Medicinal properties of wild carrots and methods of use in folk medicine

Few people know that in addition to the well-known carrots, which are grown in the garden, there is a relative of it in nature - wild carrots. This is an unpretentious plant that grows almost everywhere, but in terms of medicinal properties it even surpasses cultivated root varieties.

Description of Wild Carrot

Wild carrots are also called bird's nest carrots, carrot carrots, or yellow turnips.

Origin and development

Scientists consider Afghanistan and Iran to be the birthplace of carrots. Today, carrots can be found in the wild in many European countries (including Russia), as well as Asia and Africa.

Carrots are an ancient cultivated plant that humanity began to cultivate as medicinal, and then food and fodder 2 thousand years BC. This is evidenced by fossilized seeds and roots from the Bronze Age, found during archaeological excavations. It was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who considered it a delicacy and consumed it only on major holidays.

In Russia, carrots have also been grown since time immemorial. Knowing nothing about vitamins and minerals, ancient healers prescribed fresh carrots with butter or honey to patients - this method allowed them to preserve all the valuable substances of the root vegetable.

Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins, beneficial properties

Wild carrot fruits contain about 7.5% essential oils:

• geraniol - has an antifungal effect, stabilizes blood pressure, is widely used in cosmetology;
• geranyl acetate - has healing properties;
• flavonoids - improve the functioning of the digestive system, cleanse it of toxins;
• fatty oils - contribute to the rational distribution of nutrients in the body.

The fruit contains provitamin A, vitamins B1, B2 and C. The roots contain many trace elements and nutrients:

• carotene - its deficiency affects the general condition of a person;
• ascorbic acid - strengthens the immune system;
• riboflavin - regulates the functioning of all body systems;
• iron is an important component of hemoglobin, helps transport oxygen to all organs;
• boron, copper, phosphorus;
• essential oils - support the health of cells, skin, hair, nails.

Important! Excessive consumption of wild carrots can lead to an excess of beta-carotene in the body, which will negatively affect liver function.

Wild carrots are also endowed with the following beneficial properties: diuretic, choleretic, antimicrobial, expectorant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc.

Characteristics, description of appearance, taste

Wild or common carrots are a biennial, less often an annual, herbaceous plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family.

The root of the plant is woody, taplike, usually white, but sometimes has a yellowish tint. It can be either elongated, spindle-shaped or branched; it is not edible, but is widely used in medicine.

The stem is hairy, erect, and in the second year of life it grows up to 1 m. The leaves of the wild ancestor of the carrot are pinnately dissected. Their length is on average 20 cm, width 4-6 cm.

You can see the beautiful color of wild carrots in the first two months of summer. The inflorescences of this herbaceous plant have the shape of large umbrellas, which contain from 10 to 50 pubescent rays with small flowers at the ends. Umbrellas are folded after flowering. The fruits are ribbed and elliptical in shape; their ripening period lasts from August to September.

The ground part of such carrots is no different from modern cultivated varieties. But the root vegetables of wild carrots are smaller and less juicy.

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Where does it grow?

Wild carrots are found throughout Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and Western Asia. It is quite common in our country, especially in the southern regions of the European part.

This plant is unpretentious, so it can be found everywhere: along roads, in forest clearings, meadows, near populated areas.

The main advantages and disadvantages of wild carrots

The main advantage of wild carrots lies in its beneficial properties for the human body, as well as:

1. It is unpretentious in cultivation and care. In order to obtain valuable medicinal raw materials, many gardeners have already taken up its cultivation.
2. Has high honey productivity. From 1 hectare occupied by wild carrots, bees can produce 20-40 kg of honey.

Despite many medicinal qualities, wild carrots have disadvantages:

1. Contraindications for certain diseases.
2. Side effects. Typically caused by excessive consumption of wild carrot formulations.
3. Unpleasant taste.The root vegetable is hard, bitter, has a pungent odor and a dull color, so it is absolutely unsuitable for food.

What is the difference from other varieties

Cultivated varieties of root vegetables and wild carrots differ from each other:

1. The wild plant exhibits its medicinal properties more clearly than the plant plant.
2. Essential oil from the fruits of wild carrots is included in various medicinal preparations, unlike varietal ones.
3. Root vegetables have different taste qualities: sow carrots have a sweet, juicy and crunchy taste, while wild carrots have a bitter, grassy taste.
4. The wild root has a thinner root, unlike the garden root.
5. Cultivated carrots are much more demanding in terms of cultivation and care compared to their ancestor.

Features of the use of wild carrots

Experts have established the diverse effects of carrots on the human body, which is why it is widely used in both traditional and folk medicine. The plant has also found application in the perfume and cosmetics industry.

