Our Healing Vegetables and Seasonings

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OUR HEALING VEGETABLES AND SEASONINGS

http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0899vegetables.html

 

" The next time you sit down to a plate of vegetables consider the important

healing virtues they have - for they are more than just a tasty food. We will

consider using mint or comfrey or some other herb for healing purposes not

realizing that our vegetables are also herbs and have their value in helping the

body to heal itself. Let's review briefly some of the valuable medicinal

properties of some of the common vegetables.

 

A Dr. Blanc in 1881 wrote the following: " About 1880, a cart driver in a small

French village fell off his wagon and - a frequent accident in those times - one

wheel rolled over his leg. Two physicians agreed that amputation was necessary;

a surgeon was called into consultation, he concurred, and the operation was

booked for the next morning. But at 5 p.m. that day the parish priest, Loviat of

Saint-Claude, advised the patient's mother to cover the injured leg with cabbage

leaves. Under the influence of this simple dressing, the man slept all night.

When he awoke, the family and one of the physicians who arrived to prepare the

patient for surgery saw that he could move his leg. The cabbage leaves were

removed to reveal a leg without swelling and with improved color. Eight days

later, completely well, the man returned to work. "

 

The common cabbage has been of vital importance to mankind over the 4,000 years

of its cultivation. The medical use of cabbage, empirical for centuries, is

based upon precise scientific considerations. Hippocrates once remarked that

physicians shouldn't hesitate to borrow from folklore that which can be useful

in medicine. We now know, with sound proof, that the folklore of cabbage has

stood the test of time and scientific experimentation.

 

Two other accounts of the medicinal use of cabbage might be of interest: A

watchmaker suffered for a year with a painful eczema of both hands, preventing

him from working. The lesions were acutely inflamed, and the fingernails were

separating, about to fall off. Applications of cabbage leaves twice daily for a

few days brought relief from pain, as clear fluid drained onto the dressing.

With continued treatment healing took place within two months.

 

In 1875 a 75 year old man suffered arteriosclerotic gangrene of the lower right

leg and foot. The skin was black and the front of the lower leg was decayed.

Following the local application of cabbage leaf dressings, the skin changed from

black to brown to red, and then returned to its normal healthy color. Three

weeks later, writes doctor Blanc, there was a considerable improvement.

 

It has not yet been discovered why the cabbage leaf has such remarkable healing

properties. We only know that the cabbage leaf has a particular affinity for

disease-causing fluids, forcing them from the tissues. It even seems that

treating small areas of extensive disease benefits the whole, as distant toxins

are removed, the cabbage promotes healing and scar tissue, thus preventing

complications.

 

The long history of cures obtained with cabbage, concern many different

diseases, including simple and complicated injuries, rheumatic pains, facial

neuralgia, headaches, leg ulcer, anthrax, and many others. Cabbage - raw in

salads, juiced, or steamed - has incomparable virtues in the most diverse

maladies.

 

Hippocrates had a peculiar affection for this vegetable. Should one of his

patients be seized with a violent colic, he at once prescribed a dish of boiled

cabbage with salt. Erasistratus looked upon it as a sovereign remedy against

paralysis. Pythagoras, and other learned philosophers, composed books in which

they celebrated the marvelous virtues of the cabbage. Cato claimed that this

plant infallibly cures all diseases; and that he used it as a panacea to

preserve his family from the plague, which, otherwise, would not have failed to

reach them. It is to the use the Romans made of it, he adds, that they were able

during six hundred years to do without the assistance of physicians, whom they

had expelled from their territories.

 

The Romans used cabbage externally and internally for various illnesses, as a

purgative, disinfectant, and poultice; Roman soldiers applied cabbage leaves to

their wounds.

