Fresh lingonberries rarely appear on store shelves. The plant on the territory of our country grows mainly in the Altai Territory. These are not quite ordinary, but creeping shrubs with very tenacious and strong branches that can spread over a fairly large area.
Cowberries bear fruit in autumn: the branches are covered with small bright red berries. Along with the leaves, they have long been used by traditional healers to treat many diseases. Cowberry-based preparations are useful for the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and blood vessels, and vision. In this article, we will detail the use of the plant for the treatment of various diseases. You will learn which parts of it are most often used in folk and traditional medicine, how to brew cranberries for the kidneys, how to take preparations based on it.
Is lingonberries always he althy?
Due to the pronounced antiseptic and diuretic properties, medicinalpreparations based on lingonberry leaves activate the work of the kidneys, in some cases stimulate their purification from toxins and mineral deposits. Meanwhile, the intensive work of the kidneys and the active excretion of fluid from the body are far from always useful, even with their pathologies. In some kidney diseases, berry and leaf remedies can be dangerous.
For example, lingonberries are often prescribed and successfully used in many forms of pyelonephritis. But with kidney failure, which is sometimes a consequence of pyelonephritis, its use is prohibited. The same situation is observed if glomerulonephritis is diagnosed, with kidney stones. Lingonberries in these cases are prescribed with caution, in accordance with the patient's condition, the size of the stones, their location, etc.
With such an ambiguous effect of the plant, one should clearly understand how preparations based on it act on the body and on the kidneys in particular. It is important to know what the diagnosed disease is, what pathological processes develop with it, and how the active components of lingonberries can affect diseased organs.
Useful properties of the plant
The main and most famous of them is diuretic. Cowberry leaves and, to a lesser extent, fruits contain a large amount of glycosides: arbutin, hyperoside, vaccinin. When they enter the body, they turn into hydroquinone, which irritates the kidney parenchyma and stimulates the excretion of fluid by the kidneys. As a result, when using lingonberry preparationsdiuresis increases significantly, pathogenic microorganisms are removed from the kidneys faster, which often cause inflammation.
Another valuable property of the plant is antiseptic. Lingonberry leaves contain a large amount of free benzoic acid, which effectively suppresses pathogenic bacteria in the tubules of the kidneys. Ripe berries contain about 0.2% benzoic acid, which, being absorbed into the stomach, is delivered to the kidneys with blood and begins to fight microbes here.
Doctors note the antioxidant effect of the active substances that make up lingonberries - ascorbic acid, flavonoids, quercetin. However, neither the lingonberry leaf nor its berries surpass other herbal preparations in terms of the severity of this effect, and therefore it would be incorrect to talk about the unique benefits of the plant in this regard.
Traditional healers and herbalists are well aware of the medicinal properties and contraindications of lingonberry leaves. They include a record amount of B and C vitamins, as well as minerals - calcium and potassium, sodium and phosphorus and others. It is impossible not to take into account the benefits of the anti-inflammatory effect of lingonberry leaves for the kidneys. They have diuretic properties that are used in the treatment of kidney failure, normalization of water balance, elimination of edema.
Knowing the medicinal properties and contraindications of lingonberry leaves, doctors advise strictly following the prescribed dosage when taking drugs based on them. As a rule, the course lasts 10 days, after which you should take a break for two months.
What kind of kidney disease does lingonberry help?
The use of the leaves and fruits of the plant is effective in acute and chronic inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as diseases accompanied by edema and hypertension. These include:
- chronic and acute pyelonephritis;
- urethritis, prostatitis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- cystitis;
- enuresis;
- sand in the kidneys and bladder.
Successful treatment of these serious diseases involves the elimination of infection, the removal of inflammation and pain, the removal of excess fluid from edema and the normalization of blood pressure. In addition, efforts should be aimed at normalizing metabolism and increasing the body's resistance. These requirements are met by decoctions of lingonberry leaves. They are prescribed for many nephrological diseases. They eliminate inflammation and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
It is worth noting that in the treatment of these diseases, phytotherapists use lingonberries most often in combination with other medicinal plants. This can be explained by the fact that the medicinal properties of one plant are greatly enhanced when interacting with other components, and therefore the effectiveness of treatment increases. Lingonberries can be used to treat kidney problems in patients of different age groups: children, expectant mothers, the elderly.
