Dogwood is a large shrub, sometimes reaching seven meters in height. This plant is widespread mainly in Russia and Ukraine, although they also like to grow it in some European countries, developing new varieties of it. Thus, it migrated to France, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and a number of other countries. It grows wild in the Caucasus and Crimea.

The healing properties of this plant have been known for a long time, which is why this tree is considered not as decorative as medicinal. But, despite this, dogwood is often used to produce various decorative elements or simply wooden decorations. This happens because its wood is quite durable and has a beautiful texture.

Flowering and collection

The flowering period of this plant occurs in the month of March. At this time, it is abundantly covered with yellow flowers. It's not just the berries that are harvested. Dogwood is also valued for its leaves, bark and roots. In this case, it is customary to collect the bark and leaves in the first half of summer, the fruits at the time of ripening, and the roots closer to autumn, although in rare cases they are collected in early spring.

Almost all collected ingredients are dried in a place inaccessible to sunlight, such as an attic. It is recommended to dry fruits in dryers. Dried dogwood can be stored for three years.

Chemical composition

This plant contains the following substances:

• vitamin C;
• tannins;
• flavonoids;
• fructose;
• a number of microelements.

Dogwood seeds - medicinal properties

Many people are interested in: Can the seeds of this plant be used as food? Experts approve of this recommendation. Thanks to the beneficial substances they contain, which include up to 34% fatty oils, they act as an excellent preventive agent for the treatment of many diseases. Dogwood seeds are especially useful for hemorrhoids.

They can be eaten in any form, even after drying. But, in the case of treating hemorrhoids, it is best to eat fresh berries, a few pieces before meals. The bones themselves should be swallowed without chewing, allowing them to dissolve in the stomach. Dogwood also helps against hemorrhoids as special suppositories or tinctures.

At the same time, it treats not only hemorrhoids, but can also act as a good sedative.

Useful properties and contraindications

The benefits of dogwood for the body are due to the beneficial substances it contains. Dogwood fruits, due to the presence of a large amount of vitamin C in them, are an excellent preventative against scurvy. That is why its berries are included in special pastes that travelers take with them when going on long journeys. Dogwood fruits are used as an excellent remedy against diabetes. They are also useful for improving digestion.

However, the benefits of dogwood for the body do not end there. Interestingly, in addition to the above qualities, this plant is useful for inflammatory processes. In addition, the benefits of dogwood for the circulatory system are invaluable. Thanks to its healing properties, it helps strengthen blood vessels, thereby preventing capillary fragility.

It is worth mentioning the medicinal properties of dogwood for hemorrhoids. To treat or prevent it, it is necessary to regularly consume dogwood berries and its seeds, since the beneficial properties of the seeds are the same as those of its fruits. However, their use must be in accordance with the recommendations for use. At least 10-15 berries, or up to 50 grams of seeds, should be consumed per day. The berries themselves can be either fresh or pre-dried.

Hemorrhoids can also be treated by using jam from the fruits of this plant as a medicine. At the same time, dogwood seeds for hemorrhoids are not a panacea. Since the diet itself in this case should be slightly limited. During this treatment, it is worth removing fried meat, hot spices and alcohol.

Despite the above-mentioned healing properties of dogwood, it also has a number of contraindications. The use of medications based on this plant is not recommended in cases of nervous overexcitation or increased acidity. In addition, there are reviews that mention that dried dogwood can provoke an allergic reaction in the body. In other cases, the benefits of dogwood for the body are invaluable.

Folk recipes

Is dried dogwood healthy? It is included in many tinctures and decoctions that help fight a number of diseases. Dried dogwood is used as an ingredient for making lavash, fresh dogwood is used to make juice, which acts as an excellent antipyretic. Its calorie content is about 40 kcal per 100 grams of product.

It is worth mentioning dogwood jam, the benefits and harms of which have been discussed for a long time. However, be that as it may, this jam is a high-vitamin remedy that has found its use as an excellent preventive remedy for colds.

A Caucasian proverb says: “Where the dogwood grows, there is no need for healers.” Its berries are the main component of many traditional medicine recipes - for decades this plant has been used to treat ailments and illnesses of both external and internal nature. Why dogwood is useful, how to use it correctly, what contraindications exist for its use - read more in the article.

