(thorn), or prickly plum, is a shrub, less often a tree. The fruit is a spherical or oval drupe of blue-black or dark purple color with a bluish waxy coating. Fresh sloe fruits can be stored for up to 20 days.
IN The fruits contain up to 8.9% sugar, 2% organic acids, and up to 1% pectin. They are used to prepare tinctures, jams, juices, compotes, jams, drinks, and wines.
T thorn has a diuretic effect, improves metabolism; thorn products are useful for digestive disorders. Fresh thorn fruits become edible only after the first frost. Roasted fruits along with leaves can serve as a coffee substitute. The leaves are used to brew tea.
Natural thorn juice
T Since the seeds of thorns are difficult to separate, it is most advisable to obtain juice from it by evaporation. The fruits must be sorted and washed in cold water, dry slightly and place in a juicer.
P Pour the resulting hot juice into heated, clean jars, seal them hermetically, turn them upside down and cool.
P used for dietary purposes. Add shadberry to the hot juice, mix thoroughly, pour into heated, clean jars, seal them hermetically, turn them upside down and cool.
Dried sloe
P Dry the sloe fruits in a warm (40°C) stove or oven for 10-12 hours. For better air circulation, raise the stove damper and open the oven doors.
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Sloe fruits are used mainly for the production of wines (table, dessert, strong), low-acid ones - for the preparation of jam, tea substitutes and other products.
It has been established that sloe for winemaking can be used not only in a mixture with other fruits, but also in pure form. The process of alcoholic fermentation is active and during natural fermentation wines with an alcohol content of 14.75-15% are obtained. Sloe wine is distinguished by its high taste and subtle pleasant aroma. The only drawback inherent in wine made from sloe is that the clarification processes occur slowly in it, despite the significant content of tannins. It is known that fully ripe thorn fruits, after they have been “captured” by frost, become less tart; the juice from them is used in some countries to mask the defects of wines.
The fruits of wild thorns are also used for the production of alcoholic beverages (vodka). To do this, they are first subjected to alcoholic fermentation, followed by distillation of the alcoholic liquid.
It is also possible to obtain juices, extracts, syrups from sloe fruits and use them for the production of liqueurs, tinctures, liqueurs and vinegar. It is noted that alcoholic drinks, made from thorns, have a positive effect on digestion.
Sloe fruits contain a significant amount of pectin substances, so they can be used in the confectionery industry in the production of not only jams, but also jams, marshmallows, marmalade, candied fruits, caramel fillings and many other products.
Preserves and jams made from sloe have a characteristic aroma and piquant taste.
Sloes can also be successfully used for the production of marinades - canning with acetic acid, as well as for canning in hermetically sealed containers in the production of compotes.
In some areas, sloe fruits are dried naturally in the sun or under shelters, and also with warm air in fruit and vegetable dryers and in Russian ovens.
Sloe seed kernels are very rich in fat and contain amygdalin, so they can be used to produce fatty and essential bitter almond oils.
Sloe kernel shells can be used in the chemical industry to produce activated carbon.
Fruits, flowers, bark and roots of thorns in folk medicine used as a blood purifier and for gastrointestinal diseases. A decoction of the roots is used for dental disease as a rinse.
Sloe flowers are of great medicinal value as a gentle laxative and emollient.
Dried sloe leaves are used as a tea substitute in some areas.
It should be noted that the peoples of the Caucasus find use for all parts of the thorn plant. In addition to its nutritional and taste value, juice from thorn fruits, boiled in lye, is used to dye linen red.
Sloes can be used to create hedges.
It can be introduced into shelterbelts, used to strengthen ravines and as a rootstock for plum plantations (dwarf) and peach.
Sloes produce brownish-reddish, very hard wood ( specific gravity from 0.71 to 0.94).
Sloe wood, although it has significant hardness and is polished quite well, does not have a beautiful color, warps and cracks; used for the production of tool handles and other purposes. Bark and wood contain a significant amount of tannins, so they can be used in tanning leather. The bark contains dyes, and by adding vitriol to it, you can get black paint and good quality ink; an alkaline decoction of the bark gives a yellow color.
