Turn - Useful Properties and Contraindications

The bush of thorns is known for the work "The Singing in the Thornberry" and the biblical writings. However, ancient healers and herbalists knew about the healing properties of tart berries, as evidenced by centuries-old medical treatises.

It is known that not only the black and blue fruits of the plant, but also inflorescences, leaves, roots and even branches bring benefits. The turn is the ancestor of the garden plum, which is also endowed with gastronomic and medicinal properties.

The chemical composition of thorns

The specific berry owes its taste to a rare chemical composition. Toughness give it tannins, extractive components and esters, starch. Severe acidity arises due to the high content of organic acids (phenolcarboxylic, malic) and vitamin C.

The turn also contains the following valuable components:

• amino acids;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, eleostearic, linoleic, palmitic and others);
• pectin;
• mineral salts;
• fiber and dietary fiber;
• flavonoids;
• monosaccharides (glucose, fructose) - up to 8.8%;
• glycosides (prunazin, amigdolin);
• catechins;
• nitrogen compounds;
• phytosteroids;
• higher alcohols;
• coumarins;
• anthocyanins;
• triterpenoids;
• beta carotene;
• vitamins of groups A, B, E, PP, C;
• mineral compounds (zinc, molybdenum, iodine, copper, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, etc.).

Attention! Thorn seeds also contain toxic glycoside (amigdoline), which cleaves hydrocyanic acid.

Such a unique and rich chemical composition determines the maximum health benefits of berries with low calorie content (no more than 55 kcal per 100 g).

Useful properties of thorns

Fruits, leaves, flowers and roots of the plant produce a tonic effect and help fight a number of ailments.

The berries themselves are valuable due to the following properties:

1. Relax for chronic constipation.
2. Activate the digestion and peristalsis of the intestine, restore its microflora.
3. Reduce the acidity of the stomach, thereby reducing the likelihood of recurrence of gastritis, ulcers, colitis.
4. Reduce flatulence, relieve flatulence.
5. Free radicals, salts and suspensions of chemical elements, toxins, excess fluid, harmful cholesterol, slags are bound and removed from the body.
6. Promote weight loss due to increased metabolism and improved digestion, and organic acids in the composition provide a rapid breakdown of lipids.
7. Contribute to the discharge of sputum for diseases of the oropharynx and nasopharynx, colds.
8. Produce anti-inflammatory, diuretic and diaphoretic effect, and the high content of amino acids and vitamin C provides rapid rehabilitation for any disease.
9. They restore the nervous system, therefore they are effective for sleep disorders, depression, panic syndrome and irritability, general fatigue.
10. They produce an antiseptic and hemostatic effect, promote healing of ulcers and wounds, reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin.
11. Strengthen the heart muscle and vascular walls, reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, reduce blood pressure.
12. They regulate the level of cholesterol in the plasma, as well as purify the liver and kidneys, contribute to their recovery after an illness or surgery.
13. Promote the natural removal of stones from the kidneys or bile ducts.
14. Produce an antibacterial effect, kill pathogens (fungi, bacterial sticks, etc.).
15. Antioxidants in the composition of thorns produce an antitumor effect, prevent the oxidation of cells, thereby preserving their youth and quality.

Flavonoids have a positive effect on blood flow and blood quality, reduce vascular permeability, increase clotting. A diet on the turn helps to normalize high blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertensive states.

In men, the turn provides prevention of diseases of the prostate gland, the occurrence of benign tumors, adenomas.

In women, the berry reduces nervous tension and PMS manifestations, produces an analgesic effect during menstruation. Pulp and blackthorn are used in cosmetology, providing natural cleansing of the skin, elimination of adolescent acne, acne, dermatitis and couperose netting.The components in the composition also contribute to toning and deep moisturizing of the skin and hair.

Fruits, greens or wood

Blackthorn is a unique plant, since all its parts acquire healing properties.

Berries
Tart berry ripens after the first frost. Then the fruits are dried, make alcohol infusions, prepare broths and jams.

In fresh or dried form, the turn is used for diseases of the digestive tract, including dysbacteriosis, inflammatory processes, parasitic invasion. Fresh juice removes toxins from food poisoning, promotes recovery from dysentery and jaundice, effectively fights against Giardia and pinworms.

