Quinoa is a herbaceous annual crop from the Chenopodiaceae family. There are a large number of varieties of this plant, which differ in the form of a shrub, subshrub or herb. At the same time, many people are interested in what quinoa looks like, what its beneficial properties are and the uses of the plant. Quinoa is often considered a weed, but in fact it contains many valuable components.
Description and appearance of the grass
Quinoa is a crop that belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family and has approximately 300 varieties. The plant is popularly called white pigweed. The grass can be annual or perennial.
There are varieties covered with fine hairs. Over time, this layer is destroyed, causing a white coating to form on the stems. Leaves are sessile or petiolate, entire or serrated. Unisexual flowers resemble a panicle-spikelet in appearance.
This culture can be monoecious or dioecious. Male flowers contain 5 lobes and stamens, female flowers include 2 leaf bracts, but do not have a perianth. They can be distinguished by the ovary, which has a shortened style and 2 stigmas.
Growth area
Quinoa is considered an unpretentious plant that is found near forest belts and in fields. The crop also grows in steppes and forest-steppes. As for the distribution area, it is quite wide. The plant is found in Australia, Eurasia, and North America.
Popular types
The most common types of quinoa include the following:
- Spreading - has medicinal properties and high nutritional value. This culture has a straight branched stem, the height of which reaches 30-150 centimeters. The plant is characterized by diamond-shaped leaves that look like a spear. They are attached to the trunk by petioles. The flowers are spikelets of a light green hue. The culture blooms in June-July. In August, flat black seeds form on the bushes. The variety is actively used in cooking. It can also be used as animal feed.
- Sadovaya - has straight branched stems that reach a height of 1.5 meters.This variety of quinoa has pointed, matte leaves that are green or dark red in color. Their edges can be smooth or jagged. Garden quinoa continues to bloom throughout the summer. Before the formation of spikelets, the culture has a more pleasant taste. This plant is used for ornamental and agricultural purposes.
- Small-flowered - characterized by straight stems that reach a height of 1 meter. There are characteristic stripes on numerous branches of the bush. The leaves are often covered with villi. This crop blooms in the second half of summer. The plant is used in cooking. It can also be used as livestock feed.
- Coastal - characterized by straight stems of medium length. Their size does not exceed 70 centimeters. The leaves are characterized by a lanceolate shape. In this case, panicle flowers are formed on the bushes in July-August. This plant is often used in cooking.
- Tatarian - stem height ranges from 10 to 100 centimeters. The plant is characterized by oval-shaped leaves that have jagged edges. Flowering begins quite early. In the first half of June, the first spikelets appear on the bushes. The plant is used in cooking and agriculture.
Chemical composition of the plant
Although quinoa is considered a simple and undemanding plant, it contains 17 amino acids that are very important for the human body. Also, the grass contains approximately 30% protein elements - proteins.
Quinoa contains the following components:
- alkaloids;
- cellulose;
- fats;
- carbohydrates;
- B vitamins;
- essential oils - in particular saponin;
- vitamins C, A, E, PP;
- micro- and macroelements – the composition contains potassium, manganese, sodium, zinc, potassium.
The leaves of the crop also contain carotene and ascorbic acid. Due to its rich chemical composition, the crop can be used as a vegetable or medicine that does not have side effects.
Beneficial features
Quinoa helps improve digestion, strengthens kidney health and has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, the plant has the following beneficial properties:
- Strengthening bone tissue is achieved due to the presence of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the composition. Quinoa also contains a lot of calcium, which is good for bones, and a large amount of protein, good for muscle tissue. Systematic use of the herb helps avoid the development of osteoporosis.
- Improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system - thanks to the presence of iron, quinoa helps maintain the desired level of red blood cells in the blood and normalizes hemoglobin parameters. Potassium and fiber have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and remove harmful cholesterol from the body. These substances also help normalize blood circulation.
- Improved brain function - achieved due to the content of copper, iron and zinc. The plant also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system.
- Elimination of diseases of the oral cavity - the plant successfully copes with inflammation of the gums. In addition, quinoa-based products help eliminate pathologies of the upper respiratory tract.
- Diuretic effect - the herb stimulates urination, cleanses the kidneys, removes water, toxins and salts from the body.
- Relief of menstrual pain is due to the antispasmodic properties of the plant.
