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Potatoes are one of those basic vegetables that have crossed cultures in the last 400 years, and no wonder! They can be baked, fried, boiled, mashed and mixed with other things. They can be a hearty part of soups and stews. If your vegetable budget is limited, potatoes provide vitamins and minerals, and can even have first-aid applications.
Native to the northern part of South America, they have become a staple across the world. But everyone should know that there are also a number of benefits and uses for potatoes that are not so commonly known. All reasons you should plant your very own backyard potato pharmacy.
Here Are Just A few “Backyard Potato Pharmacy” Uses And Benefits:
Chock full of Vitamins: Vitamin C and antioxidants help reduce cell damage and can even help prevent macular degeneration. Potatoes are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin B. To preserve the vitamins, cook the potatoes in their jackets – steam or microwave is best.
Save that Potato Water If You Get Constipated: When you boil potatoes, some of the vitamins leach into the water. If you drain them, you are draining off part of the vitamins. If you are feeling constipated, mix 2 tablespoons of potato water and 2 tablespoons of honey and drink it down to get things moving along. Drink before eating breakfast for a better outlook on the rest of the day.
Boost your Mood: If you are having a dreary day, potatoes can make it better. Seriously! Cozy some mashed potatoes up to a meal with turkey. The turkey is high in tryptophan, and the carbs in the potatoes trigger a nice insulin release (unless you eat too many) which fast-tracks tryptophan, giving it a nice quick ride to your brain, where it helps release serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood.
Relieve Itchy Skin: Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an itchy, red rash that sometimes goes with hay fever and other allergic reactions. You can relieve it by grating a potato, dip a bit of gauze bandaging in the potato juice to reduce the inflammation.
First Aid for Splinters: Grate or slice a potato, and bind it over a stubborn splinter. Alternatively, hollow out a place in a whole potato, and stick the finger or toe that has a sliver inside the potato. Leave the potato poultice on overnight, and the splinter should come out quickly and easily.
First Aid for Burns: Take the “ow!” out of minor burns by applying cold potato water or grated potato to draw out the heat.
Eliminate Dark Eye Circles: Put grated potato in a piece of thin cloth, and place it over your eyes – one sack to each eye. Relax for at least 15 minutes with the grated potato in place. Repeat daily, and the circles should start to fade.
Fast First-Aid for Boils: Boils are a painful condition, but potatoes can really help. Grate the potato, and apply the wet potato right on the boil. Chemicals that naturally occur in potatoes will help bring the boil to a head and leach out the infection. Keep the potato on the boil for 10 to 20 minutes, and then clean it thoroughly. Repeat twice daily.
