Actinidia is a representative of a large family of tree lianas that are widespread in the subtropical climate. These plants successfully develop from the preglacial period, adapting to different conditions, including a temperate climate.
Chemical composition of actinidia
By taste, actinidia resembles pineapple. The fruits of actinidia are rich in their composition. The chemical composition of berries includes:
- Vitamins (P, A, B1, B2, E and K);
- Trace elements (copper and iron, potassium and calcium, manganese and magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, sodium);
- Acids (folic and nicotinic).
The plant is also rich in fiber, pectin, sugar, starch, mineral salts and tannins, flavonoid antioxidants - beta-carotene, lutein and xanthine.The concentration of vitamin C in actinidia exceeds the amount of black currant and lemon. The amount of vitamin increases as the fruit ripens. The leaves of the plant contain glycosides, saponins; roots are alkaloids, and seeds are fatty oils. The kiwis we know are also from the actinidia family.
Did you know? Unusually react to a cat plant. In a strong excitement when a young plant is found, the cat literally gnaws it. It is still not clear what substance is acting like that. The most interesting thing is that mature creepers do not touch animals.
Healing properties of actinidia
3 g of actinidia satisfy the daily rate of ascorbic acid for an adult. More than useful actinidium fiber, which is contained in these berries, protects the intestinal mucosa, reduces the effect of toxins and binds carcinogenic substances. Eating berries contributes to blood thinning, thus preventing the formation of blood clots, the development of strokes and heart attacks.
Omega-3 fatty acids in actinidia help prevent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism in children.
Potassium in the fruit helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese enhances the effects of actinidia antioxidant substances. Calcium and magnesium strengthen bones. Vitamin K promotes bone osteotropic activity. The fruit is good for those affected by Alzheimer's disease: the very same vitamin K reduces the damage to neurons in the brain.
Interesting! Actinidia and its fruits were found in northern China, the Chinese called the kiwi ape peach for the fleecy. Chinese emperors used actinidia berries as an aphrodisiac.
Harvesting and storage of actinidia
In actinidia everything is useful: the bark, leaves, roots, flowers and fruits. All of these medicinal parts of the plant are collected, picked from debris or damaged elements, washed and dried. Drying is necessary at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, so all useful properties are preserved better. To determine the storage in a dry, dark place. The room should be well ventilated. You need to fold the flowers or bark into fabric bags - no cellophane. Fruits can be harvested a little unripe, as they ripen unevenly, but reach well already plucked.
Important! You can not store and collect in a metal container, so the concentration of vitamin C is lost.
Fold the fruit in a glass dish and store it in a place protected from the sun so that the properties of biologically active substances are not destroyed. Berries of an actinidia can be ground with sugar, put in glass jars and closed with parchment. Store in a cool and dry place. The benefit of the fruits of actinidia thus only increases, since the fruits are not subjected to heat treatment.The use of actinidia in traditional medicine
This plant is used as a laxative, hemostatic, expectorant, sedative and pain reliever. With it, you can get rid of worms, to prevent caries, to treat the lungs. Actinidia helps with diseases of the joints.
A decoction of dry berries is used to treat the gastrointestinal tract, impaired cerebral circulation and to prevent oncology. Juice and peel make lotions for skin diseases, rheumatism, radiculitis, gout and pains in the spine. With signs of paralysis, actinidia nourishes the body with microelements.
A decoction of the bark of actinidia is shown in metabolic disorders in the body and treats diseases of the oral cavity. Fruits help with constipation and bleeding. Actinidia copes with scurvy, anemia, bronchitis, heartburn. Infusions of leaves and flowers used in the relief of angina attacks. Ointment from the fruits of actinidia is used for skin lesions: burns, frostbite. It has a good effect on recovery processes after fractures and is often used for massages.
The use of actinidia in everyday life
Berries actinidia in demand in cooking. They can be eaten fresh, can be used as a filling in pies, muffins or sweets. They make delicious jam, jam, jam, marshmallow. Prepare a variety of drinks: juice, juice, juice, jelly. Cooks add berries to the cream, prepare mousses, marmalade, jelly from them, decorate cakes, puddings and other desserts.
Attention! If you want to make kiwi jelly - pour boiling water over it: fresh fruit contains an enzyme that does not give gelatin to frost.
Dried berries are as good as fresh, resembling something raisins. From actinidia you can make a delicious and unusual wine. Due to the large amount of ascorbic acid such wine is useful to drink in small portions in the winter with vitamin deficiency. There are varieties of actinidia with fruits burning in taste, but even here the use of actinidia was found - the Japanese prepare dishes from leaves of such varieties, the Chinese eat sprouts.
Contraindications to the use of actinidia
It is not advisable to use for medicinal purposes decoctions and infusions for those who suffer from thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and increased blood clotting. Allergy sufferers should test the body before use, it is possible individual intolerance to the berries. With the abuse of fresh actinidea in the food can be an upset stomach. It is not advisable to give berries in the food of children, so as not to provoke diathesis. No need to get involved in berries for pregnant women and nursing moms.
As you can see, actinidine along with useful properties has contraindications. Use it carefully, listen to your body.
