Bird cherry - useful properties and contraindications

Bird cherry (Padus avium Mill) - a representative of the family Rosaceae. A plant surprising in its properties is not a rare occurrence in nature. Most often it can be seen in places of high humidity, on the shores of ponds, in the lowlands of rivers. The prevalence of fragrant shrubs and trees is quite large; they are found in Africa and Ukraine, the Caucasus and the Western regions of Siberia, Central Asia and Russia (the European part). It is so famous for its healing properties that, along with the usual apples, pears, plums, bird cherry bushes began to grow in household plots. They can be a decoration of park areas.

The history of the application of the components of this unique, healing plant dates back many centuries. She was sung in poetry and folklore. The period of active flowering was a sign that it was time to plant potatoes.

How to make stocks

Everything is valuable in a plant. Fragrant flowers, leaves, bark of young shoots.

Bark is harvested in early spring, when the circulation of juices begins after winter sleep. It is at the beginning of the spring trimester that the bark is easily removed. Remove the valuable workpiece rings from scissors trimmed with scissors. Dried using an electric dryer (80 degrees Celsius). This temperature regime contributes to the preservation of amygdalin and prevents the destruction of enzymes. In order not to lose the diuretic property, the bark is dried at 40 degrees. The shelf life of the resulting substance is 5 years.

Cherry flowers are harvested in May - the period of active flowering. The drying process is advisable to carry out on the street under a canopy with the possibility of ventilation and without access to the sun. They store raw materials for about a year.

In July - September, berries are harvested. During this period, the fruits gain their healing properties and fully ripen. The bird cherry brushes are cut in dry, sunny weather. Dry in any convenient way (dryer, oven or open air), adhering to 40-50 degrees, distributing not a dense layer. Ready berries are removed from the stalk and get rid of excess fragments. Long stored in a dry, ventilated space, in paper or tissue bags for 3-5 years. Leaves are harvested in June.

Chemical composition

To properly coordinate the treatment, the useful elements that make up the berry were studied:

• Sucrose, glucose, fructose.
• Amygdalin, prunazin.
• Anthocyanins.
• Essential oil.
• Pectin.
• Trace elements (zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, boron, cobalt).
• Vitamin R.
• Carotene.
• Gum.
• Citric, ascorbic, malic organic acids.
• Phenol carbolic acids.
• Resins
• Routine.
• Cyanogenic glycosides.
• Flavonoids.
• Phytocides
• Tannins and dyes.

The leaves also have:

• Vitamin C.
• Phenol carbolic acids.
• Flavonoids (20%).

Bark, flowers, seeds - they contain glycoside that releases acid (hydrocyanic acid).

All elements of the plant are saturated with essential oil with a bitter smell, gum, volatile and resins.

The healing properties of the substances of bird cherry

Specialists distinguish such properties:

1. Fastening. It has an astringent effect - this is due to the presence of tannins in the composition. Not destroyed by heat treatments.
2. Normalizing the digestive tract and stimulating activity of the smooth muscles of the intestine by pectin.
3. Strengthens the walls of the stomach. Bitterness as part of wild crops is especially valuable. Bred varieties are not so rich in these substances.This is worth paying attention to when treating the digestive organ.
4. Bactericidal - due to phytocides that can stop the development of microbes.
5. Regenerating. Strengthens and restores the walls of capillaries. This property is provided by potassium and vitamin R.
6. Antioxidant - cleansing the blood of cholesterol, removing toxic substances - the result of the action of vitamin PP and pectin.
7. Bracing (immunomodulatory), thanks to trace elements, vitamins, flavonoids.
8. Urinary. Potassium, bitterness and essential oils favor kidney function.
9. Anti-inflammatory. The disinfecting property is caused by the presence of vitamin and mineral complexes, phytocides, which accelerate the regeneration processes.
10. Sweatshops. Potassium helps eliminate fluid through the sweat glands.
11. Birth control (this is not scientifically proven).
12. Saline. Vitamins, minerals - remove salts of heavy metals. Relieve symptoms of gout and arthritis.
13. Pain medication. The harmful effect on pathogenic bacteria is proved.
14. Tonic, soothing.
15. Insecticidal. The presence of phytocides repels mosquitoes, ticks, and flies well.
16. Bronchodilator It is characterized by exfoliation and mucus excretion. An expectorant effect is noted.

Indications for use

• Dysentery.
• Stomach disease. Gastroenteritis (acute and chronic course).
• Rheumatism, arthritis, gout.
• Migraines, headaches.
• Temperature rise. Fever.
• Diarrhea.
• Inflammation of the small and large intestine.
• Pain symptoms in diseases of the joints.
• Toothache. Caries.
• Heart disease.
• Furunculosis, dermatosis, purulent wounds, bedsores.
• Psoriasis, scabies, acne.
• Koch's wand.
• Conjunctivitis, blepharitis.
• Colpitis, sexually transmitted diseases.
• Toxicosis.

