Black rowan: what helps and what heals, what can be done and how to take. Chokeberry - benefits and contraindications

Aronia chokeberry - a thunderstorm for hypertension and anemia

The homeland of the chokeberry is the eastern part of North America (Canada), where it occupies a vast territory with a variety of natural conditions from Ontario in the north to the Florida peninsula in the south, covering the Atlantic Lowland, the Appalic Mountains and the Central Plain. It was cultivated there long before the arrival of white people. The Delaware and Dakota Indian tribes treated skin burns with the juice of its fruits, made flour. Aronia was brought to Europe at the end of the 19th century and quickly gained recognition as an interesting ornamental plant that adorned streets, gardens, parks and squares. Despite the fact that the existence of chokeberry was known in Russia at that time, it was still not cultivated. After lengthy laboratory studies and clinical trials, the beneficial properties of chokeberry could not leave researchers indifferent. And in 1961, the Ministry of Health of the USSR allowed the use of fruits and natural juice of chokeberry for medicinal purposes to cure anacid gastritis, atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Useful properties of chokeberry

Aronia chokeberry (or as chokeberry is also called) is a small densely branched deciduous shrub with a flexible, not very thick, easily bent trunk up to 1.5-2.5 m high, a medicinal plant of the Rosaceae family. The flowers are collected 10-35 in an inflorescence - shield. The flowers are white, rarely pink. Blossoms in May - June, fruits ripen in August - September. Fruits are edible, dark brown or black-purple, with a slight wax coating and dark ruby flesh, spherical berries with a diameter of 8-10 mm. The weight of one fruit is up to 1.3 g. The fruits are collected in clusters, with 8 dark brown seeds. The pulp of the fruit is dark red, the juice is dark ruby.

The beneficial properties of chokeberry are due to the content of vitamins A, C, B1, B2, E, P, PP, carotene, manganese, copper, boron, iodine, magnesium, molybdenum, iron, anthocyanates. Aronia fruits contain sugars, folic, nicotinic, malic and other organic acids, riboflavin, phylloquinone, tocopherols, cyanine, pyrodoxine, thiamine, tannins and pectin substances. The fruits of chokeberry (as well as feijoa fruits) contain a lot of iodine, so they are useful for diffuse toxic goiter. Amygdalin, coumarin and other compounds have also been found in the pulp of the berries. Quercetin derivatives, large amounts of neochlorogenic acid, rutin and hyproside were found in the leaves and flowers of chokeberry. Dried chokeberry berries are also valuable medicinal raw materials. It was revealed that 3 tablespoons (50 g of dry fruits) of chokeberry contain so much vitamin P, which provides its daily dose in this beriberi. The astringent taste of chokeberry reminds us that it contains a lot of tannins, organic acids and pectins, which means it has a great effect on digestion.

Contraindications. Since chokeberry contains a large amount of organic acids, therefore, with hyperacid gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, it should be consumed moderately and only without exacerbations. In such situations, special herbal preparations containing chokeberry can help. Also, the use of fruits and juice of medicinal chokeberry is contraindicated in duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, low blood pressure, thrombophlebitis, frequent constipation, as well as those who have increased blood clotting.

Due to the content of pectin substances, chokeberry helps to remove heavy metals and radioactive substances from the body, retains and removes various types of pathogenic microorganisms. Pectins normalize the functioning of the intestines, eliminate spasms and have a choleretic effect. The beneficial properties of chokeberry help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improving their firmness and elasticity.

One of the most useful properties of this berry is the normalization of blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. Chokeberry fruits are prescribed for various disorders in the blood coagulation system, bleeding, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and allergic diseases. Recent studies have shown that chokeberry improves liver function, and regular use of this berry improves immunity and has a positive effect on the endocrine system.

Treatment of chokeberry
General strengthening decoction. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 20 g of dry fruits of chokeberry, set on a small fire and heat for 5-10 minutes. Wait 20 minutes until the broth cools down, strain it, squeeze it out and drink 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.

With hypertension. Mix 50 g of fresh chokeberry juice with a tablespoon of honey, drink three times a day half an hour before meals for 10-45 days of treatment.
Or drink chokeberry juice 50 ml 3 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals for 10 days or 100 g of fresh fruits 3 times a day.

Prevention of atherosclerosis. Daily use 100 g of fruits for 2-6 weeks three times a day half an hour before meals. And additionally consume a decoction of medicinal rose hips or an infusion of black currant or a vitamin C preparation.
Or take 2-3 times a day 100 g of pureed berries at the rate of 1 kg of berries per 700 g of sugar.

Pressure remedy. Rowan juice from pressed berries is taken 0.25 cup 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals with hypertension, hemorrhoids, gastritis with low acidity.

Multivitamin tea. 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture is poured into 2 cups of hot water, boiled for 10 minutes and insisted for 5-6 hours. Before use, you can add sugar to taste. Take 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day before meals.

With asthenia, anemia and hypovitaminosis. It is necessary to eat 2-3 times a day 250 g of fresh fruits daily, along with blackcurrant, rosehip broth or ascorbic acid dragees.

