In the northern damp forests and along the margins of bogs growing blueberries, useful properties which are known far outside its habitat. Berry bushes with this - just the champion on the content of valuable compounds. Is it any wonder that it is used not only as food but also as a medicine.

What and how to treat blue berry

American doctors have blueberries in the list of the healthiest fruits because it contains an abundance of antioxidants - substances that neutralize oxidants in the body.

It is believed that excess oxidant is a major cause of premature death of the cells and leads to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke. Especially a lot of harmful compounds formed in the body of people living in environmentally disadvantaged areas.

Admission antioxidants Antioxidants: the truth about the notorious benefits   It helps prolong youth and prevent the development of "diseases of civilization". There are wild berries recommended fresh, because it is the fresh fruit, the highest concentration of antioxidants.

However, this useful properties of blueberries are not exhausted. Its berries - it is also a valuable source of minerals: calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium and iodine. In sufficient quantities and vitamins are present.

On the content of ascorbic acid blueberries beats many competitors. The daily requirement of man in this element are able to meet all its half a cup of fruit. Vitamin C is essential not only for the body to strengthen the immune system Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system But also for maintaining healthy skin, bones and muscles.

Part of the berries vitamin E increases the strength of the capillaries. So welcome blueberry useful in atherosclerosis, hypertension, angina and other diseases involving impairment of capillary circulation.

To enrich the body with vitamins and minerals blueberries consumed both in fresh and in dried form. Fresh fruit juice is prepared or "cold" jam. These tools take hypovitaminoses when, after a long illness, or in the winter to prevent colds. People working at the computer, to restore vision recommended daily drink a glass of blueberry juice.

The presence of such compounds in the fruit as pectins, saponins and organic acids, allows their use for improving the gastrointestinal tract. Stimulating receptors in the gut, organic acids stimulate the production of gastric juice, stimulate appetite, increases peristalsis. Pectins normalize the number of bacteria in the gut. The saponins have anti-inflammatory effect in gastritis, enteritis, colitis. With the purpose of treatment of gastrointestinal diseases appoint blueberry juice or a decoction of dried fruit.

It was found that the berries of the plant contains betaine - a compound having anti-sclerotic properties. Studies conducted by Japanese medical scientists have confirmed that regular consumption of blueberries reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of heart disease, improves memory and motor activity.

American experts say that blueberries - a great tool for cancer prevention. In its structure there elagovaya acid, which inhibits the growth of malignant tumors of the lung, stomach and larynx.

Clean the inside and outside

Not least is the blueberries as a source of insoluble fiber. In 100 grams of its fruit contains about 5 grams of fiber, while the recommended daily allowance - 25 grams (for an adult). Working as an adsorbent fiber absorbs everything that needs to be eliminated from the body, thus contributing to its purification.

As a natural "sponge" blueberries is prescribed for any conditions that are accompanied by the accumulation of toxic compounds in the body: the longer constipation, allergies, poisoning, when working in hazardous industries. Fresh fruits consumed in solid form, the dried pre-steamed.

For the purpose of purification used blueberries and externally. Masks with mashed into mush berries help to remove dead skin particles from the upper layers of the skin and narrow pores. The function of the active components in this case operate organic acid plant. They destroy the epidermis, producing a superficial skin resurfacing.

Healing leaves

Blueberry leaves contain compounds useful in the same composition and amount as berries. Infusion of the leaves are used as a vitamin agent, and anemia. Drink a drink, and diabetes, dyspepsia, for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Japanese scientists have found a positive effect on the plant's leaves prostate function. This effect most likely is due to the high content of flavonoids and tannins. The infusion of leaves of blueberry recommended for men with inflammation and prostate cancer.

Increasingly, to combat liver disease patients use non-traditional methods of treatment, such as use herbal supplements Food additives - basic classification . However, many doctors refer to such drugs in disbelief. The reasons for the lack of doubt. This lack of scrutiny of certain dietary supplements, and unscrupulous manufacturers who are not inclined to provide comprehensive information about the safety of their products. Among the "disputed" hepatoprotectors applies thistle - contraindications of medicinal herbs are often specified by the manufacturer is not in full.

