This Month's Purpose

The Nature Of Food

"Even if you know little about your body and what makes it "tick", and about foods; you can receive almost instant benefits from How To Eat To Live to enable you to do something better for yourself and kind than ever before.  If you don't know How To Eat To Live, you won't be around here long enough to find out much else."

DISCLAIMER: The purpose for this page is to share with the reader educational information about the nature, nutritional value, therapeutic, and  traditional uses of  common everyday foods generally eaten.  This information is shared with the understanding that you acccept complete responsibility for your own health and well-being.  The results of using any particular technique herein cannot always be anticipated and never guaranteed.  This author is not in any way responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any techniques or food guidelines.  Consult with your inner guidance.  The information contained is not intended to be used as a medical diagnosis or prescription of healing for any physical or mental ailments.  Before utilizing any of the information or if seeking medical advice you should personally meet with a qualifed healthcare practitioner.  

Fruit:

[]apricot 6,9

Lubricates lungs, colon. Good for anemia, antioxidant.  Use in moderation during pregnancy, may weaken or suppress central nervous system or respiratory functions.  Apricots help to clean the blood and helps to control high blood pressure and premature heart attacks.  Apricots offer antioxidants protecting against: lung, larynx, esophagus, bladder, and stomach cancers.  Rich in carotenoids, an antioxidant that protects the body against cataracts, macular degeneration, skin damage, and powerful anticancer properties.  Reduces the risk for cancer of the breast, cervix, colon and prostate.  Vitamins A, Carotene, Iron, Cobalt, Copper.  Vitamin A is an immune system booster.  It normalizes cell division and helps mucous membranes maintain their structure integrity to keep invaders out. AIDS patients found that when Vitamin A blood levels were low, helper T-cell levels were also low. Caution: Vitamin A in high doses, i.e. 50,000 IU daily can be toxic.

[]avocado

A healthy substitute for sour cream or cream cheese in dressings, dips, and spreads.  High in Vitamin B6.  B6 helps reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.  Good for hypoglycemia and diabetes.  It also helps prevent kidney stones and face moles (seborrhea keratoses).  Known as the “Superhero of the immune system”, avocado has the highest source of the powerful detoxifier glutahione.  Glutathione-rich avocados helps cleanse the body of dangerous oxidized fats.  The Immune System Cure. Avocados contain monounsaturated fats that are recommended to help the body deal with oxidation and free radicals.   Avocados are used to treat high blood pressure, kidney, heart and adrenal functions.  Also helps to control blood sugar levels by helping insulin to work more efficiently.  Good source of Protein, Potassium, Chromium, Vitamin E.  Peak Season: Hass variety. Summer,  Fuerte variety: Fall and winter.

[]blackberry 7

Useful for diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, gout.  Useful for treating bleeding gums. Blackberries are a tonic and astringent.  Increases purity of thought. Blackberries awaken love and sweetness, it also encourages persistence and patience in matters of love as well as in aspects of spiritual discipline, religious pursuits, or in judging self or others. Greater abilities for forgiveness are developed when eating blackberries.  Has a high level of antioxidants, immune-boosting anticancer ingredient, and phytonutrients, the ability to enhance the body’s self-protective powers.  Vitamin C

[]blueberry

Has a high level of antioxidants, immune-boosting anticancer ingredient, and phytonutrients, the ability to enhance the body’s self-protective powers.  Contains anthocyanins with antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.  It inhibits bacteria from attaching to the wall of the bladder, thereby stopping urinary tract infections.   Vitamin C

[]cherry  3,5

Warming tones spleen, pancreas, liver, kidneys.  Treats involuntary seminal emission.  Removes excess body acids and blood stagnation.  Moves blood in lower half of the body, expelling cold and wind, and dampness. Therapeutic for gout, paralysis, numbness, paralysis, and rheumatic pain, arthritis, and frostbite.  A, Iron, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium.  Good for heart, spleen.  Rich in Vitamin A is an immune system booster. Impotant for healthy skin and mucous membranes.  Caution: Vitamin A in high doses, i.e. 50,000 IU daily can be toxic.

