In many summer cottages and gardens you can see this photophilous, unpretentious, resistant to temperature extremes plant. With a well-known mountain ash, it has a very distant relationship. This is aronia. The healing properties of this plant are well known and have been successfully used since ancient times. Today we will talk about them in more detail.
History and general characteristics of the plant
Chokeberry Aronia - a native of North America. In the XVI century, the plant was first described by Dutch botanists. In those days, chokeberry aronia was used as an ornamental plant. She was planted in squares, parks. And this is not surprising - the chokeberry is very attractive: in spring, against the background of dense green leaves, white or pale pink flowers bloom that gather in inflorescences. In autumn, the leaves turn purple-red, and the clusters of black shiny berries look very appetizing.
Chokeberry is not too demanding on soils, although it doesn’t really like saline, marshy and rocky areas. Weather greatly affects the timing of flowering plants. Aronia is an excellent honey plant. This plant is quick: the first berries can be enjoyed in three to four years. The harvest of healthy fruits is harvested after the onset of the first frosts in late autumn.
In Russia, the plant appeared only at the beginning of the last century thanks to the efforts of I.V. Michurin. Its berries were adapted to Russian frosts, and significantly exceeded the size of the chokeberry American chokeberry.
Plant description
Chokeberry or Aronia chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), got its generic name from the Greek word aros, which means "good, help." Two Greek words formed its species definition: melanoso - "black" and karpos - "fruit". In horticultural culture, this tall (more than two meters) branched shrub, which has a smooth gray bark and has a huge shoot-regenerative ability.
Annual twigs are covered with a red-brown which, which eventually becomes dark gray. Aronia chokeberry is grown as a decorative, medicinal or fruit plant.
Leaves, Crown
In young shrubs, the crown is compact and even somewhat squeezed, then it becomes sprawling: the diameter of the crown of an adult plant reaches two meters. Leaves are simple, solid, elliptical in shape. They are located on petioles, about 8 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are jagged, sharply tapering towards the end. The upper side of the leaves is leathery, glossy, painted in dark green. The lower one is a little downy, and therefore has a light whitish hue.
Flowers and inflorescences
Small white flowers are bisexual with five petals. They gather in dense thyroid inflorescences, which in diameter reach 6 centimeters.
Fruit
Juicy, with a sweet and sour taste, the berries of the plant have an astringent and slightly tart taste. Fruits are rounded, much less often - squeezed-rounded. The fully ripened berries of the chokeberry aronia are shiny, painted black with a light bluish bloom. Their weight varies from 0.6 to 1.5 grams, the diameter can reach 1.2 cm. The berries are covered with a dense skin, so they are well preserved fresh. Ripe fruits do not crumble for a long time and hold well on branches.
Chokeberry aronia blooms (we posted the photo in this article) from 12 to 16 days, and the flowering time depends on the air temperature. Late flowering of chokeberry eliminates the possibility of damage to flowers by spring frosts. The fruits fully ripen from late August to early September.
Chemical composition
Before talking about the medicinal properties and contraindications of chokeberry aronia, its composition should be studied. Pharmacists agree that it is unique. The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation allows the use of the fruits of this plant, as additives in many, mainly homeopathic medicines. The composition of the berries includes:
- The complex of vitamins. They improve overall health, increase immunity.
- Trace elements. The most valuable of them is boron, molybdenum and phosphorus.
- Tannins. It is they who give the berries a characteristic astringent taste.
- Folic acid. The presence of this substance is very important for pregnant women and children.
- Sorbitol. As you know, it is indicated for diabetes.
- Iodine. Thanks to the presence of this component, you can deal with many thyroid problems.
- Pectins. Essential substances that cleanse our body of toxins and toxins.
- Alimentary fiber. They help to significantly reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol.
- Potassium. Possessing a diuretic effect, potassium prevents swelling, and strengthens the heart muscle well.
And this is not a complete list of the components that make up the chokeberry chokeberry. The plant contains many trace elements, which are very important in the fight against many ailments, up to 10% of monosugars.
Useful properties of chokeberry chokeberry
The fruits of the chokeberry effectively lower blood pressure, but only in the first stages of the disease. With typhus, rheumatic diseases, scarlet fever, measles, the manifestation of allergic reactions, they become an addition to the therapeutic agents prescribed by the doctor.
Chokeberry pectins help cleanse the body of heavy metals and radioactive substances, stimulate the secretion and more active elimination of bile, and the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
Fresh berry juice has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, strengthens them. Chokeberry leaves are saturated with substances that improve liver function, activate bile formation processes and contribute to its outflow. Chokeberry is successfully used as a prophylactic.
Fruits containing epicatechins and antioxidants prevent diabetes, cancer. The fruits of the chokeberry are low-allergenic, and therefore can be used as a source of vitamins and minerals by pregnant and lactating mothers. They can be given to babies older than a year. Their intake is indicated for low hemoglobin, poor blood coagulation.
