Aronia blackberry: photo, medicinal properties and contraindications

Many summer cottages and gardens can be seenThis light-loving, unpretentious, resistant to temperature changes plant. With a well-known mountain ash it has a very distant relationship. This chokeberry aronia. The healing properties of this plant are well known and have been used successfully since ancient times. Today we will tell more about them.

History and general characteristics of the plant

Aronia is black-billed - a native of North America. In the 16th century, the plant was first described by Dutch botanists. In those days, chokeberry aronia was used as an ornamental plant. It was planted in public gardens and parks. And this is not surprising - the aronia is very attractive: in the spring, against the background of dense green leaves, white or tender pink flowers that bloom in the inflorescence are blossoming. In autumn the leaves turn purple-red, and the bunches of black brilliant berries look very appetizing.

Arony is not too demanding on the ground,however, does not really like saline, swampy and stony areas. The weather strongly influences the timing of the flowering of the plant. Black-billed aronia is an excellent honey plant. This plant is fast-growing: first berries can be eaten in three to four years. The harvest of useful fruits is collected after the onset of the first frosts in late autumn.

In Russia, the plant appeared only at the beginningthe last century thanks to the efforts of IV Michurin. His berries were adapted to Russian frosts, and significantly exceeded the size of American chokeberry barley.

Description of the plant

Chokeberry or chokeberry aronia(Aronia melanocarpa), received its generic name from the Greek word aros, which means "good, help." Two Greek words formed its specific definition: melanoso - "black" and karpos - "fruit." In the garden culture this tall (more than two meters) branched bush, which has a smooth gray bark and has a huge escapeability.

Annual branches are covered with red-brown which, with time, becomes dark gray. Aronia blackfruit is grown as a decorative, medicinal or fruit plant.

Leaves, crown

In young shrubs, the crown is compact and evensomewhat clamped, then it becomes spreading: the diameter of the crown of an adult plant reaches two meters. The leaves are simple, one-piece elliptical. Are located on petioles, about 8 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide. Edges of leaves serrate, sharply tapering towards the end. The upper side of the leaves is leathery, glossy, painted in a dark green color. The lower one is slightly pubescent, and therefore has a slight whitish shade.

Flowers and inflorescences

Small white flowers are bisexual, having five petals. They gather in dense thyroid inflorescences, which in diameter reach 6 centimeters.

Fruit

Juicy, with sour-sweet taste of berriesplants, have astringent and slightly tart taste. Fruits are rounded, much less often - squeezed-rounded. Completely ripe berries of chokeberry aronia - shiny, dyed black with a light bluish bloom. Their weight varies from 0.6 to 1.5 grams, the diameter can reach 1.2 cm. The berries cover a dense skin, so they are well preserved in fresh form. Ripe fruits do not crumble for a long time and keep well on the branches.

Blossoms aronia black (photo we placed inthis article) from 12 to 16 days, and the flowering time depends on the air temperature. Later, the flowering of chokeberry excludes the possibility of damage to flowers by spring frosts. Fruits ripen completely from late August to early September.

Chemical composition

Before talking about the medicinal properties andcontraindications of chokeberry aronia, it is necessary to study its composition. Pharmacists agree that it is unique. The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation allows the use of the fruits of this plant, as additives in many, mostly homeopathic preparations. The structure of berries includes:

• A complex of vitamins. They improve the general health, improve immunity.

• Microelements. The most valuable of these are boron, molybdenum and phosphorus.

• Tannins. They also give the berries a characteristic astringent taste.

• Folic acid. The presence of this substance is very important for pregnant women and children.

• Sorbitol. As you know, it is indicated for diabetes.

• Iodine. Thanks to the presence of this component, many thyroid problems can be controlled.

• Pectins. Irreplaceable substances that purify our body of toxins and toxins.

• Alimentary fiber. Help significantly reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol.

• Potassium. With a diuretic effect, potassium prevents swelling, well strengthens the heart muscle.

And this is not a complete list of the components that make up the chokeberry chokeberry. The plant contains many micronutrients, which are very important in the fight against many ailments, up to 10% of monosugars.

Useful properties of chokeberry aronia

The fruits of aronia effectively reduce arterialpressure, but only in the first stages of the disease. With typhus, rheumatic diseases, scarlet fever, measles, allergic reactions, become an addition to the therapeutic remedies prescribed by the doctor.

Pectins of aronia contribute to the cleansing of the body of heavy metals and radioactive substances, stimulate the release and more active excretion of bile, the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The juice of fresh berries has a beneficial effect on the wallsblood vessels, strengthens them. The leaves of aronia are saturated with substances that improve the work of the liver, activate the processes of bile formation and promote its outflow. Chokeberry ashberry is successfully used as a preventive agent.

Fruits containing epicatechins and antioxidants,prevent diabetes, oncological neoplasms. The fruits of aronia are low allergenic, and therefore can be used as a source of vitamins and microelements by pregnant, nursing mothers. They can be given to kids, older than a year. Their reception is indicated with a reduced level of hemoglobin, poor blood coagulability.

