Almond is a middle-sized tree with simple grayish leaves (when mature) and white-tinged red, showy flowers. The fruits are velvety drupes, separating into two halves, exposing stones, which contain the kernel called almond.
There is common belief that vegetarian food contains no protein. Almond removes all such myths as it contains twenty per cent protein—a percentage that is hardly found in the plants. Among all the nuts that are used as food, almonds are highly nutritive. They are packed with all the food components, which are vital to health, strength, and sound body. It has been said, “No man need starve on a journey that will fill his waist coat pocket with shelled almonds.” Leave alone the quantity; the quality of the protein is such that it is very easily digested.
You will also be amazed to know that almonds contain good quantity of copper—the most vital key mineral that synthesizes hemoglobin by aiding proper absorption of iron from gastrointestinal tract. The medicinal action of almonds is chiefly due to phramacodynamic action of copper, calcium, and phosphorus and vitamin-Bl, C and E. It is this fact, which led the ancient masters to use almonds in all ages in hope to live strong, healthy, and long.
Almond kernel is described as thermogenic, aphrodisiac, laxative, diuretic, nutritious, demulcent and nerve tonic in Ayurvedic literature. Oil is sweet, cooling, antispasmodic, sedative, laxative, and rejuvenating. Almond, as a whole is popular as brain tonic and body coolant.
MEDICINAL USES
• Almonds form an ideal tonic for your growing child. Soak 3 to 6 shelled almonds in warm water and then remove the thin skin. Grind them into paste, and mix it with milk. Add a teaspoonful of honey. Feed your baby once daily from 2nd month onwards and see how the child grows with strong bones. There is no fear of indigestion— they will suit for all. It is also very much useful in adolescent girls with delayed puberty; crushed almonds, egg yolk, gingili (til) powder, and a teaspoon of honey in milk will do the trick. This ensures good overall development during adolescence.
• It acts as an excellent food supplement in case of general debility and convalescence. Soak 12 to 15 shelled almonds in hot water and remove the outer covering. Grind them into fine paste, and mix it with the buttermilk and mash a ripe banana in it. Strain it through a muslin cloth, add 4 teaspoons honey, and drink twice daily. Almond forms an ideal food for diabetics also as it contains little carbohydrate. It is valuable in diets for peptic ulcers.
• Almonds increase libido and enhance general sexual performance in cases of frigidity. Cut and boil a few drumstick fruits and collect their pulp. Grind a few almonds and 2-3 pinches of saffron along with this pulp and eat every day for 40 days.
• It is good in case of constipation. Grind separately 5 teaspoons almonds and 5 teaspoons dried dates. Combine them and add 10 teaspoons honey. Take 3 teaspoons of this mixture twice daily.
• In case of head lice, grind 7 to 8 kernels with 1 to 2 teaspoons lime juice and apply on the scalp. To stop the hair fall, apply a little almond oil on scalp regularly and massage.
• In case of tooth ache and gum diseases, burn the shells of almonds, powder, and use as toothpowder.
• To get relief from psoriasis and allied skin troubles, powder a few almonds, boil and apply on affected areas and let it remain overnight.
• To improve skin complexion, mix equal quantities of almond oil and honey and apply on face. To protect your tender skin from sunburn, apply the paste of almonds and milk cream along with the coconut oil on the exposed parts regularly.
• In case of insomnia, grind blanched almonds (8 to 10) along with khuskhus grass powder (1 teaspoon) and milk (half teacup) and smear the paste on palms and soles.
• To get relief from muscular sprains, mix equal parts of almond oil and garlic oil and massage over the affected pans.
PLEASE NOTE
In order to enhance their assimilation, almonds are often taken in combination with other spices like black pepper, khuskhus, turmeric, cardamom etc. However, during the summer months and hot climatic conditions, almonds should be consumed after removing their brown outer skin, which has a tendency to produce enormous heat in the body.