Irga prevents the development and formation of thrombosis, has an anti-sclerotic effect

Several years ago, I discovered a wonderful plant, irgu. I liked its flowering and decided to plant it for myself. Imagine my surprise when the berries began to ripen - they were bluish blue and tart in taste.

When the fruits appear and ripen, the tree has a palette of multicolored berries of all shades - from pink-violet-burgundy to lilac, depending on the degree of ripeness. Their collection takes place in several stages, and fresh berries can be picked for a very long time, throughout the warm season.

It is very important to know and remember that irga has an anti-sclerotic effect. In addition, it reduces blood clotting, and what is most interesting and unique, prevents the development and formation of thrombosis

Irga is a name given to a short tree or fruit bush, belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Apple subfamily. Irga – perennial, this tree-like bush can grow up to five meters in height and be about two meters in diameter. Game is an unpretentious plant; it is distinguished by excellent winter hardiness. However, for full growth and development, this plant needs excellent lighting.

The wild serviceberry grows in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The cultivated plant can be found in garden farms in Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Urals. Moreover, shadberry can be grown as an ornamental bush in parks, and as a honey plant in gardens. The serviceberry blooms in April and May. Due to the structure and shape of the clusters of cream or white flowers, the game is often confused with bird cherry.

Just like bird cherry in the spring, it is literally strewn with abundantly covering the crown small flowers. IN spring period year, the shoots of the serviceberry are drooping. The leaves of this plant are whole, round, jagged at the edges, and closer to autumn they become dark red. The wood of the serviceberry is strong, gray and with red veins.

Despite the fact that the types of serviceberry have very minor differences from each other, the most common cultural species They consider Irgu roundifolia, Irgu ordinary, Irgu Canadian and Irgu spicata.

Description of the irgi fruit

The shape of serviceberry fruits is very similar to small apple fruits, the diameter of which is usually about 10 mm, the only difference is that at the top of the serviceberry fruit, which is often simply called currant, there are sepals. The currant fruits ripen every year, at the end of summer, but this does not happen evenly, so the harvest is harvested gradually as the serviceberry ripens.

For full flowering and ripening of the fruits of the shadberry, high light is required. The round fruits are usually purple-red and dark blue in color, with a whitish, waxy coating on the thin skin. The core of the serviceberry fruit is distinguished by its juiciness, pleasant distinct aroma and sweetness.

Benefits of serviceberry

Perfectly tolerating the cold Russian winters, the unpretentious and healthy serviceberry tree is valued by gardeners; its juicy fruits, apples, are to the taste of both adults and children, and even birds, from which the serviceberry must be additionally protected. The rich healing composition of serviceberry berries and the possibility of their processing make serviceberry an invaluable product during periods of seasonal vitamin deficiencies.

Irga is consumed both fresh and in the form of jam, jam, jelly, juice, compote, pastille, marmalade, jelly. This berry is dried, and fruit wine and liqueurs are also prepared from it. The juice squeezed from serviceberry has very low acidity, so it goes well with sour red currant berries. Interestingly, before extracting juice from the serviceberry, the berries are first dried under the sun to increase their sugar content and improve the aroma.

Valuable composition of serviceberry fruits

The sweetness of serviceberry is due to the fact that its fruits contain a lot of sugar, which is determined to be more than 10%. From organic acids Saskatoon contains almost only malic acid, vitamins C and P, provitamin A, and B vitamins (especially vitamin B2). The fruit contains tannins, coumarins, sterols, flavanols (P-active compounds, natural antioxidants), as well as valuable microelements: cobalt, copper and lead.

In the practice of traditional healers, not only the fruits, but also the leaves, as well as the bark of the serviceberry, have found their use.

Medicinal properties of irgi

Irga is rightfully considered an excellent multivitamin preparation. Moreover, elements with a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect were found in its fruits. Consumption of shadberry helps reduce blood clotting ability, also preventing the development of thrombosis in blood vessels. With the help of serviceberry fruits, not only atherosclerosis is treated, but also other vascular and heart diseases, and beta-sitosterone found in serviceberry fruits is a cholesterol antagonist.

