The healing properties of blueberry leaves: an effective medicine or just a fragrant addition to tea. Blueberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications Blueberry herb useful properties and contraindications

The healing properties of blueberry leaves: an effective medicine or just a fragrant addition to tea. Blueberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications Blueberry herb useful properties and contraindications

08.03.2020 Soups

Small, black, bead-like blueberries have beneficial properties. To improve visual acuity and in case of eye diseases, summer berries are eaten. In addition to fruits, the leaves and shoots of plants are beneficial. They are used to treat and prevent many ailments, because the plant has very few contraindications.

The berries contain (per 100 g):

Berries also contain:

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are not known to everyone, are famous not only for the benefits of their fruits, but also for the healing leaves and shoots.

acids (citric, oxalic, tartaric, malic, benzoic, gallic);
minerals (iron, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, magnesium);
tanning binders;
vitamin C;
saponins;
carotenoids;
arbutin (eliminates inflammation in the bladder).

The leaf and shoots have an antimicrobial effect, relieve fever, treat diabetes, since, thanks to special substances in the sotava, they normalize blood glucose. Both the brewed leaf and fresh or frozen berries contain up to 35 kcal per 100 g.

Beneficial properties for women and men

Blueberry extracts are included in many medical complexes for males and females.

Thanks to its rich organic content, the berry helps women with:

skin problems (age wrinkles, aging);
thinning hair (loss, fragility, lifelessness);
weak nail plate (delamination, fragility);
excess fluid retention;
vaginal candidiasis (thrush);
the extinction of female function (menopause);
spontaneous emission of urine.

In solving male problems, it is useful for:

preservation of male strength and erection;
treatment of inflammation of the pelvic organs.

Potential harm

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which should be known to lovers of berries, can harm the body if consumed unwisely.

So when overeating, you can provoke:

Consuming a small amount of dried berries or blueberry decoctions strengthens the stool. But large portions, on the contrary, can cause diarrhea, due to the abundance of fiber. In pregnant women, the likelihood of constipation increases physiologically, so they should be careful when eating blueberries.

Also, during pregnancy, women with gallbladder problems may experience heartburn and epigastric pain. This is because blueberries enhance the movement of bile.

You should not eat a lot of blueberries before the upcoming surgery, as they thin the blood. For people with severe hypotension, excessive consumption of berries can provoke a decrease in blood pressure even more. In type 2 diabetes, they lower blood sugar, which can lead to hypoglycemia.

Blueberries tend to accumulate radiation, so only berries collected in areas with a favorable ecological situation will be useful. Blueberries are not harmful if consumed in moderation, taking into account the characteristics of the organism and its current state.

Indications for admission

Blueberry is indicated for:

Blueberry leaves and shoots are used for:

Cold manifestations of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections (due to the anti-inflammatory effect).
Atherosclerosis (for cleaning blood vessels from harmful plaques).
Increased blood sugar.
Being overweight (reduces appetite).
Sore throat, cough.
Prevention of the processes of putrefaction in the stomach.

Contraindications

The ban on the use of fruits and decoctions in food is associated with:

the presence of kidney stones and gallbladder (due to the content of oxalic acid);
unhealthy pancreas;
an increase in stomach acidity;
highly thinned blood, hemophilia;
adverse reactions, intolerance, allergies.

Folk remedies recipes with blueberries

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which were discussed above, are used in recipes for home treatment:

For sight

The significant content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) has provided the berry with widespread use in:

cataract;
changes in the cornea;
myopia in children;
inflammation of the eyes.

In order to nourish your eyes in season, you just need to eat a little bit of the berry by itself or prepare yoghurts, cocktails and fruit desserts with cottage cheese. In this form, the assimilation of all the necessary substances occurs in the maximum volume and in a natural way.

There are also recipes for making eye drops from blueberry juice. But such medications should be treated with caution, having received the advice and approval of a doctor, especially when it comes to the eyes of a child.

With gastritis, colitis

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which differ for each disease, are also used for gastritis and colitis.

With colitis, berries help relieve inflammation of the intestinal walls.

This is facilitated by antioxidants and polyphenols, which, in combination with prebiotics, kill pathogenic microbes and stimulate the growth of beneficial flora.

When consumed with prebiotics, the maximum effect is achieved, the volume of the inflamed mucous membrane decreases, tissue regeneration occurs, due to the division of cells of the beneficial flora.

The easiest way would be to eat cocktails made from kefir with blueberries or natural yoghurts with the addition of this berry.

The benefits of using blueberries for gastritis depends on the acidity. If it is lowered, the berries will make digestion softer and more comfortable. And with excessive secretion of gastric juice, the situation may worsen.

With exacerbation of gastritis and colitis, the use of berries is not recommended. Fresh blueberries can be consumed only during the period of remission of these diseases.

From hemorrhoids

With a tendency to stool retention and hemorrhoids, blueberries should be eaten carefully so as not to provoke excessively strong stools. But when handled wisely and used medicinally, blueberries can relieve the troublesome conditions associated with hemorrhoids.

For this, a berry infusion is prepared:

Cooled- mashed berries (2 tablespoons) are poured with a glass of boiled cooled water, insisted for several hours and drunk 1⁄4 cup 4 times a day before meals.
Warm- Pour boiling water over the berries in a glass and mash. Drink throughout the day in equal parts.

You can prepare a medicinal tincture with vodka and blueberries. For this, half a glass of mashed berries is poured with vodka and kept in a dark place. Take 12 drops 3 times a day.

With anemia

Lack of iron causes fatigue and the development of anemia. Iron-rich blueberry leaf and berries will help raise hemoglobin.

Take in equal shares:

dried blueberries;
rose hip;
black elderberry;
dried black currants;
St. John's wort;
oregano;

Everything is mixed and ground. When brewing tea, one teaspoon of the composition is added to a mug and poured with boiling water. Freshly squeezed blueberry juice is of particular benefit for anemia. They drink it three times a day, 120 ml before meals.

