How many years does bird cherry live? Botanical characteristics of bird cherry. Pharmacological properties of bird cherry

Or carpal-radus avium Mill.

This species has a very wide range, stretching from the European forest-tundra in the north to the Caucasus in the south, from Portugal in the west to the Yenisei in the east. Its favorite habitats are rich, well-moistened soils of coniferous and mixed forests. Shade-tolerant, but develops better and bears fruit in sunny places, hygromesophyte, hexistomicrotherm, macromesotroph, assectator of the second tier of tree stands. Protected in nature reserves.

Radus avium
Photo by EDSR.

Usually this is a tree up to 15-17 m in height with brown bark that cracks in old age and has a specific bitter aroma. The crown is wide, dense, with drooping branches; the bark is smooth, matte, black-gray. Young shoots are green, but quickly turn brown. Elliptical leaves up to 15 cm long, dark green, slightly wrinkled, with a sharply serrated edge. Bird cherry trees begin to bloom and bear fruit at the age of 5-6 years. And then, against the background of the leaves, fragrant, up to 12 cm long, drooping clusters of white flowers stand out in contrast. If you are very lucky, you will come across trees with pink flowers. Flowers appear in May, and after a week and a half, a few gusts of wind are enough - and a circle of petals begins to swirl, filling the air with the last aroma of bird cherry. Now all that remains is to wait for the fruits. Black, shiny, juicy edible drupes ripen in mid-July. The fruits are tart and astringent. From them, ground together with the seeds, they make a filling for pies; the fruits are also used to make drinks or to color them.

In GBS since 1951, 5 samples (10 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from various botanical gardens and reproduction of GBS. At 40 years old, the height is 14.5 m, the trunk diameter is 17 cm. It grows from 19.IV ± 10 to 22.IX ​​± 16 for 155 days. The growth rate is average. Blooms from 10.V ± 7 to 24.V ± 11 for 14 days. It bears fruit from the age of 5, the fruits ripen on 25.VII ±12. Winter hardiness is complete. Seed viability 54%, seed germination 7%. Cuttings root poorly.

It grows quickly, is frost-resistant, moisture-loving, and shade-tolerant. Tolerates urban conditions satisfactorily. It regenerates well with growth from the stump and roots. Can be propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. Damaged by bird cherry moth. Gives strong root shoots from the stump. Phytoncide.

The most valuable plant for gardening construction in northern and central Russia. Dense foliage, early flowering and leaf blossoming along with strong aroma make it desirable in any park, near the water, on the edges, in single and group plantings.

Has a number decorative forms: crying(f. pendula); variegated(f. variegata) - with yellow and white variegated leaves; terry(f. plena); Rosaceae(f. roseiflora) - with pink flowers; and also yellow-fruited(f. leucocarpa) and yellowish-greenish(f. chlorocarra).

P. a. var. commutata Dippel- Ch.p. changeable. Tree up to 17 m tall. Grows in the same communities as the main species. In GBS since 1980, 3 samples (10 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from Salaspils. At 12 years of age, the height is 12.3 m, the trunk diameter is 9 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. The growth rate is high. It bears fruit from the age of 4, the fruits ripen in July. Winter hardiness is complete. Cuttings root poorly.

Radus avium "Colorata"
Photo by Yuri Markovsky

"Colorata". Limit dimensions This deciduous tree or small shrub is 5-6 m in height. IN at a young age leaves are purple or copper-violet in color, when mature they are green with a bronze tint on the underside and purple veins. In autumn, the foliage turns pink and red. The shoots are dark purple. Effective during abundant flowering pale pink drooping clusters of almond-scented flowers. The fruits are shiny, black, edible, astringent, on red petioles. Variety of the same species" Purple Queen"is practically no different from this form.