Using shadberry as food, you can not only strengthen your immune system, but also normalize the process of falling asleep and staying asleep. Moreover, the juice from these berries has been used for a long time traditional healers as an enveloping and astringent drug. In addition, the bark and leaves, which also contain a high content of tannins, have astringent characteristics. These parts of the plant are used in a ratio of one part of plant material to ten parts of water.

The ability of serviceberry to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their elasticity is due to the content of vitamins C and P in these fruits. This property of serviceberry helps prevent the development of myocardial infarction, as well as varicose veins, which is especially important for older people. Both the juice and the fruits of the serviceberry are recommended for consumption both by people with heart and vascular problems, and by those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, especially if they are caused by digestive disorders.

Serviceberry juice is also used externally, it is used to gargle during the treatment of sore throat, and is also used to get rid of purulent wounds. Freshly picked shadberry has an excellent calming effect and has a beneficial effect on the activity of the central nervous system, therefore it is useful for restless sleep and insomnia, especially because it can be consumed by both adults and children.

Has a beneficial effect on the heart and reduces arterial pressure blood and tincture of irgi flowers.

Use of irgi in cooking

The fruits of the serviceberry, having a sweet taste, are used in cooking both fresh and dried and cooked. thermally. Interestingly, dried shadberry is often compared to blueberries and used similarly to this berry.

To prepare juice from shadberry, Due to the very low acidity of these fruits, it is combined with fairly sour currant juice of white and red varieties. Pre-dried berries are initially crushed, then the juice is squeezed out of them, combined with currant juice and, after pasteurization (at a temperature not exceeding 80°C), poured into glass containers.

To get aromatic and tasty jam from serviceberry, The washed berries should first be blanched (no more than 2 minutes), then combined with the prepared sugar syrup and boiled. After eight hours, the jam should be boiled again, adding one gram per kilogram of berries at the end of cooking. citric acid. Sugar is calculated as follows: take half a kilo of sugar per kilogram of shadberry.

To make puree from serviceberry, Ripe fruits are blanched in boiling water for no more than 2 minutes, the water is filtered out and the shadberry is passed through a meat grinder (you can grind it through a sieve). Then the berries are combined with sugar in a 1:1 ratio. When mixing the fruits with sugar, you need to ensure that all the sugar dissolves. Transfer the puree to glass containers It will be possible in about six hours. This product should be stored in a cool place.

Harvesting serviceberry for future use

Healthy serviceberry berries are becoming increasingly popular in Russia; they are used to prepare desserts, they are dried and dried, thermally processed and frozen, and used as a filling for pies. Dried shadberry is called “northern raisin”.

It is difficult for the ignorant to prepare juice from serviceberry on their own, since it is practically not squeezed out of fresh berries. However, by laying the serviceberry fruits in a layer of about five centimeters, in about a week (maximum 10 days) it will be possible to squeeze out almost 70% of the valuable juice from the fruits. This process is called drying of serviceberry berries.

You also need to take into account that the taste of shadberry is fresh and sweet, due to the low content of organic acids in the fruit, so it is advisable to combine the game with other sour fruits, or add citric acid during processing.

Irga is not only a good honey plant and a beautiful fruit tree, it is also a popular ornamental plant and is used for making hedges.

Infusions and decoctions from the first inflorescences are taken for hypertensive painful conditions, and for diseases of heart failure - this is one of the best folk antihypertensive and cardiotonic remedies from Mother Nature.

IN modern world, all over the planet, serviceberry is widely used as a food product. The fruits are eaten in any form - dried, dried, frozen. They make jam, compotes and fruit drinks. Dried berries are familiar to consumers under the name “cinnamon”; in the literature you can find the name as “northern raisins”.

Considering that serviceberry has a reduced content of all organic acids, when making jam it is recommended to add more acidic fruits to serviceberry.

For example, compote of serviceberry with apple, currants (black or red), raspberries. The general proportions for preparing 1 liter of drink are 700g serviceberry and 300g currants. The washed berries are placed in jars and filled with syrup (1 liter of water: 400-500 g of sugar).

Jam.

The berries are sorted and blanched for 2-3 minutes; pour into prepared 60% sugar syrup and bring to a boil over low heat. Let it brew overnight. They finish cooking. When ready, it is recommended to add citric acid (1 g: 1 l).

Natural juice from serviceberry.

