Tea from currant leaves: useful properties and contraindications

Currant is an evergreen or deciduous shrub, native to Central Asia and southern Europe. Cultivation of the plant began in the XI century. There is not a single person who at least once in his life has not tasted the fruits of this wonderful shrub. There are more than 180 species of this plant, but only black, red and white are common.

It is noteworthy, but in Europe, it began to be domesticated initially as a medicinal plant and only then appreciated the taste qualities of its fruits. In Russia, the monks were the first to cultivate the shrub, they dug it out in the forest and transplanted it to places near the temple. Currants love moisture and coolness, so they often grow on the banks of rivers. Some of them were even named after it, such as "Currants." And the shrub's name comes from the word "stink", which was later transformed into "currant".

Currant leaves are used in cooking and medicine because they contain beneficial macro-, microelements, essential oils, fatty acids and vitamins.

When to harvest currant leaves for tea

Today the range of teas is so great that it would be time to forget about any herbal infusions. However, as practice shows, everything happens exactly the opposite. This is because the leaves of certain plants help to fight ailments, strengthen the immune system and affect the quality of life without the use of drugs and expensive vitamin complexes.

To enjoy an infusion of currant leaves, you need to know how to properly harvest and dry them.

Infusion or tea made from currant leaves is delicious and fragrant, but to make it also useful, you need to collect the raw material at a certain time of the year. The best time to collect leaves for harvesting them for the winter is when the plant is in bloom. Usually currants bloom in late May or early June. But there are also many new species that may bloom at other times. Therefore, be guided not by the calendar schedule, but by the appearance of flowers on its stems.

An important factor is the time. So, experienced experts say that the leaves should be harvested between 10 am and 11-12, when there is already no dew on them, and the midday sun has not started to burn. It is very important that it does not rain on this day, as the leaves will be wet and most likely will not be able to dry out - as a result, they can simply get moldy.

Also, most gardeners are advised to pay attention to the phases of the earth's natural companion, the moon. It is believed that when it is growing, currant leaves will contain the greatest amount of vitamins and useful substances.

To summarize, there is nothing difficult about collecting currant leaves, the main thing is to follow the simple rules, namely:

• wait for the flowering of the shrub;
• Collect the raw material in dry weather from 10 o'clock in the morning until noon;
• Focus on the moon in the growth phase.

It is best to prepare young leaves, which have no injuries and are not attacked by diseases or pests.

How to dry leaves correctly

Currant leaves should be dried correctly, and this condition is not only true for them. If you do not adhere to certain rules, you can easily spoil the raw material, and all the work will be in vain.

Conditions for drying currant leaves:

• Heat.
• Low humidity.
• Access to fresh air.
• Absence of direct sunlight.

In other words, you need a place where it is warm, dry, no sun. If such a place is found, you need to spread the collected leaves on clean paper or cloth. A word of caution: newspapers should not be used for this purpose. The fact is that they have printing ink on them, which contains chemicals that are harmful and poisonous to the human body. Therefore, when you dry the leaves on them, the ink will change their properties not for the better.

When the leaves are laid out to dry, they should be checked periodically for mold. Those leaves that have been affected by it should be removed immediately, as it can spread to the entire "crop".

As soon as the leaves have started to crumble, they can be put away for permanent storage. The leaves should also be stored properly. It is best to put them in cloth bags or an airtight container. This can be an ordinary glass jar, if it is tightly closed with a lid.

Another option for preserving currant leaves for the winter is the oven. This method is quite good if there is no suitable space or it is limited in size. However, the disadvantage is that some of the useful properties are lost.

When drying currant leaves in the oven, proceed as follows:

1. The leaves are spread out on a baking tray, clean paper or cloth in a single layer.
2. Preheat the oven to about 100°C.
3. Put the trays in the oven, but do not close the door tightly.
4. After 1 or 2 hours, reduce the temperature by half.
5. Continue to dry until the leaves are crisp.

Which leaves are used to make tea: red or black currant?

Currant leaves contain large amounts of vitamin C and tannins. This is what gives them their value. However, black currants are used for making tea, since their leaves contain more of them. As a rule, raspberry or cherry leaves are also used along with them.

Composition and calories

If we talk about the energy value of currant leaves, there is practically none. So, it is 0.1 kcal. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are at the level of 0.01 g per 100 g of the product.

But as for vitamins and minerals, the picture is the opposite.

Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for the human body. It is involved in the absorption of iron, as well as in cell repair and growth. In addition, it activates the body's defenses.

Micronutrients:

1. Manganese is an extremely important element. It directly affects blood sugar levels. Its sufficient amount in the body is a natural preventive measure against diabetes. It also participates in cell division and reduces the effects of harmful cholesterol. Manganese also promotes the growth of connective and cartilage tissue, which is important especially in children.
2. Magnesium is a regulator. It influences the production of more than 300 enzymes that are responsible for the normal functioning of the muscular system, as well as for energy transfer and storage.
3. Copper is another fairly important element. Like manganese, it is involved in the body's absorption of iron. It promotes energy production and binds and neutralizes free radicals, which prevents premature aging.

In addition, currant leaves contain tannins, essential oils and phytoncides. The latter are somewhat less than in garlic, but enough to fully provide the body with them.

What is the usefulness of currant leaf tea

Tea or decoction of currant leaves is very useful because they contain a large amount of vitamin C, macro-and micronutrients. It can significantly improve the condition of the sick person. Tea from currant leaves helps with respiratory diseases, and is an excellent preventive agent. It stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, strengthens blood vessels, gets rid of constipation and heartburn.

For women

As mentioned earlier, currant leaf tea contains a large amount of vitamin C. For the female body its importance is difficult to overestimate.

Useful properties of vitamin C for women:

1. It is a powerful antioxidant that has a direct effect on the regenerative processes in cells.
2. Neutralizes the effect of free radicals that cause premature aging of the dermis.
3. Stimulates the body's production of collagen, which makes the skin supple and elastic.
4. Thanks to the activation of regenerative processes it improves the effect of any cosmetic procedures.
5. Helps in the removal of age spots.
6. It protects the dermis from UV exposure.

In addition, tea contains vitamin E (tocopherol), which is often called the "vitamin of youth". It improves the condition of the skin by activating the repairing processes in the dermis and accelerating cell growth. Vitamin E is used in creams, ointments and masks.

Tocopherol directly affects the lipid composition of dermal cells, which makes the skin clean and beautiful, as well as the repair processes in the hair follicles, which ensures the density and health.

For men

Men are also significantly affected by black currant leaf tea. It is a fact that the stronger half of mankind is most susceptible to diseases of the cardiovascular system. Thanks to magnesium and potassium, which are in the leaves of this wonderful plant, maintains normal heart function. Also a sufficient amount of these trace elements in itself is a preventive measure against most diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.

In addition, there are tannins in the leaves of currants, which strengthen the urogenital system and potency.

When pregnant

Everyone knows that during pregnancy, a woman's body needs vitamins and trace elements. Tea from currant leaves will be their source at any time of the year. This state of affairs is due to the ability of currants to retain their useful properties in dried form. To be fair, it should be noted that during heat treatment they lose only a small part of them.

The benefits of black currant leaf tea in pregnancy:

• Helps with colds, cystitis, bronchial diseases;
• normalizes the stool;
• Removes toxins and impurities from the body;
• Has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
• Indispensable for high blood cholesterol and dermal diseases.

Tea from currant leaves also increases mental alertness, calms the nervous system, prevents depression and combats anxiety. Also, the warm drink is an excellent diuretic, so without harming the body removes unnecessary fluid from it, which is important for pregnant women.

In the first trimester, decoction of currant leaves will help to cope with toxicosis.

Despite such a long list of positive properties, it is necessary to consider the contraindications for pregnant women:

• susceptibility to allergies;
• varicose veins;
• blood clotting disorders;
• increased acidity in the stomach;
• Gastrointestinal ulcers.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, tea from currant leaves should be used in moderation and monitor the health of the mother and baby. The fact that currants can cause an allergic reaction. If the infant has a rash or skin irritation, then the decoction should immediately stop drinking.

In general, tea from currant leaves has a positive effect on the body of the mother and child due to the many vitamins and elements:

1. The work of the gastrointestinal tract is improved, which is very important for breastfeeding women.
2. The mother removes toxins from the body, which later with breast milk do not enter the body of the child.
3. A young mother's milk transmits vitamins A, C and E contained in currant leaves to her baby, which is extremely important for the normal development of the child's body.
4. Also, currants increase the immunity of both the mother and the child as a whole.
5. Consumption of the drink has a positive effect on the development of the cardiovascular and nervous system.

For children

For children, decoction of currant leaves will also be extremely useful because of the high content of vitamin C. It is extremely important not only for adults, but also for the growing body. Vitamin C is directly involved in the process of cell division, which means it affects the formation of all kinds of tissues. In addition, it increases the body's defenses and has a beneficial effect on the heart and nervous system. Tea also activates lipid metabolism, which is important for children who suffer from obesity.

If the child is active or does a lot of sports, currant leaf tea will relax the muscles and relieve fatigue.

But when drinking the decoction, you should closely monitor your health. If signs of allergic reactions appear, you should stop drinking the decoction.

