Apple: Old adage ‘An Apple a day, keeps the doctor away’ was not unknown to our ancestors who used its juice to remove general weakness and run-down condition of body; anaemic conditions and low vitality. It was also used for healthy skin and general upkeep of health, for better complexion, for making up iron deficiency. General rule, for intake of juice, is that it should never be gulped down, rather it should always be slowly sipped, so that the juice mixes up with the saliva. This rule should be equally applied to other fruit/vegetables juices also.
Aniseed: It was used to increase quantity of milk in nursing women, to get rid of worms, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, pain in stomach and abdomen.
Beet-Root: Now-a-days beet-juice is used to raise HB in the blood and to improve quality of blood. But, in ancient times, its juice was an oft-used remedy for curing cough, cold, fever, bronchitis, to emulsify tumors in bones, stomach, uterus and other parts of the body. Even green leaves of beet were used for juicing purposes, as also for preparing salads.
Cabbage: Its juice was considered to be a specific vehicle to cure liver and stomach troubles, peptic and gastric ulcers. It was also used as a bulking agent for removal of constipation.
Carrot: In old times apple was not within reach of poor and less privileged people. Carrot was an excellent substitute for the costly apple and was, rightly, called ‘A’ poorman’s Apple.’ If cost factor is spared, carrot is in no way inferior to apple. Juice of carrot was extracted for use in scurvy, rickets, spongy and bleeding gums, for improving eye-sight, to halt tooth decay, to impart healthy and fair look to complexion, to increase blood, remove constipation. Carrot was also used, in combination with tomato and potato, in the form of cooked vegetable. But, as is well known, cooking destroys most of the nutrients but its juice, in bland form, is of unquestioned utility.
Cherry: Cherry juice was used to quench thirst, to ward off ill-effects of toxic substances. To prevent reformation of stones in kidneys, kernels (said to be six in numbers) per day were given, as also to cure appendicitis. Its use in some sweetmeats, desserts and jams was not a new invention.
Bitter-Gourd: Its juice was used, as an effective remedy, for curing jaundice, stomach and liver disorders, various eye problems, blood purification, eruptions on skin and for current or chronic constipation. Bitter gourd juice could also control and contain diabetes (Insipid and mellitus) and also modified side-effects of this dreaded disease, was well known to our elders. Not only its raw juice but also its fried fonn was abundantly used to protect from heat and also to modify ill-effects of heat conditions. For diabetics and others who abhor its bitter taste, it was slashed into small slices for being clipped in vinegar, salt, cumin, green chillies, and used as an appetiser and antidiabetic pickle.
Basil (Holy Basil, Tulsi): A house hold remedy, par excellence often used in preparation of tea, medicines, for curing cough fevers, bronchitis, for protection against infections, for the cure of cold and its bad effects, juice of fresh leaves of hoi)’ basil was extracted for use in the aforesaid disorders. Its juice was mixed with honey for respiratory disorders. To get prompt relief, basil juice was mixed with garlic juice and honey to obtain instant relief from nasty bouts of mouth, chest congestion, nasal blockade and even sinusitis.
Its juice was used as nasal drops to gel the nasal cavities cleared of sticky and adhesive sputum. In ayurvedic medicines, there is hardly any Vaidya who could afford to dispute the use of basil. Its curative and preventive properties were known even to a layman. There hardly exists any Hindu home where basil plant does not blossom. It is not myth that where there is basil, there is purity, piety and prosperity, Gods reside there, germs do not dare invade such a mansion. In epidemics and infections diseases, it was an infallible and preventive mode of treatment.
Ginger: Use of ginger was in vogue in many Indian homes as a well-tested remedy to prevent accumulation of gas in the abdomen, to aid in digestion, to improve eye-sight, strengthen loosening teeth, bleeding gums, to purify bad breath. Some people in Rajasthan and Gujarat use ginger, in raw form, for curing above-mentioned disorders, as also a means to set in order disturbed digestion. Ginger juice mixed with honey, was and is still a household remedy for sore-throat, cough, cold and tonsillitis, and nasal discharge. Garlic, in raw or juice form, is no alien to the Indian homes. Adding basil juice to emulsified form of honey and ginger juice and bronchitis. Its thinly sliced pieces are sucked, used in {sickles and salads to add to taste and pushing up digestion.
