Prunus padus (Padus racemosa)
Taxon: Rose family (Rosaceae)
Other names: bird cherry
English: Bird Cherry, Hackberry (Ireland)

Description

Tree or shrub from 2 to 10 m in height. The trunk and branches are covered with matte, black-gray, cracking bark. The leaves are alternate, short-petiolate, elliptical, matte above, somewhat wrinkled below. Bird cherry blossoms in May. The flowers are small, white, collected in dense, multi-flowered drooping racemes. Bird cherry fruits are spherical black drupes 7-8 mm in diameter, sweet, highly astringent, the stone is round-ovate. The fruits ripen in July.

Spreading

In Russia, bird cherry is common in the temperate climate zone: in the European part, Western and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East.
Prefers moist, rich soils with close groundwater. Bird cherry grows mainly along river banks, in riverine forests (urema) and bush thickets, along forest edges, on sand, and in forest clearings.

Collection and preparation of bird cherry

For medicinal purposes, intact ripe, black and juicy bird cherry fruits, cleared of impurities, as well as bark, leaves and flowers, are collected. The fruits are harvested as they ripen from July to September, flowers in May, and bark in early spring. In dry, clear weather, the clusters with fruits are cut off and scattered thin layer, dried in air in good weather or in ovens, ovens, dryers at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, stirring occasionally. Then they are separated from the stalks, stems, and foreign impurities, and sifted through a sieve. Dried bird cherry fruits are black or matte, rounded-elongated, wrinkled, with a light stone, odorless, and have a sour-sweet taste. The bark is dried in stoves, dryers, and ovens. The flowers are air dried in the shade. Store bird cherry raw materials in boxes, bags, in a dry, well-ventilated area. The shelf life of fruits is 2 years, flowers - 1 year, bark - 5 years.

Chemical composition bird cherry

The leaves, flowers, bark and seeds of bird cherry contain glycosides: amygdalin, prulaurazine, pruiazine. Free hydrocyanic acid was also found - 0.09% in the bark, 0.05% in the leaves. The highest content of amygdalin was found in bird cherry bark - 2%, in seeds - 1.8%.
Accumulates in leaves up to 0.28% ascorbic acid, essential oil.
The aromatic odor is due to the presence of the glycoside prunasin. Bird cherry fruits contain malic and citric acids, sugars, substances and ascorbic acid, flavonoids.
Bird cherry purifies the air because its fruits, flowers, bark, buds and especially leaves contain benzoaldehyde, which determines their properties (killing or inhibitory effect on bacteria).

Pharmacological properties of bird cherry

Ripe bird cherry fruits have a strengthening, bactericidal, vitamin, tonic, anti-inflammatory effect, and normalize the function of the intestines and stomach.
Bird cherry bark has diaphoretic, antipyretic and antipyretic effects.
Bird cherry leaves have strengthening and vitamin properties.
Bird cherry flowers are used as an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and phytoncidal agent.

The use of bird cherry in medicine

Due to the presence of tannins, bird cherry fruits are used as astringent for non-infectious nature and other disorders of the stomach and intestines, as well as aid for infectious colitis and diarrhea.

Medicinal preparations of bird cherry

A decoction of bird cherry fruits is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. Brew the bird cherry fruit with a glass of boiling water, boil for 20 minutes, filter. Adults are prescribed 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day for diarrhea and. Burnt berries are not suitable for use.
Decoction of bird cherry bark: brew 200 ml of boiling water and 10 g of bark, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, leave for 2 hours, then strain. As a diaphoretic, take 1 tsp. 3-4 times a day before meals for cough, rheumatism, etc.
A decoction of bird cherry leaves: brew 200 ml of boiling water and 20 g of leaves, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day for diarrhea, gastritis, colitis, hypovitaminosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, as an antitussive.
Infusion of bird cherry fruits: brew 500 ml of boiling water, 20 g of fruits, leave for 12 hours in a thermos. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day for diarrhea, gastritis, colitis.
Infusion of bird cherry flowers: brew 200 ml of boiling water and 10 g of flowers, leave for 10 minutes, strain. Rinse wounds, ulcers, eyes when the mucous membrane is inflamed, use as a lotion.
Apply bird cherry leaves to bruises and abscesses. Used for rinsing the mouth during tooth decay, furunculosis
Bird cherry is included in gastric fees.
The energy of bird cherry is less effective than that of other trees. Its influence is felt most of all in the spring, during flowering.