Dogwood berries

Crimean legend, dogwood, devil's berry, red doctor - whatever people call the dogwood bush. According to legend, dogwood branches sprouted from a spear that the founder of Rome, Romulus, stuck on a hill, where the ancient capital of the Roman Empire subsequently arose.

Over time, this plant became so widespread in the area that the Romans began to actively use it in everyday life - they made healing, strengthening decoctions from dogwood leaves and fruits, and used the branches to make sword handles.

Dogwood is one of the first trees to bloom in early spring

This plant was nicknamed the devil's berry because of its deceptive precocity: the dogwood bush is one of the first to bloom, but the berries themselves, although they turn red very early, become suitable for consumption only in the fall.

Sometimes such a plant is called “dogwood” - this corresponds to the literal translation from the Turkish and Chagatai languages ​​(“dogwood” - literally “red”). Despite such an abundance of nicknames, only two remain traditional synonyms for this berry: “turf” and “dogwood”.

Externally, the fruits of the doren resemble a small red pear: they are dense in structure, fleshy, have a strong skin and an inedible pit. Color can vary from orange to dark purple. The average weight of one berry is 4 grams, of which about 80% is juicy pulp.

The taste of dogwood fruits is tart and astringent

Dogwood is one of the most ancient plants on earth - dogwood seeds were discovered during excavations of Neolithic settlements, the age of which is estimated at 5 thousand years.

Chemical composition

Derain berries are a low-calorie product: 100 grams contain only 45 kcal. The ratio of BJU is 1:0:9 - this allows you to include dogwood in the diet. So, compote from this berry contains about 25 kcal, and the energy value of jam is 170 kcal per 100 grams.

The chemical composition of dogwood includes:

• alimentary fiber;
• ash;
• vitamins C, PP;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• iron;
• sodium;
• sulfur;
• selenium;
• zinc;
• pectins;
• Apple acid;
• disaccharides.

Nutritional value of 100 g of dogwood

Dogwood leaves also contain a huge amount of tannins - tannin components that extract protein from food and fix it in the body. In addition, dogwood leaves are rich in fructose, arabinogalactan and rutin.

Dogwood flowers contain gallic acid and isoquercitrin - powerful antioxidant substances. Such a rich chemical composition determines that almost all parts of this plant are used in folk medicine and cosmetology - from roots to flowers.

Useful properties of dogwood

This “red doctor” is truly a folk healer - he has a lot of useful properties and effects:

• normalization of blood pressure;
• prevention of atherosclerosis;
• elimination of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, normalization of stool, increased activity of the pancreas;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• antipyretic effect;
• removal of uric acid and toxic substances;
• strengthening the walls of blood vessels, veins, reducing swelling of the legs and preventing venous insufficiency;
• eliminating oral infections, relieving toothache and gum inflammation;
• invigorating and tonic effect;
• decreased blood sugar levels;
• healing of purulent wounds;
• normalization of potency;
• increased concentration, improved memory and attention.

Video: beneficial properties of dogwood

For pregnant and lactating women, dogwood is also a very useful product - it not only replenishes the vitamin balance in the body, but also reduces fatigue, prevents the development of various infections and viruses, saturates the mother’s blood with iron, which prevents the occurrence of anemia, and also normalizes the processes of digestion and bowel movements .

Decoctions of this berry are even given to infants (starting from the age of 3 months): this helps relieve the baby from colic and stomach upsets, strengthens his immunity and stimulates brain activity. Dogwood also affects the development and strengthening of bone tissue, which is an important factor at the growth stage of a small organism.

Important! To obtain maximum benefits, you must adhere to the correct dosage of dogwood consumption - doctors recommend consuming no more than 150 grams of fresh berries per day, and no more than 250 grams of decoction or compote. Pregnant women are also advised to consult a doctor when including this berry in their daily diet - this will eliminate the likelihood of diseases associated with individual intolerance to this product.

Possible harm and contraindications

Like any other product, dogwood can have a negative effect on the body - if the daily dosage of consumption is exceeded or if there is an individual intolerance to this berry.

Eating dogwood can be harmful, especially if you have constipation, gastritis, or insomnia.

The fixative and diuretic effect of the product can be harmful to people with diseases of the genitourinary system, and increased stomach acidity can impair the digestion of this product and lead to pain in the intestines and stool disorders.

People with nervous disorders, as well as those suffering from increased nervous excitability, should limit their consumption of dogwood - it has an invigorating effect and can aggravate existing problems.

Collection and procurement of raw materials

In order to prepare a rich, healthy and healing decoction from dogwood, you need to know the rules for collecting and preparing this medicinal plant - when to pick and dry the leaves, when the berries ripen and how to preserve the maximum of vitamins and nutrients in the plant.

Collection

You should start collecting dogwood fruits no earlier than the end of August–beginning of September: it is by this time that the berries ripen and accumulate vitamin substances. The berries are picked only in dry weather - wet fruits will begin to rot very quickly.

You can also collect fallen berries, first shaking them off from adhering dust or dirt. It is advisable to collect all the dogwood before the beginning of October: if you leave the harvest on the bush, the fruits will become covered with rot and birds will begin to peck at them and insects will eat them.

Overripe fruits are very juicy and have a thin skin, so they are difficult to transport and difficult to dry and heat treat.

Ripe dogwood has a dark red color

The leaves are collected and dried before yellowing begins: they are usually picked during berry picking, but the leaves can be prepared earlier. If you pick the leaves before picking the berries, the bush will get rid of additional moisture consumers, and the berries will begin to receive the maximum amount of nutrients.

In autumn, dogwood leaves take on a burgundy hue; it is important to collect them while they are still green.

Flowers are collected during the flowering of the bush (early March–April) - it is important to leave a sufficient number of flowers for pollination and further fruiting of the dogwood.

Flowers should be collected before the ovary forms

The roots are dug up and dried after harvesting, before frost sets in.

The roots should be washed and chopped immediately

It is best to collect twigs in the spring: at this time they are most elastic and most suitable for household use (for example, for weaving baskets, etc.)

Dogwood has an excellent anti-scorbutic effect, which is why it has been added to the daily menu of long-distance sailors since the 19th century, and today it is also included in the diet of astronauts.

Drying

Drying dogwood is the most optimal way to preserve the vitamins and nutrients of this plant in a concentrated form.

Harvesting berries for the winter does not require much effort or financial costs: the fruits are washed with water, they are sorted and rotten ones are removed, then they are laid out on a clean, dry surface (tablecloth, sheet, etc.) and dried in the shade.

It is important to avoid direct sunlight on the berries - they will quickly shrink and become very hard in structure.

When storing dried dogwood, important points are humidity and ventilation.

Leaves, roots and branches are dried in the same way (the flowers do not need to be washed first). Dried dogwood is poured into a linen bag and stored in a cool, dry place.

Storage

Fresh berries are stored only in a dark, cool room - dogwood is best stored at a temperature of +1-3°C. Picked fruits ripen quickly, so if you store them in a warm place, then after 5-7 days the fruits will become overripe and begin to become covered with rot. Berries picked with the stalks are best stored - this way they remain strong and firm for up to 8 weeks.

Dried leaves, roots, flowers and fruits of the tree can also be stored at room temperature - the main thing is to protect the drying from moisture. Periodically, you need to pour the dried plant into another bag or glass container - this will saturate the drying with air and prevent the workpiece from rotting or becoming damp.

You can make preserves, jams from dogwood and preserve it this way

Dried dogwood can be stored for up to 3 years under the right conditions.

Traditional medicine recipes

Dogwood has been used in alternative medicine for many decades: in China it is used for anti-aging procedures, in Switzerland it is mixed with coffee beans and prepared as a vitamin drink, and in India it is pickled and used as a spicy spice.

The scope of dogwood in medicine is quite extensive - let's look at some of the most popular recipes for boosting immunity and treating certain diseases.

To strengthen the immune system

The concentration of vitamin substances in dogwood is actively involved in strengthening the immune system and fighting viral infections. The vitamin decoction described below helps to improve health and restore strength.

Ingredients:

• 20 fresh or dried dogwood berries;
• 0.5 liters of water;
• sugar - to taste.

Dogwood is an amazing plant: it is not only actively used in folk medicine, cosmetology and cooking, but is also useful in everyday life, and is also a beautiful shrub that can decorate even the most skillful garden plot.

This “red doctor,” as people say, can cure thousands of diseases, and its rich chemical composition, as well as the enormous beneficial effect it has on the human body, fully corresponds to this opinion.

Why dogwood is useful: reviews

I also appreciated the medicinal properties of dogwood. After my second birth, I suffered from hemorrhoids for quite a long time until I learned about the healing properties of the fruits of this shrub. But I used the berries of a wild plant, since I live in Crimea - there are simply a lot of dogwood in the mountains. I used it with seeds. I have been happily carrying out disease prevention using this method for 3 seasons now and, thank God, there are no more problems!

Masja
http://www.koloproktologia.ru/topic.php?forum=23&topic=14&postid=1312799068#1312799068

Folk reference: recommended by an obstetrician-gynecologist when she was in the maternity hospital.
Ordinary dogwood, or rather dogwood seeds, helps with exacerbation of hemorrhoids.
Take 1 piece orally in the morning and evening. for at least 2 weeks,
or better yet a month. Another special feature is that there are no side effects and can be used during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Try it, it definitely won’t do any harm, it has helped many. Helps relieve chronic exacerbation.

April
http://forum.aromarti.ru/showpost.php?p=331205&postcount=7

Well, if you have fun with dogwood, then it’s delicious to grind ripe, washed and dried berries and separate the seeds. Sprinkle sugar in half and store in the refrigerator. They did the same with the porichka.

Ribbon
http://www.sadiba.com.ua/forum/showpost.php?p=15501&postcount=19

The first mentions of these bright red fruits date back to antiquity.

According to legend, the dogwood tree began to grow from a spear, which one of the founders of Rome, Romulus, stuck into the ground.

Some sources claim that the cross of Christ was made from dogwood. One can argue about the veracity of the legends, but no one has doubted the beneficial properties of dogwood for a long time.

The dogwood plant is a truly unique creation of nature, so its cultivation, despite the rather labor-intensive process (fruits appear only in the sixteenth year), is considered justified.

Compound

Dogwood berries contain a lot of useful substances:

• organic acids: citric, malic and very rare succinic;
• pectin, tannins, nitrogenous substances;
• healthy sugars;
• flavonoids;
• phytoncides;
• essential oils;
• calcium, magnesium, potassium salts;
• a large amount of vitamin C (in terms of its content, dogwood fruits successfully compete with the unquestioned record holder in this area - black currants).

Dogwood: benefits and harm

The valuable properties of berries are the reason for their incredible popularity in cooking. The berries are used to prepare compotes, jam, marshmallows, pita bread, liqueurs and wine.
What are the benefits and harms of dogwood, in what cases can it be used, and when is it better to refuse these fruits?

• The berries have anti-inflammatory, astringent, bactericidal, choleretic, and diuretic effects.
• A decoction based on them strengthens, tones, and improves immunity.
• Dogwood stimulates the body's removal of toxic waste products.
• Due to the bactericidal properties of fruits, their regular consumption is an effective prevention of infectious colds.
• The wound-healing properties of the plant have also been used in folk medicine: masks based on pulp help quickly get rid of skin inflammations and wounds.
• Women especially appreciate the fat-burning properties of berries. For weight loss, it is better to consume dogwood raw - in this case, it improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates metabolism (including lipid metabolism), and helps eliminate unnecessary waste.

It is worth mentioning the harm that these berries can cause. Due to its pronounced sour taste and the content of certain substances, dogwood is contraindicated in the following cases:

• with increased acidity;
• in case of chronic constipation;
• with nervous excitability and insomnia.

Medicinal properties of dogwood

The plant is widely used in medicine. How is dogwood useful for various diseases?

Dogwood calorie content

Dogwood fruits are very low in calories - 100 grams contain only 40.4 kcal.

Proteins account for 1 g, carbohydrates - almost 10 g. When dried, the calorie content increases significantly.

Calorie content of dried dogwood - 209 kcal,

at the same time, the amount of proteins and carbohydrates increases by 4.6 times.

To summarize, we note that, taking into account the beneficial properties and contraindications of dogwood, we can use these unique fruits and products prepared from them with the greatest effectiveness for the health of our body.

Video

We present to your attention a video about dogwood.

Dogwood is a plant that belongs to the dogwood family. Most often it is a shrub or small tree 2-3 meters high. The fruits are small red berries with a sour taste and appear when the tree is ten years old.

The plant gets along well in rocky areas, so most often the fruits are collected in the mountains, although breeding innovations make it possible to grow it in any garden. The medicinal properties of the tree have been noted since ancient times, so dogwood is actively used in folk medicine.

Beneficial properties of dogwood berries

Dogwood fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

Berries are used for both treatment and prevention. Among the beneficial properties are:

• Anti-inflammatory effect due to the high content of vitamin C;
• Acceleration of metabolism, normalization of stomach function;
• Normalization of pressure;
• Diuretic effect (removes excess fluid from the body);
• Absorbing effect (prevents intoxication and helps cleanse the body);
• Immunostimulating effect;
• Tones and gives energy.

In addition to internal use, dogwood is widely used externally in the treatment of skin diseases (hemorrhoids, gout, anemia, etc.).

All parts of the plant are used to prepare decoctions. The fruits contain many vitamins, and the roots and seeds contain essential oils. Jam is made from the plant, the berries are dried or dried, preserving their healing properties.

Dried dogwood

During the cold season, dried fruits are considered the optimal source of vitamins. Dried berries are equally healthy as fresh ones.

The fruits taste sour due to the high acid content:

• organic acids;
• succinic acid;
• ascorbic acid;
• Apple acid.

Microelements:

• iron;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• sulfur;
• potassium.

Dried dogwood is used not only to prevent colds and flu. Being a natural tonic that promotes the production of “joy” hormones, it prevents winter blues and depression.

In order to make preparations, you can use a special fruit dryer. If there is no such thing, then take a small tray or baking sheet. All surfaces used must be thoroughly dried and covered with paper or newspaper.

Important! Spread the berries evenly over the entire surface and place in a ventilated place (in a gazebo or balcony). The fruits are dried until ready for 2 weeks. During this time, you should periodically turn the berries over to ensure even drying.

Dried dogwood

Dried dogwood has a wide absorption spectrum, so it is often used for weight loss, prevention and treatment of diarrhea, or cleansing the body. Red, ripe fruits are used for drying. It is in them contains a large amount of vitamins.

From dried fruits you can make a decoction, jelly, tincture or even soup. Berries will be a wonderful addition to oriental cuisine.

The sour taste goes well with rice, seafood or noodles. Culinary variations may vary depending on individual preferences.

How to grow more crops?

Any gardener and summer resident is pleased to receive a large harvest with large fruits. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to obtain the desired result.

Plants often lack nutrition and useful minerals

It has the following properties:

• Allows increase productivity by 50% in just a few weeks of use.
• You can get a good one harvest even on low-fertility soils and in unfavorable climatic conditions
• Absolutely safe

Dogwood seeds

The seeds contain a large amount of organic oils, which are actively used in folk medicine.

A decoction of dogwood seeds helps with oily scalp:

• 100 g of seeds are poured with 1 liter of boiling water;
• leave for 3 hours;
• used for rinsing.

The decoction strengthens the hair follicles and reduces the oiliness of the scalp.

The benefits of dogwood

Dogwood for hemorrhoids

Pharmacists use dogwood seeds to prepare ointments and suppositories for hemorrhoids. The regenerating and antibacterial components included in the composition cope perfectly with the disease, ensuring a quick and effective recovery.

At home, jam, marshmallow or jelly are prepared and used to prevent hemorrhoids. For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to follow a cyclical order of using dogwood seeds. You should eat it in its pure form, one teaspoon three times a day.

The frequency of eating seeds and the berries themselves should be alternated (“seed week” - “berry week”). Before starting treatment, you should definitely consult your doctor, because... There are contraindications for people with high acidity and prone to constipation.

Stories from our readers!
“I am a summer resident with many years of experience, and I started using this fertilizer only last year. I tested it on the most capricious vegetable in my garden - tomatoes. The bushes grew and bloomed together, they yielded more than usual. And they did not suffer from late blight, this is the main thing.

Fertilizer really gives more intensive growth to garden plants, and they bear fruit much better. Nowadays you can’t grow a normal harvest without fertilizer, and this fertilizing increases the amount of vegetables, so I’m very pleased with the result.”

