Berry blueberry, useful properties and contraindications. Healing properties of blueberries and leaves

Blueberries are a healthy and low-calorie product, a real source of vitamins A, C, E. A tasty and nutritious drink is obtained from blueberry leaves, brewed like tea. In addition to vitamins, they contain many active natural components, so the plant is often used in the treatment of many ailments in folk and official medicine.

Medicinal properties of blueberries

Often in folk recipes you can find leaves for the use of this component cause a lot of controversy and disagreement among supporters of natural therapy. But still, most of them tend to use the tool.

Leaves and berries have an anti-inflammatory effect. They are useful to brew like flu tea.

For this purpose, as a rule, blueberry leaves are used. Useful properties, how to prepare and when it is better to refrain from a medicinal drink, everyone needs to know. The amount of valuable trace elements in berries is significantly lost during heat treatment.

As a rule, valuable medicinal raw materials are harvested during the flowering period. It happens in May-June. It is at the beginning of summer that the leaves become much more tannins.

blueberry leaves for colds

One of the most popular recipes for making a healing decoction is considered to be a variant that includes a collection of blueberry leaves and in a 1: 1 ratio, brewed with one glass of boiling water and infused for 2-3 hours. You need to drink it half a glass up to 4 times a day. With its help, it is easy to get rid of the symptoms of a cold: the head stops hurting, sore throat, cough and runny nose disappear.

After taking the remedy, the signs of respiratory diseases disappear faster than after using, for example, paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ailments that blueberry leaves can handle

In addition to relieving inflammatory processes in the body, blueberry leaves, the medicinal properties and contraindications for the use of which cause controversy, in the form of decoctions help get rid of:

cystitis;
hemorrhoids;
urethritis;
chronic diseases of the pancreas;
diseases of the biliary tract;
infectious eye damage (by washing with a solution);
oral problems.

The product is able to replace sugar, promotes appetite suppression, therefore, insulin-dependent patients are often recommended to consume blueberry leaves. Useful properties in diabetes of this plant have shown themselves over the years, contributing to the normalization of blood sugar levels. Infusions on blueberry leaves are recommended by nutritionists as a diuretic for weight loss. But with a salt-free diet, blueberry tea is not suitable.

A lot of dietary supplements to improve immunity and improve vision are prepared from components, an integral part of which are blueberry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications to the use of such a medicinal collection often call into question its use, but this did not prevent a simple natural remedy from earning unprecedented demand and popularity among people. The leaves are dried, added to various herbal preparations that help in eliminating the symptoms of diseases.

What effect does a decoction of blueberry leaves have on the body?

The benefits of this product are invaluable. It is the leaves and contraindications for the use of which are explained by their rich chemical composition that ensure the following processes in the human body:

the body is saturated with the necessary antioxidants;
relieves inflammation in the internal organs;
stabilizes the rhythm of cardiac activity;
visual acuity normalizes at night;
the person calms down, depression, nervousness, anxiety are removed.

The benefits of blueberry leaves in cosmetology

Researchers have identified the benefits of external use of the product. In cosmetology, among other natural components, blueberry leaves rightfully hold their high positions. The medicinal properties and contraindications for women only indicate that, despite the rich chemical composition, it is necessary to be careful when using them as a skin remedy.

Adding leaves to tonics and facial cleansers helps to get rid of acne, pimples, and skin. It is treated by rubbing a decoction of blueberry leaves into the scalp. With sore throat, gingivitis, and other inflammatory processes in the throat, it is useful to rinse the mouth with a decoction. With hypertension and the desire to lose weight, many choose fees with blueberry leaves in the composition, because they are an excellent diuretic. They are added in the manufacture of some dietary supplements.

Remedy for the treatment of male diseases

If we talk about men's health, blueberry leaves also play a significant role here. Useful properties and contraindications for men often appear in an unequal ratio, which predetermines the choice of patients in favor of herbal preparations with the participation of this component. They actively fight inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra and have a positive effect on sexual desire.

Before starting a course of therapy, you need to find out in detail why people are so fond of blueberry leaves. Medicinal properties and contraindications, feedback from supporters of alternative methods of improving health and advice on taking medications will help to piece together an idea of the value of the plant.

Patients who have tried all the advantages of blueberry leaves claim that adding it to green tea can reduce appetite and eliminate cravings for sweets. Many note that blueberry decoctions have a general strengthening effect if you drink 1 glass daily in the morning or before breakfast. But with weakness, high blood pressure, you need to take the remedy only with the permission of the doctor. Perhaps dehydration, other side effects.

There are many positive reviews about blueberry leaves as a diuretic. After all, as mentioned earlier, they are often included in the fees for the folk treatment of cystitis, inflammation of the urethra. Doctors confirm that the herb, when brewed, has an antiseptic, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory effect. The product often acts as a choleretic agent, so if you have stomach problems, it is not suitable, you first need to consult a doctor. Nevertheless, a decoction of blueberry leaves improves digestion, helps with food and drug poisoning.