Contraindications

Bird cherry preparations are taken under the supervision of a doctor, in compliance with the indicated doses and treatment periods.
Bird cherry preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy.
The internal use of bird cherry as a poisonous plant requires caution.
Bouquets with bird cherry flowers, however, you should not put bird cherry in your room - it will give you a headache.

Using bird cherry on the farm

Bird cherry fruits are used in food. They are consumed fresh, dried, or ground into powder. From bird cherry fruits you can make fillings for pies, make jams, jelly, kvass, etc.
Bird cherry kvass. Wash fresh bird cherry fruits cold water, place in an enamel pan, add sugar, cover with a napkin and leave at room temperature for 12 hours. Then mix everything, pour warm water, add yeast, sugar and leave for 12 hours to ferment. Strain, pour into a three-liter glass jar, leave in the room for 2 days, then store in a cool place.
To prepare kvass you need: 600 g of bird cherry fruits, 3 liters of water, 300 g of sugar, 10 g of yeast.
Bird cherry jam. Cover the fruits with sugar for 12 hours. Then drain the juice, cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, put the fruits in it and cook until tender. Before the end of cooking, you can add citric acid. To make jam you need: 1 kg of bird cherry fruits, 1-1.2 kg of sugar, citric acid to taste.
You can grind flour from dried bird cherry: crush the drupes in a mortar or grind them in a hand mill. You can make it from flour jelly. To do this, brew 0.5 cups of flour with 0.5 liters of boiling water and stir thoroughly. Pour this mass into a saucepan with 1 liter of boiling water, add 2 tbsp. l. honey and 1 tbsp. l. (with a slide) of starch, diluted in a small amount of water. Bring the jelly to a boil and remove from heat.
You can also cook it from bird cherry flour. To obtain it, grind flour with sugar, pour hot water and bring to a boil.
The pulp from crushed bird cherry leaves kills bacteria and mold spores, 4 crushed bird cherry buds kill the most persistent ticks in 15 minutes, crushed bird cherry buds placed in a vessel with a rat kill it in 20 minutes.
For economic purposes, green and red-brown paint is obtained from bird cherry bark.
Bird cherry wood is yellowish-brown, soft, elastic, polishes well, and is used for carpentry.

Photos and illustrations

Bird cherry is a beautiful plant that is associated with the Russian people. He is appreciated for decorative types, especially during the flowering period, are planted in gardens to be enriched with vitamins and mineral composition not only in summer, but also in winter, they are collected to give culinary dishes an exquisite taste. But bird cherry is valued in Rus' due to its wide range actions in medicine, thanks to its rich composition traditional healers cured people from various ailments.

Description of the plant

Bird cherry is a deciduous shrub that is very similar to a tree, as it reaches a height of up to 10 meters. There are several types:

• ordinary;
• late;
• maaka;
• Pennsylvanian;
• Virginia;
• antipka.

Everyone knows only by ear common appearance and late bird cherry. In fact, on the territory of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, and also in Asia, each of the listed types of bird cherry can be found. They differ from each other only in the shape and color of the inflorescences, as well as the size of the fruits.

There is some conflicting information about what genus this plant belongs to. Some sources claim that bird cherry belongs to the plum genus, others say that it is a variety of cherry and at the same time a member of the Rosaceae shrub family.

One way or another, this shrub prefers mineral-rich, moist soil next to which it lies. groundwater, which is why you can often find it near rivers. The trunks of the plant are thin, covered with matte grayish bark. The leaves are elliptical in shape, pointed at the end, with short petioles, bright green.

The flowers are small, collected in oblong racemes. Most often you can find white inflorescences, but there are also pink ones. The smell of bird cherry during flowering is strong and fragrant. The tree blooms in late May and early June.

Bird cherry fruits round shape, black. In the middle there is a large, round bone. The berry tastes sweet and slightly astringent. The flesh is deep purple.

The fruits ripen in late July or early August. Not only berries, but also bird cherry bark, leaves and roots are used as raw materials in various industries.

Beneficial properties of fruits

Bird cherry berries are very small in size, but they are called a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. They include the following components:

• tannins up to 15%;
• hydrocyanic acid up to 0.1%;
• organic acids: citric and malic;
• vitamins: rutin, ascorbic acid;
• Sahara;
• anthocyanins;
• essential oil;
• flavonoids;
• fixed oils;
• benzoaldehyde;
• phytoncides;
• glycosides – prunasin, amygdalin, prulaurazine.

