Fern Orlyak is very fond of eating residents of Russian Far Eastern countries. Korea, Japan and China do not forget about him either. Although our compatriots do not even allow how fern can be eaten, nevertheless it is consumed in many parts of the globe.
What is a bracken fern?
This perennial from the fern family. There are many varieties of this plant, but not all are edible. Orlyak just refers to those plants that can be eaten. Fern Orlyak grows in almost any conditions, so it has taken root in many countries. Only young shoots of this plant are eaten, the old ones are unsuitable for consumption, because they pose a danger to the body.
Shoots can be fried, boiled, pickled, etc. Orlyak is great for eating with meat dishes, fish, vegetable purees and many others. Bracken fern is widely distributed in folk and modern medicine.
Most often, this type of fern reaches 30-90 m in height, but there are also giants of 150-200 m. The leaves of the plant are dense and hard, have a sharp unusual smell. The plant has powerful and strong roots, which are located both vertically and horizontally. On reverse side leaves contain sori.
The fern can be stored for up to two days before being eaten, if more time passes it becomes toxic. If you do not have time to use it within the specified period, then it is better to heat treat immediately after collection, let it cool and put it in freezer.
The chemical composition of the plant
This type of fern contains a lot useful substances for the human body. It contains the following elements: sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, etc. Fern is also rich in tannins.
Benefits of bracken fern
- If you regularly eat the plant, the immune system is strengthened.
- Improves heart function, blood circulation
- Normalizes the amount of sugar in the blood
- Displays harmful substances from the body, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
- Removes radionuclides from the human body
- Helps strengthen bones and teeth
- Helps to cope with depression and problems nervous system
- Antioxidants contained in the plant stop the aging process and wear and tear of the body.
From the above, we can conclude that bracken fern has many useful substances for the body. But I consider it my duty not only to reveal it beneficial features, but also warn about contraindications.
Contraindications:
- It is forbidden to use this plant during pregnancy and lactation, since the effect of fern on the body during the period of bearing a baby has not been fully studied.
- If you have any problems with internal organs, then before starting, visit a doctor and consult about taking fern shoots
- Do not abuse, remember that everything is good in moderation
The use of fern in cooking
Bracken fern tastes strongly like mushrooms, so you can cook it in the same way. It can be served as a side dish or used in the preparation of various sauces. This plant is rich in protein, so the body does an excellent job of processing it.
Remember important rule:
Do not eat the plant raw. It must be subjected to heat treatment before it enters the human body.
firsthealth.ru
Bracken fern: useful properties
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Despite its unique and unusual view, as well as belonging to ornamental plants, the fern is quite edible. Two types of fern are eaten, used both as an unusual seasoning and as an independent ingredient for salads. One of these species is the bracken fern.
What is useful bracken fern?
It is immediately worth noting, starting a conversation about the benefits of ferns, that according to the studies of some scientists, it has been suggested that frequent changes in ordinary foods directly affect the prolongation of youth and the preservation of excellent health for many years. So far, this point of view has not become generally accepted, but it is worth listening to when making decisions on the inclusion in the diet of such an unusual product as bracken fern.
In addition, it has a very low calorie content, which undoubtedly makes it a valuable food during the period of weight loss. Its calorie content is 34 kcal. In addition, it contains in its composition almost as many proteins as carbohydrates 4.55 g and 5.54 g, respectively.
Its composition includes a large number of useful substances, without which the proper functioning of the human body is impossible:
- Tannins, providing good digestion and removal of harmful waste products.
- Flavonoids
- alkaloids
- Essential oils and acids
- Young fern leaves are rich in substances such as vitamins carotene, tocopherol and riboflavin.
- Its leaves contain phytosterols, substances of the catechin group, and catechins, mucus, bitter glycoside in the rhizome.
- Young plants are rich in enzymes, especially thiaminase and glycosides.
- It also contains such useful acids as nicotinic, aspartic and glutamic, as well as phenylalanine, asparagine and tyrosine.
- Special mention deserve such microelements as iodine, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, copper, nickel and potassium.
- The proteins that make up this fern are easily digested, resembling the properties of grain proteins in terms of the quality of assimilation by the body. But the benefits of bracken fern, first of all, depend on the presence in its composition of a large number of biologically active elements.
