Viburnum: beneficial properties, use in folk medicine, contraindications

Viburnum is one of the most popular medicinal plants. Almost all parts of the body benefit human health. Based on berries, foliage, inflorescences and bark, folk remedies are made that help with cardiovascular diseases, pathologies of the digestive and respiratory systems. Viburnum is also used in the fight against nervous disorders, colds and inflammatory processes.

Description of the plant and its types

Viburnum ordinary, or red, is a representative of the Adoxaceae family. This plant is a low deciduous tree or spreading bush with shoots covered with brownish-gray bark.

Bare or ribbed branches are covered with opposite leaves up to 10 cm in size. The leaf blades with a heart-shaped base are divided into 3 or 5 lobes. The upper, smooth side has a dark green color, the lower, with weak pubescence along the veins, is grayish-green.

Viburnum common

In the upper part of the young shoots, flat, shield-shaped inflorescences are formed from small flowers with a strong aroma, white or slightly pinkish in color.

The flowering period begins at the end of May and ends in July. The fruits - red oval drupes - ripen from August to September.

This plant grows quite quickly. A young specimen grows from 30 to 40 cm per year. The average lifespan of viburnum is 50 years.

Kalina Gordovina

In addition to the usual red viburnum, there are about two hundred more varieties of it in nature. For medicinal purposes, black is also used, which is also called pride. The homeland of this species is America. It is a small deciduous tree with dark gray bark. The leaves have an oblong oval shape and are densely pubescent.

The fruits are black berry drupes. This species is grown mainly in gardens and park areas as an ornamental plant.

Composition and beneficial properties

Red viburnum, when consumed regularly, benefits the entire body. The plant has numerous medicinal properties, the presence of which is explained by the high content of active biological substances. They are found in all parts of the bush, so they are used for medicinal purposes.

Composition and beneficial properties of viburnum:

Benefits for women

Remedies prepared from the fruits, bark and inflorescences of this plant help women cope with:

• long, heavy and painful menstruation;
• uterine bleeding;
• pyelonephritis;
• cystitis.

Nursing mothers can use viburnum juice lotions to eliminate mastitis at the first signs. The plant has a beneficial effect on the muscle tone of the uterus, which is useful for the fair sex of reproductive age.

For women entering menopause, products based on this plant will help relieve irritability and nervousness, eliminate excessive sweating, and alleviate the condition during hot flashes.

Viburnum is an effective remedy for eliminating various dermatological problems. Masks based on it, depending on the addition of other ingredients, can be used to eliminate pimples and blackheads. They help solve the problem of increased dryness or excessive sebum production, eliminate the first signs of aging and fight unwanted pigmentation.

Benefits for men

In addition to the general beneficial effect on the male body, the plant has a positive effect on the genitourinary system. Based on viburnum, you can prepare a product that improves potency and prevents premature ejaculation.

For this you will need:

• 50 g of viburnum fruits, rowan berries, rose hips and nettle herbs;
• 200 ml water.

Preparation and use:

1. Mix the plant material and separate 20 g.
2. Pour boiled water over it.
3. Leave in a closed container for 30 minutes.
4. Filter.
5. Drink 1 glass in the morning and evening.

Benefits for children

Viburnum contains an increased amount of vitamin C, which is why it is useful to give it to children to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds. Due to the presence of magnesium in the plant, home remedies based on it will be useful for easily excitable children to calm the nervous system and improve sleep.

A healing decoction of viburnum will help relieve fever and reduce pain. It can be given to children instead of analgin or citramon. Using the same remedy, stomatitis can be eliminated if the child begins to rinse his mouth at the first signs of illness. Viburnum decoction helps to cope with gum inflammation.

Viburnum berries for the human body: beneficial properties and contraindications

They are rich in various vitamins, but most of all the space is given to group C and A. Also, this low shrub boasts the presence of tannins and pectins. They are indispensable when it comes to treating and restoring normal functional activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

The composition also contains phytoncides, so the product also has an antimicrobial effect. Viburnum decoctions are considered an effective folk remedy for colds.

The berry contains a large amount of magnesium, copper, and iron. It helps restore the body after serious physical training, defeat chronic fatigue, and reduce apathy.

