Dogwood: benefit and harm to the body

Benefits and harms of dogwood have long been known and used in folk medicine for the treatment of disorders of the digestive system, as well as to combat colds. Despite the fact that this plant is cultivated in our latitudes than one hundred years, its popularity is not too high. And this is somewhat unfair, because the useful properties of the plant is more than cover the negative effects of its application.

Looks like and where it grows dogwood

The Turkic name of the plant means "red". Ripe fruits have a distinct rich red color, which is reflected in its name.

This culture - high (up to 5 m) shrub having several major stems and fibrous root system. The leaves of the plant are oval-shaped and slightly pointed at the ends. Their size is up to 8 cm. The shape and size of a variety of berries. The average weight of berries is in the range of 6-8 It is a drupe with juicy pulp and elongated bone.

In the wild plant is found in the Caucasus and Asia Minor, and its cultivated forms occupy vast areas of Germany to the Urals. It can also be found on the Adriatic coast, and near St. Petersburg.

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The composition and caloric content of dogwood

The composition includes 100g dogwood vitamin C in an amount of 25-150 mg (depending on species) and PP - 166 micrograms. List of vitamins is low, however, this is more than compensated by their total mass.

According to the content of vitamin C surpasses dogwood plants such as lemon, currants and is the absolute leader in the vegetable kingdom, the content of this vitamin. It immediately displays it in medicinal plants, which are obliged to be on site.

The mineral composition of 100 g of berries presented by such trace elements:

potassium - 363 mg;
Calcium - 58 mg;
phosphorus - 34 mg;
Sodium - 32 mg;
magnesium - 26 mg;
iron - 4 mg.

In berries contained about 17% sugar, glucose and fructose presented. The latter a little more, because the glycemic index dogwood is relatively small. Its value is 25, which is a relatively low value among the sugar-containing plants.

Also berries contain a total of about 2 grams acid:

amber;
malic;
citric.

Dogwood rich on flavonoids, tannins and volatile.

Calorie 100 g of berries is 40.4 kcal. In this case, the energy value of the product is as follows:

proteins - 1%
fat - 0%;
carbohydrates - 9,8%.

The amount of water in berries is from 85 to 87%.

The dogwood is useful for the organism

Dogwood benefits for human organism lies in its chemical composition. The first thing that catches the eye - it is a high concentration of vitamin C in the berries The role of ascorbic acid to human body overemphasized.

Its main role - is to ensure the normal operation of the connective tissue and bone tissue. In addition, this acid acts as a regulator of some metabolic process, and is an antioxidant. An important positive property dogwood is that it in 100 grams daily dose contains ascorbic acid.

The presence of the substance immediately involves the use of Cornus in any form for the treatment and prevention of colds.

dogwood berries are used as adjunct therapy for gastritis. They are used, and in the prevention of this disease.

In various forms, dogwood used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Contained in the pulp of the berries and seeds volatile have a strong antibacterial effect and are used in infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The use of dried dogwood for an organism is its assistance in combating anemia. Such use of berries due to the high content of iron.

The fruits of the plants to help get rid of the pain in the joints. Marked positive effect decoction of berries for rheumatism and arthritis. This is largely explained by the properties of berries bind and rid the body of oxalic acid.

The plant has a moderate choleretic and diuretic action and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it possible to use it in the case of kidney and liver.