Thorn is a honey plant.
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Valentina Maidurova
An interesting plant grows behind the fence of almost every dacha in Russia. It is quite widespread in other countries. But it is rare that an owner admires a thorny bush and, in extreme cases, tolerates it as good protection from uninvited guests. This plant is called prickly thorn or blackthorn, goat berry is one of ancient plants, mentioned in biblical traditions. In this publication I will tell you about the features of growing blackthorn on the site, about its healing properties and methods of use in medicine, about the rules for collecting and procuring raw materials.
Botanical description of thorny thorn
In modern plant taxonomy thorny thorn (Prunus spinosa) belongs to the pink or rosaceae family (Rosaceae). At the dawn of humanity, while engaged in gathering, people noted and remembered its beneficial properties. Unlike others useful plants, the healing power of the thorn is manifested in all its parts. IN medicinal purposes use roots, branches, bark, leaves, flowers, berries. The medicinal value of the plant is recognized by official medicine. Every year, sloe raw materials are prepared for pharmacies, despite its obvious “harm” - very high “prickliness”.
Since ancient times, healers believed that where thorn seeds sprouted - the land was sacred.
The distribution area of the blackthorn occupies significant areas. It grows throughout the European continent, including Western countries, Asia Minor, Iran, North Africa, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Crimea, Caucasus, North Siberia. Forest edges, abandoned areas, wild gardens, wastelands, slopes of ravines and hills (up to 1200-1400 m above sea level) eventually become overgrown with thorny bushes and in the spring are covered with caps of white-pink flowers of goat berries or prickly plums.
Wild blackthorn(the second name of the plant) belongs to the group of tall shrubs up to 3.0-4.5 m in height or low-growing spreading trees no higher than 5 m. Distinctive feature are very sharp, prickly thorns that thickly cover the trunk and branches of plants. Sloes can grow in individual voluminous bushes with a very branched crown or in a group, occupying an area of several tens of meters. Despite the thorniness, the goats and their “tribe” happily gnaw at the young leaves and twigs of the bush.
Root-sprouting blackthorn(another name for the prickly thorn) forms a powerful root system with underground rhizome and lateral developed roots. With its deeply penetrating roots, the shrub strengthens slopes well (note to owners!) and prevents soil erosion. A magnificent hedge is a decoration of the landscape and protection from the penetration of hares and other “guests” into the territory of the site.
The main trunk is straight, covered with brown or dark reddish, sometimes reddish-brownish bark. With age, numerous trunks branch repeatedly. Blackthorn is distinguished by its particularly durable wood, which looks elegant in small turning and carpentry projects. Numerous annual shoots extend from the rhizome, forming impenetrable thickets. The surface of annual shoots is velvety due to thick soft pubescence. The ends of the branches end in thorns.
The leaves are simple, relatively small, up to 5 cm in length, petiolate, dark green with a serrated-toothed edge of an elongated elliptical shape.
Flowering time depends on the region and the establishment of a constantly warm period, which usually occurs in April. Flowering continues until the second half of May. The aroma of delicate white-pink flowers attracts pollinators with its subtle, pleasant scent. The peculiarity of the prickly thorn is that the flowers open first, enveloping the bush in a white blanket. Bees and bumblebees carefully process flowering plants and only then, with the fading of the flowers, do the leaves appear.
The edible part of the thorn fruit is up to 1.5 cm in diameter; they resemble a small plum, very tart due to the large amount of tannins. The fruit is covered with a thick skin. The pulp is juicy and green. Inside there is a drupe, slightly wrinkled. By appearance ripe fruits dark blue, with a waxy coating, giving the fruits a bluish color. The fruits do not fall and remain on the branches until next spring. They ripen in July-August, but harvesting begins only after the onset of frost.
After frost, the fruits change their chemical composition, partially losing tannins and some organic acids, and acquiring a sweet and sour taste. The fruits of thorns are characterized by high keeping quality and excellent transportability. An adult bush produces 10-14 kg of fruit, so on a plot for internal consumption you can have 1-2 bushes of this perennial, remarkable for its beneficial properties.
