Cherry leaves: useful properties and contraindications, application in folk medicine, recipes

Cherry is a tree that is known and loved by many. It is unpretentious and grows in all cities, in every dacha section. But not everyone knows that, except berries, you can eat cherry leaves. Useful properties and contra-indications of them have long been known to folk healers. But with the development of the pharmaceutical industry, the herbs were rarely used. And only in recent years people began to remember what a delicious tea from these leaves. Although many gardeners are constantly using canned cherry leaves , useful properties and contraindications to them have not yet been fully explored.

Than the cherry is remarkable

The tree is from the Black Sea region. But from antiquity it was revered and loved in all countries where it grew. The berries were considered not only tasty, but also useful. They have long been used for cooking jam, compotes and vitamin decoctions. Cherry orchards look very beautiful both during flowering and when strewn with red berries. In ancient times this tree was attributed to magical properties. It was believed that if the branches with the leaves decorate the bed of the newlyweds, then their marriage will be happy.

Composition of cherry leaves

Everyone knows how much vitamin C contains the berries of this tree. But rich in composition and have cherry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications to them are due precisely to what substances they contain. Recent research has shown that these leaflets are rich in vitamins and trace elements, very important for health. They include:

• Pectins, fiber;
• Minerals: calcium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, boron;
• Vitamins of group B;
• tannins;
• fructose;
• Antioxidants, for example, quercetin;
• A large amount of ascorbic acid;
• Much folic acid;
• Phytoncides;
• essential oils;
• Coumarin - a substance that reduces the likelihood of blood clots;
• Ellagic acid, which prevents the development of tumors;
• Anthocyanins that slow the aging of cells.

It is important to know when to collect cherry leaves, so that there are more useful substances in them. The most valuable are young, newly blossoming shoots.

Useful properties of cherry leaves

Our ancestors knew a lot about this tree and often used it for treatment. For example, it was believed that porridge of cherry bark, onions and cannabis seeds helps heal even from a serious illness. All parts of the plant were used to prepare decoctions, compotes and syrups. Modern medicine has proved that not only berries, but cherry leaves possess curative properties . Their health benefits are enormous:

• They strengthen the immune system and increase the body's defenses;
• Have anti-inflammatory properties;
• Have hemostatic effect;
• Restore water-salt metabolism;
• Purify the body of toxins, remove sand from the kidneys and even radionucleides;
• Have a diuretic effect;
• Have a harmful effect on bacteria, viruses and fungi;
• Have an antioxidant effect that helps slow down aging;
• Relieve fatigue and return work capacity.

When it is useful to eat cherry leaves

Most folk medicine lovers use such decoctions only to raise their immunity and lack of vitamin C. But cherry leaves can be used to treat many diseases:

• For colds and flu;
• Nasal bleeding;
• At increased pressure;
• Tachycardia;
• Anemia;
• Thrombophlebitis;
• Ischemic heart disease;
• Gout;
• As an expectorant for bronchitis;
• With liver diseases.

Are there any contraindications to their use?

Many know that cherry berries can cause abdominal pain and irritation of the gastric mucosa with gastritis and ulcers. And during exacerbations, they can not be used at all. But quite another - cherry leaves. Useful properties and contraindications for them are slightly different. They do not cause an increase in the acidity of the gastric juice. You can drink broths on their basis and during pregnancy, and during breast-feeding. It is not recommended only to use them in such cases:

• With exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• With a tendency to constipation, as broths have a binding effect;
• Under reduced pressure;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• With individual intolerance.

How to use the leaves correctly

They can be consumed both in fresh and dried form. The most useful are young cherry leaves. Therefore, it is better to collect them in May before the flowering begins. At this time, they contain the most useful substances, they are tender and juicy. Such leaves can be dried for the winter. Do it better at room temperature, spreading them in a thin layer on a baking tray or a towel and stirring occasionally. Raw, cooked in this way, preserves all the useful properties of fresh leaves and their wonderful aroma. Keep the dried leaves in a glass jar for no more than a year.

To prepare medicinal broths, take 2 tablespoons of fresh leaves or 1 spoonful of dried, as they are more concentrated. Raw stuff is filled with a glass of boiling water and kept on low heat for 3-5 minutes. After cooling, the broth must be filtered and used for treatment according to the prescription.

Cherry leaves in cooking

They do not eat fresh, as they are too hard. Best of all, its aroma and taste leaves the cherry leaves after heat treatment. Therefore, they have long been used for making teas, compotes, cooking jam, jam or syrup. And now many mistresses add these leaves to the cans when preserving vegetables. After all, this is a natural flavor, giving cucumbers and tomatoes an unusual pleasant taste. In addition, fresh cherry leaves have preservative properties. Berries and fruits are stored in their presence longer.

Cherry leaves are one of the components of a very tasty "royal jam". It is made from gooseberry. But the berries should be cooked not on water, but on a strong infusion of cherry leaves. This jam has an unusual pleasant aroma and taste.

Drinks from cherry leaves

Of these, you can prepare delicious and healthy teas and compotes that perfectly quench your thirst and improve immunity. And they can be used without restrictions, since they have no contraindications.

Tea is most often used from cherry leaves. Each mistress brews it according to her own recipe: with the addition of tea leaves or other herbs. You can drink this tea with honey, syrup or lemon. It is tasty and without anything, as the leaves give the drink a delicate aroma of cherry and a soft sourness.

In early summer, you can prepare a useful vitamin compote. To do this, finely chop the rhubard shoots and boil 15-20 minutes together with fresh cherry leaves. At the end of the cooking, add sugar to taste.

Folk recipes

The most popular application of cherry leaves is vitaminized drinks and teas. But in folk medicine, they are used for serious illnesses. Most often, several recipes are used.

• To restore the liver with hepatitis, you need 2 tablespoons of crushed fresh leaves to boil a few minutes in half a glass of milk. This amount is drunk during the day.
• Several glasses of broth from the dried raw materials a day should be drunk with kidney diseases. The diuretic effect of this drink displays pathogenic bacteria and gently dissolves stones.
• If you insist fresh or dry leaves on alcohol, and then strain, you get an effective antiseptic solution. It can be consumed both inside and outside.
• From such a decoction you can make applications for stopping nasal bleeding.
• When joint pains, leaves need to be brewed together with thin branches. Boil them a little longer - about 15 minutes.
• Decoction of crushed leaves and cherry twigs can be used for gargling or inhalation for tonsillitis and colds.

External application of leaves

They are also very useful for preserving the beauty and youth of the skin. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties allow using them successfully in the masks for skin and hair. They are especially useful for high fat content. Decoctions of cherry leaves effectively relieve swelling and reduce inflammation. Such lotions and compresses stop bleeding, destroy bacteria and accelerate the healing of wounds. And if you freeze the broth, such ice cubes are an excellent tonic and cleanser for the face. Cherry twigs with leaves are useful as a bath broom. Emitted essential oils have a rejuvenating effect on the skin and toning - on the whole body.

Cherry leaves are an affordable and very effective curative remedy. Delicious and aromatic tea in the winter will remind you of sunny days and saturate the body with vitamins.