Potatoes are the most popular root vegetable: probably there is no such person who has never eaten potato dishes in his life. Yes, and cultivation of this vegetable is one of the first places - it grows almost every gardener.
It would seem that the popularity of potatoes is explained simply, but very few people know that on the basis of the flowers of this root crop, excellent tinctures can be made. About this, as well as the basic properties of the flowers of potatoes, we will tell further.
Botanical description
Potato flowers are small, clustered in racemes. They are self-pollinating, with all-feeding. Color - white, pink, red or blue-violet (depending on the variety).
The activity of flowering in different varieties of different. Some species simply buds and do not bloom at all, others may bloom, but the berries do not form.
The temperature and humidity of the air influence the flowering activity. In arid, hot regions, potatoes bloom much less than in the north.
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Chemical composition
Flowers in their composition represent a unique set of useful elements with their ideal ratio.
They contain vitamin C and some trace elements (magnesium, iron). But the main component, thanks to which the inflorescences are used in traditional medicine, is solanine, a poisonous glycoalkaloid.
Did you know? Potatoes contain 35% of the necessary elements for the body.
Medicinal properties
The healing properties of potato flowers are due to steroid alkaloid solanine (the strongest poison), which is contained in all the nightshade. This steroid is found in all parts of the vegetable, but the highest concentration (1580-3540 mg) lies in the flowers. 
Infusions of potato flowers are valued for the fact that they:
- copes with swelling of the nose;
- help normalize blood pressure;
- activate the heart muscle;
- normalize the pulse;
- help with allergies;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries;
- heal wounds and scratches;
- reduce pain symptoms;
- help fight viruses and fungal diseases;
- effective against the tuberculosis virus.
Did you know? Solanine can be obtained from greened tubers and potato sprouts.
Use in traditional medicine
For a long time, alternative medicine has used flowers of potatoes for the preparation of a variety of potions that help a person cope with the most dangerous and serious diseases. Such tools are popular today. Despite the fact that these recipes are quite effective, the technology of their manufacture is simple.
Most often, infusions of potato inflorescences are used in the presence of tumor formations, which can be both benign and malignant. If the formation is external, then apply lotions. 
Good infusions of flowers help to cope with colds. And if you apply the tool to a toothbrush before brushing your teeth, you can get rid of caries and whiten your teeth.
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Application in cosmetology
Potato tubers are part of many skin masks. With the help of such tools you can improve the condition of the skin, make it more elastic, get rid of various inflammations.
Cosmetics containing inflorescences of potatoes, help in the treatment of sunburn and papillomas.
Indications for use
Despite the fact that solanine in large dosages is poison, in small quantities it can help get rid of many diseases (or alleviate their symptoms):
- tumors of different origin and development;
- purulent diseases on the skin;
- arthritis;
- increased diaper rash;
- fungus;
- sinusitis;
- pruritus;
- viral and infectious diseases of the respiratory system.
Harm and side effect
Using for the treatment of tincture of flowers of potatoes, it is important to observe the dosage. As a result of exceeding the norm, such side effects occur:
- bitterness in the mouth;
- burning in the tongue;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- dizziness;
- decrease in motor and mental activity;
- signs of heart failure;
- stomach ache.
Important! It should also be borne in mind that solanin tends to accumulate in the body, and it is eliminated very slowly. Therefore, before treatment, be sure to consult a specialist.
Contraindications
In no case can you use a poisonous tincture of the following categories of people:
- pregnant and lactating women;
- children under 12;
- diabetics;
- people with metabolic disorders;
- having sexually transmitted diseases.
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Harvesting and storage of raw materials
Potatoes - a culture that has the shortest flowering period. That is why it is important not to miss the moment and collect the raw materials on time.
The inflorescences are harvested after they are completely blooming (on the sixth or seventh day), since the beneficial substances accumulate at the maximum time. Choose better warm dry weather, and the ideal time is from 6:00 to 14:00. 
After collecting the flowers are sorted and thoroughly dried. The drying process should take place exclusively in a shaded (under a canopy, avoiding exposure to sunlight) and not very cool place.
Important! Due to the fact that dried flowers of potatoes cannot be stored for a long time, an alternative method of preparation is an infusion of alcohol.Store the prepared raw materials in a cool, well-ventilated area in fabric bags. Shelf life - no more than a year.
Preparation of healing potions
To get a truly healing tool, you should be very careful about cooking technology.
Water infusion
It is easy to prepare such a drug: a tablespoon of dried inflorescences is poured with a liter of boiling water and put in a water bath. After 3 hours, the resulting infusion can be removed.
For diseases of the stomach and duodenum, they drink it three times a day in a tablespoon 20-30 minutes before meals. After a total of 4 liters of medication is drunk, the treatment is suspended for a month.
Apply the infusion also at elevated pressure, to relieve spasms in the bronchi and for gargling with sore throat. 
Store in a cool place for no more than 3 days.
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Water-vodka infusion
To prepare such a tincture you will need 20 g (3 tablespoons) of potato inflorescences, 800 ml of boiling water, 100 ml of vodka or alcohol. The flowers are poured boiling water and infuse for 3-4 hours. Then the solution is filtered and supplemented with vodka. Store this tool can be no more than two weeks.
Apply, as well as water infusion, with an increased pressure, pains in joints (outwardly), for treatment of infectious and catarrhal diseases.
Did you know? In Europe, in the XVI-XVII centuries, potatoes were called "peanuts", "earth apples" and "earth pears".
Vodka or spirit tincture
Most often, herbalists use fresh flowers, because only such a drug contains all the necessary properties. To obtain the correct tincture, immediately after picking, the flowers are crushed (in a meat grinder or in a blender) and transferred to a tight-fitting container. After that, the mass is poured with water (per 100 ml of vodka - a tablespoon of flowers), closed and placed in a dark place for a week. 
This infusion is used as an additive in tea (the dosage is measured in drops) under elevated pressure, to get rid of fungi. As an external application of this tool will help get rid of age spots.
It is also advised to make dressings with impregnation of alcohol tinctures on problem areas, as well as to rinse the oral cavity.
Important! When used externally for ease of use such a tool can be mixed with petroleum jelly.Alcohol tincture is stored in a dark cool place for no longer than a year.
Today we told you about the beneficial properties and methods of application of potato inflorescences. Now you can, without wasting time and money, have on hand a healing tool that will help with many ailments.
