How to prepare lemongrass berries for the winter. Lemongrass in the diet of pregnant and lactating women, children, diabetics and athletes. How to choose planting material for Chinese magnolia vine

A woody liana up to 18 m long. The lemongrass fruit is a cylindrical berry with an elongated receptacle, on which there are about 40 spherical fruits. Lemongrass fruits appearance reminiscent of red currants. Bright red, rounded, juicy, very sour and of a peculiar taste, the fruits of Schisandra chinensis are collected in clusters of 5-15 pieces.

AT lemongrass fruits contain up to 20% organic acids(lemon, apple, wine) and only 1.5% Sugars, vitamins C, B6 B2, P, PP, provitamin A. Minerals are represented by iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese.

FROM Lemongrass seeds, bark, stems and fruits are rich in essential oil. AT oriental medicine lemongrass fruits are valued on a par with ginseng. They have a tonic effect, relieve fatigue and increase efficiency.

And compotes, syrups, fruit drinks, drinks, candy fillings and juices are prepared from lemongrass fruits. Lemongrass juice is used as a natural dye and substitute for citric acid.

Schisandra chinensis natural juice (1)

FROM Wash fresh berries thoroughly in running water, let it drain and squeeze in a juicer. Or you can mash the berries with a wooden spoon in an enamel bowl and squeeze the juice in a nylon bag. Pouring juice into sterilized jars, close them with plastic lids and store in the refrigerator. Cans or bottles of juice can also be pasteurized:

• with a capacity of 0.5 l - 10 min.
• with a capacity of 1 l - 12-15 min.
• with a capacity of 2 l - 18-20 min.

Juice is added to tea or coffee 1-1.5 teaspoons 2 times a day with a decrease in tone and overwork.

Schisandra chinensis natural juice (2)

T Squeeze thoroughly washed berries in a juicer. Pour the remaining pomace hot water 1:1 and squeeze the juice again. Mix the juice of the first and second extractions, filter, pour into an enamel pan, heat up to 95 ° C and pour into half-liter jars while hot. Sterilize jars, seal tightly and refrigerate.

Dried Schisandra chinensis berries

FROM dried berries are easy to dry in the oven at 60 ° C for 3-4 days.

Preparation of lemongrass for tea

FROM pick healthy leaves and young (one- and two-year-old) shoots in August, chop, decompose thin layer on paper and dry in a shaded, well-ventilated place. Store in a dark place in plastic bags.

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Lemongrass leaves among connoisseurs of this culture are quoted no less than berries. They serve as a valuable raw material for tonic, refreshing tea, an aromatic additive to traditional black and green varieties of the drink. As part of herbal preparations with wild rose, mate, hibiscus, jasmine, they invigorate, increase the body's resistance to stress and disease, and energize for the whole day.

Pure young foliage - raw materials for cooking fragrant tea Lemongrass

Composition, healing properties

More than 2 thousand years ago, the leaves were already used in Chinese tea culture. They were used to flavor Sencha green tea, making stimulating decoctions.

The leaves of lemongrass are bright green, simple, obovate, wedge-shaped at the base, attached to a long raspberry petiole. At the beginning of the growing season, the leaf plate is tender, as it grows, it becomes dense, glossy, and specific mucus accumulates in the veins - a source of essential oils and an amazing lemon aroma.

In addition to essential oils, the leaves contain macro and microelements - potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine, manganese, zinc, etc.

But main value– biologically active substances- lignins (schizandrin, schizandrol). They are in essential oils, therefore, they are also present in leaves, although less than in berries or seeds.

Lemongrass chinensis leaf tea has the same characteristics as the preparations from the fruit, but is less concentrated, so it acts more gently.

It has an exciting effect on a person, relieves fatigue, drowsiness, increases efficiency, helps to cope with increased stress.

The drink improves liver function, normalizes metabolism.

Strengthens the heart, blood vessels, prevents the formation cholesterol plaques removes bad cholesterol.