Blueberry tea also helps in lowering hemoglobin levels. This drink is brewed like regular blueberry leaf tea.

From impotence

Research in England has established a relationship between eating foods rich in flavonoids and male sexual health. So men who ate at least 3 handfuls of blueberries a week were less likely to complain of frustration and problems in this area.

Anthocyanin is useful for male potency. Blueberries are at the top of the list of foods containing this substance. Another beneficial property of anthocyanin is anti-inflammatory effect.

Berries have a beneficial effect on male strength, thanks to anthocyanins and flavonoids.

For sore throat

For colds and acute respiratory infections, blueberries and their leaves are used. Thanks to the antimicrobial action, unpleasant symptoms are eliminated: cough, runny nose, sneezing. Blueberries are good for children, they are good for them and taste good.

You can cook a sweet compote and give the baby a little or crush a few berries in a mug and just add boiling water. You can also gargle with this drink to relieve inflammation. Herbal tea is prepared from dry leaves and berries with a strong cough and drunk with honey.

With diseases of the genitourinary system

Blueberries, the beneficial properties of which have been well studied today, are also used for the treatment of the genitourinary sphere. It relieves inflammation of the kidneys and ureters. Displays sandy stones and small stones. Prevents the development of harmful microorganisms in the bladder. It has a diuretic effect. However, in the presence of large stones, it is contraindicated.

For urinary incontinence, blueberry decoctions are used along with blackberries. 50 g of blueberries and 50 g of blackberries are poured into 500 ml of water and brought to a boil. After cooling and straining, apply 125 ml 4 times a day before meals.

It is also useful for spontaneous urination to drink blueberry jelly. To do this, first boil blueberry compote, and then add starch dissolved in cold water. Stir everything over low heat until complete connection, so that lumps do not form.

For skin diseases

Blueberries are also useful for treating skin diseases. Dried and fresh berries are used for eczema, dermatitis. A decoction of dry leaves can be added to baths or make small foot baths for prickly heat.

Compresses are prepared from dry berries. Berries are taken in a ratio of 1: 4 to water, brought to a boil and wait until half of the liquid has evaporated. The remaining mass is cooled, a compress is made using gauze, clean cotton or linen cloth and applied to problem areas.

From pressure

A large amount of blueberries is contraindicated for hypotensive patients, since blood pressure can decrease even more. In case of hypertension, accordingly, the use of berries and decoctions is recommended. For the prevention of VSD in the summer, you should eat a sufficient amount of fresh berries. The high content of organic substances, monosaccharides and proteins will support the work of the heart and blood vessels, stabilize blood pressure.

For medicinal purposes, fruit drinks and decoctions are prepared.

The dried leaf is included in the formulations for high blood pressure:

valerian - 10 g;
linden (flowers) - 10 g;
blueberries (leaf) - 10 g.

Combine everything and pour 400 ml of water into a thermos. Withstand an hour and drink 100 ml before meals.

With oncology

The berry has an antitumor effect, fights against malignant tumors.

Biologically active components allow:

trigger the self-destruction mechanism of cancer cells;
relieve inflammation;
eliminate free radicals;
suppress the synthesis of a provoking factor, which leads to the transformation of healthy cells into cancer patients;
blocks protein synthesis in "bad" sick cells, preventing them from growing.

With diabetes

Reduces the risk of developing diabetes due to insulin-like substances. Consuming blueberries increases insulin sensitivity and stimulates the production of this hormone.

The body receives additional protection from the harmful effects of glucose. The berry juice and extract of the plant promote the growth and repair of the cells of the pancreas responsible for the production of insulin.

For diarrhea, constipation

As noted earlier, the effect on the gut can be ambiguous and individual in each case. It is believed that the berry provokes constipation. But nevertheless, when consuming a large portion of berries, fiber usually increases intestinal motility and relaxation occurs. For constipation, it is recommended to use fresh berries with fermented milk products.

For diarrhea, it is better to limit yourself to a few fresh berries or eat dried fruits. Alternatively, you can brew blueberry leaf and dried berries to stop the upset stool.

During pregnancy

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which have their own characteristics for pregnant women, will generally be useful for a developing baby. The use of a fresh natural product will provide the expectant mother and child with all the necessary substances. The use of blueberries will also be beneficial in terms of the increased risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.

The insulin-like substances in the berry will help keep your blood sugar normal. If a pregnant woman has a cold, then rinsing with blueberry decoction will help to cope with a sore throat, because medications are undesirable during this period. When consumed in moderation, the berry will only benefit.

Do not get carried away with the berry for constipation, and they are typical during pregnancy. It is also important to know where the berry was harvested. Blueberries from radiation-contaminated areas will not only be unhelpful, but can also pose a threat to a woman and a child. For problems with the gallbladder, heartburn, you should also limit the use of fresh berries.

Berry storage rules

During the season, freshly harvested berries can be stored in the refrigerator in small volumes for up to 2-3 days. Then she begins to let the juice, you can still use it for several days, but including in cocktails, yoghurts, desserts.

With a large volume of berries, so that it does not deteriorate, freeze is used. The frozen berry will retain all the beneficial and nutrients.

You can use special freezer bags or cups. The berries will freeze best in glasses. The berries will separate easily from each other.

They also make blanks for mixing with kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese. For this, blueberries are ground with a blender or rolled in a meat grinder. Then the mass is laid out in small glasses and frozen. Berries should be frozen without sugar, otherwise all the benefits will not be.

The second way is to roll jam, jams. The abundance of sugar in such products reduces the benefits of berries, and during heat treatment, some of the useful elements will be lost. For a change, you can prepare several cans of sweet jam, but for health it is better to preserve the berry by freezing it.

