Medicinal properties and contraindications of gooseberry berries and leaves

Gooseberries are widely used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of various painful conditions. Its berries and leaves contain vitamins, minerals, organic acids, antioxidants, tannins and other valuable elements important for health and well-being.

But even the most useful product has not only pros, but also cons. Therefore, first you should understand what the berries are for, how to use them as medicine, what are the medicinal properties of gooseberry leaves and what are the contraindications.

Composition of gooseberry berries and leaves

The chemical composition of gooseberries depends on the variety, conditions growing and storage. The fruits contain:

• organic acids;
• alimentary fiber;
• water;
• ash;
• vitamin A;
• beta-carotene;
• B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9;
• vitamins C, E, H, K, PP;
• macroelements: potassium, calcium, silicon, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine;
• trace elements: aluminum, boron, vanadium, iron, iodine, cobalt, lithium, manganese, copper, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, strontium, fluorine, chromium, zinc, zirconium;
• digestible carbohydrates: glucose, sucrose, fructose;
• saturated fatty acids;
• omega-3 fatty acids.

The chemical composition of the leaves is no less diverse. It contains such valuable substances for the human body as:

• vitamins A, C, E;
• B vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, choline, pantothenic and folic acids, pyridoxine;
• organic acids: malic, citric, oxalic;
• tannins;
• flavonoids;
• pectin;
• minerals.

Useful and healing properties

The rich composition of gooseberries determines its beneficial and even medicinal properties:

1. Retinol (vitamin A) has a beneficial effect on the skin: accelerates tissue regeneration processes, lightens age spots, tones, prevents the formation of facial wrinkles. Supports the proper functioning of the visual organs, sweat and sebaceous glands, participates in the conversion of cholesterol, regulates carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism.
2. Thiamine (vitamin B1) necessary for the health of the digestive and nervous systems, improves oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, activates blood flow, and promotes timely renewal of blood composition.
3. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) takes part in the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes), has a beneficial effect on the digestive organs, and removes toxic substances from the body.
4. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) lowers the concentration of bad cholesterol, which serves as a prevention of heart and vascular diseases. Ensures proper functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, strengthens hair and nails, and is important for the formation of bone tissue and mineralization of teeth.
5. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - a powerful antioxidant that enhances the protective functions of the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to infectious diseases. Promotes normal absorption of calcium and iron, increases the strength and elasticity of vascular walls.
6. Alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) stimulates collagen production, slows down the aging process, takes care of the skin. Improves blood circulation and nervous system function, prevents the development of anemia, and takes part in liver metabolism.
7. Nicotinamide (vitamin PP) maintains redox processes at the proper level, activates fat metabolism, regulates carbohydrate and water-salt metabolism, promotes the production of adrenal hormones, and improves immunity.

Gooseberry It is also valued for its dietary fiber content. They are not digested and, like brushes, cleanse the intestines of accumulated toxins, normalize stools, and stimulate intestinal motility.

Gooseberries have a pronounced choleretic and diuretic effect, remove excess fluid from the body, and help get rid of edema. Other medicinal properties are manifested in the ability to inhibit inflammation, destroy harmful microorganisms or suppress their growth, and relieve joint and muscle pain.

Advice. Gooseberries are recommended for use by people engaged in heavy physical and mental labor, as it increases endurance and performance, helps quickly restore strength, and put the nervous system in order.

Gooseberry leaves are used as medicinal raw material. Due to their equally rich composition, they have a beneficial effect on the body, preventing painful conditions from the heart, blood vessels, nervous, urinary, respiratory systems, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and organs of vision.

For women

Gooseberries should be present in the diet of women, regardless of age. It is recommended for vitamin deficiency, deficiency of microelements and minerals, and for the correction of mineral metabolism.

Berries are useful when planning pregnancy, during pregnancy, after childbirth, during and after breastfeeding. The fact is that the fruits contain folic acid (vitamin B9), which is important for the health of mother and child. A deficiency of this substance can cause anemia, disruption of the normal development of the nervous system in the fetus, premature birth or spontaneous miscarriage.

Vitamin B2, which is also contained in gooseberries, takes part in the physiological formation of fetal tissues and organs. The development of placental tissue in accordance with all the needs of the unborn child is regulated by vitamin E.

Gooseberries are especially useful for women over the age of 30, as they slow down the onset of menopause, alleviate the symptoms of menopause, and support the functioning of the reproductive system. By regularly eating berries, you don’t have to worry about the condition of your skin and hair.

The benefits of gooseberries in maintaining or losing weight are undeniable:

• has low calorie content (45 kcal per 100 g), contains virtually no fat (0.2 g), but is rich in proteins (0.7 g) and carbohydrates (9.1 g);
• provides a quick feeling of satiety, energizes you for a long time, without converting carbohydrates into new fat deposits;
• reduces blood sugar levels, which is especially important during weight loss;
• pectin cleanses the body of waste and toxins, promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines;
• vitamins and minerals normalize metabolism and improve digestion.

