Application of lemongrass berries

People value lemongrass for its special healing properties that relieve many ailments. Useful substances are contained in the fruits, stems, and leaves of lemongrass. But in folk medicine, the use of berries is more practiced. There is a simple explanation for this - lemongrass fruits contain the highest concentration of nutrients, they are easier to collect and store. It is important to understand the benefits and harms of lemongrass berries for humans.

Schisandra chinensis (schizandra) is a wild woody vine with fiery red clusters of berries, growing in Primorye, Khabarovsk Territory, China and southern Sakhalin. Currently, cultivated varieties of this plant have been bred, which has allowed it to spread throughout almost the entire territory of Russia.

What are the benefits of lemongrass berries?

The special qualities of lemongrass have long been confirmed by many years of practice of ordinary people and research by scientists. The vitamins, mineral salts, tannins and tonics, essential oils, sugars and other beneficial microelements that it contains can have a positive effect on the human body. Schisandra fruits have medicinal properties.

The valuable qualities of lemongrass berries are as follows:

• produce a tonic effect, improve ability to work, increase the body’s endurance, and add strength;
• are a powerful energy booster;
• activate the nervous system;
• improve mood;
• remove depression;
• strengthen the body's protective functions;
• help cope with colds;
• promote adaptation of the body in critical conditions;
• useful for prolonged mental and physical stress, and during sudden climate changes;
• improve the quality of blood;
• have a positive effect on the entire cardiovascular system;
• increase blood pressure;
• reduce blood sugar levels;
• increase visual acuity, improve eye health;
• improve the functioning of internal organs and the gastrointestinal tract;
• normalize metabolism;
• relieve hangover;
• normalize sleep.

Schisandra berries provide benefits for the human body, but they are recommended to be used with caution, only for medicinal purposes. You can fully experience the healing effect of the fruits only with regular use in small courses.

Indications for use

Chinese lemongrass berries can be consumed for preventive purposes, but there are a number of disorders for which the fruits of the plant will be especially useful:

• colds;
• nervous disorders and depressive states;
• respiratory diseases;
• anemia;
• disruptions at the hormonal level;
• hypotension;
• impotence;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• diabetes.

The use of Schisandra fruits in complex treatment with other drugs increases the chance of recovery for cancer patients, patients with hepatitis C and tuberculosis. Schisandra extract is also actively used in skin care. It is included in tonics. Medicines based on Schisandra fruits are not addictive.

Why are fruits harmful?

Schisandra berries have the ability to activate many vital functions in the body. In some cases, this quality of the medicinal plant can lead to side effects, and sometimes even cause severe harm to human health. Usually this result occurs due to incorrect dosage. Oversaturation with Schisandra fruits can lead to the following conditions:

• nervous excitability, insomnia, depression;
• disruption of the digestive system, heartburn;
• severe increase in blood pressure.

These symptoms quickly disappear if you reduce the amount of fruit consumed or completely stop taking them.

Contraindications to the use of lemongrass fruits

Despite the large number of beneficial properties in lemongrass berries, there are also contraindications to their use:

• allergy to berries;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• children under 12 years of age;
• hypertension;
• arrhythmia;
• pathological diseases of internal organs.

To avoid causing serious harm to your health, you should consult your doctor before starting to take Schisandra fruits.The doctor will help identify possible restrictions on the use of medicinal plant fruits, as well as adjust the dosage.

When to pick lemongrass berries

Schisandra is also well cultivated in summer cottages. In favorable conditions, about 3 kg of fruit can be collected from one bush. The berries ripen gradually, from September to October, so it is impossible to harvest the entire harvest at the same time. But all fruits must be removed before the first frost.

Fully ripened lemongrass fruits are very delicate and can be easily damaged by touch. To avoid this, the berries are not collected separately, but the clusters are completely cut off.

Collection must be carried out carefully so as not to damage the vines. Since broken and damaged branches lose their ability to bear fruit, it is better to take scissors to cut berry clusters.

Collecting fruits from wild lemongrass is not always safe. It should be produced only in an ecologically clean area, away from exhaust gases and factory emissions.

