Common bird cherry

Popular names: Asian bird cherry, glotikha, bellflower, wild cherry.

Bird cherry (Padus avium Mill.)A large deciduous shrub or tree of the Rosaceae family, up to 10 m tall, with a dense elongated crown, matte, cracking dark gray bark, on which large rusty-brown or white lenticels clearly stand out. The inner layer of the bark is yellow, with a characteristic almond smell. Young branches are light olive, short-pubescent, later cherry-red, glabrous; the bark is yellow on the inside, with a sharp characteristic odor. The leaves are alternate, short-petiolate, oblong-elliptical, narrowed at both ends, serrate-toothed along the edge. White, strongly scented flowers are collected in many-flowered drooping racemes. The fruit is a black, glossy, spherical, tart-tasting, highly astringent drupe with one seed. The stone is round-ovoid, sinuous-notched. Blossoms in May, fruits ripen in July – August. Propagated vegetatively (by root shoots, cuttings), less often by seeds (bones). It blooms profusely every year, but does not bear fruit every year, as its flowers are damaged by late spring frosts, and the trees themselves are attacked by numerous pests, especially near cities and large villages. Distributed in the European part of the CIS, Western Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist and damp soils in black alder and broad-leaved forests, also on silty soils along streams and rivers, often in floodplains. Prefers moist, fertile soils with a close occurrence of groundwater. The densest populations of bird cherry are found in mixed thickets of shrubs. The fruits of bird cherry were used by people of the Stone Age, as evidenced by the results of archaeological excavations. Using them for food

COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS

Medicinal raw materials are the fruits of bird cherry (Fructus Padi). Collect them in dry weather. The best harvest time is in the morning (after the dew has gone) and late afternoon. When collecting bird cherry fruits, you can not cut its axial shoots, and during flowering – break branches. Put them in baskets and no later than 3-4 hours after collection they are delivered to the place of drying. It is better to dry the bird cherry fruits in dryers, making sure that the raw material temperature does not exceed 40-50°C. Drying in Russian ovens is allowed. In good weather, the fruits can be dried in the sun, scattering them in a layer within 1-2 cm on nets or on a bedding made of cloth and paper, stirring occasionally. After drying, brushes, stalks and burnt fruits are removed. The shelf life of raw materials is 3-5 years. The raw material has a slight smell and a sour-sweet taste. In the folds of dry fruits, whitish-gray or reddish deposits of crystallized sugar are visible. Flowers are harvested during the flowering period. The shelf life of raw materials is 1 year. The bark is harvested in early spring. It is dried in the open air, in ventilated rooms or in dryers at a temperature within 40°C. The shelf life of raw materials is 5 years.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

A decoction of bird cherry fruits, due to the presence of tannins and organic acids in them, has a pronounced astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. Anthocyanins with P-vitamin activity have a capillary-strengthening effect. The combination of tannins and anthocyanins provides a stable anti-inflammatory effect.

APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE

Bark. In homeopathy – as a tonic and sedative; with headaches, diseases of the heart, organs of the gastrointestinal tract. In folk medicine – for the treatment of venereal diseases, with leucorrhoea, intermittent fever, respiratory infections, suffocation, stomach cramps; decoction – for dysentery; as a diuretic and diaphoretic; infusion – rinsing with toothache; rubbing – for rheumatism. Branches (young), bark (fresh). In the form of essences – in homeopathy; in folk medicine, decoction – as a diaphoretic, diuretic; with articular and muscular rheumatism, dermatoses. Leaves. In Tibetan medicine – for diarrhea in babies; locally – with furunculosis. Infusion (in the form of rinses) – with caries. Alcohol tincture – for rheumatism, gout. Leaves, fruits. Juice – for the treatment of infected wounds. Leaves, fruits, flowers. Juice (in the form of douches) – with trichomonas colpitis; in the form of poultices – for cleansing and healing wounds and bedsores. Flowers. Decoction – with gangrene of the extremities, pulmonary tuberculosis. Infusion, decoction – contraceptive. Infusion – for washing wounds, ulcers, eyes. Flowers, fruits. Juice – antiemetic for kids. Fruits. Auxiliary agent for infectious colitis and diarrhea; diaphoretic, diuretic, antiscorbutic, antituberculous. Infusion – lotions for blepharoconjunctivitis. Included in the gastric tea. Juice is prescribed as a diaphoretic, antiscorbutic, diuretic, anti-tuberculosis agent. Mixed with blueberry juice, it is indicated for gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by diarrhea. In addition, the juice is used for fever, metabolic disorders, gangrene, pulmonary tuberculosis. Seeds.

DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES

A decoction of bird cherry fruits: 10 g (1 tablespoon) of raw materials are brewed with a glass of boiling water, boiled for 20 minutes, then filtered. boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter, squeeze. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take 1/2 cup every day 30 minutes before meals as an astringent. ♦ Juice from bird cherry fruits is prescribed 1/2 cup with a spoon of honey 3 times every day 30 minutes before meals. ♦ Decoction of bird cherry bark: 10 g of raw materials are boiled in 200 ml of water for 10 minutes, insist 2 hours, then filter. Take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times daily. ♦ A decoction of bird cherry leaves: 20 g of raw materials are boiled in 200 ml of water for 5 minutes, then filtered. Take 1/4 cup 3-4 times every day.♦ Infusion of bird cherry flowers: 10 g of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes, then filtered. collection and dosage, since seeds, flowers, leaves and bark contain amygdalin glycoside, which can be broken down into glucose and hydrocyanic acid, which is very poisonous. Bird cherry preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy. * The leaves are poisonous to geese (possible poisoning of other species of birds and animals). insist 10 minutes, then filter. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: when using bird cherry for medicinal purposes, it will be necessary to strictly follow the rules for collection and dosage, since the seeds, flowers, leaves and bark contain amygdalin glycoside, which can break down into glucose and hydrocyanic acid, which very poisonous. Bird cherry preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy. * The leaves are poisonous to geese (possible poisoning of other species of birds and animals). insist 10 minutes, then filter. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: when using bird cherry for medicinal purposes, it will be necessary to strictly follow the rules for collection and dosage, since the seeds, flowers, leaves and bark contain amygdalin glycoside, which can break down into glucose and hydrocyanic acid, which very poisonous. Bird cherry preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy. * The leaves are poisonous to geese (possible poisoning of other species of birds and animals).

APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS

The wood is suitable for turning and furniture production. From the bark, a green and brown-red color is obtained. Fruits in everyday life in the form of flour are used in baking pies and confectionery, fresh – filling for pies. In the alcoholic beverage industry – for the manufacture of tinctures and liqueurs. Crushed fruits infuse white wines. Powder from the bark in veterinary medicine – for sprinkling long-term non-healing wounds, as an insecticide. Phytoncides of bird cherry fruits have a detrimental effect on mold fungi, flies, mosquitoes, horseflies, and crushed leaves on the Colorado potato beetle, its larvae and eggs. Honey plant, gives the bees a lot of nectar and pollen, and sometimes honeydew. Decorative, especially spectacular forms with weeping branches, double flowers and colorful leaves. Bred in gardens and parks. Recommended for single and group landings. Grows well on loose sands.

TASTY TIPS

Dried bird cherry.

Select ripe fruits of bird cherry with stalks when they lose their tart and astringent taste. Drying starts at 40-50°C and ends at 60-65°C. Separate the dried fruits from the stalks.

Bird cherry flour.

Dry the ripe fruits of bird cherry, grind into flour. Store in a dry ventilated area. Use as an additive to wheat flour when baking bread (25-50%).

Bird cherry mashed with sugar.

Wash the bird cherry fruits, remove the stalks, boil in a small amount of water, rub through a stainless steel sieve. Add sugar (for 1 kg of puree – 250-300 g of sugar). Mix well, put in jars and pasteurize for 20-25 minutes in boiling water.

Kvass from bird cherry.

Pour dried bird cherry fruits (500 g) with water (4 l), heat to a boil, cook for 20 minutes, cool (in air), add 300-400 g of sugar and leave for 12 hours, then add 2 l of warm water, add 200 g sugar and 10 g yeast and leave for 12 hours to ferment. Strain and pour into bottles. After 2-3 days kvass is ready.

Coffee drink made from bird cherry flour.

Grind bird cherry flour (2 teaspoons) with sugar (to taste). Brew like coffee. Drink with milk, cream.

Kissel from bird cherry flour.

Dilute bird cherry flour (250 g) in water (500 ml), add sugar (150 g), bring to a boil, pour in diluted starch (50 g), boil.

Kissel from bird cherry.

Bird cherry fruits (200 g) bring to a boil, drain the broth, rub through a sieve. Mix the mass with the broth, stir, strain, put sugar or honey (20 g), bring to a boil, pour in the diluted starch (5-10 g).

Compote from cherry fruits.

Mature fruits (1 kg) blanch for 2 minutes, drain, put in a saucepan, pour 20% sugar syrup (300 g of sugar per 1.2 l of water) for 5-7 hours. Then drain the syrup, arrange the fruits in jars, pour boiling water again syrup, cover with lids and pasteurize at a temperature of 85 ° C: half-liter jars – 15 minutes, liter – 25 minutes. Cork.

Compote from the fruits of bird cherry and wild rose.

Rose hips (1 cup) clear of seeds, rinse thoroughly, add sugar (50 g), bird cherry fruits (1 cup) and boil in water (800 ml) until tender.

Stuffing for bird cherry pies.

1. Grind bird cherry flour (250 g) with sugar (15 g), add malt (25 g) and, adding water, bring to the consistency of the filling.2. Bird cherry fruits (500 g) blanch for 2 minutes, drain the water. Rub the fruits through a sieve (to remove the seeds), add sugar (50 g), grind.

Cherry fruit jam.

Pour the fruits (1 kg) with sugar (1.2 kg) for 12 hours. Then drain the juice, cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, put the fruits in it and cook until tender. Before the end of cooking, you can add citric acid.