Aronia chokeberry: contraindications
This plant has many beneficial properties, but in some cases it can be harmful to health. It is necessary to take into account cases when doctors strongly recommend completely eliminating the use of leaves and fruits of the plant. Contraindications include:
- hypotension (low blood pressure);
- chronic or recurring constipation;
- period of exacerbation of gastrointestinal ulcer;
- chronic gastritis;
- pancreatitis
- thrombophlebitis;
- angina pectoris;
- individual intolerance to one or more substances contained in the chokeberry.
As you can see, the list is quite large. If you suffer from these diseases, be sure to consult your doctor. Given the effects of chokeberry fruits on blood pressure levels, do not get carried away by the absorption of a large number of fruits.
We presented you a description of chokeberry chokeberry. The medicinal properties and contraindications of this plant must be taken into account in the manufacture of preparations based on it.
Folk recipes using chokeberry
All preparations based on this plant - berries, juice, decoctions and tinctures from fruits and leaves - are usually taken three times a day half an hour before meals. Check out the most popular folk recipes.
With hypertension
In recent years, doctors are increasingly talking about the spread and "rejuvenation" of hypertension. Unfortunately, even very young people are exposed to it today. This fact is explained by a sedentary lifestyle, poor ecology, bad habits. Aronia-based drugs will help to cope with this ailment, but provided that treatment is started at the first stages of the disease.
The simplest recipe recommended by phytotherapists is to eat 100 grams of fresh (you can also use frozen) berries. Effective composition, which includes:
- Chokeberry juice - 100 ml.
- Currant juice (black) - 100 ml.
- Natural honey - 30 g.
- Viburnum juice - 150 ml.
- Walnut - 4 pieces.
Prepare juice from ripe berries, making sure that the cake and seeds do not get into the drink. Add honey to it. If it crystallizes, melt it in a steam bath. Sugar is not recommended because the drink may ferment. Peel the walnuts, chop them to a state of fine crumbs. It is more convenient to do this with a blender. In the morning and evening, take 50 ml of the drink.
Atherosclerosis tincture
You will need:
- litere of water;
- 150 grams of dried leaves and fruits of chokeberry;
- 250 grams of granulated sugar;
- 500 ml of vodka.
Pour the raw materials with water and bring to a boil. Add granulated sugar, boil for another 15 minutes, until the sugar has completely dissolved. When the healing composition has cooled, add quality vodka. Attention! Diabetics need to add 3 grams of citric acid to this tincture or a spoon (teaspoon) of lemon juice. Pour the composition into a glass dish, and tightly close the container with a lid. Rearrange it in a dark, cool, dark place for two weeks.
Take tincture of 15 grams daily. The course of treatment is a month.
Avitaminosis
In the autumn and especially in the spring, many are faced with vitamin deficiency. This is a fairly common phenomenon, which is most often found in people leading a sedentary lifestyle. Chokeberry helps to cope with this problem.
Mix 15 grams of dried fruit and chokeberry leaves with a glass of boiling water. Boil for about 15 minutes over low heat. If there is not enough time, you can prepare the composition in a thermos. Take 100 ml daily. Such a drink, quite pleasant in taste, invigorates, gives strength, restores the lack of vitamins in the body.
With diabetes
The tannins and pectin contained in the chokeberry stimulate digestion, tones and cleanses the intestines. Fiber cleanses the body: it eliminates stagnation in the colon, stimulates the active elimination of excess bile. The regular use of the fruits of chokeberry has a beneficial effect on the elasticity of blood vessels and the functioning of the heart of patients suffering from this disease.
Scientists have concluded that the regular presence of chokeberry fruits in the diet significantly improves liver function and restores the endocrine system. This is very important for diabetics. With this disease, it is recommended to eat a glass of berries daily, but not immediately, but in several stages.
In addition, berries can be used to prepare infusions and stewed fruits, add fruits to cottage cheese desserts, jellies, cereals. And frozen and dried berries do not lose their healing properties. But we should not forget that the use of chokeberry must be agreed with the endocrinologist.
Against thyroid disease
Four tablespoons of chokeberry fruit pour boiling water (0.5 l). They should be insisted for two hours. After this, the infusion must be filtered and taken in a glass three times a day. The course of treatment lasts at least a month. After two months, if necessary, it can be repeated.
During pregnancy
We have already talked a lot about the fact that Aronia is rich in trace elements and vitamins. They are useful not only for the future mother, but also for the normal development and formation of the fetus. If a woman has no contraindications, doctors advise eating these berries.
The folic acid contained in the fruit strengthens the placenta. Vitamins B6 and B1 reduce a woman's nervous tension. Antioxidants affect the condition of the skin, do not allow the appearance of stretch marks.
Before the introduction of berries into the diet during pregnancy, during lactation, as well as when children under one year old are included in the diet, consultation with your doctor is advisable.