The benefits and harms of lettuce are an amazing health boon
This amazing plant is very popular with greenery lovers around the world. Lettuce, the benefits and harms of which causes unprecedented delight, has long been grown by the Romans, Chinese, Persians and Egyptians. They used it every day at lunch or before bed. In addition, ancient healers attributed to the culture analgesic and tonic properties. It was believed that with the help of salad you can get rid of the hangover syndrome and get a burst of energy.
Modern chefs also use it to create exotic dishes. And in folk medicine, there are many healing recipes, which include lettuce. The benefits and harms of culture on the body have long been proven by modern scientists. Therefore, those who have not heard of such a plant should get acquainted with it.
Attractive culture appearance
Wide leaf plates of a plant are:
- dark green;
- with burgundy edges;
- light green shade;
- red-green coloring.
Interestingly, the color does not affect the taste of the vegetable, so it is widely used in cooking. It has a fragile structure, smells good and is "filled" with life-giving moisture.
A popular variety of lettuce - Anapchanin salad, whose beneficial properties are manifested with regular consumption, is decorative. The wavy edges of the leaf plates are painted in a red-burgundy color, so the plant looks more like a rose than a vegetable. Sometimes it is grown along curbs or in containers for flowers. The leaves look great in a company with marigolds or petunias.
The inner world of the green leaf
The invaluable benefits and harms of lettuce are determined by its unique composition:
- vitamins of group B, A, C, E, K, PP;
- proteins;
- carbohydrates;
- fats;
- ash;
- amino acids;
- trace elements;
- alimentary fiber.
Despite such a rich set of elements, the culture is not high in calories. Therefore, it is an indispensable product for those who follow a food diet.
In ancient times, the plant was grown for the production of oil, which was used not only in cooking, but also in religious ceremonies.
The famous lettuce: benefits and harms
Since the plant contains many vitamins, it is included in the diet:
- little children;
- adolescents;
- older people;
- those who lead an active lifestyle;
- to strengthen the body after surgery.
The salad helps to make up for the lack of valuable elements lost in the winter. It is advised to be consumed as an expectorant for coughs. It helps to strengthen the body's immune system.
Leaf lettuce is especially useful during pregnancy, as it contains a large amount of iodine and folic acid. The lack of such elements contributes to an increase in blood pressure and chronic weakness. This can affect the development of the baby's nervous system or premature birth. To increase lactation, you can prepare a tincture with crushed lettuce seeds. In addition, the drink will help calm the nerves and cleanse the blood vessels.
Despite this, it is reasonable to consider not only the benefits, but also the harm of lettuce for some categories of people. For example, if you regularly eat a plant, your appetite and digestive tract function will improve. However, for obese people, this can bring a lot of problems. After all, they try to reduce the portion of lunch or dinner so as not to overeat. And with a good appetite, this is much more difficult to do.
In the fight against excess weight, it is reasonable to replace high-calorie foods with healing lettuce leaves.
Salad is contraindicated for people suffering from:
- urolithiasis;
- gout;
- hepatitis;
- enterocolitis.
Since lettuce contains oxalic acid, it is undesirable for those with kidney problems.
The invaluable benefits of salad for men
In-depth research by scientists has shown that the valuable components that make up lettuce stimulate testosterone synthesis in men. If they consume it regularly, sperm quality and libido during intimate relationships will increase. The presence of zinc and B vitamins in the salad improves the potency and emotional state of men. They sleep better, so they are less stressed. Due to the fact that the culture increases blood circulation, the occurrence of a heart attack or stroke is reduced.
The benefits of lettuce leaves for men who play sports are simply invaluable. Greens have a beneficial effect on the body:
- instantly replenishes spent energy;
- relieves fatigue after training;
- helps to increase muscle tissue.
Lettuce delays hair loss, which leads to the appearance of baldness or bald patches.
The Healing Power of Lettuce Seed Oil
This popular product is cold pressed and used to treat:
- diabetes;
- stomach ulcers;
- liver cell recovery;
- insomnia;
- emotional disorders.
In addition, lettuce seed oil is used in cosmetology to give skin elasticity. To do this, drink the product on an empty stomach, 2 teaspoons a day, or simply rub it into the body. The oil smoothes wrinkles, nourishes the epidermis and regenerates muscle tissue. It is often used for deep massage.
To calm the nerves and sleep soundly, it is advisable to take 1 tablespoon of oil one hour before bedtime.
Popular recipes from folk healers
The beneficial effects of lettuce on the body encourages experienced healers to prepare various medicines. With the help of plant sap, acute toothache is treated. And after diluting it with vinegar, they drink it to treat the spleen. Cough tincture is prepared from 20 g of crushed leaves, filled with boiling water (200 g) and aged for 2 hours. The filtered drink is consumed in 50 ml 4 times a day.
A drink for insomnia is made even easier: 20 g of chopped lettuce leaves are poured with boiling water (200 g). Insist 30 minutes. Drink about 100 ml 30 minutes before bedtime.
Often in women and men, hair falls out. For them, healers suggest squeezing the juice from the plant and rubbing it thoroughly into the scalp. By adding a little honey to it, you get a "cure" for dandruff. And with a mixture of grated chopped lettuce leaves with yeast, purulent boils are treated.
Masks based on lettuce leaves are a wonderful remedy for facial care. For a refreshing potion, take:
- shredded sheet plates;
- sour cream;
- olive oil.
The ingredients are mixed and applied to the skin after the next bath. A universal mask is made from leaves, lemon juice and olive oil. For dry skin, add warm milk to the composition.
The oily version of the epidermis is refreshed with a mask prepared by mixing:
- egg white;
- chopped salad (2 tbsp. l);
- lemon juice (8 drops).
The applied product is washed off with chamomile tincture. A tonic blend to restore aging skin is made by combining:
- lettuce leaves;
- burdock;
- radish;
- lemon juice;
- almond oil.
The product is applied to the face and kept for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water.
Having examined in detail the benefits and harms of lettuce leaves, perhaps someone wants to try the remedy for themselves. A tasty product can be included in the daily diet. Moreover, it is easy to prepare original dishes and cocktails from it. And medicinal tinctures help to get rid of various diseases. Let's strengthen our health with an original salad.