Properties of tinctures and liqueurs from black chokeberry

Homemade tinctures and liqueurs made from natural products and using pure alcohol base, have not only a pleasant taste, but also extremely useful healing properties.

The most popular and effective berry is black chokeberry. The ripe fruits of this plant have a unique composition, thanks to which tinctures of them can be used in the treatment of various diseases.

Tinctures made from chokeberry, prepared on alcohol-containing bases, have been known to folk medicine for quite some time. They have a really large set of useful properties that can be used both for the simple prevention of common colds, and for the treatment of more serious diseases.

Black rowan, or as it is also called - chokeberry, is one of the most valuable berries in terms of pharmacology. Its unusual healing properties are due to its rich chemical composition, which includes almost all the useful trace elements necessary for the body, many of which are irreplaceable. The biochemical composition of chokeberry is represented by the following components:

• Flavonoids. Different variants of this biological substance make up approximately 5% of the entire structure of the berry. They are an indispensable element for nourishing the cells of the body, especially the “white blood” components, which represents the natural immunity of any person.
• Various organic acids. Most of them have a pronounced antibacterial effect, promote the removal of various toxins from the body and have an antioxidant effect.
• Vitamins of group C, PP, B6 and B12. They all have a positive effect on the immune system, as well as strengthen the central and peripheral nervous system.
• Natural carbohydrates, including sucrose, fructose, glucose. All of them are an excellent source of energy for most cells of our body, and also have a tonic effect.

• A nicotinic acid. Improves cognitive functions of the brain, helps to strengthen neural connections. Periodic use of tinctures allows you to strengthen memory, emotional stability, stabilizes the sleep phase, promotes work that requires intellectual labor and concentration.
• Derivatives of iodine. This property of chokeberry is especially important for regions with iodine deficiency, in which the risk of developing thyroid parathyroid glands is increased.
• Tannins, which contribute to the reduction of inflammatory processes, as well as activation of the processes of natural regeneration and healing.
• Trace elements, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and some others.

Chokeberry is a unique ingredient for home remedies. Of course, it can be eaten, however, properly prepared tinctures and decoctions can preserve and even significantly improve its healing properties.

This unusual tool has a whole mass of useful properties:

• Stimulates the work of the heart, strengthens blood vessels and maintains their elasticity.
• It prevents the risk of atherosclerosis. In the presence of this disease significantly reduces the manifestations of ischemia.
• Reduces inflammation in the body. Excellent for skin dermatitis, acute allergic reactions, burns, eczema.
• Aronia berries improve glycemic processes, making it an excellent dietary supplement for diabetics.
• Stabilize the thyroid gland.
• Strengthens immunity, is an effective cure for colds, flu, rhinitis, tracheitis.
• It has a charitable effect on the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes peristalsis, facilitates the assimilation of all necessary food components.
• Strengthens the nervous system, stimulates intellectual activity, enhances the cognitive functions of the brain.

Aronia tinctures are not only tasty and are suitable for a family holiday, but can also be effectively used in the treatment of serious diseases. The main advantage of this tool is a completely natural basis. All substances contained in the berries of mountain ash, with ease, enter our body, therefore, have a higher rate of "accessibility" in contrast to synthetic drugs.

So, tinctures of rowan berries have proven to be effective in the treatment of such diseases:

• Hypertension or essential hypertension.
• Atherosclerotic disease. Organic acids in the composition of chokeberry, as well as elements of alcohol alcohol tincture, contribute to the rapid dissolution and removal of cholesterol from the vascular system.
• Various systemic diseases of the joints. Especially effective tincture of chokeberry in gout and arthritis. It is proved that the composition of the berries very effectively reduces the level of uric acid and urea.

• Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Aronia based medication can be used in case of anacid or hypocidal gastritis, that is, associated with low acidity in the stomach. Also, tinctures stimulate peristalsis well, so that they can cure atopic bowel syndrome.
• Avitaminosis and anemia. The berries contain many trace elements of iron, necessary for the natural synthesis of hemoglobin, and folic acid improves its absorption. In addition, Aronia contains a lot of other vitamins necessary for our body.
• Point hemorrhages, hemophilia.
• Infectious diseases. Rowan-based tinctures have a pronounced bactericidal effect, which has both a general and local effect.
• Inflammatory processes and diseases. Helps reduce swelling, redness, local inflammatory reactions and irritation.
• Due to the pronounced antioxidant effect, black chokeberry and tinctures based on it are well suited for allergic reactions or colds.
• Food poisoning, intoxication.
• Thyroid diseases, including thyrotoxicosis, diffuse or nodular goiter.

Of course, the benefits of the use of funds on the basis of chokeberry is very great. Nevertheless, like any full-fledged medicine, it has its own contraindications and can even cause harm.

So, chokeberry is indicated for hemophilia, vascular fragility, and point bleeding. Its effectiveness in the treatment of such pathologies is associated, in particular, with blood clots. As a result, the abuse of the fruits of mountain ash can cause varicose veins or even thrombosis.

In addition, tinctures from aronia are not recommended to use in the following cases:

• Peptic ulcers and gastritis, especially if they are associated with high acidity. An alcohol base can easily cause an exacerbation of the disease or even provoke bleeding.
• Varicose veins, predisposition to thrombophlebitis, high levels of hemoglobin or increased blood viscosity.

