For some of us, gone are the days of “indulging” in careless grubbing. We have arrived at this decision, focusing on healing foods, for different reasons and with various goals in mind.
With growing access to seemingly innumerable information about healing foods and herbs with remarkable healing properties, we can now carefully sift / filter and focus on the necessary ingredients that we need to fulfil our basal health desires.
As we sojourn this path, the saying, “you are what you eat”, resonates with us on more personal levels. With each indulgence in a bite or a sip of effective healing foods, we quickly learn of mother nature’s enriching goodness.
I am glad to be able to share information on some of the healing foods that we have benefited from over the years.
DISCLAIMER FOR THE HEALING FOODS LISTED BELOW:
This information is for educational purposes only. Consult with your physician first before incorporating any of these healing foods below into your diet. If pregnant or nursing, ask your physician twice.
GARRI (Cassava Flakes) FOR DIARRHEA:
Garri is a very popular Nigerian food ingredient that surprisingly comes in handy as one of the most effective healing foods at sensitive times. Its versatility of use and relative affordability makes it one of the most common ingredients that are found in Nigerian kitchens. On those days when the stomach is particularly tender and the bathroom trips become excessive and/or painful, this simple recipe might be the saving grace that you need.
Garri Preparation:
The simple, healing recipe is plain Garri in cold water. If you are West African, you probably know that you only need 1 or 2 scoops of Garri, with soup/side of choice, to make a full meal as it rises and swells fast, doubling or more in size depending on how dry the raw Garri is.
For this healing recipe, you only need to put 2 tablespoons of Garri in a cup and add enough cold water to double the height of Garri in the cup. Don’t add any sweeteners.
Eat this combination and the frequent bathrooms visits will subside almost immediately.
UNRIPE PAPAYA FOR STOMACH ULCER & ACID REFLUX:
Papaya needs no introduction as it is delicious and a staple on every list of healing foods.
Papaya Drink Preparation:
Get one unripe papaya. Wash it thoroughly. The papaya skin needs to be washed clean as it’s a part of this healing recipe. Slice open the papaya, scrape and set the seeds aside in a bowl, and cut the whole papaya into bite sizes. Add the freshly cut papaya into the bowl of papaya seeds and fill the bowl with fresh drinking water. Let this combination sit and soak for three days. Drink the fermented papaya juice every day for as long as it lasts. Repeat this process and continue to drink until the desired result is achieved. Some swear that this same recipe helps with malaria and jaundice too.
CASSAVA LEAVES FOR MULTIPLE TREATMENTS:
Herbal tea made from Cassava leaves have been popularly used to manage and/or treat anemia, menstrual issues, cough, fever, headache, blood pressure issues, vision health, some womb issues, etc. It is no surprise that cassava makes this list of healing foods.
Cassava Leaves Tea Preparation:
Wash the Cassava leaves thoroughly. Add them to a pot, fill the pot with drinking water. Boil this combination on the stove on medium to high heat for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the quality of your stove.
Turn the stove off and let the fresh herbal drink cool. Fetch half to one full cup of this multipurpose herbal drink, add half a teaspoon of honey (except in high blood sugar related issues), mix.
SOURSOP (GRAVIOLA) FRUIT & LEAVES:
Soursop is filled with phytonutrients that are high in antioxidant compounds that effectively combat diseases.
Many naturopathic doctors say that Soursop is one of the best fruits and leaves to help fight cancer. They contain enzymes that are free radical scavengers, these same enzymes help to eliminate cancer cells by blocking the production of ATP in cancer cells.
Soursop also helps reduce eye disease. A combination of vitamins E, C, Beta Carotene and Zinc have been found to help lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. These vitamins can all be found in Soursop.
The leaves have anti-inflammatory properties in addition to the anti-microbial properties soursop plant is known to have. This is why Soursop can be useful in the treatment of many infections. There are some other health benefits that soursop fruits and leaves have been said to have.
With the benefits I have listed above, soursop made my list of effective healing foods for very obvious reasons. Once your doctor approves, there is no reason not to brew this nutritious drink and enjoy the delicious and nutritious soursop fruit.
Soursop Tea Preparation:
Rinse 2-4 dried or freshly cut soursop leaves clean. Add to pot with 1-2 cups of clean water and bring to a boil. Let it steep further and cool to your desired tea temperature. This measurement will only provide 1-2 cups of tea.
PARAGIS (GOOSEGRASS):
This is one of the healing foods that went unsuspected for a very long time. Sincerely, who would expect weeds that grow along roadsides and riverbanks to be such a powerful addition to the world’s list of healing foods? Paragis is commonly found in warmer parts of the world. While very similar to common grass, paragis have long spikelets on top that have a flowery appearance. These spikelets produce the seeds of the plant.
Paragis contains silicon monoxide, chlorine, and calcium oxide. The full paragis plant (leaves, stems, and roots) have healing properties. The natural compound helps to reduce inflammation, thereby aiding the promotion of fertility, boosting the performance of the liver, and aiding the treatment of bladder disorders.
Paragis Preparation:
Rinse and add freshly cut or dried Paragis to a boiling pot of water. Let steep and cool to your preferred herbal tea temperature.
High blood pressure? Make tea from stems and leaves and enjoy at preferred temperature.
Bruises? Mash the clean paragis leaves and stems into paste and apply directly to sprains/bruises to help quicken healing.
Suffering from fever? Boil a bunch of clean paragis roots in a pot of water and drink at preferred temperature once or twice daily till you fully recover. Same recipe will help treat UTIs, and help to eliminate and expel worms and parasites from the digestive tract.
Insect troubles? The smell from burning dried paragis leaves repel insects.
Personally, I don’t heat up most of my herbs. I blend them raw in order to keep the efficacy of all the nutrients in these healing foods. When working with dried herbs, I soak the clean dried leaves in water till they become hydrated enough and appear fresh, add to blender with the appropriate quantity of water and blend till smooth, and drink.
I have found this recipe to be most effective.
However you choose to enjoy your healing foods, make sure it is in moderation and qualified physician-approved.
Wishing you excellent health.
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