Content
- 1 Is it possible for a person to eat oak acorns
- 2 Chemical composition
- 3 Medicinal properties and how are oak acorns useful for humans
- 4 Application in traditional medicine
- 5 How can you use and what to cook from oak acorns
- 6 Contraindications to the use of oak acorns
- 7 Collection and procurement
- 8 Conclusion
Acorns are the fruits of plants belonging to the Beech family. However, this name usually means oak kernels. You can eat acorns. The fruits are the basis for the preparation of various healthy dishes.
Can a person eat oak acorns
The fruits have a rather unusual shape. A smooth grain of small size is enclosed in a kind of cap, called a plus. The fruits are a storehouse of nutrients.
You can eat acorns. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just wild animals that feed on fruits. They are used for cosmetic and medical purposes. The widespread use of oak acorns is due to the presence of medicinal qualities.
Chemical composition
The energy value of oak acorns is quite impressive. The composition of the fruits is diverse:
- proteinaceous substances that include glutamic acid;
- fatty oil;
- Sahara;
- quercetin;
- carbohydrates;
- ash;
- water;
- retinol;
- thiamine (B1);
- riboflavin (B2);
- pantothenic acid (B5);
- pyridoxine (B6);
- folates (B9);
- vitamin PP;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- iron;
- copper;
- manganese;
- zinc;
- essential amino acids (arginine, histidine, valine, isoleucine, lysine, leucine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan);
- nonessential amino acids (aspartic and glutamic acids, alanine, glycine, proline, tyrosine, serine, cysteine).
Oak acorns are rich in fatty acids:
- palmitic;
- Omega-6;
- oleic or Omega-9;
- stearic;
- linoleic.
Attention! Dried oak acorns are more nutritious.
Medicinal properties and how are oak acorns useful for humans
The beneficial effect on the body is due to the nutrients that make up the fruit. The use of oak acorns in food contributes to:
- fast tissue regeneration;
- ARVI prevention;
- slowing down aging;
- improving metabolic processes and visual acuity;
- accelerated growth of nails and hair;
- lowering lipid and bad cholesterol levels;
- preserving the beauty of the skin;
- assimilation of vitamins;
- maintaining immunity;
- normalization of the nervous system, digestive organs;
- elimination of toxins;
- regulation of hormonal levels;
- stimulation of serotonin production.
Oak fruits have the following properties:
- antihistamine;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiallergic;
- anti-cancer;
- bactericidal.
The benefits of acorn flour
There is an opinion that it was from oak fruits that bread was originally prepared. The peculiarities of the chemical composition give the product an astringent and bitter taste. To eliminate it, oak acorns are soaked or heated before making bread.
Despite the fact that the fruits were used for food mainly by the poor, their nutritional qualities are comparable to olives and cocoa beans.The use of flour for culinary purposes has a positive effect on the nervous system, increasing stress resistance. The powder is considered a good thickener for liquid products.
Application in traditional medicine
Oak acorns have beneficial properties. They are used for pathologies of the respiratory system:
- bronchitis
- asthma;
- tracheitis.
With the help of products made on the basis of oak fruits, blood vessels and the heart can be treated. The drugs are indispensable for diseases of the genitourinary system, digestive tract. The juice is used to eliminate toothache and gum disease.
With diabetes
Oak acorns help normalize blood glucose levels. The fruits are rubbed on a fine grater and taken for seven days. The dosage is one teaspoon of the product, taken twice a day. When consumed, the mass is washed down with water.
With anemia
For the manufacture of a healing agent, unripe oak acorns are used. The fruits are peeled and squeezed out. The drink is consumed in a tablespoon three times a day.
With pancreatitis
To reduce the severity of signs of pathology, caps of oak acorns are used. A tablespoon of raw materials is dried in a dark and ventilated room. Then the acorn caps are poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for three hours in a warm place. The agent is taken three times a day 30 minutes before meals.
In case of poisoning
To eliminate signs of disruption of the digestive system, a healing agent is used. A teaspoon of chopped oak acorns is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 15 minutes. Before use, the drug is filtered. It is taken half a glass three times a day.
How can you use and what to cook from oak acorns
The fruits have been eaten for centuries. They are popular in Korea and North America. Only ripe oak acorns are suitable for food purposes. The absence of visible damage is essential. Sprouted specimens and capless fruits cannot be used in cooking.
Oak acorns are eaten roasted and dried. They are used to make cakes and peculiar sweets by grinding to small crumbs.
Coffee
The drink is useful for diseases of the digestive system. The remedy is drunk for two weeks three times a day, two tablespoons. The drink is recommended to replace regular coffee in chronic hypertension. When milk is added, an effective cough suppressant is obtained.
To make coffee, oak acorns are baked in the oven until a pinkish hue is obtained. Then they are cooled, cleaned and ground in a coffee grinder. A teaspoon of powder is poured with boiling water, the agent is infused for five minutes. Filter the drink before drinking it.
Porridge
To prepare the dish, take dried oak fruits, which must be pre-crushed. Bring water and milk (1: 2) to a boil, add salt to taste. For a glass of cereal, use 2.5 liters of liquid. After the porridge has swollen, butter is added. The mass is placed in the oven for 40 minutes.
Bread
A bag of dry yeast is diluted in half a liter of milk or boiled water, a little sugar and a pinch of salt are added. The mass is kneaded. Then add wheat flour.The dough is covered with a towel and placed in a warm place. The dough is kneaded after 20 minutes.
In the dough, you need to add wheat and acorn flour (100 and 800 g, respectively), as well as melted butter (50 g). After kneading, the dough is divided into two portions, bread is formed. It is baked in the oven for 40 minutes (at a temperature of 200 ° C).
Tortillas
In a water bath, heat 30 g of sour cream, add the same amount of acorn flour. The mixture is brought to a boil with constant stirring, cooled. Then hard cheese is rubbed and added to the previously prepared mass. The tortillas are cooked in hot oil. Sugar can be added if desired.
Soup
To prepare the first course, bring water or milk (250 g) to a boil. Acorn grits (30 g) are added. The mixture is cooked over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
Contraindications to the use of oak acorns
The fruits contain quercetin. This substance is toxic to the human body. Eating oak acorns raw can provoke unpleasant consequences. To reduce the risk of developing unwanted effects, you need to soak the fruits for 12 hours or more. The water is changed periodically. Only after the procedure has been completed, you can proceed to the heat treatment of oak acorns.
Since the fruits are rather slow in digestion, they are not recommended for use in case of stomach disorders. Fruit-based drugs and dishes are not used in case of individual intolerance.
Collection and procurement
An acorn can be not only beneficial, but also harmful to humans. This should be remembered when purchasing raw materials. Oak acorns ripen in the fall. Their collection covers the period from September to October. Ripe specimens are subject to harvesting, without signs of defeat. Harvesting without a cap is not recommended. Oak acorns must not be germinated. Otherwise, valuable properties are lost.
The raw materials are stored in a dry place. It is important to ensure that there is no direct sunlight and adequate ventilation.
Conclusion
Oak acorns can be eaten after being pre-soaked and treated accordingly. Raw materials are widely used in folk medicine for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, due to its rich composition. The drugs made from oak fruits have a minimum of contraindications. The therapy is recommended to be carried out in the autumn season.
