There are a large number of plants in nature. Some can be talked about and talked about, but there is nothing to tell about others. The second is the field artichoke. Let's study it together. Let's find out how it looks and how it is useful.
A little about him
The named plant is a perennial. Lives in the Mediterranean. In all countries of Western Europe it is considered a vegetable. Known for about five thousand years. It has always been considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac.
The height of the plant is about one and a half meters. The leaves are dissected and drooping down, greyish-green above and dull below. Stem straight, ribbed.
The receptacle and the fleshy base of the bracts are used for food. The inflorescence of the field artichoke is somewhat reminiscent of a large thistle. The plant is considered an unblown bud, consisting of huge fleshy scales.
Vegetable in the old days endowed with magical properties. So, it was believed that a woman who regularly uses it will definitely have a boy. Therefore, in order to eat a delicacy for a whole year, the Romans learned to harvest perennials, adding vinegar, cumin andhoney. Here we will talk about such a “mysterious” plant.
The composition of the "foreigner"
Field artichoke strikes with useful properties - it contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements. The calorie content of the vegetable is very small (forty-seven kilocalories), incomparable with its usefulness. That is why the plant is perfect for those who follow the diet and leads a he althy lifestyle.
Field artichoke contains a large amount of antioxidants, making it ranked seventh among the twenty foods that prolong youth.
One hundred grams of vegetable replenishes the daily allowance:
- fiber - by 27%;
- copper - by 23%;
- vitamin K - by 12%;
- iron - by 12%.
The plant also contains polyphenols. They kill cancer cells and prevent new ones from growing.
As you can see, the described plant is very useful. It will help prevent some diseases and give the body a lot of energy. But for the vegetable to help, some nuances must be taken into account.
How to choose
In order for the properties of the field artichoke to benefit the human body, you need to know how to choose the right plant:
- Pay attention to color. Inflorescences should be regular in shape, bronze-green or green. If the color of the basket is brownish, this indicates that the vegetable has begun to deteriorate.
- Juiciness is an important characteristic. In a fresh product, the scales are tightly connected to each other, no dryness or lethargy.
- Look atscales. There should be no fluff between them. Otherwise, the field artichoke is overripe and should not be consumed.
You can determine the freshness of a plant in this way: squeeze it in your palm, bring it to your ear. Creaking means quality and fresh.
Now about the size of the basket. Is this feature important? In cooking, yes. A small product can be consumed without processing. It is eaten raw, added to salads. Large and medium vegetables are fried, stewed, canned, stuffed.
Another thing to keep in mind is that field artichoke dishes are consumed on the day of preparation.
Benefit
We continue to learn about the field artichoke. Useful properties and contraindications say a lot about this product. It is used not only in cooking, but also in medicine:
- It was previously used as a diuretic and aphrodisiac. It was often chewed after meals to freshen breath.
- Excellent probiotic - plant extract. It helps the intestines work, restores its microflora.
- Artichoke will lower cholesterol luteolin, which is found in the plant. It resists plaque formation and lowers blood pressure.
- Vitamin K is an excellent preventative against Alzheimer's disease.
- Inulin increases the good bacteria in the colon.
- Field artichoke is used for weight loss. Fiber absorbs liquid, expands in the stomach, and creates a feeling of satiety.
- Thanks to the vegetable, toxins are removed from the body, bile is produced.
- This will helpplant for diabetes. Fiber supports sugar levels.
Preventing the development of various types of cancer is another property of the field artichoke. The plant slows down tumor growth and stops cancer cells from dividing.
Contraindications
We talked about the beneficial properties of the field artichoke. Now let's move on to contraindications. Some features of its use should also be known. Do not eat the product:
- preschoolers;
- people with diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract;
- liver failure sufferers;
- patients with hypotension, due to the fact that the artichoke lowers blood pressure;
- women who are breastfeeding as the active ingredients may reduce breast milk production.
Useful properties of the product can also be dangerous if abused.
Eating a vegetable along with drugs that have a similar effect ("Warfarin", acetylsalicylic acid, "Kurantin") can provoke internal bleeding and other serious complications.
Artichoke damage due to the presence of polyphenols. It increases the secretion of bile. Therefore, you should not use the product for those who are sick with cholecystitis.
As you can see, there are few contraindications, but they exist. Before using the plant, be sure to consult your doctor.
Application
A few words about the use of field artichoke. As mentioned above, it is used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology, for weight loss.
Decoction from the inflorescence of the plant improves the regeneration of liver cells, stimulates the formation of bile and its outflow. It is prepared as follows: forty grams of inflorescences are poured with boiling water, infused for sixty minutes. Consumed three times a day before meals. With joint disease, with gout, this remedy also helps well.
A decoction is used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Save tea and migraine. In addition to inflorescences, decoctions are prepared from the leaves and petioles of the plant. Artichoke will help to cope with impotence. Fresh vegetable juice is recommended to drink one-fourth cup twice a day. With stomatitis and thrush, you can rinse your mouth with artichoke juice combined with honey.
We love vegetables and cooks. It is added to salads, rice dishes. With increased acidity of the stomach, it is very useful to eat an artichoke.
To keep the plant longer, its inflorescence is dipped for a short period of time in water with lemon juice or vinegar.
Conclusion
Field artichoke, the photo of which you can see in the article, is not only useful, but also a beautiful plant.
Look at his appearance. You can admire this plant. It is useful, nutritious and loved by many nations. Delicious medicinal decoctions and wonderful dishes are prepared from it. Having tried an artichoke once, you will never refuse it. The product is used in boiled and steamed form. But, according tomany, this vegetable is delicious when fried. So it's worth a try, and only then draw conclusions.
