Not only giants such as spruce, fir and pine trees can boast evergreen "ranks", but also such a modest shrub (only 5-30 cm tall) like lingonberries. And it reaches for the coniferous giants: its leaves (leathery, with curled edges, on top are shiny, dark green, and on the bottom are matte, light green, with a lot of brown spots) for the winter period it does not drop, it goes under the snow with them, where they are very well preserved and successfully continue to live in the spring, after the snow cover has melted. Just at the time when the leaves look "bask in the sun" until the beginning of the flowering period of the plant, they must be harvested. If you miss this moment, then the event should be postponed until the fall, when the fruiting process is completed. If the leaves are collected during the flowering period of the shrub, they will quickly turn black, high-quality raw materials will not work. Leaves are dried under an iron roof, in attics or under a canopy with good ventilation, be sure to protect from direct sunlight. Dry leaves, as they are ready, are selected, removing the blackened along the way. Raw materials are stored in paper or fabric bags.
The composition of lingonberry leaf is the reason for the beneficial properties of the bush
Lingonberry leaves contain about 9% arbutin glycoside. The healing effect of the plant is in many ways connected with it. In the human body, this substance is broken down into sugar and hydroquinone, which is a powerful antiseptic. In addition, the leaves contain quinic, tartaric, acetic, ursolic, citric, ellagic, malic, benzoic acids, 10% tannins, tannins, flavonoids, B vitamins, a lot of vitamin C, minerals (phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium , iron, manganese), volatile, many proteins and other useful substances.
Lingonberry leaf - application and useful properties
Lingonberry leaf, the use of which is very common in medical practice, has antimicrobial, diuretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, astringent, hemostatic, anti-zingotic, wound healing, anthelmintic effect. Lingonberry leaves are also an excellent tonic. Infusions and decoctions from the leaf enhance bile secretion, they are used for prostatitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea, arthritis, edema or salt deposition, gallstone or urolithiasis. A tincture on lingonberries will help with colds, with back pain.
Available glycoside arbutin, volatile and ursolic acid inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Lingonberry leaf preparations also have a demineralizing effect, act as a kind of catalyst, increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics, strengthen capillaries, stimulate phagocytosis, activate the body's defenses, and regulate nitrogen metabolism.
The large amount of plant-based proteins found in leaves is especially important for dieters to make up for the loss of protein in the body.
And now we will describe how to prepare decoctions and infusions, the main active ingredient of which is lingonberry leaf. Their use is possible both internal and external, and in the form of inhalations. Along with adults, lingonberry leaves are often prescribed for a child (especially those suffering from enuresis).
A decoction of lingonberry leaves is prepared as follows: a table is brewed. spoon of leaves 300 ml boiling water, 5-20 minutes boil over low heat, let it brew for half an hour, decant and use inside three times a day for 1/2 tbsp. before meals. The scope of this decoction is wide: articular rheumatism, gout, osteochondrosis, fever, catarrh of the respiratory tract, enteritis, neurasthenia, dysentery, tumors of the stomach.
With gastritis, hypertension, cystitis, colitis, liver and kidney diseases, lingonberry broth is prepared differently: pour 20 g of leaves with 500 ml of boiling water, 10 min. boil and filter. Insist broth for an hour, strain and drink three times a day for 2/3 tbsp. before eating.
Infusions of lingonberry leaves are effectively used for inflammation of the renal pelvis, urolithiasis, gastritis with low acidity, enuresis, cystitis. Pour 2 table. tablespoons of leaves with two glasses of boiling water, heated for a quarter of an hour in a water bath, 45 min. insist, shed and bring the volume to the original. Drink three times a day for a quarter cup before meals.
For hypertension, colitis, kidney, liver, cystitis, cough and colds, it is useful to drink the following broth: 25 g of lingonberry leaves are poured with three glasses of water, 10 min. boil and strain. I drink a decoction in 3 sets before eating 200 ml.
As a diuretic, a decoction of 1:10 is taken three times a day for 1-2 tablespoon.
And such a decoction is prescribed in complex therapy in the form of aerosols and inhalations for chronic pneumonia, bronchiectasis, bronchitis.
The same broth is good for tonsillitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, tonsillitis, stomatitis, and oral ulcers. They rinse their mouth (with chronic diseases three times a day after eating, with acute diseases - every 3 hours).
In case of diabetes in pregnant women, a decoction is prepared to relieve edema in expectant mothers: pour 2 teaspoons of leaves with 200 milliliters of boiling water, 15 minutes. boil, cool and decant. They drink during the day in a pair of sips.
Often, to achieve a greater effect, a leaf of lingonberry is used in combination with other berries and herbs.
In chronic pyelonephritis, the following collection is recommended: lingonberry leaf, flax seed, nettle grass (20 g each); bearberry leaf, birch, horsetail grass, dandelion and licorice root, juniper fruits (10 g each). Take 1 table. spoon from the whole mixture and prepare a decoction in 200 ml of water, drink three times a day for 1/2 tbsp.
In acute diseases, when it is necessary to lower body temperature and mobilize immunity, such a remedy perfectly helps: take 2 tables. tablespoons of dried crushed leaves of lingonberry, coltsfoot, anise and raspberry, linden flowers, mix all herbs, then to prepare a decoction from this mixture take a teaspoon and pour 200 milliliters of boiling water, 30 min. insist on a water bath, decanted and taken in a warm form.
In case of gallstone disease: two tablespoons of St. John's wort are added to a mixture of leaves and berries of lingonberry (2 tablespoons of a mixture), brewed with three glasses of boiling water, 10 min. boil, filter. Accepted three times a day for 1 tbsp., Starting from the second half of the day. Before going to bed - the last trick.
As we see the lingonberry leaf, the use of which is so widespread, is a unique remedy that helps against many diseases. The most important advantage is the absence of contraindications for use (excluding individual intolerance).
So be treated with this folk remedy, and you can say goodbye to boring diseases without the use of expensive chemicals!