Bird cherry: useful properties, composition and contraindications. The use of bird cherry in various diseases and in cosmetology. Bird cherry flowers useful properties

The beauty bird cherry is familiar to everyone. But not everyone knows that this amazing plant has the ability of a natural healer. It is very important to apply these qualities correctly: otherwise, bird cherry therapy can bring not good, but harm to the body.

Bird cherry: flowers-berries

Bird cherry blossoms... How many wonderful poetic images are inspired by the lush lacy flowering of this wonderful tree! But the wonderful fragrant flowers of bird cherry are by no means the only advantage of the plant, to which people have paid close attention for a very long time.

Fragrant flowers - the first thing they remember when talking about bird cherry

Archaeologists found petrified bird cherry seeds at one of the sites of primitive man. Consequently, the fruits of this tree were used by our distant ancestors as early as the Stone Age - earlier than the vast majority of currently known cultivated plants.

Tradition and modernity

Recently, the undeservedly forgotten good traditions of the Slavs have been revived, in which the use of bird cherry was everyday - both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Almost all parts of the plant were used: its fruits, berries, leaves and bark.

From dried bird cherry berries, for example, flour was made at special mills, which was mixed with rye and wheat and baked incredibly delicious bread. And bird cherry pies, cooked according to old recipes, are now becoming an original decoration for any holiday table.

Until recently, the botanical classification for some reason defined the bird cherry as the closest relatives ... to the plum. Now, scientists have revised this position: indeed, in many of its qualities, the bird cherry is much closer to the cherry. Breeders have already managed to develop viable and very promising hybrids, which received names by adding parental Latin names: padocerus (cherry cherry) and cerapadus (cherry cherry).

Bouquet of bird cherry

In the genus of bird cherry, there are two dozen species that hybridize with each other. The most famous and widespread species is the common bird cherry. Its properties are well studied and widely used in folk medicine.

At the next most popular stage are two types of American origin: virgin and late; they are also quite common in our gardens. In the Far East, for medicinal purposes, a local species is sometimes also used - bird cherry Maaka.

The main types of plants - gallery

Common bird cherry - the most popular species among the people

Bird cherry siori - the healing properties of the species are little studied

Bird cherry can have both red and yellow or black berries

Cheryomukha Maaka - fruits are inedible

Late bird cherry has large, up to a centimeter in diameter, tasty fruits

Everyone in the garden!

Harvesting bird cherry is a responsible business. Its berries are harvested fully ripe: the riper, the tastier they become. The bird cherry season begins in mid-August, when they are harvested, plucked in whole bunches.

It is very important to choose the right moment for picking berries: the weather should be clear, and the morning dew on the fruits should be completely evaporated. Cherry berries are dried along with the stalks, which are removed after the raw material has completely dried.

Fragrant clusters of flowers are harvested in May, and even before that - tree bark and young twigs: they are most healing in early spring, at the peak of sap flow. Bird cherry leaves are usually not harvested for future use, but are used only fresh throughout the warm season, from spring to autumn.

Branches and bark of bird cherry are cut or broken into small pieces. This raw material is dried at low temperature in an oven, electric dryer or in a natural way. Without losing their useful properties, the bark and berries are stored in thick paper or linen bags for a long time - up to five years. The shelf life of delicate inflorescences of bird cherry is significantly less - no more than a year (subject to good ventilation).

Composition and benefits

In addition to organic acids and bitterness, which give bird cherry berries a unique taste, this plant contains in its various parts a huge amount of other biologically active compounds, including:

• flavonoids;
• vitamins C, A, E, P;
• routine;
• coloring matter - anthocyanins;
• Sahara;
• tannins;
• essential oil.

But special attention should be paid to the high concentration of substances that make bird cherry both uniquely useful and potentially dangerous if used incorrectly. We are talking about phytoncides and glycosides.

It is thanks to phytoncides that flowering bird cherry smells so magical. But one should not stay alone with a fragrant bouquet for a long time in a closed room: a shock dose of these compounds can be harmful to both the cardiovascular and nervous systems. At the same time, in small doses, phytoncides are healing: they destroy pathogenic microbes.

Significant harm can also be caused by the glycoside amygdalin, which is especially abundant in the seeds of bird cherry fruits. When broken down in the body, amygdalin releases the infamous hydrocyanic acid.

Hence the signature taste of bitter almonds, and the accompanying very unpleasant consequences. Heat treatment eliminates the problem, but it is nevertheless necessary to remember it.

In bird cherry, especially in its berries, the content of minerals valuable for the human body is also high, primarily such trace elements as cobalt and manganese.

Chemical composition of bird cherry berries - table

The effectiveness of folk remedies

Since ancient times, the astringent property of bird cherry berries has been known, which has been successfully used in folk medicine to this day for the treatment of diarrhea and dysbacteriosis. In addition, the medicinal plant has a number of useful qualities for humans, including:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibiotic;
• hemostatic;
• urine and diaphoretic;
• sedative;
• antiscorbutic.

The benefits of bird cherry flowers and fruits - video

Use in traditional medicine

The benefits of bird cherry are recognized not only by non-traditional, but also by official medicine. For the preparation of medicinal products, usually only one type of plant is used - the bird cherry. The properties of other species, unfortunately, are still studied too little.

homemade recipes

The number of folk recipes from the leaves, flowers, bark and berries of bird cherry is very large. Their value, among other things, lies in interchangeability: for the treatment of the same ailments, you can use different forms and different parts of the plant.

Infusion of flowers

Well heals purulent and other wounds, burns; treats eye diseases, as well as stomatitis in the oral cavity.

