Buddha's fingers (or hand) is an amazing plant that drives away evil spirits. Buddha's hand - beneficial properties and contraindications of finger citron

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Find out a little more about the beneficial properties fingered citron called "Buddha's hand" ( Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis), Fo Shu, or the five-fingered mandarin, will be primarily of interest to avid travelers heading to Japan, India or the southern provinces of China. Because in our country it is almost impossible to buy this fruit.

Nowadays, the fancy fingered fruit is also cultivated on the West Coast. North America, but they do not participate in exports due to short term storage At farmers' markets in California, you can find Pho Shu, imported from Asia and Australia. But the price for such exotic fruit is high: according to eyewitnesses, for one medium-sized fruit the buyer will have to pay more than $10. For this money you can buy approximately 4 kg of lemons.

The palmate citron is a close relative of tangerines and pomelo. Has fruits unusual shape, divided into long and thin branches, reminiscent of the knobby fingers of a human hand. From here - original name"Buddha's hand" The harvest is harvested from November to January. The fruits are cut into thin elliptical plates 0.2-0.4 cm thick, which are then dried in the sun.

During Chinese New Year, it is customary to exchange Buddha hands between family members and neighbors. According to Eastern superstition, it brings good luck, peace, happiness and prosperity to the home. Some amateur gardeners grow finger citron bonsais on their windowsills.

The fruit takes part in Buddhist religious ceremonies. However, there is nothing stopping you from eating finger citron. As a rule, it does not contain seeds and has little juice.

The aroma of the fruit is pleasant: with lemon and floral notes. The pulp is light yellow, sometimes almost white, and has a bittersweet specific taste that not everyone will like. But there are also real connoisseurs. For example, chef Julie Logue-Riordan found hints of coconut, macadamia nut, banana, caramel and cinnamon in the taste of Buddha's Hands. However, mainly the zest is eaten.

Most important advantages for good health:

• relieves pain;
• helps with gastrointestinal disorders;
• strengthens the immune system;
• fights inflammation;
• normalizes menstruation;
• reduces blood pressure;
• used in the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases.

Most of the listed beneficial properties of the Buddha's hands have been confirmed by recent scientific research, but some still remain outside the scope of official medicine.

1. The analgesic properties of fruits are explained by the characteristics of their chemical composition, in particular - the content of coumarin, lymettin, limonin (a bitter substance found in lemon seeds) and diosmin. The fruit pulp and zest also contain the substances bergapten and aurantimarin, the beneficial qualities of which scientists have yet to discover.
2. According to the Journal of Food and Clinical Toxicology, the product is characterized by anti-inflammatory properties: Buddha's hand relieves swelling and pain associated with inflammatory processes caused by various reasons: from serious injuries and operations to bruises and contusions.
3. In alternative medicine, finger citron is used to treat respiratory diseases. Buddha's hand decoction acts as an effective expectorant for severe coughs.
4. For indigestion, diarrhea, cramps and bloating, and constipation, these unusual fruits will be very useful. Eating them reduces inflammation of the gastric mucosa and normalizes intestinal motility.
5. Buddha's hand - effective remedy for menstrual discomfort. Many women suffering from heavy periods, often accompanied by cramps, severe pain and mood swings, have already appreciated beneficial features unusual citron.
6. A specific polysaccharide found in the fruit stimulates the activity of macrophages (white blood cells whose activity is aimed at fighting infections), thereby increasing the speed and effectiveness of the immune response. Eating Buddha's hands during a cold or flu can significantly speed up recovery.
7. An alcoholic extract based on finger citron acts as a vasodilator, relaxes and dilates coronary vessels, increases blood circulation, effectively reduces blood pressure and the risks of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
8. The journal Herbal Medicine Research (2007) published the results of scientific research showing that limonin and terpinene in Buddha's hands prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
9. The anti-cancer properties of Fo Shu are well known to the medical community. Since 1992, a series of experiments have been conducted confirming the antitumor activity of limonin, a key component of the finger citron. This flavonoid causes regression of breast and colorectal cancer, but is not toxic to healthy cells.
10. Thanks to the high concentration of vitamin C and some nutrients Fruit peels relieve asthma symptoms in children.

