The beneficial properties of sea buckthorn berries are widely known, but gardeners often do not think about the fact that other parts of this plant also have healing power. Let’s fix this and find out what and how you can use sea buckthorn leaves.
Useful properties of sea buckthorn leaves
They are rich in vitamins, and the vitamin C content is almost as good as berries, so they are successfully used for the preparation of vitamin teas, are included in herbal collections for the prevention and treatment of vitamin deficiency. In addition, sea buckthorn leaf tea improves appetite and has a mild calming effect (traditional medicine recommends it as one of the natural remedies for insomnia).
The leaves contain a lot of tannins, so decoctions of this raw material are an effective remedy for diarrhea; externally they are used for rinsing with sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, dental diseases.
Decoctions and tincture of leaves are used in folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and infusion — for diabetes mellitus. Infusion and powder from dry leaves treat colitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. For rheumatism and gout, the infusion is added to therapeutic baths.
Decoction of sea buckthorn leaves (recipe 1)
To prepare a decoction, pour 3 tablespoons of crushed dry leaves with 0.5 liters of boiling water and heat for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Then insist under the lid for 15-20 minutes, strain. This decoction is gargled (5-6 times a day) for sore throats, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
With angina, pneumonia, acute respiratory diseases, the decoction is also taken orally as a general tonic for 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals. To prepare a vitamin drink, the decoction can be mixed with sea buckthorn juice in equal parts and drunk 2 times a day for 1 glass half an hour before meals.
Decoction of sea buckthorn leaves (recipe 2)
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dry leaves into 1 liter of boiling water, boil over low heat for 5 minutes, and then insist under the lid for 15-20 minutes. Strain. Take 0.5 cups 3 times a day 20-30 minutes before meals for atherosclerosis (and for prevention), coronary heart disease.
Given the fixing effect of decoctions, they should not be used by those who suffer from constipation.
Infusion of leaves and berries from hair loss
With hair loss associated with stress, fatigue, vitamin deficiency, you can use this simple recipe. Mix in equal parts (by volume) the crushed leaves and fruits of sea buckthorn, 2 tablespoons of the mixture pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, wrap, insist for 3-4 hours, strain. In the morning and evening before meals, take 150 ml of the infusion, and rub it into the scalp at night.
Preparation of medicinal raw materials
The optimal time for harvesting leaves as medicinal raw materials is the period of budding and flowering (usually in May), although it is permissible to do this at other times — during the entire growing season.
For harvesting, it is recommended to choose leaves from the lower and middle part of the shoot (not apical). And of course, they must be healthy, without damage. The collected raw materials are dried in the shade under a canopy or in a well-ventilated room.