Ingredients:

Cooking:

1. Rub dry bird cherry flowers in your palms and pour them into warm boiled water.
2. Infusion lasts 6-7 hours, after which the drink should be filtered.

Ready infusion is used for washings, lotions and rinses; inside use a third of a glass on an empty stomach and at bedtime.

leaf infusion

Take with beriberi, accumulated fatigue and loss of strength; the drug improves metabolism.

Ingredients:

• bird cherry leaves - 2 teaspoons;
• boiling water - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Pour the leaves into a teapot and steam with boiling water.
2. The infusion is prepared within a quarter of an hour, it can not be filtered.

During the day, you can drink two glasses of healthy tea, in which you can stir a little honey if you wish.

Infusion with leaves and flowers

Stops inflammation, restores damaged tissues.

Ingredients:

Cooking:

1. Grind medicinal raw materials in the evening and pour it with boiled cool water.
2. In the morning, drain the infusion through 4-5 layers of gauze.

Use for washes, compresses and lotions.

Berry tea

Improves digestion and male potency, tones.

Ingredients:

• bird cherry fruits, fresh or dried, - 2 teaspoons;
• boiling water - 0.3 liters.

Cooking:

1. Fresh fruits can be crushed, dry fruits can be crushed.
2. Brew the prepared berries with freshly boiled water and leave for 10-15 minutes.

Drink during the day in small doses.

bark decoction

Successfully used as a douche for the treatment of gynecological inflammation; when taken internally, it supports the work of the heart.

Ingredients:

• bird cherry bark - 1 tablespoon;
• hot water - 1 glass.

Cooking:

1. Grind the bark and steam it with boiling water.
2. Simmer on low heat for at least half an hour with the lid closed.
3. Filter the decoction that has cooled completely.

Take a tablespoon half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Decoction of berries

Strengthens the immune system, is used to prevent and treat colds; contributes to the improvement of vision.

Ingredients:

• bird cherry fruits - 1 tablespoon;
• hot water - 1 glass.

Cooking:

1. Boil dried fruits and keep covered in a water bath for 20-30 minutes.
2. Cool naturally, then filter.

The finished broth is divided into three equal doses and consumed throughout the day.

A decoction of leaves and twigs

An excellent drug for relieving joint and muscle pain, treating rheumatism.

Ingredients:

• thin twigs and green leaves of bird cherry - 1 tablespoon each;
• boiling water - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Cut medicinal raw materials into pieces, steam with boiling water.
2. Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
3. Pour the cooled broth through a sieve.

Take orally 50 milliliters two or three times a day.

Leaf decoction

It has a positive effect on the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves inflammation and eliminates infections.

Ingredients:

• fresh bird cherry leaves - 2 tablespoons;
• water - 0.3 liters.

Cooking:

1. Boil the pre-cut leaves with boiled water.
2. Keep on low heat for no longer than five minutes.
3. Cool, strain, refrigerate.

Drink a ready-made broth in three doses, each half an hour before meals; single serving - a quarter cup.

Tincture on the bark

Effective antimicrobial and restorative agent; recommended for digestive disorders.

Ingredients:

• crushed bird cherry bark - 0.5 cups;
• high-quality vodka - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Pour the bird cherry bark into the vodka and shake well.
2. Insist in a warm and dark place for 12-14 days, then decant the finished extract.

Use externally as a rub for sore joints or inside a teaspoon once or twice a day.

Tincture on flowers

A good remedy for the normalization of the pulse and the prevention of heart disease.

Ingredients:

• dry inflorescences of bird cherry - 1 cup;
• medical alcohol - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Bird cherry flowers drenched in alcohol are infused away from light for two weeks, shaking occasionally.
2. After this period, the finished product is filtered and cleaned in a dark, cold place.

Take 2-3 times a day, 20 drops, mixing them with a little water or a teaspoon of sugar.

Berry tincture

It normalizes the heart rhythm, treats neurosis, improves the functioning of the digestive tract.

Ingredients:

• fresh bird cherry berries - 1 cup;
• vodka - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Scatter ripe bird cherry in an even thin layer on a clean napkin and dry for two days.
2. Mash the berries a little in a non-metallic mortar and pour vodka.
3. After three weeks of infusion, filter.

Drink one to two teaspoons before meals twice a day.

Flour

An old way of harvesting bird cherry berries; It is used both in cooking and in healing - to mobilize the reserves of the body, treat infectious diseases and as a semi-finished product for other medicinal preparations.

Cooking:

1. It is good to dry the ripe fruits of the bird cherry.
2. Grind the dried berries in a coffee grinder in small portions to a state of flour.
3. Sift the resulting powder through a sieve to get rid of large pieces of seeds.

In its pure form, it is taken orally in a teaspoon three times a day between meals.

Juice

A strong energy drink, powerfully saturates the body with vitamins and minerals, restores metabolism.

Ingredients:

• ripe bird cherry - 1 kilogram;
• boiled water - 0.5 liters.

Cooking:

1. Squeeze the juice from freshly picked cherry fruits using a juicer.
2. Pour the cake with an equal volume of boiled water, stir, squeeze and combine with fresh juice.
3. Put in the refrigerator, for better preservation, you can pour a tablespoon of vodka or alcohol.

Juice is consumed one - two times a day for half a glass.

Treatment regimens

When taking preparations of bird cherry, one should remember that this plant is poisonous and an overdose in the treatment of them is dangerous. It is necessary to strictly adhere to proven measures of application and regimens of therapy, and in difficult cases - be sure to seek medical help.