It is a mild antidepressant and adaptogen, improves brain function, memory.

Advice! It is better to refrain from tea from lemongrass leaves when high blood pressure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, insomnia. They drink it in the morning, instead of coffee, energizing at the beginning of the working day.

After brewing, the drink acquires a dark yellow color and a rich smell of lemon.

When and how to collect leaves for tea?

Tea is made from fresh and dried leaves. To get a more saturated color, pieces of young shoots are added to the tea leaves. Therapeutic effect strengthen crushed dry fruits or juice concentrate with sugar.

Consider when and how to properly collect and dry lemongrass leaves for tea.

Procurement of raw materials

Leaves are recommended to be collected when they acquire a glossy structure - in time this is after flowering and before the start of the autumn color change. The optimal period is the first half of August. Raw materials are harvested from unproductive vines prepared for pruning - so we do not weaken the plant, and we get a valuable harvest for the winter. More juicy foliage - on the shaded part of the plant.

Fermentation

Before drying, they are advised to ferment - this is how lemongrass leaves will reveal the whole bouquet of aromas, give a richer taste and color.

Fermentation is a method of processing tea leaves, as a result of which tea enzymes are oxidized - starch breaks down, tannins are released, and the characteristic aroma is enhanced.

The collected foliage is washed from dust, dried, even slightly withered. After that, each leaf is twisted into tubes with an energetic movement of the palms, so as to destroy the structure of the fabric, cause the release of juice and essential oils.

The tubules are placed in a clay or enameled dish with a layer of 7–10 cm, crushed until juice is released, covered with a damp cloth and placed in a warm place for fermentation (fermentation). The optimum temperature is 23–26⁰ C, time is 6–8 hours.

Drying

Once fermentation is complete, you can dry lemongrass leaves for tea. Each tube is cut into pieces 0.3–0.5 cm thick, the resulting mass is laid out in a thin layer on a baking sheet, put in the oven and dried according to this scheme.

In China, eastern Russia and other nearby countries, a woody climbing shrub with very valuable fruits grows. The berries of this creeper have a specific lemon flavor and huge amount useful qualities. They are widely used in traditional and conservative medicine for the treatment of many diseases.

Lemongrass berries - properties

The main action of this natural remedy is toning. Main benefit lemongrass berries is to stimulate blood circulation and metabolic processes, activation of the brain and nervous system. Long-term use of preparations based on this herbal raw material helps to cope with physical and mental fatigue, increase muscle strength and lung capacity, improve working capacity and concentration.

Lemongrass fruits - medicinal properties:

• adaptation of the body to adverse external influences;
• immune support;
• mobilization of glycogen from the liver;
• intensification of the activity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
• removal of excess cholesterol;
• increased visual acuity;
• expansion of peripheral vessels;
• restoration of nerve cells;
• strengthening of labor activity;
• suppression of infectious inflammations;
• acceleration of excretion of bile, urine.

Lemongrass for pressure

In conservative medicine natural remedy prescribed primarily to stabilize the work of cardio-vascular system. Before using it, it is important to find out whether magnolia berries increase or decrease blood pressure. Taking medications based on the fruits of this vine provokes the expansion of large and small vessels, so the blood flow in the system increases. Schisandra berries are recommended for hypotensive patients to increase pressure. It is contraindicated for people with arterial hypertension to use the fruits of this shrub.

Lemongrass for colds

Berries with a citrus smell quickly restore vitality and strengthen the immune system. It is advisable to take the fruits of the plant in question as a prophylaxis for acute respiratory and viral pathologies. Benefits of lemongrass berries:

• increase the activity of the body's defense system;
• compensate for the deficiency of vitamins;
• prevent infection;
• reduce the body's susceptibility to cold;
• have bactericidal and antiviral effects.

