Currant leaves - medicinal properties and contraindications

Nature envelops a person not only with the harmony of beauty and perfection, she endows it with her priceless gifts. The most striking example is currants. This shrub is widespread in the southern Russian regions and in the middle lane. It grows in summer cottages, annually delighting caring owners with the aroma of ripe berries. Currants are grown for decorative purposes.

In philistine circles, it is generally accepted that only berries have useful properties. Indeed, the fruits of the bush are distinguished by a unique composition. But no less useful are the leaves of the plant. Although the discussion about their medicinal properties between traditional healers and representatives of official medicine still does not subside, both sides recognize the healing properties of currant leaf.

Scope of currant leaves

The leaves of black currant are widely used for various purposes: extracts from them are used for the production of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, they have found application in cooking, herbalists and traditional healers have also not ignored this natural gift. A leaf of a shrub is part of many herbal preparations; decoctions, infusions, tinctures, and many other dosage forms are prepared from it.

Features of the composition

All the healing power of a surprisingly elegant in form currant leaf is hidden inside him. Its composition is simply phenomenal, so many useful and very rare elements are contained in the leaves. If you list only one polyphenolic compound, you will already get an impressive list:

• flavonols;
• bioflavonoids;
• catechins (free and condensed);
• proanthocyanidins.

But this part of the plant is also rich in the content of the main macro- and microelements:

• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• calcium.

These minerals provide bone growth, are responsible for the state of muscles and motor functions of the body. The presence of potassium and magnesium prevents the development of a heart attack. These elements regulate blood circulation and maintain a normal heart rate. Essential oils, a whole complex of vitamins, emulsin are also present in the leaves.

What are the beneficial properties of currant leaves?

In addition to the fact that the leaf of blackcurrant is a storehouse of vitamins and other useful components, it is able to affect the physiological processes in the human body to a varying degree and cure many diseases. So, thanks to the high content of vitamin "C", it helps to fight against anemia. Healing drinks prepared on its basis have a tonic effect and have a positive effect on overall well-being.

The beneficial qualities of blackcurrant leaves are especially pronounced in the following:

• localization of inflammatory foci;
• the ability to remove excess fluid from the body;
• the ability to have a positive effect in diseases of the digestive system;
• in the elimination of toxins from the body;
• blood coagulation regulation;
• the ability to heal skin diseases;
• the ability to maintain and strengthen the human immune forces.

All of these properties are used for prophylactic purposes, and are also often included in the complex of therapy in the form of auxiliary treatment for vascular pathologies, heart problems, and viral diseases.

Antioxidant properties not only help cleanse the body of harmful products, smokers, for example, they are useful because they cleanse their lungs. People living in areas with increased radiation background are also recommended to drink decoctions and infusions on currant leaves.

In what areas is currant leaf used?

For the preparation of medicinal formulations, both fresh and dried raw materials are suitable. You can harvest it yourself in the summer, but at the same time you need to strictly observe the process technology. Many people prefer to buy finished raw materials in the pharmacy network. The beneficial qualities of the leaves are well preserved during freezing.

Herbal preparation with the correct preparation of dosage forms is effective in the treatment and prevention of:

• bronchitis and colds;
• pulmonary diseases;
• hypertension
• diabetes mellitus;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• dysentery;
• atherosclerosis;
• skin problems.

In addition to the fact that the components of the composition strengthen the body's immune forces, they have a positive effect on vision and regulate kidney and liver functions. If you cleanse your skin daily with infusion or make lotions on problem areas, you can get rid of acne and foci of inflammation.

Contraindications

Despite the high usefulness of the plant, there are a number of limitations that make it impossible to use a leaf of currant. In this list:

• thrombophlebitis;
• digestive ulcer;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• individual intolerance.

Long treatment and preventive courses are not recommended. The optimal duration of treatment is 30 days, after which you need to take a break for several weeks and again resume plant therapy. The most reasonable solution is to first consult with your doctor about the treatment option and its extent.

Methods for the preparation of medicines

Drinks that are prepared according to folk recipes from blackcurrant leaves are conditionally divided into two groups: therapeutic and prophylactic. The action of therapeutic drinks is aimed at eliminating specific symptoms and improving the general condition of a person. Prophylactic agents, and these are mainly aromatic teas, are used to strengthen the body.