Aronia wine

Chokeberry is perfect for winemaking. The wine from its fruits turns out to be thick, extractive, rich ruby color with a very beautiful shade. The wine clears up nicely. It should be noted a special property of chokeberry wine - it affects a person's pressure, lowering the latter. So people with low blood pressure should drink blackberry wine only in small quantities.

All types of wines can be made from aronia, but strong and sweet wines (dessert and liquor) are better. Dry wines are rarely prepared, as they get too "heavy" astringent taste. Very often, chokeberry is used to make blended wines, in particular, wine is perfectly obtained from a mixture of autumn apple and chokeberry juices.

There are several ways to make wine from aronia, differing mainly in extracting juice and making must. With each of these methods, it is also possible to add juices of other fruits and berries to the chokeberry juice (blending).

Purchase and storage

Aronia fruits are harvested at full maturity, in September - October. Use them fresh and dried. Fresh fruits are distinguished by keeping quality, which allows them to be consumed fresh for a long time.

For long-term storage, rowan fruits are cut with a shield, strung on a wire and hung in a barn. So they can be stored in frosts and are suitable for consumption throughout the winter, but when fresh fruits are frozen, the P-vitamin substance is partially destroyed, and its amount decreases with each thawing and freezing. Aronia is dried in the open air or in drying chambers at a temperature of 40-50 °. Dried fruits are sold by pharmacies.

Recipes from chokeberry

Aronia jam. You will need: chokeberry - 1 kg, sugar - 1.3 kg, water - 2 cups, juice (any) - 1 cup, rum - 2 tablespoons, citric acid - 1/2 cup.
Cooking method. Rowan is better to collect after the first frost. Separate the berries from the brushes, wash, keep covered in a not too hot oven for 2-5 hours. From sugar, water and the resulting juice, boil the syrup, dip the berries into it, add the rum and cook until the berries are transparent. At the end of cooking, add citric acid. The finished jam is poured hot into jars and corked.

Black chokeberry pie. You will need: wheat bread - 200g, chokeberry - 2 cups, apples - 2 pieces, sugar - 1/2 cup, butter - 2 tbsp, breadcrumbs - 2 tbsp, sweet sauce - to taste .
Cooking method. Cut the bread into thin slices, moisten in a mixture of milk, eggs and sugar. Rinse chokeberry berries, sprinkle with sugar, add grated Antonovka apples. Place the soaked slices of bread on a greased and sprinkled with breadcrumbs frying pan, minced meat on top and cover with the remaining slices of bread. Pour in the egg-milk mixture and bake in the oven until golden brown. Serve with sweet sauce.

Tincture of black chokeberry. You will need: chokeberry - 100g, cherry leaves - 100 pieces, vodka - 700g, sugar - 1.3 cups, water - 1.5 l.
Cooking method. Pour berries and leaves with 1.5 liters of water and boil for 15 minutes. Then strain the broth and add 700 g of vodka and 1.3 cups of sand.

Chokeberry they are used everywhere due to the relative ease of preparation of culinary masterpieces, cosmetic products, folk remedies. The product is popular due to its valuable chemical list; vitamin complexes are often replaced with chokeberry. The berry is able to raise the protective functions of the body, give vigor and strength, cure many diseases. All this encourages people to seek information regarding the harm and benefits of mountain ash.

The composition and benefits of mountain ash

So, the culture is rich in vitamins K, P, B. It contains ascorbic acid, tocopherol, beta-carotene, coumarin, amygdalin. Of the elements, it makes sense to isolate iron, fluorine, boron, molybdenum, manganese and many others.

Chokeberry is rightfully considered the world champion in the accumulation of iodine in it. Among plants growing in the northern latitude, such a quantity cannot be found in any culture. From this we can assume that the berry prevents many ailments, one way or another related to the endocrine system.

Due to the presence of ascorbic acid in the composition of fruits, mountain ash becomes truly indispensable. Vitamin C increases the action of all available enzymes, enhancing the beneficial effects on internal organs. For this reason, mountain ash is often the main component of teas, decoctions, infusions, vitamin complexes aimed at treating various diseases.

Incoming flavonoid vitamin P slows down premature aging of the body. In mountain ash, this element is present in an amount exceeding the accumulation in black currant by 2.5 times. In total, a handful of chokeberries will replenish the necessary daily intake of an adult in vitamin P. Interestingly, iodine levels are 4 times higher than the accumulation of this element in gooseberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Rowan is consumed for the prevention of diseases of the vascular system. It is enough to take 80-90 gr. berries daily.
Fruits have the ability to lower blood pressure. If blood pressure has risen due to the development of diabetes, eat 50-100 gr. everyday.
Chokeberry prevents atherosclerosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis. The berry breaks down and removes cholesterol plaques, reduces the likelihood of myocardial infarction.
Rowan juice thins the blood, enhances its circulation, cleanses and gently opens the blood vessels. As a result, the blood flow is enriched with oxygen, the work of absolutely all internal organs improves.
A decoction based on the leaves of the plant is used in order to remove excess bile and facilitate the activity of the liver. The drink fills the voids in the cavity of the internal organ, stops the action of free radicals.
Fresh berries and juices based on them have the ability to remove excess fluid from the body. All this leads to a decrease in swelling in the limbs and around the internal organs.
Blackberry is especially useful for patients with diabetes. The substance sorbitol leads to the fact that blood sugar stabilizes, its jumps are excluded.
It is useful to consume chokeberry to stabilize the peripheral and central nervous system. The berry is responsible for the psycho-emotional background of a person, relieves anxiety, sleep problems, constant neuroses.

