Where it grows and looks like

Rosehip - a perennial shrub of the family Rosaceae. There are several species of wild rose: Rosa majalis, cinnamon, white-naped, echinated, wrinkled, Beggera rosehip, rosehips Fedchenko dog. Types of rosehip differ on set most characteristic features of their area and are growing. For example, Rosa Canina is widely distributed in the European part of our country in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, in Central Asia. White-naped and wrinkled rosehips grow mainly in the Far East, rose hips and rose hip Beggera Mabuza found mostly in Central Asia. The most common wild rose - cinnamon found in the forest and steppe zones of Russia, in Western Siberia and the Urals. It grows on forest edges, in the ravines.

The height of the shrub rose hips cinnamon sometimes reach up to two meters, the branches are covered with brown bark and straight hard spines. Its leaves consist of five small bright green leaves with prominent veins. The flowers are large, beautiful, single, white and pink color, with the smell of roses. It blooms in June and July, followed by flower petals fly around and gradually (by August-September) ripening orange-red fruits egg-shaped sour taste. As a medicinal raw material used is usually fruit, but, in addition, are used, and the roots, leaves, flowers.

What good is contained in the dog-rose

The cinnamon rose contains a large amount of ascorbic acid. In the dried pulp of the ripe fruit it can contain up to 10% or more. In the fruit of the dog rose hips ascorbic acid content is typically less than 1%. Ascorbic acid enhances immunity, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and is actively involved in metabolic processes.

The flesh of all kinds of rose hips also contain carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A - to improve the condition of the skin and its appendages - hair and nails), vitamin B2, K and P, sugar, pectin (help cleanse the body Cleansing the body - comprehensive restoration   poisons and toxins), organic acids (citric and malic - they improve the metabolism, increase the separation of bile and gastric juice). The seeds contain fatty oil (10%), rich in carotenoids and vitamin E. The bark and leaves of wild rose roots have tannins (astringent, analgesic, antimicrobial, vasoconstrictor effect). In addition, wild rose contain minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron) and trace elements (copper ,. manganese, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt) - all of them are essential for proper metabolism.

The effect on the human body, and indications for use

From hips preparing decoctions and infusions, which have many therapeutic properties. They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, choleretic, diuretic, lowering blood pressure, activates the production of red blood cells (red blood cells), strengthens the walls of blood vessels, astringent and soothing effect.

Traditional medicine recommends taking infusions and decoctions from the hips with a lack of vitamins, edema, liver and biliary tract, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), atherosclerosis, frequent bleeding, scurvy, hormonal disorders Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous , Nervousness, anemia, for immunity Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system . Rosehip oil is used topically for treatment of wounds (including septic), venous ulcers, fractures and other disorders of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as ingested in ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). A decoction of the roots of wild rose is used as an aid to dissolution or splitting stones.

Since wild rose contains a lot of ascorbic acid, it is contraindicated in people with a tendency to metabolic disorders with stone formation - oxalate.

How to prepare and take drugs on the basis of rose hips

From the hips prepare various medicines:

• decoction of rose hips is prepared from the calculation of a tablespoon of crushed dried fruit in a glass of water; fruits with cold water and boiled for 15 minutes, then the liquid is adjusted to the original level, insist for two hours and half a cup of drink twice a day, after meals;
• infusion of rosehip prepared from the same basis as the broth, and the fruits (not crushed) is filled with hot water, capped, and heated in a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures   (dishes placed in a pot of boiling water) for 15 minutes, then cooled at room temperature for at least 45 minutes, filtered, the remaining raw materials squeeze, poured into the infusion, and bring it to its original level; take in the same way as the broth;
• decoction of the roots of wild rose: two tablespoons of chopped root pour a glass of cold water and boil for 15 minutes, then insist two o'clock; drink half a cup three times a day for a week.
• rosehip oil is preparing an industrial way, it is used for the lubrication of wounds and ulcers, as well as in diseases of the intestine into a teaspoon twice a day.

Rosehip - a great natural medicinal remedy.