Useful properties:

• bactericidal effect is characterized by the presence in fruits large quantity citric and malic acid, as well as phytoncides;
• fungicidal and insecticidal properties are formed due to ascorbic acid;
• the astringent effect is provided by tannins;
• the anti-inflammatory effect occurs due to anthocyanins, organic acids and essential oils;
• diaphoretic and diuretic effects are provided by flavonoids and glycosides;
• general strengthening property forms a combination vitamin composition and phytoncides;

• disinfecting effect due to hydrocyanic acid;
• the regenerative effect is due to the presence of rutin, fatty and essential oils in the fruits;
• Anthocyanins and benzoaldehyde have an analgesic effect;
• Vitamins, phytoncides and minerals provide immunostimulating properties.

Due to such a large number various substances Bird cherry is used to treat the following diseases:

• disorders gastrointestinal tract– non-infectious diarrhea, impaired gastrointestinal motility, increased or decreased secretory activity of the stomach, inflammatory diseases;
• skin diseases: furunculosis, dermatitis, psoriasis;
• ophthalmological diseases: purulent-inflammatory processes of the eyelids, burns;
• in gynecology it is used as contraceptive;
• joint diseases: rheumatism, gout, radiculitis;
• diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract: rhinitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis;
• inflammatory processes in the oral cavity: stomatitis, toothache.

In addition, bird cherry has a very powerful phytoncidal effect; its particles spreading through the air can improve the health of the atmosphere, as well as destroy small insects - midges, flies, mosquitoes.

Contraindications

This plant, rich in beneficial properties, was used in folk medicine many centuries ago, unaware that in addition to its benefits, bird cherry can also cause harm. As mentioned above, it contains hydrocyanic acid - this substance in large quantities and concentrations is deadly poison. Therefore, it is forbidden to eat bird cherry berries in large quantities, especially without seeds, since they contain the most poison.

An important contraindication is increased sensitivity body to the components of bird cherry.

High concentration phytoncides, especially in flowering tree worsens general health especially older people. As a result, it is not recommended to enjoy blooming, fragrant bird cherry for a long time if you suffer from migraines, increased sensitivity to odors, or if you have anemia.

Pregnancy and lactation are relative contraindications, since moderate consumption of bird cherry fruits will not harm the expectant and nursing mother, as well as her baby.

To people who suffer diabetes mellitus the use of this berry is also contraindicated due to great content sugars in fruits. If you are on a diet, then you should not include bird cherry in your diet, as it is a high-calorie product.

Features of application

Since ancient times, healers have used folk medicine, found individual approach to each patient from the old man to the baby. They also studied each plant in such detail that the peculiarities of using each part of the medicinal raw material were found. Today, almost all of this long-standing knowledge has been improved, and the dosage is calculated for each child and adult depending on age and characteristics of the disease. There are some special features for consuming bird cherry fruits.

For adults

The most safe use bird cherry is practiced by healthy adults who eat berries with for preventive purposes. To a healthy person You can eat 250–300 grams of ripe fruits per day, thus the body will be enriched with the necessary components, and the product will not cause harm to health.

People who suffer from any pathology usually use pharmacy or homemade raw materials from bird cherry parts. If you purchased the bird cherry preparation at the pharmacy, be sure to follow the instructions. Many are made from it medicinal drinks in the form of tincture, decoction, compote, tea, infusion, fruit drink. To do this, use edible ripe berries, either fresh or dried, leaves and bark.

Recipes:

• From diarrhea. Take 1 tablespoon of dry fruits and pour 1 glass of boiling water. Let the medicine brew for 30 minutes, and then drink 50 ml 4-6 times during the day.
• Headache remedy. You need to pour 3 tablespoons of bark into 0.5 liters of boiling water, then place the container on low heat and cook until it boils. Cool the broth and strain. You need to take 3 times a day before meals, 3 sips.
• To enhance immunity. 300 grams of bird cherry berries pour 0.5 liters of vodka. Place in a dark place and let the medicine brew for about 20 days. Then strain the drink and use 1 tablespoon after meals during viral epidemics.

For children

The use of bird cherry for children is somewhat limited. For example, children under 3 years of age are strictly prohibited from using this delicacy. Older adults can take 150–200 mg per day. It is produced for the prevention and treatment of childhood diseases. delicious compotes, decoctions, juices.