Among the decorative bird cherry trees, forms can emerge that have the beauty of flowering or unusual leaf color:
"Tenderness" - a medium-sized tree. 3.5-4 m in height. Flowers with a strong aroma, small, in long racemes are dark red at the beginning of flowering, then become white;
"Gull" - tree 4 - 4.5 m tall, flowers are large, white in large clusters;
"Meteo" - stands out among white-flowered bird cherry with a brush length of up to 20 cm;
"Captivity" - the only one terry variety, to whom you can and should take your hat off, he is magnificent.

About 40 years ago on forest beauty Siberian breeders from Tomsk and Novosibirsk drew attention. Selection proceeded in two directions: along the path of selecting the best Russian forms in natural conditions and by crossing our home-grown bird cherry with a related species - Virginia bird cherry from the forests of another continent - North America. And then the world's first varieties of bird cherry were born: Raccvet, Narym, Taiga, Samoplodnaya, Black Shine, Sakhalin Black, as well as several valuable hybrids that do not yet have names. All of them are successfully undergoing variety testing, and some are already being propagated and distributed among gardeners.

Variety Red tent. Tree 4-4.5 m high with a wide oval dense crown. The nature of the change in leaf color is the same as that of the Siberian beauty and the Purple candle, but the intensity of the color is weaker. The size of the flowers is the same, but the inflorescences are 2-3 cm longer and more multi-flowered. The flowering intensity is somewhat greater, but also small. The fruits are of the same weight and good taste. The variety is suitable for single and group plantings.

Variety Mavra has a wide pyramidal dense crown with drooping branches at the ends. The flowers, inflorescences and leaves of Mavra are very similar to Late Joy, but its fruits are darker and also shiny. Flowering and fruiting are also very abundant.

Variety Dense cyst has a sparse oval crown with drooping branches at the ends. Flowers average size on very short legs, collected in very dense cylindrical brushes of medium size. The leaves are light green, smooth, shiny. The fruits are shiny and change color when ripe from red-brown to black.

Variety Late Joy very tall, has a narrow dense pyramidal crown. The flowers are medium-sized, white, on short stalks, collected in dense drooping racemes. Flowering and fruiting are very abundant. The leaves are dark green, smooth, shiny. The fruits are shiny and change color from brown to black when ripe.

Variety Purple candle. Medium height(5 m) tree with a narrow pyramidal dense crown. Like the parent variety Shubert, it has the usual green leaves and white flowers in spring. By mid-summer, the leaves acquire a dark purple color that lasts until the leaves fall. Flowering is moderate, clusters are small, 10-14 cm, semi-drooping.

Variety Dawn. Early variety Virginia bird cherry. The tree is low-growing, 2.5-3 m high, partially self-fertile, with stable fruiting. The inflorescences are large, the weight of the fruit is 0.6-0.7 g, the color is dark red, the taste is sour-sweet, slightly tart. Harvest - 5-10 kg of berries per tree.

Variety Self-fertile. Hybrid bird cherry variety early date maturation. The tree is powerful, self-fertile, 6-7 m high, with a pyramidal crown. The leaves are large, corrugated. There are 30-35 flowers in inflorescences. Fruit weight - 0.6-0.7 g, black color, green flesh, sweet and sour taste, with slight astringency. Fruiting is annual. Harvest - 10-20 kg of berries per tree.

Variety Sakhalin black. An early ripening variety of common (carpal) bird cherry. Tree up to 6-7 m in height, with a dense pyramidal crown, self-sterile, with moderate periodic fruiting. The leaves are large, inflorescences contain 30-35 flowers. Fruit weight is 0.6-0.7 g, the flesh is green, pleasant sweet taste, with a slight tartness. Harvest - up to 15 kg of berries per tree.

Variety Siberian beauty. Tree 7 m high with a dense pyramidal crown. The coloring features of the leaves, the sizes of flowers and inflorescences are the same as those of the Purple Candle variety. The fruits of both varieties are black, weighing 0.6-0.7 g, but in the Siberian Beauty they have an excellent taste. Both varieties are suitable for single and alley plantings, as well as for landscape groups.

Variety Black glitter. A mid-early ripening hybrid bird cherry variety. A tree 5-6 m high, with a dense, wide-pyramidal crown, self-sterile, with moderate periodic fruiting. Inflorescences - from 35-40 large flowers. Fruit weight - 0.8-0.9 g, black color, yellow-green flesh, good taste. Harvest - 10-20 kg of berries per tree. The flowers are larger, collected in dense cylindrical, non-drooping racemes. The leaves are medium sized, dark green, the fruits are black and shiny.

Bird cherry - Padus avium Mill. (Padus racemosa G.)

Asian bird cherry - Padus asiatica Kom.

Rosaceae family

Other names:

- swallowtail

- bellflower

- wild garlic

Botanical characteristics. A small tree or shrub with black-gray bark, pronounced lentils, alternate, petiolate, elliptical leaves with a serrated edge. The leaves are dark green, short-petioled. The flowers are white, collected in drooping racemes, strong smell. The calyx and corolla are five-membered, there are many stamens. One pestle. The fruit is a black drupe with a rich grayish coating. It blooms in May-June, the fruits ripen in August-September.

Spreading. Widely distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of the country, in Western Siberia it reaches the Yenisei, found in the Caucasus and Central Asia mountains, and is often cultivated in gardens as ornamental plant.

Habitat. Along river banks, in riverine forests, along forest edges, in bush thickets.

Preparation. They are harvested during the ripening phase of the fruit, for which the clusters are cut off with a knife and placed in baskets or buckets. Before drying, they are dried in the sun for 1-2 days. Foreign impurities, unripe fruits, and fallen twigs are selected.

Security measures. It is strictly forbidden to break bird cherry branches during the flowering and fruiting phase.

Drying. In dryers or Russian ovens, then the dry fruits are placed on sieves and separated from the branches and stalks by rubbing.

External signs. According to GOST and State Fund XI, the raw material should consist of spherical wrinkled drupes, covered with a whitish-grayish coating, with one large hard drupe inside, with a sweetish-astringent taste. Reduce the quality of raw materials high humidity, burnt and insect-damaged fruits, unripe fruits, other parts of the plant, organic and mineral impurities.

A decoction of the fruit (1:10) with a solution of ferroammonium alum forms a black-blue color that turns green.

Chemical composition. The fruits contain sugar (4-6% fructose, 5-6% glucose, 0.1-0.6% sucrose), organic acids(0.45-0.72%), pectins (1.0-1.1%), anthocyanins (6-8%), tannins (up to 15%), ascorbic acid, flavonoids, iodine (2.7- 3.4 µg/kg). The leaves, flowers, bark and seeds contain glycosides: amygdalin, prulaurasin, prunasin. Amygdalin is highly soluble in water, insoluble in ether, and upon enzymatic breakdown it produces benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid and glucose. Free hydrocyanic acid was also found in the bark 0.09%, in the leaves 0.05%. Bird cherry bark contains amygdalin 2%, seeds - 1.8%. The aroma of the plant is due to the presence of the glycoside prunasin. The leaves contain up to 200 mg% ascorbic acid.

Storage. Packed in bags, boxes. Store in a draft. Shelf life: 3 years.

Pharmacological properties. The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of bird cherry are due to tannins. Anthocyanins with P-vitamin activity have a capillary-strengthening effect. The combination of tannins and anthocyanins provides a sustainable anti-inflammatory effect.

Bird cherry phytoncides have a detrimental effect on protozoa, fungi and insects. Leaves, flowers, bark and fresh fruits of bird cherry have phytoncidal properties. The role of phytoncides is played by hydrocyanic acid contained in all organs of the bird cherry. Cases of mild poisoning from bird cherry flowers have been described when bouquets are left overnight in a bedroom or other enclosed space.

In animal experiments, bird cherry phytoncides (crushed leaves under a cap) depress the nervous system and reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Medicines. Fruits, decoction, collections.

