Useful properties of lingonberries

The health benefits and harms of lingonberries are incomparable. There are not many contraindications for eating berries. True, the leaves are quite a strong medicine; not everyone can drink decoctions and infusions. But if you take them under the guidance of a doctor, do not exceed dosages, take breaks, you can replace some expensive and toxic drugs with a pleasant-tasting drink.

Composition and nutritional value of lingonberries

In addition to the fact that lingonberries are tasty, can be stored for a long time and are suitable for making jams, juices, desserts, and side dishes, they have a number of healing properties. This is one of the richest swamp berries in vitamins, microelements and organic acids.

Chemical composition of lingonberries

Depending on the place of growth and whether the berry is cultivated or collected in natural conditions, the chemical composition of lingonberries can change, and significantly. But in any case, the culture is rich in substances vital for the human body.

First of all, it should be noted that the berries contain a high content of various organic acids, amounting to 2.5 to 3% of dry matter:

• lemon (1.3%);
• apple (0.3%);
• benzoin (0.05-0.2%);
• wine;
• salicylic;
• ursolic;
• sorrel;
• vinegar;
• glyoxyl;
• pyruvic.

Polysaccharides, which are the main source of energy for humans, are represented by fiber (1.8%) and pectins (0.8-1.0%).

Lingonberries contain 0.3-0.6% of phenolic compounds (including tannins), these are biologically active substances:

• anthocyanins;
• leukoanthocyanins;
• catechins;
• flavonols;
• phenolic acids.

Lingonberries are also beneficial for the human body due to the rich mineral composition of the berries. True, the amount of elements and microelements depends on the conditions in which the crop grew. According to Candidate of Biological Sciences T.V. Kurlovich, who has been studying lingonberries for many years, the berry contains approximately (mg/kg):

• calcium (94.6);
• phosphorus (44.52);
• copper (32.25);
• magnesium (22.4);
• iron (11.17);
• barium (1.505);
• strontium (1.118);
• titanium (0.245);
• zinc (0.159);
• lead (0.108);
• nickel (0.065);
• tungsten (0.053);
• tin (0.053);
• chromium (0.025);
• molybdenum (0.02);
• silver (0.016).

In addition, the culture contains:

• nitrogen – 0.45-0.77%;
• potassium – 0.43-0.61%;
• manganese – 70-83 mg%;
• sodium – 17-40 mg%;
• boron – 0.12-0.36 mg%.

The sweetness of the berries is given by glucose, fructose and sucrose, the total share of which is 8-12%. Ripe fruits contain arbutin.

What vitamins are contained in lingonberries

The healing properties of lingonberries are due not least to the vitamins contained in the berry. Depending on the place of growth, it contains (according to T.V. Kurlovich):

• vitamin C – from 5 to 30 (!) mg%, although most often its amount does not exceed 18 mg%;
• B vitamins – up to 0.03 mg%;
• vitamin E – 1 mg%;
• provitamin A – from 0.05 to 0.1 mg%;
• vitamin K.

Calorie content of lingonberries

Per 100 g of lingonberries, the calorie content is only 39.3 kcal for fresh fruits and 42.2 kcal after freezing. This makes berries an indispensable product for all kinds of diets aimed at weight loss. At the same time, lingonberries are not only a pleasant low-calorie supplement. It supplies the body with many vitamins and other useful substances, the lack of which necessarily occurs when the list of foods consumed is limited.

Benefits of lingonberries for the human body

Official medicine uses the medicinal properties of lingonberries as an aid in the treatment of many diseases. This is due to the chemical composition of the fruit. Doctors consider only the leaves to be a medicine. At the same time, folk healers offer many recipes that include berries.

Of course, lingonberries are useful for everyone who has no contraindications. Even if a person does not think about treatment, and simply eats berries or drinks tea with fruits or leaves, he receives a significant dose of vitamins and minerals. And this has a positive effect on the condition of the body.