It is advisable to keep the berries in a dry room for 5-6 days. Squeeze out the juice, mixing it with sugar (per 1 liter: 300 g of sugar), heat until completely dissolved, pour into containers, and roll up the lids.

However, you should always remember that irga has an excellent calming effect. It can be taken in any form at night for a restful and healthy sleep. Accordingly, it is not advisable, after taking compote or jam from serviceberry, to drive or engage in active activities, breaking and disturbing the internal mood of the body.

Irga is very healthy berry, which is full of vitamins. This shrubby plant easy to care for and found on summer cottages or in the forest. The berries have a specific dark blue hue with a bluish tint. They can be used to make:

• compotes;
• tinctures;
• jam;
• homemade wines;
• or just eat it fresh.

But still, not many people know about the beneficial properties of shadberry when prepared correctly.

Useful properties of serviceberry

1. Removing toxins from the body and reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. Delicious berries serviceberry contain useful acids, controlling cholesterol levels - this makes it difficult for the formation of so-called cholesterol plaques. Pectins improve bladder function and kidney function, increase the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body, and this has a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs.
2. Strengthening the nervous system. To fall asleep quickly, you can prepare a mug of warm tea from dried fruits and drink it at night, or simply eat a handful of fresh berries before bed. Infusions and decoctions of serviceberry, as well as its berries, consumed simply fresh, will help increase the overall tone of the body and normalize the nervous system. The miracle berry helps you cope better with stress.
3. Saturation of the body with microelements/vitamins. It has long been proven that the pulp of serviceberry fruits contains many vitamins, namely C (ascorbic acid), B, P, and the seeds contain fatty oils. Saskatoon also has a high content of sugars, pectins, as well as acids, fiber, tannins and flavonoids beneficial to human health. Due to this, it is possible to increase the content of vitamins in case of vitamin deficiencies, and prevent kidney and liver diseases.
4. Rejuvenation and healing of the body. The plant contains an incredibly large amount of polyphenolic compounds, as experts say, helps prevent DNA defects and stops the aging process in the human body. Found in Irga a large number of flavonoids, which is the prevention of various diseases, cancer is no exception.
5. Prevention of eye diseases. Lotions made from bark infusions remove redness and suppuration of the eyelids on the face, and also relieve eye fatigue. Vitamin A supports eye health. Periodic consumption of serviceberry fruits helps prevent the appearance of cataracts and protects the organs of vision from a variety of inflammatory processes.
6. Elimination of inflammatory processes in the mouth and pharynx. For stomatitis, you can rinse your mouth with a solution of boiled water. warm water and fresh irgi juice (1:1) - this will eliminate inflammation in the mouth. This recipe is also perfect for treating sore throat. A warm decoction of the plant bark will relieve bleeding gums and help strengthen them during periodontal disease. And for the lungs and bronchi, tea made from dried leaves of the bush is suitable.
7. Beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. The fruits of the serviceberry contain a large amount of antioxidants; they play an important role in the prevention of heart attacks, many diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as strokes, cancer and such a common disease as atherosclerosis. Vitamin P makes the walls of capillaries and blood vessels strong, ensuring their reliability and elasticity. The so-called phytosterols and coumarins reduce blood clotting, and this prevents the formation of blood clots. To stimulate the heart and lower blood pressure, vodka tinctures based on the flowers of the bush are recommended.
8. Treatment of burns, wounds and abrasions. For the treatment of thermal burns, the juice of the serviceberry fruit is suitable. Gauze soaked in it should be applied to the affected areas of the skin for 40 minutes - several times a day.

You can prepare a decoction from the bark and dried leaves of the bush, which will help well with purulent wounds. To prepare it, you will need 2 tablespoons of dry mass, pour 1 liter of water and boil for 10 minutes.

To eliminate pain and disinfect, fresh serviceberry leaves are applied briefly to abrasions and cuts. They are a good antiseptic.

