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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 wastelands. Several cultivated varieties have been bred that differ from wild-growing ones in larger and juicier root crops.
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. Edible and healthy tubers in their raw form taste like potatoes or radishes. Other parts of the plant also have a healing effect: stems, leaves and flowers. Today, the therapeutic 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.
1. Normalizes sugar levels
The inulin contained in the 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 recommended to regularly include Jerusalem artichoke in the diet, replacing them with potatoes and other root crops rich in natural sugars.
2. Protects the liver
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 gallbladder.
It has been proven that the use of Jerusalem artichoke in food helps to remove toxins from the body (including the decay products of alcohol) and radionuclides, protects the liver from aggressive environmental factors. Pharmaceutical preparations made from various parts of the plant are used in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver 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. Strained infusion of 100 ml is drunk before meals 3 times a day.
3. 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 that is favorable for beneficial microflora.
4. Helps with joint pain
Inflammatory diseases of the joints are treated with pear extract baths. The product is prepared from fresh leaves: 2 kg of raw materials are cut, pour 5 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. The infused and filtered broth is added to a container with warm water, in which the diseased joint is immersed for 15 minutes. This drug is also used to heal wounds, improve the condition of the skin with dermatological problems, as well as get rid of heel spurs and burn marks.
5. Promotes weight loss
People who are going to get rid of extra pounds should use Jerusalem artichoke tubers daily. This will help normalize carbohydrate and fat metabolism, lower blood cholesterol levels, improve bowel function and speed up the removal of harmful substances from the body. Jerusalem artichoke pharmacy powder is used in official medicine to treat obese patients.
In addition, the ground 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.
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6. Heals the kidneys
Sunny 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 of enhancing the excretion of excess salts from the body, Jerusalem artichoke is useful for gout, edema, osteochondrosis and polyarthritis.
7. Improves the condition of the cardiovascular system
Ground 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 and coronary heart disease.
8. 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, there is a lot of phosphorus and arginine in the tubers, which increase endurance and resistance to physical exertion, and the iron that is part of them is necessary to maintain the optimal level of hemoglobin in the blood.
9. Used in cosmetology
Mask of grated Jerusalem artichoke tuber and a few drops olive oil tightens the skin and restores its elasticity. The remedy eliminates inflammation, heals minor injuries. For its preparation, you can also use frozen raw materials.
Juice squeezed from fresh earthen pear flowers removes warts. A gruel of fresh tubers applied to the scalp relieves dandruff. The constant use of Jerusalem artichoke in food helps to strengthen the roots of the hair, improve the condition of the nails. It is established that this plant has a rejuvenating and tonic effect, helps to maintain physical and intellectual activity.
Jerusalem artichoke has practically no contraindications. The exception is people prone to flatulence: they should be careful when including tubers in their diet.
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Growing an earthen pear is easy. It requires almost no maintenance, is not damaged by pests and frosts, and actively grows in the territory allotted to it. Jerusalem artichoke has only one drawback, which to some extent limits its use: tubers are poorly stored, so that fresh root crops can be eaten only in autumn (after the stems have dried) and in 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: inulin, accumulated in the tubers in the summer, passes into fructose during the winter. For medicinal use, parts of the plant (tubers, leaves, and flowers) are usually dried and stored as a powder. Tubers can also be frozen, pre-cut.
Citizens who have summer cottages are quite capable of providing their families with a supply of Jerusalem artichoke by planting food tubers bought in a 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 healing 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 the daily menu. Its use helps to raise immunity, normalize blood composition, remove toxins from the body, improve the condition of the skin and hair. This useful plant deserves our attention and appreciation.
Source: neboleem.net
