Tea made from currant leaves. How to ferment currant leaves at home? Black currant leaves: contraindications for use
" Currant
Currant leaves are a gift from nature, possessing a wide range of beneficial properties for the internal health of the body and external beauty. This is an accessible raw material for the preparation of medicinal infusions and decoctions, culinary preparations and cosmetics. The beneficial properties of blackcurrant leaves are recognized by official medicine, and extracts are used by beauty concerns to prepare expensive care products.
The beneficial properties of each product for the human body are determined by the substances predominant in their composition, the combination of vitamins and macroelements.
During the flowering of the bush, a record amount of vitamin C accumulates in currant leaves (260 mg%). This is 1.5-2 times more than in the fruits of the crop, which is achieved due to the low content of enzymes that destroy ascorbic acid. Vitamin C contained in 100 g of product significantly exceeds the daily requirement of the human body (90 mg).
Without the participation of vitamin C, the formation of collagen and connective tissue is impossible. It ensures the density of bone and dental tissue, elasticity and firmness of the skin. Therefore, the external beauty of our body partly depends on vitamin C.
The organic compound regulates the process of blood clotting, reduces the permeability of vascular walls and suppresses the development of inflammatory processes. These properties are excellent for the prevention and auxiliary treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertension, vascular pathologies and viral diseases.
Vitamin C is not synthesized in the body, so it must be supplied steadily through food. The organic compound is easily destroyed by mechanical damage and improper heat treatment. Therefore, fresh currant leaves are used whole and placed only in boiling water.
Currant leaves differ in the content of polyphenolic compounds that is significant for the human body:
- flavonols 2700 mg%;
- free catechins 941 mg%;
- condensed catechins 4414 mg%;
- proanthocyanidins 2174 mg%;
- bioflavonoids 7365 mg%.
These are strong natural antioxidants that suppress the development of free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that oxidize and destroy healthy cells. Excessive formation of free radicals disrupts all biochemical processes in the body, promotes malignant transformation of connective tissue. Therefore, currant leaves are useful for the diet of people after treatment for cancer or with a hereditary predisposition to it.
The benefits of currant leaves for people who smoke, live in areas with a predominance of background radiation and in cities with polluted air are undeniable. Natural antioxidants resist toxic substances and help eliminate them from the body.
Currant leaves contain an impressive amount of essential macronutrients:
- magnesium 370 mg%;
- calcium 327 mg%;
- potassium 178 mg%;
- phosphorus 7.5 mg%;
- sodium 2 mg%.
These minerals are responsible for the strength and growth of bones, the health of muscle mass and the motor function of the body.
The predominance of magnesium and potassium in currant leaves is especially useful for heart function and the prevention of heart attack. These macroelements strengthen the myocardium (heart muscle), regulate blood flow and restore heart rhythm.
In addition to the benefits, currant leaves can also cause harm to the body. The herbal component cannot be used in case of increased acidity of the body, acute gastritis and stomach ulcers, hepatitis. If you have chronic pathologies, it is important to consult a doctor before use.
A contraindication to the use of currants in any form is thrombophlebitis. Blackcurrant leaves should not be overused, because of them, blood clotting may increase.
You should not take a decoction based on black currant leaves if gastric acidity is increased, if you have a peptic ulcer or an inflammatory process in the duodenum. Large quantities of medications should not be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding, they lead to side effects and various allergic reactions.
Application of black and red currant leaves
Currant leaves can be used all year round. Thanks to the phytoncides in their composition, the beneficial substances of the plant are preserved almost in their natural form when dried and frozen.
Decoctions and infusions - benefits and harms
In addition to the undoubted medicinal properties, decoctions and infusions of currant leaves have a wonderful aroma.