Despite the many beneficial properties of the berry, there are some contraindications:

1. You should not pick berries in environmentally polluted places, just like any other berry. This is justified by the fact that berries have the ability to absorb various toxins, as well as particles of heavy metals.
2. This miracle berry must be given to children with great care to avoid allergies. This warning also applies to adults who are prone to skin rashes.
3. Combining shadberry with dairy products is also not worth it. This may lead to stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
4. People with diabetes and prone to rapid weight gain are not recommended to consume serviceberry fruits in large quantities. This can lead to sudden weight gain and spikes in blood sugar.
5. Patients suffering from epilepsy should also not consume large amounts of berries. Vitamin C can lead to an attack.

Useful qualities of serviceberry for gardeners

Irga is an excellent “purifier” of air, land and water, so it can be planted in a summer cottage or garden. But it is worth remembering that the fruits of such a plant can no longer be used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Because this plant will contain harmful substances obtained during the “purification” of air, water and soil. Such bushes can be a beautiful decoration.

The best time for planting will be spring and autumn, while most gardeners are sure that planting should only be done in the autumn season. The shrub loves well-lit places in open areas. So that the plant has beautiful shape, sunlight must come from all sides, otherwise the branches will independently begin to reach for the light and, as a result, the bush will bend. It is also worth considering that sunlight affects the fruiting of shadberry, the more of it, the more berries.

To prevent the roots from growing, the soil at the planting site must be fertile. For best growth There must be a sufficient amount of humus in the soil. The roots of the serviceberry can go about 3 meters into the ground if the groundwater flows high at the planting site.

It is necessary to prepare the area for planting in the spring. To do this, clear the soil of weeds and cover with film until the bush is planted in the fall. After that, remove the film, dig up the soil to a depth of 15 cm and add fertilizer.

For planting several seedlings, the staggered principle is suitable; in this case, there will be enough space for them. The distance between the bushes is 50-150 cm. Irga is planted like gooseberries or raspberries. After planting, cut the plant branches to 15 cm, leaving a couple of buds on each of them.

The plant does not need much care. All you need to do is water (if there is no rain), remove weeds from around and add fertilizer if necessary. At proper care fruits may appear by the second half of next summer. But don’t forget about this completely unpretentious plant, like any other.

A few educational facts

1. The botanical name of the shrub is Amelanchier. It speaks of the very sweet, honey taste of the berry. In botany, the fruit of the serviceberry is considered an apple.
2. There are nineteen species of this plant.
3. His homeland is North America. In Canada, the plant is used to make wine. In Russia, the bush appeared only at the beginning of the twentieth century.
4. All countries have their own names for this shrub. Germany – “rock pear”, Russia – “wine berry”, Italy – “willow delicacy”.
5. If you eat 1 kg of berries at one time, it will induce instant sleep.

1. Wine. First you need to prepare the sugar syrup. To do this, boil water, add sugar and boil for a quarter of an hour, stirring constantly. Then squeeze the berries to get a liter of juice and mix with syrup. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle, close the neck with plasticine, leaving a small hole for the tube. One end of it is inserted into the bottle so that the tube does not touch the drink, and the other end is inserted into a glass of filtered water. This is necessary to eliminate oxygen penetration. If after 5 days the fermentation process has not begun, you need to add starter. Then put the container in a warm place for 14-21 days. Fermentation will end when the liquid separates into light and dark layers. Then strain the wort and bottle it. Let the wine sit for about 4 months.
2. Kvass. Pour ten liters of water into a saucepan and add 1 kg of washed berries, crushed in a mortar. Bring the mixture to a boil, cool, add 2 cups of buckwheat honey and 30 g of yeast. The fermentation process occurs within half a day. Pour the kvass into bottles and store in a cool place.
3. Jam. Mix 250 ml of water and 1 kg of granulated sugar, then put on low heat. Wash the berries, add to sugar syrup and bring to a boil. This needs to be done 3-4 times every 8-10 hours. Before finishing cooking, add 3 grams of citric acid to the mixture. This jam is stored in sterilized, sealed jars.
4. Freezing berries for the winter. Peel the berries from the stems, wash, dry and place on a baking sheet. Freeze at flash freeze, then bag in small portions for easy storage and use.

Irga is a very mysterious plant, and few people know about it. miraculous properties. It is extremely useful for a healthy body. Therefore, it is worth showing interest in this shrub plant.

Video: benefits of serviceberry

Irga – ornamental plant, which looks like a straight large shrub, less often small tree. The irga blooms with beautiful white inflorescences. Every summer you can see numerous bluish-black fruits on its branches, and in the fall this tree acquires an excellent multi-colored outfit.

