Surely everyone is worried about their diet. Recently, more and more families are moving to a raw food diet or eating exclusively wholesome food. And many prefer not to resort to taking medications, but to be treated according to the prescriptions of our grandmothers. Lingonberry berry has long been used to eliminate many ailments. It is also eaten because of the special pleasant taste.
This article will tell you about when cranberries (berries) are especially recommended. Useful properties and contraindications will be presented to your attention. You will also learn about the ways of preparing this gift of Russian forests.
Lingonberry wild berry: general description
This plant belongs to the heather family. Lingonberry berry grows on small shrubs that are green regardless of the time of year. Such plants can be found in almost every region. This is explained by the fact that birds eat seeds of berries that are not digested in their intestines and come out unchanged. As a result, birds carry seeds around the world.
Lingonberry (berry) is not afraid of frost or hot weather. This is an undoubted advantage of the plant. The berry is small in size. She looks like red small balls. The leaves of the plant are green, shiny, dense.
Where are lingonberry berries used?
The beneficial properties of this plant are undeniable. It is used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. The product was also widely used in cosmetology. Urology, gynecology, traumatology, cardiology - these are just some of the areas in which cranberries (berries) are used.
Useful properties and contraindications are in this product. You need to know about them before applying. Consider the usefulness of this product.
The content of vitamins in lingonberry
In this article, lingonberry is presented to you (photo). The berry contains a large number of vitamins and beneficial elements. This includes vitamins C and E. The product is also rich in vitamins B and A. In addition, lingonberries (berries) contain iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and copper. Additional elements are present in leaves and fruits, but already in smaller quantities.
What effect does the plant have?
What are the beneficial properties of lingonberry? The plant has an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory effect. Also, the benefits of lingonberry berries are that they fight against microbes and pathogenic microflora in the human body.
The tool has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and blood. Also, to some extent, the product can be called an antioxidant, immunomodulator and sorbent. It must be remembered that to get the maximum benefit from the product, you need to properly prepare and use it. Also an important role is played by the method of storing lingonberries and leaves of the bush.
How to store and cook lingonberries?
Below you will find frozen lingonberries (photo). The berry in this case should be processed as follows. Rinse the fruits and select only solid and whole berries. After that, put the lingonberries on a towel and wait a few minutes. When the berries are dry, lay them evenly on a substrate. Place it in the freezer for 2-4 hours. After this, pour the product into the container and prepare the next portion in the same way. If you do not want to freeze the berry, you can dry it. In this case, cranberries should be processed at a temperature of 60 degrees for several hours.
The beneficial properties of lingonberry are preserved only if consumed fresh or after freezing. If you decide to make jam or compote from these fruits, then be prepared for the fact that some of the nutrients will disappear. The most popular dish from this product is fruit drink. To cook it, you need to squeeze out the small berries and strain. Set the juice aside for a while, and boil the resulting puree for 5-10 minutes. Add sugar to taste and cool. After this, pour juice into the resulting mass and enjoy a healthy drink.
You can also make freshly squeezed juice. However, many people claim that it turns out to be very acidic. Lingonberries (berries) can be grated together with sugar and packaged in jars for long-term storage.
Restrictions on use
Despite the fact that lingonberry berries have medicinal properties, and they also have contraindications. They must be familiarized with before starting therapy with this drug. In what cases is it strictly forbidden to use the fruits of the plant?
Doctors say that the berry and its derivatives are contraindicated in a tendency to an allergic reaction. Diabetics should abandon the use of lingonberries, which is prepared with the addition of sugar. If you suffer from increased acidity of the stomach or an ulcer, this product can seriously aggravate the situation. Lingonberry berry has other contraindications . Fruits and their derivatives should not be consumed by persons prone to bleeding. This may include postoperative situations.
With extreme caution, it is worth consuming lingonberries during breastfeeding. Berries can cause an allergic reaction in a child. In this case, it makes sense to replace the fruits with leaves. In cosmetology, the product is not used for sensitive skin, as well as in case of irritation. Do not give lingonberries and its derivatives to children under one year of age.
Pregnancy
What are the medicinal properties and contraindications of lingonberry berries during pregnancy? The product should not be used without the recommendation of a doctor, especially in the last trimester. This can provoke an allergy in the unborn baby. Also, with an increase in blood sugar, you need to abandon fruit drinks and preserves, because they contain a prohibited substance. If you have a threat of abortion, this product is contraindicated.
During the period of bearing a child, lingonberries and everything that is prepared from it helps to prevent early and late toxicosis. In the first third of pregnancy, the berry will protect against colds, which overtake the body very often. In the last part of the term, the product will help to remove excess fluid from the body. This will prevent swelling and kidney disease. The most useful will be cranberry juice. You need to drink it 2 glasses a day. This will be quite enough to achieve a diuretic effect.
Benefits for blood vessels and heart
How useful is lingonberry berry for the cardiovascular system? The product contributes to a slight dilution of blood. This facilitates the flow of fluid through the veins and blood vessels. Berries also prevent blood clots. It is worth noting that about 80 percent of cases of separation of such a particle leads to the death of the patient. The fruits of the plant contribute to lowering blood levels of cholesterol and sugar. The only exception is the berry cooked with the addition of sweets.
