Useful properties of blackthorn and contraindications to its use
Large-fruited and fruitful varieties of domestic, Chinese and Russian plums have practically displaced blackthorns from summer cottages and from village gardens. However, the numerous beneficial properties of blackthorn and contraindications, which are very few, do not allow you to forget about the unpretentious fruit culture.
A shrub or low trees with a rapidly thickening crown, branches covered with powerful thorns and small dark blue fruits can be seen in various parts of Russia. Blackthorn or prickly plum is distinguished by its unassuming disposition, high frost resistance, and excellent yield.
Unlike modern varietal plums, which are larger and sweeter, the dark blue blackthorn fruits have a pronounced tart taste.
Since they stick firmly to the branches, only the first frost helps the thorn to get rid of the high acidity and astringent notes. The green flesh, hidden under the gray skin from the wax bloom, softens and acquires a moderate sweetness.
How is thorn useful for the body? Like a plant that would seem to be more suitable for hedge or strengthening the slopes, can support human health?
The content of nutrients and calorie content of blackthorn
Even ripe blackthorn fruits are rarely eaten fresh. More often they become raw materials for compotes, preserves and marmalades, alcoholic liqueurs and liqueurs. Sloe is used to make vinegar and meat sauces.
Despite the imperfect taste, the fruits contain a lot of useful substances, which include:
- sugars ranging from 5.5 to 8.5%;
- vitamins E, B, PP and C, beta-carotene;
- acids, which account for up to 2.5% of the volume;
- minerals,
- fatty acid;
- 1.5% tannins;
- glycosides;
- flavonoids, coumarins and catechins;
- 1% pectin, which supports healthy metabolism and cholesterol levels;
- dietary fiber that stimulates digestive processes and the balance of microflora in the intestines.
The calorie content of thorn does not exceed 55 kcal per 100 g, referring the product to the category of low-calorie and even dietary. The list of mineral compounds in thorn includes salts of potassium and calcium, iron, iodine and cobalt, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and other elements.
In terms of the content of essential vitamins, dark blue fruits are far superior to cultivated varieties of plums.
The green foliage of the bush contains the same set of vitamins and minerals, flavonoids and organic acids, and can be used to make tea and coffee substitutes.
Why is thorn useful for the body
In autumn, when the fruits on the thorns turn a deep blue color, they are harvested for home conservation or drying. Anyone who wants to feel the benefits of thorns for the body should study in detail its qualities and effects.
The rich biochemical composition endowed thorn with astringent, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, fixing and diuretic properties. The high concentration of vitamins allows the use of fruits for the prevention and elimination of vitamin deficiencies, during recovery from serious illnesses. A handful of tart fruits effectively increases appetite,
Interestingly, blackthorn is most famous as a natural remedy for the treatment of the digestive system, kidneys and liver.
Fruits and products prepared from them are recommended for numerous problems of the gastrointestinal tract.
Astringent, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic qualities of blackthorn are in demand for diseases such as:
- dysentery;
- dyspepsia or indigestion;
- colitis;
- food poisoning;
- infectious diseases of the digestive system.
If there are no contraindications, the beneficial properties of blackthorn at elevated temperatures help to bring down the fever. By causing increased sweating, the natural medicine gently lowers the temperature, removes toxins, and also fights bacterial microflora, which is often the cause of complications. In addition to fruits, a decoction from the bark and roots of the plant has this ability.
Benefits of thorns for beauty and health
Blackthorn juice can be used externally, to make compresses or lotions, add it to home peels, lotions and tonics. This also applies to alcoholic tincture of blackthorn.
Malic acid in fruits combined with vitamins:
- normalizes microflora, helps to fight inflammatory processes;
- tones the skin;
- gently exfoliates dead skin cells, improves, rejuvenates the complexion;
- brightens age spots;
- helps to moisturize the skin;
- stimulates regeneration.
Blackthorn normalizes the digestion process, removes toxins. Preparations based on it can be included in the diet of people who want to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol and strengthen immunity.
Lotions with fruit juice, decoction of thorn flowers help with pustular skin diseases and furunculosis.
Useful properties and uses of flowers, leaves, thorn bark
In addition to fruits, nutritionists and physicians carefully study the leaves and flowers of blackthorn. The white flowers collected in spring have diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Unlike fruits, which are actively fortified, whisks are used for laxative decoctions. They can even be given to children.
Such a tool does not have a sharp tart taste, while:
- stops vomiting;
- when taken regularly, it improves metabolism.
- as a gargle, it relieves inflammation in the mouth and throat.
How is the turn useful for men? For prostatitis and prostate adenoma, traditional medicine recommends using a decoction of the leaves or flowers of the bush. It successfully fights inflammation, prevents complications, eliminates edema and spasms, and activates the outflow of urine.
Useful properties make the infusion of fruits, flowers or leaves indispensable in the treatment of cystitis and urolithiasis, reduce the pain of menstruation.
Rinsing with an infusion of leaves containing a record amount of ascorbic acid and other active ingredients is recommended for stomatitis and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx.
Contraindications to the use of thorns
Despite the abundance of useful properties, thorns have contraindications, neglect of which can cause serious ailments.
Acids, present in abundance in fruits, irritate the mucous membranes, stimulate the production of gastric juice and can lead to exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The abuse of thorns is especially dangerous for people suffering from:
- gastritis with high acidity;
- peptic ulcer in the acute stage;
- from frequent heartburn and other manifestations of high acidity.
In some people, eating thorns causes an allergic reaction, accompanied by dermatological problems, digestive disorders, and respiratory symptoms. If you have food allergies, diseases of the digestive system, you should consult your doctor before using the thorn fruit for food.
Even absolutely healthy people, nutritionists recommend not to eat more than 100 grams of fresh blackthorn fruit per day.
There are significantly fewer contraindications for sloe compote and other types of homemade preparations. If the thorns collected on the site are to become delicious jam, wine, tincture or compote, it is better to peel the fruit or remove the berries from the finished product. The bitter core under a strong shell contains specific substances that decompose to form hydrocyanic acid.