Amazing plant

irga photo

Extraordinarily aromatic and beautiful plant Serviceberry belongs to the Rosaceae family. Irga has no special preference for its growing environment, is quite resistant to severe frosts and even freezing, and grows in any soil with varying acidity. The only thing you need to do to get good harvest large fresh sweet berries, this is to provide the serviceberry with a large amount of sunlight. In this regard, if the gardener’s plans do not include growing a large dense hedge, but he wants to get its fruits, the distance between the bushes must be at least 3 m.
There are about 25 species of this shrub around the world. Most often, shadberry can be found in the Caucasus, Crimea, the Urals, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and less often in Far East. Saskatoon grows very quickly, has strong roots, and the first fruits can be collected after planting in the third year. Since it has very sweet fruits, birds love to feast on it, so the gardener needs to be on alert and protect the plant from various damages.
In order for the irga plant to have large and juicy berries every year, in addition to sunlight, it needs to be provided with regular fertilizer, the soil nearby must be weeded and loosened, and excess branches must be trimmed. It is advisable to fertilize the plant every spring with organic and nitrogen-containing substances, and in the fall to add potassium sulfate, as well as wood ash.

Varieties of serviceberry

There are several varieties of irgi known

Exist different types serviceberry:

• Ordinary is a two-meter shrub with dense dark green leaves. As a rule, it begins to bloom in mid-May, and the harvest of purple fruits with a waxy bluish coating occurs in July. Among the people, the common serviceberry has another name - oval.
• Round-leaved - in some areas this irgu is classified as an oval species. It has long narrow white flowers and ripens in July.
• Spike serviceberry is a tall plant, distinguished by ovoid leaves and bright pink or white flowers. Its large purple-black fruits, which taste like the round-leaved serviceberry, begin to be harvested at the end of July.
• Canadian is the most vigorous type of this plant, with thin drooping branches, large oblong leaves, white flowers and almost black large fruits, which are harvested in July and August. With proper care, eight years old berry bush This type of shadberry can produce approximately 10 kg. fruits
• Lamarca, growing, forms a wide, large bush. The ovoid leaves reach a size of 7-10 cm, the flowering period begins in early June.

Composition and beneficial properties of irgi

In that amazing plant contains a lot of useful substances that have a beneficial and healing effect on the human body. First of all, this:

• organic acids (especially a lot of malic acid),
• pectins,
• flavonols,
• trace elements (copper, cobalt, lead),
• monosaccharides and disaccharides,
• cellulose,
• sterols,
• vitamins B, C, P and many others.

The bark and leaves of the plant contain tannins, and the seeds contain fatty oil.
Irga is considered a storehouse of carotene, which, in combination with ascorbic acid, acts as a powerful antioxidant. Its action is aimed at increasing resistance to stress, viral and infectious diseases, and it relieves depression. This antioxidant also creates a protective barrier against cancer and damage to the nervous system. The pectins that irga contains remove heavy metals, radionuclides, and toxins from the human body, lower cholesterol levels, and normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Application in medicine

for a sore throat, it is useful to drink fresh juice from irgi berries

The fruits of the shadberry plant help improve digestion and strengthen the intestines. Fresh berries are a good multivitamin and are used as a preventive measure and for treatment of vitamin deficiency, atherosclerosis, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases. Quite often, the fruits of serviceberry are prescribed as an astringent in the treatment of inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines.
For sore throat, sore throat, stomatitis folk medicine It is recommended to drink fresh juice made from its berries, and as a dietary and astringent drink it is useful to drink serviceberry juice in combination with juice from wild pears and apples.
Due to the large amount of vitamin P, shadberry is often prescribed to older people with problems with blood vessels to increase their elasticity. It is also used when varicose veins veins and to prevent myocardial infarction. Irga has an excellent calming effect in cases of increased nervousness and insomnia; it is used to strengthen the central nervous system. A tincture prepared from the flowers of this medicinal plant is indicated for use by hypertensive patients to lower blood pressure and normalize abnormal heart rhythms.
In addition, fresh juice from its berries has an antibacterial, hemostatic, healing effect, and is used in the treatment of purulent wounds, ulcers, cuts, fractures, as well as for diseases of the kidneys, liver and bladder.