A useful plant for people who spend a lot of time in front of the TV and computer screen. It saves from radiation sickness and leukemia, having the amount of iodine necessary for the body. An important property of bracken fern is its ability to quickly normalize metabolism, accelerating the fight against excess weight. It restores the lack of vitamins in beriberi and relieves tension and excitement, contributing to the normalization of the pulse.
The use of bracken fern
- From the young leaves of the fern, magnificent and unusual salads are obtained. The plant is pickled, fried, salted for future use, then used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. It tastes a bit like mushrooms. Old and uncooked bracken fern leaves are strictly not recommended.
- Its regular use promotes bone formation, normalization of the nervous system, metabolism, removal of radionuclides and heavy metals from the body, improvement of the endocrine system, and increased efficiency.
- For medicinal purposes, the leaves and rhizomes of the plant are used. A decoction of them in a strictly dosed volume is taken orally for aching joints, diseases of the intestines and spleen, chest and headache, diarrhea, tinnitus, dry pleurisy, stomach pain and even jaundice. It is also used as an anthelmintic, diuretic, laxative, antipyretic and analgesic.
- For scrofula, wounds, abscesses or eczema, a decoction of the rhizome is applied externally. You can use an infusion of bracken fern to treat rheumatism, sciatica, hemorrhoids, cramps and ulcers, making warm baths with it.
Contraindications for the use of bracken fern
But the bracken fern also has contraindications. Because it includes toxic substances, the plant should be used only after consultation with the attending physician and under the guidance of a homeopathic doctor or herbalist. Even if it seems to you that you know everything about the healing fern, do not risk your health and the health of loved ones.
In no case should bracken fern be treated during breastfeeding, and even more so during pregnancy. In case of an overdose of decoction or infusion, headaches, convulsions, vomiting, nausea may occur. In very serious cases - a sharp decrease in pressure, difficulty breathing, weakening of cardiovascular activity and, in the absence of qualified and timely assistance, even death. Therefore, as soon as any of the above symptoms occur or just get worse general state, you must immediately call ambulance and gastric lavage.
For a long time, the bracken fern has become part of the daily diet of the inhabitants of Japan, Korea and Far East. As you know, centenarians are most often found in these countries. The beneficial properties of the plant are numerous and arouse well-deserved interest among adherents. proper nutrition. You just have to learn how to prepare it for the future and cook delicious dishes with it.
lucky-girl.ru
BRACKET FERN: useful properties and contraindications.
Orlyak fern is one of the favorite dishes of the inhabitants of the Russian Far East, China, Korea and Japan. And despite the fact that most of the inhabitants of our country do not even know how this plant can be eaten, the bracken fern is used in many parts of the world, as it has excellent palatability and a wide range of useful properties.
Description of bracken fern: Bracken is a perennial fern plant. Of the huge number of ferns, only a few can be eaten, bracken is one of them. The bracken grows almost all over the globe and is one of the most common ferns in Russia. Young shoots of bracken with leaves that have not yet blossomed are used for food, mature plant should not be eaten as it contains substances that are toxic to the human body. Bracken shoots are boiled, fried, stewed, salted, marinated, salads, hot dishes and cold appetizers are prepared from it. Bracken goes well with meat, fish, vegetables, cereals and legumes. Bracken fern is not consumed fresh. This type of fern is also used in folk medicine, industry and pharmacology.
The composition of bracken fern: The composition of bracken fern shoots includes minerals - calcium, potassium, magnesium, iodine, manganese, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus and other macro- and microelements. Bracken fern contains fiber, sugar, carotene, vitamins C, E, group B, amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, phytosterols, glycosides and other substances beneficial to human health.
Caloric content of bracken fern: The calorie content of bracken fern is about 35 kcal per 100 grams of product.
Useful properties of bracken fern:
- Regular use of bracken fern helps to strengthen the immune system.
- Favorably affects the cardiovascular system, improves blood composition.
- Helps normalize blood sugar levels.
- Fern has a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland and the endocrine system.
- Favors the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improves metabolism, removes toxins and toxins from the body.
- Bracken fern helps to remove radionuclides from the body.
- Increases the efficiency of the body, improves the activity of the nervous system, helps to cope with stress.
- Substances contained in bracken shoots slow down the aging process and help preserve youth.
Contraindications of bracken fern: During pregnancy and serious diseases of the internal organs, it is necessary to consult a doctor before using bracken fern shoots. As with the use of almost all products, when using bracken, you must remember that everything is good in moderation!