Unusual recipes

In Chinese medicine, the Buddha's hand occupies important place. The fruit is believed to span 3 meridians human body: liver, spleen and lungs. IN medicinal purposes It is recommended to take 3 to 6 g of decoction or tincture per day.

Porridge

Strengthens the spleen, is good for the stomach, relieves pain.

Ingredients:

• 100 g of polished short-grain rice;
• 15 g Buddha fingers;
• 30 g crystal sugar.

Boil the citron fruit pieces along with the zest in a small saucepan and remove them from the liquid. Add rice along with crystalline sugar into the resulting broth and cook the porridge.

Health drink

Citron tea improves appetite and calms nervous system, regulates liver function. It can be drunk both hot and cold.

Brew dried fruit slices, let it brew and add sugar to taste.

A teaspoon of chopped zest can be safely added to refreshing cocktails, juice, soda, various marinades, soy sauce, sweet breads, buns, cupcakes, chocolate frosting and tamarind paste.

It’s easy to prepare a bright, spicy dressing (dressing) for salad: add crushed citron peels vegetable oil, a pinch of salt, a drop lemon juice, a little sugar, thyme and garlic. Leave the ingredients to marinate in the bowl overnight. In the morning the gas station will be ready.

Precautions and contraindications

Despite the numerous and truly impressive health benefits, there are some concerns about eating these fruits.

Some useful and harmful properties the hands of the Buddha are still under close study by specialists. Although thousands of years of successful use of the fruit as part of unconventional therapeutic methods testify in its favor.

However, you should discuss with your doctor if you want to add finger citron to your diet. For example, the fruit is contraindicated in case of low blood pressure and after suffering from dysentery.

Compatibility with other products

Since Buddha's hand is a new fruit for many, this little culinary guide will help you prepare delicious dishes with his participation. Finger citron is combined with the following products:

1. Vegetables: Bell pepper, tomatoes, bamboo shoots, asparagus, fern.
2. Fruits: orange, calamondin, lime, star fruit, passion fruit, apricot, nectarine, pomegranate, dates, kiwi, tamarind, sea buckthorn, raw papaya.
3. Herbs, spices and oils: cocoa, chocolate, jasmine, orange blossom, mint, honey, maple syrup, coconut and olive oil, vinegar, white wine, vodka, amaretto, rum, salt, pepper, lemon and orange juice, soy sauce, mustard, wasabi, rice vinegar, thyme, lavender, Chinese lemongrass.
4. Other foods with which the Buddha's hand is in culinary harmony: beans, rice, green and black tea.

Subtleties of choice

1. If you manage to find this unusual fruit while traveling, pay attention to its packaging - it should not be damaged.
2. Like other citrus fruits, the waxy rind of ripe Buddha's Hands is yellow or bright orange with no signs of mold.
3. Avoid fruits with limp or dry skin.
4. When ripe, finger citron becomes surprisingly fragrant, filling the surrounding space with a fresh lemon trail.
5. Gently scratch the peel with your fingernail: if an oily mark remains on your finger, the fruit is ready to eat.

In China and Japan, the dried peel of Buddha's hands is used to scent linen closets, or simply hang citron circles around the house to attract good luck and support. Have a good mood. Need to try!

Buddha fingers or finger citron

Citron is the very first citrus plants, who found themselves in the Mediterranean 300 years BC, with the army of Alexander the Great. And in Mesopotamia they knew about citron 4 thousand years BC. which was confirmed by excavations of Ancient Nyiprus and Babylonia.

Hand of Buddha, Citron, cedrate (Citrus medica) also has names: “Corsican” - Corsican lemon, “Diamond” - Sicilian citron, “Ethrog” Israeli spindle-shaped citron, fingers (or hand) of Buddha, in China called “fu shou”, "Bushukon" in Japan, "Layamau Yari", "Jerek tangan", "Layamau lingtang kerat" in Malaysia, "Dhiruk tangan" in Indonesia, "som-mu" in Thailand, "Phat-cht" in Vietnam.

