Hello, my dear readers! Today I decided to tell you about the extremely useful berry, the cloudberry. I've already written about it. wrote – what can be prepared and how to preserve it for the winter. This crop is easy to grow indoors; its leaves resemble raspberries, and it's very juicy but slightly tart. And most importantly, it's rich in nutrients.
What is the benefit?
The fruits, like the rest of the bush, contain a large amount of vitamins and other microelements – ascorbic acid, rutin, tannin, copper, manganese and iron compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc.
The calorie content per 100 g is only 44 kcal.
Cloudberry is actively used in folk medicine because it has many properties:
- prevents atherosclerosis and has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system;
- has a diuretic effect;
- eliminates swelling;
- relieves body fatigue and strengthens the immune system;
- heals wounds on the body;
- neutralizes inflammatory processes in all internal organs;
- used for bleeding;
- normalizes visual acuity;
- strengthens hair follicles;
- affects intestinal peristalsis;
- speeds up metabolism;
- promotes weight loss;
- fills the body with vitamins and minerals;
- used for kidney problems;
- treats gout and rheumatism;
- restores the functioning of the respiratory system;
- stops tumor growth;
- calms the nervous system;
- relieves physical fatigue.
In fact, as I discovered, this list is endless, which is why herbalists have fallen in love with this unusual berry.
How is it used in folk medicine?
First, I'll say that you can use both the berries, roots, and leaves. All contain beneficial substances in equal proportions.
Tinctures
It's customary to use the leaf part for these purposes. There are several options for infusions using alcohol and water:
- Buy high-quality vodka (500 ml). Pour it over about 50 g of dried leaves, seal the jar, and place it in a dark place. I let it steep for 30-40 days, then strain it and take 5 ml four times a day whenever I catch a cold or have any inflammation. It's also good for digestion.
- As a sedative, I take 20 ml of boiling water, add 15-20 g of leaves to a thermos, and let it steep for 4-6 hours. I drink 50-70 ml, also up to four times a day.
- To restore metabolism, I use berries. If they're fresh, I pour cool water over them; if they're dried, I pour boiling water over them. For 200 g of berries, you need 500 ml of water. Let it steep for about a day, then take it with honey as before.
- I treat bronchitis with the flowers and leaves. I take 1 tablespoon of each, put them in a thermos, add 200 ml of boiling water, and let it steep for 5 hours. I divide this amount over the entire day, and always add honey (1 teaspoon per 50 ml).
Tea drink
Tea requires less fuss; it's used for colds, nervous tension, and anemia. The recipe is universal:
- Take 1 teaspoon of berries and leaves.
- Pour into a cup, add 250 ml of boiling water.
- Cover for 10 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey and drink a cup three times a day. This tea is especially good before bed.
Baths
I generally like using herbs as a bath base. Cloudberry is also good for this. There are several variations:
- To relieve stress after a hard day at work or get rid of a skin rash, pour 50 g of leaves into boiling water (3 liters). Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes, let it steep slightly, strain, and pour into your bath. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Incidentally, adding a little tea tree essential oil can help treat foot fungus.
- You can prepare another decoction for the same purposes. I use equal parts (about 100 g each) of spruce needles, leaves, and drupes. I boil it all in 2 liters of water, let it steep, and pour it into the bath.
The same baths are effective for hemorrhoids.
Compresses
They are good for hemorrhoids, wounds, skin conditions, and joint problems. Here's how to prepare them:
- I take different parts of the bush, about 100 g in total;
- I pour in 300 ml of boiling water and leave it in a thermos for a couple of hours;
- then I strain it;
- I use the resulting material for compresses - I soak gauze, apply it to the sore spot, put plastic on top and leave it overnight.
This infusion can also be taken internally, but diluted in half with boiled water.
Other useful recipes
I also use cloudberries like this:
- You can simply steam the uncrushed leaves and apply them to the joint or wound;
- Fresh berry juice can be used to treat warts, the main thing is to apply it to them 6-7 times a day;
- steamed leaves can be applied to tired eyes;
- To restore the body after long illnesses, herbalists advise taking 20-30 ml of pure juice on an empty stomach;
- For dandruff and to strengthen hair I use any infusion or decoction.
If you're lucky enough to find these priceless berries, be sure to plant them in your garden. I assure you, they're very easy to care for and don't require any extra care. But the most important thing is constant soil moisture.