When used systematically and correctly, they have a high therapeutic effect during prevention and treatment:
- bronchopulmonary diseases;
- inflammatory and cold pathologies;
- hypertension;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- atherosclerosis;
- dysentery;
- diabetes
The plant component strengthens the immune system, visual functions, regulates the functioning of the liver and kidneys. Decoctions and infusions are used for daily cleansing of the skin, and lotions are applied to problem areas.. Such procedures suppress inflammatory processes in skin cells, a common cause of acne and systemic facial sepsis.
Therapeutic baths
The anti-inflammatory properties of currant leaves significantly alleviate the manifestation of dermatitis and other skin diseases.
Currant leaf baths are used to treat:
- all types of dermatitis;
- prickly heat in children;
- diathesis;
- radiculitis.
A bath of currant leaves is an excellent way to nourish the cells of the skin, nails and hair with beneficial substances. It is a good alternative for many spa treatments for women.
Healthy tea
Currant leaf tea is a good addition to your daily diet.. The drink has tonic and restorative properties. This is a worthy replacement for more aggressive drinks tea and coffee.
The diuretic properties of tea complement complex treatment:
- renal pathologies (cystitis, pyelonephritis)
- urolithiasis;
- gout (removal of uric acids);
- swelling.
Tea is especially beneficial for older people. At this time, significant disturbances in metabolism, blood circulation and the functioning of the nervous system occur in the body. The structures of the heart wear out and require increased support from nutrients supplied with food.
Tea made from currant leaves is a source of significant macroelements and vitamins, the mild effect of which does not disrupt the natural functioning of the body. The drink has no age restrictions and will be useful for children and adults.
Recipes for medicinal and cosmetic products
Treatment with currant leaves has been practiced for a long time; in addition, the beneficial properties of the plant component are constantly being studied. Therefore today we can use the best recipes for medicinal and cosmetic products from currant leaves.
Popular recipes:
- Decoction. To prepare the remedy, dry and crushed leaves (4 tbsp) are placed in boiling water (1 l) and kept in a water bath for 30 minutes. Strain and cool. Take 200 ml 3 times a day.
- Infusion. Dry raw materials (5 tbsp) are poured into a thermos and poured with boiling water (1 l). Leave for 2-3 hours, filter and cool. Take 100 ml 3-4 times a day. Using the infusion, lotions are made during acne inflammation. To do this, moisten a piece of gauze in a medicinal product and apply it to problem areas for 15 minutes.
- Therapeutic bath. You can also use plant branches to prepare a bath. To do this, 1 kg of raw material is poured with 10 liters of water and boiled for 30 minutes. After this, cover the dishes with a lid and leave for 1 hour, filter and add to the bath. The duration of the procedure is 25 minutes, the recommended frequency is 2 times a week.
- Tea. In summer, it is better to brew tea from fresh currant or raspberry leaves. To do this, leaves (5-6 pieces) are placed in boiling water (250 ml), kept on fire for 1 minute and left for 2-3 minutes. To improve the taste, add a spoonful of honey. Tea can be brewed with the addition of mint, in which case you will get a good sedative that promotes healthy sleep.
- Antiseptic compress. The treatment procedure is recommended for those with oily, acne-prone skin. Dried currant leaves (20 g), chamomile flowers (30 g), sea buckthorn fruits (50 g) are poured with boiling water (1 l) and exposed to a water bath for 20 minutes. Cool and filter. A gauze cloth soaked in the broth is applied to the face for 10-15 minutes. The recommended course of treatment is 5 days.
- Mask for the face. Chopped fresh leaves (6 pcs.) and curdled milk (150 ml) are thoroughly mixed and squeezed through gauze. The nourishing mixture is applied to the face and left for 20 minutes. In winter, an infusion of dry raw materials can be used as a component. The mask lightens pigments, evens out complexion, and has a softening effect.
Currant leaves are used not only for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Their extraordinary aroma makes them an excellent addition to salads and hot dishes. The leaves are also indispensable for preserving vegetables. The high content of phytoncides in their composition protects products from decay during long-term storage.
