Lycopene: medicinal properties and contraindications

It has been known since ancient times that plants were the first medicines with which ancient healers treated their patients. Not having scientific laboratories, diagnostic equipment, they used what nature gave them, passing their knowledge and experience to their descendants.

Although modern medicine has a powerful research base to find cures for the most severe diseases, it also often makes use of the rich wisdom of early medics. Their herbal teachings and recipes are also quite relevant today.

So, lovage, more popularly known as lovage-grass or zorya has not lost its popularity and importance not only in cooking, but also in medicine. It is able to heal people, taking care of their health and longevity.

Chemical composition

Before finding out the usefulness of the plant, it is necessary to get acquainted with its composition, which hides the secret of its healing power. Among the useful substances of the herb, the following components can be found:

• Acids: malic acid, angelic acid, mifistic acid, benzoic acid;
• terpineol;
• carvacrol;
• cineol;
• psoralen;
• bergapten;
• tannins;
• resins;
• lecithin;
• gum;
• ascorbic acid;
• B, E, A, K, PP vitamins;
• rutin;
• carotene;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• iron;
• potassium;
• copper;
• selenium;
• zinc;
• manganese.

The plant also contains only 20 kcal per 100 g, carbohydrates are 7.6 g, protein - 3.7, fat - 0.4 g.

These are the main indicators of lovage, an herb that helps to cope with many diseases, maintain beauty and even add new notes to familiar culinary masterpieces.

What it looks like and where it grows

Buttercup was "born" in Iran and Afghanistan, and then made its way to Europe, Africa and other lands of our planet. It is very unpretentious and can grow in places with a temperate climate.

This plant belongs to the umbrella family and is a perennial reaching up to 2 m in height. The lily leaf has a straight grayish stem that branched at the top. It is hollow on the inside and smooth on the outside, colored grayish. The leaves are pinnate and have small serrations along the edges. The color of the leaves is green.

The herb blooms with yellow umbrella-like inflorescences from the first month of summer, and in August oval brown-yellow fruits with two seeds appear on the lovage.

The rhizome of the plant is very powerful, so when digging up a lot of effort to cope with it. The smell of the favorite herb is spicy and the taste is spicy.

Zorya is very reminiscent of celery, as it is similar to it both in smell and appearance, but they are still very different plants.

Gathering and storage

To prepare therapeutic decoctions from lovage in winter, you need to collect and store it correctly. Collect and store all parts of the plant: leaves, fruits and roots.

1. Leaves should be harvested when or just after flowering. This is when lily of the valley is filled with all its nutrients and can help overcome ailments.
2. Choose a herb that grows away from traffic or industrial plants.
3. Cut the leaves carefully, separating them from the twigs. Then the raw material is spread out on parchment in a single layer and dried under a roof or in an oven. When drying with the latter option, make sure that the temperature does not exceed 35°C and that the door is ajar.
4. The fruits of lily of the valley are harvested in the last months of autumn, dried under a roof, and then threshed.
5. The roots of the plant are collected only from those representatives that are two or three years old. They are dug out in the fall or spring (before the flowering period, the root of the plant is poisonous). Then get rid of the ground part, free the rhizome from the soil and wash it. After that, the roots, if they are large enough, cut and proceed to the process of drying. Dry the pieces in a dry room by stringing them up or in an oven at a temperature of 35°C. After drying, the roots are grinded into a powder.

It is worth mentioning that fresh rhizomes of lovage can also be stored. They are also cleaned and washed, but then placed in boxes, sprinkling each layer with sand, and stored in a cool place.

As for the storage of leaves and fruits, it is better if they are placed in glass jars with tight lids. The powder of the roots should be sifted and stored in the same container as the ground parts.

With proper observance of the rules of collection and storage, the favorite herb will reveal all its power and help to improve and maintain human health.