The fruits of the described shrub are sometimes assigned as part of complex therapy inflammatory diseases urinary system. Schisandra berries are recommended to be used in parallel with conservative methods treatment. On my own it natural remedy produces too weak therapeutic effect. lemongrass berry - beneficial features for the kidneys:

• inhibition of bacterial growth;
• acceleration of urine excretion;
• relief of inflammation;
• mild anesthesia;
• decrease in the amount of solid salts in the urine;
• normalization of the composition of the biological fluid.

Lemongrass - contraindications

It is strictly forbidden to drink any medicines based on these berries when arterial hypertension, because their use will lead to an increase in pressure and can provoke a crisis. Lemongrass fruits are also contraindicated in the following cases:

• state of overexcitation;
• violations of cardiac activity;
• anxiety;
• age up to 12 years;
• increased secretion of gastric juice;
• epilepsy;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• acute infections with a severe course;
• hypersensitivity to lemongrass berries;
• pregnancy;
• chronic liver diseases;
• arachnoiditis;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia of hypertonic type;
• breast-feeding;
• arachnoencephalitis.

Lemongrass - harvesting berries

The presented plant raw materials can be freely purchased at the pharmacy, but traditional healers It is advised to collect and dry it yourself. In order for the fruits of Schisandra chinensis to retain the entire range of valuable substances and vitamins, they brought maximum benefit, it is important to learn how to harvest them correctly. It is necessary to choose a suitable place for growing vines, away from busy roads and highways, to allocate a special area for drying.

When to pick lemongrass berries?

Ripening of fruits of a bush comes to an end in the middle of September-October. Ripe berries Chinese magnolia vine have a bright red color and a pronounced sour-citrus, fresh aroma. For harvesting, you should carefully select only ripe fruits and carefully put them in a basket. Experienced Specialists It is advised to pick lemongrass berries in early October. During this period, the activity of the sun is still preserved, but there are no first frosts.

The further process of harvesting fruits includes 2 successive stages. First you need to dry the lemongrass - the use of berries involves scattering them in one layer on a clean natural fabric in the sun or in the shade (in the wind). After 2-3 days, you can proceed to direct drying:

1. Berries should be placed in the oven at a temperature of 40 degrees. If you have a special dryer, it is better to use it.
2. Wait until the skin darkens, acquires a burgundy-brown hue.
3. Raise the temperature to 60 degrees until the berries are completely dry.

Ready natural raw materials must be cooled and poured into a clean cloth bag with strings, a cardboard or wooden box. It is advisable to place the container with berries in a place protected from moisture so that they do not become moldy. It is important to remember how much dry Chinese lemongrass is allowed to be used - fruit storage is limited to 2 years. Expired plant materials will have to be thrown away and a new one prepared.

Lemongrass berries - application

The described natural remedy helps from many serious pathologies. Before using lemongrass berries, you need to familiarize yourself with the list of indications:

• vascular insufficiency;
• depressive states;
• asthenia;
• susceptibility;
• gastritis with low acidity gastric juice;
• menopause, subject to normal blood pressure;
• overwork;
• high blood sugar;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• kidney disease;
• pathology of the respiratory system;
• acute liver disease;
• anemia;
• sexual impotence in men;
• nectalopia;
• deterioration of intestinal motility;
• dysentery;
• scurvy;
• gonorrhea;
• female infertility;
• diarrhea;
• delayed childbirth;
• bronchitis and asthma;
• weakness of the heart muscle;
• slow healing of the skin;
• intoxication;
• whooping cough;
• low concentration of hemoglobin in the blood;
• enuresis;
• neurasthenia;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

How to use lemongrass berries?

AT pure form the presented raw materials cannot be eaten, it has a too specific (sour and tart) taste. For the preparation of medicines, pre-harvested fruits of Chinese magnolia vine are used - the application consists in brewing or infusing dry berries. Experts advise making fresh solutions daily to get the most benefit from taking them.

