Useful and medicinal properties of cherries
Useful properties of cherries
Cherry is one of the most famous and useful plants for humans. It has a wide range of medicinal properties and is second only to strawberries in terms of the amount of nutrients. Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B9 (folic acid) are very successfully combined in cherries with trace elements such as magnesium, cobalt, iron, which together helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, prevents the development of anemia and increases immunity.
The presence of the biologically active substance coumarin in fruits reduces the risk of thrombus formation and reduces blood clotting. Recent research has shown that cherries contain ellagic acid, which blocks the growth of cancer cells. And this is very important for the prevention and treatment of cancer. In addition to these substances, organic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, enzymes, pectins, and sugars (fructose and glucose) are found in the plant.
Composition and calorie content
- Fats: 0.3 g
- Proteins: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.2 g
- Water: 86.1 g
- Ash: 0.4 g
- Cellulose: 1.8 g
Vitamins (per 100 g): |
amount |
% RDA |
| Beta carotene | 770 mcg | fifteen% |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 10 mg | eleven% |
Minerals (in 100 g): |
amount |
% RDA |
| Boron | 125 mcg | 179% |
| * Lead | 14.2 μg | 142% |
| Silicon | 41 mg | 137% |
| Rubidium | 77 mcg | 77% |
| Vanadium | 25 mcg | 63% |
| Chromium | 7 μg | fourteen% |
| Molybdenum | 10 mcg | fourteen% |
| Cobalt | 1 μg | ten% |
| Copper | 100 mcg | ten% |
| Nickel | 15 mcg | ten% |
Other important connections:
- Phytosterols - 12 mg (22% of the RDI)
- Purines - 6 mg (5% of the RDI)
It should be borne in mind that cherries contain toxic mineral elements, especially they are capable of accumulating lead (in 100 g - 142% of the daily value).
Complete chemical composition ➤
Other health benefits of cherries:
- Cherry fruits contain many useful macro- and microelements, various vitamins that are very important for a healthy body. Due to the presence of anthocyanin, which is contained in the pulp of berries, they are easily absorbed by the body. The substance coumarin will help to slightly reduce blood clotting, to avoid the formation of blood clots or blockages in blood vessels. Thanks to the combination of cobalt, iron, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and other beneficial elements, berries are used to treat many diseases.
- Cherry fruits have a beneficial effect on the body's metabolism, remove toxins, salts, radiation and excess cholesterol. The juice squeezed out of these fruits increases appetite, quenches thirst and is an excellent medicine for mental disorders, arthritis, colds, as an expectorant and constipation.
- More recently, scientists have found that due to the ellagic acid content, daily consumption of cherries in certain doses inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
- Another name for cherry fruits is heart berry. P-vitamin-active substances, pigments and ascorbic acid help to increase capillary tone, strengthen blood vessels, reduce high blood pressure, increase immunity and make the body less susceptible to negative environmental factors. For people with heart or vascular problems, doctors recommend including a small amount of cherries in their daily diet.
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After black chokeberry, red currant and pomegranate, cherry takes the fourth place in the amount of coumarin, which is contained not only in fruits, but also in the leaves of the tree.
Do not forget about the toxic substances contained in the berries - amygdalin. When this substance is combined with gastric juice, a chemical reaction will begin, as a result of which poisonous acid begins to be released in the stomach, which adversely affects its work. In very small doses, amygdalin is used as a medicine for kidney stones and gout.
Cherry pits features
Hydrocyanic acid in cherry pits. Cherry pits contain about 40% fatty oil with a high iodine value and amygdalin, which is very dangerous in the presence of the amygdalase enzyme (which is in cherries), as it can lead to poisoning. During heat treatment of cherries with seeds (when cooking jam or compotes), amygdalase loses its activity and amygdalin does not split into component components, one of which is hydrocyanic acid, a strong poison.
In small amounts, of course, cherry seed seeds are not dangerous and are good for gout. They need to be rubbed and applied to sore spots.
