From weight loss program teas to detoxifying oils, there are all kinds of plant-based cures which have been utilized in Turkey by the ages. You will have seen a few of these teas and oils on journeys to Turkey’s well-known farmers markets or spice retailers known as “aktar.”
The next is a information to 10 of Turkey’s fantastic pure cures:
Hayıt tohumu or hayıt yağı
Hayıt, which is known as monk’s pepper and chasteberry in English, is a flowering plant that resembles lavender however is in truth a species of Vitex native to the Mediterranean area.
Additionally known as Abraham’s balm, this plant has lengthy been used for its medicinal properties in these components and was talked about a number of instances in “Enquiry into Crops,” which was written by Aristotle’s successor Theophrastus. In historical instances, the plant was used as an anaphrodisiac.
In Turkey, the seeds of the hayıt plant are used as tea or oil, for a variety of illnesses which might be particularly linked to the reproductive system. In ladies, the plant is alleged to steadiness hormones and ease premenstrual and menopausal signs and can also be stated to extend the milk manufacturing of breastfeeding ladies. Not solely geared towards ladies, nevertheless, the plant can also be believed to forestall prostate irritation, indigestion and insomnia.
Harnup or keçiboynuzu
The carob bean, which in Turkish is known as harnup or keçiboynuzu, the latter which suggests “goat’s horns,” is a flowering tree within the legume household that’s mostly used to make locust bean gum, which serves as a thickening agent in industrial meals manufacturing.
The sweet-tasting and very nutritious carob pods are additionally commonly used as a chocolate substitute, particularly in wholesome meals akin to snack bars. The tasty pods themselves might be eaten as is, however in Turkey it is not uncommon apply to grind them down right into a powder, which in rural areas is one thing any native grain mill will do. The ensuing “harnup tozu” or carob powder, can then be consumed sizzling with water or milk as a nutritious sizzling chocolate substitute.
In Turkey, in addition they make a “harnup pekmezi,” which is carob molasses that’s included in meals or might be consumed by the spoonful every morning.
Carob is low in energy and sugar, but packs a candy style and comes with numerous advantages as it’s excessive in protein, nutritional vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. A pure antibiotic, carob cleans the blood and veins and is sweet for the respiratory system It’s particularly utilized in winter to ease bronchial asthma and bronchitis signs.
The plant’s fibrous construction and candy style make it a wonderful element for weight reduction and it helps with digestion and intestinal actions. Carob additionally will increase sperm rely and high quality and is used to deal with impotence.
Hünnap
To not be confused with harnup, (which is carob), “hünnap,” is named jujube in English or is also known as Chinese language date. Jujube is a shrub that produces small oval fruits that style someplace between a dry pear and a bitter apple. Whereas as a fruit, they could depart a lot to be desired, the plant’s historical past is way more spectacular.
Believed to have originated in China, jujube was used to supply China’s first books, produced from woodblock printing. The fruit and its seeds are commonly utilized in Jap medication and in Turkey, the place the fruit is revered for its well being advantages and it may be a treasure often present in farmers markets each as a recent and dried fruit.
Hünnap is a robust supply of antioxidants and vitamin C and is thus good for the immune system. In Chinese language medication, it’s taken to alleviate stress and sleeplessness and supposedly used to function contraception. In Turkey, the fruit is eaten to deal with constipation and because of its excessive degree of magnesium, to alleviate muscle and bone ache.
Kudret narı
With names in English together with bitter melon, balsam pear or goya fruit, this bumpy, orange cucumber-like fruit comes from the melon and squash household. In Turkey, the fruit occurs to be named kudret narı, which interprets into English because the “mighty pomegranate.”
Whereas this fruit will not be a pomegranate in any method, it actually is mighty. There may be even a Japanese proverb that “good medication tastes bitter” and it refers back to the goya fruit, which additionally performs an element within the weight loss program of the Okinawans, identified for being an space of the world with the next focus of centenarians. Whereas in Japan, the fruit is included into dishes, in Turkey, it’s soaked in oil and brought in spoonfuls with honey. At any farmers’ market in Turkey, you possibly can spot glass jars with the bizarre-looking fruit floating in oil.
The kudret narı, which can also be utilized in Ayurveda and Chinese language medication for its detoxifying qualities, is helpful for a large variety of illnesses. It’s particularly good for sort 2 diabetes because it has a phytonutrient that lowers blood within the physique in addition to a element that will increase the metabolism of glucose. As well as, the fruit is a blood air purifier, it may possibly stimulate digestion and regulate bowel actions and in addition help in weight reduction. The oil can also be used on pores and skin problems akin to eczema.
Enginar yaprağı
Much more bitter than the bitter melon, is a tea produced from the outer artichoke leaves; nevertheless, the well being advantages of this brew make it price it. Fingers down the most effective tea for each liver cleaning and weight reduction is referred to in Turkish as enginar yaprağı çayı. Not solely does it work to burn fats, however it additionally cleans the intestines, which decreases water retention. The antioxidant cynarine, which is present in these leaves, is what assists the liver to launch toxins, whereas it additionally strengthens the bones, will increase focus and treats urinary tract infections. The dried leaves might be present in Turkey’s aktar spice retailers, however be forewarned, it could really be essentially the most bitter tea you’ll ever style.
Sığla yağı
Not for the fainthearted, the oil extracted from the sığla or günlük timber, in English the oriental candy gum timber, which might be endemic to Muğla’s Köyceğiz have been used as an natural treatment for ions. The style is troublesome to endure, however in the event you can abdomen a spoonful of the stuff each morning, you might be cured of ulcers, acid reflux disorder, indigestion and parasites. Or higher but, use it as a topical cream for pimples, burns and even hemorrhoids. Additionally known as liquid amber, the oil is produced from the tree’s resin.
Sinameki otu
Referred to as cassia in English, sinameki is a flowering plant within the legume household whose leaves are brewed in a healing tea right here in Turkey. Sinameki leaves are stated to help in eradicating parasites, treatment constipation and power irritation.
Yoğurt otu
Up to now in Turkey, yoğurt otu, which in English is called “cleaver,” was an herb utilized in cheese preparation. In truth, the plant’s lengthy clingy leaves discovered a wide range of functions in a variety of totally different nations, starting from getting used as a sieve and as a filling for mattresses. Lately, the herb is revered for its healing properties. In Turkey, it’s consumed as a tea for illnesses akin to thyroid and Hashimoto’s illness. The tea can be used on wounds and is alleged to make pores and skin shiny and taut.
Kiraz sapı
Don’t be stunned in the event you occur to see a bag stuffed with dried cherry stems as what could seem to be garbage to you, is definitely a prized potion for weight reduction. That’s proper, the stems of cherries are brewed as a tea in Turkey that’s used for detoxing, reducing ldl cholesterol and weight reduction in addition to for treating rheumatism and arthritis.
Zeytin yaprağı
From a logo of peace to the symbol of well being, the olive tree simply retains on giving. On this case, it’s the leaves of an olive tree which might be boiled as tea that offers vitality and aids in weight reduction. As well as, olive leaf tea, which in Turkish is known as zeytin yaprağı çayı, additionally decreases the discharge of the stress hormone cortisol and helps heal respiratory infections. Whereas the leaves can be found at aktar retailers, you may also simply decide and dry them your self.
Regardless that natural tea will not be more likely to hurt your well being, we might suggest you to seek the advice of along with your physician you probably have any well being circumstances or allergy symptoms earlier than consuming it.
