Water chestnut (rogulnik) - useful properties and recipes for using water chestnut

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Water chestnut (rogulnik) - useful properties and recipes for using water chestnut
Water chestnut (rogulnik) - useful properties and recipes for using water chestnut
Anonim

Water chestnut

water chestnut
water chestnut

Water chestnut belongs to the rogullnikov family. It is also known under the names "rogulnik", "chilim", "devil's nut". This herbaceous plant can be annual or perennial. It lives in water. Fresh, stagnant, heated water is most suitable for the development of a water chestnut. It can be lakes and oxbows. There are whole thickets of this plant. The water chestnut grows in Europe and Africa. In Russia and Ukraine, this plant is found in the lower reaches of the Volga, Don, Dnieper, Bug rivers, in the Far East, in Siberia, and also in the Caucasus.

The plant is a stem that floats in water. Its roots are attached to the bottom like an anchor. It is attached to last year's nut or with the help of a filiform brownish root. In the event of a rise in the water level - for example, during a flood - a plant that floats on the surface of the water breaks off. However, it does not die, but continues to float freely on the surface of the water. Once its roots hit the ground in shallow water, they take root.

The external features of the plant are as follows: on the stalk, first of all, very thin, like threads, leaves grow, which, however, fall off rather quickly. Further, one or more rosettes in the form of serrated leaves form on the surface of the water near the water chestnut. They are arranged randomly, as they have different lengths of petioles. It is in these petioles that there are cavities in which there is air. Thanks to this, the socket does not sink, but remains on the surface of the water.

Water chestnut flowers are solitary and usually with white or transparent petals. The flowering time of the plant is in May or June. The fruit has a black-brown color, one drupe-like seed. Outgrowths resembling curved horns grow on the surface of the fetus. Ripe fruits, falling into the silt, do not lose their properties for ten years. Fruit germination is also preserved.

At home water chestnut is stored poorly. But if there is still a need for this, then they store it unpeeled in a cool place, since peeled nuts lose their taste after 2-3 days. It is best to use the nut immediately after removing the shell, then you can evaluate the taste of the fruit: it will be juicy and tasty.

Application of water chestnut

Even in ancient times, the water chestnut was valued for its taste and was eaten. They even made flour from it, replacing it with bread. To obtain flour, the fruits are ground using hand mills. Water chestnut can be eaten raw or boiled whole, you can even preserve, add it to salads, bake on fire. The core of the water chestnut contains approximately 50% starch.

Currently water chestnut is grown in China, Japan, India. The plant is especially popular in India. It is there that cakes are baked from water chestnut flour, stews are cooked. Hindus especially love it with spices. Bread from it is very similar to wheat. This plant has also found its use in the treatment of various diseases.

Chemical composition of water chestnut

water chestnut composition
water chestnut composition

Due to the fact that this plant contains carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, tannins, vitamins, nitrogenous compounds and mineral s alts, it is used for medicinal purposes. Water chestnut fruits contain starch, fatty oil, carbohydrates, various vitamins and microelements, so water chestnuts are used for treatment more often than other nuts.

It should also be noted that Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese folk medicine very often uses water chestnut to treat people from various ailments.

Indication for the use of water chestnut

Fresh water chestnut is used to treat kidney disease, dyspepsia and impotence. It is also an excellent diuretic and tonic, helping to restore the body after illnesses.

Waternut is also used as a tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, fixative, sedative and choleretic agent.

The juice of this plant is effectively used in the treatment of gonorrhea, with leucorrhoea, to get rid of tumors of various origins. Use it as an antiseptic, as well as after snake or insect bites. For eye diseases, freshly squeezed juice is used.

Waternut has strong antiviral properties. It also has a beneficial effect on the body after stress.

Water chestnut medicine recipes

water chestnut recipes
water chestnut recipes

Infusion of water chestnut. To prepare it, you need 20 grams of flowers and leaves. They are poured with 200 milliliters of hot boiled water, then left to infuse in a water bath for fifteen minutes. After the infusion should be left to cool for 45 minutes, and then strain. The resulting remedy is taken orally three times a day, 1/3 cup before meals. If the infusion is applied externally, then its concentration must be increased by about 2-3 times.

Water chestnut juice. Usually water chestnut juice is used to treat eye diseases. To do this, it is necessary to squeeze the juice from the whole plant and dilute it with cold boiled water in a ratio of 1:10. It is necessary to drink water chestnut juice inside 30-40 drops at a time 3-4 times a day before meals. If the juice is used for external treatment of other diseases, then it must be diluted in a ratio of 1:3.

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