BEETROOT (Beta vulgaris Linn)

The Beetroot belongs to the family, Chenopodiaceae.  It is a biennial or annual, which grows to a height of 30-50 cm.  The leaves are oblong-ovate, the basal ones long-petioled, progressively reducing in size inward or centrally.  The flowers are found in clusters or as solitary flowers arranged in long, slender, leafy or leafless spikes.  The napiform root is blood-red in colour.  It is a well-known vegetable in all countries.

Medicinal Use

·         liver and spleen problems

·         laxative and neutralizer of acids.

·         Anaemia, arthritis, rheumatism.

·         Inflammatory diseases, fevers and coughs.

·         Increases the flow of urine, used as tonic and helps in lowering the body temperature.

·         Abnormal buildup of minerals in the kidneys.

·         Cough in children.

·         Burns and bruises.

How to use

     The decoction of the plant is a good remedy for liver and spleen problems.

·         It is used as a laxative and for neutralizing acids in the body.

·         Those who suffer from anaemia should drink beetroot juice, mixed with carrot juice.

·         This juice is recommended for arthritis and rheumatism.

·         The sugar contained in the whole plant is useful in cases of inflammatory diseases, fevers, and coughs.

·         The juice of the root is diuretic, tonic, and helps in lowering body temperature.

·         For calculus or abnormal build up of minerals in the kidneys, the of the boiled beetroot is soothing.

Take 3 cups a day.

·         For cough in children, the beetroot should be sliced, left overnight in the dew with a little honey on the top.  Then, in the morning, strain the syrup, and give the juice to the children.

·         The fresh leaves are made into a paste and applied over burns and bruises.

Parts used

The whole plant

Dose

normal