Hi students! I’m glad you find your way to Greenhouse # 3! Today we will learn about some fruits, vegetables, and other spices, that besides providing taste and nutrients to our daily diet, they also have some other beneficial properties which are worth knowing for Healers on the making like all of you. These plants are safer since they are edible, but please be cautious if you know you are allergic to any of them. Remember: These techniques or whatever are not to be used in the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. Pick your partner, grab your gloves and watering cans, and hands-on!
APPLE:
Apple trees are one of the most cultivated fruit trees. The apple tree originated in Western Asia. The tree can reach 3 to 12 meters (9.8 to 39 ft.) tall, it blossoms during the spring but the fruit matures until autumn. As a fruit, apples contain between 83 and 93% water.
* Properties: Contains vitamins and proteins, good digestion, laxative, diuretic, reduces cholesterol levels, calming.
* Apple for Healers:
* Properties: Contains vitamins and proteins, good digestion, laxative, diuretic, reduces cholesterol levels, calming.
* Apple for Healers:
- The skin of the apple is a bit laxative so it absorbs the toxins and microorganisms in the intestine.
- Treats chronic diarrhea in children.
- Treats high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
- Good in diets against obesity.
- Calming action that helps and eases sleep.
- Warm covering of boiled apples for ear pains.
- Apple juice to massage cheeks for relaxing effect. It helps to invigorate tissues.
ARTICHOKE:
Originated in the Mediterranean. It can grow up to 2 meters. Its leaves are long and its flowers have numerous triangle scales.
* Properties: antioxidant, depurative, diuretic, tonic.
* Artichoke for Healers:
* Properties: antioxidant, depurative, diuretic, tonic.
* Artichoke for Healers:
- Treats cardio-vascular, kidney, and liver disorders.
- Treats eczemas.
- Treats diabetes.
- Regenerates hepatic cells.
ASPARAGUS:
Also known as sparrow grass, this vegetable has been grown since Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Its leaves are scaled shaped, the flowers are small and of a whitish-green color. The fruits are red and are linear ramifications of the stem.
* Properties: contains vitamins and nutrients, depurative, stimulator, laxative, hepatic and renal drainer.
* Asparagus for Healers:
* Properties: contains vitamins and nutrients, depurative, stimulator, laxative, hepatic and renal drainer.
* Asparagus for Healers:
- Treats and control stomach affections.
- Cleans the liver, lungs, and intestine of their toxins.
- Prevents the development of arteriosclerosis.
- Cleans the blood.
- Recommended for people with diabetes.
BANANA:
Considered to be the first fruit to appear on the Earth, bananas originated in South Africa. The banana is grown from a plant, but due to its large size it is often confused with a tree. This plant produces two stems at the same time. The first one, and the bigger one, is for the immediate obtaining of the fruit. The second one will produce the fruit 6 or 8 months later.
* Properties: energizer, rich in potassium, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, anti-stress, happiness.
* Banana for Healers:
* Properties: energizer, rich in potassium, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, anti-stress, happiness.
* Banana for Healers:
- Stimulates the production of hemoglobin in the blood, and it is good in the treatment of anemia.
- Treats problems with arterial pressure.
- Treats depression.
- Calms your nerves and anxiety.
- Brings oxygen to the brain.
- Useful against smoking, helping the body to regenerate after the effects of lack of nicotine.
- Banana peels can treat mosquito bites.
- Treats itches and dry skin.
- Calms the pains of sunburns.
CELERY:
Traditionally used for making salads and for spicing up foods and drinks. It grows up to 1 meter tall, and its flowers are creamy white. The Ancient Romans used the leaves of the celery for their “Winner’s Crown”. It was also used by the Ancient Greeks and the Chinese.
* Properties: rich in vitamins and minerals, diuretic, depurative, expectorant, cicatrizing.
* Celery for Healers:
* Properties: rich in vitamins and minerals, diuretic, depurative, expectorant, cicatrizing.
* Celery for Healers:
- Treats diseases of the urinary bladder.
- Treats rheumatism and obesity.
- Strengthens the immunologic system and protects against new diseases.
- Treats renal afflictions and heart disorders.
- Helps in losing weight.
- Energizes and fortifies the body.
- Good for treating wounds and scratches.
- Treats lack of food appetite.
CHERRY:
A stone fruit from plants of the genus Prunus. There are many species of cherries, but the most common ones are the Wild Cherries (Prunus Avium) also known as Sweet Cherries. These cherry trees grow to 15-32 meters tall. The flowers blossom in early spring. The fruits, which are bright red or dark purple, mature in midsummer. Cherries contain 70% of water.
* Properties: detoxifying, depurative, diuretic, energizer.
* Cherry for Healers.
* Properties: detoxifying, depurative, diuretic, energizer.
* Cherry for Healers.
- Removes toxins from the body.
