Kalina: what are its useful properties and are there any contraindications

Guess which berry can be picked after the first frost? That's right, viburnum. In winter, when one can only remember about other gifts of nature, it does an excellent job of protecting our body from various ailments. In Russia, the fruits of this wonderful plant were used everywhere. On the table, they were an indispensable ingredient not only for sweet dishes, but also for side dishes and pickled vegetables. They were used to make useful workpieces and were used in traditional medicine. And Russian beauties knew many secrets of how to use red fruits in order to remain attractive for many years. What other useful properties does it conceal? Are there any contraindications to the use of the miracle berry? Let's figure it out.

What is viburnum

There were few beautiful legends and songs about a plant. But viburnum in Russia has always been held in high esteem. For our ancestors, the plant was a symbol of beauty, youth, love and happiness. Kalina was considered a wedding tree. A bridal wreath was made from it, a wedding table was decorated with a bouquet of branches with berries, a loaf and food were decorated with berries.

For a long time viburnum in Russia in great honor

What does the plant look like, what species are found

A species of the Kalina genus and a representative of the Adoksovy family is Kalina Ordinary, or, as it is usually called, Red Kalina. Most often there are bush deciduous plants, less often - tree-like representatives of the genus. Plant height is from 1.5 to 4 m. The trunk is covered with gray bark with a brown tint, on the surface of which longitudinal cracks are clearly visible.

The plant forms many yellow-brown shoots. Their bark, as well as on the branches, is naked and smooth, covered with large lenticels. The leaves are opposite. Their shape is broadly ovate or round. The leaf plate is three-five-lobed, pointed, with a rounded base. The length is 5–8 cm, the width is approximately the same. The surface of the leaf is bare, wrinkled, with three main palmate veins, dark green colored. The underside is grayish-green and slightly pubescent. The leaf is located on a furrowed petiole 1–2 cm long.

Most often, viburnum grows as a bush

Flowers are collected in flat umbellate panicles 5–8 cm in diameter, consisting of 6–8 rays. Inflorescences are located at the tops of young shoots.The composition of the bouquet is heterogeneous, small bisexual flowers are located in the middle, and large sterile flowers surround them at the edges. Flowering lasts from late May to July. The tree looks very elegant thanks to the dazzling white umbrellas. Sometimes there are inflorescences of white-pink shades, which creates a wonderful natural color combination.

The viburnum inflorescence looks like a bouquet - in the middle there are small flowers, around the edges of them are surrounded by larger ones

The smell exuded by the viburnum flowers can be called peculiar, but not unpleasant. In addition, there are types of viburnum that exude a rather pleasant smell during flowering.

The fruits are round or oval drupes with a diameter of 8 - 10 mm. Ripe berries acquire a bright red color, thanks to which the name of the plant originated - the fruits, visible from afar, resemble drops of hot iron. According to etymologists, the name is associated with the words "hot" or "hot".

Viburnum fruit - juicy drupe

The flattened bone is rather large. Its dimensions are 7 - 9 cm. The shape of the bone is very interesting - it resembles a heart.

Viburnum bones are surprisingly similar to small hearts

Viburnum berries filled with juice have a bitter and slightly astringent taste. But after the first frosts, the taste changes - the bitterness disappears, sweet and sour notes appear. But still, the taste of the berries, as well as their smell, can be called special, for an amateur. But if the fruits are eaten with sugar or honey, then it turns out very tasty. It is not for nothing that a popular proverb says: "The viburnum praised itself for being good with honey."

After the first frost, the taste of viburnum changes for the better.

The Kalina family is quite representative. There are over 140 plant species around the world. In addition, scientists are happy to breed new varieties of this amazing plant. The large list includes fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. In addition to varieties with red berries, there are varieties with yellow and black fruits.

Species variety of varieties in the photo

But, despite such a large selection, the most common remains exactly Red or ordinary Kalina. And all thanks to the fact that for a long time the people noticed the extraordinary medicinal properties of the plant.

Despite the large species diversity, it is Kalina red that is the most popular

Where does it grow

The distribution area of ​​viburnum is wide. This is facilitated by the plant's undemandingness to living conditions. Most often it grows in steppe and forest-steppe zones, likes to take a fancy to river banks. The most suitable for growing is the temperate climate of Europe and the European part of Russia.

In Russia, the plant is also found in the following regions and districts:

• Crimea;
• Caucasus;
• Western and Eastern Siberia (basins of the Angara and Yenisei rivers, as well as in the southwestern Baikal region).

