Kalina (Latin name Viburnum) is a tree of the Adox family, which grows mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. In nature, there are about 160 species of viburnum, the fruits of some of them are eaten, used to prepare medicinal decoctions. Flowers, berries and viburnum bark have useful properties.

Chemical composition and healing properties

Traditional healers claim that there is no such disease that viburnum could not cure. The benefits of viburnum are undeniable and have been tested for centuries, so it is interesting to know what substances determine its healing properties? The fruits and bark of viburnum contain: vitamins A, C, E, K, tannins, phytoncides, iron, iodine, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, pectins, fatty and essential oils, sugar, citric, acetic, valeric acids.

This unique set gives the plant astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, bactericidal properties.

Viburnum berries act as a choleretic, diuretic, antipyretic, diaphoretic, enveloping, expectorant, laxative, tonic, sedative.

Decoctions and infusions of viburnum can be used to treat inflammation of the digestive tract, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, hypertension, uterine bleeding, colds, hysteria, neurosis, nervous exhaustion.

A decoction of viburnum is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of gastritis with low acidity, edema caused by heart and kidney failure, colitis, skin inflammation, and painful periods.

A decoction of viburnum berries tones the uterus and prevents miscarriage or premature birth. At the same time, doctors warn that viburnum fruits contain substances similar to female sex hormones, and if they are overabundant in a woman’s blood, pathologies may occur in a child. Therefore, viburnum during pregnancy and lactation should be consumed only under medical supervision.

A decoction of viburnum helps with diarrhea, pain in the gastrointestinal tract, colds and coughs, shortness of breath, eczema, diathesis, cancer, tuberculosis.

Viburnum berries, harvested after the onset of frost, become more juicy and tasty, their bitterness is significantly reduced. Viburnum decoction or infusion of frozen berries act as a laxative and antiemetic.

For the treatment of the heart and some types of cancer, traditional medicine recommends eating fresh berries, along with a bone.

Viburnum juice effectively treats cough, cystitis, cholecystitis, allergies, boils, ulcers, hemorrhoids, colitis. Normalizes the work of the heart, eliminates allergies and itchy skin, improves blood composition.

To get viburnum juice, the berries are squeezed on a juicer, or blanched, and then passed through a sieve. After heat treatment, the bitterness of the berries also decreases.

A decoction of the bark of viburnum is useful for coughing for children, in addition, it has the ability to restore the vocal cords after a cold.

Collection of raw materials

Viburnum bark for medicinal purposes is harvested in early spring, when sap flow is just beginning. It is cut from the trunk in thin strips so as not to greatly harm the tree, and then cut into pieces about 10 cm long.

The bark is dried in a room with drafts or with good ventilation, as well as in a special dryer, turning the raw materials from time to time. Well-dried bark should break well and have a gray-brown color. You can store it in a dry place for 3-4 years.

Harvesting of flowers occurs in May-June - during flowering. The inflorescences are cut off completely and dried in the same way as the bark. Store raw materials in paper or plastic bags for 2 years.

Viburnum berries are harvested when fully ripe - in September or October. they can be dried in the air and then dried in the sun or in the oven, but another method can also be used - the seedlings are cut together with branches about 20-30 cm long, tied into bundles and hung in the attic or in a cold room. Thus, the berries retain their beneficial properties for a long time and do not deteriorate.

Kalina for kids

Many parents are wondering: is it possible to give decoctions of viburnum to children, and if so, at what age? According to experts, viburnum is a hypoallergenic product, and is recommended for children from 6 months. Starting from the age of one year, children can cook compotes and jelly from viburnum berries.

Newborn children are not drunk with viburnum decoctions, but with natural feeding, a nursing mother can drink viburnum decoctions herself, in this case, all the beneficial substances, together with breast milk, will enter the child's body, moreover, in an easily digestible form. All this suggests that when breastfeeding, the child receives much more useful and nutritious substances than with artificial feeding.

A child over 1 year old can drink decoctions and fruit drinks from viburnum, they eliminate allergies, relieve skin itching, strengthen immunity, and generally have a beneficial effect. Thus, the benefits of viburnum for children are invaluable.

Healer Recipes

How to cook viburnum so that all its medicinal properties are preserved? Traditional medicine has created and preserved a great many recipes for decoctions and infusions for the preparation of medicinal potions from viburnum, you can make them at home without much effort. We offer you several recipes.

Recipe 1.

A decoction of fresh viburnum berries. 2 tbsp viburnum berries should be mashed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, remove from heat and cool. Then the broth is filtered, another 200 ml of warm boiled water is added. You need to drink a decoction of 60-70 ml, 4 times a day in a warm form. The decoction will be useful for colds, hypoacid gastritis, hypertension.

Recipe 2.

For the treatment of chronic cough, you need to make a mixture of viburnum with honey. To prepare it, you need to take a glass of berries, scald with boiling water, grind through a sieve, add the same amount of honey to the gruel. There is a medicine you need for 1 tbsp. in the morning on an empty stomach, and in the evening before going to bed, drinking warm water. The mixture should be stored in a cool place, but not in the refrigerator, so that the healing properties of honey are preserved.

Recipe 3.

From a cough for children, you can prepare a decoction of viburnum flowers. 5 tbsp dried or fresh flowers, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, give children 100-150 ml of drink before meals in a warm form. For children up to a year, 30-60 ml is enough.

Recipe 4.

A decoction of the bark of viburnum to treat coughs and restore the vocal cords after a cold. 1 tbsp crushed viburnum bark should be poured with 250 ml of boiling water and boiled over low heat for 10-15 minutes, then cool a little, strain and drink in a sip during coughing fits.

Recipe 5.

Infusion of viburnum berries. 2 tbsp viburnum berries need to be crushed with a crush, pour 400 ml of boiling water in a thermos. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day with honey or sugar during heavy periods.

Recipe 6.

Infusion of viburnum flowers from cystitis. 1 tbsp flowers pour 200 ml of boiled water, let it brew, strain. Divide into 4 parts, drink warm during the day.

Recipe 7.

A decoction of viburnum with cholecystitis. Pour 1 cup of viburnum berries with 1 liter of boiling water, cook for 10 minutes, remove from heat, cool. Drink 100-150 ml warm with the addition of honey or sugar to taste 3-4 times a day.

Recipe 8.

A decoction of viburnum flowers. 1 tbsp raw materials pour 200 ml of hot water, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool and strain. Divide into three parts, drink warm 20 minutes before meals with bronchitis, pneumonia, diathesis.

Recipe 9.

Diuretic decoction of viburnum. 10 viburnum berries need to pour 200 ml of boiled water, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool, strain, add a little warm boiled water. Divide into three parts, drink in three doses during the day in a warm form.

Recipe 10.

A decoction of viburnum for external use. For baths, an infusion or decoction of viburnum, like any other medicinal plant, should be more saturated than for the treatment of internal organs. Pour 2 cups of viburnum berries with 4-5 liters of boiling water, boil for 5-10 minutes, leave to brew and cool. We filter and use for bathing a child with diathesis. The same decoction can be used to rinse your mouth with gum disease.

Recipe 11.

Alcohol tincture of viburnum, as a remedy for colds. To prepare it, you need to take 250 ml of alcohol, 500 grams of viburnum, 2 glasses of water. The berries are cleaned, washed, allowed to drain, poured into a glass jar. Pour in alcohol so that the berries are completely in alcohol. The jar is tightly closed, put in a dark place for 24 hours. If the alcohol was originally undiluted, you can add a little water to the drink, bringing its strength to the desired one. Now the tincture should stand for another 2-3 weeks. Then it is filtered, poured into another container, stored in the refrigerator.

Precautionary measures

Kalina is rich in useful substances, however, some of them are not useful for everyone, and viburnum, like any other plant, has its own contraindications. Therefore, treatment with viburnum should be started under medical supervision, or with small doses. It is necessary to pay attention to how the body will react to a new medicine, what sensations will appear when taking it.

Kalina is not poisonous, but one should not forget about the individual intolerance of some substances contained in it. Decoctions and infusions of viburnum have contraindications for hypotension, gastritis with high acidity, during pregnancy, increased blood clotting and thrombophlebitis, leukemia, gout, chronic kidney disease.

A very useful berry, already little known to modern city dwellers, is viburnum. But in the villages, these shrubs are still grown and the berries are used to treat and increase immunity in winter. Just like that, not everyone can eat it because of the specific bitter taste. But in many traditional medicine recipes

viburnum is used. From what this berry helps, you need to know, because it is very useful. It is no coincidence that so many songs about red viburnum have been created among the people.

Useful properties of viburnum

People have long believed that it helps against 99 diseases. One of the few berries that can be harvested in winter, replenishing vitamins, is viburnum. From what it helps, all the housewives knew before. In case of any illness, fragrant tea was brewed from viburnum twigs and fruits. It has anti-inflammatory properties, treats coughs, lowers blood pressure and fights neurosis and insomnia.

The fruits of viburnum contain many vitamins, natural organic acids and tannins useful for digestion. Therefore, viburnum is used as a vitamin and normalization of metabolism. It is also very useful to make masks from this berry: they rejuvenate the skin, treat inflammation and acne. Many more properties can be listed that viburnum has. What else does she help?

Decoctions and juice of viburnum are taken for neuroses, insomnia and headaches. It has general strengthening properties, improves immunity and even helps with cancer. A decoction of fruits and twigs perfectly cleanses the body of toxins and stimulates the intestinal muscles.

A decoction of viburnum

Kalina heals many diseases, but not everyone can eat it fresh, as it contains a bitter glycoside. Therefore, most often it is used as a decoction. To prepare it, you need to grind the berries and pour hot water. For two spoons take a glass of water. The resulting solution is heated for 15 minutes, preferably in a water bath. This should be done in an enamel bowl.

The cooled and filtered broth is mixed with honey and drunk like tea. You can take up to three glasses of infusion daily. Best of all, it helps with neurosis and vasospasm. The constant intake of a decoction with honey can cure incipient hypertension, as viburnum helps with pressure. If the decoction is also made with the addition of plant branches, then it treats a persistent cough and

How to save viburnum for the winter

The taste of viburnum softens during frosts, so it is recommended to hang it on the veranda and eat it after the first frost. The only berry that tastes better after freezing is viburnum. From what it helps, it becomes clear if you find out that it contains a large amount of vitamin C. A tablespoon of berries provides a person's daily need for it.

It is recommended to prepare more viburnum for the winter by freezing it or making juice with honey. You can not just eat it or drink juice, very tasty seasonings and sauces are obtained with the addition of viburnum. Nowadays, women should remember what red viburnum helps from, and more often include this amazing berry in their family's diet.

Traditional medicine praises viburnum. It is considered an elixir of vitality and health. The healing possibilities of the shrub are almost limitless. However, let us turn into skeptics. Consider the beneficial properties and contraindications of red viburnum as a combination of qualities of a single whole. It's no secret that what helps one person can cause irreparable harm to another.

A shrub with bright red fruits is useful in its entirety. From the crown itself to the roots lying in the depths of the earth. Medicines are prepared from flowers, leaves, branches, young bark, fruits, seeds and rhizomes of viburnum.

In various parts of the plant are concentrated:

• carotene and ascorbic acid, which stimulates the immune system;
• vitamin K, involved in the formation of platelets;
• higher fatty acids responsible for metabolism;
• tannins and phytoncides with antimicrobial action;
• pectins that bind and neutralize toxins;
• phytosterols, which reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

The healing properties of the plant are not rumors or arguments. They are confirmed experimentally.

Back in Soviet times, experiments were carried out in the laboratory of the Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (formerly VILR, and now VILAR) with the participation of preparations based on viburnum.