The benefits of rowan for digestion

The chokeberry is of particular value to the digestive system. There is a lot of pectin in the berry, which eliminates the harmful effects of radionuclides, toxic substances of a different origin.

These compounds kill the intestinal microflora, thereby causing the internal organ to work poorly. Diuretic and choleretic property allows you to remove all poisons from the body.

Rowan juice and fresh berries are prescribed for patients diagnosed with cholecystitis without the presence of sand and stones. Fruits increase the acidity of the stomach, accelerating the digestibility of food.

Only 5-6 berries consumed half an hour before a meal will speed up digestion, relieve heaviness in the stomach, and normalize stool. As a result, belching, the smell of rot from the oral cavity, and fermentation in the intestines will disappear.

It should be understood that if you have an increased acidity of the stomach, taking chokeberry and concentrated juice based on it will only harm and aggravate the course of ailments associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

The benefits of mountain ash for the endocrine system

Chokeberry is prescribed for people with thyroid diseases, thyrotoxicosis, Graves' disease, radiation sickness. Sorbitol, which is part of the fruit, is quickly absorbed into the blood and distributed throughout the body. This element alleviates the symptoms of ailments, treats diabetes, affected capillaries.

It is useful to consume chokeberry for people with obesity. The anthocyanins included in the composition maintain blood sugar levels at an optimal level. As a result, a false sense of hunger will not haunt you. Rowan is also shown to be taken by people on a diet.

As mentioned above, iodine predominates in large quantities in chokeberry. Therefore, the berry should be taken for disorders of the thyroid gland, radiation sickness. Eat fresh fruits on an empty stomach to stimulate juice production and further digestion.

The benefits of mountain ash for the heart and immunity

Rowan increases the protective functions of the body of an adult and children. It is useful to consume berries between seasons, with climate change, beriberi. Chokeberry will fill the deficiency of valuable elements, improve health.

The bactericidal properties of the berry kill the harmful microflora, as a result of which the mountain ash is used for colds, SARS, flu, tonsillitis and other ailments of this type.

Chernoplodka should be taken by those who wish to carry out the prevention of varicose veins and ischemia. The berry has the peculiarity of stabilizing not only arterial, but also intracranial pressure.

Rowan reduces the likelihood of cholesterol deposition, makes the walls of the blood channels elastic and strong, and reduces the risk of thrombosis. All this has a positive effect on the work of the heart muscle.

Rowan strengthens the body and contains a lot of iodine. The substance is indispensable for the female body. Iodine has a positive effect on the activity of the thyroid gland. As a result, the hormonal background stabilizes.

For girls, chokeberry is necessary for iron deficiency during the menstrual cycle. Fruits in a short time relieve headaches and fatigue. The systematic consumption of mountain ash stabilizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, improving overall health.

The benefits of chokeberry during pregnancy

Chokeberry is a plant that can reduce the manifestations of toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the hepatoprotective properties of its fruits.

At a later date, when many pregnant women suffer from edema, chokeberry juice can be used as a diuretic. True, you need to be careful with this.

If edema is accompanied by low blood pressure, it is better to refrain from using this product.

Aronia Michurina can be an adjuvant in the treatment of such pathologies of pregnancy:

hypertension in pregnant women;
pregnancy diabetes;
placenta previa or abruption;
intrauterine hematomas.

Before consuming the fruits of chokeberry, it is important to consult a doctor in order to exclude pathologies in which this product is contraindicated. It is also worth limiting it if pregnancy is accompanied by heartburn and constipation.

The benefits of mountain ash for children

It is forbidden to give chokeberry to children under 3 years old. Fruits contribute to a strong decrease in blood pressure, constipation appears. Therefore, berries are best introduced into the diet of a preschool child in small portions.

Leaf decoction of the plant is widely used for steam inhalation with a strong cough. To increase the protective functions of the child's body, after 3 years, you can give the baby berry kissels, jams, juices. Frozen and dried berries will help maintain health regardless of the time of year.

The benefits of mountain ash for men

Studies have shown that chokeberry is useful for the stronger sex. Regular eating of berries improves the quality of blood, the walls of blood vessels, and prevents the development of cardiac pathologies.

Rowan is rich in antioxidants, which qualitatively cleanse the body, removing harmful compounds. Fruits fight inflammatory processes in the tissues. Fresh berries prevent most pathologies, including the prostate.

The benefits of mountain ash for hypertensive patients

You can resort to the help of natural juice. The drink should be drunk 30 minutes before a meal, 200 ml each. You can also consume an infusion based on the leaves and berries of the plant. The composition must be drunk 4 times a day.

To lower pressure in hypertension, rowan can be eaten in its original form or added to dessert. To enhance the effect of fruits, berries should be consumed together with apples of the Antonovka variety. Together, the rich composition will improve the general condition and stabilize blood pressure.

The experience of traditional medicine has accumulated many ways to use aronia for the treatment of various diseases.

As raw materials, you can use not only the fruits, but also the leaves of this plant, as well as its bark.

