What are the health benefits of buckwheat? How to grow it properly and what varieties are known?

Buckwheat, otherwise known as Fagopyrum esculentum, is an annual herb. The height of this herb is 40 to 70 cm, rarely up to 140 cm.

It belongs to the lichen family (Lat. Polygonaceae).

What are its effects on our health? How to grow it properly and what varieties of buckwheat do we know? We will answer these and other questions in our article.

The stem is erect or sparsely branched, often red in colour. The leaves are petiolate but sessile at the top, with a heart-shaped to lance-shaped blade.

The width of a buckwheat leaf is approximately the same as its length.

The inflorescence is made up of small white to pinkish white flowers. It is formed into long-stalked irregular racemes.

Buckwheat flowers from June to July.

Its fruits are brown triangular achenes.

Occurrence of buckwheat

It is native to China and the cloud forests of southern Siberia.

Cultivation has taken it to many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe and North America.

In temperate latitudes, it is mainly found in the foothills, where it has been cultivated since the Middle Ages. It was most widely cultivated in the 18th century.

It can still be seen growing in fields today.

It is also often found in rum fields, landfills, along railways and roadsides.

It is mostly used as cattle feed or as a nutritious and health-giving food.

Buckwheat is not very nutrient-intensive.

In times of drought, buckwheat should be watered more frequently.

Because it has a short development cycle (about 90 days), it is grown as a successor crop, for example after cereals.

Sowing takes place from the second half of May to the beginning of July.

Note to growers: buckwheat is very sensitive to frost!

Sow the seeds 1 to 2 cm deep in rows approximately 10 to 15 cm apart.

Try to keep the crop free of weeds.

If possible, it is advisable to place hives nearby, which will be a great help in pollination.

As it is a very good honey bee, the presence of bees will ensure pollination and a good seed crop.

When harvesting, collect twigs that are dried at temperatures of about 50℃.

Internal composition of buckwheat

The main components of buckwheat are protein, carbohydrates, fats and minerals.

Buckwheat germ contains approximately 58-70 % starch, 12 % protein and 2-3 % fat.

The most important components of buckwheat are choline and several types of flavonoids, the most important of which is rutin.

The fruits contain vitamins B, C and E.

Buckwheat contains a number of minerals, such as:

• potassium
• phosphorus
• calcium
• magnesium
• selenium
• iron
• copper
• zinc
• manganese

Antioxidant content in buckwheat

This herb is considered a valuable source of antioxidants such as tocopherols, phenolic acids and flavonoids.

These compounds are particularly anti-inflammatory. They are also beneficial in hypertension, as they have a hypotensive effect.

They are excellent for the prevention of certain coronary diseases.

The antioxidants contained in buckwheat are very beneficial to our health. Vitamin E, vitamin C and polyphenols are considered the most important.

Vitamin E slows down the aging process of cells.

Cell aging is caused by oxidation.

Vitamin E prevents oxidation. Oxidation is able to convert LDL cholesterol into forms that can clog our blood vessels.

It is characteristic of vitamin C that it is the primary antioxidant.

In our body, it neutralizes destructive free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals and hydroperoxide radicals.

Polyphenolic compounds are considered natural substances that are present in every higher plant.

These compounds help the human body to fight against civilization diseases and also participate in cleansing our body.

Flavonoids contained in buckwheat

Flavonoids are important substances that are characterized by a high number of positive physiological and biological effects.

They are classified as natural antioxidants.

They contain anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, cardiopreventive, antiviral and antidiabetic effects.

The rutin contained in this herb protects the plant capillaries from the harmful effects of free radicals. This ensures smooth transport of water in the plant organism.

Rutin along with its derivatives has its application in the pharmacological industry as an inhibitor.

Consumption of buckwheat slows down the development of colon cancer and breast cancer.

The most important effect of rutin is the strengthening of capillary walls.

Its ability is to stimulate the effect of vitamin C and adrenaline on capillaries.

Increased strength and elasticity of the vascular wall is provided by the infusion of buckwheat.

Buckwheat is useful in lowering cholesterol and cleansing the body.

It also has a beneficial effect on the immune system.

It is also suitable for pregnant women, diabetics and for heart disease.

It is very effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and in turn increases HDL cholesterol.

10 beneficial effects of buckwheat on our health

Buckwheat and weight loss

Whole grain buckwheat can be very helpful in weight loss.

Buckwheat is less caloric than wheat or barley.

It is free of saturated fat and cholesterol. It is rich in fiber and protein.

This combination is important for suppressing appetite, regulating blood glucose levels, aiding proper digestion and building muscle mass.

Buckwheat for diabetics

Because buckwheat does not contain many calories and is fat-free, it is one of the ideal foods for diabetics.

It has a healing substance in it that ensures the strengthening of the capillary wall and reduces the risk of bleeding.

This reduces the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction, especially in people with high blood pressure and diabetes.

It helps microvascular integrity and blood circulation in diabetics. This prevents the process of nerve damage, muscle cell damage and loss of kidney function.

D-chiro-inositol is a compound that is deficient in patients with type II diabetes.

This compound is essential for the management of insulin to control and treat patients diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus.

Buckwheat and blood pressure

Buckwheat is an excellent source of magnesium, which is essential for improving blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.

This causes a natural reduction in blood pressure without harmful chemicals.

Buckwheat and a healthy heart

Buckwheat is particularly beneficial for the cardiovascular system due to its vitamin B, niacin, folic acid and vitamin B6 content.

These vitamins are involved in lowering the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.

