Cattails are wetland plants with a unique flowering spike, flat blade like leaves that grow from 3 to 10 feet. They are one of the most common plants that grow in marshes and on the edge of ponds. Cattails can be a valuable addition to your diet, they provide a abundance of nutrients.
The Cattail has many useful qualities, that range from an all four seasons food, medicinal properties, and other functional uses.
Most people aren’t aware that this plant can be eaten. The rhizomes, leaf bases and the sheath of the cattail can be eaten.
Benefits of cattails
The benefits of cattails include its ability to reduce pain, speed wound healing, prevent infections, and slow bleeding. The use of cattails provides relief of inflammation, heals boils and sores. It also prevents conditions such as anemia.
Antiseptic Properties
One of the most important health benefits of cattail is its natural antiseptic property. The jelly-like substance that you can find between young leaves can be used on wounds and other areas of the body. The jelly is known for its analgesic properties. It can be ingested or applied topically to relieve pain and inflammation.Helps in
preventing Anemia
Extracts from the cattail have coagulant properties, which aid in slowing down the flow of blood and prevent anemia.
Provides skin care
The rich nutrients and organic compounds found in cattail help in healing boils, sores, and reduce the appearance of scars. For insect bites, cattail jelly can be applied topically.
Provides steady increase in energy
Cattails have an abundant carbohydrate profile. Cattails are made up of complex carbohydrates and breakdown slowly, to provide enough energy for the day.
Helps in improving digestion
Cattail consists of a good amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber for improving the digestion process. Soluble fibers counter the absorption of cholesterol and insoluble fibers encourage the movement of waste out of the system.
Cattails act as an Analgesic
Boiling some Cattail leaves with Sesame oil and then massaging it over the painful areas of the body provides a lot of relief. It is due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cattail. The flour made from the roots can also be used as an anti-inflammatory.
Medicinal
The medicinal uses of cattails include poultices made from the split and bruised roots that can be applied to cuts, wounds, burns, stings, and bruises. The ash of the burned cattail leaves can be used as an antiseptic or styptic for wounds. A small drop of a honey-like excretion, often found near the base of the plant, can be used as an antiseptic for small wounds and toothaches
Nutritional Value of Cattail
cattails are a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
19 grams of cattail:
- 144 mg of Manganese
- 3 µg of Vitamin K
- 12 mg of Magnesium
- 9 g of Total dietary fiber
- 17 mg of Iron
- 023 mg of Vitamin B6
- 21 mg of Sodium