Inflammatory kidney disease
In inflammatory processes in the kidneys, it is very important to establish the cause of the disease. If the pathology was caused by an infection and it affected the tubularsystem (pyelonephritis), lingonberry preparations can be used in complex treatment as an additional remedy. If the inflammatory process is caused by pathological autoimmune processes and has led to kidney failure, lingonberry intake is contraindicated in most cases.
If pyelonephritis of an infectious nature is diagnosed, folk remedies based on lingonberries from the kidneys can be used in complex therapy. How to drink them and how to cook, we will tell further.
Decoction of leaves
With inflammation of moderate severity, when the symptoms are not too pronounced, a decoction is prescribed, which is prepared from two tablespoons (tablespoons) of dry lingonberry leaves and 200 ml of water. It is better to simmer the composition for ten minutes in a water bath. Then it is cooled at room temperature and filtered.
Take this lingonberry decoction for the kidneys twice a day, 200 ml before meals.
Infusion
With a more active course of inflammatory processes, a more concentrated remedy should be used - an infusion. How to brew lingonberries for the kidneys? To prepare the infusion, pour four tablespoons (tablespoons) of dry leaves with a glass of boiling water. After an hour and a half, it is filtered and taken three times a day before meals for two weeks, 10 ml each.
Juice
It is used as an adjunct to the main treatment for inflammation of the kidneys. Lingonberries are crushed with a blender or passed through a meat grinder, the juice is carefully squeezed out, rubbing the crushed berries through a sieve. Before use, dilute it by half with water and addnatural honey. Take a pleasant and he althy drink of 50 ml three times a day before meals.
Can lingonberries get rid of kidney stones?
In nephrology, lingonberries are considered only as a prophylactic for the formation of kidney stones. Its regular intake ensures the active removal of fluid and the smallest mineral particles. This prevents the formation of sand and then the formation of stones.
Traditional healers claim that lingonberries can dissolve large stones. However, experimental and actual confirmation of this fact does not yet exist. But cases of exacerbation of the disease, which are associated with the movement of stones and the overlap of the ureters, are well known to physicians. For this reason, you should not try to get rid of stones yourself with lingonberries. It's really dangerous. If nephrolithiasis is suspected, it is necessary to undergo a serious examination in a medical institution and consult with qualified nephrologists. After studying his test results, the doctor prescribes treatment. The composition of complex therapy may also include folk remedies, but they must be approved by the doctor.
For the prevention of kidney stones, lingonberries are used to make drugs according to folk recipes.
Tincture
To prepare such a remedy, you will need lingonberry leaves, you can also use grass with stems, but without berries (100 g). Raw materials are dipped in boiling water (2.5 liters) and removed from heat almost immediately. Within two to three hoursinfused, after which it is once again brought to a boil and turned off. After that, 200 ml of high-quality vodka is added to it. Store the product in a dark place in a tightly closed container. Take three times a day before meals, 20 drops. Treatment can last from two to four weeks. The decision on its duration is made by the doctor. It depends on the course of the disease and the condition of the patient.
Morse
In the presence of sand or small stones, this drink is good for the kidneys. Cowberry juice is prepared simply: juice is squeezed out of the berries. A quarter cup is diluted with 150 ml of water. Take a glass a quarter of an hour before meals. It is noteworthy that the period of use of this pleasant and he althy drink is almost unlimited. It can also be given to children. If desired, the taste can be improved with a spoonful of honey.
Renal cyst treatment
It should be noted right away that lingonberries for kidneys with cystic formation are effective only if they are small. In addition, it is possible to achieve improvement in the condition only if the pathology proceeds without pronounced symptoms. In the acute course of the disease, when the size of the cyst is too large, treatment with folk remedies is not advisable - it will not bring the desired result, and time will be lost. In this case, surgery is indispensable.
In case of kidney diseases, lingonberries, as we have already said, are used as an additional remedy to the main therapy. With cystic formation, tea from berries and leaves is effectiveplants. It is prepared from a teaspoon of dry raw materials, which is brewed with a glass of boiling water and insisted for a quarter of an hour. Drink it 4-5 times a day.
It is believed that when excess proteins and minerals are excreted in the urine, this tea prevents the accumulation of material in the cyst and slows down its growth.
Kidney cleanse
Due to its antiseptic and diuretic action for the kidneys, lingonberries are used to effectively cleanse them of toxins, excess mucus, microbes, inflammation products, and harmful substances that the body removes through these organs. Periodic cleansing of the kidneys, including lingonberries, is considered a useful he alth-improving procedure. However, doing this on your own, without first consulting a doctor, can lead to the movement of large stones that can block the ureters. In this case, urgent surgery will be required.
