Dried fruits and berries, what could be more beneficial? They contain many vitamins and other beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the body. So many people think and eat a lot of dried fruits and dried berries. But sometimes this can lead to serious consequences. Not all foods can be consumed in large quantities, especially for people with chronic diseases. Dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we will consider in this article, are also useful in moderation.
What is this plant
Dogwood belongs to the family of the same name, which has about 50 species. In nature, it occurs in the form of a bush with several trunks. It grows in the wild mainly in the Crimea, Transcarpathia, the Caucasus and Moldova. Cultivated plants that are grown in personal plots, form at their discretion in the form of a bush or tree.
Dogwood flowering begins in late March - early April. This occurs during a period when the air temperature warms up to 5-11 degrees. Dogwood has small yellow flowers that are collected in inflorescence. Then, elongated and small-sized fruits are formed on the bushes. They have shades from light red to almost black. Juicy sweet and sour flesh covers the elongated inedible bone. Fruits are used for making jams, preserves, compotes, jellies, fruit drinks, syrups. They are consumed in raw, processed and dried form.
Dried dogwood
Scientists have proven that 100 grams of dogwood contain about 85 grams of water, a lot of monosaccharides and disaccharides (about 9 grams), 0.9 grams of protein, 1.6 grams of fiber. In addition, the berries are rich in citric, succinic, tartaric, gallic acid, vitamin C, micro and macro elements. Dried dogwood, whose beneficial properties and contraindications everyone needs to know, retains all positive qualities in the maximum amount.
This is because the berries do not undergo heat treatment. Their sour taste becomes more sweet and soft. That's why they recommend harvesting dogwood. The beneficial properties of dried and fresh berries are almost identical. Therefore, stock up on vitamins for the future. Dried dogwood can be recommended even to children, as an alternative to candy and candy. There will be much more benefit from it.
The benefits of dried dogwood
The presence of a large number of vitamins makes this berry indispensable in cold weather, when the body lacks nutrients and the cold season begins. Dried cornel, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we will analyze in this article, has an immunostimulating, general strengthening and tonic effect. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is especially true in the cold season. According to these characteristics, he even surpassed mountain ash and lemon. The use of dogwood berries helps to improve digestion, improve appetite, eliminate metabolic disorders and heartburn. Volatile, which are present in the composition of the berries, have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
That is why the use of dogwood in any form helps to fight developing infections. Pectins help remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. They play the role of antioxidants. Berries regulate fat metabolism and are effective in controlling overweight. Dried cornel, useful properties and indications of which are very diverse, are used for anemia and some diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Dried dogwood for diabetes
Especially it should be noted the benefits that the use of dogwood brings with diabetes. He has the ability to normalize blood sugar. Berries may well compensate for the lack of sweets, in the use of which diabetics are forced to limit themselves. They will also replace artificial sweeteners, which are not always beneficial for the body.
Many doctors recommend partially compensating for the lack of sweets with dogwood, and not switching completely to artificial additives. It should be noted that any dogwood is useful to people suffering from this disease. The beneficial properties of fresh and dried fruits are very similar. They contain fructose, glucose, acids, tannins and dyes, flavonoids and essential oils, which reduce the amount of glucose in the blood and enhance the function of the pancreas. This is why this berry is on the list of drugs for diabetics.
Contraindications
Is it possible to harm the body by eating dogwood? Useful properties and contraindications must be known using products of natural origin. Unfortunately, dogwood also has several features that make it impossible for some categories of people to use it. For example, a large number of berries can cause an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer. Due to its high acid content, it is not recommended for people with high acidity of gastric juice. The fixing effect possessed by dogwood will have negative effects on people who suffer from constipation.
Berries have a tonic effect. Therefore, those who have increased excitability should not use them in large quantities. Otherwise, there is a risk of emotional overexcitation and insomnia. These are the only negative sides of the fruit. Dried dogwood (the beneficial properties of healing berries have been known for a very long time) are very useful in the absence of contraindications.
Dosage forms of dogwood
As raw materials for the preparation of the medicine, the fruits, leaves, bark and roots of the plant are used. Raw materials are harvested from spring to autumn. Roots are best harvested in spring or autumn, bark in the spring, and leaves in the summer months. Berries are harvested as they ripen. This is August or September. It is better if the fruits fully ripen on the branches, then they will accumulate a maximum of nutrients.
For the preparation of berries requires a special dryer. Raw materials must be thoroughly dried. Store dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which must be carefully studied before use, can be for three years. But given the properties of this product, it will not lie for a long time. These delicious berries are very popular with children and adults.
How to dry dogwood
For the preparation of tinctures and decoctions in the cold season, dried dogwood is required. Its beneficial properties and contraindications should be studied before use. For drying use only the best berries, without damage. If there is no special dryer, then dogwood can be prepared in another way. We cover the baking sheets with paper and sprinkle the fruits on them. We put the dogwood on a shelf with good air circulation. It must be turned over every six hours to ensure uniform drying. After full readiness (in two weeks), the dried berries are transferred to paper bags and linen bags. If a dryer is used, then the mode chosen is the same as for apples.
Dogwood calorie content
Those who monitor their weight and adhere to strict diets, of course, are concerned about the calorie content of this product. It should be noted that these indicators in dogwood are more than favorable. Overweight people can consume fruits without fear of gaining additional kilograms. Calories in this product are the minimum amount. For 100 grams of fresh berries, there is only 44 kcal, 1 gram of protein, 10.5 grams of carbohydrates and a complete lack of fat.
In dried dogwood, these figures are slightly higher. So, 100 grams of this product contains 209 kcal, 46.26 grams of carbohydrates and 4.6 grams of protein. Dried dogwood does not contain fats. Judging by these data, you can eat a large number of fruits without fear for their weight. But you should always remember about contraindications, so as not to harm the body.
Some recipes
How to eat dogwood? Useful properties and contraindications, the benefits and harms of this product, discussed in this article, must be taken into account when choosing this treat. But since the berries are healing, use them to prepare various dishes. This is, above all, a useful infusion. To prepare it, you need to take 10 grams of dried berries and pour them with a glass of boiling water. Then leave them to insist for 30 minutes. After that, we filter the broth and use it as necessary. This drink is especially useful for diabetes, since this method of preparation preserves the maximum amount of nutrients. Take it instead of tea at 250 milliliters in between meals. To prepare a decoction, pour a tablespoon of berries with 200 milliliters of water and boil. After that, let the broth infuse for 2 hours, and use it three times a day before meals, 50-100 milliliters. It should be noted that the longer the heat treatment lasts, the less the beneficial properties of the prepared drink. Tincture of fruits and leaves of dogwood helps well with indigestion. To do this, take two tablespoons of berries and leaves of the plant and boil for 10 minutes in 250 milliliters of water. Then the broth is infused for 9 hours and taken 100 milliliters 3 times a day. Contraindications that dried dogwood berries have are very minor. If you take into account all the features of this product, then you can safely saturate your body with useful vitamins all year round.