Useful properties of thorns
Whether thorns are needed in the country is an idle question. It must be there! All parts of the plant are medicinal, but it is necessary to prepare medicinal raw materials from it in stages, as it accumulates. in different parts plants with beneficial properties:
- flowers and leaves of thorns are effective in harvesting and independent use as a diuretic for cardiac and renal swelling;
- Sloe leaves (teas, decoctions) are useful for capillary fragility and other vascular pathologies;
- fruits are a good diaphoretic and antibacterial agent for fevers, inflammatory and infectious lesions of the body;
- berries have a positive effect on the body in case of diabetes;
- thorn improves metabolism and is therefore useful for gout, as it has the ability to remove salts from the body;
- The leaves and fruits, as well as condensed thorn juice, are used alone and in collections to treat dysentery.
Proper procurement of thorn raw materials
In early spring, in March, when pruning bushes harvest bark thorns from healthy ones - the main trunk and adult branches. The bark is removed completely from cut parts, and from uncut parts only in small sections so that the wounds can heal quickly. It is necessary to trim the “living” bark very carefully so as not to damage the wood. If it is damaged, the entire branch dies. The bark is cut into separate pieces 2-5 cm long, dried in the sun or in a dryer at +50...+60°C.
During the period of mass budding (early April) they begin harvesting flowers turn Half-blooming and blossoming (but not fading) inflorescences are picked or cut off (not washed) and laid out in a thin layer (up to 5 cm) in the shade on burlap, natural fabric, other water-absorbing material or a paper pallet. The raw materials are stirred regularly to prevent them from becoming moldy.
After complete flowering begins harvesting sheet raw materials. Only the largest, undamaged leaves are selected. Like flowers, they are placed on mats and dried in the shade in a draft or in dryers at a temperature of +45...+50°C.
Young 1-2 year olds thorn shoots prepare in midsummer (June). It is then that young shoots contain the greatest concentration of natural compounds beneficial to health. They are dried in the same way as leaves. Can be dried by hanging in loose small panicles in shaded, drafty places. It is necessary to check regularly to ensure that there is no mold.
It happens to be more stretched fruit picking. It starts in September. During this period, the greenish fruits contain a large amount of tannins and are harvested for medicinal purposes. With the onset of frost (early to mid-October), ripe sloe fruits are harvested. They lose some of their tannins, become softer, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste(not for everyone). The fruits are used as tea leaves or in the form of other medicines homemade for a wide range of diseases and for the preparation of winter canned products - preserves, jams, marshmallows, candied fruits, marinades, liqueurs, wine, flavoring of vodka, compotes, jelly, etc.
Fresh sloe fruits can be frozen and used in winter as a product rich in vitamins and other useful substances. Prepared berries (selected healthy, washed, air-dried) are placed in the freezer for 2-3 hours and poured into paper bags or plastic containers and stored in the freezer.
They start in late autumn harvesting sloe roots. The roots are washed under running water cold water, dried from excess surface moisture and finally dried in dryers, electric ovens and other devices that provide a faster process.
Turn – medicinal plant, whose leaves, bark, flowers, and fruits are healing. © Ahmet Sürücü
Duration of storage of raw materials
Dry raw materials (except roots) are stored for no more than a year in paper bags or bags made of natural fabric. A semi-dark, well-ventilated room is suitable for storage. Frozen fruits are best used within six months. Bark and roots are stored for up to 3 years
The value of the chemical composition of thorns
The concentration of useful substances in thorn raw materials depends on the region, but their list remains unchanged.
Vegetative parts thorns, including roots, bark, leaves, young shoots contain:
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- phytoncides;
- bitterness.
Vegetative parts have the following healing effects on the body as part of decoctions and tinctures:
- antioxidant,
- antibacterial,
- anti-inflammatory, it ensures good digestion;
- cardiac stimulant
- antidiarrheal.