Harvesting of fruits can be carried out all autumn until the frost. The main thing is to correctly determine the right moment when the chokeberry is already ripe, but has not yet begun to crumble. It is better to collect leaves at the beginning of summer, and the bark - in late autumn, after leaf fall and the end of sap flow.

vitamin tea

To prepare a healing vitamin drink, dry fruits and leaves of chokeberry are taken in equal proportions. Next, 3 tablespoons of this mixture should be placed in a thermos and pour 0.5 liters of boiled and cooled water to 700C. Close the thermos and leave for 1 hour.

Ready tea can be sweetened with honey and taken during seasonal epidemics as an immunostimulating agent. You can drink 2-3 glasses of this drink per day.

Aronia juice

Blackberry juice has many uses.

hypertension;
atherosclerosis;
hypoacid gastritis;
sleep disturbances caused by stress;
diarrhea.

To prepare fresh chokeberry juice, you can use an ordinary household juicer or grind the fruits into a puree and squeeze through cheesecloth.

You can also prepare juice for the future. It is done like this:

Juice is squeezed out of the fruit.
For 1 liter of juice, 1 cup of sugar and a third of a teaspoon of citric acid are taken.
The juice is drained into an enamel bowl, warmed up slightly, sugar and citric acid dissolve in it.
The juice is poured into glass jars or bottles, covered with a sterile lid and placed for sterilization in a pot of water for 15 minutes.
After sterilization is completed, the containers are rolled up or hermetically sealed.

This product is stored in a cool place. If the concentration seems too high, it is diluted with warm water in a ratio of 1: 1 before use. A child can be given chokeberry juice 150 ml, and an adult - 250 ml 2 times a day.

general health drink

You can prepare strengthening drinks from chokeberries with the addition of other ingredients: dry raspberries, rose hips, linden flowers, cherry and blackcurrant leaves. All available raw materials are combined in equal proportions.

For preparation, 3 tablespoons of the mixture are taken, placed in a thermos and 0.5 liters of boiling water is poured. Everything is infused for 2-3 hours. If the drink is prepared with rose hips, you need to insist it longer - at least 12 hours. Drink warm, 2-3 cups a day.

Sometimes an alcoholic tincture of chokeberry is prepared as a stimulating and strengthening agent. They do it like this:

Take 500 grams of fresh ripe chokeberry fruits, 0.5 liters of vodka and 3 tablespoons of honey.
The fruits are poured into a suitable glass container, honey is also placed there.
Everything is poured with vodka and vigorously shaken.
The container is clogged and cleaned in a dark, cool place (not in the refrigerator).
For 2.5 months, the drink is shaken every 4 days.

Ready tincture can be taken 1 tablespoon to normalize sleep, stimulate appetite and indigestion.

Medicinal blackberry liqueur with cherry leaves

As an anti-stress relaxing agent, you can take a light liquor.

Prepare it like this:

For 400 grams of chokeberry fruits, take 80 fresh cherry leaves, 300 grams of sugar, 1 teaspoon of citric acid, 1 liter of vodka and 1.5 liters of water.
The leaves are washed and boiled for 10 minutes, removed and the chokeberry is poured into the boiling broth.
After 10 minutes, add sugar, wait for it to dissolve, pour in citric acid and turn off the fire.
The mixture is cooled, filtered, combined with vodka and bottled.

This liqueur is stored in the refrigerator. You can take it at 40 grams before bedtime.

Is it possible to freeze chokeberry for the winter?

Useful properties of harvested chokeberry are best preserved when the fruit is dried. A simpler method of storage - freezing - unfortunately, is not suitable. At low temperatures, an important component of chokeberry fruits, tannin, is destroyed. Berries lose their characteristic astringent taste, become sweeter, but most of the benefits disappear.

Proper preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials guarantee the effectiveness of finished products. Careful attention to the recommendations and contraindications will help to avoid possible complications. Subject to these two conditions, chokeberry will be a strong help in the treatment of many diseases.

Consider chokeberry face masks and rowan scrub. Chokeberry has small seeds that give an exfoliating effect. And if you add a little fine salt, you get a magnificent natural scrub from chokeberry. Masks, depending on the type of skin, have additional components.

Recipe for chokeberry scrub from mountain ash

The recipe for chokeberry scrub has the following composition: we take half a glass of chokeberry berries, blend them or pass them through a meat grinder and get rowan pulp.

We add fine salt to it in such an amount that a slightly thick slurry is obtained and apply with bundles of fingers on the face, gently massaging the skin along the massage lines of the face: from the base of the nose to the tips of the ears, from the outer corners of the mouth to the auricles - simultaneously with both hands.

Don't overdo it or you'll scratch your skin! Be especially careful if you have thin and delicate - porcelain - facial skin.

Aronia masks for normal skin

For normal facial skin, you can make several masks from chokeberry with the addition of milk, honey, apple, beetroot and sunflower oil. What masks and how to cook, their recipes - look at the image:

rowan-milk - moisten a form of gauze and apply on the face
rowan-apple - evenly distribute the pulp over the face (if the apple is grated) or moisten the gauze form (if the berries are blended)
mountain ash-beet - the pulp of mountain ash. sunflower oil and raw beets evenly apply on the face

Rowan harm

The consumption of mountain ash is prohibited in case of deviations in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcer, gastritis, hyperacidity). Read more:
Do not try to eat fruits in any form if you have been diagnosed with hypotension. In this case, the pressure will drop to the minimum mark and can lead to sad consequences.
It is forbidden to use mountain ash with thrombophlebitis, increased blood clotting can lead to blockage of the channels.
Refrain from eating berries for chronic constipation. Rowan has a fixing effect.