There are a lot of vitamins in the leaves, and traditional healers recommend taking fees in winter, with beriberi, in the off-season, to maintain immunity, prevent scurvy, and colds. The astringent action of the leaves eliminates boils, abscesses, pimples on the face and body. Many skin diseases are treated with infusion or grueled leaves. The composition is rubbed into the affected areas, added to baths for problems on the body.

Alcohol tinctures with the addition of blueberry leaf are used in folk medicine for acne. You need to insist on vodka (1 glass) 2 tbsp. l. freshly cut blueberry leaf for at least 2 weeks in a dark place. After strain, wipe the face, affected areas. Although cosmetologists do not recommend rubbing alcohol or vodka tinctures into the skin. Alcohol hurts her.

Harm from blueberry leaves

In fact, taking the leaves has practically no contraindications. Of course, you can not use them in self-treatment for serious ailments. The purchase of low-quality, expired raw materials, improper administration of the drug, and use of excessive doses will not bring any benefit either.

Excess weight can be caused by serious hormonal disorders or diseases of internal organs: kidneys, liver, stomach. In such cases, the intake of blueberry leaves is contraindicated.

Drinking decoctions as a diuretic with a strong desire to lose extra pounds is also impossible. Losing weight in this thoughtless way can lead to:

dehydration;
decrease or increase in pressure;
malaise, chronic fatigue.

Caution in use

You can not drink decoctions and load the body with physical training at the same time. This negatively affects the activity of blood vessels, the heart. Seizures, manifestations of an allergy are possible. If a rash or other side effects appear after taking blueberry leaf preparations, the intake should be stopped immediately and consult a doctor.

When buying raw materials for medicinal purposes, it is important to understand that, as is the case with any other plant, they can accumulate harmful substances and blueberry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications largely depend on the combination with other drugs, medicines. The water-salt balance may be disturbed, convulsions are possible.

There are a lot of herbs and berries useful for the human body in the world. Each of them can help in the treatment of a particular disease. And what can help cure and how is blueberry wild berry useful for a person? What is so special about it that most people collect not only fruits, but also leaves? We will answer these questions in the article.

What is a blueberry?

Blueberry is a small shrub with silvery stems and small pale green leaves. It belongs to the heather family. At the end of spring, blueberries are covered with reddish single flowers. This berry ripens in the middle of summer and waits to be picked and eaten.

It is not clear why it was called blueberries, because in fact its berries have a lilac tint, which is formed as a result of a wax coating on the fruit in the form of a thin film. It is he who will tell the connoisseur that blueberries contain a lot of essential oils.

Blueberries are a berry that grows in coniferous forests, in glades, swamps or on rocks, but it has not yet been possible to grow it in household plots, like raspberries or strawberries. That is why you will have to follow it into nature, where it grows and fills with juice without the participation of a person in this.

The fruits of blueberries are small in size - about 8 mm in diameter, inside are saturated with a special coloring matter, which remains on the hands and lips of those who love to eat it for a long time. But not only people love to eat it, but also forest birds.

Most of the blueberries are eaten in the form of fresh berries, and this is very useful for humans, because it contains many substances that are useful for our body. But you can also make preparations for the winter - cook jam, dry berries in the sun, or freeze them in the refrigerator. And recently, most housewives have been harvesting blueberry juice, it will be a great help in the cold season, when the body needs microelements and vitamins so much. But let's take a closer look at what kind of berries like blueberries have useful properties and contraindications.

vitamins

100 g of blueberries contain only 57 kilocalories, but it still contains: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and ash. This berry is very rich in nutrients. Blueberries contain the following vitamins: A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, E, K, niacin and choline.

It also has a large amount of macronutrients - potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus. But its nature also rewarded microelements: the berries contain a lot of iron, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium.

Blueberries: benefits for the body

Blueberries contain a lot of vitamin C, flavonoids and tannin, which is why it is considered indispensable in the treatment of eye diseases. There is an opinion that if you regularly eat blueberries, you can protect your eyes from retinal detachment.

In folk medicine, it is also widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. For example, a decoction of berries is considered an excellent remedy for diarrhea and intestinal disorders. It is considered an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, it is often drunk with tonsillitis, pharyngitis and chronic rheumatism.

Also, such a solution perfectly helps in the treatment of ulcers, burns and other skin diseases. But fresh berries help well in the prevention of scurvy.

But in folk medicine, not only berries are used, but also blueberry leaves. A decoction of them can lower blood pressure, which will greatly help people suffering from hypertension. But it will also be useful for diabetics, because it has the ability to lower blood sugar levels, but only at the initial stage of diabetes. But Bulgarian healers use in the treatment not only blueberry leaves, but also alcohol tincture.

Blueberry tincture

Blueberry tincture is great for diabetic patients, as it lowers blood sugar levels. Also, tincture of berries is used in the treatment of diarrhea and with a lack of vitamin C.

You can prepare it at home as follows:

Take 100 g of berries, fresh is better, but dried is also possible.
Pour in 1 liter of alcohol.
Insist for 15 days.
Take the tincture three times a day, diluting 1 teaspoon of the tincture in a glass of water.

The tincture retains all the medicinal properties and helps to strengthen the immune system, especially after winter.