Using irgi in cooking

Serviceberry berries make delicious jam

Irga beneficial features manifests itself not only in the form medicines, this is a popular product in cooking. Its fruits, collected separately, lose their juice, so if you want to dry it, remove them in whole bunches.
This is a dietary berry, so shadberry can often be “found” in many complex diets for those who are going to lose weight and at the same time replenish the body with useful substances. It can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried. Irga Krasnoyarsk and ordinary are often used as raw materials for compote, preserves, marmalade and jam.
Properly dried berries are also called northern raisins: their taste is practically no different from real raisins. Our grandmothers often called irgu korinka and used it for preparing various confectionery products as a filling. A powder is prepared from the dried fruits of the bush, which is then added to sauces to give them a special piquancy. To make pies, you can also use the fruits of the plant, ground with sugar, but you should take into account that such a filling, unlike jam, will not last long even in the refrigerator, since the sugar may begin to ferment.

• The common serviceberry will retain its beneficial properties if you make kvass from it. Ripe berries (1 kg) need to be crushed with a wooden pestle, pour in water (10 l), bring to a boil, cool and strain. Then add 2 cups of honey and 25-30 grams. yeast. The mixture must ferment, so it must be left in a warm place for 10-12 hours. Then the finished kvass is bottled.
• For those with a sweet tooth, you can make jelly from serviceberry berries. After harvesting, they must be kept for one week to make the juice easier to squeeze out. Then the berries are washed, crushed, heated at a temperature of 60°C for 10 minutes and the juice is squeezed out. Mix 2 cups of serviceberry juice with 2 cups of red or white currant juice, add 600 g. sugar and bring to a boil. When the finished juice has cooled, you can drink it.
• You can make dessert wine from shadberry. Just keep in mind that the berries have insufficient acidity, so you need to add about 20% white or red currant juice to their juice. Before starting the process, it is good to slightly dry the serviceberry berries, this will improve the aroma and increase its sugar content.

Everyone's favorite summer is coming to an end, and every self-respecting housewife begins to think about Of course, you can't do without jam. It is not only tasty, but also very healthy and can help with colds.

The most healthy jams Raspberry and currant are considered. Unfortunately, yurga has been forgotten - a berry with no less useful qualities. You can meet her in summer cottages and in the forest, because she is very unpretentious. This plant can live more than 40 years, and begins to bear fruit as early as three. It grows quite tall, up to 4 meters. Yurga is a berry very similar to It has many healing properties nutrients, vitamins (B, C, P), microelements (copper, lead). It also contains a large amount of carotene, which is considered one of the powerful antioxidants. These substances help a person fight diseases and improve immunity. A decoction of the bark of this plant is used to heal various wounds, burns, to disinfect the oral cavity, and for sore throats. Yurga is a berry that has a calming effect, so it is better not to consume it in the morning, especially for those who drive a car. It also helps lower blood pressure, so hypotensive people should not get carried away with its fruits.

Jam recipe

This plant bears fruit mainly closer to autumn, so yurga berry jam should be prepared at this time in order to winter period you could enjoy it at any time. To prepare it, you need to take: 1 kg of yurga, 200 g of sugar, 250 ml of water and 1 g of citric acid. The berries must be carefully sorted, all stalks removed, rinsed with water and left to drain on a clean, dry towel. Next, you should cook the syrup: mix water with sugar in a saucepan and put on fire so that only one side of the pan is heated. Foam will collect on the other side and must be removed. As soon as the foam stops forming, you need to put the pan on high heat so that the water evaporates until you get the syrup of the thickness you need. Pour this syrup over the yurga, bring to a boil and cook for 5-6 minutes. Then it should be left for 6-7 hours. Then cook with the addition of citric acid. The cooled jam should be spread into

Other recipes

In addition to jam, there are various useful and no less delicious treats(recipes) from yurga berries.