Self-harvested leaf and dried berries are stored in bags made of natural fabrics (cotton fabric, preferably linen). Raw material bags are hung in a room with good air permeability, without excess moisture and dampness.

With this storage, dried blueberries and their shoots will retain useful substances for a year. The dried herb purchased at the pharmacy should be protected from moisture penetration and should not be used for more than the storage period indicated on the package.

The beneficial properties of the berry, when used correctly, are undeniable. In the summer season, blueberries will perfectly heal the body and saturate them with vitamins. Despite a number of contraindications, it is successfully used by traditional medicine for the prevention and control of many diseases.

Article formatting: Mila Friedan

Video about the benefits of blueberries

Harm and benefits of blueberries for the body:

Blueberry, as a medicinal plant, has been known for a long time. In Russia, this wild berry was rightfully called rejuvenating. Among many nationalities, she was also called a healer.

It was collected for future use, dried, sprinkled with sugar and made into jam. Fruits and leaves have a wide range of beneficial properties. Nature has made people a wonderful gift for health and longevity.

The plant is found in the forests of Central Europe and Asia and in the taiga. Currently, there is a widespread tendency to cultivate plants in special farms.

Most of the composition of blueberries is water, it is 86.5% in the berry. In terms of the ratio of protein and carbohydrates, the latter are in the lead: carbohydrates in berries are 8.6%, and protein is 1.1%. The fruits contain dietary fiber in large quantities.

So for 100 gr. dietary fiber is 2.2 grams. Free organic acids make up 1.2% of the total weight. The berry is also rich in chemical composition. It contains a large amount of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.

The plant contains copper, zinc, a fairly large amount of vitamins C and PP, B vitamins, a certain amount of vitamin P and pantothenic acid.

The leaves are unique in that they contain neomyrtillin, which can lower blood sugar levels. The most valuable property of the berry is considered its superiority over all known berries, vegetables and fruits in terms of manganese content. The role of manganese for the vital functions of the body is very important.

Manganese is able to regulate the level of glucose in the body, slow down the growth of cholesterol plaques, stimulate the production of vitamin C, influence lipid metabolism in liver cells, and have a positive effect on brain activity.

The composition contains a significant presence of pectin and various acids, such as, for example, lactic, cinchona, malic and succinic. The berry is also known for the fact that tannins and phytoncides are present in sufficient quantities. In 100 gr. contains 40% of the daily intake of phytosterols, which have a positive effect on the female body.

The beneficial properties of leaves and berries are determined by its chemical composition. The pectins contained in the plant contribute to the release of the intestines from the residual products of its vital activity and the normalization of its functioning.

In the fight against such dangerous microorganisms as dysentery bacillus, causative agents of typhoid and diphtheria, staphylococcus, a special role belongs to the phytoncides contained in blueberries. An important role belongs to the rich content of vitamin C, thanks to which the iron contained in blueberries is well absorbed by the body.

The benefits of using berries in traditional medicine

Due to the presence of tannins, blueberries are used in the treatment of diarrhea and constipation. For diarrhea, it is recommended to eat a small amount of fresh berries at short intervals. Fruits also have a positive effect in the case of stomach catarrh. It is especially useful to use them with reduced gastric acid secretion.

Blueberry berry extract increases dopamine levels. This process is due to the presence of natural antioxidants in them. Dopamine, in turn, is involved in the synthesis of growth hormone, the processes of cell renewal and rejuvenation of the body. The main processes in the work of the brain are impossible without the participation of dopamine.

The phytoncides contained in blueberries help to increase the permeability of the cell. This has a positive effect on the anti-inflammatory processes in the body.

For a long time, traditional medicine has been using the beneficial properties of the plant.

Traditional healers recommend a mixture of blueberries and strawberries to fight kidney stones. A decoction of the leaves of the plant can help treat kidney and urinary tract infections.
The product takes pride of place in helping to combat diabetes mellitus. All parts of the plant have insulin-like properties that help lower blood glucose levels.

Manganese, which is responsible for the balance of glucose levels, also plays an important role. And manganese in the berries is 17.5%, which is very important.

In combination with the Jerusalem artichoke plant, with systematic use in patients with diabetes, it becomes possible to gradually abandon drugs containing insulin. It is important that these processes take place under the supervision of a physician.

For the treatment of eczema, stomatitis, purulent wounds and various ethnogenesis of rashes, hemorrhoids, as well as sore throats, it is useful to use externally thick decoctions of fresh berries or juice.

In cases of sore throat and stomatitis, it is recommended to rinse with these broths.

With gout and rheumatism; diseases associated with metabolic disorders, berries are recommended in any form.
A large amount of niacin (vitamin PP) in the composition of berries is indicated for diseases where there is a decrease in the strength of the blood vessels.

In these cases, both fresh berries and dried ones are suitable. Canned fruits of the plant can also be used. In case of metabolic disorders, the use of blueberries is necessary for a long time.

A very important aspect is cleansing the intestines from fermentative putrefactive processes by introducing blueberries into the diet.

The use of a healing fruit for health: during pregnancy, with high sugar and pressure

Medicine uses the beneficial properties of berries and green mass as a fortifying agent, most often in the form of dietary supplements.

By introducing blueberries into the diet, the work of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized.

The positive effect of blueberries on the state of vision has long been known.

The plant is useful for people whose work involves eye strain. Its use can improve night vision, visual acuity. Long-term use of blueberries can enhance the effect of special drugs in the fight against destructive changes in the retina of the eye and lens.

Blueberries relieve eye fatigue and increase their natural defenses against external irritants. This is due to the flavonoids in the berry, which plays an important role in the synthesis of rhodopsin and improves the condition of cell membranes.

Due to their high manganese content, blueberries are able to regulate lipid metabolism, which is a beneficial factor for overweight people.

