Cowberry — an evergreen bush. Grows in forest and tundra zones among the deciduous, coniferous and mixed woods. Meets also on peat bogs, and on the Alpine meadows. Grows in height to 15-20 cm. Dense foliage, elliptic form. Contains many useful substances. We will also tell about them in article.
Chemical composition
Structure of foliage:
- Arbutin (antiseptic substance).
- Hydrochinone (derivative of arbutin, disinfector).
- Vitamins: B1, B3, B9, V12, C.
- Minerals: potassium, manganese, calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus.
- Acids: wine, ellagovy, benzoic, cinchonic (anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifugal, diuretic components).
- Tannins (anti-inflammatory component).
- Flavonoids (antioxidants).
Medicinal properties
The leaf of cowberry has the mass of medicinal properties:
- Possesses anti-inflammatory action (thanks to availability of benzoic acid and tannins).
- It is capable to reduce puffiness of fabrics (because of existence of flavonoids).
- Lowers sugar level in blood (does not allow molecules of glucose to filter into intestines walls).
- Magnificent diuretic and bile-expelling means (glycosides increase work of kidneys and a liver).
- Possesses febrifugal action (it is capable to remove toxins, including and formed as a result of activity of bacteria).
As febrifuge also use a guelder-rose, a cranberry, a cornel, blueberry, a barberry, a bergenia, a cornflower and a sabelnik.
- Is good soothing (possesses weak sedative action).
- Development of inflammatory processes oppresses (thanks to availability of the phytoncides capable to kill or suppress development of bacteria, mushrooms and other microorganisms).
- Well influences work of a GIT (normalizes acidity of a stomach, promotes a bile conclusion, reduces gas generation).
- Let's apply at articulate diseases (because of existence of the minerals strengthening bones, muscles normalizing a blood-groove).
- Accelerates process of recovery at staphylococcal and viral infections (thanks to availability of phytoncides).
It is important! Before testing medicinal properties of a plant on itself, it is necessary to hold consultation with the doctor. At a certain nature of a course of a disease the leaf of cowberry is contraindicated.
Application
Thanks to the antimicrobic and anti-inflammatory action, foliage of cowberry is widely applied in medicine and cosmetology.
In cosmetology
Broths from leaves well help from a hair loss, at dandruff when there is an irritation or inflammation of an integument of the head. After use of such broth the hair become soft, obedient, strong. Also broths positively influence face skin.
At fight against a hair loss also use a thyme, onions, unab, cocoa butter, a dogrose, a sea-buckthorn and hemp.
On its basis it is possible to prepare independently tonic, a mask, lotion and even means for removal of a make-up. After their application the face skin will become more smooth, elastic, small wrinkles will disappear. Spirit infusion on the basis of leaves of cowberry it is good to process problem sites of skin.
In medicine
In the medical purposes use broths and infusions from leaves as disinfecting and diuretic means. The main active ingredient — fenologlikozida.
(Arbutin) which is contained in foliage of antiseptics of urinary tract allows to apply foliage decoctions to fight against cystitis and renal diseases. Such broth is drunk in the small portions by 3 times a day after a meal.
Also antiviral broths, infusions which also help at dental problems and inflammatory processes with a throat are prepared. In small doses (1-2 tsps) broths are used as bile-expelling means.
Harm and contraindications
It is necessary to be careful at use of broths and infusions from cowberry leaves to allergic persons. If there is stomach ulcer or the acidity is increased, then it is better to refuse broths. It is not recommended to apply foliage to treatment of children 12 years are younger. Treatment by infusions is contraindicated to hypotensive persons and people with serious kidney problems.
Important! It is necessary to be very careful with treatment during pregnancy. It is the best of all to consult with the doctor.
Preparation of leaves of cowberry
Preparation of leaves happens during the spring period until the plant began to blossom yet, and in the fall when berries ripened. Collected foliage and escapes are dried on the attic with use of infrared lamps or in dryers at a temperature of +35-40 °C.
