Useful properties of this plant are quite extensive. For medicinal purposes, berries have been used for a long time, but the leaves have not a lesser amount of substances useful for the body. Tea and tinctures can have a huge impact on the health of the human body.
The appearance of the leaves
Sea buckthorn has the appearance of a shrub, less commonly, medium-sized trees with dense foliage and branches equipped with spines. It has narrow and long leaves, green above and silvery-white below. Rarely found golden bottom surface. This plant is male and female. Males do not bear fruit, but they are necessary for the production of pollen, without which there will be no harvest on female plants. Leaves are harvested from both plants.
The male individual has flat, slightly curved out sheets. Female - concave at the edges, in cross section resembling a boat. Also, the leaves of the male plant are more gray due to plaque, while the female ones are more green.
Read also what useful properties the sea buckthorn has.
Studying the composition
Not only sea buckthorn fruits are rich in beneficial trace elements, but also leaves. In their composition, they have such substances as:
- tannin (astringent and anti-inflammatory effect);
- serotonin (positive effect on the nervous system);
- coumarin (has an antispasmodic effect);
- inositol (antiarrhythmic effect);
- tannins (help improve skin condition);
- phytoncides (antimicrobial action);
- flavonoids (reduce the risk of cancer);
- folic acid (beneficial effect on the immune system);
- oleanic and ursolic triterpenic acids (antiviral effect);
- vitamins (PP, C, group B);
- useful trace elements (manganese, iron, boron and others).
Read also about the beneficial properties and application of raspberry leaves, currants, blueberries and cherries.
Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaves
Since sea buckthorn leaves contain vitamins and minerals, they can have a healing effect on the state of the body. In folk medicine, they are used for the following purposes:
- as an anti-inflammatory agent;
- to improve the immune system;
- to remove toxins from the body;
- to normalize the metabolic process;
- for the prevention of the formation of malignant tumors;
- as an antispasmodic;
Did you know? The ancient Greeks noticed that horses that grazed in sea buckthorn thickets significantly improved their appearance. Therefore, they began to use sea buckthorn for feeding weak and sick horses.
How to make tea from the leaves
There are several ways to make this healthy tea. Depending on the method chosen, the positive properties of the drink exerted on the human body will differ. Here are the options for making tea:
- tonic - will give a charge of cheerfulness. Such a drink is prepared in the summer, taking in equal proportion the leaves of sea buckthorn and mint (handful), pour boiling water (5 liters) and let it brew for at least 5 hours. It is worth to drink chilled, before use, you can add honey for sweets. Store in a cool place;
- for joint health - brewed in the same proportions as regular tea (5 g per 1 cup of water). Drink this drink should be 1 glass for 10 days (2 times a day);
- vitamin - in this drink in equal shares take the leaves of sea buckthorn, currants and St. John's wort (1 tablespoon of each raw material is enough for 250 ml of water). This tea can be drunk throughout the day;
- with a cold - for preparation take fresh leaves in the ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water. This drink can be drunk both in the presence of symptoms and for prophylaxis. It should be taken no more than 3 times a day.
For the treatment of colds used radish, verbena, raspberry, bathing, anemone, hyssop, cardamom, nivyanik, onions, nutmeg.
Can I drink tea for pregnant and lactating children
During the research, this drink has established itself as a drink without side effects. It can be consumed even by those who for some reason are contraindicated in the use of the fruits of the same plant.
Pregnant and lactating
During pregnancy and nursing in case of a cold, medication treatment is undesirable. To the aid of tea can come from the leaves of sea buckthorn. This drink is a good immunity and an excellent substitute for black tea, which in this period of life, women should not be consumed in large quantities. It also has a beneficial effect on the process of lactation, saturates milk with useful elements.
For children
For children there are no contraindications in the use of such tea, but it is necessary to comply with the measure (half a glass a day will be enough). Children under one year are advised to give only in diluted form.
Important! It should be understood that the appearance of allergy is possible, therefore, introduce tea into the child’s diet gradually and follow the body's reaction. With the slightest symptoms, stop drinking.