Lemongrass (berries) - cooking recipes

Any funds based on the fruits in question should be drunk before 18-19 pm, and preferably in the morning. If taken medications before a night's rest, this can provoke temporary violations sleep and even insomnia. Before the course of therapy, it is desirable to carry out trial test- drink one serving of the remedy and observe the reaction of the body. When allergic reactions stop using the fruit.

Belongs to the lemongrass family - Schisandraceae. On the English language this plant is called: Schizandra fruit. Latin name: Schizandra chinensis.
The people call this plant differently: Manchurian lemongrass, Chinese schisandra.

Features

The height of the Chinese lemongrass reaches fifteen meters. The plant wraps around tree trunks and shrubs. Stem branching, 1.5-2 cm thick, wrinkled, with large quantity longitudinal lenticels.
If the plant is already old, then the color of the stem is dark brown. If the plant is young, then it has a stem with a yellowish, shiny bark.
The leaves are slightly fleshy, alternate, with a wedge-shaped base, elliptical. From the top side of the leaves dark green color, and from the bottom - pale. The upper parts of the leaves are pointed. Petioles about 2-3 cm, pinkish-red.
The flowers of the plant are slightly pinkish or white, their aroma is very pleasant and fragrant. The flowers are on long and thin pedicels.
After the end of the flowering period, a polyberry brush is created from the flower, in which 20-25 red fruits are located.
The fruits are spherical berries in which there are seeds of a brown, brown or yellowish hue. Each berry has two. The fruits taste spicy, bitter, sour-salty, in some cases burning.

Habitat

This plant is native to China. In addition, Chinese magnolia vine can be found in Korea, Japan, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories in coniferous-deciduous forests.

Chemical composition

All parts of the plant have useful composition. The fruits contain approximately 20% organic acids, such as tartaric, citric and malic. The berries contain vitamins E and C, and it is also noted a large number of mineral salts.
The fruits contain: trace elements (manganese, iron, copper, zinc, silver, sulfur, phosphorus, nickel, potassium, titanium, calcium and molybdenum).
Tonic substances in the fruits of the plant increase the reflex work of the central nervous system, and also increase excitation in the cerebral cortex.
Dried fruits contain: fiber, ash, starch and water-soluble elements.
Seeds contain: schizandrin and schizandrol, tannins and resinous substances, fixed oils, catechins, anthocyanins.

Medicinal and beneficial properties of lemongrass

The beneficial properties of this plant have been known for a long time. AT traditional medicine Schisandra chinensis seeds are used in the treatment of bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, stomach, anemia, kidneys, liver and intestines.
The medicinal properties of the plant allow the use of infusions on the bark and leaves in the treatment of dysentery in children and scurvy.
Schisandra chinensis tincture and tablets are used in traditional medicine. They allow you to increase efficiency, have a stimulating effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular activity of a person. Shown in physical and mental fatigue.

Application

The use of the plant as medicinal product began in the Chinese pharmacopoeia (250 BC). It is prescribed as a means for regulating blood circulation, activating cardiac activity and as a general tonic.
Even the ancient hunters of the Far East, the Udege and Nanais, used dried fruits to maintain strength for a long time.
Specialists usually prescribe Schisandra chinensis for debilitating diseases, infections, for the treatment severe drowsiness, physical and mental fatigue. In addition, this plant is prescribed for decreased vision and hearing, with sexual disorders, with hypothermia, overheating, hypoxia and other negative impacts environment.
Lemongrass preparations are also taken for low blood pressure.

Collecting and harvesting lemongrass for the winter

Berries are harvested in September-October. Lemongrass brushes are cut with a sharp knife so as not to damage the vines. Berries are placed in enamelware, barrels or baskets. They are processed within a day.
Method number 1: the berries are dried under awnings, in the shade for 2-3 days. Then they need to be separated from the receptacle and dried in the oven at a temperature of about 60 degrees.
Method number 2: squeeze the fruits on hydraulic or screw presses. When fermentation is completed, the berries are washed on a sieve under running water, separating them from the skin and pulp. Seeds are dried with ventilation on calorific dryers.
Leaves are harvested either in the blooming phase or in the leaf fall phase. Bark during fruiting.

