Very often, plants that we consider to be purely ornamental or even weeds in the garden have special properties and can be beneficial. The same situation with swan Our ancestors knew about the swan and its beneficial properties, regularly adding it to food. Moreover, sometimes quinoa was not only an “ingredient” in cooking, but in some cases it was the main component (for example, in “hungry times”), as it is a fairly nutritious plant.
Did you know? The people of quinoa grass is also called "wild spinach", thus comparing these two plants in accordance with the beneficial properties that they possess.
In this article we will talk about what quinoa consists of, as well as about the benefits and possible harm of this plant.
Quinoa plant description
Quinoa - it is an annual herbaceous plant, a member of the Marevy family. It can be presented in the form of a shrub or dwarf shrub. Now more than 100 species of this plant are known, some of which reach 1 meter in height. Stem of quinoa - light green, but saturated color, not thick, but quite elastic and can withstand a lot of large leaves. The leaf shape is quite interesting: closer to the tip, the leaf is wide, triangular in shape, while at the base it is elongated. Along the edge, the leaves are unevenly toothed, and on the surface there is a light mealy "curvy".
The flowers are small, light green in color, like the stem, however, not so saturated. Flowers are collected in small panicles-inflorescences, or in the false ears. Quinoa is an annual plant that has become the basis for many hybrid species differing in leaf color.
Important! A quinoa can form several tens of thousands of seeds in one season and it will not be easy to get rid of it; therefore, it is considered a weed and only one species is used in culture. - garden quinoa
At the top of the stem is the most important "part" of the quinoa - gray balls, in which the seeds of the plant ripen. Plant seeds can be stored for a very long time, while maintaining their germination. The quinoa blooms in summer and continues to bloom until autumn.
About 20 species of this plant are grown on our territory, the most popular of which are:
- quinoa sprawling;
- Quinoa Shiny;
- quinoa raznesemyannaya;
- tent quinoa;
- Quinoa spear.
Did you know? To the question: "Where does the quinoa grow?" It is impossible to give a definite answer, because the "traces" of the plant can be traced from the time of ancient Greece to our times.
Quinoa: the chemical composition of grass
Quinoa has beneficial properties due to the "rich" chemical composition, which ordinary garden grass cannot "boast".
So, the quinoa is especially valued due to the fact that it includes:
- rutin;
- potassium;
- proteins;
- vitamins of groups C, E, P, PP;
- organic acids;
- essential oils;
- saponins;
- pectin;
- cellulose;
- squirrels;
- 17 amino acids (some of them are not synthesized by the human body);
- vitamin C.
Due to this composition, garden quinoa has a number of properties that are beneficial to humans, which we will examine in more detail later.
What is useful for quinoa man
Our ancestors knew about such wonderful grass as quinoa, about its useful and even medicinal properties for humans, using the plant in cooking. In times of famine, it was used in almost all dishes, since the nutritional value of this plant is very high. In addition to the benefits of cooking, quinoa has a number of medicinal properties, which have also been noticed for quite some time: it is able to soothe pain, remove toxins and bile from the body, and it also has disinfectant properties.
Important! It is especially useful to use quinoa for women during menstruation: it will not only alleviate the pain, but also have a tonic effect on the entire body.
Medicinal properties of quinoa
Quinoa has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. You can use almost all parts of the plant, even its juice. About in what form it is best to use the quinoa, we will talk further.
How to use juice quinoa
It is best to use the juice of quinoa in the summertime to make it as fresh and of high quality as possible. This juicy liquid is used for disinfection and wound healing. It is easy to make juice, you just need to “skip” raw materials through a meat grinder. The resulting slurry is placed in gauze, or in a canvas cloth flap, wrapped and squeezed. After this, the juice should be moistened with a bandage, folded in several layers, or with a gauze bandage and applied to the sore spot. Often, the juice of the quinoa is used in the treatment of various skin rashes: in this case it is sufficient to wipe the affected areas with a cotton pad dipped in it.
Did you know? In order to squeeze the juice better, it is necessary to soak the raw materials in water for several hours before preparing it.
Fresh quinoa juice will also help those who suffer from constipation, in this case it is enough to drink 50-70 grams of liquid on an empty stomach every morning. The course of such treatment should last 2 weeks, then a break is required for the same period in order to avoid addiction of the body.
Tea from quinoa
Tea from quinoa is particularly relevant for colds, as well as diseases of the respiratory tract. It is easy to prepare such a drink: 250 ml of water must be brought to a boil, and then 1 tablespoon of raw materials should be added to the water. This mass must be boiled for another 5 minutes, then insist for 30 minutes. The dosage received is the daily rate for an adult. Tea from quinoa is able to remove all the mucus that accumulates in the bronchi, as well as soothe a cough. To take tea from quinoa should be in small portions throughout the day. To make it more palatable, you can add syrup or honey.
Infusions and decoctions of quinoa
Infusions prepared from quinoa, well help in the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity. Of course, they will not replace filling, however, they will well contribute to the elimination of stomatitis, gingivitis, bleeding gums and periodontal disease. To prepare the infusion, you must add 20 grams of dry raw materials to 250 ml of boiled water and insist the resulting composition for 30 minutes. 6-8 rinsing procedures can be performed per day.
Broth made from quinoa will help in solving problems of the cardiovascular system. To do this, in 300 ml of boiling water, add 2 tablespoons of raw materials and boil for another 5-7 minutes, then leave to infuse for 30 minutes and strain. This broth is drunk three times a day, 100 ml each. The course of treatment should last 14 days, after which you need to take a break for 2 weeks.
Important! The infusion of quinoa can be used to combat bad breath, but if the problem persists, check the stomach and intestines.
Application of steamed quinoa leaves
Steamed quinoa leaves are used for compresses that help in the treatment of radiculitis and muscle pain. To do this, fresh raw materials need to scald with boiling water and attach to the sore spot, wrapped with a bandage or towel. It is best to apply such a compress at night.
How to use quinoa in cooking
For a long time, quinoa has been used to prepare various dishes. It can be added to various soups, as well as to make salads from leaves. Even quinoa seeds can be used profitably by adding them in ground form to flour. In addition, they are an excellent alternative to buckwheat.
Now we give a couple of examples of how to cook salads from quinoa grass.
Recipe 1: The leaves of quinoa in boiled form must be mixed with onions, and season with olive oil and soy sauce. You can add pine nuts.
Recipe 2: Leaves of quinoa and sorrel need to be doused with boiling water and cut; mix with grated horseradish root and diced potatoes. To fill such a salad is better with vegetable oil and vinegar.
How to procure and store medical raw materials
To add quinoa to food, it is better to use young material that was harvested in spring. When preparing a drug for treating the stomach, it is worth waiting for the plant to bloom and only then proceed to work. The leaves must be cut at the very stem and dried naturally, but in a place protected from rain. Also suitable for drying and electric dryer. You can store quinoa in two ways: by wrapping the grass in a linen bag, or chop it. The seeds are also wrapped in cloth and placed in such a way that they are not reached by rodents.
Quinoa: contraindications
Quinoa has not only healing properties, but also some contraindications. For example, it should not be applied to those who suffer from urolithiasis, as well as people with poor blood clotting. In addition, one should not be treated with a swan for those who suffer from an ulcer or acute gastritis. In general, quinoa should be applied carefully, strictly observing the dosage, since excessive consumption of this plant can lead to disorders of the nervous system and stomach (some components that cannot be synthesized by the body are included in quinoa).
It is good when what we consider weeds can be beneficial for our body and it is very nice that a kitchen helper and a useful bonus for a home pharmacy can be grown on your site.
