Jerusalem artichoke - healing properties and unique nutritional composition

Jerusalem artichoke is an amazing plant with a powerful preventive and therapeutic effect, which is determined by its unique biochemical composition. A person receiving a complex of biologically active substances from this plant becomes invulnerable to stress and disease.

History of origin

The pedigree of the earthen pear begins many centuries ago and is lost, according to scientists, in the depths of North America. In Europe, the plant appeared only in the 17th century. It was named in honor of the Indian tribe Tupinambus engaged in the cultivation of this culture.

In Russia, the earthen pear was not widely used, initially used as an ornamental, and then as a medicinal plant. The greatest use was received in Belgium, Holland, where it was boiled in wine to make it resemble an artichoke.

In Kazakhstan, Jerusalem artichoke is called Chinese potato, since it is this way that it came to them. Don was brought to the plant in the 19th century from Romania and became known as turnip. In the Baltic States, the earthen pear was due to visiting merchants from Germany. The plant is very unpretentious, so it began to spread at a high speed on the territory of Russia and nearby countries.

Biological description

Jerusalem artichoke belongs to the genus of sunflowers and has the same upright tall stem, which sometimes grows up to 1.5-4 meters. Yellow inflorescences-baskets indicate that the plant is related to the Astrov family. The leaves are rounded, ovate, pubescent stem.

2-3 kg of tubers are harvested from one plant, depending on the variety and care. In one nest there can be up to 30 tubers, each weighing 20-30 g, sometimes their weight reaches 100 g.

Depending on the variety, the color may be different:

  • white;
  • pink;
  • yellow;
  • Violet.

The most valuable is considered to be pink-violet Fyuzot. Ground pear tubers are edible: their flesh is tender, has a sweetish taste. They look like potatoes, but not so smooth and smooth.

Unique features

Scientists who studied the chemical composition of the earthen pear were simply amazed by its vitamin and mineral wealth. The iron content of this plant, which is not popular in cooking, is in the lead in relation to the rest of the tubers (carrots, turnips, beets, potatoes, etc.). The Jerusalem artichoke contains essential amino acids:

  • valine;
  • lysine;
  • arginine;
  • leucine.

The mineral composition includes: potassium, calcium, silicon, magnesium, chromium, fluorine, sodium and many other elements whose concentration is important for health.

Among the most important vitamins: C, PP, B1, B2, B6, carotenoids. It contains Jerusalem artichoke and other substances important for the functioning of the body:

  • pectins;
  • fiber;
  • organic acids;
  • fats (0.1 g), proteins (2.1 g), carbohydrates (12.8 g).

Despite its rich composition, the product is little used as a food ingredient. He is more known and valued as a remedy for many ailments.

This is probably the only plant that does not absorb poisons from the soil and air at all. Botanists are talking about this: plant a Jerusalem artichoke on the highway or near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, it will still be clean.

The benefits of earthen pear

Jerusalem artichoke tubers are used in raw form. Three or four ground pears, grated and eaten half an hour before meals, normalize the work of the intestines, kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system. Constant reception of tubers normalizes pressure, removes salts, slags and toxins from the body.

The positive effect of fresh juice of the Jerusalem artichoke herb with hypertension, peripheral vascular spasms was noted. And 50-100 ml of juice from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, drunk half an hour before meals, normalize the acidity of the stomach, eliminate dysbacteriosis, treat stomach neurosis, pancreas. This drink is indispensable for people suffering from diabetes.

Inulin - the basis of the healing properties of Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke on the content of the necessary substances to a person out of competition. And inulin is more in it than in other foods. First of all, it makes tubers useful for diabetics.

Getting in the stomach, inulin is split by hydrochloric acid into smaller components:

  1. Short chains of glucose, fructose. They improve the absorption of the elements Mg and Ca.
  2. The separated fructose molecules pass through the cell membrane and replenish its energy supply without involving insulin in this process. As a result, the risk of glucose jumps is reduced.
  3. Unsaturated inulin tends to interact with glucose molecules, binds them and removes them from the body. This is the property that makes the product useful for diabetes.
  4. He does the same with molecules of cholesterol, acetone, ammonium. As a result, the body is freed from half-life products (a hangover is removed), cleared of heavy metal salts.

Scientists have found that the use of Jerusalem artichoke juice increases the concentration of minerals in bone tissue. This is primarily useful for postmenopausal women who are prone to developing osteoporosis. Inulin of Jerusalem artichoke suppresses the vital activity of the pathogenic microflora in the intestine, including viruses and fungi, forms a strong immunity.

