When to collect and how to dry sea buckthorn leaves?

Vitamin-rich leaves of sea buckthorn are used as often as the berries themselves. Healing decoctions and tinctures are prepared from them, using inside or making compresses, baths and inhalations. To preserve the beneficial properties of the leaves, they are dried at home. Here are some recommendations on how to properly prepare sea buckthorn leaves for storage.

Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaf

Sea buckthorn leaves are similar to willow or olive: thin, sharp “needles” of a grayish-turquoise or green color, rich in essential oils and tannins. Already in young shoots a large number of nutrients are collected. The plant is designed in such a way as to protect itself from pests and the negative effects of the environment, and we can use these properties to our advantage.

Sea buckthorn leaves are rich in vitamins C, E, A, B and PP, trace elements, as well as phytoncides, the hormone serotonin, flavonoids and other substances that have a healing effect on the body:

• strengthening immunity;
• wound healing effect;
• elimination of inflammatory processes of an infectious and non-infectious nature;
• the establishment of digestion, the elimination of problems with stool, the removal of toxins from the intestines;
• astringent effect, elimination of diarrhea and elimination of toxins;
• anti-aging and healing effect, acceleration of metabolism.

Skin renewal, healing of abrasions, burns and scars, treatment of acne, as well as peeling, irritation, skin diseases, frostbite, bedsores is possible with the help of sea buckthorn.

Most often, the medicinal properties of sea buckthorn are used for the prevention and treatment of colds, as well as for the rapid healing of tissues and the removal of inflammatory processes - on the skin, joints and soft tissues. Rinsing and inhalation treat a runny nose, sore throat, laryngitis, gynecological diseases, cystitis. Lotions and baths relieve rashes, hemorrhoids, joint pain.

Interesting fact! The components of sea buckthorn relieve itching and burning from abrasions and allergies as effectively as other similar plants rich in vitamin E, such as aloe, tea tree or calendula.

When is it better to collect sea buckthorn leaves

More healthy oils in the leaves are collected by August-September, so harvesting can be done at the same time as the harvest.

When plucking branches for drying, do not forget about the development of the tree. It is worth removing only the edges, twigs without fruits, and those that themselves look "superfluous", and which are usually removed during sanitary cleaning. Cut a little from each tree, so that next year they all have the opportunity to re-harvest and not freeze in winter.

Interesting fact! Sea buckthorn leaves can be used for topical application, like plantain leaves - to disinfect and heal a cut, insect bite or abrasion.

How to dry sea buckthorn leaves

To dry sea buckthorn leaf at home, you can use the natural method or an electric dryer.

1. In the first case, the leaves are carefully removed from the branches, washed and laid out on a paper sheet or cloth in a well-ventilated place. The drying process takes several days, during which the leaves need to be mixed periodically so that they evenly give out moisture.
2. To dry the leaves by the electric method, it is necessary to equally distribute the raw materials on a special grid or sheet, and set the temperature to 40-45 degrees. Even under such conditions, the leaves need to be stirred, turned over every 30-60 minutes. For the best effect, dry the sea buckthorn in small portions.

After proper processing, the leaves may bend or break, but not crumble. The condition should resemble a dried bay leaf.

Sea buckthorn is stored in woven bags, wicker or cardboard boxes to avoid dampness.

How to make a healthy decoction of sea buckthorn

To quickly brew a tincture for drinking, rinsing the skin or compresses, pour dry raw materials with boiling water at the rate of 1 tbsp. in a glass of water (250 ml), after which stand the mixture for 30-40 minutes in a thermos or warm place. If an infusion of fresh leaves is prepared, they are crushed and a little more is taken. After brewing, the mixture is filtered.

To take a course to relieve inflammation and strengthen immunity, such a drug should be taken 3 times a day, 50 ml before meals for an eye for 2 weeks, after which a break is taken. If it is not possible to brew fresh infusion every day, you can store the tea leaves in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. But remember that in doing so, the healing properties gradually lose their strength.

For a more intensive treatment of colds or other disorders, a stronger remedy is made - a decoction. 4-6 tablespoons of raw materials are taken per liter of water and simmered to a boil. After this, the drug is allowed to infuse for another 50 minutes. You can drink a decoction of 100 ml, but the course should be shorter - 4-6 days.

Baths or local lotions with such a composition will help cure hemorrhoid cones, allergies and other skin diseases.

Interesting fact! Sea buckthorn does not burn the skin, so with topical application, a compress or mask cannot be “overexposed” - they will not harm the skin. But you should be careful in two cases: if you are allergic to carotene or other vitamins, as well as intolerance to other possible components, if the product includes not only sea buckthorn.

To prepare a strong alcohol tincture, 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials are poured into 100 ml of vodka or pure alcohol, after which they are insisted for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. The finished mixture must be filtered. The resulting product can be used to wash wounds, rub joints or drink with colds a tablespoon (can be diluted in water with lemon and honey or in milk).

Video: collect sea buckthorn and leaves