Plum is part of the pink family. This fruit plant began to be grown in Asia Minor and the Caucasus. A little later, it appeared in many countries, including Russia. The plant has many varieties, each of them has its own size and color of the fruit. They eat plum in its natural form, prepare various jams, juices, compotes from it, add it to the filling for pies. Wine from such fruits and alcohol tinctures are very much appreciated.
Plum leaves are also used to make teas. The usefulness of such drinks has been known since ancient times. They have a calming and restorative effect. The usefulness of plums for the body is known to many. Such fruits are recommended for use in cardiovascular diseases, they also have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract.
Varieties of plums
The plant has many varieties. The taste qualities of plums are also varied. What are the benefits of these fruits? It directly depends on the variety and the place of their growth. Plum includes the following types:
- The thorn is a tree with small dark blue fruits that have a sour taste.
- Home plum - useful properties and contraindications vary greatly depending on the area of growth. This plant is the most popular. It was bred by crossing other varieties. It grows in southern Russia in Central Asia. There are a lot of varieties that differ in different color and size of the fruit. The tree does not tolerate high temperatures, in extreme heat (40 degrees), it begins to deteriorate.
- Canadian plum - the height of such a plant can reach three meters. There are thorns on the branches. The fruits of such a tree are sweet. Size and color are quite diverse. This species is not resistant to cold climates.
- Ussuri plum is the most unpretentious plant species. Fruits are usually small, green with a yellow tint. It does not have particularly vivid taste. However, as a result of crossing, quite persistent varieties with high yields that have a wonderful aroma were managed to be bred.
- American plum - tree height reaches 9 meters. In Russia, it is grown only in the southern regions, as it has a low resistance to the winter climate.
- Cherry plum - a bush, the size of which can reach 15 meters. The fruits are usually small, up to 50 millimeters. Color varies from light yellow to dark, almost black. Most varieties are not resistant to cold.
Beneficial features
Plum has a rich vitamin composition. Useful properties and contraindications of this plant depend on the variety. Soil also plays a significant role. The prevalence in the earth of a certain type of minerals directly affects the composition of the fruit.
What are the benefits of plums for the body:
- These fruits are considered the most useful for people with cardiovascular diseases. Plum helps regulate blood pressure, improves vascular tone. This effect is achieved due to the high content of rutin. It is resistant to high temperatures, so even plum jam is considered very useful . Moreover, the peel is better to keep, in it the content of vitamins is maximum.
- Plum also has a strong laxative effect and is an excellent remedy for people suffering from constipation.
- The fruits contain a large amount of vitamin A, which will be very useful for people with rheumatic lesions and gout.
- It removes cholesterol from the body. The most useful is dried prunes.
- Plums have a diuretic effect, are able to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Still plum fruits are used as a prophylactic in the formation of blood clots.
- The fruit has a sedative effect.
- Tends to heal wounds.
- It can be used for metabolic diseases.
The chemical composition of the drain:
- vitamins A, E, P;
- iodine;
- iron;
- potassium;
- copper;
- zinc;
- acids: folic, nicotinic;
- sucrose, glucose;
- organic acids: citric, malic, oxalic.
To whom plums are contraindicated
Although plums are a very useful food product, but they still have contraindications:
- They can not be consumed by children under 1 year old, as the product causes abdominal pain, upset stools and increased gas formation.
- For the same reason, it is not recommended to eat them to nursing mothers.
- People with peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, as well as with high acidity, this product is also prohibited.
Canning plums
Many housewives can plums for the winter. The usefulness of such fruits has long been known to mankind. After all, such a product retains useful properties even during heat treatment. Jam, compote, juice are prepared from plums. There are many different recipes for preserving these fruits. They are closed entirely with or without bone, mixed with other fruits and berries. The most popular recipes:
- Pitted plum jam with peel. For cooking, you need 1 kg of plums and 1 kg of sugar. Fruits must be washed and seeds taken out. 100 ml of water is added to sugar, and syrup is boiled, which must be filled with plums and left for 3 hours. After this time, the fruits are put on fire and brought to a boil. Leave for another 9 hours. Then the plums are again boiled and cooled. The procedure is carried out two more times. The third time the jam is cooked until cooked and put in jars.
- Plum compote. The sort of drain is not important for this. It is better to preserve the seedless compote, such a drink will be stored longer. Take 1 kilogram of plums, remove the seeds from them. The pulp is cut into slices and sank to the bottom of the can. The more you put the drain, the more saturated the compote will be. Boiling water is poured into the jar to the top and infused for 1 hour. After that, the water is drained and put on fire. Sugar is added at the rate of 1 cup per liter of water. The syrup is brought to a boil and poured back into the jar. The rest of the space is filled with boiled water.
How to use plum leaves
In addition to fruits, plum leaves also have special value. Useful properties of this product:
- The high content of vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system.
- It has a wound healing effect.
- Helps reduce the likelihood of blood clots.
Use such leaves as medicinal teas and various lotions, compresses. Drinks have a general strengthening effect, and compresses are used for local treatment. There are no contraindications for this product.
Eating plums in childhood
Many parents wonder if plums can be given to children. What are the benefits of these fruits? Plum is a very nutritious product, but its use in childhood still needs to be limited. Until 1 year, it is generally not recommended to give it. A side effect in this case is increased gas formation and intestinal colic. At an older age, it is also not recommended to abuse this product, otherwise diarrhea is provided. What is the benefit of plum for children?
- It has a mild sedative effect and provides a good sleep.
- Stimulates bowel function, helps get rid of constipation.
- Provides a growing body with many beneficial substances.
- It has a wound healing effect.
Do not use plums for babies with stool disorder, as well as digestive tract diseases associated with high acidity.