And remember healthy lifestyle life involves not only proper nutrition and the use of healthy foods, but also the rejection of bad habits, healthy sleep, physical activity and other components.
chudesalegko.ru
Bracken fern: useful properties and cooking recipes:
Bracken fern with its spreading paws adorns birch groves all summer Altai Territory, the Far East, Siberia and the Urals. Fans of hiking in these parts enthusiastically admire its mysterious glades, but few people know that this miracle plant is highly valued for its exquisite taste and beneficial properties. Recently, local gourmets have also become interested in fern recipes.
Unpretentious, beautiful and unkilled
The bracken fern is herbaceous plant like a low shrub. It usually grows in dense colonies united underground by a common rhizome. The bracken is found in different climatic regions throughout the earth. It is very easy to recognize by its beautiful feathery leaves, similar to acacia twigs. If the stalk of a fern is cut across and carefully studied its image, then you can see an eagle in it, which gave the name to this plant.
The common bracken is known for its vitality. In any soil, even in the most infertile, rocky or sandy, he feels great. Having settled once, he remains in this place for many years. Summer residents and farmers do not like him for this, leading a fierce struggle with him as with a difficult weed, which is almost impossible to eradicate. Even if a fire occurs that destroys everything in the forest, grove or garden where this plant grew, it will be the first to sprout and sprout new shoots.
From harm to benefit - one step
Despite the widespread attitude to ferns as weeds, two of their species are still classified as edible - this is the ostrich and bracken. It should be noted right away that these plants can be used for food only after observing certain precautionary rules. They cannot be consumed fresh, as they contain toxic substances that are poisonous to humans.
If there is such a risk, is it worth consuming bracken? The beneficial properties of this plant in many ways exceed the small danger that is easy to eliminate. This has long been understood by residents of many Asian countries, where ferns are not just a delicacy, but are considered national dish. Such love makes it possible for those who live in Kamchatka and in the Primorsky Territory of Russia to have additional income.
Starting in May, when the first bracken shoots appear, many go to the taiga to collect this delicacy, which is bought in bulk from the population for export to China and Japan. Why is this plant so much loved in the East?
A storehouse of benefits, taste and health
Bracken fern dishes contain many useful elements that are found both in young shoots and in rhizomes. Leaves give the body the following substances:
1. Phytosterols - reduce the level of cholesterol in the body.
2. Flavonoids - strengthen capillaries, regulate blood clotting, improve vascular permeability.
3. Sesquiterpenes - have an anthelmintic, antihelminthic effect.
4. Tannins (catechins) - are indispensable for the prevention of cancer, as well as increase immunity, preserve youth.
When eating young shoots and stems of the bracken fern, the body benefits from elements such as essential oils, glycosides, alkaloids, fatty oils, aspartic, nicotinic, glutamic acids, tyrosine, phenylalanine, iodine, phosphorus and many other trace elements and vitamins. Thanks to such a rich composition, the bracken fern is valued. Its beneficial properties stimulate metabolism and increase the level of stress resistance of the body.
Don't miss the short collection period
Let's now proceed to detailed description all the nuances that you need to consider if you want a safe and tasty bracken to appear on your table. Cooking begins with the right collection. Although this plant can be found in forests, ravines, birch forests, and even in your garden during the entire warm season, it should be collected for cooking only in spring. The fact is that young shoots that have not yet released leaves are edible.
At the end of spring, the shoots begin to harden, the spreading paws with leaves turn into a shrub that is no longer suitable for food, since it contains large quantities of bitter glycosides, and the level of toxic substances also increases significantly. It is important not to miss that short period when the bracken is still young, its stem is fragile, and the young shoots are bent into a hook. Such twigs are as easy to collect as dandelions - they break easily, and their delicate leaves are rich in a variety of substances.
Set goals and make time
Collected bracken fern should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than two days. During this period, it must be processed, otherwise it will become completely poisonous. This must be taken into account when collecting. If your goal is to surprise your friends with an exotic dish, you should not collect it in large quantities. If you want to stock up while it is still edible in order to indulge yourself with its unusual taste throughout the year, then it is worth setting aside a few days for these purposes, as it will take time not only to go to the forest or grove for ferns, but also to its processing.
Having collected the right amount of raw materials, immediately proceed to its preparation. Start by sorting - select a small number of beautiful and uniform heads to treat yourself to this delicacy tonight. Put the rest in the refrigerator. We will process it for a long time in order to prepare it for the winter or for future use. To this end, the plants will need to be salted, pickled or dried, but more on that later.
Preliminary processing
So that the fern dinner is not overshadowed by food poisoning, you need to properly prepare freshly harvested raw materials. First of all, it is necessary to clean it from bitterness and toxic substances. Perfect option, which will maximize the preservation of useful substances and the presentation of the fern - this is soaking. The shoots prepared for cooking are dipped in a saline solution for a day, after which they are soaked in fresh water. Such pre-treatment will make the young bracken shoots completely safe and palatable.
If you don’t want to wait a whole day, then you can clean the fern from bitterness with the help of several stages of boiling. First, take a copper basin and pour a large amount of water into it. Bring it to a boil, add salt, immerse the shoots very carefully for two to three minutes. After that, you should replace the water - and bring it to a boil again. This should be done two or three times.
At the last boil, the shoots need to be boiled for about ten minutes, constantly monitoring the process. As soon as the fern heads curl into beautiful green rings, they should be removed from the heat. Now let's start preparing the bracken. The recipes for almost all bracken dishes are similar, differing only in the presence of ingredients. They are based on the same cooking methods that we are used to using when processing mushrooms.
We make stocks
Let us now return to the processing of the fern, which was put aside in the refrigerator. We want to procure these stocks of raw materials for long term, salted. To do this, you need to take a large capacity, it is best wooden barrel. Fold in it the collected fern, mixed with salt in a ratio of 3 to 10 (for three kilograms of salt, 10 kilograms of raw materials). Cover with something heavy so that a brine appears under the yoke. After two weeks, the brine should be drained and replaced with a new one, which is already prepared in a ratio of 2 to 10. Leave it again for two weeks, after which the fern, if desired, can be salted again in a ratio of 1 to 10. After that, the shoots must be folded into bunches and dry.
Salted bracken can be stored for as long as dried mushrooms. Before cooking, it should be pre-soaked, then used. In addition to salting, bracken can be prepared in pickled form according to the scheme that is used for mushrooms.
fern salad
The easiest recipe for how to cook bracken is to make meat salad out of it. Boiled beef or veal is best suited. You will also need hard-boiled eggs, green onion, hard cheese, fresh tomatoes and mayonnaise. All ingredients should be taken in equal amounts. Cheese, meat, tomatoes should be finely chopped.
Soak bracken in advance in water (salted) or boil (raw). Put the prepared shoots in a frying pan, in heated oil, and simmer to get rid of excess moisture. After that, evenly mix all the products and season the salad with mayonnaise. Garnish with finely chopped green onions.
It is impossible to embrace all the many recipes that cooks offer for cooking bracken. These can be not only the famous Korean pickled fern salads, but also Russian inventions, such as dumplings, pancakes and even pies stuffed with fried bracken. All these experiments became possible due to the fact that it tastes like mushrooms, so the same dishes are prepared from it.
Also to simple recipes include fried fern, which can be used as a gravy for any side dish. It is very easy to prepare it:
1. Finely chop one onion and fry until transparent.
2. Put 400 grams of boiled fern into the pan and fry for another 10 minutes with onions.
3. Separately, mix half a cup of sour cream with one tablespoon of flour.
4. Pour the mixture into the roasted ferns. Put in the oven. When a golden crust forms, take it out. Serve hot.
Which fern is edible? Does it have useful properties, and how to cook such a product at home? You will find answers to all these questions in the materials of this article.
Edible fern: types
There are approximately 10,000 in the world various kinds ferns. Such plants can be found anywhere, including in marshy places and even deserts. But most often they grow in the forest zone.
The various habitats of ferns have directly contributed to their diversity. They can vary significantly not only in external shape and size, but also in internal structure, as well as chemical and physiological features.
What edible fern do you know? The most popular plant used for cooking various dishes, is the common bracken. Asian osmund and ostrich are also used as food.
Features and collection of plants
In order to make the edible fern tasty and tender after cooking, its shoots are harvested at a young age, before they become tough.
The season for collecting such plants is early spring, when the leaves on the trees begin to bloom and juicy grass appears. An edible fern should be used immediately for cooking various dishes or processed into a semi-finished product that will be stored for a long time. Semi-finished products include three types of plants: frozen fern, salted and dried. The first option is the simplest and most common among housewives. However, it is not used on an industrial scale.
Spreading
Now you know which fern is edible. Where does this plant grow? Bracken, Asiatic osmund and ostrich are widely distributed throughout the globe, except for the steppes, arctic regions and deserts.