Application. Due to the presence of tannins, bird cherry fruits are used as an astringent for enteritis, dyspepsia of various etiologies, and also as an adjuvant for infectious colitis and dysentery. For diaper rash, eczema, and fungal diseases of the feet, bird cherry leaves in the form of a decoction are used for foot baths. Attempts to treat athlete's foot with one of the components of bird cherry phytoncides - benzoaldehyde - are described.

Dried bird cherry fruits are supplied to pharmacies in packs of 50 g. To extract tannins, decoctions are prepared from 10 g of dry berries per 200 ml of water. Adults are prescribed infusions and decoctions of 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Syn: bird cherry

tree or large shrub with tart ones, but edible fruits. Good honey plant. In landscaping it is known as an ornamental plant. Has some healing properties, in particular astringents, diuretics, diaphoretics, etc.

Ask the experts a question

Flower formula

The formula of the bird cherry flower is: *Х5Л5Т∞П1.

In medicine

Currently in scientific medicine They mainly use bird cherry fruits in the form of a decoction as an astringent and antiseptic for diarrhea and other diseases. gastrointestinal tract. A decoction of bird cherry bark is also used as a diuretic. In gynecological practice, bird cherry is used for leucorrhoea and chronic colpitis. Infusion and decoction of the fruits are used for diarrhea in pregnant women.

Bird cherry fruits are included in a choleretic collection, which is used in the form of a decoction as an astringent.

In cooking

Ripe fruits are edible, used both fresh and processed, and jam and marmalade are made from them. In Siberia, dried fruits are ground into flour and added as a filling to pies and cheesecakes. Dried bird cherry is also used to make jelly and as a substitute for brewing tea. In some areas, bird cherry fruit flour is added when making bread to add an almond flavor.

Also, freshly picked ripe fruits are used to prepare various soft drinks, liqueurs and tinctures. The berry juice of the plant is used to color confectionery and wine.

In the alcoholic beverage industry, bird cherry fruits are used in the production of bitter liqueurs.

In other areas

Used in landscaping parks and settlements as an ornamental plant.

Bird cherry wood is quite durable, hard, and fine-grained. It is brownish-yellow in color and is used in making crafts. Tree bark is used as a dye. It colors fabrics and skins green and reddish-brown.

The essential oil from the leaves of the plant was previously used as a fragrance in the manufacture of perfumes.

Bird cherry flowers and leaves are isolated in large quantities phytoncides that purify the air, destroy pathogenic bacteria, and also repel mosquitoes and ticks. However, high levels of phytoncides can cause headache and therefore it is not recommended to bring bird cherry bouquets into the house.

Classification

Common or bird cherry (lat. Pádusavium Moench) belongs to the genus bird cherry (lat. Pádus), subfamily plum (lat. Prunoideae), family Rosaceae (lat. Rosaceae). The bird cherry genus includes more than 100 species, widespread in Eurasia, North and South America.

Botanical description

Tree or large shrub 5-18 m in height, with brown fissured bark and white-yellow lenticels. Leaves (6-15 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide), short-petiolate, alternate, oval or oblong, pointed at the apex, rounded-wedge-shaped at the base. At the junction of the plate and the petiole there is a pair of glands. The flowers are fragrant white (1-1.5 cm in diameter), collected in thick, long drooping racemes. The formula of the bird cherry flower is *CH5L5T∞P1. The fruit is a drupe (6-7 mm in diameter), with a woody inner and juicy leathery outer layers of the pericarp, has a strongly astringent taste. All above-ground parts of the plant have a characteristic bitter odor. Blooms in April-May. The fruits ripen in August - September.

Spreading

In the European part of Russia it is found everywhere, but rarely in the Far North. Occurs in large quantities in various types forests It grows on the edges, clearings and cleared areas. It grows in floodplains, forming impenetrable thickets. For growth it prefers rich loamy, moist, but not swampy soils. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, including in the non-chernozem zone of Russia.

Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

In scientific medicine medicinal raw materials Bird cherry fruits collected during the period of full ripening are used. Ripe bird cherry fruits are collected in dry weather, cleaned of impurities (leaves, twigs, stalks) and dried in the sun or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50°. It should be remembered that the seeds must remain intact to avoid extraction of amygdalin from them, which can cause poisoning due to enzymatic breakdown into benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid and glucose. Shelf life up to 5 years.

Also in medicinal purposes Bird cherry bark and flowers are used. Plant bark is harvested early spring. It is dried in air or in dryers at a temperature of 40ºC. Bird cherry flowers are collected in May and dried in the air in the shade.

Chemical composition

Sugars (up to 5%), organic acids (up to 0.57%: malic, citric), tannins (up to 0.48%), dyes, vitamin C, carotene, macro- and microelements (accumulates copper, cobalt). The seeds contain up to 1.5% amygdalin glycoside, the hydrolysis of which produces hydrocyanic acid. The leaves contain ascorbic acid (about 200 mg%), hydrocyanic acid (up to 0.06%), and the glycosides amygdalin and prunosine (which gives the plant an aromatic odor). The bark contains amygdalin (up to 2%), free hydrocyanic acid (about 0.1%), prulaurazine glycoside, tannins (up to 3%). All plant tissues contain phytoncides, which cause the death of many microbes, as well as multicellular organisms. Thanks to the phytoncidal properties of bird cherry, there are almost never blood-sucking mites on it. There is an assumption that the phytoncidal properties of bird cherry are mainly determined by hydrocyanic acid, a substance that blocks oxygen consumption by tissues.

Pharmacological properties

Bird cherry fruits have a strengthening effect and are used in the form of a decoction as an antidiarrheal agent in the treatment of non-infectious diarrhea and other disorders of the stomach and intestines. The main pharmacological effect is exerted by tannins - condensed tannins contained in berries. In addition, the fruits contain the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin, which in low concentrations can have an antitumor effect.

The ripe fruits of the plant also have bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and vitamin effects, and normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines. Plant anthocyanins have P-vitamin activity and have a capillary-strengthening effect.

The bark of the plant has antipyretic and diaphoretic properties. Bird cherry leaves have a strengthening and vitamin effect, and the flowers have an anti-inflammatory, phytoncidal and wound-healing effect.

Use in folk medicine

Useful properties bird cherry is widely used in folk medicine. In addition to the fruits traditional healers V medicinal purposes leaves, flowers and bark of the plant are used. A decoction of dried bird cherry bark is used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and antidiarrheal agent. The decoction is used externally for eye diseases. Bark tincture is used for rubbing against radiculitis. The leaves in the form of tea or water infusion are taken for inflammatory diseases of the lungs and bronchi, colds, rheumatism, and scabies. Infusions of leaves can also be used for rinsing for diseases of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Whole leaves are applied to abscesses.

Historical background

The generic name of the plant is Padus from the Greek. (pados - the name of bird cherry or cherry), presumably derived from the name of the Po River (Padus) in Italy, along the banks of which there were a lot of bird cherry. Species name racemosus from Lat. (racemus - branch; grape cluster) indicates the similarity of the inflorescences, and then the fruits, collected in a thick, abundant cluster, with a bunch of grapes. Russian name The plant is associated with the dark color of the fruits and bark: from the ancient Slavic “cherema” - dark.

Literature

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9. Kurkin V.A. Pharmacognosy: Textbook for students of pharmaceutical universities (faculties). – 2nd ed., revised. and additional – Samara: Ofort LLC, State Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education “SamGMURoszdrav”, 2007. – 1239 p.

1. Medicinal plants: A reference guide. / N.I. Grinkevich, I.A. Balandina, V.A. Ermakova and others; Ed. N.I. Grinkevich - M.: Higher School, 1991. - 398 p.
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• PFAF rating medicinal properties: 2
  