Aronia blackberry: contraindications

This plant has many useful properties, butin some cases it can cause harm to health. It is necessary to take into account cases when doctors strongly recommend completely eliminating the use of leaves and fruits of the plant. Contraindications include:

• hypotension (low blood pressure);
• chronic or frequently recurring constipation;
• period of peptic ulcer disease exacerbation;
• chronic gastritis;
• pancreatitis;
• thrombophlebitis;
• angina pectoris;
• individual intolerance of one or more substances that are contained in chokeberry.

As you can see, the list is quite large. If you suffer from these diseases, be sure to consult your doctor. Given the impact of the fruits of aronia on the level of blood pressure, do not get carried away by the absorption of a large number of fruits.

We have presented you with a description of chokeberry aronia. The medicinal properties and contraindications of this plant must be taken into account when making preparations based on it.

Folk recipes using chokeberry

All preparations based on this plant - berries,juice, decoctions and tinctures from fruits and leaves - as a rule, take three times a day for half an hour before meals. Check out the most popular folk recipes.

With hypertension

In recent years, doctors are increasingly talking aboutspreading and "rejuvenating" hypertension. Unfortunately, today even very young people are subject to it. This fact is explained by a sedentary lifestyle, bad ecology, bad habits. Coping with this ailment will help drugs based on chokeberry, but on condition that the treatment is started at the first stages of the disease.

The simplest recipe, recommended by phytotherapists, is to eat 100 grams of fresh (you can use frozen ones) berries. Effective composition, which includes:

• The juice of chokeberry is 100 ml.
• Currant juice (black) - 100 ml.
• Natural honey - 30 g.
• The juice of the viburnum is 150 ml.
• Walnut - 4 pieces.

From the ripe berries prepare juice, trying, that inthe drink did not get cake and pits. Add honey to it. If it crystallized, melt it on a steam bath. Sugar is not recommended, because the drink can ferment. Peel the walnuts, grind them to the state of small crumbs. It is more convenient to do this with a blender. In the morning and in the evening, take 50 ml of the drink.

Tincture from atherosclerosis

You will need:

• liter of water;
• 150 grams of dried leaves and fruits of chokeberry;
• 250 grams of granulated sugar;
• 500 ml of vodka.

Pour the raw material with water and bring to a boil. Add the sugar, boil for another 15 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved completely. When the medicinal composition has cooled, add quality vodka. Attention! Diabetics need to add to this tincture 3 grams of citric acid or a spoon (tea) of lemon juice. Pour the contents into a glass container, and close the container tightly with a lid. Put it in a dark, cool, sun-protected place for two weeks.

Take a tincture of 15 grams daily. The course of treatment is a month.

Avitaminosis

In the fall and especially in the spring, manyface with avitaminosis. This is a fairly common phenomenon, which is most often found in people who have a sedentary lifestyle. Chokeberry growers help to cope with this problem.

Mix 15 grams of dried fruit and chokeberry leaveswith a glass of boiling water. Cook for about 15 minutes over low heat. If time is not enough, you can prepare the composition in the thermos. Take 100 ml daily. This drink, quite pleasant to the taste, invigorates, gives strength, restores the lack of vitamins in the body.

With diabetes

Tannins and pectin contained in chokeberrystimulate digestion, tones and cleanses the intestines. Cleans the body of fiber: it eliminates stagnation in the colon, stimulates the active excretion of excess bile. Regular consumption of chokeberry fruit has a beneficial effect on the elasticity of the vessels and the work of the heart of patients suffering from this ailment.

Scientists came to the conclusion that a regularpresence of arachnia in the diet, significantly improves the functioning of the liver and restores the endocrine system. This is very important for diabetics. With this disease, it is recommended to eat a glass of berries a day, but not immediately, but in several receptions.

In addition, from berries you can prepare infusions andcompotes, add fruits to curd desserts, jellies, cereals. And frozen and dried berries do not lose medicinal properties. But we should not forget that the use of chokeberry mustard should be agreed with the endocrinologist.

From Thyroid Diseases

Four spoons (table) of fruits of chokeberry pourwith boiling water (0.5 L). Insist they should be two hours. After this, the infusion should be filtered and taken three times a day. The course of treatment lasts at least a month. After two months, if necessary, you can repeat it.

In pregnancy

We have already talked a lot about the fact that the black-fruitAronia is rich in microelements and vitamins. They are useful not only for the future mother, but also for the normal development and formation of the fetus. If a woman does not have contraindications, doctors advise eating these berries.

Contained in the fruits folic acid, strengthens the placenta. Vitamins B6 and B1 reduce the woman's nervous tension. Antioxidants affect the skin condition, do not allow the appearance of stretch marks.

Prior to the introduction of berries in the diet during pregnancy, during lactation, as well as when you include children under one year of age, consultation with the attending physician is desirable.