Currant leaves - medicinal properties and contraindications

Nature envelops man not only with a harmony of beauty and perfection, she endows him with her priceless gifts. The most striking example is currants. This shrub is widely distributed in the southern Russian regions and in the middle belt. It grows in cottages, annually delighting caring owners with the scent of ripe berries. Grow currants and decorative purpose.

In philistine circles, it is considered that only berries have useful properties. Indeed, the fruits of the shrub have a unique composition. But no less useful and the leaves of the plant.Although the discussion about their medicinal properties between traditional healers and representatives of official medicine still does not subside, both sides recognize the healing properties of currant leaf.

Scope of currant leaves

Black currant leaves are widely used for various purposes: extracts from them are used in the production of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, they have been used in cooking, herbalists and traditional healers have also paid attention to this natural gift. The leaf of a bush is a part of many grass gatherings, from it prepare broths, infusions, tinctures and many other dosage forms.

Features of the composition

The whole healing power of a surprisingly elegant currant leaf is hidden inside of it. Its composition is simply phenomenal, so many useful and very rare elements are contained in the leaves. If you list only one polyphenolic compounds, you’ll have an impressive list:

• flavonols;
• bioflavonoids;
• catechins (free and condensed);
• proanthocyanidins.

But this part of the plant is also rich in the content of the main macro-and microelements:

• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• calcium.

These minerals provide bone growth, are responsible for the condition of the muscles and the motor functions of the body. The presence of potassium and magnesium prevents the development of heart attack. These elements regulate blood circulation and maintain a normal heart rhythm. The leaves also contain essential oils, a whole complex of vitamins, emulsin.

What are the beneficial properties of currant leaves

Besides the fact that a black currant leaf is a storehouse of vitamins and other useful components, it is able to influence physiological processes in the human body to a varying degree and cure many diseases. So, thanks to the high content of vitamin "C", it helps to fight anemia.The healing drinks prepared on its basis, have a tonic effect and positively affect the general well-being.

Useful qualities of black currant leaves are especially pronounced in the following:

• localization of inflammatory foci;
• in the ability to remove excess fluid from the body;
• opportunities to have a positive effect in diseases of the digestive system;
• in excretion of slags and toxins;
• blood clotting regulation;
• in the ability to cure skin diseases;
• the ability to maintain and strengthen human immune forces.

All of these properties are used for prophylactic purposes, and are often included in the complex of therapy as an auxiliary treatment for vascular pathologies, heart problems, and viral diseases.

Antioxidant properties help not only to cleanse the body of harmful products, smokers, for example, they are useful because they cleanse their lungs. People living in areas with high background radiation are also advised to drink decoctions and infusions of currant leaves.

In what areas is used currant leaf?

For the preparation of healing compositions suitable both fresh and dried raw materials. You can prepare it yourself in the summer, but you must clearly adhere to the process technology. Many people prefer to buy ready-made raw materials in the pharmacy chain. Useful qualities of the leaves are perfectly preserved when frozen.

Herbal preparation with the proper preparation of dosage forms is effective in the treatment and prevention of:

• bronchitis and colds;
• lung disease;
• hypertension;
• diabetes;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• dysentery;
• atherosclerosis;
• skin problems.

Besides the fact that the components of the composition strengthen the immune forces of the body, they have a positive effect on vision, regulate the functions of the kidneys and liver. If you daily clean your skin with infusion or make lotions on problem areas, you can get rid of acne and inflammation.

Contraindications

Despite the high usefulness of the plant, there are a number of limitations that make it impossible to use currant leaves. In this list:

• thrombophlebitis;
• peptic ulcer of the digestive organs;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• individual intolerance.

Long therapeutic and preventive courses are not recommended. The optimal duration of treatment is 30 days, after which you need to take a break for a few weeks and again resume herbal therapy. The most sensible solution is to first consult with your doctor about the treatment option and its length.

Methods for the preparation of medicines

Drinks that are prepared according to popular recipes from the leaves of black currant, are conventionally divided into two groups: medicinal and prophylactic. The action of medicinal drinks is aimed at eliminating specific symptoms and improving the general condition of a person. Prophylactic agents, which are mainly fragrant teas, are used to strengthen the body.

Important! There are some specific points that should be taken into account during the preparation of dosage forms of currant leaves.

Since the human body is not able to independently synthesize ascorbic acid, this vitamin should be regularly supplied with food.But the organic compound is destroyed instantaneously by heat. Therefore, the currant leaf in most popular recipes is used as a whole, it is not boiled, but put in hot water.

Healing tea

Currant tea will be a great addition to the daily diet. In addition, this option is a worthy alternative to such aggressive drinks as strong tea and coffee. Currant tea has diuretic properties and can be an integral part of complex treatment for such diseases:

• cystitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• pyelonephritis;
• gout;
• swelling of various origins.

This vitamin tea is especially useful for older people and children. The drink acts gently, without disturbing the natural functions of the body.

Now a few recipes for the preparation of healing drink:

1. The easiest option: place the crushed leaves in the teapot, pour boiling water and let it brew. To give the drink an original taste, you can add raspberry, strawberry or rowan leaves. It is not advisable to add sugar to such teas, it is better to replace it with a spoon of natural honey.
2. Vitamin tea.In addition to currant leaves, rosehip, lingonberry and raspberry leaves are required. All components are taken in equal parts - 2 tablespoons each. The mixture is first poured boiling water and reaches 10 minutes until cooked on low heat. The prepared composition should be drunk during the day. A vitaminized drink for digestive disorders can be prepared with Hypericum herb or clover flowers. In the latter case, the drink can be used as a diuretic and with beriberi.
3. Summer tea. In the summer it is advisable to use fresh leaves of currant. Only 5-6 pieces are enough to get a healthy drink with a pleasant taste. Cooked leaves are placed directly in boiling water (250 ml), the solution is kept for another minute on the fire, then removed and infused for 3 minutes. Before use, you can add a little honey. The drink is recommended to drink before bedtime, as it has a pronounced sedative properties and improves the quality of sleep.

Decoction

For the preparation of the therapeutic composition, the crushed leaves (4 l. Art.) Are placed in already boiling water (1 liter) and kept the mixture in a water bath for half an hour. After cooling means, filter it and drink in a glass for the reception.

Infusion

In this case, it is better to use a thermos. Inside the container pour dry leaves (5 l. Art.), Pour them with a liter of boiling water. Insist up to 3 hours, then strain well. You can take up to 4 times a day for half a glass. Infusion is great for outdoor processing in video tape. The treatment of inflammatory skin lasts up to 15 minutes.

Healing baths

Similar procedures are shown for hemorrhage and diathesis in children, dermatitis and even sciatica are treated with the help of baths. In addition, a bath with a sheet of black currant will perfectly replace the spa treatment in an expensive salon.

Therapeutic baths improve metabolic processes, stimulate blood circulation, and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the nail and the whole body. After this procedure, the skin becomes elastic and silky. Usually the course of treatment is 10 sessions.

Composition for the bath is prepared from 1 kg of dry raw materials and 10 liters of water. The named components are combined, and the mixture is set to boil for half an hour. Then the container is tightly covered and infused for an hour. After straining the solution is added to the already prepared bath.The procedure can be taken no more than twice a week, and its duration should not exceed 25 minutes.

Cosmetics

Nourishing face mask. This recipe will require fresh leaves (6 pieces) and 150 g of yogurt. Plant material after grinding should be mixed with the lactic acid product and squeeze the mass through gauze. The nutrient mixture is applied to the face for 20 minutes. This cosmetic procedure evens the complexion and softens the skin. In winter, you can use dried material.

Currant leaves are truly unique products created by nature itself. They are added to salads and hot dishes. Essential fragrant leaves in the preservation of vegetables.Phytoncides, which are contained in the leaves, do not allow spoilage of products during their long-term storage. But the most important thing is the quality of this plant component - its high efficiency in the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as its accessibility. After all, in order to prepare vitamin tea or a relaxing water treatment, it is enough to go outside in the summer and pick a few leaves from the nearest bush. It is good that sometimes even a single leaf can do much more for human health than the most expensive medicine.

Video: black currant tea