Cornus mas, the Cornelian cherry or Cornelian cherry dogwood or Cornus Mas, is a species of flowering plant in the dogwood family Cornaceae. There are nearly 50 species of cornelian cherry in the world. Apart from the cornelian cherry, the most popular include alternate-leaved dogwood, flowering dogwood, kousa dogwood, wedding cake tree and Japanese cornelian cherry. The plant is native to southwestern regions of Asia and southern Europe. In Asia, it is found growing in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Israel, Georgia, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.
Uses and benefits of Cornelian cherry
- Bark and the fruit are astringent, febrifuge and nutritive.
- Astringent fruit is a good treatment for bowel complaints and fevers, whilst it is also used in the treatment of cholera.
- Flowers are used in the treatment of diarrhea.
- It has traditionally been used for curing diarrhea and dysentery.
- Consumption of these berries and therapeutic formulations made from them helps speedy recovery from numerous ailments and restore to normal health after the illnesses.
- Drinking the juice extracted from cornelian cherry-berry can also promote recovery after a bout of severe diarrhea.
- Consuming these berries regularly helps to boost the functioning of the liver by exercising a potent hepatoprotective action.
- Eating cornelian cherry also promotes the functioning of the kidneys.
- Consumption of this fruit helps to promote urine production, thus supporting the normal functioning of the kidneys.
- Cornelian cherry also aids in lowering high blood pressure and is beneficial for people suffering from hypertension.
- This berry-like fruit also encourages detoxification of the entire body.
- It is perfect for preventing the common cold and flu, as it consists of high levels of vitamin C.
- Fruits are used for treating a variety of health conditions, including fever and various complaints related to the bowel.
- These fruits are also used for treating cholera.
- Consumption of these cherries also helps to relieve the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, clear the body of infections, and also restore our health.
- A small amount of edible oil can be extracted from the seeds.
- Seeds are roasted, ground into a powder and used as a coffee substitute
- Fruit can be consumed raw, dried or used in preserves.
- Fully ripe fruit has a somewhat plum-like flavor and texture and is very nice eating, but the unripe fruit is rather astringent.
- It is rather low in pectin and so needs to be used with other fruit when making jam.
- At one time the fruit was kept in brine and used like olives.
- Small amount of edible oil can be extracted from the seeds.
- Seeds are roasted, ground into a powder and used as a coffee substitute.
- In Azerbaijan and Armenia, the fruit is used for distilling vodka, in Austria and German Alps is used for distilling Dirndlbrand.
- In Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is distilled into Rakia.
- In Turkey and Iran, it is consumed with salt as a snack in summer, and traditionally drunk in a cold drink called kızılcık şerbeti.
- Cornus mas is also a traditional component of liquors, jams, comfitures and other fruit-based products
- The leaves can be used as a tea substitute.
Cornelian cherry is long-known to natural medicine. It can be used both for healing and in the kitchen, therefore it’s a plant that is often cultivated in many parts of the world.
