Okra goes by several names. In Cuba, for example, it is called okra, bolondrón, molondrón. In colombia; court and in Panama: najú. In places like Brazil, it is called quiabo, quimgombo and in Peru: cape chispi.
This plant, belonging to the Malvaceae family, is annual or perennial, bushy, discreetly aromatic and little branched, growing up to 2 meters in height.
The leaves, 10-25 cm long and with long petioles, are broad, palmate-lobed with five to seven lanceolate or obovate lobes and irregularly serrated, and covered with fine hairs. The flowers, which are axillary or solitary, are yellow with a purple hue at the base of the five petals, and are about 6 cm in diameter. It has a superior ovary with five to eight carpels.
The fruit is an angular capsule from 5 to 20 cm in length, green, yellowish or purple in color and ending in a point, with five valves and numerous kidney-shaped seeds, which is collected green, before it hardens and the fruit adopts a consistency woody
It is native to the Horn of Africa, cultivated in orchards and gardens, and feral in the tropics of the entire planet, especially where it is used as food, since it is invasive.
The fruit is picked with gloves, since it has stinging hairs that irritate the skin, although today there are Abelmoschus esculentus varieties without these irritating hairs.
The term okra, widely used in Anglo-Saxon countries since the 18th century, derives from okurú, in the Igbo language, from the area of Nigeria.
The ancient Egyptians already cultivated this vegetable in the 12th century BC. It is a very popular vegetable in Indian cuisine, and medicine ayurvedic considers it a good diuretic and emollient to regenerate the mucous membranes attacked by dysentery.
Okra is therefore used gastronomically to thicken soups and dishes in general. The ripe, roasted seeds are used to make a coffee substitute.
healing properties
It is a plant rich in calcium, iron, fiber, folates, pectin, vitamins A and C and magnesium, with few calories.
In the Antilles, okra has many applications (both its leaves, fruits and flowers). As a remedy they are used in cooking, infusions, fomentations, enemas, etc.
Due to its high mucilage content, it is used as an emollient and demulcent for the digestive system (dysentery and irritative bowel disorders), in infestations by intestinal parasites or the urinary system (cystitis and gonorrhea) and in respiratory catarrhal conditions. It is important to note that the mucilage is popularly considered a discreet aphrodisiac.
Okras are very suitable for those who suffer from tuberculosis and it is prepared for them in combination with other foods.
folk remedies
Remedy with okra for bronchitis: Apply cooked okra leaves, as a poultice, on the chest
Remedy with okra to lose weight: Boil a bunch of young okra flowers or fruits in a liter of water for 10 minutes. Cover and let cool. Take throughout the day.
Remedy with okra for pharyngitis: Gargle several times a day with the mucilaginous juice produced by boiling 3 to 5 okra fruits.
Okra remedy for dry skin and wrinkles: Crush several capsules and use as a poultice on the affected area.
Remedy with okra for diabetes: Macerate a handful of okra fruits in a liter of water for a whole night. Take this okra water throughout the day.
Remedy with okra for fever: Boil 1 tablespoon of roasted seeds in a cup of water. Cover and let cool. Strain and drink a cup every hour until the fever goes down.
Remedy with okra for psoriasis: Crush several green okra leaves and apply to the affected area.
recommendations
Although okra can be eaten raw, fried, boiled or roasted, it is not recommended to eat it raw when it is tender. They are eaten with lemon juice or with vinegar and oil together in the form of a salad. They can be stewed with meat, etc. In this way, dryness of the stomach is corrected and the chest is strengthened. contraindications of okra and its side effects.
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