The evergreen American Perseus, which we used to call Avocados, has been known since ancient times, and the first who began to cultivate it were the tribes of the Indians of Central and South America. We will get acquainted with this plant and consider the beneficial properties of avocados. Do not forget about contraindications when eating avocados, as well as slightly open the pages of history.
1
A bit of history ...
Archaeological excavations in Mexico and Latin America have shown that avocados were cultivated as early as the third millennium BC. But the first mention in a historical document dates back to 1552, namely in the book “Chronicle of Peru”, where the author Pedro Cesa de Leon mentions the fruit “aguacate”.
The Aztecs, who appreciated the fruits of avocados, called it ahuacaquahuitl - "oil of the forest." Fruit came to Europe at the beginning of the 16th century, and the English botanist Sir Hans Sloan for the first time in history used the name "avocado" that has taken root throughout the world.
In 1768, the amazing plant was given the specific name Perseus American (Persea ameriсana).
2
About the name ...
The Incas called this tree and its fruits “ponta”, and in the Russian explanatory dictionaries the word “agakat” was used to designate this fruit.
European sailors in the 18th century smeared their crackers with the pulp of avocado. And they called the product "midshipman oil." In India, evaluate the nutritional properties of avocados, and began to call it "a cow for the poor", but in England, because of form, the name "alligator pear" was used for some time.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, new varieties were developed that received their special names, such as the Hass and Fuerte varieties, and today more than 100 varieties of this plant are known.
3
Discover useful features
Naturally, the Aztecs were not the first to use avocados for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, but earlier evidence did not reach us.
In the book “Historia General de las cosas de la Nueva España” Bernardino de Sahagun writes that the Aztecs, rubbing a bone of avocado with soot, use this mixture to treat dandruff and scabies.
The Aztecs were the first to notice contraindications, warning that the fruit of the plant is not recommended for pregnant women.
4
The most nutritious fruit
In September 1998, the avocado was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in the section of the most nutritious foods, in which it was firmly entrenched in the first place, as the calorie content just rolls over.
A surprisingly balanced product containing a complete set of vitamins and minerals necessary for a person, as well as fiber and healthy fats. A fruit weighing approximately 200 grams contains 320 calories.
5
Properties and uses in medicine
With a balanced set of useful trace elements, avocados are widely used in medicine, and not only fruits, but also seeds, leaves and seeds are used to make preparations.
The benefits of avocados to the human body are invaluable, providing a restorative, tonic, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory effect.
6
Leaves
Medicines from plant leaves are disinfectants. Widely used in wound healing, as well as disorders of the intestinal tract, especially with diarrhea. And if we apply plantain to the wound, then on the American Perseus plantations, injured, apply a sheet of avocado.
7
Seeds
It is a very effective natural antibiotic. Seed-based medicines easily fight any kind of fungus and bacteria. By the way, we at TheBiggest.ru recently wrote about the largest mushrooms in the world!
8
Oil
It is used in the production of drugs of the chondroprotector group. It is recommended for joint diseases, especially osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, as well as for prophylactic treatment of complex therapy.
9
Mold
Scientists, in the course of lengthy research, have learned to benefit even from mold formed on the fruits and branches of plants. Mold-based pharmacists have developed a drug that easily and effectively treats arthrosis, periodontal disease, various types of eczema, as well as deforming osteodystrophy and decalcification in the elderly.
10
What doctors advise ...
- Considering the presence of many vitamins, doctors recommend using avocados for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
- The fact is that the potassium contained in the fruits contributes to the normal functioning of the main engine of the human body.
- Avocado perfectly reduces blood pressure, because in the diet of hypertensive patients it is simply irreplaceable.
- Doctors advise to include avocados and those with diabetes in the diet.
- Potassium also contributes to stress resistance, so if you have a rather nervous job, take a minute to go to the supermarket and buy an avocado for dinner.
- Copper and Vitamin B prevent anemia, and are actively involved in the formation of red blood cells in our blood.
- The fruits of this amazing plant help with constipation, so what is spent on expensive medicines, buy avocados, and it’s tasty and healthy.
- For vessels, it is simply irreplaceable, since the oleic acid in its composition prevents the formation of plaques.
- Thanks to mannoheptulose, when you use avocado fruits, the blood sugar level in a person decreases, and brain cells absorb glucose more easily. At the same time, working capacity is increased, fatigue and drowsiness are reduced.
- In case of hepatitis C, doctors advise such patients to eat more avocados, since the fruit reduces the harm that this disease causes to the liver.
- Do not forget that avocados can strengthen immunity, improve memory, and also acts as a powerful aphrodisiac.
11
Recipes of traditional medicine ...
Everyone can cure and educate in our society, as they say, so that the people's craving for self-treatment is ineradicable, and therefore we present several folk recipes.
The people widely use decoctions of seeds, leaves and bark of a plant for gastrointestinal disorders. These tinctures are also used to remove worms, both in children and in adults.
On a purulent wound or fungus of the legs and nails, it is recommended to apply gruel prepared from the leaves or pulp of the fetus.