In pharmacies, you can purchase inulin extract (Jerusalem artichoke). Externally, it is a yellow liquid solution, which may have a slight precipitate. It has a pungent smell, packed in a 25 ml transparent plastic container with a dropper. Inulin with its excellent moisturizing activity is involved in cosmetics.

Important dermatological properties of the substance:

  • keeps useful microflora on the surface of the epidermis;
  • strengthens skin immunity;
  • helps to better assimilate active elements;
  • removes wrinkles;
  • penetrates deep into the layers of the epidermis, moisturizing them;
  • makes the skin smooth and elastic.

The drug adds shine to the hair, has a condensing effect. Used in the composition of the masks. This method helps to restore hair health.

Leaves and Stems: Benefit

In folk medicine, the whole plant is used. If the tubers are eaten, then you can make tea from flowers and leaves. Make an aromatic brew as follows: it is necessary to collect fresh leaves and knead them well until the juice begins to stand out. Put the mass in a plastic bag, tie it up and leave it for some time. Wait until the flavor becomes more concentrated.

Remove the deciduous mass and dry it in the usual way. The result is a dark, fermented tea from Jerusalem artichoke. You can dry the green leaves. Then there will be green tea from Jerusalem artichoke, not black. The third type of tea leaves is obtained from the yellow flowers of the plant. It will be flower tea.

All products from Jerusalem artichoke are interesting in that they are able to increase the body's defenses, that is, this plant is immunomodulatory. From the stalks of the plant they prepare a decoction, which heals the joints very well. Fill with Jerusalem artichoke stalks (with any, even overwintered) bucket, add water and boil. Then diluted with water from one to seven times, depending on what the broth is intended for. When diseases of the joints take hot baths, while consuming the plant inside.

Medicinal recipes from earthen pear

Jerusalem artichokes, thanks to their sweet taste, are used to make jam. However, he does not lose his favor. The earth pear contains polysaccharides (inulin, etc.), which do not disappear after heat treatment. Such preparations are useful for diabetics, as they do not need to put sugar. In the role of the acid is an additional ingredient in the jam: pineapple or other sour fruit. When the polysaccharides are heated with acid, hydrolysis occurs, as a result of which fructose is formed and a sweet mass is obtained. Jam from Jerusalem artichoke is obtained dietary, it does not contain sugar.

Topinambur tuber juice

Soak spring or autumn Jerusalem artichoke in 12-24 hours in cold water, then rub with a stiff brush to remove dirt and skin (if removed). Then wash thoroughly and squeeze the juice out of the tubers using a juicer. Keep refrigerated. As a rule, a precipitate stands out, so each time the drink needs to be shaken.

Broth raw or dried tubers

For half a liter of water should be taken 3 raw tubers or 3 tbsp. l dried pieces. In the first case, you need to cook for 10-15 minutes, in the second - about an hour. Drink sugar without sugar in type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, anemia, hypertension.

Fresh root salad

The most beneficial earthen pear brings the body in its natural fresh form. Vegetables are preparing a variety of salads. We give one of them. You can make a salad from raw Jerusalem artichoke with fresh apples, greek nuts. For this you will need:

  • peeled topinambur - 100 g;
  • apples - 100 g;
  • green salad - 40-50 g;
  • walnut - to taste.

Grate it all, add lettuce leaves, season with lemon juice, olive oil and pour over balsamic dressing.

How to choose the roots

Choose tubers should be in appearance. Pay attention to the fact that they have an intact outer shell, elastic, dry and free from mold. It is necessary to store so that the inulin contained in the Jerusalem artichoke does not disappear. Put unpeeled tubers in a paper bag, keep in the vegetable compartment on the bottom shelf. Storage time in such conditions is one month. Damaged tubers spoil much faster.

Possible side effects and contraindications

Daily rate of Jerusalem artichoke - two or three tubers. Exceeding this dose may cause increased gas formation in the intestines and the associated discomfort. Therefore, people who are already prone to flatulence, it is better to look for another way to recovery or use medicinal vegetables to a minimum. Heat treatment will help in such cases. Vegetable can be cooked, stew, bake.

Jerusalem artichoke is a unique plant. It contains a rare and useful polysaccharide inulin, which during heat treatment not only does not deteriorate, but also improves its healing properties.

Watch the video: 7 Health Benefits Of Jerusalem Artichoke (March 2024).