• Mature fruit Bird cherry has a strengthening, astringent, bactericidal, vitamin, restorative, anti-inflammatory effect, and normalizes the function of the intestines and stomach. Anthocyanins with P-vitamin activity have a capillary-strengthening effect.
• Decoctions and infusions of the fruit are used for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. The fruits are part of stomach tea. In terms of their action, they can replace blueberries and are often used together.
• During the Great Patriotic War Many hospitals successfully used the juice of bird cherry fruits to treat purulent wounds.
• Bark Bird cherry has a diaphoretic, antipyretic, and diuretic effect. An infusion of the bark is used to treat colds. A decoction of the bark is used as an insecticidal agent (against lice and flies), for eye diseases, radiculitis. An infusion of the bark with vodka is rubbed onto sore spots with radiculitis.
• Leaves Bird cherry has strengthening and vitamin properties.
• Internal preparations from bird cherry leaves are used for pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, as an antitussive, for diarrhea, and anemia.
• Externally the leaves are used for treatment skin diseases, for rinsing the mouth during tooth decay, furunculosis. An aqueous infusion of the leaves is used as a lotion for conjunctivitis and blepharitis. An infusion of flowers is also used for a similar purpose.
• Flowers Bird cherry is used as an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and phytoncide agent. Flowers in the form of an infusion or decoction - as a contraceptive, in the form of a tincture - for rheumatism, gout.
• Bird cherry produces phytoncides that have a detrimental effect on microbes. For this reason, there was a popular belief that it was enough to stand in the shade of a bird cherry tree to scare away an incipient disease.
• Poisonous plant. Internal use bird cherry requires caution. The glycoside amygdalin, which is contained in all parts of the bird cherry, can be broken down into hydrocyanic acid when it enters the body, which can lead to poisoning if consumed in excess.
  
• Bird cherry is contraindicated for pregnant women, as well as those who are trying to get pregnant, since the berries have a contraceptive effect. The smell of cherry blossoms can cause headaches.
  
• Dendrotherapy. Bird cherry is a weak vampire tree; it gently absorbs excess energy and helps with illnesses and stress. Nervous system a person perceives bird cherry beneficially, normalizes nervous activity, excessive emotionality calms down, bird cherry also produces a tonic effect. Bird cherry is also useful for men; it is believed that it increases potency. People suffering from melancholy, blues, and indifference turn to bird cherry. It instills optimism and joy in the soul, relieves the pain of disappointment and helps in love. Contact with bird cherry also helps to forgive and ask for forgiveness.

Tree or shrub? This plant is familiar to the Russian people, it grows in almost every garden, and many signs and beliefs are associated with it. For example, it is believed that if the buds of a bird cherry tree open, then spring has finally woken up and the earth has warmed up. The bird cherry blossoms with lush clusters of flowers - the time has come for the end of the capercaillie current, and the very first mosquitoes appear.

When the air temperature drops, a temporary cooling occurs.

People often ask: “Is bird cherry a tree or a shrub?” A photo of the plant is presented below. We will try to find out the answer to this question in this article.

Many poets dedicated their poems to this amazing, fragrant plant during flowering. In addition to beauty and aromas that bring joy to people, bird cherry also has excellent healing properties. And what exactly is the common bird cherry: a tree or a shrub?

General description

A characteristic feature of bird cherry is its white fluffy flowers. There are no pigments in their petals. The air gives them such a pure color. When examining a bird cherry petal under a microscope, you can see many colorless, transparent cells that are separated by large empty spaces. Thanks to the air-filled intercellular spaces, the petals reflect sunlight and because of this they seem so white.

Bird cherry is a tree or shrub. The photo shows the diversity of the species. The height of this plant varies from 2 to 10 meters.

The branches and trunk are covered with matte black-gray bark, slightly cracking. The alternate leaves are elliptical in shape, slightly wrinkled below and matte above. Bird cherry usually blooms in May. Collected in dense brushes (multi-flowered and drooping) of snow-white color.

The fruits are black drupes, spherical, 7-8 mm in diameter, tasty, sweet, astringent. The fruit stone is round-ovoid in shape. They ripen in July.

Healing properties, use

All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Any bird cherry (tree or shrub) contains phytoncides that kill various types microbes, mold, fungi, horseflies, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, etc. These properties of the plant are even used in the treatment of ringworm and trichomoniasis.

