Benefits of cloudberries: medicinal, culinary and cosmetic recipes from the “royal berry.” Places where cloudberries grow

The amber berry with the interesting name cloudberry has remained a big mystery for most of our compatriots for many years. However, in the northern regions, this tundra berry has been very popular and loved by local residents for centuries. Its healing properties were well known back in the days of Tsarist Russia. By the way, this particular fruit is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Scandinavian countries.

What it is?

Cloudberry is a creeping perennial plant that grows in the tundra and forest-tundra of the northern hemisphere. The territory of its growth reaches the middle latitudes of Russia, as well as Belarusian and Polish lands.

Many breeders call these fruits “reverse berries” - they look so unusual. Unripe fruits are distinguished by a bright red hue, and as they ripen they lighten and at the ripe stage become yellow-reddish, reminiscent of a translucent stone - amber.

The berry grows in a continuous carpet of low-growing bushes no more than 30 cm high. The plant lives in wetlands, and in its vicinity you can often find blueberries, as well as lingonberries and other famous northern fruit crops.

Cloudberries belong to the Rosaceae family, the genus Raspberry. The rhizome branched in the ground is quite strong and creeping; every year young, squat shoots 15-20 cm tall emerge from it, each with 2-3 leaves, and the very top is crowned with a small flower.

The leaves consist of 5-7 rounded lobes, slightly wrinkled, the petals are white. Cloudberries bloom in June; the flowers are unisexual, with the male flowers being much larger than the female ones. The crop ripens in 7-9 weeks, the fruits are drupes.

The berry is sweet and sour, has a tart taste, which many compare to unripe raspberries. The fruits are quite tender and do not tolerate transportation well; it cannot be stored for a long time, so most often for commercial purposes it is collected slightly unripe in last decade July - early August, when all other berries are already leaving. Cloudberry is distinguished by its high yield - up to 1 ton of fruit can be obtained from one hectare of land.

By the way, cloudberry roots are widely used in medicine, so they are also harvested, but later - in November.

Where does it grow?

The cloudberry's homeland is the northern natural zone, but it can often be found in the warmer regions of our country. The habitat of this amber raspberry is quite wide: most often it can be found in Komi, as well as the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Many plants are found in Tomsk, Tyumen, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. In addition, amber fruits are collected in the Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov regions.

The culture is quite widespread in the neighboring and far abroad– Belarus, Finland and Canada. By the way, last countries are recognized as world leaders in the procurement of royal berries, and in Finland the image of Arctic raspberries is even transferred to national coins of 2 euros.

Beneficial features

Like all forest berries, these amber fruits can be called a real storehouse of vitamins: they contain very a large number of vitamins B, E, C and A, and in addition, all parts of the plant are rich in useful mineral elements: potassium, copper and iron, fructose, glucose and organic acids. Moreover, the concentration of these substances is very high, for example, vitamin C in fruits is 4 times more than in an orange, and 3 times more than in carrots.

In northern territories with a harsh climate, berries are quite popular as a powerful immunostimulant and a real salvation from spring scurvy. On harsh winter days, the fruits are used to treat colds, sore throats, severe fevers, and more sensitive issues, such as cystitis and diseases of the genitourinary system.

Whether used raw or processed, cloudberries are exceptionally strong multivitamin complex For winter period and boosts the immune system, and also allows the body to recover from the flu and other serious ailments as quickly and without consequences.

The fruits of Arctic raspberries and decoctions from its leaves alleviate the condition of atherosclerosis, since the plant is saturated with calcium, which normalizes mental and physical state sick person. In addition, the presence of this microelement allows you to normalize the functioning of the intestines and liver, helps remove waste and toxins from the body, and also gets rid of salts, which are a common cause of edema.

Calcium promotes blood clotting and is a good prevention of allergic reactions.

Cloudberries are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help maintain cholesterol at a safe level, and in addition, these acids significantly reduce the load on blood vessels and the heart muscle.

Arctic raspberries contain iron, which is the main component in the treatment of anemia, coronary disease and poor blood circulation. Phosphorus prevents the development of osteoporosis and strengthens bones, and magnesium normalizes the activity of nerve tissue.

The green parts of the plant contain cobalt, which helps improve performance digestive tract, therefore, a decoction of sepals is recommended for use when chronic gastritis and diarrhea. Aluminum is extremely useful for the gastrointestinal tract, reducing pain in diseases of the pancreas.

The sodium stored in the berry prevents dehydration of all body systems, maintaining an adequate supply of water in cells and tissues. positive impact Silicon affects the functioning of the brain, and it also prevents the development of pulmonary diseases, including tuberculosis.

