Jerusalem artichoke: what is it
Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial herb that resembles a sunflower in appearance. The straight stem of this plant can reach 4 m in height. 3-4 stems can extend from one root. Tubers are formed on the roots, up to 30 pieces per plant. The leaves are ovoid and have slightly jagged edges.
So tall he can grow
The plant is known by several names. Some call it "earthen pear", others - "Jerusalem artichoke", still others - "solar root". In Kazakhstan, for example, it is called the "Chinese potato", since it came to this country precisely through China. On the Don, for some reason, they call him turnips, and he got to the Kuban through Romania. Because of this, some also call it “Volga turnip”. Through Germany, he got to the Baltic countries.
This is how Jerusalem artichoke grows and blooms
It became widespread due to its unpretentiousness. He does not need additional feeding or hilling, like potatoes. Does not require special soil conditions. It can grow both in conditions of abundance of moisture and on dry soil. Practically does not need weeding, since it displaces all weeds from its site.
The weight of the tubers varies from 20 to 100 g. Depending on the variety of Jerusalem artichoke, the color of the edible parts can also be different. Most often found in white, yellowish, red and purple colors. The plant gives a good harvest in the first 4 years. At the same time, it can grow up to 40 years old.
The color of the tubers depends on the variety
Before growing Jerusalem artichoke, it is recommended to dig deep sides into the ground. This is done so that the root system does not spread beyond the area allotted to it. Otherwise, then you simply cannot get rid of it.
The shape can be smoother
Its tubers are eaten. They look like ginger tubers. The taste is more like a slightly sweet potato.
The shape can be more segmental, like that of ginger
It is grown as a fodder, food and technical plant. Chile is considered the birthplace of the plant. Indian tribes living in the territory of this country cultivated the culture in the same way as we now cultivate potatoes. And this plant got its name from the Jerusalem artichoke tribe.
There are many root vegetable recipes.
The tubers of this plant are eaten raw or thermally processed (fried, baked, boiled, added to desserts). They are also made into juice or dried.
Jerusalem artichoke: photo of a plant
Jerusalem artichoke - what the tuber and all other parts of the plant look like.
Tubers may look like this
In the context of the "earthen pear" it looks like this
Jerusalem artichoke flowers
The stems are long and the leaves are like the leaves of a sunflower
Jerusalem artichoke root system
What is this Jerusalem artichoke? ↑
Herbaceous perennial grows up to 2 meters in height. Its numerous straight stems, covered with fine hairs, stretch up very quickly.
Inflorescences are baskets with a diameter of 2-10 cm. In the very middle there are tubular flower “bundles”, and along the edge there are golden-yellow false tongues. They resemble hairy rudbeckia flowers or young sunflower flowers.
The powerful root system is branched. At a depth of 3-15 cm from the surface of the earth, tubers of different sizes are formed on underground shoots. In shape, they are similar to fused pears. White, yellow, purple, pink-red potatoes weigh from 3 g to 150 g.
Chemical composition and nutritional value
Despite the outward resemblance to potatoes, the chemical composition of the "earthen pear" is much more varied and richer. Most of the tuber, like any other vegetable or fruit, is water. The tubers have a large amount of vitamin C. Only 200 g contains the daily requirement of this vitamin for humans. There are several times more vitamins B1 and B2 in Jerusalem artichoke than in carrots or beets.
Tubers are also rich in other useful substances:
- silicon;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- phosphorus.
And can be used as an ornamental plant on the site
Its richness in inulin should be especially noted. This soluble polysaccharide, when broken down, becomes fructose molecules. Such sugars are beneficial for their ability to remove breakdown products of other substances from the blood. The unbroken part of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers helps to remove harmful cholesterol and toxins from the body.
Growing tips ↑
In the conditions of Russia, it reproduces only by tubers. And practically no care is needed.
The tubers are planted in May to a depth of 15 cm. There are “eyes” on their surface, which germinate at a temperature of 3-4 degrees. After 2-3 weeks, the first green heralds of growth will appear.
In summer, the grown plants are tied to a support and huddled. In areas with poor soil, they are fed with slurry every 2-3 weeks. Bloom begins in August-October. At the same time, nodules are born underground.
In the first year, tubers are usually small and there are not many of them. Therefore, refrain from digging up the plant and let it gain strength. In three years you will receive more than 4-5 kg of Jerusalem artichoke from one bush. In the meantime, let him decorate your garden with its beautiful view.
Jerusalem artichoke loves moisture very much. But it also tolerates drought calmly. I am glad to any composition of the soil and the abundance of the sun.
And in general, this is one of the most hardy and unpretentious plants.
