Irga - useful properties and contraindications

Irga is a very useful berry that is full of vitamins. Such a shrub plant is unpretentious in maintenance and is found in suburban areas or in the forest. The berries have a specific dark blue hue with a touch of gray. From them you can make:

• compotes;
• tinctures;
• jam;
• house wines;
• or just eat it fresh.

But still, not many people know about the useful properties of a berry with its proper preparation.

Useful properties of Irgi

1. Removal of toxins from the body and lowering blood cholesterol. Delicious berry berries contain useful acids that control cholesterol - this makes it difficult to form so-called cholesterol plaques. Pectins improve the work of the bladder and the kidneys, increase the ability of the liver to remove toxins from the body, and this favorably affects the functioning of internal organs.
2. Strengthening the nervous system. To fall asleep quickly, you can prepare a mug of warm tea from dried fruits and drink it at night, or just eat a handful of fresh berries before bedtime. To increase the general tone of the body, to normalize the nervous system will help infusions and decoctions of berry, as well as its berries, consumed simply fresh. Miracle Berry helps you better manage stress.
3. Saturation of the body with trace elements / vitamins. It has long been proven that the pulp of the fruit of the berry contains many vitamins, namely C (ascorbic acid), B, P, and the seeds contain fatty oils. Irga also has a high content of sugars, pectins, as well as acids, fiber, tannins and healthy flavonoids. Due to this, it is possible to increase the content of vitamins during vitamin deficiency, and prevent kidney and liver diseases.
4. Rejuvenation and healing of the body. The content in the plant of an incredibly large number of polyphenolic compounds, experts say, helps prevent DNA defects and stops the aging process in the human body. A large number of flavonoids was found in the irga, which is the prevention of various diseases, with the exception of oncological ones.
5. Prevention of eye diseases. Lotions from the infusions of the bark remove redness and suppuration of the eyelids on the face, as well as relieve eye fatigue. Vitamin A supports eye health. Periodic consumption of iergi fruits helps to prevent the appearance of cataracts, and protects the organs of vision from a variety of inflammatory processes.
6. The elimination of inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat. With stomatitis, you can rinse your mouth with a solution of boiled warm water and fresh juice of irgi (1: 1) - this will eliminate inflammation in the mouth. Also, such a recipe is perfect in the treatment of tonsillitis. A warm decoction of the bark of the plant will relieve bleeding of the gums and help strengthen them with periodontal disease. And for the lungs and bronchi, tea from dried leaves of the bush is suitable.
7. Favorable effect on the heart and blood vessels. Fruits of a berryberry contain a large amount of antioxidants, they play an important role in the prevention of heart attacks, many diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as strokes, cancer and such a common ailment as atherosclerosis. Vitamin P makes the walls of capillaries and blood vessels strong, and at the same time ensures their reliability and elasticity. The so-called phytosterols and coumarins reduce blood coagulation, and this prevents the formation of blood clots. To stimulate the work of the heart and lowering blood pressure, vodka tinctures based on shrub flowers are recommended.
8. Treatment of burns, wounds and abrasions. Juice fruit juice is suitable for the treatment of thermal burns.The gauze soaked in it must be applied to the affected areas of the skin for 40 minutes - several times a day.

From the bark and dried leaves of the shrub, you can prepare a decoction that will help well with purulent wounds. To cook it, you need 2 tablespoons of dry weight, pour 1 liter of water and boil for 10 minutes.

To eliminate pain and disinfection, fresh leaves of a berry are applied briefly to abrasions and cuts. They are a good antiseptic.

Contraindications

Despite the many useful properties of the berry, there are some contraindications:

1. Do not pick berries in ecologically polluted places, in principle, like any other berry. This is justified by the fact that berries have the ability to absorb various toxins, as well as particles of heavy metals.
2. For babies, such a miracle berry must be given with great care so that there is no allergy. This warning applies to adults who are prone to skin rashes.
3. Combining irgi with dairy products is also not worth it. This can lead to stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
4. People with diabetes and prone to rapid weight gain, it is not recommended to consume the fruits of berry in large quantities. This can lead to a sharp increase in body weight and spikes in blood sugar.
5. Patients with epilepsy should also not consume a large amount of berries. Vitamin C can lead to an attack.