Vitamin A, present in significant quantities in fruits, prevents the appearance of cataracts and improves visual acuity. This substance is needed for skin regeneration in case of damage and for the restoration of mucous membranes.

B vitamins improve performance nervous system, and also have a positive effect on the functionality of the walls of blood vessels, improve muscle function, and vitamin E inhibits the process age-related changes and promotes normal hormone production in the adrenal glands and pituitary gland.

Continuing the description of the beneficial properties of cloudberry, we can say that it is considered a truly lady's berry, as it has a good cosmetic effect. It is no secret that Arctic raspberry extracts are included in nourishing creams and face masks, and are also a component of hair care products. Anti-aging products are created using cloudberries to help reduce wrinkles and improve complexion.

However, this is by no means the only thing that makes these berries useful specifically for women. Cloudberries are highly recommended for women expecting a baby - doctors advise including it in their diet at least twice a week, since it is rich in malic and salicylic acids, which are so necessary for both the expectant mother and her baby.

The berry contains a high concentration of tocopherol, which promotes proper development baby in the womb and relieves general well-being pregnant woman. In addition, cloudberries are used to treat colds in cases where the use of any medicines can be dangerous.

For those who want to get rid of excess weight, cloudberries can also be extremely useful. The berry is ideal for inclusion in diets because it consists of water and vitamins, its calorie content is minimal - 100 g of the product contains only 40 kilocalories, it exhibits an effective diuretic effect and optimizes the functioning of the lymphatic drainage system.

Contraindications

Like any other products with high concentration vitamins, macro- and microelements, cloudberries have a number of restrictions on consumption. Thus, people with any type of allergies to arctic raspberry components should refrain from eating the royal berry, since their presence can cause severe itching or a rash.

People with increased gastric secretion, as well as peptic ulcers, erosive gastritis in the acute stage should also not consume cloudberries.

Stones in the ureters, kidneys and gallbladder are also a contraindication to including berries in the diet.

Eating raw fruits is not allowed for children under 2 years of age. Starting from 12 months, it should be introduced into the diet, but only as part of fruit puree, compotes and decoctions.

Where is it used?

Cloudberry is widely used in traditional medicine. Most Applications she received in the treatment of cough and other colds- For this, a decoction of berries and green leaves is used.

For cooking medicinal decoction 1 tbsp. l. amber berries and leaves, pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew. The drug is taken 3-4 times a day until complete relief from unpleasant manifestations illness.

To strengthen the immune system and have a general tonic effect, cloudberries are combined with rose hips. To do this, pour the prepared mixture of berries with boiling water in a proportion of 2 tbsp. l. spoons per 1 liter, leave until completely cooled and drink 100 ml twice a day. The same composition has healing effect for problems with the heart and blood vessels.

A decoction of the fruits, roots, and leaves of the plant is used for cystitis. To get rid of this disease, 1 tbsp. l. cloudberries are poured with a liter of liquid and boiled over low heat for 4-5 minutes, then wrapped and left to infuse. For the appearance of pronounced therapeutic effect It is recommended to consume a quarter cup of the decoction 2-3 times a day.

When preparing cloudberry infusions, compotes and decoctions, keep in mind that their shelf life is minimal - after 4-5 hours they begin to deteriorate and can harm the body.

As mentioned, cloudberry is a common ingredient cosmetics, and both berry extract and seeds are used for their preparation. Cloudberry helps reduce irritation of dry skin, removes the feeling of tightness, and due to the presence of fatty acids, restores the protective function skin, reduces the severity of wrinkles, and the skin after using such products acquires a firm, elastic appearance.

Cloudberry seed oil is highly valued - cosmetologists consider it one of the most effective anti-aging products, the parameters of which have the most protective and nutritional characteristics. It is used in skin and hair care as a highly concentrated, intense action supplement. This drug is not used in pure form, moreover, even in combination with other oils, their content is limited to 10%. However, even in these concentrations the substance exhibits its highest effectiveness.

IN medical purposes Arctic raspberry leaves and sepals are also used. They have proven themselves to be quite effective in getting rid of edema, as well as gout and metabolic problems. In combination with fish oil Cloudberry leaves are used to relieve inflammation in ulcerative purulent wounds.

The fruits are consumed fresh, as well as in purees, compotes and jelly; cloudberry juice and tea have a good taste. It is used frozen and dried and is often added to sweet culinary dishes.