But the beneficial properties and contraindications of lingonberries may differ somewhat depending on the gender or age of the person consuming them.

Useful properties and contraindications of lingonberries for women

Lingonberries are good for women of any age. Oddly enough, berries help with scanty and heavy periods. They, of course, cannot replace medications; before limiting treatment to lingonberries, you need to consult a doctor - after all, menstrual irregularities can be caused by a number of serious diseases. But if the doctor approves, berries or fruit juice taken for at least a week can relieve spasms and reduce pain.

Lingonberries can be a real salvation during menopause. Taking berries, both fresh and dried, frozen, soaked, processed into juice or fruit drink, can:

• normalize the state of the nervous system;
• reduce sweating;
• serves as a prevention of venous congestion;
• helps cope with hot flashes.

Doctors often prescribe berries to pregnant women as a natural mild diuretic that relieves swelling and saturates the body with beneficial microelements. But in rare cases, lingonberries can harm a child, so you shouldn’t prescribe them yourself. Berries should be consumed with extreme caution during lactation - the baby is no longer protected by the placenta and everything that the mother eats goes to him.

Lingonberry: beneficial properties and contraindications for men

The benefits of lingonberries for men are primarily due to the ability to alleviate the condition of prostatitis. Even if there are no problems yet, starting from middle age it is useful to drink lingonberry water, tea or eat berries in courses of 10-14 days with a break of at least a month. Naturally, it is better to consult a doctor - after all, prostate diseases are sometimes accompanied by urolithiasis.And in this case, the benefits and harms of lingonberries for a man’s body should be assessed by a doctor.

The stronger sex suffers from stress and neuroses just as often as the weaker sex. He just prefers not to admit it, not to let off steam, but to keep everything to himself. Berries, fruit juice, tea will help put the nervous system in order. Even a few spoons of jam have healing powers.

At what age can children eat lingonberries?

There are ongoing discussions on this topic. Even doctors cannot agree among themselves at what age children can be given lingonberries. Some say from the age of three, others from the age of twelve.

Probably, everything depends on the health of the child, as well as the characteristics of his development. In any case, even berries, whose effect on the body is much weaker than leaves, must first be given in small doses. And if the child is sick or the parents want him to take courses of lingonberries for medicinal purposes, you should first consult a doctor.

Children are given berries:

• as a diuretic;
• for allergies (after checking for tolerance to lingonberries);
• for colds as an anti-inflammatory and temperature-reducing agent;
• in the complex of treatment for diabetes mellitus;
• for general strengthening of the body.

It should be remembered that children should eat smaller portions of fruits than adults. Berries are also credited with the properties of enhancing the effect of antibiotics - this should be remembered during complex therapy.

Recipe for bedwetting

Despite the fact that lingonberries are a known diuretic (diuretic), traditional medicine uses them for childhood enuresis. For this, 2 tbsp. spoons of equal parts of dried berries and leaves are poured with two glasses of boiling water, left for 10 minutes, then cooled and filtered.

Half of the infusion is drunk during the day, the second in the evening, but no later than 17-00.

What does lingonberry help with?

In addition to the fact that lingonberries are used as a tonic, vitamin, astringent, diuretic and sedative, they are prescribed in the complex treatment of various diseases. The leaves of the plant can act as an independent medicine - their effect is much stronger and is recognized by official medicine. But the berries have fewer contraindications; they can be eaten in small quantities without consulting a doctor.

For a cold

Lingonberries are used for colds due to their large amount of vitamin C, antipyretic, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. In addition, berries contain a lot of other vitamins and nutrients that help activate the body’s own protective properties.

Tea for colds

The simplest and most harmless advice is to drink lingonberry tea with honey or sugar at the first sign of a cold. To do this, mash a tablespoon of berries with the same amount of sweetener, pour boiling water over them, and stir. When the drink becomes suitable for drinking, it is consumed internally until it cools down.

