Viburnum, the benefits and harms of which have been well studied by modern science, has long been used to treat diseases. Red berries are usually picked in late autumn, when the concentration of vitamins reaches its highest point. After frost, the fruits lose their characteristic bitterness. For medicinal purposes, other parts of the plant are used: leaves, flowers, bark. We offer to learn about the beneficial properties and contraindications of viburnum, get acquainted with prescriptions for medicines.
The chemical composition of viburnum
In official and traditional medicine, the raw material of Viburnum vulgaris - Viburnum opulus is used. The berry of this tree is red, has a sour-bitter taste and smells like valerian.
But black fruits (for example, from the ornamental shrub Viburnum lantana) cannot be eaten, since they contain substances poisonous to humans. Consider the chemical composition of the different parts of common viburnum.
Berries
Red berries of viburnum vulgaris are rich in vitamins, macro- and microelements, organic acids. Sometimes it’s enough to eat 100 g of fresh fruits per day to ensure the daily requirement of the body for nutrients.
Table 1. The chemical composition of the berries of Viburnum vulgaris
Substance name | % of the daily requirement in 100 g of berries | Beneficial features |
---|---|---|
Vitamin C | 166,7% | Helps the body fight viruses and bacteria, improves blood circulation and vascular tone |
Vitamin K | 97,9% | Increases blood coagulation, helps the body absorb calcium properly |
Vitamin A, beta-carotene | 16.8% and 18% respectively | Accelerate tissue regeneration, support eye, skin and reproductive health |
Vitamin E | 13,3% | Reduces the risk of cancer, slows down the aging process |
Silicon, calcium | 166.7% and 17.1% respectively | Increase the strength of bones, cartilage, tooth enamel, nails |
Magnesium | 14,3% | Prevents heart and nervous system diseases |
Iron | 33,1% | Increases hemoglobin in the blood |
Iodine | 59,8% | Involved in the production of thyroid hormones |
Selenium | 19,1% | Strengthens the immune system |
Chromium | 120% | Maintains stable blood sugar |
Scientists have found a high content of valerianic acid in the berries of viburnum. It has a mild laxative effect and helps get rid of constipation. But in excess, valerianic acid causes a gag reflex.
The bitter taste of viburnum gives the glycoside viburnin. This substance has a strong antibacterial effect, constricts blood vessels and strengthens the tone of the uterine muscles.
Bark
Viburnum bark is officially sold in pharmacies as a hemostatic. Consider what valuable compounds are present in its composition.
- Tannins
When ingested, tannins create a protective film. They eliminate internal inflammatory processes, help a person get rid of diarrhea.
- Triterpene Saponins
Damaging to pathogenic fungi in the intestine. Scientists have also proven the ability of triterpene saponins to lower the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
- Organic acids
The following organic acids are present in the composition of viburnum bark: formic, caprylic, acetic, ursolic. They have pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. An additional benefit of ursolic acid for human health is the ability to inhibit the development of cancer cells.
- Other compounds
Of the vitamins in the bark of viburnum, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and phylloquinone predominate. Also, the composition of the raw material contains many phytosterols - substances that lower cholesterol and have a diuretic effect.
Leaves and flowers
Viburnum leaves and flowers are rich in vitamin C, tannins and flavonoids. The latter protect the skin from UV radiation, reduce the permeability and fragility of capillaries, have a detrimental effect on pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
TOP-7 healing properties of viburnum
If you prefer healthy food and folk remedies to tablets from a pharmacy, be sure to store raw materials from viburnum at home. This plant will help you prevent many diseases and accelerate recovery from existing ailments.
1. The fight against viruses and germs
In the cold season, viburnum will protect your body from SARS. Eat fresh fruits, grated with honey, drink berry juice or viburnum tea diluted with water.
The listed funds will also help with respiratory diseases:
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- tracheobronchitis;
- bronchial asthma.
Viburnum will eliminate the pain and redness in the throat, make a dry cough expectorant. If you use it at the beginning of the disease, you can prevent the development of complications. Outwardly, a decoction of the bark and an infusion of flowers are used to treat conjunctivitis, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis), and washing the wounds.
2. Treatment of intestinal and gastric diseases
Guelder-rose helps with gastrointestinal diseases caused by the action of pathogenic bacteria. In particular, with dysentery, typhoid fever, salmonellosis. It has a detrimental effect on microbes, accelerates the elimination of toxins from the body, and restores physical strength.
To get rid of constipation, you need to eat fresh berries, and with diarrhea - drink the infusion of the bark. With dyspepsia of the stomach, a decoction of viburnum seeds is used.
3. Prevention of type 2 diabetes, obesity
Viburnum berries are a source of bioavailable chromium. This trace element affects the production of the hormone insulin, which is responsible for the absorption of glucose by the body. With regular consumption of fresh fruits, blood sugar remains stable. The person disappears with sharp bouts of hunger, craving for sweets.
Due to the high content of vitamins and organic acids, viburnum accelerates the metabolism. Calories obtained from food are converted into energy, and do not go to the formation of body fat. The calorie content of 100 g of red berries is only 25 kcal, so they certainly will not harm the figure.
