The use of cloudberries: the benefits and harm to the body

Cloudberry is a perennial plant found in peat bogs and muddy forests of Russia and Belarus, as well as in the tundra (polar-arctic region). His red sweet-and-sour berries, having a similar name, are incredibly healthy and tasty.

The chemical composition of berries cloudberries

Cloudberries are primarily rich in vitamins and fiber. By the amount of vitamin A, cloudberries are several times ahead of carrots, and there is more vitamin C in it than in citrus fruits. Also, this berry is rich in vitamins of group B and E.

Among the mineral substances, the source of which is cloudberry, first of all it is necessary to distinguish phosphorus, potassium, iron, aluminum, silicon and cobalt.

In addition, the chemical composition of the berries is represented by malic, citric and salicylic organic acids, sugar (monosaccharides useful for the body - glucose and fructose), pectins, tannins and natural dyes.The composition of the fruit also includes unsaturated fatty acids and ash. The main part of the chemical composition of cloudberries (83.3%) is water. The protein content in the berry is quite small - only 0.8%.

Cloudberry is a northern plant that grows where there is a pronounced deficiency in natural vitamins due to the unsuitability of climatic conditions, not only for growing oranges, bananas, pomegranates and other heat-loving plants, but also such habitual fruits for the middle strip as apples, pears , strawberry and raspberry. Actually, this circumstance primarily determines the attitude to this berry, since it is the main source of vitamins, as well as minerals and other elements necessary for man for the people living in the Arctic and more than anyone suffering from beriberi.

The manifestation of scientific interest in cloudberry is associated with the Soviet period: the first scientific description of the berry was made more than 75 years ago by Professor Tserevitinovym Fedor Vasilyevich. He also determined the chemical composition of the berries of this species.

Therapeutic properties of cloudberries

Cloudberry leaves, roots and berries have numerous beneficial properties that allow you to get rid of a number of ailments. In particular, potassium contained in cloudberries restores the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, normalizes the functions of the liver, promotes the elimination of bile. Cloudberry slows down the processes of fermentation and decay, and therefore has a beneficial effect on the intestines and stomach, normalizes the biochemical processes in the body, especially after poisoning.

Vitamin E, contained in cloudberries, improves eyesight, improves blood circulation, regulates blood clotting. In addition, due to the enhanced dose of this vitamin, body tissues receive an impetus for rapid regeneration, which is especially important, for example, in case of burns.

The use of cloudberries for the body as a diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory agent is also manifested in the symptoms of respiratory diseases, especially of a bacterial nature, and sore throat. The bactericidal properties of cloudberries allow it to be used for the treatment of purulent wounds, applying to them the freshly picked leaves of the plant, smeared with fish oil.

Cloudberry also has the property to remove edema and remove excess fluid from the body, which makes the berry a very useful element of the diet during pregnancy.

Cloudberries are also used in cystitis, dropsy, scabies, gout and many other diseases. It is believed that the berry can reduce the likelihood of malignant tumors. If such a tumor already exists, it is recommended to apply a gruel of crushed cloudberry fruit, but the effectiveness of this treatment method is questionable.

For a person who is weakened after any illness or stress, the use of cloudberries will help you quickly recover, invigorate and feel much better. It is enough to take berry juice several times a day, diluted with the same amount of water.

How to procure and store raw materials from cloudberries for medical purposes

Cloudberries are harvested at the end of summer. An indicator of maturity is the easy separation of the fetus from the sepal and the abundant secretion of juice from the berries, if pressed down.

There are many ways to store cloudberries. They can be used as raw materials for making preserves, mashed potatoes, jams and other sweets, among the possible methods of preparation are also used drying, freezing, urinating.

Cloudberries should be dried in a dark, well-ventilated place, or in a dryer or oven at a temperature not higher than 50º C. In any case, to evenly dry the berries from time to time should be mixed.

To freeze the berries washed, dried and placed in a single layer on a horizontal surface, which is placed in the freezer for deep freezing.After a day, the fruits are laid out in special bags or plastic containers and sent to the freezer for permanent storage.

Cloudberry jam is cooked like this: berries are poured with hot sugar syrup, left to stand for several hours, and then boiled for 30 minutes, trying not to disturb the integrity of the fruit with stirring. If you wish, you can add a little white wine to the jam (1.5 cups per 1 kg of berries). The finished jam is poured into sterilized jars and rolled. 1 kg of cloudberries will need 1 kg of sugar and 0.3 liters of water.

