Why is irga useful: properties, contraindications, recipes and reviews. Irga - beneficial properties of a berry similar to grapes

Irga - amazing plant, family Rosaceae. It is undemanding to growing conditions, can normally tolerate frosts down to -40 -50 degrees, and during flowering frosts down to -5 -7 degrees. It grows well in soils different composition and acidity. But there is an indispensable condition - if you want to get a harvest of large, sweet berries with the aroma of freshness, you need to give the shadberry a sunny place. Therefore, serviceberry bushes should be placed at a distance of at least 2.5-3 m, unless you aim to grow tall hedge, for which irga is very suitable.

The most common is the round-leaved serviceberry, or the common serviceberry (rotundi-folia), found in cultivation as a fruit, melliferous and ornamental plant. The leaves are deciduous, round or oval, dark green above, pale green below, yellow-red or dark red in autumn. The flowers are white or cream, collected in corymbose racemes at the ends of the shoots. The fruits are round, bluish-black or reddish-violet, up to 10 mm in diameter, edible, sweet, ripen in July.

Calorie content of serviceberry

This is a low-calorie berry, 100 g of which contains 45 kcal. However, due to the high carbohydrate content, it should not be abused by obese people.

Useful properties of serviceberry

Irga surpass even grapes in terms of vitamin C content, and are also rich in carotene, vitamin P, sugars and other minerals. People who consume shadberry experience improved sleep, vision, and bowel function.

Fruits improve digestion and strengthen the intestines. As a good multivitamin, fresh berries are used for the prevention and treatment of hypo- and avitaminosis, atherosclerosis, as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. With the permission and under the supervision of a doctor, the fruits of the serviceberry are used in the form of astringent decoctions for inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

IN folk medicine For gargling, fresh juice of serviceberry berries is used as a dietary and medicinal drink with astringent properties, mixed with the juices of wild apples and pears. The abundance of vitamin P makes it possible to recommend serviceberry fruits and juices from them to older people to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their elasticity, prevent myocardial infarction and varicose veins. Irga normalizes sleep and strengthens the body. The use of tincture of irgi flowers normalizes heart function and reduces blood pressure. The juice of fresh fruits is used as a medicinal drink for intestinal disorders.

The fruits of the serviceberry do not ripen at the same time, so they are collected in several stages. Irga is widely used in medical and dietary nutrition. Its fruits are consumed fresh as a dessert, they are dried, dried, frozen, jam is made, and compote is prepared. The dried berries are sometimes called "northern raisins" and were formerly known as korinkas and are used as a filling for pastries.

The juice from freshly picked serviceberry fruits is almost not squeezed out, but after 7-10 days of storage in a layer of no more than 5 cm, up to 70% of the juice can be squeezed out. Considering that the berries have a fresh-sweet taste and are not rich in organic acids, they add citric acid or natural juice of sour fruits.

To prepare juice from serviceberry, the berries are kept in a dry room for a week, scattered on film or paper so that they can release juice and become more aromatic. Then, using a juicer, squeeze out the juice, mixing it with sugar (for 1 liter of juice - 300 g of sugar), heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, pour into jars and roll up their lids. Store in a cool place. Since serviceberry juice has low acidity, it can be blended with other juices of berry crops, for example, red currant juice.

The fruits of the serviceberry produce a tasty and healing wine. For example, in the USA, since the 18th century, extensive plantations of serviceberry have been planted for winemaking.

An infusion of irgi flowers has a beneficial effect on heart function and reduces blood pressure.

This plant has several names. It all depends on what corner of the globe it grows. IN North America it is called Canadian medlar. In Europe it is willow berry or rock pear. In Russia, this representative of the flora is called sea buckthorn, sparrow berry, currant and wine berry. But everyone knows another name - irga. It is not very popular among gardeners. But those who grow it know about its positive properties. The benefits and harms of shadberry will be the main topic of this article.

