Valentina Maidurova
An interesting plant grows behind the fence of almost every summer cottage in Russia. It is quite widespread in other countries as well. But rarely does any owner admire a thorny bush and, in extreme cases, tolerate it as a good protection from uninvited guests. This plant is called thorns or thorns, goat berry is one of the most ancient plants mentioned in biblical legends. In this publication I will tell you about the features of growing blackthorn on the site, about its healing properties and methods of use in medicine, about the rules for collecting and preparing raw materials.
Botanical description of thorns
In modern plant taxonomy prickly thorns (Prunus spinosa) belongs to the family pink or rosaceae (Rosaceae). At the dawn of mankind, collecting, people noted and remembered its beneficial properties. Unlike other beneficial plants, the healing power of thorns is manifested in all its parts. For medicinal purposes, roots, branches, bark, leaves, flowers, berries are used. The medicinal value of the plant is recognized by official medicine. Every year, raw thorn is harvested for pharmacies, despite its obvious "harm" - a very high "prickly".
Since ancient times, healers believed where the seeds of thorns sprouted - the land is sacred.
The distribution area of blackthorns occupies significant areas. It grows throughout the European continent, including Western countries, Asia Minor, Iran, North Africa, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Crimea, Caucasus, North Siberia. Forest edges, abandoned areas, wild gardens, wastelands, slopes of ravines and hills (up to 1200-1400 m above sea level) eventually become overgrown with thorny bushes and in spring are covered with caps of pink-white flowers of goat berries or thorny plums.
Wild thorn(the second name of the plant) refers to a group of tall shrubs up to 3.0-4.5 m in height or low-growing spreading trees not higher than 5 m. A distinctive feature is very sharp, densely covering the trunk and branches of plants, thorny thorns. Blackthorns can grow as separate voluminous shrubs with a very branched crown or in a group, occupying an area of several tens of meters. Despite the thorniness, goats and their "tribe" gladly gnaw on young leaves and twigs of the bush.
Blackthorn root-sprouting(another name for prickly blackthorn) forms a powerful root system with an underground rhizome and lateral developed roots. With its deeply penetrating roots, the shrub strengthens the slopes well (note to the owners!) And prevents soil erosion. Magnificent hedge - decoration of the landscape and protection from the penetration of hares and other "guests" into the territory of the site.
The main trunk is straight, covered with brown or dark reddish, sometimes reddish-brownish bark. With age, numerous trunks branch out many times. Blackthorn is distinguished by its particularly durable wood, which looks elegant in small turning and joinery products. Numerous annual shoots extend from the rhizome, forming impassable thickets. The surface of annual shoots is velvety due to the dense soft pubescence. The ends of the branches end in thorns.
The leaves are simple, relatively small, up to 5 cm in length, petiolate, dark green with a serrate-toothed edge of an elongated-elliptical shape.
The flowering time depends on the region and the establishment of a constantly warm period, which usually occurs in April. Flowering continues until the second half of May. The scent of delicate pink-white flowers attracts pollinators with its delicate, pleasant scent. The peculiarity of the prickly thorn is that the flowers first open, enveloping the bush with a white blanket. Bees and bumblebees diligently process flowering plants, and only then, with the withering of the flowers, leaves appear.
The edible part of the blackthorn fruit is up to 1.5 cm in diameter, they resemble a shallow plum, very tart due to the large amount of tannins. The fruit is covered with a dense skin. The pulp is juicy, green. Inside there is a drupe, slightly wrinkled. In appearance, ripe fruits are dark blue, with a waxy bloom, giving the fruits a bluish color. The fruits do not fall and stay on the branches until next spring. They ripen in July-August, but they start harvesting only after the onset of frost.
After frost, the fruits change their chemical composition, partially losing tannins and part of organic acids, acquire a sweet and sour taste. Fruits of thorns are distinguished by high keeping quality and excellent transportability. An adult bush forms 10-14 kg of fruits, so on the site for internal consumption you can have 1-2 bushes of this perennial, remarkable in its useful properties.
Useful properties of prickly blackthorn
Do we need a turn in the country - an idle question. It must be mandatory! All parts of the plant are medicinal, but it is necessary to harvest medicinal raw materials from it in stages, as different parts of the plant accumulate useful properties:
- flowers and leaves of thorns are effective in collection and independent use as a diuretic for cardiac and renal edema;
- thorn leaves (teas, decoctions) are useful for capillary fragility and other vascular pathologies;
- fruits are a good diaphoretic and antibacterial agent for fevers, inflammatory and infectious lesions of the body;
- berries have a positive effect on the body with diabetes mellitus;
- thorn improves metabolism and therefore is useful for gout, as it has the ability to remove salts from the body;
- independently and in collections, leaves and fruits, as well as thickened thorn juice are used in the treatment of dysentery.
