Beetroot.

Beetroot: properties and applications

Common beet (lat. Beta vulgaris) is a biennial herbaceous plant from the goosefoot family that grows up to 50 cm in height. In the first year of life, a leaf rosette and a root crop are formed. In the second year, leafy stems develop with numerous flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences. Flowering occurs in July - September, the flowers are green or whitish. The fruit is a single-seeded nut, which when ripe grows into several fruitlets.

Beetroot is a common crop that is grown on well-fertilized soils after cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, legumes and other crops. Root vegetables contain sucrose, glucose, fructose and pectin substances and do not lose their beneficial and taste qualities during long-term storage. Beet leaves and roots serve as medicinal raw materials.

Beets have high nutritional value and are rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, as well as carotenoids, pantothenic, folic and organic acids. In addition, beets contain a large amount of proteins and amino acids (lysine, valine, arginine, histidine, etc.), as well as salts of iron, manganese, potassium, calcium, cobalt, magnesium and iodine. Beet tops are richer than root vegetables in vitamin C and folic acid, but poorer in fiber.

Beetroot dishes have medicinal and dietary properties and have a positive effect on metabolism and hematopoiesis. A complex of vitamins in combination with iron, cobalt, folic acid and amino acids allows the use of beets as a remedy for the treatment of anemia. It is especially useful to use beets in salads, vinaigrettes, and beetroot soups for people suffering from obesity, hypertension, liver and kidney diseases.

The juice of freshly grated beet roots is used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the lungs and pleura, and in a mixture with honey (1:1) for hypertension. Pectic substances and organic acids contained in beets help to increase intestinal motility, so beets are used to treat spastic inflammation of the colon and liver diseases. A large amount of vitamins and mineral salts (potassium, magnesium, iodine) allows us to recommend it as an antiatherosclerotic and antiarrhythmic agent.

Slightly fermented beet juice, when instilled 2-3 drops into each nostril 3 times a day, gives a good effect for chronic runny nose. Boiled beet juice or freshly grated root vegetables are used for poorly healing ulcers. Lotions of juice or grated root vegetables are applied to the affected areas and bandaged. The dressings are changed 3-5 times a day.

In conclusion, beets are not only a tasty and nutritious product, but also a valuable medicinal plant. Its roots and leaves contain many beneficial substances that can help treat various diseases. Regular consumption of beets and their use as medicine can have beneficial effects on human health and well-being.