Black currant leaves - useful and medicinal properties

Due to the rich composition of useful compounds, currant leaves are widely used as a preventive and therapeutic agent. With their help, you can protect the body from infections, resist diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys, cleanse the digestive tract of toxins and toxins. However, the benefits and harms of currant leaves depend on the dosage and proper use. How and in what quantity use currant leaves, read in our article.

Composition of black currant leaves

Currant leaves contain a record amount of vitamin C - 260 mg per 100 g, while the daily requirement of the human body is 170 mg. They are also rich in essential oils, phytoncides, omega-3 and omega-6, pectin, organic acids.

The plant has a wide vitamin and mineral complex:

• vitamin A;
• beta carotene;
• b vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin E;
• vitamin H;
• vitamin PP;
• macronutrients: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus;
• trace elements: iron, iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium, fluorine, zinc.

The composition of currant leaves contains sugars (7.3 g per 100 g) in the form of fructose, glucose, sucrose, as well as various glycosides, tannins and nitrogenous substances.

Medicinal and useful properties of currant leaves

Black currant leaves have a diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, regenerating effect.

Currant leaves are valuable for their abundance in vitamin C. It performs a number of functions:

• regulates metabolism;
• increases the strength and elasticity of small vessels and capillaries, reducing their permeability;
• strengthens the immune system;
• accelerates tissue regeneration;
• inhibits inflammatory processes;
• has antiallergic effect;
• restores and supports the functions of the thyroid and pancreas;
• activates the production of collagen, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

Black currant leaves are rich in phytoncides. These are volatile biologically active substances formed by the plant that kill or suppress the growth and development of bacteria, viruses, fungi. Possessing a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action, they protect against flu and colds, infections of the urinary tract, respiratory organs.

Organic acids have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract:

• normalize digestion;
• stimulate the secretion of digestive juices;
• increase the outflow of urine;
• accelerate metabolism and the processes of splitting adipose tissue;
• remove accumulated toxins and toxins.

The leaves have a mild laxative effect, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, and help to cope with constipation.

Due to its composition, black currant leaves are an effective prophylactic agent for oncological diseases. Expressed antioxidant capacity, high doses of vitamin C neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals, prevent the formation and growth of cancer cells, increase the body's resistance to external and internal stimuli.

Currant leaves contain omega-3 and omega-6 acids, which determine their beneficial properties:

• reduce the concentration of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, which makes it possible to resist the development of atherosclerosis;
• improve the activity of the cardiovascular system;
• normalize blood pressure;
• slow down the aging process;
• regulate lipid metabolism.

The expectorant properties of currant leaves are associated with the presence of essential oils in the composition. They thin phlegm, facilitate its removal outside, relieve symptoms of inflammation in the oral cavity.

Essential oils have a calming effect on the nervous system, reduce the effects of stress, and normalize night sleep.

For women's health

The vitamin-mineral complex of currant greens slows down the aging process, supports the functioning of the reproductive system, and stabilizes the hormonal background of a woman. Decoctions and infusions of currant relieve the symptoms of menopause, restore the disturbed menstrual cycle.

Reference. Currant leaves are an additional source of vitamin B6. Deficiency of this substance is manifested by lack of appetite, systematic headache, lethargy, apathy, problem skin.

Currants directly affect the condition of the hair. Regular topical application of decoctions prevents hair breakage, dryness and hair loss. Essential oils in combination with vitamins have a positive effect on hair:

• regulate the sebaceous glands;
• expand the vessels of the head, which leads to increased blood supply in this area;
• regenerate hair;
• relieve dandruff;
• prevent split ends.

For the body of men

Regularly using a decoction of blackcurrant leaves, you can not be afraid for the state of the reproductive system and men's health. Vitamins and minerals provide sufficient blood supply to the cavernous steles, improve the passage of nerve impulses, maintain the smooth muscles of the penis in tone, without which a normal erection is impossible.

Zinc and selenium are responsible for sex drive and sexual health. These trace elements increase the production of testosterone - the main male sex hormone that affects potency, the development of bone and muscle tissue.

