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Carrot tops: application and contraindications
The beneficial properties of carrot tops have been known for a long time. In ancient medical books, various recipes for the use of this valuable raw material are given. Carrot tops help solve problems with hemorrhoids, is used to treat varicose veins and vascular diseases. It is also widely used in cooking for the preparation of appetizers, first and second courses.
Useful properties of carrot tops
It is known that carrot tops contain 6 times more vitamin C than root crops. It is also a source of potassium, calcium and chlorophyll, which cleanses the blood, lymph nodes and adrenal glands of toxic toxins and helps to strengthen muscles and bones.
Rare vitamin K is found only in the tops of carrots and is absent in the root crop
Vitamin K contained in carrot tops lowers blood pressure, normalizes metabolism, and helps prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.
The ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides attributed carrot tops to medicinal plants and included it in the list of 600 main medicinal herbs. It is still used today in the complex treatment of oncological diseases. In folk medicine, a decoction of carrot tops is used during childbirth to stimulate the uterus, and tea is used as a diuretic during the treatment of renal diseases and in the fight against edema.
Scientists recently discovered that carrot tops, unlike root crops, contain selenium. Literally one leaf of carrots, eaten in a salad for breakfast or in soup for lunch, provides the daily requirement of this beneficial micronutrient. Selenium strengthens the immune system and is a good prevention of cancer. Moreover, selenium contained in organic form is absorbed by the body much better than tablets.
The use of carrot tops has its own contraindications. It should not be used during periods of exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, as well as during inflammation of the large and small intestines. People with especially sensitive skin often experience an allergic reaction after contact with the tops: rash and irritation. British experts believe that this is due to the content of furocoumarins, which are completely harmless when taken orally.
The use of carrot tops in cooking
The old cookbooks contain many recipes for dishes with the addition of carrot tops. In modern cooking, it is customary to add it to soups and cabbage soup, various salads, cook potato-carrot casserole with tops, use it as a filling for pies and pancakes, and also to decorate dishes. Dried, it can be brewed like tea.
To make pancakes with carrot tops, you need to take:
– 1 glass of flour; – 1 glass of milk; – 1 glass of water; – 200 grams of carrot tops; – 200 grams of green onions; – 200 grams of dill; – 7 eggs; – vegetable oil; – salt.
Combine flour, milk, water, and a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Whisk all ingredients well, add salt and 2 raw eggs. Mix everything thoroughly again and bake thin pancakes from the prepared dough. Cool them down.
Fresh carrot tops have a bitter taste, so it is recommended to put it in boiling water for 15 minutes before use.
Prepare the filling. To do this, wash the herbs well under running water: onions, dill and carrot tops. Then dry and chop finely. Salt prepared herbs in vegetable oil. Cook the remaining eggs hard-boiled and cool by sprinkling with cold water. Then peel and chop with a knife. Combine herbs with eggs, season to taste with salt and stir.
Put the filling on the finished pancakes and fold them in the form of bulky envelopes, then fry on both sides in vegetable oil. Pancakes with eggs, herbs and carrot tops can be served with sour cream or melted butter.