4. Increased availability
Anemia (anemia) is a common problem associated with a decrease in hemoglobin in the body. This condition is accompanied by a constant feeling of fatigue, apathy, headaches, muscle weakness, hair loss.
Viburnum helps prevent anemia, because it contains 1/3 of the daily intake of iron. It is especially useful to eat red berries for women during menstruation.
5. Getting rid of skin problems
Outwardly, berry juice from viburnum, decoctions of flowers and leaves are used for boils, abscesses, eczema, allergic rashes. Compresses are applied to problem areas of the skin and left for 1 hour.
Lotions, creams and masks with the addition of components from viburnum have antiseptic and drying effects. Such cosmetics help narrow pores, eliminate oily sheen, acne, acne. A juice from fresh berries has a whitening effect.
6. Prevention of cardiovascular disease
With prolonged use of a decoction of viburnum bark, doctors note in patients a decrease in blood cholesterol. That is, the risk of a dangerous chronic disease - atherosclerosis is reduced. Fresh fruits of viburnum and tea based on them gently lower blood pressure, normalize heart rate.
7. Improving the well-being of women during menstruation
Due to the high concentration of vitamin K and tannins, viburnum is able to stop internal bleeding. It reduces the amount of discharge, eliminates pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Viburnum berries compensate for the loss by the female body of a number of important substances: iron, selenium, zinc, chromium.
Harm viburnum for health
The rich chemical composition determines not only useful properties, but also contraindications for viburnum.
You will have to refuse red berries in the following cases:
- allergy;
- increased acidity of gastric juice, gastritis, gastric ulcer;
- increased blood coagulability, the presence of blood clots;
- arthritis, gout and other inflammatory joint diseases;
- pregnancy;
- lactation.
Guelder-rose can harm hypotensives. With the regular use of berries in large quantities, a person's blood pressure decreases. Abuse of fruits is also fraught with an overdose of vitamin K, which leads to a thickening of the blood.
How to take viburnum - the best folk remedies
If you want to get a therapeutic (preventive) effect, you should know how to take viburnum. We suggest you familiarize yourself with time-tested folk recipes.
Berry tincture on vodka
Viburnum tincture on vodka is used for intestinal infections, respiratory diseases, neuralgia (including insomnia), muscle cramps, as a diuretic and choleretic agent.
To prepare the medicine you will need the following ingredients:
- fresh berries - 0.5 kg;
- vodka - 500 ml.
Sort the fruits, discard the rotten ones. Rinse under running water, dry. Pour into a container of tinted glass. Pour vodka so that it barely covers the berries. Leave for a day.
Then add the remaining vodka to the fruits of viburnum. Cork the container and set it to infuse in a dark, cool place. After 30 days, strain the tincture and store in the refrigerator. Drink 30–40 drops half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day.
Decoction of bark
Viburnum bark is collected and dried in the spring. But it’s easier to buy finished raw materials in a pharmacy.
To prepare a decoction, you need 4–5 g of dry bark. Pour a glass of water into the pan and bring to a boil. Add the bark and cook for half an hour. Turn off the heat and let it stand for another 10 minutes.
Strain the broth. Dilute with warm boiled water to the original volume. Drink in small portions (approximately 20 g) during the day.
Viburnum tea
Viburnum tea can be made from berries, flowers and leaves. But each option has its own indications for use.
Table 2. Recipes of tea from viburnum
Raw materials | When to use tea | Recipe |
---|---|---|
Fresh berries | For the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, with dry cough, fever, hypovitaminosis, constipation | Knead 1 tbsp. spoon of fruit, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes. Drink a bit of honey. |
Dry berries | As a diuretic and choleretic, to reduce blood pressure, with insomnia | 2 tbsp. tablespoons of berries pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 45 minutes |
Leaves | As a sedative, for the treatment of intestinal infections, getting rid of worms, with stomach cramps | 50 g of fresh chopped leaves pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour |
Flowers | As an expectorant for colds, to lower body temperature, improve digestion and get rid of diarrhea | 15–20 g of dried flowers pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes |
How to make jam from viburnum?
Viburnum jam has a rich sweet and sour taste and a viscous consistency. This is not just a pleasant treat, but an affordable source of vitamins, macro- and microelements.
To make a classic jam, you will need the following products:
- fresh berries of viburnum - 1 kg;
- sugar - 700-800 g;
- water is a glass.
Sort the fruits, rinse under running water, fold in a colander. Boil water in a deep saucepan. Place the viburnum berries in the liquid for 5 minutes.
Cook sugar syrup in a separate container. Combine it with the fruits and boil for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture brew for 6 hours.
Then repeat the procedure: boil the berries until a thick consistency is obtained. Pour the viburnum jam into sterilized jars and roll it up.
Thus, viburnum has a wide range of beneficial properties. But most of all the plant is valued for its ability to effectively cope with viruses, bacteria, fungi, eliminate inflammation and internal bleeding in the body. Store berries, bark or other parts of viburnum in your medicine cabinet so you don't get sick.