For centuries, people have been treated with plants. Sometimes we do not even suspect how many useful properties a seemingly inconspicuous grass or berry has.
One of these useful plants is irga. Nowadays, a small number of people know about it, but in the Middle Ages it was actively used by doctors and healers to prepare various potions.... Let's take a closer look at the beneficial properties and contraindications for the use of this unique berry.
The appearance and halo of the spread of the plant
Irga belongs to the shrub ornamental and garden plants of the apple genus, the Rosaceae family. The scientific name of this plant is "amelanchier", in the Celtic language it means "honey"... You can also find such a name as "lady", which is more common among the people.
There are almost two dozen different varieties of this plant. It is a tall shrub with thick green leaves. Irgi fruits are small red-purple round berries, sweet in taste. They ripen in mid-summer. The average life span of this shrub tree is 60 years..
Irga grows in North Africa, America, central and southern Europe, and also in Japan. In Russia, the shrub can be found in many regions, but it is most common in the Crimea and the Caucasus..
Composition and useful properties of irgi for the human body
Irgi berries are widely used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes. They contain many vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
- Phytosterols, which are part of the berry, have an anti-sclerotic effect, strengthen blood vessels, reduce capillary fragility and fragility and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Thanks to pectinscontained in irga, the work of the gastrointestinal tract is restored, appetite improves, toxins and carcinogens are removed from the body. A decoction of these berries also helps to relieve stress and fatigue, and normalizes the nervous system. In addition, irga is an excellent immunomodulator.
- Vitamin C helps fight infections, improves metabolism and lowers blood cholesterol levels.
- Bioflavonoids (Vitamin P) help maintain normal blood sugar levels, prevent blood clots and support heart function in coronary artery disease and hypertension.
Vitamin P is very rarely found in food. The game is one of the few plants where this substance is contained in sufficient quantities, and the beneficial effect of the berry on the human body is largely due to the presence of this component.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) actively participates in metabolic processes, normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands and is necessary to maintain normal vision.
Berries are low in calories (43 kcal), due to which they are actively used in weight correction programs.
In folk medicine, not only berries are used, but also leaves, bark and flowers of irgi. Decoctions of these components have a wound healing, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect.
Harm and contraindications: who should not use irgu?
The benefits of irgi are obvious, but at the same time it can harm the human body if used in the following cases:
- the presence of diabetes (the berry is rich in carbohydrates, which can lead to a sharp increase in blood glucose levels);
- obesity (excessive consumption of berries can lead to weight gain);
- low blood pressure (the components contained in the fruits help to lower blood pressure);
- tendency to skin rashes (Irga can cause severe reactions in allergy sufferers);
- low blood clotting (the substances that make up the berry promote blood thinning).
In childhood, the use of irgi should not exceed 50 grams per dayotherwise there is a risk of allergies.
You can pick berries away from roads and industrial complexes. Irga has a high ability to absorb toxins and heavy metals.
The use of irgi in traditional medicine
Irga has found wide application in folk medicine. Decoctions, teas and healing infusions are prepared on the basis of the fruits, inflorescences, leaves and bark of this plant.
Irgu is used in the following cases:
- heart disease, high blood pressure and varicose veins;
- poisoning and diseases of the digestive tract;
- high blood cholesterol and the presence of cholesterol plaques;
- diseases of the nervous system and increased fatigue;
- prevention and complex therapy of diseases of the organs of vision;
- low permeability of blood vessels and increased fragility of capillaries;
- ARI and ARVI;
- periodontal disease and bleeding gums;
- diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- recovery of the body after illness;
- purulent wounds, burns and abrasions.
In these cases you can eat fresh berries, take irgi juice diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio, or prepare tinctures... Medicinal teas are prepared from flowers and leaves, and for external use in the treatment of wounds and burns, a compress from a decoction of the plant bark is needed.
Irga helps not only to alleviate the condition of various diseases, but also saturates the body with useful substances, and also has a healing and rejuvenating effect.
When can an irga harm?
Even a healthy person who uses irgu for general strengthening purposes can harm his health if consumed in excess of this product. What can happen in this case?
Among other things, Irga has a strong soothing effect... Excessive consumption of juice, tincture or tea can lead to drowsiness, loss of energy and decreased focus.
Signs of allergy may also appear even in persons who have not previously suffered from such manifestations.
When consuming irgi in combination with dairy and fermented milk products the digestive system is disrupted, leading to discomfort, bloating and diarrhea.
Children can eat no more than 50 grams of berries per day, the norm for an adult is 100-150 grams.
Recipes for decoctions and teas with leaves and berries
Traditional medicine offers a huge number of ways to prepare medicinal potions based on berries, flowers, leaves or irgi bark... If you have health problems or to replenish the balance of beneficial trace elements in the body, you can use one of the recipes given.
Flower infusion
The tincture is prepared on the basis of vodka, but those who cannot tolerate alcohol can replace it with water. To prepare a remedy, you will need to do the following:
- pour into a small saucepan or liter jar 2-3 tablespoons dried flowers;
- pour 2 glasses of vodka or boiling water;
- if alcohol is used, you need to insist the drink within 3 days, in the case of boiling water, wait until it cools down, after wrapping a container with tincture;
- when the drink is infused, it is necessary strain.
The tincture is consumed 3 times a day, taking one tablespoon 15-20 minutes before meals.
Berry juice
Juice from berries can be consumed fresh, diluted with water, or preserved. Canned juice is prepared in this way:
- the berries are thoroughly washed and allow excess water to drain;
- pound using a pestle to puree;
- squeeze juice in a juicer or manually using gauze;
- bred with juice of more acidic berries (since irga has a high sugar content, you can add cranberry, cherry or currant juice);
- warm up, but not brought to a boil, and rolled up in jars hot.
Before you start canning, you need to pour boiling water over the cans. It is recommended to drink juice 50-100 grams before meals.
In case of disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, it is not recommended to use juice. In these cases, tea made from flowers or irgi leaves, as well as a decoction of the bark, are suitable.
Berry tincture
To prepare a healing tincture from irgi berries, you need a glass jar and high-quality vodka. Prepare a drink in this way:
- berries are brought to puree state with a pestle;
- jar на fill crushed mass;
- pour vodkaleaving an empty space 3-4 cm from the neck of the vessel;
- insist 2-3 days in a cool dark place;
- filter and throw away the rest of the berries.
It is better to store this tincture in the cold. It is recommended to take the remedy 3 times a day., a tablespoon before meals.
Leaf tea
It is better to use fresh leaves for making tea, but as a last resort, dried leaves are also suitable.
A few leaves of irgi are poured with boiling water and let it brew for 15-20 minutes... You can add 1 teaspoon of natural honey. Flower tea is prepared in the same way.
It is better to drink tea in the evenings, it perfectly calms the nervous system and ensures a healthy sound sleep.
Bark decoction
The broth is intended not only for internal but also for external use. Compresses can be used to heal festering wounds and burns. To prepare the product you need:
- chop the bark using a coffee grinder;
- pour into the pan 2 tablespoons of the resulting powder and pour 2 cups of boiling water;
- put the dishes on low heat and cook the remedy for 15-20 minutes;
- cool the drink and strain through a sieve or cheesecloth;
- add 1 cup of cool boiled water.
Take a tincture 3-5 times a day for ½ cup... If the product is being prepared for external use, you do not need to dilute it with water.
Like any medicinal plant, Irga can provide invaluable benefits to the human body when used correctly, and can even harm... For this reason, it is necessary to follow the rules for the preparation of medicinal products and control their dosage.