• Cystitis associated with the presence of urinary stones. Despite the fact that aronia has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, it cannot be used in this case. This is due to the fact that a high concentration of acids can provoke an exacerbation of urolithiasis.
• Given the effect of lowering blood pressure, it is not recommended for people with hypotension.
• The presence of hemorrhoids.
• Constipation associated with severe intestinal spasm.
• The presence of acute liver disease or exacerbation of chronic diseases, which can lead to dysfunction of this organ.
• Lack of renal function.
• Alcoholism.

In order for the tincture prepared at home, not to lose its healing properties, it is very important to follow the recipes, as well as to use only those berries that were properly harvested and stored.

It is considered that the most juicy and fresh mountain ash is best for making tinctures. These are berries that were harvested after the first frost. It is in such fruits Aroni contains the maximum number of all therapeutic elements.

Of course, you can use pre-dried berries. But in this case some nuances should be taken into account:

• Dried fruits of mountain ash is best crushed before making tinctures. So they better "give up" all the useful components.
• When using pre-harvested berries, the content of the main component should be reduced by exactly half.
• Also, the duration of infusion of such funds is extended by an average of 4-5 months.

Whatever berries you use, they must be properly prepared for further preparation of tincture. To do this, you should separate and discard all the immature, too small or rotten berries, leaves, twigs, stalks. Rinse the remaining raw materials in running water and dry.

There are quite a few recipes with which you can make a delicious liqueur. Most of them practically do not differ in their medicinal qualities, however, they give a wide variety of tastes. So, as the basis can be used vodka, moonshine, brandy, natural alcohol or products of natural fermentation.

The classic option is the preparation of choke tincture on moonshine. This recipe requires one liter of home-made moonshine with a strength of up to 60%, a kilogram of ripe black chokeberry berries, as well as 300–500 grams of sugar. The last ingredient is optional and is added to your own taste.

The recipe itself is as follows:

• Wash fruits, dry them, pour them into a container of thick, preferably dark glass.
• Pour the moonshine so that it covers the layer of berries on 3-4 cm above.
• Gently pour the sugar over the top.

• Tightly close the container with a lid and leave in a dark, dry room for 3-4 months.
• In the process of infusion, you can shake the bottle every 4–5 days.
• Once the tool is ready, it must be drained through cheesecloth. Used berries are discarded, and the tincture is bottled and stored in a dark, dry place.

You can also make tincture on vodka or alcohol. In this case, the recipe and its sequence remain the same, but instead of moonshine, ordinary vodka is used in the same volumes.

Very popular tincture of mountain ash with honey. They have a very unusual and pleasant taste, and also have an enhanced therapeutic effect for colds. The recipe is quite simple:

• 0.5 kg of ripe or chopped dry berries mixed with 0.5 liters of vodka or brandy, add 2–4 tablespoons of honey.
• Transfer the mixture to a dense glass container and tightly close the lid.
• Put the tincture in a warm and dark room for 3 months.
• Every 7 days, thoroughly stir the contents of the container.
• After the tincture is ready, it should be drained through gauze, bottled, corked and stored in the refrigerator for about 1–2 months.

No less effective is the tincture with cloves.For its preparation you will need: 1.5 kg of chokeberry berries, 3-4 buds of the carnation tree, 500 ml of vodka or brandy, 500 grams of granulated sugar. The cooking algorithm is as follows:

• In a pre-prepared bottle pour sugar and cast a clove.
• Berries need to be well crushed and add to the cloves and sugar.
• Close container tightly with gauze and leave in a dark dry place for 2–3 days.
• Remove the gauze, pour in vodka or brandy, close with a tight capron lid and let the medium brew for 2-3 months.
• The finished tincture should be drained, all solid contents discarded, and the drink bottled and stored in the refrigerator.

An unusual taste with a pleasant "sourness" can be made with the addition of lemon. It improves immunomodulatory properties, as well as gives the tincture a pleasant aroma.

This recipe will require:

• 3 fresh lemons;
• 1 kg of berries;
• 0.7 liters of vodka or brandy;
• 200 ml of water;
• sugar to taste.

Warm boiled water should be mixed with sugar, and then add squeezed lemon juice and alcohol. Pour the washed berries into ready-mixed mixture, place in a glass container, close the lid tightly and set for 3 weeks in a dry place.

Also interesting is the method of preparing the tincture by fermentation, that is, without the use of an alcohol base. To do this, you need a few sticks of vanilla, orange peel, 1 kg of chokeberry berries and 3 kg of granulated sugar. Berries should be ground with sugar, add vanilla and zest to them, put in a dense glass container and cover with gauze. The mixture should ferment in a dark, dry room for at least 3 months, and should be thoroughly mixed every 3-4 days. When the fermentation process is over, strain the infusion, bottle it, close it tightly and store in the fridge for another 3 months.

There are many recommendations on how to take such infusions. For the treatment of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, the medicine is taken in 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day in a course of 1 month.

You can also drink 100 grams of tincture to calm the nervous system. The use of such a tool in the evening will enhance sleep and ease the awakening.

Alcohol-based tincture retains its qualities for three years. To prevent it from deteriorating ahead of time, it should be kept in a tightly closed glass container in the refrigerator. Also any other dry and cool place, where the sunlight does not get, is suitable.

In the next video, see the recipe for tincture of chokeberry on moonshine or vodka.