Jerusalem artichoke: medicinal properties
Sun Root is known for its beneficial properties. Among them are the following:
- benefits for the digestive system. It is recommended for people suffering from pancreatitis, gastritis, colitis, diseases of the duodenum;
- used to get rid of nausea, vomiting, bitter taste in the mouth;
- has a choleretic property;
- helps to cope with constipation and dysbiosis. Regular consumption of tubers contributes to the development of the correct microflora in the intestines;
- able to remove harmful substances from the body. Starting from slags, ending with salts of heavy metals and radionuclides;
- has a diuretic effect. Recommended for people suffering from edema (heart or kidney origin) and kidney stones;
- helps to lower blood sugar levels and is recommended for diabetes;
- reduces pressure. It helps well with hypertension, tachycardia and atherosclerosis;
- high calcium content will benefit your teeth, bones, nails and hair;
- due to the high content of vitamin C, it perfectly helps to strengthen the immune system. This is especially important in the winter-spring period, when there is not enough vitamins, heat and sun;
- potassium contributes to the regulation of metabolism. In particular, it allows you to remove uric acid salts from the body. Thereby preventing the deposition of this acid in the joints;
- increases the level of hemoglobin;
- is a fairly strong natural antioxidant;
- for men it is useful for its ability to prevent prostate adenoma;
- due to the high content of trace elements such as sulfur, magnesium, zinc and silicon, it is also used in cosmetology. It allows you to remove fine wrinkles, prevents the appearance of acne, relieves inflammation. It even helps to cope with seborrhea;
- arginine and phosphorus contained in tubers help to increase physical and psycho-emotional endurance. It is recommended to drink Jerusalem artichoke juice before bed to cope with emotional stress and insomnia.
Excellent remedy for lowering pressure
Like any product, Jerusalem artichoke has useful properties and contraindications. It is not recommended to consume a lot of raw Jerusalem artichoke for people suffering from flatulence. The tubers of this plant contribute to the appearance of excess gas in the intestines. For the same reason, it should be given very sparingly to young children.
Interestingly, the pulp that has undergone heat treatment with the addition of coriander or caraway seeds, on the contrary, prevents excessive gas formation. Individual intolerance to this root vegetable is quite rare, but still occurs. So if you've never tried it, start with small portions.
Harm and contraindications to the use of Jerusalem artichoke
There is little information about the harmful properties in the literary data on Jerusalem artichoke, but this does not mean that it should be used without restrictions. The rich chemical composition of elements useful for the human body contains amino acids that are not digested by the human body. The number of such compounds is eight.
It is worth adhering to the recommendations for the daily rate and not taking in the presence of individual intolerance. An increased tendency to flatulence due to the possibility of increased gas formation when eating an earthen pear can serve as a serious reason for refusing a dish with this component. In the general case, it is worth highlighting the following contraindications in the form of availability:
- individual intolerance;
- flatulence.
Individual intolerance to this vegetable is quite rare in people, but you should still be careful when using it for the first time, and in the presence of diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, you should consult with a therapist, local gynecologist and pediatrician, respectively. If the recommendations for the daily intake are not followed, the following consequences are possible in the form of:
- swelling of the abdominal cavity;
- flatulence;
- other disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
The benefits of a vegetable should be expected only with systematic use, and a single use in large quantities can only lead to uncomfortable sensations and an unpleasant impression of an earthen pear without the desire to try the dish again.
What diseases are used
Jerusalem artichoke for diabetes: how to use
The use of Jerusalem artichoke in diabetes is mainly in the complete absence of sugar in the tubers. Fructose gives sweetness to the taste. It is especially useful in type 2 diabetes because it inhibits the body's sensitivity to artificially administered insulin. This stimulates the body to produce its own insulin. Tubers can be eaten in various forms: raw, boiled, stewed, fried or as juice.
For medicinal purposes, all parts of the plant are used.
With pathologies of the digestive system
"Earthen pear" has a positive effect on all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Helps to cope with bitterness in the mouth, reduces heartburn and nausea. Jerusalem artichoke can be used even for stomach ulcers. Since it has the property of positively affecting blood vessels, it restores their elasticity, including in the area of ulcerative formation. Also, the root vegetable helps to improve the condition of the mucous membranes. Which is also good for peptic ulcer disease.
The ability to control the intestinal microflora makes this root vegetable an excellent assistant for dysbiosis. Depending on the cooking method, it can either promote gas formation or reduce it. It is recommended to use the "sun root" not only for treatment, but also as a prophylactic agent.
Jerusalem artichoke seeds are not used
For diseases of the skeletal system
The main beneficial property for bone tissue is its high calcium content. It is not only rich in this element, but also helps the body to absorb it. Therefore, tubers can be eaten for better bone growth or relief of symptoms of bone diseases.
In particular, it is recommended to use it for such diseases:
- osteoporosis;
- radiculitis;
- polyarthritis;
- rheumatism;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- heel spur.
