Currant leaves are a gift from nature with a wide range of beneficial properties for the internal health of the body and external beauty. This is an affordable raw material for the preparation of medicinal infusions and decoctions, culinary preparations and cosmetics... The beneficial properties of blackcurrant leaves are recognized by official medicine, and extracts are used by beauty concerns to prepare expensive care products.
Useful properties of currant leaves and contraindications
The beneficial properties of each product for the human body are determined by the predominant substances in their composition, a combination of vitamins and macronutrients.
During the flowering of the shrub, a record amount of vitamin C (260 mg%) accumulates in the leaves of the currant... This is 1.5-2 times more than in the fruits of the culture, which is achieved due to the low content of enzymes that destroy ascorbic acid. Vitamin C contained in 100 g of the product significantly exceeds the daily requirement of the human body (90 mg).
The formation of collagen and connective tissue is impossible without the participation of vitamin C. It provides density of bone and dental tissue, elasticity and firmness of the skin. Therefore, the external beauty of our body is partially dependent on vitamin C.
The organic compound regulates the process of blood coagulation, reduces the permeability of the vascular walls and suppresses the development of inflammatory processes. These properties are excellent for the prevention and adjunctive treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertension, vascular pathologies and viral diseases..
Vitamin C is not synthesized in the body, so it must be supplied stably with food. The organic compound is easily destroyed by mechanical damage and improper heat treatment. Therefore, fresh currant leaves are used whole and put only in boiling water.
Currant leaves differ in the content of polyphenolic compounds that is significant for the human body:
- flavonols 2700 mg%;
- free catechins 941 mg%;
- condensed catechins 4414 mg%;
- proanthocyanidins 2174 mg%;
- bioflavonoids 7365 mg%.
These are powerful natural antioxidants that inhibit the development of free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that oxidize and destroy healthy cells. Excessive formation of free radicals disrupts all biochemical processes in the body, promotes malignant transformation of connective tissue. Therefore, currant leaves are useful for the diet of people after the treatment of cancer or with a hereditary predisposition to them.
The benefits of currant leaves for people who smoke, living in areas with a predominance of radiation background and in cities with gas-polluted air, are undeniable. Natural antioxidants resist toxic substances and promote their elimination from the body.
Currant leaves contain an impressive amount of the main macronutrients:
- magnesium 370 mg%;
- calcium 327 mg%;
- potassium 178 mg%;
- phosphorus 7.5 mg%;
- sodium 2 mg%.
These minerals are responsible for bone strength and growth, muscle health, and motor function.
The predominance of magnesium and potassium in currant leaves are especially useful for heart function and prevention of heart attack.... These macronutrients strengthen the myocardium (heart muscle), regulate blood flow, and restore heart rate.
In addition to the benefits, currant leaves can also harm the body. The herbal component cannot be used with increased acidity of the body, acute gastritis and stomach ulcers, hepatitis. In the presence of chronic pathologies, it is important to consult a doctor before use.
A contraindication to the use of currants in any form is thrombophlebitis. You can not abuse black currant leaves, because of them, blood clotting may increase.
You can not take a decoction based on black currant leaves if gastric acidity is increased, with an ulcer disease, an inflammatory process in the duodenum.Large quantities of drugs should not be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding, they lead to side effects, various allergic reactions.
Application of black and red currant leaves
Currant leaves can be used all year round. Thanks to the phytoncides in their composition, the beneficial substances of the plant are preserved almost in their natural form when dried and frozen.
Decoctions and infusions - benefits and harms
In addition to the undoubted medicinal properties, decoctions and infusions of currant leaves have a wonderful aroma.
With systemic and correct use, they have a high therapeutic effect during prevention and treatment:
- bronchopulmonary diseases;
- inflammatory and catarrhal pathologies;
- hypertension;
- cardiovascular disease;
- atherosclerosis;
- dysentery;
- diabetes.
The herbal component strengthens the immune system, visual functions, regulates the liver and kidneys. Decoctions and infusions are used for daily cleansing of the skin, make lotions on problem areas... Such procedures suppress inflammatory processes in skin cells, a common cause of acne and systemic facial sepsis.
Healing baths
The anti-inflammatory properties of currant leaves greatly facilitate the manifestation of dermatitis and other skin diseases.