Niacin increases the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which further increases the strength of blood vessels and cholesterol removal.

Minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and manganese lower blood pressure and improve blood oxygenation.

Buckwheat can be considered very beneficial for people who have problems with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Buckwheat against cancer

Based on research, eating a diet rich in fiber from whole grains such as buckwheat has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Menopausal women have a lower risk of breast cancer when consuming whole grain fiber.

Antioxidants and lignans have an important function in the absorption of estrogens. Therefore, they are beneficial for women, both during and after menopause.

Buckwheat and protection against childhood asthma

Research has shown that eating whole grain cereals such as buckwheat can reduce the risk of childhood asthma by up to 50%.

Because it contains high levels of magnesium and vitamin E, it may help reduce the incidence of childhood asthma.

Buckwheat for the blood vessels

Rutin and vitamin C, which are abundant in this herb, strengthen blood vessels, stop bleeding (e.g. in varicose veins or haemorrhoids) and act as a preventive measure.

In connective tissue, rutin strengthens and stiffens even the finest blood vessels.

Buckwheat and bones

Manganese ensures a healthy bone structure.

It forms the basic essence for bone formation and acts as a coenzyme that supports metabolic processes in our body.

It is involved in the formation of connective tissue, calcium absorption and the metabolism of fats and sugars. Magnesium is important and beneficial for healthy bones and teeth.

It also has preventive effects in rheumatic diseases and arthritis.

Buckwheat and the immune system

Minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese are very effective in treating low blood haemoglobin levels(anaemia), frequent colds and flu.

This plant is especially beneficial for health when taken internally, but it is also very beneficial for our skin.

Buckwheat for healthy skin

Buckwheat is very useful in skin care.

Due to its high rutin content, it protects the skin from the sun's rays.

The antioxidants and flavonoids found in it also prevent premature ageing of the skin.

Magnesium has a relaxing effect on blood vessels, thereby improving blood circulation.

The result is, above all, radiant and youthful-looking skin.

What, how and when do we collect?

Buckwheat is harvested at the beginning of flowering and in dry weather. The rhizomes are collected at harvest.

The harvesting period for buckwheat is June and July.

Buckwheat is dried in the usual way.

The fresh leaves can be used for direct consumption (e.g. in cooking) or to make a tincture.

Its husks, which encase the grains, are used medicinally.

In cooking, its shelled grains are used, which can be ground into meal or flour.

How to grow buckwheat properly?

Two botanical types of buckwheat are most commonly grown:

• common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).
• Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)

Both species are annual herbs belonging to the buckwheat family.

The husks are ground into meal and the flour is ground into flour.

In the pharmaceutical industry, buckwheat is used as a natural source of rutin.

In summer, buckwheat is a feast for bees as it is a honey-bearing plant.

It is not very demanding in terms of growing conditions.

Suitable soils for cultivation are:

• light to medium
• sandy loam
• sandy loam
• loamy soils

Soils must be well supplied with nutrients and sufficiently moist.

It is very sensitive to lack of rainfall throughout the growing season.

The planting date of buckwheat depends mainly on the soil temperature.

The minimum temperature for germination is 7-8℃.

In our conditions, buckwheat should be planted in late April to mid-May.

Harvest buckwheat when the achenes are ripe and dark brown in colour. As a rule, two-thirds of the ripe achenes are harvested.

The unripe achenes are pale or even green.

After harvesting, the achenes should be cleaned of dirt and impurities and dried.

Nutritional values of buckwheat sprouts

Folk healing

Buckwheat contains the most potent substance that is beneficial to our body - the bioflavonoid rutin, also called vitamin P.

It can be found in the inflorescence, especially in the flowering plant, and also in its seeds.

It helps and strengthens the walls of veins and blood vessels, stops bleeding, prevents bruising and relieves bleeding from the nose (epistaxis) and gums.

It is also very useful in the treatment of haemorrhoids.

It also helps with varicose veins, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and blood circulation, relieves heavy menstruation.

It is good to consume for stomach and duodenal ulcers.

It is useful in the regeneration of liver cells.

Buckwheat also contains other substances like vitamin E, minerals, B vitamins which are essential for our immune system, healthy skin and hair.

WARNING for allergy sufferers

Buckwheat is not suitable for people who are allergic to rutin.

Side effects

Despite the enormous benefits to our health, buckwheat has its side effects.

Negative effects such as sweating may occur with high intake.

Allergies to rutin can cause eczema, hives, in rare cases an asthma attack and even a severe form of allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock.

What are the different types of buckwheat?

Pyra variety

It originates from the Czech Republic and has been registered since 1990.

It is classified as early and medium.

It is characterised by slow initial growth, lodging and medium-sized seeds of grey-brown colour with black marbling.

It is suitable for less favourable conditions.

Vegetation depends on a number of factors such as variety, sowing time and weather conditions. It varies from 80 to 120 days.

If it is sown later, its growth and development is accelerated, thus shortening the length of the growing season.

The 'Špacina' variety

It was bred at the Borovce University of Science and Technology in Špačince, Slovakia.

It is a medium-early buckwheat variety.

Its growing period is 6 days shorter than that of the Pyra variety. It is sown at a time when average temperatures are already above 7℃ to prevent cold damage to germinating plants.

Method of preparation - cooking

Cooking buckwheat loses the active ingredients it contains.

Buckwheat groats are ideal when covered with hot water and left to swell under a lid.

Buckwheat can also be made into tasty dishes such as sweet buckwheat porridge or savoury buckwheat.