Cloudberry jam brewed in a similar way, but after cooking the jam, rub it through a sieve, then boil for another 10-20 minutes and then lay it out on the jars.

To make jelly from cloudberries, the berries are pressed, mixed with water (1 part of water for 5 parts of fruit), boiled for no more than five minutes after boiling, then filtered, sugar is added (in an amount equal to the weight of berries), gelatin soaked in advance (30 g per 1 kg of berries), heated, not boiling, poured into jars and rolled.

Cloudberries are also used to make mashed potatoes, which, in turn, can then be used as a basis for other dishes. The berries are brought to a boil, rubbed through a sieve, sugar is added (0.4 parts to the weight of the berries), laid out in cans, cooled and stored in a cool place.

To get the pastille from cloudberries, the mashed potatoes prepared in the manner described above are dried in the oven on low heat.

Cloudberry Original Compote Recipe: the berries are immediately laid out in sterilized jars, covered with sugar (200 g per liter) and left until the fruit launches juice. Then the jar is filled with boiling water, covered with a lid and rolled.

In a similar way, candied cloudberries are prepared, but instead of boiling water, sugar is added to the jar again, until it covers the berries, and, covered with a lid, stored in a refrigerator or in a cellar.

To make a cloudberry juice, blanch the berries, squeeze the juice through gauze, heat it without boiling, then pour it into the cans, sterilize them for 10-15 minutes (for half-liter and one-liter cans, respectively) and roll it up.

Wet cloudberries It is prepared in different ways. For example, you can pour the enumerated berries in a sterilized jar and pour boiled water at room temperature, then cover and insist in a cold place.To ensure the sterility of the jars, you can wipe the dishes from the inside with vodka, alcohol, and even better with rum, instead of boiling water or steam, this will give the berry an extra aromatic touch. To soak the cloudberries in a tub or barrel, berries are poured with syrup (0.08 g of sugar per 1 l of water, boiling adds a pinch of salt and spices to taste - cloves, cinnamon, bitter and allspice). Tub covered with a smaller diameter lid or plate, placed on top of the oppression. The container should be covered with a cloth and taken out into the cellar.

Most of the types of blanks listed above make it possible not only to keep berries of cloudberries for a long time, but also preserve the bulk of their healing qualities.

In the cloudberry plant, in addition to berries, leaves, roots and flowers are also used.The leaves, stems and flowers of cloudberry should be collected during the flowering period (the end of spring - the beginning of summer), and the rhizomes - in the fall, before the resting phase. When collecting berries, you can also collect and sepals, they are dried and mixed with dry leaves.

Collected raw materials are dried in the same way as berries - in an open shaded place, and then laid out in linen bags or glass jars and stored at room temperature in a dry room.

Use in folk medicine: cloudberry treatment

The benefits of cloudberries

Cloudberry fruits are the strongest natural antioxidant, they restore immunity and contribute to the overall rejuvenation of the body. With the help of the fruits of this plant, you can also lower the level of harmful cholesterol and prevent the development of cancer cells.

The ability of cloudberries to stop various inflammations and heal wounds is widely used in traditional medicine. These fruits are recommended for people suffering from hypertension, disorders of the urogenital functions and gastrointestinal diseases. It is good to eat berries of cloudberry at the first signs of intoxication of the body, this will prevent the absorption of poison into the blood due to the protective film, which covers the stomach walls contained in tannins and pectins.

Cloudberries are very low-calorie, therefore they should be highly appreciated by people suffering from excessive weight. In addition, the chemical composition of cloudberries causes the elimination of excess fluid from the body and the splitting of fats, with a general normalization of metabolism.

The cloudberries contained in the fruit trace elements, in particular calcium, help to improve the condition of nails and hair, and also have a general beneficial effect on the body, especially women.

Cloudberries do not lose their beneficial properties when frozen, other types of processing are associated with certain losses.

Cloudberry Tea

Cloudberry tea can be prepared in different ways. First of all, for these purposes, of course, dried leaves of the plant are used. The drink is brewed at the rate of about 2 tbsp. l leaves on a glass of water and is an excellent tonic in the off season, when flu and various viral infections are rampant.

You can mix cloudberry leaves with leaves of other plants - raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and rosehips. In addition, cloudberry leaves are added to regular black tea.Instead of sugar, it is recommended to add honey to such a drink.