In Russia, such plants can be found in the European part, the Far East, Siberia and the Urals. They also grow in Europe, Asia and North America.
The edible Asiatic osmund and the ostrich are very common in forested areas, on open uplands and in thickets of bushes.
Useful properties and composition
What is remarkable about the edible fern? The beneficial properties of this product are known to few. Moreover, most housewives do not even suspect that the plant in question can be eaten.
According to experts, the rhizomes of such a product contain starch, saponins, alkaloids, eagle-tanning and essential oils, fat, flavonoids and tannins. As for young shoots, they are very rich in tocopherol, vitamins, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and carotene.
Of the microelements, the mentioned plants well accumulate iodine, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, sodium, copper, sulfur, nickel and phosphorus.
Since ancient times, such a plant has been eaten by residents of the Far East, as well as citizens of Japan and Korea. They believe that this product has a beneficial effect on their growth, helps to form a strong skeleton and metabolism. In addition, lovers of this plant claim that it has a good effect on the activity of the nervous system, improves the general condition of the endocrine system, increases efficiency and removes radionuclides from the body.
What else is useful for an edible fern, the photo of which is presented in this article? For medical purposes, this product has been used for a long time. Inside, not only young shoots of the fern are used, but also its rhizomes. For example, a decoction of the roots of this plant is actively taken for diseases of the intestines and spleen. In addition, it effectively helps with aching joints, jaundice, diarrhea, chest and headache, as well as noise in the ears and head, dry pleurisy.
A decoction made from the edible fern is often used as a diuretic, laxative, anthelmintic, and pain reliever. Also, this plant relieves stress and stimulates metabolism.
Externally, a decoction of the rhizomes of the product in question is used for eczema, wounds, abscesses and scrofula. As for the infusion, it can be used for rheumatism (in the form of baths) and ulcers.
Contraindications for use
Despite the fact that all of the listed types of fern are edible, you should be very careful in including them in your diet. This is due to the fact that an adult plant is very poisonous. It may contain bitter cyanide glycosides, tannins, hydrocyanic acid and carcinogenic compounds. The concentration of these substances increases gradually, as the plant develops and grows.
It should also be noted that it is strictly forbidden to use fern during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
An overdose of this product can lead to vomiting, convulsions, nausea, low blood pressure, headache, respiratory depression, dizziness, decreased heart function, and even death.
Application in cooking
Fern edible species actively used in cooking. Various salads are often prepared from young leaves. In addition, peculiar "snails" are fried, boiled, salted and marinated for the winter, and are also used as a special seasoning for meat.
The most popular edible fern among cooks is the common bracken. Own unusual name he received due to the similarity with the wing of a bird of prey.
Such a plant is quite common throughout Russia, and it is not difficult to find it.
Young shoots, which are used to prepare various dishes, are formed in May. At first, they resemble a kind of "snail", and in the process of development they unfold and become like a hook.
The petiole of an edible leaf is called a rachis. It tastes very similar to porcini mushrooms. Raw rachis are poisonous, so cooking them is a must.
Fern edible: how to cook?
As mentioned above, a fresh plant cannot be stored. This is due to the fact that it hardens very quickly, as a result of which it is simply impossible to eat it. Therefore, freshly harvested fern shoots should be immediately salted or boiled in salted water and then dried.
If you decide to use the latter cooking option, then fresh leaves must be thoroughly washed and put in a pot of boiling salted water. In this form, the plant should be boiled for no more than 5 minutes. After that, it needs to be thrown into a colander and shaken vigorously.
As for salting, this process is carried out as follows: fresh and thoroughly washed greens are placed in an enameled container, sprinkled with ordinary table salt (at the rate of 250 g of spices per 1 kg of plant), covered with a wooden lid, smaller in diameter, and then pressed with oppression. In this case, the weight of the latter must necessarily be equal to the weight of the product used. In this form, salted greens are left for 7-8 days.
After the brine begins to cover the wooden lid, it is slowly drained. Together with him, all the bitterness inherent in young shoots will also go away.
The product prepared in this way can be stewed. It is first fried with onions, and then pour fresh sour cream and cook in this form for several minutes. A ready-made stew is served at the table with herbs and fried tomatoes.
You can also deep-fry, after dipping it in pancake dough.
If none of the above methods work for you, then salty product you can simply chop and add to salads, pizza, soup and more.
In the mythology of the Slavs, they were always endowed magical properties although these plants do not flower. On the night of Ivan Kupala, couples in love are actively looking for this mythical flower, believing that it will certainly bring them eternal happiness (according to legend, such a flower blooms only for a moment).
Under the name of the fern, 10560 species are hidden.
They have been known to mankind since the Paleozoic - this is the only ancient plant, which managed to maintain such a diversity of species until now.
They are distributed throughout the world, and differ markedly from each other.
What species are used by humans
The fern family is extensive, however, not all of them are used by humans.
Consider the most common.
Male (Dryopteris filix-mas) or shield bug
Known in the northern hemisphere, in temperate zones.
Medicinal preparations are prepared from the rhizomes, the shoots are eaten.
The plant itself is actively used in decorative gardening. Some species are used in perfumery production.
The scientific name Dryopteris (lat.) is translated as oak oak forest fern.
Large land plants with a strong rhizome protruding above the ground and covered with scales.
The leaves are double- or triple-pinnate, the upper leaf plate is smooth, and on the lower leaf there are sporangia, with the help of which reproduction occurs.
Leaf rachis covered with the same scales as the rhizome.
Openwork patterned leaves are collected in neat bunches and are very decorative. The height of adult plants averages 0.3-1 m, sometimes more.
Reproduces by spores, does not bloom. It remains a mystery why the myth of a fern blooming on the night of Ivan Kupala is so widespread among the people.
The plant is poisonous, so it is not recommended to use it on its own.
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
A perennial herbaceous plant with beautiful double- and thrice-pinnate leaves (fronds), sometimes called jesus grass.
In general, there are several versions about the origin of the name of this common fern.
Someone sees in it the similarity of a leaf plate with a bird's wing, others saw an eagle from the state emblem on the cut of the stem, and for some the plant resembles an eagle posture.
The rhizomes of the common bracken lie deep, which contributes to vegetative reproduction.
The leaves do not grow in bunches, but singly, its thickets form a continuous carpet.
Distributed in the European part of Russia and beyond the Urals - a lot of it in Siberia and the Far East.
Common bracken is used as food in many countries, and in Japan and China it is considered a delicacy.
Tightly twisted, like a spring, young juicy shoots that have not yet had time to unfold are suitable for use, only on condition special processing- do not eat them fresh because they are poisonous.
Processing is carried out immediately after collection - cut young sprouts instantly coarsen, while the concentration of toxic substances increases.
Picking young shoots is like picking flower bouquet- fragile stems are broken off at a height of 15-20 cm and collected in bunches.
The use of the common bracken is not limited to young shoots.
Harvesting time is early spring or autumn.
Roots (pro medicinal properties read horse sorrel) are dug up with a spatula, cleaned of the ground, cut into pieces and dried at a temperature not higher than 40 degrees.
Useful properties are stored throughout the year.
When harvesting, part of the roots (the medicinal properties of burdock are described in the article) of the plant are left untouched so that it continues to grow.
If we are talking about harvesting ferns for food use, then the subject of collection are young sprouts - rachis.
Only very small shoots, up to 20 cm long, are suitable for eating.
They must be fragile and brittle.- if the escape cannot be broken off, then you should not even try to do it - in this case it is no longer suitable. The most delicious part of the shoots is the twisted part ("snails").
Interestingly, fresh shoots are not eaten; preliminary preparation is necessary.
To do this, they are boiled in salted water, changing the water several times. You can not cook for a long time, 3 minutes is enough.
The task is to get rid of bitterness and toxins, but not to allow softening.
Shoots should remain elastic and crispy.
After boiling, they are used to prepare salads and side dishes, independent dishes.
There are two ways of salting:
- Layers of fresh fern sprinkle with salt, press down with a load.
After 2 weeks, the brine is drained, and the fern is shifted and again covered with salt, only the concentration is reduced.
Before use in food, salted shoots are soaked in cold water two days, while changing the water 6-8 times.- Speed up the curing process, will help boiling and draining the water.
Then the shoots are covered with salt at the rate of 250-300 g per 1 kg of fern.
Soak before use in the same way as in the first case.Salted fern is freed from brine and dried. Pickled fern as well as mushrooms.
Harm and contraindications
The real harm comes only from the misuse of the fern for treatment or nutrition.
Reason - poisonous properties plants. It is impossible to carry out treatment with fern and preparations based on it for children, pregnant women, people with weakened immunity.
Drug overdose is dangerous. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
Watch a tutorial on how to cook healthy dish from fern leaves at home.
