Sea buckthorn leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications

Not everyone knows that sea buckthorn has the most useful leaves. They have an oblong, thin appearance, with a narrowed end. The color is green, a little with a golden hue to the stem. They contain many vitamins and minerals, including a large amount of vitamin C and a beneficial substance for the body called serotonin. This plant helps to strengthen the immune system and eliminate sleep problems, positively affects the human nervous system.

With heart diseases, diabetes, and pneumonia, a decoction of sea buckthorn leaves is taken as tea. With diseases of the throat, namely with angina, it is advised to rinse with a decoction of the leaves of this plant.

In addition, there is a large number of useful properties that sea buckthorn leaves possess.

Chemical composition

Scientists do not stop finding more and more properties of sea buckthorn leaves, unlike berries that have long been studied. The main substances in the foliage of the plant are the following:

1. Tannins that can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body.
2. Tannin with which the leaves are used as an antiseptic.
3. Serotonin, an important component, in the absence of which an arbitrary hormonal failure occurs in the human body, frequent mood changes, tearfulness, aggression from scratch.

Also in the leaves of sea buckthorn there are trace elements: boron, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper and iron. Taking the plant in any form can make up for the lack of vitamins. The composition contains an important vitamin A, which favorably affects human vision, group B, a huge amount of ascorbic, nicotinic acid.

All these substances make the plant unique in many applications. Therefore, people often prefer sea buckthorn leaves to other drugs.

When to collect and how to store sea buckthorn leaves

Sea buckthorn leaves can be easily purchased at the pharmacy. But they will be more natural and effective if you conduct the collection yourself. In order for the nutrients to be preserved, the leaves of the plant must be properly dried.

It is better to start collecting when the leaves are still very young. This period falls on the end of May and the beginning of July. In this case, you should carefully cut the whole branch with a knife at an angle of 40 degrees. Only then can the leaves be removed from it. This manipulation will help to maintain beneficial substances in almost full volume. Cut off shoots can also be saved, having studied at the same time their useful components. Ripening leaves lasts almost until September, the main thing is to choose those that have grown recently. Therefore, if for some reason at the beginning of summer it was not possible to collect sea buckthorn for drying, this can be done before the end of the season.

It is better to cut the shoots from different trees, and not from one, so as not to harm the plant and not provoke its death.

After the leaves are collected, they must be properly dried. To begin with, the plant should be thoroughly washed under running water. Then lay on a dry surface and allow to dry. You can dry on the street, in fine weather, but not under the scorching sun, or in a room where there is no dampness.Usually, sea buckthorn leaves dry in 2-3 days.

In addition to natural drying, an electric dryer can be used. To do this, part of the leaves are evenly laid out on a special grid and put the device at a temperature of 35-40 degrees. But do not forget to turn the plants over every 30–40 minutes, otherwise they may deteriorate. In appearance, a correctly dried leaf of sea buckthorn resembles a regular laurel, which is sold on store shelves.

It is better to store sea buckthorn leaves in cloth bags or special boxes so that the plant does not become damp or rot. The place is better to choose a warm, but not hot. The farthest cabinets in the kitchen that are least used are suitable.

Fermentation of sea buckthorn leaves
This is a popular procedure, which is known for the fact that with it the leaves secrete many useful substances and vitamins. Leaves must be placed on a flat surface and periodically stirred, while not allowing drying. Then roll up your hands into small tubes, each of which wrap with cling film. Place in a container close to each other and cover with a damp cloth. Then leave in a cool place for a day or two. After that, cut the tubes into small pieces and send into the oven at 90 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Ready-made leaves added to tea or used as medicines.

This method of harvesting sea buckthorn leaves is considered the best, since it retains all the nutritional properties of the plant.

Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaves

A sea buckthorn leaf is similar in its properties to plants such as plantain, ivy, etc. There are many elements that can only be found in it.

The healing properties of sea buckthorn leaves are due to the large number of vitamins that are in them, as well as macro- and microelements.

The plant is used as a good helper in strengthening the immune system, for various skin injuries, wounds, burns, cuts, inflammatory processes, including colds and SARS, to combat digestive problems, intestinal and stomach diseases. Sea buckthorn leaves can also cope with poisoning, helping to eliminate toxic substances from the human body. The plant is also used in cosmetology. It is proved that the regular use of lotions and creams based on sea buckthorn leaves helps rejuvenate the skin, and also fights acne well.

It is important to know that lotions based on a decoction of sea buckthorn leaves are good for allergic reactions in the form of urticaria. They quickly eliminate unbearable itching and fight inflammation.

For women

Girls very often resort to sea buckthorn leaves for help. The plant helps fight fat cells, removes unnecessary substances, cleanses the body, which helps the woman lose weight faster if she wants to.

