Lingonberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications

Lingonberry is a plant that is valuable not only in fragrant scarlet berries. Almost all parts of the shrub can be used for medicinal purposes. But the highest value is the leaves. They contain a large number of active substances that affect the nervous system and immunity, restoring the composition of the blood. Lingonberry leaves can be harvested for future use and used all year round for various diseases and disorders.

Chemical composition

Lingonberry berries are considered almost a panacea for all diseases. But other parts of this plant possess the same properties. Leaves are indispensable in alternative medicine, because they have a rich composition. Chemical analysis of plant materials revealed that it contains such substances:

• volatile;
• arbutin;
• tannins;
• antioxidants;
• organic acids;
• B vitamins;
• routine;
• ascorbic acid;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• iron.

Thanks to these substances, which are preserved during the drying process, lingonberry leaves have a beneficial effect on the human body. They do not lose their value even during prolonged storage (up to 1 year).

Collection and storage

There is an opinion that lingonberry leaves can be collected and dried at any time. But this is not so. For the procurement of raw materials you need to choose the right moment, otherwise it will not be useful for use for therapeutic purposes. The fact is that during the growing season, when the berries are formed and ripen, the plant directs all resources to them. Therefore, active substances are not concentrated in the foliage. The best time to start harvesting is early spring, when flowering has not yet begun. After harvesting the berries, you can also harvest leaves.

The most common collection option is cutting off small processes, branches with leaves. It is necessary to put them in a basket or in a box so that during transportation they do not damage or crush. If a bag or a fabric bag is used for collection, you need to make sure that the leaves do not wrinkle and do not tamp them.

You can dry in many ways. If the house has an electric fruit dryer - you can load the ripped leaves onto pallets, turn on the low temperature mode and after 4-6 hours get the finished raw materials. It is possible to spread a clean diaper in the old fashioned way and lay out the collected leaves in a thin layer on it. You can not dry in the open sun - this will lead to the destruction of valuable vitamins and other active substances that are contained in the leaves. To preserve the benefits of plant materials for a long time, you need to pack it in a dish with a lid, protect it from high humidity and temperature extremes.

The healing properties of lingonberry leaves

Lingonberry leaves are a real find for traditional medicine, because their properties are so numerous that they allow the use of raw materials for a variety of conditions and diseases. The effect of herbal remedies and their benefits for men and women are different.

For women

For women's health, lingonberry leaves are an indispensable tool. It helps to quickly restore hormonal balance. The main healing properties that can be used for women:

• ability to stop bleeding;
• normalization of emotional state;
• effectiveness in diseases of the genitourinary system, adnexitis, cystitis, mastopathy.

The female body loses a huge amount of active components with the monthly onset of critical days. Lingonberry tea can make this period less painful, as well as help the body recover quickly after blood loss.

For men

Men's health can also be strengthened by using products based on lingonberry leaves. According to statistics, 55% of men over 40 have problems with the genitourinary system. Lingonberry leaves help restore health with urethritis, slow down the natural aging process, and prevent a number of dangerous diseases associated with loss of reproductive ability.

With prostatitis and infectious diseases of the urinary tract, the use of lingonberries allows you to quickly relieve inflammation, eliminate discomfort and burning sensation during urination. Due to the general strengthening effect and antioxidants, this medicine protects against the development of malignant neoplasms in the organs and tissues of the reproductive system.

During pregnancy

Pregnant women in the first trimester are prohibited from using lingonberry leaves, as this can provoke a miscarriage. In the second and third trimester, they can be an alternative treatment for colds when potent pharmaceuticals are prohibited. Also during pregnancy, the periodic use of lingonberry tea helps to fill the deficiency of minerals, folic acid, iron. Lingonberry leaves prevent the development of anemia.

But you can not drink infusion and decoction from this plant often, because it is fraught with oligohydramnios. Lingonberries have a pronounced diuretic effect, so you need to make up for fluid loss in time to avoid a dangerous condition.

When breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to the use of lingonberry-based products. But there are limitations. Reception should not be too long. The use of alcohol tincture is also prohibited. The leaves are useful to lactating women and produce such effects:

• help recover quickly after childbirth;
• eliminate the deficiency of minerals and vitamins;
• strengthen the health of the nervous system;
• prevent the development of pathological processes and congestion in the mammary glands.