For example, residents of the northern regions love to take berries to make cheesecakes and sweet pies. This berry is very tasty when soaked and steamed. If you grind it with other northern berries - lingonberries or cranberries, you can prepare delicious sauces for meat dishes or nutritious jelly.

In Sweden, cloudberries are most often consumed in the form of sweet jam. Residents of this country believe that fresh it is too tart, but overcooked with sugar it is the optimal combination of acid and sweetness. Swedes quite often combine cloudberries with cheese or toast with mushrooms - it adds piquancy to these spicy dishes.

In Finland, Arctic raspberries are used to produce Lakka liqueur, which is in demand among lovers of sweets. alcoholic beverages worldwide. By the way, this liqueur is often used to make desserts. In addition, cloudberries are included in the recipe of most national dishes- it is eaten with melted cheese, added to pies and jelly with milk or cream.

Residents of Foggy Albion prefer cloudberry jam. This delicate berry is also highly valued in Norway, where it is often added to ice cream and even beer is made from the berry.

In Alaska, royal berry is mixed with deer fat and baked with it in hearty pies - such a dish is very popular among the indigenous people of these areas.

Let's focus on the most popular recipes arctic raspberry dishes.

The most famous and simplest should be called jam, for which the berry is mixed with sugar in a ratio of 1 to 1, allowed to brew for 24 hours and then boiled over low heat, constantly stirring with a wooden spatula until the mass thickens. With this method of processing, the berry does not lose vitamins and healing substances, so jam can not only please sweet lovers, but also help in the fight against winter colds.

Cloudberries are widely used in decoctions, juices and infusions. Cloudberry juice is cooked very simply - the berry is passed through a juicer, pasteurized and rolled into glass jars. The drink can also be made with the addition of sugar - for this, 0.5 kg of sugar is added to a liter of finished juice, stirred and preserved for the winter.

Arctic raspberry jelly is considered a healthy and sweet dish. To prepare it, you should grind the berries with a pestle, add water and over low heat and boil for 3-4 minutes, then add gelatin and sugar (at the rate of 500 g per 1 kg of fruit), bring to a boil again and boil for 25-30 minutes .

Very beneficial effects Pickled cloudberries have beneficial effects on the body. It is prepared in wooden tubs from ripe berries. The recipe is quite simple: put the peeled fruits in a barrel, pour the cooled boiled water, if desired, some add a little sugar syrup. Wrap, put a lid with a load and send to a cool place, such as a cellar. The berry will be ready to eat in 3-4 days.

How to plant?

Many seek to grow this extraordinary culture in the country or in their own garden. Several methods are used to propagate cloudberries. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

digging up a bush

To do this, they find a small shrub in the forest and very carefully dig it up along with an earthen lump along the periphery so that the height of the rhizome is at least half a meter. It is best to choose areas where sedge and cotton grass do not grow, since their powerful roots will make digging much more difficult. Cloudberry roots are located under dense sphagnum at a depth of approximately 25-35 cm.

The excavated material must not be dried. It should be wrapped in moss, moistened and placed in polyethylene. If neither one nor the other is available, then you should wrap the roots with paper and periodically moisten it while transporting the seedling.

cuttings

A large plant is found in the forest and small petioles are cut, after which they are rooted in a greenhouse. They are planted in soil enriched nutrients, then cover with film or a cut-off part of a plastic bottle and water generously. It is optimal to treat them with solutions that stimulate root formation. Under no circumstances should you allow the soil to dry out and the humidity level in the greenhouse to decrease.

Reproduction by seeds

Using this method You should be prepared for the fact that you can wait for the harvest only after a few years, and in addition, the plant may differ significantly from the parent, and for the worse.

If seed material is purchased in limited quantities, then for planting you should use boxes filled with peat and sand in a ratio of 4 to 1. Seeds should be planted in this substrate immediately after purchase, since long-term storage material, its viability is significantly reduced and there is a risk that they simply will not germinate.

After planting, the boxes should be placed in a cellar or any other room in which the temperature is maintained at 3-5 degrees, and left for 1.5 months. After the specified time has passed, the boxes are returned to a warm environment, where they must wait for the onset of conditions that are optimal for transplanting into open ground.

Seedlings

The modern market, as a rule, offers seedlings of imported varieties that are not able to withstand the long Russian winters, so it is optimal to find nurseries that offer plants adapted to our conditions.

Regardless of the propagation method, the soil should be properly prepared for planting cloudberries. The soil should be well moistened, the pH should be slightly acidic. The area should be well lit and ventilated. It is advisable to disinfect the soil before planting, and then fertilize the soil with a special fungus - mycorrhiza, which is very useful for cloudberries and lives in all places where they naturally grow. During its life, this fungus releases substances that promote the growth and development of the plant.