Healing preparations from bird cherry

1. A decoction of bark. The bird cherry bark (5 g) is crushed, 200 g of water are added and boiled (15 min). They let it brew for half an hour, filter and consume 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day, effective as a diaphoretic in the absence of sleep and a failure of metabolic processes in the body.
2. Infusion of inflorescences (in case of metabolic failure). 2 tbsp. tablespoons of the dried collection pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for an hour, filter through cheesecloth. Use up to five meals a day for 1 tablespoon of the dining room.
3. Infusion of cherry blossoms (with conjunctivitis). Freshly picked flowers (1 teaspoon), pour a glass of water cooled after boiling. They stand the night, they shed. Apply applications on the eyes, drip.
4. A decoction based on bark (with cough, fever, cystitis, colds). Dry substance (10 g) is poured into a glass of water, boiled for 10 minutes. Stand for 2 hours, coddle through cheesecloth. Use up to 4 times a day for 1 teaspoon.
5. A decoction of berries (with diarrhea). Take the whole berries of bird cherry (1 tbsp.spoon), pour a glass of boiling water, cook for 10 minutes. over low heat. It is kept for 2 hours, cured and taken 100 ml three times a day.
6. A decoction of the fruits of bird cherry with propolis (for diseases of the stomach, diarrhea). Mix 1 tbsp. a spoonful of whole berries with a glass of boiled water, boil for 10 minutes, set aside to cool to room temperature. To the filtered broth add alcohol tincture of propolis (30 drops). It is recommended to drink 100 ml three times a day. With dermatitis used externally.
7. Infusion of fruits (for skin diseases caused by a fungus). Freshly picked fruits (2 tbsp.spoons) insist in a glass of water for 7 hours. Shed and used externally.
8. Disinfecting tincture with a tonic effect. Bird cherry is lowered into the water for several minutes. Quench your thirst with pleasant clear water, with a fragrant aftertaste.
9. Tincture of the cortex (with pain in the joints, rheumatism, muscle cramps). Two tbsp. tablespoons of crushed collecting insist on vodka (200 ml) for 21 days without access of light.
10. Combined broth (for psoriasis).Three parts of calendula flowers and two parts of wild strawberry, tricolor violet and birch buds are added to 1 part of the dry cherry leaves. Of the total mass is taken 1 tbsp. spoon, pour a glass of water and bring to a boil. Allow to cool, strain and take half a glass half an hour before meals, three times a day. They are treated with courses lasting 40 days, with breaks of 30 days.
11. Prefabricated broth (for astringent effect). Take three parts of the fruits of bird cherry and two - blueberries. Two tbsp. tablespoons of berries pour a glass of water brought to a boil, boil for 20 minutes. Take half a glass four times a day.
12. Prefabricated infusion (for viruses, herpes). Flowers of bird cherry (3 parts), lemon balm leaves (3 parts), juniper berries (1 part), rowan fruits (1 part), are mixed. Of the total composition take 1 tbsp. spoon, brew a glass of boiling water, insist for about an hour. Take three times a day in a glass (in the form of heat).

According to popular belief, to prevent colds, it is enough just to stand for a short time under a tree of bird cherry. Regular walks in the park with shrubs planted will calm the nervous system and establish a restless sleep.

Cases where use is prohibited

Like all drugs, drugs with bird cherry in the composition also have limitations in use and require a serious attitude.

Bird cherry is a poisonous plant, so it makes amygdalin, which is included in all parts of the tree. The breakdown product of this substance is hydrocyanic acid. This is precisely the reason why berry-based preparations are made from whole dried fruits.

Berries of bird cherry have a strong bonding property, which can lead to constipation. Also, this contraceptive means - therefore, affects the reproductive function of the female body. Admission to pregnant women is contraindicated, since in the first trimester there is a risk of miscarriage. The aroma of flowers can have a negative impact on the process of bearing; it is recommended to temporarily abandon bouquets of cherry flowers in the house.

It is not recommended to give berries to young children. Unripe fruits can cause poisoning.

Important! With long-term storage of dosage forms from berries and bark, poison is released - hydrocyanic acid. Long term storage is hazardous to health.

Interesting Facts

1. It is believed that the plant has magical properties that can cleanse the aura from negative influences.
2. It can relieve depression and attract love.
3. It has magical properties. Heals from unrequited love.
4. A branch of bird cherry can test for the presence of the evil eye. A branch with a diameter of 5 mm is taken, dried. If a dry stick breaks easily - this is a sign of an evil eye.
5. Bird cherry juice has tinting abilities. It can give color to wine or a confectionery, they were also dyed fabrics in brown and green.
6. Wood was used for weaving products (baskets, hoops).
7. Tea was brewed from the powder of berries, a filling was prepared for pies, and added to the flour composition for smell.
8. Used to control insects.
9. There is an opinion that the bush received its name from the Po River, flowing in Italy.
10. The sweet smell attracts bees, this plant is a honey plant.
11. Berry juice was used to treat infections in wounds during the Patriotic War. This gave a chance for many patients to recover.

Video: medicinal properties of bird cherry