 

Rembert Dodens, Dutch physician to the Emperors Maximilian II and Rudolph, wrote

in 1557 in his 'History of Plants':

 

" The juice of the cabbage softens the belly and makes one go to stool. It cleans

and cures old ulcers. Cabbage juice mixed with honey makes a syrup that heals

hoarseness and coughing. The leaves, when cooked and applied to chronic ulcers,

modify and heal them, and aid the resolution of tumors and wounds. "

 

Doctors Merat and Lens of the Faculty of Medicine of Paris wrote in 1829

(Universal Dictionary of Materia Medica): " The cabbage is one of the most

valuable acquisitions of man. It combats scurvy, it prevents gout, the tender

leaves are applied to wounds, and seeds are indicated for worms. "

 

A Doctor Roques of the eighteen hundreds protected himself and his family for

many years against the epidemic winter diseases by eating a daily salad of

cooked cabbage. He recommended the following treatment for cold and laryngitis;

One pound of strained red cabbage juice, 3 grams of saffron, 1/2 pound of honey

and sugar, the whole boiled to a syrup; 1 tablespoonful is taken in a cup of tea

3 or 4 times daily.

 

A Doctor Blanc wrote: " Cabbage is the bread and butter of therapeutics. It is

the doctor of the poor - the providential physician. Let the incredulous

experiment, nothing is simpler (than cabbage); the application is external and

easy, the action is prompt and innocuous. One can see it with the naked eye. The

virtues of this plant are numerous, and I defy anyone to present a good reason

why cabbage should not be used therapeutically. "

 

The preparation of cabbage for various disorders is as follows: Wash the leaves

or soak them for a few minutes in water to which lemon juice has been added.

Wipe dry, then use a knife or scissors to remove the central rib and, if the

application is planned for an ulcer or sensitive wound, the secondary ribs.

Crush the leaves, one by one - with a rolling pin or bottle. The juice appears

at the surface of the leaves, ready for application. One, two, or three

applications will be required according to the severity of the disease. Cover

with a thick cloth and continue the application for several hours, generally

overnight, or during the day if pain prevents sleep.

 

For a very sensitive wound, plunge the leaves for one or two seconds into

boiling water, softening them, and reducing the possibility of irritation,

 

If cabbage leaves are applied to ulcers with swollen irritated margins, soak the

leaves first for one-half hour in olive oil. The resulting preparation will

soothe inflamed tissues as well as combating infection and aiding healing.

 

Cabbage leaves applied to an infected wound, ulcer, or oozing eczema should be

layered like roof shingles, allowing secretions to drain between the layers.

When treating lumbago, joint pain, or various afflictions of the nerve or

bladder, poultices of cabbage leaves bring rapid relief. A poultice is prepared

as follows: Boil for 20 minutes 2 to 4 cabbage leaves and two whole chopped

onions with 3 or 4 handfuls of bran and a little water. After evaporation of the

water, place the poultice on gauze and apply hot for one or two hours, or even

for the whole night. (Never apply heat to a painful abdomen. Only the physician

can properly diagnose the cause of abdominal pain, and the application of heat

to appendicitis or infection of the ovary may be harmful.)

 

Doctor Garnett-Cheney, Professor at the Medical School of Stanford, published a

report concerning the use of cabbage juice in the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Of 65 cases reported in his series, 62 were cured at the end of three weeks.

Cabbage has been recommended to correct anemia of experimental animals induced

by an all-milk diet.

 

In research at the University of Texas. Dr. W. Shive extracted from cabbage a

substance he calls Glutamine, useful in the treatment of alcoholism and peptic

ulcer.

 

Cabbage has been found to be of infinite value for pregnant women, and for

patients with anemia, fatigue, infections, intestinal parasites, stones, and

arthritis.

 

We list now some of the afflictions for which the cabbage has been used over the

centuries to bring relief:

 

Acne: Apply a lotion of freshly prepared cabbage juice preceded, if desired, by

the application of leaves. The eating of cabbage leaves or juice is also

helpful.

 

Alcoholism: Eat cabbage, steamed or raw and drink the juice.

 

Anemia: Drink one or two glasses of cabbage juice daily.

 

Burns: Apply mashed cabbage leaves to the burn area to relieve pain and speed

healing.