Tea from the leaves of cloudberries drink with cystitis and other disorders of the genitourinary system.

On the basis of dried cloudberries, you can also make a tasty drink, but to improve the therapeutic effect, it is better to drink it chilled. This broth is used 80 ml three times a day to stop bleeding, and when kidney stones are found, 125 g four times a day.

You can also brew tea from the cloudberry sepals. Even a small pinch of dried mix added to the tea will give it a completely unique thick aroma of woody freshness, taiga romance and songs around the fire. In addition, after drinking a cup of such tea, you will feel an unprecedented surge of strength and energy, and fatigue and stress will remove like a hand.

Cloudberry juice

Juice from cloudberries also has healing properties. Inside it is taken in the form of diluted with water, to improve the appetite and as a tonic.Apply it externally - to combat some skin diseases, in particular with scabies.

Cloudberry leaves and roots decoction

A decoction of leaves and roots of cloudberry in the ratio of 1: 1 is a cure for gout, water bodies and intestinal disorders, if you drink 50 g for half an hour before each meal. For its preparation 1 tbsp. l chopped raw materials need to pour a glass of cold water, cook for 15 minutes, cool, strain.

To combat bleeding and kidney stones, you can make a decoction not only from berries, but also from cloudberry leaves (1 tbsp. Spoon per cup of boiling water). Mixture need to steam, cool and strain. Take with the above diagnoses three times a day for 0.3 cups or four times a day for 0.5 cups respectively.

Cloudberry leaves infusion

The infusion of cloudberry leaves is the best way to get rid of attacks of painful and debilitating cough, which allows you to use this plant not only for colds, but even for tuberculosis.

Infusion is prepared as follows: 2 teaspoons of dried cloudberry leaves are filled with an incomplete glass of boiling water, steamed and infused for at least five hours.It is necessary to drink the resulting infusion in small sips for a long period of time, this will help to ensure maximum effect.

Similarly prepared infusions can be used to alleviate the symptoms of urolithiasis, as well as the deposition of salts.

How to use in cosmetology

As an agent for treating skin diseases, cloudberry is unparalleled. However, in addition to this, it is widely used for cosmetic purposes. And everything is used here - leaves, roots and berries are used to make decoctions and extracts, oil is squeezed out of the seeds, the pulp of the berries is also used.

The ability of cloudberries to beneficially affect the skin, hair and nails determines the use of elixirs and decoctions based on it as additives in shampoos, creams, lotions, shower gels and soap. Seeds with sufficient rigidity are an excellent abrasive in the composition of scrubs and peels.

Anti-aging and restorative effect, which gives the use of the plant, allows you to include oil from the seeds of cloudberries in the composition of masks, serums and creams of the anti-aging group. Such tools saturate the skin well and even out the complexion, removing peeling and pigment spots. The skin becomes supple, smooth and tender.Massage creams and energy masks improve the pulp of cloudberries.

It should be recognized that not all companies can afford to use cloudberries in professional cosmetology, and such means, as a rule, are expensive. But you can prepare these or other compositions independently, having at hand the necessary raw materials.

So, if you chop up fresh cloudberry fruits and mix them with fat sour cream, you will get a great mask for dry and delicate skin (to avoid micro-scratching berries, you should first pass through a fine sieve, and to achieve the effect of peeling, just apply extremely carefully, not forgetting about hard seeds ).

To make a mask for dry and brittle hair, you need to beat 5 tablespoons of a rich infusion of cloudberry leaves with a raw chicken egg, immediately apply the mixture to your hair, distribute over the entire length and leave for 30 minutes. After a while, the mask is washed off with warm water, and you do not need to wash your hair after that. It's not a bad idea to add a few drops of cloudberry seed oil to such a mask, but not everyone has this exclusive at hand.

Contraindications

High content of organic acids in cloudberries can cause a strong allergic reactionTherefore, contraindications primarily concern people who have a tendency to various allergies, in particular to ascorbic acid.

With some caution, cloudberries should be consumed in cases of gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis with increased acidity, and enterocolitis. When exacerbating such diseases, the berry should be excluded from the diet completely.

Clinical medicine does not have a clearly defined list of direct and unambiguous contraindications to the use of cloudberries and drugs based on it. Therefore, if you exercise the measure and do not ignore the first signs of individual intolerance, cloudberry will bring only benefits, as well as the pleasure of eating a tasty product.