History of the plant

Where did this tree come to us from? It began to be grown in England, and soon in Holland. How this berry got into Russia is unknown. In the 18th century, people learned about it in North America. There she gained great popularity. Serviceberry berries were mixed with lemon and rhubarb and served with wild meat. This mixture improved the taste of the dish. Irga was used to make jams and preserves.

The popularity of the tree increased so much that in the 19th century it began to be grown on special plantations. Even today, serviceberry gives in these countries good harvest and is used to decorate gardens and lawns. It is grown in Asia Minor and even in North Africa. In Russia, the berry began to be used everywhere in the 19th century. It was sold at the market under the guise of grapes. And only Michurin began to propagate this plant, thereby promoting its spread.

What is irga

This plant belongs to the Rosaceae family. It can be classified as both trees and shrubs. Its leaves have a round or slightly oval shape. Their color is dark green at the top and lighter at the bottom. In autumn the foliage turns dark red and then falls off. The benefits and harms of shadberry are known to many gardeners. But some people use it as decoration. garden plot. This plant has small light-colored flowers, which are collected in brushes. They are odorless and located at the ends of the shoots.

Serviceberry fruits

The serviceberry berry, the benefits and harms of which will be described below, has small sizes. It can be compared to small apples. The diameter of the fruit is no more than 10 millimeters. There are sepals at the base of the berries. The plant bears fruit every year in late summer. But the ripening of the berries occurs unevenly over a period of time, so the harvest is harvested in parts.

In order for the berries to be fully ripe, it is necessary good lighting. The fruits are dark, purple or blue color. Like some varieties of plums, the skin has a bluish coating. The pulp of the berries is sweet, aromatic and juicy. Irga, whose health benefits and harms have long been studied, will not only decorate the garden, but will also produce a good harvest with proper care.

Types of serviceberry

There are quite a lot of varieties of this plant known in the world, about 25. Only a few of them are cultivated in Russia. It should be noted that berries of all types are healthy, tasty and suitable for consumption. All varieties are winter-hardy and unpretentious. Therefore, the benefits and harms of irgi should be known to every gardener. The most common species found in our country is the common or round-leaved serviceberry. The height of this tree reaches 2.5 meters.

It has a fairly spreading crown and beautiful oval leaves. In spring, the serviceberry blooms and forms white inflorescences with long petals. The berries of this species are black with a slightly bluish tinge. The Canadian serviceberry can reach a height of 6 meters. Large sweet berries grow on it. Very often this variety is used to decorate the site, since all year round Canadian serviceberry is very beautiful. The spicate species is a tree up to 5 meters tall, which is often used to build hedges. And finally, the alder serviceberry, which, compared to its fellows, is small in height, up to 2-4 meters. After the formation of beautiful white inflorescences, juicy black berries appear. A distinctive feature of this species is its ability to grow and produce crops even in the shade.

Berry composition

The benefits and harms of shadberry are of interest to many gardeners. But first, let's look at its composition. What good does this berry contain? Firstly, this is a huge amount of microelements needed by the body.

In the berry you can find copper, iron, cobalt, vitamins B and C, beta-carotene, fiber, pectin, coloring and tannins, anthocyanins, organic acids, flavonols, catechins and many others. useful substances. All of them help the body fight many diseases. And since irga has antioxidant properties, it is one of the best means to prevent cancer.

What are the benefits of berries?

The serviceberry berry, the benefits and harms of which must be studied before consumption, does not contain proteins or fats. Its calorie content is only 45 kcal. Therefore, its use does not harm the figure and is possible even with a strict diet. How is irga useful? Firstly, it is one of the best helpers for strengthening the immune system. Irga treats stomach disorders and gastritis. Berries and tinctures relieve nervous tension and improve sleep.

Tinctures also have an anti-inflammatory effect and effectively help with sore throats, even purulent ones. Also, products prepared from the berries and leaves of this plant perfectly heal wounds and stop bleeding. Looking at the composition, we can say with confidence what effect the berry has. Irga, the benefits and harms, the recipes for which are described in this article, contains carotene, which increases the body's resistance to various infections, thins the blood and improves allergies. An infusion of plant flowers reduces blood pressure and improves the condition of blood vessels.

