Carrot tops - useful properties and contraindications of fragrant leaves that we usually throw away
Kitchen waste can serve not only as food for animals, but also as a means for preparing medicinal drugs. Among them, a special place is occupied by carrot tops, the useful properties and contraindications of which have long been known in folk medicine. As with the root vegetable itself, the tops also contain many vitamins and minerals. A decoction prepared from it will help to cope with many diseases, and even prevent the appearance of some problems, working as a preventive measure. What is so valuable in beautiful openwork leaves, and in what cases can they benefit the body?
Carrot tops - useful properties and contraindications
In addition to them, the composition also includes the following vitamins and minerals:
- vitamins of groups B and D;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- selenium;
- iron;
- iodine;
- cobalt;
- sulfur;
- tocopherol.
Healing properties
Decoctions and infusions are prepared from the tops, which are taken orally or used for instillation (into the nose), compresses or baths. It can also be simply added to dishes, hot or salads, raw or dried.
The daily norm of fresh tops is 100 g for adults and 50 g for children. The rate of dried tops is 10 g and 5 g, respectively. And to get rid of the bitterness inherent in the leaves, they are soaked before putting them in the salad.
Carrot leaf products:
- accelerate wound healing;
- cleanse the blood of toxins;
- destroy fungi;
- increase metabolism;
- remove excess fluid, accelerating blood flow, and salts in the kidneys;
- improve the production of sex hormones;
- tone up the body.
Are there any contraindications
There are no serious restrictions on the use of tops, but in some cases, its intake should be limited or completely abandoned. This concerns the presence of individual intolerance or allergies provoked by specific oils.
In addition, one should take into account the ability of plant materials to increase the acidity of the stomach. Therefore, if it is already increased, it is not worth the risk. Carrot tops can also aggravate the course of the disease with various chronic problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Also, when eating leaves for food, you must comply with the norm. An overabundance of nutrients in the body will not benefit it.