In addition, if a nursing mother consumes funds with lingonberry leaves, this is also beneficial for the baby. His digestion is normalized, colic is eliminated, gas formation is reduced. Children sleep better, less often suffer from cramping and pain, grow calm.

For kids

Even children over 6 years old can be given tea from lingonberry leaves. This herbal remedy can help to quickly cope with colds, strengthen immunity. In addition, the leaves are rich in organic acids and mineral compounds that enrich the brain. The plant helps to cope with high intellectual stresses, improves memory and concentration, stabilizes mental and mental development.

If you brew together with leaves a small amount of lingonberry, such a drink will improve appetite and normalize sleep. But you can not use it on an ongoing basis. Due to too much use, the child may become lethargic, as lingonberries slightly lower blood pressure.

When losing weight

In the fight against excess weight, a mild laxative effect can be used, as well as the diuretic effect of plant materials. This plant is also useful in that it is able to activate energy metabolism and stimulate the process of lipid breakdown in the subcutaneous tissue. With obesity, cranberry leaves can be used as an addition to a diet.

Lingonberry leaves cleanse blood vessels and improve blood microcirculation. The most common problem of all losing weight is that there are very few blood vessels in the adipose tissue, so the process is complicated. But lingonberry leaves make blood circulate more actively and penetrate even the smallest capillaries, improving nutrition and also accelerating metabolic processes at the cellular level.Due to this, fat leaves faster even in the most problematic areas. But counting on the result only from lingonberry leaves is not worth it. It is necessary to reduce the daily calorie intake, move more and do not forget to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

Lingonberry leaves in folk medicine

In alternative medicine, lingonberries and its leaves have been used for more than a century. During this time, folk experience was able to formulate the basic rules for use, and various treatment regimens for the treatment of diseases were also developed. In order for the use of funds to bring maximum benefits, it is worth choosing the appropriate prescription and treatment regimen, according to the features of the diagnosis that you need to cope with.

With diabetes

Endocrine diseases lead to imbalance throughout the body. Diabetes is a problem that medicine has not yet learned to conquer. The pace of development of pathology is not predictable, but the number of patients increases every year. Doctors are concerned that diabetes is "getting younger", that is, pediatric patients with such a diagnosis are increasingly found. But in folk medicine, there are many recipes that will help minimize the harm from diabetes. The most popular of them is the use of lingonberry leaf.

To normalize blood sugar levels, traditional medicine experts recommend fasting tea from this plant. Also, the berries themselves should be included in the diet, but without sugar. You can drink the decoction of the plant in courses of 2 months, taking a break for the same period of time. For taking courses, you need to prepare an infusion in a thermos from 1 tablespoon of raw materials and 400 ml of water. The resulting product after 6 hours, strain and divide into 4 doses. Drink 100 ml in the morning and evening.

With pancreatitis

The inflamed pancreas is also favorably affected by the chemical composition of the plant. Due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is possible to block seizures and exacerbations. Due to the antispasmodic action, it turns out to calm the pain. In addition, the plant reduces the rate of pancreatic enzyme production, thereby reducing the irritating effect on organ tissue.

In diseases of the pancreas, the use of lingonberries without a therapeutic diet does not give an effect. Gastroenterologists recommend starving for the first three days, taking warm tea from the plant three times a day, and drinking mineral water without gas. Further treatment should be accompanied by a strict diet (table No. 5) and regular use of a glass of broth before each meal. You need to cook the broth in a water bath. You can combine the leaves with chopped calamus root - 1 tablespoon per 600 ml of water. Brew and boil for 10 minutes, and then stand, strain and take before meals for 3 weeks.

With gastritis

Tea from lingonberry leaves without sugar is a first aid for pains in the stomach associated with gastritis. This plant relieves inflammation, normalizes the concentration of gastric juice, protects the mucosa from damage. In chronic gastritis, regular use of tea is highly desirable, as it helps prevent the disease from transitioning to a state where ulcers and fissures begin to appear.

In addition, you can use such a fee, which includes lingonberry leaf:

• 5 g coltsfoot;
• 2 g of calendula;
• 5 g peppermint;
• 5 g of chamomile pharmacy.

You need to mix these herbs, pour 1 liter of water and boil in a water bath for 30 minutes. You should get about 900 ml of the finished drug. It is necessary to divide this volume into three days and take 100 ml three times a day, preferably after a meal.

