Raspberry leaves

Description

A small shrub with complex non-pinnate, white-feathered leaves by below, white flowers with many stamens and crimson fruits — fragrant collected bones. Height up to 2 m. Several hundred cultivars of raspberries are known.

The time of flowering. June-July. Fruits ripen in July and August.

Distribution. It is found in the wild in the European part, the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It is widely cultivated as a berry plant. Homeland-middle Europe.

Habitat. It grows in shady forests, among shrubs, along forest edges, clearings, river banks, in ravines. It is cultivated in gardens.

The part used. Fruits, leaves, flowers, roots.

The time of collection. Leaves and flowers are collected in June – July, fruits-in July-August, roots-in autumn.

Chemical composition

Raspberry fruits contain organic acids — salicylic, malic, citric, formic, capronic; sugars (glucose — up to 4.3%, fructose — up to 8%, sucrose — up to 6.5%), tannins (up to 0.3%), pectin, nitrogenous and coloring substances, salts of potassium, copper, cyanine-chloride, acetoin, benzaldehyde, vitamin C (up to 45 mg), carotene (up to 0.3 mg), traces B vitamins and essential oil. Seeds contain fatty oil (up to 14.6%) and phytosterol (about 0.4%).

Application

Raspberry as a medicinal product was used in ancient times. Dry fruits brewed as tea are considered to be a good diaphoretic and antipyretic for colds. Fruits improve appetite, regulate the activity of the stomach and intestines, soothe pain in the gastrointestinal tract and are used when intoxicated ("against hops"). Fruits also have antiemetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In folk medicine of many countries, the infusion of fruits is taken as a diaphoretic and antipyretic for colds, fever and headache. The infusion is used as an anti-scurvy and as a means of stimulating the appetite and regulating the activity of the stomach and intestines.

Decoction of roots is drunk for malaria and as a hemostatic for hemorrhoids. Leaves have astringent (fixing), anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, hemostatic and "blood-purifying" action. An infusion or decoction of leaves is taken for diarrhea, stomach bleeding, excessive menstruation, coughing, respiratory diseases and fever. Infusion of leaves is also drunk for rashes, acne, lichen and other skin diseases and gargle them with sore throats. The flowers have anti-inflammatory and antitoxic properties.

Decoction of flowers is used for washing the face with acne, for apply lotion of eyes with their inflammation and for the treatment of erysipelas. In the past, the infusion of flowers was drunk as an antidote for the bites of venomous snakes and Scorpions. The mask of flowers and infusion of leaves are also used inside for women's diseases and hemorrhoids. A decoction of raspberry leaves with potash turns the hair black. This property of leaves is used for cosmetic purposes.

Method of application

4 teaspoons of raspberry leaves or fruit brew 2 cups of boiling water, insist for several hours in a closed container, strain. Take 1/2 glass 4 times a day. Drink the infusion warm.