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The benefits and harms of actinidia for the body have recently become increasingly of concern to residents of Russian regions. The thing is that this relict plant, which appeared several thousand years ago in China, gradually began to spread throughout the world. And now a huge number of gardeners are engaged in its cultivation.
In Russia, they learned about actinidia and its benefits about 15 years ago
Is it possible to eat actinidia
Actinidia is a wild fruiting plant found most often in the Far Eastern region. Its most common type is considered to be delicacy, Giraldi varieties, polygamous, kolomika (kiwi), spicy.
From a botanical point of view, actinidia is a liana-shaped deciduous shrub, the fruits of which are oblong berries of orange or yellowish-green color with thin skin and numerous (up to 90 pcs.) seeds. Some types of crops produce edible crops.It ripens closer to the second half of September, sometimes earlier.
The berries of the plant, in addition to being of great benefit, also have a delicate pulp of sweet and sour taste with a strawberry-pineapple aroma. They are eaten fresh and products are made from them: juices, compotes, preserves, marmalade. In addition, all parts of the plant and even its root are used for medicinal purposes in folk medicine. Medicinal infusions and decoctions are prepared from them. Photos of actinidia and information about the beneficial properties and contraindications of the culture are presented below.
Benefits of actinidia berries
The main benefit of actinidia is the presence of a large amount of vitamin C. It is worth noting that it contains more of this substance than lemons and other citrus fruits.
In addition, the benefits of the actinidia plant are due to the presence of vitamins E and B9, fiber, carotene, fructose, pectin and other micro- and macroelements. With frequent consumption of its fruits, the body's resistance to diseases increases and immunity increases.
The main benefits of berries are as follows:
- Normalization of hormonal levels and metabolism.
- Strengthening the heart muscle and blood vessels.
- Improving bone strength.
- Decreased blood pressure.
- Removing cholesterol and toxins from the body.
- Preventing the development of thrombosis and vein blockage.
- Strengthening the nervous system.
The benefits of actinidia have been proven for intoxication and poisoning. It has a laxative effect and helps with chronic constipation. In addition, the fruits of the crop are considered dietary, contain only 48 kcal per 100 g of product, and contribute to the loss of excess body weight.
Both actinidia berries and other parts of the plant have beneficial properties.Decoctions from the bark contain tannins and help cope with migraines, headaches, and have a sedative effect. Infusions from the leaves relieve symptoms of angina pectoris and relieve rheumatism. The benefits of ointments have been proven in recovery from fractures, bruises, and eczema.
Even after heat treatment, the benefits of actinidia remain fully intact.
The use of actinidia in folk medicine
Due to the benefits of actinidia fruits, it is widely used in folk medicine. With its help, various diseases are treated, for which they take not only fruits, leaves, bark, inflorescences and roots. Tinctures and decoctions treat bronchitis, anemia, caries, and get rid of parasites. Elixirs from the leaves of the plant help with connective tissue diseases, the benefits of infusions from the roots are noted for inflammation of the gums, remedies from the bark restore blood and relieve headaches.
The peel of the fruit has a regenerating and wound-healing effect; it is used for compresses and for getting rid of wounds that take a long time to heal. There are a lot of folk recipes from actinidia that benefit the body; below you can find only a few of them.
Infusion of fruits, leaves, bark
An infusion can be prepared from berries, green mass of the plant and bark. Each of the following recipes will benefit the body:
- From fruits. To prepare the product, it is advisable to use dried berries. They should be poured in an amount of 30-40 g with a glass of boiling water, cover tightly with a lid and leave for half an hour. Then strain.
- From leaves. Rinse the leaf blades of the plant under the tap, add hot water in a ratio of 1:10, simmer in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, strain.
- From the bark.Place 20 g of actinidia bark in a glass of boiling water, cover tightly with a lid, and carefully lower into boiling water for 30 minutes. Next filter. Drink the medicine half an hour after eating, no more than 30 ml.
Fruit juice
The most delicious medicine can be called the juice from freshly squeezed fruits of the crop. Its benefits are that it improves appetite, strengthens the immune system, and eliminates vitamin deficiency. After pressing, it should be pasteurized and rolled into jars. It is recommended to take 50-100 ml per day.
Root extract
To obtain an extract from the roots of a culture, you first need to clean them well, rinse and grind them. Then pour boiling water and place in a water bath. In this state, keep on fire until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, so that the infusion is as concentrated as possible.
The benefits of root extract have been proven in the treatment of oral diseases and inflammatory processes in women
Decoction
If actinidia decoction is needed for medicinal purposes, it will bring the most benefit if it is made from dried berries or bark. In the first case, take 2 tbsp for cooking. l. main ingredient, pour a liter of boiling water over them, leave for 12 hours in a thermos. Take 200 ml three times a day before meals.
To prepare a decoction of actinidia bark, it is first washed and crushed.Next, add 100 g of the product to a liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour in a water bath, cool and filter. Drink 2 tbsp after meals. l. three times a day.
Actinidia ointment
Based on actinidia berries, ointments with a healing and restorative effect are prepared, used for cosmetic purposes, massage, and skin care.
The recipe for making the ointment is as follows:
- Wash and dry the fruits.
- Grind them using a blender or grind through a sieve.
- Combine with pork fat and mustard powder.
It is recommended to store the prepared composition in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Actinidia for weight loss
Since the benefit of actinidia is the removal of harmful substances from the body, it is recommended to include it in the diet when losing weight. If the goal is to get rid of toxins and lose excess weight, the product should be consumed fresh daily in the amount of 3-5 fruits.
Body weight will go away gradually when consuming actinidia; do not expect quick results
Getting rid of parasites
There are several options for getting rid of parasites using actinidia, the most famous are:
- Fresh fruits. The method requires long-term treatment, which is why it is rarely used for severe helminthiasis. Best suited as a disease prevention.
- Enema. The procedure of enema with infusion from any part of actinidia has a pronounced effect against worms. The benefits will be maximum if you do it before bed, every day, for at least a week.
- A decoction of dried berries. The product should be drunk three times a day before meals in an amount of 200 ml.The duration of treatment is selected depending on the severity of the disease, age and characteristics of the patient’s body.
Actinidia for potency
The benefits of this fruit for men have long been proven. Under the influence of its constituent components, the body activates the production of testosterone, the main hormone of the prostate system. To enhance the effect, it is advisable not just to eat actinidia, but to take it in combination with other products. According to Siberian shamans, a remedy prepared as follows will bring great benefits to men:
- For three berries, take onion, wild carrot, poppy, nettle, sesame, and hemp seeds in quantities of 6, 9, 12, 12, 15, 18 g, respectively.
- Add 18 g of fennel to the ingredients and grind everything well.
- Pour 30 ml of natural honey into the mixture and stir.
Use the resulting composition three times a day, diluting 6 g of the mixture with 50 ml of grape wine.
The benefits of such a remedy for potency will be if taken daily for at least three months.
Use of actinidia in cooking
Due to the benefits of actinidia, it is often used in cooking. The fruits of the crop have a pleasant taste and can be consumed fresh; in addition, they are dried, dried, and frozen. Drinks are prepared from the berries, syrups and jams are made.
Actinidia jam
Slightly unripe fruits are used to make berry jam. They are blanched with hot water, then placed in a saucepan, poured with syrup (1 kg of sugar per glass of water) and boiled for five minutes. Infuse for five hours and roll into sterilized jars.
If desired, add citric acid to the mixture during cooking.
Actinidia compote
Clean berries are placed in sterile jars to fill 2/3 of their volume and filled with boiling water. After ten minutes, the liquid is drained and sugar syrup is boiled on its basis. Cover the berries with it again and roll up the lids.
Actinidia marmalade
To make delicious marmalade from actinidia, take 1 kg of sugar for 2 kg of berries, place the fruits in a saucepan, add 200 ml of water, and cook for half an hour. The resulting mass is rubbed through a sieve, covered with granulated sugar, and cooked with constant stirring until thickened.
The finished marmalade is poured into jars and stored in a cool place.
Harm of actinidia and contraindications
Despite the medicinal properties of actinidia, if a person has certain diseases, it can bring not only benefits, but also harm to the body. Therefore, before eating berries or using the plant for medicinal purposes, it is important to familiarize yourself with its contraindications:
- The fruit is not recommended for people diagnosed with gastritis and stomach ulcers.
- Actinidia is contraindicated for those who suffer from kidney disease.
- It is undesirable for people with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis to be treated with the plant.
- Berries should be consumed with caution by those who are prone to allergies.
When to collect actinidia
Actinidia is considered a late berry, the harvest of which ripens closer to September. It is collected when ripe, usually in the fall. The timing often depends on the climatic conditions of the growing region and the type of crop. Early ripening varieties can become soft already in early August, and late ripening varieties finish bearing fruit in October.The berries do not ripen at the same time; their collection continues for several weeks. Since ripe fruits fall off quickly, it is advisable to pick them every day so that they are not damaged by falling to the ground.
The berries are collected in non-metallic containers, since interaction with them destroys the main vitamin contained in them. Sometimes the fruits are removed all at once and the unripe specimens are laid out in a warm place.
In 2-3 days of ripening, actinidia becomes soft and edible
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of actinidia for the body lie in many aspects. In particular, consumption of the product and various products prepared on its basis will give a positive result if done correctly. Before consuming the plant, it is advisable to study all its contraindications and read the recommendations of specialists. For treatment to be beneficial, it is better to consult a doctor.