[]cranberry 5

Increases urine activity & inhibits bacteria (E-Coli) from adhering to bladder & urinary tract.  Helps fight cancer and cleanses the blood. Helps to prevent urinary infections.  The Journal of Urology revealed that cranberry juice is a inhibitor of bacterial adherence in the urinary tract, and from attaching bacteria to the wall of the bladder, thereby stopping urinary tract infections. Contains anthocyanins with antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.  Cranberry juice helps with kidney problems.  Dissolves some types of kidney stones. A tonic good for rejuvenating heart & blood. Has a high level of antioxidants, immune-boosting anticancer ingredient, and phytonutrients, the ability to enhance the body’s self-protective powers.  A, Potassium

[]currants

The Inuit Nation (Eskimos) eat currants with a variety of their fatty meats. Currants are a useful antidote for any kind of ptomaine food poisoning, especially from meat. Currants help to improve hypertension and arthritic inflammation when currant juice is consumed on a frequent basis. Improves circulation strengthening the heart, the immune and central nervous systems. 

Has strong antiseptic properties.  Useful in treatments of Candida yeast infections, some forms of cancer, whooping cough, and multiple sclerosis.  Helps give relief from premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as migraines and menstrual cramps.  Is also useful in various skin diseases. Eases respiratory and kidney problems.Black currants contains ellagic acid, a natural occurring polyphenol that has powerful antimutagenic and anticancer properties. 

Currants bring one face to face with one’s self and the mirroring energy created, and that which stands as if in resistance or opposition to one’s self.  One generally has a fractured self-image, that is not the entire picture. 

Currants raises the energy vibration of courage.  The black color of the currant helps to face inner fears.  Black currants has one of the richest sources of a rare ingredient called gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which only occurs in mother’s milk and evening primrose.  GLA releases fears that are often lodged within the kidneys. Allowing one to accept reality in order to open the doorway. 

When one is in mental telepathy with another person, you can see through their eyes a little of yourself in a complete and whole manner. Currants are good for those who are on a spiritual quest or journey.  During fruit fasts currents help one who regularly moves into states of deeper meditation.  It allows for clearer sight and increased opening of the third eye region. Developing the ability to see into the future.  It allows for the merging of energies with other aspects of nature mainly with the wind.  Having a wind chime made of quartz crystals will help open up many psychic faculties in the crown region.  Allowing for remote healing energy to move like a ball of light from self to reach another. Currant helps to alleviate the unconscious fears of having power.  The red fruit addresses fears regarding sexuality. It strengthens the emotional body, easing the energy in the mental body as the vibrations within change slightly.

High in Vitamin C.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant needed for healthy bones, teeth, wound healing, strengthening  the immune system, and Iron absorption.

[]grape 3,7

Known as one of the 3 royal fruits: grapes, fresh dates, and figs. Grapes treats menopausal heat symptoms, dry coughs.  Builds blood, body fluids and cleanses glands.  Treats urination & edema. Helps cleanse the blood and aids the elimination of mucous forming food residue. Grape juice is good for liver malfunctions, including jaundice & hepatitis. Good for lungs strengthens internal organs.  Grapes fight allergies and have anti-inflammatory properties. The high mineral content of boron in grapes helps to wards off osteoporosis. Grapes stop viruses, and researchers believe it heads off cancer.  They contain more than a dozen known antioxidants, as well as reservatrol, a phytonutrient shown to have cancer-protective effects.  Also contains ellagic acid, a natural occurring polyphenol that has powerful antimutagenic and anticancer properties.  Polyphenols and tannins are ingredients in grapes that are antiviral and antitumor agents. Tannins quickly circulate through the blood, and are absorbed directly into the intestinal tract.  Research shows that grapes may put small tumors into remission and enhance natural killer cell activity.  Grape juice also kills bacteria and restricts tooth decay.  Grapes are especially potent against the viruses that cause polio and herpes simplex. Red and purple grapes are richer in antioxidants than green grapes.  They inhibit oxidation, unclog arteries and reduce cholesterol. An extract from the grape seed, proanthocyanidin oligomers (PCO) also has immune-enhancing anticancer effects.  Seedless grapes are a negative assault on the food chain.  Excessive eating of grapes causes headaches and weight gain. 