Bird cherry is mainly used for medicinal purposes against diarrhea; children drink it with pleasure delicious drink, after which they soon get rid of the unpleasant illness.

Recipes:

• Compote for the prevention of colds. For 1 liter of water you will need 0.5 kg of bird cherry fruits and 300 grams of granulated sugar or honey. Mix all the ingredients, put on low heat, and cook the compote for 45 minutes. Cool the drink, after which you can give your child 1 glass 2 times a day, preferably during or after meals.
• Bird cherry juice. For the juice you will need 5 kg of frozen bird cherry, which you will need to pour boiled water and put on low heat. You need to cook until it boils so that the berries release as much liquid as possible. The drink turns out to be very concentrated, so it is best for children to add 1 tablespoon per mineral water or tea.

You can use another method, but it will take more of your time. You need to remove the seeds from the berries, then pass the pulp through a juicer, dilute it a little with water and bring the drink to a boil. When the drink is ready, you can consume it following the above instructions for use.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Some sources insist on a strict ban on taking bird cherry during pregnancy. But there is evidence that pregnancy and breast-feeding- This relative contraindication. In these conditions, it is best to consult a gynecologist and pediatrician.

In any case, bird cherry intake should be in small dosages. Best consumed fresh berries or compote in small quantities. When breastfeeding, you need to introduce bird cherry into your diet gradually at the 3rd month, it is at that time that the baby needs the most auxiliary components which he receives with milk for better growth.

It is important to remember that before using bird cherry fruits, you must follow the following rules:

• V fresh eat only ripe berries;
• It is strictly forbidden to eat the whole fruit; the seed must be thrown away;
• don't abuse a large number berries;
• for prevention and treatment with bird cherry, consult a doctor so that he can select an individual dosage for you;
• if you plan to prepare raw materials for the winter yourself, use only whole and fresh fruits, leaves, bark, follow proven canning or drying technologies, store in a dark, dry place;
• When using raw materials for medicinal purposes, follow the required concentration of the medicine and proportions for home production.

For more information on the benefits of bird cherry berries, watch the following video.

Useful properties and contraindications of bird cherry are the topic of our conversation today on the website. We will discuss its use in folk medicine, the use of flowers, bark, and leaves of bird cherry in the treatment of many diseases,

Let's tell you how to properly prepare medicinal raw materials for the best healing effect.

Bird cherry(see photo) is a plant of the Rosaceae family, a relative of the plum, which gives us an amazing aroma in the spring and the opportunity to heal with the gifts of nature.

You can’t stop admiring the lush clusters of flowers, and you can’t get enough of the unusual aroma, which is filled with phytoncides. Due to its unusually delicate tart taste, its fruits should be added when making baked goods and drinks.

Most often, low bird cherry trees or shrubs (depending on the variety) are found in forest-steppe zones.

Has several types: bird cherry, white, red, fragrant.

All components of this plant: young branches, fruits, flowers, roots are actively used in many areas. They can be a means of treating or preventing most diseases. Actively relieve pain symptoms of various origins.

Beneficial properties of bird cherry for the body

The health benefits of bird cherry are great; it has been used in folk medicine for a long time and successfully.

• Blooming tree - good source honey for bees.

• A storehouse of vitamins, minerals, natural carbohydrates, flavonoids, malic, citric acid, carotene, calcium, copper, tannins.

• It is used as a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent, for disinfection, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and quickly relieves discomfort. As a medicine it can be used for dysentery and enterocolitis.

• Bird cherry enhances peristalsis, cleanses the intestines faster, simultaneously getting rid of pathogenic bacteria.

Due to its bactericidal properties, the places where it grows always have perfectly clean air.

• Bird cherry juice improves metabolism, promotes fast healing wound

• Bird cherry color helps with colds and copes well with strong symptoms. An irreplaceable thing at .

• Helps lower temperature and helps get rid of fever.

• Excellent (because it contains quite a lot of vitamin C). And if in the infusion you combine bird cherry leaves with raspberry and currant leaves, and with the addition fragrant honey, then the effect is expected to be simply wonderful.

• Reduce inflammation and sore throat, ideal bactericidal agent for the oral cavity, ideal prevention of caries.

• Excellent decoctions and infusions for facial skin care are made from the plant, which, when applied systematically, will perfectly rejuvenate the skin and slow down its aging.

Bay 1.5 tbsp. spoons of dried flowers 200 ml of boiling water, by infusing them well and straining you can get excellent remedy for washing and cleansing the skin.

