What are chayote or citron leaves for? When you read the title, you may be wondering: What are chayote leaves really for? Here we detail it, but first we will explain what chayote is.
It receives several names according to the region where it is cultivated. It is called, for example, air potato, chuchu, güisquil, hedgehog, citron, in some parts of South America, among several others.
The chayote plant is a perennial, monoecious vine, 40 feet or more in size when supported. It grows best in full sun and moderate rainfall, and prefers well-drained, moist, deep, fertile soils rich in organic matter, however waterlogged, clayey, or sandy soil should be avoided.
In their natural habitat, vines run along fences, bushes, and even up straight trees. On cultivated farms, the crop is supported by a strong trellis. It has thickened tuberous roots with brown and white skin inside.
The leaves are 7–25 cm broad, broadly ovate, angled or slightly lobed, and cordate (heart-shaped) at the base and apiculate (conical) towards the apex. The petiole is 3 to 15 cm long. The leaves resemble those of the cucumber.
The flowers are small, greenish-white, unisexual, usually pentamerous, coaxillary, and with ten pore-shaped nectaries at the base of the calyx. The axillary racemose inflorescences are 10–30 cm long, with a patteliform calyx consisting of 5 triangular sepals, 5 triangular petals, and 5 stamens. Let’s see, next, the benefits of chayote and what the chayote leaves are for.
.
Benefits of chayote medicinal properties
Heart Health: Chayote is a wonderful source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps prevent heart disease. The potassium present in chayote lowers blood pressure and the magnesium helps raise the levels of good cholesterol or LDL while maintaining normal heartbeat and also preventing blood clotting.
Constipation: if you suffer from constipation, chayote is a food that you would like to include in your diet, as it promotes regular bowel movements. It contains large amounts of dietary fiber that prevents digestive problems such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome by drawing water out of the stool and softening it.
Anemia: iron and vitamin B2 deficiency is often associated with anemia. Chayote provides a sufficient amount of these two nutrients, which stimulate the production of red blood cells, thus increasing blood hemoglobin levels. The folate contained in this fruit also plays a very important role in the production and development of red blood cells. Additionally, the other nutrients in chayote, such as vitamin C, zinc, and copper, aid in the easy and proper absorption of iron by your body.
bone health: Because it is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, chayote helps keep teeth and bones strong and healthy by preventing a variety of diseases.
Fight cramps: This is a nuisance that affects many people, especially when training with poorly executed movements. It may be hard to imagine what chayote is for hypertrophy, but it may be important for muscle health by preventing cramps. The positive effects are guaranteed by magnesium, a functional mineral for the prevention of these discomforts.
improve memory: physical fitness remains in excellence, but it is essential to maintain a healthy mind, so that the execution of reasoning and logical activities are not compromised, so once again chayote can be included in the diet. because it is rich in vitamin B6, which contributes positively to memory exercises.
With a good memory, you can better control your menu, not forgetting about meals, exercise and rest. chayote can be suitable for the prevention and control of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
skin health: Chayote contains good amounts of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, all of which help promote healthy skin. Vitamin C, which is a strong antioxidant, fights free radicals and thus slows down the aging process. Zinc is effective in controlling oil production in the skin as a result of which your skin is protected against acne. Although vitamin E helps protect your skin and repair skin damage, folate helps increase skin elasticity and firmness.
Cardiovascular system: Chayote is a source of folic acid, which can be identified as a B complex vitamin, which works to prevent the accumulation of homocysteine, an amino acid that, in excess, can cause various losses. It can reduce the possibility of hypertension, as well as strokes, strokes and other heart diseases. The potassium contained in chayote helps keep blood pressure under control. This benefit is very important for pregnant women.
Power source: Chayote is a good source of manganese, which helps convert fat and protein into energy. So having this vegetable for breakfast can help start your day with good health and energy.
Immune system: Chayote is rich in zinc, an essential mineral. Zinc activates proteins in your body, including enzymes that carry out chemical reactions in your cells, proteins that regulate gene activity, and proteins that keep cell membranes healthy. Getting enough zinc in your diet also fights disease, while low levels of zinc cripple your immune system, leaving you open to infection.
.
What are chayote or citron leaves used for?
What are chayote leaves for? Among its benefits and properties is its power to lose weight, balance the body’s vitamin C, and treat high blood pressure. Chayote leaves have a high concentration of amino acids and vitamin Cand chayote can also help fight diabetes.
Its leaves can also be used to treat cardiovascular problems and inflammation, and can also be used as an excellent diuretic. Helps heal wounds by preventing permanent marks from forming. For this purpose, just cut a piece of raw chayote and rub it on the place that needs to be treated.
It is also important to note that the Chayote can help you lose weight in a healthy way, through the regular ingestion of juice made from vegetables.
.
Chayote leaf tea recipes
Chayote leaf tea for hypertension
Tea made from green leaves helps treat high blood pressure and is quite simple to prepare. Check it:
Ingredients
– 4 chayote leaves
– 1 liter of water
preparation mode
Put the water in a container and take it to the fire. Add four chayote leaves and simmer for ten minutes. When this time has passed, turn off the heat and cover, letting it rest until heated through. Strain and consume during the day.
.
Tea of chayote leaves for the kidneys
Ingredients
– 1 handful of chayote leaves
– 1 cup of water
preparation mode
Boil the cup of water until it boils and add the chayote leaves. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain and drink twice a day.
Known recipes of Chayote, citron, tayota or guatila juices to lose weight and more
.
Precautions and contraindications
Chayote leaf tea is not a substitute for any medication recommended by your doctor, but only as a complementary treatment.
High blood pressure is a serious problem, so be sure to consult a specialist before starting self-medication, even if it is done with natural medicines. Learn more about chayote and its contraindications
.
Also know
Arnica tea: benefits and contraindications
Lemon Tea with Garlic: What it is for, benefits, and contraindications
Drinking boldo tea during pregnancy, is it bad?
Infusion of banana and cinnamon: Benefits, contraindications and how to prepare it
Parsley infusion to lose weight, kidneys and more
video of the month