Low-calorie blueberries, it contributes to the rapid saturation of the body. It should be borne in mind that in this case it will serve as an aid, and not a panacea in the process of losing weight.

Acting positively on the condition of the blood vessels, blueberries are a good addition to the treatment of hypertension.

It is able to improve blood circulation and normalize blood pressure due to a large proportion of PP vitamin and organic acids.

During pregnancy, blueberries are a good help and benefit in building a new body, since they are rich in vitamins and microelements.

And phytohormones present in fruits help to stabilize hormonal balance, which becomes unstable during pregnancy.

In addition, by lowering blood sugar levels, blueberries make you feel full. This allows you not to overeat, which is very important for expectant mothers. Infections during pregnancy can be treated with juice and blueberry tea.

The healing properties of shoots and leaves

Infusions from the leaves or shoots of blueberries provide invaluable help in the fight against such serious diseases as leukemia, diabetes mellitus, urethritis, urolithiasis, lichen. The list of diseases is quite extensive. Currently, you can buy medicinal raw materials from blueberry leaves and herbs in special companies.

This video explains a lot about blueberries, the main eye-improving food.

Harmful qualities, contraindications and harm

Contraindications for the use of blueberries are oxalaturia. This is due to the presence of oxalic acid in blueberries. In the presence of oxalates in urine, oxalic acid is contraindicated and harmful.

It should be remembered that a wild plant is capable of accumulating radioactive substances in itself. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon the collection of berries in unfavorable areas and the purchase of berries in spontaneous markets.

Berries, eaten in very large quantities at one time, can cause diarrhea and the manifestation of allergic reactions.

Healthy Blueberry Recipes: Dried Fruit, Honey, and Sugar

For disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, an infusion of dried blueberries is used.

It is prepared as follows: 4 teaspoons of raw materials are infused in water at room temperature for 8 hours.

The broth is prepared as follows: 2 teaspoons of crushed fruits are poured with boiling water, boiled for 10 minutes and cooled. In inflammatory processes, such a decoction is consumed in 3 tablespoons.

For hemorrhoids, it is useful to use a decoction for enemas.

For external use, a thick blueberry broth is good. Its recipe is simple. 100 g dried berries in 0.5 liters of water. Boil down to a volume of 0.3 liters.

Blueberry jam is a low-calorie product.

It can be consumed by people who are overweight. For 1 kg. fresh berries will need 500 gr. Sahara. Clean dry berries should be covered with sugar and left for 2 hours. Then you need to cook for 20 minutes, removing the resulting foam. Pour the jam into sterile jars, sterilize for 5-10 minutes and seal.

Blueberry juice can be made in a juicer or juicer.

For preparation for the winter, add 230 g to the juice. sugar and 3 gr. citric acid per 1 liter of juice. It is heated and poured hot into jars. The juice is useful for use with gastrointestinal disorders and for rinsing with tonsillitis and stomatitis.

For making 1.5 kg blueberry syrup. berries will need 1.2 liters. water, 600 gr. sugar and 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice.

The blueberries need to be crushed. Cook the berries for 5 minutes, then rub through a sieve. Drain and store the juice. In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil, then add blueberry juice, boil for 1 minute and add lemon juice. Remove the syrup from heat and pour into jars. This juice can also be frozen.

The product can be prepared for the winter in the form of mashed puree, in which honey can be added instead of sugar.

Such a product is perfectly stored and retains the beneficial properties of blueberries. It is effective in the fight against colds and as a general tonic.

In dietary nutrition, a mixture of blueberries with milk and a small amount of sugar has proven itself well.

This product is low in calories, beneficial for metabolism, and delicious.

You can add the plant to tea in a variety of ways. This drink strengthens the immune system, has a positive effect on vision and relieves fatigue.

Blanks for future use

It is quite simple to prepare raw materials for future use. Dry clean berries or plant leaves are dried in the shade in a well-ventilated area. With this method, blueberries retain their beneficial properties.

It can be frozen and the amount of vitamin C increases. It is important to use a quick freeze or purchase a ready-made frozen product.

All kinds of jams and preserves, compotes and syrups can be made from blueberries, which are perfectly stored during the winter.

Summing up, we can safely say that the popular saying: "Where they eat blueberries and strawberries, doctors have nothing to do", corresponds to the truth. The richest in vitamins and microelements content berry is a generous gift from nature itself to people. And this wealth needs only to be properly disposed of and used wisely.

Good afternoon, dear friends and blog readers. Today I want to talk about the beneficial properties of blueberries. I myself love her very much. I remember how the little girl went with her mother to collect her in the forest. And now I would not refuse to go, but there is absolutely not enough time.

Amazing, warm and bright memories from the hike for berries remained. You wake up early in the morning, get ready, breathe the fresh forest air, pick berries. The properties of blueberries deserve attention, let's talk about that today.

But first I would like to turn to the origins and understand what kind of berry it is - blueberry.

It has about 100 types. They are common in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America. But we will talk about the European part, about all of us a familiar variety from childhood - common blueberry.

The common blueberry variety is a shrub 15-40 cm high. It grows mainly in coniferous forests and prefers spruce forests. It can be found on the edges or on the outskirts of the forest. After all, she loves the sun and grows in those places that warm well.

The berry cannot be cultivated, it can grow only in the forest, in conditions that are comfortable for itself. Prefers fertile and not very moist soil. Many try to cultivate, it turns out quite successfully

Blueberries are especially abundant in the Urals, Siberia, the Caucasus and the European part of Russia. In a particularly fruitful year, up to 800 kg of blueberries can be harvested from one hectare.

The crop is harvested from about July to September. At this time, the berries contain the most vitamins that are so necessary for our body. The site has a useful article about cranberries, read it.