To restore men's health
Regular use of Jerusalem artichoke is an excellent remedy for the prevention of male diseases. In particular, prostate adenoma and impotence. It is especially recommended to use "earthen pear" for men over middle age, when these problems become especially urgent.
Include Jerusalem artichoke in your diet
Jerusalem artichoke during pregnancy
For pregnant women, this root vegetable will be extremely beneficial. It is rich in calcium, which is so necessary for a woman during pregnancy. All useful substances and trace elements will benefit both the expectant mother and her baby. The ability of this plant to remove toxins, normalize blood pressure and sugar levels will also benefit. It is also sometimes prescribed as a natural laxative.
"Earthen pear" in the treatment of joints
Joint damage occurs in arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis of the spine. These are systemic diseases of the musculoskeletal system with damage to the connective tissue. The daily use of Jerusalem artichoke will help relieve inflammation, restore cartilage tissue, and reduce pain. When treating, only complex use, both external and internal, is justified.
Pain relief baths
The crushed green mass of the plant is used. Prepare the broth: pour the mass (1.5 kg) with cold water, boil over low heat for 30 minutes. Strain. Add to the required volume of liquid (the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees). Dip the inflamed joints into a basin or bath for 15-30 minutes. Course - 20 procedures, then a break for 1 month. Do not wash the body after the bath. In this case, ingestion of tincture or syrup, you can eat food with the addition of tubers.
How to use Jerusalem artichoke for various diseases
Consider the benefits and harms of Jerusalem artichoke in diabetes and other diseases, as well as the main methods of treatment with the "earthen pear". For medicinal purposes, not only the tubers of this plant are used, but even the leaves and flowers.
The healing power is also hidden in flowers.
Jerusalem artichoke juice: benefits and harms
With diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to take juice. To do this, you will need:
- take a few tubers and rinse them well (preferably using a brush to remove all soil residues);
- mince or rub on the "prickly" side of a regular grater;
- squeeze out the liquid and remove the excess pulp;
- before use, it is strongly recommended to dilute the juice with water.
Jerusalem artichoke juice
Decoction
The broth is good for bone diseases. To do this, you need 2-3 kg of fresh leaves. They will need to be chopped and boiled in a 10-liter saucepan for 30 minutes over low heat. Strain the broth and take a bath with it for 25 minutes. Proportions - 1 liter of broth per 1 liter of water. The water temperature in the bathroom should be around 40 ° C. The course of procedures is 20 days. After a 20-day break, the course can be repeated.
Dried leaves can also be used
Infusion of flowers for anemia
Pour into a container 1 tablespoon of dried "earthen pear" flowers. Pour them with 3 cups of boiling water. Wrap up for thermal insulation and leave for 6 hours. Strain after tincture. Consume 3-4 times a day before meals, half a glass.
It is better to strain the infusion
Jerusalem artichoke powder: benefits and harms
Dried Jerusalem artichoke is used in many dietary supplements. It can also be prepared at home. To do this, you will need to rinse and peel the healthy tubers. Chop as small as possible. The finer you cut them, the faster the raw material will dry. You can dry it in a natural way, protecting it from direct sunlight. If you want to dry it in the oven, it is recommended to blanch the tubers for a while in water with the addition of soda before drying.
Or you can buy Jerusalem artichoke powder in a pharmacy
Anti-wrinkle mask
The mask perfectly smoothes wrinkles
Grate fresh tuber on a fine grater. Add milk or any cosmetic oil to this gruel. Cleanse the skin of the face and neck and apply a mask. Keep it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Jerusalem artichoke is part of many cosmetics
Jerusalem artichoke syrup: benefits and harms, reviews
The syrup can be prepared quickly enough. To do this, you will need:
- wash and peel root crops;
- grind on a grater or in a blender;
- squeeze the juice, pour it into an enamel container and put on medium heat;
- simmer for 20 minutes and turn off the heat;
- leave on the stove for 3 hours;
- repeat boiling.
Still hot syrup needs to be poured into jars or bottles and screwed tightly. The only drawback of this cooking method is that during the thermal treatment, vitamin C is destroyed. Such a syrup is an excellent sweetener. It can be consumed by people suffering from diabetes and those looking to lose weight.
The syrup can also be bought
Cooking applications
The great benefits of the recipes and the minor harm of Jerusalem artichoke make this vegetable a popular product in many cuisines. The tubers have a pleasant taste and are juicy, so they will help to make the daily menu not only healthy, but also appetizing. The best way to consume earthen pears is fresh juice. However, side effects can arise from frequent consumption of this vegetable raw. Therefore, it is recommended to alternate raw and heat-treated Jerusalem artichoke.
