Jerusalem artichoke: 9 useful properties
This plant has many names: tuberous sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke, sun root, earthen pear. Contrary to popular belief, it is not exotic at all. In central Russia, wild Jerusalem artichoke grows almost everywhere: along the edges of roads, on the slopes of ravines, in the wastelands. Several cultivated varieties have been bred, differing from the wild ones in larger and more juicy root crops.
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Jerusalem artichoke is rich in vitamins, fiber, inulin, pectin and fructose, as well as mineral salts of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and silicon. Unprocessed edible and healthy tubers taste like potatoes or radishes. The rest of the plant also has a healing effect: stems, leaves and flowers. Today, the medicinal effect of Jerusalem artichoke is recognized by official medicine; a number of dosage forms (tablets, liquid extracts, etc.) are produced and sold in pharmacies. We invite readers to familiarize themselves with the main therapeutic properties of the earthen pear.
Normalizes sugar levels
The inulin contained in tubers has a positive effect on the cells of the pancreas. Its use helps to lower blood glucose levels, which is especially important for people with diabetes. Such patients are advised to regularly include Jerusalem artichoke in their diet, replacing them with potatoes and other root vegetables rich in natural sugars.
Protects the liver
The substances present in the tubers and leaves of the earthen pear improve liver function and increase the outflow of bile. They stop the formation of stones and sand in the liver and gall bladder.
It has been proven that the use of Jerusalem artichoke in food helps to remove toxins (including alcohol decomposition products) and radionuclides from the body, protects the liver from aggressive environmental factors. Pharmaceutical preparations made from various parts of the plant are used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and viral hepatitis.
At home, a remedy used for liver diseases is prepared from Jerusalem artichoke leaves: 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials is poured into 750 ml of boiling water and infused for 12 hours. The strained infusion of 100 ml is drunk before meals 3 times a day.
Improves the condition of the digestive tract
Juice squeezed from Jerusalem artichoke tubers is taken to treat the digestive system. It is effective for gastritis and colitis, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. To obtain a therapeutic effect, you need to drink 150 ml of juice per day for 2 weeks.
According to experts, regular consumption of fresh Jerusalem artichoke tubers contributes to the creation of an environment in the intestines favorable for beneficial microflora.
Helps with joint pain
Inflammatory diseases of the joints are treated with baths with earthen pear extract. The product is prepared from fresh leaves: cut 2 kg of raw materials, pour 5 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. The infused and strained broth is added to a container with warm water, into which the diseased joint is immersed for 15 minutes. This drug is also used to heal wounds, improve the condition of the skin for dermatological problems, as well as get rid of heel spurs and burn marks.
Promotes weight loss
People who are going to get rid of extra pounds should eat Jerusalem artichoke tubers daily. This will help normalize carbohydrate and fat metabolism, lower blood cholesterol levels, improve bowel function and accelerate the removal of harmful substances from the body. Pharmacy Jerusalem artichoke powder is used in official medicine to treat obese patients.
In addition, an earthen pear, with a high content of vitamins (especially A and C), is less caloric than beets and carrots. Jerusalem artichoke may well replace them in fresh salads.
Heals the kidneys
The sun root has a pronounced diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. It is recommended to use it for cystitis and the risk of developing urolithiasis. As a means that enhances the excretion of excess salts from the body, Jerusalem artichoke is useful for gout, edema, osteochondrosis and polyarthritis.
Improves the condition of the cardiovascular system
Earthen pear contains substances that help reduce blood viscosity and improve the condition of the walls of blood vessels. The use of Jerusalem artichoke is indicated for hypertension, atherosclerosis, tachycardia, angina pectoris and coronary heart disease.
Boosts immunity
The high content of ascorbic acid in Jerusalem artichoke tubers helps to activate the body's defenses. People who regularly include this plant in their diet are easier to tolerate seasonal infections and are less likely to catch colds.
In addition, tubers contain a lot of phosphorus and arginine, which increase endurance and resistance to physical activity, and the iron included in them is necessary to maintain an optimal level of hemoglobin in the blood.
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Used in cosmetology
A mask of grated Jerusalem artichoke tuber and a few drops of olive oil tightens the skin and restores its elasticity. The tool eliminates inflammation, heals minor injuries. For its preparation, you can also use frozen raw materials.
The juice squeezed from fresh flowers of the earthen pear removes the warts. Fresh tubers gruel applied to the scalp relieves dandruff. The constant use of Jerusalem artichoke in food helps to strengthen the hair roots, improve the condition of nails. It has been found that this plant has a rejuvenating and tonic effect, helps to maintain physical and intellectual activity.
Jerusalem artichoke has practically no contraindications. An exception is people prone to flatulence: they should be careful when including tubers in their diet.
It is not difficult to grow an earthen pear. It requires almost no care, is not damaged by pests and frosts, and actively grows in the territory allotted to it. Jerusalem artichoke has only one drawback, to some extent limiting its use: the tubers are poorly stored, so the use of fresh root crops is possible only in autumn (after the stems have dried) and early spring, when overwintered, but not yet sprouted tubers are dug out of the ground. It should be remembered that the compositions of the autumn and spring vegetables are different: the inulin accumulated in the tubers in the summer turns into fructose during the winter. For medicinal use, plant parts (tubers, leaves and flowers) are usually dried and stored in powder form. Tubers can also be frozen after cutting.
Citizens who have summer cottages are quite capable of providing their families with a supply of Jerusalem artichoke by planting food tubers bought in the store. Those who are deprived of such an opportunity can find a wild-growing earthen pear: its tubers are smaller and have a sharper taste, but in terms of medicinal qualities they are in no way inferior to cultivated varieties. It is only important to organize the collection of plant materials in an ecologically clean place, away from big cities and busy highways.
Jerusalem artichoke can be a good addition to your everyday menu. Its use helps to raise immunity, normalize blood composition, remove toxins and toxins from the body, and improve the condition of the skin and hair. This useful plant is worthy of our attention and appreciation.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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