Morse for colds

If you missed a cold, you can prepare a fruit drink and drink 1-1.5 glasses a day. To do this, pour a glass of berries with water in a 1:2 ratio, bring to a boil, and add 5 tsp.spoons of sugar (not honey!), simmer over low heat for a quarter of an hour, filter.

From temperature

Lingonberries can bring down the temperature of a common cold. If a person has a sore throat, you need to see a doctor - he will prescribe medications to cure the underlying disease. Perhaps the package of measures to control temperature will also include lingonberries.

Lingonberry-beet juice

This fruit drink will not only lower the temperature, but also increase hemoglobin and saturate the body with vitamins and microelements. Beetroot softens the effect of lingonberries; the drink can be drunk even by patients with high acidity.

For 250 g of fresh or soaked berries you need to take the same amount of red beets, 750 ml of water, 50 g of honey.

Chop the lingonberries using a blender or another method, add chilled purified water and place on low heat, bringing to a boil. Turn off and leave for 30 minutes.

The beets are washed, peeled, and ground in a meat grinder. Add lingonberries to the infusion and boil. When the broth has cooled to 40 degrees, it is filtered through cheesecloth and combined with honey.

Drink warm during the day, 100 ml 3-4 times. You can store this decoction in the refrigerator for no longer than three days. But it is better to make fresh daily.

Simple recipe based on temperature with raspberries

If the temperature is not complicated by complications, a tasty medicine can be easily prepared from frozen lingonberries and raspberries. Place a tablespoon of fruit directly into a cup, add hot water, add sugar or honey to taste. The berries should be crushed a little - they will easily release juice.

Drink 100 ml three times a day hot.

Against cough

Lingonberries help a cough well - they have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. But coughs are different.

Recipe for separating phlegm

To make it easier to separate sputum, add honey to taste to the juice prepared for the winter, either from fresh or frozen berries. One tablespoon of this delicious medicine is drunk 6-8 times a day.

Recipe for cough for tuberculosis

Lingonberries can even moderate coughs due to tuberculosis.

Take equal parts of fresh or frozen berries and honey and grind. Take 2-3 tbsp. spoons 3 or 4 times a day. Wash it down with warm (not hot!) water.

For cystitis

Lingonberries are used quite often for cystitis. Of course, the effect of leaves is stronger than berries. But you don't always need a powerful tool. The berries have a mild effect. At the beginning of the disease, when it seems too early to go to the doctor, but you already feel discomfort, you can prescribe them yourself.

For inflammation of the bladder, relief from taking berries occurs:

• due to the high content of vitamin C in the fruits, which relieves inflammation;
• due to the presence of the antiseptic arbutin, which enhances the outflow of urine;
• benzoic acid contained in the plant also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

For cystitis, you can prepare fruit juice in the same way as described in the recipe for colds.

Lingonberry water for cystitis

An effective remedy is the water in which lingonberries were stored. The berries are washed, poured into a jar up to the neck and filled with clean water. This way they can be stored all winter. The water with which the berries are poured becomes healing after 2 months, and it has practically no contraindications.

Infusion of lingonberries for cystitis

A glass of crushed berries is poured with a liter of boiling water, wrapped in a warm blanket and left for 60 minutes. Then filter and drink, but no more than three glasses a day.

For the kidneys

Lingonberries for kidneys should be taken with caution. Berries, of course, are not leaves, but there are diseases in which even they can cause harm. You should not eat lingonberries without consulting a doctor:

• with renal failure;
• glomerulonephritis;
• kidney stones.

The therapeutic effect of the berries is due to their antiseptic and diuretic effects. They activate the work of the kidneys, and this can have not only a positive effect. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of the berries will help with infectious diseases.

Below are recipes for lingonberry water and fruit juice, but you can prepare them as described in other sections of the article.

Morse for kidney diseases

Squeeze 50 ml of juice from fresh or frozen berries and dilute with 150 ml of boiled water. Add a sweetener to taste, drink 100 ml 3-4 times a day, half an hour after meals.