Chokeberry is valuable for the human body. Harm can be caused by non-compliance with practical recommendations and overeating of berries. Do not forget that it is better not to give fruits to babies less than 3 years old. In case of any deviations in the state of health, immediately stop taking mountain ash, if necessary, consult a doctor.

In the article we discuss aronia chokeberry. You will learn what properties the plant has, how to properly collect and harvest fruits, what are the contraindications for chokeberry, and how to use it for high blood pressure, diabetes and during pregnancy.

Aronia chokeberry is a perennial fruit shrub or tree. The Latin name of the plant is Aronia melanocarpa. The generic name comes from the Greek words ἄρος - benefit, μέλᾱς - black and καρπός - fruit. Aronia chokeberry is also called chokeberry or chokeberry because of the bluish-black color of the fruits and the similarity of their structure with the fruits of mountain ash.

What does it look like

Appearance of black chokeberry.

Aronia chokeberry is a highly branched shrub, up to 3 meters high. The crown of the plant becomes very spreading with age.

The root system of chokeberry is developed, localized in the zone of the crown of the bush. Every year, many independent shoots appear at the base of the plant.

The leaves of the plant are obovate in shape with a sharp end. The size of the leaves, depending on the variety, can reach 7 cm in length. During the summer season, they are glossy dark green. In autumn, the leaves take on a purple-red hue. The leaves are alternate, located on short petioles.

Aronia blooms from May to June. The flowers are bisexual, up to 6 cm in diameter, five-petalled white or pinkish-white, collected in complex inflorescences. The anthers rise slightly above the stigmas and are purple in color.

Fruits up to 8 mm in size (depending on the variety), spherical or squeezed-round shape. The color of the fruit is black or purple-black, the surface is smooth, shiny, the skin is dense. The berries have a slightly astringent, tart, sour-sweet taste. Fruit ripening begins in mid-August.

Where does it grow

The eastern part of the North American continent is considered to be the birthplace of the chokeberry chokeberry. This shrub is most often found in the wild and is considered an overgrown weed. Aronia grows in a temperate climate, so it can be found in most regions of Russia and North America.

In our country, the biologist and breeder I.V. Michurin was the first to start breeding chokeberry. One of the plant species, Aronia Michurina, was named after him. This hybridogenic species differs from other species in its juicy sweet and sour taste and large fruit size.

After Michurin, biologists from Gorno-Altaisk were engaged in industrial cultivation of chokeberry and its popularization as a garden crop. Today, the cultivation of chokeberry for personal use is mainly carried out in home gardens and summer cottages. Aronia bears fruit in the third year after planting. Propagated by seeds, cuttings, root offspring, layering and dividing the bush.

Black chokeberry fruits

Aronia fruits have a rich chemical composition and have a lot of useful properties for the body. For medicinal purposes and for consumption, chokeberry can be grown, harvested and prepared independently.

Chemical composition

Aronia chokeberry fruits have the following chemical composition:

lactose and fructose (up to 10%);
sorbitol;
flavonoids;
carotene;
retinol;
tocopherol;
vitamin C;
a nicotinic acid;
B vitamins;
anthocyanins;
pectin;
tannins;
amygdalin glycoside;
minerals: fluorine, iodine, boron, copper, iron, manganese, etc.

The acidity of the fruit is about 1.3%, in terms of malic acid. Due to the content of sorbitol, chokeberry is used in the production of products for diabetics.

Medicinal properties

Aronia fruits have the following beneficial properties for the body:

strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
reduce blood pressure;
heal damage to the skin;
normalize digestion and metabolism in the body;
saturate the body with vitamins and useful microelements;
reduce the risk of developing cancer;
have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects;
strengthen bone tissue;
support the functioning of the functional systems of the body;
have choleretic and diuretic actions.

Aronia chokeberry and preparations based on it are used for the prevention and treatment of the following diseases:

arterial hypertension;
diabetes;
avitaminosis;
vascular atherosclerosis;
inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
hemorrhagic diathesis;
glomerular nephritis;
Schönlein-Genoch disease;
radiation sickness;
diarrhea;
neurological diseases;
oncology.

How to collect

Aronia chokeberry is used in folk medicine to treat pressure, edema and diabetes.

Aronia fruits are harvested in late September - early October, after the first night frosts. In order to determine the ripeness of the berries, it is necessary to pick several fruits from different parts of the bush and press down. The juice of ripe chokeberry berries should be dark purple. The taste of ripe chokeberry fruits is tart, sweet and sour.

In order to dry chokeberry for the winter, ripe fruits are removed from the bush along with the stalks, the clusters are cleaned of debris and rotten berries. Then they are washed and dried on a clean newspaper or tarp. For drying, bunches are hung on a thick thread in a dark, well-ventilated area. After complete drying, the berries are separated from the stalks and put in linen bags.

