A small, sweet-sour berry with a slight bitterness, which has great advantages and is especially appreciated by the peoples of the Northern regions - lingonberries. It is used as a medicine in alternative medicine, it is widely used in cosmetology and cooking. It manifests its qualities and affects men, women and children in different ways. Lingonberry is a berry with extremely beneficial properties, but it also has some contraindications. Further more about everything. Synonyms: lingonberry, lingonberry.
Description
Cowberry, scientific Vaccinium vitis - idaea L. - plant of the genus Vaccinium, of the heather family. 
Its roots are creeping, braided by thin branched threads, absorbing mineral substances and transmitting to the roots. Branched shoots, rising up to 15-20 cm.
Like lingonberries, the heather family includes common heather, Daurian rhododendron, azalea, strawberry tree, blueberry.The leaves are small, alternate, with curved edges. The color of the leaves is dark green (the lower part has a light shade), the shape of the leaves resembles an ellipse. Sheet size:
- in width up to 1.5 cm;
- up to 3 cm long
The flowering period begins at the end of May and lasts up to 15 days. Flowers bisexual on short pedicels, grow with tassels of 10-20 pcs. During flowering, the buds bend, thus protecting the pollen from moisture. 
The inner part of the perianth reaches a length of 6.5 mm white-pink, bell-shaped, with four deflected blades. The calyx of the flower is divided into four triangular lobes of a reddish hue. In the cup are located:
- eight stamens, expanded hairy filaments;
- one high pistil on each flower.
Did you know? Unripe lingonberries can be “made” to ripen by placing it next to a red apple or tomato. These products emit in small quantities the gas "ethylene", it acts as a stimulator of maturation. The taste of ripening berries of this kind does not differ from the taste of ripened berries in natural conditions.
Seeds of berries of brown color of a semi-lunar form. 
Loves to grow in mixed forests or peatlands (especially on dried peatlands).
Nutritional value and calorie
This berry belongs to dietary products, its energy value is only 46 kcal. Nutritional value per 100 g:
- proteins - 0.7 g;
- fat 0.5 g;
- carbohydrates - 8.2 g
A small amount of calories will not violate the diet, and the active components in its composition will accelerate the metabolism.
Thus, it can contribute to weight loss. 
Chemical composition
What is particularly useful lingonberries, so it is a high content of useful components. In its composition, it has:
- a large complex of vitamins and minerals;
- micro and macronutrients;
- sugar (energy sources);
- organic acids;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- Arbutin, Lycopene and Zeaxanthin.
Important! Arbutin acts as an antiseptic of the urinary system, but with an incorrect dosage, it can lead to severe poisoning. Take cooked broths and infusions should be with caution.
What is useful lingonberry
The benefits of lingonberry brings people of all ages, but for older people it is especially useful. 
Despite its widespread use, it has some features for perception of masculine, feminine, or childish organisms.
For men
Due to its antiseptic and diuretic effect, lingonberry is the main component of many drugs of alternative medicine for prostatitis. In their composition can be used all parts of the plant: shoots, leaves, berries.
For prostate, linden, pear, black radish, pumpkin, yarrow, wheat grass, yucca, and watercress are also helpful.Also, doctors of alternative medicine claim that lingonberry has a positive effect on male libido and increases potency.
For women
Proven active influence of lingonberry on reproductive function in women. It helps restore hormonal levels and normalizes the monthly cycle. Cooked teas based on it are capable of reducing menstrual pain, and decoctions of the leaves effectively stop uterine bleeding.
Important! Because of its active influence on the uterus during pregnancy, decoctions of lingonberry leaves are prohibited.
Lingonberry berries are a storehouse of beneficial active substances and are capable of supporting an "overloaded" organism during pregnancy. Morsy from lingonberry cope with edema, and vitamins contained in it will normalize the nervous system and improve mood.
Learn about the benefits for the female body of such berries as chokeberry, shadberry, strawberry, blackberry, cherry, red currant, cranberry, honeysuckle.Berry is able to cope with anemia in pregnant women due to the large amount of iron contained in it, and calcium in its composition will take an active part in the proper formation of the skeleton of the future baby.
For kids
A feature of the cranberry is that it does not lead to allergic reactions in children, despite its rich color. It is safe and in small quantities allowed in the lures kids.
In the period of 1-2 years not more than 50 g of lingonberries per day is allowed. But the berry has a thick skin that cannot be easily cleaned; it is worth serving to children as juices, fruit drinks, compotes.
It is also an excellent "tasty medicine" for the period of exacerbation of autumn-spring diseases. 
How to use the properties of lingonberries
Broth and infusions of lingonberry shoots are used for such diseases:
- diabetes;
- kidney disease;
- cystitis;
- rheumatism;
- gout.
- skin diseases;
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- periodontal disease.