You can purchase the microorganism in a specialized store or extract it from the soil yourself.

The planting area should be " layered cake» made of polyethylene film and soil. To do this, dig a trench in the ground about 50 cm deep and the same width. Polyethylene is placed at the bottom of the prepared trench, forming small holes throughout its entire area, and then covered with prepared soil. After this, another layer of film is laid and re-filled with soil.

Keep in mind that in order for the plant to develop well, you should create conditions on the site that are as close to natural as possible. It is optimal if the soil is brought from swampy areas where cloudberries grow. It is worth planting wild rosemary bushes nearby; lingonberries and blueberries will be good neighbors.

Care

Cultivation of the plant on an industrial scale began around the 60s of the last century. For the first time, breeders in Norway and Finland did this. In Russia, gardeners and market gardeners have only now begun to develop Arctic raspberries.

Care for cloudberries, as reviews indicate, has its own specifics, and first of all Special attention should be given watering. The natural environment in which this amber berry grows involves highly acidic soil, so chlorinated tap water should not be used to water the plant. IN otherwise there is a high probability of developing chlorosis, which occurs as a consequence advanced level alkali in the ground.

The water used to moisten the soil must be slightly acidified - for this purpose vinegar or citric acid is added to it at the rate of 2 g per bucket of liquid.

Watering should be plentiful, since cloudberries love marshy areas. Do not allow the soil to dry out, otherwise you will not get a good harvest. The land should be irrigated daily. For 1 sq. m plot should have at least 50-80 liters of water. If it is not possible to provide daily watering, then it is necessary to mulch the area near the bush to maintain the required level of soil moisture.

Additionally, you can acidify the soil by adding ground sulfur to it. For the first 3 years, cloudberries need regular weeding. Once the plant is fully formed, it is no longer afraid of any weeds.

The plant requires regular pruning; its purpose is purely sanitary - to remove dead and old branches. This work is carried out in early spring before the buds appear. Cloudberries do not need shaping.

Like any other crop, cloudberry responds well to fertilization. At the very beginning of spring, it is advisable to fertilize the soil mineral preparations, and shortly before fruiting, manure should be added, as well as special growth stimulants. This feeding is carried out in May.

When growing cloudberries, you can encounter a wide variety of crop pests - raspberry and spider mites, aphids, stem flies and strawberry weevils. When the first signs of damage appear, the shrub should be treated with insecticidal compounds. Gardeners recommend using Karbofos, colloidal sulfur, Metaphos or Actellik.

Interesting Facts about drizzling and its use, see the following video.

Northern cloudberry is a herbaceous perennial plant, and belongs to the genus "Raspberry". It grows in the wild in northern Russia, Belarus, the Far East and Scandinavia. It is difficult to grow artificially. Cloudberry has unique composition, And beautiful colour, for which it is called “swamp amber”

Where the berry grows natural conditions very harsh. It is found even beyond the Arctic Circle. In Russia it grows in the north of Siberia and the north of the Far East. Cloudberries are common in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Norway. There is it in England and Alaska. In Finland, coins with the image of this berry are minted. Cloudberry has perfectly adapted to the conditions of the tundra and forest-tundra. It grows in wet, swampy, mountainous areas, on plains and mounds.
It grows, forming a dense carpet, on top of which, amber translucent berries are visible.
The plant is very productive; up to 1,000 kg of berries are harvested from one hectare.

Botanical description of the berry and chemical composition

Cloudberry is a squat plant, up to thirty centimeters in height. The root system is very branched. The roots can go down to two meters deep. The berry is a cross-pollinated plant; it produces male and female flowers.
The leaves of the royal berry are small in size, jagged in shape, and green in color. Each berry is located in a closed sepal, which opens when the cloudberry ripens. The fruit is a composite drupe. It looks like a raspberry. The color of the berries is initially red, but as they ripen they become yellow and translucent. The color resembles amber. The berries are hard at first and become juicy and soft when ripe. The ripening period lasts 45 days. The taste of the fruit is sour-sweet, very delicate. Cloudberries bloom in May–June and are harvested in July. It is rich in vitamins and minerals.

It contains vitamins A, B, C, E and PP and organic acids:

lemon
salicylic
apple

From minerals;

silicon
iron
phosphorus
potassium
aluminum
magnesium
calcium

It contains pectin and tannins, vitamin A carotenoids, alimentary fiber, sugar, fiber and water.

