Artichoke

The use of recipes from artichoke in folk medicine

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Description artichoke

Artichoke is a heat-loving perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. His cousin is the Cardon. The artichoke was planted by ancient Arabs, Romans and Greeks. At the moment it is cultivated in North and South America, Europe and especially in France and Italy. In the USSR this culture was known mainly in the South of the country. The larger heads of the artichoke buds are in the food.

The use of artichoke

Artichoke is one of the oldest medicinal plants. Previously, he was known as a kind of remedy that stimulates the excretion of urine. In the Middle ages and in the Renaissance it was used as a means with diuretic, cholagogue and Antirheumatic action. Many believed that preparations of this plant can be used as a cardiac, sudorific, and an appetite stimulant medication. Also in those days it was used for chronic aches and pains and jaundice. And today, the artichoke is used in medical institutions in the treatment (mainly in children), jaundice, hepatitis, gallstones, endarteritis and atherosclerosis.

Actively artichoke is used to create drugs that treat serum sickness, urticaria, some forms of eczema and psoriasis. Artichoke is recommended for use in the preoperative and postoperative period in patients who have undergone surgery on the liver and kidneys.

Growing artichoke

Artichoke is cultivated as a vegetable. To grow artichokes, to start seedlings. In the first half of March, the seeds of the artichoke soak with water until complete swelling, then germinated at the existing temperature in the range of 30 degrees. Once the seeds start to arise ,they need to move in the snow or on the ice and to stand in this state for about 15 days. Such seed does well grown plant in the first year can be used in food as it blossoms, and head. The resulting seeds need to be sown in a special box, and after 25 days after sowing the seedlings disbanded in pots.

In mid-may, the seedlings are planted in open ground at the approximate distance of 70x70. Care for artichoke is no different from caring for any other plant needs to be destroyed, the weeds, to get rid of pests, to loosen andwatering the soil. Inflorescences (heads) cut off, after which used in food, but only when they are half open. Shoots, or in other words "kids" that were formed at the base, dig and store prikopat in the pits with a depth of about 50 inches, the top should be insulated with straw.

The beneficial properties of artichoke

Artichoke is very useful, and the people of France realized that long ago. Artichokes fresh or contain a large quantity of pure and wholesome water, carbohydrates and vegetable proteins, vitamins and low in fat. Among the vitamins include A, E, C, K, band V. the Mineral composition represented by a set of macroelements are sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and microelements: manganese, zinc, iron, selenium, copper. The artichokes are very low in calories (100 grams – less than 50 calories). That is why for those who want to lose weight, the artichoke is a godsend. And more valuable substances are inulin, which increases the amount of beneficial bacteria in the human intestine and helps to reduce blood sugar, tsinarin, which improves cerebral blood circulation, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, has diuretic and choleretic effect.

Tincture of artichoke

This tincture contains the active substance is a bioflavonoid tsinarin, it is an antioxidant that binds free radicals. As for the liver, when subjected to tsinarin in some way stimulates the excretion of waste products from body tissues, thus having a diuretic effect and significantly accelerates the body of excess salt and fluid.

Tincture of artichoke is a hepatoprotector; in other words, all existing active substances protect the liver cells from toxins, it allows to remove toxins and salt from the body. Along with cynarina, tincture of artichoke possesses flavonoids, inulin, vitamins, tannins, enzymes, minerals. These and many other biological components give the ability to produce the desired amount of bile and digest fats and protein, also prevents the development of cholecystitis, and intestines reduce flatulence.

Recipes from artichoke for the treatment of diseases

To prepare a decoction or tincture of artichoke, need leaves and roots of plants. Decoctions normalize the ratio of cholesterol in the blood, excrete uric acid, improve the functioning of the entire nervous system.

For the infusion from the leaves of artichoke berut10 grams of fresh or dry leaves of the plant andbrewed in one Cup of boiling water. For greater efficiency in the broth, you must add a half spoon of honey and drink twice a day in the form of heat.

When the disease of the liver and kidneys can also help an infusion of artichoke. One Cup of boiled and hot water needed to brew 2 teaspoons of the dried leaves of the plant, to wait 10 minutes, strain and drink. Use the infusion to three times a day for about 20 minutes before eating half a Cup.

Tincture of artichoke extract: 50 grams of dried leaves, pour 70% alcohol in an amount of 100 ml, to insist 15 minutes and filtered. To apply the remedy recommended three times per day 1-2 tablespoons per glass of water.

Contraindications of the artichoke

Artichoke can not be used in food for children under twelve years of age, pregnant women or nursing mothers. Also artichoke is contraindicated in people who suffer from biliary obstruction and severe liver failure.