Arugula is a wonderful, nutritious and very vitamin plant. Its benefits and possible harm to health are known to us. You can grow this useful herb in your summer cottage. Arugula is useful for diabetes, obesity, increases hemoglobin, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, it will take its rightful place in the garden with greens.
Content:
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What is arugula, description
Arugula is an herb in the cruciferous family. In Russia, it is called caterpillar or indau. Arugula is the Italian name for a plant that has become popular in everyday life. In the restaurant you can buy a salad from and other dishes with the addition of this spicy herb. Her aroma is mustard-pepper with nutty notes.
Arugula in the garden
Rucola grows (this is also the correct name) on dry, loose land in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In Russia, it is mistaken for a weed and fed to pets. In many European countries, arugula is grown as a salad plant. The largest plantations are in Venice, Italy.
The plant is an annual, not particularly ornamental, but has a peculiar, pleasant smell. Stem up to 40 cm high, branched, with villi. The fleshy green leaves are also dotted with sparse villi or smooth, the lower ones are dissected with serrated lobes. Small light yellow flowers are collected in a raceme inflorescence. Small brown seeds ripen in pods.
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Valuable nutritional properties of arugula are explained by its chemical composition. Although the plant has been known since antiquity, it was only at the end of the 20th century that they began to study it. In the Mediterranean countries during the Roman Empire, this herb was considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
Arugula has an extensive chemical composition
Chemical composition:
- vitamins - E, C, A, K, group B
- mineral elements - zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, selenium, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and iron
- flavonoids
- tannins
- sulforaphane - a plant organic compound with antibacterial and anticancer effects
- glucosinolates - phytonutrients that are biologically active substances, entering the body, work as powerful antioxidants
- diindolylmethane - a substance that has an antitumor effect
Arugula owes its sharp, bitter taste to its constituent glucosinolates. These substances are able to trap carcinogens that enter the body with food and drugs, they reduce the risk of cancer cells. After gastrointestinal illness, glucosinolates may not be broken down in the intestines. Therefore, to obtain maximum benefit, it is necessary to restore the normal intestinal microflora.
Arugula is low-calorie, it contains 94% water, you should not expect a big burst of energy from the use of this herb. Another thing, if you season it with pizza or meat salad.
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Beneficial features
Including arugula in your daily diet can improve health. You can get the maximum benefit from the plant by eating it fresh, as an additive to various salads, sauces and side dishes.
Arugula Promotes Health
Beneficial features:
- reduces blood cholesterol levels due to the content of plant fiber
- is a cancer preventive
- contains special anticancer substances
- diindolylmethane destroys papilloma virus
- improves blood clotting, supports the health of nerve cells, thanks to vitamin K (100 g of arugula provides a daily requirement of this vitamin)
- relieves swelling thanks to potassium
- has a diuretic effect
- has a positive effect on digestion
- has a lactogenic effect
- has expectorant and antibacterial action
- strengthens the immune system
- helps in the prevention of thyroid disease due to its iodine content
- enhances sexual desire, increases potency
- normalizes blood pressure
In addition, arugula greens contain 2.36% essential oil with a large amount of carotenoids., from which the body synthesizes vitamin A. This oil is useful for thinning capillaries and hair loss. Benefits can be obtained both when eating greens and when applied externally. Arugula is included in the masks for the face and hair.
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There are no completely harmless foods, for everyone there is a contraindication. So arugula can cause allergies in some people.
Arugula can cause allergies
It is not recommended to use the herb during pregnancy, and when breastfeeding, on the contrary, it is very useful, as it increases the amount of milk in the mammary glands.
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Application in home cosmetology
Arugula is used in home cosmetology for skin care of the face, décolleté and neck. Useful substances that it contains have a rejuvenating effect, moisturize, tone, heal and disinfect.
Arugula has a rejuvenating effect
Grass is valued for such substances:
- glucosoinolates - serve as the prevention of oncology, including melanoma, skin cancer
- vitamin K - helps to get rid of dark spots, puffiness and rosacea
- oleic and linoleic acids - give the skin elasticity and firmness, slow down aging, moisturize and soften
- sulfur - gives the skin radiance and a beautiful tone, has a healing and antimicrobial effect, relieves acne
- diindolylmethane - prevents the formation of warts and papillomas
Face masks with arugula greens are done 3 times a week, 1 time per day. Before applying the nutritional composition, the skin is cleansed and steamed so that the healing substances penetrate deeper into the pores and have the most positive effect.