Medical decoctions and currant drinks act in a long-term mode and suppress the mechanisms of development of erectile dysfunction. These are diabetes mellitus, nervous disorders, urological diseases, hormonal disorders.

What help

Medicines based on black currant leaves are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous, digestive, and urinary systems. Recommended for use with the existing threat of the development of diabetes mellitus, oncology. In the cold season, this is a good vitamin remedy, reduces the likelihood of colds, increases the body's resistance to infections.

Disinfecting and regenerating abilities allow using currant leaves to accelerate wound healing, for skin diseases, dermatitis, eczema, other elements of skin rashes, peeling, dryness.

Black currant leaves help with vitamin deficiency, increase endurance and performance, which is especially important for people engaged in heavy physical or mental work. They are designed to alleviate the condition of persons suffering from joint diseases such as: arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis.

For obesity, gout, liver and kidney diseases, black currant leaves are used to remove excess fluid from the body, salt deposits from the bladder cavity, and restore disturbed metabolic processes.

Contraindications

When using black currant leaves, it is necessary to take into account not only the beneficial properties, but also contraindications. An absolute contraindication is an individual intolerance to one or more components of the composition.

Side effects can occur in persons with diseases of the digestive tract, such as: gastritis, pancreatitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, increased acidity of gastric juice.The fact is that the leaves contain amino acids that irritate damaged mucous membranes and provoke an increase in pain, colic, increased gas production, bloating and heaviness in the abdomen.

Caution is recommended for persons with severe renal and hepatic insufficiency, with thrombophlebitis, hemophilia.

Council. Due to the risk of developing an allergic reaction, nutritionists recommend limiting the remedy based on currant leaves for lactating and pregnant women.

How to collect and prepare leaves

Leaves are harvested after harvesting the fruits - at the end of July - mid-August, depending on varieties, climatic conditions. Gathering leaves from the middle of the branches, carefully examining each for the presence of insect damage, larvae.

Do not use for preparation yellowed, spoiled leaves, from damaged shrubs, since they contain fewer useful components. Suitable leaves have a bright green color, rich aroma, without yellowness and other defects.

The next stage is preparation. The raw materials are washed well to clear water, laid out, allowed to dry well. Remove any remaining moisture with a paper towel. If desired, the leaves are crushed or left intact.

Dried in natural conditions in the open air or with the help of special devices: a microwave oven, an oven, an airfryer, an electric dryer. It is possible to preserve the beneficial properties of black currant leaves as much as possible with natural drying.

The process takes place in several stages:

1. Leaves are laid out in a thin layer on a wooden board or metal shallow dish, left in a well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight. A suitable temperature is 25-30⁰С.
2. The raw materials are periodically turned over so that they do not get stuck and dry out evenly.
3. Readiness is determined by appearance. When properly dried, the leaves retain their characteristic green color, a specific aroma, while they lose their elasticity, do not stain hands, and crumble when squeezed.

Store the workpiece in a sealed glass container under a closed lid in a dark and dry place. The shelf life is 12-24 months.

Cooking recipes

Black currant leaves and its medicinal properties are in demand for preventing many diseases and conditions, alleviating the course of already existing pathologies. The leaves are used in the form of a decoction, infusion or fresh as part of a multivitamin preparation.

ethnoscience

Means made from black currant leaves are used in complex therapeutic measures or prophylactic purposes. They act gently on the body, relieve the severity of symptoms, reduce the need for drugs, but their effectiveness is not enough to independently resist a specific disease. For this reason, preparations based on currant leaves are used as an adjuvant to the main therapy.

Decoction

It is a universal therapeutic and prophylactic agent for arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, colds and other infectious diseases of the respiratory system. The decoction is used to treat scrofula, scurvy, to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in case of hypo- and avitaminosis.

The recipe for the decoction is quite simple:

1. Fresh or dried currant leaves in the amount of 4 tbsp. l. pour 1 liter of boiling water.
2. Put in a water bath and cook for 20-30 minutes over medium heat from the moment of boiling. The broth is cooled and filtered.

It is taken orally 200 ml three times a day. The course of treatment and dosage may differ and depends on the severity of symptoms, body response and concomitant treatment.