A decoction of sea buckthorn leaves is used by women as an effective means for hair growth and hair loss. It is proved that regular use of the plant for hair saturates them with many useful substances that the body usually lacks. In the fight against dandruff, sea buckthorn foliage is also an indispensable assistant.

The leaves of the plant are an anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the genital organs in women, including cystitis and thrush. They are also used for cracks in the nipples during breastfeeding. At the same time, the folk remedy is completely safe for the child.

For men

Representatives of the male part of the population are less likely to pay attention to the healing properties of the plant. But as soon as they encounter problems, they immediately look for a way to quickly treat. Every man needs to know what properties sea buckthorn leaves have, how they can help to cope in a particular situation. The plant contains special components called tocopherols, which help a man to restore the reproductive function of the genitals. Also, sea buckthorn leaves are, you could say, natural Viagra for the male.

Men often suffer from such an unpleasant disease as hemorrhoids.Sea buckthorn leaves gently adjust the microflora in the right direction, and also have a healing effect.

With alcohol poisoning, decoctions from sea buckthorn will help remove unnecessary and harmful toxins.

For kids

The beneficial properties of sea buckthorn have been known since ancient times. Its leaves are the owners of a large number of vitamins and nutrients, while not causing harm to the body. Sea buckthorn leaves are given to children in different forms. Pediatricians recommend using the plant no earlier than reaching a child of one year old.

Sea buckthorn leaves for children are an indispensable tool in the following cases:

1. Strengthen immunity due to ascorbic acid, which the plant contains.
2. They have a calming effect, because it is known that children are often moody and whiny.
3. They increase hemoglobin, since there is a sufficient amount of iron in the leaves of sea buckthorn.
4. Saturate with useful substances (the leaves of the plant are not inferior to many vegetables and fruits in terms of vitamin content).
5. They contribute to the healing of wounds (children who have only recently learned to walk often fall and hit - help in this case lotions of decoction of sea buckthorn leaves).
6. Eliminate stomatitis.
7. Help in the fight against adenoids.
8. Relieve cough.

In addition to all this, the plant contains natural antibiotics, namely phytoncides.

Each newly minted mother should know this list of use of sea buckthorn leaves, but it is recommended not to self-medicate, but to consult a pediatrician.

Sea buckthorn leaves in folk medicine

Widely established leaves of sea buckthorn in folk medicine. Various drinks, teas, decoctions, infusions, oils and even ointments based on the foliage of this tree will help to cope with many ailments.

Plants are used to treat diseases associated with the intestines and skin (including dandruff, dermatitis, lichen), to remove adverse substances from the body. It is only important to know in what form it is necessary to apply sea buckthorn leaves for a certain type of ailment.

Tea to improve body tone

The drink helps to establish blood circulation, has a positive effect on the muscles of the body, leading them to the right tone. To cook it, you need to take a small deep dish. Mix a spoonful of dried and chopped sea buckthorn leaves with mint leaves. Pour the mixture into hot boiled water, let it brew for 10-12 hours. Before use, release the drink from the leaves. Take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

Joint treatment drink

For joint pain, you can prepare a special decoction based on sea buckthorn leaves. It is prepared very easily. In a regular mug, put 1 tablespoon of chopped sea buckthorn leaves, pour hot boiled water and leave for 5-10 minutes. Take instead of tea 4-5 times a day. It is better to drink in courses - at least 10 days.

Tea with vitamin deficiency

In the offseason, the body suffers from a lack of vitamins. As a result of this, in the spring and autumn, many chronic diseases are most often exacerbated, and many new ones appear. To replenish the supply of nutrients, you can take healthy tea with sea buckthorn leaves.

Mix a spoonful of dried leaves of sea buckthorn with leaves of currant and hypericum, pour boiling water. Let it brew for 5-6 hours. The longer the tea is infused, the more it will take the beneficial substances from the ingredients. You need to take it in a mug a couple of times a day, you can add raspberry jam or honey to tea.

Ointment for acute colds

It is necessary to grind 100-200 g of fresh leaves of sea buckthorn and mix them with lamb fat. Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir the resulting mixture and refrigerate until solidified. Apply to the chest, back and heels 2 times a day. The ointment has a warming effect, so you can not use it at elevated body temperature.

Tea for the common cold

It is known that colds occur when viruses enter the body and the immune system is too weak to cope with.Tea with sea buckthorn leaves will help replenish the supply of vitamins, and due to the high content of ascorbic acid will strengthen the immune system. 2-3 tablespoons of dry, finely chopped sea buckthorn leaves pour a liter of boiling water. Let it brew for half an hour. Drink 3 times a day after meals.