If your doctor approves the cleaning, then you will need three kilograms of lingonberries. They should be consumed daily at 200 g without sugar, honey or other additives in one of the intervals between meals. For the duration of the procedure, fried, smoked, s alty foods, semi-finished products and alcoholic beverages should be excluded from the diet.
Cowberries for the kidneys: recipes for complex fees
Traditional healers and many doctors often use formulations in their practice, in which lingonberries are one of the main components. Often for the kidneys, lingonberry leaves are used in combination with bearberry, which has similar properties. ATfolk medicine, the following recipes are common: take five parts of lingonberry seeds, one part of its dry leaves, nettle, birch leaves. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and then brew a tablespoon (tablespoon) of the mixture with boiling water (200 ml) and leave to cool. Take a remedy for inflammation, for the prevention of nephrolithiasis four times a day for ½ cup for a month.
You need to mix three tablespoons (tablespoons) of lingonberry leaves, bearberry, sage herb, dandelion root, string herb and horsetail. This mixture is poured with a liter of boiling water and infused for 12 hours. Take the composition of 1/4 cup up to eight times a day. This remedy is effective for inflammation of the kidneys.
In chronic diseases, for the prevention of relapses, it is recommended to use a decoction of lingonberries and beets. To cook it, you need to separately boil a kilogram of both. Berries in a liter of water over low heat are brought to a boil, and the root crop, previously peeled and chopped, is boiled in the same amount of water for 10 minutes. Broths are mixed and honey or sugar is added to taste. Take a glass a day for two weeks. Then you should take a break for two months.
Another effective way to cook lingonberries. For kidneys, lingonberry water can be used as a preventive measure. To prepare it, you will need a glass of fresh berries. They are poured with boiling water (500 ml). The remedy is insisted for six hours. Lingonberry water is a general tonic, and therefore it is advisable to use it in winter to maintain the immune system. It also lowers blood sugar levels.
Procurement of raw materials
Cowberry leaves are harvested in spring - from late April to mid-May, before the plant begins to bloom, while there are no buds on the bushes or until they are very small and green. During this period, the leaves contain the greatest amount of nutrients. You can also harvest leaves in the fall, when fruiting is completed. Collect them even in winter. This is due to the fact that at this time the leaves contain the least moisture, and therefore they dry quickly. When harvesting leaves, it is recommended to cut the shoots with scissors, since the rhizome of the shrub lies shallow - only 2-4 cm.
After drying, it is desirable to separate the leaves from the stems. So that the lingonberry thicket does not suffer from the collection of raw materials, repeated harvesting in one place can be carried out no earlier than after five years. Leaves should not be collected during flowering - this will cause significant damage to the plant.
Dry the collected raw materials in warm, well-ventilated and dark rooms. It needs to be stirred frequently. Dried leaves should remain green. Store them in glass containers or paper bags.
Cowberries are also harvested for the future. Due to the high content of benzoic acid, they are stored for a long time. You can store them in water or weak sugar syrup.
Contraindications to the use of cranberries
We talked a lot about the beneficial properties of lingonberries: how to take its leaves and berries, what is the duration of treatment. It is equally important to know when it is better to stop using this medicinal plant.or minimize the intake of drugs based on it, carefully observing the reaction of your body. Doctors believe that lingonberries should not be used if:
- Stomach ulcer and hyperacidity. Even when taking lingonberries in minimal amounts, it is better to do this after a meal. Cowberries are not allowed on an empty stomach.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure). Lingonberries lower blood pressure. The condition of a hypotonic patient may worsen sharply.
- In the presence of internal bleeding, especially before surgery. It is known that lingonberries thin the blood. During the treatment of urolithiasis, the combination of lingonberries with other drugs is possible only after consulting a doctor.
Summarize
When treating kidney diseases with lingonberries or collections, which include the leaves or berries of the plant, it is important to evaluate the role of herbal medicine for each specific case. It can be presented in equal proportions with medications or be an auxiliary, becoming a useful addition to the main therapy, enhancing the effect of drugs and speeding up recovery.
Given the serious consequences that improper treatment of kidney diseases (dialysis, kidney failure) can lead to, do not overestimate the possibilities of herbal medicine. Treatment should be carried out in cooperation with the doctor. Only in this case, the healing properties of lingonberries will help to defeat the disease sooner.