Contraindications

Experts do not advise taking preparations from Schisandra chinensis during pregnancy, with problems with heart rhythm and nervous excitement.

Recipes

• Harvesting for the winter allows you to keep lemongrass berries tasty and fresh. They can be placed on plates in bulk, frozen, and then poured into cardboard or plastic containers. Should be kept in the freezer.
• Juice from freshly picked fruits: wash the berries, squeeze. Pour the resulting juice into half-liter pasteurized jars, pasteurize for ten or fifteen minutes, then close hermetically. Juice is added to tea (1 tsp per 1 cup) to increase vitality and working capacity.
• Shoots and leaves tea: take dried young shoots and leaves and brew (10 grams per serving).

Since ancient times, the berries of this plant have been taken to increase tone and general protection organism from avitaminosis. Both fresh and processed fruits Chinese creeper useful to humans. And lemongrass jam except positive impact on our health, and simply delicious.

Although the taste of a photograph cannot be conveyed, but what a view!

jam recipes

There are several recipes for jam, but, in fact, they do not differ much from each other. We will try to give the most popular methods, judging by the reviews of housewives from the Internet.

Attention! Collected lemongrass berries must be processed within a day!

simple recipe

This method of making Far Eastern lemongrass jam is the most popular, for cooking we need:

• berries l mongrass -1 kilogram;
• sugar -1.5 kilograms;
• water - 100 milliliters.

The product is brewed in this way:

Some housewives drain the syrup and cork it separately from the berries.

Advice! Due to the high chemical activity, it is not recommended to use copper or aluminum utensils for cooking jam from lemongrass berries - only enameled or glass ones are suitable.

As the saying goes: "Health"!

With apple juice

This recipe uses water instead of Apple juice, and the berries are used in pureed form. With this method of cooking in lemongrass jam, the beneficial properties are better preserved.

1. The berries are placed in a colander or sieve and softened with water vapor.
2. The softened berries are wiped and the puree is placed in an enamel basin.
3. Add sugar and apple juice. For one kilogram of berry puree, add one and a half kilograms of sugar and one hundred grams of apple juice.
4. Boil the resulting mixture until thickened.
5. After that, the jam is laid out in prepared jars.

If it is supposed to be bookmarked for winter storage, then they are sterilized and corked, if for quick use, they are covered with parchment or nylon lids.

Other blanks

For those who doubt whether it is possible to cook jam from the berries of Schisandra chinensis, we will present the methods of preparations, during the preparation of which the minimum number of vitamins and other useful substances is lost.

Compote

Berries from compote prepared in this way can be used to decorate cakes, bake pies with them.

1. To prepare syrup, 400 grams of sugar are dissolved in a liter of water.
2. Carefully washed berries are laid out in jars and poured with prepared syrup.
3. Half-liter jars are pasteurized at 80 degrees for 10 minutes.

Juice, wine and tincture

Juice is prepared from berries that were picked the day before yesterday and softened enough.

1. Juice is extracted from the washed berries using a juicer. In this case, you need to try not to crush the seeds.
2. Juice is mixed with sugar in a ratio of one to two.
3. After the sugar grains are completely dissolved, the juice is poured into bottles and put into a dry cellar.

You can make wine from the juice remaining from the juice preparation. To do this, the remains of the pulp are separated from the seeds and poured with water. After a couple of days, the wort is drained and diluted with water and sugar. After that, the wine is put on fermentation under a water lock. The fermented wine is drained from the rest and bottled.

But that's not all. There are still seeds left, which are cleaned of the remnants of the pulp. Then they are crushed and filled with alcohol. After half a month, an excellent bitter tincture with many useful substances is obtained.

Advice! Alcohol tincture Use lemongrass seeds in small doses and after consulting your doctor!

See also video about making jam from Schisandra chinensis: