Benefits of currant leaves

Currant leaves have numerous beneficial qualities that help maintain health and external beauty. Using this available raw material, you can prepare many decoctions and infusions for medicinal purposes. Currant leaves are used in cooking and cosmetology.

Properties of currant leaves

During the flowering period of currants, the greatest amount of ascorbic acid is concentrated in the leaves of the bush. The concentration of this substance is twice as high as its content in ripe berries. This is possible due to the small amount of enzymes that destroy vitamin C. This vitamin is involved in the synthesis of collagen and connective fibers. Without his participation, it is impossible to ensure sufficient density of bones and teeth, and to keep the skin elastic and elastic.

Currant leaves contain organic compounds that normalize blood clotting, make the walls of blood vessels stronger and inhibit the development of inflammation. These properties make it possible to use the leaves of the bush for the prevention of atherosclerosis and for its auxiliary treatment. With the help of these leaves, you can treat hypertension, various vascular diseases and ailments caused by viruses.

Currant leaves contain many natural antioxidants, which are necessary to prolong youth and protect against the harmful effects of free radicals. Under the influence of free radicals, biochemical processes in the human body are disrupted, which causes the development of malignant tumors. In this regard, currant leaf is useful for people during the recovery period from cancer treatment, as well as for those who have a hereditary predisposition to cancer.

Microelements responsible for the formation of bone tissue and muscle mass are also found in large quantities in currant leaves. Magnesium and potassium present in the leaves of the shrub are beneficial for the normal functioning of the heart and are necessary for the prevention of heart attack. These elements not only strengthen the heart muscle, but also normalize blood flow and heart rhythm.

Contraindications for currant leaves

In addition to beneficial properties and positive effects on health, currant leaves also have negative qualities. In some cases it is not recommended to use them:

• If a person is prone to thrombophlebitis, preparations based on currant leaves should not be used. This can lead to disruption of the blood clotting process.
• A decoction of the leaves is not recommended for use in conditions where there is high acidity of gastric juice. Such treatment is also contraindicated for ulcers and in the presence of inflammatory bowel processes.
• Pregnant women and young mothers who are breastfeeding may experience allergic reactions when consuming dosage forms with currant leaves. The same thing can happen with individual intolerance.

Therefore, before you start consuming currant leaves, you need to analyze your condition and consult with your doctor.

Application of currant leaves

Previously currant sheets often used to treat small children from diathesis and scrofula, decoctions were used to heal skin and eye diseases. In general, blackcurrant leaf is an excellent remedy for relieving inflammation, disinfecting and cleansing the skin and mucous membranes. They are used as a diuretic, tonic and restorative. Decoctions based on blackcurrant leaves are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, to cure rheumatism and gout, and to strengthen the heart and blood vessels.

Some housewives put fragrant currants leaves in homemade preparations and canned goods. Moreover, both fresh and dried leaves are suitable for this purpose. You can also preserve the blackcurrant leaves themselves and use them later to prepare various dishes.

As part of herbal teas, black currant leaves go well with rowan berries and grass St. John's wort. A drink with this composition turns out to be very healthy, refreshing and surprisingly tasty.

Currant leaf tea

You can use different recipes to make blackcurrant tea. The leaves can be brewed either separately or in combination with loose green or black tea, with other herbs and berries.

For cooking currant tea Take a large spoon of dried currant leaves or several fresh ones, mix them with a small spoon of your favorite loose leaf tea and place in a teapot. Pour the raw material with half a liter of boiling water, cover the kettle with a warm cloth and let it brew for about a quarter of an hour.

If you need to prepare the drink quickly, boil a quarter liter of water in a small saucepan. After boiling, add 5 pieces of fresh blackcurrant leaves to the water and boil for another 1 minute. Then turn off the heat and let the drink brew for 3 minutes. Honey is added to the slightly cooled finished tea.

Blackcurrant tea with mint is very tasty. To prepare it, place 8 fresh currant leaves and the same amount of mint in a teapot, add a small spoon of your favorite loose tea and add a liter of boiling water. After two hours the drink will be ready. You can drink it with a slice of lemon or with honey.