Healing vegetables and gourds

Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

For medicinal purposes, tubers and potato juice are used. The main active principles of potatoes are starch (about 20%), proteins (up to 2%), vitamins C (up to 42 mg%), vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, PP, folic acid, carotene (up to 56 mg%), fat (up to 0.15%).

In addition, potatoes contain magnesium (up to 32 mg%), prevail from mineral salts in tubers : iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, iodine, calcium. In terms of iron content, potatoes are second only to pumpkin, beets and spinach and are on a par with green onions and carrots. And in terms of copper content, potatoes surpass all vegetables and fruits, giving priority only to mushrooms.

During winter storage of potatoes, the vitamin content in it is halved, and by spring it does not exceed 30% of the autumn level. When cooking tubers without peel, up to 50% is lost, and with peel, up to 30% of vitamin C. To reduce the loss of vitamins during cooking, pour potatoes not with cold water, as most housewives do, but boil it and boil it under a tightly closed lid.

Potato protein is absorbed by the body almost completely.

The medicinal use of potatoes is popularly known for a long time. In Chinese traditional medicine, potatoes, along with other medicinal plants, are widely used for encephalitis, metabolic disorders, and skin diseases.

People used freshly grated potatoes for treatment, applied it to wounds and burns.

Fresh potato juice is widely used as a means of neutralizing the increased acidity of gastric juice in case of hyperacid gastritis and peptic ulcer - 100 ml each, half an hour before the last meal before bedtime.

Juice, squeezed from raw tubers of red potato varieties, is recommended in folk medicine for gastritis and peptic ulcer, high acidity and severe headaches.

A proven folk remedy is the use of hot boiled potatoes for respiratory diseases. To this end, well-washed potato tubers are boiled and mashed in a hot state without draining the water in which they were cooked. The patient is planted comfortably near a vessel with mashed potatoes, covered with a blanket and left to breathe hot steam. It is very useful to add 3-4 drops of turpentine to the potatoes.

When taking dishes from potatoes, diuretic effect is observed, which is important when preparing therapeutic nutrition for kidney and heart patients.

The antimicrobial and anticystic properties of potatoes are noticed. Moreover, young tubers stored in sunlight have more antimicrobial properties than long-term stored in the dark. The maximum amount of antimicrobial substances was found in young green shoots of potato tubers.
Starch contained in potatoes activates the exchange of bile acids, helps to strengthen the synthesis of vitamin B-2 by intestinal bacteria, a precursor of enzymes and coenzymes that accelerate the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and its excretion from the body.

Currently, starch obtained from potatoes is used as an enveloping, anti-inflammatory agent for gastrointestinal diseases, for burns, and it is also used as the basis for powders and filler for powders and tablets.

It should be recalled that the toxic substance of potatoes is the glucoalkaloid salanin. It is found in all parts of the plant, in fruits, green tops, sprouts, and especially green tubers lying on the surface.

Also, based on Katofel, drugs were obtained, in particular, the drug "Inhibin". Tests of this drug indicate a good therapeutic effect on burns, stomach ulcers and poisoning with some poisons.

But, among other things, potatoes and a good cosmetic. A potato mask makes the skin elastic, smooth, removes traces of fatigue on the face and smoothes wrinkles on the neck.
For this, every 1-2 days, a mask of 2 tbsp. Is applied to the skin of the neck. l freshly cooked mashed potatoes and 1 tsp. fresh honey. The mask is covered with wax paper on top. The procedure lasts 40–45 minutes, then the mask is washed off with warm water. This procedure is best done lying down.
For a mask on the face, it is better to cook large potatoes, make mashed potatoes with milk and one egg yolk. Warming up in a steam bath, it is applied with a thin layer on the face for 20 minutes and tightly covered with a napkin. Then the mashed potatoes are washed off with hot water, and then washed cold. And from potatoes, boiled in their skins and mixed with sour cream, make masks on the face with dry skin.
For swelling under the eyes, masks from grated raw potatoes help. It is applied to clean skin of the lower eyelids for 20 minutes, then washed off with cold water or infusion of chamomile flowers, and the eyelids are greased with cream.
Raw potato juice cleanses the skin from acne. To do this, add 0.5 tsp to 0.5 cups of potato juice. fresh honey. The mixture is applied to the face for 25¬30 minutes daily for two weeks. After a week, it is advisable to repeat the course of treatment.
In the absence of time, this procedure can be simplified and 2-3 times a day simply wipe the face with a napkin dipped in potato juice. Such procedures also contribute to the removal of age spots.
Potatoes can also be used to treat hands with flaky, reddened and inflamed skin. This can be done by applying freshly prepared hot mashed potatoes to them in a compress for 10-15 minutes. Instead of mashed potatoes, you can use the broth in which potatoes were cooked for baths. The duration of the baths is 25-30 minutes. The procedure well softens the skin of the hands and gradually eliminates peeling of the skin.
You can wash your face with the same broth if you are sure that the potato was grown without the use of chemicals, otherwise allergic complications may occur. Sunburned skin is also treated with a compress of raw grated potatoes.
And finally, with calluses and painful cracks on the heels, baths of potato peels and flaxseed are recommended. To do this, 0.5 cups of washed potato peelings and 0.5 cups of flaxseed need to pour 0.5 liters of water and cook until a thick slurry is formed. In this slurry, lower the legs for 15¬20 minutes, then wash them with warm water, and grease the cracks with 2% iodine tincture. In conclusion, the foot procedure should be greased with cream.

