Mangosteen - Wow!

We had the wonderful opportunity to experience the exquisite taste of mangosteen a few months ago. Up until then I had no idea that this fruit was grown on the island. One of the neighbours of the church where we minister gave my hubby one to taste after he found out that he had never tasted it before. He brought me some of it to taste and the explosion in my mouth is one of those things that you have to experience for yourself.  Suffice to say it was one of the most delicious fruits I have ever eaten.  When I mentioned my experience to some of the ladies were told that this fruit used to be extremely common in the Morne Prosper area in times past.

photo credit: malaysiabest.net

As usual, research is my forte and so I went hunting to find out all the health benefits of mangosteen. This fruit definitely deserves super fruit status.  Here are my findings:

According to mangosteen-juice-online.com, Dr. Roland Phillips in his book Mangosteen - Super Nutrition for the 21st Century, lays out many health issues that they have successfully addressed using mangosteen.  Among them are:

• Acute acne vulgaris
• Allergies
• Angina
• Arthritis
• Asthma and wheezing
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Colicky baby
• Cracked heels and fungus
• Crying spells
• Depression
• Diabetes, Type II
• Diarrhea
• Feline panleukopenia
• Fibromyalgia
• Flu
• Glaucoma
• raves disease
• Gum sores
• Heart fibrillation
• Hepatitis C
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothyroidism
• Increased healing, post surgery
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Joint pain
• Macular degeneration
• Mood instability
• Muscle aches
• Pimples/cysts
• Pinched nerve
• Plantar warts
• Psoriasis
• Rashes
• Scorpion bites
• Sebaceous cyst
• Sinusitis
• Skin patches, rough skin
• Spider bites
• Tricatellamania
• Tumors

Other doctors have used mangosteen in the following cases as well:

• acid dyspepsia or gastritis
• allergic rhinitis
• diverticutitis
• dysthymia
• eczema
• gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• hiatal hernia
• mild to moderate anxiety states
• mild to moderate asthma
• neurodermatitis
• non-arthritis joint pain
• otitis externa
• recurrent urinary tract infection
• sleep disorders
• bacteria infections
• cancer
• cardiovascular disease and hypertension
• chronic pain syndrome
• cystic fibrosis
• degenerative disc disease
• fungal infections
• hemorrhoids
• lupus erythematosis
• migraine headache
• peripheral neuropathy
• post-menopausal mood disorder and PMS
• rheumatic or connective tissue diseases
• severe allergic reactions
• stomach and duodenal ulcers
• ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
• viral infections

What do you say? Doesn't mangosteen live up to its super fruit status?

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55 Amazing Health Benefits of Mango

Mango has been referred to as a super fruit or the "king of fruits" with good reason. It has such powerful healing properties. I enjoy mangoes and that used to be my sole reason for eating them. There are different types of mango and my favorite is the grafted mango. Last mango season I froze some so that I would still be able to enjoy when they're not in season that's how much I love mangoes. Now after doing the research for this article I am even more motivated to eat them and make all kinds of recipes using them when they're in season and of course as long as I am able to I will freeze some more for when they're not in season. Here are 55 amazing things that mangoes are good for including the leaves.

