Currant leaves: useful properties and contraindications

This shrub decorates almost all summer cottages. The benefits and harms of currant leaves are known to many for their unique composition. They work effectively when you need to improve your health. Many therapeutic and prophylactic agents are made from the leaves in the form of vitamin decoctions, tinctures.

Chemical composition of currant leaf

The healing properties of the currant leaf are very significant. It has been used since ancient times for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. In addition, even official medicine and pharmacology recognize it. Currant leaf extract is used for the manufacture of many medicines. Such popularity and applicability is characteristic of the plant due to its rich chemical composition.

The benefits of currant leaves for human health are invaluable from the point of view of both traditional and modern medicine. They are able to get rid of many diseases, strengthen the body. It is often recommended to use it during the period of vitamin deficiency, when a person is most inclined to viral, bacterial diseases.

Why are currant leaves useful for men and women

The beneficial properties of currant leaves for women are very important, since their composition is aimed at combating many of their inherent diseases. It is actively used in cosmetology for the preparation of all kinds of masks, baths, for rejuvenation, restoration of the skin and strengthening hair. Teas and decoctions are recommended for colds, diseases of the female genital organs, urinary tract.

The benefits of currant leaves for men are also quite important. Tea based on this component is able to relax after a hard day's work. Especially this option will help people with a busy work schedule, since the drink is a natural energy drink with a guaranteed effect.

Currant leaves during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Currant leaves are not included in the list of contraindicated products during pregnancy. The plant will help improve the condition of the expectant mother, as well as strengthen her immune system. The beneficial properties of this product also apply to the unborn child. The baby will develop normally without any complications.

The properties of currant leaves for nursing mothers are not contraindicated. But the high content of vitamin C in the plant can be harmful, causing allergies in the child. Such cases are quite rare, so doctors are not afraid to advise mothers of tea to restore the body after pregnancy and childbirth, as well as to maintain immunity.

What do currant leaves treat?

Experts often recommend using the beneficial properties of currant leaves in the treatment of many diseases. But before you start actively using this natural remedy, you need to find out what it works.

Due to the high content of vitamin C in the composition, currant leaves are beneficial for coughing. Inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract are very dangerous for health, as a common cold can cause serious illness. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with malaise from the first symptoms, using mostly folk methods. Redcurrant leaves, which are chemically beneficial, can help you withstand seasonal colds more easily and protect you from viruses. When a doctor prescribes an antibiotic, it is worth drinking it along with tea based on this plant for the correct action of the drug.

Currant leaves for diabetes mellitus are more suitable for prevention. Despite this, the component can be found in the complex therapy directly in the treatment of the disease. Currant leaves are used for gastritis, pancreatitis and other problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract, due to the large number of beneficial properties.

In addition to the listed diseases, the properties of the plant are used for prevention and treatment:

• hypertension;
• arteriosclerosis;
• asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• sore throats;
• stomatitis and others.

The use of currant leaves in traditional medicine

The benefits of currant leaves for the human body are very significant due to the significant content of phytoncides, essential oils, vitamins and minerals. Since ancient times, people were treated with what nature provided them, since they did not have the opportunity to synthesize medicines for any diseases. Despite innovations in medicine and pharmacology, many still use non-traditional methods of treatment without harm to health, and in most cases they are more effective and safer than chemical drugs.

A decoction of currant leaves

A decoction of currant leaves is easy to prepare. The useful properties of such a tool are:

• in restoring the body's strength after a serious illness or surgery;
• in protection during colds epidemics;
• in cleansing the body of toxins and toxins;
• in the normalization of the activity of the brain;
• in the removal of eczema and other skin problems.

Cooking steps:

1. You need to chop 6 dry leaves and pour 250 ml of boiled water.
2. Boil the product over low heat for no more than 15 minutes.
3. Then cool and take as directed.

In order not to harm health, it is necessary to agree on portions and time of use with your doctor.

Infusion of currant leaves

The infusion strengthens the immune system, has a calming and antimicrobial effect. It is used for coughs, colds, as well as gout, rheumatism and other diseases associated with the urinary system.

Steps for preparing the infusion:

1. Mix 6 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials from 1 liter. boiling water.
2. Close the lid and keep for 2 hours.
3. Strain before use.

Alcohol tincture on currant leaves

The useful properties of this remedy will help with arthrosis, rheumatism, circulatory disorders, infections of the excretory system. Harm can bring pregnant women, coded, taking psychotropic drugs and in the presence of liver disease.

To prepare the tincture you need:

1. Prepare young leaves, wash them from dust and dry.
2. Then put it up to the top in a jar and pour vodka.
3. Insist for about 2 days.

Healing baths with currant leaves

Many beauticians welcome herbal baths as they help cleanse the skin and give it more elasticity. Also, a similar bathroom is used in case of diseases of the skin, copes well with itching, inflammatory processes of the skin. In addition, such procedures soothe, relax after hard working days without harm to health.

The benefits of currant leaf tea

It is recommended to brew a currant leaf for diseases such as:

• flu;
• angina;
• hypertension;
• diabetes;
• swelling;
• complications of kidney function;
• bleeding.

Such a remedy will help alleviate the course of diseases, will have a positive effect on many organ systems, accelerating their recovery.

How to make tea from currant leaves

Information about the benefits and dangers of tea made from currant twigs, buds and other parts of the plant is already available for review, and everyone can buy such products at the pharmacy. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for brewing a drink, study the technology of creating a drink.

Recipe for classic currant leaf tea

The benefits of tea from currant branches of its leaves are very important for a person suffering from vitamin deficiency or frequent colds.

