By: Ivana Dragica |
Gooseberry – elixir of health and longevity |
|
These days, gooseberry is ripening - a tasty and healthy fruit with a sour taste.
Unfortunately, this plant is unknown to the most od the people. It is a tasty berry fruit, similar to currant.
Gooseberry, Lat. Ribes grossularia, grows around Europe, northwest Africa and south, west and southeast Asia.
It can be green, yellow, red, orange or black, depending on variety.
In England there were once clubs whose main goal were to grow the best and juiciest gooseberry.
In the 16th century, due to high vitamin C content, it was used for treating fever and plaque.
Indian gooseberry, amalaki – is important in Ayurvedic medicine due to the fact that it heals many health problems in short time.
Gooseberry’s healing properties
Gooseberry is a rich source of vitamins A and C, manganese, potassium and dietary fibers. In smaller amounts it contains pantothenic acid, folic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, copper, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
100 g of berries contains only 44 calories and 25% of recommended daily allowances of dietary fibers, which makes it an ideal food item for weight-loss.
Gooseberry is rich in potassium, a mineral that promotes regular heart beat, protects against hypertension and helps normal functions of nerve and muscle system.
These berries contain bio-flavonoids and have strong antioxidative properties. They protect against cancer and premature aging and help against inflammations and nerve diseases.
Due to its face-lifting and anti-bacterial properties it can be used as a tonic against pimples and face spots.
If you suffer from thin and lifeless hair, gooseberry can greatly help you. Soak dry berries in water and apply the liquid when you wash your hair. This mixture gives volume to the hair and prevents scalp diseases.
It is believed that gooseberry prevents hair loss. For that purpose you can make a paste of cooked gooseberry pulp that is applied to scalp several times a week.
Eating gooseberry with honey can enhance eyesight and helps against cataract. One of the important substances in that is vitamin A and phytochemicals found in gooseberry juice that promote healthy eye cells.
Organic components in gooseberry have positive effects on heart – they reduce cholesterol, enhance blood flow and strengthen heart muscle.
Daily consumption of gooseberry protects against stress, efficiently cleans organism and is perfect for strengthening the immune system.
Gooseberry root is an old folk remedy. It enhances urine excretion and is used against all water diseases. It is also good for treating gastric and intestinal catarrh and high temperature.
Gooseberry’s healing properties
- strengthens the immune system
- enhances the performance of stomach, kidney and liver
- removes sand from the bladder
- enhances memory and concentration
- helps against problematic skin
- stops hair loss
- removes heavy metals from the organism
- rejuvenates and provides vitality
- enhances eyesight
- protects against carcinoma
- natural antioxidant
- protects heart and blood vessels
Make sure not to eat unripe berries since that can cause gastric problems.
Planting gooseberry
Gooseberry is a medium-sized shrubbery which bares fruits only after 5-8 years.
It is resistant to low temperatures and sensitive to high ones. It is best to plant it on a heavier, loamy-sandy soil that is cold and moderately moist and does not retain water. It does not stand sandy and very warm soils.
You do not have to sprinkle it with pesticides.
Jostaberry – a hybrid of blackcurrant and gooseberry which gives tasty black fruits that contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Gooseberry in cuisine
You can use for making sweet treats such as pies and cakes.
You can also dry it and use it for making tea, tonic, jam or syrup.
Gooseberry clear juice
Thoroughly wash 1 kg of gooseberry fruits and squash them with a blender and filter the juice. Pour produced juice into a dark container and close it.
If you want your juice to last longer, add 1-2 cloves and a juice made of one lemon. If you like, you can also add honey. Drink 1-3 dcl of juice a day.
Liked the article?
Share it with your friends!
