cherry stems

In March, if not already at the end of February, the cherry trees begin to blossom in many parts of Spain, offering landscapes as inspiring as those found in the Valle del Jerte.

They are cherry trees that are grown in mountainous areas, with relative humidity, often in a traditional way, and that occupy large areas, not only in Extremadura, but also in Andalusia and the Ebro Valley.

Spain is, along with Italy, Germany and the United States, the world’s largest exporter of cherries. In the wild, cherry trees are found mainly in the margins of deciduous forests in the north of the Peninsula and mountainous areas isolated from the rest.

They are trees up to twenty meters high, with a wide crown and oval, pointed leaves, shiny on the front. The flowers, grouped in umbels, are white, very beautiful and aromatic.

From the fruit, the tasty cherry, several varieties are cultivated. It is an exquisite fruit that is appetizing both for dessert and after hours and with which you can make delicious juices, ice creams, smoothies, preserves and cakes.

They are rich in anthocyanosides –the pigment that gives them their red color–, mineral salts and vitamins, and have remineralizing, cleansing, detoxifying and antibacterial properties.

Its fiber also makes them slightly laxative.

Cherry stems medicinal properties

In phytotherapy, however, the most commonly used part is not the fruit, but rather the peduncles or stalks that attach them to the branches. They contain potassium salts, salicylic derivatives, flavonoids and tannins.

In addition to being attributed diuretic and purifying properties, they are considered analgesic and febrifuge.

In herbalists the stalks are recommended to promote the emission of urine, detoxify the body and deal with different genitourinary conditions: edema, infections such as cystitis, kidney inflammation and the formation of kidney stones.

They are also advised to reduce excess uric acid and urea or high blood pressure, and in flu-like processes, to reduce fever and soothe pain.

How to use cherry stalks

In herbalists they are found in the form of a dry plant for decoction, liquid extract and tincture.

The juice of the fresh fruit can also be found and used for medicinal purposes.

Infusion of cherry stems

With cherry tails you can prepare a diuretic and purifying herbal tea to eliminate toxins. This infusion combines cherry stems, horsetail, grass, birch leaves and star anise in equal parts to detoxify the body.

Three tablespoons of this mixture are added to a liter of water and boiled for 2 minutes. Let it rest for another 10 and strain. Once prepared, the infusion can be drunk throughout the day.

Pillows with cherry stones to sleep better

In cherries nothing is wasted. Proof of this is the traditional use of its seeds to fill cushions for therapeutic purposes.

A large quantity of seeds is washed and dried. They are heated briefly in the microwave or in the hot oven already turned off. The cushion is filled with them.

This mass of seeds captures heat very well, but disperses it progressively, which is ideal for decontracting and relaxing the neck and cervical muscles, and to relieve low back pain.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”