Red viburnum is a plant known and revered in Russia at all times. Many works of the folk epic are associated with it. Songs and poems are composed about viburnum. She is mentioned in stories and films. It is enough to recall the film based on the story of the same name by V. Shukshin “Viburnum red”. But not only because of its appearance, viburnum always attracted people. Since ancient times, it is known about its healing properties. This plant has long been used to treat many diseases. Viburnum vulgaris occupies a worthy place in many recipes of alternative medicine. Viburnum flowers are used for various diseases. Useful properties and contraindications of this plant have been studied for quite some time. They will be discussed in the article.
What it is?
The common viburnum plant is part of the adoxic family, and before that it was part of the honeysuckle family, it even stood out separately from other representatives of viburnum. But careful research dictated the need to change its taxonomy. The common guelder-rose began to be ranked as a family of adoksovye.
The plant looks like a shrub. Sometimes it grows in the form of a small tree. In this form, it can reach a height of 4 m. The trunk is covered with bark, which has a grayish-brown color. Leaves are opposite in nature with a dark green color on their surface, bare. There are large teeth along the edges. The plant is distinguished by flowers that have a pinkish or white color. The fruit is drupe. The berry is juicy, with a bright red color and a sour-bitter taste.
Flowering time occurs at the end of spring - the beginning of summer, and fruit ripening is observed during September until frosts.
Where did its name come from?
There are several versions of the origin of its name. According to one of them, they christened her so for the color of her berries, which is like a hot metal. According to another statement, its name is associated with the taste of its berries. The bitterness from the berries disappears after they are “calcined” by frost. But it can disappear not only under the influence of low temperatures. The same thing happens when the fruits are heated.
Many folk rites are associated with this plant. Viburnum bouquets were placed at weddings near the young. They were the personification of the happiness of living together. The berries of the plant served as a decoration for the wedding loaf, and a wreath of this plant was placed on the bride’s head.
The composition of viburnum
Nature generously rewarded this plant with the content of various chemicals. It has a large amount of essential oils. The content of phytosterols and substances of the flavonoid group, of which fiburnin is a representative, is noted. The composition is marked by the content of a certain amount of organic acids. Some vitamin C and tannins are present. The content of ascorbic acid in products is usually associated with lemon. But by its amount, viburnum exceeds lemons by almost 2 times. Of the minerals, viburnum is very rich in iron. This explains its use to enhance hematopoiesis. This element contains 5 times more than in the same lemon. The vitamin composition is characterized by the presence of a high concentration of retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin E (tocopherol), which is considered a vitamin of youth. It does not allow our skin to age, preventing the formation of free radicals, their destructive effect on the skin at the cellular level.
The healing properties of plant flowers
So, what are the benefits of viburnum flowers? About the healing properties of this plant has been known for a long time. It has been successfully applied and is still being used to treat many diseases. The healing properties are due to the rich chemical composition, due to which viburnum has a number of therapeutic effects. They can be reduced to the following positions:
- Helps to improve blood formation. Spasmodic vessels undergo relaxation, which leads to an increase in blood flow to organs and tissues. The plant is able to prevent the formation of plaques formed from bad cholesterol.
- It is an excellent tool in the fight against cough symptoms. It has a mild expectorant effect. Helps relieve signs of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs.
- Indicated for people with diabetes.
- It is a natural antispasmodic. It is able to eliminate pain associated with the menstrual cycle, and headaches caused by spasms.
- With hemorrhages of various origins, they are used to enhance blood formation in order to replenish lost blood. These include various internal and uterine bleeding.
- In various forms, it can be used as an external agent for conditions associated with skin diseases. Helps to dry pustules, helps with eczematous conditions, leads to the elimination of skin itching. Psoriasis and neurodermatitis are also indications for the use of viburnum.
- The plant belongs to natural antibiotics. Indications for use are runny nose, sinusitis and frontal sinusitis of bacterial etiology.
- It has pronounced antioxidant properties, inhibits the formation of free radicals, which have a destructive effect at the intracellular level.
- With the use of viburnum, the sebaceous and sweat glands improve their work.
- It helps to neutralize toxins that are formed in the body as a result of life.
- It is a natural antidepressant, has a calming effect. To normalize nervous activity, it is part of a special vitamin-mineral cocktail. As a result of its use, stress resistance increases.
- Guelder-rose helps relieve the conditions associated with constipation, and the fight against colds is based on the diaphoretic effect.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that viburnum has a sufficiently large number of positive properties, it also has a number of limitations to its use. They can be reduced to the following positions:
- the possibility of allergic reactions. Those who are prone to their appearance, viburnum should be used with great care;
- it can not be used by persons with a tendency to hypotension, since it can reduce pressure;
- its use is limited with a tendency to thrombosis, to persons with increased blood coagulation;
- it can not be used by persons with increased acidity of the gastric juice due to the possibility of developing hyperacid gastritis;
- it is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it can lead to a contraction of the uterus and provoke a miscarriage.
