Medicinal properties and contraindications of viburnum, useful recipes

Viburnum arvensis is considered an easy-to-grow shrub grown by many gardeners. This plant has many advantages, but its main benefit is its medicinal properties, which should be considered before using it.

Composition of the berry

Before using viburnum berries for medicinal purposes, it's important to understand their constituents. This plant's beneficial properties stem from its many valuable components. Ripe berries contain more vitamin C than oranges or tangerines. They are also rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin A.

How to prepare

There are several recommendations for preparing the plant that should be understood in advance.

Bark

Some people use not only the ripe berries but also the bark of the seedlings for medicinal purposes. Harvesting occurs in the spring, when the sap begins to flow through the stems. This most often occurs in the second half of April and in May.

To remove bark from a bush, make circular cuts on the cut branch. After this, carefully peel the bark off by hand. It is laid out in the attic or outside to dry thoroughly. Dried bark has a shelf life of four years.

Young shoots

Young raspberry shoots have medicinal properties and are used to treat diathesis in young children. When harvesting, each young branch is cut with a knife, along with the buds. The cut shoots are then finely chopped, placed in a bowl, and covered with cold water. The prepared infusion can be stored in the refrigerator for one and a half years.

Flowers

Viburnum flowers are harvested after flowering begins, which begins in the second half of May and ends in June. The inflorescences are cut whole and dried in a shaded area for 2-3 days. Dried flowers can be stored at room temperature for two years. They are used to make medicinal decoctions that help relieve coughs and runny noses.

Berries

Viburnum berries are most often used for medicinal purposes. They are harvested in the second half of September after they are fully ripe. They are cut off with the stems attached. To dry the berries, they are spread evenly on a baking sheet and dried in an oven preheated to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). The drying process lasts for half an hour, after which the viburnum berries can be removed.

Medicinal properties

Viburnum is popular for its medicinal properties. The flowers, berries, shoots, and bark of the plant can be used for the following purposes:

• mouthwash to eliminate stomatitis, chronic tonsillitis and sore throat;
• treatment of cold cough;
• improving blood clotting and stopping bleeding;
• cleansing the body of microbes.

Application for treatment

Before using viburnum to treat various diseases, you need to familiarize yourself with the specifics of its use for medicinal purposes.

Viburnum juice

Freshly squeezed viburnum juice is used to relieve digestive problems and cure colds. Some use the juice to prevent colds.

To prepare a medicinal product, you will need:

• kilogram of fruit;
• 250 milliliters of water;
• 220 grams of sugar.

First, the berries are washed, then steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes. The liquid is then drained, and the berries are squeezed through cheesecloth, mixed with water, and boiled for 10-15 minutes. Drink the prepared remedy daily.

Treatment of colds, coughs, and sore throats

Here are some tips for quickly treating colds.

General tonic

To reduce illness, it's recommended to use a general tonic made from viburnum berries, which not only treats colds but also improves cardiovascular function. To prepare it, mix four tablespoons of the berries with 550 milliliters of boiled water.

The liquid is infused for 10-12 hours, then the soaked berries are squeezed out and mixed with sugar and honey.

Cold

Viburnum tea is most often used when cold symptoms appear. However, sometimes the bark is brewed instead. It is first crushed and poured into a glass of hot, boiled water. After fifteen minutes, sugar is added to the infusion and it is left to cool. Once the infusion has cooled, it is strained through cheesecloth and drunk before meals.

Fever

Sometimes illnesses are accompanied by fever, which can be treated with raspberry-based remedies. Add 100 grams of ripe viburnum berries to 300 milliliters of boiling water. Wrap the container carefully in a towel and let it steep for 2-3 hours. Take 100 milliliters of the mixture three times daily.

Bronchitis or pneumonia

When bronchitis develops, experts recommend drinking decoctions made from the bark and berries. These liquids help thin and remove mucus from the body. To prepare the medicine, grate the berries and mix with warm honey. Then, let the mixture steep for five hours and take it before meals. The tincture is taken daily until recovery.

Chronic cough

Some people suffer from a chronic cough they want to get rid of. A remedy made from viburnum berries can help relieve the cough. Add 120 grams of the berries to half a liter of water, simmer for an hour, stir in honey, and let steep for an hour and a half. Take the remedy 30-35 minutes after eating.

Angina

For sore throats and other inflammatory conditions, a flower decoction is used. It is used not only to relieve the condition but also to improve appetite and reduce excessive sweating.

