Healing tips Healthy Food

Raw Diet

The diet of raw food and juice can help us remain healthy. Juice-diet can cure us of chronic diseases and keep our mind and body healthy. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of many diseases.

  • Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. If you need 2,000 calories a day to maintain your weight and health, aim for at least nine servings (4½ cups) a day.
  • Choose a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Break out your habits and try a wider variety – include dark-green, leafy vegetables; yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables; cooked tomatoes; and citrus fruits.

Apple

This fruit is also an excellent source of pectin, a fibre that helps reduce blood cholesterol and possibly prevents cancer. One medium-sized apple provides five grams of dietary fibre, or 20 per cent of the recommended intake of fibre. If these numbers aren’t enough to convince you of the benefits of eating apples, you might want to consider these facts:

  • Ripe apples contain 80 per cent water and are virtually fat free.
  • Apples contain important minerals, notably potassium, which is needed for regulation of water balance and muscle function.
  • Apples provide a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C.
  • One apple equals one portion of the five fruit and vegetables required for daily intake.
  • Apples contain 8-14 per cent natural fruit sugar that gets converted to energy.
  • This fruit has low sodium content.
  • Unpeeled apples provide their most plentiful nutrients just under the skin, so be sure to eat the apple with its skin on.

Acai Berry

For many generations the Acai Berry has been used by the natives of Brazil. Acai Berries contain ten times the antioxidants of grapes and twice that of blueberries. The versatility of the Acai Berry is making it the latest wonder food. The Acai Berry is naturally rich in omega fats, amino acids, electrolytes, antioxidants, protein and Vitamins A, B1 and E.

The native Amazon tribes have long used the Acai Berry as a treatment for digestive problems, skin irritations, sexual dysfunction and even insomnia. For diabetics the Acai Berry is perfect because it is naturally low in sugar.  More recently at the University of Florida researchers studied the effects of the Acai Berry and found that is actually destroyed leukemia cells.

Increase Your Strength

  • Increases your life span
  • Gives you greater energy
  • Increases your strength
  • Keeps you looking and feeling younger
  • Allows you to maintain a healthy blood pressure
  • Works to prevent certain types of cancer
  • Keeps your cholesterol levels healthy
  • For diabetics it can help promote a normal blood sugar level
  • It can enhance your sexual function
  • It can promote weight loss
  • Relieves dizziness and headaches
  • Gives you a better sleep cycle
  • Helps improve your vision
  • Helps strengthen the health of your heart
  • Increases your resistance to diseases
  • Fights against inflammation and arthritis
  • Reduces the effects of menopausal symptoms
  • Improves the strength of your muscles and bones
  • Increase your memory
  • Aids the digestion process

Helps to Cleanse and Detoxify the Body

  • Promotes your body’s overall wellness
  • Reduces your recovery time after injury
  • Helps reduce the effects of aging
  • Gives you all the vital vitamins your body needs
  • Provides your body with several important minerals
  • Fights against free radicals
  • Contains a high amount of fiber
  • Helps to cleanse and detoxify the body
  • Reduces the risk of heart problems
  • Improves mental function

Avocado

Avocados are rich in potassium and have appreciable levels of the B vitamin and monounsaturated fat. Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help to lower cholesterol Helps regulate blood pressure and to guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke. Avocado juice helps absorb the health-promoting carotenoids that vegetables provide.

Banana

Rich source of beta carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, Calcium, phosphorus and potassium . Good source of B vitamins and natural fibers

Banana smothies are good for healthy bowels, cardiovascular health, protection from ulcers, great energy booster and also helps reduce water retention.

Beetroot

The beetroot has been used as food for the last 2,000 years. The early Romans and the Greeks used to consume it generously. The beetroot is somewhat hard to digest. It is oily, cool,nutritious and a bile-controller. It improves the quality of the blood. It reddens and vitalizes the body. The betaine content of the beet helps in cleansing the stomach and the intestine. Beet juice can even cure cancer.

Adequate amounts of nutrients can be obtained only when beet is taken in juice-form. In France, there have been many experiments on the use of very large quantities of beet-juice to aid recovery in cases of malignancy. In Germany, beet-juice is available in bottles. It is widely used as a powerful restorative during convalescence.

In 1946, a German naturopath Kunstmann was successful in curing a number of cancer-patientswith beet­juice. Thereafter, in 1950, Dr. Firenczi from Hungary successfully treated a patient ofmalignant tumour with beet-juice. It was noted that beet-juice had a beneficial effect on other ailments also. Many patients gained weight by consuming beet-juice.

Beet-juice is harmless and beneficial. As it is rejuvenating, it is effective in every type of weakness. It also purifies the blood and brings redness to the body.

BEL Fruit

Bel is a native of India. From time immemorial it has been regarded as a medicinal herb.

Bel is sweet, light, digestive, a kindler of gastric fire and slightly constipating. It destroys intestinal worms, stops nausea, vomitting and relieves cramps of stomach-muscles. In fact, the Ayurveda considers it a remedy for the three systemic disturbances viz. cough, wind and bile.

The pulp of the ripe bel may be taken directly or it may be taken in its juice-form. The medicinal value of bel is principally dependent upon the tannin it contains. In digestive disorders and chronic dysentery, bel is regarded as an invaluable remedy. As a remedy for bowel complaints, diarrhoea and chronic dysentery, the juice of bel fruit has no equal.

Bel fruit is nutritious and a blood-purifier. 50 mg. of the juice of bel fruit mixed with warm water and sugar, two-three times a day helps to eradicate blood-impurities.

Cabbage

Cabbage is delicious, vitalizing, pungent, bitter, cool, digestive and light. It kindles gastric fire and is good for the heart.  It is useful in cough, bile, leucoderma, coughingand impurities of the blood.

One of the reasons for which cabbage is esteemed is its ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content. Nearly one-third of the day’s allowance of vitamin C may be secured from only one cup of raw chopped cabbage.

Raw cabbage is used in a salad and is also used as a cooked vegetable. But its medicinal benefit can be acquired only when taken in juice-form. The outer green leaves of the cabbage are excellent source of vitamin A. The inner white leaves are devoid of it. Hence the outer leaves should not be thrown away. The percentage of iron is also higher in the outer green leaves.

Carrot

The carrot is sweet, warm, pleasant, stimulant of gastric fire, dry, appetiser, diuretic, constipating and to some extent bitter. It gives relief in fistula, worms and dysentery. It eradicates windiness and cough. If taken in excess, it increases bile.

Besides all these, it contains vitamin C and vitamin D, niacin. Pyrodoxine, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid in minute quantities, and the minerals potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper, etc. in small amounts.

The calcium in carrot is easily digestible hence the daily requirements of calcium may be met by intake of sufficient quantity of carrot only. Carrot contains six times more calcium than potato.

Carrot juice is a wholesome diet for growing children because it is a good source of carotene andcalcium. Carrot-juice contains carotene (pro-vitamin A) which is very beneficial to the eyes. The carotene in carrot is converted by the liver into vitamin A and is also stored therein.

Carrot-juice is easily extracted with the help of a juicer. Juice can also be extracted by shredding it minutely and pounding it. The middle yellow part of carrot (root) should be discarded. Carrot can be eaten also by chewing it well.

Carrots eaten by chewing cleanse and strengthen the teeth. Grated carrots mixed with a small amount of salt have beneficial effects on eczema. Carrots are an excellent food for maintaining health of the eyes. Carrots contain a hormone known as tocokinin. This is an insulin-like compound which has been proved useful in diabetes.

Carrot has insecticidal properties. It destroys harmful bacteria thriving in the intestine. One gets reilief from enteritis with the help of carrot-juice. It also heals intestinal ulcers.

Lemon

Lemon is a must in the kitchen. It is a universally favourite fruit.

The Ayurveda has regarded lemon as a valuable fruit and admired its properties. Lemon is sour, warm, promoter of gastric fire, light, good for vision, pungent and astringent. It checks the excessive flow of bile and cleanses the mouth. It dislodges phlegm (cough) and expels wind from the digestive tract. It helps in digestion and removes constipation. It prevents vomiting, throat trouble, acidity and rheumatism. It destroys intestinal worms.

Though lemon is acidic to the taste, it leaves off alkaline residues in the body. This is why it is useful in all symptoms of acidosis.

Lemon-juice is a powerful antibacterial. It has been proved by experiments that the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases are destroyed in lemon-juice.

It also contains some vitamin A. Natural vitamin C is much more effective than the synthetic one. Vitamin C of lemon-juice is very effective because it is combined with bioflavonoids (vitamin P). In addition to vitamin C, lemon also contains niacin and thiamin in small amounts.

One should not take concentrated lemon-juice. It should be diluted with water before taking it. Pure lemon­juice contains acid which is injurious to the enamel of teeth.

The body is well cleansed if lemon-juice mixed with cold water and honey is taken on an empty stomach early in the morning. Warm water may be used occasionally to get relieved of constipation.

Lemon-juice prevents or restrains influenza, malaria and cold.

Lemon-juice gives good relief in fever. Lemon-juice mixed with water is useful in quenching the thirst of the patients suffering from diabetes. It gives immediate relief in abdominal disorders. Lemon acts as a sedative for the nerves and the heart and allays troublesome palpitation.

Lemon is especially appreciated for its vitamin C value. When Vasco da Gama made his voyage round the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ nearly two-thirds of his crew died of scurvy. But at present the recurrence of such a disaster is no longer possible owing to the widespread use of lemon. Innumerable boatmen moving in sea have saved their lives with the use of lemon.

Vitamin P in lemon strengthens the blood vessels and prevents internal haemorrhage. It is, therefore, extremely useful in high blood pressure, in which cerebro-vascular accidents commonly occur.

The most valuable ingredient of lemon, next to vitamin C, is citric acid, of which it contains 7.2 per cent. Lemon contains more potassium than apple or grapes, which is beneficial to the heart.

The vitamin C content of lemon helps considerably in calcium metabolism, maintaining the health of the teeth and the bones

Lemon has been used for many years in gout and rheumatism. Lemon-juice is a diuretic. It, therefore, gives relief in kidney and bladder disorders. It has been used in destroying intestinal worms. It prevents vomiting and helps to cure hepatitis and other innumerable diseases.

Mango

Mangoes are said to be the King of fruits. It is said so because of its beauty and its nutritional factors.

A mango generally contains proteins at about 1% , vitamins and that too majorly Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C, fatty acids, carbohydrates and minerals. The flesh is a mango also contains about 15% sugar.

Mango as a fruit is used as a major sauce of nutrients in under developed countries. It is said by the health professionals that eating mangoes soothes the intestines as they are easy to digest and they also benefit the brain, and at times also used to stop bleeding and strengthen the heart.

Melons

Melon-juice is very beneficial in acute eczema.

Melon is cool and diuretic. It quenches thirst. It gives a welcome cooling and soothing effect during the days of scorching heat.

As it contains predigested sugar, it provides prompt nourishment.

Melon is mostly composed of water and it contains a little or no fibres. It can, therefore, be taken either directly or in its juice-form.

As melon has a cooling property, it soothes burning sensation in the stomach. Its mineral contents eliminate acidity from the body. It also has a property for curing constipation.

The pulp of the fruit (melon) is a powerful diuretic and relieves kidney diseases. It is also very beneficial in chronic and acute eczema.

As melon-juice promotes cough, one who suffers from asthma and cold should use it discreetly, or use it by making it slightly warm.

Onions

The onion has been cultivated since the dawn of human history.

Vigour, lustre of the body and mental power increase with the use of onions. From medical point of view, white onions are more useful. White onions are stimulant, vitalizing, pungent, promoters of virility, heavy, refreshing, stimulative of gastric fire and lubricous. They produce cough. They increase strength and induce sleep. They are a remedy for tuberculosis, cardiac troubles, dyspepsia, leprosy, piles, swelling and blood impurities.

The onion loses its vitamin C content when preserved for a long time.

The onion has effective germicidal properties. On account of its content of a volatile oil, the onion is very useful in respiratory disorders.

Onions are widely used in salads. But to get the maximum benefit of the onion, one should take two or three teaspoonfuls of onion-juice mixed with honey. White onions should be preferred for medicinal uses.

In virile disorders, one should take onion-juice with honey daily in the morning for two to three weeks. This will increase one’s virility. The onion saves one from sunstroke. If one suffers from sunstroke, the onion relieves it. Eating onion in the morning and at bed-time is beneficial in jaundice.

It is interesting to note that during the plague-epidemic in London, when the contagion spread everywhere, the owners of onion and garlic shops were the only persons who proved immune to the disease.It has been proved that onion-juice is a very effective vermifuge (substance which kills worms). Unlike many vermifuges, onion-juice is more harmless and free from side-effects.

The onion dislodges mucous and prevents its fresh formation. The onion is beneficial to the aged. The onion is also beneficial in intestinal disorders. The use of onions stimulates the process of peristalsis (contraction and expansion) of the intestines and removes intestinal putrefaction and flatulence. It is also useful in indigestion and biliousness.

The juice of the onion together with sugar is a capital remedy for bleeding piles.

Orange

The Ayurveda also has recognised the value of the orange. It works as an appetizer. It cleanses the blood, soothes bile and eliminates windiness. It is cool and refreshing. It cleanses the mouth. It is regimen even in fever. It destroys intestinal worms and allays abdominal pain. It strengthens the bones.

The orange is a rich source of vitamin C. The daily requirement of vitamin C is fulfilled by taking 125 to 150 ml of orange-juice. The vitamin C content of the orange is not easily destroyed because it is protected by the citric acid. Besides, vitamin C in the orange is blended with calcium, thereby increasing the qualities of each other. The white membrane, which surrounds the sections of the orange, is an excellent source of calcium.

As orange-juice contains less acid than lemon-juice, it is regarded as superior to the latter. Though the citric acid contained in the orange is somewhat acidic to the taste, it is an alkali-forming food. After being metabolised in the tissues it leaves an alkaline residue and. thus improves the vital resistance of the body.

The orange is usually taken by masticating it or . taken in its juice-form. When there is need for obtaining a large quantity of nutrients, orange-juice is preferred. Those who suffer from cold should add some warm water to orange juice before taking it.

To overcome constipation, it is sufficient to take one or two oranges before going to bed and again on rising in the early morning. Oranges are useful in asthma and other bronchial troubles.

During fever, orange-juice greatly helps in supplying necessary nutrition to the patient. It improves digestion and increases appetite. Orange-juice renders the intestinal tract uninhabitable for the hostile microbes and improves the intestinal health. It increases vitality.

Orange-juice gives relief to pregnant women who suffer from nausea vomiting.

A cup of orange-juice provides as many calories as three-quarters of milk-cup. In chronic dyspepsia, food is not well digested. It causes putrefaction in the digestive tract which produces gas. Orange-juice helps in eliminating this putrefaction of food in the stomach. It cleanses the tracts of the stomach and the ‘intestines and thus increases the digestive power of both the digestive organs.

Papaya

Heart disease: Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.

Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as a very good source of vitamin E and beta-carotene, three very powerful antioxidants.

These nutrients help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Only when cholesterol becomes oxidised is it able to stick to and build up in blood vessel walls, forming dangerous plaques that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes.

High cholesterol: Papayas are also a very good source of fibre, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels.

The folic acid found in papayas is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine into benign amino acids. If unconverted, homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and is considered a significant risk factor for a heart attack or stroke.

Cancer: Papaya’s fibre is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells. In addition, papaya’s folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E have each been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. These nutrients provide synergistic protection for colon cells from free radical damage to their DNA.

Increasing your intake of these nutrients by enjoying papaya is an especially good idea for individuals at risk of colon cancer.

Inflammation: The enzymes contained in papaya have been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns.

Other benefits: The fibre found in papayas may also help with the symptoms of those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

In addition, vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.

The Ayurveda experts have regarded papain as a remedy for abdominal disorders. It is a good medicine for dysentery, hyperacidity, dyspepsia and constipation.

Pimples are removed by rubbing the white pulp of raw papaya on the face. It brings lustre to the face and removes wrinkles.

Peaches

Peaches are low in calories, and are a good source of healthy carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are known to be a vital source of energy to the body. They are very important nutrients. Therefore, peaches contribute to a well-balanced diet. Peaches also contain phytonutrients, antioxidants, carotenoids and flavonoids.

  • Phytonutrients: These play an important role in the key to human health. Research has proven that phytonutrients may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis and eye ailments.
  • Antioxidants: Antioxidants help to prevent damage to cells caused by oxidation and free radicals. They are also believed to stimulate the immune system. These also have the ability to provide health benefits, which includes protection against cancer, various heart diseases, and diseases which are associated with aging.
  • Carotenoids: Carotenoids play a major role in eye health. Substances in them act as filters, and shield the eyes from sunlight. This helps to protect against age-related eye disorders such as cataracts.
  • Flavonoids: Flavonoids have been proven to protect against heart disease and cancer.

Pineapples

The Ayurveda has brought to light many of the properties of pineapple. The ripe pineapple is a diuretic. It destroys intestinal worms and soothes bile. It is delicious and digestive. It expels gas. It is beneficial to the heart and effective in abdominal disorders, jaundice and anaemia.

The pineapple contains an enzyme called “brosmelin” which resembles pepsin and therefore helps to digest food. It gives relief in digestive disorders.

The pineapple should not be taken on an empty stomach. The upper rind and the innermost flesh of the pineapple should be discarded. The remaining portion should be cut into pieces. Juice should be extracted from these pieces. Raw pineapple or excessively ripe pineapple should be avoided during pregnancy.

Spinach

Spinach is a powerhouse of health among leafy green vegetables. In fact, it ranks second behind kale in total health-promoting carotenoids and folate and third in total antioxidants behind garlic and kale.  However, like other leafy green vegetables, spinach loses its nutritional value the longer it stays refrigerated. To get the best nutritive value out of fresh spinach, it should be used as soon as possible after it is purchased.

The health benefits of spinach are many. It is loaded with a whole host of vitamins, including Vitamin B, folate, iron, as well as the photochemical lutein and zeaxanthin. Folate is associated with a reduction in blood levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid that has been associated with cardiovascular disease. Zeaxanthin is linked with a lower risk of macular degeneration, a condition which can lead to blindness. Spinach has also been regarded a fighter of cancer.

Being rich in fiber, it has long been considered one of the healthiest foods in the world. Research has proven that spinach may reduce ischemic stroke-induced brain damage, which occurs when the arteries are blocked by a blood clot, impeding the oxygen supply to the brain. In addition to all this, it low in calories (only about 41 calories per cup), so it is also a dieter’s dream!

Grapefruit

  • Is rich in vitamin C, and beta carotene
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Helps reduce insulin levels

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