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. With 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 traditional medicine.

The composition of the thorns

The benefits of thorns for the body lie in its chemical composition. Of the nutrients, you should pay attention to the high content of dietary fiber, organic acids, fiber and pectin. Also in sufficient quantities in the fruits are various amino acids, monosaccharides, essential oils and tannins. But its main value is vitamins and mineral components. Sloe is a source of vitamin A. Its content in berries is much higher than in the same carrots or other vegetables and fruits.

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 stomach ulcers, gastritis and colitis.
• The thorn has a cleansing effect on all organs. With its help, it is advisable to cleanse the body of 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 issues 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 cosmetic products with pulp are used to treat acne, acne and pustules of rashes.
• The benefits of thorn berries for the body of women are the elimination of PMS symptoms and the 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 high acidity of the stomach, gastritis and stomach ulcers in the acute stage. You should not exclude the likelihood of a strong allergic reaction when eating fresh juicy fruits.

Of the common side reactions:

• staining the tooth enamel in a bluish tint (removed naturally after a few days);
• weight gain due to the 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 aqueous medium. Therefore, ready-made sweet dishes, jelly and compotes, cooked without removing the pits, cannot be stored for a long time.

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 compromised the integrity of the peel... Rinse with 2 tablespoons. berries and pour boiling water (0.5 l). Cover the container with a lid and let sit for 1 hour. Strain the finished broth and use according to the recipe, depending on the type of disease.

Blackthorn jam (seedless)

To make a 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 a 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:

1. Berry picking starts after the first frost... When buying thorns from the market, choose fruits that are free from rot and other defects.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 - blackthorn 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.

• Pretreatment is recommended for fruits that quickly oxidize (apricots, apples, peaches, berries, etc.): they should be heated to 100 ° C, then cooled, and only after that, mashed from them.
• Place a solid pallet on a sieve, lightly grease it with vegetable oil so that the finished marshmallow does not stick to the pallet.
• Spread the prepared mass evenly over the pallet, while making the layer thinner in the middle than along the edges. ...
• Use no more than 2 cups of puree per pallet.
• You can check the readiness by stickiness in the center: the finished one practically does not stick.
• Remove the pastille while still warm, then roll it up, refrigerate, wrap with cling film and place in an airtight container. The candy will be stored in the refrigerator for much longer.

Temperature - 60 ° С

Time - 12-14 hours

Pastila is a great snack. It can be reconstituted by diluting with water or juice and used as a sauce or puree. It is easy to make a wonderful dessert for children from pastille - like a layer in biscuits or filling for pies.To make sugar-free jam, three parts of pastille must be poured with one part of boiling water. A marshmallow is prepared from fruit or vegetable puree or grated fruit, but then the layer turns out to be thick. Previously, at your own discretion, the workpiece can be cooked and sweetened with sugar or honey.

»Plums

Humanity in the process of evolution has learned to benefit from almost everything. The blackthorn, known according to biblical legends, was no exception, because it was from its thorny branches that the crown was woven for Jesus Christ. Despite the sad glory, this plant has medicinal properties, and its fruits are used in cooking... Let's take a closer look at this plant, what benefits and harm it can bring to the human body.

Blackthorn is a fairly tall shrub that grows up to 3.5-4.5 m in height... Some species are presented in the form of low-growing trees up to 5 m high. The thorny branches are completely covered with sharp thorns.

The plant blooms in April-May, depending on the region of growth. The flowering of the blackthorn is very beautiful- first, white flowers abundantly cover the branches of the shrub, and after a while the leaves open. During flowering, bees collect pollen and nectar, so the plant is classified as a honey plant.

Blackthorn leaves are 5 cm long and elliptical with jagged edges... The brownish-reddish wood of the bush is used for a variety of small diameter joinery and turning products and is prized for its strength and toughness.

It occurs in steppe and forest-steppe zones, on the edges of forests and felling areas, steep river banks and along roadsides, often forms impassable thickets. The roots of the thorn bushes strengthen the slopes well and prevent soil erosion therefore they are planted along river banks and in ravines. In landscape design, shrubs are used as hedges.

The area of ​​the plant includes Western Europe, Asia Minor, Iran, Tatarstan, Ukraine, the European part of Russia, the Crimea and the Caucasus, and in the mountains the shrub is found at an altitude of 1200-1600 m above sea level.

Blackthorn fruits are black and blue in color, round in shape and about 12 mm in diameter.... The outer part of each fruit is covered with a gray waxy coating, and inside there is one wrinkled bone.

