Lingonberry berries - useful properties and contraindications

The healing power of some plants is so high that it surpasses many medications in its effectiveness. Given and correctly using the beneficial properties and contraindications of lingonberry berries, you can even get rid of chronic diseases. Although this is not always possible for doctors.

However, the conclusions of traditional medicine and traditional healers are unambiguous - the secret of the plant's influence lies not only in its composition, but also in the ability to use it wisely.

Lingonberry berries - beneficial properties for the body

Lingonberries are called small and low evergreen shrubs with round red berries and small oval leaves.

Most often, the plant can be found on the lawns of coniferous and deciduous forests. But in the tundra and in the swamps of lingonberry, it feels no worse. Moreover - wild thickets of plants are found in the Caucasus, in Europe, and even on the mountain peaks of Siberia.

It is obvious that in former times people knew how useful lingonberries were - there are references to the healing properties of berries in scientific sources of the 16th century. Nowadays, the therapeutic activity of berries and leaves of the plant has been repeatedly confirmed by research by scientists.

The benefits of cranberries

Lingonberry berries are the basis of many original Russian dishes.Lingonberries are brewed with fruit drinks, compotes and preserves, jellies and candied berries are prepared, they are added to pastries, sauerkraut and soaked apples, as well as marinades and meat sauces are prepared.

A unique feature of lingonberries is that both berries and leaves of a plant are able to maintain their healing properties even after heat treatment.

Eating delicious lingonberry dishes, many people do not even think about what invaluable benefits this body brings.

Despite the fact that 86% of lingonberries consists of water, its composition is a source of healthy elements and compounds:

• vitamin C, A, PP, B1, B2, B9, and also E;
• iron and manganese;
• flavonoids preventing sclerotic damage to the walls of blood vessels;
• organic acids - malic, oxalic, citric, acetic, benzoic, pyruvic, A-ketoglutaric, glyoxylic, hydroxypyruvic;
• lycopene with antioxidant activity;
• vaccine glycoside - an antiseptic substance, indispensable in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract;
• zeaxanthin, supporting the health of the organs of vision;
• tannins.

As part of complex therapy, juice and infusions from lingonberry berries effectively fight against anemia, low acidity, high blood pressure, rheumatism, ischemia, gout, and pathologies of the renal system.

Means made from lingonberry berries help maintain vision, relieve fever during colds, normalize blood sugar, and improve well-being in cases of urinary tract infections and tuberculosis.

Lingonberry fruits are a completely independent medicine for vitamin deficiency, constipation and congestion of the gallbladder. In addition, preparations prepared on the basis of lingonberry berries have bactericidal, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties.

The benefits of lingonberry leaf

In terms of health value, lingonberry leaves not only are not inferior to berries, but even surpass them.

The healing properties of lingonberry leaf are due to its rich composition:

• acids - gallic, tartaric, ellagic, ursolic, quinic;
• arbutin - one of the main antiseptics used in the treatment of urinary tract;
• flavonoids - substances recommended for use in eliminating pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• phenolic acids - compounds that provide antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-rheumatic and sedative effects;
• tannins are active participants in redox processes;
• fat and water soluble vitamin groups;
• micro and macro elements, as well as biologically active substances that enhance immunity and overall health.

Due to the universality of the composition of lingonberry leaves, the range of their therapeutic effects is extremely wide.

Herbal decoctions, teas and infusions are recommended for use with:

• inflammation of the organs of the renal and genitourinary systems;
• gastrointestinal tract dysfunctions;
• pathologies of the liver;
• colds and viral infections;
• diabetes
• gout
• worms;
• neurosis;
• metabolic disorders.

From the point of view of traditional medicine, the most valuable is the anti-inflammatory, diuretic and sedative effect provided by lingonberry leaves.

Contraindications and possible harm

Despite the abundance of healthy compounds in the composition of lingonberries, taking herbal remedies based on it is not shown to all patients.

First of all, contraindications for use relate to patients:

• gastritis, with a high level of acidity;
• cholecystitis;
• hypotension;
• ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract;
• urolithiasis.

The use of lingonberries is not contraindicated for nursing mothers. However, when taking funds from a plant, the diuretic effect should be taken into account, which may affect the amount of milk produced by the body.

The healing properties of lingonberries

For the preparation of medicines, berries, leaves and young shoots of lingonberry are used.

To ensure the maximum benefit of using herbs, you must adhere to certain rules when harvesting plant materials:

• The best time to pick berries is from August to October. It is not recommended to pluck unripe or damaged fruits. The degree of ripeness is determined by the color of the berry - the more saturated and uniform the red color, the more nutrients are contained in the fruit. White and pinkish fruits are not suitable for food or for long-term storage;
• collection of lingonberry leaf is carried out in early spring or late autumn. During the fruiting period, taking plant leaves is not recommended. Scissors should be used for collection so as not to damage the main plant.