Sloe flowers in teas and decoctions they have a therapeutic effect on the body, including:
- diaphoretic;
- expectorant (for respiratory diseases);
- antibacterial;
- laxative;
- diuretic;
- antianemic effect;
- normalizes the biochemical composition of the blood.
Prepared drink - good remedy for colds, autumn infections associated with diseases of the throat and bronchi.
Be careful!
- When using thorns at home for treatment, be sure to consult a doctor; thorns, although rare, are contraindicated for allergy sufferers;
- The berries can be consumed by children and pregnant women;
- Fresh berries with a “weak stomach” they provoke gastrointestinal upset;
- The broth is filtered and the seeds are removed; the decoction should not be stored together with fruits; the seeds in the broth form toxic components that cause poisoning;
- The fruits stain tooth enamel with a bluish tint, which lasts for several days and is gradually washed off; It does not cause any obvious harm to the enamel, but is not aesthetically pleasing.
Thorn is ideal for creating hedges. © Rense Haveman
Reproduction and planting of thorns
Where to place prickly thorns on the site?
Prickly thorn grows equally successfully in the sun, shade and partial shade. The soil and its type (due to the deeply penetrating root system) have virtually no effect on the growth and development of the plant. Wild blackthorn can withstand frosts down to -40°C and reacts little to return frosts. It does not need watering or systematic feeding. But he is an “invader”, displacing cultivated plants. Therefore, for planting thorns, it is better to set aside a place at the end of the garden or form hedge, separated from the rest of the garden, vegetable garden, berry patch by buried slate or other non-decomposing material up to 1 m deep.
Thorn is a self-fertile (bears fruit annually) and early-fruiting crops. Forms the first harvest from 2-3 years to infinity. This is what they say about thorns - “a thorn bush is never empty.”
Reproduction of thorny thorns
The shrub reproduces by seed and vegetative methods. At home, it is more practical to propagate it by root shoots.
At seed propagation Sloe seeds are scarified and sown in the fall to a depth of 5-7 cm. During the winter they undergo nostrification. In spring, friendly shoots appear. The transplant can be done in the spring or autumn of next year or at 2 years of age. The most developed undergrowth is selected and planted (when forming a hedge) in 1-2 rows with a distance between plants in a row of 0.8-1.0 m and between rows - up to 2 meters.
If it is planned to plant 1-3 bushes at the dacha, they are planted at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other. Upon landing root collar The seedling should remain 3-4 cm above the soil level. Immediately after planting, the above-ground part is cut to a height of 15-25 cm. Such low pruning stimulates the growth and branching of the bush. In the second year of growth and development of plantings, low pruning is repeated again and at the same time all annual root shoots are removed - weak, crooked, growing inward, thickening. They leave strong, well-developed, upward-growing shoots that will form the height of the bush.
Starting from 4-5 years of age, sanitary pruning is carried out annually in March, removing excess thickening shoots and thinning out dense thickets. Usually 4-6 main stems are left, the rest are removed at the root and for rejuvenation, 1-2 annual shoots are selected, which replace the aged non-fruiting branches.
Attention for vaccine lovers! Thorn is an excellent rootstock; it increases the winter hardiness and resistance of the scion to unfavorable conditions environment.
Diseases and pests of thorns
Diseases
This shrub practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. Sometimes (very rarely) during a long wet spring, the crown may be damaged by gray rot. Monilia fungus penetrates the pistil of the flower. The disease begins from the upper young shoots. Foliage after protective measures grows, but the fruits crack and rot immediately or during storage.
In northern conditions, the affected bushes can be treated with chorus, according to the recommendations indicated on the package. The waiting period is at least 30-35 days before harvesting. Horus is the only drug that acts at low (down to sub-zero) temperatures. In cold regions, it is still better to avoid chemicals and treat the bushes copper sulfate(no more than 1% solution) or Bordeaux mixture, as well as biofungicides Gamair, Trichopolum. And according to reviews experienced gardeners, just spray the diseased bushes with a weak solution of vinegar or ammonia. In my personal garden, thorns have never been sick.