How lily of the valley is different from celery

Lubistock is often mistaken for celery, as it also has a spicy flavor, but these plants belong to different genera and have absolute differences from each other:

1. Celery is a biennial plant; lovage is a perennial.
2. The lovage-grass can grow up to 2 m, and the largest representatives of celery can only reach up to 100 cm.
3. The color of the leaves also differs: celery has lighter leaves than lovage.
4. During the flowering period, celery has unattractive greenish or whitish inflorescences, while lily of the valley has yellow flowers.
5. In addition, celery is capricious and unstable to frosts, but zorax adapts to different weather conditions and is unpretentious in care.
6. Celery is used in cooking as a vegetable with a spicy and delicate taste for cooking independent dishes. Lily of the valley and its leaves can be used only for giving special aroma and unusual taste to dishes, i.e. as a spice. But the seeds, stems and roots are used to prepare medicines, not food.

These are the main differences between the two plants.

The medicinal properties of lovage

The magical herb has a mass of useful substances that help people to treat various diseases and maintain their health. Due to its composition of micro- and macronutrients, lovage is endowed with such properties as:

• diuretic;
• immunostrengthening;
• anti-inflammatory;
• laxative;
• antihelminthic;
• strengthening;
• calming;
• normalizing the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system;
• analgesic;
• tonic;
• leveling the color and surface of the skin;
• preventing the formation of blood clots;
• purifying;
• lowering cholesterol;
• antispasmodic.

The range of effects of lily of the valley on the human body is wide. It affects almost the entire body, in addition to general effects, has a positive effect on the health of men, women and children, but in different ways.

For women

In the old days, it was the girls who revered the love-grass, because according to the belief, it could help attract the attention of a lover. And all because the herb is a good natural aphrodisiac, but its popularity for women lies not only in its magical charming property. The plant perfectly helps to calm the nervous system, strengthen the immune system, establish the menstrual cycle. The plant is the most important element for the menstrual cycle, it eliminates unpleasant symptoms of menopause, and helps to establish reproductive function. Also, the herb is able to give luster to the hair, cleanse the skin from inflammation, making it smooth and supple.

Such an effect will have a favorable effect on the female body and will help the beautiful half of humanity to maintain not only their health but also their beauty.

For men

Lubistock is useful not only for the weaker sex, but also for men. The plant can adjust the metabolism, strengthen the body, giving stamina and strength to men, helping to avoid heart disease, cope with stress, support lung health when abusing tobacco products. Also, lily of the valley helps in the fight against alcoholism. Well, and, of course, this aphrodisiac will strengthen male strength, help increase potency, avoid problems with diseases of an intimate nature. That is why men must necessarily apply decoctions of the magical herb to maintain their health and strength for many years.

When pregnant

Lyubistok is a very useful plant. During pregnancy, it could strengthen the immune system, reduce the load on the heart muscle, which is quite overloaded during pregnancy, get rid of edema, have a positive effect on the digestive process, if it were not for one "but". The fact is that lovage promotes blood flow to the pelvic organs and activates uterine contractions. This property can cause premature labor and lead to miscarriage. But in cases when labor is prolonged, folk healers, on the contrary, prescribe to women in labor the intake of lovage herb, which stimulates the labor activity, contributing to a more rapid delivery. In this regard, physicians unequivocally do not recommend taking lubistok and remedies in which it is included, while waiting for the baby to avoid possible risks and complications.

For children

At children's age it is very important to monitor not only the diet, but also the intake of various medicines and herbs, which can not only cure, but, unfortunately, harm the baby. Lyubistok, despite all its useful properties, is not recommended for children under the age of five. After five years, the plant can be given to a child, but only if there are no problems with the kidneys and on the recommendation of a specialist. In other cases, the use of herbs in childhood is considered dangerous, so you need to find another remedy or herb that can help with a particular disease, without harming the growing body.

Lyubistok in folk medicine

Herbalists, witches and folk healers for centuries have respected lily of the valley for its healing power. It is popularly called and zorey, and bathing herb, and zaborina, and winter or mountain celery. No matter how many names it has, its useful properties will not change. Its uniqueness is due to its useful vitamins and minerals. That is why in folk medicine the plant is used in the following cases:

• to get rid of worms;
• stimulate appetite;
• Relieve gastric inflammation;
• Increase potency and preserve manhood;
• prevention of gout;
• regulation of the menstrual cycle;
• Strengthening of hair;
• as a diuretic;
• reduction of cardiac output;
• relief from neuroses;
• improvement of the skin;
• normalization and regulation of the gastrointestinal tract;
• as a diuretic, choleretic, wound healing, expectorant;
• to relieve gastric inflammation;
• coping with diseases of the ENT organs and to reduce cardiac output.

