Traditional medicine praises viburnum. It is considered an elixir of vitality and health. The healing possibilities of the shrub are almost limitless. However, let us turn into skeptics. Consider useful properties and contraindications of viburnum red as a combination of qualities of a single whole. It's no secret that what helps one person can cause irreparable harm to another.
Kalina red: useful properties
In various parts of the plant are concentrated:
- carotene and ascorbic acid, which stimulates the immune system;
- vitamin K, involved in the formation of platelets;
- higher fatty acids responsible for metabolism;
- tannins and phytoncides with antimicrobial action;
- pectins that bind and neutralize toxins;
- phytosterols, which reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis
Back in Soviet times, experiments were conducted in the laboratory of the Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (formerly VILR, and now VILAR) with the participation of preparations based on viburnum.
And here's what they showed:
- decoction and infusion of the bark of the plant stimulate the formation of platelets, and reduce blood loss from various kinds of injuries and internal bleeding;
- the ability to stop blood loss was also found in preparations made from flowers and foliage;
- a decoction of the bark tones the muscles of the uterus, facilitates the course of painful menstruation;
- pomace from the fruit stimulates the formation and outflow of urine, restores electrolyte balance, dilates blood vessels, increases heart contractions, lowers blood pressure;
- infusion of flowers and foliage inhibits the vital activity of staphylococci and other pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora that causes skin diseases; lotions successfully extinguish the symptoms of furunculosis, eczema, ulcers, diathesis, hemorrhoids, ringworm and keratosis;
- the bark and flowers of the shrub are suitable for the prevention of seizures;
- an infusion of the bark can be used to suppress the symptoms of an irritable stomach; tannins bind and compact proteins on the surface of the mucosa, form a protective film that inhibits the inflammatory reaction;
- shrub berries have a sedative effect, calm the nervous system, stimulate the immune system to fight colds, relax smooth muscles, reduce the severity of pain;
- with prolonged use, the fruits reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, promote the elimination of toxins, restore cardiac function;
- all parts of the plant are used to treat foot and mouth disease in farm animals.
In folk medicine, viburnum is considered an effective external remedy. From different parts of the shrub, infusions are prepared for gargling, washing wounds, whitening the skin, removing age spots, blackheads and other rashes.
Kalina is widely used to treat internal diseases and conditions. It is considered a good anthelmintic, diaphoretic, choleretic, laxative and antitussive.
It is used to treat women's diseases, diseases of the stomach and biliary tract. It is used as a vitamin stimulant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
Kalina red from pressure
The berries of red viburnum or common viburnum are good for the heart. The fruits contained a mixture of seven plant hydrocarbons - iridoids, which was initially taken as a single complex substance - viburnin.
The bitter taste of berries is the “merit” of those same iridoids. But this small drawback pales in comparison to the benefits that viburnin can bring.
The mixture of hydrocarbons energizes the heart. It improves the conductivity of electrical impulses. The force of contractions increases, the vessels dilate, and the pressure decreases.
Phytosterols are also involved in setting up cardiac activity, which do not allow excess cholesterol to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. The use of an infusion of the bark has a clear anti-atherosclerotic effect. It is prescribed as an antihypertensive (lowering blood pressure) agent for hypertension.
Kalina for women
Viburnum bark stops uterine bleeding, regardless of the nature of their origin. Whether it is a natural reaction after childbirth or a consequence of any gynecological disease.
A decoction of the bark of young branches is a natural antispasmodic for painful periods. It is effective for heavy menstruation and is able to regulate the cycle.
The plant is rich in plant precursors of sex hormones. It facilitates the course of menopause. Kalina acts on two fronts at once: it eliminates the emotional component, calms the nerves and improves sleep, and also smoothes out the main physical symptoms.
Benefits for children
Children are treated with decoctions of bark and berries, as well as infusions of flowers. Medicinal pomace is used as external and internal means.
Infusion of flowers moisten dermatitis, diathesis. A decoction is used to treat the throat with angina. With tonsillitis, the nose is washed.