Blueberries during pregnancy

Women who are preparing to become mothers are advised to eat more fruits, as the child inside them takes all the nutrients, so they are not always enough for two. Blueberries can also be included in the diet. Useful properties and contraindications must be weighed and analyzed so as not to harm the child.

According to nutritionists, all the beneficial substances contained in blueberries are very useful for pregnant women, and they should include it in their diet.

These berries contain iron, which will help keep hemoglobin levels normal. Calcium will help form the bone structure of the baby, because the bones of the child grow stronger in early childhood. Also, the use of blueberries will protect the expectant mother from colds, as vitamin C strengthens the immune system.

In addition, the berry helps to remove toxins from the body and toxins from the blood. It must be remembered that women preparing to become mothers should not get carried away eating blueberries, because they have a fixing property, and this can lead to constipation, which, in turn, can lead to other problems.

As for the use of blueberries by nursing mothers, during this period it is better not to eat berries and not drink decoctions based on them, as the baby may have problems with the intestines, colic and spasms will appear.

Blueberries for the eyes

It has long been no secret to anyone that blueberries are the best product for vision. All those who have eye problems, and those who spend most of their time in front of a computer monitor, just need to add fresh blueberries to their diet. But if there are no fresh fruits, then dried or frozen berries will do.

You can not only eat it fresh, but also cook all sorts of goodies from it. For example, you can make berry-milk soup. To do this, you will need 200 g of berries and 1 glass of milk, sugar to taste. You can also bake pies, dumplings or pancakes with it. In winter, you can eat blueberry jam or cook compotes from it, which will also help keep your eyesight normal and relieve inflammation after a long work at the computer.

Blueberries for oncology

We already mentioned in our article that blueberries are rich in antioxidants, and these beneficial properties are simply indispensable in the treatment of cancer. With uncontrolled reproduction of cancer cells, a large number of ionic forms of oxygen decay are formed. And they are quite aggressive and quickly destroy everything around them, all the free space from their destruction is occupied by a neoplasm.

To slow down this process a little, you need to take an infusion of blueberries. It is easy to prepare: 300 g of berries should be poured into 1 liter of water, insisted and taken 1 glass three times a day.

Also, the berry contains a large amount of fiber. Therefore, when taking fresh berries, a large amount of toxins are removed from the intestines.

For a long time, they have spoken positively about the effectiveness of taking these berries, as blueberries have useful properties. And contraindications to its use are also present, so you should not abuse the fruits.

Most Useful Properties

In fact, all the beneficial properties of the berry are mainly aimed at treating diseases of the intestines and the genitourinary system. Many inflammatory processes in these organs can be cured by blueberries.

Infusions of berries and compotes help children get rid of frequent urination and reduce the harmful effects of nervous stress on the body. Also, dried blueberries in the form of an infusion are recommended for involuntary urination at night.

Most people in old age have putrefactive processes in the intestines. An infusion of blueberries will also help eliminate them, you need to drink it 1 glass three times a day. A decoction of the leaves will help get rid of constipation and bloating.

But in order for blueberries to bring the maximum of useful substances to the body, it is necessary to pick the berries correctly and in special places.

Where and how to pick blueberries?

You can find blueberries in the northern regions of Russia in coniferous forests. She loves moisture and shade. Berry picking begins in the middle of summer, but for picking leaves, the flowering time of the shrub is best suited - this is the month of May.

It is better to collect berries on young bushes. You can determine the age by the number of branches on the stem - the more there are, the older the shrub. It is better to pick berries by hand in wicker baskets or buckets and in no case pour them, as they can be severely damaged.

If you buy blueberries in the market, then take a closer look at them so that all the berries are whole, and if they still have a bluish coating, then you can buy them. Plaque means that the berries were picked by hand and not poured from container to container.

Fresh berries or dried blueberries have a lot of useful properties, so you can not only eat it right away, but also prepare it for the winter by simply drying it in the sun. At the same time, all its useful properties are preserved.

Blueberries: contraindications

Like any medicine, blueberries not only have useful properties, and they also have contraindications for taking, but there are not very many of them.

Blueberries, its juice, infusions and decoctions are contraindicated for people with urolithiasis, or rather, with oxalate stones.
Also for those people who have a tendency to allergic reactions, it is contraindicated. Those who have intolerance to the constituent components in the berry are not recommended to use it in any form.
Eating large amounts of berries can lead to constipation.
For those who suffer from pancreatic diseases, it is better not to eat blueberries.

For everyone else, it is simply necessary for the body, because it was not for nothing that our grandfathers called this berry youth.

15.08.16

Do you know which wild berry is the hardest to pick? Blueberries. It grows in coniferous forests, unlike strawberries - not in sunny glades, but in gloomy corners, where life-giving rays hardly penetrate, but full of mosquitoes, which, it seems, are not taken by any newfangled repellents.

Nevertheless, thousands of people flock to the forests to collect berries for their families and for sale - blueberries are in great demand. First of all, due to its healing qualities.

What healing and simply beneficial properties does the blueberry have, does it have contraindications for use and harm? The benefits of blueberries for the eyes and vision in general - true or myth? We will understand all the nuances!