With gout

Lingonberry leaves contain 12 types of various organic acids. They successfully cope with uric acid salts, which lead to impaired functioning of the body with gout. There are two popular treatment regimens that are used in acute conditions and in remission.

In acute conditions, you need to take 3 tablespoons of a dry leaf and 300 ml of water. Pour raw materials with water and boil for 10 minutes.Wait until the broth cools down, strain it and drink every 2 hours in 50 ml. In addition, you need to drink a large amount of water, you can drink with lemon - this will only speed up recovery.

In chronic conditions, you need to take 500 ml of boiling water for 2 tablespoons, but do not boil it - just brew and insist. You need to drink such an infusion before eating. To treat gout progress at a faster pace, you can supplement the diet with juices from fresh berries and sour fruits. It is also recommended to enrich the diet with vegetables, herbs, cereals, and minimize the consumption of salt and protein products of animal origin. It is necessary to exclude sugar from the diet. You can add a small amount of honey to the infusion.

For the liver

The hepatoprotective effect of the leaves can be used to eliminate stagnant processes in the liver, to reduce the toxicological effects of drugs with long-term treatment. The plant can be involved in the complex treatment of viral hepatitis, as it stimulates the immune response and protects cells from damage. You can drink separately infusion of leaves or combine them to collect. Here are three recipes for treating your liver.

1. Powder the leaves, mix in a 1: 1 ratio with turmeric powder. Take ½ teaspoon 30 minutes before meals, three times a day. The course of such treatment is 1 month. Be sure to wash the powder with plenty of water.
2. Take 20 g of chopped dandelion root, the same amount of lingonberry leaves, boil in a steam bath for 40 minutes in 500 ml of water. Allow to cool and strain. Drink 1 tablespoon before each meal.
3. Powder the leaves, mix in the ratio 1: 1 with the grated fruits of artichoke and milk thistle. Eat 1 teaspoon before meals and drink with warm, boiled water.

The liver can be easily treated with herbs, but you need to protect it. For the duration of therapy, it is worth completely abandoning the use of alcoholic beverages, stop uncontrollably drinking painkillers and other chemicals. You also need to enrich the diet with raw vegetables and healthy fats - eat fish, use vegetable oils in small quantities for dressing salads, eliminate vinegar, flour, spicy.

With cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder is most often associated with a decrease in immunity, hypothermia and bacterial infection of the urinary tract. To relieve pain, you can use baths based on lingonberry leaf, calendula and pharmacy chamomile. But you need to combine this procedure with the intake of water infusion inside. Infusion should be drunk 5 times a day, in the form of heat, 150 ml each. You need to cook it from the leaves (2 tablespoons) and boiling water (1 liter). Brew raw materials in a jar, cover and wrap for an hour, and then strain.

If the temperature does not drop on the third day, do not count on herbal remedies. It is better to consult a doctor, you may need antibiotic therapy. Not all urinary tract infections are equally treatable with herbs. In some cases, prolonged pharmacotherapy is required so that there are no complications.

With prostatitis

Prostatitis is one of the most common diseases in men over 45 years old. It may not manifest itself for a long time, but when the symptoms become apparent, discomfort significantly reduces the quality of life. Moreover, prostatitis is also dangerous because of the serious complications that it can entail in the absence of adequate treatment.

Herbal medicine for prostatitis is needed as a supportive tool, since the body is restored for a long time. Lingonberry leaves are one of the most effective agents that can be used in therapy. You can take infusion and tea twice a day. Tea in the morning, and infusion before bedtime. In the latter, a higher concentration of active components that eliminate inflammation. At night, the body recovers more actively, so in the evening you need to increase the dose.

But also lingonberry leaf can be combined with the fruits of mountain ash and rose hips and prepare a decoction. For 2 tablespoons of the mixture you need to take 600 ml of water.Boil for at least 15 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, strain through cheesecloth. Drink it 100 ml three times a day. The course of treatment can last from 10 days to 2 months, depending on progress and initial condition.

With a cold

From colds, the antibacterial and antiviral properties of this plant are used. In addition, lingonberry leaves have a pronounced ability to stimulate protective mechanisms, directing their resources to fight against pathogenic microorganisms and infections of other types. To benefit from the application, you can use raw materials according to such rules.

1. Brew plant leaves with boiling water, in the following proportions: 1 teaspoon per 300 ml of water. Insist for 5-10 minutes, and then drink in small sips with honey or raspberries, grated with sugar.
2. A strong decoction of leaves can be used to gargle. To make the product more effective, you need to cool it to room temperature and add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to a glass.
3. You can use the infusion of the plant for inhalation with difficulty breathing, dry cough, nasal congestion. You need to breathe over a bowl or pan with this infusion for 5 minutes.

After inhalation or taking the infusion inside, you cannot go outside for 2 hours. This plant has a diaphoretic effect, if you go out in a draft or in the cold you can catch a cold even more. It is strictly forbidden to use inhalation for young children - they can be burned with steam or turn a container of hot liquid onto themselves. Then severe burns will be added to the common cold.

With varicose veins

A large amount of rutin and organic acids is what is needed for the successful treatment of venous diseases. To use the healing potential of the leaves, you need to take them inside, and also prepare a decoction for compresses. It is better to apply compresses before going to bed. After the procedure, you do not need to overload your legs, it is advisable to give them the opportunity to relax, taking a horizontal position.

The infusion for the treatment of varicose veins is prepared from 20 g of raw materials and 600 ml of water. It is necessary to steam the collection in a thermos, insist and after cooling drink 200 ml 3 times a day. Can be combined with other plants. Mix 100 ml of infusion with 2 tablespoons of fresh cabbage juice, add 5 ml of apple cider vinegar. The resulting mixture rubbed areas of the skin where venous lesions are noticeable. In no case should you use this tool with severe thrombosis, this can lead to bleeding or clogging of veins.

With mastopathy

An acute inflammatory process in the mammary glands can be accompanied by pain and fever. Lingonberry leaf comprehensively affects the body and allows you to remove not only symptoms, but also inflammation. It can be used in two ways - externally and inward. Better to combine them.

1. Prepare an infusion of 10 g of leaves, brew 500 ml of water. Drink 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
2. Outwardly make compresses with a strong broth. Boil 200 ml of water and 2 tablespoons of collection in a small container, cool and use for three daily compresses.

Mastopathy can lead to complications if not treated or done wrong. Lingonberry helps well in the initial stages, but if the process has escalated, it is better to go to the doctor's appointment. If there are no improvements after the first day of using folk remedies, it makes no sense to expect them to come later. The plant helps almost immediately, improves well-being and relieves pain.

With pyelonephritis

Inflammation of the kidneys in the acute stage requires taking antibiotics, so you should not rely on herbal medicine alone, it can result in dangerous complications. It is necessary to combine them, especially since lingonberry leaves are not incompatible with antibiotics.With pyelonephritis, the use of alcohol is prohibited, any tinctures only overload the inflamed kidneys.

Treatment of pyelonephritis requires the use of water infusion, which is prepared from a teaspoon of leaves (with a slide) and 500 ml of water. In order for the leaves to give away all active substances, it is desirable to brew them in a thermos. You can pour in the pan, but cover it and wrap it. Drink 100 ml infusion every 3-4 hours. In the treatment of pyelonephritis, you can use a collection of bearberry, coriander seeds and lingonberry leaves, mix a teaspoon of each type, pour a liter of boiling water and insist. Drink every 2 hours in 100 ml.

With hypertension

Arterial hypertension is directly related to the health of blood vessels and kidneys. The advantage of lingonberry leaves is that they comprehensively affect all systems, improving their functioning. It is necessary to use twice a day an aqueous infusion of the plant, 150 ml each, for at least 30 days. If the attacks are not frequent, you can simply include lingonberry berries in your diet and drink tea from the leaves of this plant daily.

Types of healing compounds

Dried cowberry leaves are the basis for the preparation of various medicines. To use the therapeutic potential of this plant, you need to know the recipes. Below are the most common options for preparing medicines based on this plant.

Infusion

There are many different recipes for the preparation of infusion, but each of them differs in the concentration of therapeutic substances in the resulting product. Infusion is the easiest way to prepare homemade medicine. Most often, three classic recipes are used.

1. In a thermos, add 1 tablespoon of leaves, pour 500 ml of boiling water. Soak the infusion for 4 hours, and then take 50 ml at a time.
2. The easiest way to cook is to steam 2 tablespoons in 1 liter of boiling water. Insist under the lid for 30 minutes. After that, drink infusion of 150 ml at a time. You can store it in the refrigerator for no longer than 72 hours.
3. Another option is to brew 2 tablespoons of raw materials 1 liter of boiling water and wrap the container with the lid closed. The product should be infused for 2 hours, then you can use it for indoor or outdoor use.

The infusion is prepared for 2-3 days, no more. Despite the fact that it does not deteriorate, in the finished form during longer storage, it loses some of the active components.

Tincture

Tincture should be prepared only from dried lingonberry leaves, fresh will not work. You can add a small amount of dry twigs to make the product more concentrated and fragrant. The recipe for cooking consists of the following steps:

1. Wash and dry the container with a lid.
2. Pour 1 tablespoon of chopped lingonberry leaves into the bottom of it.
3. Pour 250 ml of alcohol.
4. Cover and stand in a dark room for at least 14 days.

The finished tincture should be filtered first, and then used dosed according to the rules - 20-30 drops per 1 dose, not more.

Decoction

The broth of lingonberry leaf contains the maximum benefit for the body, because in the process of preparation it is possible to extract everything that is in it from plant material. You can cook on low heat or in a water bath. There can be three concentration options:

• 2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water;
• 1 glass per 1 liter;
• 2 tablespoons per 500 ml.

A stronger broth is used for external use. If you drink it, then you need to reduce the volume for a single use by 2-3 times. A weak, not concentrated broth is a means for ingestion, douching, inhalation.

Tea

Lingonberry tea is not just a remedy, but also a tasty, aromatic drink. It can be served with lingonberry jam, honey or sugar. This is the easiest dosage form, with a minimum number of therapeutic elements in the composition.But at the same time it can be used daily without fear of overdose or side effects.

To make tea, you need to take a handful of dry leaves, brew in a container with a lid and insist 5 minutes. After that, you can pour into cups and enjoy aromatic medicine. Tea is best prepared at a time, it is not stored for long. The optimal ratio of raw materials to water is 1.5 teaspoons per 500 ml.

Application in cosmetology

From ancient times, lingonberries served as one of the main components for the preparation of cosmetics. It is used for various problems with the appearance. The plant helps to eliminate the oily sheen of hair, make them silky, thick and obedient. It can also be used for skin beauty.

1. Hair balm: 20 g of collection, 0.5 l of water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Rinse hair after shampoo and do not rinse.
2. If acne and blackheads often appear on the face, you need to prepare an infusion - 30 g of herbs to brew 400 ml of boiling water. Store the liquid in the refrigerator, wipe the skin in the morning and evening before applying a moisturizer.
3. If there are bags and dark circles under the eyes, you need to moisten the cotton pads in the broth and put on the eyelids for 30 minutes. The effect will be noticeable almost immediately, but for long-term results you need regular use.
4. A mixture of fresh lingonberry juice and lingonberry leaves will help to quickly get rid of freckles, age spots. Rub the finished mixture into problem areas and leave for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.
5. Lingonberry infusion can be used as a means for rejuvenation. You need to freeze it in an ice mold, use it as a tonic, firming agent. You can wipe your face with such ice only if there are no inflammations and boils.
6. For long-term use against wrinkles, you can use a strong decoction as the basis for fabric masks. If you mix the product with rose water, you get an excellent makeup remover.

Using such recipes, you can become more beautiful and look younger even without expensive procedures in the cabin. But you need to monitor the reaction of the skin. If redness, peeling, itching appear, it is better to abandon the use of external cosmetics.

Contraindications

Lingonberry infusion, decoction or tea from dried leaves is almost harmless, but you need to consume it in moderation, not exceeding the recommended dosage for treatment. If you are allergic to lingonberries, it is strictly forbidden to use any remedy based on this plant, as this can result in hospitalization. Herbal remedies from lingonberry leaves are contraindicated in such conditions:

• exacerbation of gastritis;
• increased acidity;
• an ulcer of the stomach and intestines;
• hypotension;
• acute renal and liver failure;
• stones in the kidneys.

If a person does not have such problems, lingonberry leaves can be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent. You can use them simply as an additive to tea to strengthen your immune system and protect your cardiovascular system. Lingonberry leaves are a storehouse of therapeutic components that are present in this raw material in high concentration and complement each other's action. Using this plant by the rules, you can improve the body without pills.

Photo of lingonberry leaves