Berry decoction with honey is a strong immunostimulating agent. The drink contains many trace elements that help the body cope with the effects of a cold.
An infusion of flowers helps to expel phlegm. Serves as a remedy for getting rid of a painful cough, including those provoked by whooping cough.
Red viburnum juice
Viburnum juice is the most concentrated remedy with a high antiseptic and anti-inflammatory potential. It is made from freshly picked berries. The fruits are removed from the branches after the first frost. They are sorted, washed, crushed with a wooden pusher and passed through a sieve.
Juice relieves runny nose and nasal congestion. It needs to be dripped until complete recovery, 3-4 drops in each nasal passage up to two times a day.
Fresh pomace from the fruit, when taken orally, improves the circulation of bile. Treatment of cholangitis (inflammatory disease of the bile ducts) is carried out in three stages.
In the first week, three times a day, half an hour before meals, you need to drink a third of a glass of water mixed with one tablespoon of viburnum juice. In the second week, two are added to the water, and in the third week - three tablespoons of fresh fruit pomace. In the last week, the mixture is taken four times a day.
For the treatment of acne, boils, eczema, dermatitis, a fresh lotion is prepared. In a glass of clean filtered water, dissolve two tablespoons of pressed fruit juice. Problem areas are wiped with lotion three times a day for a month.
Viburnum tea is prepared from fresh or defrosted berries. It is used during a cold. The drink is rich in vitamin C, which holds back the onslaught of infection, speeds up recovery, protects cells from viruses, thins the blood, stimulates metabolism and removes harmful substances from the body.
Viburnum tea is a source of phytoncides, herbal antiseptics. It doesn't just work from within. The infusion soothes sore throat, relieves redness and inflammation.
The berries are crushed in a glass or enamel bowl. 50 g of ripe, sorted, washed fruits are taken per glass of boiling water. They are crushed with a wooden pusher. Pour boiling water over. Insist under the lid until cool.
The drink is filtered and diluted with honey (to taste). Drink warm as an antipyretic and immunostimulant up to three cups a day.
Red viburnum tincture
The tincture is prepared from fresh young bark. Medicinal raw materials are harvested in early spring before the revival of the kidneys. Thin side branches are cut to a length of 10-25 cm. The bark is removed with a whole tube. The darkened lignified areas are removed and thrown away.
The prepared raw materials are randomly crushed. Pour 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:1. Within a month insist in a dark place. Taken with inflammation of hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding and high blood pressure, 1-2 tablespoons before meals 2-3 times a day for two or three weeks.
Decoctions
A decoction of flowers is suitable for internal and external use. Regardless of further use, it is prepared in the same way. A spoonful of dry inflorescences is poured into a glass container.
Add a glass of boiling water to it. The mixture is insisted on a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Then cool and filter.
A flower decoction is irrigated with ulcers, cuts, boils, eczema, dermatitis spots and acne up to three times a day until a therapeutic effect is achieved.
Inside take a tablespoon three times a day for depression, hysteria, insomnia, hypertension, colds, stomach ulcers, poor biliary tract, kidney disease, menstrual irregularities.
Berry decoction normalizes blood pressure. It is drunk half a glass three times a day for two to three weeks.
The fruit remedy is prepared in a water bath. A glass of sorted berries is poured into a liter jar. Boiling water is poured almost to the very neck. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Strain and add water to the original volume.
Bones of viburnum berries
Most of the fatty acids and essential oils are concentrated in the bones. An infusion based on crushed raw materials is used for colds as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory.
The herbal product strengthens blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure. Promote healing of the intestinal mucosa. Used in the treatment of colitis and constipation.
The infusion is prepared by steaming 10-15 crushed seeds with a glass of boiling water. The medicine is cooled for 30 minutes, filtered and taken two tablespoons before meals up to three times a day until noticeable improvements appear.
Bones are also an excellent tonic. Hardened drupes are ground into powder. Packed in jars and brewed instead of regular coffee.
Contraindications to the use of viburnum are directly related to its beneficial properties. Hypotension patients are not recommended to frequently use any products prepared from this plant, since viburnum can drastically reduce blood pressure.