Useful and medicinal properties of cloudberries

The berry is very beneficial for health.

strengthens the immune system
helps with colds
normalizes intestinal microflora
improves night vision
increases hemoglobin,
fights germs
gets rid of lamblia
helps to recover from illness
does better job respiratory organs
increases performance
prevents atherosclerosis
increases vascular elasticity
has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system
removes waste and toxins from the body
relieves cramps
improves blood circulation
promotes skin restoration and healing

In addition, eating cloudberries will help in the prevention of cancer.

Cloudberry has medicinal properties, such as:
immunomodulating
antimicrobial
antispasmodic
anti-inflammatory
choleretic
rejuvenating
diuretics
astringents
regenerating
Using cloudberries in fresh or in the form of jam, puree, compotes you can saturate the body natural vitamins And useful minerals, improve immunity. In the north it has always been used as a medicine against scurvy.

The use of cloudberries in folk medicine

The plant is widely used in folk medicine. In terms of its area of use, the berry is similar to raspberries, of which it is a relative. Various drugs from the plant you need to use:

for cystitis
gout
with diarrhea
dropsy
for kidney stones
for coughs and colds
for tuberculosis
with vitamin deficiency
with scabies
with vitamin deficiency
scurvy
for metabolic disorders

In folk medicine, the plant is used in the form of:

decoction
infusion

They use leaves, sepals, stalks, roots and berries.
A decoction is made from the leaves. To do this, brew a spoonful of dried leaves with a glass of boiling water and keep it on low heat for fifteen minutes. Let it brew for 40 minutes, strain thoroughly and top up. boiled water to the original volume. You should drink 50 ml half an hour before meals four times a day.
For infusion, take two teaspoons of fresh or dried berries and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for four hours. Drink a day, dividing into equal parts. The infusion helps with gout, metabolic disorders, and kidney stones. An infusion can also be made from dried leaves.
An infusion of dried leaves and roots will help with cystitis and cough.
Leaf tea can be drunk like regular tea, but not more than two glasses per day. It turns out very tasty if you mix one part of the leaves of the northern berry and two parts of the leaves of wild forest strawberries. You can add honey for taste. Tea is used as a general tonic for the body.

The berries are eaten to boost immunity as a tonic for colds and strong cough. Juice from ripe berries lubricate areas affected by scabies, as well as long-term non-healing wounds.
The leaves serve as a hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent. They are recommended to be brewed in case of kidney stones or metabolic disorders. Cloudberries will help heal purulent wound. To do this, simply sprinkle the wound with powder from dried leaves. The leaves are lubricated with fish oil and used as a dressing.

Cloudberries in cosmetology

It is used with great success in cosmetology. The berry has excellent cosmetic properties, and its benefits for female beauty no doubt. Creams, shampoos, and soaps are made from it. An extract from it is added to gels and cosmetics. For production, not only the juice of the berry itself is used, but also oil from the seeds. Cosmetic companies produce entire lines of cloudberry-based products.

The content of vitamins A and E in fruits has a beneficial effect on dry and irritated skin, soothing it and nourishing it. Fatty acids restore the protective barrier of the skin on the face and remove fine wrinkles. By acting on the skin of the hands, they restore elasticity and firmness, cleanse well and make them radiant and healthy hair. Can be done at home natural masks based on berries.

Contraindications for eating cloudberries

Despite the undoubted benefits for the body, cloudberries can also cause harm to the body. It has some contraindications for its use. First of all, you need to make sure that there is no allergy that cloudberries can cause. If you are allergic to raspberries, it is quite possible that you are allergic to cloudberries.
People with gastritis, stomach ulcers and duodenum. In addition, you should not eat seeds, as they irritate the stomach.
If you have liver and kidney diseases, you should also pay close attention to how you feel after eating the fruit.

The northern berry has found its application in many areas. It is used in folk medicine, industrial cosmetology and cooking. You can make jam, jellies, compotes from it and simply freeze it to get healthy vitamins in winter. Its benefits are enormous. No wonder one of its names is “royal berry”.

Cloudberry is a plant up to 30 cm high, belonging to the Rosaceae family (genus Rubus). The cloudberry fruit is an amber-colored berry that looks very similar to a raspberry. Cloudberry is widespread in countries located in the Northern Hemisphere. In Russia, it is collected in Siberia and the Far East. This berry loves swampy forests, peat bogs and tundra.

Cloudberry varieties

Wild cloudberries have been collected in large quantities since ancient times. The first attempt to cultivate the berry was in Finland in the 20th century. Later, work in this direction began to be carried out by breeders in Northern Germany and Norway.