 

Cirrhosis of the liver: Drink cabbage juice and eat raw or steamed cabbage.

 

Colitis: Apply 3 or 4 layers of cabbage leaves over the abdomen each evening and

secure in place to be left on overnight. Drink also the juice between meals.

 

Constipation: Several glasses a day of cabbage broth.

 

Diarrhea: Apply cabbage leaves to the abdominal region during the day and a

fresh application for overnight and drink a cabbage broth.

 

Headache: Apply cabbage leaves to the forehead and nape of the neck and leave on

overnight. Applications of the leaves over the liver may also be necessary.

 

Insect Bites: Rub a crushed cabbage leaf over the bite.

 

Kidney disease: Apply cabbage leaves over the kidney areas and leave on

overnight and also for a few hours during the day

 

Menses, painful: Apply cabbage leaves over the lower abdomen for several hours.

 

Sprains: Tie three or four thicknesses of cabbage leaves around the sprained

area and leave on over night. Next time you see the lowly cabbage plant consider

that over the centuries many people have derived much relief from physical

ailments through using it.

 

Our common red beet is a highly nutritious plant, The root is an excellent

appetite stimulant and is easily digested. The root has been used to treat

constipation, liver ailments, dysentery, skin disorders, anemia, menstruation

problems, obesity, and nervousness. One therapy for leukemia and tumors is to

consume a couple of pounds of raw, mashed beets daily.

 

About ten percent of the beet root consists of a sugar that is more easily

handled by the body than cane sugar and about a third of the root consists of

starch and gum. The special value of the root is its effect on the liver and

spleen. Some consume beets during an attack of the flu.

 

Fresh Chard has been suggested as an aid in cases of constipation to stimulate

the peristaltic action of the intestines.

 

The tuber of the Jerusalem artichoke is used in cases of gas, constipation and

biliousness and as a substitute for potatoes. As it is considered starchless it

is used by diabetics who must watch their starch intake.

 

To remove toxins from the kidney apparatus as well as kidney stones the parsnip

has been used. It seems to be useful in cases of inflammation of the joints,

colon, and nerves.

 

The green bell pepper is especially good for liver disorders, obesity,

constipation, high blood pressure and acidosis.

 

The Sweet Potato is easily digestible and is good for inflammation of the colon

or stomach and also for hemorrhoids. It is helpful to eat the sweet potato in

cases of diarrhea and for problems of low blood pressure and poor circulation.

 

Another good food for inflamed intestines, stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids is the

Pumpkin. The pumpkin seed is much recommended for prostate problems, tape and

other worm elimination and constipation.

 

Radishes stimulate the appetite, are good for the hair and nails, teeth, gums

and nerves. They help speed up recuperation from nervous exhaustion. Many have

been helped in cases of constipation by eating radishes. Pulmonary disorders

such as whooping cough, asthma, and bronchitis have been treated with the radish

and its leaves. Chronic liver and gallbladder disease including gallstone and

kidney stone afflictions have responded by eating the whole plant. The radish is

good for vitamin C, D, and P deficiency.

 

Summer Squash and Zucchini are good to use where there are problems with high

blood pressure, constipation, obesity and for bladder and kidney afflictions.

The Winter Squash has more nutrients than the Summer squash and is good for

colitis, inflammation of the stomach or intestines, hemorrhoids and diarrhea.

100 grams of winter squash contain about 5,000 IU of vitamin A. The high vitamin

A content makes the winter squash a valuable food for the winter time.

 

Both pumpkin and squash can be applied as a poultice for burns, inflammation of

the skin and abscesses. Squash seeds also are excellent for round and tapeworms.

One recipe for expelling worms is to mash about an ounce of seeds and mix with

honey. Take in three doses a half an hour apart then an hour later take an

herbal laxative. Boiling squash seeds for a half an hour and then drinking the

water has the effect of calming the nerves and helping in cases of insomnia and

is good also for any urinary inflammation.