[]mango

A cooling fruit that quenches thirst and clears heat from the body. Relieves vomiting and promotes urination.  Good for bleeding gums.  Vitamins A, C, Potassium. Good for stomach.  Avoid during common colds, indigestion, and while convalescing.   Rich in Vitamin A is an immune system booster.

[]melons 2,6

Orange melons: anticarcinogens, helps with heart diseases and may bring on menstruation.  Cooling, good for fevers accompanied by dry cough.  May relieve mental depression.  Avoid when: abdominal swelling or watery stools. A, Beta Carotene, Potassium.  Rich in Vitamin A is an immune system booster.  It normalizes cell division and helps mucous membranes maintain their structure integrity to keep invaders out. when Vitamin A blood levels were low, helper T-cell levels were also low. Caution: Vitamin A in high doses, i.e. 50,000 IU daily can be toxic.

Watermelon:

Relieves mental depression.  Increases the excretion of urine, eases constipation and helps those suffering from hemorrhoids.  Helps to expel bladder and kidney stones.   Watermelon cleanses the stomach, washes the bladder, purifies the vision, and increases the spinal fluid, aids sexual intercourse and cuts a cold.  Lubricates intestines, acts as a diuretic.  Rich in artenoid lycopene, a phytonutrient with powerful anticancer and prostate protective properties. Watermelon is richest in the food source glutathione, an antioxidant which is an immune enhancement and controls free radicals. Glutathione  has detoxifying actions that protect against ultraviolet, radiation, X-rays and toxic effects of alcohol and prescription medications.  Good for stomach, heart, bladder. 

[]raspberry 6

Enhances “kindheartedness” Strengthens kidneys and sharpens vision.  Cleanses blood, benefits liver.  Raspberries helped to inactivate intestinal viruses including herpes simplex virus.  According to Journal of Food Science “Antiviral Activity of Fruit Extracts, 1976 ” Good for treating diarrhea, impotence, dizziness, spermatorrhea, polyuria, enuresis.  It assists with helping to educate children with an energy that creates greater joy, relaxation, and openness to all levels of knowledge.  Increases relaxation by helping one to become more aware of the fun of life.  Reduces sibling rivalry increases harmony among children. Strengthens female system, eases childbirth by increasing muscle tone in the uterine walls.  Reduces menstrual cramps.  Good for liver, kidneys. Also contains ellagic acid, a natural occurring polyphenol that has powerful antimutagenic and anticancer properties.  Has a high level of antioxidants, immune-boosting anticancer ingredient, and phytonutrients, the ability to enhance the body’s self-protective powers.   Avoid if painful or difficult urination.

[]strawberry 2

Breaks down toxins in liver, increases appetite, lubricates.  Has a tranquilizing effect.  A spring tonic, removes blood stagnation, is purifying for the blood, cleansing for the skin, and increases the beauty of one’s complexion.  Has antiviral properties.  Poliovirus was inactivated by strawberry extract. According to Journal of Food Science “Antiviral Activity of Fruit Extracts, 1976”. Also contains ellagic acid, a natural occurring polyphenol that has powerful antimutagenic and anticancer properties.  Strawberries have been shown to have a protective effect against prostate cancer, which scientists believe is due to the ellagic acid content of the fruit.  Strawberry strengthens teeth.   Helpful for motion sickness, vertigo, & polyuria. Good for liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas.  Has a high level of antioxidants, immune-boosting anticancer ingredient, and phytonutrients, the ability to enhance the body’s self-protective powers.  A, C, B-complex.

Vegetables:

[]bell peppers 9

Cooling, improves appetite.  Not recommended for people with weak digestion or frail health.  Red and yellow peppers are rich in carotenoids, an antioxidant that protects the body against cataracts, macular degeneration, skin damage, and powerful anticancer properties.  Reduces the risk for cancer of the breast, cervix, colon and prostate.  Sweet red and green peppers are high in Vitamin C.  Tests shows that taking as little as 1,200 mg of vitamin C per day increased T-cell activity, and 500 mg per day increased glutathione levels by 50%.  Glutathione is important to immune function by eliminating toxic substances from the body, enhancing cellular oxygen and activating enzymatic reactions.  The Immune System Cure.

