Improve Your Health With Dry Fruits and Medicinal Plants

By Rajeev Sharma

Nature has provided mankind with a gamut of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other sources to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These natural sources of food are rich in vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Moreover, they have numerous unexplored healing powers. Through this series, we have made a sincere attempt to unfold the various benefits of these foods. You will find a cure for every big or small disease in this invaluable series, and will discover what treasure nature holds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Aug 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9788128822315

Book preview

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF DRY FURITS

ALMOND

The medicinal virtues of almonds arise mainly from pharmacodynamics action of copper, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B1 These chemicals exert a synergic action i.e. increased energy due to chemical interaction and help in the formation of new blood cells, haemoglobin, and play a major role in maintaining the smooth physiological functions of brain, nerves, bones, heart and liver. The almond is thus highly beneficial in preserving the vitality of the brain, in strengthening the muscles and in prolonging life. It forms a vital part of all tonic preparation in Ayurveda and Unani medicines.

Paste of almonds with milk cream and fresh rose bud’s paste applied daily over the face is a very effective beauty aid. It softens and bleaches the skin and nourishes it with the choicest skin food. Its regular application prevents early appearance of wrinkles, black heads, dryness of the skin, pimples and keeps the face fresh.

A teaspoonful of almond oil mixed with a teaspoonful of amla juice, massaged over scalp, is a valuable remedy for falling hair, thinness of hair, dandruff and premature greying of hair. Almonds should be consumed properly for beneficial results. The skin of almonds should always be removed before use as it contains irritating properties. This can be done by soaking them in water for 1 or 2 hours.

Almonds should be thoroughly chewed and they should not be taken immediately after meal. They are a very concentrated food, with high calorific value. They should, therefore, be mostly used with bulky vegetables and fruits like raw turnips, lettuce, cucumbers and apple.

Anaemia

Almonds contain copper in organic form at the rate of 1.15 mg per 100 grams. The copper along with iron and vitamins, acts as a catalyst in the synthesis of blood haemoglobin. Almonds are, therefore, a useful food remedy for anaemia.

Constipation

The use of almonds has proved highly beneficial in the treatment of chronic constipation. It is an excellent laxative. About 11—15 kernels taken at bed time will facilitate a clear motion in the next morning. Those who suffer from weak stomach can take 7 grams of almond oil with hot milk.

Skin disorders

Wild almonds are considered useful in skin diseases, especially eczema. For this purpose, a few leaves of the wild almond are pulverised with water and the cream so prepared is applied to the affected parts. Almonds are also beneficial in the treatment of pimples. In this condition, the endocarp that is hard cover of the seed, should be ground with water and applied over the affected parts. In case of inflammatory condition of the skin, the external application of almond oil will ease the pain and cool the heat.

Respiratory diseases

An emulsion of almonds is useful in bronchial diseases, hoarseness and tickling cough. It is prepared by pounding the nuts and mixing the powdered kernels with orange or lemon juice. A teaspoonful of the oil given with 10 drops each of fresh white onion juice and ginger juice, daily thrice for a fortnight, is useful in whooping cough, bronchitis and asthma.

Impotency

Almonds are very useful in case of loss of sexual energy which usually results from nervous debility and brain weakness. Their regular use will strengthen sexual power. Chewing of equal quantity of almond kernels and roasted gram also help in restoring sexual vigour.

DATE (KHAJUR)

Date provides natural sugar in the form of glucose and fructose. This sugar is absorbed immediately. Hundred grams edible portion of this fruit contains 15.3% moisture, 2.5% protein, 0.4% fat, 2.1% minerals, 3.9% fibre and 75.8% carbohydrates. It has 120 mg calcium, 50 mg phosphorus 7.3 mg iron, 3 mg vitamin C and little amount of vitamin B complex. Its calorie value is 317.

Dates are valuable as medicine for their tonic effect. Being easily digested, they are very useful for supplying energy and repairing waste. Milk in which clean and fresh dates have been boiled is a very nourishing and restorative drink to children and adults alike, especially during convalescence.

Medicinal properties

Constipation

The date is a laxative food. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into a fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.

Intoxication

Dates are an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. In such cases, drinking water in which fresh dates have been rubbed or soaked will bring quick relief.

Intestinal disturbances

The nicotinic content in dates is an excellent remedy for intestinal disturbances.

Weak heart

Dates are an effective remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight in water and crushed in the same water in the morning after removing the seeds should be taken at least twice a week will strengthen the