Bird cherry
Useful properties and application of bird cherry fruits
Botanical characteristics of bird cherry
Bird cherry belongs to the Rosaceae family, it is a tree or large deciduous shrub, the trunk and branches of which are covered with a dark variegated matte bark. The plant has alternate elliptical leaves with short petioles. In May and June, fragrant white flowers appear, collected in drooping clusters. From August to September, black drupes with an astringent sweet taste ripen. Bird cherry is planted in gardens, squares, this is a beautiful ornamental and medicinal plant.
In nature, bird cherry is found in forest and forest-steppe zones. The habitat is wide enough - Ukraine, Morocco (Africa), the Caucasus, Central Asia, Western Siberia and the European part of Russia.
Useful properties of bird cherry
The excellent properties of bird cherry have been used by people for a long time, valuable recipes for the preparation of various drugs for the treatment of diseases are passed from generation to generation. The bark, leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant are of great value for the treatment of many diseases. The bark is cut in early spring in small strips from several trees, carefully so as not to harm. The berries are harvested in July-September. Fragrant flowers are harvested in May.
The bark and leaves contain hydrocyanic acid (0.09% in the bark, 0.05% in the leaves), benzoic aldehyde, therefore, phytoncidal properties of decoctions and infusions are observed. The fruits are distinguished by the content of ascorbic, malic and citric acids, rutin, anthocyanin, flavonoids, sugars and essential oil. The kernels are rich in fatty oil, amygdalin, prulaurazine, prunazine. The plant contains tannins, the action of which helps to relieve inflammation.
Thanks to organic acids, bird cherry helps to normalize the acid-base environment in the human body. Phytoncides provide the plant's antimicrobial qualities, flavonoids contribute to the diuretic and choleretic effect.
Application of bird cherry
Bird cherry has a huge range of applications in both traditional and official medicine. The bark of bird cherry is endowed with tonic and sedative properties, decoctions are indicated for heart diseases, headaches, diseases of the stomach and intestines, pancreas and gall bladder, with dysentery. Traditional healers recommend using the bark of a tree for fever, acute respiratory infections caused by infections, this is an excellent diaphoretic and antipyretic agent.
Sexually transmitted diseases are well treated, leucorrhoea in women. External use of a decoction of bird cherry bark saves from rheumatic pains, is used for rinsing when toothache occurs. There is an old recipe for infusion, which is recommended for use in cancer of the internal organs.
Recipe for infusion: 2 tablespoons of chopped young shoots, flowers, dry bird cherry bark should be poured into a dish, preferably enameled, pour three glasses of boiling water, wrap and leave for 6-8 hours. It turns out a dark liquid, which must be filtered, squeezed out the used raw materials and taken as tea 3 times a day, 0.5 cups before meals.
Young branches of bird cherry significantly improve the quality of treatment if they are used to prepare a decoction and used in combination with other drugs as a diuretic for muscle rheumatism and various dermatoses.
Diarrhea in children is treated with bird cherry leaves. Lotions with decoction of leaves with furunculosis are effective. Alcohol tincture is excellent for rheumatism and gout affecting the joints of the fingers, hands, elbows and knees. Gargling with a decoction of the mouth and gums prevents throat diseases, caries and periodontal disease.
Fresh fruit juice can be used for douching with Trichomonas colpitis. Also, juice is prescribed for 1/2 glass with a spoonful of honey 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals for general strengthening of the body, in case of metabolic disorders. Decoctions of flowers, leaves and fruits cleanse and heal bedsores and wounds. Bird cherry flowers are effective for gangrene of the extremities, in the form of decoctions, they help to cure pulmonary tuberculosis. Infusion is recommended to wash wounds, to treat ulcers and eye diseases.
A decoction of cherry fruits is suitable as an additional agent in complex therapy for colitis and diarrhea of infectious origin. It is used against scurvy, for perspiration in colds, as a diuretic. Infusion of fruits is used for lotions, has a positive effect in the treatment of conjunctivitis. Fatty oil is extracted from bird cherry seeds, which is used to eliminate severe ailments such as microsporia and trichophytosis.
Fruits and leaves of bird cherry
Bird cherry leaves emit phytoncides, which help purify the air, destroy pathogens and small insects. For bruises and abscesses, leaves are applied to the lesions, which significantly reduces pain. Ripe fruits of bird cherry have a strengthening effect in case of diarrhea, have bactericidal properties, saturate the body with vitamins, strengthen the immune system, and normalize intestinal function. They are used in cooking - fresh, dried and in powder form.
