Content
Holly mahonia is an evergreen shrub native to North America. The plant has successfully spread throughout Eurasia. It is valued not only for its decorative appearance, but also for its beneficial properties. The uses of Holly Mahonia berries include the preparation of medicines and various dishes.
Are Holly Mahonia Berries Edible or Not?
Mahonia holly bears oblong fruits, up to 1 cm long and up to 0.8 cm wide. They have a blue-black color and a bluish coating on the surface. Inside there are 2 - 8 seeds. The berries taste sweet and sour.
The scope of use of Mahonia holly berries largely depends on whether they are edible. The fruits are completely safe for humans and animals. They are used fresh, dried, and heat-treated. Before starting use, be sure to take into account the norms of use and contraindications.
Composition and calorie content of berries
The medicinal properties of Mahonia holly berries are explained by their composition. The product is rich in vitamin C, organic acids, and tannins. In addition, the fruits contain strong natural pigments. They impart a red tint to drinks and foods.
Berberine, which is an alkaloid, was found in the roots of the plant. The substance has an antibacterial effect and inhibits the development of cancer cells.
Mahonia holly berries contain useful minerals:
- copper;
- manganese;
- sodium;
- zinc.
The berries of the bush are low in calories. The nutritional value per 100 g of product is 30 kcal. The indicated amount contains 8 g of carbohydrates. Fats and proteins are completely absent. Therefore, berries are often added to the diet.
Medicinal properties of holly mahonia
The fruits of Mahonia holly are used as a general tonic. The product has medicinal properties. Berries help in the prevention and fight against many diseases.
Beneficial properties of mahonia holly:
- pronounced choleretic effect;
- the plant helps get rid of constipation;
- improves the condition of hemorrhoids;
- restores bone marrow function, including after chemotherapy;
- normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- improves blood composition;
- fights psoriasis and other skin diseases;
- activates metabolism;
- activates immune properties;
- lowers the level of bad cholesterol;
- relieves inflammation;
- destroys viruses and pathogenic bacteria.
The use of mahonia in folk medicine
Various parts of the culture have found use in folk medicine. The plants make useful decoctions and infusions from the roots, leaves, flowers and berries. It is recommended to consult a doctor before taking such medications.The specialist will prescribe the rate and frequency of drug use.
Medicinal properties of mahonia berries
Mahonia holly berries can be used to treat rheumatism, constipation, diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys and liver. The product has a positive effect on the entire body: tones and strengthens the immune system.
Fresh berries are added to the daily diet. After collection, they are dried or frozen for the winter. It is not recommended to wash the crop or keep it in high humidity. To support immunity, dried fruits are added to muesli or other breakfast.
To preserve the beneficial properties of the fruits, they are processed. The easiest way is to grind the raw materials by hand or process them in a blender. The resulting mass is mixed with sugar, placed in containers and placed in the refrigerator. The daily intake rate is no more than 5 tbsp. l. In addition, jam is made from mahonia holly. The healthiest option is with the addition of celery stalks, red currant juice and fireweed.
Ingredients for making Holly Mahonia jam:
- ripe berries – 1 kg;
- celery stalks – 100 g;
- granulated sugar – 1 kg;
- red currant juice – 0.2 l;
- dried fireweed flowers – 100 g.
Recipe for using Mahonia holly berries:
- Red currants are processed in a juicer or manually. The resulting liquid is poured into a saucepan and placed on fire. Sugar is gradually added to the juice.
- Celery is peeled and cut into cubes.
- Flowers, berries and petioles are poured into the syrup.
- The mixture is brought to a boil, after which the foam is absorbed.
- Keep the jam on low heat for 5 minutes.
- The mass is left for 1 hour until ready.
- The finished jam is poured into jars.
The healing properties of mahonia flowers
The most common way to use Mahonia holly flowers is to treat gout. An infusion is prepared from the raw materials, which helps relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Infusion recipe for the treatment of gout:
- Pour 1 tsp into the container. dried Mahonia holly flowers.
- The raw materials are poured with 2 glasses of hot water.
- Cover the container with a lid and leave to infuse for 2 - 3 hours.
- The finished infusion is filtered.
In order for Mahonia holly flowers to exhibit their healing properties, they should be taken three times a day. Before eating, drink 1/3 glass.
To treat diarrhea and rheumatism, an infusion is prepared from the flowers of the plant. This remedy normalizes metabolism and metabolic processes. The daily dose is no more than 10 drops before meals.
Recipe for tincture of holly mahonia flowers:
- To prepare the tincture, take 10 g of dried flowers.
- The raw materials are placed in a dark glass container.
- The flowers are poured with 100 g of vodka.
- The product is infused in a dark place for a month. It is protected from direct sunlight.
Beneficial properties of mahonia bark
The medicinal properties of Mahonia holly bark help fight diarrhea, dyspepsia, and gout. A tincture of this component improves the condition of diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys, and rheumatism.
