Useful properties and contraindications of bird cherry
Bird cherry belongs to those garden crops that are most often grown in order to independently evaluate its medicinal properties.
Since ancient times, people have used it to treat various diseases. In addition, the tree itself is not very whimsical and even a novice gardener can grow it.
In this article, we will consider the beneficial properties of black bird cherry, contraindications for use, and also talk about its use in traditional medicine.
Composition of black cherry berries
The chemical composition of bird cherry is very diverse and rich. In addition, useful substances are contained not only in the fruits, but also in the leaves and even in the bark of this wonderful tree.
The bird cherry contains the following substances:
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- phytonicides;
- essential oils;
- glycosides;
- malic and citric acid;
- antioxidants;
- endorphins;
- fruit sugar;
- the pulp of the fruit contains a lot of vitamin C, P;
- also the berry contains useful macro and microelementssuch as cobalt, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, magnesium;
- separately it should be noted pectin, which is a lighter analogue of fiber;
- the leaves contain a lot of essential oils, aldehydes and a record amount of vitamin C;
- also, in addition to useful substances, the bird cherry contains alkaloids, which, in case of an overdose, can pose a danger to the body.
Useful and medicinal properties
The beneficial properties of bird cherry are recognized even at the scientific level. Its rich chemical composition and a large amount of vitamins explain all of its healing properties.
- The tannins that make up the berries have a strengthening effect on the intestines. In folk medicine, these fruits are often used to prepare remedies for diarrhea;
- Pectin is considered to be an analogue of fiber, due to which bird cherry is able to improve the functioning of the intestines, the rate and completeness of absorption are normalized, thereby preventing the reproduction of putrefactive bacteria;
- Regular intake of medicines from bird cherry berries can strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- Also, such fruits prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream and contribute to the elimination of harmful toxins;
- The rich composition of bird cherry fruits can have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system and strengthen the protective functions of the body;
- Correctly cooked decoctions and tinctures from bark and leaves are an excellent diuretic and are used as adjuvants in the treatment of the kidneys;
- Bird cherry can relieve external and internal inflammation. Various parts of the tree are used when skin lesions appear, in addition to the anti-inflammatory effect, they contribute to the speedy regeneration of the damaged area;
- Bird cherry promotes the secretion of sweat, and, accordingly, excess water begins to leave the body faster;
- Another wonderful property will be the ability to remove salts of heavy metals from the body;
- Also bird cherry can relieve toothache;
- A decoction from the bark of this tree has antipyretic properties and is very effective in combating high temperatures;
- Men should know that regular use of bird cherry berries helps to remove harmful deposits from the genitourinary system and improves blood circulation in the genitals, what can lead to increased potency;
- Bird cherry is used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. Broths help get rid of various wounds and inflammations, and an excellent rejuvenating effect is also noted after using a mask from this component;
- Regular intake of bird cherry juice strengthens the nervous system, making a person more stress-resistant.
Contraindications to the use of bird cherry
In addition to a huge number of useful properties, there are some contraindications, in the presence of which it is worth refusing to use bird cherry.
- It is not recommended to use bird cherry if you are allergic to the components that make up it;
- Due to the fixing effect, bird cherry is contraindicated for people prone to constipation;
- It is forbidden to eat bird cherry during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, because poisonous substances can be dangerous for the baby;
- Also, such berries should not be consumed by young children under the age of 3 years;
- The high enough amount of fruit sugar makes bird cherry a forbidden berry for people with type 2 diabetes.
Calorie table
For 100 grams of bird cherry there are:
| Calorie content | 101 |
| Protein | 8,4 |
| Carbohydrates | 16,8 |
Due to such a low calorie content, bird cherry is included in the list of foods allowed for consumption during weight loss.