Collection and storage
Currant leaves will be useful only if properly prepared. The leaves are collected during currant flowering, when the content of vitamins and macroelements reaches its maximum. Collection is carried out at minimal ambient humidity.
To do this, choose a day without precipitation, a period between 10-12 hours, when the morning dew dries. Pluck off whole leaves of young shoots without signs of disease. Dry on the surface of the fabric in a dry and ventilated area without exposure to sunlight..
Store the product in tight fabric bags or glass jars, closed with a lid. The beneficial properties of raw materials are preserved for 2-3 years.
Despite the huge potential of healing and beneficial properties for the human body, currant leaves are unfairly pushed aside. This can be explained by the easy availability of raw materials and the lack of complete information about the amazing plant component. Therefore, it is important to take a closer look at the modest plants around us, the names of which are often mentioned in the composition of expensive creams and medicines.
As summer approaches, refreshing fruit teas made from the leaves and berries of fruit bushes and trees are becoming increasingly popular. Black currants are one of the first to begin to turn green and bloom. From its young leaves you can make a very tasty and, most importantly, healing tea. Having studied the benefits and harms of currant leaf tea, you can bring your body maximum positive sensations.
Beneficial properties of currant leaves
Despite the fact that most people eat only its berries, it is one of those fruit bushes in which benefits can be derived from almost everything, including the leaves. In their composition you can find many substances necessary for the body, including:
- vitamin C in fairly large quantities;
- tannins;
- phytoncides, flavonoids;
- mineral salts of manganese, magnesium, copper, etc.
A large amount of vitamins, led by vitamin C, makes tea from currant leaves indispensable for combating vitamin deficiency or strengthening the immune system during colds. It is also able to speed up the recovery of the body after a serious illness, and restore vigor after prolonged fatigue. Do not forget that vitamin C is a fairly strong antioxidant that can prevent the development of cancer, as well as premature aging of body cells.
The high content of phytoncides makes decoctions and infusions of currant leaves an excellent antiseptic, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent that can act on a par with medications. Currant leaves are often used in the treatment of ulcers or gastritis, anemia or atherosclerosis, and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Tea with currant leaves will quickly eliminate coughs and help overcome colds, bronchitis, flu, whooping cough or sore throat.
Thanks to their properties, infusions and decoctions of currant leaves help maintain vigor even in old age, maintain mental clarity and excellent vision. In addition, this drink has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and blood pressure problems.
Tea made from currant leaves is very useful for normalizing the functioning of all organs of the digestive system and improving appetite. Thanks to the active components included in their composition, the body gains the ability to obtain and absorb much more essential vitamins and minerals from food.
Indications for use
Due to its wide range of beneficial properties, currant leaves, either fresh or in the form of tea, decoction or infusion, can be used to treat a wide variety of health problems. They are used:
- with bleeding;
- metabolic disorders;
- for kidney disease, tendency to edema;
- for the prevention of diabetes;
- reducing blood pressure;
- improved appetite;
- for colds, flu.
Currant leaves can destroy the dysentery bacillus, which is why they are often used in complex treatment, enhancing the effect of antibiotics. Also, the greens of this shrub are included in multivitamin mixtures made from various medicinal herbs and plants.
In Tibetan medicine, tea from currant leaves is used to treat tuberculosis of the lymph glands, colds, general malaise, and diseases of the genitourinary system.
Contraindications
While studying the benefits, we must not forget about the possible harm of currant leaf tea. Even if it just comes down to individual intolerance. If you don’t know if you have an allergy to currants, you should start with very small portions to make sure there is no allergy.
Also, you should not abuse this drink, although no side effects have been identified so far. However, currant tea is a medicinal drink, which means it is worth observing in moderation.
- hepatitis;
- increased blood clotting;
- thrombophlebitis;
- increased acidity.
You should also be careful when taking this tea during pregnancy, without abusing it. Also, during this period you should not brew currant juice - you cannot take it until 37 weeks, so as not to provoke a miscarriage or premature birth. The tea itself, made from currant leaves, in reasonable quantities, will help a pregnant woman cope with toxicosis, insomnia, and strengthen the immune system and the walls of the uterus.
Cooking recipes
By learning how to make tea from blackcurrant leaves, you can get one of your favorite drinks in your collection. It is easy to prepare, the taste is pleasant, and the aroma reminds of summer. To prepare tea, you can use either fresh, just picked leaves, or dried or frozen leaves. If desired, they can be crushed or brewed whole - this does not affect the taste.
It is better to collect fresh leaves in the spring, when the currants begin to bloom. If the moment is missed, you can get raw materials for tea later – in June. They are collected in dry weather, waiting until the morning dew has left the leaves. It is important to choose intact, healthy leaves that have a rich green color.Basic – classic – recipe
In the simplest version of preparing tea, you just need to pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon of crushed leaves. The drink is infused for about a quarter of an hour, then filtered and drunk. If you have a habit of sweet teas, you can add a spoonful of sugar, or better yet, honey.
You can add berries and currant branches to this tea. After brewing, it is better to mash the berries with a spoon so that they give the maximum of their potential to the tea. Berries and shoots will enhance the healing effect and improve the taste and aroma of the drink.
You can also combine currant leaves with your usual black or green tea. To do this, take 1 teaspoon of tea leaves and 2 tablespoons of chopped currants (fresh or dried).
Fresh leaves are washed thoroughly. Then they are crushed and placed together with tea in a teapot. The mixture is poured with boiling water and left for 15 minutes.
Tea for colds
This recipe is well suited for the autumn-winter period, when it is especially important to strengthen the immune system. It is recommended to supplement the resulting infusion with honey to enhance its antiviral effect.
To prepare tea you will need one teaspoon each of raspberry and currant leaves. They are poured with a glass of hot water and left for about 15-20 minutes.
Mint and currant tea
The combination of currant leaves and mint gives the tea a calming effect. This drink eliminates sleep problems and cleanses the body. And in addition, it has all the above beneficial properties of currant leaves.
Required components:
- currant leaves;
- mint;
- Melissa;
- Black tea.
All components are mixed in a ratio of 2:1:1:0.5. It is very convenient to prepare the mixture in advance, and then brew it as needed at the rate of 1 tablespoon of the mixture per glass of hot water. Tea with currants and mint is also infused for about a quarter of an hour.
Vitamin collection
Another useful source of vitamins can be obtained by combining one part each of raspberry and strawberry leaves with two parts of currant leaves. Fresh leaves are washed in cool water, placed in a teapot and filled with hot water (about 0.5 l). This drink is also infused for about 15 minutes, after which it is drunk with honey.
Tea made from currant leaves offers complete freedom in choosing additives - you can combine currants with blackberry leaves, jasmine flowers, apples, leaves, fruits and flowers of any other fruit trees or shrubs, each time getting a new drink. Which will be equally healthy and tasty!
Brewed herbs, fruits and leaves of fruit trees and shrubs are a time-tested alternative to traditional tea. In addition, the drinks have a pleasant aroma, unusual taste, and, what is important, have a beneficial effect on the body, and those who prepare herbal raw materials themselves also save money.
We offer a detailed look at tea made from currant leaves, the benefits and harms of which have long been studied by herbalists and repeatedly tested by connoisseurs of herbal products. It can be prepared either alone or mixed with raspberry branches, lingonberries, strawberries, mint and other ingredients. But absolutely all natural “medicines” have contraindications, and this is no exception. Therefore, let's find out: to whom, and in what cases, this drink is indicated, and how to properly prepare phyto-raw materials for brewing it.
Beneficial properties of currant leaf tea
Valuable pharmacological raw materials are all above-ground parts of the plant (preferably wild plants). If we talk specifically about leaves, it is better to collect them from bushes with black berries.
