The potato is known and loved when it is boiled, baked or roasted. But the large tuber can do more than just warm the stomach. As a natural health aid, the potatoes can be used against a variety of physical ailments. We reveal how it works here.
Colds or cold winter days often cause tension. A warm potato wrap, which was a handy home remedy in Grandma's day, helps here. Because potatoes consist of 80 percent water, they are a particularly good heat store. Because they release the temperature slowly, they are very suitable for warm wraps. Potato wraps also provide relief for a sore throat or ears.
How it works: Mash the boiled potatoes that are not too hot into a pulp and wrap them in a tea towel. Place it on the tense or painful areas until the wrap has cooled down. The heat relieves tension and stimulates circulation. This allows immune cells to reach the pathogens in the event of a sore throat or earache so that they can fight them.
Anyone who suffers from dry facial skin in the fall and winter can make a soothing potato mask with honey and olive oil. Olive oil and honey provide the skin with an extra portion of moisture, while potatoes also provide vitamins and minerals in addition to their moisture.
How it works: Grate a potato, mix with two teaspoons of olive oil and one teaspoon of honey. Spread the paste on the skin and wash off after 10 minutes.
If you have digestive problems, the potato can be used as part of the light diet. Because potatoes contain a lot of resistant starch. This reaches the large intestine undigested, where it serves as food for the beneficial gut bacteria. In the large intestine, butyric acid is produced by the breakdown of the resistant starch, which in turn can protect against inflammation in the gut and in the body and promote healthy gut flora.
How it works: In order to have a positive influence on the intestinal flora, the potatoes with a low fat content must be prepared and eaten. Potatoes from the previous day contain a lot of resistant starch due to the cooling process. For the potato cure, dishes with a warm jacket or boiled potatoes from the day before are ideal.
Potatoes can not only help with digestive problems, but also provide the ideal base for an immune-boosting soup on cold autumn and winter days. For example, for a potato-lentil soup with chili, garlic, lemon, tomatoes and fresh herbs.
How it works: To prepare the soup, wash, peel and quarter 300 g waxy potatoes and 250 g carrots. Cut 250 g tomatoes into cubes. Then clean a chili pepper and cut into cubes. Wash about 5 parsley stalks, pat them dry and chop roughly. Peel and chop an onion and a clove of garlic. Place 150 g of red lentils in a colander and wash them under running warm water until the water runs clear. Then melt a tablespoon of butter in a pan, add the onion cubes and fry for a while. Now add the tomato pieces, the diced carrots, the diced half chili pepper and the finely chopped garlic, as well as the potato pieces, the red lentils and 1 teaspoon sweet paprika. Pour 700 ml vegetable stock over it and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. After the cooking time, add the chopped parsley and season the soup with the juice of one lemon and a little salt and pepper. For that bit of freshness, the finished soup can be served with a yogurt dip. This can be made from 200 g Greek yogurt, the juice of a lemon and salt and pepper.
