Onion
The onion has been advised to be taken in the daily diet. There are good reasons for tendering this advice. For some this advice would seem alright and very good. This will not be acceptable for a few others. They will say that this goes against their Orthodoxy. Some may say that this also would affect Yoga Sadhakas. We do not stand in the way of Yogi the orthodox and the Vedantins, behaving according to their desire. This onion is a good article of food for ordinary people leading ordinary lives.
The Onion contains ingredients which are very beneficial to the liver, brain, stomach and the intestines. Those who suffer from piles know very well the benefits of onion. This is a good vegetable to purify the blood. When the onion is used raw, the benefit is very great. This will give a healthy balance in the body if eaten raw with the other articles of food. Those who suffer from sleeplessness, get considerable benefit when they take cooked onions daily. The onion which is a little sweet is preferable.
A few useful hints are given below of the articles of human food value.
POTATOES : Apart from the watery portion, this contains a great deal of starch (18%). Protein and carbohydrates are very little. Minerals and Vitamin C are also present.
CABBAGE : This gives the benefits of Greens (leaves) and also cures constipation. It reduces the heat in the blood and purifies it.
GREENS (LEAVES): The animals, which get ill go prompted by their instinct in search of these to get themselves cured. Tolstoy used to point out the kitchen garden containing these Greens as his medicine chest. You must remember the Lettuce. When due to wrong dieting and over feeding the blood becomes poisoned or gets thick, these greens are very good to restore normal cnditions. This will also reduce nervous disorders. These should be made into salads and then taken by themselves every night. The above cures will be effected if cooked juice is retained.
CARROT : Health will increase if this is eaten raw after full mastication.
CELERY: This gives peace and activity to those who are intellectual workers.
TOMATO : This is the best diet for invalids. This increase the gastric juice. It will purify the blood and benefit the intestines. This is a very good diet for physical culturists. This is a good medicine for ills of the stomach.
APPLE : This is an essential food for the body. All liver and bile excesses will be cured. There is a peculiar liquid available for the good of the body in this. This is a great friend for the restoration and preservation of health. The acidity in the stomach will be cured. This also prevents the formation of hard fleshy stones in the liver and the bladder. This decomposes the sulphuric acid that may be formed in the stomach. This co-operates with the kidneys, for secretion of their juices. This gives vitamin B12.
GRAPES : Sugar is available in well ripe fresh grapes. This is a good friend for the proper functioning of all the organs in the human body. The natural juices available in this fruit, help secretions of the glands and free movement of the bowell. The kidneys, the liver and the larger intestines are all benefited. It purifies the blood and increases its quality. The dextrin found in the juice of this fruit produces pepsin in the blood and helps digestion. The phosphorus liquid present in the juice, becomes food for the brain an the nerves, and tones them up. We can conveniently forget the artificial poison products of patent medicines taken in for bowell movement. This will remove constipation very well.
This takes a prominent place in curing diseases. This treatment is called grape cure and taken on a wide scale. The stomach and intestinal catarrh are treated by this grape cure. This will also be a help for digestive disorders, jaundice, heart disease, irregular menstruation, skin diseases and other disorders. When this is consumed in great quantities, it is ususal to discard the skin and the seed. When the food is limited and grapes are used on a large scale great benefit to the system will result. (Bernarr MacFadden).
Dried fruits
DATES: This is a great store of energy. The fat and energy giving ingredients are abundant in this. This must be well masticated. This has to be masticated until it becomes semi liquid in the mouth and then swallowed for the sake of proper digestion.
FIGS AND RAISINS: This food is easily digestible.
HONEY : This is the nectar gathered from the flowers. There is natural sugar available in this. A little of minerals and protein are also available. This can be used in milk, replacing sugar with considerable benefit.