Composition

Benefits for the body

The benefits of blueberries are undeniable, the main thing is not to miss the season, to eat fresh berries, it is much healthier.

Of course, first of all, the berry is good for vision. This is her most famous property. Pay attention to the shelves in pharmacies, they are littered with eye medications, which include blueberries. But everyone understands that fresh berries are much healthier. Improvement of vision occurs due to the fact that blueberry promotes the renewal of cells in the retina of the eye.
With diabetes mellitus, you can include a berry in your diet, but before that, you must definitely consult your doctor. The berries contain anthocyanosides, which lower blood sugar levels. However, in combination with drugs, it can cause unintended consequences.
The berry has an anti-inflammatory effect on the kidneys and urogenital canals. It is believed that a decoction of blueberry leaves provides tremendous support in removing kidney stones.
It has a beneficial effect on memory. It not only preserves but also improves it.
Blueberries have a great effect on the cardiovascular system. The berries contain potassium, it strengthens the muscles of the heart, and vitamin C evens out blood pressure, nourishes and rejuvenates the walls of blood vessels. Blueberries contain anticoagulants that reduce blood clotting and fight blood clots in blood vessels.
Helps with diarrhea and. It easily copes with pathogenic bacteria in the intestines, kills the bacteria of dysentery and typhoid fever.
Berries improve potency, therefore it is especially useful for men.

Video - are blueberries good for you?

Harm to the body

It is not recommended to eat dried blueberries for constipation. And in general, the abuse of fruits can cause severe constipation.
You can not eat berries in case of malfunction of the duodenum and with diseases of the pancreas.
Not for people with berry allergies.

Calorie content and dosage

Blueberries are low in calories. There are only 44 kcal per 100 grams of the product. The berry is rich in vitamins and therefore has wide application in dietetics. The diet is not built on the use of blueberries, but the berry can be a good addition. For example, supper can be replaced with a glass of berries, I in the morning drink a glass of blueberry compote.

As for the daily allowance, you do not need to chase large doses. So how much can you eat per day? An analysis was carried out and it was concluded that a person needs to eat up to 5 kg of blueberries per year, which is about 1 tablespoon a day, even less.

Question answer

Is it okay for a nursing mother?

Yes, you can, blueberries are considered hypoallergenic. Just be aware that it can cause constipation and if your baby is constipated, it is better to abstain. It is impossible with intestinal obstruction and low blood clotting.

Is it possible for pregnant women?

We know the beneficial properties of this berry, and if you have no contraindications, you can eat blueberries for pregnant women. We are not talking about kilograms, but a glass of wonderful berries will only do you good. Start with a few berries, if there is no allergic reaction, add a serving.

At what age can a child be given?

It is necessary to start introducing blueberries into the baby's diet no earlier than from 5-6 months. First you need to squeeze juice from the berries, literally at the tip of a spoon. If any allergic reaction does not follow, by the year you can bring up to 1/3 cup per day.

What is the difference between blueberries and blueberries

Blueberries and strawberries are close relatives, they belong to the heather family.

The blueberry bush is much lower and the stem is soft, the blueberry stem is hard, much higher than that of the blueberry, from 0.5 to 1.5 meters.

Blueberries are slightly smaller, darker, with a whitish bloom, the juice is dark, it is easy for them to get dirty. Blueberry berries are larger, lighter in color, the juice of the berries is light, without a pronounced color. The color of the blueberry pulp is dark blue, the color of the blueberry pulp is greenish.

Blueberries have a more pronounced taste, although they are not much different in composition, both berries are a storehouse of vitamins and minerals.

Fresh wild berries are a real storehouse of vitamins, but only have a short shelf life. To stock up on vitamins for the whole winter, we can dry the berries at home. And it is very simple to do this:

First you need to sort out the berries, throwing out all the crumpled, rotten ones, throwing out the foreign debris.
We wash the berries under running water. To do this, you need to put them in a colander.
So that the berries do not lose color, you need to sprinkle them with lemon juice, and mix gently so that the fruits do not crumple.
You can dry blueberries in three ways: in the dryer, in the oven, in the fresh air. 1. If you have a dryer, then you need to put the berries in one layer on the wire rack and dry for 10-12 hours. 2. If you decide to dry the berries in the oven, then you need to set the temperature to 60-70 degrees, put paper on a baking sheet and lay out the berries. In the oven, the berries are dried for 6-10 hours, with the door slightly open for airing. 3. Finally, if you've chosen the outdoor drying method, be prepared for it to take a few days. The berries will need to be placed on cheesecloth stretched between posts or trees. Store them in a warm, dry place at night.

Useful properties of leaves

As we have already understood, blueberries are healthy both fresh and dried. Leaves can also have a beneficial effect on our body. They have a positive effect on metabolism.

The leaves can be used both dry and fresh. Decoctions are made of them, which save in the presence of many, decoctions contribute to expectoration. They are also used for headaches, for inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and larynx, for indigestion, for diseases of the kidneys and liver.

Rinsing the mouth.
Doing enemas in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Normalizes the amount of sugar in diabetes.
They drink it like tea, and this helps to remove toxins.
Used as a compress for inflammation of the skin and skin diseases.

How to store

I want to say right away that there are several storage methods. We can store fresh berries, dried or frozen. Whichever method you choose, blueberries should first be prepared for storage.

To do this, the berries should be sorted out, throwing away unnecessary garbage, spoiled and rotten fruits. Next, we rinse them with a 1: 3 vinegar solution and rinse with clean water to get rid of the smell and taste of vinegar. The vinegar will keep the mold from growing.

And the last thing to do is dry the berries. A fan can be used for quick drying. Make sure that there is no moisture left on the berries, otherwise this will lead to mold on the fruits.