Lingonberry strengthens blood vessels and veins. If you suffer from varicose veins, then this berry should always be present in the diet. In addition, the product helps in the fight against hemorrhoids of a different nature.
Benefits for the stomach and intestines
What else has lingonberry (berries) useful properties and contraindications? As you already know, fruits are contraindicated in case of stomach ulcer, gastritis and various inflammations of the digestive tract. However, the berry can prevent the development of these pathologies. Doctors have found that the cause of gastritis is a bacterium. The product has an antibacterial effect. With the periodic use of fruits or a decoction of the leaves of the bush, you can avoid the occurrence of gastritis and ulcers.
In what form is it better to use lingonberries? For the treatment of the stomach and intestines, give preference to tea. To prepare it, dry the leaves and fruits of the plant. After that, grind them with a blender or knife. Pour the resulting powder with hot water and leave for 20 minutes. Take the resulting liquid at 100 milliliters daily on an empty stomach.
Urinary System: Cowberry
Lingonberries (berries) can have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect on the urinary system. This product perfectly fights pyelonephritis, cystitis, bacteriuria and other pathologies. At the same time, complex treatment is often required. Lingonberry leaves and berries have an antimicrobial effect in kidney and bladder infections. The product also has a mild antispasmodic effect. This eliminates the burning sensation and pain during urination.
Often, this remedy is prescribed to expectant mothers. After all, during pregnancy it is forbidden to use almost all antibiotics. Lingonberry berries gently cleanse the excretory system from excess salts, harmful bacteria and pathogenic microflora. After one week of regular consumption of fruit drinks, a woman notices the positive effect of therapy.
For skin lesions
In ancient times, lingonberry decoction was used as a regenerating agent. However, you cannot apply this treatment method yourself. Before such a correction, you should contact a dermatologist and get individual appointments and a scheme. Daily compresses allow you to quickly heal skin lesions and contribute to its renewal.
It is worth mentioning the limitations. You can not do such compresses yourself. All because lingonberry juice contains a lot of acids. Such a composition can harm already damaged skin.
Lingonberry for immunity
Lingonberry berries increase the body's protective strength. Surely this is known to every person. Unfortunately, in recent years it has been easier for people to take medicine than to use alternative methods. However, lingonberries can put a cold person on its feet in the shortest possible time. Berries contain a large amount of vitamin C. It has an immunomodulatory effect on the body. Also removes toxins. Do not forget about the antipyretic effect of the product. Cowberry juice dilutes blood. Due to this, inhibition of fever occurs.
During the consumption of berries, inhibition of pathogenic microflora in the throat occurs. This plays an important role in the treatment of the disease. Lingonberry berries can help with both viral and bacterial infections. In addition, lingonberry-based preparations are widely used for prevention.
How is the tool used in gynecology?
In addition to all these areas, lingonberry berries are also used in obstetrics. The product helps fight inflammation of various etiologies, thrush, vaginal microflora disturbance, and so on. Often, the drug is prescribed as part of complex therapy. How is the composition used?
During the correction of gynecological pathologies, it is customary to drink a decoction of leaves or lingonberry juice. It is worth noting that with violations of the vaginal microflora that did not cause inflammation, lingonberry broth is used for douching. Remember that this method of use is contraindicated in colpitis, vaginitis and other diseases. Before use, you should definitely consult with your local gynecologist.
The benefits of lingonberries in cosmetology
Lingonberry berries bring tremendous benefits to the skin and hair. At the same time, it is worth remembering that when you first use it is worth testing. Sometimes a product causes an allergic reaction. This fact may come as a surprise to some women.
A mask can be made from the pulp of berries. She will transform your appearance and improve complexion. Vitamin E helps rejuvenate the skin and restore its elasticity. Decoctions of leaves are often used for hair. They are an excellent antioxidant, and perfectly cleans curls from external impurities. The product contributes to the shine and health of the hair. For poor hair growth and excessive hair loss, do the following mask. Crush some lingonberries and add two teaspoons of burdock oil to the pulp. Rub the substance into the roots and use a comb to spread it over your hair. Hold the composition for one hour, then rinse with water using shampoo.
Where to get lingonberries?
Currently, it is not difficult to find the described product. Leaves and fruits you can collect directly from the bush. Fortunately, the plant can be found in many regions. You can also purchase an already assembled product in supermarkets or in markets.
If you do not want to bother with the processing of fresh raw materials, go to the nearest pharmacy network. There you can buy dried fruits and leaves of lingonberry. Some of them already have individual packaging for brewing. From this product, you can make a decoction and tea. This form of release is provided for the convenience of consumers. Store this product only in a dry place at room temperature.
Summarizing the article or a brief conclusion
You now know what lingonberry (berries) has useful properties and contraindications. You also learned how to get the most out of your product. If you still have questions about this small berry, consult a nutritionist. A professional will tell you about the main beneficial properties of various berries and fruits. Also gives individual tips and advice. Eat correctly and prevent many diseases with folk remedies. I wish you good health and well-being!