Caloric content and chemical composition

The chemical composition of the blackthorn varies depending on the geographic region, but the base remains the same. The fruits contain:

• glucose, sucrose and fructose;
• pectin;
• tannins and aromatic substances;
• organic acids;
• vitamins A, C, E, B₁, B₂, PP;
• iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, cobalt, zinc, manganese, chromium;
• essential oil.

The energy value of fresh thorn fruits is 49-54 kcal per 100 g.

The tart-sour berries of the wild plum ripen in July-August, but at this time they are not removed, because they are practically inedible, which is due to the high content of tannins.

Usually, fruit picking begins after the first frost. In the process of freezing, the chemical composition of the thorn fruit changes - the amount of organic acids and tannins decreases, the berries lose their astringency and become tasty.

Up to 12-15 kg of fruits are harvested from one adult bush., which are distinguished by good keeping quality and transportability.

Useful properties of terena for the human body

If in many medicinal plants one part has healing power, then the blackthorn in this regard is unique - not only its berries are used for medicinal purposes, but also leaves, roots, flowers, branches and bark.

Fruit fruit

Thorn berries are eaten fresh, as well as dried or prepared from them jams, preserves, pasteurized juices. The fruits of this fruit have a lot of useful properties.:

• normalize microflora and improve intestinal motility, relieve flatulence;
• remove harmful substances from the body and reduce slagging;
• relieve insomnia, increased irritability, nausea and shortness of breath;
• reduce and normalize the weight of patients... A specially developed diet includes blackthorn berries in the diet, which contribute to the burning of fatty deposits, the normalization of metabolic processes;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels, lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of developing heart disease;
• improve kidney health and liver for various pathologies;
• strengthen immunity, mobilizes the body's defenses;
• are a prophylactic agent against the development of prostate adenoma, normalize the functioning of the prostate;
• strengthen the gums;
• reduce soreness of menstruation.

Flowers and leaves

Blackthorn flowers are harvested during their full bloom, dried in a dark, ventilated room and stored in tightly closed jars (glass or tin) in a place inaccessible to sunlight. They mainly use a decoction or tea from flowers, which have medicinal properties.:

• purify the blood and remove toxins from the body;
• get rid of skin purulent and erysipelas help with furunculosis;
• cleanse the liver, normalize bowel function;
• contribute to restoration of metabolism;
• have a calming effect with insomnia and neuralgia;
• serve as a diuretic and a diaphoretic.

Healing tea is brewed from blackthorn flowers: 25 g of flowers are poured into 0.5 l of boiling water and the container with a drink is wrapped for 10-15 minutes for infusion. Thorn flower tea is drunk as usual without a strict dosage, and is also used for external use as lotions.

Decoctions of blackthorn leaves have the same properties as flower... For their preparation, the leaves are plucked in the middle of summer, after the end of the flowering of the shrub. They are dried and stored in the same way as flowers, and the prepared decoctions are drunk like ordinary tea.

Roots, shoots and bark

• The roots are dug up in the fall, dried for 2-3 weeks in the open air, and then dried in the oven. The dried roots can be stored in canvas or cotton bags for up to three years.
• Twigs and young shoots are harvested in early summer, dried in the open air and stored for one year.
• The bark is removed from the bush in early spring until the plant bloomed. Drying and storage of the bark is carried out in the same way as harvesting the roots.

Decoctions from roots, branches and shoots have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic properties, so they are taken for colds and flu.

Bark decoctions are drunk instead of regular tea.- they help cleanse the blood and get rid of skin irritations. Broths diluted with boiled water are used for douching for female inflammations.

Contraindications and possible harm to human health

Thorny fruits have no particular contraindications for human health. Reducing the use of berries is necessary for those who are worried about stomach problems:

• gastritis;
• a stomach ulcer in an exacerbation stage;
• increased acidity of the stomach.

People with severe allergies will have to stop using terena., although such cases are quite rare.

Fruits are especially harmful to tooth enamel - after eating blackthorn, teeth become bluish... It looks extremely unaesthetic, and the blue from the teeth is completely washed off only after a few days.

After preparing a decoction of the blackthorn fruits, the berries must be removed. With prolonged contact of fruit seeds with water, poisonous components are formed in the liquid, which can cause poisoning.

Eating thorn berries not contraindicated in children and pregnant women, and the latter is even useful for toxicosis and attacks of nausea.

Fresh berries can provoke an upset stomach, sweet jams and jams - an unwanted set of excess body weight, but only if these products are consumed in excess.

Recipes with thorny

The blackthorn fruits are used to prepare sweet preparations for the winter (preserves, jam, jam), as well as all kinds of sauces, seasonings and wine and vodka liqueurs and liqueurs.