Correct harvesting of raw thorny thorns
In early spring, in March, when pruning shrubs harvested bark blackthorn from healthy - main trunk and adult branches. The bark is removed completely from the cut off parts, and from the not cut off - only in small areas so that the inflicted wounds can quickly heal. It is necessary to cut the "live" bark very carefully so as not to damage the wood. If it is damaged, the entire branch dies. The bark is cut into separate pieces 2-5 cm long, dried in the sun or in a dryer at + 50 ... + 60 ° C.
During the period of mass budding (early April), they begin to harvesting flowers turn. Semi-blossomed and blossoming (but not fading) inflorescences are torn off or cut off (not washed) and laid out in a thin layer (up to 5 cm) in the shade on burlap, natural fabric, other water-absorbing material or a paper pallet. Raw materials are regularly turned up so that they do not get moldy.
After complete flowering, harvesting begins sheet raw materials... Only the largest, undamaged leaves are selected. Like flowers, they are placed on mats and dried in the shade in a draft or in dryers at a temperature of + 45 ... + 50 ° С.
Young 1-2 years old blackthorn shoots procure in the middle of summer (June). It is then that young shoots contain the highest concentration of natural compounds useful for health. They are dried in the same way as the leaves. Can be hung dry in loose small panicles in shaded areas in a draft. Check regularly for mold growth.
More stretched happens picking fruits... It starts in September. During this period, greenish fruits contain a large amount of tannins and they are harvested for medicinal purposes. With the onset of frost (early-mid-October) ripe blackthorn fruits are harvested. They lose some of the tannins, become softer, with a pleasant sweet and sour taste (for an amateur). The fruits are used as tea leaves or in the form of other home-made medicines for a wide range of diseases and for the preparation of winter canned foods - jams, jams, pastilles, candied fruits, pickles, liqueurs, wine, aromatization of vodka, compotes, jelly, etc.
Fresh blackthorn fruits can be frozen and used in winter as a product rich in vitamins and other useful substances. Prepared berries (selected healthy, washed, air-dried) are placed in the freezer for 2-3 hours and poured into paper bags or plastic containers and stored in the freezer.
In late autumn they begin harvesting the roots of the blackthorn... The roots are washed under running cold water, dried from excess surface moisture and finally dried in dryers, electric ovens and other devices that provide a faster process.
The blackthorn is a medicinal plant, which has healing leaves, bark, flowers, and fruits. © Ahmet Sürücü
Duration of storage of raw materials
Dry raw materials (except for roots) are stored for no more than a year in paper bags or bags made of natural fabric. A semi-dark, well-ventilated room is suitable for storage. Frozen fruits are best used within six months. Bark and roots are stored for up to 3 years
The value of the chemical composition of thorns
The concentration of nutrients in the raw thorns depends on the region, but their list remains unchanged.
Vegetative parts thorns, including roots, bark, leaves, young shoots contain:
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- phytoncides;
- bitterness.
Vegetative parts have the following healing effect on the body as part of decoctions and tinctures:
- antioxidant,
- antibacterial,
- anti-inflammatory, they provide good digestion;
- cardiostimulating,
- antidiarrheal.
Blackthorn flowers as part of teas and decoctions, they have a therapeutic effect on the body, including:
- diaphoretic;
- expectorant (for respiratory diseases);
- antibacterial;
- laxative;
- diuretic;
- anti-anemic effect;
- normalizes the biochemical composition of the blood.
The prepared drink is a good remedy for colds, autumn infections associated with diseases of the throat and bronchi.
Be careful!
- When using thorns at home for treatment, be sure to consult your doctor; thorn, although rare, is contraindicated for allergy sufferers;
- Berries can be consumed by children and pregnant women;
- Fresh berries with a "weak stomach" provoke gastrointestinal upset;
- Filter the broth and remove the bones; you can not store the broth with the fruits; the bones in the broth form poisonous components that cause poisoning;
- The fruits stain the tooth enamel in a bluish tint, which lasts for several days, gradually washing off; does not cause any obvious harm to the enamel, but outwardly it is not aesthetic.
