The benefits of currant leaves

Currant leaves have many beneficial qualities that help maintain health and external beauty. With the help of this available raw material, many decoctions and infusions for medicinal purposes can be prepared. Currant leaves are used in cooking and cosmetology.

Properties of currant leaves

During the flowering period of currants, the largest amount of ascorbic acid is concentrated in the leaves of the bush. The concentration of this substance is twice that of ripe berries. This is possible due to the small amount of enzymes that break down 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, to keep the skin elastic and resilient.

The currant leaves contain organic compounds that normalize blood clotting, make the walls of blood vessels more durable 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, a variety of vascular diseases and ailments caused by viruses.

Currant leaves contain many natural antioxidants that 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 neoplasms. In this regard, the 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. The magnesium and potassium found in the leaves of the bush 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 rate.

Contraindications of 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, drugs 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 a high acidity of gastric juice. Such treatment is also contraindicated for ulcers and in the presence of inflammatory bowel processes.
• In pregnant women and young mothers who are breastfeeding, allergic reactions may occur when using dosage forms with currant leaves. The same can be observed with individual intolerance.

Therefore, before starting to use 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 tonic. Decoctions based on blackcurrant leaves are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, for healing rheumatism and gout, strengthening the heart and blood vessels.

Some housewives put fragrant currant leaflets in homemade products and canned food. Moreover, both fresh and dried leaves are suitable for this purpose. You can also preserve the blackcurrant leaves themselves and use them in the future to prepare various dishes.

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

Currant leaf tea

There are different recipes for making 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 spoonful of dried currant leaves or a few fresh ones, mix them with a small spoonful of your favorite loose tea and place in a teapot. Pour raw materials 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 want to prepare a drink quickly, then a quarter liter of water is boiled in a small saucepan. After boiling, add 5 pieces of fresh blackcurrant leaves to the water and boil for another 1 minute. Then the heating is turned off and the drink is allowed to brew for 3 minutes. Honey is added to the slightly cooled ready-made tea.

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