 

The roots and leaves of the Turnip are recommended in cases of pulmonary

disease, obesity, kidney stones, and gout as it promotes the elimination of uric

acid. Drink a turnip broth for common colds and infections. Turnip roots have

also been used to relieve nervousness and insomnia. Turnip greens contain about

9,500 IU per 100 grams. Eat the greens for cases of poor appetite, bronchitis,

asthma, liver problems, bladder disorders, gout, high blood pressure and

tuberculosis.

 

 

Healing Vegetables

 

We will now list some of the more common afflictions and those vegetables that

seem to exert a healing influence in each case:

 

Abscess, dental: Cabbage.

 

Acne: Cabbage, lettuce, turnip.

 

Alcoholism: Cabbage.

 

Allergies: Black radish.

 

Arthritis: Globe artichoke, asparagus, cabbage, parsnip, black and pink radish.

 

Asthma: Cabbage, carrot, lettuce, black and pink radish, cauliflower, celery,

whole turnip plant.

 

Biliousness: Cauliflower, Jerusalem artichoke,

 

Bladder, ailments of: Cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens,

spinach, summer squash, turnip greens.

 

Bronchitis: Asparagus, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, black and pink radish, beet

greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach, turnip greens.

 

Colds: Carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale,

spinach, turnip greens.

 

Colitis: Cabbage, carrots, parsnips, winter squash.

 

Constipation: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots,

cauliflower, celery, chard, collard greens, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, lettuce,

mustard greens, radish, spinach, summer squash, turnips.

 

Convulsions: Cabbage.

 

Depression: Cabbage.

 

Drunkenness: Cabbage.

 

Dysentery: Beet greens, beet root.

 

Dyspepsia: Jerusalem Artichoke, cabbage, celery, potato, radish, squash.

 

Flatulence: Carrot, beet greens, Jerusalem artichoke.

 

Goiter, prevention of: Cabbage, carrots, celery, lettuce.

 

Gout: Beet greens, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, parsnips, turnip greens.

 

Hemorrhoids: Cabbage, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, swiss

chard.

 

Hepatic disease: Globe artichoke, asparagus, green beans, cabbage, carrot,

celery, lettuce, potato, black radish.

 

Infections: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale,

spinach, turnips.

 

Insomnia: Cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, kale, lettuce, parsnips,

potatoes, spinach, turnip greens, squash.

 

Intestinal disorders: Globe artichoke, cabbage, carrot, squash, turnip.

 

Joint pain: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kale,

spinach, turnip greens.

 

Kidneys: Asparagus, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kohlrabi, parsnips,

radishes, spinach, summer squash.

 

Menstruation, irregular: Beets, corn, lettuce, peas.

 

Mental depression: Broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, corn, kale, peas,

potatoes, turnip greens.

 

Nervousness: Beet, cabbage, celery, eggplant, lettuce.

 

Pneumonia: Sweet potatoes, spinach.

 

Pyorrhea: Cabbage.

 

Rheumatism: Globe artichokes, asparagus, celery, collards, kale, lettuce,

mustard greens.

 

Shingles: Cabbage.

 

Sinusitis: Cabbage.

 

Tumors: Cabbage, carrot, celery, swiss chard, turnip.

 

Urinary tract: Cabbage, leek, lettuce, squash.

 

The next time you use Parsley in one of your vegetable or meat dishes remember

that it has important medicinal actions also, When nature gave us parsley she

gave an amazing and extremely versatile plant to aid the body in regaining its

health. Parsley is chiefly used for renal congestion, inflammation of the

kidneys and bladder, gravel, stones, and urine retention. The root and leaves

are excellent for the liver and spleen when jaundice and venereal diseases are

present. It is also one of the best reliefs for edema, helping when other

remedies have failed. Parsley root contains ingredients that help produce a pain

relieving benefit to relax stiff joints. Many have used parsley root tea to make

stiff and unmanageable fingers work again. The root contains calcium, B-complex

vitamins, and iron all of which nourish the parathyroid glands which are

concerned with the regulation of calcium in the body. Pour a quart of boiling

water over a cup of firmly packed fresh parsley and allow to

steep for 15 minutes. Strain and then refrigerate.