Contraindications

Before using any product, you should study it. Irga, the vitamins, benefits and harms of which are described here, is not recommended for people with low blood pressure. It can be consumed, but in moderate doses (a handful of berries). There are no more contraindications, but you should always remember that you need to know when to stop in everything. Eat these healing berries for your health by carefully studying their composition. Irga, the benefits and harms, photos and recipes for which you will find here, will protect the body from many ailments or help cope with them.

Preparation of fruits

You can prepare healing infusions from both fresh and dried berries. Therefore, prepare fruits for future use by drying them in the shade. An infusion of berries is prepared as follows. Pour one tablespoon of raw material into a glass of boiling water. Then you need to leave this mixture for 30 minutes and then drink it. This remedy is excellent for stomach and intestinal disorders.

You can pour two large spoons of berries 1.5 cups cold water, leave for 8 hours, and then bring this mixture to a boil (do not boil). Next, infuse the product for another 2 hours. After this, it is taken 100 milliliters twice a day before meals (30 minutes before). This infusion improves vision and improves the functioning of the digestive system.

Preparation of bark, leaves and flowers

What is irga, benefits and harms, recipes for preparing healing tinctures - this information is simply necessary for the correct use of the plant’s gifts. After all, you can eat not only the fruits, but also the leaves, bark and flowers. Flower tincture is an excellent remedy to lower blood pressure and treat heart failure. They are harvested in May, during the flowering period. To prepare a healthy decoction, you need to take a handful of dried or fresh flowers and pour 500 milliliters of boiling water over them. Let the mixture sit for about 2 hours and strain. The decoction should be taken two large spoons three times a day. An infusion of the leaves has an astringent effect and is therefore effective in cases of diarrhea.

Pour one large spoon with a glass of boiling water and take half a glass of the decoction three times a day. A decoction of the bark is good for sore throats, burns and stomach diseases. Pour a small spoonful of crushed bark into a glass of boiling water. Place the mixture on the fire and boil for about 25 minutes. Then we use it for its intended purpose. It is better to harvest the bark in the fall, leaves and flowers - in May, and berries - at the time of ripening. All raw materials must be well dried. It must be stored in a dry place.

Breeding serviceberry

If you are attracted to the irga, the benefits and harms, photos and recipes of which are presented in the article, then plant it on your site. This unpretentious plant does not require special conditions breeding. It easily tolerates frost, drought and prolonged rains. The only condition for almost all types of serviceberry is the presence of light and sun. This will provide you with juicy and well-ripened berries. The plant can be propagated by cuttings or grafting. Plant trees 2 meters apart as they grow well. You can make a beautiful and useful hedge from serviceberry. In autumn it is necessary to shape the crown by pruning. Birds love to feast on these delicious berries and eat them all on top.

Irga is a small shrub or tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is unpretentious, so many gardeners try to grow it on their plots. The uniqueness of this plant lies in its beneficial fruits, which contain a significant amount of useful substances. Let's consider what the irga is, its beneficial features and contraindications.

Useful properties of berries

How is irga useful? Its fruits are necessary for the human body because they contain the following substances:

• vitamins C, PP, B;
• carotene, considered a powerful antioxidant;
• pectins – remove toxins, heavy metals and other harmful elements from the body;
• organic acids;
• microelements.

Thanks to this composition, serviceberry berries are actively used in the treatment of the following diseases:

1. High blood pressure. Irga is very useful for hypertensive patients, as it helps to reduce blood pressure in a short time. These berries also improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system as a whole, thinning the blood and strengthening blood vessels.
2. Angina. Juice based on the fruits of the serviceberry is actively used in folk medicine for the treatment of of this disease. It helps eliminate infection and heal wounds.
3. Stomatitis. Decoctions based on the fruits of this plant have an antimicrobial effect, thanks to which you can get rid of stomatitis or periodontal disease.
4. Diabetes. Eating berries helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, they should be eaten if you have diabetes.

Also, the fruits of serviceberry should be used as a prophylactic to avoid the development of cardiovascular or colds.

