The splendor of cherry orchards was sung in poems and poems. Today, the amazing taste of ripe berries can not only be enjoyed, but also treated for various diseases. Due to the wealth of useful properties of cherries for the body, it is widely used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology.
Fruit value
By the content of nutrients and microelements, cherry is several times superior to other types of berries. Therefore, ripe fruits are frozen, dried, boiled or consumed fresh.
What are the known beneficial properties of cherries for humans? The high content of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins, folic acid and other minerals in the cherry favorably affects the body, namely:
- normalizes metabolic processes;
- lowers the risk of cancer cells;
- helps strengthen capillaries and dilutes blood;
- prevents the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- activates the liver and kidneys;
- cleanses the body, restoring the intestines;
- increases the level of iron in the blood.
In addition, cherries contain an amazing substance, anthocyanin, which prevents cell aging. And this is only a small part of the diseases that can be defeated or prevented.
In the treatment of diseases, not only pulp can be used. So, cherry bones are used in the manufacture of compresses, tinctures and ointments were made from bark to rub joints or bruised areas, and delicious tea is obtained from dried leaves.
Note to women
Contraindications and beneficial properties of cherries for women have been studied for many years, and we can say with confidence that the rich and valuable composition of the berry is effective in many problems of the fair sex. Namely:
- helps to reduce discharge during menstruation;
- improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
- restores strength and gives energy during menopause;
- effective as a hemostatic drug.
And what woman does not want to be slim and attractive? The pulp of the berry is successfully used in diets. Low calorie content, a huge content of essential oils and nutrients quickly saturate the body, activate the elimination of toxins, excess fluid and fat. A glass of berries, eaten 1 time per day, is recommended by nutritionists to women with curvaceous forms.
Preserving female beauty
We can not but mention the benefits of berries in cosmetology. Cherry is great for young and mature skin of the beautiful half of humanity. Masks based on pulp and fruit juice nourish, tone and fight pigmentation. As a result, small wrinkles are eliminated, the skin tightens and takes on a healthy look.
With a greasy hair and scalp, a cherry mask will also cope. The pulp restores the structure of the hair, strengthens the roots and gives the hair a delightful shine.
Women with problem skin will find a cherry outlet. To do this, you need to prepare a decoction of leaves, strain it and pour into ice molds. Every morning and evening, you should wipe the face and neck with a frozen broth. So the skin instantly heals, and the beauty will remain for many years.
Important Cautions
Despite the fact that the beneficial properties of cherries are quite diverse, contraindications are also available. Eating fruits in some cases can adversely affect health. With caution, berry is needed for people suffering from the following diseases:
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- gastritis with increased acidity or in the stage of exacerbation;
- chronic diseases of the respiratory system;
- violation of the processes in the digestive tract.
The consumption of cherries often and in large volumes can lead to the destruction of tooth enamel. Therefore, be sure to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after cherry pleasure.
It is important not to forget that before eating a ripe and juicy berry, it should be washed well. A fruit torn from a tree cannot be perfectly clean. Road dust and other contaminants can adversely affect the intestines or the overall health of the body.
The benefits of cherry juice
Fresh juice from the pulp of cherry contains even more beneficial substances. The healing properties are effective for arthritis, chronic cough or colds. Organic acids and trace elements can overcome suppuration in the intestines and cope with other digestive problems.
However, healthy juice should be consumed with caution. So that it does not bring adverse reactions, it is recommended to dilute it with boiled water before use. A delicious drink will not only saturate the body with the missing vitamins and boost the immune system, but with a systematic intake it will help get rid of extra pounds.
Frozen treat
Despite the fact that the most valuable product is fresh, it is recommended to prepare cherries for the winter.
Frozen cherries have no less beneficial properties than fresh ones. In the season of colds and flu, this is a real storehouse of vitamins. After freezing, the fruits remain saturated with magnesium, zinc, chromium, potassium, calcium and acids.
In winter, it's time to enjoy the pulp and pregnant women. The abundance of useful substances that increase the level of hemoglobin and thin the blood is simply necessary for the expectant mother for an easy pregnancy. In addition, the natural product contains folic acid, which has a huge impact on the development of the child.
Dried berry
Cherry is most often consumed fresh or frozen. However, the berry can also be dried, while maintaining useful properties. Dried cherries have the only negative - it is a reduction of more than 2 times in volume, which means a decrease in its value.
Nevertheless, the product can “boast” an invaluable set of elements: B, C, E vitamins, potassium, sodium, iron, organic acids and other substances.