 

Although parsley is a very reliable and old diuretic remedy it is very much

ignored today. Parsley will work on the gall bladder and will remove gallstones

if used properly by taking a pint of the tea daily. Parsley is a specific for

the adrenal glands, is powerfully therapeutic for the optic nerves, the brain

nerves and the whole sympathetic nervous system. Parsley juice is an excellent

tonic for the blood vessels, particularly the capillaries and arterioles. But

remember that raw parsley juice is a most potent juice and should never be taken

alone in quantities of more than one or two ounces at a time unless it is mixed

into a sufficient quantity of carrot or other juices. Parsley is remarkable for

its ability to expel watery poisons, excess mucoid matter, flatulence, reducing

swollen and enlarged glands.

 

The usual remedy for kidney, bladder, and edema is to make at least two quarts

of a strong parsley tea and drink copiously. If the urine is suppressed drink

one half to one teacupful, hot, every hour.

 

We have had several students testify in herbology classes as to the value of

parsley, among which is the following: " I talked to a man who went into the

hospital for infection. He was there six weeks. Then someone told his wife to

take him some parsley. The doctor said, 'Well, it won't hurt him, but it won't

help him.' He was released from the hospital after he had taken it for one day;

it had started to drain the infection he had. "

 

Dr. Christopher tells of a personal acquaintance who came here from England in

her twenties. She was very sickly; at the time had no children, so her husband

told her to go to the doctor. She did, and when she returned home she was very

discouraged and very unhappy, because he told her, " You have a kidney infection

which is a very progressive type and there is nothing we can do to heal it; you

will have possible six months to live. "

 

So she was at home meditating when she heard a knock at the front door. There

stood a bearded man in a grey suit; he said: " Sister Hanger, may I have a glass

of water? " to which she replied " Certainly, " although she didn't know him. She

gave him the glass of water, and he said: " Sit down, I want to talk to you a

minute, Sister Hanger, " and she wondered then how he knew her name. He

continued: " I would like to help you if you would like me to. You have just come

from the doctor's and he told you that you have a bad kidney condition. Well,

you are from England. You have brought your herbs with you, and you have a

little herb garden out in the back in which you have a nice stand of parsley.

Now, if you will take a handful of parsley each day and put it into a pint of

water, cover and steep it, and drink it in regular doses during the day, it will

heal this condition. The doctor told you that you have only six months to live,

but I will tell you what you will see; you will see another

depression " - and he went on and told her all the things she would see. When he

had finished the short interview, something momentarily distracted her attention

and in that instant he disappeared. She lived to be eighty-six years old and had

raised a number of wonderful children.

 

One of our students had been called by her brother-in-law that her favorite

sister was near death. He said if she wanted to see her while she was still

alive to come quickly to Chicago, Illinois. Her sister had been suffering for

months from dropsy and was now helpless and blacking out from the pain. She was

only expected to live a day or two longer.

 

Our student flew to Chicago on Saturday and was shocked at the sight of her

sister. She was so swollen that she was hardly recognizable, and did not even

realize her visitor was there. Our friend told her brother-in-law that she had

recently heard a lecture about an herbal aid for dropsy and asked if she might

use it. He said. " My wife is supposed, to be dead shortly. Please do anything

you can. "

 

She got in a cab, went to the health stores in downtown Chicago, and bought all

the parsley root she could find, along with some glycerine. She returned and

quickly made and administered parsley tea.

 

Our student applied the fomentations and had her sick sister drink one half cup

of tea each hour. She had to return home because of her job, but left

instructions to continue the parsley procedure.

 

She later received a phone call from her brother-in-law in Chicago who said. " I

have someone who would like to say hello to you. " It was her sister. The

swelling of months was all gone; she was out of bed for the first time in months

- happy to be alive and full of vitality and hope.