If medicinal raw materials are to be harvested from the bush, use chemicals to protect the bush from diseases and pests it is impossible.
Prickly thorns practically do not get sick and are not damaged by pests. © イッギ ドロゥーゲ
Pests
During epiphytotic invasions, aphids pose a danger to thorns. By sucking the juice from young shoots and leaves, it is able to simultaneously infect the plant with a pathogenic virus. Considering that aphids appear already in the warm period, chemicals cannot be used to protect plants.
If there are few aphids, they are simply washed off the bush with strong pressure of water. If the infestation is high enough, you can treat the plants with biological products (Fitoverm, Actofit), which are used to control aphids on other fruit trees and shrubs, or prepare homemade solutions.
Several treatments with an ash or soap-ash solution with a break of 5-8 days, spraying with a working solution of tobacco infusion with the addition of soap, and birch tar will help to quickly and without harm to the body destroy aphids. For preventive purposes, you can spray thorn bushes with a 3-5% urea solution late in the fall (after the leaves have fallen and the bushes have gone to winter rest).
Blackthorn is a shrub that has long been known in many countries of the world. Some people associate it with Jesus Christ (it was from this plant that his wreath was made), but most often the thorn is famous for its beneficial properties, allowing it to be used as a medicinal raw material. In this regard, questions arise about how to properly dry thorns and what can be prepared from them.
Calorie content and chemical composition of sloe
Before moving on to discussing the beneficial properties of thorn berries, leaves or flowers, it is worth talking about its calorie content and chemical composition. There are only 54 kcal per 100 grams of product, due to which it can be called low-calorie. Sloes also contain 1.5 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat and 9.4 g of carbohydrates (per 100 g).
Blackthorn fruits contain glucose, fructose, fiber, malic acid, pectin, tannins, vitamins A (VE), E, C and B2. Among the microelements included in the composition, one cannot fail to note iron, which accounts for 10.6% per 100 grams of product. It is also worth remembering about macroelements: potassium (9.6% of the required daily norm), calcium (3.2%), magnesium (4.3%). The berries of the plant are also characterized by the content of phosphorus, iron and sodium, which also has a positive effect on medicinal properties ah sloe.
A large amount of vitamins C and E is contained in the leaves of the bush, where they are harmoniously combined with phenol carbonic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids.
Did you know? In many beliefs and legends, the thorn is a symbol of suffering, trials and difficulties that befall a person. However, having overcome them, he becomes the owner of many benefits. Considering the beneficial properties of the shrub, this is partly true.
Useful and healing properties of thorns
As you can see, the fruits of the blackthorn contain a lot of valuable and beneficial substances for human health: sugars, organic acids, fiber, etc. Due to this, they have a diuretic (diuretic), astringent, diaphoretic and antiseptic effect. This means that such berries are excellent for normalizing the functioning of the digestive system (useful for indigestion, diarrhea), relieving nausea, stopping vomiting, and destroying germs and bacteria.
In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the bush are often used, from which herbalists brew teas (acting as a homemade diuretic, laxative and healing agent), infusions (bandages soaked in them are applied as compresses to wounds, which significantly reduces the healing time). Together with the berries, the leaves of this miraculous plant are excellent as an auxiliary remedy for diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, nephritis, urolithiasis. You can also use thorn fruits to increase your appetite. Simply put, knowing the appropriate recipes, you can safely use any part of the plant for treatment.
The use of thorns for medicinal purposes
The beneficial properties of berries, leaves, flowers and even rhizomes of thorns have been found Widely used in alternative (folk) medicine. Thus, sloe copes well with edema, dysentery, candidiasis, vaginitis, nonspecific colitis and general intoxication of the body. In case of food poisoning, eating blackthorn berries allows you to quickly cleanse the body of toxins and improve the functioning of the digestive tract. A decoction prepared from thorn branches is an excellent aid in the treatment of gout, and also helps remove uric acid salts from the body.
Antioxidants and flavonoids, which are part of the berries, reduce capillary permeability and improve blood circulation, promoting blood clotting. Knowing the benefits of sloe and wanting to test its beneficial properties from your own experience, the following recipes for preparing teas, decoctions or infusions will come in handy.