Therapy with bird cherry preparations - table

Application features

The practice of using a natural healing agent has existed for a very long time, so some features of the use of bird cherry preparations stand out in it.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

In the old days, herbalists successfully used bird cherry as a contraceptive. This should be kept in mind if you are planning to have a child. The active substances of the plant tend to accumulate in the female body, it will take some time to remove them. For this reason, the use of bird cherry in any form should be completely stopped at least three months before the planned conception.

You can not use this folk remedy for women also during the period of bearing a child and after childbirth, while the baby is breastfeeding. Bird cherry, which is usually useful for women's health, can become dangerous for the health of mother and baby at the indicated intervals.

For kids

Bird cherry, rich in valuable substances, can be very useful for the full development of a fast-growing child's body. But before giving the child this folk remedy, the risks from its use should be completely eliminated.

Of all parts of the plant, its leaves are the least toxic, so children are usually prescribed drugs based on them. But even these sparing drugs are not recommended for babies under the age of two.

Most often, children are prescribed bird cherry for the treatment of intestinal disorders and helminthic invasions. Consult with the attending pediatrician - he will help you choose the right dosage for the child in each case.

In cosmetology

Regular consumption of bird cherry helps to normalize digestion, metabolism and cleanse the body. Thanks to this alone, the skin of the face and body becomes fresher, younger and healthier. However, the external use of a folk remedy gives such clear and convincing results that it should definitely be used.

In home cosmetology, bird cherry is most often used to get rid of acne and other dermatological problems. In addition, the active compounds of infusions and decoctions contribute to the acceleration of metabolic and regenerative processes - the skin is renewed, gets rid of wrinkles, sagging and age spots.

Fresh berry juice helps a lot with acne and dermatitis - they need to lubricate problem areas several times a day. To strengthen and consolidate the positive effect, add morning washing with fragrant infusion of bird cherry flowers into your daily face care practice or make cosmetic ice out of it. It will invigorate you and your skin.

Cautions

Since bird cherry contains toxic components, the use of its preparations should be taken with special responsibility. There are a number of contraindications for this folk remedy, including:

Take responsibility for the use of these berries

The wonderful aroma of bird cherry can also cause health troubles, for example, if you decorate an unventilated bedroom with flowers.

As in this, and in any other case associated with the use of bird cherry, any manifestations of discomfort should become a danger signal for you and a reason for an immediate visit to a doctor.

Prunus padus (Padus racemosa)
Taxon: Rose family (Rosaceae)
Other names: bird cherry
English: Bird Cherry, Hackberry (Ireland)

Description

Tree or shrub from 2 to 10 m in height. The trunk and branches are covered with dull, black-gray, cracking bark. The leaves are alternate, short-petiolate, elliptical, dull above, somewhat wrinkled below. Cherry blossoms in May. The flowers are small, white, collected in dense, many-flowered drooping brushes. Cherry fruits are spherical black drupes 7-8 mm in diameter, sweet, strongly astringent, the stone is round-ovate. The fruits ripen in July.

Spreading

In Russia, bird cherry is common in the temperate zone: in the European part, Western and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East.
Prefers moist, rich soils with close groundwater. Bird cherry grows mainly along the banks of rivers, in riverine forests (urem) and shrub thickets, along forest edges, on the sands, along forest clearings.

Collection and preparation of bird cherry

For medicinal purposes, undamaged ripe, black and juicy bird cherry fruits, cleaned of impurities, as well as bark, leaves and flowers, are collected. Fruits are harvested as they ripen from July to September, flowers in May, bark in early spring. In dry, clear weather, cut off the brushes with fruits, scatter in a thin layer, dry in the air in good weather or in ovens, ovens, dryers at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, stirring occasionally. Then separated from the stalks, stems, impurities, sifted through a sieve. Dried fruits of bird cherry are black or matte, round-elongated, wrinkled, with a light stone, odorless, sour-sweet taste. The bark is also dried in ovens, dryers, and ovens. The flowers are air dried in the shade. Bird cherry raw materials are stored in boxes, bags, in a dry, well-ventilated area. The shelf life of fruits is 2 years, flowers - 1 year, bark - 5 years.

The chemical composition of bird cherry

The leaves, flowers, bark and seeds of bird cherry contain glycosides: amygdalin, prulaurazine, pruiazine. Free hydrocyanic acid was also found - in the bark 0.09%, in the leaves 0.05%. The highest content of amygdalin was found in bird cherry bark - 2%, in seeds - 1.8%.
The leaves accumulate up to 0.28% ascorbic acid, essential oil.
The aromatic smell is due to the presence of prunazine glycoside. Bird cherry fruits contain malic and citric acids, sugars, substances and ascorbic acid, flavonoids.
Cherry purifies the air, because its fruits, flowers, bark, buds, and especially leaves contain benzoic aldehyde, which determines their properties (killing or depressing effect on bacteria).

Pharmacological properties of bird cherry

Ripe fruits of bird cherry have a fixing, bactericidal, vitamin, tonic, anti-inflammatory effect, normalize the function of the intestines and stomach.
Bird cherry bark has a diaphoretic, antipyretic action.
Bird cherry leaves have fixing, vitamin properties.
Bird cherry flowers are used as an anti-inflammatory, wound healing, volatile agent.

The use of bird cherry in medicine

Due to the presence of tannins, bird cherry fruits are used as an astringent for non-infectious nature and other disorders of the stomach and intestines, as well as an adjuvant for infectious colitis and diarrhea.

