Dogwood, what kind of plant is this?
Under natural conditions, dogwood grows in forests and thickets in the form of a shrub or a small tree. In the garden, they are grown mainly for fruit. Dogwood is unpretentious in cultivation, and can be successfully recommended to beginners. The plant does not make high demands on the substrate, it can grow even on calcareous soils. When choosing a site, avoid only land with prolonged stagnant water.
Planted in a sunny place, it will bloom earlier and bear fruit more abundantly, but it also tolerates partial shade. Without problems withstands frosts even down to -30 ° C, they are not susceptible to diseases and pests.
Dogwood is perfect for planting in the form of a hedge. It is easily propagated by seed, and if many seedlings are needed, for example for a hedge, the seeds should be removed from the fruit (harvested in August) and sown immediately. Seedlings will appear next spring. Seeds of more ripe fruits (harvested in September or October) are more difficult to germinate and take longer to germinate.
Fruits in 5-6 years after planting. The fruits are 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, inside each of them there is a very hard oblong bone, with a small amount of pulp. They are characterized by a tart taste comparable to cranberries and cherries. Red oblong fruits are harvested from July to October, depending on the variety. Large bones are difficult to remove. It is better to cut the pulp a little and squeeze the seeds out of them.
In addition to valuable fruits, dogwood is cultivated because of its beautiful foliage and very early flowering period. The plant looks especially attractive in early spring, when it blooms, and in autumn, when red or maroon fruits ripen. However, there are varieties of yellow or white.
Note! Already in March, before the leaves bloom, the tree is covered with small yellow flowers, collected in small inflorescences. Bare branches are covered with a mass of tiny yellow flowers. These small flowers distinguish this tree from other flowering plants.
What is in fruits?
Dogwood berries are a rich source of biologically active compounds. They are high in vitamin C and polyphenolic compounds (flavonoids) with antioxidant properties, as well as iridoid compounds rarely found in other popular fruits, such as logan acid, which have anti-inflammatory properties. It is the content of iridoid compounds that makes dogwood unique among fruits.
Logonic acid, isolated from dogwood, used as eye drops that lower intraocular pressure and increase blood flow in the vessels of the eyes, which can be of great importance in diseases such as glaucoma.
Note! Leaves, bark and shoots of dogwood, as well as fruits, are valuable pharmaceutical raw materials. Infusions from the leaves are recommended as a diuretic and choleretic, and infusions from the bark as a tonic and aphrodisiac.
The most popular are the oblong red fruits of dogwood, due to the content of valuable vitamins and minerals. Despite their small size, they are a source of vitamins A, C and P, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese.
They also contain other substances necessary to maintain the health and tone of the body: beta-carotene, flavonoids and organic acids. Anthocyanins, which are strong antioxidants, are responsible for the intense red color of dogwood fruits. The darker the fruit, the higher the content of anthocyanins, and in the peel they are 4.5 times more than in the pulp. Together with vitamin C, they effectively delay cell aging.
Dogwood seeds are rich in valuable fatty acids, with a predominance of linoleic acid. Thus, they can be an excellent source of unsaturated fats used in cosmetics or as a dietary supplement.
The healing properties of dogwood
Their valuable effects have been known for centuries and are readily used in natural medicine. In folk medicine, tincture of cornelian fruit or flowers is used as a remedy for colds and to increase the body’s immunity.
Dogwood properties:
- helps to eliminate the symptoms of anemia;
- anti-inflammatory and astringent properties;
- improves the functioning of the digestive system;
- strengthens the body’s immunity;
- has a diuretic effect;
- improves the appearance of skin and hair.
Dogwood is one of the strongest natural antioxidants. Due to the high content of vitamin C, it effectively strengthens the body’s immunity.
Additional Information! In natural medicine, dogwood is used in the fight against anemia. It provides the body with a large amount of iron, which is the main component of hemoglobin found in red blood cells. Iron deficiency can contribute to organ malfunction and lead to hypoxia.
Dogwood is also used to fight stomach ailments. Organic acids, phytoncides and other active compounds contained in it have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, eliminating accompanying symptoms.
In turn, the tannins contained in the plant make it useful for diarrhea and metabolic problems by regulating the digestive system. For diarrhea, decoctions and tinctures from fruits are used. Recommended for people struggling with overweight and obesity.
Dogwood can also help treat kidney disease and urinary tract infections. This plant has diuretic properties, removing water and sodium in the urine, cleanses the body of toxins. Dogwood is now known to have strong antimicrobial properties.
How to use dogwood fruits?
Ripe dogwood berries are great for preparing various homemade preparations. Of these, juices, tinctures, jams are most often prepared. One way to consume dogwood fruits is also to dry them and brew them into a “tea” to drink, for example, for colds.
How to make dogwood tea? Pour a teaspoon of dried fruit with a slide into a glass, pour boiling water over it, cover with a lid and leave for 15 minutes. Tea can be drunk without restrictions, which is usually not the case with other herbal drinks.
Although dogwood fruits can be eaten raw, they should be frozen beforehand to improve the taste and reduce bitterness. Dogwood fruits, after freezing, can be eaten raw or used for sauces, jams, syrups, juices, liqueurs and tinctures.
For problems with the digestive system, dogwood juice or decoction works best. For colds, a tincture of dogwood fruits or flowers is recommended. Dogwood tincture is famous for its unusual taste and aroma.