- Slowing down the aging process is due to the presence of antioxidants in the composition, which lead to the active synthesis of natural collagen.Vitamin C also takes part in the production of connective tissue and prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
In addition, the presence of antioxidants in the plant helps prevent cancer. With their help, it is possible to neutralize the action of free radicals that destroy cells.
Contraindications
Preparations based on quinoa require strict adherence to dosage. If the recommended amount is exceeded, there is a risk of negative consequences, which manifest themselves in the form of skin rashes, fever, and diarrhea. If you are prone to allergies, you must carefully monitor your condition while using quinoa. If negative symptoms occur, use the herb should be stopped immediately and an antihistamine should be taken.
Medical prescriptions
Based on quinoa, you can prepare a variety of products that have pronounced medicinal properties.
Tincture
To prepare this remedy, you need to take 2 tablespoons of crushed leaves and add a glass of water. It is recommended to infuse the composition in a dark place for 2 weeks. From time to time the tincture should be shaken. After straining, it is recommended to take the drink 1 small spoon per day.
Juice
To make juice, fresh stems need to be washed, peeled and chopped using a meat grinder. Place the resulting puree on cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice by hand. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to 50 grams of the resulting liquid. The amount received will be enough for a day.
Decoction
To make a healthy decoction from seeds, you should use the seeds of spreading quinoa. To do this, pour 300 milliliters of boiling water over 1 spoon of raw material, cool and strain. The resulting decoction should be taken three times a day, 2 tablespoons. The course of treatment should last 1 week.
To make a decoction for external use, you need to take fresh or dried raw materials. In this case, proportions are not so important. It is recommended to pour boiling water over the quinoa or simply boil it for 5 minutes.
A decoction of the leaves can be used internally or externally. For 20 grams of raw materials you need to take 1 glass of boiling water. It is recommended to brew the leaves and keep them in a warm place for 2 hours. Then the liquid should be filtered and drunk 100 grams twice a day. This should be done before meals.
Use in folk medicine
Quinoa has pronounced medicinal properties, which makes it possible to use it to treat various pathologies:
- Constipation - to normalize stool, you should use infusions of the plant. To do this, you need to take 4 tablespoons of herb per glass of water and boil for a quarter of an hour over low heat. The finished product should be cooled and strained. Take the composition 1 glass 3 times a day before meals.
- Cough - in this case, it is permissible to use dried leaves and stems. In this case, 1 tablespoon of raw material must be poured with 300 milliliters of boiling water and left for 2 hours. The resulting product is taken before meals. A single dosage is 3 sips.
- Pain in the joints - in this case, it is enough to steam the leaves and wrap them in gauze. The compress should be applied to problem areas.
Use in cooking
Most often, quinoa is used fresh for preparing salads. Dried and crushed herbs can also be added to bread.This helps increase the shelf life of baked goods and helps them bake better.
Quinoa seeds can be added to porridge. You can also mix it with herbs and boiled eggs and prepare a filling for pies. In addition, it is permissible to harvest the grass for future use - dry, salt, freeze or pickle.
Use in cosmetology
Quinoa has a pronounced rejuvenating effect on the skin. The herb can be used to make effective masks that have a moisturizing and nourishing effect. They improve skin tone and make it more elastic.
Quinoa infusion can be used for washing. To make a useful remedy, you need to pour boiling water over the herb and leave for an hour and a half. After this, the composition can be used immediately.
To make a useful mask, it is recommended to follow these steps:
- Take 1 small spoon of chopped dry herb and pour 100 milliliters of boiling water.
- Leave for 30 minutes.
- Strain through a sieve and add the same amount of milk.
- Soak a napkin in the product and apply to cleansed facial skin.
- Keep for 20 minutes.
To make the mask thicker, milk can be replaced with yogurt. Sour cream is also suitable for this purpose.
Collection and preparation
In order for quinoa to bring only benefits to the body, it must be properly collected and prepared. Do not use damaged or rotten plants. Also, grass that is found along roads or near factories will not work. Quinoa must be collected after flowering begins. An important condition is the absence of bright sunlight.
Quinoa must be carefully picked or cut. If you need to prepare roots, it is recommended to dig them up, clear them of soil and wash them. The raw materials must be dried in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area.The herb should be stored in fabric bags or glass containers. The plant retains its beneficial properties for 2 years.
Quinoa is a common plant that contains a large number of valuable components. In order for the use of products based on this herb to give the desired results, it is important to strictly adhere to the dosage and follow the application regimen. It is worth considering that the culture has certain contraindications for use.
