Turn - useful properties and contraindications

The blackthorn bush is known for its work “Singing in the Blackthorn” and the biblical scriptures. However, ancient physicians and herbalists knew about the healing properties of tart berries, as evidenced by centuries-old medical treatises.

It is known that not only the black and blue fruits of the plant are beneficial, but also inflorescences, leaves, roots and even branches. Thorne is the ancestor of garden plum, which is also endowed with gastronomic and medicinal properties.

The chemical composition of the turn

A specific berry owes its taste to a rare chemical composition. Tartness is given to it by tannins, extractive components and esters, starch. Pronounced acidity occurs due to the high content of organic acids (phenolcarboxylic, malic) and vitamin C.

The turn also contains the following valuable components:

• amino acids;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, eleostearic, linoleic, palmitic and others);
• pectin;
• mineral salts;
• fiber and dietary fiber;
• flavonoids;
• monosaccharides (glucose, fructose) - up to 8.8%;
• glycosides (prunazin, amygdoline);
• catechins;
• nitrogen compounds;
• phytosteroids;
• higher alcohols;
• coumarins;
• anthocyanins;
• triterpenoids;
• beta carotene;
• vitamins of groups A, B, E, PP, C;
• mineral compounds (zinc, molybdenum, iodine, copper, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, etc.).

Attention! Seeds of thorns also contain toxic glycoside (amygdoline), which cleaves hydrocyanic acid.

Such a unique and rich chemical composition determines the maximum health benefits of the berry at low calorie content (not more than 55 kcal per 100 g).

Useful properties of the turn

The fruits, leaves, flowers and roots of the plant produce a general strengthening effect and help fight a number of ailments.

The berries themselves are valuable due to the following properties:

1. Relax with chronic constipation.
2. They activate digestion and intestinal motility, restore its microflora.
3. Reduce the acidity of the stomach, which reduces the likelihood of relapse of gastritis, ulcers, colitis.
4. Reduce gas formation, relieve flatulence.
5. Free radicals, salts and suspensions of chemical elements, toxins, excess fluid, harmful cholesterol, slags bind and excrete from the body.
6. They contribute to weight loss due to increased metabolism and improved digestion, and the organic acids in the composition provide rapid lipid breakdown.
7. They contribute to the discharge of sputum in diseases of the oral and nasopharynx, colds.
8. They produce anti-inflammatory, diuretic and diaphoretic effects, and a high content of amino acids and vitamin C provides quick rehabilitation for any disease.
9. They restore the nervous system, therefore they are effective for sleep disorders, depression, panic syndrome and irritability, general fatigue.
10. They produce antiseptic and hemostatic effect, promote healing of ulcers and wounds, reduce inflammation and skin irritation.
11. Strengthen the heart muscle and vascular walls, reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, contribute to lowering blood pressure.
12. Regulate plasma cholesterol, as well as cleanse the liver and kidneys, contribute to their recovery from illness or surgery.
13. Contribute to the natural elimination of calculi from the kidneys or bile ducts.
14. They produce an antibacterial effect, kill pathogenic microflora (fungi, bacterial bacilli, etc.).
15. The antioxidants in the composition of the turn produce an antitumor effect, prevent the oxidation of cells, thereby maintaining their youth and quality.

Flavonoids have a positive effect on blood flow and blood quality, reduce vascular permeability, and increase coagulability. Diet on the turn helps to normalize high blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertensive conditions.

In men, the turn provides the prevention of diseases of the prostate gland, the occurrence of benign neoplasms, adenomas.

In women, the berry reduces nervous tension and PMS manifestations, produces an analgesic effect during menstruation. The pulp and tern juice are used in cosmetology, providing natural cleansing of the skin, elimination of teenage blackheads, acne, dermatitis and rosacea. Also, the components in the composition contribute to toning and deep hydration of the skin and hair.

Fruits, greens or wood

Blackthorn is a unique plant, since healing properties acquire absolutely all its parts.

Berries
The tart berry ripens after the first frost. Then the fruits are dried, alcohol tinctures are made, decoctions and jams are prepared.

In fresh or dried form, the thorns are used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including dysbiosis, inflammatory processes, parasitic infestations. Fresh juice removes toxins in food poisoning, helps to recover from dysentery and jaundice, and effectively fights giardia and pinworms.

Fresh and thorn wine can be used for applications and compresses for skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, etc.).

A decoction of the fruits can rinse the oral cavity - tannic components provide treatment for gums and the healing of microcracks in the mucosa. Such a natural rinse also prevents stomatitis and candidiasis of the oral cavity, periodontal disease and periodontitis.

Leaves
Thorn shoots are brewed like tea, which provides a pronounced laxative and diuretic effect. Excess fluid leaves the body, due to which the temperature decreases with fever, swelling decreases.

Tea is effective for prostate adenoma, cystitis, urolithiasis and kidney stones, nephritis, increased secretion of bile.

A decoction of the leaves can also rinse the oral cavity with dental pathologies.

Lotions with healing infusion are effective for dermatoses, pustular lesions, furunculosis.

Flowers
The inflorescences of the bush are harvested at the stage of the bud.

Tea and tinctures from flowers strengthen the body's defenses, produce an antipyretic and diuretic effect.

It is enough to drink tea with flowers of thorns 2 times a day to safely reduce pressure, reduce toxicosis during pregnancy, shortness of breath.

Also, the broth is effective in diseases of the liver and kidneys, chronic constipation.

It is useful to use such tea at night - it will calm the nervous system, relax the muscles and provide a long, sound sleep.

With a cold, a decoction of flowers knits and relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, throat, and oral cavity. Inhalations over the decoction reduce the common cold and contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels.

Roots
It is recommended to dig out the roots in the fall. Then they must be thoroughly dried in the sun and in the oven. Various remedies from the roots of the thorns (infusions, decoctions, juice) are effective in inflammatory, viral and respiratory diseases. For a long time, roots have been used to treat malaria.

Surprisingly, the roots, unlike the juice of the fruits, have a fixing effect, therefore they are indispensable for chronic diarrhea and acute poisoning.

A decoction of the roots is used for applications for lesions of the skin, including erysipelas.

Douching with a decoction of the roots of the thorns reduces the manifestation of vaginitis and candidiasis.

Wood
The bark has excellent astringent properties. In the broth, it is recommended to bathe infants, as well as make antiseptic baths for affected skin.

A decoction from the bark is able to bring down the temperature no worse than raspberry tea.

A decoction of thorn branches is an indispensable tool for gout, which allows you to crush and remove uric acid salts from the body.

Harm of the turn and contraindications

Unfortunately, the abundance of extractive components and other substances is not always well tolerated by the human body. For example, because of the high content of dyes and acids, the turn is an allergen. If in the history there is an individual intolerance to various berries or citrus fruits, then treatment with thorns is contraindicated for you.

It is also undesirable to use the berry during an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. With increased acidity, gastritis or an ulcer, it is recommended to drink a decoction of flowers or bark, but in no case freshly squeezed acid juice of the fruits.

There is one more nuance, but it is more aesthetic. Pigments in the pulp can stain the enamel in a dark blue shade for several days, so it is not recommended to abuse the fruits on the eve of work or an important event.

Nutritionists recommend limiting the use of thorns to healthy people. The useful dose is 100 g, while the berry should not be enjoyed more than 2 times a week. Remember that a fresh berry has a diuretic and laxative effect, which may surprise you at the most inopportune moment. And fruit jams contain a large amount of carbohydrates and, when abused, quickly lead to weight gain.

Gastroenterologists recommend eating only the flesh of the thorn, but not the seeds that contain the toxin. For this reason, preservation with fruits is not recommended to be stored for too long, since amygdoline, together with hydrocyanic acid, diffuses from the seeds into the product itself. Fresh fruits are also stored for no more than 10 days in a cool, dry place.

The turn is a rather rare and valuable berry, therefore, having met it on the counter, be sure to harvest it for a long winter. Jams and decoctions of thorns strengthen the immune system, relieve colds and help relax the nervous system. And valuable bark and inflorescences will provide healing compresses for various skin lesions.

During treatment with folk recipes, it is important to know the measure and remember contraindications. In case of individual intolerance to the product, consult a doctor.

Video: Turn jam prescription