Dogwood has long been known to people. Why did the small red fruits get such a name? What are the beneficial properties and contraindications of dogwood?

What is dogwood - composition and calorie content

Dogwood is a small tree, more like a bush, reaching a height of no more than 5 meters. Dogwood fruits are small red berries with a sour tart taste.

Dogwood berries ripen in August-September.

It is interesting! Dogwood is also called Devil's or Shaitan berry. According to legend, after the creation of the world, Allah allowed everyone living on earth to choose a plant to taste. Damn chose dogwood, suggesting that a plant that had blossomed before the rest would soon bear fruit. The smug devil was very disappointed when he saw that the dogwood did not bloom in late spring or summer. When the berries finally appeared on it, although they turned red, they were still hard and sour. Angry, he refused to pick berries. People, strolling in the woods in the fall, saw crimson berries with a wonderful sweet and sour taste. Since that time, the devil's berry is usually collected in the autumn season.

Sign. A rich harvest of dogwood usually promises a harsh and cold winter.

The calorie content of cornel berries is not very high: 100 grams contains 44 kcal.

The fruits are famous for the content of ascorbic acid, carotene, pectins.

The fruits are rich in minerals and vitamins.

The composition of the berry includes:

  • vitamins C, E, PP;
  • acids: malic, citric, succinic;
  • fixed oils;
  • fructose;
  • glucose.

Dogwood is rich in micro and macro elements:

  • iron;
  • magnesium;
  • phosphorus;
  • potassium;
  • sulfur.

Not only berries are useful, but also leaves and even dogwood branches. Infusions of leaves are applicable for creating various compresses and applications. They are used as a therapy for skin pathologies, hemorrhoids.

Dogwood: useful properties for the body of a woman, man

The healing properties of dogwood are extensive.

So, this plant has the following effects:

  1. Tones up the body.
  2. It removes poisons and toxins.
  3. Promotes wound healing and stop bleeding.
  4. Normalizes metabolism.
  5. Controls bile exchange.
  6. Stimulates the passage of urine.
  7. Lowers body temperature.

"Dogwood" immunity

Dogwood is most valuable for its tonic properties. Berries enhance immunity and stamina. This treat is recommended for people suffering from increased fatigue and frequent colds.

Dogwood for Women's Health

A handful of these berries helps restore the menstrual cycle.

Dogwood is a great helper for fragile female health. So, cornelian decoctions reduce the amount of leucorrhoea (female secretions) and dull menstrual pain. In addition, bloody berries help increase libido in the fair sex.

Dogwood for men

Men often work in hard physical work. This undermines vitality and affects immunity. Dogwood returns to the stronger sex energy and strength. In addition, these fruits enhance sexual desire, activate sexual function.

Dried berries

Dried dogwood is useful not less than its counterpart torn from a tree. This product is an excellent cold medicine. Also, the consumption of dried cornel fruit reduces the level of sugar in the blood, normalizes blood pressure.

Dried dogwood berries are not only a delicious treat, but also a medicine with unique properties.

Broths with healing properties are prepared from dry berries:

  • eliminate inflammation in the digestive tract;
  • improve appetite;
  • support immunity;
  • tone up.

Dried dogwood

Sun-dried dogwood is rich in pectin, which is necessary for removing toxins from the body. These berries normalize metabolism, therefore dried dogwood is so popular among losing weight. The berry helps to increase hemoglobin, and therefore recommended for various blood diseases.

Dogwood Seed Benefits

Do not throw cornel seed by eating pulp. After all, it contains vegetable oils, which have a healing effect similar to sea buckthorn.

Tasty and healthy berries.

The following beneficial properties of dogwood bone are distinguished:

  • antibacterial;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • healing;
  • astringent.

Dogwood bones constrict blood vessels, which improves blood recovery processes.

Berry jam

Dogwood jam has a sweet taste with a slight tart note.

The benefits of dogwood jam are as follows:

  • It has a cleansing, anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Increases immunity, strengthens and tones.
  • It is considered a good cold prevention.
  • Improves the work of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
  • Helps purify the bronchi.
  • It has an antipyretic effect.

Fermented Berry Jam Recipe

Jam has its own unique taste.

List of required ingredients:

  • dogwood - 1 kg;
  • water - 20 ml;
  • sugar - 700 g.

Stages of preparation:

  1. Boil the syrup using sugar and water.
  2. Rinse the dogwood thoroughly.
  3. Pour the berries with syrup.
  4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer another 15 minutes.
  5. Leave the workpiece to cool, then boil another 15 minutes.
  6. Arrange the finished treat in sterilized jars and tighten.

What diseases does a berry help?

Dogwood in various forms successfully fights the symptoms of many diseases.

In case of colds or acute respiratory infections, dogwood berries perfectly lower the temperature. In addition, they relieve inflammation, activate the body's defenses.

Dogwood berries are able to fight any disease.

Berries are also relevant for poisoning. Pectin in the composition binds together and removes toxins from the body. Fresh dogwood juice is relevant in such situations.

Dogwood is the enemy of hemorrhoids. In the process of therapy, fresh and dried, canned berries can be used. In severe stages of the disease dogwood is eaten before meals, no more than 3 servings per day. Fruits are eaten with seeds - when dissolved in the stomach, they will have a good therapeutic effect. Dogwood baths or decoctions are also considered useful.

Dogwood lowers blood sugar and inhibits its subsequent growth. The greatest benefits are fresh berries.

The use of dogwood in traditional medicine

Adherents of natural methods of treatment set aside preferences for healthy dogwood drinks.

Infusions and decoctions

Dogwood tincture can be made independently on vodka.

The berries are washed and kneaded with a rolling pin, the resulting mashed potatoes are put in a jar. Following the berries are poured with vodka, mixed. The mixture is covered, sent to a dry place. Insist should be 21 days.

After tincture, filter through double gauze. Then sugar is added to taste, the composition is mixed and again sent to quarantine for a week. Ready tincture can be stored for up to 5 years. It is applicable in the treatment of skin pathologies, the elimination of lower back pain.

Dogwood broth

A decoction is prepared to eliminate pain from rheumatism.

A spoonful of dried fruit is poured with boiling water (1 glass) and kept on low heat for 120 seconds. The broth is insisted for 3 hours, after which it is carefully filtered. In order to strengthen the immune system, drink a drink of 50 grams before meals.

Compote

Pour 400 g of dogwood in a clean jar, pour water at the very neck. Pour the contents of the jar into a dry pan, add 0.5 kg of sugar. Boil the resulting mixture over low heat for 5 minutes. Sterilize the jar. Hot compote pour the prepared vessel, roll up the machine. Set the jar warm until cool, then put it in the cellar or basement.

Can I use dogwood during pregnancy and lactation

Cornel is not prohibited for use by pregnant women - the berry helps to eliminate toxins, increases hemoglobin, cleanses the intestines. However, you should consult your doctor before eating berries. The specialist will give advice on the type and amount of fruit consumption.

Attention! Jamaican dogwood is contraindicated for expectant mothers: the berry is toxic and can harm an unborn baby.

Also, on the recommendation of a doctor, the bloody berry should not be introduced into the diet of nursing mothers. But mom should carefully monitor the baby’s reaction. During breastfeeding, dogwood should be consumed in the form of compotes or decoctions.

For children

Dogwood has a beneficial effect on a growing organism, in particular, as a means of maintaining immunity. Still useful substances of the fruits help the processes of bone formation and improve digestion.

Protects the immunity of the whole body.

Before treating the child with dogwood, it is worth considering several recommendations:

  • Children should not eat dogwood in large quantities.
  • Dogwood-free cornel can be used as an additive to dairy dishes or as a component of fruit salad. Also, jelly, jelly, jams are prepared from them.
  • In order to prevent the occurrence of gastrointestinal infections, the fruits must be carefully processed: wash with running water and rinse with boiling water.

It is necessary to adhere to daily norms:

  • Children under 1 year - 30-50 g (begin to give 1 berry, gradually increasing the amount);
  • 1-2 years - 100 g;
  • 2-3 years - 150 g;
  • 3-6 years - 200 g;

No need to cook dogwood ahead of time, asVitamin C is oxidized and the number of nutrients in the berries decreases.

Benefits and harm for older people

Dogwood is also needed for the elderly. Shaitanova berry improves blood flow, it is considered the prevention of senile changes in blood vessels of the brain. Its use significantly reduces the risk of stroke.

Must be consumed in moderation.

Dogwood is also considered a useful antirheumatic agent. Cornel infusions have a hypotensive effect.

Tip. Elderly people should not eat dogwood in excess - this can provoke insomnia. Otherwise, you must adhere to standard restrictions.

Contraindications and possible harm

Berries are not suitable for everyone.

There are minor contraindications to the use of cornel fruit or dishes and drinks from them:

  • increased acidity of gastric juice;
  • constipation (the number of berries eaten per day should be minimized);
  • You can not enjoy berries or dogwood juice before bedtime.

Tart dogwood fruits have considerable health benefits. Moderate consumption of berries eliminates the negative symptoms of multiple diseases. Devil's berry is also very tasty, and therefore will be a wonderful decoration on the table as part of sauces, jelly, drinks or desserts.