TURNIP (SHALGAM)
It is also a root vegetable akin to beet-root in shape and form. In appearance it is fully white or indigo coloured on the top. It falls within family of radish carrot, beet-root. In taste it is sweet (though in moderation) with slight pungent taste also, is watery, easily available and easy to digest, is rich in vitamins, minerals, fats etc.
Its green leaves carry calcium content in abundance but not so of vitamin ‘A’. It has both vegetative and medicinal values and can be cooked steam-boiled, eaten raw, alone or with salads. Almost a specific remedy for constipated and impacted bowels, sluggish, liver, maintains glow of skin, promotes appetite and is also an excellent digestive vehicle. It is not inferior, in any way, to carrot or radish or tomato and can be blended and mixed to prepare a nutrition loaded mixed vegetable. It has unmatched qualities of enriching semen and also maintains water-level of the body, being water}’ in contents (91.1% water content)
For therapeutic uses, it is often used for keeping healthy skin, virulence and energy, in maintaining sugar metabolism within normal range, is diuretic, renders strength to bones and makes them firm and sturdy. Some traditional Ayurvedic physicians often eulogize its use for eradicating or, at least, to derive relief in gout, bone-deformities, gas formation, teeth-problems and vitamin ‘C deficiency slates, lack of resistance (Phagocytes), cough, problems, colds, in general; Asthma, Chillblains liver problems.
Moreover, Turnip is used in vegetable, halwa fonns. Dentists are of the view that “A Turnip a day keeps the dentist away”. It expels filth from inside the body, removes fat, improves eye-sight, removes complications of various venereal diseases, strengthens gums and is a general restorative of health and energy.
BITTER GOURD (KARELA)
(HAIRYMORDICA, MEMORDICA CHARANTIA)
It is very bitter in taste and its bitterness is not destroyed even if taken in a fried vegetable form. It subsides kapha,, vata and pitta purifies blood, reduces sugar level in the blood. J.F, Dastur spells of medicinal quality and uses of bitter gourd thus, “Juice of leaves is anthelmintic, emetic and purgative. A decoction of the leaves is used as a stomach.
The leaves arc locally applied as a galactagogue. It is applied around the eyes for the cure of night blindness. The fruit is antidotal, antipyretic, tonic, appetizing, stomachic, anthelminic, anti-bilious and laxative. It is used in leprosy, piles, jaundice, diabetes, rheumatism, liver disorders, bronchitis, blood diseases, anaemia, urinary disorders, rheumatism and gout.” Further, it is applied to eruptions, burns and boils locally.
During spring and winter seasons, boiled bitter gourd’s juice is taken as a preventive treatment for measles, small-pox and chicken-pox, alongwith skin eruptions. Its wholesome dried powder is used in leprosy and also for ulcers of various origins. Use of bitter gourd, in the form of dried, fried/cooked vegetables, in stuffed forms in pickles, curries and in juice form, though bitter in taste but rich in curative values.
It has Water (92.4%), Fat (4.2%), Protein (1.6%), Calcium (0.03%), Phosphorus (0.07%), Carbohydrates (4.2%). In 100 gms of bitter gourd, 22 mg of Iron, 88 mg of Vitamin ‘C, Vitamin ‘A’ (210.1%), Vitamin ‘B’ (-24.10) are found to make it rich in vitamins also.
Curativity of Bitter Gourd
1. Diabetes: Taken, in any form, it is capable of keeping the blood sugar level within normal ranges. To eliminate sugar content in urine take 10-15 gms or ml juice/powder of it, at least 3-4 times daily and continue for 4-5 months, or till improvement is noticed. Some diabetics take its fresh juice (1/2-2 TSPs) during season, as a first thing in the morning. During off-season, dried and pulverized powder of bitter-gourd should be taken, in lieu of fresh juice (2.5-5 mg) with water, or else used as a cooked vegetable.
2. As liver tonic: Extract juice, after grinding, of bitter gourd, and of given 1/2 TSP, with water, to a child twice daily, will prevent jaundice and other liver problem. It fresh juice is not possible, boil the dried form of bitter gourd in water and take a 5 ml dose, 2-3 times daily, to ward off ill effects of jaundice, its after effects and also as a preventive device.
Caliton: If there is noticed, at any time, some yellow taint in the eyes, its further use must be stopped at once.
3. Leucorrhoea: It can be cured by taking 1/2 TSP of juice of bitter gourd. Treatment has to be continued for some time.
4. Piles: 5 ml of juice of bitter gourd with sugar can stop blood-oozing from piles.
5. Constipation and Indigestion: Homeopathic medicines, prepared from extracts of fresh herbal essences, are quite useful to remove constipation, take 4-10 drops of ‘Momvadica Charantia’ (prepared from bitter gourd extract), 3-4 times a day. To improve digestion take 1/2 tsp(2-5ml) of fresh juice 2-3 times a day and continue for some time.
Bitter-gourd, like margjsa (neem), is a blood purifier par excellence. Take, twice daily its juice, for a few days to have your blood purified.
7. Arthritis: Massage liberally, with juice of bitter gourd on affected fruits/parts and, in addition, take its juice orally (5 ml-twice daily) or prepare and use its vegetable.
Caution: Avoid taking excessive quantity of bitter gourd, in whatever form, as it generates heat in the body.
(2) If some odd symptoms are noticed as caused by its excessive use, take curd or lemon to ward it off its effects and reactions.Curd and lemon are excellent for counteracting ill effects, due to overuse of bitter gourd.