Housewives often use carrots for cooking. It not only gives an interesting taste to dishes, but also has a number of properties, thanks to which it is used in folk medicine and cosmetology.
Composition and properties of carrots
Carrots are a well-known source of β-carotene and contain tocopherol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic and ascorbic acids. This vegetable is also rich in minerals, the largest share of which is potassium. Carotene is absorbed most quickly with fat, so it is best to make salads from carrots and season them with vegetable oil or sour cream.
To strengthen the gums, it is helpful to simply nibble on raw carrots. The diet of patients with diabetes, anemia, bronchitis, liver diseases, pancreas, kidneys, cardiovascular system must include fresh or boiled carrots. This root vegetable has a diuretic, choleretic, antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant and anti-sclerotic effect. Boiled carrots contain one third more antioxidants than fresh ones; this property is used to prevent malignant tumors.
Carrot juice
In medical nutrition, it is often not the carrot itself that is used, but its freshly squeezed juice. It has a general strengthening effect, improves digestion and appetite, removes toxic substances from the body, strengthens hair, nails and has a beneficial effect on the skin. Carrot juice increases the activity of organs, adds energy and strength to the entire body. With a runny nose, it can be buried in the nose, and with a sore throat, gargle with a mixture of carrot juice, boiled water and honey.
Finely grated carrots along with juice are applied to wounds and burns. For each person, the threshold beyond which a useful drink begins to do harm is individual. But it should be remembered that it is recommended to consume no more than half a liter of carrot juice per day. Otherwise, it can cause lethargy, drowsiness, headache, and even vomiting.
Carrots in cosmetology
Cosmetologists and nutritionists also paid attention to this orange vegetable. Various diets for rejuvenation and weight loss are made on the basis of carrots and carrot juice. The sluggish skin of the face and neck is rubbed with carrot juice, which gives it elasticity and freshness. Cosmetic masks, which use carrots, smoothen fine wrinkles, have a stimulating effect, make the skin elastic and improve the complexion.
For example, to make a nutritious mask, it is enough to grate the carrots on a fine grater, apply the resulting gruel to the face and neck, and cover it with a gauze napkin on top. Hold for 15-20 minutes, rinse with cool water, then apply a nourishing cream. This mask relieves inflammation, moisturizes the skin and makes it soft.