Garlic: like ginger, garlic was also a house-hold remedy and device for insect bites, tuberculosis, heart and its various disorders, (even heart attack), tumour and cancer. It was considered to be a panacea for all bodily ailments. Garlic was used in various meat preparations, vegetable cooking, medicines, in pickles, in chutneys, for local application, for cleansing ears, to expel earwax, and relieve ear pain etc. Some classes of people, Hindus in particular, did not use garlic, due to its pungent taste and offensive smell but, even those people, never hesitated when it was used medicinally. Garlic boiled in mustard oil or Til (ground nut) oil was used to get relief from swelling and pain in gout, arthritis, rheumatism and stiff and painful joints.
Dreaded diseases like cancer, angina, blood pressure (high), pain in head and forehead were also cured by garlic. Garlic was also used to offset evil effects of bad spirits, witches, devil’s, evil eye and vampires, whereas, Romans used it as an offering for Mars. Its juice was used on poisonous wounds, on skin eruptions, insect-bites an was rightly named as a ‘heal-all’ vegetable. Modern use of garlic, in pearl-shaped capsules, for treating hypertension, arterio-sclerosis, angina pectoris, for varicosity of veins, is a sure tribute to. ancient wisdom of our ancestors.
Lime (Mausambi, Mausmi): There is hardly any fruit of citrus family as lime which is capable of purging out toxins and harmful foreign elements from tits body. It was used to treat diseases like dysentery, loose motions, diabetes, cancer of liver, jaundice, sour eructations, to improve and fortify digestive system, heart disorders, kidney and prostate disorders, uterine disease, anaemia etc. and due to its capacity to heal so many (so called) incurable diseases it was aptly described as a ‘heal all’ fruit, which was treated as an ‘all purpose’ fruit to heal and cure various diseases inflicting human race.
Plantain: Our ancestors may not have been conversant with nutritive values of all fruits but they were positively aware of the benefits which they could derive from fruits to treat various disorders of body, and plantain is no exception to their experienced eyes. Plantain is grown in coastal and humid climate. It is used, in raw and unripe form, as a cooked vegetable. To control the excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), its juice was often used. Ripe plantain and curd made an excellent combination to cure mucus-laden loose stools, loose motions, dysentery, gripe.
Plantain with milk made a ‘Complete food’. It is grown and used in abundance in eastern, southern and north eastern Indian homes, both as a food and fruit, due to its nutrition value. It was also used as a dessert. Even in chronic constipation, etc its regular use is of immense benefit. Sparingly built persons, lean, tall and lanky ones added to their weight by adding plantain as part of their diet. In northern region it is used in the ripe form only. Leaves, fruit of plantain, especially in unripe fonn and its trunk formed an essential part of each religious, social and cultural function. It does not suit persons with weak digestion.
Orange: Variation in soils and climate determine size, shape, content of pulp, colour and appearance of its fruit. It was used in fever, headache, general debility, in collapse stage, in sexual weakness, impotency, frigidity, sterility, to improve digestion (considered as a right fruit for the wrong and indiscreet intake of food), was carminative and purged toxic substances from the body. Its medicinal utility matches with that of lime.
Papaya: Ripe papaya fruit was a specific remedy in cases of chronic diarrhoea, collitis, dysentery, in chronic infection of bowels and inveterate constipation. It was also used in jam, syrup and fresh juice forms for all stomach disorders, to ward off and prevent bad effects of heat. Its unripe fruit was used as a cooked vegetable for various liver disorders, Papaya has been in use since long. In our country growing papaya trees is a normal practice, particularly, side-by-side plantain and coconut trees. Papaya is considered to be a boon for all stomach ailments— Whether used in unripe or ripe form, being easily digestible and easy to consume.
Margosa (Neem): Margosa, juice of its leaves has been used since times in medical, as remedy for various skin diseases like, boils, skin eruptions, urticaria, pruritis, bleeding and infectious wounds and cuts; injuries caused by any accident or sharp wound, accidents. It is of unquestioned remedy for purifying impure blood and in tuberculosis respiratory disorders. Its oil is applied locally to cure dryness, roughness, and in trapped skins. Its fruit is a bit bitterish sweet and is especially used for various skin infections by those who dislike bitter taste of its leaves and their juice. Its paste is also used on wounds as a healing and curing agent. Margosa tree has been, aqd still continues to be, a household remedy, besides being frequently used in ayurvedic medicines.