Dogwood for diabetes

Most often, compote is prepared for diabetes mellitus:

• for 1 glass of berries – 1 liter of water;
• bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes;
• Apply half an hour before meals.

Dogwood for weight loss

Dogwood berries are gaining popularity in healthy eating programs. The enzymes contained in the fruit accelerate metabolism and remove excess water from the body.

Excess weight is always the result of improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and a sedentary lifestyle. Dogwood normalizes metabolism in the body, which is why berries are included in the TOP - 10 essential foods for weight loss.

Good to know! As a natural aid in the fight against excess weight, dogwood is recommended to be consumed dry or dried (like candy). The components are better absorbed in the morning. For greater effect from physical exercise, you can cook compote and drink it during training.

Dogwood during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the use of pills and other medications is not recommended. Dogwood berries are perfect for boosting the expectant mother's immunity. Fruits help preserve vitality and contribute to the harmonious development of the child.

In addition, the natural drug will help reduce fever and fight viral infections just as well as medications. Only berries that have undergone heat treatment (in the form of decoctions or desserts) should be used.

Contraindications:

• Stomach diseases;
• Risk of miscarriage;
• Thrombocytopathy (blood thinning).

Dogwood for the elderly

Older people are prone to various types of age-related diseases, so they should carefully monitor their diet. Elderly people need to be careful when consuming dogwood. Experts advise consuming berries in small doses and at regular intervals.

People suffering from insomnia and high stomach acidity should refrain from consuming the product.

Let's celebrate! To increase immunity, it will be enough to drink 1 glass of dogwood compote in the morning during the cold season (it is better to mix the berries with other fruits). This “vitamin cocktail” will help you avoid getting sick during the cold season and will not affect the body’s nervous excitability.

Dogwood in baby food

The properties of dogwood in enhancing natural immunity make it an indispensable product for baby food. In addition, berries help improve appetite and normalize the gastrointestinal tract. Consumption from early childhood prevents the occurrence of gastritis, peptic ulcers and diabetes.

Fruits can be included in a child’s diet only if there is no allergy in order to avoid side effects.

It is not recommended for children to eat dogwood in pure or dried form; the berries must be heat-treated and seedless. The dosage range varies from 30 to 100g. depending on age (30g - 1.5 years, 100g - 3 years).

To interest the child, prepare dogwood mousse, jam, or add it to the filling of pies.

Contraindications and harm from consuming dogwood

Unfortunately, there are no ideal products that are suitable for everyone. Before you start eating dogwood, you need to make sure that you have no allergies or individual intolerance to the berry.

• With increased stomach acidity;
• For peptic ulcers of the duodenum;
• For constipation;
• People with increased excitability;
• People suffering from insomnia;
• Children with hyperreactivity;
• Pregnant women during lactation;
• People suffering from thrombocytopathy (blood thinning).

Dogwood is a multifaceted berry with a wide range of positive vitamins. Having a diverse range of functions, “red berries” are useful for both men and women. In addition to general features such as: increased immunity, anti-inflammatory effect and tonic, dogwood has a beneficial effect on women's health and increases libido.

For men, the berry will become an indispensable aid in strengthening the heart and blood vessels. To maintain the positive effect of the action, dogwood should be consumed in accordance with the recommended standards and take into account contraindications.

In the East it is called “shaitan berry”. People noticed that he can predict the weather: if a bush has a lot of fruit ripe, expect a harsh winter. Previously, it was believed that where it grows, you can completely do without the help of doctors. This miracle berry is dogwood. What are its benefits and harms and how does traditional medicine recommend using the fruits?

This useful dogwood

Dogwood berries are long - about 1.5-3 cm, and have a color from red to bright burgundy. There is a hard bone inside them. They taste sweet and sour. They are collected in the fall and used to make very tasty and healthy jam, which helps with colds even better than raspberry jam. They are also used to make jam, frozen, dried, and added to desserts, soups, and meat dishes. But berries are good not only for diversifying the menu: they heal and protect against diseases.