Infusion

The infusion acts as a diuretic. It has proven itself especially well in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases, urolithiasis, and gout.Effectively relieves edema, reduces the load on the heart muscle, thereby alleviating the condition of hypertension. In addition, it is a natural immunostimulant that supports the normal functioning of the organs of vision, sweat and sebaceous glands.

How to prepare the infusion:

1. 5 tbsp. l. currant leaves are poured into an airtight container (it is better to use a thermos, but you can use a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid) pour 1 liter of boiling water.
2. Leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
3. The filtered infusion is taken 3-4 times a day, 100 ml. The course of treatment is discussed with a specialist in a specific case.

Tea

Tea made from currant leaves tones up, calms the nervous system, normalizes night sleep, improves digestion. It is especially useful for people over 30 years old, when regular age-related changes occur in the body, the immune defense weakens and the risk of developing many diseases and conditions increases.

Reference. Regular use of such tea at a more mature age can prevent diseases such as: Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension.

Tea recipe:

1. 4-5 currant leaves are poured with 250 ml of hot water.
2. Let it brew for 2-3 minutes. To enhance the medicinal properties and improve the taste, honey, lemon, mint or lemon balm leaves are optionally added to the drink.

You can drink 3-4 cups of tea a day. Excessive consumption of the drink can have the opposite effect and worsen the general condition.

Cosmetology

Black currant leaves are a proven remedy for the treatment of a wide range of dermatological diseases: eczema, acne, dermatitis. In case of burns, diaper rash, and other violations of the integrity of the skin, they accelerate the healing process, disinfect.

The biological components of the composition of the leaves help maintain healthy skin. They play several effects simultaneously:

• tone up;
• moisturize;
• prevent the appearance of early wrinkles;
• lighten;
• inhibit inflammatory processes;
• regulate the sebaceous glands;
• protect the skin from the negative effects of sunlight;
• reduce the number of rashes, prevent the formation of new elements of the rash.

The effect of using black currant leaves is cumulative: in order to achieve the desired result, it is important to perform the procedures systematically.

Council. Before using the currant leaf mask on your face, check for an undesirable reaction. To do this, apply the composition to the inner side of the wrist, evaluate the reaction after 15-20 minutes. If redness, peeling and rash are not found, the mask can be applied to the face.

For acne

Cosmetologists recommend using black currant leaves in the form of a compress to owners of problematic, oily skin prone to rashes. The action of the remedy is aimed at suppressing the mechanisms of development of acne: reducing the secretion of sebum, cessation of inflammatory processes, destruction of infection.

Main components:

• dried currant leaves - 20 g;
• chamomile inflorescences - 30 g;
• sea ​​buckthorn fruits - 50 g;
• water - 1 l.

How to prepare a compress:

1. All plant products are combined, poured with boiling water, placed in a water bath and cooked for about 20 minutes.
2. The broth is cooled and filtered. Gauze folded in several layers is moistened in it, squeezed slightly, applied to the face for 10-15 minutes.

The course consists of 5-7 daily procedures on average. However, this is all individual and depends on the nature and severity of acne, the characteristics of the course of the disease.

For skin whitening

The main effect of the mask is to reduce the severity of pigmentation and prevent its appearance. In addition, such a remedy tones and soothes well, increases the elasticity of the skin, gives the face a matte and healthy color, improves the penetration of vitamins and minerals deep into the dermis.

How to make a whitening mask at home:

1. 5-10 pure currant leaves are crushed in a blender or using a meat grinder.
2. Combine the gruel from the leaves and 150 ml of yogurt, mix. The mixture is transferred to cheesecloth folded in several layers, the juice is squeezed out.
3. A thick gruel is evenly applied to the face and neck area. Hold for 15-20 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a week.

Conclusion

Due to its rich biochemical composition, black currant leaves are used as a wound healing, anti-inflammatory, tonic, diuretic, diaphoretic, antiallergic agent. Despite the fact that many consider them harmless, there are still contraindications for black currant leaves. Therefore, it is not recommended to prescribe them independently for the treatment and prevention of diseases. All actions must be previously agreed with the attending physician.