Benefits for the human body

Interesting fact: dishes with blueberries are included in the astronauts' menu. And as you know, "ballast" will not be sent into orbit - only the best, most necessary and nutritious products.

So what is the use of fresh blueberries for the human body? She has a unique composition.. Many vitamins (A, B, C, PP), organic acids, an extensive set of various trace elements -,.

Manganese is of particular value., which is indispensable in the processes of carbohydrate metabolism. By the way, there is no such amount of manganese in any other product.

It also contains essential oils, tannins. The rich composition determines its practical use, primarily in the field of medicine.

Here are the possibilities of the berry:

It's interesting that the question of the benefits of blueberries for restoring vision has been debatable for many years.

Some experts believe that this is just a myth, others stand their ground: it is very useful for vision. If you look into the pharmacy, there will definitely be eye preparations using this wild plant.

So are blueberries good for the eyes and vision in general, and why exactly? How to be in such a situation to an ordinary consumer? The best thing to do is to recognize that the truth is always somewhere in the middle.

Yes, blueberries are good for vision, but they are not a panacea, however unique substances present in its composition have a positive effect on blood vessels, activating blood flow, including in the smallest capillaries - that's all the useful properties for the eyes.

During this process, the tension accumulated in the eyes is removed, vision becomes sharper. Isn't this the result? Well, for serious medical help, of course, you need to contact specialists.

By the way, scientists have found that even blueberry leaves have medicinal properties Therefore, they are actively used both in official and in traditional medicine.

For women

Since ancient times, these fruits are called "rejuvenating", which is why they are so valued by women. Due to the presence of antioxidants, it not only protects the body from aging, but can even reverse this mechanism - it can rejuvenate cells and organs.

This, of course, does not happen by magic, just the available components give an impetus to the production of growth hormone, which is responsible for cell rejuvenation.

Among the results visible to the naked eye - improving the structure of the skin, increasing its tone.

How else is blueberries useful for a woman's body? With its help, it is possible to regulate (if there are problems) the menstrual cycle, and therefore the work of the entire female reproductive system.

The fair sex is more likely than men to suffer from varicose veins. Wild plants (the so-called gifts of nature that grow in forests without human intervention) helps to bring the veins in order, improves circulation in the blood vessels.

For men

In matters of men's health, the berry is also not in the last roles. According to experts a few 100-gram servings per week improve sexual health increase potency.

Useful qualities of blueberries are used for the treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland in men. In addition, it has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart, and this is a rather “weak link” for middle-aged men.

For kids

Blueberry is one of the kindest heroes of the famous fairy tale about Chipollino, his faithful friend, guarding Pumpkin's godfather's house in the forest. Tell the children about this if suddenly they do not want to eat this wonderful forest delicacy.

Doctors recommend giving it to children, while the wild harvest season is in full swing, not only as a therapeutic drug, but also as a prophylactic, in order to increase the immunity of a growing organism, protect it from possible colds and viral infections.

Rare case: berries can be given to babies as early as seven months of age. First - adding a handful (previously kneaded with a spoon) to the finished fruit puree.

Older children are given whole fruits, from half to a whole glass a day. For those who are already three years old, the portion is increased to two glasses a day.

There is also experience treating diarrhea in children with this natural product.

When there are no medicines at hand or for some reason their use is undesirable, severe intestinal upset can be relieved with the help of dried berries (three tablespoons for one glass of boiling water).

For pregnant

We will find out if blueberries are useful during pregnancy and what exactly, what are their benefits and harms (if any), are there any contraindications, despite the beneficial properties?

It is known that women in this position need a complete, fortified diet.

If the pregnancy fell on the berry season, it is advisable to eat fresh blueberries regularly in order to maintain the necessary level of hemoglobin in the blood, and direct the existing one to strengthen the bone structure of the child so that it is properly formed.

Expectant mothers are usually very careful in the use of drugs, but no one is safe from diseases, so blueberries, which have antiviral, antipyretic properties, can be extremely beneficial if a woman gets sick with a sore throat or flu.

Juice (a couple of tablespoons per glass of water) gargle, tonsils. The same procedure will be effective for stomatitis.

The program “Live healthy!” tells about the healing and beneficial properties of blueberries:

Fresh or processed

What is the healthiest form of blueberries? Of course, fresh berries contain much more valuable substances than heat treated.

Therefore, you need to make the most of the berry season and not be lazy to go into the forest, even when its “peak” is behind, but you can still collect a handful or two of goodies on the empty bushes.

And even recycling can be approached in such a way that it is as gentle as possible.

For example, everyone's favorite open blueberry pies, many housewives cook this way: the “base” of the pie is sent to the oven, lightly smeared with some kind of jam, and at the final stage the berries are poured directly onto the top, allowing them to languish in the oven for a minute or two.

Then the cake is taken out of the oven and lightly sprinkled with granulated sugar. Most of the vitamins remain intact with this approach.

When and how best to eat

Fresh berries are used as an "independent dish" or in combination with yogurt, nuts. Nutritionists recommend eating this delicacy before lunch, as a light snack - so they will bring more benefits to the stomach and intestines.

Daily Value – 50 to 100 grams or more, depending on the individual needs of the body.

