How to take cranberries for colds?

In the winter-spring period, the body depletes all the “depot” of useful reserves.As a result, the immune system is weakened, and the first signs of a cold appear, which everyone is trying to prevent by taking expensive antiviral and antibacterial drugs. Do not rush to run to the pharmacy, think for a start about traditional medicine, less toxic to the body.

Cranberries are a creeping shrub that grows in swamps mainly in the north. This berry is so unique that it is used both in medicine and in pharmacy, cosmetology, cooking and other food industry.

Given the northern growth, not everyone will be able to pick this berry on their own. But you should not get upset, because in modern conditions you can buy cranberries in any supermarket freshly frozen or in the form of jam, in dried form or in filter bags in the pharmacy.

Small fruits of this shrub contain a huge amount of nutrients. Here is the chemical composition:

• Energy value - per 100 g of the product 38 kcal;
• Water 87 g;
• Proteins 0.39g;
• Fat 0,13g.

Organic acids:

• Lemon;
• Benzoin;
• Amber;
• Oxalic acid;
• Khinnaya;
• Apple;
• Olein and many others.

Sahara:

• Glucose;
• Fructose;
• Sucrose;
• Pectins.

Vitamins:

• Vitamin C;
• Thiamine;
• Riboflavin;
• Adermin;
• Pantothenic acid;
• A nicotinic acid;
• Vitamin K.

As well as other beneficial substances and trace elements:

• Bioflavonoids;
• Betaine;
• Anthocyanins;
• Catechins;
• Phenoacids;
• Iron;
• Copper;
• Molybdenum;
• Manganese;
• Iodine and many others.

In order to use the berries for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it is important to know what useful properties they possess. Cranberries are so unique that the range of its positive effects on the body is very large:

• A powerful tonic effect contributes to the overall and local immunity. That is why in the winter-spring period cranberries should be used not for treatment, but for prevention. Especially during the epidemics of influenza.
• Antimicrobial effect reduces the active processes of inflammation in the throat with SARS, as it suppresses and kills pathogenic bacteria. Folk healers call cranberries the best natural antibacterial agent against colds.
• Antitussive action. Medicinal decoctions of cranberries help get rid of cough for both children and adults.
• Regenerative properties: has a regenerating effect after inflammation, rehabilitates tissue after injury.
• The normalization of the metabolic process occurs due to a large number of different microelements and vitamins.

• Due to the content of ascorbic acid cranberry strengthens the walls of blood vessels and heart, while reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
• Interferes with development of oncological educations, and also brakes growth of cancer cells.
• Anesthetic property is not so pronounced, but is of no small importance for pain in the throat.
• Favorable complex effect on the urinary system in inflammatory diseases.
• Anti-anemic effect is very important, as cranberry improves the formation of important blood elements - red blood cells due to gland.
• And also because of the presence of antioxidants in cranberries, toxins and slags are removed from the body.

Each organism is individual, therefore there is A number of contraindications that should be considered when using cranberries:

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, enteritis, colitis, proctitis.This is one of the first contraindications, since the acids contained in the berry can cause exacerbation or complication of the disease. The use of this therapeutic raw material increases the acidity, which irritates the mucous membrane, which can later cause the formation of ulcers, erosion, bleeding.
• Hypersensitivity. For people who suffer from frequent allergic reactions, cranberries are also contraindicated. This can cause severe itching, swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which can lead to angioedema and complete asphyxia.
• Increased sensitivity of tooth enamel. High acid content dissolves weak tooth covering.
• Inflammation of the lips and mouth.
• Pregnancy and lactation are a relative contraindication. This refers to the excessive use of natural medicines, which can provoke various reactions of the body.

Cranberries with honey for sore throat:

• Berries - 1 cup (200 ml);
• 1 tablespoon honey.

The recipe is very simple. To begin, grind the berries, fresh or frozen. Then add honey in the resulting puree. You need to store this medicine in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

Cranberries with citrus at the onset of the disease:

• 1 glass of berries;
• 1 small lemon;
• 1 small orange.

