Diabetes medicine and more - blueberry leaves, beneficial properties and contraindications
It's no secret that blueberries are one of the healthiest berries, especially for eyesight. However, not only the fruits, but also the leaves of this amazing shrub have a healing effect. Blueberry leaves, whose beneficial properties and contraindications are no less extensive, have long been used not only in folk, but also in official medicine. They are included in many vitamin complexes to support and strengthen vision, immunity and more. What is the power behind these little green leaves?
What are blueberry leaves rich in?
Besides, in blueberry and its foliage contains other, equally important, useful substances, namely:
- vitamins of groups B, C, A, E, P;
- pectins;
- glycoside arbutin;
- organic acids (oxalic, gallic, benzoic, pantothenic, aleonolic, succinic);
- minerals (iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and many others).
Blueberry leaves - useful properties and contraindications
Decoctions, teas, infusions are prepared from fresh or dry leaves. They are taken orally, used for rubbing, rinsing, and even enemas and douching. Raw materials for the preparation of medicinal solutions can be bought at any pharmacy or you can prepare them yourself.
Foliage can be harvested throughout the green season by cutting off young plates. But most of all useful substances in it are contained during the flowering period of the shrub.
Why are blueberry leaves useful?
Infusions and decoctions have a beneficial effect on the work of the body, namely:
- strengthen the immune system, teeth, hair, nails, blood vessels, vision;
- reduce glucose and cholesterol levels;
- normalize metabolic processes and the hormonal background of the thyroid gland;
- help to lower temperature, relieve inflammation and accelerate wound healing;
- relieve swelling by removing excess fluid.
Bilberry leaf products are used to treat:
- diabetes mellitus;
- colds and flu;
- bronchitis;
- arthritis and rheumatism;
- periodontal disease and gingivitis;
- cystitis and hemorrhoids.
Are there any restrictions and prohibitions on treatment with blueberry leaves
The only serious contraindication to the use of decoctions and tinctures from the leaves is the individual intolerance of their constituent components.
However, in some cases, the medicinal properties of blueberry raw materials can have the opposite effect, exacerbating the course of the disease. This applies to acute diseases of the pancreas and kidney stones. Given the diuretic effect of decoctions, they are able to provoke the movement of stones, which, with their large sizes, is undesirable and extremely painful. Therefore, in any case, before self-medication, it is important to consult a doctor.