For men

Gooseberries have a beneficial effect on the male body: strengthens the immune system, prolongs youth, keeps the skin in good condition, and gets rid of accumulated toxins.

Berries are of particular importance for the genitourinary system.By regularly consuming gooseberries, you can prevent or alleviate inflammatory diseases such as cystitis, pyelonephritis, and prostatitis.

Vitamins A, B, C improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which has a positive effect on libido and sexual health. In addition, a large amount of zinc enhances testosterone production. It is an important male sex hormone responsible for sexual desire, erection, muscle and genital development in adolescents and boys.

Gooseberry in folk medicine

Gooseberries are widely in demand in folk medicine. Having a rich vitamin and mineral complex, the leaves and fruits of the plant help prevent various diseases, and in the presence of pathologies, speed up recovery and prevent possible complications.

What does gooseberry help with:

1. Anemia. The berries are used in case of insufficient concentration of iron in the body and to prevent a decrease in hemoglobin levels. They serve as an additional source of iron, as well as vitamin C, which promotes better absorption of iron. They help alleviate the severity of nervous system symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, and decreased performance. It also prevents negative manifestations from the digestive system in the form of nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
2. Urolithiasis disease. Berries, decoction and infusion of leaves help remove stones and have diuretic and choleretic properties. Organic acids prevent the precipitation of salt crystals, and vitamins in combination with dietary fiber normalize metabolism, since it is metabolic disorders that contribute to the development of the disease.
3. Diabetes. Gooseberries have a low glycemic index (25 units), therefore, they do not increase glucose levels, do not overload the pancreas, remove excess bad cholesterol from the body, and normalize metabolism.
4. Diseases of the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction, ischemia, atherosclerosis, angina). The berries and leaves of the plant directly affect the root cause of pathologies: they normalize lipid metabolism, reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, stimulate blood flow, increase the strength and elasticity of vascular walls and capillaries. Berries saturate the body with potassium and magnesium, which relax the heart muscles, regulate blood pressure, and improve the process of neuromuscular transmission.
5. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Berries alleviate the condition of people suffering from osteochondrosis, gout, rheumatism, arthritis and arthrosis. Gooseberries stop the inflammatory process, reduce the severity of pain, strengthen connective tissue structures, and normalize metabolism in the joints. Organic acids dissolve uric acid crystals, preventing their accumulation.
6. Flu, acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection and other infectious diseases of the respiratory system. Gooseberries contain large doses of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, protects against infections, stops inflammation, and inhibits the release of histamine (a mediator of allergic reactions). The antioxidant properties of gooseberries and their leaves are used to treat and prevent colds.
7. Skin diseases. Since skin diseases in most cases are associated with metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal pathologies, gooseberries have a positive effect on metabolism, remove toxins from the intestines, and improve intestinal microflora.Plays an important role in the fight against constipation. Vitamins A and E reduce the severity of allergic manifestations and accelerate skin healing.

Contraindications

The main contraindication for the use of gooseberries and medicines based on its leaves is individual intolerance to one or more components of the composition.

Nutritionists recommend limiting or completely eliminating berries from the diet of people suffering from erosive-ulcerative diseases of the digestive system, especially in the acute stage. The fact is that the organic acids contained in the composition have an adverse effect on the affected mucous membrane, and the hard skin is poorly digested. Abdominal bloating may occur and pain may worsen.

When to collect and prepare gooseberry raw materials

The biological ripening period of berries is June – August (depending on the variety, weather and climatic conditions). If you plan to harvest gooseberries for the winter or process them, you need to collect them 10-15 days before they are completely ripe. The berries are already of normal size, with clearly visible veins, but still retain their elasticity. Such a crop can be stored for 30 days if the proper temperature conditions are maintained from 0°C to +2...+3°C. In the freezer Gooseberries can be stored for about 12 months.

Advice. Pay attention to appearance. Spoiled, overripe berries with traces of insect damage are unsuitable for consumption and storage.

The berries are picked in dry weather until mid-day, when the morning dew has completely dried. To avoid injuring your hands, use thick gardening gloves. For long-term storage, choose only fruits that are dense to the touch.Gooseberries are collected in small containers (average volume - 2-2.5 liters) so as not to crush the berries. At room temperature, the crop is stored for no more than 2-3 days.

Gooseberry leaves are used for medicinal purposes, so it is important to know when and how to collect them.

When to collect leaves

The leaves, like the berries, are collected in dry, sunny weather. Spoiled and dirty raw materials are not used for harvesting, since they are not first washed under running water. The fact is that on the surface of the leaves there are bacteria that take part in fermentation. It is best to harvest leaves not in early spring, but in autumn, when the bush has finished bearing fruit. Then the beneficial properties and smell of the leaves increase significantly.

How to Dry and Ferment Leaves

The collected leaves must be dried, since excess moisture will not allow for proper fermentation and drying. To do this, they are laid out in a thin layer on a cotton towel and periodically tossed. On average, the withering process lasts about 12 hours, depending on the condition of the raw materials, temperature and climatic conditions. The best air temperature is +20...+25°C, humidity is 65-70%.

