Author: Marko Balašević
Time for reading: ~3
minutes
Last Updated:
November 22, 2022
Since childhood, we have heard about the useful and healing properties of buckwheat groats. But the healing properties of buckwheat are not limited to this.
Since childhood, we have heard about the useful and healing properties of buckwheat groats. But the healing properties of buckwheat are not limited to this.
Buckwheat is a herbaceous plant. Not only groats, but also its flowers and leaves are successfully used in traditional and folk medicine.
Buckwheat in traditional medicineDuring the flowering period, the colors and leaves of buckwheat contain vitamin P (rutin). In official medicine, it is used for the treatment and prevention of vascular permeability disorders (hypertensive disease, capillarotoxicosis, gromerulonephritis, hemorrhagic diatheses, septic endocarditis, hemorrhages). Rutin is the active substance of such drugs as askorutin, urutin, veterinary drug rutamine, etc. To obtain routine, the leaves and flowers of buckwheat are harvested at the beginning of flowering.
Buckwheat is a well-known dietary product. Porridge from this cereal is very useful for gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, anemia. Buckwheat saturates the body with useful substances.
Buckwheat groats are rightfully considered one of the most useful groats that have medicinal properties. Buckwheat contains nutrients necessary for the human body: proteins, carbohydrates, valuable amino acids, organic acids, vitamins B1, B2, P, PP, calcium, phosphorus and trace elements (iodine, copper, zinc, boron).
Buckwheat proteins dissolve and are absorbed well. Citric and malic acid in buckwheat accelerate food absorption, which is especially important in diseases of the digestive system. The introduction of porridge into the diet of infants is recommended to start with buckwheat porridge also due to its good digestibility.
The complex of copper and iron in the composition of buckwheat participates in the processes of hematopoiesis and the formation of hemoglobin. Phosphorus and potassium in its composition improve the health of bones and teeth. B vitamins strengthen the nervous system. Buckwheat helps cleanse the liver of toxins, helps lower cholesterol.
Buckwheat is the basis of a popular diet for weight loss. Buckwheat has fewer carbohydrates than other cereals. Buckwheat belongs to complex carbohydrates and is absorbed by the body gradually, providing a person with a feeling of satiety for a long time. In addition, it is rich in fiber, which helps to cleanse the intestines.
Buckwheat groats are a recommended product for people with diabetes, because after eating them, blood sugar rises moderately.
Thanks to the copper content, buckwheat helps fight brittle nails. People with such a problem can sit on a buckwheat diet for 1-2 days: divide 0.5 kg of boiled buckwheat into 5-6 meals per day.
In order to preserve as many useful substances as possible in buckwheat porridge, do not boil it, but in the evening pour the washed groats with boiling water (milk, kefir), and the porridge will be ready by morning. It is better to combine buckwheat porridge not with meat, but with milk - it is a well-balanced dish. It is preferable to prepare porridge not from the buckwheat part, but from the kernel.
The use of flowers, leaves and buckwheat groats in folk medicineBuckwheat flowers, leaves and groats are used in traditional medicine to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, speed up the healing of wounds, and relieve pain from sciatica.
There are many folk recipes using buckwheat. For example, when coughing, brew 1 dessert spoon of buckwheat flowers in 0.5 liters of water. Insist for 2 hours under the lid. Take half a glass orally 3 times a day.
An infusion of dry grass, flowers and leaves of buckwheat (4-6 tbsp. spoons per 1 liter of boiling water) is drunk in a chilled form for arthritis (up to 4 glasses per day), for neurasthenia, for reduced pressure accompanied by weakness (half a glass for 4 times a day).
Dried buckwheat leaves and flowers are included in medicinal mixtures for preparation of infusions for sore throat, laryngitis, sciatica. From the infusions (up to 2 tablespoons of the mixture per 1 glass of boiling water) lotions and compresses are made for abscesses, panaritium; wounds and ulcers are washed with them.
Buckwheat groats are used for warming up with neuritis and sciatica. To do this, it is heated in a pan, poured into a canvas bag and applied to the lower back. Such a compress is made 1-2 times a day and kept until the bag stops giving off heat.
Buckwheat is one of the main honey crops. Buckwheat honey is recommended for people with hypertension, vitamin deficiency, chronic gastritis, increased stomach acidity. This type of honey helps purify the blood from radioactive elements.
Dry buckwheat flour, sifted through a sieve, is used (externally) for the treatment of bedwetting in children.
It should be taken into account that fresh leaves and flowers of buckwheat cannot be taken inside, as they have poisonous properties. Flowers, leaves and tops of buckwheat shoots are stored dried in boxes for no more than two years.