Onion / Latin name
Allium cepa
In medicine, onions have been known since the time of Hippocrates. The healing properties of onions were recognized by all nations. The Romans believed that the strength and courage of soldiers increased with the use of onions, so he entered the military diet. At one time, Abu Ali ibn Sina used onions in the treatment of jaundice, juice cured the suppuration of ears and ulcers.
The book "Mahzan-ul-Adviya" provides such data: onions open upclogging, increase appetite, eating it and inhaling its smell eliminates the adverse effects of spoiled air during mass diseases and pestilence - with cholera and plague.
There is evidence that during the great epidemic of typhoid fever and plague in 1805, Russians who consumed large amounts of onions did not get these diseases. In connection with the presence in the onion of various active substances, it has long been used by the people with a wide variety of diseases.
In folk medicine, onions are used as a diuretic and diaphoretic, for scurvy and impotence. In addition, it is now widely recommended for intestinal atony, colitis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hypo and avitominosis, rhinitis, influenza, furunculosis, roundworms (pinworms).
The disinfecting effect of onions allows you to use it at home to treat flu: for 2 to 3 minutes several times a day inhale volatile substances from a fresh cut of onions.
It has been established that fresh onion enhances appetite, increases the digestive glands, has well-defined diuretic properties, helps to dissolve sand and small stones in urolithiasis, softens cough and helps eliminate sputum.
Recently, onions began to be used for influenza, tonsillitis, trichomonas inflammation of the female genital organs.

In scientific medicine, onions are most often used in the form of an alcoholic extract. It is recommended for constipation accompanied by diarrhea. The first two days, take 20 drops 3 times a day after meals, the next two - 25 drops and another 5 to 6 days - 30 drops.
With round worms (pinworms), onions are successfully used fresh 15 to 20 g for 7 to 10 days
In the treatment of tonsillitis and respiratory diseases (bronchitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia), good results are obtained from the use of onions in the form of inhalations. In this way, lung abscesses were successfully treated. In this case, the patient was covered with a double-folded sheet of head and a plate with fresh onion pulp was brought in for inhalation. The session lasted 10 minutes for 30 to 40 days in a row. Then a month-long break was made and, if necessary, the course was repeated.
Onion juice mixed with honey is a good way to prevent the development of eyesore.

Onion juice is used for coughing, bronchitis, and even whooping cough (preferably with honey): 500 g of peeled and chopped onion, 50 g of honey, 400 g of sugar; boil in low heat for 3 hours, then cool and pour the liquid into a corked bottle, take 4-6 tablespoons per day.

For inflammation of the throat, it is recommended to take inside the gruel from grated onions with grated apples and honey (to taste), 2 to 3 times a day, two to three teaspoons.

To remove pinworms and roundworms from the body, onions are eaten on an empty stomach, sometimes with herring, and then cleanse the stomach with a laxative. Onions baked in dough or boiled in milk are used in the form of compresses, freshly mashed onions are successfully used for injuries (bruises).

corns and warts are removed with fresh onion juice or onion, previously boiled in table vinegar. For hair growth, onion juice is rubbed with fingers into the roots of the hair (1 to 2 times a week for 2 to 3 tablespoons). After lubrication, it is recommended to tie a head with a towel for 1 - 2 hours, and then wash your hair with soap and water, as usual.

To prevent wrinkles on the face and to remove already existing ones, an ointment of the following composition is used: onion juice - 30g, honey, white lily juice, and white wax - 30g each, all this is heated in a clay pot over low heat or for a couple, mixed with a wooden stick until cooling.

Cut pieces of onion attached to the temples and to the forehead eliminate a headache. As a multivitamin, onions are widely used for hypo- and vitamin deficiencies.

There is information about the sugar-lowering properties of onions, and therefore it is recommended for patients with diabetes to eat baked onion soup. Onion pulp, wrapped in a thin canvas of cotton paper tissue and applied to the wound, cleanses it of pus, reduces soreness and promotes its rapid healing. Baked onions are used to accelerate the maturation of carbuncles, abscesses and alleviate pain in hemorrhoids.