Important! The seeds of the plant's fruits contain a toxic glycoside - amygdalin, which splits off hydrocyanic acid, so you should get rid of them immediately.
Sloe flower and leaf tea
Sloe flower and leaf tea Used for cystitis, chronic constipation and prostate adenoma. In addition, it has a pleasant taste and aroma, thanks to which this drink can be drunk daily as a general tonic.
It is not difficult to prepare such tea: dried sloe leaves and flowers are mixed, and then two full teaspoons of the raw material (with the top) are poured into ¼ liter of water, after which the resulting composition should be slowly brought to a boil and strained. Tea is consumed daily, but no more than two cups per day.
Sloe juice
Not only is dried thorn useful, but also juice from fresh berries. In particular, it helps get rid of jaundice, and also acts as an antibacterial agent, providing negative impact on Giardia and other protozoa. It is also effective when skin diseases, in the treatment of which appropriate compresses will help.
To prepare the juice, the pulp of the bush fruit is separated from the seed, heated to 60-70°C and kneaded into a paste. The juice squeezed out of it can be consumed immediately or rolled into jars.
Thorn flower infusion
Infusion prepared from thorn flowers has a positive effect on metabolism and also normalizes liver function. Essentially, it is prepared in the same way as tea: 40 g of dried flowers are poured into a glass of boiling water and left to brew for 40 minutes, after which it is filtered and drunk 150 ml three times a day. This recipe is also suitable in cases where you need to get an effective laxative from the flowers of the bush. In addition, if you have problems with the liver, kidneys, bladder and colds, the following infusion will be useful: 40 g of blackthorn flowers are poured into a glass of warm boiled water and after infusion, filter for 10 hours. You need to take the product before meals four times a day, ¼ cup.
Prepare an infusion using thorn leaves, very simple: for one glass hot water you need one tablespoon of crushed leaves of the plant, after which the resulting composition must be boiled over medium heat for 15 minutes. After the liquid has cooled, it is filtered and squeezed out. The finished infusion is taken ½ of a glass (a full glass is also possible) three times a day before meals. This remedy has good diuretic properties, so it is recommended to use it for edema, diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system.
Sloe leaves are also often used to heal wounds and ulcers, in the treatment of which fresh parts of the bush are simply applied to sore spots, and dried ones are steamed in boiling water and compresses are made from them.
Tincture of sloe berries
Its berries are also suitable for preparing sloe tincture. Pre-prepared fruits of the bush (it is advisable not to wash them, but simply select good and undamaged ones) are poured into a jar and filled with vodka, so that the berries are covered 5 cm above their level. The tincture requires constant monitoring, and as the vodka is absorbed, it must be topped up. After three months, the liquid is drained and sugar is added to the berries (10 kg of fruit will require 1.5 kg of sugar). After this, the fruits need to be kept for another month (until syrup forms), and then filtered and mixed with the liquid that was separated at the very beginning. Within six months you will feel the incredible aroma of the tincture.
Berry decoction
An incredibly useful and restorative remedy is decoction of sloe berries, to prepare which you will need to pour 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried raw materials with a glass of boiling water, leaving it to steep for 1 hour. Take the liquid on an empty stomach (in the morning) for 4 days. A decoction of blackthorn berries can be used to increase appetite, as well as as a diuretic, astringent and antiseptic.
Decoction of bark and roots
The roots and bark of thorns, as well as other parts of the bush, have a number of medicinal properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that various decoctions of them are often used in folk medicine. The roots are harvested in the fall, for which these parts are first dug up and left in the sun for a short time. At the second stage, the raw materials prepared in this way should be placed in a special dryer or in a conventional oven for further drying (as a result, the roots should break easily without changing their color much).
There are several cooking methods decoction of thorn bark and roots. When using the first option, one part of dried roots and bark contains 20 parts of water. The resulting mixture is brought to a boil and left to simmer in a water bath for 20 minutes. Cool the finished product and take 1-2 tablespoons 4-5 times a day. This decoction is excellent as an antipyretic and diaphoretic.
