Why some women in Russia were forbidden to eat cherries

In the European part of Russia, cherries are one of the favorite summer treats. It is not only very tasty, but also rich in vitamins that are important for the human immune system. Today it is difficult to imagine that once upon a time in Russia, cherries were considered dangerous for some women and even forbidden to eat them.

Scientists believe that the ancestor of cherries was a kind of cherry, which is called bird cherry. For the first time, this plant was mentioned in his writings by the Greek scientist Theophrastus, who lived in the 4th century BC.

But as a garden culture, the Roman writer Pliny the Elder first told about the cherry tree in the 1st century AD. Pliny described 10 varieties of cherries grown by the Romans. Such a variety eloquently indicated that it was to the taste of many and the breeding of new varieties was very seriously engaged.

The cherries came to Kievan Rus, most likely, through the Crimea, where the Greeks who traded with the whole world lived for a long time. The Russian writer and statesman Ivan Sumarokov, visiting the Crimean Peninsula in 1799, wrote that the Greeks and Tatars grow apple and cherry trees in their gardens.

On the territory of Ukraine and Kuban, the cherry was well known in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by numerous references to this garden culture in songs and fairy tales. Without particularly delving into the botanical subtleties, the cherry was called a berry in Russia, although its fruits are a classic drupe.

It was because of this misconception that women were forbidden to eat cherries, along with summer berries, until the day of David the strawberry. In Russia, all berries with red juice were associated with maternal blood and their use by women of childbearing age, according to the ancestors, was fraught with serious consequences.

It was believed that all children who violated the rule would die in infancy, and this was especially true for those whose children had already died shortly after birth. To prevent this from happening again, they were not allowed to eat cherries. In addition, it was believed that if a woman ignores the ban, then her dead children will remain hungry in the next world.

In some regions, the ban was lifted after St. Vitus ' Day, which was celebrated on June 15. Therefore, the first ripe cherries, despite the great temptation to eat, were distributed by the housewives to relatives and neighbors.

Many ancient customs of the Slavs have a completely rational basis. But this rule does not apply to the prohibition of cherries for women. It is not only possible for future mothers to eat it, but also necessary, since this bone contains a complex of vitamins A, C and E, which has an immunostimulating effect.

Cherries also contain vitamin PP, which protects blood vessels from harmful cholesterol and prevents the appearance of blood clots. Therefore, cherries are recommended for those who have a sick heart and problems with blood vessels.

And in general – cherries are one of the few garden crops that you can actually eat. It has the property of muffling hunger and giving a feeling of satiety. As for the prohibitions, they can only apply to patients with diabetes mellitus. They should not completely abandon cherries, but you need to know the measure because of the high sugar content in it.

Cherries are very useful for pregnant women, so you can eat them in any form and at any time. However, in the 2-3 trimester it is better not to drink a lot of compotes, as this contributes to the accumulation of fluid in the body. But this applies not only to cherries, but to any bones, berries and fruits.