Lingonberry berries are used for:
- tuberculosis;
- rheumatism;
- gastritis with low acidity of the stomach;
- renal disease;
- edema.
Due to the high content of manganese, chromium and copper salts, lingonberries are very useful for the elderly. The lack of these salts in the body leads to diseases of the cardiovascular system.Important! Lingonberry as a folk remedy can be used as an additional or auxiliary therapy along with the mandatory use of medicines.
Cowberry water is used in case of stupor or overheating in the sun.
In medicine
In lingonberries are beneficial and have wide application in traditional medicine:
- shoots;
- leaves;
- berries
Did you know? Some substances contained in the leaves of lingonberries, can neutralize and remove heavy metals from the body.
Young shoots are cut and dried to make decoctions and infusions. Shoots are harvested long before flowering. 
A decoction of the shoots is prepared in this way:
- 4 tablespoons of shoots pour a liter of boiling water;
- insist 30 minutes;
- strain the resulting broth.
Broths for rinsing the mouth are prepared in the same way.
A decoction of lingonberry leaves is prepared according to this recipe:
- 1.5 tablespoons of leaves pour 0.5 liters of boiling water;
- boil over low heat for 30 minutes;
- as fluid decreases, add boiled water to restore its original volume.
Cooked leaf tea has useful properties. To make it:
- 2 tsp. leaves pour 1 cup boiling water;
- insist 10 minutes in a thermos.
When bedwetting in children, doctors recommend this method of cooking lingonberries:
- mix 200 g of leaves and berries of lingonberry;
- pour the mixture of liter of boiling water;
- boil for at least 10 minutes;
- strain the broth and cool.
Important! It is not recommended to store such broths for more than two days.
You can buy lingonberry leaves in a pharmacy for a very reasonable price, or you can dry it yourself. To do this, young, but mature leaves break off (before or after flowering) and dry at a temperature of 30 ° -40 ° C under a canopy, or using standard dryers for food. 
It is possible to store such raw materials in a dark and well ventilated place up to 3 years. Timely collected and properly dried leaves retain their green color.
Fresh berries, ground with sugar, in the form of juices or fruit drinks are equally useful.
Recipe for Morse:
- washed cowberries are covered with sugar and left to stand for a few hours for juice extraction;
- selected juice is poured into separate dishes and set aside;
- the resulting spin is poured with water and boiled over low heat for 20 minutes;
- the resulting broth is filtered and mixed with the left juice.
- To increase the benefits and nutritional value in the fruit juice you can add honey to taste.
Did you know? Juices and fruit drinks prepared from the berries of lingonberry, can lower high blood pressure.
Lingonberry water is obtained by soaking berries in it, using it as a laxative. 
In cosmetology
In home cosmetology cranberries used in these forms:
- decoctions from the shoots are great as a tonic for the face. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is suitable for problem skin with various kinds of rashes;
- decoctions from the leaves are useful for eliminating dandruff and prevent hair loss;
- crushed berries of lingonberry are active in the composition of various face masks. Due to the high content of organic acids in its composition helps to smooth fine wrinkles.
In cooking
Lingonberry is widely used in cooking. Berry in the process of cooking and heat treatment does not lose its taste. In cooking, it is marinated, kvass, but it is most popular in the form of jam or jam.
Did you know? Cowberry jam is a standard traditional delicacy in the Scandinavian countries.
It is also often added as a filling in candies, extracts are prepared, and alcoholic beverages are made on its basis.
Well quench thirst and for a long time retain their freshness, fruit drinks prepared on its basis or fruit drinks.
In addition to sweets, lingonberries are used as various marinades for meat. 
Harm and contraindications
Due to the high content in its composition of active substances, in addition to its medicinal properties, lingonberry has some contraindications to use:
- high concentration of organic acids is contraindicated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcers, gastritis with high acidity;
- the content in large quantities of tannins is contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys: renal failure;
- the ability to significantly reduce pressure is contraindicated for people suffering from hypotension;
- intolerance of the body to certain substances in the composition of lingonberries or an allergic reaction to them.
Important! Berry is capable of accumulating radioactive substances in itself, therefore its collection should be carried out as far as possible from the highways or plants of the chemical and metallurgical industries.
Lingonberry is a wild wild berry, its benefits are undeniable. Berry can be safely called a cure for many diseases. It is useful for people of all ages, especially older people, as well as those suffering from chronic fatigue. 
It is harvested in different ways in cooking, and in medicine all parts of the plant that have a beneficial effect on the body are used. But when used improperly, lingonberry, in addition to its benefits, can cause irreparable harm to the health of the body.
To eliminate undesirable consequences, it is necessary to use lingonberries in limited quantities, do not forget to consult with your doctor in advance about the possibility of its safe use.
