Viburnum Viburnum.

Viburnum Viburnum: A valuable shrub with many uses

Viburnum (Viburnum opulus) is a perennial shrub belonging to the honeysuckle family. It is one of the most common types of viburnum and has a wide range of beneficial properties. In this article we will look at the main characteristics and uses of this plant.

Common viburnum is a tall shrub, reaching a height of 4 to 5 meters. It has greenish-gray bark and bare branches. The leaves of viburnum are opposite, three to five lobed, entire and collected in corymbose semi-umbrellas. In the period from May to July, the common viburnum blooms with white flowers, and in August - September bright red fruits, called drupes, appear.

Viburnum viburnum is found in the European part of Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the Caucasus. It prefers to grow in wet meadows, river banks, swamps and bushes. Due to its beneficial properties, viburnum is also grown in gardens.

Viburnum berries are used in the food and medical industries. They can be eaten fresh or made into jelly, compotes, jelly and marmalade. The berries are also used as a filling for pies, preserved in sugar or frozen. Dried viburnum berries can be used to prepare a coffee substitute, which helps regulate the digestion process. Viburnum juice is used to color food products.

Viburnum also has medicinal properties. Bark, flowers and berries are used as medicinal raw materials. The bark is collected in early spring during sap flow, crushed and dried. The flowers are dried in a dryer, and the fruits are collected when ripe in September - October and dried in a kiln or oven. The bark can be stored for up to 4 years, and the flowers for up to 2 years.

Viburnum bark contains the glycoside viburnin, tannins, resins, organic acids, flavonoids, vitamins C and K. The berries are rich in pectin, organic acids, tannins, carotene and vitamins C and P. Viburnum decoctions and extracts have a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. They also have antispasmodic properties and can be used to lower high blood pressure and relieve seizures.

Viburnum viburnum is also used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. For example, a decoction of viburnum bark is used for colds, fever and headaches. It can also help with menstrual irregularities and gastrointestinal diseases. Viburnum berries are used to strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol and improve the general condition of the body.

Viburnum vulgaris also has applications in the cosmetics industry. Creams, masks and lotions for skin care are produced from its extract. Viburnum extract helps moisturize the skin, relieves inflammation, improves its tone and elasticity.

In gardening, viburnum is widely used to create hedges and decorative compositions. Its beautiful flowers and colorful drupes make the plant attractive for landscape design. The shrub is unpretentious in care and can grow in various conditions.

However, it is worth noting that viburnum berries have a sour taste and may cause stomach irritation in some people. Therefore, before using viburnum as food or as a medicine, it is recommended to consult a doctor or herbalist.

Overall, Viburnum viburnum is a valuable shrub with many uses. It is not only an ornamental plant, but also has beneficial properties that can be used in the food, medical and cosmetic industries.