Thus, amaranth in folk medicine is excellent in the treatment of:

• sore throat;
• gout;
• rheumatism;
• Gout congestion;
• impotence;
• irregular cycle in women;
• helminthiasis;
• arthritis;
• diseases of the urinary system;
• bronchitis;
• laryngitis;
• sinusitis;
• neuroses;
• alcoholism;
• acne and skin inflammation;
• hair loss;
• decreased hemoglobin;
• cardiovascular system malfunctions;
• wounds, burns, bedsores;
• dermatitis;
• psoriasis;
• allergic rashes;
• bile duct inflammation;
• flatulence;
• constipation;
• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• Female and male sexual dysfunction;
• decreased visual acuity;
• headaches;
• edema;
• eczema;
• boils;
• influenza;
• acute respiratory viral infections.

This is such a wide list of diagnoses can eliminate one small plant.

Recipes that were used by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and now have not lost their effectiveness. Using them is not difficult. The main thing is to know the diagnosis and follow the recipe and dosage:

Anthelminthic remedy

Composition:

• Dry root of lily of the valley - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 150 ml.

Combine the components and boil for 10 minutes. Then let the remedy to infuse until it cools. Then take the filtered elixir three times a day by 1 tbsp.

When a failure of the menstrual cycle in women and periodic pain

Ingredients:

• The root of love-grass - 6 g.
• Water - 200 ml.

The root of the combine with water and place on a low heat. Bring the product to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Then infuse the decoction for 4 hours, and then filter it with gauze. Take three times a day, 1 tbsp. 30 minutes before a meal.

Diuretic

Ingredients:

• Root of lily of the valley - 2 tbsp.
• Water - 750 ml.

The root put in a bowl with water and over low heat bring to a boil. After simmering for another 10 minutes. Then the decoction should infuse for an hour, after which it should be filtered through gauze. Such a preparation to take no more than 4 times a day for 30 minutes before a meal, 1 tbsp.

To restore male power

Composition:

• Powder of amaranth root - 30 g.
• Water - 400 ml.

To prepare the broth, combine the powder and water and boil over low heat for half an hour. Then cool completely and strain through gauze. Take a drink of 10 grams three times a day. Use before meals.

When alcoholism

Ingredients:

• Root of lovage - 1 pc.
• Bay leaf - 2 pc.
• Vodka - 250 ml.

Combine the components and let the means to insist in a dark place for 14 days. Consume "potion" should be before each meal of 10 grams. The treatment lasts until complete "recovery", but the aversion to alcohol arises after a week.

Against insomnia.

Ingredients:

• Root of lily of the valley - 1 tbsp.
• Water - 250 ml.

According to the recipe, use cold water. Pour the root in it and insist the preparation for about 4 hours. Then filter the infusion and use half a cup twice a day. Also, this remedy can be wet and rinse wounds on the body.

With cystitis

Ingredients:

• Root of lovage - 1 part.
• Violet (leaves) - 1 part.
• Juniper fruit (powder) - 1 part.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.

Combine the herbs and take only 30 g of the resulting mixture. Combine it with liquid and insist under a lid for half an hour. Then filter the liquid and take twice a day before a meal and half a cup.

With bronchitis and asthma

Ingredients:

• Grinded root of lily of the valley - 1 tbsp.
• Water - 250 ml.

Roots combine with water and bring to a boil over low heat. Then boil the product for 15 minutes and cool. After that, filter the decoction. The drug should be used three times a day for 2 tbsp.

With a stomach ulcer

Ingredients:

• The root of the love-grass - 6 parts.
• The root of marshmallow - 6 parts.
• The root of the dandelion - 1 part.
• Vodka - 50 ml.
• Honey - 4 tbsp.

