- How to prepare a cowberry leaf?
- The healing properties of the cranberry leaf
- Contraindications
- How to prepare a decoction of cranberry leaf?
- Decoction of cowberry leaves for the future mother
Cowberry is an evergreen plant, a small berry bushes of the Vereskov family. For medicinal purposes, ripe bright red berries are used, as well as fresh or dried leaves rich in organic acids, flavonoids, macro- and microelements, vitamins, sugars and fatty oils. The most popular preparations from this plant are juice of berries, syrups, tinctures, broth of a cowberry leaf.
Cowberry leaf treatment is specialized - usually inflammations of the urinary system, digestive tract diseases, colds caused by a decrease in the body's immune defenses. In addition, the decoction of cranberry leaves can stimulate the appetite and normalize the metabolism and circulation, and also act calmingly on the nervous system.
How to prepare a cowberry leaf?
It is noticed that cranberry leaves are very sensitive to improper storage, so they need to be collected at a strictly certain time - in early spring, before the flowering period of the plant( April-early May).It was during this period in the small green leaves concentrated the maximum amount of bioactive substances and valuable elements. In addition, you can collect leaves and late autumn, when the bushes are already under the snow. Leaves contain a minimum of moisture, so they can be dried thoroughly.
. Tip: Since the root system of this shrub is weak enough not to damage it,recommend scissors to cut off young shoots, and before determining them for drying, the leaves should be carefully separated from the twigs, removing the spoiled ones.
Dry the cranberry leaf in warm, dark ventilated areas, without access to sunlight. You can use a conventional oven or a special dryer and dry the leaves at a temperature of 50 ° C.Qualitatively prepared medicinal raw materials should not darken, keep green. It is best to keep a cowberry leaf in wooden boxes, covered with paper. Prepare such medicinal raw materials for future use up to 2-3 years.
The healing properties of the leaves of this cowberry
The valuable substances contained in the leaves of this perennial( for example, vitamins A, C, tannins, copper) allow the use of drugs based on it in the therapeutic treatment of many diseases, even those traditionally considered chronic:
- gout;
- articular rheumatism;
- cystitis, pyelonephritis, stones and sand in the kidneys;
- anatzid gastritis caused by reduced acidity of gastric juices;
- inflammation of the pancreas, diabetes mellitus;
- cholelithiasis;
- diarrhea;
- hypertension;
- uterine bleeding;
- leukemia;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- flu and cold.
| Vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9 | Normalization of metabolism, participation in the synthesis of amino acids, enzymes, hemoglobin;neutralization of edema of various origin. |
| Vitamin C | Antipyretic properties for colds, vasoconstrictive action, strengthening of the body's defense mechanisms, lowering of blood glucose level. |
| Vitamin A | Participation in water-fat metabolism, rejuvenating effect. |
| Potassium | Normalization of digestion, strengthening of bones and joints. |
| Organic acids( malic, acetic, citric, tartaric, ellagic) | Normalization of metabolism, a strong diuretic effect. |
| Tanning agents | Anti-cancer properties. |
| Phytoncides | Anti-inflammatory action, antimicrobial properties, increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics. |
| Flavonoids | Reducing blood glucose, stimulating phagocytosis. |
| Manganese | Neutralization of congestive processes in the gallbladder. |
| Calcium | Activation of a metabolism, strengthening of a bone tissue, capillary-strengthening action. |
| Phosphorus | Normalization of acid-base balance in the body, participation in the synthesis of enzymes. |
| Sodium | Strengthening the immune system. |
| Iron | Astringent, hemostatic, regenerative action. |
Contraindications
Like any medicine, decoction of cranberry leaves, has contraindications to use, and they should be taken into account, especially if the patient's health is destroyed due to several diseases:
- ulcerative disorders of stomach and duodenum tissues;
- increased acidity of gastric juices;
- hypotension;
- pathological changes in the kidney;
- children under 12 years;
- intolerance to cranberry preparations.
How to prepare a decoction of cowberry leaf?
Decoctions and infusions of cranberry leaf can be consumed orally depending on the indications, or applied as inhalations for diseases of the nasopharynx and throat.
Here is the most common recipe that can be used to prepare a fortified beverage from a cowberry leaf:
It will be required: 3 tsp.dry raw materials, 500 ml of boiling water.
Preparation: Warm the boiled water with a mixture in a water bath for about 15 minutes, leave to infuse for another 45 minutes, strain with a strainer, add water to the original level.
How to use: as a fortified drink for 50-70 ml to four times a day before meals, but not more than a week in a row. You can add honey, mint, melissa, jasmine flowers, lemon, or brewing a cowberry leaf in equal parts with green tea.
Tip: You can also make a "blend" of 2-3 fragrant herbs, cranberry leaves and various kinds of tea to prepare a vitamin drink. Components should be taken in equal proportions.
To strengthen the immunity and chase the cold, the herb of St. John's wort, thyme, oregano, hips, anise and raspberry, linden flowers, mother-and-stepmother will help. Preparation of such a decoction from a complex herbal collection is best done with a water bath, and use a healing drink in a warm form, after insisting, after having filtered it.
. As a rule, when preparing the broth the following ratio of dry or fresh raw material of cranberry leaves and water( usually boiling): 1 tbsp.to 200 ml or 1 tbsp.to 250 ml. In some cases, these proportions are specially stipulated.
Recipe for inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, to eliminate swelling
Boil the cranberry leaf under the lid on a slow fire for 20 minutes, drain the resulting cowberry broth and boil with water to bring the volume to 250 ml.
How to use: 50 ml in a warm form three times a day after meals( after about 2 hours).
Recipe for kidney stones, cholecystitis
Boil 10 min. Ready to cool the broth, strain through a strainer.
How to use: 250 ml before meals three times a day.
Recipe for decoction for inflammation of tonsils, periodontal disease
Leave for 25 min.on a water bath, insist to cool down, strain, add water to a volume of 200 ml.
How to use: rinse the mouth every 2-3 hours.
Recipe for salt deposits, arthritis
Hold under the lid in a water bath for half an hour, leave the prepared broth to infuse until it cools, then drain.
How to use: drink in the morning and in the evening for 100 ml of decoction.
Prescription for neurological diseases
Boil for 15 minutes.on a slow fire, insist for another half an hour, before use, strain.
How to use: three times a day for 100 ml, preferably on an empty stomach half an hour before meals.
Recipe for cystitis, edema, as well as for pulmonary and colds, with the flu
Boil for 3 minutes, leave to infuse for an hour under the lid.
How to use: 100-120 ml twice a day, half an hour before meals.
Recipe for pyelonephritis
Boil for 5 minutes, insist under the lid for an hour.
How to use: 1 tbsp.broth up to four times a day before meals.
Recipe for uterine bleeding
It is required: 3 tsp.crushed dry leaves, 0.5 liters of hot water.
Keep on low heat for 10 minutes, cool.
How to use: drink in small sips in 6-8 receptions during the day;course of treatment - up to three days.
Recipe for cholecystitis
It will be required: 2 tbsp.cranberry leaf, 250 ml of boiling water.
Cover the dishes with a lid, simmer in a water bath for 30 minutes, insist for an hour, strain before use.
Method of use: up to three times a day for 70-100 ml.
Prescription for leukemia
It will be required: 40 g of dry raw material, 400 ml of hot water.
Boil for 5 minutes, insist and strain.
How to use: 120-150 ml three times a day.
Prescription for urinary incontinence in children
It is required: 1 tbsp.berries and 1 tbsp.leaves of cowberry, 0.5 liters of hot water.
Boil the mixture for 10 minutes, then cool.
How to use: 250 ml of filtered decoction to divide into several meals during the day( shake before use), 200 ml to drink before going to bed.
Recipe for diabetes
It will take: a handful of leaves( 30 g), 800 ml of hot water.
Boil for 10 minutes.and leave to cool down.
How to use: 1 glass of filtered decoction three times a day.
Advice: When taking medications on the basis of a leaf of cowberry it is necessary to adhere to the course treatment( taking up to 10 days, after a monthly break is mandatory).
Decoction of cowberry leaves for the future mother
Often with swelling in the last months of pregnancy( from the 28th week), doctors prescribe to their patients to take a cowberry broth( the classical variant, the recipe of which is given above).It is also useful for alleviating the course of diabetes mellitus in a future mother, with chronic diseases of the urinary system, because a woman's body works with a doubled load. Treatment should take courses up to 10 days with mandatory interruptions, under the supervision of a specialist.
. Decoction of cowberry during pregnancy can be cooked with additives of other medicinal fruits and herbs - then you will get a tasty vitaminized drink to maintain the body in good tonus.
Recipe 1 :
It will be required: for ½ tablespoons.leaves of cowberry, hips, raspberry and currant leaves, 250 ml of hot water.
Collect the collection in enameled dishes, close the lid and boil for 10 minutes.
Method of administration: twice a day. In a warm broth you can add 1 tsp.honey to improve taste.
Recipe 2 :
It is required: for 1 tsp.a leaf of a cowberry, a grass of a St. John's wort and a thyme, 750 ml of boiled water.
The mixture is boiled for a minute, filtered. Such a collection can also be brewed as tea, but it is often not necessary to take it - no more than twice a day.
Tip: When taking decoction of cowberry, there is a risk of leaching calcium and potassium salts from the body due to the strong diuretic effect of this remedy, so it is useful to combine its use with the intake of vitamin preparations, and also there are dried apricots, raisins, prunes, bananas.
The reception of decoction of cowberry during pregnancy helps to cope fatigue and fatigue well. However, it is important to remember that the decision on the need to take this medicine should be taken only by a specialist who has full information about the health characteristics of a particular woman in this difficult period.
Caution: According to some reports, cowberry broth tones the walls of the uterus, so do not take it when threatening premature birth.
You can learn more about the useful qualities of red bilber from the video: