Sea buckthorn, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which will be presented below, has a unique set of useful substances and vitamins that are necessary for a person. Not only traditional healers, but also doctors are convinced of this.
General information
Sea buckthorn is a genus of plants belonging to the sucker family. This is a thorny shrub or tree with a height of 1 to 3-7 m (sometimes reaches 15 m).
The leaves of sea buckthorn are narrow, regular and long. They are green in color, with small gray or rusty golden dots.
The flowers of this plant appear before the leaves. They are pollinated by the wind, and sometimes by insects.
Sea buckthorn berries are false fruits (drupes), which consist of a nut with an overgrown, smooth, juicy, shiny and fleshy receptacle. They are densely located and seem to “stick around” the branches, have an elongated or spherical shape, as well as an orange or reddish color.
How are the fruits useful?
The berries of sea buckthorn are undeservedly deprived of the attention of many people. The tart and bitter taste of such fruits is the main reason for neglect. However, experts argue that it is impossible to find a more valuable product for health.
The beneficial properties of this berry are preserved even during heat treatment and deep freezing.
This unpretentious plant has concentrated a large number of vitamins (B1, C, B2, E, B6, P) and provitamin A, that is, carotene. By the unique ratio of these substances and their contents, as well as other micro and macro elements, sea buckthorn is recognized as the most useful berry for human health.
In two large spoons of fruit, juice or jam is the daily norm of substances necessary for the body.
Healing properties
What is sea buckthorn used for? The vitamins contained in it are stored under any conditions. Therefore, various medications are often made from these berries. In addition, sea buckthorn is often used in folk medicine.
Eating fresh berries rich in vitamin C helps reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks and strengthens the heart muscle. This product also gives the walls of blood vessels elasticity, has a therapeutic effect on the kidneys, liver and adrenal glands, prevents internal and subcutaneous hemorrhages.
The beneficial components contained in the berries lower sugar and cholesterol levels, prevent the onset of cancer, delay the growth of malignant neoplasms, and also enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy. In addition, this product reduces the risk of clogging and blood clots.
What is it used for?
Sea buckthorn, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are known to many experts, contains beta-carotene. This component has a beneficial effect on the work of sweat, genital and lacrimal glands. It helps in the treatment of pancreatic diseases, and also reduces the activity of insulin with increased thyroid function.
Such berries are used in various medical fields. They treat vitamin deficiency, gynecological diseases, anemia, gastrointestinal tract diseases and the cardiovascular system.
The fruits of sea buckthorn contain a lot of vitamin E. It has a beneficial effect on the formation of sex hormones, contributing to the fertilization of the egg, as well as better development of the embryo. In addition, this component deflects old age, prevents the accumulation of toxins and prolongs life.
Sea buckthorn, the price of which is indicated below, improves carbohydrate metabolism and immunity, normalizes all processes in the body, cleanses the kidneys and liver, helps heal wounds and restore tissue.
Features of sea buckthorn products
What is remarkable about sea buckthorn? The use of this berry, as well as leaves, contributes to the treatment of articular rheumatism and gout. This is due to the fact that this product removes excess oxalic and uric acid from the body.
Oil made from sea buckthorn berries is actively used in ophthalmic practice. They treat eye diseases, cataracts and burns of the visual organs. It is also used for healing purulent wounds, with frostbite, trophic ulcers, skin burns, bedsores and erosion.
Sea buckthorn oil is very effective for gastric and duodenal ulcers, anal fissures, proctitis and internal hemorrhoids. It is used to treat tonsillitis, sinusitis, periodontitis and pulpitis. Also lubricate the nose with oil with a runny nose.
Tea with sea buckthorn helps to alleviate the suffering of a patient with cancer, with hypertension, atherosclerosis, flu, diarrhea and obesity. It is often drunk with diabetes, bacteriosis, anemia and poisoning.
Sea buckthorn decoction rinse your mouth with periodontitis and stomatitis, throat with angina and make lotions for skin rashes.
Tea with sea buckthorn relieves depression and insomnia, eliminates emotional stress and soothes the nervous system.
An infusion of leaves, bark and twigs of this plant can be used as a hair conditioner. It eliminates dandruff and is a good tool for the growth of thick hair.