It can also be unsafe to ingest for people prone to thrombosis. This is due to the fact that any medicinal elixirs, especially those prepared from the bark, increase blood clotting.
Due to the ability to stimulate diuresis, viburnum is contraindicated in people suffering from diseases associated with impaired salt metabolism.
Any folk remedy is good in moderation. People with health problems, in general, are not recommended to self-medicate. Any problems should be solved together with the doctor.
What are the benefits of miracle berries for the skin?
Kalina is able to bring considerable benefits to any type of epidermis. It is rich in vitamins and many trace elements. One small berry is a real treasure for your face. What benefit can this red fruit serve you?
Kalina provides the skin with:
- Nutrition;
- Whitening freckles and age spots;
- Viburnum for a face with a greasy sheen is simply irreplaceable, as it normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands;
- Thanks to vitamin C, the epidermis retains youth, elasticity and firmness;
- Purification and improvement of skin color;
- Getting rid of acne and blackheads;
- Toning.
How to apply viburnum for the face?
This berry can be applied in a variety of variations (which we will talk about later), but the most productive and common way to use it is with a viburnum face mask. There are a lot of recipes for masks with berries, but all of them must be applied with clear conditions.
Rules for the use of masks:
- always pre-test the skin on a small area, the product may cause allergies;
- knead the berries thoroughly, discard the seeds and skin;
- be sure to clean your face before applying the product;
- the exposure time of any mask with viburnum fruits is no more than 15 minutes. Rinse off the product with either plain water or a decoction of herbs;
- after removing the mask, apply a nourishing cream.
- Mask for oily skin type. You will need 50 gr. grated or pureed viburnum and one egg white. Mix the ingredients and simply apply to the skin. For a more visible result, add lemon juice or grated zest to the mixture.
- Wrinkle mask. Making a viburnum face mask for aging skin is not difficult. Take one spoonful of prepared berries, some quality honey, one egg yolk and a spoonful of olive oil. Mix everything. Apply the mass on the epidermis and wait for the result. This procedure gives an immediate noticeable effect, toning the face.
- Express - a tool that improves complexion. 50 gr. fruits mixed with 10 gr. fat sour cream. Add a few drops of olive or rose oil. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture and mix well. Keep the finished product on your face for 15 minutes.
- Natural moisturizer. Viburnum for the skin of the face is a real savior, making the dry epidermis saturated with moisture and life. Such masks are universal, they can be used by women for any type of skin. 30 gr. rub fruits with 10 gr. glycerin, a spoonful of honey, a spoonful of olive oil and a pinch of flour. Flour is taken not wheat, but oatmeal or rice. Such a mask will saturate you with moisture and even smooth out small wrinkles.
- Whitening. Viburnum face masks can be great for whitening freckles or reducing pigmentation (when used correctly and regularly). To obtain a natural bleaching agent, mix viburnum and sour cream in a 1: 1 ratio. That's the whole recipe. Simple, isn't it? But this remedy is not only whitening, but also nourishing, toning, moisturizing.
- Elimination of acne and inflammation. The easiest way to get rid of acne with the use of viburnum fruits is the usual application of a pureed product on the face. Such an elementary mask of viburnum for acne is very effective. When added to egg white puree, you will get additional nutrition and facial hydration.
How else to use viburnum for the skin?
- To prepare the lotion, take a quarter cup of berry juice, 2 yolks, 2 tablespoons of liquid honey, one tablespoon of olive oil, one tablespoon of lemon juice and a spoonful of vodka. Mix everything and send it to the refrigerator, where the product will be stored. This lotion should be wiped on the face daily, then washed off with water.
- Viburnum juice is also used for the face. It is especially good in the form of ice, it is useful to wipe with such cubes in the morning. Fruit juice is good for dry skin, wrinkles and pigmentation. Viburnum for acne in the form of frozen juice is also very effective.
Do not be lazy to collect and harvest miraculous red berries, they can help you in many situations. Kalina in facial cosmetology has long occupied a niche worthy of respect.