A decoction for cardiovascular diseases

This decoction has a positive effect on the human body with diseases of the heart, kidneys, as well as with problems with blood vessels. Regular use of the drink promotes proper blood circulation.

The broth is prepared quite simply. 5-6 tablespoons of crushed leaves of dried sea buckthorn in a saucepan, pour water and leave over low heat for 30-40 minutes. Leave to brew for several hours. Peel leaves before use. Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day.

A decoction of leaves in case of poisoning

With severe intoxication of the body, a decoction of sea buckthorn leaves with other auxiliary plants is used. For a classic decoction for poisoning, you need 4–5 tablespoons of dried sea buckthorn leaves, a couple of tablespoons of oak bark (you can buy it in a pharmacy or collect it yourself). Pour the mixture with water and boil for 15–20 minutes. Cool the broth and filter well. Take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day until completely cured.

Sea buckthorn leaf oil

Oil is usually used for various skin diseases and wounds on the skin. These can be different types of lichen, burns, and also stomatitis. For cooking, you will need to first prepare a brew based on sea buckthorn leaves. At the same time, pour 3-4 tablespoons of a dry plant with a glass of water and boil for 5-7 minutes. Filter well and pour into a larger container. Add half a glass of vegetable oil to the resulting drink. Stir and let it brew for a day. Apply gently with a cotton pad to the affected areas of the body 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days.

Oil prepared in this way will not only contribute to the rapid healing of wounds, but also relieve inflammation in the shortest possible time. Usually the effect occurs after the third application.

Tea to relieve pressure

With increased pressure, a cup of tea prepared on sea buckthorn leaves will save. You will need about 100 g of fresh or harvested leaves of the plant, as well as grated ginger root, about 1 teaspoon. Pour boiling water over everything and leave for 15 minutes. Take a glass of hot drink no more than 2 times a day. Such tea will also help with poisoning the body and sleep disturbances. The drink is also a sedative.

Types of medicinal compounds with sea buckthorn leaves

An important healing property of sea buckthorn is that it not only helps to fight many diseases, but also restores the strength of the body that it spends at this time. It is proved that the constant use of the plant has a positive effect on the human body. He is less likely to get sick and tolerates illnesses more easily.

The benefits of sea buckthorn leaves for various diseases:

• eliminate intestinal disorders, ulcers and gastritis;
• help the body get rid of excess alkaline acid;
• relieve inflammation in various types of wounds;
• beneficial effect on the human nervous system;
• contribute to maintaining good vision;
• reduce cholesterol;
• suppress hunger, thereby reducing excess fat cells in the body;
• used to treat many gynecological diseases in women;
• act as the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza;
• used to treat mucosal pathologies, such as stomatitis.

Infusion

Infusions from sea buckthorn leaves are taken for joint diseases, as well as for circulatory disorders in the body and heart failure.

To prepare one liter of infusion, you need to take 4-5 tablespoons of chopped dried leaves of the plant, put in a thermos. Pour boiled hot water and leave for 2-3 hours. Take the third part of the glass 2 times a day after meals for 7-10 days.

Tincture

The tincture of alcohol, which is done with the help of sea buckthorn leaves, is usually taken by people suffering from diabetes and anemia to restore the amount of iron in the body. It is also used for dermatitis and atherosclerosis.

For tincture, you can take both dried leaves and fresh ones. It is necessary to take vodka or alcohol 40 degrees and sea buckthorn leaves in a ratio of 1 to 5. It is better to make tincture in a bottle with a good cap. Shake the mixture well and leave in a dark place for at least 10 days. The longer it will be insisted, the more beneficial substances will be produced. When taken, dilute with water, drink - not more than 1 teaspoon 2 times a day.

A feature of tincture on sea buckthorn leaves is that with proper preparation and storage over time, the quality of beneficial properties will only increase. Therefore, it can be used for several years.

Decoction

For the treatment of inflammatory processes in the body, a decoction based on sea buckthorn leaves is used for both internal and external use. Also, constant washing with a decoction of the leaves of the plant favorably affects the skin of the face.

For one liter of broth you will need 4-6 tablespoons of dried shredded leaves of sea buckthorn. Pour in water and leave over low heat. After 20-30 minutes, remove from heat and strain. Take half a glass up to 4 times a day. For external use, wipe the damaged areas of the body with a cotton swab. A decoction will help nourish the skin with the missing beneficial substances.

With rheumatism, a slightly different broth is used. 5 tablespoons of chopped chopped leaves, pour a spoonful of chopped currant leaves with a liter of water, bring to a boil and leave over low heat. After 15-20 minutes, turn off the mixture, allow to cool and filter well. Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day after meals.

