Description.
Bird cherry belongs to the family of Rosaceae, the subfamily of plum. This tree reaches 10 m in height. Leaves are short-petioled, dull from below, regular, elliptical in shape, edged - sharp-pointed. The structure is wrinkled. Flowers fragrant, collected in a brush, white. Petals, like sepals, five. One pestle and many stamens. Fruits in the form of a ball, up to 7 mm in size, black drupes, strongly astringent, sweet. Ossate ovoid. Flowers cherry have a disinfecting effect due to a large number of phytoncides. Bird cherry blooms in May, and yields fruit in late July - in August.
The distribution area of bird cherry - the Urals, Western Siberia, the northern Caucasus and the European part of our country. It grows along streams, rivers, along ravines, in riverine forests. It prefers raw places with acidic soil, mainly in oak and birch forests.
As a medicinal raw material, fruits and bark of the bird cherry tree are used. Ripe fruits are harvested and dried in the sun, or at a temperature of 40-60C in dryers or ovens, carefully monitoring the fruits so they do not burn. The bark is harvested in early spring during the intensive movement of the juice, dried and rubbed into powder. Raw materials in dried form are stored up to 5 years in a dry room.
Chemical composition.
Many volatile organic compounds (phytoncides) are found in leaves, flowers and fruits, for which they are valued for their ability to kill harmful insects and bacteria.
Fruits of bird cherry are rich in organic acids (lemon and apple), essential oils and tannins, sugar and a high content of phytoncides. They contain a number of the following trace minerals: iron, copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese, magnesium.
A high content of phytoncides is also present in the bark, leaves and seeds. Bones of bird cherry contain glycoside amygdalin, which forms cyanide compounds in the human body (hydrocyanic acid), therefore it is not recommended to use them in large quantities, along with cherries and apricots.
Medical properties.
Medicinal cherry fruits are used for various diarrhea, intestinal infections, due to their astringent and antibacterial properties. The fruits are used, both in the form of infusions, broths, and fresh.
The bird cherry bark in folk medicine is very popular. Broth from the bark is used as a good diuretic for problems with kidneys and diseases of the cardiovascular system. With catarrhal diseases, the decoction is used as a diaphoretic at high temperature. Very well suited for the removal of spasms in the gastrointestinal tract.
Disinfecting properties of bird cherries make the broth useful for external use. It is used for purulent conjunctivitis, stomatitis, angina, bronchitis. At sexual infections at women apply douching tincture from fruits, flowers and a bark of a bird cherry.
A wonderful healthy effect is enjoyed by fresh fruits and brewed on dry raw tea.
A strong broth from the bark and other parts of the bird cherry perfectly helps to fight harmful insects - lice, flies and others.
Recipes for the preparation of medicines from bird cherry.
- At a high temperature, swelling and diarrhea, it is recommended to take a decoction of bird cherry bark . Cooking method:
pour one teaspoon of dried and crushed bark with cold water, boil, and cook for 15 minutes over low heat. After removing, drain, add to the original level with boiled water. Take one third of the glass three times a day.
- When digestive function is abnormal, it is recommended to use a decoction of bird cherry fruit . Method of preparation of broth:
one tablespoon of chopped dried fruit is poured into a glass of cold water and standing for 15 minutes in a water bath. Then it is necessary to cool for 45 minutes, strain, then wring out and add water to the original level. Take ½ cup 2 or 3 times a day before meals.
- Infusion with conjunctivitis:
on a glass of boiling water one tablespoon of crushed flowers. Pour boiling water, insist 30 minutes, drain, squeeze, cool and rinse eyes.
- With purulent ulcers and wounds, infusion of flowers and leaves of bird cherry is used :
in the same way, a glass of boiling water pour one tablespoon of crushed flowers and leaves, insist half an hour, filter, wring out and rinse with warm tincture.
- For the general strengthening of the body, tea from leaves is used :
to a glass of boiling water to take a teaspoon of ground mass, to insist a quarter of an hour and just drink.
- Fruits of bird cherries in fresh form are used several times a day for ½ cup.