[[File:Buckwheat.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Fagopyrum esculentum]]Other Names : Fagopyrum esculentum, common buckwheat, Alforfón, Blé Noir, Buchweizen, Fagopyrum esculentum, Fagopyrum sagittatum, Fagopyrum tataricum, Fagopyrum vulgare, Fagopyri Cymosi, Fagopyrum Cymosi, Grano Turco, Polygonum tataricum, Polygonum convolvulus, Sarrasin, Sarrasin Commun, Silverhull Buckwheat, Trigo Sarraceno, Fagopyrum tataricum, Buchweizen, Sarrasin commun, Boekweit, 蕎麥, कूटू<br> Buckwheat is the fruit seed of a plant originally from Asia and is known for driving the evil away from homes. It is also very attractive for bees which can produce a special kind of honey, dark colored and strong flavored. In ancient times witches would use buckwheat to draw circles in aid of their rituals. For this reason in Eastern cultures, buckwheat is a symbol of propriety and a defender of it. Buckwheat is part of the Polygonaceae family. Scientifically it is named bitter buckwheat, and is both an aliment and a herb with healing characteristics. Buckwheat contains linoleic acid, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, E, P), essential amino acids, minerals - chromium, copper, manganese, folic acid - and is an excellent source of magnesium. These proprieties recommend buckwheat as having a pronounced Yang feature. It has anti-tumor and tonic effects.<br>See also : [[Jin Qiao Mai]]
==Special Precautions of Buckwheat==
*Please note, rarely some people are in fact allergic to buckwheat and can have a severe allergic reaction. This is rare, but something you should be aware of as you consider adding this superfood to your regular dietary habits.
*If you need to be gluten-free; when buying buckwheat products like soba noodles do check the label as wheat flour is often added.
*Chinese medicine cautions against buckwheat for individuals with spleen qi deficiency.
*Macrobiotics indicates buckwheat will only do well in the intestines when Candida has been dealt with.
==The benefits of Buckwheat are==
* improves blood flow by strengthening veins and small blood vessels; to treat varicose veins and poor circulation in the legs.
* Due to the presence of inosit, buckwheat adjusts metabolism, fat and the lipo-soluble vitamins. It also helps the liver in processing hormones, medicines, and glucoses, with a protective hepatic effect.
*Buckwheat provides the necessary amount of proteins necessary for the body because it contains essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesize and who need to be taken from one's daily nutrition.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Hepatic]]