That the leaf kept the medicinal properties longer, it has to be stored in the ventilated dry room. In such conditions its expiration date will make three years.
Drinks from cowberry leaves
Several words about features of drinks from cowberry leaves.
Whether you know? For the first time tried to cultivate cowberry at Elizabeth Petrovna in 1745.
Tea
The immunostrengthening, invigorating drink capable to lighten the mood. Train him simply: two tablespoons of leaves fill in with liter of hot water and 15 minutes in closed form allow to infuse. Drink three-four times a day. It is possible to use also for prevention of urological diseases.
Broth
It is used at an urolithic disease and problems with a bladder. Prepares so: the tablespoon of leaves is filled in with a glass of hot water.
At an urolithic disease recommend also pear juice, chestnut honey, berry cloudberries, a bearberry, blackberry, fizaliz, a grass a hyssop, a celery and ekhinatseyu.
Capacity is put on slow fire and half an hour under the closed cover cooks. Further liquid is decanted and is accepted on a half of a glass after a meal.
Infusion
Helps at problems with joints as cold remedy. The teaspoon of foliage is ready in a thermos a half of a glass of hot water. Two-three hours are defended. It is decanted and drunk. It is possible to accept at headaches.
Spirit tincture
It treat:
- rheumatism;
- diabetes;
- inflammatory processes in a bladder;
- dysentery;
- indigestion;
- kidney problems.
Well strengthens immunity, gives force and cheerfulness to an organism, adjusts digestive process.
Leaves, similar in properties
There are also other plants whose foliage possesses not the smaller list of medicinal properties.
Raspberries
Useful properties of leaves of raspberry:
- immunostimulating and immunostrengthening;
- prevent appearance of atherosclerosis;
- facilitate the course of cardiovascular diseases;
- normalize a heart rhythm;
- good expectorant and febrifuge;
- help with treatment of diseases of a GIT;
- bring hazardous substances, toxins and liquid out of an organism;
- promote fast loss of weight;
- improve appetite;
- are an anti-septic tank;
- possess styptic action;
- are used at treatment of gynecologic problems.
Broths from leaves of raspberry do not recommend to drink to pregnant women as premature fights can begin. Foliage contains the component similar in action to aspirin. Therefore simultaneous can lead the uses of this medicine and broths to overdose.
Wild strawberry
Useful properties of leaves of a wild strawberry:
- toning;
- diuretic;
- antidiabetic;
- help at anemia;
- strengthen a cardiovascular system;
- improve work of a stomach, normalize appetite;
- stimulate patrimonial activity.
Are capable to cause an allergy. Are not recommended for application to the people having problems with a thyroid gland.
Sea-buckthorn
Useful properties of leaves of a sea-buckthorn:
- help to get rid of insomnia;
- normalize work of nervous system;
- are cold remedy;
- help at problems with joints, heart;
- are applied at diabetes, pneumonia, elevated pressure.
Have no contraindications, but before application the consultation with the doctor is necessary.
Currants
Useful properties of leaves of currant:
- are applied at a hypertension;
- maintain immunity;
- are cold remedy;
- are used as prophylactic of Alzheimer's disease and oncology;
- are useful at diabetes.
Have no contraindications, but before application the consultation with the doctor is necessary.
Blackberries
Useful properties of leaves of blackberry:
- antivermicular;
- knitting;
- bactericidal;
- diuretic and sudorific;
- styptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- expectorant;
- immunostrengthening;
- anticonvulsant;
- toning;
- calming.
Whether you know? In Britain there is a belief according to which it is forbidden to pick blackberry after October 11, otherwise not to pass a trouble. British consider that this day the devil spits on berries, and then eaten them will be profaned.
Contraindications are absent, but the excessive use can cause vomiting, indigestion. A leaf of cowberry — fine natural medicine. To remember the main thing that the positive effect from treatment will be only in case of reasonable use of medicine.