Bread and other flour products are baked from dried and ground pear tubers. To make Jerusalem artichoke powder, wash well and cut into thin slices. Then arrange the slices on a baking sheet and send to the oven, the temperature in which does not exceed 60 degrees. Grind the dried vegetable with a rolling pin and then grind in a coffee grinder. When baking, the resulting powder is mixed with flour in a ratio of 1: 5. In addition to flour products, dry crushed vegetables are added to coffee.
You can also prepare an independent dish from Jerusalem artichoke. To do this, the tubers must be peeled, filled with water and boiled until tender. To prevent the vegetable from darkening during cooking, add a little vinegar to the water. Pour the finished Jerusalem artichoke with sour cream or grease with butter. You can improve the taste of the dish by replacing the water with milk. After the tubers are cooked, pour the milk into another container and bring to a boil. Separately fry a little flour and add it to the milk, which continues to simmer until thickened. Pour pieces of earthen pear with this sauce and sprinkle with herbs on top.
The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke for children
Several years ago, a study was carried out showing the usefulness of Jerusalem artichoke for a still unformed organism - children.
Children who regularly consumed a salad of raw Jerusalem artichoke root vegetables observed:
- Increased appetite.
- Hemoglobin growth by 6.3 g / l.
- Saline sediment in the urine disappeared.
- Improving immunity.The number of cases of infectious diseases has decreased.
Output: Jerusalem artichoke useful for children and their parents.
Procurement and storage
Collecting Jerusalem artichoke flowers begins at the beginning of flowering. Herbalists advise not to cut off all the flowers and the green part of the plant, because the tubers are nourished through the aerial part. The collected flowers are dried in a dry, ventilated area. The green part is harvested from mid-September. Cut and dry.
The tubers continue to grow until frost and retain their qualities until spring. The required amount of root crops is dug up, dried, sprinkled with dry sand and stored at a temperature of 0 to -2 degrees.
Conclusion
Jerusalem artichoke is a unique plant. Its use is indicated for any age and gender. Uncomplicated traditional medicine recipes can support health and relieve pain.
Varieties
All varieties of Jerusalem artichoke are divided into fodder, which increase only the green mass, and tuberous. Distinguish between this plant and the timing of ripening - early maturing and late.
The main types of green pear will be:
- "Pasko" - late-ripening tuberous variety. Gives a high yield;
- "Interest" - fodder, intensive in growth type of Jerusalem artichoke. Very picky about moisture;
- «Nakhodka " - late ripening variety, which is intended for southern areas;
- Volzhsky - a tall plant that is resistant to frost and drought.
There are a large number of different varieties of Jerusalem artichoke that can be selected depending on the region of residence and the purposes for which it is intended.
Features of Jerusalem artichoke that you didn't know about
If an Jerusalem artichoke or Jerusalem artichoke suddenly appears in your summer cottage or garden plot, do not rush to dig up the plants. Firstly, tubers can still be useful to you for medicinal and food purposes. Secondly, even severe frosts are not a problem for them. In the spring, these tubers can be dug up and cooked something tasty, saturate the body with useful vitamins and substances. During spring beriberi it is more than necessary.
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We have identified 5 key features that will make you reconsider your attitude towards this outlandish plant:
- It does not need special care, it grows on almost any soil.
- Not afraid of pests or weeds.
- Feels great in the shade and in the sun.
- Nitrates in Jerusalem artichoke do not accumulate.
- The taste of the tubers is somewhat reminiscent of cauliflower or asparagus. The calorie content of an earthen pear is comparable to that of a potato.
How to store Jerusalem artichoke and when to collect it
Much has been said about the cultivation and useful properties of Jerusalem artichoke, but it is not enough to harvest Jerusalem artichoke, it is also important to preserve it, keeping in the fruits as long as possible, all its useful properties.
After planting, harvesting begins after 4 months, mainly in September. By this time, the fruit has formed a sufficiently dense peel, which will protect the tuber from damage.
Two weeks before the Jerusalem artichoke harvest, watering stops, the ground part is trimmed a month before the expected date of digging out the tubers.
Jerusalem artichoke is a frost-resistant plant, and tubers are not afraid of frost, so if there is nowhere to store root crops, they can simply be left in the ground, covered with foil and spruce branches on top for the winter, and, if necessary, dug out of the natural "cellar".
You can dig up such tubers before the start of the first thaw, after the frosts recede, the tubers will begin to actively germinate, losing their beneficial properties.
If the site is planned to be planted with another crop, Jerusalem artichoke is dug out in the fall without leaving a single "head". Otherwise, the plant can become an annoying "neighbor", and with its ability to grow and develop quickly, it can completely clog the neighboring culture.
After digging up, the tubers are dried in a dark place, remove dirt, put in wooden boxes and stored in a cold cellar at a temperature not higher than +5 degrees.
Jerusalem artichoke can also be stored in the refrigerator; for this, the tubers are put in containers or bags and stored in the vegetable compartment for about three weeks.