Lingonberry water for kidney disease

Not always, especially among residents of the southern regions, there are enough lingonberries to soak them for the winter and keep them untouched for 2-3 months. Yes, and the medicine may be needed urgently, and not when the berry is infused.

A glass of fruit is scalded, and then immediately filled with two parts of cold purified water for 7 hours. The resulting cold infusion is taken 30 minutes before each meal, 100 ml.

For edema

Lingonberry helps against edema due to its diuretic properties. The berries have a milder effect than the leaves; they can be taken independently for 10-14 days.But only if the person does not have intolerance, hypotension, stones, or serious kidney damage.

Together with urine, salts are removed from the body, which is why fluid is retained in the body. Here it is important not to overdo it and not lead yourself to dehydration or leaching of all useful microelements and vitamins.

Decoction for swelling

To reduce swelling, dry berries and lingonberry leaves are mixed in equal proportions. Pour two teaspoons into a glass of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Cool, filter, drink within 24 hours.

Delicious fruit juice for swelling

This recipe is quite simple, but the fruit drink turns out rich; people with high acidity should absolutely not drink it. For those whose bodies are not accustomed to constant consumption of marsh berries, it is better to consult a doctor.

Three glasses of lingonberries are mashed, poured with a liter of water, stirred and boiled over low heat. Add the zest of 1 lemon, vanillin, cinnamon and sugar to taste. Turn off the heat, cool the drink, and strain.

For urolithiasis

Lingonberries are not used for treatment of urolithiasis. It is able to remove sand and prevent further deposition of salts. The berry is good for preventing the formation of kidney stones. But if they already exist, uncontrolled intake of not only leaves, but also large quantities of fruits can lead to deterioration of health.

The berries have a diuretic effect, the stone can move and block the ureter. This leads to severe pain and surgery may be required.

Is it even possible to eat berries if you have kidney stones? If a person lives in an area where lingonberries grow, a few or even a dozen fruits will not do much harm, just like a sip of juice. But there can be no talk of eating enough berries. For people for whom lingonberries are exotic, it is better to abstain and first consult with a nephrologist.

For gastritis

You can use lingonberries for gastritis only with normal or low acidity.

Lingonberries help with gastrointestinal diseases due to the presence of tanning substances that relieve inflammation and have antispasmodic effects. The high content of various acids makes it impossible for people prone to high acidity to use berries and leaves.

Lingonberry water for gastritis

For gastritis with normal or low acidity, drink lingonberry water prepared according to one of the recipes described above. Take 100 ml 4 times a day.

Juice for gastritis with low acidity

This recipe is suitable only for people whose gastric acidity is low. Add a tablespoon of honey to half a glass of juice. Drink during the day in 3 doses - before meals, or 30 minutes after meals.

For pancreatitis

Lingonberries for pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas can only be used during the period of remission.

Why can’t you eat lingonberries if you have acute pancreatitis?

1. Berries stimulate the release of enzymes that are already not released into the duodenum. They self-digest in the pancreas and destroy it.
2. Lingonberries contain many acids that irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.
3. The fruit shell is poorly digested and lingers in the stomach and intestines. And this violates the first of the principles of treating pancreatitis - hunger, cold and rest.

Even during the period of remission, it is better to eat not fresh berries, but compotes, jelly, puddings, jellies, or put a spoonful of jam in tea. If you really want lingonberries, start eating them with 1-2 fruits, reach half a glass, and stop there.

Kissel for restoring the body after an acute period

But when the disease begins to subside, around the second week, you can eat jelly with well-cooked lingonberries, sweetened with a sweetener. They quench thirst, help relieve cramps and restore strength. Lingonberries will speed up the regeneration of the pancreas and relieve inflammation.