Viburnum flowers: application
For medicinal purposes, not only the berries of the plant can be used, but also all its other parts. Viburnum, leaves and even bark are used. It is used in various forms. Infusions, decoctions can be used . Medicinal teas are prepared from it and used as an external remedy. The use of this plant can help with many pathological conditions. Of these, the following diseases are most common:
- Hypertension. Conditions associated with vascular spasm and atherosclerosis.
- Digestive problems associated with the presence of gastritis, colitis, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
- Respiratory diseases from a banal cough with a cold to severe pneumonia.
- Marantic edema associated with pathology of cardiac activity.
- Skin diseases represented by rash, furunculosis. Viburnum will help with allergic rashes and some types of lichen.
- It will be an excellent tool if there are painful menstruation, postpartum hemorrhage, conditions associated with an eroded cervix.
- Viburnum flowers, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we are studying, are used for periodontal disease.
- Using viburnum can alleviate the condition of patients with malignant neoplasms.
- Nervous disorders, depressive states are also indications for the use of viburnum flowers (you can see the photo in the article).
In addition, the plant is an excellent immunomodulator and can lead to the strengthening of immunity. Despite the fact that in nature there are more than 150 species of this shrub, only Viburnum vulgaris is applicable for treatment. In our country, it has a fairly wide range of growth. Before you begin treatment with viburnum, you must definitely get a consultation from a doctor.
Viburnum flowers for hypertension
In medicine of an unconventional nature, this plant has long been used to treat hypertension, since it has a pronounced hypotensive effect. This is due to the content in it of a large number of biological substances, which together lead to a persistent decrease in blood pressure.
The benefit for hypertensive patients is provided by the totality of its therapeutic effects, which have a specific specific focus in this regard. They can be reduced to the following positions:
- The presence of a diuretic effect. As a result of this, edema due to cardiac pathology is eliminated.
- Soothing effect. It manifests itself due to the presence of a sedative and anticonvulsant effect. This will help in the presence of insomnia and will lead to normalization of sleep. The presence of this effect for hypertensive patients is very important, since one of the key points in the development of hypertension is neurosis.
- Anti-sclerotic effect. It is achieved through the work of the plant as an antioxidant. In this case, the blood vessels are cleared of harmful cholesterol, blood flow to the vascular bed is normalized.
- Strengthening the vascular wall. This is achieved by the presence of rutin in the plant (vitamin P). It strengthens the vascular wall, making it more elastic. For hypertensive patients, this is extremely important.
The presence of such therapeutic properties of viburnum flowers allows you to successfully use the plant in the fight against high blood pressure.
Prescription Compounds
Kalina in Russia has always been considered a wedding tree. If one of the guests at the wedding gave a bouquet of viburnum, this was considered a sign of good taste. But viburnum is especially appreciated for its medicinal properties. With its application, there are many folk recipes that help in the fight against various diseases:
- If colds, cough, flu, bronchitis occur, a remedy prepared according to the following recipe will help. Viburnum flowers must be cut together with branches. A handful of this material is taken and poured with boiling water in the volume of one liter. It is necessary to insist a quarter of an hour. At the end of the exposure, the infusion is filtered. Then it is mixed with a glass of honey. Three times a day you need to drink a third of a glass of infusion.
- If the appetite is reduced or there is a low acidity, then the following composition will help. Viburnum flowers in the amount of one handful are placed in a thermos. Half a liter of boiling water is poured into it. It is necessary to insist at least 2 hours. The reception scheme is the same as in the previous case.
- To eliminate menstrual pain should prepare the following composition. A handful of viburnum flowers is poured with half a liter of boiling water. The mixture is put on fire and brought to a boil. After that, she is removed from the fire and infused for an hour. You should drink a third of a glass three times a day. With the same composition, you can gargle in the presence of a sore throat.
- The color of viburnum collected in spring along with young shoots will help children with diathesis. The collected raw materials are placed in an enameled pan and poured with hot water. It should be so much that it only covers him a little. Then the pan is placed in the oven, where it languishes for three hours. The liquid is filtered, poured into dark bottles and stored in cold conditions. It is necessary to give a teaspoon three times a day, strictly before eating.
How to remove bitterness from viburnum?
The bitter taste is a negative point in this plant. It even stops many when collecting it. But this is easily fixed. Frost, drying and the use of sugar as a preservative are three factors that will eliminate this unpleasant quality.
Procurement and storage of raw materials
Medicinal raw materials in the form of flowers are collected during its flowering. And it begins to bloom from the end of spring - the beginning of summer. Collection is carried out according to general rules. This is best done in dry, calm weather. A shrub or tree to collect color should be healthy and intact. Dried flowers under a canopy. It is impossible to dry in the open sun. The best place to dry is the attic, as it is well ventilated. Store dried raw materials in paper bags or cloth bags. Do not store in plastic bags.
Conclusion
Guelder-rose - the most valuable medical natural product which is used for the treatment of various diseases. But it is not a method of choosing the treatment for the disease, but only an addition to the main therapy. It is important to observe the dosage during treatment. All good things should be in moderation. Before starting treatment, be sure to consult a doctor. Otherwise, instead of benefit, the body can cause irreparable harm.