In order to tone and refresh the skin, you can use a mixture of bird cherry berries (in equal proportions) with the addition of a spoonful of honey.

Juice tart fruits bird cherry will help to get rid of acne, in addition to the bactericidal effect on inflamed skin, it will have an effect on reducing sebum production and reducing pores. Keep it on your face until it dries, then put a napkin moistened with a decoction of the plant’s flowers, this will complete the cleansing, tightening and rejuvenating effect.

• According to traditional medicine, bird cherry is an excellent contraceptive. Those who do not yet plan to have children should eat these berries every day.

• A decoction of the root can relieve minor pain in any part of the body. They are also used to disinfect wounds.

• Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it can fight fungal diseases or be an additional therapy for drug treatment.

• Bird cherry decoctions serve as an excellent prevention of diabetes. They are calorie-free, so you don't have to worry about extra pounds.

• Traditional medicine recommends using the infusion in the treatment of cancer. internal organs. This product is believed to be able to stop or slow the growth of tumors.

• Decoctions from young bird cherry branches are used for severe dermatological diseases.

• A decoction of bird cherry fruits is used as an additional therapy in the treatment of infectious diseases.

• A decoction of the bark is recommended for use in severe stress, constant insomnia.

• A bouquet of bird cherry in the house can repel insects: flies, mosquitoes. But you should be careful, since flowering can cause allergies, and the strong floral smell can make you dizzy.

• The medicinal properties of bird cherry flowers can be used to make bird cherry water. This good remedy used in lotions to treat inflammatory eye pathologies.

• Vitamin PP, which the plant is rich in, helps cleanse the blood and improves its performance. Rutin strengthens the walls of capillaries.

• Helps remove toxins from the body.

• Has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect, removes salts heavy metals, alleviating the conditions of gout and arthritis patients.

• It has antispasmodic and analgesic effects.

• There is also choleretic effect, gently relieving stagnation of bile in the ducts.

• A decoction of flowers and berries is extremely useful for inflammatory diseases kidneys and bladder, often used in the treatment of cystitis, flushes the kidneys, removes sand.

Bird cherry contraindications, harm

• Bird cherry in any form is contraindicated for pregnant women (consuming large quantities of bird cherry berries can pose a threat to the development of the fetus, especially in the first trimester), nursing mothers and those planning a pregnancy (the product can cause miscarriage).

• Consuming large quantities may lead to poisoning. It is not advisable to bite into bird cherry seeds, since they contain poisonous substance– hydrocyanic acid. Whatever the purpose of using the bird cherry fruits, the seeds must be removed.

• If you are allergic to pollen, you should not go close to a tree strewn with white flowers. Signs allergic reaction similar to colds. To remove them, you need to take antihistamines.

• Can be used by children only from two years of age.

How to properly harvest bird cherry

For the treatment and prevention of diseases in folk medicine they use Bird cherry berries, root, leaves, flowers, all parts are good for health.

Flowers bird cherry collected in dry weather at the height of flowering of the plant. Lay them out on natural fabric and cover with gauze (covering is not necessary, but this can get rid of possible bugs and insects).

In order to prepare bird cherry berries They choose only ripe fruits that are already quite juicy, but no longer tart.

Dry in the oven. Heat it to 40°, place the berries on the deco and gradually increase the temperature to 65°. The dried berries are allowed to cool and closed in glass jars, where they can be stored without losing their properties for 1.5–2 years.

Such berries are perfect for both treatment and cooking. They are used to prepare delicious syrups, compotes, jelly, delicious aromatic drinks. They can be a great addition to pies, cakes and other bakery products, giving not only great taste, but also a pleasant aroma.

Bird cherry leaves It is advisable to prepare young ones. Dry them, like flowers, and store them in bags made of natural fabric for about a year.

Bird cherry bark extracted in the spring and dried. In this case, its shelf life should not exceed 5 years.

To dry bird cherry, you can use special dryers. It is important to control the process to prevent overdrying.

Recipes for using bird cherry in folk medicine for treatment

• Cooking correctly leaf decoction: Place 25 grams of dried leaves in 250 ml of boiling water. Boil for a couple of minutes and let cool.

• Cooking bark decoction: Boil crushed 15 grams of bark in 250 ml of water for 10 minutes. Let it sit for 2.5 hours.

• Cooking decoction of bird cherry fruits: Infuse 25 grams of dried fruits in 250 ml of boiling water.