Preparations based on wild carrots are also used for various diseases:

1. Tuberculosis. Cleanses the lungs and bronchi, reduces cough, prevents pulmonary hemorrhages.
2. Cholelithiasis. Promotes the free flow of bile, cleanses the bile ducts from small stones. At the initial stage of the disease, complete healing is possible with the use of drugs created on the basis of a medicinal plant.
3. Urolithiasis disease. The diuretic properties of carrots prevent the formation of large kidney stones, helping to flush out sand and small stones from the body. Prevents the development of inflammatory processes in the kidneys.
4. Strengthens the nervous system. It has a mild calming effect during severe mental and emotional stress, thus preventing the development of the disease.
5. Improves bowel function during constipation. The mild laxative property of the plant allows it to be taken even by children with similar problems.

Medicinal properties of wild carrots and use in folk medicine

In folk medicine, pharmaceuticals and scientific-practical medicine, different parts of the plant are used: root, fruit, seeds and leaves.

Properties of fruits

The fruits of wild carrots are considered especially valuable. After collection, they are dried, ground into powder, and medicinal tinctures are prepared from them, which are taken for various diseases of the internal organs, as well as for tuberculosis.

The well-known industrial drug Urolesan also contains this medicinal raw material. The fruits, which have a fiery, spicy taste, are used as a seasoning for dishes, in marinades, and in liquor production.

Seed properties

The seeds are also crushed and used in powder form for pain in the gastrointestinal tract, to increase libido, regulate the menstrual cycle, and delay the onset of menopause.

Tinctures from seeds are indicated for the accumulation of gases, edema as a diuretic, inflammatory processes and sand in the kidneys, to reduce the tone of the smooth muscles of blood vessels and internal organs.

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Properties of leaves

Wild carrot leaves are also endowed with medicinal properties. More often they are used to make ointments for external use.

They also brew tea, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.It is also taken as a diuretic.

Properties of root vegetables

Root vegetables are consumed raw or made into juice. The use is effective for constipation, digestive disorders, helminthic infestations, and anemia. When dried, they are added to tea and seasoned food.

Recently, wild carrot roots have been used as a component of carotenoids and dietary supplements.

For what ailments and how to take it

In folk medicine there are a lot of recipes using wild carrots:

1. For renal colic. At night 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of seeds into 1 cup of boiling water and leave until the morning. The infusion is taken in a glass 3 times a day, warmed, for two weeks. Kidney stones will gradually dissolve and come out as sand.
2. Ointment for treating and healing wounds. Fresh wild carrot leaves are thoroughly ground or minced and mixed with honey. After 2-3 hours the composition is ready for use.
3. Infusion for hypertension. 5 tbsp. spoons of seeds are brewed with 1 liter of boiling water, wrapped well and left in a warm place. After 12 hours, filter the infusion and take 1 glass 3-4 times a day.

Is it possible to grow it yourself?

Wild carrots, as already mentioned, are an absolutely unpretentious plant, therefore, to obtain medicinal raw materials, they can easily be grown on your own plot.

Features of planting and growing

In spring, wild carrot seeds are sown in prepared soil to a depth of 1.5 cm. A distance of 30-35 cm is maintained between rows. Care consists of loosening the soil and weeding the crops.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the enormous benefits for the body, wild carrots have contraindications:

• for gastrointestinal pathologies (gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the small intestine);
• with individual intolerance.

Possible and side effects:

• peeling and redness of the skin;
• headache;
• weakness, apathy;
• skin itching.

Collection and storage of wild carrots

To collect medicinal raw materials, choose dry and warm weather.

How and when to collect

All parts of wild carrots have medicinal properties, so it is important to collect them correctly and in a timely manner:

1. The fruits are harvested in the fall (September-October), when the flowering period comes to an end. Dry them in the shade, scattering them in a thin layer in a place protected from the wind.
2. The seeds are collected at the moment of full ripening, completely cutting off the umbrella. It is important to have time to collect them before they fall off. The inflorescences are cut, tied in bunches, dried in a dark, ventilated room, and then threshed and dried.
3. Wild carrot roots are dug up in early spring or late autumn. They are usually used raw or as juice and only sometimes dried in a ventilated place, after being cut lengthwise.
4. The leaves are collected during flowering (in the first half of summer), cutting them about 10 cm from the ground, then dried in the shade in the fresh air.

Storage Features

Roots and leaves are stored for a year in cardboard boxes, glass containers or canvas bags.

It is better to store well-dried fruits and seeds in a glass container with a tightly closed lid, then the raw materials will retain their quality for three years.

Reviews on the use of wild carrots

Elizaveta, Vologda: “Every year we harvest common carrots. We use it as an expectorant during a variety of illnesses. It can also be used for prophylaxis when feeling unwell. We make tea from it and drink it with the whole family.”

Nicholas, Sevastopol: “I use wild carrot inflorescences to treat osteochondrosis. To do this, pour 1 large umbrella with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. This volume should be drunk in several doses throughout the day. With regular use, it relieves the symptoms of the disease well.”

Conclusion

The medicinal properties of wild carrots are so diverse that they are used in both traditional and folk medicine. It helps with diseases of the digestive and nervous systems, as well as kidney stones and gall bladder. The main thing is to eat carrots in moderation, then they will really be beneficial.