use thorn fruits to increase your appetite. Simply put, knowing suitable recipes, you can safely use any part of the plant to heal.

The use of thorns for medicinal purposes

The beneficial properties of berries, leaves, flowers and even thorn rhizomes have been found widespread use in alternative (folk) medicine.So, blackthorn copes well with edema, dysentery, candidiasis, vaginitis, nonspecific colitis and general intoxication of the body. When 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 made from thorn branches is an excellent aid in treating gout, and also helps to remove uric acid salts from the body.

Antioxidants and flavonoids found in berries reduce capillary permeability and improve blood circulation, promoting blood clotting. Knowing what the thorn is useful for, and wanting to test its beneficial properties on our own experience, the following recipes for making teas, decoctions or infusions will come in handy.

Important! The seeds of the fruit of the plant contain a toxic glycoside - amygdalin, which cleaves off hydrocyanic acid, so you should get rid of them right away.

Tea made from flowers and thorn leaves

Tea made from flowers and thorn leaves 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 a tea: the dried leaves and flowers of blackthorn are mixed, and then two full teaspoons of raw materials (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 not more than two cups a day.

Thorn juice

Not only dried sloe is healthy, 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 the appropriate compresses will help.

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

Infusion of thorn flowers

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 with a glass of boiling water and left to brew for 40 minutes, after which they filter and drink 150 ml three times a day. This recipe is also suitable when you need to obtain an effective laxative from the flowers of the bush. In addition, if you have problems with the liver, kidneys, bladder and for colds, the following infusion will be useful: 40 g of blackthorn flowers are poured with a glass of warm boiled water and, after insisting, filtered for 10 hours. You need to take the product before meals four times a day for ¼ glass.

Prepare an infusion using thorn leaves,very simple: for one glass of hot water there is one tablespoon of crushed leaves of a 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 out. The ready-made infusion is taken in ½ part of a glass (a full glass is possible) three times a day before meals. Such a remedy has good diuretic properties, therefore it is recommended to use it for edema, kidney and genitourinary system diseases.

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

Tincture of blackthorn berries

Its berries are also suitable for making tincture of thorns. The previously prepared fruits of the bush (it is advisable not to wash them, but simply to select the good and intact ones) are poured into a jar and poured with vodka, and 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 (1.5 kg of sugar will be needed for 10 kg of fruit). 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 the simply incredible aroma of the tincture.

Decoction of berries

An incredibly useful and restorative agent 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. Blackthorn berry tea can be used to increase appetite, as well as a diuretic, astringent and antiseptic.

Decoction from bark and roots

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

There are several ways to cook decoction of the bark and roots of thorns. When using the first option, one part of the dried roots and bark accounts for 20 parts of water. The resulting mixture is brought to a boil and left to simmer in a water bath for 20 minutes. Cool the finished product and take 1-2 tablespoons 4-5 times a day. This broth 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 strained broth should be taken three times a day, 1/3 cup (after meals).

If you wish, 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. The finished product can be used instead of tea. For douching, one glass of broth must be diluted with boiled water in a 1: 1 ratio.

Decoction of thorn roots 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 cut, pre-dried thorn branches (in its action, such a remedy is not inferior to raspberries and has an antipyretic effect). To prepare such a broth, 1 teaspoon of raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. You need to use the product warm, but there are no dosage requirements.

Methods for the preparation and storage of raw materials from blackthorn

Whatever you decide to cook from berries or thorn 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.

The harvesting of flowers is performed during their budding period, and 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, as well as by placing them 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, after drying them a little in the sun, they can be dried in ovens.

Blackthorns can be harvested as they ripen, but better after the first frost. They are well suited for making compotes (can be rolled 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 the fruit, however, in this case, do not forget that before packing the berries, you need to remove the seeds from them.

• Pretreatment is recommended for fruits that quickly oxidize (apricots, apples, peaches, berries, etc.): they should be heated to 100 ° C, then cooled, and only after that, mashed from them.
• Place a solid tray on a sieve, lightly grease it vegetable oilso that the finished marshmallow does not stick to the pallet.
• Spread the prepared mass evenly over the pallet, while making the layer thinner in the middle than along the edges. ...
• Use no more than 2 cups of puree per pallet.
• You can check the readiness by stickiness in the center: the finished one practically does not stick.
• Remove the marshmallow while still warm, then roll it up, refrigerate, wrap cling film and place in an airtight container. The candy will be stored in the refrigerator for much longer.

Temperature - 60 ° С

Time - 12-14 hours

Pastila is a great snack. It can be restored by diluting with water or juice and used as a sauce or puree. It is easy to make a wonderful dessert for children from pastille - like a layer in biscuits or filling for pies. To make sugar-free jam, three parts of pastille must be poured with one part of boiling water. A 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 cooked and sweetened with sugar or honey.