Onion is considered a harmless cosmetic product. Onion juice is recommended to lubricate the scalp with seborrhea, nesting baldness, to strengthen and grow hair. Hair becomes silky, soft and shiny, and the skin does not peel, dandruff does not form. Freckles turn pale from onion juice. The intake of onions, as well as onion masks (from a mixture of onion gruel with honey) prevents the appearance of wrinkles, the face becomes fresh.

Despite the wonderful healing properties of onions, it must be borne in mind that overdose or abuse can harm the body, especially with diseases of the stomach, kidneys and liver.

Bulbs contain 0, 01 - 0, 05% essential oils, 10 - 11% sugars, phytin, nitrogenous substances, 10 mg% vitamin C, 60 mg% vitamin B-1, carotene, flavoloids (guercetin), enzymes, saponins, pantothena acid, mineral salts (potassium, phosphorus, iodine, iron) volatile and other substances.  onion leaves also contain, sugar, proteins, and vitamin C. Bulbs and leaves contain essential oil, which gives them a specific smell and pungent taste.

Onions are the basis of spices in the preparation of meat dishes, soups, salads, pickled vegetables, cooking sauces, stewed vegetables and spicy mixtures.

Sowing carrots (Daucus carota subsp. Sativus)

The medicinal properties of carrots have been known for a very long time. At one time, Abu Ali ibn Sina recommended carrot root vegetables as a diuretic, and also used them in the treatment of intestinal pain, chronic cough and pleurisy. Brewed root vegetable recommended for dropsy. In "Mahzan-ul-Adviya" it is reported that carrots dilutes matter, opens up blockages in the liver and strengthens the stomach. Morkov is useful for pain in the chest, stomach, liver, for removing stones from the kidneys and bladder, has a diuretic effect, it is also taken for chronic cough and pleurisy. Carrot jam is easily digested, it is useful for dropsy. Carrot jam with honey strengthens the intestines and helps digestion.


In folk medicine, the roots of carrots are used as a diuretic and solvent for stones and sand in the bladder. For this, carrot root crops are usually used, but carrot seeds, especially wild ones, which sometimes grow in vegetable gardens, but more often near roads, in fields and in dry meadows, are much more effective for medicinal purposes. A powder or a decoction of carrot seeds is also used for digestive disorders and as a carminative, but mainly for kidney stones. Outwardly, the root crop of carrots is used for burns (cake), for cancer (juice inside and out), with fresh purulent wounds.

Carrot seeds in the form of a powder or water infusion have a provocative and anti-fermentative effect, and therefore are used as an anthelmintic and in digestive disorders (fermentative dyspepsia).


The people widely use carrots for burns, frostbite, long-healing festering wounds and ulcers. For this purpose, fresh carrots, ground on a grater, are applied to the affected areas or washed with carrot juice. Carrot juice is rinsed in the mouth and throat with inflammation, it gives good results with thrush in children.

Carrot activates intracellular oxidation - reduction processes, promotes epithelization, regulates carbohydrate metabolism, has a mild laxative and diuretic properties, improves digestion and increases milk excretion in nursing women. Carrot juice consumption is indicated in the first days of myocardial infarction, as well as for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and those whose eyesight is highly demanding.


Fresh carrot juice is also used for anemia, gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, it also has anthelmintic properties. In the latter case, fresh juice is recommended to be taken on an empty stomach. However, fresh carrots and carrot juice are contraindicated in case of exacerbations of peptic ulcer and enteritis.

Carrots, as a multivitamin, should be consumed frequently, the recommended dose is 50-100 g, but it is more useful with a small amount of fat for better absorption of carotene in the digestive tract, while carrots should be rubbed on a fine grater.

From the seeds of carrots was obtained the drug daucarin, which is the sum of flavanoids. It has an antispasmodic and coronary vasodilating effect. It is prescribed for chronic coronary insufficiency, manifested by pain in the heart and behind the sternum, at rest or after physical exertion.

Ways to use at home: to prepare a decoction of carrot seeds at the rate of - one tablespoon per glass of boiling water, steam all night in the oven, take hot three glasses a day. Powder from seeds: 1 g in three divided doses per day.

The seeds contain essential oil (1, 6%), which includes pinene, limonene, cineole, geraniol, citral, caratol, daucol, dipeptene, azoran, flavone compounds, fatty oil up to (13%), daucosterol and other substances. The flowers contain flavonoids - quercetin and campferol as well as anthocyanin bases

Of medicinal interest are all parts of the plant (root crops, tops, seeds). Carrots also contain a complex of biologically active substances - sterols, lycithins, volatile, mineral salts (cobalt, potassium, iron, copper, phosphorus, calcium, iodine, boron and others), enzymes, polysaccharides, pectins, fiber), sugar (up to 15% ), organic acids, flavanoids, essential oils, (up to 0.014%), umbelliferone and other substances.