The fruits can also be dried in the oven at a temperature of 50-60 degrees or in an automatic dryer. Using these methods, chokeberry is dried without stalks.

To freeze fresh berries for the winter, the berries are separated from the stalks, washed and dried on a clean newspaper. After drying, the berries are sorted into plastic containers or bags and frozen.

How to apply Aronia chokeberry

Aronia is grown for medicinal and food raw materials, as well as for decorative purposes. In folk medicine, chokeberry is valued for its rich chemical composition and is used to treat and prevent cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, digestive problems and many others.

Also, chokeberry is used as a vitamin and mineral source and for violations of the immune and endocrine systems.

In the pharmaceutical industry, various dietary supplements and medicines are made on the basis of chokeberry fruits. Also, raw materials obtained by extraction from chokeberry fruits are added to some cosmetic products for skin and hair.

Aronia berries are eaten fresh, dried and frozen. Tinctures are made from them, compotes, juices and jams are brewed, and they are also added to confectionery.

Also, chokeberry helps to cope with high blood pressure, strengthen the body during pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications in diabetes.

Under pressure

To normalize blood pressure, use chokeberry fresh, frozen or canned - 10-15 berries (15-20 grams) 2-3 times a day. It well helps to clean and strengthen blood vessels and has a preventive effect against the development of a hypertensive crisis. Also, with hypertension and atherosclerosis of the vessels, it is useful to drink juice from the fruit.

Fruit juice

Ingredients: Fresh fruits of chokeberry.

How to cook: Select, wash and dry the berries. Squeeze the juice out of them with a juicer or rub them through a fine sieve. If desired, separate the juice from the pulp. You can also use frozen fruits to make juice.

How to use: Take juice of 75 ml half an hour before meals three times a day.

From dried fruits harvested for the winter, you can prepare an infusion that will help reduce blood pressure and strengthen the cardiovascular system.

Infusion on fruits

Ingredients:

Dried chokeberry - 3 tbsp
Pure water - 500 ml.

How to cook: Pour dried fruits into a thermos and pour boiling water over them. Let it brew for a day.

How to use: Take the remedy 75 ml half an hour before meals three times a day.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, chokeberry also helps to normalize blood pressure, especially in the last stages of pregnancy, and also to avoid swelling.

In addition, chokeberry is a rich source of substances necessary for the health of the expectant mother and her child: nicotinic acid, vitamins C, P, A and E, iodine, iron and potassium.

For diabetes

Aronia helps diabetics manage bleeding gums, high blood pressure, skin inflammation, and prevent complications from diabetes. Endocrinologists recommend drinking a glass of fresh or frozen chokeberry during the day, dividing it into several doses. In addition, you can prepare a tonic decoction of dried aronia berries.

A decoction of chokeberry

Ingredients:

Dried chokeberry fruits - 5 tbsp.
Drinking water - 500 ml.

How to cook: Place dried berries in a small bowl and cover with water. Boil for 5 minutes, then let the broth cool and brew under the lid. Strain the decoction with a gauze or strainer.

How to use: Take the resulting decoction during the day half an hour before meals.

Aronia is also used to treat wounds and cracks in the skin. Blackberry juice disinfects the surface of the wound and promotes rapid healing. To do this, moisten a cotton or gauze swab with fresh juice and apply to the damaged surface.

Before using aronia chokeberry during diabetes, consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary. The doctor considers the benefits and harms of chokeberry for a diabetic patient in each case strictly individually.

Black Rowan, or chokeberry, has useful properties, which we will discuss in this article. Ripening and harvesting rowan occurs in the fall. The juice of these black, round berries is used to treat many diseases.

In the people there is another name - chokeberry. Black mountain ash came to Europe at the end of the 19th century, but people knew about the healing properties for a long time and successfully treated various skin diseases.

Until the XX century. in Europe, rowan was grown as an ornamental tree. Only after the studies were carried out, the plant was recognized as a medicinal plant and began to be widely used both in traditional and folk medicine.

Round chokeberry fruits reach a diameter of 12 mm, have a pleasant and sweet taste. The unripe berry is slightly tart. Harvest black mountain ash in late September - early October, depending on climatic conditions. Juice from berries for treatment is used fresh, or harvested for the winter.

Below we will share with you recipes on how to get rid of various diseases with the help of this small but very useful berry.

Black rowan - useful properties (chemical composition)

The flavonoid rutin is able to slow down the aging of cells in the body and is considered a very important component, without which a person cannot exist.

Rowan contains:

Vitamins: , , , , , , K, PP beta-carotene
Micro and macro elements, iron, copper, manganese, boron, chromium, iodine, molybdenum, potassium, fluorine, sodium.
Acids: folic, nicotinic, oxalic, citric and malic.
Fructose, glucose, sucrose, fiber, tannins.
Aronia contains flavonoids, starch, ash, pectins, sorbitol, glycosides.

Black mountain ash does not contain fats and has a fairly low calorie content (55 kcal per 100 grams). A significant part of the berry is carbohydrates.

The healing properties of black mountain ash photo

Aronia is able to cure many diseases, thanks to the healing properties of the juice.

