The rich plant world of the planet is almost completely studied by people. In our forests, there are many herbs that are consumed and used for the preparation of medicines. There are also such representatives of the flora, the varieties of which can be both useful and harmful at the same time. These include honeysuckle. The benefits and harms of this plant are obvious, so you should know all its species.
Good and bad
Several hundred species of honeysuckle, which grow mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, are counted. Among them, several varieties are edible. One of the most famous representatives of this species, which can cause great harm to the human body, was the “wolfberry”. It has beautiful fruits containing poison. Of the edible varieties, it is necessary to distinguish the honeysuckle of Kamchatka, Altai, Caucasus and Blue. Most often, this plant is found in the Carpathians, the Far East and Siberia. This is a perennial shrub with a dense branched crown and small leaves. After flowering, blue berries appear. They have a sweet and sour taste and are therefore rich in vitamin C. This is all edible honeysuckle. The benefits and harms of the plant must be studied before use.
Plant composition
Honeysuckle fruits are saturated with vitamins of groups D, C and A. They contain a lot of fructose, minerals, tannins, organic acids, micro and macro elements. Here is such a rich honeysuckle. The benefits and harms of this plant depend on the area of growth. The composition of the berries may vary. Sweet honeysuckle is found in hot places, and more acidic - in the northern regions. Sugar and tannins can make the taste of the fruit slightly bitter. Shrubs growing in places with colder climates have increased acidity and a greater amount of vitamin C. We can say that this plant is a storehouse of nutrients.
Honeysuckle and health
Due to its useful qualities, honeysuckle has established itself as an excellent therapeutic agent. It is used fresh or made from its fruits and roots. The berries of the plant are consumed by those who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Sweet fruits are perfect for this. Honeysuckle is also used for arrhythmias, gout and arthritis. Skin diseases are treated with the juice of this plant. A decoction of shrub leaves is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. A trophic ulcer, which is difficult to treat with traditional medicines, disappears with the use of the juice of the fruits of this plant. Infusions of honeysuckle berries are used for kidney diseases. For several centuries, a decoction of leaves has been used to eliminate colds. Honeysuckle berries (in small quantities) can be consumed by pregnant women. They should be eaten in the morning on an empty stomach or cook compote from them. If a diuretic is needed, then this is also a honeysuckle. The benefits and harms of shrubs are described in this article. It must be remembered that there are poisonous plants. Edible honeysuckle berries should not be given to children under 5 years old and in the event of an allergic reaction, skin itching and rashes on the body.