Cherry is a tree that is known and loved by many. It is unpretentious and grows in all cities, in every summer cottage. But not everyone knows that, in addition to berries, you can also use cherry leaves. Useful properties and their contraindications have long been known to folk healers. But with the development of the pharmaceutical industry, herbs have become rarely used. And only in recent years people began to remember what a delicious tea from these leaves. Although many gardeners regularly use cherry leaves in canning, their benefits and contraindications are not yet fully understood.
What is remarkable about cherries
This tree comes from the Black Sea region. But since ancient times it has been revered and loved in all countries where it grew. Berries were considered not only tasty, but also useful. They have long been used to make jams, compotes and vitamin decoctions. Cherry orchards look very beautiful both during flowering and when strewn with red berries. Magical properties were attributed to this tree in ancient times. It was believed that if you decorate the bed of the newlyweds with branches with leaves, then their marriage will be happy.
Composition of cherry leaves
Everyone knows how muchvitamin C contain the berries of this tree. But cherry leaves also have a rich composition. Useful properties and their contraindications are due precisely to what substances they contain. Recent studies have shown that these leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals that are very important for he alth. They include:
- pectins, fiber;
- minerals: calcium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, boron;
- B vitamins;
- tannins;
- fructose;
- antioxidants like quercetin;
- large amounts of ascorbic acid;
- lots of folic acid;
- phytoncides;
- essential oils;
- coumarin - a substance that reduces the likelihood of blood clots;
- ellagic acid, which prevents the development of tumors;
- anthocyanins that slow down cell aging.
It is important to know when to collect cherry leaves so that there are more useful substances in them. The most valuable are young, recently blossomed shoots.
Useful properties of cherry leaves
Our ancestors knew a lot about this tree and often used it for treatment. For example, it was believed that porridge made from cherry bark, onion and hemp seeds helps to heal even from a serious illness. All parts of the plant were used to prepare decoctions, compotes and syrups. Modern medicine has proven that not only berries, but also cherry leaves have healing properties. Their he alth benefits are enormous:
- they strengthen the immune system andincrease the body's defenses;
- have anti-inflammatory properties;
- have a hemostatic effect;
- restore water-s alt metabolism;
- purify the body of toxins, remove sand from the kidneys and even radionuclides;
- have a diuretic effect;
- detrimental to bacteria, viruses and fungi;
- has an antioxidant effect that helps slow down aging;
- relieve fatigue and restore efficiency.
When is it good to eat cherry leaves
Most lovers of traditional medicine use such decoctions only to boost immunity and with a lack of vitamin C. But cherry leaves can be used in the treatment of many diseases:
- for colds and flu;
- nosebleeds;
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- anemia;
- thrombophlebitis;
- coronary heart disease;
- gout;
- as an expectorant for bronchitis;
- for liver disease.
Are there any contraindications to their use
Many people know that cherry berries can cause abdominal pain and irritation of the gastric mucosa in gastritis and ulcers. And during exacerbations, they should not be used at all. But quite another - cherry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications are slightly different. They do not cause an increase in the acidity of gastric juice. Can I drinkdecoctions based on them both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. It is only not recommended to use them in such cases:
- with exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease;
- with a tendency to constipation, as decoctions have a fastening effect;
- under reduced pressure;
- diabetes;
- with individual intolerance.
How to properly use leaves
They can be consumed both fresh and dried. Young cherry leaves are considered the most useful. Therefore, it is better to collect them in May before flowering. At this time, they contain the most useful substances, they are tender and juicy. Such leaves can be dried for the winter. It is better to do this at room temperature, spreading them out in a thin layer on a baking sheet or towel and stirring occasionally. Raw materials prepared in this way retain all the beneficial properties of fresh leaves and their wonderful aroma. Store dried leaves in a glass jar for no more than a year.
To prepare healing decoctions, you need to take 2 tablespoons of fresh leaves or 1 tablespoon of dried ones, as they are more concentrated. Raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water and kept on low heat for 3-5 minutes. After cooling, the broth must be filtered and used for treatment in accordance with the recipe.
Cherry leaves in cooking
They are not eaten fresh as they are too hard. Best of all, cherry leaves show their aroma and taste after heat treatment. Therefore, they have long been used formaking teas, compotes, cooking jam, jam or syrup. And now many housewives add these leaves to jars when canning vegetables. After all, it is a natural flavor that gives cucumbers and tomatoes an unusual pleasant taste. In addition, fresh cherry leaves have preservative properties. Berries and fruits are stored in their presence longer.
Cherry leaves are one of the components of a very tasty "royal jam". It is made from gooseberries. But you need to cook berries not on water, but on a strong infusion of cherry leaves. This jam has an unusual pleasant aroma and taste.
Cherry leaf drinks
You can make delicious and he althy teas and compotes from them, which perfectly quench your thirst and increase immunity. Moreover, you can use them without restrictions, since they have no contraindications.
The most commonly used tea is made from cherry leaves. Each housewife brews it according to her own recipe: with the addition of tea leaves or other herbs. You can drink this tea with honey, syrup or lemon. It is delicious without everything, as the leaves give the drink a delicate cherry flavor and mild sourness.
At the beginning of summer, you can prepare a he althy vitamin compote. To do this, you need to finely chop the rhubarb shoots and boil for 15-20 minutes together with fresh cherry leaves. At the end of cooking, add sugar to taste.
Folk recipes
The most popular use of cherry leaves is in fortified drinks and teas. But in folk medicine theyused for serious illnesses. Most often, several recipes are used.
- To restore the liver with hepatitis, boil 2 tablespoons of crushed fresh leaves for several minutes in half a glass of milk. This amount is drunk throughout the day.
- Several glasses of decoction of dried raw materials per day should be drunk in case of kidney disease. The diuretic effect of such a drink removes pathogenic bacteria and gently dissolves stones.
- If fresh or dry leaves are steeped in alcohol and then strained, an effective antiseptic solution will be obtained. It can be used both internally and externally.
- This decoction can be used to make applications to stop nosebleeds.
- For pain in the joints, you need to brew the leaves together with thin twigs. Boil them a little longer - about 15 minutes.
- Decoction of crushed leaves and twigs of cherries can also be used for gargling or inhalation for sore throats and colds.
External use of leaves
They are also very useful for maintaining the beauty and youthfulness of the skin. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties allow them to be successfully used as part of masks for skin and hair. They are especially useful for high fat content. Decoctions of cherry leaves effectively relieve swelling and reduce inflammation. Such lotions and compresses stop bleeding, destroy bacteria and accelerate wound healing. And if you freeze the decoction, such ice cubes are an excellent tonic and cleanser for the face. cherrytwigs with leaves are useful as a bath broom. The essential oils released at the same time have a rejuvenating effect on the skin and a tonic effect on the entire body.
Cherry leaves are an affordable and very effective healing agent. Delicious and fragrant tea in winter will remind you of sunny days and saturate the body with vitamins.
