Useful properties of chokeberry, simple recipes

Chokeberry is a fruit tree with the official name "chokeberry". Chokeberry has unique healing properties, few people know about this fruit shrub, which is able to eliminate the symptoms of many different diseases. The benefits and harms of black chokeberry depend on the methods of its preparation and the predicted effect on the human body.

The homeland of chokeberry is considered the east of the northern part of America. Distribution in Russia began thanks to I. Michurin: he discovered a shrub and advised it for cultivation in the northern territories of Russia. In honor of Michurin, one of the varieties is named - "Michurin's aronia". Specialists of the Altai Research Center for the introduction of fruit crops have developed several varieties that are suitable for growing in the middle lane. Large-fruited varieties of black chokeberry appeared after crossing with bird cherry, hawthorn.

The chemical composition and caloric content of chokeberry

The benefits and harms of black mountain ash depend on the chemical composition of its fruits. They contain up to 80 g of water, about 11 g of carbohydrates, 1.5 g of proteins and organic acids, less than half a gram of fat, about 5 g of dietary fiber. This distribution has a caloric value of 55 kcal.

Among vitamins, the content is highest:

• choline;
• beta-carotene;
• vitamin A;
• vitamin C.

The rest of the group of vitamins is presented in equal proportions. The presence of all vitamins makes the berry one of those that are classified as multivitamins.

Among the micro and macro elements are present:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• iron;
• zinc;
• iodine;
• vanadium.

The benefits of black chokeberry for the human body are determined by the presence of fatty acids.

The compounds of the elements make the berry healthy. In terms of its qualities, it is comparable to a natural antioxidant - sea ​​buckthorn and citrus fruits, which are high in vitamin C.

The benefits of black rowan for the body

The properties of chokeberry berries determine their effect on the human body:

• high content of potassium, antioxidant elements, vitamins of group B, A, and C help blood vessels to function naturally, this is especially useful in the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• a healthy drink made from berries improves blood counts, makes the blood less viscous - due to the content of a whole list of vitamins and their chemical reactions;
• increased water content contributes to the provision of a diuretic effect;
• the iodine content makes black chokeberry especially useful for people who suffer from diseases associated with disorders of the endocrine gland;
• the content of vitamin C contributes to the fact that mountain ash is used as a remedy for strengthening the immune system or as a cure for the first symptoms of the disease (chokeberry juice is especially useful).

For women

Iodine in the composition of black chokeberry berries becomes the cause of benefits for women's health in cases where violations are observed:

• in the production of hormones due to malfunctions of the endocrine system;
• frequency of menstrual cycles;
• indicators of the emotional background.

The medicinal properties of chokeberry, with regular use, improve the general well-being of women, and help prevent nervous disorders.

For men

The medicinal properties of chokeberry are used in the prevention of prostate adenoma in men. This mechanism is explained by the presence of a whole complex of vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

For children

The use of black chokeberry is contraindicated in children under 3 years of age. Taking berries with a high content of tannins is not recommended for children due to the unformed intestines. Berries can cause constipation in children: in this case, harm can be done to the child's intestines.

The benefits of berries can be justified after reaching 3 to 4 years of age. Introduction to the child's diet should be gradual in order to be able to assess the body's response in a timely manner.

Is chokeberry possible for pregnant and lactating women

Despite the fact that chokeberry is a storehouse of multivitamins, its benefits can turn into harm for pregnant women in some cases:

• with a tendency to constipation;
• with exacerbation of chronic gastritis, ulcers.

Useful properties for pregnant women are considered:

• normalization of hemoglobin levels;
• cleansing the body of harmful toxins;
• regulation of the psychological state;
• normalization of blood pressure.

One of the beneficial benefits of the berry is considered its hypoallergenicity. This is especially important for women who are carrying a baby.

For nursing mothers, chokeberry is beneficial as a means of increasing the saturation level of breast milk. Chokeberry-based drinks have a property useful for young mothers - they help to activate the lactation process.

Chokeberry increases or decreases blood pressure

The beneficial properties of black chokeberry berries are especially valuable for hypertensive patients. It helps to lower blood pressure. This does not mean that people with high blood pressure should consume berry-based juices and jams without controlling their volumes.

