Black currant is a member of the gooseberry family. The popularity she gained a few centuries ago, when people learned about its health benefits.. It got its name due to the aroma exuded by berries and leaves (in the Old Russian “currants” - “strong smell”). Let's get acquainted with the beneficial properties and contraindications to the use of this berry.
Table of contents
The composition and beneficial properties of the currant fruit for the human body
The small black currant berry hides an incredible amount of vitamins:
- Vitamin C - A powerful tool to strengthen the immune system. Most of it remains even when the currant berries are frozen. In combination with vitamin P will help prevent atherosclerosis;
- Vitamin A (carotene) improves metabolism, helps to strengthen the immune system, accelerates the healing process, as an antioxidant is important in the prevention of cancer;
- Vitamin E accelerates tissue regeneration processes, promotes the absorption of vitamin A, prevents blood clots, strengthens the immune system, participates in the synthesis of hormones;
- Vitamins of group K increase blood clotting, which is especially important for patients in the postoperative period;
- Vitamins of group B ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system, support the activity of the immune system.
Also, black currant is rich in other useful organic substances:
- Macro and microminerals: zinc, potassium, iron, manganese, etc.essential for good organ performance, energy production and tissue repair;
- Tannins have a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect;
- Pectins prevent the development of inflammatory processes, prevent the appearance of tumors in the cells, contribute to the removal of toxins;
- Phytoncides counteracts the development of pathogenic bacteria;
- Folic acid reduces the effect of the damaging effects of radiation on the human body, is a catalyst for the elimination of toxins and heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, cobalt);
- Cellulose contributes to the normalization of digestive processes and the work of the stomach and intestines, prevents the occurrence of cancer, reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood;
- Organic acids stimulate intestinal peristalsis, limit the growth and multiplication of bacteria, stimulate the secretion of gastric juice.
Black and red currants are similar in composition to vitamins and microelements., differing only in the concentration of a substance. In addition to the above, redcurrant is a source of serotonin and coumarin,with antitumor and analgesic effect.
Contraindications to the use
In addition to benefits, currants can cause harm. Black currant is not recommended for use with thrombophlebitis, since the high content of vitamin K in berries increases blood clotting.
Currants, both black and red, can not be used for gastritis, gastric ulcer (with increased acidity), inflammation of the duodenum. It is dangerous in cases of hepatitis, risk of heart attack or stroke.
Medicinal properties of black currant
The benefits of berries for the health of men and women
Eating black currant has a positive effect on immunity.. The reason for this - the high content of vitamin C. 50 g of freshly harvested berries contain its daily rate for humans.
Black currant berries are useful to use in case of diphtheria, dysentery, as they have a strong antimicrobial effect.They also increase the effect of antibiotics on the human body several times.
In cases of intestinal disorders, infections of the upper respiratory tract and kidneys, it is recommended to use black currant juice.. Fresh juice should be diluted with a small amount of boiled water. Juice can be canned vpro, making blanks for the winter. To do this, the enumerated, washed and well-dried berries are crushed, filled with distilled water and boiled for 5 minutes. The mixture is filtered through a sieve and poured into sterilized jars, which are twisted lids (for 1 kg of berries - 200 ml of water). Optionally, the juice can be sweetened
Dried black currant accelerates the body's purification from radioactive particles and heavy metals. (cobalt, lead, mercury, etc.) In order to dry the berries of black currant, they should be carefully selected, leaving only the whole and healthy looking, rinsed and dried on a cloth that absorbs moisture well. Next, the berries spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and put in the oven at 60 ° C for 3-4 hours, slightly opening the cupboard door.After the drying time, if the berries do not produce juice during compression, it means that they have reached the degree of readiness. Dried currants are stored in linen bags, hermetically sealed containers of glass or tin.
Leaf Infusion Recipes
Useful substances are also found in blackcurrant leaves, from which infusions are made with healing properties. What concentration of infusions should be?With gastric ulcer and gastritis, you can use the tincture prepared according to an old recipe: 20 young fresh leaves are poured over 1 l of dry red wine, infused for 20 days, taken 100 g each before meals.
With rheumatism and gout: 3 tablespoons of chopped leaves are steamed with 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused for about an hour in a thermos. Accepted 100 ml shortly before meals.
Infusion of 2 tablespoons of leaves and a glass of boiling water, stimulates the stomach and intestines, relieves constipation, dysbacteriosis, hemorrhoids, suppresses emetic urges.
Warm infusion of currant leaves helps with infectious and catarrhal diseases: angina, bronchitis, ARVI, flu, reduces cough. To prepare medicinal tea, 2 tablespoons of leaves are steamed in a glass of boiling water. The mixture is heated for 15 minutes in a water bath. It is taken by mouth before meals.
The course of skin diseases can also be alleviated and accelerated with the help of black currant leaves. A bath with the addition of decoction of black currant leaves will be useful for various dermatitis, skin itching, rashes, eczema (50 g leaves with branches boil with 1 liter of water for 3 minutes and filter). The infusion of blackcurrant leaves helps to eliminate potnitsa in children, to rid them of skin rashes and diathesis (6 tablespoons of leaves is filled with 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused overnight in a thermos).
With chronic fatigue, to strengthen the body and recuperate in the postoperative period, it is recommended to use equal-sized mixed leaves of black currant, elderberry and blueberry. A tablespoon of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 1 hour in a thermos. It is used as tea.
Medicinal properties of red currant
The benefits of berries, recipe for juicing
Red currant used as a general tonic, helps with colitis, anemia, has a diuretic effect, accelerates the removal of toxins, relieves constipation.
Juice made from red currant berries has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract., improves peristalsis, helps to eliminate chronic constipation. In the heat of such juice, it is easy to quench thirst, and in inflammatory processes, on the contrary, it will help reduce the temperature. In addition, it has tonic properties, as well as helps get rid of nausea and suppress the gag reflex.
To make juice: 60 g of red currant berries should be brewed in a glass of boiling water, leave for 3 hours. After filtering the infusion is ready to use.
The use of leaves in traditional medicine
Red currant leaves also have healing properties. It would seem, what benefits they can bring?In the treatment of cystitis 50 g of leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused in a thermos for several hours. Take half a cup 3-5 times a day.
Diuretic action will have an infusion of 20 g of leaves brewed with a glass of boiling water. It is drunk 2 tablespoons 3 times a day.
Thus, the currant must be present in the diet, the healing properties of its berries and leaves will help to cope with many ailments. but overly addicted to its use should not be, especially with thrombosis, heart attacks, strokesRegardless of the variety, whether it is Chinese or golden currant, because everything is good in moderation.