Pour boiling water over 120-150 grams of flowers, add sugar, and let steep for 3-4 hours. Drink the infusion daily in the morning and before bed.

Sore throat

Colds are often accompanied by a sore throat. To relieve the pain, you can use a viburnum gargle. Pour 50 grams of viburnum flowers and berries into hot water and let steep for three hours.

Once the mixture has cooled, it's used as a gargle. Some people make throat compresses from the infusion.

Cardiovascular diseases

The beneficial properties of the plant allow it to be used to eliminate diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.

Heart pain

If you experience discomfort in the heart area, pour hot boiled liquid over 100 grams of berries. Let them steep for three and a half hours, then strain the mixture through cheesecloth and pour it into a separate container. Take the tincture before meals three times daily.

Vasodilation

To create your own medicine to dilate constricted blood vessels, squeeze the juice from 500 grams of berries. Then mix it with water in a ratio of one to three and boil for half an hour. Honey is also added to the liquid, which imparts vasodilatory properties. Take the medicine once a day before or after meals.

Hypertension

When signs of hypertension appear, prepare a decoction of honey and fresh viburnum berries. 300 grams of viburnum berries are covered with sugar and left for 2 hours until the juice begins to release. Then, the mixture is mixed with 120 milliliters of honey and a liter of water. The resulting drink is drunk chilled daily.

With regular use of this product, blood pressure will not rise above normal.

Headache

People who suffer from frequent headaches should take viburnum remedies more often. Freshly squeezed juice mixed with a small amount of sugar or honey is considered an effective remedy for dizziness. Drink the medicinal liquid at least twice a day, morning and evening.

Liver diseases

There are several liver diseases that can be cured using viburnum decoctions.

Liver cleansing

Sometimes people need to cleanse their liver of accumulated toxins. For this purpose, you can use a cleansing solution made from viburnum berries. Mix 450 grams of the plant with the same amount of water and simmer over low heat. Once the berries have softened, strain them and mix them with honey.

Blood purification

Freshly squeezed viburnum juice has beneficial properties and helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also cleanses the blood of heavy metals and toxins that can impair circulation. Experts recommend drinking the juice at least twice daily.

Against stones

Some people suffer from kidney or gallstones. To get rid of them, eat ten viburnum seeds daily. They promote the dissolution of stones and help cleanse the organs of unnecessary waste and other accumulations.

Choleretic infusion

Viburnum is considered an excellent choleretic. It is used to make decoctions and teas that help remove accumulated bile. These remedies should be taken regularly, at least once a day.

Gastrointestinal diseases

There are six common gastrointestinal diseases that can be cured with viburnum decoctions.

Gastritis

People who suffer from gastritis often feel unwell. To alleviate this discomfort, you can use viburnum berries. They are steeped in hot boiled water for at least five hours. Drink this medicinal infusion daily, half an hour before meals.

Indigestion

Many people experience indigestion, accompanied by unpleasant abdominal pain. To alleviate this problem, prepare a medicinal decoction from viburnum seeds. Drink it daily for a week.

Peptic ulcer disease

Stomach ulcers are considered a dangerous condition that requires a comprehensive treatment. This can be done not only with medications but also with viburnum infusions. To prepare this infusion, the berries are crushed, mixed with cold water, steeped, and drunk after meals.

Constipation

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem. Regularly eating berries can help improve digestive function. You need to eat at least forty pieces daily to cleanse the intestines and get rid of stagnation.

Diarrhea

People who have problems with bowel movements regularly suffer from diarrhea. A remedy made from liquid honey and crushed viburnum berries can help relieve it. The ingredients are mixed in a one-to-two ratio. Take a spoonful of the mixture daily.

Haemorrhoids

Viburnum bark is used to treat hemorrhoids. It is finely chopped with a knife and poured with boiling water. The infusion is steeped for at least six hours, after which it can be drunk. To make the infusion more flavorful, add sugar or honey.

Nervous overload, fatigue

Viburnum berries can relieve nervous tension and promote relaxation. To create a relaxing infusion, add a tablespoon of crushed bark to a glass of boiling water. Some add lemon balm to the mixture.

External use

The external use of viburnum medicinal compositions is also popular.

Eczema

People suffering from eczema can use fresh viburnum juice during treatment. Drinking half a liter of freshly squeezed juice daily is recommended. A decoction made from dried berries is also considered an effective remedy.