Currant leaf tea: contraindications for use
In moderate quantities, the drink is dangerous only for allergy sufferers who react to any of its components.
Doctors warn about the potential harm of currant tea for patients with gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by hypersecretion; thrombophlebitis; during the rehabilitation period after a heart attack.
Pregnancy is not included in the list of contraindications.
Excessive enthusiasm for the miracle potion is dangerous due to the content of esters and ascorbic acid in it. The latter element increases the release of oxalates, which can lead to the formation of kidney stones, and increases the level of iron in the blood.
It is preferable to choose young shrubs that grow in areas with clean ecology. Parts of the plant that are dried out, damaged by fungus (with black specks) or aphids are not suitable for treatment.
Temporary nuances depend on the purpose of using raw materials.
To prepare a general tonic drink, leaves collected in May, during the flowering period of currants, are excellent as an additive to preparations.
For the prevention of colds, leaves harvested after the berries have ripened are more suitable.
Collection time is late morning on a warm sunny day, when the dew has disappeared.
How to dry and store currant leaves
The medicinal semi-finished product is laid out in a thin layer in a metal tray or on regular newspaper. Keep in a well-ventilated attic or outside in the shade. They check periodically to remove spoiled raw materials.
If you have an electric dryer, you can speed up the process by using it.
It is advisable to store dry currant leaves in cloth bags or paper bags.
An alternative method is fermentation. To do this, freshly collected material is kept outside in the shade for 24 hours, stirring it periodically to ensure even drying. Then they are folded in layers of 5-10 pieces, which are rolled into rolls. The blanks are placed tightly in an enamel container, covered with a slightly damp cloth, and kept for 6-12 hours in a warm place. Then it is dried in the oven. Ideally, the finished material, if squeezed in a fist, forms a dense lump.
Tea made from fermented currant leaves has a richer taste, rich color and a breathtaking berry aroma.
For a long time, currants have been used to prepare drinks, winter preparations and even medicines. The berries and leaves of this crop are rich in minerals and vitamins beneficial to the human body. It is no coincidence that currant tea is recommended for consumption by people with reduced immunity, as well as those who suffer from a lack of vitamins.
Properties of the shrub
Currant is a plant 1-4 m high with a strong root system. You can recognize the plant by its straight, elongated branches of red-brown or gray color. Currant leaves consist of several lobes and have a jagged, rounded shape. Their color depends on the variety, so you can find both bright green and dull green leaves.
Decorative varieties have unusual foliage colors: red-orange and crimson, which changes depending on the time of year. For the most part, the currant crop is a deciduous shrub, but in tropical areas you can also find evergreen species.
The plant blooms in mid-spring and, depending on the species, can produce white, yellow, pink or red flowers. Currant fruits can be round or oval in shape. Their color can be black, red, white, yellow or purple. As for taste, a lot depends on the plant variety. The berries can taste sour, sweet, sour, and sometimes tasteless.
Useful qualities
Currants contain many vitamins, which determine the beneficial qualities of the plant. Vitamin C is quite pronounced, found not only in berries, but also in leaves, buds, buds and flowers. In addition to ascorbic acid, the fruits contain vitamins A and B - groups.
Recipes based on currants are used for many health problems. For example, they are used for high blood pressure or high glucose levels. Currants also help restore the immune system after severe viral diseases.
Currant decoctions have laxative and diuretic properties. They can also help with mild forms of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Contraindications
Despite the many positive qualities, currants have a number of contraindications. For example, eating currants can be harmful to health due to hepatitis, venous thrombosis, allergies, increased stomach acidity and increased blood clotting.
What parts of the plant can be used?
In order to experience all the amazing properties of currants, it is not necessary to eat fresh berries or resort to fruit-based recipes. To treat diseases in the field of dermatology or improve immunity, you can use decoctions based on the leaves, buds and even shoots of the plant.