Marmelos (Bael): Pulp of marmalos, in ripe form, and its juice are age-old remedies for curing dysentery and diarrhoea. In summer, its sharbat (liquefied syrup), is used to off-set and prevent bad effects of heat and sun-stroke, as it quenches thirst, keeps the mouth moistened, serves as a tonic for regulating bowels. Its jam is also used in various kinds of stomach disorders, like diarrhoea and dysentery. But, its jam should not be used by diabetics due to high sugar content, but pulp of its ripe fruit and its juice can be freely used to ward off and rectify aforesaid disorders. Green leaves taken raw, or still better in juice form, is of unquestioned value in curing diabetic problems. It controls and brings down, sugar level in blood, in addition to controlling excessive urinary discharge. Green leaves of marmelos, margosa, basil make a good blend of juice for diabetic and digestive disorders.
Tomato: Tomato is neither a fruit nor a vegetable but is thought to belong to berry family. Its use in ripe, unripe or raw form, as juice in cooked vegetable; jams is not a new concept. Being a cleaning agent, it was rightly considered to be an efficient and potent vehicle to purge out toxic elements, and thus keep stomach and intestines free from infections and other disorders. Green or unripe tomatoes were used as vermifuge, a tonic for digestive system, blood purifier, blood builder by raising RBCs in the blood.
Jam or chutney of tomato are palatable, digestive a carminative. Its fresh juice, when mixed with carrot, beet and lime/orange juice, could even cure anaemia. It is a boon to ailing old persons, young and growing children, infants and pregnant ladies, as it provides strength, vigour and vitality to the body. Since, its skin (even though being .often soft) and seeds are said to be harmful for patients with kidney problems-hence it should not be used by patients having renal disorders. It was also known as ‘love apple’. Being easily digestible, it aids in digestive process but must be used in divided and moderate servings only.
Spinach: Spinach is a rich source of iron, hence its use for iron-deficiency variety of anaemia. Its juice, if mixed with tomato juice, will not only help in producing fresh blood, but also remove even chronic constipation and serve as a tonic for the stomach and intestines. Spinach being rich in iron content may, in certain sensitive persons, cause onset of loose motions, but to ward off any such complication, add lemon juice and tomato, or still better carrot and turnip juices, to derive maximum mileage. It is an excellent blend of juice, if taken 2-3 times a day, till digestion, constipation and other problems show an improved trend.
Jambul Tree (Jamun): It is only recently, say ten to fifteen years back, medicine experts came to know of the anti-diabetic efficacy and medicinal use of jambul fruit. But our elders were fully aware of its curative, food and nutritive uses. In summer and rainy seasons, its fruit was well known to possess qualities of quenching tliirst, as a preventive and curative fruit to protect from heat and its bad effects. It was considered as a brain tonic, a digestive tonic, container of excess of sugar in urine and blood. It might have been used by an implication but our ancestors knew well of what curative wonders jambul fruit was.
I know that the ripe fruit was eaten after taking mangoes because the fruit was an antidote to excessive intake of mangoes. Its syrup and ginger, if taken regularly, do control urine and blood sugar, also prevent from ill effects of heat, restrict intake of water by quenching thirst and keeping the mouth moistened and wet. Jambul fruit helps to digest food and also improve digestion. For further details, not for jambul only but also for other fruits and vegetable, reference may be had to relevant portions in this book.
Modem medicine have merely established its medicinal efficacy, as far as its use in modern medicinal use is concerned but has off to our ancestors who, without having any testing labs and other facilities, were fully aware of the food and curative values of. many variety of fruits. Modern research must be credited with bringing multiple uses of jambul to light, because modern generation will not and does not accept any suggestion, however cogent, until the same is fully backed by viable proof. Combination of modern scientific research and findings, when coupled with ancient wisdom, though being a need based one, has started showing worldwide acceptance and use. It is a combination of tradition and modern technologies.