How to dry lemongrass berries

After harvesting, the berries must be processed within the first 24 hours to prevent them from rotting. Fresh lemongrass fruits are not stored for a long time; they quickly disappear. Drying is considered a simple and effective method of preserving beneficial qualities.

Whole fruits

The cut brushes are carefully laid out in the shade, without direct exposure to the sun, for 2-3 days, and dried a little.You can hang fruit bunches separately for the same period for the drying process.

Then the berries are separated from the stalks, picked from the brushes. After this, they are dried in an electric fruit dryer or oven. The temperature regime should correspond to 50-60 °C. The berries must be stirred periodically to prevent them from sticking together. The drying process under such conditions lasts about 7 hours. Dried lemongrass fruits acquire a red-brown hue (as in the photo), have a subtle specific smell and a sour-bitter spicy taste.

Berry seeds

The seeds contain large quantities of useful substances. Immediately before drying the seeds, squeeze out all the juice from the berries. It can be preserved and left for storage.

The seeds are separated from the skin and remaining pulp by washing under running water. Then the clean seeds are laid out on cloth or paper and left to dry at room temperature. To speed up the process, the seeds are placed in an oven or electric dryer for several hours. Keep the temperature around 60-70 °C, stir regularly.

How to eat lemongrass berries

Dried fruits and seeds are actively used to prepare medicinal tinctures and decoctions, and are also often used in cooking. Despite the not very pleasant taste, it is useful to eat a small amount of fresh berries - they retain all the valuable substances.

How many lemongrass berries can you eat per day?

Schisandra berries have a rather unusual taste, or rather a combination of tastes - from sour-sweet to bitter-salty (the skin, pulp and seeds have a different taste). For preventive purposes, it is recommended to consume the fruits fresh. In order not to harm your health, it is enough to eat 2-6 pieces daily.This amount is quite enough to add vigor to the body, overcome pathologies, and remove depression and nervous disorders.

How to cook lemongrass berries

Schisandra berries are very often used in cooking. At the same time, their medicinal properties do not disappear, and the prepared dishes add vital energy and improve the health of the body. In industrial production, lemongrass berries are added to some types of sweets. Schisandra fruits and seeds are included in teas and tinctures. Compotes and jams are made. There are many recipes for cooking based on lemongrass berries.

How to brew lemongrass berries

A decoction of lemongrass fruits is the easiest way to get benefits from the plant. This drink can have a restorative and tonic effect.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of dry fruits;
• 200 ml water.

Cooking method:

1. Boil the berries for 10 minutes in an enamel bowl.
2. Leave for a day in a cool place, then strain.
3. Add sugar if desired.
4. The infused decoction must be consumed throughout the day.

You can take the decoction not in its pure form, but as part of black tea. It can be prepared as follows.

Compound:

• 15 g lemongrass berries;
• 1 liter of boiled water.

How to cook:

1. Pour boiling water over the berries. Add black tea brewing.
2. Leave for 5 minutes.
3. Add sugar or honey.

To obtain benefits and not harm from such drinks, the dosage should be strictly observed. Drinking decoctions and teas is not recommended before bedtime, so that overstimulation does not provoke insomnia.

How to prepare a tincture of lemongrass berries

A good result for medicinal purposes is achieved by using an alcohol tincture of lemongrass berries.This tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy, but there are ways to prepare it yourself at home. The basis for the tincture will be 70% medical alcohol or vodka. Berries can be used both fresh and dried.

Tincture of lemongrass berries with vodka consists of the following components:

• 30 g of dried lemongrass berries;
• 0.5 l of vodka.

Preparation procedure:

1. Chop the berries, pour into a dark container, pour in vodka, and close the lid tightly.
2. Place in a dark place for 2 weeks.
3. Strain the tincture to remove impurities.

Take 1 teaspoon three times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 14 days.

Tincture of lemongrass fruits in alcohol:

• 100 g of dry or fresh berries;
• 500 ml alcohol 70%.

How to do:

1. Pour alcohol over the berries. Use a dark bottle. Seal with a stopper.
2. Place in a cool, dark place for 10 days.
3. Strain.

Before use, the tincture must be diluted with water in a 1:1 consistency. Take 1 teaspoon before meals 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 10 days.