The turn is ideal for creating hedges. © Rense Haveman
Reproduction and planting of thorny thorns
Where to place a prickly blackthorn on the site?
Thorny blackthorn grows equally well in the sun, in the shade and partial shade. The soil, its type (due to the deeply penetrating root system) has practically no effect on the growth and development of the plant. Wild blackthorn can withstand frosts down to -40 ° C, and reacts little to recurrent frosts. He does not need watering and systematic feeding. But he is an "invader", displacing cultivated plants. Therefore, for planting thorny thorns, it is better to take a place at the end of the garden or form a hedge, separating it from the rest of the garden, vegetable garden, berry plant buried up to 1 m deep with slate or other non-decaying material.
Thorny blackthorn belongs to self-fertile (bears fruit annually) and early-fruited crops. Forms the first harvest from 2-3 years to infinity. They say about thorns with thorns - "a thorn bush is never empty."
Reproduction of thorny blackthorn
The shrub reproduces by seed and vegetative means. At home, it is more practical to propagate it by root shoots.
During seed propagation of the blackthorn, the bones are scarified and sown in the fall to a depth of 5-7 cm. During the winter they undergo nostrification. Friendly shoots appear in the spring. The transplant can be carried out in the spring or fall of next year, or at 2 years of age. The most developed undergrowth is selected and planted (when forming a hedge) in 1-2 rows with a distance between plants in a row of 0.8-1.0 m and between rows - up to 2 meters.
If it is planned to plant 1-3 bushes in the country, they are planted at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other. When planting, the root collar of the seedling should remain 3-4 cm above the soil level. Immediately after planting, the aerial part is cut to a height of 15-25 cm. Such a low pruning stimulates the growth and branching of the bush. In the second year of growth and development of plantings, low pruning is again repeated and at the same time all annual root-sprout shoots are removed - weak, curved, growing inward, thickening. Leave strong, well-developed, upward-growing shoots that will form the height of the bush.
Starting from 4-5 years of age, sanitary pruning is carried out annually in March, removing excess thickening shoots and thinning out dense thickets. Usually 4-6 main stems are left, the rest are removed at the root and for rejuvenation, 1-2 annual shoots are chosen, which replace the aged, non-fruiting branches.
Attention for vaccine lovers! Sloe is an excellent rootstock, it increases the hardiness and resistance of the scion to adverse environmental conditions.
Diseases and pests of thorny blackthorn
Diseases
This shrub practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. Sometimes (very rarely), with a long wet spring, the crown may be damaged by gray rot. The monilia fungus penetrates the pistil of the flower. The disease begins with the upper young shoots. The foliage grows back after protective measures, but the fruits crack and rot right away or during storage.
In northern conditions, the affected bushes can be treated with chorus, according to the recommendation indicated on the package. The waiting period is at least 30-35 days before harvesting. Horus is the only drug that works at low (down to subzero) temperatures. In cold regions, it is still better to get away from chemicals and treat the bushes with copper sulfate (no more than 1% solution) or Bordeaux liquid, as well as biofungicides Gamair, Trichopol. And according to the reviews of experienced gardeners, it is enough just to sprinkle the diseased bushes with a weak solution of vinegar or ammonia. In my private garden, the thorn never got sick.
If medicinal raw materials are harvested from the bush, it is impossible to use chemicals to protect the bush from diseases and pests.
Thorny blackthorn practically does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. © イ ッ ギ ド ロ ゥ ー ゲ
Pests
In case of epiphytotic invasions, aphids are dangerous for thorns. Sucking the juice from young shoots and leaves, it is able to simultaneously infect the plant with a pathogenic virus. Considering that aphids appear already in a warm period of time, chemical preparations cannot be used to protect plants.
If aphids are few, they are simply washed off the bush with a strong pressure of water. With a sufficiently high infection, plants can be treated with biological products (Fitoverm, Aktofit), which are used to combat aphids and other fruit trees and shrubs, or prepare homemade solutions.
Several treatments with an ash or soap-ash solution with a break of 5-8 days, spraying with a working solution of tobacco infusion with the addition of soap, birch tar will help to quickly and without harm to the body destroy aphids. For prophylactic purposes, it is possible in late autumn (after the leaves have fallen and the bushes leave for winter rest), the thorn bushes can be sprayed with a 3-5% solution of urea.