Important! There are some specific points that should be taken into account during the preparation of dosage forms from currant leaves.

Since the human body is not able to synthesize ascorbic acid on its own, this vitamin should be regularly supplied with food. But the organic compound under the influence of heat instantly collapses. Therefore, currant leaf in most folk recipes is used in its entirety, it is not boiled, but put in hot water.

Healing tea

Currant tea will be a great addition to your daily diet. In addition, this option is a worthy alternative to such aggressive drinks as strong tea and coffee. Currant tea has diuretic properties and can become an integral part of a comprehensive treatment for such diseases:

• cystitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• pyelonephritis;
• gout;
• swelling of various origins.

Such vitamin tea is especially useful for older people and children. The drink acts gently without disturbing the body's natural functions.

Now a few recipes for making a healthy drink:

1. The easiest option: put the chopped leaves in a teapot, pour boiling water and let it brew. To give the original taste of the drink, you can add raspberry, strawberry or mountain ash leaves. It is not advisable to add sugar to such teas; it is better to replace it with a spoon of natural honey.
2. Vitamin tea. In addition to currant leaves, rose hips, lingonberry and raspberry leaves are required. All components are taken in equal parts - 2 tablespoons each. The mixture is first poured with boiling water and reaches 10 minutes until cooked over low heat. The prepared composition should be drunk during the day. A fortified drink for digestive disorders can be prepared with St. John's wort or clover flowers. In the latter case, the drink can be used as a diuretic and with vitamin deficiency.
3. Summer tea. In the summer, it is advisable to use fresh leaves of currant. Only 5-6 pieces are enough to get a healthy drink with a pleasant taste. The prepared leaves are put directly in boiling water (250 ml), the solution is kept for another minute on fire, then removed and insisted for 3 minutes. Before use, you can add a little honey. It is recommended to drink the drink before bedtime, as it has a pronounced sedative effect and improves sleep quality.

Decoction

To prepare the medicinal composition, the crushed leaves (4 l. Art.) Are placed in already boiling water (1 liter) and the mixture is kept in a water bath for half an hour. After cooling the product, it is filtered and drunk in a glass at a time.

Infusion

In this case, it is better to use a thermos. Pour dry leaves inside the container (5 l. Art.), Pour them with a liter of boiling water. Insist up to 3 hours, after which it is good to strain. You can take up to 4 times a day in half a glass. The infusion is great for outdoor processing in a video lotion. The procedure for treating inflamed skin lasts up to 15 minutes.

Healing baths

Similar procedures are indicated for prickly heat and diathesis in children, dermatitis and even radiculitis are treated with bathtubs. In addition, a bathtub with a sheet of black currant will perfectly replace the spa treatment in an expensive salon.

Therapeutic baths improve metabolic processes, stimulate blood circulation, have a beneficial effect on the condition of nails and the whole body. After this procedure, the skin becomes elastic and silky. Usually the course of treatment is 10 sessions.

The composition for the bath is prepared from 1 kg of dry raw materials and 10 liters of water. The named components are combined, and the mixture is set to boil for half an hour. Then the container is tightly covered and infused for an hour. After filtering, the solution is added to the already prepared bath. The procedure can be taken no more than twice a week, and its duration should not exceed 25 minutes.

Cosmetics

Nourishing face mask. For this recipe, fresh leaves (6 pieces) and 150 g of yogurt are required. After grinding, vegetable raw materials must be mixed with a lactic acid product and squeezed out the mass through cheesecloth. The nutrient mixture is applied to the face for 20 minutes. This cosmetic procedure evens complexion and softens the skin. In winter, you can use dried material.

Currant leaves are a truly unique product created by nature itself. They are added to salads and hot dishes. Aromatic leaves are indispensable for preserving vegetables. Volatile, which are contained in the leaves, do not allow spoilage of products during prolonged storage.But the most important thing is the quality of this plant component - its high efficiency in the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as accessibility. Indeed, in order to prepare vitamin tea or a relaxing water procedure, it is enough to go outside in the summer and pick a few leaves from the nearest bush. It is good that sometimes even a single leaf can do much more for human health than the most expensive medicine.

Video: blackcurrant tea