If you have the slightest doubt about the benefits, you need to find out the opinion of a specialist, attending physician or consultant with medical education.

With reduced pressure, you should also not completely exclude a healthy berry from the diet. Chokeberry juice can be mixed with other juices in equal amounts.

Black mountain ash is of undoubted benefit in normalizing blood pressure, provided that it is consumed in moderation.

Healing recipes with chokeberry

The centuries-old experience of traditional medicine keeps many healthy recipes based on a unique berry. With its help, infusions, teas, decoctions, as well as products for external use are prepared. The benefits of chokeberry compote are especially great in dietary and children's diets.

Chokeberry juice

Chokeberry juice has beneficial properties. Berries harvested in late autumn are suitable for cooking. By this period, the berries become deep black with a brownish tint.

1. The bunches are removed into a suitable container, and cleaned of twigs before cooking.
2. After they are washed and allowed to drain excess moisture.
   
3. Then 1.8 kg of raw materials are poured into 2 tbsp. water, put on fire and blanch for 15 - 20 minutes.
4. Transfer the hot berry to a sieve, grind it with a metal spoon or crush.
5. The resulting liquid is poured into a separate container - this is the concentrated rowan juice.
6. The cake is poured with a small amount of hot water, left for 2 hours.
7. Then it is filtered and the resulting liquid is mixed with the concentrate, sugar is added to taste and boiled for 15 minutes.
8. Hot juice is poured into glass bottles, rolled up with lids, and stored.

To speed up the process, you can use:

• juicer;
• juice cooker;
• meat grinder.

Aronia broth

Dry berries are usually used for decoction.

2 tbsp. l. fruits are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, insisted under a lid for 20 - 30 minutes. The benefits of rowan decoction are in relieving the symptoms of a cold, with a sore throat, as a preventive measure during the epidemic season.

Chokeberry tea

For brewing, take 100 g of leaves, add 2 tbsp. l. dry fruits, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist in a thermos for about an hour. The drink helps:

• normalize hormonal levels;
• cope with depressive conditions;
• help prevent colds.

Chokeberry wine

Homemade wine drink is one of the best examples of homemade winemaking.

• For 5 kg of berries take:
• 1 liter of water;
• 1 kg of sugar;
• 60 g raisins.

Cooking steps:

1. The berries are thoroughly kneaded, sugar and raisins are added to them, and removed to a warm place for 3 to 7 days.
2. After the berries rise up, the liquid is filtered, the juice from the berries is squeezed out by hand.
3. 0.5 kg of sugar is poured into the remaining cake and water is added, again left for fermentation.
4. After 3 - 7 days, the resulting juice is poured into a single container, covered with gauze and removed to a dark, warm place.
5. This is the preparation of the future wine. Wine fermentation takes 25 to 50 days. Readiness is judged by appearance.

A quality product becomes:

• transparent;
• clarified;
• without impurities and sediment.

In terms of its properties, chokeberry wine is similar to perennial aged grape wines.

A healthy drink is stored in a cool room in a tightly sealed bottle. An open container can cause the release of substances, the wine will become harmful when used, therefore, special attention is paid to storage conditions.

Chokeberry tincture

Self-preparation of the tincture involves the use of vodka or other strong alcohol.

• 1 kg of berries;
• 1 liter of vodka;
• 300 - 400 g of sugar.

The ingredients are mixed, removed to a dark place for 2 months. During this period, the jar is periodically shaken. After infusion, the drink is filtered and poured into prepared storage containers.

The benefits of black mountain ash, infused with vodka, are also found in external use as a warming and tonic agent.

Chokeberry pouring

For the preparation of the liqueur, preparation methods are used, similar to those of the infusion method. The peculiarity of the liqueur lies in the addition of additional components. It is often prepared with the addition of honey to taste. Adding cinnamon and cloves is considered one option.

The benefits of such a tincture of chokeberry are enhanced by the additional properties of the added components.

Chokeberry liqueur

Liqueur is called a tincture with the addition of additional components and a reduction in the infusion period:

• 1 kg of berries;
• 150 g cherry leaves;
• 1 kg of sugar;
• 1 liter of water;
• 0.5 l of vodka;
• citric acid, orange.