Irga is useful for both the body of women and men. As for children, its berries help strengthen weakened immunity, thereby preventing the development of colds during the cold season.

Serviceberry leaves: beneficial properties

In addition to the fruits of this plant, which have a beneficial effect on the human body, medicinal purposes Serviceberry leaves are also used. If you make tea based on them, the nervous system calms down. The leaves also help fight the following ailments:

• high blood pressure;
• sleep disturbance;
• any diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

If we talk about the external use of irgi leaves, then in folk medicine they are used for the following diseases:

• wounds with suppuration;
• thermal burns.

To prepare a medicinal infusion from irgi leaves, you need to use the following recipe: 3 tbsp. l. the main ingredient should be poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave to sit covered for approximately 3 hours. At the end of this time, take the strained infusion 2 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day. At the same time, you must remember to monitor your blood pressure.

Use of serviceberry berries

The fruits of the plant are actively used in cooking. Alternative medicine suggests using these recipes as therapeutic and prophylactic agents. Let's consider what can be prepared from these berries.

To prepare this is not only healthy, but also crazy delicious dish you will need 1 kg of fruit, 1 kg of sugar, 3 g of citric acid and 1 glass of water. First you need to prepare sugar syrup. To do this, take sugar and water and put it on fire. This mixture must be brought to a boil. After this, the peeled and washed berries should be placed in syrup. Bring to a boil again. Leave on low heat, cook for 30 minutes, stirring constantly. A few minutes before the jam is ready, you need to add citric acid. Ready dish can be poured into jars and rolled up or stored in the refrigerator after preparing it.

Juice

In order for the juice from irgi berries to be more aromatic and sweet, it is necessary to rinse the fresh fruits and leave them to dry on a clean cloth in direct sunlight. To prevent it from turning out too cloying, you can also add red currants when squeezing the fruit. It will give a pleasant sourness, which will make the drink more piquant.

Wine

Homemade wine from serviceberry is very simple to prepare. This process takes place in several stages, namely:

1. Preparation of syrup. You will need 1 kg of sugar and 2 liters of water. The water should be put on fire until it boils. After this, gradually add sugar, constantly stirring the liquid. It must be cooked for 10-15 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Juice extraction and wort preparation. The fruits of the serviceberry are not very juicy, so you can soak 3 kg of berries in hot water for the night. This way it will be much easier to squeeze the juice out of them. 3 kg of berries will yield approximately 1 liter of juice. It is this amount that is necessary for the subsequent preparation of wine. The juice should be poured into syrup.
3. Fermentation. Pour the resulting liquid into containers with a narrow neck. They should not be covered with a lid. It is necessary to use plasticine in which to make a hole for the tubes. They need to be placed so that one end does not touch the liquid. The second end of the tube should be placed in a glass of water. Containers in this form should be kept warm for 2-3 weeks, until the juice with syrup becomes light.
4. Infusion. After the fermentation process is completed, the wine must be infused. To do this, strain the liquid, pour it into a large bottle, which is then tightly sealed with a lid. Leave for 3-4 months. After this time, a tasty and aromatic wine will be ready.

In order to make preparations for the winter, it is not necessary to prepare the berries of this plant. They can also be used dried to make compotes during the cold season. Another option is freezing the fruit. After defrosting, they can be added to pies and other culinary delights. The berries have a pleasant taste and aroma, making dishes more piquant and rich.

Important to remember! Dishes and drinks prepared with irgi should be consumed in moderation!

When the fruits ripen

After planting, the shrub begins to bear fruit only in the third year. To collect juicy and ripe berries, you should wait until the beginning of July. This period is the ideal time to harvest the plant. Sometimes growth can even take until August if the bush has grown greatly.

Contraindications for use

Despite the fact that the berries of the plant are enriched with a significant amount of useful substances, they still have their contraindications for consumption. These include:

• individual intolerance or hypersensitivity to fruits;
• decreased blood clotting;
• low blood pressure, hypotension.

