Useful properties of earthen pear or Jerusalem artichoke

Some say that Jerusalem artichoke tastes like a pear, hence the name earthen pear, others, turnip. Taste discrepancies are associated with the fact that the root crop is a guest from distant Brazil, which appeared in Russia in the distant seventeenth century.

Our ancestors paid tribute to its useful qualities. Respectfully dignified - Volga turnip... Used in cooking, drugs. Today, alas, the root crop is not held in such respect.

What is Jerusalem artichoke?

Perennial, herbaceous tuberous plant from the genus of sunflower. Aboveground part - tall stems, heart-shaped leaves, yellow inflorescences, a basket, similar to a sunflower... Strong root system with strawberry-like shoots and cone-shaped tubers. The plant blooms from July to September, harvesting the end of September, October.

Jerusalem artichoke grows all over the globe, has an unthinkable number of names. It is called Jerusalem artichoke and barabole, earthen pear and bulb... In the tradition of many peoples, respect for the earthen pear is due to the knowledge of its amazing properties.

The root vegetable is very healthy. Its inclusion in the diet is recommended not only for healthy people. Its medicinal properties are known.

Tubers are used to obtain sugar, alcohol is made from them, yeast is secreted... The stems and leaves are used for silage, the most valuable livestock feed with a high vitamin content.

The plant is used in forestry. For example, 2015-2016 became problematic for the forestry districts of the Tambov and Ryazan regions. To prevent wild animals, especially wild boars and elks, from leaving for other places, foresters planted Jerusalem artichoke. The quickly grown high-quality food (tops, roots) "kept" the animals in their usual habitat.

The nutritional value of earthen pear tubers is much higher than that of potatoes. But the main difference is that instead of starch, it contains inulin, organic soluble sugar, which greatly increases the nutritional value of the root crop.

Useful and medicinal properties

Jerusalem artichoke is an unconditional masterpiece of nature, presented to man. The useful substances of its composition are necessary for the life of the human body.

The composition of an earthen pear is a clear illustration of the entire periodic table:

• calcium - coordinator of the work of cell membranes, blood coagulability, regulator of nerve conduction, muscle work, cardiovascular system, responsible for the formation of bone, muscle, dental tissue;
• phosphorus- the main partner of calcium responsible for the growth and recovery of the body, a conductor of vital glucose, vitamins A, B, D;
• magnesium - an optimizer of more than 300 processes of the body's enzyme reaction, responsible for immunity, blood clotting, the work of the nervous and muscular systems, metabolism;
• silicon - an assistant for the assimilation of magnesium, calcium, regulates metabolic processes, helps the formation of many enzymes, hormones, amino acids, promotes the growth of bone and muscle tissue;
• sodium - responsible for water metabolism, the process of hydration of proteins, delivery of amino acids, glucose through cell membranes;
• potassium - maintains blood composition, activates enzymes, regulates protein and carbohydrate metabolism, is necessary for the excretory function of the kidneys, normal functioning of the intestines, nervous system, heart contractions, responsible for blood pressure;
• iodine - is necessary for energy metabolism, normalization of biochemical reactions, development of body growth with the help of thyroid hormones, affects the functioning of the brain;

The root vegetable also contains zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, iron, cobalt and other trace elements. The composition of the minerals is balanced. Eating a root vegetable for food, a person replenishes the body with these necessary elements in full.

Jerusalem artichoke - vitamin cocktail... A complete set of vitamins of group "B", vitamins "C", "D", "A", "E". Their complex effect contributes to the rejuvenation of the body, increasing its resistance, endurance.

The root vegetable is valuable because it contains:

• fructose, classified as the sweetest organic saccharide, normalizes blood sugar levels, strengthens the immune system, prevents tooth decay;
• inulin, the substance, as a result of the decomposition of which fructose and glucose are obtained, activates the body's defenses, removes radionuclides, heavy metals, reduces intoxication, prevents the formation of tumors, promotes weight loss;
• pectins, substances that absorb fats, lower cholesterol levels, can cleanse the body of toxins, toxins, radionuclides, are not absorbed by the body, are an enterosorbent;
• cellulose, a necessary substance for the smooth functioning of the intestines, lowering cholesterol, cleansing the body of carcinogens;
• protein, the building base of the body.