Currant leaves contain vitamins, phytoncides, minerals and flavonoids. The rich citric acid content makes the leaves essential for vitamin deficiencies and a suppressed immune system. Based on them, drugs are made to restore strength after illness, as well as to prevent the occurrence of cancer. Leaf tinctures help disinfect wounds and relieve inflammation.
Currant leaves are good for treating gout and rheumatism. They are no less useful in the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastritis. The leaves are also useful for preserving vision for older people.
Fermentation is often used for special processing of currant leaves. It involves withering of raw materials, fermentation and drying. This method allows you to preserve the beneficial properties of the leaves as much as possible, as well as express their taste and aroma.
Young shoots of black currant have diuretic, diaphoretic and antipyretic properties. Decoctions are prepared from the branches, which are actively used to stimulate the adrenal glands.
Blackcurrant buds are often used to restore the human circulatory system. Decoctions are made from them, which help to effectively treat dermatitis, exudative diathesis and eye diseases.
Currant flowers are rich in vitamins and microelements that do not compromise the amazing properties of currant leaves. In addition, they are excellent honey plants. Currant honey has a number of beneficial properties that help fight colds, improve appetite and restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
How to collect correctly?
Each element of currant has beneficial properties that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In order to properly prepare this or that recipe, you need to know the rules for collecting currant leaves, buds, berries and twigs.
- Currant buds are harvested in March - April. To collect, you need to use pruning shears, which are used to cut off branches with swollen buds. After cutting, the branches are tied into bundles and left to dry for a couple of days. After this time, the buds are separated from the branches and stored in the freezer. The preparation can be used within the next year.
- Berry picking time is in July– August, when the fruits reach their peak ripening. Collect them in a container, and then distribute them evenly on the surface of the tray so that they dry well. Drying can take place either in the shade under a canopy or in the oven of a gas stove. Dried berries can be stored for two years.
- Currant leaves are cut in early autumn. They should be green, without any damage. After collection, they should be left in the fresh air to dry. The shelf life of dried leaves is one year.
- It is best to prune currant branches at the end of the season, when the leaves have already fallen from them. To collect, you will need pruning shears to cut off the best parts of fresh branches. After cutting, the branches must be placed on the windowsill to dry.
They can be used throughout the year.
How to brew?
To brew currants at home, you will need to prepare chopped currant leaves. To prepare one serving of tea, just take 1 tablespoon of dry leaves and pour boiling water over them for 12 minutes. After the tea has been brewed, it must be strained.
In summer, you can brew tea from freshly picked leaves. To do this, you just need to wash them, place them in a mug and fill them with hot water.
To make fermented tea from currant leaves, you need to prepare the raw materials. To ferment the leaves, you first need to dry them. To do this, they are laid out on a tray and left in the shade for a day. After this, you need to extract juice from the leaves. To extract it, you can use the shredding or meat grinder method.
The chopped leaves need to be fermented. To do this, they need to be placed in a container and covered with a damp cloth. The raw materials should ferment for approximately 7-8 hours at a temperature of 25C. You can tell that it has fermented by its strong fruity smell.
After the fermentation process, the leaves must be dried in the oven at a temperature of 100C. It is important that the oven door is slightly open. You can tell when it’s time to turn off the oven by how the leaf reacts to the fold: if it breaks, it means drying is complete.
Fermented tea is brewed in the same way as regular tea. It differs only in a more pronounced taste and aroma.
It is known that the benefits of currants lie in the content of microelements and vitamins. But not all people can eat this product. Therefore, it is very important to know to whom currants are recommended and in what quantities.
Currants can significantly help the body with anemia. Currant berries are a good hematopoietic agent that cleanses the blood well. In addition, they can increase hemoglobin levels.
It has been proven that tinctures of leaves and berries help fight high temperatures. Therefore, currant decoctions can be drunk for colds accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
Currant remedies have a diuretic effect, which makes it possible to treat diseases of the bladder and kidneys. It is also important that currants can relieve puffiness.