How to grow a cherry from a stone. For further planting, seeds are selected from large and well-ripened berries. They should be rinsed immediately or held in water for several days, changing it daily. Then the seeds are dried and mixed with wet sand at the end of summer, leaving in boxes for storage until October (in a cool room). In the fall, the seeds are sown in prepared grooves 2-3 cm deep.
In the spring, after the sun warms up, friendly shoots appear. The seedlings grow quickly and in the first year they reach a height of 40-50 cm. In the fall or next spring, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.
Pitting cherries
Cherries are used as a medicine and as a delicacy. Often compotes, jams, pies are made from it, the fruits are frozen for the winter. It is much more pleasant in winter, defrosting berries, eating them without choosing the seeds. After removing them from the berries, it is very important to keep the cherry intact, not to crush it.
There are several ways to help extract seeds from berries:
- improvised means (hairpins, pins, paper clips);
- separator of bones;
- machine for removing bones.
The first way
The first method involves using what is under the hands or just the hands themselves. The berry is squeezed with the fingers of one hand, and with the other hand, using a pin, paper clip or hairpin, the bone is pushed through the place where the stalk is attached and pushed out of the berry. This method requires a certain skill, because without it the work will move very slowly.
Also, instead of improvised means, you can use a nail, which in the same way is pushed on the bone and removed from the cherry. The disadvantage of this method is that all hands will be stained with juice.
Second way
Partial transition to the use of a special device, which in one motion removes the seed from each berry in turn. You just have to put the berries in a special compartment and press the handle of the seed separator. A significant disadvantage of this method is that the berries are pierced through, a lot of pulp and juice is lost.
The third method is most often used in production or when processing very large quantities of cherries. The separation of the seeds occurs very quickly, the cherries are filled up in large batches and after processing the berries are lowered through a special chute into the prepared container.
With this method, the loss of juice and pulp will be minimal, the hands will remain clean. However, with this processing option, about 10% of the berries will remain with seeds, in addition, you will have to constantly monitor the silicone attachments of the machine.
The use of cherries in traditional medicine
Cherry fruits, like leaves, bark, twigs and even roots, are widely used in folk medicine. Our grandmothers often escaped from many ailments by making various decoctions and infusions from cherries and berry juice.
- Convulsions, epilepsy, mental disorders and nerves are well cured with a decoction made from the bark or dried cherries:
- The bark is ground into powder, 2 tbsp. l. pour 0.5 liters of cold water. Let it brew in a dark place for at least 6 hours. After that, the mixture should be brought to a boil and cook for 6-8 minutes in a water bath. Cool and strain through cheesecloth. Take the broth daily 4-5 times a day, 250 ml.
- Dried berries are crushed and take 3 tbsp, 2 tbsp. l. oregano and 1 tbsp. l. karkade. All ingredients are poured into 500 ml of water and cooked for 15-20 minutes over medium heat under a lid. After that, the broth must be insisted for 1.5 hours in a warm place and strain. You can add a little honey to the finished broth to taste and drink it twice after dinner.
- Due to the high content of tannins in cherry berries, they are often used to treat the urinary tract and kidneys. And as a means that will remove excess fluid from the body (diuretic) and from edema, they take an infusion of cherry cuttings, sometimes mixing them in equal proportions with the leaves of wild strawberries. For such an infusion, take 2-3 tsp. chopped cherry stalks and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Insist for at least half an hour, filter. For treatment, take 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day.
- Tea made from corn silk and cherry stalks is used to treat urinary tract infections and painful urination. The ingredients are ground into powder and, if necessary, brewed in equal parts 4-5 times a day.
- Cherry juice mixed with milk is used as an expectorant.
- With arthritis or pain in the joints, a decoction of cherry stalks and tea from young twigs (1 tablespoon of twigs per glass of boiling water) help well.
- For jaundice, infusion of cherry leaves with milk is given. Fresh or dried leaves are carefully chopped, 2 tbsp. l. pour a glass of milk. The resulting mixture is boiled for 15 minutes over low heat, filtered and cooled. Throughout the day, they drink 50 ml after meals.
- For the formation of kidney stones, tuberculosis or persistent dry cough, cherry resin is used. For infusion, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. and dissolve it in 300 ml of boiling water. Cool and take 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day shortly before meals.
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With gastric disorders, duodenal ulcer, ulcer, gallstone disease, a decoction of cherry branches and a tincture of alcohol from the roots of the tree help well:
- The roots should be thoroughly chopped, then filled with cold water, at room temperature, and infused for about 5 hours. After that, the resulting liquid is boiled over a fire for 10-15 minutes. The broth is allowed to cool, filtered and taken 0.5 cups before meals three times a day (in the treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer).
- Cherry roots are thoroughly chopped, 1 tbsp. l. you should take at least 250 ml of vodka or alcohol. The mixture is infused for two weeks. As a treatment, take 20-25 drops three times a day.
- With uncomfortable digestion, cherries help diarrhea, and dried berries have a more effective effect than fresh ones.
Do not forget about the healing properties of cherry leaves. They are used as a plantain, as a hemostatic agent. Leaves are kneaded or chewed, placed on the wound and, if necessary, fixed with a bandage.
In addition to treatment, cherries are used in the household during seaming. Its leaves are added to various pickles and rolls, they give not only a pleasant aroma, but also a special taste.
Cherries in cosmetology
Cherries are also used for cosmetic purposes:
- For example, sauna whisks made from young tree shoots will help maintain skin tone and make it look healthy.
- Fresh berries work well as a face mask in combination with starch. This mixture can be a great alternative to a scrub, removing dead skin cells and tightening pores.
- A few fresh berries are ground and added to them 2 tsp. starch. Apply on face for 15-20 minutes. After that, the mask is washed off with cold water.
- You can experiment with fresh cherries as an ingredient in face masks: use only fresh berries or add fermented milk products to them, which will have a beneficial effect on the skin.
- Cherry hair masks can strengthen hair follicles, get rid of oily shine and make them stronger and healthier. Fresh fruits are thoroughly ground in a ceramic container, a few drops of lemon juice and starch are added. Everything is mixed, the mixture is applied to individual strands before shampooing for 40-50 minutes. The head should be wrapped in plastic and wrapped in warmth. This mask is easily washed off with shampoo. After washing, you can rinse your hair in lemon water.
Cherry recipes
For medicinal purposes, not only cherries are used, but also roots, branches, leaves, seeds, prepared in the form of tinctures, decoctions and infusions.
Tincture of cherries with vodka: add 0.5 kg of sugar to the bottom of a three-liter bottle, as well as washed and dried pitted cherries. The jar needs to be filled 1/2 of the volume. The bones should be removed, since the poisonous substances from them pass into alcohol. Next, you need to pour a liter of vodka over the cherry berries and leave for 21 days in a dark, cool place. It is not only an effective remedy, but also a delicious alcoholic drink.
Decoction of branches: 10 g of chopped cherry branches are boiled for about half an hour in 250 ml of water, infused for 1.5–2 hours, filtered and the remaining volume is brought to the original. Broth can be used to rinse your mouth with gum disease and throat with sore throat.
Infusion of cherries: 10 g of fresh or dry finely chopped leaves and stalks are steamed in a glass of boiling water, infused for 30 minutes and filtered. The infusion is drunk a little during the day. Such a remedy is used for bleeding and hypertension.
The healing properties of cherry juice
The use of cherry juice in the treatment of many diseases is due to the presence of salicylic acid, iron, copper, cobalt and other biologically active substances in it. It has an antibacterial effect and is an effective antiseptic, inhibiting the causative agents of pyogenic infections and dysentery. The juice is also good because it can be harvested for future use. It is an excellent appetite-boosting dietary supplement.
Cherry juice is recommended for respiratory diseases, it is effective for colds and high fever. It is used to improve brain activity, in the treatment of arthritis and to prevent atherosclerosis. Both whole juice and diluted juice rid the body of E. coli.
In addition, cherry juice:
- Cherry juice helps to strengthen the body, eliminates anemia, metabolic processes occur faster. Due to the content of folic acid in combination with B vitamins, cherry juice is very useful for pregnant women.