Jam

The most popular is thorn fruit jam. You need to cook a sweet treat according to the same principle as from any other berries.:

• Go over and wash 1 kg of blackthorn fruit, let the water drain.
• Remove the seeds from the berries.
• From 1.5 kg sugar and 2-3 glasses of water boil the syrup.
• After the sugar is completely dissolved, add the blackthorn to the boiling syrup, boil and remove the dishes from the heat.
• Cool the jam to room temperature and cook it again, bringing to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes.
• The third time boil the jam and cook over low heat until cooked. During cooking, stir periodically and skim off the foam.
• Ready jam hot pour into dry sterilized jars and roll up the tin lids. After cooling, remove the jars for storage.

Thorn berry juice

To obtain juice, a juicer is used, into which the blackthorn fruits are loaded with sugar (for 1 kg of berries, take 100 g of sugar)... The juice is poured into cans, then sterilized and rolled up with tin lids. After cooling the cans to room temperature, they are stored in a dark place.

Kvass from thorn

To prepare a refreshing drink, you will need 3-4 liters of water, 0.5 kg of blackthorn berries, 0.5-1 glass of any honey and 15-20 g of yeast:

• Grind the washed and pitted fruits until puree, pour water and boil for 40 minutes.
• Received strain the broth, add yeast and honey to it.
• Leave to ferment for 10-12 hours at room temperature.
• After that bottle and put in the refrigerator.

Simple thorn liqueur

It takes a lot of time to prepare a classic turnip liqueur - it will take 4-6 months to mature the liqueur... Blackthorn spirits lovers use a quicker recipe. For him you need to take 1 kg of thorns, 200-300 g of sugar and 1 liter of vodka. Instead of vodka, you can use ethyl alcohol, diluted with water to a strength of 40-45%, as well as inexpensive cognac or purified moonshine:

• Sort out the berries, remove rotten and spoiled, wash and free from bones.
• Peeled pulp mix with sugar and put in a glass jar.
• Tie the jar with two-layer gauze and put on sunny windowsill.
• After 2-3 days, pour in vodka, mix the berries and put the jar in a dark place with room temperature (closet or closet).
• Withstand the liqueur for 14 days, and for the first week, shake the jar with the contents daily.
• In two weeks strain the drink and bottle... Seal hermetically and store.

The thorn filling can be stored for up to 5 years, and the strength of an alcoholic drink is 30-32%.

Conclusion

The thorny thorny bush with inconspicuous berries, upon closer inspection, has proven to be a useful plant. It can be used to prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, sweet preparations for the winter, seasonings and sauces for various dishes.

The fruits of blackthorn and all kinds of decoctions prepared from different parts of the plant are useful for the human body. Their use is not limited to certain dosages - medicinal decoctions are drunk like regular tea... The main condition for the preservation of the therapeutic effect of the turnip is the observance of the terms of collection and the drying process of raw materials.

Plums can be frozen whole or in halves dry. This plum is a suitable semi-finished product for plum dumplings (whole plum) and pies (halved plum). In both cases, you need to put the washed and dried plums in bags or other containers and freeze. A whole plum, freely poured, must first be slightly frozen, and after hardening, it should be laid out in a container and completely frozen.

Semi-hardened frozen plum jam

Remove seeds from ripe plums, pass through a meat grinder with large holes and boil in half or even one third of the total volume.

Thus cooked thickened jam must be left to cool in the air, and then put it in a waterproof container and freeze. After defrosting, cook the semi-finished product to a thick consistency and, if necessary, sweeten.

Drying plum

Not very overripe plums are suitable for drying. They must be sorted by size, rinsed thoroughly twice in two waters, and the stalk removed. Immerse for a minute in a hot 1.5% solution of baking soda (15 g of soda per 1 liter of water), then rinse in cold water and air dry. Place plums on trays, sieves, mats and place in oven, oven or drying cabinet. Dry fruits in 3 steps. First, keep them for 3-4 hours at 40-45 ° C, then cool them for 3-5 hours. After that, dry again for 4-5 hours at 55-60 ° C. Cool again and finally dry at 75-80 ° C for 12-15 hours.

When drying large fruits, it is better to remove the seeds. Small fruits must be dried whole. When there are few fruits, they should be laid out with the stalks upward. Dried plums should be firm, non-sticky, and should not be smeared. From 10 kg of plums, 2.2 kg of dried fruit with seeds and 1.8 kg without seeds are obtained.

Store them in a dry, ventilated place.

Dried thorns

Dry the fruits in a warm (40 ° C) oven or in an oven for 10-12 hours. For better air circulation, the stove shutter must be raised. Keep the oven doors ajar when drying.

Blackthorn fruits are used mainly for the production of wines (table, dessert, strong), low-acid - for the preparation of 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 its 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 blackthorn 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 thorn seeds (pits) 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 blackthorn 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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