 

Parsley is such a precious herb and so easy to grow in most any little corner of

your garden or a flower pot - why ever be without it?

 

 

Herbs and Spices

 

Today we use spices and herbs to give flavor to our foods without thinking of

their valuable medicinal qualities. We will list the common spices and their

effects on our system. You will note that most of the spices have an effect on

the digestive system.

 

Allspice: A fever breaker in colds.

 

Aniseed: Indigestion, baby colic.

 

Basil: Indigestion, nausea, gas.

 

Bay leaves: Upset stomach, gas.

 

Caraway: Infant colic, dyspepsia, hair and vision, problems.

 

Cardamom: Indigestion, stimulant, colic.

 

Cayenne: Stimulant, aids digestion, helps the secreting organs.

 

Celery seed: All types of stomach disorders.

 

Chervil: Poultice for bruises.

 

Cinnamon: Inflammation of the intestinal tract, stimulant.

 

Cloves: Oil of cloves for toothache, gas nausea, languid indigestion and

dyspepsia, strong germicide, powerful antiseptic.

 

Dill: Hiccoughs, expels gas from stomach and intestines.

 

Garlic: High blood pressure, edema, rheumatism.

 

Ginger: Delayed or suppressed menstruation, cramps, diarrhea, colds,

indigestion, gas pains, headaches, flu, colic, sore throat, nausea of pregnancy.

 

Horseradish: Stimulate sinuses, poultice for sciatica, excellent stimulant to

the digestive organs.

 

Mace: Cleansing and detoxifying.

 

Marjoram: Poultice for painful swelling and rheumatism, nervous headache,

stimulant, irregular menstruation.

 

Mint: Aids digestion, colic.

 

Mustard: Stimulant for sinuses, Poultices for rheumatism and hot foot baths for

headaches, disorders of the digestive organs.

 

Nutmeg: Aids digestion and nervous stomach, one-half nutmeg steeped in hot water

good for insomnia, (has narcotic effect in large doses), allays nausea and

vomiting.

 

Oregano: Soothes the stomach and aids digestion.

 

Paprika: Stimulates appetite.

 

Saffron: Expels gas from stomach and intestines.

 

Sage: Antiseptic, blood cleanser, memory problems.

 

Savory: A cure for colic and flatulence.

 

Tarragon: Soothing for eczema and scurvy.

 

Thyme: Antiseptic for ptomaine poisoning, aids digestion, arrests gastric

fermentation, colic.

 

Turmeric: Expels gas from stomach and intestines, assists gall bladder function.

 

 

Bibliography

 

Christopher, Dr. John R., 1976 School of Natural Heating, Provo, Utah.

 

Jensen, Bernard, 1978 Nature has a Remedy. D.C.

 

Grieve, M., 1971 A Modern Herbal, New York.

 

Kadans, Joseph M., 1973 Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds. West

Nyack, New York.

 

Wade, Carlson, 1972 Natural Hormones, West Nyack, N.Y.

 

Soyer, Alexis, 1977 The Pantropheon, New York.

 

Barmakian, Richard, 1976 Hypoglycemia-Your Bondage or Freedom, Irvine, Calif.

1976 Herbalist, Provo, Utah.

 

Valnet, Jean, 1975 Heal Yourself With Vegetables, Fruits and Grains, New York.

 

Walker, N.W., 1976 Raw Vegetable Juices, New York.

 

Used by permission: Dr. Christopher's Newsletters - Volume 4 Number 12

 

return to newsletters

 

 

 

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DISCLAIMER

 

The information provided here is for educational purposes only, and should not

be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have a serious health problem, we

recommend that you consult a competent health practitioner.

 

After each product is a list of what it has been used to aid. We are not

claiming that the product will cure any of these diseases or that we created

them to cure these disorders. We are merely reporting that people have used the

product to aid these conditions.

 

Finally, we wish to caution you that the information on this web site is for

educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified health practitioner

before deciding on any course of treatment, especially for serious or

life-threatening illnesses.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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