Rapunzel ( Campanula rapunculus, ) is a plant belonging to the Campanulaceae family. Rich in vitamin C, it is useful for the immune system and excellent as an anti-inflammatory. Let's find out better.
Property of the Rapunzel
Rapunzel, scientific name Campanula rapunculus, is a campanulacea with beautiful lilac flowers and spindle- shaped roots, useful both in the culinary and phytotherapeutic fields . The most correct common name would be "edible campanula".
The raperonzolo is an important source of ascorbic acid, which together with a good wealth of trace elements strengthens and supports the work of the immune system.
It is a renowned anti-inflammatory, particularly effective against canker sores, gingivitis and abscess principles. It is used as an invigorating, energizing and digestive. The good presence of vitamin C and protein has made it an excellent herbal remedy in antiquity and in rural life, especially that of the mountains.
Method of use
Inside : if we like the bitter taste, we can eat the leaves of the basal rosette, just scalded or in salad. The root can also be eaten in a thousand recipes. Chewing rapunzel leaves helps maintain healthy oral cavity.
Exterior : by crushing or chopping the leaves, a dough is obtained that is excellent for fighting warts, thanks to its marked antimicrobial qualities. Soaking the Rapunzel leaves gives a liquid containing mucilages of particular effectiveness to soothe the pain caused by cold cracking of the hands.
Contraindications of the Rapunzel
No particular contraindication is related to the Rapunzel . It is a good rule to always ascertain the good conditions of the soil and the absence of polluting agents when using the underground (underground) parts of the plants, as these agents concentrate more.
The root is not very easy to clean and requires a lot of patience, so it is good to avoid eating clean roots too hastily as they are certainly full of soil residues.
Description of the plant
Unmistakable thanks to the flowering that invests the summer months with beautiful lilac pentafoliated goblets, the raperonzolo is a low seedling, which rarely reaches ten centimeters. In addition to the basal rosette, it has lance- shaped leaves along the stem, which is generally hairless.
The root tends to swell, making it deserve the name of "raperonzolo" (from the Latin rapunculus, which in Italian we would translate with "rapetta") and making it gain the interest of animals and human beings.
The basal rosettes are at the peak of their vigor in summer and in the post-summer period, while the root is ready to be harvested in winter. The flowers, in turn edible, can be harvested in the spring, once fully open and capable of making our misticanze wonderful and unique.
Rapunzel Habitat
The raperonzolo grows along almost the entire peninsula (islands excluded, therefore), preferring the wooded environments, the mountain ones and the uncultivated fields . It is easily cultivated even in home gardens. It can be found from southern Sweden to North Africa, and from England to Asia Minor and the Caucasus.
Background
Rapunzel is used since ancient times and its use for phytotherapeutic purposes has been handed down from generation to generation thanks to popular wisdom.
Rapunzel, indeed "Rapunzel", is a fairy tale based on the ancient Greek myth of Danae and the Persian story Rudaba.
In the past, the Rapunzel oil, obtained by putting the Rapunzel roots at rest and in the dark for many months, was considered a precious gift and a valuable herbal remedy.
