Eat Fruits and Stay Healthy

Did you know that the fruits we eat everyday can be used to cure us of most diseases which otherwise have expensive treatments?  Yes, indeed, fruits are relatively cheap altenative to costly medicines.  Discover how to use the following fruits in traditional ways to cure illnesses.

The Avocado

The Avocado is one fruit with various uses.  The fruit is a favorite and can be prepared as part of salads and greens.  Although it has a high fat content, it is a good source of Vitamin A as well.

The Avocado is your best bet for natural remedy to rheumatism and nerve pain.  Just pulverize enough seeds or bark, then mix with cooking oil and warm water.  Apply it on affected area.

Avocado leaves are also effective against diarrhea.  Boil the leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes.  Adults need to talk two tablespoons of the water from the boiled leaves every three hours while children take only one teaspoon.

The same water from the boiled leaves can be used for washing and disinfecting wounds. Cool it first before using as wash.

The Atis

Another wonder fruit is everybody's favorite - the atis, which is very good source of carbohydrates for energy and Vitamin C to build up resistance.  Eating this fruit can be tedious to some people who get impatient with the many seeds.  But don't throw away those seeds yet.  Dry them, crush them and mix with enough coconut oil to make an ointment.  Apply to the scalp, and all those lice will be gone for good.

The Guava

One of the most popular and well-liked fruits in our country is the guava.  We enjoy eating it fresh or as a jelly.  Our grandmothers also recommend it as food seasoning - as in sinigang na bayabas.

It is common knowledge that the guava is rich in Vitamin C, calcium and other vitamins and minerals which make it a good all-around healthy fruit.  It also contains iron and Vitamin A.

On top of these, guava leaves contain pectin, which makes them anti-diarrheal.  Clinical tests show that the decoction of guava leaves have anti-bacterial property.  Simply boil chopped leaves (either fresh or dried) in two glasses of water for 15 minutes.  Adults need to take two tablespoons every two hours while children will have to take one tablespoon against diarrhea.

Guava leaves also make great washing solution - aromatic bath, mouthwash, vaginal wash and wash for wounds and itching.  All you need is boil five hands full of fresh leaves in five liters of water for five minutes.

These same leaves will do wonders for toothache.  Simply chew them fresh, but don't swallow.

The Dalanghita

The dalanghita is also known as the Mandarin or King orange.  Its rind is normally used for coloring and as natural freshener.  The fruit is abundant in Vitamin C.

The dalanghita is effective against nausea.  Squeeze a piece of fresh rind (skin) near the nostril and let patient inhale the scent.  This is soothing and washes away nauseous sensations.

The dalanghita leaves, meanwhile are recommended for a relaxing aromatic bath.  Just boil five hands full of fresh leaves in a big pot of water for five minutes.  Cool, then use the mixture as bath.

The Duhat

The duhat can be eaten raw or made into juice or wine.  It contains calcium (for the bones) and iron (for the blood).  If you eat a liberally fleshy portion of the fruit, you also get a good dosage of medicine against diarrhea.

The duhat leaves can also be used as disinfectant wash for sore spots on the skin, like ulcers and wounds.  Boil two hands full of chopped leaves in a small pot of water for five minutes.  Cool and strain, then use as wash.


The Calamansi

Who isn't familiar with the medicinal properties of calamansi?  Our favorite juice and seasoning is rich in Vitamin C, as well as in calcium, phosporous and potassium.  Its rind is also used as flavoring.

The calamansi juice is great antidote for cough, sore throat, and fever.  Drink as much calamansi juice as you body can tolerate.  To satisfy the daily requirement of 100 mg. of Vitamin C, 35 large pieces of calamansi are needed.

Calamansi fresh leaves can also be made into an aromatic bath, especially for sick people or newly delivered mothers.  Boil five hands full of fresh leaves in five liters water for five minutes.

And like its cousin the dalanghita, calamansi can help relieve nausea and fainting.  Squeeze fresh  rind on nostril or patient to inhale.

The Papaya

The ripe papaya is an excellent source of Vitamin C.  It contains good amount of Vitamin A and B, and a fair amount of iron and calcium.  The green fruit is a good source of Vitamin B.  The leaves contain calcium.

The papaya is known to be effective in removing blood clots from wounds and ulcers.  Simly apply latex (dagta) of unripe fruit or trunk on the wound or ulcer.  Wash the latex off after 15 minutes.

And as many of us know eating a generous amount of ripe papaya is your best bet against constipation.

The Coconut

The coconut milk and meat contain fat, proteins, and Vitamin A, B and C.  The coconut water from the fruit aged nine months approximates intravenous solution but has a high potassium content.

The coconut juice is a great rehydrating drink.  Drink water of young fruit (seven to nine months old) after every bowel movement.  Coconut water may be mixed with an equal amount of clean drinking water; one tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon table salt.  Drink every 3 hours.

One or two tablespoons of coconut milk also fight constipation.

( Courtesy of Nestle Homemakers' Club )