The fruits contain valeric and formic acids. Their combination helps in the fight against depression.

Viburnum is also a natural energy booster and can give a head start to many modern products located on supermarket shelves.

Contraindications and possible harm

Although viburnum is a healthy and tasty product, its consumption is not allowed for everyone. There are several contraindications, in the presence of which the plant can be harmful to health.

To identify possible prohibitions, before using viburnum as a medicine, you should consult your doctor.

The main contraindications include:

• low blood pressure;
• increased formation of gastric juice;
• high blood clotting;
• tendency to thrombosis;
• urolithiasis;
• arthritis;
• gout

Pregnant women are allowed to consume viburnum occasionally and in limited quantities. This is due to the ability of the fruit to enhance the tone of the uterus. With long-term regular use, viburnum can provoke the threat of miscarriage.

What are the benefits of red viburnum berries for men?

Despite the fact that red viburnum is traditionally considered a “female” berry, infusions and decoctions from the pulp of the fruit will also be useful for men:

• general strengthening effect on the body, prevention of cancer;
• treatment of stomach and liver diseases, constipation, tuberculosis, heart and vascular diseases common among men;
• prevention of vitamin deficiency;
• colds, which men are more susceptible to than women.

Men are less sensitive to the bitterness of viburnum medicines than women

Use for diseases of the heart and blood vessels

The berries of this plant contain a high concentration of vitamin C, acids of organic origin and tannic components. This allows viburnum to be used as a remedy against cardiovascular diseases, to strengthen vascular walls, and against hypertension.

Regular use of viburnum tincture can reduce blood pressure, remove bad cholesterol from the body and improve vascular permeability.

Alcohol tincture

To prepare an alcohol tincture, you will need:

• 300 g each of viburnum berries and natural honey;
• 500 ml of quality cognac.

Preparation and use:

1. Wash the berries, dry and chop.
2. Mix all ingredients in a glass container.
3. Place in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark place for 5 days.
4. Use the prepared tincture before main meals, 1 tsp.

Homemade medicine reduces blood pressure readings and prevents blood pressure spikes. Regular use of this remedy allows you to normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Infusion with honey

An infusion of water from viburnum berries with the addition of honey has a similar effect. It lowers blood pressure to normal and allows you to maintain the result for a long time. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 cups fresh viburnum;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey;
• purified water.

Preparation and use:

1. Rinse the berries thoroughly and transfer to a glass jar.
2. Pour boiling water on top so that they are completely covered with liquid.
3. Leave the dishes in a warm place for 5 hours.
4. Filter the drink.
5. Pass the remaining berries through a sieve and combine with the liquid.
6. Add honey to the drink.
7. Drink a third of a glass before each meal. Duration of use is 21 days, then it is recommended to take a week break.

Other recipes

Other recipes for treating the heart and blood vessels based on viburnum are described in the table:

How to harvest viburnum

Viburnum loves moist pine forests where there is shade. It can also often be seen among other shrubs near water bodies.

The bark should be harvested in April - immediately after the sap flows. Succulent shoots are also collected in early spring. Flowers - from May to June, but only those that are fully bloomed. You can start harvesting berries as early as September, but after the first frost they are not as bitter and more rich in vitamins. Berries should be cut in whole clusters to avoid damaging the pulp.

You can stock up on this useful plant in different ways. The healthiest berries are fresh, so freezing is considered the healthiest way to prepare them. But ripe fruits can also be dried or rubbed with sugar.

It is also recommended to dry whole inflorescences in a cool, ventilated place for 7-9 days. After this step, the remaining liquid is removed in an oven at a temperature of approximately 50 degrees Celsius. Store dried fruits in linen bags in a dry place protected from the sun.

Berries covered with sugar will not lose their benefits. To do this, fill a third of the jar with washed berries, and cover them with a thick layer of sugar (but do not fill the jar completely and do not compact it). To remove bitterness, berries can be dipped in boiling water.

Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

To improve the functioning of the digestive organs, it is useful to use not only the berries of the plant, but also its seeds and bark. They can reduce pain in the stomach, remove intestinal parasites, and reduce the manifestations of gastritis and peptic ulcers. With the help of simple folk remedies you can improve digestion, cope with diarrhea and constipation.

