The Pirates of the Caribbean makeup artists gave us a glimpse of what the old sailors may have looked like.
Toothless, dark gums, bruised, rashed skin and pale. Maybe a bit exaggerated, but not too far-fetched considering the poor seafarer diet at the time.
After a long time at sea, sailors during the old times notice that they are developing symptoms of what will be later known as Scurvy.
They later notice that bringing a good supply of lime and vegetables in their voyage somehow helped with the symptoms.
It would take another 200 years before we discover the magic behind it: Vitamin C.
It's a great example of how practical solution preceded scientific understanding.
But that's the point.
The difference between eating vegetables and taking supplements is this: Vitamin X.
We'll never know what other undiscovered vitamins are in our food that's causing us to heal. We'll never know what nature has in store for us. There's this undiscovered "X" factor.
In my country, we have a flowering weed we call Black Jack. Bidens Pilosa. You might have not heard of it, but it's everywhere. And might just be around your corner and not even know it!
It's not invasive, but let's just say that this plant and seeds can cling into almost anything. So you can imagine it spreading far and wide from the Americas to all over the world just clinging into some Spanish conquistador's shoe.
Despite it being seen as a nuisance and weeded out by my neighbors often, Black Jack is a master healer in disguise, hiding with it several health benefits.
So next time you see one in your backyard, consider drying them for your next tea, or adding them to salads!
Here's a shellfish soup I made earlier with some fresh Black Jacks added to it:
Curious about the plant sprouting around my favorite spot in the mountains one fine day, I pulled up Google Lens and started to scan the flowers. That's when I started to learn about its health benefits and surprised to know that a lot of locals do use it to treat postpartum symptoms we generally call "Bughat".
My research became personally useful when months later I suffered from hypertension. I'd go to the mountains and harvest a few, which sparks conversations with locals both aware and unaware of its use.
I'd put it in my soups, teas and rice porridge. Like the sailors of the 16th century unaware of Vitamin C, it's difficult for me to track its effects. I only know of its benefits from other people's research. And while it does make me feel better, it could be placebo.
Placebo or not, it doesn't have an overpowering taste that makes it hard to consume. It's mildly sweet, can easily blend with teas and soups.
If it's good for me and it tastes good, it's a win-win.
It has a floral taste to it. I would compare the taste to the smell of Sweet Pea. It's not as overpowering as, let's say Rose, another flower that gets infused in almost everything.
I added some to my rice porridge:
The flower, stems and leaves are safe to consume. Here are some potential health benefits:
- Antibacterial: Fights bacterial infections¹.
- Antidysentery: Prevents dysentery¹.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation¹.
- Antimicrobial: Inhibits microbe growth¹.
- Antimalarial: Treats and prevents malaria¹.
- Diuretic: Promotes the production of urine¹.
- Hepato-protective: Prevents liver damage¹.
- Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure¹.
- Anti-diabetic: Traditionally used to lower blood glucose levels¹.
- Antiviral: Helps fight viruses².
- Gastroprotective: Used for peptic ulcers and stomach disorders³.
- Skin health: Promotes collagen and elastin production, reduces hyperpigmentation⁴..
Source:
(1) Bidens Pilosa | Uses & Science-Based Benefits | Holland & Barrett. https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/natural-beauty/skincare/bidens-pilosa-uses-benefits/.
(2) Bidens Can Help Fight Infections and Viruses: Get to Know Bidens. https://joybileefarm.com/bidens/
(3) Bidens Pilosa: Facts, Benefits, Grow & Care Tips in 2023 - Housing.com. https://housing.com/news/bidens-pilosa/
(4) Bidens Pilosa Is the Retinol Alternative You're About to See ... - Shape. https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/bidens-pilosa-retinol-alternative
(5) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidens_pilosa
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