But, despite all the efforts of scientists, varieties of garden cloudberries have not yet been developed. Therefore, private farms also plant wild berries, also known as “swamp amber”, “moss currant” and “northern orange”.

Nutritional value, calorie content and composition of cloudberries

Cloudberry, like most other berries, belongs to dietary products. 100 grams of this berry contain only 40 kcal.

Nutritional value of 100 g cloudberries:

7.4 g of carbohydrates.
0.9 g fat.
0.8 g protein.
83.3 g water.

Composition of cloudberries (per 100 g):

Vitamins:

29 mg vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
1.5 mg vitamin E.
0.9 mg beta-carotene.
0.5 mg of vitamin PP.
150 micrograms of vitamin A.
0.07 mg vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
0.06 mg of vitamin B1 (thiamine).

Minerals:

180 mg potassium.
29 mg magnesium.
28 mg phosphorus.
15 mg calcium.
0.7 mg iron.
1 mg sodium.

The benefits and harms of cloudberries

Useful properties of cloudberries:

Cloudberry has a beneficial effect on the blood and cardiovascular system. The berry regulates the process of blood clotting. Its use helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increases their elasticity. In addition, it prevents the development of thrombophlebitis.
Cloudberry is known for its wound healing effect. The berry is also irreplaceable postoperative period, as it increases the rate of cell regeneration and accelerates the process of restoration of injured tissues. Moreover, cloudberries have been proven to slow down the development of cancerous tumors.
Fresh berries and cloudberry jam are consumed during colds. They have both anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effects.
Cloudberries are also prescribed to boost immunity. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the body with vitamin deficiency and chronic fatigue.
Cloudberry has a diuretic effect. For this reason, it is recommended for edema and kidney disease.
Cloudberry has a beneficial effect on vision. Reduces brittle nails and hair loss. The berries are used to improve skin structure and fight skin infections.
Cloudberry leaves are applied to areas affected by scurvy.
A decoction of sepals is effective tool From cough.

What harm can cloudberries cause to the body?

Cloudberries are not recommended for people suffering from hyperacidity, as well as gastritis and peptic ulcers.
The berry should be used with caution when chronic diseases kidneys and liver.
In some cases, cloudberries can cause allergies, accompanied by vomiting and nausea. This happens especially often if a person has eaten too many berries. For this reason, nutritionists advise adults to consume no more than 500 g of cloudberries per week (this amount is divided into several servings).

Cloudberry in the diet of pregnant and lactating women, children, diabetics and athletes

Pregnant Cloudberry is very useful for women. It relieves swelling, normalizes metabolism and relieves heartburn. In addition, the berry has a beneficial effect on the development of the baby. Nutritionists recommend that pregnant women eat 2/3 cup of cloudberries twice a week.

Thanks to light color, cloudberry is a berry that can be one of the first to be consumed by nursing mothers . Of course, during lactation it is necessary to take into account
baby's reaction. Therefore, you should start with several berries a day. If the child takes the cloudberries well, then you can eat up to half a glass of berries at one time.

In children's diet cloudberries are included from 12 months, initially in the form of jelly. From the age of one and a half years, you can try giving your child whole berries. Cloudberries are especially useful for children with low immunity and those suffering from rickets.

Cloudberry is also indicated for patients diabetes . This berry contains almost no sucrose and significantly reduces blood sugar levels.

The value of cloudberries for due to its positive influence on the cardiovascular system and the ability to increase vitality an organism weakened by significant physical exertion.

How to choose, collect, consume and store cloudberries?

Mass cloudberry harvest occurs from early July to mid-August. If you are late in picking, it will be impossible to bring the berries home, as they instantly turn into mush.
Cloudberries need to be collected together with the sepals, then they will wrinkle much less.
The berry can (and even better) be picked unripe, as long as it has a reddish tint.
Cloudberries will “reach” in a cool place in 2-3 days.
Ripe cloudberries can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days.
Overripe cloudberries turn sour within a few hours. To avoid this, you should immediately place the berries in sugar syrup.
Cloudberries are recommended to be consumed with other berries, as well as with sour and sweet and sour fruits and vegetables. The berry is useful in combination with meat, fish, mushrooms, honey, as well as any cereal and dairy products.

What dishes can be prepared with cloudberries?

Cloudberry in dietary nutrition

Due to its low calorie content and low sugar content, cloudberries are used for diet food. There is no mono-diet on cloudberries, but it is included in dishes with minimum content calories. Desserts are prepared with cloudberries with a small energy value, light salads and dressings for hot dishes.

In addition, glass fresh berries nutritionists recommend consuming it instead of breakfast or dinner. Cloudberries activate metabolism and intestinal function, which will promote weight loss.

Landing: in September-October.
Lighting: bright sunlight.
The soil: moist, well-drained, fertile and slightly acidic – 4.5-5.0 pH.
Watering: regular, every evening, water consumption per 1 m² of area - 5-8 buckets. Every third watering you need to add an acidifier to the water - 2 g lemon or acetic acid for 10 liters of water.
top dressing: from the second season, once a year, in the spring, a solution of 1 tablespoon of complex mineral fertilizer in 5 liters of water. Organic cloudberries are contraindicated.
reproduction: by seeds, cuttings, but it is better to dig up a bush in the wild and transplant it into the garden.
Pests: Damaged by raspberry mites, aphids, spider mites, strawberry-raspberry weevils, ants, stem, onion and carrot flies.
Diseases: fungal infections.
Properties: medicinal plant, which has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, restorative, rejuvenating, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, antispasmodic, regenerating, anticancer, choleretic, astringent, antiscorbutic, wound-healing, antifebrile and consolidating effects.

Read more about growing cloudberries below.

Cloudberry - description

Cloudberry - semi-shrub or herbaceous plant up to 30 cm high. Its rhizome is long, branched, creeping, its stems are erect and thin. They are joined by petioles in the next order by 2-3 wrinkled, five-lobed, unevenly crenate leaves of a pale green color with brown spots and an apical flower with white petals. Cloudberry flowers are unisexual: in some only stamens develop, in others only pistils develop. The cloudberry fruit is a clustered drupe with a diameter of about 1.5 cm, reminiscent of a raspberry fruit. When unripe, cloudberries are yellow-red, when ripe they are orange, almost transparent, reminiscent of amber. Cloudberries ripen in July-August.

Planting and caring for cloudberries

Planting cloudberries in the garden.

You can grow a cloudberry bush from seeds or by rooting cuttings, but this is a long and not always successful path. It’s easier to dig up a cloudberry bush in the forest or purchase a ready-made seedling from a well-established seller.

If you find a cloudberry bush in nature with large delicious berries, carefully dig it up in September along with a lump of earth, pack the root system in a paper bag, without removing which you can plant the plant in a new place: since replanting is quite a serious stress for the plant, it is advisable not to cause additional injuries to it by wrapping the roots in burlap, and then unfolding them before landing. The top of the paper bag is wrapped in polyethylene to prevent the roots from drying out, but it is advisable to replant the plant as soon as possible.

Cloudberry grows well on moist, slightly acidic (pH 4.5-5), well-drained and fertile soils, on open areas illuminated by the sun. Dig a hole of the required size (approximately 50x50 cm) and fill it with a man-made “swamp”: line the walls of the pit with clay, roofing felt or thick film, that is, waterproofing material, and also lay a film with several holes on the bottom. After this, fill the hole with a mixture consisting of one part of forest litter containing the mycorrhizae necessary for the plant, with three parts of high-moor peat, compact the mixture and water generously: as a result, the level of the filler should be 10 cm below the edge of the hole. Place the root system in the hole directly in a paper bag (it will then rot), fill the rest of the space with the same substrate so that its excess rises in a small mound above the surface of the area, and water the bush. When the earth settles, the surface will level out.

How to care for cloudberries.

Cloudberries planted before winter will come to life in the spring and will require regular and abundant watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds. Water for irrigation should be free of chlorine and warm. It is advisable to water the plant every evening, using 5-8 buckets of water for each m². From time to time, dissolve 2 g of vinegar or citric acid. If you mulch the planting with a thick layer of peat, then 2-3 waterings per week will be enough. Weeding and loosening the soil around the bushes is very important in the first 2-3 years of life, but when the cloudberry grows, it will not be afraid of weeds.

In the second or third ten days of May, flowering will begin, and you need to ensure that the flowers do not die from frost: you can cover the bush with spunbond at night.

In the second year of life, when cloudberry ovaries form, you should feed the plant with a solution of 1 tablespoon mineral complex in 5 liters of water. It is better not to use organic fertilizers.

Cloudberries are collected as they ripen, which begins in July. The harvest lasts about two weeks, then the overripe berries become unsuitable for processing and simply spread in your hands. Translucent fruits are removed from the plant orange color together with the sepals and put them in low buckets or cans. The sepals are then torn off and stored in medicinal purposes. During collection and transportation, the berries are covered with sun rays clean cloth or burdock leaves, but not plastic wrap.