Pregnant girls drink avocado oil to make milk. There is an opinion that it helps against infertility.
Calcium strengthens teeth and bones, but avocado oil mixed with orange juice is used to treat gum disease.
When you add half the fruit to any of the salads, and the daily use of such a dish, significantly reduces cholesterol.
12
In cooking
This original fruit in all respects is an indispensable ingredient in many dishes of Latin American cuisine. So, in Mexico, the guacamole snack, one of the most popular among the local population and tourists, is prepared with the addition of avocado fruits.
In sunny Brazil, creams and nutritious milkshakes are made from pulp, amazing in taste. Vegetarians use it to replace animal products in their diet - meat and eggs.
In Europe, it is widely used in the preparation of various dishes and salads, since avocados taste perfectly combined with other products.
13
Slimming Avocado
As we already wrote, avocados are a valuable product for the body, which also contains ingredients that promote and accelerate the burning of fat, especially in the abdomen.
Useful properties for losing weight are widely described in the literature, and it has been observed that women who consume these fruits lose extra pounds in a very short time, and that, remarkable, weight is not gained again. Thus, the product for weight loss is simply irreplaceable.
Thanks to these qualities, avocado is the main product of many diets, and, despite its high calorie content, the fruit, on the contrary, does not add, but reduces kilograms.
14
Useful properties for men
Even the tribes of the Indians of Central America noticed that eating the fruits of "forest oil" has a beneficial effect on the male body. The properties of avocados for men were immediately noticed in Europe.
Many drugs that increase male potency contain an extract from the fruits of avocados, and simple use of food increases male strength and self-confidence.
And the whole secret is in the high content of folic acid, which helps to generate additional energy for the male body and activates the breakdown of proteins.
15
In cosmetology
Due to the useful and unique properties of Perseus, American is widely used in cosmetology. The extract obtained from the fruits of the leaves, seeds is used to resist the means of modern natural cosmetics.
16
Oil
We outline only some properties and applications for the face and skin. All kinds of face masks are made from pulp and oil. Note that Latin beauties from ancient times applied in the form of a cream the flesh of avocado on the skin, calling it “beauty oil”.
Avocado oil for the face and other parts of the body, perfectly prevents dryness and prevents peeling of the skin and has a rejuvenating property.
17
Makeup remover
Girls and women mix the pulp of a ripe fruit with cream and use such a liquid to remove makeup. It is practical and useful, since after makeup on the face there is a natural preventive mask.
18
For hair
A truly folk and healing shampoo is obtained if the pulp of one fruit is mixed with egg yolk and olive oil. Such a shampoo strengthens hair and acts as an excellent conditioner for hair and prevents hair loss.
19
Against stretch marks
Fruit oil is mixed with almond oil, 5-7 stones of lavender and tangerine oil are added, and used against stretch marks, actively rubbing the mixture into problem areas on the body. Women around the world have long used this simple recipe during pregnancy and after childbirth.
20
For nails
Before applying varnish, the nails are covered with a mixture of one tablespoon of avocado oil with the addition of three drops of lemon juice and lavender oil.
21
For Tan
Those who want to get a magnificent unique tan must always apply cream before sunbathing, based on the extract of American Perseus. Such products perfectly protect the skin during tanning and prevent the negative effects of ultraviolet rays.
Beauticians in different parts of the world have learned to make good use of fruit for rejuvenation. The fact is that the high content of Vitamins A and E helps smooth out wrinkles, favorably affects the disappearance of acne and eczema.
And you did not think, what would your tan be, if the Polar Star were in the place of our Sun? About the biggest stars of the Universe, we have a well. Oh, a very interesting article.
22
Use and contraindications
It may seem that this is just a perfect and perfect fruit, but any product has a downside in the form of contraindications and restrictions.
Excessive consumption can cause allergies, so you should stick to the measure, because even a healthy fruit can cause irreparable harm to the body.
In addition, the bones contain highly toxic substances, so direct use in food and in the preparation of dishes is prohibited. But it is interesting that the Spanish conquistadors extracted the substance from which the ink was made from the bones, since it turned purple when it came into contact with air.
23
Hazardous properties
In conclusion of our story, we also mention some of the dangerous properties of American Perseus.
Firstly, the leaves and ripe fruits of an evergreen plant contain substances that can cause severe allergies. For example, latex contains a substance derived from avocados, so if you are allergic to avocados, wearing these things is not recommended.
Secondly, avocado juice contains a large number of bacteria Listeria Monocytogenes, so children and people with weakened immune systems need to limit the consumption of this product. This bacterium causes an acute infectious disease accompanied by headache, nausea and fever.
This bacterium is especially dangerous to expectant mothers, as it can cause a miscarriage.
Finally
As you can see, this is a very healthy fruit, widely used both in medicine and in cosmetology. The national cuisines of most countries of the world use avocados to prepare all kinds of dishes and drinks, and vegetarians make vegetarian sushi from it.
Posted by Valery Skiba