Isolated habitats are located in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (Chu-Ili Mountains, Trans-Ili and Dzhungarsky Alatau), and even in North Africa. The plant is also found in America, and the varietal variety is quite rich. But the red Kalina, about which songs were composed in Russia, is extremely rare.

In a temperate climate, viburnum grows in light forests

Beneficial features

Traditional medicine from the XIV century used viburnum as medicines against a large number of diseases. The people respected this plant very much, chopping viburnum in Russia was considered a sin. The plant is still often used in the preparation of medicinal potions that our mothers and grandmothers use.

Viburnum is especially valuable for its high content of vitamin C, which takes part in almost all vital processes of the body. In terms of the amount of this vitamin, viburnum is not inferior to black currants, and lemon contains 70% less of it than red berries.

Protein, fat and carbohydrate content - table

The calorie content of viburnum fruits is insignificant. 100 g of the product contains 27.78 kcal, which is about 1% of the daily value.

Composition of nutrients - table

The fruits of viburnum are not only medicinal. All parts of this amazing plant have healing properties.

• seeds contain a large amount of fatty oils;
• flowers are a source of aromatic and mineral substances;
• bark, leaves and roots are rich in resinous and tannins, organic acids, vitamin C.

Viburnum contains a large amount of useful substances, therefore it is well-respected

Benefits for women

Since olden times viburnum was considered a female tree... Healers and wizards endowed the plant with magical properties. Kalina could heal women's emotional wounds, one had only to come up, hug the "mother-viburnum" and share her hardships with her.

The rich vitamin and mineral composition also helped to overcome physical ailments. Ripe berries are filled with many compounds similar to female sex hormones. During menopause, they help maintain health and improve skin condition.

Other parts of the plant - bark, seeds, flowers, in folk medicine were the primary means of preventing or treating many female diseases:

• mastopathy;
• uterine bleeding;
• painful or prolonged periods;
• fibroids;
• ovarian cyst.

During pregnancy, a woman was not forbidden to use fresh viburnum or preparations from it. In any form, the fruits are beneficial to the body, strengthening the immune system and increasing hemoglobin. But if an allergic reaction is detected, taking fresh or processed berries should be stopped. In addition, the fetus can increase the tone of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriages. In any case, you should first consult with your doctor, and if permission is received, then try not to get carried away with berries.

Since viburnum belongs to products that can provoke an allergic reaction, when breastfeeding it should be included in the list of healthy foods with caution. But you should not completely exclude the product from use. Here are some guidelines to help you get the healthy fruits into your diet:

1. The first 3 months should completely abandon the use of viburnum. If the child is prone to allergies, the ban on berries is extended for another 2 months.
2. The first use should be careful. It is best to add a few berries to the compote. You need to drink it in the morning and no more than a glass. If within 2 days the baby does not show an allergic reaction, you can continue to use viburnum to replenish the body's vitamin reserves.
3. But it is worth adding processed berries to the diet. Add them to compotes, cottage cheese casseroles, teas.
4. You do not need to consume viburnum daily. Once a week is enough.The maximum concentration for 250 ml of water is 10 berries.

For a long time, viburnum has been called a female tree.

What is useful for men

Despite the fact that viburnum is considered a female plant, it will not leave men in trouble either. Medicines prepared on the basis of viburnum will help normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system and improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs. An infusion of berries has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect in cystitis and prostatitis. In addition, viburnum helps to quickly recover after heavy physical exertion.

For what diseases is it used

1. The large amount of vitamin C contained in berries strengthens the immune system. A hot drink with viburnum helps to relieve colds, bronchitis, sore throat, coughs. The berry infusion is used as a diaphoretic and helps to lower the temperature.
2. Berries help people suffering from high blood pressure by providing an anti-sclerotic effect. Useful substances in juices and decoctions contribute to the dissolution of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. Essential oils provide a diuretic effect, eliminating edema and removing excess extracellular fluid from the body, thereby lowering pressure.
3. All parts of the plant have a hemostatic and antispasmodic effect, therefore they are used for copious and painful periods, fibroids. They also help to alleviate the general condition during menopause.
4. The antispasmodic effect of valeric acid helps to relieve the excitability of the central nervous system. Kalina is able to prolong the effect of sleeping pills.
5. Unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols, which have cardiotonic properties, help to increase the strength of the heart. Infusion of berries can restore the heart rhythm in arrhythmias.
6. In the treatment of cholecystitis and pancreatitis, viburnum has an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect. But during the period of exacerbation of pancreatitis, the intake of fresh berries is prohibited!
7. Kalina is included in the collection for the treatment of diabetes.
8. With varicose veins, berries are used as a fortified drink and as a compress from pounded fruits.
9. Decoctions and extracts are used as an anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, gastritis, stomach ulcer) and hemorrhoids. Berries with honey help relieve constipation.
10. The berries collected after the first frost are excellent for pyelonephritis, as they have a diuretic effect.
11. Viburnum berry juice and infusion of flowers are a prophylactic agent for oncological diseases. In the treatment of viburnum, it alleviates the condition and is an addition to the drug treatment of oncology.
12. For skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, boils and abscesses, viburnum also helps. It is used in the form of compresses and drinks.

About the beneficial properties of viburnum berries - video

What are the contraindications

There are contraindications. They are associated with high levels of vitamin C, which can lead to overdose, general intolerance, high acid levels and other side effects. Kalina should not be used for the following diseases:

• gout;
• arthrosis;
• arthritis;
• thrombophlebitis;
• hypotension;
• urolithiasis disease.

How is, what can be prepared, consumption rates

Of course, viburnum will bring more benefits in its raw form. But not everyone dares to eat a healthy berry in its natural form. All because of the specific taste and smell. But rubbed with sugar, viburnum becomes very tasty.

Fruits go well with many products - a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, meat. Viburnum is unusually good in drinks. The list of dishes that can be prepared from viburnum is extensive:

• fruit drink;
• compote;
• kvass;
• jelly;
• tea;
• sauce for meat and fish dishes;
• sauce for sweet dishes;
• jam, jam, jam;
• filling for pies;
• additive to curd casseroles and porridge;
• jelly;
• syrup;
• fruits ground with sugar;
• pickled vegetables.

How many berries can you eat per day so that the body gets benefits, not harm? To do this, you need to consume no more than 5 tbsp. l. berries a day. Can be eaten fresh or added to ready-made meals. If you like hot drinks, then you should drink no more than 4 cups of tea with viburnum.

Viburnum goes well with many fruits and vegetables

How to collect and store

The best time to pick berries filled with healing substances is the end of autumn, when the first frosts have already worked to improve the taste of viburnum. Berries should not be torn off one by one, as they will lose all the juice. The entire bunch is cut off from the bush. It can be folded into any containers in a thick layer, but it cannot be tamped. In this form, it is not difficult to deliver the fruits to the place of storage or processing. The skin on the berries is very dense and strong, so you don't have to be afraid that it will burst.

You can store viburnum by hanging it down with berries in a cool place. At a temperature of 5⁰With adequate air ventilation, viburnum can be stored throughout the winter. You can use the features of the compartment for storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator. It will not be possible to preserve the fruits for a long time at room temperature, so it is better to put the berries into processing.

To extend the shelf life of the product, housewives use various options. As for the viburnum, here, in addition to making jam, you can use the following methods:

• freezing. It is not worth picking off one berry at a time, you can cut off several berries at once with scissors and put them in tight plastic bags or suitable containers. Freezing allows you to preserve nutrients almost without loss;
• drying. In an apartment, this can be done using an oven, but this process is slow. Spread the viburnum brushes on a baking sheet and dry at a temperature of 50-60⁰C. To prevent the berries from bursting, the oven door must be left slightly ajar. The process ends after the fruits have become shriveled and dry. After they cool down, you can safely remove the berries from the stalks. It is best to store dry product in tightly closed glass jars in a dark place.

Dried viburnum fruit is an excellent ingredient for tea

When choosing viburnum on the market, try to get dense brushes with whole berries. Crumpled or moldy berries will have no health benefits.

Health recipes

Despite the fact that viburnum can be stored all winter under certain conditions, many housewives who care about the health of their families prefer to make harvests from useful fruits. In processed form, viburnum remains no less useful than natural.

Red viburnum, grated with sugar (raw jam)

This recipe will help preserve as many vitamins and minerals as possible. This tasty medicine helps with diseases of the blood and cardiovascular system, is the first remedy for the treatment and relief of angina, bronchitis, pneumonia. If you do not remove the bones, then the viburnum, rubbed with sugar, can be used as a prophylaxis of gallstone disease. You can not bother too much and just knead the berries with sugar, without removing the skin and seeds. But I prefer the more complex option, which allows even the most discerning gourmets to enjoy the healthy medicine.

1. Wash the viburnum brushes thoroughly under running water.
2. Spread them out on a clean cloth or paper towel to dry the berries.
3. Then cut the berries into a container and remember them well with a pusher.
4. The resulting gruel must be wiped through a strong sieve or colander. Or you can simply squeeze the juice by hand through several layers of gauze.
5. Now measure how many glasses of juice you make and add the same amount of sugar to it.
6. Stir well to completely dissolve the sugar. This will take some time, but the mixture will be homogeneous and the sugar will not settle to the bottom.
7. Pour the resulting mixture into dry sterilized jars and send to the refrigerator.
8. This recipe can be slightly modified to include an orange. Citrus is washed, peeled and ground or smashed in a blender. The finished orange semi-finished product is added to the main composition and mixed.

Raw viburnum jelly will surely please even those who do not like this healthy berry

Viburnum is rich in pectins. And if you add 2 parts of sugar to the juice instead of one, then you get a wonderful jelly without cooking.

Viburnum berries in white glaze

Who said that medicine is tasteless and sweets are bad for your health? This is easily refuted if you try this delicacy, which benefits the body. Boost immunity with taste!

For cooking you will need:

• 2 chicken proteins;
• 2 cups powdered sugar;
• 1 kg of viburnum berries.

Imagine yourself as a wizard as you have to turn sour berries into delicious candies.

1. Rinse the viburnum brushes thoroughly, but do not need to dry.
2. Use scissors to cut the desired amount of berries. Try to remove the stalk completely without damaging the skin.
3. Combine the protein with 1 cup of powdered sugar and beat until lather.
4. Spoon the berries into a lush foam and then into a large bowl filled with powdered sugar.
5. Gently shaking the plate, let the berries roll evenly in the sweet powder so that it covers the berry on all sides.
6. Spread a small amount of berries, it will be easier.
7. Place the finished koloboks on a baking sheet lined with parchment and send to the oven at the lowest temperature. You can just as well leave sweets at room temperature, but provided that the room is warm enough. After a couple of days, the glaze will harden and the culinary masterpiece can be sprinkled in sterile jars.
8. It is better to store the treat in the refrigerator.

Incredibly tasty and healthy homemade candies

Jam from viburnum

Lovers of sweets will certainly try to make healthy jam, which will be very useful with pancakes or pancakes. This product strengthens the immune system, improves liver function and alleviates the course of gastrointestinal diseases. It helps those suffering from urolithiasis and acts as an antioxidant. For cooking you will need the following ingredients:

• 700 g of viburnum;
• 200 ml of water;
• 500 g of sugar.

Rinse the berries thoroughly and separate from the branches, pour into a saucepan. Further actions are very simple, even a novice hostess can handle them.

1. Pour the measured amount of liquid into a saucepan with berries.
2. Turn on the heat and stirring constantly, cook the berries for about 10 minutes over medium heat. During this time, the skin will burst and a thick puree forms in the pan.
3. Cool berry puree to 50⁰C, then separate it from the cake using a colander or gauze folded in several layers.
4. Combine the berry pulp with sugar and put on fire. After boiling, bring the heat to a minimum and simmer the jam for about 30 minutes, stirring constantly so as not to burn.
5. Ready jam can be rolled up or, pouring into jars and waiting for it to cool, put in the refrigerator to wait for pancakes.

Viburnum jam and pancakes - sweet couple

Viburnum juice (classic recipe)

This blank will contain the maximum concentration of nutrients. Viburnum juice is an irreplaceable remedy for colds. Healing drink improves digestion, helps with liver diseases and stomach ulcers, stops internal bleeding. To prepare a healing drink, you will need:

• 0.5 kg of viburnum berries;
• 260 g sugar;
• some water.

In skillful and caring hands, any business is arguable. And a good mood will help give the vitamin drink even more benefits.

1. Wash and sort the berries. Remove rotten and dented ones.
2. Pour the berries into a cooking container, pour enough water so that the liquid covers the fruits.
3. Turn on the heat and cook until the berries are soft.
4. After that, strain the juice through a colander into another container.
5. If you are a lover of juice with pulp, then you need not defend it.Add sugar immediately and, stirring, cook until the sweet crystals are completely dissolved.
6. Then pour the juice into clean, sterilized jars and roll up.
7. For clarified juice, you will have to defend the resulting drink. Wait for the pulp to settle and drain the clean juice into another container. Then all actions take place according to the described scheme.

The juice contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals

For those who like sour juice, you can do without sugar. The natural product can be added to tea or used to make marmalade, jelly and pastilles.

Sauerkraut with honey and viburnum

An unusual way of pickling cabbage, which is very healthy. And viburnum gives the finished product a fresh taste and attractive appearance. For an unusual recipe that will strengthen the immune system and help fight colds and viruses, you will need quite ordinary products:

• 3 kg of white cabbage;
• 2 medium carrots;
• 3 full dessert spoons of salt;
• 5 black peppercorns (more possible);
• 2 tbsp. l. honey of late varieties.

And then the standard procedure for those familiar with the preparation of sauerkraut.

1. Remove the integumentary leaves from the fork, cut off coarse veins and damaged areas. Wash the vegetable thoroughly.
2. Wash the carrots and peel them.
3. Shred vegetables and place in an enamel container.
4. Add salt, pepper, mix well and wrinkle with your hands. The cabbage should start up the juice.
5. Then add the cranberries, mix and put under pressure.
6. Cabbage should stand for 48 hours at a temperature of 18 - 20⁰FROM.
7. After this time, pour some of the brine into a bowl and add honey. Stir thoroughly until completely dissolved.
8. Pour the sweet brine back into the cabbage.
9. After two days, the cabbage is ready. Eat to your health!

Viburnum, cabbage and honey are an excellent combination of vitamin products

Viburnum tinctures

This healing drink has several options that can affect the body in different ways.

Vodka tincture

It is able to calm the nervous system, relieve stress, improve sleep and relieve depression. It's easy to cook.

1. Rinse 0.5 kg of viburnum berries thoroughly, sort out and dry.
2. Pour into a liter container and pour vodka over the berries so that they are completely covered with liquid.
3. Close the lid tightly and put in a dark and warm place for a day.
4. After 24 hours, top up the remaining vodka, return the container with berries to its place.
5. Insist for a month.
6. After the expiration of the prescribed period, filter the tincture. Consume 1-2 tbsp. l. a day until the condition is normalized.

Viburnum infused with vodka is not only a medicine, but also an adornment of any feast

Viburnum tincture with honey for hypertension and other ailments

This healthy drink helps to normalize blood pressure and strengthen the immune system. Also recommended for use in case of edema and gastritis with low acidity.

1. Sort out, rinse and dry 2 kg of viburnum.
2. Pour the berries into a large jar.
3. Add 0.5 l of high-quality cognac, 500 g of honey and 1.5 l of boiled cold water.
4. Close tightly with a lid and put in a dark and warm place for 6 weeks.
5. Filter the finished drink and bottle it.
6. Use as medicine - 1 tbsp. l. while eating.

Viburnum tincture with honey is a drug, when using which you need to adhere to the norms

Use in cosmetology

Girls and women in Russia have always been famous for their beauty. Kalina helped them keep their skin fresh and youthful. Many recipes have been tested by time and are still used with success.

1. Anti-wrinkle mask. Mash half a banana with a fork in mashed potatoes, add chicken yolk (raw) and 5 ml of viburnum extract. Mix well. Apply the resulting mass on the face (avoid the eyelid area) and leave for half an hour. Then remove the residue with a damp cloth and wipe your face with any multivitamin emulsion.
2. For oily skin. In 10 g of blue clay, add 15 ml of viburnum juice and 5 ml of St. John's wort oil.The duration of the mask is 20 minutes.
3. Lotion for oily and normal skin. A quarter glass of viburnum juice, 2 chicken yolks, 2 tsp. liquid honey (first check if you are allergic to honey), 1 tbsp. l. olive oil, 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. l. vodka. Mix the ingredients well and store in the refrigerator.
4. Viburnum juice helps with freckles and age spots, to which you need to add a few drops of lemon juice.
5. For acne, you need to wipe your face with freshly squeezed viburnum juice.

Kalina will help preserve youth and beauty

Nature generously shares its wealth with us, for example, useful plants. There is no doubt about the benefits of viburnum. People saw its healing power for a very long time. But do not think that the more healthy berries you eat, the healthier you will be. A measure is needed in everything. Moreover, viburnum also has contraindications.

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