• Cooking infusion of flowers: Add 15 grams of dried flowers to 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 15 minutes. The infusion is ready for use. Methods and duration of use of ready-made infusions and decoctions depend on the disease or necessary prevention. Most suitable for osteochondrosis.

Infusion of bird cherry berries successfully used for rinsing sore throat, infections oral cavity, douching at gynecological diseases, used to wash the eyes from pus in conjunctivitis.

Alcohol tincture of bark tree will help with exacerbation pain syndrome at, used as rubbing.

Bird cherry blossom can be stored for future use throughout the year and brewed as tea and drunk for colds, ARVI, and bronchitis.

Women are happy to add their partners' berries to compotes.

When choosing medicinal raw materials, you should remember that it should be without dents or minor stains.

Much information about the benefits of this or that plant has not been researched - these are only observations of our ancestors. Bird cherry is an exception, since the presence of all vitamins, minerals, and beneficial properties has been clinically proven.

Despite everything beneficial properties bird cherry, a small number of contraindications before starting treatment serious illnesses You should consult a doctor for advice.

What is bird cherry:

What is bird cherry, the beneficial properties and contraindications of bird cherry, and does this plant have any medicinal properties? These questions often arise among those who care about their health and are interested in traditional methods treatment, in particular to treatment with medicinal plants. And this interest is understandable. Maybe in this article, to some extent, you can get an answer to these questions.

Common bird cherry (Prúnus pádus), or Bird cherry, or Bird cherry, is a species of low trees (occasionally shrubs) from the genus Plum of the Rosaceae family.

Grows in forests and bushes throughout Russia to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, in Western Europe, in Asia. Cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Wikipedia

Bird cherry is a tall tree or shrub, sometimes reaching 15-16 meters, which is also quite tall. Bird cherry is a member of the Rosaceae family of plants. The crown of an adult tree is spherical, during the flowering period it becomes almost white due to the abundance of flower clusters formed. The bark of old trees is grayish-black, not shiny, matte, while on young shoots it is dark brown, covered with sparse yellowish-white lenticels. From the inside the bark has yellow and a characteristic almond-honey smell.

Bird cherry, as a rule, blooms in May. It blooms with white, strongly fragrant flowers that have a peduncle and are collected in a multi-flowered inflorescence - a drooping raceme. Bird cherry produces a lot of brushes during the flowering period, and although they are small in size (10-15 cm), one gets the impression that the tree is strewn with them.

After flowering, bird cherry forms fruits, spherical drupes, shiny glossy black, sweet, with a thin layer of highly astringent pulp. The bone is round in shape. Fruit ripening begins at the end of July, beginning of August.

The fruits, bark and leaves of bird cherry contain the glycoside prulaurazine; in flowers and leaves - bitter almond oil. The fruit contains apple and citric acid, anthocyanins, flavones. The leaves contain up to 200 mg% ascorbic acid. The leaves, flowers, bark and seeds contain the glycoside amygdalin, which is enzymatically broken down into benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid and glucose.

Infusion and decoction of bird cherry fruits are used as an astringent, replacing blueberries. They find similar uses in veterinary medicine.

Fresh fruits, leaves, flowers, bark and buds of bird cherry have bactericidal, fungicidal, protistocidal and insecticidal effects. In Siberia and the Urals, the fruits are widely consumed. Bird cherry is a good honey plant.

Bird cherry is, without exaggeration, unique plant. Scientists say that in places where bird cherry grows, they are not able to live. harmful bacteria. During the flowering period of bird cherry, a heady aroma spreads around it, killing pathogenic agents. But we, the reader, would not recommend staying too long near this colorful shrub when it blooms - too much exposure to it is harmful to health. But if you correctly collect, dry, cook, and do not consume excessively, bird cherry will be very useful.

A shrub or small tree that blooms incomparably beautifully is bird cherry. The most valuable are the bird cherry fruits, which are distinguished by their round shape, black color and with a seed inside. The taste of bird cherry berries is sweet. Such bird cherry fruits contain a lot of biological active substances, of which we can name - vitamins, tannins, organic acids (for example, citric, malic), phytoncides, sugars.

Useful properties of bird cherry:

First of all, bird cherry is a good diaphoretic, which makes it useful for diseases accompanied by elevated temperature bodies. In addition, bird cherry is an excellent natural antibiotic and, moreover, a diuretic. And, not surprisingly, it has a contraceptive effect on the women’s body.