And here's what they showed:

• decoction and infusion of the bark of the plant stimulate the formation of platelets, and reduce blood loss from various kinds of injuries and internal bleeding;
• the ability to stop blood loss was also found in preparations made from flowers and foliage;
• a decoction of the bark tones the muscles of the uterus, facilitates the course of painful menstruation;
• pomace from the fruit stimulates the formation and outflow of urine, restores electrolyte balance, dilates blood vessels, increases heart contractions, lowers blood pressure;
• infusion of flowers and foliage inhibits the vital activity of staphylococci and other pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora that causes skin diseases; lotions successfully extinguish the symptoms of furunculosis, eczema, ulcers, diathesis, hemorrhoids, ringworm and keratosis;
• the bark and flowers of the shrub are suitable for the prevention of seizures;
• an infusion of the bark can be used to suppress the symptoms of an irritable stomach; tannins bind and compact proteins on the surface of the mucosa, form a protective film that inhibits the inflammatory reaction;
• shrub berries have a sedative effect, calm the nervous system, stimulate the immune system to fight colds, relax smooth muscles, reduce the severity of pain;
• with prolonged use, the fruits reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, promote the elimination of toxins, restore cardiac function;
• all parts of the plant are used to treat foot and mouth disease in farm animals.

In folk medicine, viburnum is considered an effective external remedy. From different parts of the shrub, infusions are prepared for gargling, washing wounds, whitening the skin, removing age spots, blackheads and other rashes.

Kalina is widely used to treat internal diseases and conditions. It is considered a good anthelmintic, diaphoretic, choleretic, laxative and antitussive. It is used to treat women's diseases, diseases of the stomach and biliary tract. It is used as a vitamin stimulant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

Medicinal properties of viburnum:

Kalina red from pressure

The berries of red viburnum or common viburnum are good for the heart. The fruits contained a mixture of seven plant hydrocarbons - iridoids, which was initially taken as a single complex substance - viburnin.

The bitter taste of berries is the “merit” of those same iridoids. But this small drawback pales in comparison to the benefits that viburnin can bring.

The mixture of hydrocarbons energizes the heart. It improves the conductivity of electrical impulses. The force of contractions increases, the vessels dilate, and the pressure decreases.

Phytosterols are also involved in setting up cardiac activity, which do not allow excess cholesterol to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. The use of an infusion of the bark has a clear anti-atherosclerotic effect. It is prescribed as an antihypertensive (lowering blood pressure) agent for hypertension.

The use of viburnum in cosmetology

For the preparation of skin care products, the fresh juice of the fruit of the plant is used. It is mixed with sour cream or yolk. Apply to the face like a mask.

Means from viburnum well cleanse problem skin, eliminate inflammation, and help fight acne. Due to its whitening effect, fresh juice is used to even out facial skin tone and remove freckles.

Kalina for women

Viburnum bark stops uterine bleeding, regardless of the nature of their origin. Whether it is a natural reaction after childbirth or a consequence of any gynecological disease.

A decoction of the bark of young branches is a natural antispasmodic for painful periods. It is effective for heavy menstruation and is able to regulate the cycle.

The plant is rich in plant precursors of sex hormones. It facilitates the course of menopause. Kalina acts on two fronts at once: it eliminates the emotional component, calms the nerves and improves sleep, and also smoothes out the main physical symptoms.

Benefits for children

Children are treated with decoctions of bark and berries, as well as infusions of flowers. Medicinal pomace is used as external and internal means.

Infusion of flowers moisten dermatitis, diathesis. A decoction is used to treat the throat with angina. With tonsillitis, the nose is washed.

Berry decoction with honey is a strong immunostimulating agent. The drink contains many trace elements that help the body cope with the effects of a cold.

An infusion of flowers helps to expel phlegm. Serves as a remedy for getting rid of a painful cough, including those provoked by whooping cough.

How to apply:

Red viburnum juice

Viburnum juice is the most concentrated remedy with a high antiseptic and anti-inflammatory potential. It is made from freshly picked berries. The fruits are removed from the branches after the first frost. They are sorted, washed, crushed with a wooden pusher and passed through a sieve.