Tea

Our ancestors also knew that tea on sea buckthorn leaves will help to cope with many ailments, such as rheumatism, anemia, colds, inflammatory processes. It is also a natural antibiotic for the body. Tea in its property is similar to a decoction, only in a lesser consistency.

Preparing a drink is very simple. A spoonful of fresh or dried leaves pour boiling water and let it brew for 5-10 minutes. You can add mint, chamomile or currant leaves here. For taste, honey is recommended, but not sugar. Such tea fights well with colds. Take 3-4 cups a day.

Also in a very hot season, you can prepare a tonic drink based on sea buckthorn leaves. To do this, take fresh sea buckthorn leaves and mint leaves, pour boiled water and wait until the tea has cooled. It is better to let it brew during the day, but you can use it right away. This tea quenches thirst well and prevents excessive sweating.

Application in cosmetology

Various creams and masks are made from sea buckthorn leaves. It is known that the plant has a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that helps rejuvenate the skin, fight against problem areas and are a good tonic, smoothing agent.

Sea buckthorn leaf baths

For a single use, approximately 200-300 g of fresh leaves need to be well kneaded in any container. Pour boiled hot water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Then free from leaves and pour into a bath of water. It is recommended to do this procedure for at least 40 minutes, a couple of times a week. The bath helps improve blood circulation, well expands the pores, filling the body with useful substances. It is better to carry out the procedure before bedtime, so that the body rests properly and is filled with new strength in the morning.

Scrub

Grate fresh leaves and add to classic yogurt or low-fat sour cream.Apply to clean skin once a day, leaving the mixture on the face for about 5-7 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water. The scrub is suitable for people suffering from problematic skin, as well as those who suffer from acne.

Mask for hair loss

With problematic hair, sea buckthorn leaves also do very well. They prevent excessive hair loss, making them thicker and more manageable. To prepare the mask you will need 100 g of fresh or dry leaves of sea buckthorn, fresh nettle and egg yolk. Mix the resulting mixture well and leave it in a warm place for 10-15 minutes. Apply to clean hair along the entire length, starting from the roots. It is recommended to use such a mask no more than twice a week.

Mask to combat high fat content in the hair

You need to brew a tablespoon of sea buckthorn leaves with a glass of water, leave for 30 minutes, then filter. Add olive oil in a ratio of 1 to 1. Place 2 tablespoons of low-fat sour cream and 2 quail eggs here. Mix the resulting mixture thoroughly. Apply over the entire length to clean hair. An effective remedy, a positive result of which is noticeable after the first application.

With seborrhea

With seborrhea of ​​the head, which occurs in a person as a result of prolonged dandruff, fresh leaves of sea buckthorn will help. They must be thoroughly crushed so that they give juice. You can use a juicer, but for this you need a fairly large number of plants. Dilute juice with the most common baby cream. Apply the mixture daily 20-30 minutes before shampooing for 30 days, then take a 10-day break and repeat the procedure.

From acne

Fresh sea buckthorn leaves will help with severe acne. Use them in this case you need as lotions. Make a so-called pouch out of gauze, add some chamomile flowers and sea buckthorn leaves there. Crumple the bag in your hands to isolate a small amount of juice from the plants. Apply to places that are prone to inflammatory processes in the form of acne, and hold for 3-5 minutes. For the best effect, you can cover your face with a towel to expand your pores. It is also recommended to do such lotions after visiting a bath or hot bath.

Contraindications

Compared with sea buckthorn berries, the leaves are more favorable for the human body. But nevertheless, like any remedy, they have a number of contraindications and recommendations.

1. It is not recommended to use this plant for children who are under the age of one year. After this age, it is also better to consult a specialist.
2. Sea buckthorn leaves are contraindicated in people who suffer from liver diseases and hepatitis.
3. In acute peptic ulcer diseases, drugs based on sea buckthorn can be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor.
4. Pregnant women better to refrain from taking sea buckthorn leaves, like any other herbal preparation. At this time, the body is very unpredictable.

It is important not to overdo it with a dose that can be used, since there have been cases of overdose of drugs based on sea buckthorn leaves. Allergic symptoms include various allergic reactions, including the most dangerous Quincke's edema. Severe dizziness and nausea are also clear signs of an overdose. If, after taking sea buckthorn leaves, you feel unwell, it is best to consult a doctor right away.

From the foregoing, it can be concluded that sea buckthorn leaves are indispensable helpers for humans. Their use is so wide that it can have a positive effect on the body of everyone.

If it is not possible to independently collect sea buckthorn leaves, you can purchase them on shelves in any pharmacy chain at an affordable price.But, despite all the pluses, do not forget about the individual intolerance of the components that every person can have, therefore, before using the plant, it is better to consult a specialist with regard to health.

Photo of sea buckthorn leaves