It is not recommended to use the same place to collect plant materials. The optimal period for a break is 4 years.

The average shelf life of plant materials, including berries, is 3 years in a cool place. To keep the berries fresh during the entire storage period, they need to be moistened with water. To store the dried leaves using fabric bags.

Features of the preparation of medicines

The most common remedies based on lingonberries are tea, juice and decoction.

To prepare a serving of tea, take half a glass of any plant material from lingonberries and pour boiling water. Use after 10 minutes when the tea is infused. An alternative is tea in a thermos. The crushed berries and leaves are poured with boiling water and insisted in a thermos for 12 hours.

Juice from fresh cranberries is made using a juicer. Take diluted with water and honey. 150 ml of water and a teaspoon of honey are added to 50 ml of juice.

Preparing a decoction of leaves requires languishing in a water bath for half an hour. Average proportions - for 10 g of dried leaves give one glass of boiling water.

Lingonberry berry tincture is prepared as follows: ten tablespoons of raw material is poured into 500 ml of vodka and aged for a month. Drink a sip several times a day.

The easiest way to make a healthy drink from lingonberries is to pour berries with boiled water. The next day, cranberry water can be drunk at will in any quantities, but taking into account the laxative properties of the drink.

A positive therapeutic effect is the introduction to the daily diet of fruit drinks and lingonberry jam.

Benefit for vision

Lingonberry berries contain a unique substance zeaxanthin, the main property of which is the support of eye health. The use of lingonberry remedies ensures the normalization of blood supply to the retina and the eyeball. And beta-carotene in the plant normalizes the work of the eyes in the evening.

Lingonberry for gastrointestinal tract

The effect of lingonberries on the digestive system is expressed in the stimulation of the intestines, increased appetite, increased salivation, intensive production of secretory fluids and enzymes.

Pectin, which is part of the peel of berries, enhances intestinal motility and helps to eliminate toxins and cholesterol.

The benefits of lingonberries for the circulatory system

Lingonberry contains a lot of potassium, which normalizes the work of the heart muscle and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

High iron levels support normal hemoglobin. Fiber absorbs and removes waste products that pollute blood vessels. And flavonoids with antioxidant properties prevent the formation of blood clots and the development of cardiovascular pathologies.

To remove parasites from the body

Essential oils, acids and lingonberry alkaloids effectively affect microorganisms that are parasitic in the human body. Regular consumption of tea or decoction from the plant helps get rid of parasites and provides reliable protection against repeated helminthic invasions.

For the nervous system

Among the main therapeutic effects of lingonberry intake is a sedative effect. Alkaloids and essential oils contained in leaves and berries contribute to the general relaxation of the body.Long-term use of products based on plant materials normalizes sleep, relieves depression, improves the condition with neurosis and neurasthenia.

With pathologies of the musculoskeletal system

Arthritis, arthrosis, gout and other lesions of the joints and cartilage tissue will not be able to cause pain and discomfort when moving, if you use decoctions and tinctures from lingonberry leaf. Means are not only taken orally, but also used as the basis for compresses that are applied to sore spots.

Application in cosmetology

Substances in the composition of lingonberry berries and leaves have found application not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology.

Based on the plant, you can prepare home remedies for:

• restore hair health, eliminate dandruff, seborrhea and fungus;
• cleansing and improving complexion;
• increase the tone of the epidermis;
• eliminate dermatological problems - rash, acne, inflammation.

Moreover, lingonberry remedies provide an antibacterial effect, thereby preventing the development of inflammation and accelerate the healing of damaged skin.

The benefits of lingonberries for women, men, children

The use of lingonberries has no age restrictions. The use of the plant is justified at any age for colds and viral infections, weakened immunity and vitamin deficiency, anemia and problems with gums.

Cooking various dishes from lingonberries will replenish the supply of useful substances in the body, and decoctions of leaves will help to cope with infections and inflammations.

In addition, candied lingonberries are considered an ideal alternative to sweets and are recommended for children of any age.

During pregnancy

At all stages of pregnancy, the use of lingonberry tea, juice or broth is welcome. The compounds and vitamins that the plant contains have a beneficial effect not only on the well-being of the expectant mother, but also on the development of the fetus.

In addition, a lingonberry decoction perfectly copes with edema, which often occurs in pregnant women.

The use of the healing properties of lingonberries is an effective and quite tasty way not only to improve the body, but also to preserve youth for many years.