Juice relieves runny nose and nasal congestion. It needs to be dripped until complete recovery, 3-4 drops in each nasal passage up to two times a day.

Fresh pomace from the fruit, when taken orally, improves the circulation of bile. Treatment of cholangitis (inflammatory disease of the bile ducts) is carried out in three stages. In the first week, three times a day, half an hour before meals, you need to drink a third of a glass of water mixed with one tablespoon of viburnum juice. In the second week, two are added to the water, and in the third week - three tablespoons of fresh fruit pomace. In the last week, the mixture is taken four times a day.

For the treatment of acne, boils, eczema, dermatitis, a fresh lotion is prepared. In a glass of clean filtered water, dissolve two tablespoons of pressed fruit juice. Problem areas are wiped with lotion three times a day for a month.

Tea

Viburnum tea is prepared from fresh or defrosted berries. It is used during a cold. The drink is rich in vitamin C, which holds back the onslaught of infection, speeds up recovery, protects cells from viruses, thins the blood, stimulates metabolism and removes harmful substances from the body.

Viburnum tea is a source of phytoncides, herbal antiseptics. It doesn't just work from within. The infusion soothes sore throat, relieves redness and inflammation.

The berries are crushed in a glass or enamel bowl. 50 g of ripe, sorted, washed fruits are taken per glass of boiling water. They are crushed with a wooden pusher. Pour boiling water over. Insist under the lid until cool. The drink is filtered and diluted with honey (to taste). Drink warm as an antipyretic and immunostimulant up to three cups a day.

Red viburnum tincture

The tincture is prepared from fresh young bark. Medicinal raw materials are harvested in early spring before the revival of the kidneys. Thin side branches are cut to a length of 10-25 cm. The bark is removed with a whole tube. The darkened lignified areas are removed and thrown away.

The prepared raw materials are randomly crushed. Pour 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:1. Within a month insist in a dark place. Taken with inflammation of hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding and high blood pressure, 1-2 tablespoons before meals 2-3 times a day for two or three weeks.

Decoctions

A decoction of flowers is suitable for internal and external use. Regardless of further use, it is prepared in the same way. A spoonful of dry inflorescences is poured into a glass container. Add a glass of boiling water to it. The mixture is insisted on a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Then cool and filter.

A flower decoction is irrigated with ulcers, cuts, boils, eczema, dermatitis spots and acne up to three times a day until a therapeutic effect is achieved. Inside take a tablespoon three times a day for depression, hysteria, insomnia, hypertension, colds, stomach ulcers, poor biliary tract, kidney disease, menstrual irregularities.

Berry decoction normalizes blood pressure. It is drunk half a glass three times a day for two to three weeks.

The fruit remedy is prepared in a water bath. A glass of sorted berries is poured into a liter jar. Boiling water is poured almost to the very neck. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Strain and add water to the original volume.

Bones of viburnum berries

Most of the fatty acids and essential oils are concentrated in the bones. An infusion based on crushed raw materials is used for colds as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory.

The herbal product strengthens blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure. Promote healing of the intestinal mucosa. Used in the treatment of colitis and constipation.

The infusion is prepared by steaming 10-15 crushed seeds with a glass of boiling water. The medicine is cooled for 30 minutes, filtered and taken two tablespoons before meals up to three times a day until noticeable improvements appear.

Bones are also an excellent tonic. Hardened drupes are ground into powder. Packed in jars and brewed instead of regular coffee.

Contraindications and possible harm

Contraindications to the use of viburnum are directly related to its beneficial properties. Hypotension patients are not recommended to frequently use any products prepared from this plant, since viburnum can drastically reduce blood pressure.

It can also be unsafe to ingest for people prone to thrombosis. This is due to the fact that any medicinal elixirs, especially those prepared from the bark, increase blood clotting.

Due to the ability to stimulate diuresis, viburnum is contraindicated in people suffering from diseases associated with impaired salt metabolism.