Grind the roots of the herbs and mix together. Then take 2 tbsp. The mixture is obtained, to which add the rest of the ingredients. After that, mix and insist in a tightly closed container in the dark for 14 days. During this time, the remedy should be shaken several times. At the end of the period of infusion drug used twice a day at 50 ml for 20 minutes before a meal.

With stomach cramps and spasms

Ingredients:

• Lubistle seeds - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.

Combine the components and infuse for 60 minutes. Then filter the infusion and drink it completely. Such a remedy to take no more than 2 times a day.

With swelling

Ingredients:

• Root powder of lily of the valley - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.

The root connect to boiling water and insist 4 hours in a tightly closed container. Then filter the drug and take half an hour before a meal 50 ml three times a day.

To strengthen immunity

Ingredients:

• Root of lily of the valley - 2 tsp.
• Water - 200 ml.

Add the root to water and bring to a boil, then simmer for a quarter of an hour. Then infuse the decoction for 4 hours in a closed container. After that, filter the composition and take three times a day before meals, 2 tbsp.

With gout

Ingredients:

• Dry root of lily of the valley - 5 g;
• Boiling water - 250 ml.

Add boiling water to the root of the plant and place on low heat. After boiling, simmer for another 10 minutes. Then wrap the container in a warm cloth and leave to insist for 2 hours. Such a preparation to use three times a day, 1 tbsp. before a meal.

Such recipes have been known since ancient times and have repeatedly proved their effectiveness.

Types of medicinal compositions

For medicinal purposes, the root of lovage is used most often, but the leaves and fruits are also used for medicinal purposes. The lovage-grass is dried and harvested to prepare from its parts healing infusions, decoctions, tinctures, capable of healing and preserving human health.

Each of the preparations made from this herb has a similar effect, but for some diseases, a tincture will be preferable (for example, with alcoholism), and somewhere a decoction will help (cystitis). That is why herbalists prepare different remedies for different diseases.

Infusion

Infusions of amaranth are taken for skin problems, wounds, cystitis, nervous disorders, rheumatism, gout, to treat women's diseases, stimulate appetite, fight alcoholism, as a diuretic, general tonic and general tonic.

To prepare a water infusion of the classic recipe you need to take 2 tablespoons of lily of the valley and boiling water (250 ml). These ingredients mix and insist for 24 hours. As a rule, experts recommend taking this preparation three times a day by 1 tbsp.

Tincture

Alcohol tincture is also a powerful remedy for treating almost all diseases, subject to the plant itself. It helps to cope with problems of the oral cavity, eliminating bad odor and inflammation. The tincture will be useful for both men and women, but small children should not be given it.

Properly prepare a tincture can be made according to the following recipe:

Ingredients:

• Dried lobster root - 100 g.
• Vodka - 375 ml.

Roots combine with alcohol in a bowl, which is tightly corked and put in the dark and cool for 30 days. After a month, filter the product and use according to the recommendations of a specialist. Most often administered triple or quadruple use of the drug at 1 tbsp. before meals. At the same time it is not recommended to swallow the tincture at once, because. For better absorption and healing effect, you need to hold the liquid in your mouth and then swallow it. So the effect will be much more pronounced.

Decoction

Decoction has the same indications as the infusion. It is also excellent for treating women's diseases, abnormalities of the urinary system, to maintain the beauty and health of the skin and hair. It calms the nervous system and strengthens the immune system, giving men strength and keeping women healthy.

The classic recipe for the decoction prescribes the following ingredients:

• Chopped lobster root - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 250 ml.

In preparation, pour boiling water over the roots and put on a low heat. From the moment of boiling, boil the product for 10 minutes. Then cool it down and filter it. After that, experts recommend bringing the liquid to its original volume with boiled water. Take the remedy by 1 or 2 tbsp. three times a day.

Tea

Tea from the favorite herb is a wonderful tonic drink that can eliminate nervous overstimulation, increase appetite, strengthen the immune system and restore strength. The spicy taste and tangy notes of the tea will reveal the amazing properties of this magical beverage. To prepare it you will need:

• Amaranth leaves - 1 tbsp.
• Water - 1 l.