Also, medicines based on irgi have a calming effect, causing increased drowsiness. Therefore, people who need concentration should refrain from eating berries until it is time to rest. After eating the berries, a person will feel a desire to sleep.

Irga canada is a very interesting fruit and ornamental crop. Deciduous shrub with a height of 1.5 to 8 meters is beautiful at any time of the year. In the spring, the serviceberry looks attractive during bud break, when it seems to be shrouded in silvery-white frost.

Later, during flowering, it is covered with clusters of fragrant white flowers, surrounded by bees. Until mid-summer, the bush is decorated with clusters of blue-violet berries. Until late autumn, the decoration of the shrub is the foliage, which gradually changes color from green to crimson. Against a snowy background winter garden Burgundy-brown branches look impressive.

Let's start, perhaps, with a description of Irga - a fast-growing, early-fruiting, long-lived shrub. The crop begins to bear fruit after planting in the third year. The lifespan of serviceberry is 40-50 years. Frost resistance is excellent, tolerates frosts down to 40 degrees without loss. In the conditions of the Moscow region, it does not need shelter for the winter. The plant also does well in more northern areas. Well-growing bushes are very light-loving and, if planted too densely, they stretch upward and bear fruit poorly.

The root system of the shrub is superficial, the bulk of the roots are located at a depth of up to 40 cm, some go down to 1 m. The radius of distribution of the root system reaches 2 m.

The irga blooms in late April - early May, for 10-15 days. The flowers can withstand short-term spring frosts down to -7 °C.

The shrub is not picky about soil quality and is drought-resistant. Saskatoon grows quickly - already in the third year after planting it begins to bear fruit, and at the age of 8-10 years the period of full productivity begins. The productivity period is 20-30 years with an average yield of 8-10 kg of berries per bush.

The advantages of the shrub are early and abundant fruiting; the self-pollinating nature of the plant ensures annual fruiting. Irga is unpretentious to growing conditions, very winter-hardy and drought-resistant.

Beneficial features

Serviceberry berries are a good multivitamin containing vitamins C, B2, carotene, pectins, anthocyanins and trace elements (cobalt, copper, lead). The fruits are useful in the treatment of hypo- and avitaminosis, for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system.

Medicinal properties of serviceberry berries

• calm down nervous system, useful for insomnia and restless sleep;
• increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and strengthen them;
• used to prevent myocardial infarction and varicose veins (prevents the formation of blood clots);
• have a general strengthening effect, lower high pressure and normalize cholesterol levels;
• used for prevention peptic ulcer and as an anti-inflammatory agent for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• The berry is useful in the fight against sclerosis;
• juice from fresh berries has astringent properties, so it is used to gargle when the throat is inflamed.

Types and variety of varieties

Irga is from the Rosaceae family and has more than 25 species. The most common of them are:

1. Irga canadensis– a shrub with drooping branches up to 6 meters high. Valued for its very sweet, tasty berries weighing up to 1 g. Productivity up to 6 kg/bush. The greenery is lush, very good in a hedge when planted every 2 meters. This is a fast-growing shrub with an annual growth of up to 40 cm in height and width.

Over the past 60 years, Canada has been a center for breeding the best varieties serviceberry The most popular among gardeners are:

• Pembina– the height and width of the bush reaches 5 meters. The crown is spreading. The advantage of the variety is the formation of a small amount of root shoots.
• Smokey– shrub up to 4.5 m high, crown shaped like an open umbrella. A variety with a late flowering period, which allows it to avoid loss of ovary during late spring frosts. Smoky's berries are large, up to 14mm in diameter, with a wonderful aroma. The berries are the sweetest of all available varieties, fleshy and without astringency.
• Northline– a medium-sized multi-stemmed bush with vertical trunks. The berries are very large, up to 16 mm in diameter, blue-black with a waxy coating; the ripening of non-cracking berries is uniform. The variety produces a lot of root shoots. Needs a pollinator.
• Sturgeon– a multi-stemmed spreading shrub up to 3 m high. A high-yielding variety, the berry clusters are long, the fruits are large and sweet.
• Thyssen– a shrub reaching a height of 5 m with a highly spreading rounded crown. This is the earliest, early-fruiting variety. The size of the beautiful berries taste qualities reaches a diameter of 17mm. The fruits are aromatic with a slight sourness. Due to the uneven ripening of berries, the harvest period is extended in time. Frost resistance up to – 28 °C.

1. Irga Lamarca- is a large shrub or small tree up to 8 meters high. The crown has a round shape. Unlike the Canadian serviceberry, it grows more slowly, with annual growth of no more than 25 cm in height. The Lamarck irga is very beautiful during the flowering period and in the crimson decoration of the foliage in the fall.

The trunks acquire a beautiful sinuous shape when regular shaping is performed. Such trees look good in single plantings and alleys.

Often in gardens you can also find shadberry and shadberry, they are decorative and their fruits are also eaten, but they are smaller in size and the taste of the berries is low.

Conditions for planting, growing and care

The irga is undemanding in terms of growing conditions and is not fussy about care.

In the garden or on personal plot it can be planted on the north side, as its multi-stemmed bushes retain snow and protect from cold northern winds. It is good to plant raspberries, currants, and gooseberries next to it; it will serve as good protection for them.

You can plant shadberry in both spring and autumn. The seedlings are planted in the prepared hole 5-10 cm deeper than they grew before, this will promote the growth of more basal shoots. After planting and abundant watering, the soil around the seedlings is mulched, the plant is cut to about 1/3 of its height, leaving no more than 5 well-developed buds. Plants are planted every 2-3 m, and when creating a hedge, it is preferable to plant them in a checkerboard pattern every 0.5-0.7 m in rows and between plants.

Further care consists of watering during dry periods, loosening the soil around the bushes and fertilizing. Irga is responsive to fertilizers. During the season, it is advisable to feed it monthly with liquid organic fertilizers(infusions of mullein or bird droppings) combining them with watering and making foliar fertilizing with microfertilizers. The plant will thank you.

Trimming

If you decide to form a plant in the form of a multi-stemmed bush, then in the first years after planting it is necessary to remove all weak shoots, leaving 2-3 of the strongest zero shoots from the root shoots. A well-formed bush consists of 10-15 branches of different ages.

When the annual growth of shoots is no more than 10 cm, begin rejuvenating pruning, which consists of removing all weak and very elongated shoots. The rest are cut to a height of up to 2.5 meters. All areas of large cuts must be treated with garden varnish.

To make the Canadian serviceberry more decorative, its crown should be shaped into an oval shape when pruned. The result of such pruning will be the powerful growth of young shoots with the formation of fruit buds.

Irga Lamarck is formed into a tree with 3-5 trunks, the rest of the basal shoots are removed throughout the season. The branches are shortened annually.

When using Canadian serviceberry to create a hedge, it is necessary to cut it annually, shortening the annual growth by 10-15 cm. annual pruning will promote better branching.

Reproduction

You can propagate the Canadian shadberry in several ways:

Pests and diseases

Serviceberry Canadian is resistant to major fungal diseases and pests. It can be affected by currant leafroller caterpillars and roseate leafroller caterpillars. They damage leaves and gnaw the tops of young shoots. To control pests when processing the garden, you must not forget to spray the serviceberry bushes.

During the ripening period of berries great harm It is served by birds, who also love to feast on its juicy and tasty berries. To avoid crop loss, young bushes can be covered with a net. When the plants are already large, there are enough berries for everyone.

Vitamins for future use

The irga bears fruit annually and abundantly, but its berries ripen unevenly and therefore they are collected in several stages.

The shelf life of collected berries is short, only 2-3 days, if stored in a cool place (basement or refrigerator).

Compotes, juices, jams, jelly, wine are prepared from sweet serviceberry berries, they are dried and frozen. Due to their low acid content, serviceberry berries do not have a bright taste, but they have a very bright color. In connection with this, they are very good to add to compotes of apples, pears and other fruits that do not have a pronounced color.