Bird cherry is a proven means of combating scurvy and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Consumption of bird cherry has a beneficial effect on functions nervous system– bird cherry has some calming and at the same time tonic effect.

As a tonic and sedative for heart disease, make a decoction of bird cherry bark from 10 g of dry crushed raw materials per glass of water. The mixture must be boiled for half an hour, strained while hot, cooled and brought to its original volume. Drink a third of a glass three times a day.

In bird cherry, all parts of this bush or tree are useful. But bird cherry fruits have the greatest impact on digestive tract a person, normalizing his work and helping to eliminate “failures” in the digestive processes.

For digestive disorders, enteritis, chronic colitis, after suffering from dysentery, you should take a decoction of bird cherry fruits from 1 tbsp. dry crushed raw materials per glass of water. Put on water bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, strain, squeeze, bring with boiled water to the original volume. Drink half a glass before meals 2-3 times a day.

By the way, bird cherry berries are also useful for men - they help increase potency. But this is not all the beneficial properties of bird cherry.

Tea made from bird cherry leaves is useful for patients with bronchitis and other diseases respiratory organs. And if you make an infusion of bird cherry leaves, you will get a remedy for anemia and gout. A decoction of the bark is good for radiculitis, and also as an eye wash for inflammation (conjunctivitis). In addition, bird cherry (a decoction of the bark) is effective as an anti-fever.

To relieve spasms during bronchitis, coughs and colds, it is useful to take 1/3 cup 3 times a day of bird cherry bark decoction. 10 g of dry crushed raw materials are boiled for 30 minutes in a glass of water, filtered while hot, cooled and brought to the original volume. The same decoction can be used to gargle for stomatitis.

The beneficial properties of bird cherry will also be useful to those of us who suffer from weakened immunity. In order to strengthen immune system For humans, bird cherry is on a par with most “domestic” medicinal plants.

Bird cherry is included in herbal teas for stomach treatment. But don’t forget – self-medication can sometimes cause harm. Bird cherry is no exception. Bird cherry, the beneficial properties of bird cherry, will help you when the treatment is agreed upon with medical specialists. Only a doctor will tell you how to achieve the best effect in using the medicinal raw material of bird cherry.

Bird cherry for eyes:

Since ancient times, folk healers have used an infusion of bird cherry berries (for lotions) for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and for allergic conjunctivitis.

For eye inflammation traditional medicine advises washing them with bird cherry infusion. It can also be used for lotions. For this infusion you will need 1 tablespoon of bird cherry flowers and 1 glass of boiling water. The bird cherry blossom is poured with boiling water and left to steep (until cooled). Then strain.

Bird cherry in the treatment of diarrhea (diarrhea):

Since ancient times, bird cherry infusions have been used as a binder for diarrhea. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour one part of the bird cherry fruit with ten parts of boiling water. An important circumstance is to use only glass, porcelain or enamel dishes. Bird cherry seeds must be whole.

The resulting mixture should be covered and placed in the oven for 20-25 minutes. You can also use a water bath. Until the mixture has cooled, it is filtered using linen cloth or gauze.

The infusion should be consumed chilled, three times a day.

Instructions for use:

Bird cherry is a shrub up to 15 meters high.

The bird cherry trunk is distinguished by cracking black-gray bark. The branches of the plant are quite thin, so they always droop towards the bottom. In winter, bird cherry buds are covered with peculiar cilia. They are round, spherical. Bird cherry leaves are bright green, oblong, elongated. Bird cherry flowers are known to many of us for their bright, unique aroma. A brush with white flowers is the inflorescence of bird cherry.

Bird cherry blossoms from April to June. Bird cherry loves the sun, so it does not develop well in the shade. Bird cherry grows in nature along river banks, on forest edges, and in thickets of bushes.

Most common popular names common bird cherry are as follows:

• Cheremshina;
• Glotikha;
• Bellflower.

Composition and beneficial properties of bird cherry

Bird cherry has long been recognized by many thanks to its medicinal properties. Almost all parts of this shrub are used in traditional medicine, since the list of beneficial properties of bird cherry is extremely wide. Thus, bird cherry is rightfully considered a storehouse of beneficial properties for human health.

The main value of bird cherry is represented by the components included in its composition:

• Vitamins;
• Tannins;
• Organic acids;
• Glycosides;
• Acids;
• Anthocyanins;
• Saccharides;
• Rutin;
• Oils;
• Flavonoids;
• Phytoncides.