Sea buckthorn jam is not recommended for people with obesity and diabetes. The rest is not forbidden to enjoy this dessert. It is very tasty and extremely healthy. Sea buckthorn jam can be used as a means to increase immunity.
Contraindications
Sea buckthorn, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are described in this article, is a medicinal plant. It helps to get rid of various diseases. But, like any drug, this amazing product has its contraindications for use. Therefore, before treatment, you should definitely consult a doctor.
According to experts, this berry is contraindicated in acute diseases of the gallbladder, liver and indigestion.
It is strictly forbidden to use the fruits of sea buckthorn and their juice to people who suffer from urolithiasis. This is due to the fact that this plant is able to increase the acidity of urine.
It should also be noted that sea buckthorn with sugar is contraindicated in patients with diabetes and obese patients. In addition, this product is prohibited for use in cholecystitis and hyperacid gastritis.
Sea buckthorn oil cannot be used in a number of pancreatic diseases, including acute pancreatitis.
It should also be noted that the fruits and leaves of this plant contain many active substances that can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, people prone to them are required to use berries with special care and use sea buckthorn medications for treatment.
Folk recipes
How is sea buckthorn used in cooking? Reviews report that this product is easy to process. The fruits of this plant are used for the preparation of sea buckthorn oil, compote, jam, infusion, decoction and so on. Also, to create medicinal preparations, leaves and even branches of sea buckthorn are used.
The recipe and method of using sea buckthorn oil
Fresh berries are sorted, washed well with running water, dried, laid out on a towel and placed in the sun so that they are well warmed up. After that, juice is squeezed from the fruit, which is poured into a clean container, covered with a lid and put in a dark and cool place for a day.
Over time, the oil should rise up. It should be carefully removed and poured into a dark glass bottle. Store such a product preferably in the refrigerator.
Sea buckthorn oil is very often used for diseases of the digestive tract. It is drunk in the amount of 1 dessert spoon three times a day, before meals. This product is also used as a face mask.
With gynecological diseases, a swab is soaked in it, which is inserted into the vagina.
Therapeutic tea recipe
To prepare a tasty and very healthy sea buckthorn tea , half a liter of boiling water is required. They pour a couple of large spoons of black tea leaf, about 150 g of fresh fruit, mashed in puree, and 20 g of May honey. Having infused the mixture for 10 minutes, it can be safely consumed internally.
Such tea promotes rejuvenation and improves health.
Sea buckthorn jam
Most berries lose their properties after heat treatment, but not sea buckthorn. This product remains useful even after prolonged cooking.
So how should you cook sea buckthorn jam? This is nothing complicated.
The fruits are sorted, the stalks are removed, washed in cold water and dried well. Then they are poured with hot sugar syrup and left aside for 4 hours. After that, the berries are filtered again. The syrup is brought to a temperature of 106 degrees and slightly cooled. Over time, the fruit is poured into it again and cooked over low heat until they are ready.
The preparedness of jam can be determined by the following signs: berries should be evenly distributed in a clear syrup and not float.
After the sea buckthorn with sugar is boiled, it is cooled and distributed over dry banks. Then they are closed with a lid and cleaned in a refrigerator. To prepare this jam for 1 kg of fruit, we used 1.5 kg of sugar and 1.2 liters of water.
It is advisable to use such a treat in the winter season, when the immune system requires special protection.
Price and reviews
Now you know how sea buckthorn is used. The medicinal properties and contraindications of this berry were presented above.
The price of such fruits may be different and depend on the region of our country. In stores, frozen sea buckthorn can be purchased for 220-280 rubles / kg. Also, this product is often sold in pharmacies (in dried form). In addition, sea buckthorn leaves are very popular among consumers. From them you can make tea, various decoctions and infusions. The price of the dried plant is about 40-50 rubles.
According to experts, the product in question can be used not only in its pure form, but also as additives to various medicines. For example, rectal suppositories made from sea buckthorn oil effectively eliminate inflammation in hemorrhoids.
As for patients, they prefer to use only natural products. They consume fresh sea-buckthorn fruits, make jam from them, make juices, compotes, decoctions, tinctures and more. Daily use of such a product prevents the development of various diseases and increases immunity. Therefore, many supporters of traditional medicine stock up on sea buckthorn berries for the future and use them throughout the winter season.