Blackthorn berries are perfect for harvesting for future use by drying. Since the blackthorn is considered by many to be a kind of miniature plum, they lend themselves well to drying. This process is relatively simple and fast. The main thing is that the user does not need to constantly monitor the process, it is enough only to occasionally look after and turn the dried berries. Store cooked berries in a suitable container, such as glass jars or plastic containers in a dry place. If you need to cook something tasty in the winter, then you should definitely remember about the dried sloe, because it will make great drinks and pastries.
dried sloe step by step
In the section "dried thorns" you will find a lot of original and very nutritious homemade recipes with step-by-step photo preparation, which can be prepared for both festive and everyday meals. The answer to the question: how to make "dried thorns" at home, you will find in the list of our recipes below.
Blackthorn is not so easy to collect - the whole plant is densely covered with tenacious thorns. But the medicinal value encourages traditional healers and representatives of official medicine to harvest raw thorns in spite of everything, because the harm of thorns lies only in its "prickly".
General characteristics of the plant
Blackthorn is a sprawling thorny shrub with plum-colored drupes, which is why one of the popular names of the plant is prickly plum.
Botanical description
The root-sprouting plant can grow in the form of a tall tree, up to 6 m tall, or in the form of a bush. The thorn bush has a main trunk and a strongly branched volumetric crown, reaching a height of 3 m.
- Roots. The plant is anchored in the soil with a strong root system with fleshy rhizomes and lateral roots that provide the thorn with sufficient moisture.
- Stems. Stem wood is particularly durable. The main trunk is covered with brown, or dark brown bark. It is erect and highly branched. There are many thorny thorns on the surface of the trunk and branches of the thorn. One-year young shoots, which are localized around the trunk and form a kind of thickets, often depart from the rhizomes of the thorn. Their surface is velvety to the touch due to dense pubescence. Shoots end with a thorn.
- Leaves. They are regularly replaced with young ones as the plants mature. Wedge-shaped at the base, they have a pointed tip. The shape of the leaf plate is obovate or elliptical. Each leaf sits on a branch on a medium-length petiole. The edge of the plate resembles the sharp teeth of a saw. A characteristic feature is the blooming of leaves as the flowers fade.
- Flowers. They have a very delicate, white-pink color. They emit a delicate, pleasant aroma that attracts bees well, which makes thorns an excellent honey plant. Flowering begins early - in April, and may last until mid-May. The thickets of thorns bloom en masse, attracting insects to themselves. The flowers are located on the branches so densely that it seems as if the whole bush is covered with a white tablecloth.
- Fruit. Attached to the branches of thorns with medium-length stalks. The fruit is a drupe, characterized by juicy pulp, strongly associated with the seed. The green pulp has a sweet-sour taste and astringency, which disappears soon after the first frost. The fruit itself is small, its diameter can reach 1.5 cm. Fruits of a dark blue color are densely covered with a waxy bluish bloom.
Interestingly, ripe fruits are attached to the branches so tightly that they can hold on until next spring. From an adult bush, you can collect up to 4 kg of fruit.
Growing area
Thorn thickets consist of small bushes. When a plant develops singly, it forms a voluminous tall bush. Thorns can often be found on the side of the road, on a sunny forest edge, or in a vacant lot. Thickets are formed in ravines and on slopes, as well as in gullies. Thorns develop especially well on soil rich in calcareous salts.
Terne growing area - the European continent, Asia Minor, as well as North Africa. Often found in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan. On the territory of Russia, it actively grows in the European part, as well as in the North of Siberia.
Procurement of raw materials
The saturation of the plant with useful substances makes it possible with the healing purpose of all its parts. Blackthorns are harvested in stages for the winter.
- Bark harvesting. Begins in early spring - in March. The bark is cut in slices from the main trunk and adult branches. The cut area should be small to quickly heal the damage. Do not damage the wood with a knife so as not to destroy the plant. The bark of thorns is laid out under the sun in the open air or dried using a dryer at a temperature of about 60 ° C.
- Preparation of flowers. Begins from mid-April - budding period or the beginning of flowering. The inflorescences are carefully cut or plucked, laid out under diffused sunlight on a cloth or paper tray. Dry by regularly turning the raw material.
- Harvesting of leaves. It begins after the plant has completely faded, when all the flowers have already wilted, and the leaves have blossomed well. It is advisable to collect the largest leaves, dry them under a canopy in the open air or in a dryer.