Bird cherry broth
Recipes for bird cherry decoctions are passed down from generation to generation, their use has a beneficial effect in the treatment of many diseases.
A decoction of cherry fruits: 1 tablespoon of raw materials must be boiled in a glass of water for 20 minutes, drain.
A decoction of bird cherry leaves: 20 g of raw materials should be boiled in 200 ml of water for 5 minutes. The strained broth is drunk in 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day.
Broth of bird cherry bark: 10 g of raw material must be boiled in 200 ml of water for 10 minutes, insist for 2 hours, strain and take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
Infusion of bird cherry
The use of bird cherry infusions for the prevention and treatment of many diseases gives amazing results, allowing you to quickly cope with diseases.
Recipe number 1: you need to take 1 tablespoon of raw materials, add 200 ml of hot boiled water, heat the composition in a boiling water bath (15 minutes), cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, drain. If the liquid has evaporated a little, add boiled water to the previous volume (200 ml). The prepared infusion is taken 1/2 cup a day 30 minutes before meals as an astringent.
Recipe number 2: in 500 ml of boiling water, 20 g of fruits should be brewed, insist 12 hours in a thermos. It is recommended to drink such a remedy, 100 ml 3 times a day before meals for gastritis, colitis and indigestion.
Infusion of bird cherry flowers: 500 ml of boiling water should be poured into a container with 20 g of bird cherry flowers, let it brew for 10 minutes, drain and use to wash wounds, ulcers and eyes.
Bird cherry tincture
Diseases of the joints, radiculitis and osteochondrosis cause a lot of trouble - this is stiffness of movements, painful sensations, decreased mood. To alleviate the condition and remove inflammation, you have to resort to medication. Additionally, for high-quality treatment, you can use an effectively acting tincture of bird cherry.
Recipe number 1: 50 g of bird cherry bark, pour one glass of vodka. Insist for two weeks. Massage into the lumbar region and sore joints twice a day.
Recipe number 2: 150 g of cherry fruits should be poured with 500 ml of vodka, kept in a cool place for 2 weeks and taken 5-7 drops 3 times a day in the treatment of stomach disorders.
Bird cherry
Bird cherry ordinary loves well-moistened soils, sunny places, has a bitter, heady aroma of flowers. It propagates by seeds, cuttings and layering. This unique plant is a natural pharmacy, the presence of many useful substances allows it to be used productively in folk medicine and homeopathy. If you grind the leaves of bird cherry, then the release of phytoncides (volatile aromatic substances) increases, this contributes to the destruction of pathogens and infection, mold and fungi.
Indications for the use of decoctions and infusions of leaves, bark, flowers and branches of bird cherry can be colds, bronchitis, cystitis, inflammatory processes in the joints. A decoction of the leaves acts as an expectorant.
Bird cherry white
White bird cherry is undemanding to soils, has a high yield, so gardeners began to cultivate it on their plots. Beekeepers place their apiaries next to groves where bird cherry grows in large quantities. This plant is a wonderful honey plant. It contains vitamins of group C, P and E, iron, zinc, manganese, cobalt, copper and other useful substances to keep health and help to cure many diseases.
Bird cherry
Diseases of the lungs are treated with decoctions of the flowers and leaves of the bird cherry, they are brewed and drunk as a pleasant aromatic and healing tea. Vital vitamins and microelements such as citric and malic acids, sugar, tannins, as well as rare elements titanium, molybdenum and strontium are well preserved in dry fruits, in some cases they help to improve the condition with a decrease in the activity of systems and deterioration of the functioning of organs.
Bird cherry red
Few people know that there is a red bird cherry, it also pleases with its beauty and fragrant smell. The tree opens flowers seven days later than the common bird cherry and blooms longer. The inflorescences are larger and fluffier, the taste of the berries is also different. Traditional medicine convinces with many examples in practice that red bird cherry is very beneficial for health. Its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties are used to destroy pathogenic microflora.
Red bird cherry berries help in the treatment of the stomach and intestines. Fresh and as a decoction, they are used as an astringent. Bark, leaves, flowers and berries are brewed and taken for bronchitis and cough.
Contraindications to the use of bird cherry
It must be remembered that with prolonged infusion of berries and bird cherry bark, the glycoside amygdalin is split and hydrocyanic acid is formed - a poisonous substance, therefore, funds made from bird cherry should not be stored for a long time. Bird cherry is contraindicated in pregnancy and in children under two years of age. It is not recommended to decorate the room with bouquets of bird cherry flowers: the aroma may cause dizziness or allergies, since flowers and leaves contain an increased amount of phytoncides.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
