Red Vine: phytotherapy benefits and uses

Find out more about red vine

It’s a sarment shrub with stems that can climb up to 5 meters. Thanks to their tendrils, the stems can cling to any type of support. The root of the red vine is particularly large. It can grow to a depth of 15 meters. The red vine is characterized by webbed, ribbed leaves. Long and generally heart-shaped, the leaves can have up to 7 lobes, depending on the variety. Red vine leaves are green in spring. However, they turn brown to red as autumn arrives. Red vine flowers appear in summer. Usually growing in clusters, the flowers are small and green or white in color. Grapes are the fruit of the red vine. It takes the form of fleshy, round berries belonging to the black grape genus with dark-red pulp. Although edible, these berries are mainly used to make wine. It is for this fruit that the red vine is now widely cultivated in warm temperate regions around the world. Generally speaking, this shrub originates from Western Asia and Southern Europe. A member of the Vitaceae family, the red vine is a relatively easy shrub to grow. Its main requirement is soil, particularly silica-rich soil. It also likes clay soils.

Learn more about the use of red vine in phytotherapy

Red vine leaves, fruits and seeds are all used in phytotherapy. Although they have unique formulas, the leaves are widely preferred. They are harvested in autumn, when they mature and take on an intense red color. This color is a sign that the leaves have reached their maximum content of bioactive compounds. Among the active ingredients found in red vine leaves are polyphenols and gallic acid. The leaves also contain tannins, as well as varying amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. It is these active compounds that give the shrub its natural properties. They act synergistically to promote the skin’s capillary function. The active ingredients also reduce the sensation of heavy legs by helping to regulate blood flow. Red vine is also naturally rich in antioxidants. These help protect the body’s cells and tissues against free radicals. Antioxidants also help strengthen the body’s defense system. Today, red vine extracts are available in a multitude of forms. Depending on your needs and desires, you can buy capsules, ampoules or tablets. Infusions, balms and lotions based on red vine extracts are also available from specialized stores. It is always advisable to follow the recommended dosage and duration of the cure. In addition, a healthy lifestyle and a varied diet are encouraged throughout the course of the dietary supplement cure, and even afterwards. This optimizes the effects of the dietary supplements and helps to maintain form and well-being on a daily basis. In addition to its use in phytotherapy, grapes are also ideal in the kitchen. Rich in sugar, this fruit can be used in a thousand and one ways. They can be pressed to make a refreshing juice, ice cream or sorbet. Raisins are used in dishes such as tajine, couscous and refined foie gras dishes. Grapes are also used in a variety of salad and dessert recipes, as well as in pastry-making.