- Fresh juice increases hemoglobin, improves blood flow and strengthens the walls of capillaries and blood vessels. It is good to drink it as a prevention of vascular occlusion and blood clots.
- Cherry juice has a strong anti-inflammatory effect on the body, kills bacteria staphylococcus, dysentery and streptococcus, promotes faster wound healing, eliminates inflammation of the joints. For arthritis or gout, cherry juice with milk is the first traditional medicine that helps treat these ailments.
- Drinking cherry juice every day improves digestion, reduces the risk of cancer, improves memory, and avoids the development of diabetes. With timely treatment, juice can be an excellent remedy for early mental illness. And due to its high copper content, it can be used as a sedative.
- For severe constipation, drinking a glass of fresh cherry juice on an empty stomach will help. And to completely cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins, the juice should be drunk at least 0.5 liters per day, half a glass, for 10 days before meals.
- More recently, scientists have come to the conclusion that cherry juice is very useful for athletes to drink. It significantly reduces muscle pain when consumed before exercise, and after - promotes faster recovery, relieves fatigue.
Cherry leaves
In folk medicine, in addition to fruits, cherry leaves are also used, which contain organic acids (malic and citric), tannins, coumarin, sucrose, dextrose. For treatment, only those leaves are collected that have fallen off on their own after flowering. It is advisable to use fresh raw materials, but the leaves can be dried for the winter.
The beneficial properties of the cherry leaf have long been used in cooking and traditional medicine. Vitamin tea is brewed from spring leaves, which has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and hemostatic effects.
A decoction of fresh leaves in milk is recommended for various liver diseases (biliary dyskinesia, hepatitis, cholelithiasis).
With heavy menstruation and nosebleeds, an infusion of leaves and stalks will be an effective remedy. In addition, well-crumpled leaves can be placed in the nostrils for a while - and the bleeding will stop.
Characteristics and description of the cherry leaf. Depending on the cherry variety, the leaves of the plant are small, large and medium, smooth or tomentose. In length they reach 2–8 cm, in width - 3–5 cm. In shape, the leaves are divided into oval, elliptical, ovate and obovate with a pointed, round or obtuse leaf tip. The leaf blade usually corresponds to the shape characteristic of the variety, the edges can be serrate, serrated or crenate, combinations of these characters are quite common.
Cherry leaf structure. Cherry leaves are simple, alternate, petiolate, dark green above and lighter below. At the base of the leaf or on the petiole, many varieties have special formations - glands. The presence or absence of glands, as well as their shape, number and color are the distinctive varietal characteristics of cherries.
Cherry blossom
Cherry blossoms are invariably associated with revival, purity, beauty and love. Its white or pale pink flowers, collected in inflorescences and densely dotting the tree during flowering, really look very gentle and touching. Cherry trees are planted in almost every garden and near every home. The healing properties of flowers have been little studied, it is only known that when cherry flowers are distilled with water vapor, cherry water is obtained, which is used in the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases.
Cherry blossom structure. The flower is located on a short stalk - a peduncle. It expands upward and forms a receptacle to which a calyx is attached, consisting of 5 green sepals, as well as a corolla of 5 petals of a pale pink color. Inside the flower are stamens and a pistil. The lower, expanding part of the pistil is called the ovary. On the upper part of the ovary there is a rounded thickening - a stigma. One ovule develops in the ovary of a flower, so only single-seeded fruits ripen in cherry.
Contraindications to eating cherries
Despite the many medicinal properties of cherry berries, they have a number of contraindications:
- Do not abuse cherries with stomach ulcers, chronic lung diseases, intestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes.
- before preparing broths or tinctures from berries, it is imperative to remove the seeds, which are very harmful and contain toxic substances;
- people suffering from gastritis, diabetes mellitus or peptic ulcer should avoid eating cherry fruits, they have a negative effect on the course of the disease;
- with a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, the amount of berries consumed must be limited so as not to provoke exacerbations;
- in case of liver disease, cherries can be eaten only after consulting a specialist;
- overweight people need to monitor the amount of berries consumed, no more than 1/3 cup per day, since the berry increases glucose levels, which can cause weight gain or the development of diabetes.
The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
