Spanish sage is a plant known primarily for its healthy seeds. Adherents of good nutrition call them chia. Initially, the plant grew only in America, but today has spread throughout the world. It is appreciated for its many beneficial properties. Chia helps with weight loss, improves skin and hair. It is useful to eat its seeds during pregnancy. We will tell in more detail about Spanish sage in this article. You can also see a photo of chia below.
What is this plant?
This plant came to us from Central America. Originally grown in Mexico. European colonists brought it to Europe for the first time, but it did not receive the proper distribution. The popularity of Spanish sage began to grow only in recent years, when its seeds began to be actively used by traditional medicine lovers.
Sage is an annual plant. Previously, it was grown exclusively in Mexico at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. But today, all of South America is an importer of its seeds. Most chia is grown in Guatemala and Argentina. Australia has also been a major importer in recent years.
The Spanish look does not differ in expressive appearance. The maximum height of its stem rarely exceeds 1 meter. The leaves of the plant are opposite, long, but not very wide. Flowers are inconspicuous; they have a lilac or purple hue. Less common are buds of white or dark red. In folk medicine, as a rule, plant seeds are used, and not its aboveground part. They have a rounded shape, reminiscent of an egg. The seeds are small and shiny, and on their peel you can see a barely appearing pattern.
Chemical composition
The healing properties of Spanish sage are due to its composition, which includes a lot of useful trace elements. Their exact number will depend on the particular plant variety. Seeds are a rich source of dietary fiber that have beneficial effects on digestion. Fiber helps speed it up and improve the absorption of beneficial vitamins and trace elements by the intestinal walls. Therefore, chia seeds are useful for constipation and other diseases of the digestive tract.
Sage is a rich source of protein and fat. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary to maintain healthy skin, nails and hair. They have a positive effect on the nervous system, and therefore help with stress, depression and anxiety.
Chia seeds contain several vitamins: A, B, C and D. They also contain trace elements necessary for health, including calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, magnesium and others. Sage is a rich source of amino acids: glutamine, aspartic and others.
But do not immediately start eating seeds in unlimited quantities. Excessive consumption will do more harm than more. It is best to consult your doctor before taking them.
Beneficial features
When used correctly, after several uses you can notice the benefits of Spanish sage. Its seeds have a lot of healing properties. First of all, due to the content of a large amount of fiber, they have a beneficial effect on digestion. Dietary fiber also helps improve metabolism, which helps people lose weight faster.
It is useful to use chia and with increased anxiety and stress. Seeds have a sedative effect on the nervous system. A person becomes calmer, passes irritability and drowsiness. Chia help with insomnia.
Beneficial intake of sage also affects the work of the cardiovascular system. It is recommended for use in diabetes, as it evens out blood sugar. This is due to a decrease in the dependence of cells on the produced insulin. Chia also helps with vascular diseases. Seeds are useful for preventing clogging. They have a vasodilating effect, which contributes to the normalization of pressure.
The useful properties of sage do not end there. Due to the large amount of calcium, it strengthens teeth and bones. Potassium helps fight edema, as it helps to remove excess fluid from the body. Manganese normalizes hormone production and is useful in diseases of the thyroid gland. Chia seeds also have antiseptic and antiviral effects on the body. Their moderate use strengthens the immune system and helps the body to better fight against pathogenic microorganisms.
Spanish sage is also actively used in cosmetology. It is used to accelerate wound healing. It also helps to cope with dermatitis and helps eliminate pus. Chia seeds are added to many cosmetics. They moisturize the skin, make it more elastic and toned.
Harm from use
The benefits and harms of Spanish sage should be carefully studied before taking. Its seeds are a dietary supplement, so you need to eat them in limited quantities. The beneficial elements that make up their composition, if overused, will only harm the body. So, an excess of dietary fiber will affect digestion. It can lead to diarrhea. In addition, seeds are a high-calorie product. 100 grams of chia contains about 425 kcal. This means that with excessive use, you will not only lose weight, but also gain excess weight.
The harm of the Spanish sage, as a rule, is insignificant. To avoid it, it is best to start eating seeds in small portions, gradually increasing them. When unpleasant symptoms appear, you should refuse to use it. After that, you will immediately feel better. If your condition does not improve, then you should seek the help of a doctor.
Contraindications
It should be understood that the seeds of a plant are not a panacea for all diseases. Yes, it contains a lot of useful things in its composition, but this does not mean that it can be safely eaten by all people. Spanish sage has contraindications.
Chia seeds contribute to the expansion of blood vessels. This is useful for people who suffer from high blood pressure. And harmful to patients with hypotension. If you have low blood pressure, then seeds can only exacerbate the problem. Chia thin the blood, so they can not be taken simultaneously with drugs that have a similar principle of action. It is not recommended to use seeds for people with sensitive digestion. Their intake can provoke the formation of gases in the intestines and lead to diarrhea.
When using seeds, an allergic reaction may occur. In this case, stop taking them. Allergies can occur in many ways. These can be skin rashes, itching, and redness. In extremely rare cases, the patient is diagnosed with difficulty breathing.
