Devesil

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The devesil (Levisticum officinale Koch) is a perennial plant of the parsley and carrot family - Apiaceae, which reaches 1-2 meters in height. It is known to us as an indispensable spice for fish soups and soups or for roast lamb, but devesil has much greater potential if we talk about healing properties. The strong, rich and specific incense aroma of devesila is distinctive. It is initially characterized by a bitter, and after a short time becomes fragrant - bitter taste.

Devesil is known even with the names selim, rusalin, levushtyan or lyushtyan, and the very name devesil, according to popular beliefs, meant "nine forces" - so received the one who sprinkled it abundantly in his food or drank a decoction of devesil.

Homeland devesila is Central Asia and Europe. A close plant is the Scottish devesil, which grows in northern Great Britain and on the Atlantic coast of North America. Devesil was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is mentioned by the medieval author Hildegard from the 11th century. During this period it was used mainly for the preparation of tonic drinks.

Famous healers such as Hippocrates, Avicenna, Galen recommend devesil boiled or soaked in wine for brain diseases, to dispel swelling - internal and external, against nocturnal urination, and mixed with honey - to cleanse and strengthen the body in case of poisoning. General Suvorov, on the other hand, during the transition through the Alps, gave his soldiers a tincture of devesil to increase forces.

Composition of devesila

For centuries, even millennia, people have known the healing power of devesila, which, on top of everything, was almost instantaneous. They called the leaves of devesila magical, magical, probably because of the strong healing effect of essential oils. Devesil contains essential oil, which in the rhizome is up to 1%.

There are also resins, furanocoumarins, lecithin, sugars, organic acids, enzymes, tannins. Its roots are rich in essential oils, sugars, minerals, organic acids, resins, coumarin, pectin, starch. From the underground parts and fruits is obtained essential oil, which serves as a spice.

Devesil contains

- volatile oil (about 70% phthalide)

- coumarins (including bergapten, psoral and umbeliferon)

- vegetable acids

- beta-sitosterol

- resins

- sticky substances

Storage of devesil

Store dried devesil leaves in well-sealed jars at a temperature not exceeding 15 degrees. There should be no direct access to light or other heat sources. Stored in this way the leaves retain their useful properties for a long time. Devesil is kept very well frozen in the freezer.

Culinary use of devesil

Loved as a spice for fish soup and various dishes with lamb, devesil is widely used in cooking. For a dish of 4 servings, one medium-sized rhizome is enough. The leaves, fruits and rhizome of the plant are used.

The roots and fruits of the plant are good antiseptics and are therefore often added to pickles and canned meat. Fresh devesil is a suitable spice for chicken soups, beans, sauces and heavier meats. The fruits are used to pickle vegetables, along with bay leaf, black pepper and allspice.

Combine the rhizome of devesila with parsley, dill, vegetables for soups, black and red pepper, marjoram and garlic. The fresh roots of devesila are a great spice for salads, chicken soups, beans and various meat dishes. Devesila leaves, fresh or dried, are an indispensable spice for fish soup.

It is recommended to put them shortly after the start of cooking. You can dry devesil leaves, store them in tightly closed bags in a dry place and keep the aroma of devesil in your kitchen all year round. If you do not have time for such self-initiatives, you can always find a packet of dried devesil in the nearest grocery store.

Benefits of devesila

For centuries, traditional medicine has relied on devesila for a rather problematic condition. Devesil causes secretions mainly from the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, tones the body, stimulates the excretory system, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems and has a pronounced antispasmodic effect on smooth muscles.

For medicinal purposes is used mainly the rhizome of devesila lack of appetite, colic in the stomach and intestines, as an expectorant, gas, cholagogue, menstrual regulator. Devesil relieves menstrual pain because it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It supports the heart and is a good remedy for neurasthenia. As early as 1882, devesil was found to prevent the spread of tuberculous mycobacteria. It is also a strong diuretic, as it helps in the formation of urine and the removal of harmful toxins from the body. It is used against profuse sweating and in some skin diseases.

Also devesil has the ability to soften the activity of the stomach and intestines, has a very good and fast effect on overcoming exhaustion and internal weakness due to other diseases, cough and asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, clears the bile and eliminates swelling caused by internal diseases. It also calms the nervous system. The decoction of its roots, mixed with a little vinegar and nettle helps to heal deep wounds, removes rashes and stops hair loss. Tea or cold extract from the roots of devesil heals and cleanses the whole body.

As both the roots of parsley and those of devesil serve to impose on the affected area in the bites of poisonous insects - both with fresh roots and their decoction has a very healing effect. It is applied externally for itchy skin, wounds, fungus on the legs, for muscle, bone and joint diseases, for severe pain and cramps, baths with a decoction of the roots, as well as the whole plant, and bandages give a very quick and good effect.

In 1/2 liter of water or red wine boil for 10-15 minutes 1-2 tbsp. from fresh or dried roots. Drink 2-3 times a day for 1 tsp. This recipe is also used for prevention - protects blood vessels from multiple sclerosis.

For internal use: 1 tsp crushed rhizomes are flooded with 0.5 liters of boiling water, soaked for 3-4 hours, filtered and divided into 3 equal parts. Take in the morning, noon and evening before meals. Devesil juice is used for worms.

Recipe for devesil powder

The dried roots are ground to a powder in a coffee grinder and placed in jars for long-term storage. They are used for making sauces, soups, porridges, etc.

Recipe for devesil tea

To prepare fragrant and useful devesil tea you need 500 ml of water and 1/2 tablespoon of dried devesil. Boil the mixture for about a minute, then remove from the heat, simmer for 15 minutes and strain. Drink tea in 6 servings a day - morning, noon and before meals. Drinking devesil tea for medicinal purposes can last up to 3 months.

Harm from devesila

Although quite useful, devesil can in some cases have side effects. It is contraindicated to takes devesil during pregnancy. Sufferers of acute nephritis should also not use devesil. It is a good idea to consult a doctor under your supervision to plan treatment with devesil.

It's considered that devesil is not a suitable spice for more nervous and expressive people, because it can cause headaches and malaise. It is possible that devesil in very large quantities can cause sexual problems, but the herb is still used in moderate doses, so this risk is very small.