Foods that Heal – Part 1

Whole foods heal. Period!

Have you experienced this?

Apples, pears, spinach, kale, strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin, green beans, carrots, raw

almonds, fresh coconut, ground cinnamon, cilantro, alfalfa sprouts…I could go on for days.

There are so many unique, interesting, colorful foods that truly need no embellishment to be delicious and bring nutrients, minerals and enzymes to the body, and the body can use these to heal itself.

The most powerful healing comes when eating these whole foods raw.  Adding lots of raw foods to your diet, or doing a juice or smoothie fast, will create detox symptoms which may actually make you feel sick, especially if you are not drinking enough water to get the toxins that the body is unlodging out of the body quickly enough.  These symptoms can include headache, aching muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders, diarrhea, low grade fever, skin rash.  Usually detox symptoms are very short lived and often go away with increased water consumption.  Hang in there, and know your body is doing exactly what you want it to do.

I have several raw food books that share the benefits of eating specific foods for compromised areas of health.  I thought I would share the notes that I have taken.  I will share half of my list this week and the other half on Wednesday.  So check back later this week for the rest of the list.

Immune system and Allergies:  most helpful are antioxidants and beta-carotene found in carrots, cantaloupe, dark red or blue fruits, kiwi, brassica family (broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts), garlic, onions, leeks. 

Respiratory:  look for quercitin which strengthens the lungs (found in apples, onions), dark red and purple berries.  Avoid dairy products which produce catarrh (mucus building).   For expectorant properties – turnips, radishes, horseradish; nettles help with hay fever.

Cleansing and Urinary Tract:  especially good are fruits high in pectin and or ellagic acid, such as apples, strawberries, grapes; for liver support try artichokes, lemons, cranberries, fennel; for gallbladder support eat radishes.  Diuretic action – celery, cucumber, cranberry, dandelion, celeriac, fennel, strawberry, peach and watermelon.  Asparagus is good for stimulating the kidneys and purifying the blood.  Urinary infection or cystitis, drink fresh cranberry or blueberry juice.

Digestive Health: 1-2 tsp. ground linseeds (flaxseeds) to liquid for constipation or diarrhea; laxative effects from plums, prunes, peaches, nectarines, figs or pears.  Ginger is good for nausea.  Apples aid normal digestion and fennel juice is excellent for most digestive conditions.  Pineapple and papayas improve impaired digestion or stomach ulcers.  Fiber keeps the bowels in good health.

Circulation and Blood Health:  Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits.  Raw beetroot (beet) and dandelion juices with dark green leafy vegetables used to combat anemia (add citrus or tomato juice to improve iron absorption).   Lower blood pressure with potassium rich foods – watermelon, cucumber, grapes, bananas.

Next Wednesday, I’ll share foods for reproductive health, skeletal and muscle heath, skin and hair care, and cancer prevention. 

Let me know of your success!