For cooking you need:

1. Combine 20 g of dry crushed raw materials with 300 ml of boiling water.
2. Leave on for 15 minutes.
3. Strain the mass and apply.
4. Can be sweetened if desired.

Recipe for vitamin tea from currant leaves, raspberries and strawberries

The benefits of tea made from currant leaves with the addition of raspberry and strawberry are significant. To prepare vitamin tea you need:

1. Pour two leaves of currant and one raspberry and one strawberry into hot water in a volume of 0.5 liters.
2. Cover the mixture with a lid and wait 15–20 minutes.
3. Filter the tea and serve.

This tea with currant leaves is well suited for home consumption in winter.

Recipe for tea from currant branches with buds

The benefits of currant buds are little known in our time. Although their vitamin and mineral composition is no less effective and practically does not differ from the composition of the leaves.

To make tea you need:

1. Add currant branches and buds to 50 g of dry raw materials.
2. Stir everything and pour in 1 liter. boiling water.
3. After 10 minutes, strain and drink.

The benefits of currant kidney tea are often underestimated by people and in vain, since it is the best remedy for high body temperatures and nervous breakdowns.

Currant leaves in home cosmetology

Earlier, when there was not such a wide selection of cosmetic products, women used the benefits of plants. Currant leaves were often used to make nutritious masks. They are effective due to their beneficial properties that are aimed at rejuvenating and cleansing the skin.

For hair growth

To accelerate hair growth and strengthen it, you do not have to apply something to it - you just need to reconsider your diet. For this:

1. 2 tbsp. l. dry useful raw materials pour 5 tbsp. hot water.
2. Leave it overnight.
3. In the morning, drink 200 ml four times a day.

Skin whitening mask

In order to whiten the skin of the face with high quality and get rid of freckles, without harm to health, you need:

1. Take 1 egg, 1 tsp. oat flour and 1 tsp.useful dry mixture of currant leaves.
2. Stir all components well, apply on face.
3. After 15 minutes, wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in milk, wash with warm water.

Acne mask

To prepare a mask against acne, acne, you should:

1. Pour 1.5 tbsp into 150 ml of sour milk. l. currant raw materials.
2. Stir well, filter, massage on the face.
3. After 20 minutes, rinse thoroughly.

Body mix

The properties of the nutritional formula are designed for intensive, regenerating skin care for the whole body without harm to health. This unique product is distinguished by a high concentration of natural ingredients. With the help of this mixture, the skin will acquire visual velvety, elasticity. For cooking you will need:

• 4 tbsp. l. dry currant leaves;
• 2 tbsp. l. linden;
• 2 tbsp. l. hop cones;
• 6 tbsp. l. chamomile;
• 6 tbsp. l. mint;
• 2 tbsp. l. turns;
• 4 tbsp. l. thyme;
• 2 tbsp. l. horsetail.

All of the listed ingredients are needed:

1. Pour 8 tbsp. boiling water, cool slightly and add oil.
2. Insist for a day and apply to problem areas of the body.

Possible harm to currant leaves and contraindications

The benefits of black currant leaves have been known to people since ancient times, as well as contraindications for use. Before you include a product in your diet for medicinal purposes, you need to make sure that it does not cause more harm. The main contraindications for currant leaves:

• allergies and individual intolerance to various components in the composition of the product;
• hepatitis;
• increased acidity of the stomach;
• thrombophlebitis;
• increased blood clotting.

In order not to harm health, in the presence of such diseases, you need to consult with your doctor and establish norms for yourself.

When to collect currant leaves

The black currant leaf, which has significant benefits, must be harvested during the flowering of the plant. For these purposes, both wild species and cultivated plants are perfect. The main thing is to choose only those shrubs that have not been subjected to chemical treatment from pests and diseases. It is advisable to choose raw materials without damage and signs of wilting. During collection, the weather must be dry. It is possible to pluck the foliage only after the dew has completely disappeared naturally.

How to keep currant leaves for the winter

You can save raw materials by drying or fermentation. Both processes have their own advantages and disadvantages. In the first case, the useful properties of the product are preserved as much as possible, and in the second, the aroma.

How to dry currant leaves

Put the collected foliage on a baking sheet in one layer and move to dry indoors or into fresh air. In this case, direct exposure to sunlight should be excluded. It is recommended to leave raw materials for a week on paper or dry cloth. It also needs to be checked daily for mold.

To speed up the process, you can use the oven. To do this, parts of the plants must be dried for 15 minutes at a temperature of 100 ° C, and then reduced to 60 ° C and left until they begin to crumble. After the process, transfer them to a paper bag or airtight jar. You can store it for more than a year.

Fermentation of currant leaves

Fermentation is carried out according to the drying principle; after harvesting, the raw materials are left in the shade in a warm room for 12 hours until the center of the leaf becomes elastic. Next, the material must be passed through a meat grinder to squeeze out the maximum amount of juice. Cover the resulting mass with gauze and leave for 6 hours at 25–27 ° С. At the end of the procedure, there should be a smell of fruit, but not mold. Put the resulting mixture in an oven preheated to 100 ° C, and wait until the foliage is completely dry. Then cool and store in a sealed container.

Is it possible to freeze currant leaves

For long-term storage, currant leaves can be frozen. But there is an opinion that such processing will negatively affect the taste and aroma of tea. It is better to freeze the product in a regular paper bag - this way it will be stored much longer, and after brewing it will have a pleasant taste and smell characteristic of the plant.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of currant leaves are information that must be studied before using a medicinal plant for medicinal and preventive purposes. Many different products can be prepared from them, which will positively affect the life of a person and his general well-being.