Application in traditional medicine
Due to its many beneficial properties, bird cherry can often be found in traditional medicine recipes. Various parts of this plant can help with diseases such as:
- angina;
- bronchitis;
- laryngitis;
- caries;
- stomatitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- radiculitis;
- arthritis;
- gout;
- arthrosis;
- rheumatism;
- ARVI and ARI;
- nephritis and other kidney diseases;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system, for example, hypertension;
- various intestinal infections, including in the presence of diarrhea;
- bird cherry is used as a general tonic, which can slow down aging, prevent the appearance of cancerous tumors and strengthen the immune system;
- also bird cherry is used for impotence.
Decoction
Bird cherry decoction is used as an adjuvant in many diseases. As raw materials, you can use both berries and bark with leaves, the main thing is to fully comply with the cooking recipe.
| Coughs, colds, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections | 10 grams of fresh leaves are poured with 200 grams of boiling water and cooked over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Take this broth should be ½ cup 3 times a day.
Instead of leaves, you can also use bird cherry bark (the ingredients are taken in the same proportions), in which case the cooking time should be increased to 30 minutes. After readiness, the broth is decanted back into a glass and water is added to the original volume. |
| Ulcer and gastritis | 10 grams of bird cherry bark must be dried and crushed, the resulting dust is poured with a glass of water and boiled for 5 minutes, then insisted for 50-60 minutes. The resulting broth is drunk 1 tablespoon 2 times a day. |
| Headache | 3 times a day before meals, you can take a decoction of bird cherry bark. |
| Diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system;
Rheumatism |
For 3 times, take 1 glass of broth from the bark of bird cherry. |
| Indigestion and diarrhea | 10 grams of dried bird cherry fruits are poured with a glass of water and simmered for 10-15 minutes. Take 1 glass a day for 2 times. |
| Conjunctivitis | One tablespoon of dried bird cherry flowers is infused in a glass of boiling water for 20 minutes, then used as a compress. |
| The following remedy has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect. | 5 grams of bark is boiled for 15 minutes using a glass of water, take 1 teaspoon three times a day. |
| Improving immunity | You can take a decoction of the leaves of bird cherry in half a glass 4 times a day. |
| Boils, dermatitis and skin ulcers | 20 grams of leaves and young branches of bird cherry are simmered for 30 minutes in a glass of water. Used as compresses or lotions. |
| Angina and acute respiratory infections | 1 teaspoon of bird cherry berries is poured with 2 cups of boiling water and insisted for 8 hours. Infusion gargle 2-3 times a day. |
Tincture: fresh and dried fruit
Moderate consumption of bird cherry tincture can help cope with stress, tone the body and strengthen the immune system.
Fresh berries:
- 400 grams of berries must be washed and all seeds removed;
- Then they are covered with 100 grams of sugar and mixed thoroughly until the berries give juice;
- The mixture is poured with half a liter of vodka, hermetically closed and removed to a warm and dark place for 20 days;
- After this time, the tincture is filtered and put into the refrigerator for storage.
From dried berries:
- 10 tablespoons of berries are mixed with 8 tablespoons of sugar, then poured with a liter of moonshine and shaken;
- The finished mixture is removed to a dark place at room temperature for 2 weeks;
- After readiness, the infusion is filtered and bottled.
Application in cosmetology
In addition to traditional medicine, bird cherry is actively used in cosmetology, to combat various skin diseases.
| Acne | To get rid of acne will help the juice of bird cherry berries, which need to wipe problem areas of the skin. |
| Dermatitis | In order to get rid of the disease, you can drink 60-70 milliliters of a decoction of bird cherry bark half an hour before meals. |
| Sunburn | A tablespoon of dried bird cherry flowers is poured with 100 milliliters of vodka and infused for 4 days, after which the skin is wiped with infusion. |
| Dry skin and the appearance of wrinkles | 1 tablespoon of flowers is soaked in a glass of boiling water for half an hour, then rub the face with infusion. |
The bark, leaves and fruits of bird cherry contain a lot of useful substances and because of this, the number of pluses clearly exceeds the number of minuses. But many experts consider this plant poisonous, therefore, you need to be very careful and fully observe the dosage when preparing various products from bird cherry.