You can use a ceramic or plastic container to store fresh berries. It is necessary to ensure that the contents are well ventilated, for this you can make holes. Do not take metal containers for storage, as blueberries will react with metal and lose color. Put a paper towel at the bottom of the prepared container, it will absorb excess moisture. Next, pour the berries into a container and put them in the refrigerator. The lower shelves are suitable for storage, because extreme cold will damage the berries. In this state, blueberries can be stored for 5-10 days. If you decide to keep the berries fresh, you only need to wash them before eating.
Blueberries can be stored in the freezer for one year. To do this, first freeze each berry on a tray separately, which will take 2-3 hours. This is necessary so that the berries do not stick together during storage. After freezing the berries on a tray, we simply pour them into bags in portions and place them in the freezer.
Dried berries are recommended to be stored in a wooden container or cloth bag.

Infusion for sore throat

You need to take a spoonful of crushed berries, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Such an infusion can be drunk, only it must be divided into 2 doses. If you make it more concentrated, you can gargle with infusion in case of illness.

Blueberries when dieting

There is a version that blueberries are able to burn subcutaneous fat in the abdomen. This means that it is a good companion product for diets and fasting days.

There is a three-day blueberry diet, it is simple and allows you to lose 3 kilograms. The diet is seasonal, although frozen berries can also be used.

The daily diet is 3-4 glasses of blueberries, 500 ml of kefir, 250 ml of non-fatty yogurt.

With diabetes mellitus

People with diabetes mellitus have their own, special diet, which is allowed to include blueberries. They are able to keep blood sugar in the normal range.

The glycemic index of the berry is quite low, only 30. This means that it can be safely included in the diet of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Drink blueberry juice, make blueberry sauce, and just eat fresh berries.

An infusion of the leaves of this beneficial berry significantly lowers blood sugar. For this, dry leaves are suitable, take 1 teaspoon of leaves and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink infusion 3 times a day, 1/3 cup. The course is 2 weeks, a break for a month.

Dear readers, before starting treatment with folk remedies, consult your doctor.

Smoothie Ingredients:

2-3 stalks of celery,
2 bananas
4 tablespoons blueberries,
1/3 lemon (for juice),
1 glass of clean water.

Cooking method:

We load all the ingredients into a blender and mix, then pour into glasses.

Blueberry curd pie

Pie ingredients:

250 gr flour
150 gr butter
100 grams of sugar and filling to taste,
1 tsp baking powder,
3 eggs,
100 gr sour cream,
200 gr blueberries.

Cooking method:

First, prepare the dough. Combine chopped cold butter with flour and mix until smooth. Add 2 eggs, sugar and baking powder to this. We mix all the ingredients and put the ball obtained from the dough in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then we take out and distribute the dough in a thin layer over the shape, sculpting the sides.
Cooking the filling. Stir in sour cream, 1 egg and sugar to taste. Put the resulting mixture on the dough.
Place the berries on top of the pie.
We put the pie in the oven for 35-40 minutes, preheating it to 180 degrees.
If you feel like it, you can decorate the cake with powdered sugar. Bon Appetit.

And now I suggest you watch an interesting video about healthy blueberries.

Dear friends, include blueberries in your diet and your immune system will be grateful to you.

I wish you good health and good mood.

A significant part of the properties of blueberries noticed by herbalists and healers later received scientific confirmation. As for blueberry leaves, science has a much cooler attitude to therapy with them. On the one hand, they contain some of the components that are completely absent in the berries: tannins or glycosides that are useful in certain cases (compounds whose molecule consists of a carbohydrate "skeleton"). On the other hand, their composition is in many respects identical to the leaves of any other plants. And the contraindications for blueberry leaves are often associated with the same area in which they are used most often - with the treatment of the digestive system and excretion.

Composition and proportions

So, the chemical composition of blueberry leaves and shoots, which are also used in folk medicine, is different from its berries. As often happens in such cases, blueberry leaves contain almost everything that is in its berries, only several times less. Plus, they contain a number of substances that usually do not get into the berries, but they are part of almost any foliage of any plants in the world.

Essential oils. They give blueberries their specific aroma and have a stimulating blood circulation and warming effect.
Vitamins. Groups B, C, PP, A, albeit in relatively small quantities.
Organic acids. Suitable for human consumption and even necessary for the body, but in very limited quantities. There are more than a dozen of them in blueberries, while in the leaves you can only find resin, oleanolic, quinic, ursolic acid. All of them provide a slight antipyretic and bactericidal effect, stimulate intestinal peristalsis.
Micro and macro elements. Calcium, potassium, cobalt, manganese, zinc and some others. Their concentration in blueberry leaves is not too high, but it can be important in case of their prolonged and acute deficiency in the diet. It should also be remembered that plant leaves readily accumulate unsafe substances from this series along with useful ones, depending on their content in local soil and water. In particular, we are talking about chromium, copper, lead, barium, bromine.
Anthocyanins. Including the above-mentioned glycosides, among which there is also the "antidiabetic" myrtillin. Anthocyanins serve plants as dyes in the red and red-blue range. And for the human body, they are antioxidants with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. They are not always as useful as they seem. For example, myrtillin has shown in experiments on rats a good ability to lower blood sugar (up to 40%), although its effect on the level of glucose in human blood can be neglected due to its almost complete absence (and there are many reasons for this difference). And another anthocyanin, amygdalin, is best known as hydrocyanic acid - a poison of instant and 100% lethal action.
Tannins. Good anti-inflammatory and antiseptics, a kind of natural antibiotics. They protect plants from pests, including insects and fungi, and serve humans in the same capacity. But most of all tannins are not in the blueberry leaf, but in the bark of the oak - the plant whose name they inherited.

In general, blueberry leaves cannot be called dangerous - rather, less useful than its berries. They really contain many components suitable for the treatment of certain diseases, but in small quantities. Therefore, it is more reasonable to look for these substances in other plants, where they are contained in therapeutically significant concentrations. And the most valuable part of blueberries for health has always been and remain its berries.