Particular attention should be paid to dried serviceberry fruits; they can easily replace expensive raisins. Dried berries retain their properties for a long time. They are stored in closed glass jars.

Characteristic of serviceberry is the poor release of juice from fresh berries. After 5-7 days of storage, the juice yield during processing will be up to 80%.

Blanks

The juice from irgi berries is good for the eyes, heart, throat, and blood vessels. The prepared juice is used to prepare fruit drinks, drinks, and jelly.

Juice with sugar

The berries, which have been lying in a cool place for a week, are washed, the juice is squeezed out, and mixed with sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Heat the juice over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, without bringing to a boil. The heated juice is poured into glass jars or bottles, seal and store in a cool place.

Natural juice

The juice is squeezed out of the prepared berries, poured into liter jars, pasteurized for 15-20 minutes and sealed with lids.

Thanks to its medicinal, taste and decorative qualities, the Canadian serviceberry deserves a place of honor in the garden or dacha. The care is minimal, but the benefits and pleasure are abundant.

A shade-tolerant tree-like shrub, shadberry, from the rose family, boasts a lush crown, sweet berries, and unpretentiousness to the composition of the soil. Irga feels comfortable and successfully bears fruit where other garden crops die. In addition to their taste, these berries are also medicinal, like flowers and leaves. The beneficial properties of shadberry and contraindications for its use will be described in this article. Other names of serviceberry: yurga, pirus or karinka.

The plant itself (especially the flowering one) has a very attractive appearance, thanks to which it is used to decorate a garden plot, for example, as a living fence.

• strengthening the immune system, antioxidant properties, thanks to the carotene contained in the fruits;
• gentle removal of toxins and heavy metals from the body, thanks to pectin;
• general improvement in heart function, reducing the risk of heart attack;
• for liver and kidney diseases;
• prevention of cancer;
• for sore throat, sore throat (fruit juice, gargling);
• brewing bark and leaves to alleviate the effects of burns and pustular skin diseases;
• gum strengthening, treatment various diseases oral cavity (stomatitis, periodontal disease);
• for indigestion;
• for the prevention of varicose veins.

It is also necessary to mention contraindications, possible harm, which can cause irga. If you have a tendency to allergies, then you should use the gifts of this shrub with extreme caution. Irga is a strong allergen. It is not recommended to take Pirus if you have hypotension (low blood pressure).

If a person suffers from blood diseases (hemophilia, clotting problems), shadberry should not be consumed. It thins the blood. Do not combine the use of decoctions or fruits with milk intake - they are not compatible (an upset stomach will not take long to occur). You should also take into account the inhibition of actions that can be observed from excessive consumption of shadberry.

If a shrub grows in an ecologically unfavorable area, then all that remains is to admire it, since the shrub very actively “pulls” harmful components from the earth, air, and water.

Irga, the use of berries in cooking

Most often, shadberry is used for treatment, but fresh berries, preserves, liqueurs, wines, and compotes made from it are incredibly tasty. Baking with irga is a real delicacy; its berries go well with shortbread dough and cottage cheese.

To obtain juice from fruits, harvested must first be kept without access sun rays- this way the berries will become sweeter and juicier. The fruits ripen in stages and are also harvested in stages. The serviceberry itself is a perennial bush; it lives for about 50-70 years - it depends on the conditions environment. It is resilient, practically not afraid of garden pests, and does not need spraying. The bush is decorative at any time of the year.

If you decide to plant on your summer cottage shadberry, then you need to take into account that you will have to protect it from birds, since they really love to feast on it. To prevent the feathered inhabitants from getting to the harvest, gardeners prudently cover the bushes with a special bird net, which can be purchased.

Anyway, try it medicinal properties Anyone can grow this plant. Today you can buy dried fruits or flowers of the serviceberry - they are offered by pharmacies and online stores medicinal herbs. This dark blue berry has a low calorie content (45 kcal) and practically does not contain fats or proteins. The carbohydrate value of serviceberry is 12 g per 100 g of fruit.

Taking into account the beneficial properties of irgi and contraindications, the factor of individual intolerance should be taken into account, as well as moderation.