Diabetics can safely add the fruits of this crop to their diet, as they will only strengthen the body and increase overall immunity.
People suffering from oily skin can use a decoction of currant leaves for daily wiping.
It has been proven that this method significantly reduces the work of the sebaceous glands, normalizing the condition of the skin.
When people talk about the benefits of currants, they often mean the berries of this shrub. But other parts of the plant are also edible, for example, green leaves. They are rich in ascorbic acid and give a stunning aroma when brewed. Tea made from currant leaves is very useful as a remedy for colds, stress, problems of the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and genitourinary system.
Chemical composition
What are currant leaves rich in:
- vitamins, including rare K, PP, as well as A, E and C;
- tannins;
- essential oils, which give the leaves a pleasant aroma;
- phytoncides - natural antibiotics;
- flavonoids - valuable substances for the production of enzymes in the body;
- organic acids;
- micro- and macroelements, including silver, sulfur, manganese, copper, etc.;
- pectin;
- natural sugars.
This composition explains the popularity of currant leaves in folk healing. Official medicine also recognizes the healing power of the plant: currant leaf is included in pharmaceutical preparations. It is also used for culinary purposes - as an aromatic additive when preserving vegetables.
Benefits and indications for drinking tea
All the benefits of fresh herbs are transferred into liquid when brewed. How does such drinking affect the human body, its healing properties:
- First of all, this tea is used as an anti-cold remedy. Phytoncides, tannins and ascorbic acid destroy microbes. The drink is recommended for the treatment and prevention of upper respiratory tract diseases.
- Currant tea is indicated for vitamin deficiency and weakened immunity.
- The next useful property is the improvement of the circulatory system. Currants strengthen the walls of blood vessels and normalize high blood pressure. The drink is a preventative against atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
- The drink has a diaphoretic and diuretic effect, helps relieve swelling and eliminate inflammation.
- There is a healing property for the genitourinary system.
- Tea is found in folk recipes for gout and rheumatism.
- The antiseptic property of currant tea is also beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract. The drink cleanses the body of toxins and pathogenic microflora, improves gastric motility, and helps restore a healthy appetite.
- The drink acts as a mild laxative.
- Increases blood clotting.
- Decoctions treat skin inflammation.
- The tonic property affects overall performance. Tea is recommended for increased physical and mental stress.
- The drink prevents the development of such serious diseases as diabetes and oncology. For diabetes mellitus, tea is valuable for its ability to remove uric, oxalic acids and purine bases.
- Carotene is beneficial for maintaining eye health.
- Currant tea calms and helps resist stress due to its magnesium content, an essential macronutrient for the nervous system.
- Tea is also good for beauty: it keeps the skin fresh and youthful. Essential oil is valued in cosmetology.
Currant leaf is a real vitamin complex. It is surprising that the plant is cultivated in most summer cottages in our country, but not all gardeners prepare useful raw materials for drinks. Meanwhile, currant tea can replace preventative medications against colds and speed up recovery from many other ailments.
Harm, contraindications
Any harmless herbal tea can cause harm if abused over a long period of time. Essential oils often provoke an allergic reaction. The recommended dose per day is 1 glass of drink.
There are also a number of strict contraindications. Tea is definitely harmful in the following cases:
- stomach ulcer;
- gastritis with high acidity;
- thrombophlebitis, increased blood clotting;
- duodenal ulcer;
- liver diseases, hepatitis.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, currant leaf tea is not prohibited, but it is better to consult a doctor and reduce the dosage. In small quantities, the drink helps cope with toxicosis.
Collection of raw materials: rules of drying and fermentation
The magazine "Polzateevo" found that at different times of the year, currant leaves contain different amounts of useful substances, so the preparation of raw materials is carried out at certain times. The maximum concentration of vitamins and essential oils is observed on the currant bush during the flowering period. In different regions this may be May or June. The first flowers serve as a guide to the beginning of preparations.