Another tincture of lemongrass berries can be used as an external remedy for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and rheumatism. The treatment method is as follows. Painful areas are lubricated with tincture 2 times a day. The evening procedure is best done before bed. The course of treatment can last up to 1 month.

You can prepare a tasty and healthy tincture with vodka. This is how a tincture is prepared not for medicinal use:

• 1.5 cups of fresh lemongrass berries;
• 1 glass of honey (you can use sugar);
• 0.5 l of vodka.

Preparation procedure:

1. Mix the ingredients in a jar.
2. Remove to let it sit.
3. Mix and shake once a week.
4. Leave for 2-3 months.

The finished tincture has a dark garnet color and a pleasant smell.

Schisandra berries with honey

The beneficial properties of lemongrass fruits can be enhanced significantly if you add honey to them. It turns out to be an excellent treat that gives you a boost of energy for the whole day. The composition stimulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Cooking method:

1. Chop fresh berries.
2. Pour in honey and leave for 2 weeks.

Store in the refrigerator in a dark container. Consume by adding to tea at breakfast.

Tincture of lemongrass berries with the addition of honey also has a beneficial effect on the body. For 1 glass of tincture you need 1 teaspoon of honey. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals.

Schisandra berries with sugar

This method is excellent for harvesting lemongrass berries for the winter. Fresh fruits are washed, dried and covered with sugar in the proportion: 1 part berries to 2 parts sugar. The resulting mixture is transferred to jars and sealed with lids. In this state, the berries retain all their beneficial qualities until the next harvest. Store in a cool place.

Berry juice

Juice from the berries perfectly preserves all the healing properties of lemongrass. It is prepared from fresh, but previously rested fruits for 1-2 days. It is better to do the pressing process manually to avoid crushing the seeds (this adds an unnecessary bitter taste to the juice). Add sugar equal to its double volume to the resulting amount of juice. The sugar should completely dissolve in the juice. Pour the resulting solution into dark bottles and roll up the lids.

Juice prepared in this way is stored in a cool, dark place. The shelf life is up to 3 years, and the juice does not turn sour or become moldy. Berry juice is added to all kinds of teas, compotes, baked goods, or consumed independently in small doses.

Marmalade

From freshly squeezed juice you can make a healthy treat - marmalade. It won't be difficult to do it. For marmalade you need:

• 1 liter of juice from lemongrass berries;
• 2.5-3 cups sugar;
• 3 tablespoons of pectin.

Cooking method:

1. Add pectin to the heated juice and leave for half an hour to swell.
2. In another bowl, boil sugar syrup and 150 g of juice.
3. The swollen mixture with pectin is added to the syrup and boiled until thickened.
4. Hot marmalade is poured into prepared containers and left until completely hardened.
5. Before use, you can cut it into small pieces for convenience.

This medicinal sweetness perfectly helps the body in the fight against colds during the cold season. Marmalade has a very pleasant taste and aroma.

Terms and conditions of storage

For better preservation of the medicinal properties of Schisandra fruits, it is necessary to correctly observe the terms and conditions of storage.

Store dried fruits and seeds in a cool, dry place in fabric bags. Shelf life: 2 years.

Healing homemade tinctures can be stored for a long time without losing their qualities. For storage, choose dark, tightly closed containers. Keep bottles with tincture in a cool place.

It is recommended to store berries drenched in honey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator in a dark glass container. Shelf life is long. But it is better to use it before the next harvest.

Schisandra berries with sugar are rolled into jars with lids. The jars are put in a cool place. Shelf life – 1 year.

Juice from lemongrass berries can be stored for quite a long time. It is rolled into jars with a lid and put away in a cool, dark place. The shelf life of the juice in this form is 3 years.

Jam and marmalade remain healthy for 1-2 years. Store in a dark place, temperature does not matter (both in the refrigerator and at room temperature).

Marmalade is stored in the refrigerator. It is advisable to use it within 1-2 months.

Conclusion

Having decided to take the fruits for medicinal purposes, it is worth remembering once again what the benefits and harms of lemongrass berries are. Before starting treatment, you must visit a doctor to identify contraindications. Strict adherence to the dosage will help get rid of many problems without causing side effects.

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