- Harvesting young shoots. They are harvested in the middle, end of June, since it is then that the greatest concentration of nutrients is concentrated in the shoots. Young shoots are tied into panicles, hung under diffused sunlight or in a shaded place, in the open air. You can spread the raw material in a thin layer on a pallet or dry it in an oven or dryer.
- Harvesting of fruits. Begins in September, when still greenish fruits contain a large amount of tannins. The harvesting of thorns continues until mid-October. It is at this time that delicious berries are harvested, ideal for making desserts and jams, as well as medicines with a wide spectrum of action. A certain part of the tannins remains in the fruit even after frost.
- Harvesting of roots. Begins in late autumn. Harvesting is desirable to be carried out among artificial or naturally growing thickets, since it is there that the restoration of the number of plant individuals occurs quickly. Dig up the roots, rinse them with running cold water, wither in the sun and dry them in an oven or electric oven.
For fresh fruit in winter, you can freeze thorns. To do this, the berries are sorted out, washed with clean water, dried from moisture. After that, the fruits are laid out on a wide pallet in one layer, put in the freezer for a couple of hours. The berries are poured into a bag or plastic container.
Frozen fruits are stored for no more than six months. Dried fruits, leaves, inflorescences, shoots are stored for a year in a well-ventilated dark place, packed in paper or cloth bags. The bark and roots can be stored for up to three years.
Why are berries valuable ...
All parts of the thorn are rich in tannins, which have a range of therapeutic properties.
- Astringent action. It is manifested by the ability of the tannins of thorn fruits to form albuminates with proteins of the skin and mucous membranes - special proteins of a dense structure. A film of albuminates protects damaged areas of the epithelium from mechanical and chemical irritation.
- Healing action. Under the influence of tannins, irritation of the damaged areas is reduced, this accelerates the rate of epithelization.
- Antimicrobial action. The tannins of thorn fruits have bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, that is, they eliminate bacterial and fungal infections, prevent their development in the area of skin damage.
- Antiexudative action. Blackthorn reduces the production of exudate in the damaged area, dries out weeping wounds and ulcers.
- Anti-inflammatory action. It lies in the ability of blackthorn to reduce the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes - the main mediators of inflammation, provoking hyperemia and swelling of inflamed tissues.
In addition to tannins, blackthorn fruits contain a lot of other useful components.
Thorn leaves, in addition to tannins, contain bitterness, flavonoids, phytoncides. This endows them with health benefits:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antibacterial;
- antioxidant;
- antiplatelet;
- antiprotective;
- cardiostimulating;
- secretory.
The chemical composition of thorn flowers has not been thoroughly studied. It is known that one hundred amygdalin glycoside contained in it is in low concentrations, and therefore has therapeutic properties:
- diuretic;
- laxative;
- diaphoretic;
- expectorant;
- antispasmodic;
- antibacterial.
The bark and roots of thorns are saturated with tannins, and therefore are actively used as an antidiarrheal agent.
The glycoside amygdalin is found in high concentration in the blackthorn bone. It should not be swallowed due to the toxicity of the substance mentioned. Amygdalin breaks down in the body with the formation of a poison - hydrocyanic acid.
The benefits of thorns
The flowers and leaves of thorns are actively used in folk medicine as a diuretic for various intoxications and edema of a cardiac or renal nature. The beneficial effect of thorn leaves on blood vessels allows you to fight capillary fragility, varicose veins. Indications for the use of thorn in vascular pathologies expand to vasculitis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The diaphoretic properties of thorn fruits are useful for feverish conditions, and antibacterial properties for inflammatory and infectious skin diseases. In addition, the ability of thorn flower preparations to eliminate nausea is known.
Improving metabolism with the use of blackthorn allows you to alleviate the patient's condition with gout, since the plant is able to remove salt deposits from the body. The hypoglycemic effect of berries makes it possible to use them in diabetes mellitus.
Medicines of the root and bark are used for diarrhea, as a fixing agent, as well as for colitis of various origins, to restore and optimize bowel function.
Effects on the body
The rich chemical composition of the fruits determines their widespread use for medicinal purposes.
Thorn is also endowed with anti-allergic properties due to its detoxifying properties. Interestingly, most of the therapeutic effects of thorn are not accompanied by side effects. It is for this reason that thorn contraindications include only individual hypersensitivity reactions. But the use of thorns for breastfeeding and pregnancy must be agreed with a doctor.
Therapeutic use
Recipes for using thorns are varied. Below are the most common ones.
