Origin
The cherry grows on a fruit tree called “cerasus vulgaris” and is commonly known as the “morello cherry tree” or “sour cherry tree”. Originating in western Europe and Asia Minor, the cherry has been cultivated since 300 years B.C. In France, it wasn’t until the middle ages that its cultivation began to develop.
Did you know?
King Louis XV was extremely fond of cherries. His idea to increase cherry cultivation in the18th century allowed the fruit to really take off.
Characteristics
The cherry tree is a tree that can grow up to 10 metres in height. It has a reddish smooth bark. Its branches are adorned with a multitude of pretty little white or pink flowers. In addition, its magnificent blossom is admired and celebrated every year in Japan. The long oval green leaves then emerge with small acidic red fruits, the cherries.
Flowering and harvesting
The cherry can adapt to all regions as it is very resistant to the cold. It is considered to be a rustic tree. All the same, it does however prefer locations with neutral or slightly chalky soils, exposed to the sun and sheltered from the wind. The cherry tree grows very quickly and can gain an extra metre every year. It blossoms at the beginning of the spring, then the leaves emerge with the cherries. The red fruits are then harvested with their stalks between the months of May and June. The cherry stems are used in phytotherapy.
Benefits
At first sight, the cherry stems appear to be quite ordinary, however they have a number of virtues due to the substances they contain. They are in fact filled with flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamin C, essential nutrients, and melatonin.1
They:
- Promote kidney drainage1
The cherry stems have a diuretic effect and therefore contribute to the correct functioning of the urinary tracts and kidneys.
- Promote the elimination of toxins1
The cherry stems have the power to facilitate the elimination of water retention which allows the body to be cleaned of any toxins that have built up.
1https://phytotherapie.ooreka.fr/astuce/voir/511433/queues-de-cerise
http://www.homejardin.com/cerisier/prunus_cerasus.html
https://www.apiculture.net/blog/plante-mellifere-le-griottier-ou-cerisier-acide-n196