It will be ready for use in 8 hours and will retain both vitamins and minerals.

Application in cooking

In 2012, a blueberry pie over seventy meters long was included in the Russian Book of Records.

However, according to nutritionists, it is best to cook not pies, but such dishes that are not subjected to heat treatment, which means that they are much healthier.

What could it be:

Potential health hazards

What and how useful the berry is for vision, what beneficial properties blueberries have for the health of men, children and women (including pregnant women), we figured out, but do not forget about the possible harm, because not only the benefits lie in tasty fruits.

As with any other product, allergic reaction to blueberries although such cases are extremely rare.

However, if you have no experience of eating this wild herb, be sure to be careful and eat a very small portion to start. Special precautions must be taken for children.

Of the other contraindications, the following should be mentioned: the presence in a person of diseases of the pancreas, reduced blood clotting, a tendency to constipation.

And another important point: wild plants absorb radioactive elements. For consumers, this means that they can be dangerous when collected from radioactive contamination sites.

Alternative Uses

This berry is highly valued by cosmetologists., using it in preparations for moisturizing the skin of the face, hands. And thanks to its healing abilities, creams and lotions are prepared with it for problem skin, for the treatment of rashes, pustules, acne.

By the way, for this purpose, traditional medicine uses fresh "raw materials", applying it to areas of the skin affected, for example, by eczema. Apply a thick layer, cover with a piece of gauze. If gauze dries to the skin, soak it with fermented milk whey.

Due to the low calorie content (44 kcal per 100 grams of product), berries are used in weight loss diets. Metabolism improves, toxins that pollute it are removed from the body.

It is important that healing extends literally to all organs, even hair becomes silky and thick.

What are the other benefits of blueberries? The berry also has such an unexpected purpose as its use as "edible ink" in the confectionery industry, as well as for branding meat before selling it on the market.

How to choose and store

Of course, the ideal option is to go to the forest yourself and be absolutely sure of the quality of the product. If you have to choose in the market, look carefully: are the berries whole, are they not damaged, are they not crushed.

It is good if they are sold in the same container (for example, a wicker basket) where they were originally collected.

The fact that the berries were not shifted several times and did not hurt is immediately noticeable., due to the fact that they are dry, without a wet sheen, with a slight bluish veil.

How to preserve useful substances in the berry and the properties of blueberries for the winter? High-quality berries can be purchased for the future: dry or freeze. Jam and jams are, of course, delicious, but, alas, there will be no benefit that you are counting on.

By the way, on an industrial scale, they use the method of so-called shock freezing at a temperature of 40 degrees. Experts confirm: this method allows you to save all the healing properties of the product.

Feel free to buy "freeze" in stores, however, opt for transparent packages in order to visually verify the quality of the berries - they must be whole, even, without traces of defrosting.

Drying at home start with a temperature of 40 degrees, then increase it to 70.

Today in stores you can buy special devices for these purposes, which will better provide the necessary drying mode and save you from unnecessary trouble. You can store dried berries for two years.

In contact with

Common blueberry (Latin name - Vaccinium myrtillus) is a fairly well-known berry, which is valued for its taste and nutritional qualities. Blueberries are no less valuable (both berries and leaves) in terms of medicinal properties, it is not for nothing that the plant is included in the register of medicinal raw materials in many countries of the world.

The habitat of blueberries is quite extensive, and it can often be found in shady coniferous forests, peat bogs and swamps. Through the efforts of breeders, new promising varieties of garden blueberries have been obtained, which are cultivated with pleasure by amateurs in their backyards. As for the healing qualities, in this regard, cultivated plants are in many ways inferior to wild-growing blueberries.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

As already mentioned, berries and blueberry leaves are used for medicinal purposes. The fruits are harvested after full ripening (collection time falls on July - August), and the harvesting of leaves is carried out during the entire vegetative period, cutting off young leaves. It is recommended to dry the fruits at a temperature of 40 - 50 °C (using electric dryers). Fresh fruits can also be frozen or canned, which allows you to save the medicinal properties of the berries with virtually no loss.

The chemical composition of medicinal raw materials

Blueberries are unique in their composition. The fruits contain tannins (more than 12%), a large group of organic acids, the percentage of which is about 7% in terms of dry matter. Organic acids are presented as widespread (malic, citric, succinic, oxalic) and rather rare (quinic, lactic, ursolic, etc.). Blueberries, without exaggeration, lead among other berry crops in terms of vitamin content (carotene and carotenoids, thiamine, vitamin C [up to 75 mg / 100 g], the entire spectrum of P vitamins [more than 1%] and others).

Blueberries have long been used by taiga hunters to improve visual acuity, and scientific studies have proven that the carotenoid compounds found in berries do indeed have a beneficial effect on the visual organ.

Another very interesting organic compound was found in blueberries - neomyrtillin, which is similar in structure to animal insulin, which opens up prospects for the use of blueberry-based preparations for the treatment and prevention of pancreatic diseases, including diabetes mellitus.

No less valuable medicinally are blueberry leaves, which contain flavonoids, organic acids, vitamins, arbutin, myrtillin and neomyrtillin.

Pharmacological action on the body

The tannins of blueberries, in combination with other substances, have a delicate astringent and anti-inflammatory effect, so they are often prescribed in cases of acute and chronic disorders of the digestive tract (for example, in acute enterocolitis).

Bilberry anthocyanins, a mixture of which is known as "myrtillin", help lower blood sugar levels. Neomyrtillin also has a hypoglycemic effect, which "works" by analogy with insulin.

The antimicrobial properties of berries and leaves of blueberries determine their use to eliminate putrefactive and fermentation processes in the intestines. There is evidence of the successful use of decoctions of berries and leaves for the treatment of catarrhal and purulent (follicular) tonsillitis.

Blueberries serve as an excellent therapeutic and prophylactic tool for people whose work is associated with eye strain (drivers, programmers, etc.).

Blueberries in the treatment of diabetes

The treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus is one of the important areas of application of blueberry-based preparations.

Antidiabetic decoction. The preparation is being prepared at the rate of 3 tbsp. herbal collection for 600 ml of boiling water. Cook under a lid at a moderate boil for 10 - 15 minutes, then insist for 1 hour. After infusion, strain the broth and bring the volume of liquid with boiled water to 600 ml. Ingredients: oat straw, flax seed, blueberry leaves and bean sashes - 6 tbsp each. The amount is calculated for 14 days of treatment, after which it is necessary to take a break, and, depending on the therapeutic effect obtained, continue treatment, or change the drug. Take 100 ml three times a day half an hour before meals.

Antidiabetic tea. Ingredients: 4 g each of nettle leaves and chopped oat straw, rose hips and blueberry leaves, 3 g of burdock root and 2 g of dandelion root. Grind and mix the components, then pour boiling water (250 ml), cook for 15 minutes, leave for half an hour. Drink tea daily, morning and evening.

Antidiabetic fees:

Collection number 1. Ingredients: dandelion roots, nettle and blueberry leaves - 30-35 g per 250 ml of boiling water. Soak in a water bath for half an hour (up to 45 minutes). Use three times a day, dividing the decoction into equal parts.

Collection number 2. Ingredients: blueberry leaves and roots of burdock (burdock) - equally. For a glass of boiling water - 1 tsp. mixtures. Insist 1 hour. Take up to 4 times a day, 2 tbsp.

Collection number 3. Ingredients: nettle grass, black elderberry flowers, blueberry leaves - equally. For 250 ml of boiling water - 10 g of the mixture. Soak for half an hour in a water bath, and insist the same amount. Take up to 4 times a day, in such a way as to use all the resulting decoction.

Collection number 4. Ingredients: horsetail grass, succession and St. John's wort, elecampane and zamaniha roots, mint and mulberry leaves, chamomile flowers and black elderberry, wild rose (fruits) - 1 part and 2 parts of blueberry leaves. For 200 ml of boiling water - 10 g of herbal mixture. Brew with boiling water and insist in a sealed container for 15-20 minutes. Take 3 times a day, divided into equal parts.

Collection number 5. Ingredients: mulberry leaves and bark, blueberry leaves and barberry flowers - equally. Brew and drink like tea - 1 tbsp. to a glass of boiling water.

Collection number 6. Ingredients: blueberry leaves, bean leaves - 4 parts each, strawberry grass and wild rose berries - 3 parts each, yarrow flowers - 1 part. For 1 cup of boiling water - 1 tsp. herbal collection. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and leave in a porcelain bowl for 2 hours. Consume like tea. Take a week break every month.

Medicinal properties of blueberries in ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is another area of application for blueberry-based preparations. Biologically active substances contained in blueberries contribute to the regeneration of light-sensitive receptors in the retina, resulting in improved visual acuity, including in the dark.

To restore vision. Pour dried blueberries (2 tablespoons) with water (with a slight excess) so that the liquid completely covers the fruits. It is necessary to soak blueberries in the evening. In the morning, half an hour before a meal, eat blueberries. You can also use blueberries for prevention purposes, and for as long as you like.

Myopia ("blueberry drops"). It is necessary to squeeze the juice from fresh blueberries, dilute with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 2 and instill 5 drops in each eye in the morning.

Blueberries and diseases of the digestive tract

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Tincture for diarrhea. For 1 liter of alcohol (70% strength) - 100 dried blueberries. Infuse for 21 days. The tincture should be taken with water: for children, 1 des.l. per 100 ml; adults 1 tbsp. per 100 ml of liquid. If necessary, re-admission after 6 hours. The drug helps with various kinds of food poisoning, indigestion, infections of the gastrointestinal tract (staphylococcus aureus, dysentery, etc.).

Blueberry wine for colitis. Boil 25 g of blueberries (dry) in 200 ml of water for 20 minutes, then add a glass of Cahors and cook for another 10 minutes. This is the daily dose. The duration of use depends on the therapeutic effect obtained.

Gastritis on the background of high acidity. Gathering: in equal proportions St. John's wort, wormwood and thyme, chamomile and tansy flowers, valerian root and blueberries (dried). Brew in a thermos 2 tbsp. herbal mixture in 250 ml of boiling water. Insist during the night. Use instead of water.

