Sloe

Thorn or thorn is called a shrub or small tree, the height of which can range from
1. 5-3 meters. Interestingly, the thorn has very developed horizontally spiny branches, at the end of each of which there is a thick and very sharp spike.

It's just that the turn looks incredibly attractive in spring, when crisp white flowers in five petals begin to bloom. Well, by autumn, the tree is decorated with tart fruits - unicostants, which bear a similar name - thorn. In shape, these are small rounded berries up to 15 millimeters in diameter. The color of the thorn fruits can be described as black and blue with wax coating and green pulp, from which it is difficult enough to separate the bones.

It is noteworthy that fruits that fully ripen in late August - early September can remain on branches throughout the winter time until spring. Terns are tart-sour in taste, but after the first frosts this patience decreases slightly and the fruits can be eaten. By the way, it is worth saying that all parts of this plant are very useful - flowers, fruits, roots, and branches.

In cooking, a wide variety of dishes are prepared from thorn fruits: from teas, juices, compotes, liqueurs, jelly, syrups and even a coffee drink to see, jam, pastille, jams and jelly. In addition, these juicy berries are often added when preparing a variety of porridge.

But not only excellent gastronomic qualities are so attractive in this fruit - numerous useful properties of thorns are also highly appreciated. Thus, the fruits of thorns have a strong astringent effect, in connection with which they are advised to be used for upset stomach or intestines (ulcerative colitis, dysentery, candidamicoses and food toxicoinfections). Thorn wine is not only very tasty, but is also considered a therapeutic drink that is used in some infectious intestinal diseases.

Terna fruits also have antiseptic, anchoring and diuretic effects along with the ability to increase appetite. In addition, thorn flowers, the use of which is due to the diuretic, laxative and sweating effect, are also unusually useful. They can stop bouts of nausea and vomiting, as well as calm the nervous system and normalize metabolism in the body.

However, when using thorns, doctors warn that only a few berries must be added to the decoction based on the fruits of this plant, after which they must be removed. This is due to the bones that are found in berries - in their composition they contain amygdalin (a poisonous substance, the use of which can negate not only all the beneficial properties of thorns, but also have a detrimental effect on a person's condition).