Collection is carried out in the morning in warm and dry weather, so that there are no dew drops on the leaves. You need to pick young, light greens. Insect-damaged, diseased, torn leaves are not suitable.
Advice! Time the collection time so that it rains a few days before. It will wash away all the dust from the greens. After collecting for drying, it is not recommended to wash the leaves, as they may rot.
How to dry:
- The collected greens are laid out in one layer on a flat sheet of paper or parchment. Newspapers are not suitable: printing ink is easily absorbed from them.
- The place for drying is warm, dry and shaded, as the sun destroys chlorophyll and other valuable substances in the composition.
- The room should be well ventilated.
- While the currants are drying, they are periodically turned over and checked for mold.
- When the leaves begin to break easily, they are stored in paper or fabric bags.
Option for accelerated oven drying:
- The leaves are laid out on a baking sheet in one layer.
- The oven is heated to 100 degrees.
- Place the baking sheet inside, but do not close the cabinet door.
- After 1.5 hours, reduce the temperature to 50 degrees and dry the leaves until brittle.
Fermented tea: the most beneficial
Fermentation allows you to get the most aromatic currant tea. The preparation method is slightly different from traditional drying:
- The collected leaves are placed in an even layer in the shade and left for 12-24 hours. They must "wither". Readiness is determined by the central vein - it will bend easily.
- The next step is squeezing the juice. To do this, the leaves are passed through a meat grinder or rolled into several pieces and finely chopped with a knife. The cutting method depends on the desired result: small-leaf tea comes out of the meat grinder, after slicing - large-leaf tea.
- The leaves along with the juice are left in a bowl covered with a damp cloth. They must ferment. The duration of the procedure is about 6 hours until a bright aroma appears. Currants should ferment in a warm place, the optimal temperature is +26 degrees.
- If the raw material ferments to a sour smell, it cannot be used for tea.
- Fermentation is completed by oven drying at 100 degrees. When the leaves break, the procedure is completed.
How to make tea
The most aromatic tea is made from fresh leaves. To get a pleasant green color of the drink, 2-3 freshly picked and washed currant leaves are enough. But such a drink is available only in spring and summer. To combat colds in the fall and winter, you will need dried raw materials.
Recipe for tea with currant leaves:
- For 1 tbsp. l. crushed dry leaves - a glass of boiling water.
- You can also add dried twigs.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Strain.
- Drink warm, add sugar and lemon to taste.
Advice! To get the most benefits from the plant, add fresh berries to your tea. Mash them a little with a spoon so that the pulp dissolves in the water.
Another option for tea is with traditional black or green tea leaves:
- For 1 tsp. tea leaf - 2 tsp. currants.
- Pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes.
Currant leaves included in the collection
Recipe for tonic tea with garden herbs:
- For 2 parts of currant leaves - 1 part, and 0.5 parts of black leaf tea.
- Brew 1 tbsp. l. mixture in a glass of boiling water, insist and drink.
Vitamin tea:
- For 2 parts currant leaves - 1 part raspberry and strawberry leaves.
- Brew in a kettle for 15 minutes.
- Drink with honey and lemon.
What else can you combine currant leaf with? Delicious vitamin mixtures are obtained with jasmine flowers, blackberry leaves, lingonberries, as well as with oak bark, string,.
Healing decoction
A more concentrated drink is a decoction based on currant leaves. It is drunk warm in small sips to normalize blood pressure, fight colds and calm down.
Decoction recipe:
- At 2 tbsp. l. dried raw materials - 200 ml of boiling water.
- Pour water over the herbs, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes over medium heat.
- Cool and strain.
The healthiest currant leaf is fresh, collected from your own plot. But the dried plant retains its benefits. As a last resort, you can always purchase raw materials at the pharmacy, both in pure form and as part of medicinal preparations, in which the manufacturer has already calculated all the proportions. All you have to do is brew the drink and enjoy its taste.