Harm and contraindications
Sea buckthorn leaves have no special contraindications., but there are features of the use of alcohol-based tinctures based on them. They should not be used by pregnant women, children, drivers of vehicles.
This medicine should not be used in diseases of the liver, biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract.
There is a possibility of reaction in people with keratin sensitivity.
Also worth considering that they are a diuretic, therefore, people with kidney or urinary tract problems should consult a physician before introducing them into the diet.
Please note that in case of kidney disease, purslane, knotweed, veronica officinalis, scorzoner, Crimean iron-box, bathing suit, lagenaria, hawthorn are recommended.
How to prepare sea buckthorn leaves
Harvesting of sea buckthorn leaves is not a difficult job. Simple enough prepare a clean and dry place to dry and go to collect the leaves.
Where to collect and when
The maximum medicinal value of sea buckthorn leaves acquire during the flowering period. (beginning - mid-June) in dry weather. You can also collect at the time of picking berries (August - September). This is especially convenient to do if you cut the entire young twigs.
The leaves are stored mostly in dried form and are not washed before drying, so it is strongly not recommended to collect them in polluted places, near roads.
How to dry
Collected leaves should be looked at for the presence of foreign plants and contamination, as well as substandard material that is worth removing. Then lay out a loose layer on the street in the shade or in a dry room and dried for a couple of days, turning over periodically.
Storage rules
The dried billet is folded in fabric bags or cardboard boxes and sent to storage in a dry, well-ventilated room.
Other plants also have medicinal properties, such as lungwort, laconosa, savory, white silverweed, marsh wild rosemary, peppermint, anise, and cholstyanka.
What can be added to sea buckthorn tea
Sea buckthorn tea goes well with the leaves of other useful plants:
Such a herbal tea combines the beneficial properties of both components and has a pleasant floral and fruity aroma. As a rule, the amount of brewed material is taken in equal proportions, poured boiling water and infused. For brewing such tea it is better to use ceramic or glassware.
Did you know? Sea buckthorn bark contains serotonin - the “hormone of happiness” - in very large quantities (more than in chocolate, bananas).In addition to the above additives, you can also combine sea buckthorn tea with honey or chamomile flowers.
Sea buckthorn leaves in the fight against disease
Research has revealed that sea buckthorn leaves contain the greatest number of beneficial elements, compared with the rest of the plant. Accordingly, their reception will have the greatest positive effect on the human body.
In the form of a decoction or tea, it is affected in this way:
- antiviral, antibacterial, immunostimulatory (with influenza, colds);
- restoring intestinal motility (with intestinal disorders);
- stimulation of metabolism (in obesity);
- detoxifying, absorbing (in food poisoning).
As a fortifying agent also used: primrose, prince, thorns, small basil, lily of the valley, wild garlic, caraway, dried kelp, nasturtium
In the form of tinctures affect:
- to reduce blood cholesterol, strengthen the walls of blood vessels (with atherosclerosis);
- on the regulation of the activity of the endocrine glands (for hormonal disorders);
- on strengthening, antithrombotic (with coronary heart disease);
- as a sedative, to increase serotonin levels (in case of nervous disorders);
- on the obstacle to the development of cancer cells (with cancer);
- to lower blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus);
- as anticonvulsant, relaxing (with convulsions);
- as hepatoprotective (for liver diseases).
Important! Sea buckthorn leaves are used to produce hyporamine - an antiviral drug.
In the form of lotions and baths perform the actions:
- disinfectant, anti-inflammatory (with blepharitis, joint diseases);
- analgesic, hemostatic (with hemorrhoids);
- wound healing, antipruritic (with skin diseases).
How rinsing casting sea buckthorn have an effect:
- antibacterial, antiseptic (for angina);
- antimicrobial (with stomatitis).
For rinsing the throat with sore throat also use infusions of laurel, mountain ash, propolis, goldenrod, calendula.
Sea buckthorn is a real fount of beneficial substances.. At the same time available to absolutely anyone. This is an excellent general tonic, so you should not wait for the appearance of the disease, and begin to use for prevention in small doses.