The set of organic acids in its composition is unique:

• amber,
• apple,
• fumaric,
• malonova,

which optimize metabolic processes in the human body, increase resistance due to bactericidal and antioxidant properties, favor the digestive tract, normalize the production of bile, saliva, pancreatic juice.

Root vegetables are considered a medicinal dietary food. Recommended for people with diabetes for their ability to regulate blood sugar... This is a diabetes medicine that grows in the garden.

Medication for high cholesterol levels. Pectin prevents the formation of new plaques, removes triglycerides, eliminating the causes of cholelithiasis and atherosclerosis.

The plant is useful for the treatment of constipation, obesity, thrombophlebitis... Consistent consumption of tubers can prevent the onset of cancer problems!

Traditional medicine recommends the inclusion of Jerusalem artichoke in the diet, as well as the preparation of medicines based on it for such diseases as:

• salt deposits;
• diabetes;
• increased acidity;
• gout;
• psoriasis;
• osteochondrosis, arthrosis;
• trauma, burns;
• stomach ulcer, gastritis;
• insomnia, depressive disorders.

The list is impressive, but not complete. The main advantage among the medicinal properties of the plant is prevention.

Contraindications for this plant

No, no obvious contraindications for the use of medicinal products from root crops have been identified... Also, there are no prohibitions on eating it. Only a sense of proportion is important. This gift of the gods will not hurt any of us.

It is not known how babies react when breastfeeding, if a miracle vegetable appears in the mother's diet, there are no statistics for pregnant women. It is proved that everyone from 10 years old to old age can and should use it.

Agrotechnics of Jerusalem artichoke

Agricultural technology is similar to the cultivation of potatoes. The plant is not whimsical, it grows on almost any soil... He loves high-quality cultivation of the land, manure.

Tubers dug out of the ground are planted.Use whole and halves. They are planted to a depth of 10 cm with a distance between tubers and rows of 50X50.

In autumn they are planted before the cold weatherto prevent the plant from germinating. In spring, shoots appear after 20 days at a temperature of 3 °. During germination, it is necessary to loosen the aisles a couple of times in order to open the access of air to the soil.

To increase the yield, the tops of the stems are pinched a month after germination or when the stem reaches a meter height. Weeding, watering in dry summers, hilling are traditional methods of increasing yields... However, this culture will feed the slacker. It grows without care, giving a good harvest.

Tuberization begins in August... When it is necessary to free a part of the plantation from an overgrown plant, the stems are mowed in early July, which leads to a natural attenuation of crop growth.

Earthen pear treatment

Leaves, stems and roots of the plant have medicinal properties. Fresh juice is used to reduce acidity, treat the gastrointestinal tract... Drink juice in a teaspoon before meals.

Skin diseases, burns, gout are treated with gruel from the leaves. Plantain compresses, gauze dressings with crushed leaves can be taken without restrictions. Baths with decoction of stems and leaves are useful... Fill a bucket by a third with a green mass of Jerusalem artichoke, pour water at about 90 °, insist, strain, pour into a bath with water of a comfortable temperature. Baths help with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, problems with the musculoskeletal system.

The daily consumption of the root vegetable makes a person noticeable among others. Smooth face, white healthy teeth, good hair, excellent skin turgor without wrinkles, signs of those who know a lot about this vegetable culture.

Cosmetic Tricks for Making Plant-Based Beauty Potions:

• mask, grind the peeled tuber, apply the resulting mass on the face, shoulders and décolleté with a thin layer, leave for half an hour, rinse with warm water. Usually, there is no feeling of dryness, if necessary, use a moisturizer based on herbal ingredients, for example, chamomile;
• lotion, squeeze out the juice of the leaves, dilute with spring water 1: 1, wipe in the morning and evening. After a few days, it will become difficult to recognize your reflection in the mirror;