Softening mask for peeling
lemon juice - 1 tsp
arugula - 3 tbsp. l
Recipe from the vascular network
potato juice - 3 tbsp. l
sour cream - 1 tbsp. l
Mask whitening and moisturizing
grated zucchini pulp - 3 tbsp. l
crushed arugula pulp - 3 tbsp. l
For skin elasticity
For this recipe you will need one teaspoon of olive oil.
olive oil - 1 tsp
chopped arugula - 3 tbsp. l
Recipe for wrinkles
cucumber - 0.5 pcs
arugula juice - 2 tbsp. l
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Arugula seed oil is a useful product for everyone who takes care of their health. It is prepared by cold pressing, thanks to which all useful substances are preserved.
Arugula seed oil
The composition of the oil includes the following components:
- mustard oil
- fatty oil
- erucic acid
- linoleic, linolenic and oleic acid
- steroids
- thioglycosides
- flavonoids
- alkaloids
Thanks to the flavonoid quercetin, swelling and inflammation on the skin go away, it is a strong antioxidant. Adding arugula oil to food is beneficial for hypertension and sarcoidosis. The oil is used externally in cosmetology to strengthen hair, it is added to therapeutic face masks, shampoos, creams.
Useful properties of oil:
- restoration of the nervous system
- normalization of metabolism
- hair strengthening
- skin rejuvenation and cleansing
- cancer prevention
- improvement of the digestive tract
Since the healing properties of the oil became known (and this happened, according to history, a very long time ago), women have been using it in order to grow beautiful and healthy hair.
Arugula oil helps to cure seborrhea, strengthens hair follicles, prevents baldness, normalizes the moisture level in curls, stimulates their growth, and protects against negative factors. It is useful to lubricate the split ends of the hair with arugula oil, and make masks for the scalp. Masks rarely use pure oil, more often it is mixed with various components to achieve the best effect. Some interesting recipes for you:
Recipe for strengthening hair follicles
Mix equal amounts of almond and arugula oil
arugula oil - 2 tbsp. l
Recipe for hair loss and dandruff
arugula oil - 3 tbsp. l
red ground pepper - 1 tsp
Mask to give a healthy shine to dry, weakened curls
This recipe is based on honey and egg yolk.
sesame oil - 1 tbsp. l
honey - 1 tsp
yolk - 1 pc.
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Arugula in the garden
Arugula is an annual plant 20–25 cm high, some specimens grow up to 60 cm. It has an interesting leaf shape and a pleasant, pungent aroma. It is grown on a personal plot or at home on a windowsill in containers with earth. The only requirement for quality care is an abundance of sun and timely watering.
Sowing seeds
Arugula seeds
Seeds are sown in rows at a distance of 30-40 cm. The sowing depth should be about 1.5 cm. Before sowing, the furrows are watered. The first shoots will appear in 5-7 days. When they grow a little, they need to be thinned out, leaving 8–10 cm between plants.
This is a moisture-loving and cold-resistant culture, seedlings withstand frosts down to -6 degrees. Arugula seeds can be sown from early spring to autumn, every 2-3 weeks.
The plant loves the sun, but in the heat for sowing, you can choose a site with moderate shading. Otherwise, no special care is required. Arugula is suitable for any soil except acidic. It is sown from April to August, it ripens in 20-25 days.
Pests and diseases
When planning a place for planting arugula, be sure to take into account what will grow nearby. Due to the fact that this is a representative of the Cabbage family, there should not be cabbage plants nearby. They share common pests and diseases, such as cruciferous flea beetles, and can destroy young shoots within a few days.
cruciferous flea
At the first signs of damage - small holes on the leaves, lightly water the plants with water on top, and pollinate with wood ash. The treatment is repeated after a few days.
Care
It is easy to take care of the plant, it is undemanding to the conditions of detention, and requires minimal care. It is necessary to loosen the aisles, remove weeds, do not forget to water. Abundant watering is needed at least once a week. If you water the grass rarely, it will quickly release flower stalks.
Arugula needs minimal care
A few plants are left to seed to be sown next spring after the snow melts. The rest of the grass is cut before the peduncles appear, while it is tender and contains not much sharpness and bitterness.
How to grow on a windowsill?
