Lingonberry is an evergreen shrub up to 25 cm high. The plant is common in the European part of the Russian Federation, in its mixed, pine, deciduous and dark coniferous forests, as well as in forest zones of Siberia, mountainous regions and the tundra. Lingonberry leaf looks shiny and leathery, dark green above, light green below. It has an obovate or elliptical shape, dark brown stripes are visible on the leaves below. Lingonberry leaf is hollow or dull, slightly serrated at the edges or whole-marginal, on short petioles.
Along the veins and at the base, the leaf of the plant is pubescent, its edges are slightly turned down. On average, the length of lingonberry leaf is 1-3 cm, in width it is not more than 1.5 cm.
Lingonberry flowering occurs in May-June, new leaves grow immediately after flowering. The leaves are harvested manually before the flowering of lingonberries, less often - in the fall after collecting lingonberries. In summer, the leaves are not collected, because they then blacken when dried. Raw materials are dried under awnings in the fresh air, as well as in attics with good ventilation. For this, the collected raw materials are laid out in a thin layer and often mixed. Store lingonberry leaf in bags, in ventilated rooms for no longer than 3 years.
The chemical composition of lingonberry leaf
Lingonberry leaf contains glycosides - arbutin and hyperoside. With them, in many ways, a healing effect is associated. In the body, arbutin is broken down into sugars and hydroquinone (a powerful antiseptic). In addition, quinic, ellagic, ursolic, tartaric acids, flavonoids, tannins, a lot of tannins and ascorbic acid and other substances were found in the leaves.
Indications for use of lingonberry leaf and its properties
Lingonberry leaf medicinal collection, the instruction of which says that it is a phytopreparation of plant origin with pronounced disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic and choleretic actions, is available in packs of 50 or 100 grams in the form of dried raw materials or in filter bags.
Lingonberry leaf also has a capillary-strengthening property, i.e. helps reduce capillary fragility. In addition, it is active against Staphylococcus aureus, significantly increases the effectiveness of antibiotics, regulates nitrogen metabolism, stimulates phagocytosis and other protective forces of our body.
Cowberry leaf is used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the urinary system, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, prostatitis, nephropathy of pregnant women.
The antiseptic properties of the leaf help with lesions of the oral cavity. For stomatitis, tonsillitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease and ulcers of the oral mucosa, a decoction is used.
Since lingonberry leaf preparations are able to lower blood sugar, they serve as an additional treatment for diabetes.
In addition to all this, the effectiveness of lingonberry leaves in edematous syndrome, liver ailments, flatulence, constipation, gastritis and gastroenteritis has been proven.
The anti-inflammatory properties of this medicinal plant help reduce pain in osteochondrosis, arthritis, spondylosis, rheumatism and gout.
The constant use of weak tea based on lingonberry leaves perfectly tones and helps to relieve tiredness.
As an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, lingonberry leaf is used for bronchitis and pneumonia.
Lingonberry leaf: methods of application
Decoctions and infusions of lingonberry leaves are prepared in a proportion of 1:10. As a diuretic, take 1 tbsp. l per day for 3 p. Such infusions and decoctions are used for nephropathy and to relieve swelling in pregnant women, as well as diabetes in expectant mothers.
With tonsillitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, tonsillitis, stomatitis and oral ulcers, decoction rinse your mouth three times a day after meals.
For urinary and gallstone diseases, enuresis, gastritis with low acidity, prolonged rheumatism of the joints, it is useful to drink the following broth: pour 20 g of leaves with three glasses of water, bring to a boil, 10 minutes. boil and filter. The entire amount is drunk in 3 divided doses throughout the day.
Exactly the same decoction is consumed, but already at 200 g, before meals three times a day for cystitis, hypertension, liver or kidney ailments, colitis, coughs and colds.
Tea from lingonberry leaves is prepared as follows: insist 1 tsp. crushed raw materials in a glass of boiling water for half an hour. Drink three times a day, 50-100 g before meals. This drink is indicated for anacid gastritis.
Lingonberry leaf: contraindications
You can not take this drug only with hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to the plant. Allergic reactions can be side effects. During pregnancy and lactation, you can take cranberry leaf.