Cowberry

Lingonberry grows almost throughout the entire European territory except the southern regions, in coniferous and mixed forests in mountainous and lowland tundra, especially typical of pine and pine-fir forests.

This plant many names. Some are similar to usual; Brusnytsya, bar, brushitsa; others associated with its usual habitat - Borovik, boruvka and the third is derived from its traditional use (berries cranberries used for cooking kvass) - kvasnichki. But how would describe it - all perfectly recognized by the appearance of an evergreen shrub height of 10-20 inches, with leathery leaves, dark green above and light green with dark dots below.

For cosmetic purposes is collected leaves and fruits of cranberry. The fruits contain vitamin C, organic acids, carbohydrates, and a number of benzoic acid, it serves as a natural preservative: fresh berries, filled with clean water, can persist throughout the year. Berries cranberries have antiseptic and vitamin properties. They are used in raw form and for the preparation of dietetic products.

Addition of berries, medicinal value and the leaves have cranberries. They contain phenolic glycosides - arbutin and metilarbutin, organic acids, flavonoids and tannins.

Anti-inflammatory, astringent and disinfectant properties of leaves can be used for cosmetic purposes - in the form of infusions and decoctions for hair loss, dandruff, itching of the head , with irritation and inflammation of the skin.

fruit juice in the form of a mask has a valuable property to promote water penetration into the skin cells and thereby protect it from decay and the formation of premature wrinkles.

leaves are harvested in spring ( April - early May) until the cranberries are not blossom and autumn (September - October), along with the collection of berries. Collection of leaf produced by hand, sdergivaya leaf from the bottom up with stalks or cut olistvennye shoots. Break off the sprouts can not, as in this case pulled out pieces of rhizomes that lie very close to the soil surface (at a depth of 4.2 cm). Repeated harvesting on the same site are allowed only in 5-10 years.

Leaves are dried in a well ventilated area, carefully avoiding direct sunlight. Rassypayut layer of 3-5 centimeters, on paper or cloth and are often mixed. The yield of dry raw materials 20 percent. Shelf life 3 years. Plant reproduces mainly vegetatively.