The procedure for preparing tincture from the bark of Mahonia holly:
- Take crushed shrub bark and vodka in a ratio of 1:10.
- The components are placed in a darkened glass container and sealed.
- The product is kept in a dark and dry place for a week.
Before taking, the tincture is diluted with water. For ½ glass, 5-15 drops are enough. The product is taken daily before meals.
A decoction based on mahonia holly bark is effective for irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used as a topical remedy to combat psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Recipe for decoction of shrub bark:
- Place 3 tbsp in a container. l. crushed bark and pour a glass of hot water over it.
- Keep the pan over medium heat for 20 - 25 minutes. The liquid is not brought to a boil.
- The container is removed from the stove. The resulting broth is filtered.
The decoction is taken orally, 2 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals. For external use, prepare a more concentrated product: take 200 g of dry raw materials per 1 liter of water. The decoction is prepared for 30 - 40 minutes. It is filtered and then used for compresses on affected areas of the skin.
Benefits of Mahonia Roots
The beneficial properties and contraindications of the mahonia plant also apply to its underground part. In America, an extract is prepared from raw materials that stimulates metabolism, slows down the aging process, and normalizes the functioning of blood vessels and the heart. The product helps with dysbacteriosis and inflammation of the biliary tract.
At home, tea is prepared from the roots. The sequence of its preparation:
- Take 5 g of dry rhizome for 0.2 liters of water.
- The raw materials are poured into water, which is boiled for 10 minutes over low heat.
- The product is left to cool and then filtered.
The resulting tea is taken daily before meals in the amount of ½ cup. The product strengthens the immune system and improves metabolic processes in the body.
The use of mahonia fruits in cooking
Mahonia holly berries are widely used in cooking.They make tasty and aromatic sauces for main dishes. The most popular way is to prepare adjika from ripe fruits. Other ingredients are added to taste: black pepper, garlic, sugar, cinnamon, suneli hops. This adjika goes well with meat dishes, sausages, fish, and side dishes.
Dry berries are an excellent alternative to dried fruits. They are added to pilaf, fillings for pies and other baked goods. The ground fruits are used as an independent dessert for tea. In addition, other confectionery products are added to the mixture. In summer, it is diluted with water to obtain a vitamin drink. You can add lemon zest, mint leaves, honey to it.
Due to its pectin content, mahonia is used for home canning. Not only jam, but also thick jams are obtained from the fruits. Natural pigments contained in berries give a rich burgundy color to jelly, juice, compote, and wine.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
Mahonia holly produces numerous bright yellow flowers. They are located in erect branched inflorescences. The buds bloom in early May. The flowering period takes one month. Sometimes re-blooms in October
Mahonia flowers are harvested in early to mid-May, when the buds are fully in bloom. They are torn off by hand or cut with pruning shears. Wilted flowers are not used for medicinal purposes. The raw materials are scattered onto a sheet of paper and dried in a warm place. After 1 - 2 weeks, the flowers are poured into a jar or other container, after which the product is stored.
To use Mahonia holly berries, it is important to know the rules for collecting them. Be sure to use only ripe fruits that are dark blue in color. Mahonia berries ripen in late summer - early autumn, depending on weather conditions in the region.The first fruits are harvested in early August.
Mahonia is harvested in early September. The berries stay on the branches for 5 months. At the same time, their taste and beneficial properties do not deteriorate. After harvesting, the fruits are dried, sprinkled with sugar or frozen.
Mahonia roots are harvested in early spring, before the beginning of the growing season. The shrub produces a lot of basal shoots, which are convenient to use as raw materials. It is possible to postpone work until the fall. Often the rhizome is cut off during transplantation. The plant tolerates this procedure without problems.
The cut roots are cleared of soil and divided into parts 10 - 12 cm long. They are left for 1 - 2 weeks in a warm, ventilated room. Raw materials are protected from moisture and direct sunlight. When the roots dry, they are put away for storage.
In folk medicine, the bark from young mahonia at the age of 3-4 years is used. Such raw materials contain a maximum of useful substances. The young bark is pink-gray in color. On an old bush it is distinguished by a brown tint with longitudinal stripes. To remove the bark from the shoots, make two semicircular cuts at a distance of 10 - 15 cm. Then carefully remove the resulting strip. Raw materials are stored in a dry and dark place.
Restrictions and contraindications
Before eating berries, you should remember that mahonia has benefits and harms, like any other product. The daily norm for an adult is 15 - 45 fruits. If this measure is exceeded, adverse symptoms appear: diarrhea, nausea, weakness. It is recommended to stop taking berries for the next few days.
The use of holly mahonia results in the following cases:
- pregnancy period;
- breast-feeding;
- individual intolerance;
- chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines.
Conclusion
The use of holly mahonia berries is possible for various purposes. This includes the preparation of medicinal decoctions and infusions, baking and other dishes. Not only the fruits, but also the leaves, flowers and roots of the bush have beneficial properties. Before taking mahonia products, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications and consult a doctor.
