Section 7

Cranberry is an evergreen stalked shrub with thin twiggy shoots. Leaves are leathery, small, oblong or egg-shaped, pointed to the end, dark green above and pale green or whitish below. Flowers are located at the ends of shoots on long pedicels. The berries are bright red, pear-shaped or globular, 8 to 12 mm in diameter. The plant flowers in June, and by September the cranberries ripen. If the berries remain on the bush, they are well preserved under the snow until spring.Cranberries were known in the ancient world, particularly in Rome, as "a berry charged with vital energy". In Russia about the benefits of cranberries also knew long ago. This berry and its properties are mentioned in Domostroy, dated XVI century. Cranberry juice was used as a "special medicine" for coughs and as the first remedy for scurvy. Cranberry juice was used to treat soaking wounds and long non-healing ulcers. The cranberry plant was valued for its tonic, antipyretic and thirst-quenching effects. Cranberry morsels were drunk with fever, it was also given when recovering from colds and infectious diseases.

Because of its unique content of mineral salts and other biologically active substances, cranberries are considered one of the most useful berries found in nature. The fruit contains calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, magnesium, silver, copper, lead, barium, manganese, as well as vitamins Bl, B2, K, C, PP. In addition, cranberries contain oflavonoids, glycoside vaccinin, triterpene acids - oleanolic and ursolic, as well as organic acids - benzoic, citric, cinnamic and oxaglutaric. In addition, cranberry fruits contain glucose, fructose, pectin, tannins, tannins, nitrogenous and coloring substances and phytoncides. In particular, a large amount of benzoic acid allows you to store cranberries throughout the winter without heat treatment and the addition of preservatives.

Cranberries can be picked twice a year - in the fall and spring. Spring berries are the richest in biologically active substances. However, they contain a lower percentage of vitamin C. If harvested too early, for example, in early fall, the fruit will be poor in sugars and other useful substances. In addition, such cranberries are often spoiled in storage.In official and folk French medicine blueberries are used to treat and prevent neoplasms of various internal organs. In addition, blueberries are famous as an antimicrobial agent, as it can stop the reproduction of dysentery bacillus and even the causative agent of typhoid fever.

Among other berry and fruit plants, blueberries stand out for their high content of nicotinic acid (2.1 mg per 100 g). Blueberries are also rich in flavonoids, in particular rutin, quercetin, hyperin, isoquercitin and astralgin. Of the phenolic acids found in blueberries are cinnamic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids.Blueberries have been used as a medicinal remedy since the Middle Ages. Thus, in a handbook dating from 1098-1179 years, blueberries are described as a potion to regulate the menstrual cycle. And in the XVI century it was already recommended and as a medicine that helps get rid of kidney stones and normalize the liver. In addition, bilberry syrup was used for various lung diseases and coughs.

Northern berries, including cranberries and blueberries, are not only valuable food products, but also effective medicines. A rich supply of organic acids, vitamins and other biologically active substances makes these berries indispensable in a rational human diet. They improve digestion and hematopoiesis, participate in many vital processes occurring in the body. In addition, cranberries and blueberries have a unique bactericidal effect.

Streptococci are oval or globular shaped bacteria that live on the surface of soil, plants, and the skin of humans and animals. Not all streptococci can cause disease. However, their pathogenic forms contribute to the so-called streptococcal infection, the manifestations of which are very different. There are also so-called streptococcal carriers - people who are not sick themselves, but are able to infect a weakened or susceptible to infection. Moreover, microbes parasitize not only humans, but also other mammals.

Staphylococci are microorganisms that multiply on human mucous membranes and skin. The staphylococcus bacterium has such a structure that its wall causes allergic and inflammatory reactions, has the ability to immobilize phagocytes and neutralize immunoglobulins. The enzymes that are released by the microbe, destroy cell structures and neutralize many antibiotics.Among other things, staphylococci produce so-called hemolysins - substances that can cause serious damage to red blood cells, red blood cells. Hemolysins also negatively affect the state of leukocytes, as well as many other cells in the human body. The product of staphylococci is the strongest toxins that have the most detrimental effect on the human immune system.

Proteus, or Proteus spp, most commonly causes urinary tract infections in humans. This is more true of Enterobacteriaceae, the bacteria of the Proteus spp. Proteus Enterobacteriaceae are very motile Gram-negative aerobic bacilli, which on good nutrient medium have the property to break down urea to ammonia, but grow very poorly in acidic medium.Escherichia coli belongs to the so-called facultative anaerobes. It is a gram-negative bacterium of the genus Escherichia, family Enterobacteriaceae, and its main habitat is the intestines of humans and animals. Escherichia coli is very motile, it does not form spores. This bacterium was first isolated and described by T. Escherich in 1885. Some of the strains of Escherichia coli help us to process food, while others are parasitic, causing diseases not only in humans, but also in animals.

Blueberries and cranberries instead of antibiotics. Abscess: Pour blueberry leaves in steep boiling water and insist, wrapped, for half an hour. Strain the infusion, soak a gauze cloth in it and apply it to the sore spot.

Mix cranberry juice with honey and use for gargling the throat. The procedures are as follows: drink a little juice and gargle the throat, then take another sip, hold the juice in the mouth and slowly swallow.Cranberry berries pour thoroughly melted with sugar, pour steep boiling water, mix well and insist for 30 minutes.Ready infusion to drink during the day, each time taking the medicine 1 hour after eating. The course of treatment - from 7 days. This remedy relieves pain not only in arthritis, but also in rheumatism.