The tannins present in bird cherry have an astringent effect and are used mainly for gastrointestinal diseases, especially diarrhea.

The leaves of the plant can be brewed as tea and drunk for inflammatory processes of the bronchi and lungs. A fresh flowers after steam distillation (and the distillation itself) are good for eye lotions.

An infusion of the bark has been used since ancient times as a remedy for fever, rheumatism and colds.

Bird cherry fruits are also used for cooking. Scrolled through a meat grinder are good as a pie filling.

Spreading

In Russia, bird cherry (tree or shrub) grows in the zone temperate climate: in Western and Eastern Siberia, in the European part and in the Far East.

The plant prefers rich, moist, close-lying soils. groundwater. Bird cherry mainly grows along the banks of reservoirs, in forests and groves near the river (in urema) and in bush thickets, in forest clearings and on sand.

Bird cherry collection and preparation

Intact black, mature and juicy fruits bird cherry, as well as leaves, bark and flowers. Any bird cherry tree or shrub is suitable for this. All this is harvested as it ripens (July-September).

The fruits are dried in good weather in the air or in an oven, stove, etc. at a temperature of approximately 50°C, with mandatory periodic stirring. Then everything is sifted through a sieve to get rid of debris. When dried, bird cherry fruits have a sweet and sour taste.

The bark is dried in kilns, dryers and ovens. Flowers - in the shade in the air. Dried raw materials are stored in bags and boxes in a dry, ventilated area.

Shelf life: bark - 5 years, fruits - 2 years, and flowers - 1 year.

Pharmacological properties

This is such a wonderful bird cherry. This is a tree or shrub (less commonly). In any case, its usefulness is undeniable.

Ripe fruits have excellent bactericidal, astringent, vitamin, anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. They bring the functioning of the intestines and stomach back to normal.

The leaves are rich in vitamins and act as a binder for diarrhea. The bark has antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic effects.

Flowers are used as a wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and phytoncidal agent.

Fruit decoction

The fruits of bird cherry (tree or shrub), when eaten, as noted above, can stop diarrhea.

Reliable and effective means for this ailment, a decoction is prepared as follows. Pour 2 tbsp. spoons of raw material with 2 cups of boiling water, then boil in enamel dishes approximately 15 minutes. Then the solution is cooled, filtered through gauze, wrung out, its volume is brought to the original volume using required quantity boiled water. Take half a glass before meals three times a day. And it can be stored for no more than 2 days in the refrigerator.

Several medicinal recipes

It doesn’t matter whether the bird cherry is a tree or a bush. It is important that this plant is beneficial in solving many health problems. Healers recommend the following recipes:

1. Decoction of bird cherry bark: 200 ml of boiling water is brewed with 10 g of bark and boiled for 10 minutes over low heat. Infuse for 2 hours and strain. Used as a diaphoretic, 1 tsp. before meals for colds, fever, cough, rheumatism, cystitis and gout.
2. Infusion with bird cherry fruits: brew 20 g of fruits in boiling water (0.5 l), infuse for 12 hours in a thermos. Use 100 ml 3 times a day for colitis, diarrhea and gastritis.
3. A decoction of bird cherry leaves: brew 20 grams of leaves in 200 ml of boiled water, boil for 5 minutes over low heat and strain. Use 50 ml 4 times a day for gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis and cough.
4. Leaves can be applied to bruises and abscesses. The product is also used to rinse the mouth, which is useful for rotting teeth, and is used for furunculosis.
5. Infusion of flowers: brew 10 grams of flowers in 200 ml of boiled water hot water and infuse for 10 minutes. Wounds and ulcers are washed with the strained solution and lotions are made.

It should be noted that the influence of bird cherry is felt most in the spring, during its flowering period.

Conclusion

Bird cherry is one of the species of low trees (sometimes shrubs) from the plum genus of the Rosaceae family.

It grows everywhere in Russia: in bushes and forests. It grows up to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, in Asia and in Western Europe. Bird cherry is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant.