More than 200 species of honeysuckle grows throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. On the territory of Russia there are about 50 of them. But only one species has edible berries, and all the rest are poisonous. And this is the answer to the question of why you can’t eat honeysuckle berries all in a row.
Edible honeysuckle, this is the species in question, it grows only in Eastern Siberia, Sakhalin, the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and Kamchatka. This is a branched deciduous shrub with brown bark, growing up to 2.5 m. Its leaves are elliptical, and the oblong honeysuckle (this photo clearly shows) has a dark blue color with a bluish bloom. Its main advantages include earlier maturation and the content of a large number of vitamins.
The bush blooms from the beginning to the middle of May. At this time, fragrant beautiful flowers of yellow or light yellow color appear. This is a beautiful honey plant that bees, wasps and bumblebees pollinate. Depending on weather conditions, the plant can bloom from 2 to 4 weeks. Honeysuckle berry does not ripen at the same time, so the collection is carried out several times. Ripening begins from the end of May to mid-June. Among the narrow leaves appear seated in pairs berries.
It tastes somewhat like blueberries, although its taste depends on the place of growth. If it is a humid and cool climate, then the honeysuckle berry contains more acid and vitamin C. In hot climates, the content of coloring and tannins will be increased, which causes a slight bitterness. In a temperate continental climate, the berry will be sweet, high in vitamin C and sugars.
Honeysuckle berry is very valuable. It contains vitamins P and C. In addition, it contains many elements: it is iron and calcium, potassium and iodine, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. And also the berry is rich in carbohydrates, pigments and organic acids.
If we talk about its usefulness, then, firstly, it is the prevention of scurvy. A decoction of honeysuckle is used for all kinds of inflammations to rinse the mouth and rinse the eyes. It is very useful to consume fresh berries for anemia, hypertension and in the treatment of malaria. It also helps well with an upset gastrointestinal tract. And for the prevention of cancer and reduce the aging process of cells, the honeysuckle berry will be an excellent and tasty tool.
In addition to berries, honeysuckle uses stems, flowers and leaves. Decoctions of them are used as a painkiller and diuretic (spastic colitis), they also have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, well remove excess fluid from the body.
Juice made from honeysuckle berries is used to treat ulcers, psoriasis, lichen and eczema. Also, for skin diseases, baths from its young branches help. And their infusion can rinse your hair. A decoction of twigs is used for sick kidneys, it also increases appetite well.
From the berries of honeysuckle prepare jam, jelly, fruit drinks, jelly and toppings for pies. For the winter, they can be harvested like raspberries or black currants: just grind with sugar at a rate of 1: 1. And you can prepare them by drying, in its properties honeysuckle will not yield prunes and dried apricots. So do not deny yourself the use of this tasty and healthy berry.
