Sea buckthorn leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications

Not everyone knows that in sea buckthorn the most useful are the leaves. They have an oblong, thin appearance, with a narrowed end. The color is green, slightly with a golden hue to the stem. They contain many vitamins and minerals, including large amounts of vitamin C and a beneficial substance for the body called serotonin. This plant helps to strengthen the immune system and eliminate sleep problems, has a positive effect on the human nervous system.

In diseases of the heart, diabetes, and pneumonia take decoction of sea buckthorn leaves as a tea. In diseases of the throat, namely with angina are advised to gargle with decoction of the leaves of this plant.

In addition, there are a large number of other useful properties that have sea buckthorn leaves.

Chemical Composition

Scientists do not cease to find more and more properties of sea buckthorn leaves, unlike berries, which have long been studied. The main substances found in the leaves of the plant are the following:

1. Tannins, which can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body.
2. Tannins, with which the leaves are used as an antiseptic.
3. Serotonin, an important component, in the deficiency of which in the human body occurs arbitrary hormonal disruption, frequent mood swings, tearfulness, aggression on nothing.

Also in the leaves of sea buckthorn are trace elements: boron, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper and iron. Taking the plant in any form can also make up for vitamin deficiencies. There is an important vitamin A, which has a beneficial effect on human vision, the B group, a huge amount of ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid.

All these substances make the plant unique in many applications. Therefore, people often prefer sea buckthorn leaves to other preparations.

When to collect and how to store sea buckthorn leaves

Sea buckthorn leaves can be easily purchased in the pharmacy. But they will be more natural and effective if you carry out the collection itself. In order to preserve the useful substances, the leaves of the plant must be properly dried.

Proceed to the collection is better when the leaves are still very young. This period is the end of May and early July. You should carefully cut a whole branch with a knife at an angle of 40 degrees. Only then can the leaves be plucked from it. This manipulation will help to preserve the useful substances almost in full. The cut shoots can also be preserved by studying their useful components. The ripening of leaves lasts almost until September, the main thing is to choose those that have grown recently. Therefore, if for any reason at the beginning of summer you did not manage to collect sea buckthorn for drying, it can be done before the end of the season.

It is better to cut shoots from different trees, rather than from one tree, so as not to harm the plant and provoke its death.

After the leaves are harvested, they need to be properly dried. First, the plant should be thoroughly rinsed under running water. Then spread it out on a dry surface and let it dry. You can dry outdoors, in good weather, but not in the blazing sun, or indoors, where there is no dampness. Usually sea buckthorn leaves dry in 2-3 days.

In addition to natural drying, you can use an electric dryer. To do this, part of the leaves are spread evenly on a special grid and put the device on a temperature of 35-40 degrees. But you should not forget to turn the plants every 30-40 minutes, otherwise they can spoil. In appearance, a properly dried sea buckthorn leaf resembles an ordinary bay leaf, which is sold on store shelves.

Store sea buckthorn leaves is better in cloth bags or special boxes, so that the plant does not become damp and rotten. The place is better to choose a warm, but not hot. Farther cabinets in the kitchen, which are least used, will do.

Fermentation of sea buckthorn leaves
This is a popular procedure, which is known for the fact that during it the leaves release many useful substances and vitamins. The leaves should be placed on a flat surface and stirred periodically without allowing them to dry out. Then roll with your hands into small tubes, each one wrapped in clingfilm. Place in a container close to each other and cover with a damp cloth. Then leave in a cool place for a day or even two. After that, cut the tubes into small pieces and send to the oven at 90 degrees for 15-20 minutes. The finished leaves can be added to tea or used as a medicine.

This method of harvesting sea buckthorn leaves is considered the best, since it preserves all the nutritional properties of the plant.

Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaves

Sea buckthorn leaf is similar in its properties to such plants as plantain, ivy and others. At the same time, there are also many elements that can be found only in it.

Healing properties of sea buckthorn leaves are due to the large number of vitamins, as well as macro-and micronutrients in them.

The plant is used as a good assistant in strengthening the immune system, in various skin injuries, wounds, burns, cuts, inflammatory processes, including colds and SARS, to combat digestive problems, diseases of the intestines and stomach. With poisoning, the leaves of sea buckthorn also cope great, contributing to the removal of toxic substances from the human body. Use a plant and in cosmetology. It is proven that regular use of lotions and creams based on sea buckthorn leaves promotes skin rejuvenation, and also fights well with acne.

It is important to know that lotions based on decoction of sea buckthorn leaves are good for allergic reactions in the form of hives. They quickly eliminate the intolerable itching and fight inflammation.

For women

Girls very often resort to sea buckthorn leaves for help. The plant helps to fight fat cells, removes unwanted substances, cleanses the body, which contributes to the fact that the woman if she wants to lose excess weight faster.

