Do cornelian cherries taste good?
Cornelian cherries are a type of cherry smaller than the standard. The cornelian cherry is known as Cornus mas and scientifically as Cornus Officinalis. They are also called dogwood because of their flowering dogwood or cornel wood. Dogwoods grow in clusters that resemble bunches of grapes, hence the name cornelian cherry derived from the Latin word ‘Cornus’ which means horn, referring to curving branches resembling horns, and ‘mala’ which means apple. A cornelian cherry tree can be identified by a derivative compound named Cornell found in its bark and leaves, a combination of triterpenoids saponins, and oleanolic acid which is used in some cornelian cherry products.
Many cornelian cherry supplements claim to improve the health of corneas and corneal cells, such as maintaining corneal tissues and preventing the cornea from getting damaged by strong ultraviolet light. It also claims to increase cornea’s transparency and prevent the cornea from getting damaged by degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), corneal scarring, corneal ulcer, excessive watering of the eyes due to very dry or humid weather conditions, and post-surgery that involves removing a part of the cornea.
Some people have found out that using a cornelian cherry eyewash is better than cornelian cherry supplements because cornelian cherries, in general, can irritate the stomach and intestinal system.
It is also used in soothing teas and infusions, and it may reduce stress, which makes cornelian cherry a good herb for insomnia. Although cornelians have astringent properties, they are still safe to use unless you have mouth sores or cuts inside your mouth which cornels might irritate. Cornelians can be made into syrup, jam, jelly, liquor, wine, tea infusion, or mocha. It has been known to improve blood circulation by making more red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body’s tissues and act as an antiseptic against unstable oxygen radicals. It is also said to have antibacterial properties against bacteria causing colds, headaches, flu, and sore throats.
Corns’ other medicinal uses include treating corneal inflammation and corneal opacity which prevent the cornea from getting enough light for cornea’s cells to grow normally. As cornelians are very high in mucilage content, they can help remedy the sore throats caused by asthma. Cornelian helps reduce blood pressure and cure gallstones and urinary infections such as bladder stones or kidney stones. It may also treat fluid buildup in the kidneys and kill parasites that live inside the intestines while soothing diarrhea, lung inflammation, nausea, vomiting spasms, uterine problems including bleeding urination, excessive menstrual flow during menses, and uterine prolapse.
Cornelian wood is used in making corneal instruments for eye surgery because cornelians are very hard and dense which makes cornelian a good material for cutlery. However, cornelians are not too expensive which means cornelians are excellent substitutes to other liquors that are made from corneal trees such as Japanese cornel cherry or corneal wine. Cornelians also help produce blood-clotting agents, which help prevent excessive menstrual bleeding caused by a lack of clotting agents during menses.
The fruit of the cornelian cherry tree is sour since it has tannins. It has been known to belong to one of the food plants for silkworms.