Leek was mentioned by Nero and Aristotle. They tell that their voices became more strong after they had eaten this beautiful flowering vegetable. You may find confirmation in this knowledge by the fact that all allium-vegetables are good for the respiratory system. So when the throat has been cleared of slime forming then the voice becomes more clear and strong!
There is vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, and folic acid in great quantities in leek. Those substances benefit the health in general. The flavonoid kaempferol is responsible for producing nitric oxide, a substance that relaxes the muscles around the blood vessels. It helps to make the vessels wider. This is the natural way to lower blood pressure. This mechanism prevents heart diseases. There are more ways in which the heart benefits from this natural medicine.
Cardiovascular preventive medicine
This green and white culinary plant controls the homocystein levels in the blood. These homocystein levels are just as an important indicator for heart problems as cholesterol. Therefore some scientists claim that leek is good against cardiovascular diseases. Iranian researchers say that this vegetable may play a role as anti-hypercholesterol agent. Garlic from the same allium family, is much more well known for his uses as prevention for cardiovascular diseases. But we eat more leek than garlic in an average meal. Maybe we have to turn to this vegetable to use it as a medicine.
Polyphenols in leek
There are more polyphenols in this vegetable than in tomato and even than in garlic, a vegetable considered one of the most healthiest. Polyphenols are important because they eliminate free radicals, which can cause DNA-damage and cancer. Eating leek will help you to prevent you from getting cancer. Chinese research says it might play a future role as anti-cancer agent, mainly because of he high content of antioxidants.
Storing and use in the kitchen
Don´t store leek in the refrigerator. It is a plant and it needs light and water. Store it in a vase on the table with some water and see how your food grows every day. You can cut it daily to put it in potato meal, rice meal or pasta meal. That is a way to use the medicinal benefits of leek on the long term. You can also eat a leek soup made of boiled and blendered leeks. Here comes the rest of the recipe. You bake some onions and garlic on the side and add this to the soup. Finish it with Celtic sea salt, black pepper and coconut cream and enjoy your medicine!
Sources:
- Cancer: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11719943
- Nitric oxide: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22131322
- Hypercholesterol: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579735
- http://www.geneeskrachtigegroenten.nl/Groenten-en-hun-medicinale-werking/Prei/
- Photos: Public Domain, Pixabay