If, when the leaf is crushed, a crunch is not heard at the site of the central vein, proceed to the next stage - fermentation. Leaves can be prepared in any way:

• grind in a meat grinder;
• knead with squeezing movements in a wide container;
• Roll 8-10 leaves between your palms until juice forms.

The mashed leaves are placed tightly in a dry glass or porcelain container, covered with an airtight lid to prevent air from entering, and left in a warm place. The fermentation time depends on the temperature: the higher it is, the faster the process occurs. The optimal temperature is +22…+26°C.

For reference. At a temperature of +15°C and below, the fermentation process stops; at +30°C and above, the quality of the raw material deteriorates.

On average, fermentation lasts 1-2 days. On the third day, the leaves may become moldy or ferment, which should not be allowed. Next, granules of arbitrary shape and size are formed from the plastic green mass or left as is.

Next, they move on to the last stage of raw material procurement - drying the leaves. At home, it is usually dried naturally in the open air. If climatic conditions do not allow, use an oven, oven or any room (attic, place under a canopy) where good air circulation is ensured. You can dry the leaves on vegetable and fruit dryers, maintaining the optimal temperature at +37...+37.5°C.

Natural drying takes place in several stages:

1. Leaves or granules are spread in a thin layer on canvas or paper in the open air with a draft wind.
2. It is better to dry the leaves in a draft; in such conditions, moisture evaporates faster. You cannot leave raw materials in the sun, because under the influence of its rays the active components of the composition are quickly destroyed, color and aroma change.
3. To prevent dust from falling on the leaves, you can cover them with gauze or a thin cloth.
4. When the leaves are ground into powder and do not stick together, it means drying is complete. Well-dried raw materials retain their natural color. Blackened leaves indicate that the raw material has not been dried correctly and its beneficial properties have been lost.

After drying, the leaves are placed in plastic containers, glass containers, fabric bags and stored in a dark, dry place.

Recipes for medicinal products

Both berries and leaves are used as medicine. The fruits are usually eaten fresh or made into juice.Tea is brewed from the leaves, infusions and decoctions are prepared, which, depending on the indications, are taken orally or used externally in the form of a compress and rubbing.

Leaf tea

Tea with gooseberry leaves is consumed as both a drink and medicine. It contains many substances beneficial to the human body, which helps minimize the risk of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous, urinary and digestive systems. In winter, this good vitamin remedy protects against flu and colds, and increases the body's resistance to infections. Tea made from the leaves, which has anti-edematous properties, is useful for people suffering from hypertension, excessive swelling, and obesity.

How to prepare leaf tea:

1. 2 tbsp. l. dried leaves, pour 200-250 ml of boiling water and leave under the lid for 5-10 minutes.
2. If desired, honey, lemon, ginger, and mint are added to the finished drink. These substances not only change the taste, but also enhance the medicinal properties of gooseberries and add new medicinal effects.

Leaf infusion

The infusion is prepared from 2 tbsp. l. raw materials and 500 ml of water. The leaves are poured into an airtight container, poured boiling water, left under a closed lid (preferably in a thermos) for 60 minutes, then filtered.

The infusion is characterized by a wide spectrum of action. It is recommended for use in diseases and conditions such as:

• tuberculosis;
• avitaminosis;
• obesity;
• prevention of anemia;
• malnutrition (to compensate for the deficiency of minerals and vitamins);
• rehabilitation period after injuries, antibiotics, diseases.

Decoction of leaves

To prepare the decoction, use both fresh and dried gooseberry leaves:

1. 1 tbsp. l. The plant material is crushed and 500 ml of cold water is poured.
2. Bring to a boil in a water bath and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, let stand covered for 1-2 hours, strain.

The decoction is recommended to be used as a compress for people suffering from arthritis, arthrosis, and osteochondrosis. Taken internally for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, influenza, diseases of the teeth and oral cavity.

A decoction of gooseberry leaves is a popular cosmetic product. It is used to treat the scalp in cases of active hair loss, seborrhea, and baldness. Ice made from the decoction tones well, refreshes the skin, reduces pigmentation, and prevents the formation of wrinkles.

How are berries used?

The berries are consumed fresh, frozen, processed into juice, and used to make compote, jelly, jam, and marmalade. But you should know that, depending on the cooking technology, gooseberries are not always equally healthy. For greater benefits, nutritionists recommend eating fresh berries without prior heat treatment. Gooseberries with sugar are contraindicated for people suffering from obesity and diabetes.

This is interesting:

Why rust appeared on gooseberries and what to do to get rid of it.

Instructions for planting gooseberries in the fall and further caring for them.

Conclusion

The beneficial properties of gooseberries are undeniable. Its fruits and leaves are in demand in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, pathologies of the nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Berries are useful for those who want to lose weight, cleanse the intestines of waste and toxins, and improve the condition of their skin and nails.

Tea, decoction and infusion of gooseberry leaves is an ideal drink in all respects.It has a wonderful aroma and taste, invigorates, replenishes the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and has a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole.