Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fruits That Treat Your Stomach

There are several fruits, many of them easily available, which have healing properties. These could be used more often for treatment of common conditions. Banana has a beneficial effect on constipation. The pectin in the fruit enables it to absorb water and increase the intestinal bulk which then acts as a laxative at the level of the colon. Two ripe bananas taken in the morning should be enough for mild constipation. The fruit also has been shown to have an anti-acidity effect-perhaps by preventing the effect of a substance called 5-hydroxytryptamine.

So if somebody gets heartburn after a hearty but, perhaps, unwise meal and there is no medicine available at home, then bananas could decrease these symptoms. Another fruit which has an effect on constipation is the papaya. The ripe papaya, if taken regularly, not only cures but also prevents constipation. This is particularly beneficial for people with piles or with hernia as the straining associated with constipation would be avoided.

Lime commonly known as nimbu, is very rich source of vitamin C. It was by giving two lemons a day to sailors in British naval vessel that John Lind discovered that the deficiency disease of scurvy could be completely cured by

vitamin C. Lemon juice can be taken by those suffering from a common cold for which physicians often prescribe vitamin C. The usual way to get the maximum effect of the fruit is to take a little juice mixed with honey in a glass of warm water. This is also useful when one has, associated with the cold, a bad throat.

The use of the Argle marmelos (bael) fruit, both as a laxative and for treating dysentery, has already been mentioned. A drink prepared from the pulp of the ripe fruit is an excellent laxative. The unripe fruit is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The fruit commonly known as jamun – Eugenia jambolana is although more studies need to be carried out to scientifically demonstrate this effect. People with a tendency towards diabetes could take this fruit whenever available. The powder is also available for use throughtout the year.

A drink prepared from the unripe mango is used for prevention of heat exhaustion in several parts of India. Known as ‘panha’ in Maharastra this drink prepared by cooking the unripe mango and then mixing is with sugar and water with dash of caramon and saffron. A variation of this is also taken in Bengal, Bihar and UP.

In general, fruit contains large quantities of vitamins and should be taken as much as possible. Some fruit like guava contain large amounts of vitamins C while other like orange contain vitamin A,B and C. Apple contain vitamins A while the Indian gooseberry, grapes, etc contain vitamin C the richest source being the Indian gooseberry known as amla.

Other fruits which are reputed to be useful for treating diseases include the pomegranate (anar), grape fruit (chakotra), grapes and the apricot (khubani). Besides their use in specific conditions, a daily intake of some fruit is recommended.

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Chitika