The healing properties of cherries for humans have long been known. But useful for his body are not only the fruits of the cherry tree. In folk medicine, leaflets, twigs, stalks and seeds are also widely used. It is the latter when neglected can be dangerous to humans. How to use cherry pits, their harm and benefits for the body, and other issues are discussed in detail in our article. Let us dwell on each of them.
Cherry bones: harm to the body
Despite all the benefits of cherries, it can cause irreparable harm to the body. And first of all it refers to cherry pits. The danger they carry to humans is related to the content of amygdalin in them. It is this glycoside that is present in the bones of many plants that gives them a bitter taste. Under the influence of gastric juice, amygdalin breaks down into glucose and hydrocyanic acid. The latter determines the toxicity of the cherry nucleoli.
The bones of a cherry tree contain about 0.8% amygdalin. If several nucleoli are accidentally swallowed, this amount of substance cannot harm the body. The danger to humans is the intentional use of seeds in large quantities. This is especially true for children. Parents need to be sure that they do not swallow cherry stones.
The harm and benefits of nucleoli for the body can be balanced, given the fact that, in addition to hydrocyanic acid, they contain valuable substances and healing oil. What are their benefits to humans, consider below.
Signs of hydrocyanic acid poisoning
Ingestion of cherry seeds can lead to severe poisoning of an adult. The lethal dose is the use of 50 nucleoli. For a child, the dangerous dosage will be even lower.
What are the signs of hydrocyanic acid poisoning that occur when swallowing a bone of cherry, the harm to the body of which is already known? They are as follows:
- The skin and mucous membranes of the human body are painted in a bright pink color, and the smell of almond bitterness is felt from the mouth.
- There is bitterness in the mouth with a smack of metal.
- Dry mouth, accompanied by abundant salivation.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pulse and breathing become more frequent.
- Pupils expand, speech becomes incoherent.
When the first signs of poisoning appear (before the doctor arrives), you need to take a horizontal position so that the poison does not spread throughout the body, cause vomiting and rinse the stomach with plenty of water.
Cherry pits in compote and tincture
Most people are of the opinion that hydrocyanic acid, which is dangerous for the body, is constantly found in cherry pits, regardless of whether the berry was fresh or cooked in jam or compote. Scientists have conducted research, as a result of which they proved the opposite.
The content of hydrocyanic acid was checked in compote and in tincture, prepared on the basis of fresh berries. In the first case, a hazardous substance could not be detected, since the preparation of compote requires boiling. In tincture, hydrocyanic acid is contained in a significant amount, since the most favorable conditions are created for its production.
Thus, cherry bones, the harm and benefits of which have been proven by doctors, are safe for the body if they are in jam or compote. This is explained by the fact that under the influence of high temperature (over 75 degrees), amygdalin is destroyed and hydrocyanic acid does not form.
What are the benefits of cherry pits
Not only harm, but also great benefits are brought to the body of cherry by the body. What does it consist of?
Firstly, a healing oil, which is widely used in cosmetology, is prepared from cherry seeds. With its regular use, the skin again becomes young, supple and moisturized.
Secondly, special pillows-warmers are sewn on the basis of cherry nucleoli, which are used in the treatment of many diseases of children and adults (colds, osteochondrosis, arthritis).
Thirdly, crushed cherry kernels are used in the treatment of gout. In addition, whole and dried cherry bones also provide immunity protection and strengthening. The benefits of the nucleoli of this plant are widely used in folk medicine. Tincture based on them is used in the treatment of many chronic diseases.
Healthy Cherry Seed Oil
Healing oil is prepared from cherry seeds, which does not contain toxic substances. It contains many vitamins and minerals that positively affect the human skin condition. But this is not all the beneficial properties of the oil, for the manufacture of which cherry bones were used.
The benefits to the body are as follows:
- return to youthful skin;
- protection of the skin from sunlight (prevents the absorption of ultraviolet radiation);
- softening, moisturizing, nourishing skin cells ;
- skin color becomes lighter;
- protects the surface of the lips from drying out;
- improves skin elasticity;
- contains natural antioxidants that resist the formation of cancer cells.
Cherry seed oil is the only one among other species that contains absolutely all the vitamins necessary for proper metabolism in the body. It can be used in its pure form or as part of other cosmetic products for face and body care.
Cherry seed pillow: benefits and harms for adults and children
Cherry kernels can be used as a filler for sewing pillows and toys for children. The resulting products have healing properties for the body.
Cherry stones, the harm and benefits of which are proven by medicine, are widely used in the manufacture of special heating pads for adults and children. To exclude possible rotting inside the seeds, which contributes to the formation of hydrocyanic acid, the kernels are boiled in boiling water with vinegar and made in the oven before making a pillow.
A bone pillow can be used as a cold or warm compress. It relieves fever, pain and cramps or warms with pleasant warmth. It is absolutely hypoallergenic and safe, since the filler does not cause burns.
In children, a pillow warmer is used:
- to relieve pain with colic in newborns;
- for the preparation of a warm compress when coughing;
- as a cold compress relieves pain in edema and abrasions;
- to relieve muscle pain and cramps;
- for quick falling asleep (relieves fatigue, soothes);
- for the development of fine motor skills.
Adults use a pillow:
- for cold and warm compresses in cases where it is necessary to relieve pain and spasm;
- to stabilize the cervical and lumbar spine in a sitting position;
- like an orthopedic pillow for sleeping.
How to use a heating pad
A pillow warmer for a warm compress is prepared in the following ways:
- the bag with the cores is heated in the oven for 5 minutes at a temperature of 150 degrees;
- can be heated in the microwave - 3 minutes at a power of 600 watts;
- put on the battery for 40 minutes.
A warm pillow should be applied to the place where you want to relieve pain or spasm.
To prepare a cold compress, a pillow with stones must be placed in the freezer. In winter, a bag with cherry kernels can be brought to the balcony.
Cherry bones: benefits and harms in the treatment of arthritis
As you can see, this is a universal remedy. When treating arthritis, cherry pits will also help relieve pain in the knee joints. The use of a pillow with a natural filler is as follows: a bag with bones must be put for 30 minutes - 1 hour in the freezer, then attach it to a sore spot.
Cold is an excellent treatment for inflammation and swelling of the joints. It speeds up blood circulation and has a good analgesic effect. The time of exposure to cold on the joint should not exceed 10 minutes.
Cherry pits in the treatment of gout
Gout is a joint disease caused by salt deposition. Absolutely all joints suffer from it: from fingers to toes. Hydrocyanic acid, which can be dangerous in large doses, with gout helps relieve joint pain. How to achieve this?
To treat gout, the bones of the cherry need to be chopped beforehand, then grind well, wrap in gauze and attach to a sore spot. After several procedures, the pain will disappear.
Folk recipes with cherry pits
In inflammatory processes resulting from exacerbation of chronic diseases, a decoction of seeds and pulp of a cherry is used. After regular use of this remedy, the painful symptoms will disappear, and the condition of the body will improve. Cherry bones, the benefits and harms of which depend on proper heat treatment, cannot be dangerous in the composition of such a decoction. It can be stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 1 month after preparation.
To strengthen the immune system, it is enough to do daily foot massage with cherry stones. To do this, they need to be scattered on a towel, previously spread on the floor, and walk on them for 10 minutes. This "path of health" will be useful to both adults and children, often suffering from colds.
Do not sound the alarm if a child or adult has swallowed several seeds of cherry. In order for amygdalin to turn into hydrocyanic acid, some time must pass. Usually it is enough for the bone to independently leave the body without having a harmful effect on it. Hydrocyanic acid begins to be released 4-5 hours after ingestion of the cherry core.