Any folk remedy is good in moderation. People with health problems, in general, are not recommended to self-medicate. Any problems should be solved together with the doctor.

Viburnum is known for its medicinal properties, so it can often be found in gardens. Despite the pronounced bitter taste, the juice of this berry can work real miracles with human health. A detailed story about the properties and methods of treatment will help you choose the best option for yourself and quickly return to the usual, full of joy of life.

Biological properties of viburnum

Speaking about the vitamins and nutrients of this berry, it should be noted that, despite the bitter taste, the body receives a large number of trace elements that allow you to restore strength and health without the use of conventional medicines. Viburnum juice contains:

• Organic acids - acetic, oleic and valeric, as well as a number of others that are rare;
• Vitamins, including C;
• Carotene;
• Sugar of an organic nature;
• pectin and tannins;
• mineral salts;
• Phosphorus;
• Magnesium;
• Potassium;
• Manganese;
• Strontium;
• Copper.

Such a rich set of substances allows you to quickly fill the lack of useful substances, as well as effectively influence the cause of the disease, not masking the symptoms, but curing the cause of the disease. That is why viburnum is so popular in folk medicine, even practicing doctors do not dispute its benefits, prescribing it as a vitamin and mineral complex that promotes health.

Contraindications for use

It is important to pay attention to the fact that not everyone can use viburnum as a medicine. There are a number of restrictions and contraindications to its participation in the treatment process, since the active components can cause negative reactions in the body. The use of viburnum in folk medicine is contraindicated:

• Pregnant women, since the active substances contained in the juice are analogues of female hormones;
• People with allergies or asthma;
• People with low blood pressure.

In addition, contraindications apply to people with chronic and pronounced kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems, including those with high acidity. Kalina, despite its bright red color, should not be used by people with blood diseases - with leukemia and thrombophlebitis, since the components included in the composition can significantly aggravate the situation. In addition, it is not recommended to use viburnum for gout.

Use in traditional medicine

Kalina as a medicinal plant is fully prepared for collection in the period of August - September. Some people prefer to make preparations, using this medicinal plant as the basis, during the period of the first frosts - in October, since the bitterness disappears, and useful substances and trace elements remain in full.

The plant allows you to make preparations in small portions, especially when it comes to the bark of a shrub, which is also used to create decoctions. The collection of this element is carried out in the spring, so that the viburnum can quickly recover.

The use of viburnum

In folk medicine, fruits, bark and flowers are used, which are used to prepare decoctions, infusions and rinses. The list of diseases that this plant effectively cures is large, among them:

• Colds of a different nature;
• Dyspnea;
• heart disease;
• Headaches (including migraine manifestations);
• Periodic female ailments;
• Skin problems - diathesis, eczema.

Known recipes that are used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancer of the stomach. Also, viburnum is actively used as a basis for vitamin jelly and compotes, which are used for prevention in the winter and spring months.

Medicines based on viburnum

In order to reproduce recipes, it is necessary to have a harvested or freshly harvested medicinal plant. One of the most popular is a decoction of viburnum bark, it is prepared as follows:

• bark (shredded) viburnum - 8g;
• mint or lemon balm leaves - 4g;
• honey - 4-6g;
• non-carbonated water - 200-250 ml.

Water must be boiled and melissa leaves must be poured into it. Leave to infuse for 20-25 minutes. Then add the bark to the liquid, put on fire and boil for 10 minutes, then strain and cool, adding liquid honey to the broth.

Recipes for treating headaches are very simple, but incredibly effective. To alleviate discomfort as much as possible, use an infusion with viburnum juice. Would need:

• viburnum berries - 750g;
• water - 250 ml.

The medicinal plant will need to be crushed to extract the juice. The resulting vitamin liquid should be diluted with water and consumed within 2-3 days at the rate of 400 ml per day. After using this remedy, headaches will not manifest themselves so often, and unpleasant sensations will no longer be pronounced, since the components of viburnum juice have a beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels.