In folk medicine, the following recipes with viburnum are used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract:

Hemostatic tincture

You can stop bleeding in case of hemorrhoids using an alcohol tincture. To prepare it you will need:

• 50 g crushed bark;
• 50 g of medical alcohol.

Preparation and use:

1. Combine bark and alcohol in a glass container.
2. Leave for 4 days in a dark, cool room.
3. Filter.
4. Drink 20 drops 3 times a day.

Control of parasites

To get rid of worms, use viburnum fruits in combination with honey. You will need:

• 100 g of juicy viburnum berries;
• 50 g honey.

Preparation and use:

1. Combine the ingredients and mix thoroughly.
2. Eat 20 g of the resulting mixture three times a day, an hour before meals.

The course of therapy is 10 days.

Liver healing

Viburnum berries and their seeds are an effective remedy for cleansing and healing the liver. The recipes are described in the table:

Beneficial and harmful properties of viburnum fruits: contraindications for blood pressure

We have already said that fruits are not recommended for people with increased blood clotting, but there are other restrictions. One of the main ones is considered to be the negative impact on the body due to high blood pressure. Especially when it comes to an innate effect. But the rule also applies if the pressure has increased as a result of taking other drugs, medication, or simply food. For example, excessive consumption of coffee or taurine. In this case, you should not eat viburnum: it will worsen the situation.

And in contrast, if you have low blood pressure, the plant normalizes it. Professional medical advice is required before accepting or initiating any procedures related to this product. You can get it at Elena Morozova’s Weight Loss Clinic.

Fighting colds

Products made from berries and viburnum bark help cope with fever, as they have diaphoretic properties. To eliminate a severe cough, it is recommended to drink hot tea with viburnum. A hot drink improves the liquefaction and removal of mucus, relieving the painful condition.

Recipes with viburnum for treating colds and eliminating inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract:

Some folk recipes

There are several folk recipes that are popular in the treatment of colds.

Vodka or cognac tincture

To create such a tincture, you will need to mix two spoons of liquid honey with two egg yolks, olive oil, viburnum berries and vodka. The product is infused for 1-2 days at room temperature, after which it is placed in the refrigerator for further storage.

Cognac-honey tincture

This remedy helps eliminate colds and get rid of vascular problems. Regular use of this infusion helps clear cholesterol and strengthen blood vessels. The fruits of the plant are washed, crushed and added to a container with cognac and honey. The product should be infused for a week in a dark room.

With honey

This syrup is used to eliminate diseases of the bronchi or lungs. Pour water over the berries and bring to a boil. Then they are boiled for half an hour, mixed with honey and infused. The mixture should be infused for three hours in a cool room.

Viburnum opulus

A decoction is prepared from this plant variety to relieve coughs and runny noses. The fruits of the plant are poured with water, boiled over low heat and left to cool. The decoction is taken daily in the morning and evening before bedtime.

With sugar

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

Treatment of the urinary system

Viburnum vulgare has a mild diuretic effect and is recommended for the treatment of inflammatory processes of the kidneys and urinary tract. Juice from the fruit in combination with alcohol tincture effectively treats pyelonephritis, cystitis, and urethritis.

Recipes for kidney remedies from viburnum:

Improvement of the nervous system

To relieve stress and eliminate anxiety, it is recommended to include viburnum berries in your daily menu. The fruits of this plant help normalize the psycho-emotional background and the state of the nervous system.

To combat irritability, fatigue and depression, it is recommended to use the following folk remedies with viburnum:

Use for the treatment of other diseases

As a general tonic that boosts immunity and to prevent the development of colds, it is useful to regularly use a product consisting of the following ingredients:

• 100 g viburnum berries;
• 1 unpeeled lemon;
• 200 g each of cut aloe leaves, peeled walnuts, butter and natural honey.

Preparation and use:

1. Grind all herbal ingredients using a meat grinder.
2. Combine with butter and honey.
3. Take 1 tbsp. l. after meal.

The bark and fruits of the plant are recommended for use by patients with diabetes. A home remedy based on them helps normalize blood glucose levels and lowers the concentration of bad cholesterol. To prepare this remedy, you need to take:

• 1 tbsp. l. viburnum fruits;
• 10 g bark;
• 300 ml water.