Infusion
Peculiarities. It is taken orally for the treatment of chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, ureter. With the help of infusion, you can significantly speed up the metabolism. Cleansing the body allows you to get rid of skin diseases of an infectious and allergic nature. The infusion is used for washing wounds, eliminating rashes, and also for the face as a remedy for acne.
Preparation and application
- Pour two tablespoons of a mixture of flowers and leaves with a glass of slightly cooled boiled water.
- The remedy is insisted all night (about eight hours).
- Filter in the morning, consume a quarter of a glass, three times a day.
Decoction
Peculiarities. With the help of such a decoction, you can reduce fever, remove the symptoms of fever and accelerate recovery from colds and viral diseases.
Preparation and application
- Dried rhizomes (5 g), pour a glass of boiling water, put in a slowly boiling water bath.
- Simmer the remedy for half an hour.
- They are removed from the bath, cooled for three hours, and then filtered.
- It is taken orally in a quarter of a glass, three times a day.
Fruit remedy
Peculiarities. A decoction of the fruits is taken orally for various inflammatory diseases, regardless of their localization (rheumatism, gout, cystitis, pancreatitis, colitis, bronchitis).
Preparation and application
- A couple of tablespoons of dried fruits are poured with half a liter of boiling water.
- The fruits are simmered over low heat for 10 minutes.
- After removing from heat, filter the product. Take half a glass, four times a day, before meals.
Tincture
Peculiarities. It is necessary to make a tincture of thorns taking into account the fact that before its preparation, the fruits are rinsed with water, without washing off the wax coating.
Preparation and application
- A kilogram of ripe, washed fruits, freed from the pits, is placed in a glass jar, 300 g of sugar are poured into it.
- The neck of the jar is closed with gauze. The vessel is placed in a warm and sunny place for three days.
- Pour vodka or diluted alcohol into the fermented mixture, mix thoroughly.
- The jar is closed with a lid. The mixture is infused for two weeks at room temperature.
- Shake the jar daily for the first week.
- At the end of the infusion period, the resulting drink is filtered through several layers of gauze.
- Take 30 ml orally, three times a day.
Often, blackthorn fruits are included in the composition of fees for weight loss, pressure correction, and relieving inflammation.
Role in cooking
Blackthorn fruits are actively used for the preparation of first and second courses, desserts and sauces. The famous tkemali sauce includes the sweet and sour pulp of these fruits. Bulgarians add fruits to cereals to give them a special flavor. Jam and blackthorn jam, as well as jelly and compotes with its addition, have a special taste.
Lovers of self-made booze appreciated the taste of the fruit. The prickly plum is used to flavor vodka; moonshine is prepared from overripe berries. A thorn-based wine has an interesting color and a sweet-sour, slightly astringent taste. Making sloe liqueur at home has also gained popularity.
Pouring
Peculiarities. It takes a long time to prepare, but the result is a very tasty and healthy low-alcohol drink.
Preparation
- 4 kg of fresh, ripe blackthorn is pitted, placed in a container, 3 kg of sugar are poured, 200 ml of water are added.
- The mixture is placed in a warm, sunny place for fermentation. The neck of the container is tied with gauze.
- After active fermentation begins, the container is transferred to a warm place, a rubber glove is put on the neck, piercing one finger.
- Insisting in a warm place is carried out until the glove is completely deflated.
- The drink is filtered in storage containers, lowered for a month in the basement, for aging.
Useful properties of blackthorn are relevant in everyday life. Artificial planting of thorns is often carried out to strengthen the soil near ravines, the banks of the reservoir. The strong root system prevents soil displacement and collapse. Thorns are often grown as hedges to protect gardens. With proper care of the plant, you can form a crown or shrubs, wrapping this quality for the benefit of the farm.
According to the reviews of breeders, blackthorn is perfect for the role of a rootstock in the selection of new types of apricot, peach and other garden plants. Wood and bark are used to tan leather. By boiling the fruits in alkali, a red dye is obtained. Popular in the furniture industry, because its reddish-brown wood lends itself well to polishing.
The healing properties of thorns have been known for a long time. Thanks to modern research, they are not refuted by modern official medicine. In ancient times, the plant was endowed with magical properties, and the places where thorn seeds sprouted were considered sacred.
Blackthorn fruits are used mainly for the production of wines (table, dessert, strong), low-acid - for making jams, tea surrogates and other products.
