Wild garlic: 3 popular types, as they say, useful properties and contraindications
Content:
The names of the most famous types of wild garlic. The benefits of this plant. The use of wild garlic in medicine and cooking. Wild garlic and methods of harvesting.
Wild garlic: characteristic of the plant
Wild garlic: photo
In the period from April to July, garlic begins to grow in the wild, which is so beneficial for the human body. Wild garlic has many names among the people: ramson, forest garlic, bear onion.
Wild garlic is a perennial, bulbous crop that also has the fragrant scent we know of garden garlic. Wild garlic is best harvested in spring, because it is at this time that its leaves and stems are very delicate, juicy, light green in color, and by summer the leaves become tougher.
Wild garlic is easily recognizable by its distinctive aroma that spreads throughout the forest. Plants have white small inflorescences - umbrellas, which eventually give seed boxes. Plants can be propagated using the latter and by dividing the bulb.
The plant is very popular in the forests of Russia, in Europe, and also occurs in Turkey and in the Caucasus Mountains. The crop grows well in low areas. Where the humidity is high, you can harvest the garlic after the snow has melted. In addition to people, they are very fond of wild garlic and bears. They gather in wild garlic glades and eat valuable grass.
Wild garlic and its types
Photo of wild garlic
There are different types of wild garlic:
- Bear bow.
- Angular bow. This species grows in Central Asia and Siberia. The stems can grow up to 50 cm in height. They have a rich green color. In addition to its taste, garlic contains many vitamins and has antibacterial properties. Garlic is consumed both fresh and various preparations are made from it.
- Victory Bow... It is very famous, it also grows in the forests of the Urals. This type is characteristic of spherical inflorescences on long pedicels, about a meter in height.
Since this type of wild garlic is very widespread geographically, it is used both for medicinal purposes and for a variety of tastes of familiar dishes. In addition, this type of wild garlic is popularly considered the best remedy for scurvy.
Application area
Photo of wild garlic
There is no need to talk about the beneficial properties of wild garlic. They have long been known to man. Indeed, it is in the spring, when the body so much needs a fresh supply of vitamins and microelements, that this wonderful plant begins to grow. In addition, this is the first greenery that we can meet after a long winter.
Wild garlic is high in vitamins C, B, anti-inflammatory phytoncides, carotene, coarse fiber, and essential oils.
Garlic is used not only for medicinal purposes, but also in cooking. So, it perfectly complements any dish, sauce. There are even those who use wild garlic as a pie filling.
Garlic improves appetite and digestion, has a mild diuretic effect, is useful for kidney disease, pneumonia, is effective for allergies and helps to reduce fat.
How to cook wild garlic?
Photo of wild garlic
Salads are made from wild garlic, it is added to various dishes and sauces. It is good to harvest such a useful product for the winter.
So, the fruits of wild garlic are well stored, if you freeze them - about six months. The dried leaves can be beneficial for many years. Garlic can also be salted and consumed for several more months.