Dried cherries take on a purple hue, and you can enjoy it at any time by having a light snack. In addition, this product can be used in the season when there is a lack of fresh vitamins. Berries are successfully added to baked goods, desserts or compotes. Fruit raw materials can be stored for a very long time in a dry, ventilated room, in cloth bags.
Dried cherry berries useful properties for the body have the following:
- increases hemoglobin due to the high content of iron and copper;
- quickly restores strength and gives energy due to fructose and glucose included in the composition;
- pectin substances perfectly affect digestion, producing a mild laxative effect;
- Amygdalin contained in the pulp is useful for the work of the heart and nervous system;
- the abundance of antioxidants favorably affects the body as a whole.
There is an interesting fact about the fact that dried cherries help quit smoking. It reduces nicotine addiction by acting as a smoking blocker and helping to focus attention.
Storage Product Selection
To store cherries, it is important to choose one of the best berries. A high-quality product, under the right conditions, can retain beneficial substances for a long time.
The main conditions for selection:
- the presence of a petiole is an important parameter for choosing a cherry;
- elasticity - the berry should not be soft;
- maturity - in comparison with other fruits, cherry is not able to get ripeness after harvest;
- no damage - the shell should be smooth and in integrity.
At home, they are usually stocked with berries in frozen and dried form. You can do conservation of cherries. Stewed fruit and preserves are often stored for more than a year, but lose their taste and beneficial properties.
Picking leaves
The beneficial properties of the fruits, combined with excellent taste, gave the cherry great value. However, healing power can be obtained not only from the fruit, but also from the foliage. Greens, especially after flowering, can be used for various purposes.
So, from dried or fresh leaves of a cherry tree, healthy tea is brewed. The drink can be diluted with other greens of fruit trees, adding apple leaves or currants. It goes well with such components of mint or lemon balm. Drinks can be drunk and chilled. Quenching thirst, they fill the body with vitamins and minerals.
Daily use of miraculous tea has a positive effect on the body:
- lowers blood pressure;
- reduces bleeding of various degrees;
- possesses anti-inflammatory effect.
If desired, you can add floral ingredients. Such tea will be filled with an amazing aroma.
Balm for the soul
Cherry tincture is the best soft drink that can be prepared from fruits. Moderate consumption will help maintain health and cure various diseases. In addition, homemade tincture is good on the festive table.
It will take 1 bottle of vodka, 0.5 kg of sugar and ripe cherries. It is necessary to take a jar of 3 l, pour the indicated amount of sugar and fill the berries to the brim. Pour the ingredients with vodka and leave in a dark place. After 30 days, the cherry drink is ready.
Folk recipes
A decoction of dried leaves will help remove sand and dissolve small stones in the kidneys. To do this, take 2 tbsp. ground raw materials for 1 tbsp. water, bring to a boil and boil for a few more minutes. The container is closed with a lid, and the broth cools naturally for 2-3 hours. The finished medicine is filtered and drunk 2 glasses a day, divided into several doses. Therapy is continued for a month.
You can protect yourself from anemia and atherosclerosis with a decoction of young leaves and tree branches. It is important not to miss the appearance of young shoots with greens in April-May and cut the right amount of raw materials in time. Often, a decoction is prepared from young twigs, but for the winter you can stock up on healthy sprouts. The prescription for the medication is quite simple. Instead of brewing black tea, a small part of the cherry raw material is thrown into a glass and poured with boiling water. It is allowed to infuse for half an hour and honey is added to the finished tea to taste.
The following recipe is recommended for people with liver disease. Take 1 tbsp. chopped cherry leaves, pour a glass of hot milk. Leave to insist for half an hour. Strain the milk mixture and drink on an empty stomach. Therapy is usually carried out in a course.
To treat open wounds and quickly tighten them, an anti-inflammatory broth is prepared. 1 tbsp. dry cherry leaves are steamed in 1 liter of water. To make the broth more concentrated, it can be boiled for 5-10 minutes. Insist the medicine for 2 hours, after which it is filtered. Gauze is moistened in an herbal solution and applied to the wound.
It is known that with a cold, a plentiful drink is necessary. It is recommended to alternate compotes or fruit drinks with tea from leaves and dried berries of cherry. To do this, take 5-6 pieces of each ingredient and brew them in a cup. After 20 minutes, the drink is filtered and heated if the tea has cooled. Add sugar or honey if desired.
Regular consumption of cherry goodies will help maintain health and maintain immunity. A natural source of vitamins promotes physical and mental development at any age. Therefore, cherries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we examined, can be used from early childhood.