At the same time, it was found that blackthorn for winemaking can be used not only in a mixture with other fruits, but also in its pure form. The process of alcoholic fermentation is active and with natural fermentation, wines are obtained with an alcohol content of 14.75-15%. Blackthorn wine is distinguished by high taste and delicate pleasant aroma. The only drawback inherent in a wine made from thorns is that the clarification processes proceed slowly in it, despite the significant content of tannins. It is known that fully ripe blackthorn fruits, after they have been "captured" by frost, become less tart; juice from them in some countries is used to mask the vices of wines.
The fruits of the wild thorn are also used for the production of alcoholic beverages (vodka). To do this, they are preliminarily subjected to alcoholic fermentation, followed by distillation of the alcoholic liquid.
It is also possible to obtain juices, extracts, syrups from thorn fruits and use them for the production of liqueurs, liqueurs, liqueurs and vinegar. It is noted that alcoholic beverages made from thorns have a positive effect on digestion.
The fruits of thorn contain a significant amount of pectin substances, so they can be used in the confectionery industry in the production of not only jams, but also jams, pastilles, marmalade, candied fruits, caramel fillings and many other products.
Jams and jams made from thorns are distinguished by their characteristic aroma and piquant taste.
Sloe can be successfully used for the production of marinades - canning with acetic acid, as well as for canning in a hermetically sealed container in the production of compotes.
In some areas, thorns are naturally dried in the sun or under awnings, as well as with the help of warm air in fruit and vegetable dryers and in Russian ovens.
The kernels of the seeds (pits) of thorns are very rich in fat and contain amygdalin, therefore they can be used for the production of fatty and essential bitter almond oils.
Blackthorn seed casings can be used in the chemical industry for the production of activated carbon.
Fruits, flowers, bark and roots of thorns in folk medicine are used as a blood purifier and for gastrointestinal diseases. A decoction from the roots is used for dental disease, as a gargle.
Thorn flowers have great medicinal value as a gentle laxative and emollient.
Dried sloe leaves are used in some areas as a tea surrogate.
It should be noted that the peoples of the Caucasus find use for all parts of the thorn plant. In addition to nutritional and gustatory value, thorn fruit juice, boiled in lye, is used to dye the canvas red.
Sloe can be used to create hedges.
It can be introduced into shelterbelts, used to strengthen ravines and as rootstocks for plum (dwarf) and peach plantations.
Thorn gives a brownish-reddish, very hard wood (specific gravity 0.71 to 0.94).
Although the wood of thorns has considerable hardness and is fairly well polished, it does not have a beautiful color, warps and cracks; used for the production of handles for tools and other purposes. Bark and wood contain a significant amount of tannins, therefore they can be used for tanning leather. The bark contains dyes, and when vitriol is added to it, black dye and good quality ink can be obtained; an alkaline broth of the bark gives a yellow coloration.
Blackthorn is a melliferous plant.
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The blackthorn is a shrub of the order Rosaceae, popularly called the prickly plum. Such a popular name was given to him because of the fruits that vaguely resemble small plums. But this is perhaps the only similarity between a fruit tree and a shrub. Indeed, in taste and useful properties, the blackthorn is very different from its blue-violet counterpart. Having a unique chemical composition, berries become a real medicine.... But, of course, provided it is used correctly. And today we will tell you in detail about teren: the benefits and harms of the plant, its use in healthy cooking and folk medicine.
The composition of the thorns
Also, B vitamins, vitamin C, E and PP are present in large quantities. As for minerals, in berries you can find almost the entire periodic table, at least its useful component. So with a lack of potassium, calcium, iodine, zinc, sodium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus in the body, it is quite possible to make up for the lack of regular use of blackthorn berries.
At the same time, thorn is a low-calorie product.... Its nutritional value is only 55 kcal per 100 g of berries. So they may well be included in the diet as a source of vitamins and minerals.
The benefits of thorns for the body
The uniqueness of the turn is that for medicinal purposes, you can take almost all parts of the plant, with the exception of the seeds.
Useful properties of the plant:
- Fresh thorn fruits, compotes, jelly and berry jam have a laxative effect, which makes it effective for the treatment of chronic constipation. In addition, they normalize the digestive system, relieve bloating and help solve the problem of chronic flatulence. Due to the enveloping effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, regular consumption of blackthorn fruits reduces the risk of developing gastric ulcer, gastritis and colitis.