Weigh the "pros"

As a medicinal herb milk thistle was used two thousand years ago, about her mentioned in the works of Avicenna and Galen classic ancient medicine. Appointed grass mainly for treatment of diseases of the liver and gallbladder.

The chemical composition of milk thistle was first deciphered in 1968 by experts of the University of Munich. Scientists have found that its main active ingredient is silymarin. Besides, in the plant were found:

• the whole group of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (like the ones that are present in fish oil)
• plenty of minerals (potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, boron, copper).

Silymarin is the only one known to date, the substance of natural origin, which has a protective effect against the liver. It speeds up the healing process of damaged tissues in the body, stimulates the synthesis of new liver cells and prevents the penetration of toxic compounds, enhances the formation and secretion of bile.

In scientific medicine, milk thistle, indications and contraindications that have been studied thoroughly, it is indicated for biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis Chronic hepatitis - a diagnosis for life , Alcoholic cirrhosis and other toxic liver damage.

Folk healers recommend this plant for the treatment of diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease , Varicose veins and menstrual irregularities.

Weigh "against"

All scientific publications reported good tolerability and high safety of silymarin. But even despite this, milk thistle, contraindications to the use of which is minimal, may harm some patients.

Because choleretic properties of the plant is not recommended to use for people with cholelithiasis. Increased separation of bile can provoke their way out of stones from the gallbladder. The patient in this case will feel acute attacks of pain in the right upper quadrant, nausea, heaviness in the liver. The condition may be complicated by obstruction of the bile ducts, which in turn will lead to an increase of liver development and jaundice.

Contraindications reception grass during exacerbations of gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach or intestines. Interacting with the gastric juice, bile irritates the damaged wall of the digestive tract. This effect causes an increase in abdominal pain and delaying the healing process.

Like most plants, milk thistle is very rich in organic acids. In small doses, it is no harm to the body do not cause. But the treatment of the liver - a lengthy process. Apply drugs thistle patients have for several months. In this case, an excessive intake of organic acids in the intestinal lumen leading to destruction of beneficial microflora, which manifests the development of dyspeptic disorders. Patients complain of nausea, rumbling in the abdomen, diarrhea and gas emission.

The emergence of such symptoms observed with an overdose of a thistle. Get rid of the negative reaction helps cancellation phytopreparation and the appointment of probiotics.

It is well established that long-term use of silymarin exerts estrogen-like activity. Therefore, patients with hormonal disorders Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous   (endometriosis, benign or malignant tumors of the uterus, ovaries, prostate) thistle doctors prescribe only after a careful assessment of the possible risks and benefits. For the same reason the plant is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Silymarin they can cause premature labor and impaired lactation.

Precautions must be taken thistle for patients with renal insufficiency. Potassium, which is part of the fruit, at high doses can lead to swelling and weakening of the heart muscle.

We do not recommend the use of plants in childhood. Although milk thistle and recognized as generally safe, but no clinical studies confirming the possibility of its use in children has not been conducted. The absence of any standards is not allows you to assign adequate doses of phytopreparation young patients.

Milk, contraindications for liver from which no can be used for any gepatopatologiyah. However, it should not eat grass as the primary means of therapy for acute viral hepatitis, because in such cases recovery is a necessary condition for receiving antiviral agents.

Contraindicated use of milk thistle for people with allergic reaction to this plant.

Dangerous ties

By acting on the liver, silymarin it alters the activity of enzymes that play a very important role in the "digestion" of drugs. Simultaneous reception thistle with some drugs may cause that their concentration in the body would be lower or higher than therapeutic. Therefore, prior to the use of plants is important to consult with your doctor, who will adjust the dose or have received medication or other select hepatoprotector.

For drugs that interact with silymarin include:

• antidepressants (Paxil, fluoxetine, St. John's wort)
• antipsychotics (clozapine)
• anticonvulsants (carbamazepine)
• tranquilizers (lorazepam)
• immunosuppressants (tacrolimus)
• statins (means for lowering cholesterol)
• estrogens.

Particular difficulties are caused by the replacement of psychotropic drugs. Therefore, patients with mental disorders (depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy) Appointment of milk thistle is not recommended.