Dried fruits and berries, what could be healthier? They contain many vitamins and other useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the state of the body. Many people think so and eat a lot of dried fruits and dried berries. But sometimes it can lead to serious consequences. Not all foods can be consumed in large quantities, especially for people with chronic diseases. Dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we will consider in this article, is also useful in moderation.
What is this plant
Dogwood belongs to the family of the same name, which has about 50 species. In nature, it is found in the form of a shrub with several trunks. It grows wild mainly in the Crimea, Transcarpathia, the Caucasus and Moldova. Cultivated plants that are grown in personal plots are formed at their discretion in the form of a bush or tree. Flowering dogwood begins in late March - early April. This happens during the period when the air temperature warms up to 5-11 degrees. Dogwood has small yellow flowers that are collected in an inflorescence. Then, fruits of an oblong shape and small size are formed on the bushes. They have shades from light red to almost black. Juicy sweet and sour pulp covers an elongated inedible bone. The fruits are used to make jams, preserves, compotes, jellies, fruit drinks, syrups. They are consumed raw, processed and dried.
Dried dogwood
Scientists have proven that 100 grams of dogwood contain about 85 grams of water, a lot of monosaccharides and disaccharides (about 9 grams), 0.9 grams of protein, 1.6 grams of fiber. In addition, the berries are rich in citric, succinic, tartaric, gallic acid, vitamin C, micro and macro elements. Dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which everyone needs to know, retains all the positive qualities in the maximum amount. 
This is due to the fact that the berries do not undergo heat treatment. Their sour taste becomes sweeter and softer. That is why it is recommended to harvest dogwood. Useful properties of dried and fresh berries are almost identical. So stock up on vitamins for the future. Dried dogwood can be recommended even to children as an alternative to lollipops and sweets. There will be much more benefits from it.
The benefits of dried dogwood
The presence of a large amount of vitamins makes this berry indispensable in cold weather, when the body lacks nutrients and the cold season begins. Dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which we will analyze in this article, has an immunostimulating, tonic and tonic effect. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, which is especially true during the cold season. According to these characteristics, he even overtook mountain ash and lemon. The use of dogwood berries helps to improve digestion, improve appetite, eliminate metabolic disorders and heartburn. Phytoncides, which are present in the berries, have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. 
That's why eating dogwood in any form helps fight developing infections. Pectins help to remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. They play the role of antioxidants. Berries regulate fat metabolism and are effective in the fight against excess weight. Dried dogwood, whose useful properties and indications are very diverse, is used for anemia and some diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Dried dogwood for diabetes
Especially it should be noted the benefits that the use of dogwood brings in diabetes mellitus. It has the ability to normalize blood sugar levels. Berries may well compensate for the lack of sweets, in the use of which diabetics are forced to limit themselves. They will also replace artificial sweeteners, which are not always beneficial for the body. 
Many doctors recommend partially compensating for the lack of sweets with dogwood, and not completely switching to artificial additives. It should be noted that any dogwood is useful for people suffering from this disease. Useful properties of fresh and dried fruits are very similar. They contain fructose, glucose, acids, tannins and dyes, flavonoids and essential oils, which reduce the amount of glucose in the blood and enhance the functions of the pancreas. That is why this berry is included in the list of medicines for diabetics.
Contraindications
Is it possible to harm the body by using dogwood? Useful properties and contraindications must be known using products of natural origin. Unfortunately, dogwood also has several features that make it impossible for some categories of people to use it. So, for example, a large number of berries can cause an exacerbation of stomach ulcers. Due to the high acid content, it is not recommended for people with high acidity of gastric juice. The fixing effect that dogwood has will have negative effects on people who suffer from constipation. 
Berries have a tonic effect. Therefore, those who have increased excitability should not use them in large quantities. Otherwise, there is a risk of emotional overexcitation and the appearance of insomnia. These are the only negative sides of the fruit. Dried dogwood (the beneficial properties of the healing berry have been known for a very long time) is very useful in the absence of contraindications.
Dosage forms of dogwood
The fruits, leaves, bark and roots of the plant are used as raw materials for the preparation of the medicine. Harvest raw materials from spring to autumn. Roots are best harvested in spring or autumn, bark in spring, and leaves in the summer months. Berries are harvested as they ripen. It's August or September. It is better if the fruits fully ripen on the branches, then they will accumulate a maximum of useful substances. 
For harvesting berries, a special dryer is required. The raw material must be thoroughly dried. It is possible to store dried dogwood, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which must be carefully studied before use, for three years. But given the properties of this product, it will not lie for a long time. These tasty berries are very popular with children and adults.
How to dry dogwood
For the preparation of tinctures and decoctions in the cold season, dried dogwood is needed. Its beneficial properties and contraindications should be studied before use. For drying, only the best berries are used, without damage. If there is no special dryer, then you can prepare dogwood in another way. We cover the baking sheets with paper and scatter the fruits on them. We place the dogwood on a shelf with good air circulation. It must be turned every six hours to ensure even drying. After full readiness (in two weeks), dried berries are transferred to paper bags and linen bags. If a dryer is used, then the mode is chosen the same as for apples.
Calorie dogwood
Those who monitor their weight and adhere to strict diets, of course, are concerned about the calorie content of this product. It should be noted that these indicators for dogwood are more than favorable. Overweight people can eat fruits without fear of gaining extra pounds. The calories in this product are minimal. For 100 grams of fresh berries, there are only 44 kcal, 1 gram of protein, 10.5 grams of carbohydrates and a complete absence of fat. 
In dried dogwood, these figures are slightly higher. So, 100 grams of this product contains 209 kcal, 46.26 grams of carbohydrates and 4.6 grams of protein. Dried dogwood does not contain fat. Judging by these data, you can eat a large number of fruits without fear for your weight. But it is always worth remembering about contraindications, so as not to harm the body.
Multiple Recipes
How to use dogwood? Useful properties and contraindications, the benefits and harms of this product, discussed in this article, must be taken into account when choosing this delicacy. But since the berries are healing, use them to prepare various dishes. First of all, this is a useful infusion. To prepare it, you need to take 10 grams of dried berries and pour them with a glass of boiling water. Then leave them to infuse for 30 minutes. After that, we filter the broth and use it as needed. This drink is especially useful for diabetics, as this method of preparation preserves the maximum amount of nutrients. Take it instead of tea, 250 milliliters in between meals. To prepare a decoction, pour a tablespoon of berries with 200 milliliters of water and boil. After that, let the broth brew for 2 hours, and use it three times a day before meals, 50-100 milliliters. It should be noted that the longer the heat treatment lasts, the less useful properties the prepared drink retains. A tincture of dogwood fruits and leaves is good for indigestion. To do this, take two tablespoons of berries and leaves of the plant and boil for 10 minutes in 250 milliliters of water. Then 9 hours and take 100 milliliters 3 times a day. The contraindications that dried dogwood berries have are very minor. Given all the features of this product, you can safely saturate your body with useful vitamins all year round.