Pancreatitis. Prepare the collection: blueberries and cranberries (leaves and flowers), strawberry grass, bean leaves and corn stigmas, burdock seeds (fruits), chicory (root), cornflowers (flowers) - all ingredients in equal proportions. For 1 cup of boiling water - 1 tbsp. collection. Insist in a thermos overnight. Take a third of a glass half an hour before meals. During treatment, exclude cheeses and dairy products from the diet.

Other Blueberry Recipes

Herpes. Blueberry infusion is able to restrain the reproduction of the herpes virus. To prepare a remedy, it is necessary to brew berries and blueberry leaves with boiling water, taken in an equally proportional weight ratio (1 tsp per 250 ml of water). Use 2 - 3 tbsp. the drug up to 4 times a day (or more).

Obesity. The problem of overweight in the absence of an obvious pathology can be tried to be solved by taking drugs that reduce appetite, for example, a powder prepared from a mixture of blueberry leaves, valerian root, horsetail grass and bean leaves (all in equal proportions). It is recommended to take the powder 15 minutes after meals (at lunch and in the evening), half a teaspoon.

Picking blueberries

anemia. To increase hemoglobin, it is recommended to use a berry mixture preserved with sugar syrup. The composition of the mixture can vary widely, but blueberries, black currants and mulberries must certainly be present in it.

Side effects and contraindications

Of all the wild berries, blueberries are the hardest to pick. It does not grow in sunny glades, like strawberries, but in the most gloomy corners into which the sun's rays do not penetrate. However, people do not pay attention to these inconveniences and rush into the forests every summer to collect fruits from a low-growing shrub. Blueberries are harvested for the winter - the beneficial properties and contraindications are already known to everyone, not only berries, but also leaves and shoots, because they contain the main healing properties for the human body. There are a lot of plant recipes.

What is blueberry

A perennial deciduous slow-growing bush of blueberries (chernegi, blueberries, blueberries) belongs to the genus Vaccinium of the Vereskov family. It grows up to 60 centimeters high. Flowering lasts from May to June, and the berries ripen in July-August. The plant begins to bear fruit from the second year. At first, a small number of large berries appear on the bush, but over time they become many, but already smaller. Fresh fruits are low in calories: 100 grams contain only 57 calories.

Where does it grow

Blueberries do not grow in the southern hemisphere. Residents of hot eastern countries are not familiar with this plant either. The only place on the planet where you can find large blueberry plantations is the northern hemisphere. In the North, it is easy to see thickets of shrubs that stretch for tens of kilometers. Blueberries grow in well-moistened marshy places, in coniferous or mixed forests. The largest berry plantations are located in Russia.

What does it look like

In ordinary forests, the height of a blueberry bush reaches 20-35 centimeters, but near a swamp, a plant can grow up to half a meter. The berries there are also juicier and larger. The stems of the shrub are straight branching, and the leaves are thin, smooth, finely serrated. Small flowers of the plant have a white-greenish color with a pink tint. Blueberry fruits are a blue-black berry similar in shape to a small ball. Inside it is purple-red in color with numerous seeds.

Useful properties of blueberries

The plant is rich in antioxidants that help fight stress. The use of berries, due to the neutralization of free radicals, slows down the aging process of the body, is the prevention of cancer, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack. The vitamin composition of the plant is represented by ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol, PP group, B.

chromium;
zinc;
sulfur;
calcium;
magnesium;
potassium;
sodium;
phosphorus.

Leaves

They are famous for their bactericidal properties due to the fact that they contain vitamin C in large quantities. The use of preparations containing blueberry leaf helps to get rid of heartburn, relieves stomach cramps, and increases the acidity of gastric juice. Blueberry leaves have useful anti-inflammatory, choleretic, diuretic properties, therefore they are effective in kidney and liver diseases. Decoctions are used for infections of the oral cavity - stomatitis, periodontal disease. Blueberry leaves can do one harm to the body - cause allergic reactions.

Berries

For treatment, fresh, frozen or dried blueberries are used, if there are no contraindications. The presence of useful tannins in them has an anti-inflammatory effect. Frozen berries are indispensable in winter in the treatment of sore throats and for the prevention of colds. When frozen, blueberries do not lose their beneficial properties, having a beneficial effect on the immune system and the digestive system. It is used for indigestion, diseases of the pancreas, liver. Dried berries have a diuretic effect, so they are used for urolithiasis.

shoots

What blueberries are good for the body has been known for a long time, but not all people know that the shoots of the plant also have anti-inflammatory properties. If there are no contraindications, they are used in diabetes due to the ability to lower glucose levels. Blueberry shoots collect toxins and salts of heavy metals, remove toxins from the body, which helps to eliminate inflammatory reactions in diseases of the stomach and intestines. Young elements of the plant are used for degeneration of the retina, so the use of tea from blueberry shoots improves vision.

Folk recipes with blueberries

Due to the presence of valuable trace elements, blueberries are used during the diet, used in cosmetology and cooking. It helps to cope with tumors, strengthens blood vessels, improves metabolism in the process of losing weight. Rejuvenating berry in folk medicine is used to treat rheumatism, burns, hemorrhoids, cough, and other pathologies. In gynecological practice, douching is carried out with an infusion of shoots or leaves of a plant. Blueberry antioxidants help to cope with anemia, control blood pressure.

For vision

The benefit of blueberries for the eyes is that its components improve vision with myopia. Use for the treatment of infusions, freshly squeezed juice, jam. How blueberries are prepared and used for vision:

A decoction of dried berries. Pour 200 g of blueberries with ½ cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes, then drink half a glass of a medicinal drink 2-3 times a day until vision improves.
Drops from fresh blueberries. Squeeze the juice from several fresh berries, dilute with water 1: 2, instill both eyes daily, if there are no contraindications.

With gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa imposes certain restrictions on the diet. Plant secretin, which is found in blueberries, helps to normalize the digestion process. A rich complex of minerals and vitamins promotes the regeneration of cells in the walls of the stomach, preventing their destruction. How to take blueberries for gastritis:

Blueberry wine. Increases the level of acidity. To prepare, you need to take half a glass of berries, rinse, pour 100 ml of water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Then add 1 glass of homemade grape wine, hold for another 10 minutes on fire. The tool is taken three times a day for 1 tbsp. l. before meals 30 minutes.
A decoction of dry leaves. For cooking, you need to pour 60 g of crushed raw materials with a liter of water and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. It is necessary to take a drink for half a glass before each meal.

From hemorrhoids

If we compare the benefits and harms of blueberries, then we must take into account that there are very few contraindications, and the healing properties of the berry cannot be counted. For example, dry leaves of the plant are widely used for hemorrhoids. And compresses are made from berries, which are applied to hemorrhoids. Folk recipes for hemorrhoids:

Enemas from blueberry broth. Steam a couple of tablespoons of chopped dry leaves in a glass of boiling water, boil for 25 minutes. After the broth, strain, add boiling water to the edge of the glass and divide into 4 procedures.
Sitting baths. In a sealed container, boil for 20 minutes 20 grams of dry or fresh berries, then squeeze, strain. The temperature of the decoction should not exceed 60°C. Baths should be taken until the water cools down.

From impotence

With sexual impotence, blueberries will also help. This dietary product effectively fights kidney and genitourinary diseases that provoke erectile dysfunction in men. Recipes for impotence:

Blueberry tea. For its preparation, both berries and leaves of the plant are used. A richer and brighter taste can be obtained from young shoots. The plant is brewed and drunk for impotence, like regular tea.
Blueberry juice. It is recommended to drink a glass of freshly squeezed juice without sugar every morning. A natural drink for impotence is drunk on an empty stomach chilled.

For sore throat

Blueberries are very useful for children. Especially during a sore throat or severe cough. As a rule, along with drug treatment, doctors for throat diseases prescribe drugs such as Blueberry Forte or others containing blueberry extract. Recipes recommended by traditional medicine:

Infusion. One st. l. crushed fresh berries should be poured with boiling water (250 ml), let it brew. Drink a drink in two doses every day until the symptoms disappear. When treating a cold, you can make the infusion more concentrated.
Gargling. A thick blueberry decoction should be used not only for oral administration, but also for rinsing the mouth. This should be done as often as possible during the day to get rid of inflammatory processes.

For skin diseases

The plant is effective in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and other skin diseases. Especially the plant saves pregnant women, who are forbidden to use many medicines while carrying a child. The plant has many useful properties that are not lost when used externally:

Compresses. Pour dried berries with water in a ratio of 1:5, cook until half of the liquid boils away. The mixture should be cooled, put on gauze, then used on the affected areas of the skin in the form of a compress, if there are no contraindications from the doctor.
Puree. Instead of a decoction, you can use freshly squeezed mashed potatoes. The berries should be mashed, put on a gauze bandage, which must be changed several times a day.

From pressure

Organic acids, proteins and monosaccharides contained in blueberry fruits have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The following recipes will help normalize blood pressure:

Infusion. With hypertension, it is useful to drink blueberry infusion at a dose of one glass per day. To prepare it, 4 teaspoons of fruit should be poured with a glass of boiling water, then infused for 8 hours.
Morse. To prepare the drink, you will need 200 g of fresh berries, 1 liter of water, 4 tbsp. l. Sahara. Blueberry fruits must be wiped, poured with water, boiled for 7 minutes. Then remove the drink from the heat, filter and add sugar. You need to drink mors daily for 2 glasses.

For diarrhea and constipation

Blueberries contain a plethora of nutrients that help normalize any stomach upsets. Recipes:

From constipation. Berries are famous for their ability to remove toxins and act as a mild laxative, so for constipation, they are best consumed fresh. You can get rid of the problem by eating 100 g per day.
From diarrhea. An excellent remedy for diarrhea is blueberry jelly. You can prepare it from 200 g of berries, 200 g of sugar, 4 tbsp. l. starch and 2.5 liters of water. You need to drink jelly 3-4 times a day in small portions.

Contraindications

In some cases, it is impossible to use the plant as a medicine. Contraindications for use:

in the presence of individual intolerance to the components of the plant;
if the baby has allergies during breastfeeding;
with caution in the treatment of the liver and pancreas;
with the combined use of drugs that thin the blood (may cause bleeding).