Rowan chokeberry normalizes the level of cholesterol in the blood.
According to scientists, berries are used to treat atherosclerosis, they promote blood clotting and stop bleeding.
Aronia berries are used in diabetes mellitus, restore damaged capillaries.
Juice lowers blood pressure. This is an excellent remedy for hypertension, has diuretic properties. By the way, most medicines for the treatment of hypertension are diuretics.
The high content of potassium strengthens the walls of blood vessels, improves the functioning of the heart and the cardiovascular system as a whole. Potassium prevents swelling.
It has a beneficial effect on the entire respiratory system. It is recommended to take during the rehabilitation period after suffering diseases associated with the respiratory system.
Aronia is an excellent antiseptic. It is recommended to take people with low acidity. Juice activates the secretion of gastric juice, increasing acidity.
Stimulates the excretion and production of bile.
Promotes the processes of digestion.
The composition of black mountain ash includes iodine, which is necessary for the treatment of radiation sickness, thyroid gland, thyrotoxicosis, Graves' disease.
It is recommended to take people with nervous disorders, with nervousness, irascibility, lethargy and overexcitation.
The pectin contained in the berries removes heavy metals and radioactive substances from the body, stops the development of cancer and successfully fights the formation of malignant tumors.
Rowan berries are recommended to be taken as a prophylactic in the off-season to strengthen the immune system, to fight the common cold. Great hippo remedy.
Juice helps to cope with headaches and dizziness.
In combination with other fruits, an excellent remedy for constipation.
Useful for visual impairment and optic nerve atrophy.

How to take black ash for treatment

Black rowan can be consumed fresh, frozen and dried, while it will not lose its medicinal properties.
Drink juice from berries in its pure form, or in combination with juices of other fruits.
Various jams, preserves, marmalade, both as a separate product and in combination with apples, rose hips.
As decoctions and infusions. The tincture is made from vodka, or medical alcohol, the recipe of which we will describe later in the article.
For external use, compresses and lotions are used.
For prevention, they drink tea from brewed berries. You can add leaves or other fruits.
They make excellent wine from mountain ash, which they drink a little in winter as a preventive measure, to increase immunity, lower blood pressure, improve the functioning of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract as a whole.

In addition to medicinal properties, mountain ash is an excellent tool in cooking. It is added to dishes, juice is squeezed out, which serves as an additive to sauces.

How to choose black rowan

First of all, it is the appearance. A ripe berry should be not only black, but also juicy. If you press a little, you should feel the pulp. It should not be rotten and wrinkled. A hard surface indicates early stripping.

Choose berries that are shiny and large. The collection is carried out in the fall until the first frost, only then the taste will be sweet. During the ripening period, chokeberry is best eaten fresh, but when frozen, it does not lose its qualities.

If possible, squeeze the juice and make mousses. Some of the berries are dried and harvested in this form for the winter.

Black rowan - traditional medicine recipes

Photo of black rowan berries

In folk medicine, black mountain ash is considered one of the few plants whose medicinal properties are used for almost any disease. Berries are consumed raw, or prepared as a decoction or infusion.

Black rowan decoction

Pour 20 grams of dried rowan fruits with 250 ml of boiling water.
Boil over low heat for 5-10 minutes.
Then the broth is allowed to brew for half an hour.
Filter and drink 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
A decoction is taken for prevention as a general tonic.

Fresh Black Rowan Berries for Low Acidity and Hypertension

It is necessary to eat 100 g of berries, 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals for 1-1.5 months.
In addition, it is recommended to use a decoction of blackcurrant, wild rose, or any other plant with a high content of vitamin C.
You can take the drug vitamin C in its pure form.

Treatment of hypertension

Drink squeezed juice from mountain ash with honey.
For 100 ml of juice, 2 tbsp. spoons of honey.
Take 2 times a day, 50 ml 20 minutes before meals.
The course of treatment is 6 weeks.

1 st. pour a spoonful of dry berries with a glass of water and boil for 10 minutes.
Drink 1 time per day for half a glass.

Treatment of atherosclerosis

Add 2 teaspoons of sugar per 100 grams of black ashberries.
Eat 100 grams 1 time per day.

Treatment of hypovitaminosis and anemia

You need to eat 200-250 grams of fresh berries throughout the day. As an addition to berries, they drink a decoction of wild rose, or blackcurrant.

Treatment of diabetes

Rowan juice is allowed for people suffering from diabetes, but it must be taken with caution, because a strong concentration of juice contains a large amount of sugar. Juice must be diluted with water, or other acidic juices. So you will significantly reduce the concentration of sugar, without diminishing the beneficial properties.

Chokeberry for gastrointestinal disorders

Drink juice for diarrhea. The tannins and pectin substances contained in mountain ash cleanse the liver, stimulate intestinal motility, promote the release of enzymes, have a choleretic effect, relieve pain and spasms. Juice is allowed for ingestion by adults and children. But people with cholelithiasis and gastritis should first consult a doctor.

The effect of rowan juice on the thyroid gland

It is recommended to take black ashberry juice to restore the functioning of the thyroid gland, due to its properties to remove radioactive substances and heavy metals from the body. Reception of berries neutralizes the impact on the body of harmful substances.

The volume of raw materials indicated in the recipe for 5 liters of wine.

