In early May, beautiful light yellow flowers appear on tall, densely branched bushes with small pubescent leaves, calling insects to them with their aroma. This is honeysuckle blooming. In the middle lane this unpretentious
shrub is found almost everywhere. He is very fond of planting in summer cottages, because, growing, honeysuckle forms an excellent hedge. Moreover, it does not require any special attention from gardeners.
Today there are more than two hundred species of this wonderful plant: common honeysuckle or, as it is otherwise called by the people, wolfberry, blue honeysuckle, Altai, Caucasian, Kamchatka, various types of decorative. But only a few of them are edible. We call this species "edible honeysuckle". How useful is this unpretentious beauty?
Sweet taste with spicybitter taste
Dark purple, almost black, barrel-shaped or round fruits covered with a bluish bloom. Usually they ripen earlier than other berries, but they can "linger" on the branches until the end of July. Sweet and sour, sometimes slightly bitter in taste, they perfectly quench your thirst and are somewhat reminiscent of blueberries.
In addition to excellent taste, edible honeysuckle has many other valuable properties. What is useful honeysuckle berry? Most importantly, it is rich in vitamins necessary for the human body.
Useful properties of the plant
If we consider the usefulness of a plant in terms of its composition, then a detailed listing will take more than one page. After all, honeysuckle berries contain vitamins of group B, and vitamins A, PP and C, and carotene, and no less valuable trace elements, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, silicon, oxalic, amber, apple and lemon acid.
What else is the honeysuckle berry useful for? It is a pronounced tonic, astringent, antiscorbutic and diuretic. Increases gastric secretion, with the help of it, people treat constipation, diarrhea, diseases of the stomach, kidneys and liver. Raw berries can be consumed by anyone with high cholesterol.
Fresh and processed fruits are often used as an effective multivitamin. Eating honeysuckle improves immunity, it is good for overwork, unbalanced diets and physical activity.
And if during a cold you drink a decoction from the valuable stocks of this pantryhe alth”, then it will immediately become clear how useful the honeysuckle berry is: the temperature drops right before our eyes.
The fact that the plant is rich in polyphenols has been successfully used to relieve irritation and inflammation of the skin. After all, it acts on the skin in the same way as chamomile, aloe or green tea. A decoction of the leaves is an ideal substitute for lotions for oily skin, as it dries and removes excess shine.
Ophthalmologists also recommend using this plant. What is the benefit of honeysuckle berry for the eyes? Doctors advise using it after operations, during the recovery period, as a prophylactic when working at a computer or during other significant eye strain.
For iron deficiency anemia, doctors recommend eating berries pureed with sugar. A decoction of the twigs of the plant is used as a diuretic, and the infusion is used as an antiseptic and astringent.
It is advised to use honeysuckle berries for the treatment of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Contraindications for eating honeysuckle
Like any medicinal plant, honeysuckle has useful properties and contraindications. For example, it is not recommended for those who suffer from allergies. Moreover, allergens are found not only in berries, but also in the flowers of the plant, as well as in the leaves.
You should not use berries for those who have gastritis, hyperacidity or ulcers, as well as during an exacerbation of cystitis. Otherwise, this plant brings only benefits to a person.
