The homeland of the cucumber and its useful properties

In summer, there is a lot of tasty and healthy vegetables on each table. But does everyone know where the cucumber's homeland is and what useful properties does it have? Why is it necessary to set aside an honorable place in the garden to grow this crop?

Which country is the birthplace of a cucumber?

It is generally accepted that a cucumber is a purely Russian vegetable, but this is a very big mistake. The birthplace of the cucumber is not only Russia, but not even a neighboring country. This vegetable is a herbaceous plant of the pumpkin family. By the way, cucumber (as well as pumpkin) is a berry. This plant is annual. It is known that in Russia it is grown only for 400-500 years. In ancient times cucumbers in Greece called "aguros", which means "unripe". It is believed that the smaller the fruit, the more delicious. The birthplace of the cucumber is India. There it is grown for 5000 years. There, this vegetable is a wild plant, and it can be found even in the forest.

Features of landing

Where the birthplace of cucumbers (in India), the tropical and subtropical climate prevails. It is important to know that for a good harvest it is required to plant "Aguros" when the temperature reaches 15-17 ° C. The most favorable month for sowing is June. In the first month of summer, the air temperature is still not very high, and in the next sixty days of summer the harvest will reach sufficient growth and will mature.

Little-known facts

The homeland of the cucumber is the largest country in South Asia. Surprisingly, in India specially cucumbers are not planted. They self-twist the trees and fences. It is also curious that earlier, when this vegetable was a rarity, the Turkish sultan ordered to open the stomachs of his servants to find out who stole and ate the "aguros" that his acquaintance brought him in small quantities.

Often, this is the usual vegetable for us in the Guinness Book of Records. There is registered a cucumber, the length of which is 1.83 m. It is found in Hungary. Also among the record holders there is also the heaviest vegetable, the mass of which is more than 6 kg.

Where do cucumbers appreciate it?

The birthplace of the cucumber is not only India, but also China. It is there that now grow seedlings of cucumbers in boxes on the roofs of houses, and then transplanted into the ground. Vegetables were also appreciated in Greece: in honor of him was named the city of Sikyon, which translates as "city of cucumbers".

It is known that the plant was depicted in ancient Egypt on frescoes, which have survived today. In Suzdal to this day every year in June, celebrate Cucumber Day, and in Bulkovitsy and altogether erected a two-meter bronze monument in honor of the plant.

Useful properties of the plant

And how many useful properties does the cucumber have? The native land of the plant is associated with youth and endless vitality, and it is no coincidence. The fact is that the cucumber has a lot of useful vitamins and elements. Thanks to them, many diseases can be prevented or slowed down. These diseases include problems with the cardiovascular system, obesity, poor kidney and liver function, as well as slow metabolism. Cucumbers not only contain a huge amount of iodine, which, by the way, prevents diseases of the thyroid gland, but also has a very small amount of calories. This plant will perfectly fit into the diet of those people who are overweight or watch their figure. The minimum caloric value is due to the fact that the vegetable is more than 90% water.

Useful properties are not only the fruit itself, but its seeds. They remove excess cholesterol from the human body. In addition, the use of cucumbers and their juice improves skin condition and improves memory.

Cucumber and skin care

Cucumbers are an excellent vegetable that is used for skin care. The plant tones and refreshes the face. Cucumber masks are suitable for any type of skin. Those who have dry skin that constantly flakes, cosmetologists recommend every day to wipe their face with a swab dipped in a special mask. To make it you need to mix a diced cucumber without peel with olive oil in proportions of 1 to 1, and then give a day to brew. Such a daily procedure will help to prevent irritation on the face and get rid of peeling.

Cucumber masks are shown to people with a fat type of skin. They help to normalize the functioning of sebum. To prepare a mask for this type of skin you need to mix the juice from half a cucumber with 1 teaspoon of cologne. This lotion needs to be wiped face every day.

Owners of combination skin to improve the condition of the face can wipe your face with ice cubes with cucumber juice.

Contraindications

In addition to the mass of positive moments, cucumbers also have contraindications. They are not recommended for breastfeeding women, people with stomach problems and those who are addicted to diuretics, as well as some endocrine diseases.

Conclusion

Cucumber - a fairly popular vegetable in our house, but does everyone know where his homeland is? Not everyone knows about the beneficial properties of the fruit, thereby underestimating the universal plant. Not for nothing that the cucumbers depicted in ancient Greece on the walls of the temples. This plant is an endless source of health, youth and beauty. Cucumbers, when all recommendations are followed, are easily grown and afterwards they benefit the body throughout the summer, and the result is preserved all year round. That's why gardeners recommend to study in detail the useful properties of cucumbers and allocate a little space for them in their garden.