Decoction of sea buckthorn leaves is used by women as an effective tool for hair growth and against hair loss. It is proved that the regular use of the plant for hair saturates them with many useful substances, which are usually lacking in the body. In the fight against dandruff, sea buckthorn leaves are also an indispensable helper.

The leaves of the plant are anti-inflammatory in diseases of the genitals in women, including cystitis and thrush. They are also used for cracked nipples during breastfeeding. In this case, the folk remedy is completely safe for the child.

For men

Representatives of the male population are less likely to pay attention to the healing properties of the plant. But as soon as they encounter problems, they immediately look for a quick cure. Every man needs to know what are the properties of sea buckthorn leaves, how they can help to cope in this or that situation. The plant contains special components called tocopherols, which help a man in restoring the reproductive function of the genitals. Also, sea buckthorn leaves are, you might say, a natural Viagra for the male sex.

Men often suffer from such an unpleasant disease as hemorrhoids. Sea buckthorn leaves gently set the microflora in the right direction, and also have a healing effect.

In case of alcohol poisoning, decoctions from sea buckthorn will help to remove unnecessary and harmful toxins to the body.

For children

About the useful properties of sea buckthorn have been known since ancient times. Its leaves are owners of a large number of vitamins and useful substances, while not harming the body. Sea buckthorn leaves are given to children in different forms. Pediatricians recommend using the plant not before a child is one year old.

Sea buckthorn leaves for children are indispensable in the following cases:

1. Strengthen the immune system due to ascorbic acid, which the plant contains.
2. Have a calming effect, because it is known that children are often cranky and whiny.
3. Increase hemoglobin, as in the leaves of sea buckthorn is a sufficient amount of iron.
4. Saturate useful substances (in vitamin content plant leaves are not inferior to many fruits and vegetables).
5. Promote wound healing (children who have only recently learned to walk, often fall and bump - will help in this case, lotions decoction of sea buckthorn leaves).
6. Eliminate stomatitis.
7. Help in the fight against adenoids.
8. Relieve coughs.

In addition to all this, the plant contains natural antibiotics, namely phytoncides.

Every new mother should know this list of uses of sea buckthorn leaves, but it is recommended not to self-medicate, but to consult a pediatrician.

Sea buckthorn leaves in folk medicine

Widely proven itself the leaves of sea buckthorn in folk medicine. Various drinks, teas, decoctions, infusions, oils and even ointments based on the leaves of this tree will help to cope with many ailments.

Apply plants to treat diseases related to the intestines and skin (including dandruff, dermatitis, herpes), to remove unfavorable substances from the body. It is important only to know in what form to use sea buckthorn leaves for a certain type of ailments.

Tea to improve tone in the body

The drink helps to establish blood circulation, has a positive effect on the muscles of the body, bringing them into the right tone. To prepare it, you need to take a small deep bowl. Mix a spoonful of dried and crushed sea buckthorn leaves with mint leaves. Pour the resulting mixture with hot boiled water, let stand for 10-12 hours. Before use, remove the drink from the leaves. Take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

Beverage for the treatment of joints

When you have joint pain, you can prepare a special decoction based on sea buckthorn leaves. It is very easy to prepare. In a common mug put 1 tablespoon of crushed sea buckthorn leaves, pour hot boiled water and leave for 5-10 minutes. Take instead of tea 4-5 times a day. It is better to drink the course - at least 10 days.

Tea with vitamin deficiency.

In the off-season, the body suffers from a lack of vitamins. As a consequence, in the spring and fall, many chronic diseases are often exacerbated, as well as there are many new ones. To replenish the supply of useful substances, you can take a useful tea with sea buckthorn leaves.

Mix a spoonful of dried sea buckthorn leaves with leaves of currant and St. John's wort, pour boiling water. Allow to infuse for 5-6 hours. The longer the tea will infuse, the more it will take useful substances from the ingredients. Take it a mug a couple of times a day, you can add raspberry jam or honey to the tea.

Salve for acute colds

Grind 100-200 grams of fresh sea buckthorn leaves and mix them with mutton fat. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Stir the resulting mixture and send it to the refrigerator until solidified. Apply to the area of the chest, back and heels 2 times a day. The ointment has a warming effect, so you should not apply it at high body temperature.

Tea with a cold

It is known that colds occur when viruses enter the body and the immune system is too weak to cope with them. Tea with sea buckthorn leaves will help replenish vitamins, and due to the high content of ascorbic acid will strengthen the immune system. Pour a liter of boiling water over 2-3 spoons of dried and finely chopped sea buckthorn leaves. Allow to infuse for half an hour. Drink 3 times a day after a meal.