You can grow arugula greens at any time of the year on the windowsill in the apartment. A month after sowing, the seed can be obtained juicy and fragrant leaves for salad.
Seeds are sown in a plastic container with drainage holes at the bottom. They are pre-soaked for a day in water with the addition of aloe juice (1 tsp per 1 tbsp of water) or in a honey solution (1/4 tsp of honey per 1 tbsp of water). The solution is well impregnated with a napkin, seeds are poured on it, put in a bright place.
Growing arugula at home
Drainage is poured at the bottom of the landing tank - expanded clay, pebbles, pieces of foam or brick chips. Above - universal primer. Moisten the soil, transfer the prepared seeds to its surface with a toothpick. Sprinkle on top with a layer of earth (0.5 cm). Cover the container with cling film.
Shoots from fresh seeds appear 2-3 days after sowing. The greenhouse is opened, transferred to a bright, warm window sill. Moisturize, preventing strong drying of the soil from the spray gun.
When 3-4 true leaves appear on the seedlings, a pick is carried out in separate containers. You can use 250 ml plastic cups for seedlings with a drainage hole at the bottom. When the arugula bushes grow up, they can be planted in larger pots.
Water the seedlings regularly, preventing the soil from drying out.. With a lack of moisture in the soil, the taste of arugula deteriorates, it becomes too spicy and bitter.
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Arugula is not recommended to be cut with a knife
Arugula is used as a healthy side dish for meat, fish and legumes dishes, it improves digestion, and perfectly sets off the taste of food. Its green leaves during the preparation of culinary dishes should not be subjected to prolonged heat treatment. They are best eaten fresh, paired with spinach and fresh lettuce.
Salad of arugula, shrimp and vegetables
Products:
Cooking:
- Boiled-frozen shrimp are poured over with boiling water, and the shell is cleaned from them.
- Pour oil into a frying pan, put peeled garlic, cut in halves.
- When it turns red, they take it out with a spoon and throw it away, and prepared shrimp are lowered into fragrant garlic oil. They should be fried on each side for half a minute.
- Now you can collect salad on a plate. To do this, arugula leaves, washed and dried beforehand, are placed on a dish, on top - shrimp and cherry tomatoes cut in half.
- Pour everything with a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and lemon juice, sprinkle with grated cheese.
The finished salad can be mixed, sprinkled with cheese again, and garnished with arugula and cherry leaves.
Salad with mozzarella and arugula
Products:
- cherry tomatoes - 4 pcs
- apple cider vinegar - 1.5 tbsp. l
- salt and pepper - to your taste
- mozzarella - 225 g
- arugula - 5 g
- olive oil - 3 tbsp. l
Cooking:
- Slice the mozzarella cheese.
- The same thickness cut circles of tomatoes.
- Lay the salad on a plate, alternating tomatoes and cheese, placing arugula leaves between them.
- Drizzle with olive oil mixed with vinegar, salt and pepper.
The dish is topped with whole arugula leaves.
Arugula and Bean Salad
Products:
- canned red beans - 400 g
- arugula - 300 g
- sweet pepper - 2 pcs
- garlic - 2 teeth
- cheese - 300 g
- sour cream or homemade mayonnaise - 100 g
- salt and pepper - to your taste
Cooking:
- Rucola is torn into small pieces by hand.
- Wash the beans.
- Bryndza cut into cubes.
- Add chopped sweet pepper, chopped garlic, salt, pepper.
- Put all the components of the salad in a bowl, and season to taste with sour cream, homemade mayonnaise or natural yogurt.
All salads should be eaten fresh, immediately after preparation. During long-term storage, useful substances are destroyed. It is also delicious to use arugula in fish sauce, it perfectly beats off the fishy smell, replacing lemon.
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Arugula leaves
Arugula is chosen by its appearance. The leaves should be juicy and green, without spots and yellowness.
store greenery in the refrigerator, separate from fruits and vegetables. The ethylene gas emitted by the fruits contributes to the rapid yellowing and spoilage of arugula.
There are two storage options.
Arugula can be bought in a store, grown in a summer cottage or a windowsill. This herb will justify all hopes and expectations, it is incredibly useful and, most importantly, affordable.
What is useful arugula, and what to cook from it
Arugula: its benefits and harms to the health of men and women, cultivation, use in cooking, salad recipes (Photo & Video) + Reviews