- Can treat tiredness and depression.
- Treats hepatic diseases.
- Stimulates the body and immune system.
- Regulates digestive system.
- Treats tired and dry skin.
- Treats migraines.
CORIANDER:
Herb that comes from the Mediterranean. It is used in cuisine and perfumery industry. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used it to give flavor to their food and wine. In the 18th century people chewed coriander to avoid having bad breath.
* Properties: analgesic,carminative,diuretic, sedative
* Coriander for Healers:
* Properties: analgesic,carminative,diuretic, sedative
* Coriander for Healers:
- Treats headaches.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Treats anxiety and insomnia.
- Treats panic attacks.
- Reduces abdominal pains.
- Stimulates memory.
- Coriander seeds regulate insulin levels, and decrease cholesterol levels.
CUCUMBER:
It can be found all year long, but its main season is from April to September. It originated in India, but it is widely cultivated now. Cucumber grows from a vine. Cucumber is cylindrical in shape, and the big ones can measure up to 60 cm. (24in) long. More than 90% of a cucumber is water.
* Properties: detoxification, diuretic, depurative, rich in vitamins
* Cucumber for Healers:
* Properties: detoxification, diuretic, depurative, rich in vitamins
* Cucumber for Healers:
- Helps in weight loss because it has very few calories.
- Treats skin afflictions like: red spots, itching, and scab.
- Cleansing action in the body.
- Helps in the treatment of arthritis.
- Rejuvenator.
- Treats sunburn’s pain.
GARLIC:
Native to Africa and Central Asia. Garlic is easy to grow, and it can be grown all year-round. It has a very strong smell, which is disgusting for the majority of people.
* Properties: antibacterial, antiseptic, diuretic
* Garlic for Healers:
* Properties: antibacterial, antiseptic, diuretic
* Garlic for Healers:
- Stimulates digestion.
- Reduces high blood pressure.
- Treats pharyngitis and intestinal infections.
- Counteracts flu complications.
- Disinfects wounds.
- Treats acne and wounds.
- Treats hypertension, bronchitis, lung problems, asthma, and tuberculosis.
HORSERADISH:
It originated in Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. Its roots are yellow, and it has a spicy flavor. It can grow up to 2 meters. It can be grown in shaded or warm places, but it does not like sandy soils.
* Properties: antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic
* Horseradish for Healers:
* Properties: antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic
* Horseradish for Healers:
- Stimulates the immune system.
- Stimulates the appetite.
- Treats afflictions like: anemia, bronchitis, flu, sinusitis, cough.
- Can treat facial paralysis.
HOT PEPPER:
Originated in Central and South America. It measures 30-60 cm. long. Its color can be red or yellow, and it has many seeds. There are different variant of peppers. Some may taste sweet, but usually they have a hot flavor. Hot pepper is a spice.
* Properties: antiseptic, vitaminizing.
* Hot Pepper for Healers:
* Properties: antiseptic, vitaminizing.
* Hot Pepper for Healers:
- Heals wounds. Pepper powder cleans the wounds and destroys the germs.
- Treats flu (anti-flu action).
- Remedy against alcoholism.
- Sinus decongestion.
- Treats infections of the tooth gums.
- Regulates blood circulation.
- Stimulates the nervous system.
LEMON:
It is a fruit that originated in India. Lemons are yellow or green and they grow in a tree. They have a citric, sour, particular flavor, and they are highly used in cooking and baking. Also, a lot of drinks and candies with lemon flavor are available. Lemons were used as antidotes for poisons.
* Properties: rich in vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, depurative, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, tonic.
* Lemon for Healers:
* Properties: rich in vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, depurative, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, tonic.
* Lemon for Healers:
- Used in aromatherapy to treat hepatic affections.
- Helps in blood circulation.
- Treats respiratory diseases and afflictions like: asthma, bronchitis, colds, and sinusitis.
- Strengthens the immunes system of the body.
- Treats greasy skin and fragile nails.
- Treats hiccup.
LETTUCE:
Vegetable that is grown worldwide. Initially, its stem is very short, but then it grows and produces flower heads. Lettuces like light, sandy, fertile soil, and it prefers cool weather.
* Properties: detoxification, diuretic, energizer, laxative, sedative, rich in mineral salts (essential for metabolism)
* Lettuce for Healers:
* Properties: detoxification, diuretic, energizer, laxative, sedative, rich in mineral salts (essential for metabolism)
* Lettuce for Healers:
- Stimulates appetite.
- Cleans the body of toxins.
- Strengthens immune system and increases resistance to infections.
- Fights anemia.
- Regulates digestion.
- Treats heart disorders.
- Eases sleep and reduces stress.
- Cleans the skin and fights acne.
ONION:
It was cultivated since ancient times in the Nile Valley. Its use is recommended raw because once it is boiled it loses large part of its properties.