Decoction for cardiovascular diseases

This decoction has a positive effect on the human body in diseases of the heart, kidneys, as well as in problems with blood vessels. Regular use of the drink promotes proper blood circulation.

The decoction is prepared quite simply. Put 5-6 tablespoons of crushed dried sea buckthorn leaves in a saucepan, pour water and leave on low heat for 30-40 minutes. Leave to infuse for a few hours. Before use, clean the leaves. Take 2 spoonfuls 3 times a day.

Decoction of leaves for poisoning

When the body is severely intoxicated use decoction of sea buckthorn leaves with other auxiliary plants. For a classic decoction for poisoning you need 4-5 spoons of dried sea buckthorn leaves, a couple of spoons of oak bark (can be purchased at the drugstore or gather your own). Pour the mixture with water and boil for 15-20 minutes. Cool the broth and strain well. Take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day until completely cured.

Oil based on sea buckthorn leaves.

The oil is commonly used for a variety of skin diseases and wounds on the skin. It can be a different kind of lichens, burns, as well as stomatitis. To prepare you will first need to prepare a broth based on sea buckthorn leaves. In this case, 3-4 spoons of dried plant to pour a glass of water and boil for 5-7 minutes. Filter well and pour into a larger container. To the resulting drink add half a cup of vegetable oil. Stir and let infuse for a day. Gently with a cotton pad apply to the affected areas of the body 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days.

The oil prepared in this way will not only contribute to the rapid healing of wounds, but will also reduce inflammation in the shortest possible time. Usually the effect comes after the third use.

Tea for lowering blood pressure

When high blood pressure will save a cup of tea made on sea buckthorn leaves. You will need about 100 grams of fresh or prepared leaves of the plant, as well as grated ginger root, about 1 teaspoon. All pour boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Take a glass of hot drink no more than two times a day. Such a tea will also help with poisoning and sleep disorders. The drink is also a sedative.

Types of medicinal compositions with sea buckthorn leaves

An important healing property of sea buckthorn is that it not only helps to fight many diseases, but also restores the body's strength, which it expends at this time. It is proven that the constant use of the plant has a positive effect on the human body. He gets sick less often and more easily endures illnesses.

The benefits of sea buckthorn leaves in various diseases:

• eliminate intestinal disorders, ulcers and gastritis;
• Help the body get rid of excess alkaline acid;
• reduce inflammation in various types of wounds;
• Have a beneficial effect on the human nervous system;
• help maintain good vision;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• suppress the feeling of hunger, thereby reducing excess fat cells in the body;
• used to treat many gynecological diseases in women;
• Act as a preventive measure against acute respiratory viral infections and influenza;
• Used to treat diseases of the mucous membranes, such as stomatitis.

Infusion

Infusions of sea buckthorn leaves are taken in diseases of the joints, as well as in case of circulatory disorders in the body and heart failure.

To prepare one liter of infusion should take 4-5 tablespoons of crushed dried leaves of the plant, place in a thermos. Pour boiled hot water and leave for 2-3 hours. Take a third of a glass 2 times daily after a meal for 7-10 days.

Tincture .

Tincture in alcohol, which is made with sea buckthorn leaves, is usually taken by people suffering from diabetes and anemia, to restore the amount of iron in the body. It is also used for dermatitis and atherosclerosis.

For the tincture, you can take both dried leaves and fresh ones. You need to take vodka or medical alcohol 40 degrees and sea buckthorn leaves in a ratio of 1 to 5. It is better to make a tincture in a bottle with a good lid. The resulting mixture is well shaken and left in a dark place for at least 10 days. The longer it will insist, the more useful substances will be produced. When taking, dilute with water, drink - no more than 1 teaspoon 2 times a day.

The peculiarity of tincture on sea buckthorn leaves is that with proper preparation and storage over time, the quality of useful properties will only increase. Therefore, it can be used for several years.

Decoction

To treat inflammatory processes in the body, decoction based on sea buckthorn leaves is used for both internal and external use. Also, constant washing with decoction of the leaves of the plant has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face.

For one liter of decoction you will need 4-6 tablespoons of dried crushed sea buckthorn leaves. Pour water and leave on low heat. After 20-30 minutes, remove from the heat and strain. Take half a cup up to 4 times a day. When used externally, wipe affected areas of the body with a cotton swab. The decoction will help nourish the skin with the missing nutrients.

In rheumatism use a slightly different decoction. Pour 5 tablespoons of chopped chopped leaves, a spoonful of chopped currant leaves with a liter of water, bring to a boil and leave on low heat. After 15-20 minutes, turn off the mixture, allow to cool and strain well. Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day after a meal.

Tea

Even our ancestors knew that tea on sea buckthorn leaves will help to cope with many ailments, such as rheumatism, anemia, colds, inflammatory processes. It is also a natural antibiotic for the body. Tea is similar to decoction, only in less consistency.