The views of blueberries among traditional healers, on the one hand, and among doctors, on the other, are seriously different. So, in folk medicine, the indications for the use of blueberry leaves are quite extensive.

In gynecology. As a hemostatic (with heavy menstruation and uterine bleeding), antiseptic (genital infections), strengthening the immune system during pregnancy. All these properties of blueberries are explained by the presence of tannins in its leaf. Their use, from the point of view of traditional medicine, is also useful for men - with adenoma and prostatitis, as well as cystitis.
For sight. That is, to improve it when age-related and other deviations appear. Blueberry leaves are believed to improve vision during both day and night by stimulating blood circulation in the retina.
For diarrhea. And also dysentery, food poisoning and everything that can cause it. The sanitation of the digestive tract is again provided here by tannins - poisonous for microorganisms, however, as well as for the cells of the body.
With pancreatitis. As well as gallstone disease, hepatitis, biliary dyskinesia, indigestion, dysbiosis and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. The essential oils contained in blueberry leaves, which stimulate appetite, bile secretion and improve blood circulation in the walls of the digestive organs, contribute to the therapeutic effect here. Peristalsis stimulants - anthocyanins - also contribute.
To lower blood pressure. Probably due to the anti-inflammatory effect on blood vessels of food acids and tannins.
With pathologies of the joints. In particular, gouty, traumatic and age-related arthritis. This indication is most often explained by the presence of food acids in blueberry leaves, which, like acetylsalicylic acid, can relieve joint pain and inflammation.
When coughing. To relieve the inflammatory process of the upper respiratory tract thanks to the same tannins and acids.
For hair strengthening. And getting rid of dandruff and other scalp problems. Tannins perfectly help against any foreign microflora, and root strengthening is achieved due to the presence of nicotinic acid in blueberry leaves.
Slimming. Decoction, infusion and tincture of blueberry leaves speed up metabolism and are believed to reduce the body's need for carbohydrates.

... and doctors' opinions on the medicinal properties of blueberry leaves

Much more skeptical doctors, when discussing the benefits or harms of blueberry leaves, suggest paying attention to the following nuances that healers usually forget about, or do not know them.

With diabetes mellitus. The use of blueberry leaf for diabetes is unlikely to harm the body in any way, but it will not give any result either. The reason is that the aforementioned anthocyanin myrtillin lowers sugar in laboratory animals with artificially induced diabetes by 35-40%. However, the metabolism of the vast majority of land animals (with the exception of reptiles and some other cold-blooded ones) is four or even seven times faster than humans. Therefore, they have a more pronounced and faster (accelerated seven times) effect of all drugs. Thus, what gives 40% effectiveness in a laboratory rat will give a diabetic person four times less effect. In this case, the maximum reduction in sugar that can be obtained from blueberry leaves will be 10%, and this result, as doctors say, can be neglected. In addition, in onions, periwinkle and pink periwinkle, aconite, other poisonous plants with a pungent taste, as well as in the root of ginseng, myrtillin is many times greater than in blueberry leaves. However, they also do not significantly lower blood sugar. And if it were otherwise, diabetics would not need insulin, because a decrease in glucose concentration by almost half of the existing one is an excellent result, almost equal to that of insulin.
For the treatment of women. As for the antiseptic properties, they are lower in blueberry leaves than in the decoction of St. John's wort, celandine and the bark of the oak itself. For the fight against candidiasis, they are still suitable, but when infected with papillomavirus, genital herpes, gonorrhea - definitely not. All the more questionable is the use of blueberry leaves during pregnancy, since if they contain about 20% of tannins, then vitamin C is not more than 250 mg per 100 g of leaves (while in berries it is the other way around). Tannins are poisonous not only for microorganisms, but also for the mother and her child. Thus, taking the same ascorbic acid with blueberries, any citrus fruits or even tablets is much safer.
Effects on vision. From the point of view of medicine, blueberry leaves do not possess them at all, since carotenoids, which are important for the work of cones and rods (those very light-sensitive formations in the retina), are abundantly present in blueberries and in all varieties of dark grapes, but they are almost completely absent in it. leaves.
Effects on joints. Blueberry leaves are quite saturated with what can help relieve chronic inflammation in the joints - tannins and anthocyanins. There is only one exception - gout and the characteristic changes in the joints provoked by it. Traditional medicine does not distinguish gout from other age-related diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Meanwhile, it is caused by the accumulation in the synovial (articular) fluid of one of the food acids - uric acid. Urea is formed in our body during the breakdown of animal proteins and excreted by the kidneys. But in excess, it leads to the formation of urate stones and the accumulation of a considerable amount of the same urates, only in the form of sand and crystals in the joints. In principle, all of the above does not apply in any way to other acids, including those contained in the leaves or berries of blueberries. However, practice shows that a violation of the exchange of one acid disrupts the exchange of the rest, although not so noticeably. Therefore, the consumption of acid-rich foods with gout is prohibited. This applies to both the decoction of blueberry leaves and its berries.
For the urinary tract. In general, medicine confirms the healing properties of blueberry leaves in terms of relieving inflammation in the bladder and kidneys, improving capillary circulation in the glomeruli of the renal parenchyma. But besides gout, in which urate sand and stones become the cause of all deterioration, they do not apply to another version of stones - oxalates. Oxalate stones are formed in individuals whose body, for some reason, loses the ability to absorb oxalic acid - one of the valuable food acids contained in all sour and sour vegetables, herbs, berries and fruits, from the sorrel itself to blueberries. There is little of it in blueberry leaves, but it is there, and there is a lot of it in berries. Therefore, both agents are strictly prohibited for use when oxalates are detected.
For the digestive tract. It is generally accepted that blueberry leaves increase the stomach's own acidity. In fact, it is increased by the presence of food acids in them - including ascorbic acid. In other words, with low acidity (from birth or due to gastritis), their intake is useful, since it returns acidity to normal. And with hyperacidosis, acidity rises even more noticeably, which can end not only with heartburn, but also with erosions or "Barrett's esophagus" - a precancerous condition.