Boil the water and pour it grass. It is best to use a thermos and conduct the process of preparation with it. Then screw the lid of the pot and allow the product to stand for 30-60 minutes. Then filter the resulting drink and use it during the day, replacing the already familiar, but less useful tea.

If the taste seems not too attractive, you can add mint leaves, honey or molasses. This way, the unique drink will be brighter and healthier.

Juice

The juice of the favorite herb is usually used for external use. It can quickly and effectively get rid of headaches, fight inflammation on the skin, get rid of age spots and freckles. In addition, the juice is used to normalize digestion, get rid of colic, as a diuretic.

In order to prepare the juice of lovage, you need to take the healthy leaves of the plant, wash them and "crush" in a mortar. Then the raw material should be squeezed.

Cosmetological applications

Cosmetologists in their art of preserving youth and beauty are used to choose the best that nature can give. Herbs, fruits, roots, berries and more - from all this beauty masters prepare their unique remedies that help women (and men, too) look even more perfect. That's why amaranth, with its rich composition of beneficial nutrients, has come to the attention of cosmetologists.

Thanks to the essential oil in the herb, a protective layer appears on the hair, preventing the penetration of harmful atmospheric substances and restoring its structure:

1. Cleansing of the scalp occurs due to the starch, which also prevents rapid contamination of the hair.
2. Hair loss is stopped due to the tannins, which help strengthen and build up new ones.
3. Hair color becomes shinier and richer due to the plant's organic acids.

Also magic lily of the valley is included not only in shampoos and conditioners, but also in many facial care products. The plant helps to even out skin relief, get rid of rashes and blackheads, eliminate inflammation, make skin firmer, remove traces of pigmentation, protect from the harmful effects of unfavorable factors, clear pores and restore elasticity. At the same time preparations with ash are not necessary to look for on the shelves of stores, they can be made on their own.

Against dandruff

Ingredients:

• Amaranth leaves - 1 tbsp.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.
• Water - 500 ml.

Combine the herb with boiling water and infuse for 20 minutes. Then filter the infusion and dilute it in pure water. The remedy should be used as a rinse after washing your head.

To get rid of freckles and age spots

Ingredients:

• Amaranth root - 5 g.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.

Combine the components with each other and allow the means to infuse for 60 minutes. Soak a piece of tissue in this product and apply to those places where pigmentation is observed.

To strengthen the hair

Ingredients:

• Chopped root of the favorite herb - 1 tbsp.
• Boiling water - 250 ml.

Root pour boiling water (preferably using a thermos) and insist 5 hours, then filter the product with gauze. Next, rub the warm liquid into the scalp and distribute over the hair, then wrap with a towel and wait for two hours. After that time, rinse your hair with clean water.

Against blackheads

Ingredients:

• Lubistock herb - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 200 ml.

Combine the boiling water with the herb and bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Then strain the decoction and cool. Use the resulting product as a tonic, wiping the face with it twice a day.

Using these recipes, you can not only improve the condition of your skin and hair, but also to preserve their health, thereby prolonging their youth.

Cooking applications

Licorice is not only used in medicine but also in cooking. Its taste is distinguished by a pleasant bitterness and its aroma has bright spicy notes. That's why lubistock is considered to be a wonderful spice for many dishes, and cooks use all parts of the plant:

1. Young leaves are commonly added to salads, sauces, various marinades, soups, meat, fish dishes, and poultry.
2. The roots can be served in a candied form and used as a spicy spice for meat dishes and poultry. In addition, fresh roots are used to make jam, and also from them make candied fruits.

Lyubim-grass combines with parsley, thyme, rosemary. It will go well with rice, mushrooms, vegetables and cereals. In broths it is indispensable. With cheese, soups and eggs perfectly combine branches of the plant.

Also in vegetable salads and other dishes, adding leaves of lovage will help not only to open the taste, but also to improve the digestibility of food.

By the way, the creators of the famous "Maggi cubes" use as one of their main ingredients is a magic favorite herb. It also brings an unforgettable bright flavor.

Thus, more and more cooks are using the amazing plant to create their dishes, giving them a unique taste and making their guests admire their skill.

