Botanical Name: Fagopyrum esculentum

Common Name:

English: Common Buckwheat
Also, known as: Soba, Buchweizen, common buckwheat, Japanese buckwheat, silverhull buckwheat, Alforfon, Sarrasin, Grano saroceno

Origin: China

Harvested: Cultivated

Parts Used: Seed

General Information:

Buckwheat is a warm-season, wide leaf yearly with shallow surface roots, a weak taproot and erect, reddish stems. The plant delivers various branches along the stems, heart-molded leaves, and groups of little white blooms toward the finish of the branches. Buckwheat has triangular seeds and produces a flower that is usually white, although can also be pink or yellow. The blossoms have pink anthers. It grows 30 to 50 inches (75 to 125 cm) tall. The seed hull density is less than that of water, making the hull easy to remove. Buckwheat flowers are smooth-textured and white to light pink, and they bloom from midsummer to early fall. Buckwheat seeds ripen from August to October.

Buckwheat was one of the first crops domesticated in Asia and was likely used as a food crop in China 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. It spread to Europe in the 1400s and was brought to North America by colonists in the 1600s. The plant’s three-sided, angular-seed looks like a small beechnut, therefore it was named buckwheat. Despite the name, buckwheat is not related to wheat, as it is not a grass.

How to use:

Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Buckwheat Hull Whole