Lingonberry juice during remission

In case of chronic pancreatitis, you are allowed to drink only freshly prepared juice (can be made from frozen berries). It is diluted 1:1 with water, softened with an approved sweetener, and drunk 2 times a day, ½ cup. This will help prevent inflammation of the pancreas from developing.

For cholelithiasis

Lingonberries for gallstone disease should be used only when prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor. You can easily find recipes in which “healers” advise drinking juice, eating fresh berries, and not paying attention to pain in the right hypochondrium for 10-12 days.Like, small stones come out.

What if a large one has gone, or a small one has blocked the bile duct? At this time, the patient believes that since 12 days have not passed, he must endure. This way you can not only end up on the operating table... In addition, the release of even small stones can end up with them getting stuck in the bile duct.

Yes, lingonberries have the ability to accelerate regeneration, reduce inflammation, and relieve spasms. But it also increases the flow of bile! This in itself increases irritation of the already inflamed gallbladder, stomach and intestines.

For gout

Lingonberries for gout, arthritis, osteochondrosis, and rheumatism are taken equally. Pain and inflammation in the joints cannot be treated by relying only on the anti-inflammatory properties of berries. Lingonberry fruits should be part of complex therapy, but not replace it.

Teas, decoctions and infusions from berries for the treatment and prevention of exacerbations of diseases of the musculoskeletal system should be drunk hot.

Lingonberry anti-inflammatory tea

Take one part of dried lingonberry fruits, stone fruit leaves and oregano herb, 2 parts of dried raspberries. Pour a heaping teaspoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil, pour into a thermos or wrap well, leave for 60-90 minutes.

Take 1-2 glasses a day hot, adding sweetener to taste. Pregnant women, due to the presence of oregano, can drink this drink only after consulting a doctor.

Lingonberry juice for gout and arthritis

It is prepared in the same way as for gastritis with low acidity - a tablespoon of honey is dissolved in half a glass of the drink. You just need to drink juice throughout the day, regardless of meals.

Lingonberry for weight loss

You can often find advice to eat lingonberries in diets aimed at weight loss. Yes, the berry is low in calories. But even if a person has no contraindications, he needs to think before including lingonberries on the menu.

If the diet is that you cannot eat certain foods, but others can be eaten in unlimited quantities, lingonberries will come in handy. But if the amount of food consumed is minimal and calculated in portions, a man or woman who includes a tasty berry in their diet may greatly regret it.

The fact is that lingonberries stimulate the appetite. In the first case, you can fill your stomach with cabbage or boiled beets (well, or other permitted products). In the second, you will have to endure. So, in order to avoid moral and physical suffering, it is better to consult a nutritionist.

In general, lingonberries during a diet can compensate for the lack of vitamins and other useful substances in the body caused by a limited range of foods consumed.

The use of lingonberries in cosmetology

Lingonberries are used in cosmetology due to:

• high content of biologically active substances;
• benzoic acid, which has anti-putrefactive properties;
• a large number of vitamins and microelements;
• anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and astringent properties;
• tonic effect.

The only thing is that lingonberries are dense and difficult to mash quickly.You will have to use a masher and then rub through a sieve or blender.

Lingonberry face masks

Lingonberries can:

• relieve inflammation and irritation;
• moisturize facial skin;
• strengthen the epidermis;
• prevent skin aging and wrinkles;
• stimulate metabolic processes;
• tighten pores;
• supply the skin with essential vitamins and minerals.

How to make face masks

Face masks with lingonberries are made 2 times a week for a month. They are applied to a clean face with your fingers or a silicone brush, left for 15-20 minutes, and washed off with warm water. Then wash with cool water to tighten the pores.

Mask for dry skin

A tablespoon of lingonberry pulp is thoroughly mixed with a teaspoon of sour cream and the same amount of any vegetable oil (preferably jojoba, olive or coconut).

This mask nourishes the skin and smoothes out wrinkles.