Ulcers, wounds

To speed up the healing of wounds and ulcers, use an infusion of ripe berries. Add a tablespoon of the fruit to a glass of hot water, then let it steep for 6-8 hours and strain through cheesecloth. Honey is added to the liquid for flavor.

Excessive sweating of the feet and hands

Excessive sweating of the upper extremities is a common problem faced by many. To reduce sweating, add a spoonful of bark to water, boil for 15 minutes, and let it steep for 24 hours. Drink the remedy once a day.

Malignant neoplasms

In this case, viburnum juice mixed with honey will be helpful. Take this mixture four times daily.

Some folk recipes

There are several folk recipes that are popular for treating colds.

Tincture on vodka or cognac

To make this tincture, mix two tablespoons of liquid honey with two egg yolks, olive oil, viburnum berries, and vodka. Let the mixture steep for 1-2 days at room temperature, then refrigerate for storage.

Cognac-honey tincture

This remedy helps relieve colds and vascular problems. Regular use of this infusion helps cleanse cholesterol and strengthen blood vessels. The plant's fruits are washed, crushed, and added to a container with cognac and honey. The infusion should be steeped for a week in a dark place.

With honey

This syrup is used to treat bronchial or lung conditions. The berries should be covered with water and brought to a boil. Then, they are simmered for half an hour, mixed with honey, and left to steep. The mixture should be left to steep for three hours in a cool place.

Viburnum opulus

A decoction is made from this plant variety to relieve coughs and runny noses. The plant's fruits are steeped in water, simmered over low heat, and left to cool. The decoction is taken daily in the morning and evening before bed.

With sugar

Sugar is recommended when preparing medicinal viburnum juice. It's recommended to mix sugar and liquid in equal quantities. To make the drink less sweet, mix the ingredients in a two-to-one ratio.

Contraindications and harm

Not everyone can take medications containing viburnum. They are not recommended for people with hypotension, as it can significantly lower their blood pressure. Tinctures are also contraindicated for people prone to blood clots.

The benefits and harms of pits

Viburnum seeds are very beneficial, as they can help treat many ailments. They are often used to cleanse the gallbladder and kidneys. They are also used to make remedies for colds and to lower blood pressure.

However, sometimes these seeds can be harmful to the human body. Therefore, they are not recommended for pregnant women and the elderly.

Preparations for the winter

Some housewives prepare viburnum for the winter.

Freezing

This is the most common method for preserving harvested viburnum berries. They are washed and cleaned beforehand, then transferred to airtight containers and placed in the freezer. At -25 degrees Celsius, they can be stored for 3-4 years.

Juice preservation

Housewives sometimes preserve viburnum juice for the winter. To do this, the berries are crushed, boiled in a saucepan with water, and mixed with sugar. The liquid is then strained, poured into sterilized jars, and sealed with lids.

Viburnum, mashed with sugar

The fruits are washed and placed in a bowl filled with sugar. The mixture is then thoroughly stirred until the sugar powder is completely dissolved. After this, the sugar mixture is poured into jars, sealed with lids, and stored in the cellar.

Other areas of application

There are other areas where the harvested viburnum crop is often used.

Eastern medicine

Eastern medicine is considered the most ancient system of treatment, used for several millennia. This method utilizes various infusions made from viburnum and other berries. Most often, these herbs are used as mixtures for rubbing and massaging the skin.

Traditional medicine

In traditional medicine, berries are used to treat many common ailments. Popular remedies include those used to treat hypertension, fever, coughs, runny noses, and even digestive disorders.

Dietetics

Nutritionists recommend eating at least 25 viburnum berries daily. Preventative consumption of this plant prevents the formation of stones and also promotes cholesterol elimination. Therefore, it's essential to include dishes containing viburnum berries in your daily diet.

Cooking

Viburnum is often used in cooking, as it can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. Delicious compotes and jams are made from the plant. Some housewives add it to vegetable salads to impart a sweet flavor and unique aroma. The berries are also often used to make delicious pies and other baked goods.

Cosmetology

The plant is sometimes used in cosmetology for facial skin care. It's used to make beneficial masks that rejuvenate the skin and help eliminate wrinkles. It's also used to remove pimples and blackheads from the skin's surface. To do this, wipe the skin with viburnum juice.

Conclusion

Viburnum is a common berry grown by many gardeners and homeowners. Some people think it's only used in cooking, but that's not true. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments.