Buckwheat
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum, Polygonaceae)
French: sarrasin, blé noir
In spite of its name, buckwheat has nothing to do with wheat-apart from the fact that it can be used in similar ways. It does not belong to the grass family (but to the notweed family) and thus neither to the cereals. Therefore it is also suitable for people with coeliac disease (gluten intolerance).
Buckwheat comes from Asia, this species from Central Asia, the species F. tataricum from Siberia. On Ibiza unfortunately it has no tradition as a cultivated plant. But the seeds are available. I am making an experiment with the plant, it has germinated. Let's wait what comes out!
The seeds are used against anemia and against cholesterol. Externally ground seeds are used against eczemas.
The plant itself serves to gain rutin, which is used against varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