Recipes based on viburnum juice are also used to treat bronchitis. A decoction with viburnum juice is prepared as follows: honey, viburnum juice and water are mixed together and put on medium heat to boil for 10-15 minutes, after which the decoction should be cooled to a temperature that a person can withstand and not get burned. Apply at the rate of 8-16 ml 3 times a day.

An infusion to strengthen immunity is also prepared using honey and viburnum, only not juice is taken as a basis, but fruits that need to be boiled in 250 ml of water for half an hour. After that, honey is added to the broth.

Folk recipes based on viburnum are also effective for the treatment of specific diseases, such as constipation. A medicinal plant (it is best to take dried berries) needs to be ground to a powder state. Then 6 g of powder must be poured with 200 ml of boiling water and insisted well for 10-12 minutes. Apply morning and evening, can be added with regular or cane sugar, or used as a flavoring for tea or coffee.

Conclusion

Red and juicy viburnum in folk medicine, recipes from which are still used today, allow us to say with full confidence that “everything new is well forgotten old”, since all kinds of dietary supplements are made on the basis of the natural components that the medicinal plant contains. However, traditional medicine recipes guarantee that the products made from them do not contain chemicals, therefore, they are completely safe to use.

Kalina is a genus of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and small trees belonging to the Adox family. It has more than one and a half hundred species, most of which are common in the northern hemisphere of the planet. The fruits, as well as the bark of this unpretentious shade-tolerant plant, have healing properties and are widely used in folk and official medicine.

In our country, Kalina is found almost everywhere in temperate and subtropical latitudes, including in the North Caucasus and Siberia. It grows in forests, as well as along the banks of rivers and lakes. Most often, we can meet Kalina ordinary (red), alder-leaved, Buryat and birch-leaved, as well as Kalina David.

The leaves of the shrub are opposite; flowers collected in apical inflorescences have a white or pinkish color. The fruit is a fleshy red drupe.

note: Black viburnum berries should not be eaten because they are poisonous!

The flowering period of viburnum is quite short - it begins at the end of May and ends, as a rule, at the end of the first week of June.

As a raw material for the preparation of medicines, the bark collected during the period of sap flow, as well as leaves, roots and flowers, is used. They are dried outdoors under a canopy. Healing properties also have berries, which are recommended to be collected after the first frost, relieving the fruit from a bitter taste.

Harvesting of fruits should be carried out only in dry weather. Once harvested, the berries can be stored dried or frozen, or made into jam. When cooking, not all useful properties are preserved. It is recommended to slightly dry the Kalina fruits in the sun, and then dry them in an oven preheated to + 60˚С. It is better to store this raw material for medicinal decoctions in bags made of natural fabric.

note: Valuable oil is obtained from Kalina berries, which is widely used in cosmetology and medicine.

Biologically active substances of Kalina

The following useful substances are present in the fruits and other parts of the plant:

• carotenoids;
• glycosides;
• bioflavonoids;
• organic acids;
• vitamins (A, C, E, K, P);
• tannins;
• β-sitosterol;
• trace elements (iron, chromium, calcium, nickel, selenium, etc.).

Healing properties of Kalina

Kalina has anti-inflammatory, astringent and bactericidal properties, due to the tannins present in its composition. Also, tannins, which are most in the bark of a shrub, help to accelerate the healing process in case of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Flowers and fruits are a valuable source of a number of vitamins, so decoctions and infusions of them are indicated for hypovitaminosis, blood clotting disorders, anemia (anemia) and to strengthen the body's defenses (immunity). Active substances have a mild sedative (sedative) effect, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Kalina preparations allow you to normalize the activity of the digestive system. Substances contained in all parts of the plant (but mainly in fruits) have diuretic (diuretic) properties; they lower blood pressure in hypertension and help reduce swelling that occurs against the background of certain diseases of the cardiovascular system. Decoctions have a beneficial effect on the organs of the urinary system (kidneys).

Traditional medicine recommends Kalina for the treatment of a number of "women's diseases" and disorders, including fibroids and uterine fibroids, heavy discharge during menstruation, as well as (painful menstruation) and "hot flashes" characteristic of the menopause period (menopause).

