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The beneficial properties and contraindications of sea buckthorn leaves are not known to everyone. Everyone knows about the healing power of the berries of this wonderful plant. It is necessary to fill this gap, since in their usefulness the leaves are to some extent not inferior to fruits, but they have much fewer contraindications.
Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaves
The properties of any plant are determined, first of all, by its composition. And sea buckthorn is no exception. Until recently, the chemical composition of the leaves was poorly understood. But scientists from America corrected this omission and determined that, in terms of chemical composition, they are almost richer in minerals and vitamins than fruits.
The chemical composition and value of sea buckthorn leaves
So, the following vitamins are a part of sea buckthorn leaves:
- A (or retinol from the group of carotenoids) - has antioxidant properties, has a beneficial effect on vision, and regulates normal metabolism.
- Group B - have a complex beneficial effect on the body.
- C (content of ascorbic acid up to 370 mg /%) - is responsible for immunity, treats colds.
- E (tocopherol) - performs a protective function - fights free radicals.
- N (biotin) - helps the body absorb protein and carbohydrates. Regulates sugar levels and accelerates the breakdown of fatty acids.
- PP (nicotinamide or nicotinic acid) - normalizes the activity of the hormonal structure and endocrine glands.
And also such macroelements and trace elements as: boron, iron, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium, manganese and others.
In addition to vitamins and minerals, sea buckthorn leaves are rich in:
- tannin (its content reaches 10%) - is characterized by anti-inflammatory and astringent properties;
- pectin - lowers cholesterol levels, removes toxins and toxins from the body;
- tannins (tannins) - have antiseptic and disinfectant effects;
- serotonin (hypofein) - normalizes the state of the nervous system, its lack can lead to hormonal imbalance;
- triterpenic acids - with their help, the process of cell regeneration occurs;
- coumarins - prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels;
- flavonoids:
- phytoncides.
All these components determine the versatile therapeutic effect of sea buckthorn leaves, the useful properties of which should not be surprising.
Why are sea buckthorn leaves useful?
Sea buckthorn leaves have the following beneficial properties:
- wound healing - they can be used by directly applying to wounds, like plantain leaves;
- regenerating - restore various cells of the body;
- anti-inflammatory - they block and reduce the intensity of inflammatory processes in various organs;
- antiviral;
- increase immunity;
- fight vitamin deficiency;
- biostimulating - prevent and eliminate the symptoms of physical fatigue;
- hepatoprotective - protect and restore liver cells;
- antioxidant - contribute to the removal of toxins from the body;
- fixing - normalize the chair;
- astringent;
- glypoglycemic - normalize blood sugar levels;
- antitumor - there is evidence that sea buckthorn leaves can slow down the development of malignant neoplasms;
- antispasmodic - relieve pain, have a relaxing effect.
It should be noted:
- Sea buckthorn leaves successfully fight all kinds of colds and respiratory diseases.
- They help stabilize blood pressure by strengthening the walls of blood vessels and improving heart function.
- Joint diseases and gout recede under the influence of infusions from sea buckthorn leaves.
- These inconspicuous leaves do a good job with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea.
- In the treatment of skin diseases, bathing with infusions of sea buckthorn leaves helps. Lotions and poultices are also effective.
- They are actively used to treat stomatitis and periodontitis.
- Sea buckthorn leaves improve the functioning of the organs of vision.
- They are also quite effective in radiation damage.
As you can see, the scope of application of sea buckthorn leaves is quite extensive, and there is practically no ailment that they would not try to cope with.
The use of sea buckthorn leaves in folk medicine
In traditional medicine, sea buckthorn leaves are not yet fully utilized. More recently, an antiviral drug called Hyporamine has been released, which is used to treat influenza and other viral diseases.
But in folk medicine, they have been used for a long time and fruitfully. Basically, infusions, decoctions, teas and tinctures are made from them.
Healing tincture recipes
Tincture from leaves is very simple to prepare. Mix 1000 ml of boiling water and 4 tablespoons of dried sea buckthorn leaves. You can also use fresh leaves, but in this case you need to grind them slightly and take a slightly larger amount - 5 tablespoons. Then the mixture is infused in a warm place under a lid for half an hour to an hour.
Then the mixture is filtered through several layers of gauze or a fabric filter. The resulting infusion is usually taken three times a day, 50 ml each. The infusion is not stored for long, about two to four days in a cool and dark place. It is better to prepare a new tincture every day.
It is very effective for diseases associated with metabolism and joint damage: rheumatism, osteochondrosis, gout, salt deposition, as well as diabetes. The infusion can also be used during the period when the threat of viral infections is increasing.
It is also used externally - to take baths for certain dermatological diseases.
A decoction of sea buckthorn leaves
The broth is prepared a little longer in time, but this process cannot be called complicated at all. Moreover, in terms of useful properties, the broth is superior to all other drugs. In the same way, take 4 tablespoons of dry leaves per 1 liter of boiling water and heat everything over very low heat under a lid or even better in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Then insist the mixture for another 30-50 minutes, filter and cool. The broth is also stored for a very short time - a maximum of 5 days.