Sea Vegetables:

[] Sea Vegetables:                “In 1974, in the Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine, scientists stated that several varieties of kombu (common sea vegetable eaten in Asia an din macrobiotic diets) were effective I the treatment of tumors.  In 3 of 4 samples tested in the laboratory, inhibition rates in mice with implanted cancerous tumors ranged from 89-95%.  The researchers reported, “The tumor underwent complete regression in more than half of the mice of each treated group.”  Similar experiments, in which mice with leukemia were treated with sea vegetables, showed promising results.  A 1986 screening of sea vegetables for antitumor activity found that 9 out of the 11 varieties studied inhibited tumors in animals.  In 1984, medical researcher Jane Teas and associates at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that a diet containing 5% kombu significantly delayed the onset of breast cancer in experimental animals.  Extrapolating these results to human subjects, Teas and her colleagues concluded, “Seaweed may be an important factor in explaining the low rates of certain types of cancers in Japan”. Japanese women, whose diet normally includes about 5% sea vegetables, have an incidence of breast cancer that is from 3-9 times lower than the rate among American women, whose diet does not normally include sea vegetables.  Dr. Teas and researchers in Japan believe that a chemical called fucoidan may be the most potent among the various anticancer agents found in sea vegetables”.  Holistic Health through Macrobiotics Pg. 326 Michio Kushi with Edward Esko. Sea vegetables are a very important food for they have a strengthening effect on the immune system.

[]kombu (kelp): 5

Cooling reduces or softens masses, tumors, cysts in the body.  A natural cleanser                 for the intestines by gathering together the toxins within the colon wall and allowing for their natural elimination.  A strip of kombu cooked with beans will soften the beans quicker and improve their flavor and digestibility.  Used for the treatment of goiter, good for high blood pressure.  Kombu strengthens the intestines, helps with colitis.  High in iodine which is supportive for the thyroid.  Essential for the developing baby during pregnancy.  Iodeine deficiency during pregnancy may cause mental retardation.  Kombu protects from radioactive fallout.  Rich in glutamic acid, an original version of MSG (monosodium glutamate).  Do not use excessively during pregnancy.  A, C, B-complex, Iodine, Calcium

Legumes

Legumes and beans are rich sources of the Mineral Zinc. Zinc enhances the ability of the immune system to eliminate bacterial. Zinc deficiency greatly impacts the immune system.  A deficiency in Zinc causes poor growth in children, delayed puberty, small testes, anorexia, slow wound healing, and skin problems.   It causes a reduction in T-cells, natural killer cells and thymic hormone.  Contains Magnesium.  Deficiencies in Magnesium could result in heart attacks, kidney stones, cancer, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and insomnia.  Supplements of Magnesium lowers blood pressure, prevents diabetes, extends life.

The Immune System Cure.

Whole Grains

Whole grain foods contain high sources of Zinc and Selenium. Zinc boosts the thymus gland. The immune system needs the thymus gland to mature T-Cells. Selenium is an antioxidant, a nutrient that is important in HIV and autoimmune disorders to keep the immune system in balance.  A vegetable grown in Selenium rich soil enriches the vegetable with Selenium.  B6 is required for maintaining hormone levels, a healthy immune and nervous system.  Other immune system enhancement depends on Vitamin B6.   One study found that HIV infected patients were said to be low in Vitamin B6, which was associated with their decrease in immune function.

Herbs:

[] astragalus root

Lowers blood pressure.  An immune tonic, tonifies the immune system.  Also affects the digestive and urinary systems. Useful in conditions if immunodeficiency that causes spontaneous sweating. Treats weakness in lungs and for spleen deficiency with symptoms of weak metabolism, edema, and prolapsed of internal organs.   Increases energy builds resistance to diseases.  A tonic for the kidneys, effective for treating kidney infection.  Enhances the condition of the blood.  Good for all wasting away and exhausting diseases.  Promotes the healing of wounds. Can be used for blood deficiency caused by blood loss in childbirth.   Can be stewed as a food, decocted in the waters used for preparing rice, beans, soups, or stews.  Enhances the actions of other herbs. 

Caution: Do not use astragalus when excess heat conditions are present or stagnant and dampness, especially when there is painful obstruction.

[]chamomile 1

"Camomile is used as a tonic and stimulant.  Egyptians combined this herb with olive oil and used it for massage and rubbed it on sore muslces.  The Romans learned of this medicinal herb and used it for massage, veneral dis-ease, nervous disorders, as well as a hair rinse  for blondes, and for alcholism treatment." African Holistic Health. Chamomile tea helps to soothe a cranky colicky baby.  It is antispasmodic and effective for nervousness, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Relieves stress, improving and strengthening the immune system, soothes digestive tract, eases headaches & allergies.  Supports gallbladder, helps reduce gallstones.  Expels gas, quiets spasms, contractions.  Soothes nervous stomach, eases stomach ulcers, divert colitis, gastritis. Destroys some intestinal worms.  Tea helps to ease indigestion, upset stomach and menstrual cramps.  Chamomile stimulates the appetite.Chamomile helps to deepen states of relaxation.  Useful when seeking greater spiritual understanding from the past. Chamomile directs energy towards a particular spiritual purpose.  There is greater clarity in current relationships, what one is doing with their life and one’s inner spiritual purpose.  Chamomile assist channeling a trancelike state.  Telepathy is enhanced as the ability to see through another’s eyes to know what it is to be in their life, for a moment.  This is empathy transference.  In relationships chamomile is good between people who are committed to each other, but struggle with the commitment.  A closer understanding and empathy develops between couples.   Avoid: Do not take in intense emotional, psychotic, or psychological process. Chamomile has a sedative effect which can mask the discussion of emotions, symptoms, and information that would be shared.  Combines well with Hops and Valerian for nervous restlessness. Combines well with Hops and Marshmallow for nervous indigestion.

[]echinacea

Affects the immune, lymphatic, respiratory and reproductive systems. A natural antibiotic.  Useful for infections, inflammations, fevers, boils and skin infections, colds, teething.  Useful in treating upper respiratory infections such as tonsillitis, bronchitis and laryngitis.   Most powerful immune system booster.  Blood and lymphatic purifier.  Stimulates interferon production enhancing the body’s natural defenses by way of the immune system.  Treats blood poisoning, boils, abscesses, acute bacterial and viral infections, allergic reactions to poison oak and ivy.  As well as useful in treating venomous bites of all sorts.  It enables one to release negativity and to accept the flow of life.  Echinacea flushes toxins out of the body.  This helps to raise the vibrational energy of one’s self.  Through greater love and less resistance, the immune system is positively affected.  According to "The Spiritual Properties Of Herbs" By Gurudas, greater love allows for the deeper functions of the immune system to be activated.  The lesson that are associated with AIDS is to learn to love oneself, and others, and the way sexuality is an intense, spiritual and precious part of life.  It is more about humanity’s ability to better understand intimacy and love.

[]garlic 3,9

Garlic has the ability to change body chemistry and to assist in fat absorption. It increases body heat, lowers fever, eliminates toxins.  Garlic is useful as a decongestant, and an expectorant in the treatment of colds and chronic strokes, bronchitis.   European doctors prescribe garlic to ward off olds pneumonia, whopping cough, and a wide array of intestinal disorders. Garlic slows the growth of human cytomegalo virus, a virus often een in people who are diagnosed as having AIDS.  Chinese doctors say that garlic boosts he body’s natural immunity.  AIDS patients who ate at least 1 clove garlic a day for 3 months significantly improved their immune functions.  Garlic has a positive effect in revention of cancer and improves diabetic management.  In some cases chronic herpes sores were eradicated, in others  cancer cells were destroyed. 

[]juniper

The Native Americans used Juniper as an aid in childbirth.  In Europe juniper was burned during childbirth to keep negativity away from the birthing room and the newborn. A powerful immune system booster useful in the treatment of Auto Immune Deficiencies. Juniper has been used as a urinary antiseptic for treating cystitis.  Juniper has been used to flavor stuffing and stews.  Juniper is a diuretic and a carminative that relieves intestinal gas.