Despite its unique and unusual appearance, as well as belonging to ornamental plants, the fern is quite edible. Two types of fern are eaten, used both as an unusual seasoning and as an independent ingredient for salads. One of these species is the bracken fern.
What is useful bracken fern?
It is immediately worth noting, starting a conversation about the benefits of ferns, that according to the studies of some scientists, it has been suggested that frequent changes in ordinary foods directly affect the prolongation of youth and the preservation of excellent health for many years. So far, this point of view has not become generally accepted, but it is worth listening to when making decisions on the inclusion in the diet of such an unusual product as bracken fern.
In addition, it has a very low calorie content, which undoubtedly makes it a valuable food during the period of weight loss. Its calorie content is 34 kcal. In addition, it contains in its composition almost as many proteins as carbohydrates 4.55 g and 5.54 g, respectively.
It contains a large number of useful substances, without which the proper functioning of the human body is impossible:
- Tannins, providing good digestion and removal of harmful waste products.
- Flavonoids
- alkaloids
- Essential oils and acids
- Young fern leaves are rich in substances such as vitamins carotene, tocopherol and riboflavin.
- Its leaves contain phytosterols, substances of the catechin group, and catechins, mucus, bitter glycoside in the rhizome.
- Young plants are rich in enzymes, especially thiaminase and glycosides.
- It also contains such useful acids as nicotinic, aspartic and glutamic, as well as phenylalanine, asparagine and tyrosine.
- Special mention deserve such microelements as iodine, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, copper, nickel and potassium.
- The proteins that make up this fern are easily digested, resembling the properties of grain proteins in terms of the quality of assimilation by the body. But the benefits of bracken fern, first of all, depend on the presence in its composition of a large number of biologically active elements.
A useful plant for people who spend a lot of time in front of the TV and computer screen. It saves from radiation sickness and leukemia, having the amount of iodine necessary for the body. An important property of bracken fern is its ability to quickly normalize metabolism, accelerating the fight against excess weight. It restores the lack of vitamins in beriberi and relieves tension and excitement, contributing to the normalization of the pulse.
The use of bracken fern
- From the young leaves of the fern, magnificent and unusual salads are obtained. The plant is pickled, fried, salted for future use, then used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. It tastes a bit like mushrooms. Old and uncooked bracken fern leaves are strictly not recommended.
- Its regular use promotes bone formation, normalization of the nervous system, metabolism, removal of radionuclides and heavy metals from the body, improvement of the endocrine system, and increased efficiency.
- For medicinal purposes, the leaves and rhizomes of the plant are used. A decoction of them in a strictly dosed volume is taken orally for aching joints, diseases of the intestines and spleen, chest and headache, diarrhea, tinnitus, dry pleurisy, stomach pain and even jaundice. It is also used as an anthelmintic, diuretic, laxative, antipyretic and analgesic.
- For scrofula, wounds, abscesses or eczema, a decoction of the rhizome is applied externally. You can use an infusion of bracken fern to treat rheumatism, sciatica, hemorrhoids, cramps and ulcers, making warm baths with it.
Contraindications for the use of bracken fern
But the bracken fern also has contraindications. Since it contains toxic substances, the plant should be used only after consultation with your doctor and under the guidance of a homeopathic doctor or herbalist. Even if it seems to you that you know everything about the healing fern, do not risk your health and the health of loved ones.
In no case should bracken fern be treated during breastfeeding, and even more so during pregnancy. In case of an overdose of decoction or infusion, headaches, convulsions, vomiting, nausea may occur. In very serious cases - a sharp decrease in pressure, difficulty breathing, weakening of cardiovascular activity and, in the absence of qualified and timely assistance, even death. Therefore, as soon as any of the above symptoms occur or the general condition simply worsens, you should immediately call an ambulance and rinse the stomach.
For a long time, the bracken fern has become part of the daily diet of the inhabitants of Japan, Korea and the Far East. As you know, centenarians are most often found in these countries. The beneficial properties of the plant are numerous and arouse well-deserved interest among adherents of proper nutrition. You just have to learn how to prepare it for the future and cook delicious dishes with it.
According to scientists, plants of the fern family appeared on our planet about 500 million years ago. Coal deposits, which are a valuable natural resource, owe their formation to the compressed woody remains of ferns. Today, there are about 20 thousand varieties of this plant on Earth, but only a small part of them is suitable for food and medicinal purposes. The most common representative of the genus is the common bracken. The beneficial properties and harms of this plant for the human body will be discussed in this review.