Cloudberries do not store well, especially if they are overripe, so you can prepare sugar syrup in advance, before picking the berries, in which you will make jam from the overripe berries. For compote, it is better to prepare unripe fruits.

For medicinal purposes, not only the berries are used, but also the leaves and roots of the plant, which are dug up in October-November.

Types and varieties of cloudberries

Many people identify cloudberries with their cousin, princess, or raspberry. And although the princess belongs to the same department as the cloudberry, these are still two different plants. So far, it has not been possible to obtain garden varieties of the wild cloudberry.

Properties of cloudberry - harm and benefit

Useful properties of cloudberries.

Cloudberry – unique plant, the effect of which on the human body is difficult to overestimate. What are the benefits of cloudberries? It contains many important components: proteins, pectins, organic acids, fiber, sugars, tannins, phytoncides, antioxidants, fatty acids, plant sterols, vitamins C, A, PP, B1 and B2, as well as hematopoietic microelements potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, aluminum, cobalt, calcium, iron and silicon. Thanks to this composition, cloudberry has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, restorative, rejuvenating, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, antispasmodic, regenerating, anticancer, choleretic, astringent, antiscorbutic, wound-healing, antifever, and consolidating effect.

Cloudberry leaves, roots and berries are used to heal serious illness: kidney pathologies, liver and intestinal diseases, biliary tract problems are eliminated, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is normalized.

Eating cloudberries prevents the development of putrefactive and fermentation processes in gastrointestinal tract, restores biochemical processes, eliminates vitamin deficiency, helps cure colds and skin pathologies, and stops internal bleeding. Berries are also indicated for chronic fatigue, disruption of food digestion processes, cystitis, diarrhea, dropsy, gout, ascites, scabies and sore throats. Cloudberry treats cough and tuberculosis, it is also prescribed as general tonic after a serious illness.

This berry is also in demand in cosmetology: well-known company Lumene launches cloudberry and vitamin C repair cream.

Cloudberry - contraindications.

Cloudberry berries are contraindicated for gastritis with high acidity, stomach and duodenal ulcers, especially during exacerbation of the disease. The berry may cause allergic reactions in persons with intolerance to the product.

, potassium, iron, aluminum, phosphorus, cobalt, silicon, and vitamins B1, B3, PP.

Cloudberry fruits contain proteins, sugars, pectin substances, fiber, organic acids (citric ascorbic, malic, salicylic), anthocyanins, carotenoids, tannins, phytoncides, leukocyanins, leukoanthocyanins.

Cloudberry seed oil contains a large amount of natural active ingredients, the most valuable of which are antioxidants and omega fatty acids. Cloudberries contain the most important fatty acids: linoleic acid(omega 6), alpha-linoleic acid (omega 3), antioxidants (carotenoids, vitamin E), plant sterols.

Cloudberries contain 3 times more vitamin C than oranges. And it is involved in many biochemical processes, including regulating hydrogen transport. Maintains the colloidal state of the intercellular substance and normalizes capillary permeability. Cloudberries are superior to carrots in the content of provitamin A, which rejuvenates cell populations. Miracle Cloudberry - Rich source of tocopherols, accelerating the regeneration of damaged cells and participating in the most important processes tissue metabolism. Since cloudberries contain a lot of potassium, they help protect against cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

In folk medicine, only the calyxes of flowers are not used: the roots and leaves are used as a diuretic, with nephrolithiasis, beriberi, metabolic disorders, colds, hemoptysis, malaria. Leaf infusion is used for internal bleeding, diarrhea, as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. The juice of the fruit has a strong bactericidal effect. They lubricate the areas of skin affected by scabies.

Cloudberry berries are consumed fresh, soaked and pickled, and used in medicinal and dietary nutrition. Cloudberries are used to make jelly, compotes, jams, liqueurs, wines and juices, and pickled cloudberries are a real delicacy.

Healing properties cloudberries make it an indispensable component of medicinal cosmetics and hygiene products. It nourishes skin and hair tired from physical and emotional stress. Calms them in cold and hot weather, helps restore strength and function.

Essential fatty acids - linoleic and linolenic, contained in cloudberry oil, restore the epidermal-lipid barrier of the skin and moisturize it. As a result, the feeling of tightness disappears. Carotenoids, phytosterols and vitamin E give the skin additional protection from ultraviolet radiation and slow down the aging process.

Thanks to cloudberries, the skin is restored and renewed, filled with moisture, and becomes smooth and elastic. Nails become stronger and hair shines.