Ingredients:

Rowan berries - 3 kg
Sugar 2 kg
Black raisins 250 grams
water 3 l

Cooking:

Rinse the berries and place in a container.
Add raisins and add 1 kg of sugar.
Fill with 3 liters of water.
Close tightly and place in a dry and dark place, shaking the container occasionally.
Over the next 15 days, gradually add the remaining ingredients, then leave the container for 1 month to age.
The fruits should completely sink to the bottom.
Then the liquid is filtered and insisted for another 1 month. All wine is ready to drink.

Preparation of blackberry syrup

Ingredients:

1 kg rowan berries
1 kg sugar
Cherry leaves 100 grams
Citric acid 20 grams
1 liter of water

Cooking:

Pour the fruits of chokeberry and cherry, pour water and boil over low heat for 10 minutes.
Strain and add citric acid and bring to a boil again.
Allow to cool, pour into a container, close tightly and put in a dark place for 1 day.
Then sugar is added to the syrup, brought to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly so that the sugar does not burn.
At the end, pour into a bowl and close tightly. The syrup is ready.

Black rowan tincture at home

Ingredients:

1 cup ripe berries
Cherry leaves 100 grams
Sugar 0.5 kg
0.5 liters of vodka (diluted medical alcohol)
1 liter of water

Cooking:

Add rowan fruits and cherry leaves to the water, bring to a boil and boil for 10-15 minutes.
Then add sugar and stir constantly until completely dissolved.
Remove from fire and cool.
Add vodka to the container, close tightly in a glass container and put in a dark place for 2 weeks.
At the end of the term, strain the liqueur.

mousse recipe

Crush the berries, or blend with a blender, add banana, strawberries and natural yogurt to taste. Whisk everything thoroughly and enjoy the yummy.

Making Black Rowan Jam

Photo of black ashberry jam

An excellent tool as an additive to tea in the winter as a preventive measure. Aronia is slightly tart in taste, so other sweet berries can be added.

Ingredients:

1 kg chokeberry berries
1 cup of sugar

Syrup preparation:

Before preparing the syrup, chokeberry berries are boiled for 5 minutes in water, so they become a little softer.

Mix 2 cups of water (you can take the water in which the berries were just boiled) and 1 cup of sugar, mix and put on a small fire until the sugar is completely dissolved, remembering to stir regularly.
Then rowan berries are added (if necessary, other components are raspberries, strawberries, finely chopped orange peels, apples, plums).
Boil 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, let cool, cover and infuse for 6-8 hours (or overnight).
Then again bring to a boil, and again insist the same time.
The third time, the syrup is boiled for 10 minutes, allowed to cool, poured into glass containers and rolled into jars for the winter (if necessary).

Black rowan in traditional medicine

Based on chokeberry, many medical preparations are used. Rowan juice has become an integral part of drugs for diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and the cardiovascular system. Juice prevents the occurrence of plaques in the blood, prevents cholesterol, cleanses the blood and normalizes blood circulation.

The composition includes flavonoids, which have a beneficial effect on the human body, and there are no prohibitions on ingestion for pregnant women. On the contrary, juice prevents fragility of capillaries, makes vessels elastic. The fruits have a beneficial effect on the digestion of a pregnant woman, increase appetite, normalize blood pressure, and prevent anemia.

The use of fresh fruits has a positive effect on immunity, and also saturates the body with vitamins. Folic acid, which is contained in berries, is essential for both the mother and the fetus for its growth.

But eating large amounts of black ashberry can lower blood pressure. If a woman has a constant low pressure, you must first consult a doctor, and the daily rate should not exceed 100 grams of fresh fruit.

We have already described how and when to collect, but how to store black ash in winter without losing its beneficial properties?

There are several storage methods:

Freezing freshly picked berries. Everything is pretty simple. Pluck the berries and immediately place in the freezer. In winter, you can add to mousses, compotes, decoctions, jam, use whole. The benefits of thawing chokeberry are practically not reduced, with the exception of part of the vitamin P.
Drying after collection. Compared to the previous method, all useful qualities remain, and the berries are stored for quite a long time. After collection, they are strung on a thread or wire and hung in a well-ventilated, dry place in the shade. Can be dried with the shield.
Dried black rowan. This method also retains all the taste and useful properties well. Pick, wash and dry the berries, then spread them out on a flat surface in a single layer in the sun, or use the oven. Dried on low heat no higher than 60 degrees. In the sun, the procedure takes 1-2 hours. In the oven, drying - 30 minutes at a temperature of 40 degrees, then 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 60 degrees. The color must not change, otherwise all (or part) of the properties will be lost.

Contraindication

Black rowan is very beneficial for humans, but there are a few cautions when consuming chokeberry is not recommended.

Blood clotting is too great. The juice is able to stop bleeding and thereby increase blood clotting.
With thrombophlebitis.
Varicose veins and varicose veins.
Gastritis (if acidity is high). Juice increases acidity, with gastritis with low acidity, the intake is not prohibited.
Ulcer of the stomach and 12 duodenal ulcer.
Ischemic disease.
People who have had a stroke or heart attack.

Even if you have not been affected by the above diseases, it is recommended that you pass all tests before use and obtain permission from a doctor.

Let your health never bother you, and take black ash only as a preventive measure. Be healthy!