MEDICINAL PLANTS

The tomato is an annual plant stems that often stretched measure up to one meter in length, except for some of its varieties that can reach four meters. These are only slightly branched stems, with long fine hairs. The leaves are supported by a long nipple, splitting into unequal segments with alternating short and long. The flower bouquets composed side and are supported by a common steel bar. As for fruit, little can be said is not known: the accepted common name is the tomato, though technically called berry. It is rounded, ovoid or depressed. The color of the tomato is bright red, although there are many varieties. One grows in gardens across the country.

FLOWERING

Flowers that bloom in spring and lasts until late autumn. In Spain there are some provinces that get to have the fruit almost all year, as Murcia, Valencia and parts of Andalusia. The tomatoes are very sensitive to cold if the temperature drops below -3 grados CelsiusC, are often freezing. For this reason it is a summer crop plant. Obviously the question that concerns from the medical point of view is the result, although as we shall see now more than a medicinal fruit is a great nutritional supplement as vitamins are concerned. From his collection is not worth addressing, since we can find it at any time of year, just go to the nearest supermarket.

APPLICATIONS

In the composition of the tomato can find up to 90% of water is the major component. It also has carbohydrates, nitrogenous compounds, fat, citric acid and other organic substances. The most important active ingredients of tomatoes are vitamins A, B and C. It is rich in these vitamins, so it is a great nutritional supplement for all people who want to maintain a healthy diet. Because vitamin A, tomatoes defends the body against many infections of the mouth, throat, nose and other internal organs such as the bladder and kidneys. Vitamin B, in turn, stimulates the functions of digestion. As for vitamin C, its main virtue is that it protects us against disease scurvy now virtually forgotten in developed countries, but which formerly caused much havoc. Furthermore, this vitamin is considered necessary to maintain good gums and teeth. The tomato is native to the American intertropical countries.

ADMINISTRATION

More than a medical remedy, the tomato is used as food, as part of all kinds of salads, stews, salts, etc.. For this reason, forms of administration of this delicious fruit can be found in any cookbook. The only caveat concerns that we should not take too green tomatoes because they contain solamina, toxic substance that is found in many Solanaceae.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Solanaceae
HABITAT: Canary Islands and mainland
FLOWERING: Spring and fall
PART USED: Fruit
CASTILIAN: Tomate
CATALAN: Tomaquera
GALICIAN: Tomateira

USES

Supplement vitamin A, B and C Strong.