Sea buckthorn juice: recommendations for use and step-by-step cooking instructions
The rich content of organic acids, vitamin and mineral complex included sea buckthorn in the rating of common and healthy berries. The plant takes root even in harsh Siberian conditions, which allows people to grow a healing bush everywhere. Sea buckthorn fruits are used to make jams, decoctions, tinctures and even confectionery. Medicinal properties make it possible to use the berry for preventive purposes in the fight against infectious diseases.
What is this berry?
On the territory of the Eurasian continent, only three plant species are found, of which a special role is assigned to sea buckthorn. According to the description of the appearance, it is a small shrub, reaching 1.5-2 meters in height. In rare cases, growth up to 5 meters has been recorded. An extensive network of the root system reaches a depth of up to 50 cm, which allows the shrub to strengthen on gentle slopes. Sea buckthorn is a natural measure for the prevention of landslides.
It has a spreading crown in the form of a pyramid, which is why it is used as an ornamental plant. In the landscape composition, the owners of summer cottages prefer to plant sea buckthorn as a hedge. In the wild, the berry plant prefers to grow along the banks of water bodies and high in the mountains at an altitude of up to 3000 m. It occurs in dry, sunny areas. Sea buckthorn does not like places with excess moisture.It has frost resistance, withstanding temperatures up to -45 degrees.
The concentration of valuable qualities of sea buckthorn is berries and leaves. The latter have a narrow shape with a sharp end. The leaves are used in the cosmetic field as the main component of moisturizing ointments. In traditional medicine, tea and tinctures are made from them.
The color range of berries varies from bright yellow to reddish. Fruits up to 1 cm in diameter closely stick around the spiky stems, having a bitter-sour taste. The name of the plant is associated with their dense arrangement. The ripening period of berries lasts from August to September. With the onset of frost, sea buckthorn fruits become sweeter.
Benefit and harm
The healing properties of sea buckthorn were recorded in ancient Greece. When harvesting horse feed from sea buckthorn leaves, people noticed that animal hair becomes silky. Horses recovered faster after a long run, while wound regeneration accelerated 3 times. The plant began to be used in medical practice.
In the course of clinical studies, scientists have established the components of the composition of sea buckthorn berries, which contains almost the entire vitamin complex.
- The plant is second only to red pepper and rosehip in terms of vitamin C concentration. It strengthens the immune system, helping the body with colds, bronchitis and pneumonia.
- High content of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), folic acid (B9) and vitamin B12.
- Vitamin groups E and K regulate general metabolic processes.
- Group A beta-carotene has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system. Especially on the external glands (sebaceous). Regulates the functioning of the genital organs.
- The flavonoid group prevents increased blood clotting.
The content of provitamin A, trace elements (iron, manganese, calcium, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium) was recorded. The composition of sea buckthorn berries includes:
- simple carbohydrates - 4-7% fructose and sucrose;
- flavonoids;
- essential oils, 9% of which are in the pulp, 15% in the seeds;
- tannins (tannins);
- monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic and palmitic);
- herbal antibiotics.
The complex of chemical elements provides a beneficial effect on the cellular structure. The calorie content of berries saturated with useful substances is 85 kcal per 100 grams. The minimum number of calories is recommended for daily consumption by people who want to lose weight.
Sea buckthorn is in demand for children of different ages due to the acceleration of the process of tissue regeneration. Because of this, berries are used for preventive purposes. Useful substances accelerate the immune and metabolic processes in the subcutaneous fat, thereby increasing the process of cell division.
A decoction is prepared from the fruits of sea buckthorn, which is useful for the body. The tincture has a positive effect:
- decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood;
- stimulation of male potency, the cause of which lies in hypovitaminosis of the B vitamin group;
- strengthening the immune system;
- decrease in low-density lipoprotein;
- prevention of blood clots;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- increasing the elasticity of the vascular wall.
The leaves and berries of sea buckthorn are used for processing. Household items, external medicines (creams, ointments) and food (jams, marmalade, fruit drinks) are used to prevent diseases:
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- pathological processes of the cardiovascular system;
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- ulcerative erosion of the stomach and duodenum;
- gout;
- gynecological diseases;
- malignant neoplasms;
- hemorrhoids, rectal fissures;
- incorrect work of the pancreas;
- eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma);
- rheumatism.
Along with positive qualities, sea buckthorn products have contraindications. Berry juice is prohibited for use by persons suffering from urolithiasis. The high content of organic acids increases the acidity of urine. It is important to remember that for the prevention of peptic ulcer it is required to use sea buckthorn oil.
The fruits of the plant are not recommended for people with frequent diarrhea, acute liver failure and chronic bladder disease.
It is strictly forbidden to eat berries for diseases of the biliary tract, hepatitis, pancreatitis and acute cholecystitis.
How to cook?
It is possible to make nutritious sea buckthorn juice following the step by step cooking instructions.
- For manufacturing, you must choose fresh or frozen berries. Fruits must be processed by washing thoroughly in clean water.
- From sea buckthorn it is necessary to squeeze the juice of berries. Additional liquid can be obtained from the cake. To do this, the latter must be placed in boiling water and boiled.
- It is recommended to leave the boiled pulp in the pan, wrapping the container in a towel to keep warm. The resulting tincture will have a rich taste.
- Fruit drink can be made not only from sea buckthorn berries, but also in combination with other products. Cranberry and orange will improve the taste, replenish the vitamin complex.
To prepare sea buckthorn juice according to the classic recipe at home, you will need fresh berries. The drink retains the original composition of micro and macro elements, which are necessary for children from 4 to 13 years old. At the same time, sea buckthorn juice is not suitable for consumption by children under 2-3 years old. The liquid can cause an allergic reaction.
Main Ingredients:
- granulated sugar - 3 tablespoons;
- 250 g of berries;
- liter of boiled water.
The manufacturing method consists of several steps.
- Sea buckthorn fruits are thoroughly cleaned, rinsing under running water, and then put in a glass or enameled container.
- The berries are crushed with a pusher until all the liquid comes out. The resulting juice is poured into another bowl.
- The cake is placed in a saucepan and poured with water. Bring to a boil over low heat (do not boil). Similarly, you can cook in a slow cooker.
- As soon as the liquid begins to boil, the fire must be turned off. Sugar is poured into the broth. Mix thoroughly.
- After the sugar crystals have dissolved, the juice is poured into the pan.
- Cover the container with a lid, leaving the mixture to infuse for 20 minutes.
The liquid is filtered, getting rid of the remnants of the cake. The drink is ready to drink.
From frozen sea buckthorn
You can enjoy a healing drink at different times of the year if you have frozen berries. Delicious juice is consumed warm or cold. It is recommended not to add sugar during cooking, but personally in a glass if desired. The frozen berry recipe is popular for its pineapple flavor, which gives the liquid an exotic flavor.
The composition includes:
- 250 g of frozen sea buckthorn;
- a liter of boiled water;
- add sugar to taste.
Cooking process:
- frozen berries must be removed from the refrigerator and allowed to thaw;
- sea buckthorn fruits are placed in a blender to obtain a homogeneous mass;
- the juice from the mixture is decanted, pouring into another container;
- cake is poured with water and boiled over low heat, after which it is allowed to cool;
- juice and sugar are added to the broth to taste.
It is recommended to let the mixture steep for 30 minutes before pouring into glasses.
Cocktail
A cocktail of sea buckthorn berries is preferred to be prepared with ginger. Unlike fruit drink, it turns out to be more liquid. For cooking you will need:
- 70 g of ginger root;
- 100 g of sea buckthorn berries;
- a tablespoon of sugar;
- 50 ml lemon juice;
- 2 cups of hot water.
Sea buckthorn fruits are rubbed together with sugar. The ginger root is cut into small pieces. All ingredients are placed in a saucepan with the addition of lemon juice. Mix and fill with water. The resulting composition is brought to a boil over low heat, after which the liquid is decanted into a separate jug. If desired, the cocktail is decorated with a rosemary branch.
With other fruits
The recipe for fruit drinks from frozen and fresh sea buckthorn berries is almost identical to each other. The difference is only in taste. Other berries and fruits will help bring additional variety to the drink.
The combination of cranberries and sea buckthorn ranks first in the popularity rating. The taste and useful properties of products are improved by increasing the level of vitamins C, K.
To create a drink you will need:
- 250 g of berries;
- 2 liters of boiled water;
- 6 tablespoons of sugar.
Manufacturing process:
- the fruits need to be sorted and washed thoroughly, then dried on a towel;
- placed in a blender, where they grind to a homogeneous mixture, filter through a sieve, pouring the liquid into another bowl;
- the remaining cake is poured with water and simmered for 5-7 minutes;
- when boiling, the pan is removed from the stove, the liquid is decanted again when sugar is added.
As soon as the broth has cooled, the juice drained at the beginning is added to it.
An interesting combination of sea buckthorn and orange. For the prevention of infectious and respiratory diseases, a recipe with an orange is effective. If there is an allergic reaction, you can replace the ingredient with another citrus fruit. To do this, it is recommended to take sweet fruits - tangerines, pomelo.
Components:
- one orange;
- 250 g sea buckthorn berries;
- 2 liters of boiled water;
- cinnamon stick;
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
Consider step by step preparation.
- Orange and berries are washed with running water, sorted and cleaned. Two ingredients are combined in one container. They begin to express the juice into a separate bowl.
- Citrus peel is rubbed to obtain zest. Place in a saucepan and pour water along with cinnamon. Boil 5 minutes.
- Over time, berry cake is added to the broth. Boil for 15 minutes.
- The liquid from the mixture is decanted with the addition of honey.
It is recommended to boil the drink at the end 3 times, then cool it. When the liquid reaches room temperature, pour in the original juice.
With honey flavor
Sea buckthorn juice with honey is used to treat a sore throat. The drink combines the entire vitamin and mineral complex, due to which it is recommended for use by children. Honey replaces granulated sugar, reducing the formation of glycogen.
Ingredients:
- 250 g of berries;
- 1.5 liters of boiled water;
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
The berries are thoroughly washed and dried on a towel, after which they are crushed. The resulting juice is decanted into a separate container. Honey is dissolved in liquid. The cake is boiled for 30 minutes and re-filtered. All ingredients are mixed and poured into glasses.Sprigs of mint are used for decoration.
For information on how to cook sea buckthorn juice, see the following video.