Raspberries are a delicious delicacy, and, while absorbing berries with appetite in the summer, people do not think about the beneficial and healing properties. However, many people know from childhood that raspberries have a diaphoretic effect, therefore, having drunk tea with raspberries or its leaves in winter, you should not immediately go outside. This property is often used in the treatment of colds. The berry becomes a symbol of prosperity and abundance in folk proverbs: “Life is a raspberry”. What else is worth learning about the properties of raspberries, the benefits and contraindications?
In ancient times, raspberries were bred by both the ancient Greeks and the ancient Romans. According to legend, baby Zeus ate raspberries. Yuri Dolgoruky brought the berries to Russia and began to develop them.
Wild raspberry grows in shaded areas of pine and mixed forests, loves moderate moisture. Its yield is unpredictable from year to year. Kumanika and blackberry are close to raspberries, but differ in the color of the berries. It is also known that raspberries are an excellent honey plant, it is willingly collected by bees, increasing the berry yield by 75%.
Composition
Raspberries contain a phenomenal amount of multivitamins - it is rich in vitamins A, groups B, C, D, E, PP, as well as micro- and macroelements, bioactive substances. Raspberry seeds contain a fatty oil that is used in cosmetology to produce essential oils for skin and hair care products.
Raspberry leaves, like berries, are rich in nutrients, they contain:
- organic acids,
- pectin substances,
- microelements,
- sugar (glucose, fructose),
- phytoncides.
The healing properties of raspberries
Both fresh berries and raspberry jam strengthen the immune system, increase the vitality of the body... The combination of iron, copper, and folic acid is beneficial for people with anemia. Eating raspberries increases hemoglobin.
Vitamin P helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The berry helps prevent a number of cardiovascular problems.
For colds
Hot tea with raspberry jam is used for colds, flu, SARS. In the composition of raspberries, salicylic acid was found, which has a diaphoretic effect.
Raspberries will help bring down the temperature only with plenty of drinking, which will help a person sweat and get rid of the heat. If you consume raspberries without drinking enough, the temperature can rise.
The combination of raspberries with milk will help treat sore throats and other sore throats.
In addition, raspberries help to strengthen the immune system, maintain the body in a vigorous, elevated tone.
Salicylic acid is a part of raspberries, therefore medicinal aspirin in combination with raspberry tea should be used with caution, it is better to consult a doctor.
Raspberry improves immunity during flu epidemics, viral infections. The berry is capable of destroying:
- mold spores,
- staphylococcus,
- yeast fungi.
Drinking raspberry tea reduces cough due to its expectorant effect.
With cardiovascular diseases
Raspberry contains phytosterols - these substances prevent atherosclerosis. The use of raspberries strengthens capillaries; will help stop internal bleeding. The berry gives elasticity to blood vessels, strengthens their walls, improves vascular permeability, prevents plaque formation, and also helps to maintain normal blood pressure.
Raspberry contains a lot of iron, so it helps with anemia.
Raspberries also support the body in treating sciatica.
Antistress
Raspberry has a powerful anti-stress effect... Drinks are recommended for neuroses, depression, help prevent insomnia. Raspberry jam is as effective as “live” berries.
Gastrointestinal problems
Organic acids found in raspberries improve digestion and metabolismc, stimulate the motility of all vital organs, save from constipation.
The ability of raspberries to activate the work of internal organs contributes to the normalization of metabolism and helps to fight overweight.
Raspberry helps with gastritis and colitis.
Cleansing the body
Raspberries are an effective antioxidant. The pectins contained in the berry remove salts of heavy metals from the body. With the problems of modern ecology, this is one of the most valuable qualities.
The berry helps to overcome excessive intoxication, produces a sobering effect.
Dried raspberry leaves and stems: useful properties of tea, decoctions, infusions
Raspberry leaves and stems are as beneficial as fresh berries when used in the form of decoctions and tea. Raspberry leaf tea has a tart taste and pleasant aroma, it increases immunity, is a strengthening agent, it is used to rinse the mouth, against bleeding gums.
Raspberry leaves are used as part of vitamin supplements, which are used in gynecology, for kidney problems, and as a general tonic.
The astringent properties of a decoction of raspberry leaves will help stop diarrhea and normalize bowel function.
A decoction of raspberry leaves is effective as a lotion or douching liquid for hemorrhoids - it relieves inflammation and accelerates healing. For hemorrhoids, an infusion of raspberry flowers is also used.
Some tips for women
The berry is used in cosmetology. Rinsing hair with a decoction of twigs and raspberry leaves strengthens the hair, returns them to their natural shine. Vitamins E, C and B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the beauty and youth of the skin.
Many vitamins and minerals support the health and well-being of pregnant women, and the berry also helps with toxicosis. Raspberries are good for nursing mothersas it helps to increase lactation.
A decoction of raspberry leaves is used in sitz baths to treat inflammation of the appendages.
Raspberry leaves reduce menstrual soreness and regulate the cycle.
A decoction of raspberry leaves strengthens the uterus, increases the elasticity of tissues during childbirth, and helps to facilitate this process.
Be careful: health benefits and harms of raspberries
The properties of the berry are sometimes harmful. Raspberries should not be eaten with exacerbation of urolithiasis, kidney disease. People with allergies due to essential oils should be cautious.
People suffering from:
- gastritis,
- stomach ulcer
- duodenal ulcer
-can only use raspberry juice or fresh juice diluted with water. Raspberries or natural juice are bad for them.
The combination of several acids that make up raspberries can harm people with uric acid diathesis, as well as with kidney problems.
Raspberry is not recommended for diabetes.
However, even for people at risk, moderate and careful consumption of raspberries will not harm.
A decoction of raspberry leaves activates the muscle tone of the uterus and can cause premature birth, so pregnant women should not consume this drink.
Yellow raspberry
Yellow raspberries contain a lot of sugar and almost no acids, so they are sweeter and tastier. Yellow raspberries contain a minimum of anthocyanin, therefore, yellow varieties do not pose problems for allergy sufferers, children and expectant mothers. In yellow raspberries, vitamin B9, necessary for blood formation, is abundantly present.
Black raspberry
Black raspberry brings high yields, its berries are even richer in vitamins and biologically active substances than red raspberries. Black varieties have less acids, but more minerals, such as copper, iron, manganese. In combination with folic acid, this berry creates a positive effect on people with blood disorders. Black raspberries contain more antioxidants that prevent the development of cancer.
What raspberries to collect: harvesting and use for medicinal purposes
For medicinal purposes, wild raspberries are better suited, although there are also many useful substances in garden varieties. When harvesting raspberries, drying, freezing is recommended, as well as a vitamin mixture of sugar and raspberries, which is prepared in a 1 to 1 ratio.
Raspberries retain most of their useful properties in the form of jam, so harvesting them for the winter will provide a healthy and pleasant treat throughout the year.
Raspberry leaves and stems are collected clean (without dust, midges and damage), dried in a shady place and brewed from them teas, decoctions, infusions are prepared. You can store dried and crushed leaves in cloth bags or in three-liter jars.
Raspberry leaf tea delicious on its own, but you can combine a raspberry leaf with a currant leaf, with rose, apple or peach petals.
To cleanse the body two tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves are poured with two glasses of boiling water, allowed to brew and consumed in small portions 5 times during the day.