The broth is taken as an anti-inflammatory agent for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, in the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, liver disease, arterial hypertension.
In these cases, take a decoction 3-4 times a day, 50-100 ml at a time for quite a long time. The broth is also used for gargling with pharyngitis, sore throat and acute respiratory viral infections and oral cavity with stomatitis, gingivitis and other dental diseases.
Healthy sea buckthorn leaf tea
Perhaps the tea made from sea buckthorn leaves is the most popular.Since it is prepared in a traditional way, it is usually drunk with the addition of honey, sugar, ginger or lemon.
It is enough to pour one tablespoon of the leaves with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes and strain through a strainer. Honey and other ingredients are added to taste.
This drink is an irreplaceable means of preventing colds and viral diseases. Also, with its help, you can stop the inflammatory process in any part of the body. It is also useful for any type of poisoning.
Drink sea buckthorn tea can be 2-3 times a day, preferably warm.
Tincture of leaves on alcohol
Some healers consider the tincture on alcohol to be the most useful preparation from sea buckthorn leaves. In many ways, they are right, since in this case, the medicinal properties persist for a long time, and there is no need for daily preparation of medicinal preparations. In addition, serotonin, one of the most valuable components of sea buckthorn leaves, is much more soluble in alcohol than in water.
To prepare the tincture, pour 2 tablespoons of dry or 5 tablespoons of fresh leaves with 100 ml of vodka or 40-degree alcohol. Leave for 2 weeks in a dark place to infuse, stirring the contents from time to time. Take a tincture, depending on the severity of the disease, from half to a whole teaspoon at a time 2-3 times a day. It is permissible to dilute it in water.
The tincture is used to cure any of the aforementioned diseases.
The use of sea buckthorn leaves in cosmetology
Sea buckthorn leaves can be used as an excellent cosmetic product.
For example, they do a great job with hair loss and dandruff. To do this, you need to prepare a decoction of 5-6 tbsp. spoons per liter of water, which is boiled for 10-15 minutes. Cool, strain and rinse your hair or rub into your scalp.
To get rid of blackheads or pimples on the skin of the face, lotions will help. To do this, put an equal amount of sea buckthorn leaves and chamomile flowers in a gauze bag and boil them in boiling water until softened. Cool and apply to sore spots for 15 minutes, covering with a towel on top. After the end of the procedure, wipe your face with a piece of ice from the frozen infusion of sea buckthorn leaves.
If your eyelids are swollen or bags under the eyes appear, then brew 1 tbsp. a spoonful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Insist until cool, strain. Soak cotton pads in the resulting infusion and apply them for a while on the eyelids and eyes.
For bathing, mix well the sea buckthorn leaves with other herbs, flowers and twigs: chamomile, sage, oak bark and prepare the infusion. After straining it, it is poured into the prepared bath. Such procedures have a sedative, wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect.
Harvesting and storage of sea buckthorn leaves
Sea buckthorn leaves are relatively rare in ordinary pharmacies, so it makes sense to harvest them yourself. Moreover, it will not be difficult, especially if sea buckthorn is grown on your or a neighboring site.
When and where to collect sea buckthorn leaves
You need to collect leaflets away from highways, high-voltage lines, airports and industrial enterprises.
The most favorable time for collecting leaves is May-June. But it is quite possible to do this in August-September, during the berry harvest.
It is better to choose a day that is not hot and not necessarily rainy. It is better not to separate the leaves from the shoots, but to cut them directly with the branches, especially since the branches also have healing properties.
How to properly dry sea buckthorn leaves
Sea buckthorn leaves are usually dried in the attic or in a dryer. In the dryer, it is enough just to set the desired temperature (no more than 40-45 °) and in a few hours they will reach the desired condition.
If you choose the natural shade drying method, the process can take several days, during which the sea buckthorn leaves, laid out on paper or a towel, must be turned over several times.
If the leaves are dried correctly, then they have a greenish tint, bend, break, but hardly crumble.
Terms and conditions of storage of dried sea buckthorn leaves
Store dried sea buckthorn leaves in cardboard boxes or linen bags to provide ventilation. For them, whenever possible, places with low humidity and lack of light are chosen. The shelf life of plant materials on average does not exceed one, maximum two years.
Contraindications for use
The benefits and harms of sea buckthorn leaves are incomparable. It is very rare, but there is individual intolerance. Otherwise, all the products described above, without alcohol, have no contraindications. They can be used during pregnancy, for the treatment of children and various chronic diseases.
Reception of the tincture on alcohol is not indicated for pregnant women, breastfeeding, children under 12 years old and everyone else suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis and many diseases in an acute form.
Conclusion
Useful properties and contraindications of sea buckthorn leaves allow, if desired, to cope with almost any disease without harming the body. Use the recipes above for your own health.