Preparation and use:

1. Wash and chop the fruits.
2. Connect all components.
3. Boil for 20 minutes over low heat.
4. Leave covered for another 4 hours.
5. Filter.
6. Take the resulting product 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

Recipes using viburnum: beneficial properties, contraindications, how to prepare the berry

This plant is valued in cooking. But not everyone is positive about its strong taste. Some people complain about acidity, others about bitterness. Getting rid of both is actually quite simple. Place the berries in boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes, and the taste of the product will become much softer.

If you want to treat yourself to unusual and healthy jam, then pick the fruits after the first frost. When exposed to low temperatures, they lose their characteristic bitterness. For those who don’t want to wait for winter to come and want to prepare the delicacy as quickly as possible, we recommend that you cheat and put the plant in the freezer for an hour and a half. The effect will be the same.

The berry picking season is at the end of autumn, but knowing some of the intricacies of storage, you can pamper yourself with them almost all year round. To ensure that the plant retains its vitamins, you can:

• Dry the fruits in the oven. This is done at a temperature of 60°. It is best if the oven door is slightly open.

• To freeze. Like any other seasonal product, this one keeps well in the cold.

Another option is to take a clean, dry pan, put the viburnum there and put the container in a cool place. In this state, the berries can be stored for up to six months. You can cook them with sugar or honey.

Five-minute recipes are very popular. The fruits are not boiled, but pureed in a blender or food processor. They remain fresh, which means they retain more nutrients. This dish will keep for a long time in the refrigerator.

Use in cosmetology

To shorten the healing time of wounds and eliminate skin diseases such as eczema, lichen or acne, it is useful to wipe the affected areas of the epidermis with fresh juice from the fruit of the plant. After application, it must be left until completely absorbed.

During the day you need to do from 3 to 5 such procedures. The duration of the course is 7 days.

Viburnum can be used in cosmetology in the form of masks to solve various skin problems:

Viburnum in cooking

The fruits of the plant are mainly used for culinary purposes. The viburnum berries themselves are bitter, so they should be collected only after the first frost.

Frozen viburnum loses its bitterness and becomes suitable for use as food. Jam, juices, tea and other tasty and healthy dishes and drinks are prepared from the collected fruits.

To preserve all the valuable properties of the berries, they are frozen after picking. Then they can be thawed and used as a filling for pies, mixed with sugar. In the same form, the berry can be consumed with tea.

Juice

To prepare viburnum nectar for the winter you will need:

• fresh berries - 1 kg;
• water - 1 l;
• granulated sugar - 200 g.

Preparation:

1. Mix thoroughly washed berries with water and boil until soft over low heat.
2. Squeeze the juice out of them and add sugar to it.
3. After the sugar has dissolved, strain the liquid.
4. Boil and pour into pre-sterilized containers.
5. Roll up the lids.

Tea

This drink is not only tasty, but also healthy. It helps cope with colds and strengthens the immune system.

To prepare tea with viburnum you will need:

• fresh berries - 1 tbsp. l.;
• water - 250 ml.

Preparation:

1. Pour the berries into a heated teapot.
2. Pour in boiled water.
3. Close the lid tightly and wrap with a towel.
4. Let it brew for 60 minutes.

Coffee

This unusual drink can be prepared from both instant coffee and natural coffee. In the latter case, you will need a Turk for brewing.

Ingredients:

• berries - 10 g;
• water - 180 ml;
• sugar - 2 tsp;
• ground or instant coffee - 1 tsp.

Preparation:

1. Wash the berries and sprinkle with sugar.
2. Pass through a sieve to release the juice.
3. Combine liquid with coffee.
4. Pour boiling water or prepare a drink in a Turk.

You can add sugar or honey to taste.

Jam

To prepare a winter preparation according to the classic recipe you will need:

• fresh berries - 1 kg;
• sugar - 850 g;
• water - 250 ml.

Preparation:

1. Sort the fruits, wash them, dry them, and put them in a saucepan.
2. Pour in a small amount of water and set over low heat.
3. Immediately after boiling, simmer the berries for 2 minutes.
4. Separately boil the syrup from sugar and water.
5. When it starts to boil, add the semi-finished berries and cook for 35 minutes.
6. Set aside for 6 hours, then boil the jam again.
7. Pour the thickened mass into sterilized glass jars and seal with lids.

