This wonderous "red root”: Beetroot-----Bieten

Beetroot is well known in the treatment for cancers.
["borsht"]
According to the "tora of signatures" [it is red]: it has also been shown to be useful in the treatment of anaemia[anemia]
Quite effective is it also for constipation, mentioned by the Rambam [ even if there is some confusion if the names are the same , now and at that time] 
[interesting language connection : lesalek= to remove [pesolet], in dutch: slak[ken]= against constipation]
Don't eat to much and to often of it, to avoid intestinal cramps and it is good to combine it with onion.[both of them contain histamine which can cause problems if used in abundance.
People with very sensitive intestines would better avoid beets.
See now the very interesting article below.Beetroot can also be very helpful to reduce high blood pressure.

Beetroot Lets You See Life in the Pink

Beets, a source of betaine. (Louise Valentine/The Epoch Times)

Recent studies indicate that an extract of concentrated beetroot,betaine, can boost the natural production of the body's hormones for well-being, stimulation and relaxation. As well as aiding the body in recovering from depression, betaine can help maximize the liver's function of detoxification. Scientific research into the physiology of autistic children has for the last ten years extolled the virtues ofbetaine. Scientists who research Down's syndrome have published studies showing that betaine, an amino acid naturally present in certain vegetables, particularly beetroot, is an antidepressant of the first order. It is much better than the tricyclic antidepressants used for the treatment of hyperactivity and poor attention span in autistic children, because the side effects from the tricyclics can be catastrophic and thus limit their use. Betaine is replacing traditional antidepressants for the treatment of depression and behavioral problems.

Betaine acts as a stimulant for the production of SAM-e (S-adenoslmethionine). The body cannot do without SAM-e, which it produces. Its levels decline with age, during serious diseases (cancer, cardiovascular diseases) or with depression.

SAM-e is directly related to the production of certain hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of well-being and pleasure. Serotonin is also a natural mood enhancer and enables one's ability to distance oneself from events. Betaine thus stimulates the body to produce SAM-e and raises the level of the hormones associated with well-being and relaxation.

SAM-e is converted in the liver into glutathione, which plays a central role in liver detoxification. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services analyzed more than 40 studies concerning liver diseases. This report concludes that SAM-e has a hepatoprotectoreffect and is recommended for alcoholics. Betaine supportsmethylation (a process of exchanging a hydrogen atom (H) for a methyl group (CH3)), one of the mechanisms of detoxification. [see my remark about : lesalek!!!]

Research has demonstrated that betaine intake reduces blood levels ofhomocysteine, a high level of which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.