• For example, fruit drink. To do this, you need to wash the fruits, squeeze the juice out of them and set it aside. At the same time, the squeezed yurga should be poured with 1 liter of boiling water and left to infuse. Then mix it with juice, add sugar. It is better to refrigerate before use.
• Compote from yurga: for the base you will need yurga itself (berry - 700 g, ripe, undamaged) and 300 g of currants. Selected and washed fruits should be placed in jars and filled with syrup, which must be prepared in proportions of 1: 2 (500 g of sugar per 1 liter of water). Place the jars in boiling water for about 5 minutes and then roll up the lids.
• Yurga raisins: peel the berries from the stalks and dry in air or in the oven. Box or cardboard box Line the inside with paper and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover the top of the berries with gauze to place a small press. This product is very convenient to use in making muffins or pies.
• Yurga kvass: crush 1 kg of ripe berries and add 10 liters of water. Bring to a boil and cool. Strain the resulting broth and add 2 cups of honey and 25 g of yeast. Let it brew for 10-11 hours and pour into a bowl. Should be stored refrigerated.

» Irga

For many centuries, people have been treated with the help of plants. Sometimes we don’t even suspect how many beneficial properties an inconspicuous-looking herb or berry has.

One of these useful plants is serviceberry. Nowadays, a small number of people know about it, but in the Middle Ages it was actively used by doctors and healers to prepare various potions. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial properties and contraindications for the use of this unique berry.

Irga belongs to the shrubby ornamental garden plants of the Apple genus, Rosaceae family. The scientific name of this plant is “amelanchier”, which means “honey” in the Celtic language.. You can also find a name such as “lady”, which is more common among the people.

There are almost two dozen different varieties this plant. It is a tall shrub with deep green leaves. Serviceberry fruits are red-purple round berries. small size, sweet in taste. They ripen in mid-summer. The average lifespan of this tree-shrub is 60 years.

The serviceberry grows in northern Africa, America, central and southern Europe, as well as in Japan. In Russia, the shrub can be found in many regions, but it is most common in the Crimea and the Caucasus.

Composition and beneficial properties of irgi for the human body

Serviceberry berries are widely used for medicinal and preventive purposes. They contain many vitamins and microelements that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

• Phytosterols, which are part of the berry, have an anti-sclerotic effect, strengthen blood vessels, reduce the fragility and fragility of capillaries and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
• Thanks to pectins, contained in shadberry, restores the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improves appetite, and removes toxins and carcinogens from the body. A decoction of these berries also helps relieve stress and fatigue, and normalizes the functioning of the nervous system. In addition, serviceberry is an excellent immunomodulator.
• Vitamin C helps fight infections, improves metabolism and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Bioflavonoids (vitamin P) help support normal level blood sugar, prevent the formation of blood clots and support heart function during coronary disease and hypertension.

Vitamin P is very rarely found in food. Game is one of the few plants where this substance is contained in sufficient quantities, and beneficial effect The effect of berries on the human body is largely due to the presence of this component.

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) actively participates in metabolic processes, normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and is necessary for maintaining normal vision.

Berries are low in calories (43 kcal), due to which they are actively used in weight correction programs.

Not only berries, but also leaves, bark and flowers of serviceberry have been used in folk medicine. Decoctions of these components have a wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect.

Harm and contraindications: who should not use shadberry?

The benefits of serviceberry are obvious, but it can harm the human body if consumed in the following cases:

• Availability diabetes mellitus (the berry is rich in carbohydrates, which can lead to a sharp increase in blood glucose levels);
• obesity(excessive consumption of berries can lead to weight gain);
• low blood pressure(components contained in fruits help lower blood pressure);
• tendency to skin rashes(irga can cause severe reactions in people with allergies);
• low blood clotting(substances included in the berry help thin the blood).

In childhood, consumption of shadberry should not exceed 50 grams per day, otherwise there is a risk of allergies.

You can pick berries away from roads and industrial complexes. Irga has a high ability to absorb toxins and heavy metals.

The use of irgi in folk medicine

In folk medicine, irga has found wide use. Decoctions, teas and medicinal infusions are prepared based on the fruits, inflorescences, leaves and bark of this plant.

Irgu is used in the following cases:

• heart disease, high blood pressure and varicose veins;
• poisoning and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• increased cholesterol levels in the blood and the presence of cholesterol plaques;
• diseases of the nervous system and increased fatigue;
• prevention and complex therapy of diseases of the organs of vision;
• low vascular permeability and increased capillary fragility;
• acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections;
• periodontal disease and bleeding gums;
• diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
• restoration of the body after illness;
• purulent wounds, burns and abrasions.