* Properties: antiseptic, energizer,
* Onion for Healers:
* Properties: antiseptic, energizer,
* Onion for Healers:
- Treats abscesses and furuncles.
- Treats slight burns.
- It works on the pancreas so it can help with the treatment of diabetes.
- Treats diarrhea.
- Treats respiratory afflictions like: coughs, and bronchitis.
- Can be used against freckles.
PARSLEY:
It originated in Europe. It grows best in moist, well drained soils. It loves the sun.
* Properties: anticacerous (helps protect the liver and intestines from cancer), antiseptic, detoxification, stimulant, rich in vitamins and minerals,
* Parsley for Healers:
* Properties: anticacerous (helps protect the liver and intestines from cancer), antiseptic, detoxification, stimulant, rich in vitamins and minerals,
* Parsley for Healers:
- Stimulates digestion.
- Eliminates toxins.
- Treats kidney stones.
- Stimulates fertility.
- Helps against dependency on alcohol.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Against freckles.
- Adjuvant in treating afflictions like: anemia, asthma, obesity, toothaches, etc.
PEACH:
Peach tree originated in China, although for a long time it was believed that it originated in Persia. The tree can reach heights of 2 to 3.5 meters. Its flowers are pink and blossom during the spring. The branches that give fruits die afterwards. Peach trees like to be exposed to the sun.
* Properties: contains vitamins and minerals, eases digestion, stimulates gastric secretions, reduces cholesterol in blood, stimulant.
* Peach for Healers:
* Properties: contains vitamins and minerals, eases digestion, stimulates gastric secretions, reduces cholesterol in blood, stimulant.
* Peach for Healers:
- Prevents cardiovascular and renal diseases.
- Treats anemia.
- Good during convalescence.
- Treats fatigue and depression.
- Treats neurosis.
- Regenerate skin tissue so it is good for skin afflictions.
- Helps in losing weight.
PUMPKIN:
Its stem is flexible, and its leaves are big and heart shaped. The flowers are yellow, and the fruit can be green, yellow, or orange. The pulp of the fruit has a sweet flavor. As we all know, pumpkins are very popular during Halloween since during this time pumpkins are carved in the shape of a face, and they are lit with candles inside to guard from evil spirits.
* Properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins and minerals, adjusts cholesterol levels, energizer, sedative.
* Pumpkin for Healers:
* Properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins and minerals, adjusts cholesterol levels, energizer, sedative.
* Pumpkin for Healers:
- Slows aging process.
- Eliminates intestinal parasites.
- Stimulates kidney activity.
- Protection against heart diseases.
- Treats insomnia.
- Treats burns and insect stings.
- Softens the skin, hydrates it, and treats wrinkles.
SPINACH:
It originated in the Middle East, and it was used against lung and throat affections. It grows up to 30 cm. It is a strong plant that can survive over winter.
* Properties: anticancerigenic, rich in minerals and vitamins, depurative, detoxifier, adjusts cholesterol levels.
* Spinach for Healers:
* Properties: anticancerigenic, rich in minerals and vitamins, depurative, detoxifier, adjusts cholesterol levels.
* Spinach for Healers:
- Strengthens the body and the immune system.
- Improves activity in the brain.
- Treats insomnia.
- Prevents sight problems.
- Good coagulant.
- Calms nervous system.
- Treats cardiac and renal affections.
- Treats obesity.
- Treats acne and eczemas.
- Treats wounds and burns.
TOMATO:
Originated in South Africa. Tomatoes are often confused for vegetables but in reality they are fruits. It can be grown all year long, but its nutritional value increases when it is grown from June to September. It likes temperate climates.
* Properties: antioxidant, diuretic.
* Tomato for Healers:
* Properties: antioxidant, diuretic.
* Tomato for Healers:
- Can protect against UV rays.
- Helps in losing weight.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Resistance to different kind of cancers and heart diseases.
- Treats atherosclerosis and muscle degeneration.
WILD STRAWBERRY:
It has a long flowering period. After some years of flowering and giving fruit, the plant loses vigor and dies due to viral diseases. The flowers are small and its color is white. The fruit can be red or white. It is harvested from June through October. Ancient Romans used it for its purifying qualities.
* Properties: detoxifier
* Wild Strawberry for Healers:
* Properties: detoxifier
* Wild Strawberry for Healers:
- Treats liver disorders like hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Treats rheumatism.
- Treats acne.
- Detoxifies the body.
- Stimulates the nervous system.
- Prevents wrinkles
And we are done! That was all for this month! Please proceed with your assignment. Please, don’t forget to wash your hands. Next class we will be working in Greenhouse # 4. Have a good day!
Sources:
- http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celery
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_avium
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumber
- http://www.dietobio.com/aliments/en/cucumber.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lettuce
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinach
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato