Food and Health

We can use food as a healing tool - given a little time and patience, here is a list of some foods and health giving properties. Vegetarians are more conscious of what they eat, they have to be so this information is especially useful. I always recommend cutting back on meat consumption, if you do eat meat, concentrate on a diet of healthy wild Alaska Seafood! And maybe only one meal a day with meat... So try some of this out, proof is in the pudding as they say. People will experience different effects based on the state of their own health, and if we let things go too far then it takes stronger medicine. Why let it get that far?

Almonds – It is usually best to remove the skin as it is astringent, by blanching. As with all the nuts raw is best. All nuts can be soaked in water for 8 hours to make the enzymes more available to the body. Excellent protein for people like me (vegetarians) good for the eyes

Walnuts - for angina and lowering cholesterol

Cashews - for the adrenals & pancreas

Pistachios - everything your body needs

Bananas - for energy they can be good for both constipation and diarrhea. They should be not under ripe or too ripe

Black pepper - fresh ground is a good blood purifier, aids in the digestion of food, good on melons to stop intestinal gas. Boiling a half a teaspoon peppercorns in water for 5 minutes is said to be useful in treating arthritis and asthma.

Beets - for the liver, good for hemorrhoids, which is a sign the liver is toxified, Yogi Bhajan recommended a fast twice a year eating cooked beets to cleanse the liver.

Celery - has a sedative effect, calming the nervous system. Good intestinal cleanser

Chiles - are extremely high in Vitamin C and A. Beneficial for the circulatory and digestive system. They have been used as a cure for ulcers. The pulpy part and seeds attached to it are the hottest part and maybe removed. They take some getting used to as they have a bit of after burn effect!

Coconut - contains all the essential amino acids. The milk is good for bones and teeth, and is useful for treatment of urinary diseases, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, nervousness, and general weakness.

Dates - are a good laxative, good energy source, not harmful to teeth like other sugars. Make a youth maintaining drink with milk

Garlic - gets rid of fungi and is a natural antibiotic and is helpful for seaman production

Ginger - removes poisons in body, gives energy

Grapes – C vitamin, as mono diet can transform the bloodstream and detoxify the body to overcome chronic diseases. Natural laxative. Green grapes clear the complexion

Honey –has been used to treat asthma, hay fever, allergies, digestive disorders, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hemorrhoids, bad complexion and weak heart. No more than a teaspoon or so a day though

Lecithin – the oil found in soy beans is also found in the brain and is a coating for the nerves. It can improve memory and overall brain function. It is also helpful with heart problems and poor circulation. It can clear skin conditions, stimulate the growth of hair. 2 -3 tsp per day. Larger does require calcium lactate to balance the excess phosphorus.

Legumes – dried beans build up hemoglobin of blood, sprouted they are even better. Mung beans are the easiest to digest.

Lemons – excellent vitamin source. Purifies the blood. They are very acid but the effect is to alkalinize the body, very useful in treating liver disorders. Sore throat, cold, fever, dissolve lemon juice and honey in hot water for a soothing drink.

Mangoes – are helpful with liver disorders and menstrual disorders, and people trying to gain weight. Mono diet of mangoes and milk improve health and vigor. Also helps with poor eyesight, constipation, indigestion. You can make an excellent Mango lassi with yogart (drink) you find this all over India.

Mustard greens – high in calcium, A, and C. One of the most healthful vegetables consumed. The chlorophyll builds and purifies the blood.

Onion - to build the blood supply keeps parasites away (The state of Punjab India claims to have no cancer by eating 1 raw onion/day) Yogi Bhanan had us eat raw onions before going over for teacher training in India to defend against intestinal parasites, I had no problems over there. How to eat that much onion, Mexican food…

Oranges – much like lemons

Parsley – rich in minerals, building the blood, helpful in treating diabetes, cleansing the kidneys, regulating the calcium balance in the body. Good breath freshener (especially after eating garlic) Parsley juice for purging the body of poisons can mix with other veg.

Pineapple – invigorating effect on the curative forces of the body. Good for the kidneys and liver when they are over stressed.

Potatoes – very nourishing, cleanses body tissue. Cook whole with skin in tact to protect nutrients. Skins help balance the acidic white of the potatoes. Useful in ridding the body of toxins such as uric acid. Potatoe peel broth each morning may be helpful in loosing stiff joints.

Pear - juice (fresh) can melt kidney stones and fibroids (with black pepper)

Sweet potatoes - for energy

Daikon Radish - for the liver

Water Chestnuts - for eyes, ears, nose, throat

Happy Memorial Weekend - Let us Pray for Peace - It starts with Inner Peace

Sat Nam!