photo credit:www.all-creatures.org

55 Health Benefits of Mango

1. powerful antioxidant and anticancer abilities
2. high in iron which is excellent for pregnant women and people with anemia
3. effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin
4. valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion
5. high in antioxidants
6. low in carbohydrates
7. help to protect against heart disease
8. beneficial for kidney problems including nephritis
9. reduces fever,aids in respiratory problems
10. helps or prevents constipation
11. promotes good eyesight
12. prevents night blindness, refractive errors, dryness of the eyes, softening of the cornea, itching and burning in the eyes
13. helps break down proteins and aids with indigestion
14. relieves inflammation of the stomach mucus membranes
15. relieves summer diarrhea
16. aids in dysentery
17. helps with piles
18. relieves morning sickness
19. helps with chronic dyspepsia
20. makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining
21. mango leaves helps normalize insulin levels in the blood
22. helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive
23. beneficial for anemia
24. boosts memory
25. excellent remedy for heat stroke and heat exhaustion in summer
26. can be very helpful in weight gain
27. helps hormonal system function more efficiently
28. might help alleviate asthma symptoms
29. beneficial in cases of bacterial infections
30. helps with hair loss
31. aids in instances of leucorrhea
32. beneficial for liver disorders
33. good for menstrual disorders
34. can be used for prickly heat relief
35. aids in scurvy
36. helps with sinusitis
37. might help with spleen enlargement
38. helpful for vaginitis
39. can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure
40. lowers blood cholesterol levels
41. used to treat bleeding gums
42. useful for coughs
43. relieves nausea including sea sickness
44. inhibits the growth cycle of cancer cells
45. demonstrates antigiardiasic properties
46. reduces the risk of kidney stone formation
47. has potent anti-inflammatory capabilities
48. replenishes salts, vitamins and energy after physical exercise
49. strengthens and invigorates the nerve tissues in muscles, heart and brain and other parts of the body
50. cleans the bowel of the "filth" within and are an ideal antidote for all toxic effects inside the body
51. provide also sufficient resistance to fight any germs and afflictions
52. has a protective effect in gall bladder cancer
53. possesses antiinflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities 
54. displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria
55. leaves have been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques

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30 Plus 1 Health Benefits of Soursop

Soursop is a delicacy.  Depending on the type you get it can be very sour or it can be sweet.  I am on a quest to figure out all the health benefits of the fruits, vegetables and herbs on this island and to include as much of them as possible in my eating plan.  I am fully convinced that God has given us tremendous keys to optimal health in the fruits, vegetables and herbs that are native to any part of the world.  As usual I share my findings with you reader and visitors to Our Fruitful Vine.  So here goes.

30 Health Benefits of Soursop

photo credit:www.vegemaniac.com

Soursop can be used in the treatment of the following:

1. vomiting
2. lumbago
3. ulcers
4. heart disease
5. catarrh
6. gallbladder problems
7. leprosy
8. cough
9. diarrhea
10. fever
11. dysentery
12. diarrhea
13. indigestion
14. joint pain
15. heart conditions
16. can be used as a sedative
17. can be used to induce labor
18. flu symptoms
19. urinary tract infections
20. leg cramps
21. water retention
22. keeps bones healthy
23. anemia
24. prevents migraines
25. catarrh
26. urethritis
27. eczema
28. rheumatism
29. liver ailments
30. haematuria 
31. effective against cancer cells of the lungs, breasts, liver, prostrate, pancreas and colon

And there you have it.  The amazing health benefits of soursop.
http://healthmad.com/nutrition, http://searchdominica.com, http://thebest-healthy-foods.com, http://hubpages.com, http://thebrightesthub.com

 
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30 Health Benefits of Tomato

Tomato is one of my favorite things to eat.  I love anything tomatoey(is that even a word?).  I've been on a quest to find out the health benefits of all the fruits and vegetables we consume as a family.  I love sharing what I know so I'm sharing today the health benefits of one of my favorite foods - the wonderful, the awesome tasting, the magnificent(well, you get the picture) tomato.

Health Benefits of Tomato

1. Helps improve the texture and color of skin, cleanses and revitalizes the skin
2. Purifies the blood
3. Helps in cases of liver congestion and protects the liver from cirrhosis
4. Natural antiseptic that can help protect against infection
5. Helps to prevent hemorrhages.
6. Contains lycopene (the red pigment in tomato) which is a powerful antioxidant that can also fight cancer cells
7. Reduces cholesterol 
8. Keeps the gut healthy  
9. Reduces the risk of developing hypertension(high blood pressure)
10. Reduces the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
11. Aids in maintaining healthy teeth and hair.  
12. Prevents urinary tract infections 
13. Prevents gallstones
14. Regular consumption of tomato can also dissolve gallstones
15. Aids bone health
16. Heart-protective, good for coronary heart health
17. Prevents/Heals Certain Types of Cancer
18. Prevents diarrhea
19. Soothes eye irritation
20. Heals sunburn
21. Heals wounds and sores
22. Prevents constipation
23. Prevents jaundice
24. Removes toxins from the body
25. Daily consumption of tomato protects the skin against UV-induced erythema
26. Tomato ranks high in preparation of anti-aging products
27. Reduces the incidence of bladder cancer
28. Those who eat raw tomatoes have been found to be at a much lesser risk of developing rectal, colon or stomach cancer
29. Tomatoes block the effects of nitrosamines and thus, reduce the risk of lung cancer
30. Pregnant women, suffering from morning sickness, will benefit from tomato consumption