In addition, quite rare substances in the composition of bird cherry are free hydrocyanic acid and benzoaldehyde.
Thanks to such a rich composition, bird cherry has numerous properties used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases:

• Sweatshop;
• Diuretic;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Antiscorbutic;
• Contraceptive;
• Sedative;
• Tonic;
• Hemostatic.

Application of bird cherry

IN medicinal purposes All parts of the plant are used. But the fruits of the bird cherry are considered the most valuable and the most used.

In traditional medicine, the fruits of bird cherry are used as a remedy that has the following effect:

• General strengthening;
• Astringent;
• Bactericidal;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Fixing;
• Normalizing.

The strengthening and normalizing properties of bird cherry are especially relevant for pathologies of the stomach and intestines.

Bird cherry bark also has considerable benefits. Thus, this part of the plant is often used for the manufacture of drugs belonging to the following pharmacological groups:

• Diuretic;
• Sweatshop;
• Antipyretic.

Preparations based on bird cherry are excellent for colds, flu, and sore throat. In addition, an infusion of bird cherry fruits will help strengthen the immune system and resist infections in the autumn-winter period.

Bird cherry leaves have a powerful fixing property. A decoction of bird cherry leaves is used for diarrhea, intoxication, disorders and digestive disorders.

Bird cherry flowers are extremely useful for all kinds of inflammation, especially those associated with cuts, wounds or burns. Bird cherry is quite capable of helping a person with vitamin deficiency, loss of strength and decreased protective forces body.

The list of diseases for which the beneficial properties of bird cherry effectively help is extremely wide:

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Decreased sexual function;
• Bronchitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Radiculitis;
• Conjunctivitis;
• Fever;
• Anemia;
• Gout;
• Pulmonary tuberculosis;
• Venereal diseases.

Regular consumption of bird cherry can increase potency in men, normalize intestinal activity, and quickly cure any cold. The excellent anti-inflammatory property of bird cherry is due to the presence of phytoncides in its composition. These substances actively fight harmful microorganisms:

• Microbes;
• Bacteria;
• Fungi;
• Mold
• Insects.

Using bird cherry inside and outside (on the skin) leads to the fact that insects (flies, mosquitoes) stop biting a person. The same method of prevention can be used against ticks.

A decoction of twigs and leaves of bird cherry helps to get rid of rheumatic pain. To do this, you need to drink it regularly and follow the rules healthy image life. This remedy is suitable for both articular and muscular rheumatism.

Skin problems such as furunculosis, dermatitis, and ulcers on the body are treated with an infusion of the stems and leaves of bird cherry. This infusion should be used to regularly wash the affected areas of the skin.

Bird cherry has the valuable property of having a beneficial effect on human vision. So, with heavy strain on the eyes, for example, with long work at the computer, you need to make lotions from bird cherry decoction. To prevent eye diseases and relieve tension, you can do this procedure once a week. But when treating an existing disease or when vision deteriorates, of course, treatment should be carried out much more often. Preventing vision problems with the help of such lotions and taking an infusion of bird cherry fruits, its leaves and flowers inside will allow you to maintain excellent vision for life.

The beneficial effect of bird cherry on human skin is also manifested in its ability to cleanse acne. So, regularly using a decoction of bird cherry twigs and bark as a lotion, you can get rid of rosacea and dermatosis. In addition, masks made from bird cherry fruits and taking the decoction internally provide a rejuvenating effect. In this way, the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging can be avoided.

Bird cherry is used not only in pharmaceuticals, but also in cosmetology, food industry, perfumes.

Traditional medicine has many recipes using bird cherry. Doctors focus their patients’ attention on observing the dosage of this medicine.

Contraindications and harm from bird cherry

When carrying out treatment with drugs based on bird cherry, its decoctions and infusions, it is necessary to obtain the approval of the attending physician. You need to be especially careful with doses of medications containing seeds, bark and leaves of the plant. The fact is that these parts of the bird cherry contain the glycoside amygdalin. This substance has the property of disintegrating as a result chemical reaction happening in human body, for hydrocyanic acid and glucose. Glucose is necessary and beneficial for humans, but hydrocyanic acid is considered poisonous. Therefore, its excessive formation in the body can lead to poisoning (intoxication).

The combination may pose some danger active ingredients in the composition of bird cherry with other drugs that people use. Therefore, before using it for treatment, you should consult your doctor. Absolute contraindication For taking preparations from bird cherry, pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding) are recommended.