Mask for oily skin

Beat the egg whites, add 2 tablespoons of lingonberry pulp. After the mask is removed, a nourishing cream is applied to the face.

This procedure tightens pores, dries the skin, and normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands.

Mask for normal or combination skin

A tablespoon of lingonberry pulp is combined with the same amount of grapefruit juice, then wheat flour is added (enough to obtain a thick mixture).

This is both a rejuvenating and whitening mask.

Lingonberry hair masks

The anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and astringent properties of lingonberries are used to treat hair. It helps eliminate dandruff and itching. Shampoos and rinses strengthen hair, stop hair loss, and saturate it with minerals and vitamins.But masks made with your own hands from lingonberries work best.

For strengthening and against hair loss

Finely grated carrots, a third of a glass of chopped fresh or frozen lingonberries and 2 tbsp. spoons of castor oil are thoroughly mixed and applied to the hair roots. Cover your head with cellophane (you can wear a swimming cap or a special one for showering), and wrap it in a terry towel. After 2 hours, wash off the mask first with water and then with shampoo.

Mask for restoring severely damaged hair

Porridge from 2 tbsp. spoons of lingonberries and the same amount of castor or burdock oil, 2 chicken (or 6 quail) yolks are thoroughly mixed. Apply to damp hair, wrap in cellophane and a terry towel for 2 hours. Wash your hair first with warm water, then with shampoo.

This mask should be done once a week for 3 months.

Contraindications to the use of lingonberries

Compared to leaves, lingonberries have fewer medicinal properties and contraindications. Their effect is mild if you do not eat the fruit in large quantities. It is believed that if there are no contraindications, without harm to health and without consulting a doctor, even people for whom lingonberries are an exotic crop can eat half a glass of berries. Those who have been accustomed to marsh berries since childhood consume them in much larger quantities.

Meanwhile, you need to know what contraindications exist for eating lingonberries:

1. If you have kidney or gallstones, you should absolutely not eat berries without consulting a doctor.
2. Gastrointestinal diseases with high acidity completely exclude the use of lingonberries. Even with normal acidity, ulcer sufferers should consult a doctor.
3. In case of acute pancreatitis, under no circumstances should you eat not only lingonberries, but also other berries. In general, the exacerbation of this disease requires a very strict diet!
4. With many kidney diseases, for example, renal failure or glomerulonephritis, allowing yourself a handful of berries can turn into disaster.
5. Lingonberries lower blood pressure. It should not be eaten by hypotensive people.
6. Before giving berries to a child, you need to consult a doctor and conduct a sensitivity test. You need to start taking lingonberries with 1-2 fruits, gradually increasing the dose. The maximum number of berries allowed for a child should be determined by the doctor, but the dose should not exceed half a glass.
7. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before taking lingonberries - in some cases, the berries can harm the baby.
8. During lactation, taking lingonberries must be coordinated with a doctor, otherwise the child may have constipation, dehydration and other troubles.
9. Postoperative period.
10. Individual intolerance.

Hypersensitivity test

Before eating lingonberries for the first time, you should do a simple test, since there are no 100% hypoallergenic products. To do this, soak a bandage in juice diluted with water and tie it around the wrist. If hives, itching, irritation, or other negative reaction do not appear within 10 minutes, you can start eating berries. For the first time, it is better to limit yourself to 1-2 pieces; in the future, their number can be gradually increased.

What else should you pay attention to? Firstly, lingonberries are believed to enhance the effect of antibiotics. Secondly, it increases appetite, so the low calorie content of berries is not a reason to immediately include them in your diet.

Conclusion

The health benefits and harms of lingonberries, despite the large list of contraindications, are incomparable. Doctors often prescribe berries even for diseases that are on the prohibited list. They themselves calculate the dosage and time of administration depending on the patient’s weight and concomitant diseases. In addition, the origin of the berries is of great importance - fruits picked independently in an environmentally friendly place are one thing, but purchased second-hand or at a retail outlet, quite another.

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