For the second method, 5 g of crushed root or bark is brewed in 200 ml of boiling water, then placed on water bath and boil for 30 minutes, and then allow to brew for another hour. The finished cooled and strained decoction should be taken three times a day, 1/3 cup (after meals).
If desired, you can prepare a decoction only from the bark. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of dry crushed raw materials with a glass of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. The finished product can be used instead of tea. For douching, one glass of broth should be diluted with boiled water in a 1:1 ratio.
Decoction of thorn roots can be used for diarrhea and during respiratory diseases, and also improves general condition patient with malaria.
Decoction of young shoots and branches
Another good diaphoretic is decoction of finely chopped, pre-dried thorn branches(in its action, this remedy is not inferior to raspberries and has an antipyretic effect). To prepare such a decoction, pour 1 teaspoon of the raw material into a glass of boiling water and leave to simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. The product should be consumed warm, but there are no dosage requirements.
Methods for preparing and storing raw materials from thorns
Whatever you decide to cook with berries or sloe leaves, in any case, they must first be sorted out and washed. If you picked the fruits yourself, you can simply rinse them, while purchased berries are washed more thoroughly, changing the water several times.
Flowers are prepared during their budding period, and leaves - immediately after flowering. Young shoots must be collected and harvested in May or June. At this time they can be dried well fresh air, in the wind or in the shade, and also placed in a ventilated area. The bark can be removed from the tree before it blooms, and the roots are best dug up in the fall. Later, after drying them a little in the sun, you can dry them in ovens.
Sloe fruits can be harvested as they ripen, but it is better after the first frost. They are well suited for making compotes (can be rolled into jars for the winter), wines, tinctures, syrups, marmalades and even pickles. Any product will have an attractive color, pleasant smell and original sweet and sour taste.
To preserve fruits, you can also use freezing, but in this case you should not forget that Before packing the berries, you need to remove the seeds from them.
Thorn is a shrub of the Rosaceae order, popularly called prickly plum. This popular name was given to him because of the fruit, vaguely reminiscent of plums small sizes. But this is perhaps the only similarity between fruit tree and bushes. After all, the taste and beneficial properties of the thorn are very different from its blue-violet counterpart. Having a unique chemical composition, the berries become real medicine . But, of course, provided that it is used correctly. And today we will tell you in detail about teren: the benefits and harms of the plant, its use in healthy cooking and folk medicine.
Composition of the thorn
Also in large quantities B vitamins, vitamin C, E and PP are present. Regarding minerals, then in berries you can find almost the entire periodic table, at least its useful component. So, if there is a lack of potassium, calcium, iodine, zinc, sodium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus in the body, it is quite possible to compensate for the deficiency by regularly eating sloe berries.
With all this, thorns are a low-calorie product. His nutritional value is only 55 kcal per 100 g of berries. So they may well be included in the diet as a source of vitamins and minerals.
Benefits of thorns for the body
The uniqueness of the thorn is that Almost all parts of the plant can be taken for medicinal purposes, with the exception of the seeds..
Useful properties of the plant:
- Fresh sloe fruits, compotes, jelly and berry jam have a laxative effect, which allows them to be used effectively for the treatment of chronic constipation. In addition, they normalize the functioning of the digestive system, relieve bloating and help solve the problem of chronic flatulence. Thanks to its enveloping effect on the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract, regular consumption of thorn fruits reduces the risk of developing stomach ulcers, gastritis and colitis.
- Thorn has a cleansing effect on all organs. With its help, it is advisable to cleanse the body of toxins, toxins and other toxic substances accumulated in it. This same cleansing property helps to normalize the intestinal microflora and reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms living in its various parts.
- The cleansing effect of thorns also extends to the liver and kidneys. Hence the widespread practice of including berries in the complex treatment of liver diseases.
- Thorn has an expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. This makes it possible to effectively use it in the complex fight against various diseases viral and bacterial etiology.