In these cases, you can eat the berries fresh, take serviceberry juice diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, or prepare tinctures. Medicinal teas are prepared from flowers and leaves, and for external use in the treatment of wounds and burns, a compress from a decoction of the plant’s bark is needed.

Irga helps not only to alleviate the condition various diseases, but also saturates the body with useful substances, and also has a healing and rejuvenating effect.

When can irga cause harm?

Even healthy man Those who use shadberry for general strengthening purposes can harm their health if they consume this product in excess. What could happen in this case?

Besides everything else, Irga has a strong calming effect. Excessive consumption of juice, tincture or tea can lead to drowsiness, loss of energy and decreased alertness.

Signs of allergies may also appear even in people who have not previously suffered from such manifestations.

When consumed in combination with dairy and fermented milk products the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted, which leads to discomfort, bloating and diarrhea.

Children can eat no more than 50 grams of berries per day, the norm for an adult is 100-150 grams.

Recipes for decoctions and teas with leaves and berries

Traditional medicine offers a huge number of ways to prepare medicinal potions based on berries, flowers, leaves or bark of serviceberry. For health problems or to replenish balance useful microelements in the body, you can use one of the given recipes.

Flower infusion

The tincture is prepared using vodka, but those who cannot tolerate alcohol can replace it with water. To prepare the remedy you will need to do the following:

• pour into a small saucepan or liter jar 2-3 tablespoons dried flowers;
• pour 2 glasses of vodka or boiling water;
• if alcohol is used, The drink must be infused for 3 days, in the case of boiling water, wait until it cools down, having previously wrapped the container with the tincture;
• when the drink is infused, it is necessary strain.

The tincture is consumed 3 times a day, taking one tablespoon 15-20 minutes before meals.

Berry juice

The juice from the berries can be consumed fresh, diluted with water, or canned. Prepare canned juice as follows:

• berries are thoroughly washed and allow excess water to drain;
• pound using a pestle until pureed;
• squeeze out the juice in a juicer or manually using gauze;
• diluted with the juice of a more acidic berry(since shadberry has a high sugar content, you can add cranberry, cherry or currant juice);
• warm up, but do not bring to a boil, and roll into jars hot.

Before you start canning, the jars need to be doused with boiling water. It is recommended to drink 50-100 grams of juice before meals.

If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, drinking juice is not recommended. In these cases, tea made from flowers or leaves of the serviceberry, as well as a decoction of the bark, are suitable.

Berry tincture

To prepare a healing tincture from serviceberry berries, you will need glass jar and quality vodka. Prepare the drink in this way:

• berries are brought to puree state using a pestle;
• fill the jar ¾ full crushed mass;
• pour vodka, leaving an empty space of 3-4 cm from the neck of the vessel;
• insist for 2-3 days in a dark, cool place;
• filter and throw away the remaining berries.

It is better to store this tincture in the cold. It is recommended to take the remedy 3 times a day, a tablespoon before meals.

Leaf based tea

It is better to use fresh leaves to make tea, but in a pinch, dried leaves will do.

Several leaves of irgi are poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for 15-20 minutes.. You can add 1 teaspoon of natural honey. Flower tea is prepared in the same way.

It is better to drink tea in the evenings; it perfectly calms the nervous system and ensures healthy, sound sleep.

Bark decoction

The decoction is intended not only for internal, but also for external use. With the help of compresses you can treat festering wounds, as well as treat burns. To prepare the product you need:

• grind the bark using a coffee grinder;
• pour into the pan 2 tablespoons of the resulting powder and pour 2 cups of boiling water;
• place the dishes on low heat and cook the remedy for 15-20 minutes;
• cool the drink and strain through a sieve or cheesecloth;
• add 1 cup cool boiled water.

Take the tincture 3-5 times a day, ½ cup. If the product is prepared for external use, there is no need to dilute it with water.

Like any medicinal plant, Serviceberry can provide invaluable benefits to the human body when correct use, and may cause harm. For this reason, it is necessary to follow the rules for preparing medicinal products and control their dosage.