Cherry - useful properties and contraindications

The cherry berry loved by many, not only has an excellent taste, but also is a supplier of unique useful elements. In this case, not only the fruits themselves are useful, but also other parts of the plant - leaves, branches, bark and even roots.

The collection of leaves and branches are usually done in May, when they are young, berries and seeds - in the second half of summer (July-August). To date, approximately 200 varieties of cherries are known. Their difference lies in the taste, ripening time and chemical components contained in the berries.

Useful properties of cherry

Cherry contains a huge amount of nutrients. The composition of the pulp of the fetus includes bactericidal elements. Anthocyanin - a special dye contained in the plant, provides the filling of the pulp of berries, so that they are well absorbed by the human body.

One more useful component which is a part of these tasty fruits, coumarin. Its benefit is to reduce blood clotting. Due to this property, cherries can be used as a prophylactic agent for possible complications of arterial atherosclerosis.

In addition, cherry fruits contain a lot of vitamins C and B, pigments and useful elements, such as cobalt, iron, magnesium, which allows using it for the therapy and prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

Cherry promotes the elimination of nitrous slags from the human body. Cherry juice not only perfectly refreshes, quenches thirst, improves appetite, but in addition is used as a delicate laxative or expectorant, used to treat arthritis, as well as mental illness.

Scientists have conducted many studies, the results of which showed that this berry contains ellagic acid. This substance helps to stop the spread of tumor cells, prevents the development of cancer.

In addition, the composition of the fruit are anthocyanidins - substances that have the ability to lower the content of uric acid in the human body.Doctors advise regularly to use cherries as a preventive measure against gout, since this berry significantly reduces the risk of the onset and development of this disease.

Doctors cherry is often called the "heart berry" because it has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. The combination of coloring elements, ascorbic acid and tannins helps to strengthen the blood capillaries, increase their tone, bring blood pressure indicators to normal. In addition, the body becomes more resistant to the negative effects of environmental factors, including increased levels of radiation.

Experts in the field of medicine claim that patients prone to heart disease, regularly using cherries, can significantly reduce the number of attacks, as well as their strength.

The leaves of the plant also have considerable benefits. Especially useful leaflets, fallen after flowering. They can be collected and dried under a canopy. From this raw material, a healing vitamin tea is prepared, which has a hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effect.

A decoction of the leaves is beneficial for bleeding and high blood pressure. This tool will cope with nosebleeds, very abundant menses. The combination of leaves of cherry and milk will allow to get rid of liver diseases, in particular hepatitis.

The nutritional value

One hundred grams of cherry berries contains 52 kcal. In the same amount - 0.5 grams of fat, 11.3 grams of carbohydrates, 0.8 grams of proteins.

Contraindications and potential harm

The most dangerous part of the plant are its bones. They can lead to poisoning, as they contain a large amount of amygdalin glycoside. Under the influence of putrefactive bacteria, decomposition of this substance in the intestine occurs. The result of this phenomenon is the formation of hydrocyanic acid.

Include in the diet berries in large quantities is not recommended for people who have increased acidity of gastric juice, as well as suffering from stomach ulcers, overweight, diabetes. Contraindications also include weakened intestines, lung diseases in a chronic form.

The basic rule is not to use cherry berries in unlimited quantities, then they will not harm the body.

The use of cherries in traditional medicine

Due to the large number of useful qualities of the berries, it is actively used as one of the components of traditional medicine. Recipes that include cherries, help get rid of many health problems. Below are some of them.

1. Hemostatic agent. It is necessary to take a cherry stem (2 dessert spoons), pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for three to four hours. Drink a tablespoon 4 times a day. The tool has an astringent effect, it is allowed to be used for prolonged and heavy menstruation.
2. A remedy for hepatitis. Preparing a decoction of the leaves of the cherry tree with milk. Leaves are taken (2 tablespoons), 100 ml of milk are poured. The mixture is then kept on low heat for about 10 minutes. Hot filter and drink in small doses throughout the day.
3. Remedy for diseases of the joints. For the preparation of remedies for diseases of the joints will require small twigs of plants. Of them preparing healing tea.To do this, you need to put a handful of raw materials in a saucepan, pour 500 ml of water and boil for 15-20 minutes. Then it is necessary to insist the broth for two hours and drink as usual tea throughout the day.
4. Cold remedy. To combat colds, tea made from dried leaves and fruits of cherries is used. To do this, take five pieces of both, pour 250 ml of boiling water. If desired, add honey or sugar. Drink in not very hot.
5. Remedy for diseases of the urinary organs, predisposition to edema. In this case, the benefit brings a decoction of the stem of cherry berries. To prepare the product, pour a glass of stem into 500 ml of boiling water, put it in a water bath and hold it under the lid for about 15 minutes. Then strain and cool. During the day you need to eat in small portions.
6. Remedy for fibroids and endometriosis. With these diseases will help cope decoction of their cherry branches. Preparation of raw materials can be made in advance. To do this, young shoots are cut off, twisted into a bunch and stored in bags. If you are going to prepare a healing broth, you should take a bunch, put it in a saucepan, pour cold water on it and put it on fire. After the water boils, hold on the fire for another 10 minutes. Broth can be drunk as usual tea.This should be done daily, throughout the year. Optionally, sweeten with sugar, honey or jam.

The use of cherries in cosmetology

Cherry juice and fruit pulp are often included in the composition of cosmetic products, including those prepared at home. The most popular are the following recipes:

1. Nourishing mask. To prepare such a cosmetic, you need to pull the seeds out of the berries, grind them to a mushy state and apply to cleansed skin of the face. After 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
2. Mask for problem skin. Potato flour is mixed with cherry juice to a creamy consistency. The mask is applied to a pre-cleansed face for 15-20 minutes, then rinsed with warm water. The tool allows you to get rid of acne, acne and other skin problems.
3. Mask for swelling and circles under the eyes. To prepare the product, you need to pull out the bones from the cherry, grind the pulp, add a little sour cream or cottage cheese, apply to the skin under the eyes, and rinse gently after 15 minutes.
4. Cherry juice provides good care for hair and oily skin. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the berries, soak them with a cloth and put it to the face. For oily hair, you can use a mask of their cherry juice and potato starch with the addition of a few drops of lemon juice. The product is applied to damp hair, after 40 minutes it is washed off with warm water.
5. Infusion for rinsing hair. A handful of cherry leaves filled with 500 ml of hot water. The mixture must be insisted for an hour, cool, then rinse their hair after washing. The tool nourishes curls with nutrients, gives them shine and pleasant aroma.

So, cherry - a plant in which berries, seeds and leaves have many useful qualities and have a healing effect. However, it is impossible to call it absolutely safe, because the berry can become a poison for a person suffering from certain diseases. For this reason, before including cherries in folk remedies, this issue should be discussed with the doctor. He will advise on contraindications, will help to choose a treatment regimen and dosage at which the use of cherries does not harm health.

It must be remembered that the use of this berry in unlimited quantities is under strict prohibition and is not allowed even to people who have no special problems with health.But with a reasonable approach to the use of cherries and compliance with the doses agreed with the doctor, cherries will become an indispensable drug that will bring invaluable benefits.

Video: useful and healing properties of the cherry stem