To draw a conclusion about the benefits of dogwood fruits, it is enough to study their composition. In terms of vitamin C content (45 mg, or 120% of the daily requirement), they overtook lemon and even black currant. They also contain other vitamins - E, PP. But these are not all their records. The fruits contain a whole range of valuable minerals, and their concentration is quite high. Judge for yourself: potassium - 363 mg, calcium - 58 mg, phosphorus - 34 mg, sodium - 32 mg, magnesium - 26 mg and iron - 4.1 mg. Organic acids, pectins, anthocyanins, and sugars were found in them.

This is a real natural pharmacy! Dogwood has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, antipyretic, and astringent properties. It should occupy one of the main places in the diet if there are health problems. But even if nothing bothers you, it still doesn’t hurt to include fresh dogwood in the menu.

The benefits of these berries for the body will be as follows:

• improve metabolism;
• stop diarrhea;
• strengthen blood vessels;
• normalize low blood pressure;
• will relieve swelling;
• will have a tonic effect (can replace a cup of morning coffee);
• will give a mild laxative and choleretic effect;
• improve appetite;
• remove toxins and heavy metal salts;
• will increase hemoglobin;
• stop bleeding;
• activate metabolism;
• will be beneficial for liver pathologies;
• reduce gout symptoms;
• improve fat metabolism (help lose weight);
• will calm down and put in order frayed nerves;
• eliminate heartburn;
• reduce the content of oxalic and uric acid;
• increase the activity of pancreatic enzymes;
• will prevent the development of sclerosis;
• help with headaches;
• support immunity;
• will slightly reduce blood sugar;
• eliminate joint pain;
• will be beneficial for eczema and other dermatological diseases;
• Dogwood decoction reduces fever and speeds up recovery from viral infections;
• The pulp of the fruit is used to prepare tonic and cleansing cosmetic masks.

If we evaluate the benefits and harms of dogwood for those who are struggling with weight, then it should be noted that this is a low-calorie product. 100 g of fresh berries contain 40.4 kcal. But dried fruits are higher in calories: they contain 209 kcal.

Important! The seeds contain even more “benefits” than the dogwood pulp. Therefore, it must be eaten together with the seeds, they completely dissolve in the body.

About the dangers of berries

What negative consequences can there be from eating fresh dogwood? The benefits and harms of this natural medicine depend on the person’s condition. If he has no health problems or individual intolerance to such a product, then dogwood is absolutely safe for him. However, if you eat too many berries, you may experience diarrhea and bloating.

Deterioration in well-being due to the consumption of these berries is possible in persons:

• with increased acidity of gastric juice;
• with ulcers and gastritis (in the acute stage);
• those suffering from constipation (the berries strengthen them even more);
• victims of nervous fatigue and insomnia.

A special contraindication for men - dogwood should not be consumed if you have prostate adenoma or prostatitis.

Can women who are expecting a baby eat berries? There is no consensus on this matter. Since dogwood has a stimulating effect, there is a risk of miscarriage. But for this you need to eat too many of these pods. In moderate quantities, they are useful for the expectant mother: they will help her avoid ARVI and flu, supply potassium to the body, prevent excessive weight gain and increase hemoglobin. But before using them, it is better to consult a doctor.

What to treat, how to take?

You can make many “goodies” from these berries. Here's how they should be used for healing purposes:

• for diabetes - squeeze the juice from the fruits, drink 70 ml 3 times. per day half an hour before meals;
• for diarrhea - take 2 tbsp. l. fresh berries (however, dried ones are also suitable). Pour 250 ml of boiling water, boil for 5-7 minutes. Leave for 8 hours without removing the lid. Mash the fruits. Use the composition in ½ tbsp. 2 r. per day. If it is too sour, you can add a little sugar;
• to get rid of hemorrhoids - during the ripening season, eat 2 tbsp. dogwood for 5 days along with seeds;
• for low blood pressure - take 100 g of dogwood and garlic, pour 200 ml of vodka over them. Leave for 14 days. Drink 2-3 drops. half and half with milk for 20 minutes. before eating;
• for joint pain and headaches - wash the fruits, mash their pulp with a rolling pin, place on gauze and apply to the source of pain;
• restorative tincture - make a puree from the pulp of ripe berries, put it in a jar. Pour vodka. Leave for 3 weeks in a dry place. Keep covered. Strain through double cheesecloth. Add a little sugar and stir. This medicine can be stored for 5 years. It will be useful for gout and lumbar pain.