You don't have to run to an expensive restaurant to try dishes with lobster. You can take the simplest and most affordable products and cook a new dish in your kitchen, surprising your loved ones with new facets of taste of familiar treats.

Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. chopped lobster leaves.
• 2 cucumbers.
• 2 apples.
• 2 carrots.
• 4 tbsp. sour cream.
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar.
• Salt.

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the vegetables and cut into straws.
2. Wash the lovage leaves and tear into small pieces.
3. Combine all the ingredients and dress the salad with sour cream, granulated sugar and salt.

Amaranth spines in sugar

Ingredients:

• Amaranth root.
• Sugar - 2 cups.
• Water - ½ cup.

Method of preparation:

1. Rinse and peel the fresh root of the plant with a knife or metal grater.
2. Cut the root into slices crosswise, put it in a bowl with water and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes from the boiling point. While boiling, you should change the water twice. At the end, drain the water and slightly cool the white roots.
3. Prepare a sugar syrup by mixing granulated sugar and water.
4. Dip the roots in the syrup and cook them in it until the parts of the plant become transparent.
5. Using a mop, take out the finished product and spread the delicacy on parchment, sprinkling the cooled treat with powdered sugar.

Monk's soup

Ingredients:

• 50 g white beans.
• 50 grams of black beans.
• 50g dried peas.
• 50g of lentils.
• 30g bell peppers.
• 50g leeks.
• 15g peppermint.
• 15 g oregano herbs.
• 15 g thyme.

Method of preparation:

1. Before you start the cooking process, pick the two types of beans, peas and lentils and wash them thoroughly.
2. Then put them in a saucepan and bring to the boil, then change the water and put back on the stove on low heat.
3. Add onions and peppers to the contents and cook until the ingredients are cooked.
4. Finely chop the herbs and add them to the soup. Season with salt.

Stew

Ingredients:

• Beef - 0,5 kg.
• Tomato sauce or pasta - 1 tbsp.
• Fresh carrots - 1 pc.
• Onions - 1 pc.
• Butter - 50g.
• Bayerina.
• Salt.
• Parsley.
• Pepper.
• Leaves of lovage.

Method of preparation:

1. In order for the meat delicacy to be successful in this recipe, you should opt for beef shoulder, the side of the hind leg or the rump.
2. Wash and salt the chosen piece of meat. Next, put the meat, without cutting it, on a preheated and oiled pan and cook until the piece has a characteristic and appetizing brown crust.
3. After this, put the meat into a saucepan and add water so that 1/3 of the product remains uncovered by the liquid.
4. Then add all remaining ingredients to the pot.
5. Close the lid and put the dish to cook for 2 or 3 hours (it all depends on the power of the stove and the size of the meat piece).
6. Ready dish cut along the fibers and pour the sauce, which can be made from the liquid left after stewing the meat.

Such a dish turns out very fragrant and spicy thanks to the greenery of lobster.

Contraindications for use

Useful lovage has conquered not only medics, but also beauticians and cooks. Its abilities, it would seem, have no limits, but still such a plant has contraindications for use.

The plant is not recommended for the following diseases and conditions of the human body:

• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• Children under the age of 5 years;
• nephritis;
• hemorrhoids;
• acute renal failure;
• ureteral inflammation;
• urinary bleeding;
• allergy;
• Individual intolerance to the product.

It is also worth specifying that children aged 5 years and older are allowed to use the favorite herb only after consultation with a specialist, who can determine the benefit of the herb treatment and the possible consequences.

In other cases, the plant will help a person to maintain his health, revealing all its useful qualities.

So, an inconspicuous looking zorya has long been respected and honored not only among healers, but also among ordinary people. In the past, it is believed that the leaves of lily of the valley helped young girls to find their betrothed and enchant him forever, and baths with decoction of the plant promised good luck in life and love.

Of course, now, few people will believe in the stories of bygone years, but still if the use of magical "potions" of lovage, you can maintain your health, stay young, to multiply the beauty and, who knows, maybe, and find your soul mate!

Photo of lily of the valley