Medicinal preparations of bird cherry

A decoction of bird cherry fruits is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. Bird cherry fruits are brewed with a glass of boiling water, boiled for 20 minutes, filtered. Adults are prescribed 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day for diarrhea and. Burnt berries are not suitable for use.
A decoction of bird cherry bark: brew 200 ml of boiling water, 10 g of bark, boil over low heat for 10 minutes, leave for 2 hours, then strain. As a diaphoretic, take 1 tsp. 3-4 times a day before meals for cough, rheumatism and.
A decoction of bird cherry leaves: brew 200 ml of boiling water, 20 g of leaves, boil on low heat for 5 minutes, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day for diarrhea, gastritis, colitis, hypovitaminosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, as an antitussive.
Infusion of bird cherry fruits: brew 500 ml of boiling water, 20 g of fruits, leave for 12 hours in a thermos. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day for diarrhea, gastritis, colitis.
Infusion of bird cherry flowers: brew 200 ml of boiling water 10 g of flowers, leave for 10 minutes, strain. Rinse wounds, ulcers, eyes with inflammation of the mucous membrane, use as lotions.
Apply bird cherry leaves to places of bruises, abscesses. Used for rinsing the mouth with rotting teeth, furunculosis
Bird cherry is a part of gastric fees.
The energy of bird cherry acts less than that of other trees. Most of all, its influence is felt in the spring, during flowering.

Contraindications

Bird cherry preparations are taken under the supervision of a doctor, in compliance with the indicated doses and terms of treatment.
Bird cherry preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy.
The internal use of bird cherry as a poisonous plant requires caution.
Bouquets with bird cherry flowers, but you should not put bird cherry in your room - your head will hurt.

The use of bird cherry on the farm

Bird cherry fruits are used in nutrition. They are consumed fresh, dried, powdered. From the fruits of bird cherry, you can make fillings for pies, cook jams, kissels, kvass, etc.
Kvass from bird cherry. Rinse fresh fruits of bird cherry with cold water, put in an enamel pan, cover with sugar, cover with a napkin and keep at room temperature for 12 hours. Then mix everything, pour warm water, add yeast, sugar and leave for 12 hours to ferment. Strain, pour into a three-liter glass jar, leave for 2 days in a room, then store in a cold place.
To prepare kvass, you need: 600 g of bird cherry fruits, 3 liters of water, 300 g of sugar, 10 g of yeast.
Cherry jam. Pour the fruits with sugar for 12 hours. Then drain the juice, cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes, put the fruits in it and cook until tender. Before the end of cooking, you can add citric acid. To make jam, you need: 1 kg of bird cherry fruits, 1-1.2 kg of sugar, citric acid to taste.
You can grind flour from dried bird cherry: crush the drupes in a mortar or grind in a hand mill. Can be made from flour kissel. To do this, brew 0.5 liters of boiling water with 0.5 cups of flour and mix thoroughly. Pour this mass into a saucepan with 1 liter of boiling water, add 2 tbsp. l. honey and 1 tbsp. l. (with a slide) starch, diluted in a small amount of water. Bring the jelly to a boil and remove from heat.
You can also cook from bird cherry flour. To get it, grind flour with sugar, pour hot water and bring to a boil.
Gruel from crushed bird cherry leaves kills bacteria and mold spores, 4 crushed bird cherry buds kill the most resistant mites after 15 minutes, crushed bird cherry buds placed in a vessel with a rat kill it after 20 minutes.
For economic purposes, green and red-brown paint is obtained from the bark of the bird cherry.
Bird cherry wood is yellowish-brown, softish, elastic, well polished, used for carpentry.

Photos and illustrations

Bird cherry, during the flowering period of which, according to folk signs, frosts come, is known to all the inhabitants of our country. This plant occurs in two forms - it can be a tree or a shrub. Bird cherry belongs to the Pink family of the Plum genus. Its height varies from sixty centimeters to ten meters, depending on the form and growing conditions. The bird cherry crown is dense. The bark is blackish-gray with a matte sheen. The leaves of the plant are simple, arranged alternately, having an elongated-elliptical shape. The length of the leaf blades is about ten centimeters, their surface is bare. The leaves are arranged on short petioles. Bird cherry flowers are white or slightly pinkish, small, collected in an inflorescence brush up to twelve centimeters long. The aroma of flowering bird cherry is strong, pleasant. Flowering period May. The fruit of the plant is a black drupe, spherical in shape, small in size. It tastes sweet and very astringent. Bird cherry seeds are round-ovoid. The ripening time of the berries is July - August.

Bird cherry prefers moist, nutritious soils, therefore it is most often found along the banks of reservoirs. It is widespread throughout Russia, as well as in North Africa, Europe, Asia Minor and Central Asia. In all growing areas, bird cherry is used for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Chemical composition

All parts of the plant contain a large amount of substances valuable for the body. Special attention should be paid to the bark, which has special medicinal properties. Its chemical composition contains: tannins, hydrocyanic acid, amygdalin, prunazine, prulararin, benzoic aldehyde, phytoncides, ascorbic acid, essential oil, glucose and flavonoids.

The benefits of all these substances for the body have been scientifically proven, and today preparations based on various parts of bird cherry are used not only in traditional medicine and homeopathy, but also in the traditional therapy of many diseases. Bird cherry is used both as an independent remedy and as a component of herbal preparations.

What cures cherry bark

The bark of the plant has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of ailments. Today, as well as several centuries ago, the bark is used as a remedy: analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, sedative, diuretic, diaphoretic, antibronchitis and antirheumatic. For these purposes, traditional medicine recommends preparations from bird cherry bark without the addition of additional components.

Well removes the bark of bird cherry headaches and toothaches, which everyone faces from time to time. By blocking nerve impulses and relieving vascular spasm, the drugs relieve migraines and headaches of various origins. In case of dental disease, bird cherry bark has an anti-inflammatory effect, preventing the development of suppuration and a root cyst with purulent contents.

Colds, accompanied by a febrile symptom, are also a reason to use bird cherry bark. It, having a diaphoretic effect, will lower the temperature and, thanks to the high concentration of vitamin C, will speed up the healing process. In addition, having a beneficial effect on the human immune system, this medicine reduces the risk of complications.

With inflammatory diseases of the kidneys that cause urinary disorders, this natural remedy is excellent for healing. The bark eliminates pain and inflammation, and also restores urine production. As a diuretic, it helps to remove sand from the body.

As a cough medicine, the bark has expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Contraindications for use

The internal use of bird cherry is contraindicated for constipation and damage to the rectum, as well as at the stage of pregnancy planning, childbearing and breastfeeding. The bark is also not used in case of an allergic reaction to it.

It should be remembered that bird cherry bark, as well as its leaves and flowers, is conditionally poisonous, so an overdose of its preparations can lead to unpleasant side effects that will have to be treated.

Folk recipes

Decoction of the bark for bronchitis

To prepare this remedy, ten grams of dried and crushed bark is poured into a glass of water and boiled for half an hour. When the drug has cooled slightly, it is filtered. Then the broth is topped up with boiled water to the original volume. Use the medicine for a third of a glass three times a day without reference to food intake. Treatment lasts until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.

Diuretic for kidney disease

Ten grams of bird cherry bark is taken for two glasses of water. The mixture is boiled for a quarter of an hour over low heat, after which it cools a little and is filtered. This medicine is drunk one teaspoon three times a day for half an hour before or after a meal. The same decoction is also used as an astringent, using one glass of the drug at a time.

Folk healing traditions highly value plants with unsafe properties. At a time when there were no antibiotics or strong analgesics, all drugs with a curative effect of therapy were good. But since modern medicine has much more to offer, it is still not worth ignoring the contraindications of bird cherry, caused by its toxicity.

Composition features

The healing properties of bird cherry, oddly enough, are that it is poisonous. It is the high concentration of toxic substances that provides bird cherry with such pronounced antibiotic properties that a branch with its flowers can disinfect water of any quality without boiling. And taking drugs or eating plant berries for food saves not only from tonsillitis, osteochondrosis and intestinal colic, but also gout, arthritis, abscesses in any tissues / organs of the body, including vital ones. There are known cases of curing with the help of bird cherry from tuberculosis, cirrhosis of the liver, gangrene, erysipelas, stomach ulcers.

Moderate poisonousness of bird cherry is not always as bad as it seems, because it is toxic plants that are the most effective discovery of alternative medicine (as well as antibiotics - the discovery of scientists). The secret of their action is that they are equally toxic not only for infected tissues, but also for pathogens. True, compared with antibiotics, they also have a drawback - even less than their selectivity of action.

natural poisons

Among such "antibiotic" (that is, poisonous) components in the chemical composition of bird cherry, the following can be distinguished.

• Amygdalin. Glycoside (plant self-defense against pests), chemical precursor of hydrocyanic acid. For a person, poisoning with this substance ends in a quick death from suffocation. Amygdalin is found not only in bird cherry - it gives a characteristic aroma to almonds, as well as apricot and peach pits. That is why jam “with a bone”, from which a strong aroma of almonds is felt when opening a jar, cannot be eaten. The maximum content of amygdalin was noted in the bark of bird cherry, the second place in its concentration is occupied by the bones of its berries.
• Prunazine. Precursor of amygdalin with the same action.
• Hydrocyanic acid. In its purest form. Most of all it is in the bark of the plant, but there is also a lot in the leaves.

All these three components turn into each other quite easily, so you need to take into account their total concentration in certain parts of the bird cherry.

Useful Connections

In addition to natural poisons, the use of bird cherry lies in the presence of other substances in it.

• Tannins. Another group of compounds that protect plant tissues from insects, fungi and rodents ready to "encroach" on them. Tannins have the properties of coagulants and antibiotics. They are rich in many plants with anti-inflammatory properties and a bitter-tart taste. Among them are tea and mate, St. John's wort, wormwood, celandine. In the case of bird cherry, their maximum concentration is observed in berries and bark.
• Vitamins. In particular, C, R and A.
• other acids. For example, lemon and apple. They also have mild disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic properties, but they are not poisonous. Their main negative property is the tendency to provoke allergic reactions.
• Antioxidants. In particular, in the form of bioflavonoids. Such compounds can be used by plants for coloring berries and leaves (red-blue gamma), as well as photosynthesis (the plant "version" of metabolism) and protection from excess solar radiation. When ingested in the human body, they perform approximately the same function, reducing oxidative stress.
• Sugar. In the form of glucose and other compounds. By sweetness, bird cherry is significantly inferior to grapes, plums, pears. Therefore, it can be considered a dietary product.
• Essential oils. True, given the considerable percentage of amygdalin in their composition. Moreover, its concentration does not depend on the method by which they are isolated from bird cherry.
• Microelements. For example, iron, which is indispensable for the synthesis of new red blood cells in the bone marrow, and zinc, which is involved in the metabolism of vitamins A and E, which stabilizes the DNA chains of cells. Among them is also manganese, which is especially actively involved in the work of the central nervous system and the synthesis of many hormones, including sex hormones. There is also copper in bird cherry, which is consumed as an auxiliary element in the synthesis of hemoglobin and the growth of connective tissues, strengthens bones, skin and vascular walls.

Bird cherry well absorbs everything that is contained there from the environment. Therefore, it may even contain radioactive elements like strontium. It is impossible to buy environmentally friendly preparations of bird cherry in a pharmacy, since science does not consider it a medicine. Therefore, you will have to assemble it yourself. And this definitely should not be done within the city limits or near large industrial facilities.

Methods of application and general precautions

Bird cherry is not only used in magical rituals or medicinal purposes, it is also used to make jam, compote, wine and even bread. Dried bird cherry berries are stored for a long time on their own and at times increase the shelf life of any dishes to which they are added. That is why, at a time when the only “analogue” of a refrigerator was a naturally frozen cellar, they tried to “season” all products stored for the winter with bird cherry. But with the development of technology, such dubious methods of "preservation" have become unnecessary.

Safety rules for the preparation of food and drinks

You can start your acquaintance with plant preparations with bird cherry tincture, which is relatively safe and, judging by the reviews, easy to prepare at home. Its other name is bird cherry. It is said that it is difficult to spoil it. Plus, it has a pronounced aroma of almonds, for which it is called homemade "Amaretto".

There are several secrets to making bird cherry tincture without a threat to health, and they are simple even for beginners. By the way, they concern not only home-made alcoholic drinks from bird cherry, but in general any preparations or dishes based on it.

• One berry. Alcohol tinctures of bird cherry preserve hydrocyanic acid better than jam and compotes, since the latter are subjected to heat treatment. This does not mean that all alcohol tinctures and dishes with the berries of this plant must be boiled for half an hour. It is wiser to simply not add leaves or bark of bird cherry to them unless absolutely necessary - only its berries.
• The presence of sugar. Sugar is not very effective (its presence in the blood does not contribute to the salvation of the poisoned), but still an antidote for hydrocyanic acid. That is why liquor and jam from bird cherry are safer than compote and a pie stuffed with its whole berries. Pouring of bird cherry berries should also contain a fair percentage of sugar.
• Time factor. It does not take much time to isolate the poison and its chemical precursors from the core of bird cherry seeds. However, it is necessary for them to reach a dangerous concentration in solution. This rule applies to any product with the addition of bird cherry, almonds, other components containing hydrocyanic acid and amygdalin. Jam becomes life-threatening after a year or more of storage, and wine and any cherry tincture - after one and a half or more months of aging. So you should not insist raw bird cherry on water or alcohol for more than a month.
• Everything is whole. Grinding flowers, berries, leaves or bark of bird cherry is not worth it. It is also impossible to breathe dust flying during the grinding process - you need to work in a respirator and in a well-ventilated area. Equipment for crushing bird cherry must then be thoroughly washed.

Before preparing any dishes or drinks from bird cherry, you need to make sure that the recipes available are accurate. Otherwise, you can endanger your own life and the lives of your loved ones. The same can be said about the treatment of bird cherry for various diseases.

Indications and restrictions

Due to the fact that the harm of bird cherry comes down to the danger of fatal poisoning by it, it is recommended to use preparations based on leaves, flowers, bark or berries of bird cherry only in cases where there is objectively no other way out. That is, when:

• medical assistance is not available;
• in the presence of complications of the underlying disease;
• with a complete failure of immunity from the fight against the disease;
• when the expected harm from medical care is equal to or greater than the harm of the disease itself.

But you should not get involved in the treatment of bird cherry out of curiosity or adherence to the therapy of “everything in the world” at home. Nevertheless, among the indications for the use of bird cherry, there are many just such diseases that pose a much lesser threat to health and life than careless handling of the “medicine”. In particular, the use of bird cherry leaves (they contain the most free hydrocyanic acid) in folk medicine is considered justified not only for erysipelas, systemic lupus, cancer, but also for pathologies:

• oral cavity - stomatitis, tartar, gingivitis;
• upper respiratory tract - however, not only bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis and tonsillitis, but also inflammation, as well as pulmonary tuberculosis;
• eyeball - including blepharitis, conjunctivitis;
• skin - furunculosis, carbuncles, acne, rashes of unknown cause;
• urinary organs - including inflammations provoked by stones or sand;
• gallbladder and liver also extremely prone to sluggish inflammation and the formation of gallstones;
• joints - including their traumatic, age-related and gouty changes, such as arthritis and arthrosis, rheumatism, lumbago, osteochondrosis and all its late complications;
• reproductive system - caused by poor hygiene or one of the sexually transmitted infections.

Decoctions and infusions of bird cherry berries are used for both colic and diarrhea with gastritis / stomach ulcers, and hair is rinsed with an infusion of its flowers. Young and pre-aged 24 hours in the refrigerator, the shoots of the plant are recommended to be chewed when quitting smoking, although any narcologist will say that it would be safer to continue smoking in this case.

It is believed that bird cherry has a positive effect even on male potency. Although, most likely, she, being a strong antibiotic and preservative, simply slows down the development of adenoma and prostatitis.

Anti-cancer properties

Recently, another half-myth about bird cherry has become widespread. It consists in the alleged antitumor properties it has. Its basis was the book written back in the 70s by the American author E. Griffin "A World Without Cancer", in which he attributes such properties to amygdalin, calling it "vitamin B 17". He considers cancer itself as a phenomenon to be a metabolic disorder caused by its long-term deficiency.

Answering the question why this version of the origin of cancer is not even considered by scientific oncology (and it really is), E. Griffin explains that the whole lobby of all-powerful pharmaceutical corporations is to blame. Objectively, the following can be said about this author and his theory.