The topic of the presence of a carcinogen in plant materials is also discussed. We are talking about hydroquinone, one of the anthocyanins found in blueberry leaves. There is relatively much of it in them, and at first it was used as a developer for photographic film. Now it is most often found in whitening cosmetics for the face and body, since hydroquinone inhibits the production of melanin in skin cells, which provides sunburn. As a result, solar radiation begins to affect those layers of the skin, which usually does not "get", which is fraught with cancer.

The most common side effect of taking tea made from blueberry leaves and blueberries is allergies. Its development is facilitated by the relatively high content of both ascorbic acid and tannins, together with essential oils. Therefore, it is strictly prohibited for use in any autoimmune disease, from psoriasis to hay fever. Preparations from its mature leaves should not be drunk even with constipation, as there is a risk of their aggravation.

How to prepare raw materials

So, as with many other medicinal plants, traditional medicine tends to overestimate the positive qualities of blueberry leaves and spread overly enthusiastic reviews about their effectiveness. And the manufacturers of various herbal extracts that are now fashionable are manipulating scientific data for advertising purposes.

Whether to use infusion / decoction of blueberry leaves in such conditions or to focus on its berries and products from them is a personal matter for each patient. Much depends on the essence of the existing pathology, and on the characteristics of its course or combination with other diseases. But since the leaves of any plants willingly accumulate hazardous components from the environment, it is better to collect blueberry leaves, taking into account some safety and efficacy requirements.

Collection

Blueberries do not grow in a vegetable garden or in a summer cottage - only in a real deciduous forest. It is rarely possible to recreate such conditions artificially, so you will first have to take a walk in nature for raw materials. The most useful in all respects are young leaves and shoot tips. However, tannins (and from the point of view of science, only they have a proven therapeutic effect) are more in mature leaves.

Shoots. It is permissible to cut young leaves together with the shoots, and mature ones only separately.
Weather. The weather on the day of harvest should be dry. Otherwise, excess moisture risks spoiling the raw materials even during drying.
Quality. Leaves should be chosen evenly developed and colored, without traces of deterioration.
Security. The collection point should not be located closer than 5 km from large industrial enterprises, railways, waste heaps, nuclear power plants. Due to the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, attention should be paid to measuring the background radiation during the collection of blueberries and their leaves throughout the Far East (from where their lion's share comes from).
Collection time. You need to cut off the leaves with shoots in May-June, and July is intended for collecting already ripe leaves (if needed) and blueberries.

Drying

To dry blueberry leaves at home, like any other, it is better in the shade to avoid fermentation (oxidation of chlorophyll in the sun). To do this, it is enough to spread them in one layer on clean (not containing printed text and drawings) paper in a well-ventilated area, and stand, stirring occasionally, for four to seven days, depending on the air temperature.

Storage

You can store dried blueberry leaves in paper bags or tin cans with a lid without rust spots on the inside, in a cool, dry place. The lower shelf of a not very powerful refrigerator, a pantry, one of the upper shelves of the cellar will do.

Recipes

As for how to brew blueberry leaves, there are no significant differences between the recipes for preparing it and other herbs. However, much will depend on how saturated the solution we need. For example, tea made from blueberry leaves is a very weak solution, and a decoction or tincture contains the maximum concentration of active ingredients.

Tea

You will need:

two to three dry blueberry leaves.

Preparation and application

Warm up a cup with boiling water, as usual, add tea leaves.
Add blueberry leaves (you can chop them or toss them whole to taste).
Pour boiling water over and drink like regular tea.

Decoction

You will need:

a glass of warm drinking water;
a tablespoon with a "slide" of dry blueberry leaves.

Preparation and application

Chop the blueberry leaves with your fingers, place in an enamel bowl and cover with water.
Place it in a water bath and bring it to a boil.
Cover and simmer for half an hour, not too hard, adding water as needed.
Then remove from heat and strain through a double layer of cheesecloth. Bring up to the original volume with drinking water.
Take three times a day, 30-50 ml, in between meals. The duration of the course is one week. Then you can take a break for a week and repeat the reception.

Infusion

You will need:

a tablespoon of dried blueberry leaves;
a glass of boiling water;
thermos with non-metallic inner flask.

Preparation and application

Grind dry blueberry leaves, put them in a thermos.
Pour boiling water over, immediately close the lid and leave to cool completely (about two hours).
Strain through a cheesecloth folded in two or three times.
Take this option half a glass at a time - due to the relatively low saturation of the agent with active ingredients. This should be done twice a day, morning and evening, 15 minutes before meals, for two weeks.

Tincture

You will need:

a glass of vodka, alcohol or diluted moonshine with a strength of strictly 40%;
two tablespoons of dry or fresh blueberry leaves / shoots
glassware with a tight lid.

Preparation and application

Grind blueberry leaves or their shoots in a coffee grinder, put in a dry, clean jar.
Pour the raw material with vodka / alcohol, close the lid, shake.
Place for a week in a dark, warm place to infuse, then strain through cheesecloth folded in three to four layers.
Store the resulting product in a dark, but already cool place, tightly closed.
Take ten drops orally, three times a day, after meals, adding to tea, juice, any other drink to taste, including a glass of plain water.

And yet, the beneficial properties of blueberry leaves, prepared as a tincture, are best manifested when applied externally. For example, with this tincture, diluted in a 1: 1 ratio, you can gargle with acute respiratory infections, flu, tonsillitis, as well as stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity. It is used to wipe the foci of rashes and suppurations on the skin, but they are never used for douching.