Galina Romanenko

Where and how to grow edible honeysuckle

There are over two hundred species of honeysuckle honeysuckle common (wolf berries) - ubiquitous, Honeysuckle blue - found in the Carpathians; Caucasian honeysuckle, honeysuckle Altai grows in Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka honeysuckle - the Far East, and many other types of honeysuckle. Only a few species are edible honeysuckle, in our country - it is honeysuckle, which is called - edible.

In Russia, the most common varieties are edible honeysuckle honeysuckle honeysuckle Kamchatka and Altai. This perennial shrub up to two meters with erect or slightly curved shoots. Leaves are small, hairy, densely branching form at the top of the crown. The flowers are small, delicate, pale yellow. The fruit is dark blue, almost black, round or barrel-shaped, covered with a bluish bloom, berries ripen earlier than others, some varieties stay long on the branches, do not litter, they can be harvested from early summer to late July. The taste of sweet and sour berries, sometimes slightly bitter, perfectly quenches thirst.

The plant is very unpretentious, hardy, can grow in suburban areas as hedges and do not require special care. It grows wild in the woods, often forms continuous thickets of moist places, including marshes.

What good is contained in the edible honeysuckle

The chemical composition of the edible honeysuckle berries diverse. In these berries contain vitamins C, A, B, fructose, organic acids, tannins, pectin, macro- and microelements (magnesium, potassium, aluminum, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, iodine, copper).

The content of various chemicals varies greatly depending on where the growth of honeysuckle. So, in a hot climate decreases its acidity, but increased sugar content, tanning and coloring substances, why have berries appear small bitterness. In a cool, humid climate increases the acidity of the berries of honeysuckle, it increases levels of vitamin C. In temperate continental climate honeysuckle berries sweeter, they contain more sugars and vitamin C.

All of these nutrients can be stored zagotavlivaya as a crude drug. The berries are dried, frozen, canned. The bark is harvested in early spring, dried and stored in a dry place. Leaves and flowers are harvested during flowering, and dried and stored in a dry place.

Medicinal properties of edible honeysuckle

Medicinal properties have not only the berries of honeysuckle edible, but the leaves, flowers and branches.

Fresh berries of honeysuckle - a source of vitamins and minerals, they are used as a general tonic and a source of vitamins after a long winter, as this is the first ripening berries. They lower blood pressure Blood pressure - dangerous if his swing? , Strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduces the effects of atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis - a chronic disease of the arteries , Treat anemia, strengthen the immune system, stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, reduces bleeding, have antioxidant (prevents aging of cells), and antitumor activity. Honeysuckle berries are able to bind and excrete heavy metals.

The juice from fresh berries edible honeysuckle has wound-healing properties, treats various skin diseases: sores, eczema, psoriasis, etc. Juice lubricate the affected skin surface for 10 - 14 days.

Infusions and decoctions of leaves and flowers of the edible honeysuckle have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-edema properties. They are taken orally in diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, edema, diarrhea. Such infusions can also gargle, wash out eyes for various inflammatory diseases.

Infusions branches and bark edible honeysuckle take swelling, inflammation of the colon, washed the wounds, treat burns, used as a gargle for colds. Gout Gout - the "disease of kings"   and rheumatism Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart   using a bath of young sprigs of honeysuckle.

How to make drugs from honeysuckle

Honeysuckle as a drug can be administered in the form of fresh fruit, and it is possible to prepare a variety of drugs:

• infusion of berry honeysuckle oral: a tablespoon of fruit boiled water, infused for four hours in a thermos and take two tablespoons three times a day for hypertension, kidney and stomach;
• the infusion of the leaves of the edible honeysuckle: teaspoon of crushed dried leaves of the honeysuckle, harvested during flowering, pour a glass of boiled water, half an hour, filter and drink one tablespoon three times a day or used for gargling or rinsing of wounds;
• edible honeysuckle bark decoction for internal use: a tablespoon of shredded bark pour a glass of honeysuckle cold water, boil on low heat for 15 minutes, filter and take a tablespoon three times a day for half an hour before a meal as a decongestant;
• edible honeysuckle bark decoction for external use: two tablespoons shredded bark pour a glass of honeysuckle cold water, boil on low heat for 15 minutes, strain and use for gargling and rinsing eyes.

Honeysuckle edible - a very useful plant and simply delicious berry.