Preparation:

1. The fruits are poured with water, covered with sugar, juice and orange peel are added.
2. The mixture is boiled, insisted for 2-3 days, then alcohol is added, covered with a lid and put away for storage.
3. You can start tasting in 20 - 30 days.

When taking homemade liqueur, you should observe a moderate dosage so as not to provoke harm to the body.

Chokeberry syrup

In the process of preparing the syrup, a liquid is obtained, as well as a cake from which the jam is made.

1. The berries are poured with boiling water at the rate of 4: 1.
2. Wrap up, leave for a day.
3. Then the liquid is filtered.
4. The remaining berries are used for jam or jam, and the drink is bottled and rolled up or boiled with added sugar.

Chokeberry jam

For healthy jam, use the berries left after processing.

For 1 kg of fruit, take 1.5 kg of sugar and 250 ml of water. The sugar syrup is boiled, then the prepared berries are added to it. The mixture is boiled for 12 minutes, stirring. Allow to rest for 3 hours, then boil again. The procedure is repeated 3 times. After boiling, the jam is poured into jars for further storage.

The benefits of taking chokeberry jam are associated with its astringent effects: this has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora.

The use of chokeberry in cosmetology

The unique medicinal properties of chokeberry are used in cosmetology. Antioxidants, tannins and beneficial elements have a positive effect on the skin of the face. They provide:

• tonic effect;
• anti-inflammatory effect;
• anti-aging effect.

Anti-wrinkle mask

Designed for aging skin to replenish nutritional deficiencies, enhance collagen synthesis.

• rowan juice - 20 ml;
• starch - 10 g;
• rice germ oil - 20 drops.

Squeeze out the juice, add it to cornstarch and cereal oil. Stir everything well. Spread the mask on the steamed skin with a cosmetic brush. Leave for 35 minutes, then wash off with cool water.

Rowan scrub

An exfoliating agent is prepared from dried rowan berries, which are crushed to a powdery state using a coffee grinder and distributed along massage lines on slightly moisturized face skin, gently massaging it for 3 to 5 minutes. In addition to cleansing, the benefits of the scrub are also firming and refreshing.

Chokeberry Lotion

Insist 10 g of rowan berries per 100 ml of alcohol, then the finished composition is diluted with water or herbal decoctions in a proportion of 1 tsp. tinctures for 300 ml of base liquid.

The lotion has the beneficial medicinal properties of shrinking pores, whitening pigmentation and speeding up the metabolism of skin cells.

Decoctions of young leaves of mountain ash are beneficial for the appearance of the hair: they strengthen the structure, activate growth.

Chokeberry harm and contraindications

Despite the numerous beneficial properties, there are a number of contraindications for the use of chokeberry:

1. It can be harmful to health during periods of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, stomach diseases with high acidity.
2. Chokeberry fruits can cause harm in thrombophlebitis, in which case clogging of the veins is possible.
3. Do not take berries if you have a tendency to constipation, chokeberry promotes a strengthening effect, which can cause harm for those who have difficulty digesting food.

How to choose a chokeberry

If it is not possible to grow chokeberry in a summer cottage, it can be purchased at a supermarket or at the market.

The choice of berries is carried out according to several criteria:

• even saturated color;
• no damage, bruises;
• characteristic smell;
• with light pressure, a bright brown juice is released.

When choosing fruits in a supermarket, you need to pay attention to the packaging. It must be transparent in order to be able to assess the appearance of the fetus.

The fruits can be purchased frozen. For the purchase, you should choose smooth and completely black berries on which there is no ice crust. If frost has formed on the berries, this means that it was defrosted and re-frozen.Such fruits lose their beneficial properties, can be harmful when taken or added to other dishes.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of chokeberry are concepts that exist at the same time. Excessive consumption of berries or drinks based on them can harm the body. But a moderate intake with analysis of the signals of your own body will help get rid of the symptoms of various diseases and saturate with nutrients. The multivitamin complex of the composition will replace the pharmaceutical preparation and will be many times more useful.