The preparation of the drink is very simple. A spoonful of fresh or dried leaves pour boiling water and let stand for 5-10 minutes. You can add here mint, chamomile or currant leaves. For taste it is recommended to put honey, but not sugar. Such tea is good against colds. Take 3-4 cups a day.

Also in a very hot season you can prepare a tonic drink based on sea buckthorn leaves. To do this, take fresh sea buckthorn leaves and mint leaves, pour boiling water and wait until the tea cools. It is better to let infuse for a day, but you can also use immediately. Such tea is a good thirst quencher and prevents excessive sweating.

Applications in cosmetology

From the leaves of sea buckthorn are made various creams and masks. It is known that the plant has a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that contribute to the rejuvenation of the skin, struggling with problem areas and is a good tonic, smoothing agent.

Baths based on sea buckthorn leaves

For a single use should be about 200-300 grams of fresh leaves well mashed in any container. Pour boiled hot water and allow to stand for 30 minutes. Then free from the leaves and pour into a bath of water. Do such a procedure is recommended for at least 40 minutes, a couple of times a week. The bath helps to improve blood circulation, well expands pores, while filling the body with useful substances. It is better to perform the procedure before going to bed so that the body properly rested and filled with new strength in the morning.

Scrub

Grate fresh leaves well and add to the classic yogurt or nonfat sour cream. Apply to clean skin once a day, leaving the resulting mixture on the face for about 5-7 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with water. The scrub is suitable for people who suffer from problematic skin, as well as those who are tormented with acne.

Mask for hair loss

With problem hair, sea buckthorn leaves also cope perfectly. They prevent excessive hair loss, making them thicker and more manageable. To prepare the mask you will need 100 grams of fresh or dried sea buckthorn leaves, fresh nettle and egg yolk. The resulting mixture should be well mixed and left in a warm place for 10-15 minutes. Apply to clean hair on the entire length, starting from the roots. Apply such a mask is recommended no more than two times a week.

Mask to combat increased greasiness in the hair

You need a tablespoon of sea buckthorn leaves with a glass of water, leave for 30 minutes, then filter. Add olive oil in a ratio of 1 to 1. Here, put 2 tablespoons of low-fat sour cream and 2 quail eggs. The resulting mixture should be thoroughly mixed. Apply to the entire length of the clean hair. Effective remedy, the positive result of which is noticeable after the first use.

With seborrhea

With scalp seborrhea, which occurs in a person as a result of lingering dandruff, fresh sea buckthorn leaves will help. They need to be thoroughly crushed so that they give the juice. You can use a juicer, but this will require a fairly large amount of the plant. Dilute the juice with the most common baby cream. Apply the mixture daily for 20-30 minutes before washing your head for 30 days, then take a 10-day break and repeat the procedure.

From acne

Fresh sea buckthorn leaves will also help with severe acne. Use them in this case as lotions. Make a so-called sack of gauze, there add some chamomile flowers and sea buckthorn leaves. Crumple the sack in your hands a little to release a small amount of sap from the plants. Apply to the areas that are prone to inflammation in the form of acne, and hold for 3-5 minutes. For the best effect, you can cover your face with a towel to enlarge the pores. It is also recommended to do such lotions after going to the bath or hot bath.

Contraindications for use

Compared with sea buckthorn berries, the leaves are more beneficial for the human body. But nevertheless, like any remedy, they have a number of contraindications and recommendations.

1. It is not recommended to use this plant in children under one year of age. After this age, it is also better to consult with a specialist.
2. Sea buckthorn leaves are contraindicated for people who suffer from liver disease and hepatitis.
3. In acute ulcers, medicines based on sea buckthorn can be taken only on the recommendation of the doctor.
4. Pregnant women are better to refrain from taking sea buckthorn leaves, as well as any other herbal medicine. At this time, the body is very unpredictable.

It is important not to go overboard with the dose that can be used, as there have been cases of overdose of preparations based on sea buckthorn leaves. Various allergic reactions, including the very dangerous Quincke's edema, are among the alarming symptoms. Severe dizziness and nausea are also clear signs of overdose. If after taking sea buckthorn leaves you feel unwell, it is better to immediately consult a doctor.

From all of the above, we can conclude that the sea buckthorn leaves are indispensable helpers for humans. Their use is so widespread that it can have a positive impact on the body of everyone.

If there is no opportunity to collect sea buckthorn leaves yourself, you can buy them on the shelves in any pharmacy chain at an affordable price. But despite all the advantages, you should not forget about the individual intolerance of the components, which can be in every person, so it is still better to consult with a specialist before using the plant with regard to health.

Photo of sea buckthorn leaves