• Incompetence. E. Griffin is a conspiracy writer (the author of various conspiracy theories in politics, economics) with ultra-right political views. E. Griffin served in the US Army and voiced children's characters on the radio, graduated in philology and social communications. He did not do one thing in his life - he did not study either medicine or oncology.
• Lack of connection with scientific facts. A number of scholars in the United States have long since given an assessment of his book and the theory set forth in it. In its most general form, it boils down to the fact that: the “avitaminous” version of the origin of cancer does not correspond to any of the known facts about it. So, cancer is not treated by eliminating the deficiency of any vitamins in the diet. The mentioned compensation of deficits does not even facilitate its course, and in some cases it can lead to an acceleration of the decay and metastasis of the tumor. Amygdalin, as it was a poison, so it remained, it is unacceptable to include it in the composition of vitamins under any serial number. Therefore, the book "A World Without Cancer" and everything that is said in it is a figment of the imagination of its creator.

But bird cherry, rich in amygdalin, is indeed used in plant chemotherapy - the treatment of cancer with poisonous plants. The most widely used in this capacity are periwinkle small and pink, Manchurian aralia, Rhodiola rosea, aconite, hemlock. In their row, there was a place for bird cherry, however, only as an addition to these plants, along with oak bark and celandine.

Bird cherry well slows down the growth of malignant erosions, but with their external location (skin cancer, cervical cancer). And its ingestion gives only a slight decrease in pain, especially when it comes to cancer of the stomach / intestines, lungs or liver (in such cases, it is better to take strong tinctures of bird cherry on alcohol).

In any case, the theory of E. Griffin has nothing to do with bird cherry chemotherapy, since the growth of a cancerous tumor is slowed down by all plant poisons, including alkaloids and tannins. From a scientific point of view, this effect is explained by the lower resistance of malignant cells to any attempts to destroy them. Unlike healthy cells, they do not reach maturity and therefore do not have fully formed defense mechanisms.

Who is contraindicated

So, with all the abundance of myths and legends surrounding it, bird cherry remains a highly poisonous plant. Therefore, it is strictly contraindicated:

• during pregnancy;
• when breastfeeding;
• as a remedy for children;
• with allergies and individual intolerance to any of its parts.

Side effect

Side effects from taking bird cherry will manifest as symptoms of an allergic reaction and symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning. Its lethal dose is 1 mg per kilogram of body weight. Symptoms appear in the following order of six items.

1. Almond breath. That is, the almond flavor in the air exhaled from the lungs.
2. Dryness and itching in the throat. Rather, throughout the nasopharynx, up to the entrance to the windpipe, and the accompanying strangled cough.
3. Disorientation. As well as dizziness, especially when inhaling, blurred vision, increased salivation, vomiting.
4. state of shock. Usually it is accompanied by a feeling of fear (typical of any suffocation), quickly turns into a loss of consciousness. The patient already in an unconscious state has convulsions of the extremities.
5. Redness of the skin or mucous membranes. Usually - throughout the body, but at the point of penetration of the poison into the body, it is more pronounced.
6. Respiratory arrest. And death from acute suffocation as its result.

Hydrocyanic acid is considered the fastest acting poison. Therefore, the lethality from poisoning with it reaches 100% even if there are antidotes at hand (they simply would not have time to act). The basis of its action is the blocking of mitochondrial functions in all cells of the body. This leads to a loss of the ability to use the inhaled oxygen.

Recipes

So, having dealt with the potential threats of bird cherry, let's figure out how to prepare bird cherry with sugar for the winter. Sugar is required here, so this preparation is not suitable for diabetics. But for everyone else, bird cherry can serve as a means of preventing and treating colds, intestinal infections and poisoning.

Berries in sugar

Peculiarities. The described method is very similar to canning black currants. But bird cherry prepared in this way, unlike currants, cannot be stored for more than three months.

You will need:

• kilogram of fresh bird cherry berries;
• half a kilogram of granulated sugar;
• dishes and meat grinder with non-metallic coating inside.

Cooking

1. Disassemble the bunches of bird cherry, removing the pedicels, rinse the berries under running water.
2. Pass them through a meat grinder (you should not use a blender, as it will grind the bones along with the berries), putting the resulting “minced meat” into a wide bowl.
3. Pour in the granulated sugar, stir until it is completely dissolved.
4. Arrange bird cherry in jars, close with reusable plastic lids and store in a cellar or refrigerator without sterilization.

Take the obtained remedy from bird cherry in a teaspoon, three times a day, before meals, no more than five days in a row. However, it is believed that from bird cherry with sugar you can get a delicious filling for pies.

Cheremukhovka

Peculiarities. This version of bird cherry on vodka is relatively safe due to the reduced content of hydrocyanic acid, which is partially destroyed by boiling.

You will need:

• 350 g of bird cherry;
• half a liter of vodka;
• 120 g of granulated sugar.

Cooking

1. Disassemble the bunches of bird cherry, removing the pedicels, into berries, rinse them in cold water.
2. Spread the bird cherry in a single layer on a sheet of paper and leave them to dry in a warm stream of air for three days.
3. Then preheat the oven to 80 ° C, put the dried bird cherry berries on a wooden baking sheet. Turn off the gas and put the baking sheet in the oven. A sign of the readiness of bird cherry berries is the appearance of almond flavor.
4. Let them cool and place the bird cherry in a bowl for infusion. Fill with vodka, without adding sugar yet, close with an airtight lid, then place in the sun for three to five days, shaking occasionally.
5. Strain the bird cherry through gauze folded in several layers, pour the tincture into an enamel bowl and add sugar. Stir.
6. Put the bowl with the sweetened tincture of bird cherry on the stove, bring to a boil and immediately remove. Set aside, let cool and repeat boiling the bird cherry twice more.
7. After the last cooling of the tincture, filter it again with cotton wool, place it again in a glass dish, close it with an airtight lid and leave it for another two weeks in a dark, warm place.

Fruit decoction

Peculiarities. You can prepare a decoction of bird cherry not only for adults, but also for children, although its dosages vary. So, adults and teenagers should take it in a tablespoon three times a day, half an hour before meals, and children in a teaspoon. The course lasts no more than a week, then the child needs to take a two-week break, for an adult one is enough.

You will need:

• half a glass of fresh bird cherry berries (separately or in clusters);
• 1.25 liters (five glasses) of boiling water;
• non-metallic ovenware.

Cooking

1. Rinse already sorted berries or bunches of bird cherry under running water, put in a bowl, pour boiling water.
2. Put the product to boil in a water bath for twenty minutes, without covering with a lid.
3. Then set aside and strain the bird cherry decoction still hot through gauze rolled up in two or three layers.

Infusion of bark or leaves

Peculiarities. For children and adolescents, this remedy from bird cherry is categorically not suitable. It is also not recommended for elderly people over the age of seventy.

You will need:

• a tablespoon of dry bark / bird cherry leaves;
• a glass of boiling water;
• thermos with non-metallic inner flask.

Cooking

1. Heat the thermos separately with boiling water.
2. Grind in your fingers (it is advisable to wear gloves) and fold the bark or bird cherry leaves into it.
3. Pour boiling water over raw materials, close the lid and shake several times. Then set to infuse for half an hour and strain through cheesecloth.

It must be remembered that the harm of bird cherry during the heat treatment of the product to which it is added is a relative concept. On the one hand, amygdalin and hydrocyanic acid inside her bones are well protected from heat. On the other hand, in national cuisine and folk medicine, bird cherry is added to a large number of preparations / dishes, and in the vast majority of cases everything ends well. Therefore, the safety of a prepared product or dish based on bird cherry is best checked by the intensity of the almond aroma emanating from it. The stronger it is, the higher the probability of poisoning, and vice versa.

A white cloud of bird cherry flowers, collected in large brushes, looks quite attractive. And the heady bitter aroma during flowering adds to the spring mood. Ordinary, white or red - all these types of bird cherry are very decorative. They can be a wonderful decoration of the site both during flowering and during fruit ripening. But this tree is valued not only for its beauty, but also for its healing properties for the human body. All parts of this plant are used for medicinal purposes.

Composition and useful properties

Grows as a tree or large shrub. The most widespread in our country is bird cherry of 2 types:

• ordinary - with black fruits and astringent astringent taste;
• virgin or red - with dark red berries, sweeter in taste.

Virgin bird cherry

Both of these species are medicinal. Healing fruits and other parts of the plant - flowers, leaves, bark. They are used fresh, they are also dried, harvesting for future use. They make decoctions, infusions and simply brew like tea. But the most popular are the fruits of the plant. They are consumed fresh and dried for the winter. They make jam, compotes, jelly from them, add to tea for taste and aroma.

All parts of the plant are a real storehouse of useful elements. The composition of bird cherry is rich:

• fructose, glucose;
• malic and citric acid;
• essential oils, antioxidants;
• flavonoids, phytoncides;
• tanning and coloring components.

All parts of the plant have beneficial properties for humans.

Due to this valuable composition, bird cherry is widely used for medicinal purposes. It has the following effects on the body:

• anti-inflammatory;
• bactericidal;
• astringent;
• hemostatic;
• diaphoretic;
• sedative;
• restorative.

Attention! The seeds of the fruit contain amygdalin - a toxic substance, during its decay, hydrocyanic acid is formed. Eating berries with a bone or biting them is not recommended, because it is quite dangerous for health.

Health benefits of bird cherry

Bird cherry is used not only in traditional medicine, it is also quite in demand in traditional medicine. Drugs prepared from it strengthen the immune system, increase the body's defenses, help to cope with various infections, and have an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect. Bird cherry fruits and decoctions of them are great for colds, relieve the condition during a sore throat or flu.

The astringent and stool-fixing properties of bird cherry are widely used for diarrhea and other disorders of the digestive system. For these purposes, fresh berries are consumed or a healing decoction is prepared from the fruits, leaves or bark of the plant.

Bird cherry flowers can also be used to make a decoction or infusion, which is used to wash wounds, including purulent ones. Such medicinal drugs have anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effects, help cleanse the wound surface from pus and speed up healing.

Bird cherry blanks can be made independently or purchased ready-made raw materials in a pharmacy

The healing effect of bird cherry is not limited to this. It also has other healing effects:

• cleanses the blood of harmful toxins;
• strengthens the walls of capillaries;
• normalizes the work of the intestines and stomach;
• helps to alleviate the condition with rheumatism, arthritis, gout;
• relieves fatigue and inflammation of the eyes;
• removes salts of heavy metals from the body.

Dried cherry berries

Contraindications to the use of bird cherry

Like any herbal remedy used in treatment, bird cherry has some contraindications for use.

• pregnancy and lactation;
• children's age up to 2 years;
• chronic constipation and the presence of hemorrhoids.

Advice. When using bird cherry fruits, a certain measure must be observed. Too many berries consumed at one time can cause constipation in a healthy person.

Bird cherry is a real pantry of useful substances. It perfectly helps in the fight against various ailments, and in general strengthening of the body. But in order not to harm yourself, it is necessary to observe a certain measure when using it, then the healing power of this plant will bring only good to the body.

The benefits of bird cherry: video

Bird cherry properties: photo