The citron is notable for the fact that it has huge and very fragrant fruits, bears fruit well, but is very heat-loving and does not tolerate cold well. IN room conditions reaches up to 1.5 meters. It has large, slightly wavy, eleptic, shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are large, solitary or in inflorescences, white with a reddish tint, bisexual or functionally male. Of all citrus fruits it has the most large fruits– their length is 12-40 cm. Oblong, yellow, sometimes orange with a very thick peel 2.5 - 5 cm. In shape, the fruits are oblong, reminiscent of a bunch of bananas with a ribbed surface. All parts of the plant, flowers and fruits, are unusually fragrant.

At its core, the Buddha's hand is an unusual type of lemon, which very often contains nothing but the peel. This fruit is attractive not only for its unusual appearance, but also with aromatic properties: tea is brewed from it, jam, marmalade and perfume are made. Candied fruits are prepared from citron peel.

Citron acid clears the complexion and reduces freckles. The prepared ointment helps in the treatment of lichen. Due to the fact that citron fruits have a bactericidal effect, decoctions and lotions can be used in the treatment of various infections. A decoction of leaves and flowers has a tonic effect on the scalp and hair follicles, which gives the hair a healthier color. If you hold the citron peel in your mouth for a while, it will freshen your breath and give it a pleasant smell.

But in China, Buddha's fingers are kept at home as a talisman that brings good luck, happiness, longevity and drives away various evil spirits from the house.

Citron is not at all the same as citrus in our understanding. This is a plant from the genus Citrus of the Rutaceae family. Citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, are also plants from the Citrus genus of the Rutaceae family. That is, they are all “brothers” to the citron. And they all differ from each other, both in appearance and in properties.

Surely you have sometimes bought strange lemons at the market - the peel is thick, lumpy, there is very little pulp inside and no juice either. Usually such lemons are considered “empty”, either from lying for a long time, or an unsuccessful variety. In fact, these are not lemons, but citrons.

Distinctive feature appearance- lumpy, knobby skin. The aroma is spicier and less “sour” than lemon. The peel can be up to five centimeters thick. Consequently, there is no more room left for pulp and juice inside. But in citron the pulp is not used, but the peel is used. Candied fruits are made from citron, jam is made, lemonade is made, used in cosmetics and perfumes, added to tea or eaten raw directly with the peel.

There is one unique specimen in the citron family that does not look like citrus fruits because it looks like... a human hand with curved different sides or fingers together. His name - buddha hand. This fruit is remarkable because it has the most fragrant fruits and the most marvelous shape of all members of the family. Lovers of exotic indoor plants love to grow it.

Plant care

Caring for Buddha's hand is no more difficult than caring for other indoor citrus fruits, such as lemons. It is perhaps the most heat-loving of all its relatives - it dies even with short-term exposure subzero temperatures. But in the apartment on the windowsill in winter time feels quite good and is actively bearing fruit. Total weight one fruit grown in an apartment rarely reaches more than 500 grams. The skin of the Buddha's Hand citron is not too thick, lumpy, inside there is pulp and not too sour, but aromatic juice.

Citron can be grown from a seedling, from a cutting or from seeds. Seeds are sown in March in a special substrate for citrus fruits. The seeds sprout within three weeks. For further growth and development, they need to be provided with a warm place without drafts and direct rays of the sun. Sun rays he is oppressed and not allowed to develop normally.

In summer, the seedling can be taken out into the air, protecting it from the sun and draft. Watering is necessary abundantly, preventing the coma from drying out. Water is used room temperature, settled. It is also necessary to support high humidity air by spraying or pallets with wet expanded clay.

In winter, the Buddha's hand citron should be kept in a bright, cool room with a temperature of +14...16°C. A period of rest with a decrease in temperature is required. Watering is also reduced.

A citron grown from a cutting or seedling begins to bear fruit in the third year. If you grow a Buddha hand from a seed, you will have to wait seven to eight years for fruiting.

Citron has been used since ancient times as a vitamin-containing and medicinal plant, which has strong bactericidal properties. Application of citron from seasickness and as an antidote was described by Pliny. Citron fruits are also used to normalize work digestive system, in the treatment of diseases respiratory tract, with toxicosis in pregnant women, dysentery and rheumatism. It is used in massage creams to enhance subcutaneous blood flow, in shampoos to saturate hair with vitamins and eliminate dandruff. Essential oil used in aromatherapy, as an antiseptic and antibiotic. The bactericidal properties of citron are stronger than those of lemon. Citron disinfects the air and repels insects.