Incredible medicinal properties of carrot tops: recipes and contraindications
Carrots are a universal plant. Everything in it is useful: the root vegetable, the above-ground green part, flowers and seeds. Carrot leaves are used in the treatment of various diseases, in cooking, and cosmetology. In this article we will talk about the rules for harvesting, medicinal properties and contraindications of carrot tops and provide recipes for folk remedies to combat certain diseases.
Chemical composition of carrot tops
The medicinal properties of the above-ground part of the plant are due to the high content of useful substances, which are even more abundant here than in the root crop. For example, the concentration of vitamin A in the tops is 190 times higher than in the carrots themselves.
Calorie content and BZHU:
- proteins – 0.62 g;
- fats – 0.14 g;
- carbohydrates – 5.35 g;
- energy value – 35 kcal;
- dietary fiber – 3 g.
Chemical composition of carrot tops:
- potassium – 237 mg;
- iron – 89 mg;
- sodium – 78 mg;
- calcium – 32 mg;
- phosphorus – 28 mg;
- zinc – 0.17 mg;
- selenium – 0.9 mcg;
- beta-carotene – 1.3 mg;
- B1 – 2 mg;
- B2 – 2.2 mg;
- B4 – 1.5 mg;
- B5 – 8 mg;
- B6 – 5.5 mg;
- B9 – 6.8 mcg;
- C – 2.9 mg;
- K – 7.8 mcg;
- RR – 6.4 mg.
Carrot tops are rich in essential oils - natural aphrodisiacs.
The benefits of carrot tops for the human body
The presence of rare vitamins and minerals, in particular potassium, selenium and vitamin K, make carrot greens an indispensable remedy for problems with immunity, joints and high blood pressure.
Carrot tops are used for:
- inflammatory processes;
- high cholesterol levels;
- healing of wounds, burns;
- fight against fungal infections;
- varicose veins;
- deficiency of sex hormones.
Carrot tops improve metabolism, cleanse the intestines, and remove toxins from the body. It normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system, lowers blood pressure, strengthens bones, and has a positive effect on the nervous system.
Features and scope of application of carrot tops
For women, carrot tops are indispensable in the treatment of the reproductive system. It improves the quality of the egg, stimulates the production of sex hormones, and is indispensable in the treatment of kidney and bladder diseases.
Important! Pregnant women should not take decoctions of carrot tops. This will increase toxicosis due to the high sodium content. Alkaloids contained in greens negatively affect the development of the fetus.
When breastfeeding, on the contrary, adding tops-based drinks to the mother’s diet improves the quality of milk and protects against viral infections. Start with small portions and monitor the baby’s reaction. If rashes or intestinal upset occur, it is better to stop eating carrot tops.
Children under 14 years of age should not take carrot tops orally. Alkaloids have a negative effect on the hormonal and nervous systems of the growing body.
External use is indicated for the treatment of eczema, wounds, burns. Rinsing helps cope with stomatitis and sore throat.
For men's health, the benefits of carrot tops are invaluable. It contains porphyrins, which increase blood circulation in the pelvic area. This helps increase the production of male hormones and generally helps strengthen the genitourinary system.
There are several ways to use carrot tops.It is eaten fresh, added to salads or as an independent dish. Drinks based on it are useful: teas, decoctions, smoothies.
In cosmetology, carrot tops are used to make masks to strengthen hair and lotions to cleanse the skin.
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How to properly prepare carrot tops
It is best to eat greens straight from the garden. To create winter reserves, the tops are dried, salted or frozen.
Salting preserves greens for up to six months. To do this, put chopped clean tops into clean and dry glass jars, sprinkling them with salt.
Dried greens in the fresh air or in the dryer until it begins to crumble under your fingers. Then it is crushed and stored in glass jars or linen bags. With this method of harvesting, it retains its beneficial properties for up to a year.
The shelf life of frozen tops is the same. To prepare, fresh greens are washed, drained, placed in containers, plastic bags or cling film and placed in the freezer.
Medicinal recipes from carrot tops
Greens are used as an independent or auxiliary remedy in the medicinal treatment of various diseases.
Important! Refusal of traditional medicine in favor of traditional methods in some cases can aggravate the course of diseases.
For hemorrhoids
For this disease, carrot tops are used to make preparations for internal and external use. For infusion 1 tsp. chopped herbs brew 1 tbsp. boiling water After cooling, filter and drink in several doses throughout the day.
For baths, 350 g of tops are poured into 10 liters of boiling water and left until the temperature drops to +39...+40°C. Take a bath for 15-20 minutes, once a day for two weeks.
For genitourinary diseases
Teas and infusions of carrot tops are used to treat the pelvic organs. A decoction helps to cope with inflammatory diseases. To prepare it, take a handful of greens and pour 2 tbsp. boiling water Then simmer for an hour in a water bath. After cooling to room temperature, take 0.5 tbsp. 10 minutes before meals 3 times a day.
This remedy reduces painful symptoms when urinating, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, and effectively fights inflammation.
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From uterine fibroids
Female pathologies are well treated by a decoction of tops. It is taken for polycystic ovary syndrome, inflammatory processes, and fibroids. To prepare the product 0.5 tbsp. chopped greens pour 2 tbsp. boiling water, wrap well and leave for 3 hours. Then filter and take ¼ tbsp. 3 times a day.
With a runny nose
1 tsp. The broth is mixed with 1 tsp. any vegetable oil. Place 1-2 drops in each nostril 2-3 times a day.
For varicose veins
To eliminate pain and relieve swelling, make warm compresses from a decoction of carrot tops. The medicine is prepared from 1 tsp. chopped herbs and 1 tbsp. boiling water
For cystitis
The most unpleasant thing with this disease is the frequent urge to urinate, pain and burning when visiting the toilet. An infusion prepared from parsley and carrot tops quickly relieves such manifestations.
To do this, take 1 hour.l. herbs, pour 2 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 1.5-2 hours. Then filter and take 0.5 tbsp. 20 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
For stones and sand in the kidneys
If your health condition does not require surgical intervention, a medicine made from carrot greens will help remove sand and stones from the kidneys. The process is long - from 6 to 8 months, but the course cannot be interrupted.
To prepare the product 2 tbsp. l. dried tops, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water in the evening and leave until the morning. Strain and take ¼ tbsp. four times a day.
Important! During treatment, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the kidneys by seeing a doctor.
For constipation
In such a delicate situation it's good tea helps, prepared from 1 tbsp. l. tops and 1 tbsp. water. It needs to be simmered over low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled and strained. Add 1 tbsp. l. honey, drink ¼ tbsp. 4 times a day.
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Possible harm and contraindications
Medicines based on carrot greens are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases and during pregnancy. In case of individual intolerance, it is also better to replace them with other means.
Conclusion
Carrot tops are an excellent healer. It is useful for diseases of the reproductive system in men and women, and is effective for varicose veins, arterial hypertension, and weakened immunity. Infusions, decoctions, teas from fresh or dried tops, as well as compresses for external use are used as medicine.