Useful qualities of irgi for gardeners

Irga is an excellent "purifier" of air, land and water, so it can be planted on the territory of a summer cottage or garden. But it is worth remembering that the fruits of such a plant can no longer be used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Because this plant will contain harmful substances obtained in the process of "purification" of air, water and soil. Such bushes can be a beautiful decoration.

The best time for planting will be spring and autumn, meanwhile, most gardeners are sure that planting should be carried out only in the autumn season. The shrub likes well-lit outdoor areas. In order for the plant to have a beautiful shape, sunlight must come from all sides, otherwise the branches will start to reach for the light themselves and as a result, the bush will bend. It is also worth considering that sunlight affects the fruiting of the berry, the more it is, the more berries.

So that the roots do not grow, the soil at the planting site, it is necessary to choose fertile. Adequate humus must be present in the soil for best growth. The roots of the irgi can go into the ground by about 3 meters, if ground water passes high at the landing site.

It is necessary to prepare a site for planting since spring. To do this, clear the soil of weeds and cover with a film before the autumn planting of a bush. Then remove the film, dig up the earth to a depth of 15 cm and add fertilizer.

The principle of a checkerboard pattern is suitable for planting several seedlings, in which case they will have enough space. The distance between the bushes is 50-150 cm. Irga is planted like gooseberries or raspberries. After planting, twigs of the plant are cut to 15 cm, leaving a couple of buds on each of them.

The plant does not need much care. All you need to do is water (if there is no rain), remove weeds around and add fertilizer if necessary. With proper care, the fruits may appear by the second half of next summer. But do not forget at all about this unpretentious plant, like any other.

Some cognitive facts

1. The botanical name of the shrub is Amelanchier. It speaks of a very sweet, honeyed berry taste. In botany, the fruit of the irgi is considered an apple.
2. There are nineteen species of this plant.
3. His homeland is North America. In Canada, a plant is used to make wines.In Russia, the bush appeared only at the beginning of the twentieth century.
4. All countries have their own name for this shrub. Germany - “rock pear”, Russia - “wine berry”, Italy - “willow dainty”.
5. If you eat 1 kg of berries at a time, it will cause an instant sleep.

Irgi Recipes

1. Wine. First you need to make sugar syrup. To do this, boil water, pour sugar into it and boil for a quarter of an hour, stirring constantly. Then squeeze the berries to get a liter of juice, and mix with syrup. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle, close the neck with plasticine, leaving a small hole for the tube. One end is inserted into the bottle so that the tube does not touch the drink, and the other into the glass with filtered water. This is necessary to eliminate the penetration of oxygen. In that case, if after 5 days the fermentation process has not started, you need to add the yeast. Then put the container in a warm place for 14-21 days. Fermentation will end when the liquid is separated into light and dark layers. Then strain the wort and bottle. To defend the wine for about 4 months.
2. Kvass. Pour ten liters of water into the pan and add 1 kg of washed berries crushed in a mortar. Bring the mixture to a boil, cool, put 2 cups of buckwheat honey and 30 g of yeast. The fermentation process occurs within half a day. Pour kvass into bottles and store in a cool place.
3. Jam. Mix 250 ml of water and 1 kg of granulated sugar, then put on low heat. Rinse the berries, add to sugar syrup and bring to a boil. So it is necessary to do 3-4 times with a frequency of 8-10 hours. Before completing the preparation, add 3 grams of citric acid to the mixture. This jam is stored in sterilized rolled cans.
4. Freezing berries for the winter. Peel the berries of the stalks, wash, dry and place on a baking sheet. Freeze during quick freezing, then pack them in small portions for easy storage and use.

Irga is a very mysterious plant, and few people know about its miraculous properties. It is extremely beneficial for a healthy body. Therefore, it is worthwhile to show interest in this shrub plant.

Video: Benefits of Irgi