Berries and fruits must be minced. Mix. Store in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

Cranberry tea for fever:

• Tablespoon dry berries;
• Filter package.

In the filter package, pour a tablespoon of berries and pour 200 ml of boiling water into the cup, brew. Give brew for 15-20 minutes. If there are fresh or frozen fruits, you can safely use them. In the absence of a filter package, just pour the berries on the bottom of the cup.

Cranberry tincture of cough:

• 400 mg of cranberries;
• 1 tablespoon honey;
• 0.5 water.
• 100 g of vodka.

It is necessary to grind the cranberries in a puree-like state and add vodka and water to the mixture. All this should be brought to a boil, and then cool and add honey.

Cranberry cold jam:

• Berries 1 kg;
• Apples 0.5 kg;
• Walnuts 1 cup (200 ml).

Cut apples into small cubes, add cranberries and water, so that the fruit is covered. We also fall asleep 1.5 kg of sugar and fill it with water. Boil for an hour on low heat. After the jam has cooled, add chopped walnuts. Pour into a jar, store in a dark cool place. You can also brew a spoonful of jam with boiling water and use as tea.

Compote with flu:

• 0.5 berries;
• 1 liter of water;
• 3 tablespoons of honey.

In the boiling water we fall asleep the fruit, cook over low heat. Then cool, add honey. This medicine is perfect for recuperation and improving the body's immunity against influenza.

Cranberry decoction:

• 1 glass of cranberries;
• 2 glasses of water.

Water boil, then pour the berries. Let it brew for 40 minutes. Can be used at elevated temperatures.

Cranberry juice to increase immunity:

• Ripe berries 300-400 mg;
• Enamelled container;
• 1.5 or 2 liters of water.

Berries can be used both fresh and frozen. It is necessary to make mashed potatoes, to do this, place the product in an enamelled container and grind to a pasty state. After that, you need to separate the juice from the puree, in the last pour water and boil. Remove from heat, cool and add fresh juice.

Below are recommendations on the use of the product, depending on the method of its preparation:

• Cranberries with honey from sore throat It is necessary to use 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day, best after meals.
• Cranberries With Citrus used mainly to improve immunity in the winter-spring period, as well as during epidemics, cold weather. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to consume no more than 4 tablespoons per day. For treatment of a cold or ARVI it is better to apply 6 times a day, preferably during or after a meal.
• Rich in vitamins warm tea best cook during illness. You can drink about 5 cups a day.Such a drug will help reduce the temperature, reduce inflammation, and also perfectly remove toxins formed during fever.
• Tincture cranberries should not be given to small children. This recipe is perfect for adults. On a tablespoon of tincture you need to drink 4 times a day.

• Jam - This is a favorite treat for children. Therefore, in the period of childhood colds, you can use 1 teaspoon of jam 3-4 times a day. Your child will not only enjoy sweets, but also recover. In the case of an adult, the dose should be increased. Apply the need for a tablespoon 4-6 times a day.
• Because compote It is not a concentrated drug, it can be used with almost no restrictions, which is why its dosage is much higher than in other recipes. Drink 1 glass 3-4 times a day.
• Cranberry decoction It is best to use at a high temperature of 3 tablespoons for 1 reception.
• Morse perfectly boosts immunity, so this is not a therapeutic, but a prophylactic. Drink this drink should be 1 glass 3 times a day.

Before using this natural medicine, it is best to contact your family doctor, who will take into account all your diseases, as well as your general health.

Make sure that you are not allergic before you decide to take cranberries. Store the raw materials correctly - in a dry cool dark place. If you have the opportunity to pick cranberries yourself, remember that the berry is most ripe and healthy after the first frost.

Do not abuse the medicinal delicacy, as it can cause allergies and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

On how to cook cranberry juice from a cold, see the following video.