- Thorn has a cleansing effect on all organs. With its help, it is advisable to cleanse the body from toxins, toxins and other toxic substances that have accumulated in it. The same cleansing property helps to normalize the intestinal microflora and reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms that live in its various departments.
- The cleansing action of thorns also extends to the liver and kidneys. Hence the common practice of including berries in the complex treatment of liver diseases.
- Blackthorn has an expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. This allows you to effectively use it in the complex fight against various diseases of viral and bacterial etiology.
- The next useful property of blackthorn berries is the normalization of the nervous system. Infusions and fruit compotes help get rid of dizziness, relieve irritability and bouts of "nervous" nausea. The recipes effectively address the problems of depression and constant stress, providing a mild calming effect.
- The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of berries has found application in dental treatment. And the astringent property is used in the treatment of diseases of the gums and oral mucosa.
- It is useful to use blackthorn and people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Due to its high potassium content, the berries have a strengthening effect on blood vessels and heart muscle. And the normalization of heart rhythms prevents the development of many heart diseases. In addition, the use of berries helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and normalize blood pressure in people with hypertension.
- The rich vitamin composition allows you to activate the immune system, directing the work of the defenses to prevent the development of diseases and combat existing chronic pathologies.
- Fresh sloe berries have also found their application in cosmetology. Masks and other cosmetics with pulp are used to treat acne, acne and pustules of rashes.
- The benefits of thorn berries for the body of women are elimination of PMS symptoms and reduction of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
- The thorn is also useful for men, as it normalizes the work of the prostate gland. And this, in turn, is an excellent prevention of prostate adenoma.
There are several recipes for effective weight loss diets along with blackthorn berries. By helping to establish metabolic processes and actively assimilate the food taken, the use of fruits prevents the appearance of fatty deposits.
Why the thorn is dangerous for the body
Assessment of the harm of thorns to the body is carried out on an individual basis. So, berries are dangerous for people with diseases caused by increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis and stomach ulcers in the acute stage. The likelihood of a strong allergic reaction when eating fresh juicy fruits should not be ruled out.
Of the common side reactions:
- staining the tooth enamel in a bluish tint (removed naturally after a few days);
- weight gain due to uncontrolled consumption of berries in foods with a large amount of sugar (for example, jam).
The seeds of blackthorn berries contain amygdalin, a poisonous substance that reacts with the aquatic environment. Therefore, ready-made sweet dishes, jelly and compotes, cooked without removing the bone, are not subject to long-term storage.
What is useful to cook from thorns
Few know that fresh berries perfectly complement ready-made main courses and light vegetable salads... But the most common uses for thorns are compotes, decoctions, and preserves. Let's talk about them.
Compote
For 1.5 liters of pure water, you will need about 200 g of berries, half a glass of sugar and a little citric acid (on the tip of a knife). Pour the washed berries with water and add citric acid. Bring to a boil, add sugar and simmer for 20-30 minutes. It is recommended to strain the finished compote before use..
Useful medicinal broth
A decoction is prepared from dense fruits, which have not broken the integrity of the peel... Rinse with 2 tablespoons. berries and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Cover the container with a lid and leave for 1 hour. Strain the finished broth and use according to the recipe, depending on the type of disease.
Blackthorn jam (pitted)
To make healthy jam, peel 2 kg of berries and cover them with sugar (about 0.5 kg). Without stirring, leave the container with berries overnight.
Boil the berries in the morning until tender. If before cooking you find that the released juice is not enough, you can add a little boiled water.
Put the finished jam in sterilized jars and roll up. Store preferably in the refrigerator.
Vanilla or cinnamon can be added to the thorn jam to enhance and diversify the taste.
In order for the blackthorn to be really useful and not cause any harm to the body, the choice and use of berries must be approached wisely:
- Berry picking starts after the first frost... When buying thorns from the market, choose fruits that are free from rot and other defects.
- The amount of healthy thorns is 100 g per serving. During the week, it is recommended to feast on berries no more than two times.
- The maximum amount of nutrients is contained in the fresh fruits of the plant. Fresh berries cannot be stored for more than 7-10 days.... Dried, frozen and dried thorns are stored for a year.
- For the benefit of the figure, it is recommended to use the blackthorn along with other berries and fruits, lean meats, herbs and vegetables. Which do not contain starch.
Here is such a useful product - sloe berries. And if you have no contraindications to their use, you can independently assess their beneficial effects on the body. Just remember to follow the above tips.