- Following useful property sloe berries - normalization of work nervous system. Infusions and compotes from fruits help get rid of dizziness, relieve irritability and attacks of “nervous” nausea. The recipes effectively solve the problems of depression and constant stress, providing a slight calming effect.
- The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of the berries have found application in dental treatment. And the astringent property is used in the treatment of diseases of the gums and oral mucosa.
- It is also useful to eat thorns for people suffering from diseases. cardiovascular system. Due to the high potassium content, the berries have a strengthening effect on blood vessels and heart muscle. And normalizing heart rhythms prevents the development of many heart diseases. In addition, eating berries helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and normalize blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension.
- Rich vitamin composition allows you to intensify work immune system by directing the work protective forces to prevent the development of diseases and combat existing chronic pathologies.
- Fresh sloe berries have also found their use in cosmetology. Masks and other cosmetics with pulp are used to treat acne, acne and pustular rashes.
- The benefits of sloe berries for women are the elimination of PMS symptoms and the reduction of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
- Thorn is also useful for men, as it normalizes the functioning of the prostate gland. And this, in turn, is an excellent prevention of prostate adenoma.
There are several recipes effective diets for weight loss along with sloe berries. Helping to establish metabolic processes and actively absorb the food you eat, eating fruits prevents the appearance of fatty deposits.
Why are thorns dangerous for the body?
Assessment of the harm of thorns to the body is carried out on an individual basis. Thus, berries are dangerous for people with diseases caused by high acidity of the stomach, gastritis and stomach ulcers in the acute stage. The possibility of a severe allergic reaction when eating fresh juicy fruits should not be ruled out.
Common adverse reactions:
- staining of tooth enamel with a bluish tint (removed naturally after a few days);
- weight gain due to uncontrolled consumption of berries in products with a large number sugar (for example, jam).
The seeds of sloe berries contain amygdalin, a toxic substance that reacts with the aquatic environment. Therefore, ready-made sweet dishes, jelly and compotes prepared without removing the seeds cannot be stored for long periods of time.
What is useful to cook from thorns?
Few people know that fresh berries perfectly complement ready-made main courses and light vegetable salads . But the most common ways to use sloe are compotes, decoctions and jam. Let's talk about them.
Compote
For 1.5 liters of pure water you will need approximately 200 g of berries, half a glass of sugar and a little citric acid (on the tip of a knife). Pour the washed berries with water and add citric acid. Bring to a boil, add sugar and leave to simmer for 20-30 minutes. It is recommended to strain the finished compote before use..
Useful medicinal decoction
A decoction is prepared from dense fruits in which the integrity of the peel is not compromised.. Rinse 2 tbsp. berries and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Cover the container with a lid and leave for 1 hour. Strain the finished broth and use according to the recipe, depending on the type of disease.
Sloe jam (seedless)
To make healthy jam, peel 2 kg of berries from the seeds and sprinkle them with sugar (about 0.5 kg). Without stirring, leave the container with the berries overnight.
The next morning, boil the berries until tender. If before cooking you find that the juice released is not enough, you can add a little boiled water.
Place the finished jam in sterilized jars and seal. Store preferably in the refrigerator.
To enhance and diversify the taste, you can add vanilla or cinnamon to the sloe jam before turning it off.
In order for the thorn to be truly beneficial and not cause any harm to the body, you must approach the selection and consumption of berries wisely:
- Berry picking begins after the first frost. When buying sloe at the market, choose fruits without signs of rot or other defects.
- The amount of healthy thorns is 100 g per serving. It is recommended to enjoy berries no more than twice during the week.
- The maximum amount of useful substances is contained in the fresh fruits of the plant. Fresh berries cannot be stored for more than 7-10 days. Dried, frozen and dried sloe can be stored for a year.
- To benefit your figure, it is recommended to eat thorns along with other berries and fruits, lean meats, herbs and vegetables. Which do not contain starch.
Like this useful product– thorn berries. And if you have no contraindications to their use, you can independently evaluate their beneficial effects on the body. Just remember to follow the tips above.