Important:It is believed that viburnum decoctions can help even with malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland, but any folk methods for treating cancer should only be used in parallel with ongoing drug therapy or other treatments prescribed by an oncologist.

When should Kalina be used?

Using the bark of viburnum

Kalina bark is indicated in the treatment of diseases such as:

• neurasthenia;
• hysteria;
• ulcerative lesions of the walls of the stomach and duodenum;
• haemorrhoids;
• diarrhea.

Bark decoction recipe recommended for nervous diseases and gastritis

Take 15 grams of dried Kalina bark, pour 400 ml of water, put on fire and bring to a boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes, cool, squeeze and add water to the original level. The decoction should be taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.

Fruit use

The fruits of Kalina are indicated for the following pathologies:

• convulsive syndrome
• "cardiac" edema;
• atherosclerosis;
• colitis;
• enteritis;
• vasospasm;

It is also recommended to take a berry infusion to restore normal immunity and general strengthening of the body during the recovery period after suffering severe somatic diseases. Important: in the treatment of respiratory diseases (in particular, bronchitis), it is advisable to add natural honey to the water infusion, which enhances the therapeutic effect of the herbal remedy.

The recipe for an infusion of viburnum berries from edema and to normalize blood pressure

Take 5 tbsp. spoons of fresh or frozen fruits, grind and pour 600 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 3 hours, then strain. Take an aqueous infusion of fruits 100 ml 4 times a day (preferably before meals).

The use of viburnum flowers

Biologically active substances present in Kalina flowers can stimulate gastric secretion and improve blood clotting. An infusion of them is recommended for:

• hypoacid gastritis, i.e., with low acidity of gastric juice;
• pulmonary bleeding;
• difficulty breathing due to colds.

Recipe for an infusion of viburnum flowers

Take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried flowers, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 1 hour, then strain. Take 15-20 ml (1 tablespoon) after meals 2-3 times a day.

Note:Kalina berries are characterized by a very low calorie content (26 kilocalories per 100 grams). This dietary product is recommended for people who are overweight and diagnosed with obesity.

Contraindications

Means based on Kalina have a number of contraindications:

• individual hypersensitivity (sensitivity);
• increased tendency to thrombosis;
• thrombophlebitis;
• gout;
• arthritis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• severe renal failure.

Note:With increased acidity and hyperacid gastritis, Kalina preparations should be taken with caution.

Application methods

As a rule, phytopreparations based on plant parts are prescribed for oral administration. Outwardly, infusions and decoctions of berries can be used to treat the skin with various rashes, and locally - for nosebleeds, soaking tampons with the drug. Freshly squeezed juice of Kalina fruits should be drunk for liver diseases and bronchial asthma. It is also recommended for rinsing with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth (stomatitis) and throat (tonsillitis). Treatment of the skin with juice allows you to get rid of acne (acne) as soon as possible.

Kalina during pregnancy

Women who are carrying a child, Kalina preparations (in particular, its fruits) are recommended to drink as a general tonic, as well as to stimulate the hematopoiesis process. Decoctions increase the number of red blood cells and increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which is especially important in the II and III trimesters of pregnancy.

Important: Before you start taking herbal remedies, you must always consult with your doctor and put allergological skin tests!

Side effects of viburnum

After taking decoctions and infusions of Kalina, side effects are extremely rare. In people with hypersensitivity (intolerance) to any active substances contained in parts of the plant, allergic reactions may develop. Increased gastric secretion can cause heartburn. With hypotension, an additional decrease in blood pressure sometimes leads to loss of consciousness.

The use of Kalina in cosmetology

The biologically active substances of this plant have a tonic, cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin. For the preparation of cosmetic masks, crushed berries (preferably fresh) are used, which are mixed with glycerin, honey, oatmeal and vegetable oil. For oily skin, masks are recommended from Kalina juice mixed with lemon juice and beaten egg white.