When dry, chia seeds are contraindicated in people with thinned and sensitive tooth enamel, as they can damage it.
Is it possible to grow seeds on my own?
Sage is a plant that came to us in Central America, where the climate is humid and warm. Today, you can grow it at home. It is important only to create all the necessary conditions for comfortable development. Most likely, it will not work to grow it in central Russia at its summer cottage. But he grows well in home pots. Planting and care of Spanish sage (chia) should be carried out according to strict rules.
Before planting, seeds must be placed in a glass container, and then pour warm water. After that, it should be removed for about 12 hours in a warm and bright room. This will accelerate their germination. The seeds in the container should be stirred from time to time. Then their chia along with water is poured into previously prepared soil. Top them up with a layer of earth 2-3 cm thick.
After planting, it remains to wait for the seeds to sprout. If you did everything right, this should happen in 2-3 days. They need to be grown in a warm and well-lit place. After another day, the sprouts should stretch about 5 cm in height. When the Spanish sage has grown, transplant it into separate pots. Then it is recommended to land them in open ground. The place should be sunny, and the soil itself should be regularly watered. It is useful to use organic fertilizers for plant growth.
How to apply?
The use of Spanish sage in food helps to lose weight and improve your health. Decoctions and infusions are not prepared from its seeds. Instead, they are added to various dishes. Since they absorb liquid well, they are used in the preparation of drinks. Chia seeds are added to smoothies, yogurts and freshly squeezed juices. They are also used to decorate pastries and desserts, replacing poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Seeds can also be added to salads from fresh vegetables. This will make them not only more useful, but also more satisfying.
Good nutritionists also germinate seeds before eating them. It is believed that this way they are better absorbed by the body. Seeds are also used in cosmetology. From them you can make homemade body scrubs and face masks. Chia butter is also available in stores. It is taken orally or used externally. It helps with high pressure, and also improves metabolism. Oil can be applied to the skin and hair if they suffer from dryness, tightness and brittleness.
For weight loss
The seeds of Spanish sage in recent years are increasingly used for weight loss. They contain a lot of dietary fiber that improves digestion. Seeds also have a positive effect on metabolism, due to the slowdown of which many people gain weight. But care must be taken. Seeds are a high-calorie product, so you need to eat them in small quantities. To lose weight, they should be added to your dishes: salads, desserts, drinks. They help to get enough faster. As a result, you eat less, but eat enough. Seeds are digested for a long time in the stomach, so it is useful to eat them in the morning.
The high fiber content helps speed up digestion. It helps with constipation and increased gas. But it is worth remembering that an excess of seeds in the diet, on the contrary, can lead to bloating.
For hair and skin
Fatty acids, which are part of the Spanish sage (chia), have a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin. That is why its seeds are actively used in cosmetology. But you can take care of yourself with their help at home. The use of seeds in itself will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. It will become more hydrated and supple. But if desired, the effect can be enhanced if homemade masks and creams are made from chia. They not only moisturize the skin, but also have a regenerating, rejuvenating and soothing effect.
Chia seed masks normalize the production of fat from the sebaceous glands of the skin. It is useful to apply them if the skin is too oily or dry. Home remedies help smooth out wrinkles, remove bags under the eyes and even out skin tone.
Seeds help to normalize the scalp, so they are used for dandruff. As a rule, chia is used together with other healthy oils to enhance the effect of chia. It is also useful to use seed masks on dyed or damaged hair.
During pregnancy
Spanish sage (chia) can also be used for pregnant women, but this should be done with caution. Doctors recommend consuming small amounts of seeds. In this case, they will bring only benefits to the growing fetus, as they will enrich the diet with magnesium, calcium and iron. Seeds help improve the immunity of a woman, and also positively affect her digestion. As a result, the body better assimilates beneficial trace elements and vitamins, which positively affects the development of the baby.
But eating chia seeds during pregnancy is possible only after consulting a doctor. It is worth remembering that he has contraindications, and if overused, they can harm the body.
With diabetes
Spanish sage helps to normalize the pancreas, and therefore has a positive effect on the health of patients suffering from diabetes. Regular intake of seeds in food helps to improve metabolism, which can slow down due to this pathology. Chia helps to lose weight and not gain weight. Namely, this problem is often faced by patients with diabetes. Scientists also believe that seeds help normalize the insulin resistance of cells. Therefore, patients are recommended to take one tablespoon of chia daily to improve their well-being. Seeds can be added to cereals, drinks, desserts or simply diluted in water.
To improve bowel function
It has already been said above that Spanish sage has a beneficial effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the high content of dietary fiber, it is recommended to eat its seeds for chronic constipation. They stimulate the intestines and accelerate the digestion of food. As a result, it will no longer linger in the body. Insoluble seed fiber is also good for intestinal function. It massages its wall, which speeds up the passage of food through them.
Doctors advise taking no more than 1 tablespoon of seeds per day. If you eat more, then diarrhea will come to the place of constipation.