Bracken fern - composition
Bracken fern - 10 useful properties
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Positively affects the development and growth of children
Copper, the content of which is very high in fern leaves, is essential for saturating the blood with oxygen. A deficiency of this microelement leads to muscle and joint pain, provokes a feeling of fatigue, and negatively affects brain function. According to the results of medical research, a sufficient level of copper in the body of children eliminates developmental delays, accelerates metabolism, which is expressed in optimal performance body weight and height of the child.
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Normalizes cholesterol levels
Bracken fern is rich in niacin (nicotinic acid). This vitamin is able to regulate the level of cholesterol in the blood, which benefits the entire body. Eating the plant reduces the chance of cardiovascular disease in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. This condition is characterized by excessive activity of triglycerides, which increase plasma cholesterol levels.
Nicotinic acid is also useful for people who are prone to stroke, heart attack and a number of other diseases. Niacin has been shown to increase good cholesterol and lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the blood.
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Has an antitumor effect
Due to the significant content of Vitamin C, fern extract is included in the composition of drugs that are used in chemotherapy. Vitamin C helps protect healthy cells from the effects of poisons and toxins, reducing the harm from medications. Research shows that ascorbic acid It is highly effective in the treatment of lung and ovarian cancer.
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Increases immunity
Vitamin C is also indispensable for people with weakened immune systems, especially when this condition occurs on the background of stress. The stressful rhythm of modern life leads to the fact that stress affects almost every person. Maintaining a sufficient level of Vitamin C in the body, the beneficial properties of which do not cause any doubt, has a positive effect on overall well-being and health.
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Eliminates inflammatory and allergic reactions
Vitamin A, which is rich in bracken stems and roots, blocks the activity of free radicals that damage the cells and tissues of the human body. As a result, the likelihood of inflammatory processes and food allergies is reduced. Vitamin A also minimizes the risk of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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Protects eye health
Regular intake of Vitamin A with food helps prevent retinal degeneration and reduce visual acuity. Vitamins C, A, E, copper and zinc contained in the fern can reduce the likelihood of macular degeneration by about 25 percent. Vitamin A is often included in medicinal drops for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Vitamin A also slows down the development of Stargardt's disease, a hereditary disease that leads to vision loss in childhood.
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Strengthens bones
Bracken fern is rich in manganese, zinc, copper and calcium. The combination of these components helps to reduce the likelihood of bone loss in older women. It is known that with age, their bones become more fragile, which is fraught with frequent fractures. The use of decoctions and infusions from fern will help prevent osteoporosis or slow down its development.
In addition, manganese is involved in the formation of enzymes and hormones that enhance the process of bone metabolism. The lack of this element increases the chances of developing various diseases bones.
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Helps in the treatment of anemia
Low level hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood become a prerequisite for the occurrence of anemia, as oxygen transport to the cells is disrupted. As a result, all body systems suffer, energy levels and immunity decrease, brain functions slow down. As is known, common cause different types of anemia is iron deficiency. In the green mass of the fern, iron is contained in an easily digestible form, which makes this plant indispensable assistant for the prevention and treatment of anemia.
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Eliminates migraine headaches
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Improves digestion
Fern also contains phosphorus, which is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, which in turn are a component of biological membranes, such as nucleic acids and nucleotides. As a result of the use of fern decoctions, the pH level in the body normalizes, the formation of an excess amount of alkali or acid is eliminated.
It improves the digestion process by maintaining right level balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Phosphorus reduces fluid retention, serves to prevent diarrhea and bloating.
Bracken fern - contraindications
Despite the fact that the bracken fern is a natural storehouse of vitamins and microelements, it must be remembered that this plant is poisonous in its raw form. Therefore, medicinal infusions or decoctions should be used with great care, after consulting with your doctor.
In case of an overdose, the following symptoms may occur:
- nausea and vomiting;
- dizziness;
- pain in the temples and occipital region;
- lowering blood pressure;
- respiratory depression;
- slow heartbeat.
In especially severe cases, death is possible. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly observe the norms for the use of fern extracts indicated in the recipes and annotations.
Also, bracken fern shoots should not be included in the diet for pregnant women and people with severe diseases of the internal organs. If such a need arises, you need to get approval from your doctor.
An interesting video about the beneficial properties and use of bracken fern.