Tea from currant leaves in medicine

Traditional medicine has recognized that currants contain the necessary vitamins and trace elements, which have therapeutic properties. Therefore, in the pharmacy you can find herbal gatherings containing currant leaves.

1. Treatment of joints. When rheumatism or arthritis, the anthocyanins contained in the leaves will help in relieving inflammation and reducing pain when walking.
2. Cardiovascular System. The rutin in currant leaves will help with varicose veins, and the fatty acids will reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing the development of hypertension and reducing the risk of a heart attack.
3. Nervous system and brain function. Currant leaves have a lot of magnesium, which promotes the absorption of iron. This element is extremely important for saturating the brain with enough oxygen, which improves mental abilities. In addition, magnesium has a positive effect on the nervous system and helps to cope with depression and anxiety.
4. Lungs. With the help of tea from the leaves of currants can cure angina, improve the condition of the patient with asthma, bronchitis. And vitamin C helps to destroy the bacteria that cause cough and bronchial diseases.
5. GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. Tannins stimulate digestion, normalize peristalsis, eliminate heartburn and constipation. That's why it is so important to use decoction of currant leaves in case of gastrointestinal disorders.

Decoction of currant leaves is most often used in the treatment of colitis, joint pain, to improve the gastrointestinal tract and increase immunity.

Harms and contraindications

In addition to the useful properties, tea from currant leaves should not be used:

1. In disorders of blood clotting, namely thrombophlebitis, as regular consumption increases clotting.
2. Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, increased acidity or ulcers.
3. Chronic diseases (before the use it is necessary to consult with a therapist).

How to brew tea from currant leaves

In addition to the fact that currant leaves have useful properties, teas and decoctions from them are very tasty.

A classic recipe

What you will need:

• Black tea - 1 tsp.
• Dried currant leaves - 2 tsp.

How to Prepare:

1. Dried currant leaves need to be crushed and placed in a teapot.
2. The same place tea.
3. Pour steeped boiling water over everything.
4. Insist at least 20-30 minutes.

You can drink not only hot, but also cold, with sugar or honey.

Recipe for tea from a mixture of leaves

What you will need:

• Dried leaves of strawberries and raspberries 1 part each.
• Dried currant leaves - 2 parts.

How to prepare:

1. The leaves should be crushed and, if necessary, washed.
2. Mixture of dried leaves put in a pot and pour boiling water (1/2 l).
3. Allow to infuse at least 15 minutes.

Serve with honey or sugar.

Leaves and Stems Recipe

In summer, you can prepare an excellent vitamin complex, which will be useful for everyone, for this you will need:

• Young currant shoots with not yet budded.
• 2-3 tsp. dried currant leaves.

How to prepare:

1. You need to cut young currant shoots.
2. Wash and place in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
3. Then pour the crushed leaves into a pot and pour boiling water over the shoots.
4. Allow to infuse for at least 20 minutes.

Interesting facts about black currant

1. The first to cultivate currants were the monks, both in Europe and in Russia.
2. The closest relative of currants is the gooseberry, and distant relatives are badanum and money tree, as well as peony.
3. There are more than 180 species of currants and they grow on all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
4. Despite the rather late domestication of the plant, its medicinal properties have been known since the times of ancient Rome and Greece.
5. The name of the river Smorodinovka frequently appears in Russian tales and legends. Historians believe that this was the ancient name of the Moscow River.
6. Since currants grew practically in every temple, they were called "monastery berries.
7. Unripe currants contain 3-5 times more vitamin C than ripe ones.
8. Vitamins, macro- and micronutrients are contained in all parts of the shrub, even in the root.
9. Black currants contain more vitamins if they grow in a fairly harsh climate. Plants in southern regions contain much less.
10. There is no other fruit or vegetable with more vitamin B5, which boosts the immune system and makes skin and hair beautiful and healthy.
11. Black currant leaves are used for canning to saturate with vitamin C and phenolic compounds that prevent premature spoilage. Therefore, canned goods can be stored much longer.
12. Black currants have a strong expressive smell because of their high essential oil content.
13. Currants are one of the few berries that eliminate radioisotopes from the human body. This feature became known after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Now those who work in hazardous production are recommended to consume the fruit of this plant.
14. Black currant contains very few calories, so you can not worry about the figure when eating berries.
15. Currants are a honey-bearing plant, from which extremely tasty and useful honey is obtained.
16. When drying black currant leaves and fruits, all the vitamins and beneficial substances are fully preserved.
17. There is more vitamin C in black currant fruit than in an orange or tangerine.
18. The most commercially grown black currants are grown in Russia, with Poland in second place and Germany in third place.

Currant leaf tea photo