What does red viburnum help with?

The berries and flowers of the bush, bark and juice are rich in organic acids, tannins, carotene, a significant amount of vitamins C and P, pectin - this variety allows the use of viburnum for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, as well as in cosmetology:

• due to its diuretic effect, red viburnum for hypertension and when swelling occurs due to impaired kidney function turns out to be an excellent means of traditional medicine - excess fluid is removed from the body, pressure in the blood vessels is reduced, and the functioning of the urinary tract and heart muscle is normalized;
• effective healing of wounds and even gastric ulcers thanks to antiseptic and astringent components ;
• during the post-operative, post-morbid rehabilitation period, viburnum tea will help restore strength and strengthen the immune system ;
• for the treatment of colitis and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, etc.), atherosclerosis ;
• for nosebleeds , colds and bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma ;
• for pain in the liver and heart ;
• for losing weight and maintaining a slim figure;
• for diseases of the oral cavity - stomatitis, bleeding gums;
• Red viburnum for the face is useful for skin rashes, rashes and acne.

In addition, viburnum, despite its natural bitterness, has found application in cooking - meat dishes, infusions, decoctions, jams, jelly, desserts, candies, and wines are not only tasty, but also healthy.

Flowering of varietal red viburnum

Contraindications to the use of red viburnum in any form include:

• eating viburnum berries during pregnancy can lead to allergic reactions, and in some cases, termination of pregnancy;
• viburnum is prohibited in case of increased blood viscosity and a high coagulation rate - it can provoke thrombosis;
• Treatment with viburnum decoctions and infusions is not recommended for certain kidney diseases, gout, sore joints, and increased stomach acidity ;
• If allergic skin reactions and rashes , you should stop taking viburnum;
• Viburnum, which is so successful in treating hypertension, can cause fainting in people with low blood pressure .

Before starting regular use of viburnum for medicinal purposes, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.

Collection and storage

The fruits reach full maturity in September or October. This is evidenced by their uniform red color. But at this time, the berries still retain a bitter taste, which disappears after the first frost, so it is advisable to harvest the fruits at the end of October or early November.

You need to pick berries on the branches, completely preserving their stalks. To do this, they are cut with pruning shears and placed in a basket so as not to damage their integrity. You cannot pick the berries separately: in this case, the skin will burst and the juice will leak out.

The clusters can be hung in the attic or dry basement. In this form they will retain their freshness for several months.

If there is no unheated room, viburnum can be stored in the refrigerator, in the lower section, or frozen in the freezer and defrosted as needed. Before freezing, the berries need to be washed, dried and the stalks removed. Then they are laid out in the freezer in one layer and periodically turned over to ensure even freezing. When the berries become hard, they are transferred to a container convenient for storage.

Other Applications

There are other areas in which the collected viburnum harvest is often used.

Eastern medicine

Eastern medicine is considered the most ancient system of treatment, which has been used for several millennia. When using this technique, various decoctions prepared from viburnum and other berries are used. Most often, mixtures are prepared from plants and used for rubbing and massaging the skin.

Traditional medicine

In traditional medicine, berries are used to eliminate many known ailments. Popular products are those that help eliminate hypertension, fever, cough, runny nose and even diseases of the digestive system.

Dietetics

Nutritionists recommend eating at least 25 viburnum berries daily. Preventive use of this plant prevents the formation of stones and also helps eliminate cholesterol. Therefore, it is necessary to add dishes that contain viburnum fruits to your daily diet.

Cooking

Viburnum is often used in cooking, as many different dishes can be prepared from it. Delicious compotes and jams are prepared from the plant. Some housewives add it to vegetable salads to give them a sweetish taste and unusual aroma. The berries are also often used to make delicious pies and other pastries.

Cosmetology

Sometimes the plant is used in cosmetology for facial skin care. Useful masks are prepared from it to rejuvenate the skin and help get rid of wrinkles. It is also used to remove pimples and blackheads from the surface of the skin. To do this, you need to wipe it with viburnum juice.