Fresh and black wine can be used for applications and compresses for skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, etc.).

Broth from the fruit, you can rinse the mouth - tanning components provide treatment of gums and healing of microcracks in the mucous membrane. Also, such a natural conditioner produces prevention of stomatitis and candidiasis of the oral cavity, periodontal disease and periodontitis.

Leaves
Thorn shoots are brewed as tea, which provides a pronounced laxative and diuretic effect. Excess fluid leaves the body, thereby reducing the temperature during fever, decreases swelling.

Effective tea for prostate adenoma, cystitis, urolithiasis and kidney stones, nephritis, increased bile secretion.

Broth leaves can also rinse the mouth with dental pathologies.

Lotions with medicinal infusion effective for dermatosis, pustular lesions, furunculosis.

Flowers
The inflorescences of the bush are harvested at the bud stage.

Tea and tinctures of flowers strengthen the body's defenses, produce antipyretic and diuretic effect.

It is enough to drink tea with thorns 2 times a day to safely reduce pressure, reduce toxicosis during pregnancy, shortness of breath.

Also, the decoction is effective in diseases of the liver and kidneys, chronic constipation.

It is useful to use this tea at night - it will soothe the nervous system, relax muscles and ensure prolonged sound sleep.

With a cold, a decoction of flowers knits and relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, throat, mouth cavity.Inhalations over the broth reduce runny nose and contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels.

The roots
It is recommended to dig up the roots in the fall. Then they must be thoroughly dried in the sun and in the oven. Various means of thorns (infusions, decoctions, juice) are effective for inflammatory, viral and respiratory diseases. For a long time, roots have been used to treat malaria.

Surprisingly, the roots, unlike fruit juice, have a firming effect, therefore, are indispensable for chronic diarrhea and acute poisoning.

A decoction of the roots is used for applications with lesions of the skin, including erysipelas.

Douching a decoction of thorns reduces the manifestation of vaginitis and candidiasis.

Wood
The bark has excellent astringent properties. The broth is recommended to bathe babies, as well as to make antiseptic baths for the affected skin.

A decoction of bark can bring down the temperature is not worse than raspberry tea.

A decoction of thorns branches is an indispensable remedy for gout, which allows splitting and excreting uric acid salts from the body.

Harm of turn and contraindications

Unfortunately, the abundance of extractive components and other substances is not always well tolerated by the human body. For example, because of the high content of dyes and acids, the turn is an allergen. If there is an individual intolerance to various berries or citrus fruits in the history, then treatment with thorns is contraindicated for you.

It is also undesirable to use the berry in the period of acute gastrointestinal diseases. With increased acidity, gastritis or ulcers, it is recommended to drink a decoction of flowers or bark, but in no case is it not fresh sour fruit juice.

There is another nuance, but it is more aesthetic. Pigments in the pulp can paint the enamel in a dark blue shade for several days, so it is not recommended to abuse the fruits on the eve of work or an important event.

Nutritionists recommend limiting the use of thorns and healthy people. A useful dose of 100 g, while the berry should not regale more often 2 times a week. Remember that a fresh berry has a diuretic and a laxative effect, which can catch you off guard at the most inopportune moment. And fruit jams contain large amounts of carbohydrates and, if abused, quickly lead to weight gain.

Gastroenterologists recommend using only the thorny flesh, but not the bones that contain the toxin. For this reason, preservation with fruit is not recommended to be stored for too long, as amigdoline together with hydrocyanic acid diffuses from the seed into the product itself. Fresh fruits are also stored no more than 10 days in a dry cool place.

The turn is a rather rare and valuable berry, therefore, having met him on the counter, be sure to prepare for a long winter. Jam and broths of thorns strengthen the immune system, relieve colds and contribute to the relaxation of the nervous system. A valuable bark and inflorescences will provide healing compresses for various skin lesions.

During treatment with popular recipes, it is important to know when to stop and remember about contraindications. In case of individual intolerance of the product, consult a doctor.

Video: Turnip Recipe