Baths of currant leaves are used to treat:
- all types of dermatitis;
- prickly heat in children;
- diathesis;
- radiculitis.
A currant leaf bath is a great way to nourish the cells of skin, nails and hair with nutrients. It is a good alternative to many spa treatments for women.
Healthy tea
Currant leaf tea is a good addition to your daily diet... The drink has tonic and tonic properties. It is a worthy replacement for more aggressive tea and coffee drinks.
The diuretic properties of tea complement the complex treatment:
- renal pathologies (cystitis, pyelonephritis)
- urolithiasis;
- gout (excretion of uric acids);
- edema.
Tea is especially useful for older people... At this time, the body is experiencing significant metabolic disorders, blood circulation and the work of the nervous system. The structures of the heart wear out and require increased support from nutrients from food.
Currant leaf tea is a source of important macronutrients and vitamins, the mild effect of which does not disrupt the natural functioning of the body. The drink has no age restrictions, it will be useful for children and adults.
Medical and cosmetic recipes
Treatment with currant leaves has been practiced for a long time, in addition, there is a constant study of the beneficial properties of the plant component. So today we can use the best recipes for medicinal and cosmetic products from currant leaves.
Popular recipes:
- Decoction... To prepare the remedy, dry and crushed leaves (4 tbsp. L) are placed in boiling water (1 l) and kept in a water bath for 30 minutes. Filter and cool. Take 200 ml 3 times a day.
- Infusion... Dry raw materials (5 tbsp. L.) Are poured into a thermos and poured with boiling water (1 l). Insist 2-3 hours, filter and cool. Take 100 ml 3-4 times a day. With the help of infusion, lotions are made during acne inflammation. To do this, a piece of gauze is moistened in a remedy and applied to problem areas for 15 minutes.
- Healing bath... You can also use plant branches to prepare a bath. To do this, 1 kg of raw materials is poured with 10 liters of water and boiled for 30 minutes. After that, the dishes are covered with a lid and insisted for 1 hour, filtered and added to the bath. The duration of the procedure is 25 minutes, the recommended frequency is 2 times a week.
- Tea... In summer, it is better to brew tea from fresh currant or raspberry leaves. To do this, the leaves (5-6 pcs.) Are placed in boiling water (250 ml), kept on fire for 1 minute and insisted for 2-3 minutes. A spoonful of honey is added to improve the taste. Tea can be brewed with peppermint for a good sedative that promotes healthy sleep.
- Antiseptic compress... The treatment is recommended for those with oily skin prone to acne formation. Dried currant leaves (20 g), chamomile flowers (30 g), sea buckthorn fruits (50 g) are poured with boiling water (1 l) and exposed to a water bath for 20 minutes. Cool and filter. A gauze cloth soaked in broth is applied to the face for 10-15 minutes. The recommended course of treatment is 5 days.
- Mask for the face... Chopped fresh leaves (6 pcs.) And yogurt (150 ml) are thoroughly mixed and squeezed through a gauze cloth. The nutrient mixture is applied to the face and kept for 20 minutes. In winter, an infusion from dry raw materials can be used as a component. The mask brightens pigments, evens out complexion, and has a softening effect.
Currant leaves are used not only for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Their extraordinary aroma makes them an excellent addition to salads and hot dishes. Leaves are also irreplaceable when preserving vegetables. The high content of phytoncides in their composition protects products from decay during long-term storage.
Collection and storage
Currant leaves will be useful only if properly harvested. Leaves are harvested during flowering currants, when the content of vitamins and macronutrients reaches a maximum. Harvesting is carried out at a minimum ambient humidity.
To do this, choose a day without precipitation, a period between 10-12 hours, when the morning dew dries up. Tear off whole leaves of young shoots without signs of disease. Dried on the surface of the fabric in a dry and ventilated room without access to sunlight.
Store the product in tight fabric bags or glass jars with a lid. Useful properties of raw materials are preserved for 2-3 years.
Despite the huge potential of healing and beneficial properties for the human body, currant leaves are undeservedly pushed aside... This can be explained by the easy availability of raw materials and the lack of complete information about the amazing plant component. Therefore, it is important to look closely at the modest plants around us, the names of which are often mentioned in expensive creams and medicines.