Blackberry is a perennial shrub whose branches reach a length of one and a half meters. These are actually impenetrable thickets with thorns, the shoots of which grow in all directions. Blackberry leaves also have thorns, like those of raspberries. However, their shape is somewhat different. The plant blooms from spring to autumn with white small flowers. The berries resemble raspberries, but they are black or dark blue. Their collection is carried out in late summer - early autumn. Blackberries grow in the mountains, fields and plains, along roads and on the banks of rivers. It is found in southern and central Russia, as well as beyond the Urals.
Let's consider what properties a berry and a blackberry leaf have.
Benefits of fruits
Folk healers have long known the beneficial properties of blackberries. Various sweets were prepared from it or simply dried fruits, and then added to tea. Berries are a natural antidepressant. They have the ability to calm the nervous system and strengthenimmunity. The fruits are taken for sleep disorders, nerves and fever.
The composition of the berry includes iron, magnesium, molybdenum, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, nickel, chromium and other trace elements. Salicylic, malic, citric acids stand out from organic acids. Among vitamins there are A, B1, PP, K, C, E. Blackberries are rich in tannins and aromatics, pectins, bioflavonoids. The latter are antioxidants. They relieve inflammation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and relieve swelling.
Berries quench thirst, reduce fever and have a diaphoretic effect. Therefore, they are extremely valuable in the fight against infections and pneumonia.
Tea with the addition of blackberries has a tonic effect, soothes and strengthens the nerves. It also has a positive effect on the intestines. At the same time, both ripe and green berries help: the former stimulate the work of the organ, while the latter cope with diarrhea and disinfect.
Benefits of blackberry leaves
In addition to fruits, blackberry leaves are famous for their healing properties. It is best to collect them when flowering occurs. At the same time, the youngest, but who managed to take the form of leaves, should be chosen. In addition to natural drying, the process can be accelerated in the oven at a temperature of 40 degrees. Blackberry leaves are also rich in flavonoids, tannins, essential and organic oils, and C stands out among vitamins.
Tannins have an astringent effect. Therefore, they are taken for diarrhea. If blackberry leaves are added to tea, they will reduceindicator of sugar levels and will contribute to the fight against diabetes. In addition, this tea normalizes metabolic processes in the body.
Blackberry tea
The drink saturates the body with all the richness of vitamins and microelements that are found in the berry. It will soothe nervous tension and stress. To make tea with berries, they are washed, tea leaves with fruits are poured into a teapot and one third of boiling water is poured. After waiting a few minutes, add the rest of the liquid and add sugar to taste.
To prepare you will need the following ingredients:
- a small spoonful of loose leaf tea;
- two small spoons of berries;
- glass of water;
- sugar optional.
Berry juice is very useful. To do this, choose the most ripe of them. It will help with hoarseness if the vocal cords do not work well. Then a glass of warm juice is drunk in small sips.
Tea with leaves
Drink can be made by adding a blackberry leaf, the healing properties of which are also high. To do this, brew two small spoons of dried leaves in a glass of boiling water for a quarter of an hour. After that, they clean them up and drink a drink. You can also add lemon to taste.
Tea treatment
In addition to preparing the drink separately using fruits and leaves, you can add one or the other ingredients. Then take one part of the berries and two parts of the leaves. All rubbed, placed in a bag of fabric and leftdry for a couple of days. Then the finished mixture is brewed as usual. The aroma and taste of this drink is amazing! You can also mix with other herbs, such as raspberries.
In order for the drink to perfectly tone the body and easily cope with a cough, you need to take the same amount of raspberry, blackberry, linden and coltsfoot leaves. And with an upset stomach, a recipe with the addition of blackberries, mint, chamomile and raspberry flowers, taken in equal proportions, will have a beneficial effect. Then, in a glass of boiling water, brew up to two small spoons of the dry mixture, and then insist for ten minutes.
Tea with fermented leaves
Fans of subtle flavors should try to prepare a drink according to the following recipe. Fresh leaves are placed in a glass container, tightly covered with a lid and kept in the sun. Under direct rays, they will begin to blacken. Until the leaves turn completely black, they are removed and immediately dried in an oven at low temperature, stirring occasionally. Tea is prepared in the usual way. But its aroma is so pleasant that it does not differ from a real Chinese drink. It is useful for improving digestion, as well as strengthening, invigorating and tonic.
Folk recipes
Consider two more recipes. This is no longer a drink, but a healing tincture. Therefore, they take it not for pleasure, but for treatment.
The first recipe is like this. Take two tablespoons of dry leaves and pour two cups of boiling water. Closedcontainers insist for four hours, then filter and drink half a glass three times a day. Within a few days you will feel better. The tincture is very helpful in overexciting the nervous system. It is also useful for infections, sclerosis and high blood pressure.
You can cook another recipe that will also help calm your nerves. To do this, take two parts of the leaves, add one part of the calendula flowers, then pour four tablespoons of the mixture with 300 milliliters of boiling water. Allow to cool and then drink half a glass three times a day thirty minutes before meals, after straining blackberry leaves.
Useful properties and contraindications for women
Separately, it must be said about the effect that the plant has on the fair sex, who are in position. Both the fruit and the blackberry leaf are not prohibited during pregnancy. The body at such a time requires a lot of vitamins. And the plant can give it to mom. However, as with everything, the key here is to exercise caution. In addition to an allergic reaction, you should be wary of blackberries if you have chronic cystitis, intestinal disorders and postoperative consequences from injuries of internal organs.
In the absence of the above contraindications, berry lovers can quite afford to enjoy them. So, women who consumed the fruit and blackberry leaf during pregnancy leave positive reviews. Many assure that lethargy, which is oftenfelt in the later stages, passes, and the body seems to come to life, filled with energy.
Contraindications
Like all medicinal plants, blackberry leaves have useful properties and contraindications. We discussed the positive properties above. Now let's say a few words about the negative. Firstly, there may be an individual intolerance to the berry. Secondly, it is unlikely that it will suit people suffering from chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines. If there is increased acidity, then you can not drink more than a glass of juice per day. In addition, an ambiguous reaction of the kidneys may be observed. If there are problems with this organ, then it is better to drink a drink without added sugar.
Medicines are also sold in pharmacies, which include blackberry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications are then indicated on the package. Blackberries can be, for example, allergic. It manifests itself in the form of vomiting, nausea, swelling or diarrhea. Moreover, symptoms can occur both after a couple of minutes, and after a few days. In the event of such a reaction, the stomach should be washed immediately. To do this, drink five glasses of water. Then they induce vomiting. Then you can take an allergy pill and call a doctor.
Conclusion
Thus, blackberries are a very useful plant, and not only berries, but also leaves are healing. Herbal teas have a calming effect and strengthen the immune system. Baths with the addition of leaves also have an excellent therapeutic effect. It turns out that you should not forget about such a useful berry. Prepare jam or compote, dry the leaves for tea and tinctures and use them in the cold season. Stay he althy!