Amazing!  Tomato is definitely remaining on my list of foods to continue eating.  My older son had an allergic reaction(buttons on his skin) to anything with tomato in it and even the tomato itself up from the time he was born until recently.  I mainly kept it out of his diet until I decided to fight it.  I took it to the Lord in prayer and gave him small amounts of tomato from time to time. 

Well, the good news is that now he can eat it without any of the buttons showing up on his skin like they used to.  Hallelujah!  I still don't give him great amounts but unlike before he can partake of it. God is good.


http://hubpages.com , http://www.organicfacts.net/, http://health.learninginfo.org, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/, http://www.holisticonline.com/



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Treating Wrinkles With Plantains & Other Health Benefits

Plantains are in abundance here.  It is cultivated year round.  This means that in our home we eat raw ripe plantains just about daily unless we have none.  Plantains are similar to banana with the exception that when cooked they remain firm whereas ripe bananas are mushy when cooked.  Plantains can be eaten green as a starchy food or ripe.  As I continue to explore raw foods I found that ripe plantains are delicious when eaten raw.  I asked around and found that many of the islanders expecially those in the country areas have been eating them raw.  Talk about another lightbulb moment.  In fact I've even included them in my Insanely Simple Salads Ebook with more recipes to come in the future.

As regular readers of my blog know, I love finding out what nutrients are in the foods we consume and what their health benefits are.  I was stunned to find out that one can treat wrinkles with a paste made using plantains.  I don't have any wrinkles to try it out on but that was an interesting find.  Click on the link in the list of benefits below to get the recipe and be sure to come back and share if it works.  As a matter of fact you can click any of the links to get more information or recipes dealing with that particular thing.  God's natural foods are so potent!  Alleluia!!!  So without any further ado here are my findings on the health benefits of plantains:

• Plantains boosts kidney health, sexual functions in men
• Plantains are excellent at promoting digestion.
• Plantains will help your body retain more calcium, phosphorous and nitrogen … which will help rejuvenate your healthy tissues.
• The sugar in plantains can easily be metabolized and digested by your body.
• Plantain skin can aid in healing warts, poison ivy and bruises
• Plantains contain high levels of vitamin A, potassium, calcium, iron and fiber.
• Plantains will do wonders at keeping you regular and will relieve you from constipation.
• Plantains are low in sodium.
• Plantains can help alleviate skin allergies
• Plantains don’t contain ANY cholesterol!
• Plantains (and yellow bananas) are an essential food for anyone suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because they contain natural mood enhancers … so eat more plantains during winter months when the daylight is shorter and shorter.
• Plantains can be used to treat wrinkles

Vitamins

Vitamin A - 1818 I.U.
Vitamin C - 21.8 mg
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) - 0.3 mg
Vitamin K - 1.4 mcg
Niacin - 1.5 mg
Vitamin B6 - 0.5 mg
Folate - 52.0 mcg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.5 mg
Choline - 25.4 mg

Minerals

Calcium - 4.0 mg
Iron - 1.2 mg
Magnesium - 64.0 mg
Phosphorus - 56.0 mg
Potassium - 930 mg
Zinc - 0.3 mg
Copper - 0.1 mg
Selenium - 2.8 mcg

Amazing isn't it?  Please do share any other uses you've found for plantains.  I would love to know.  Look out tomorrow God willing for raw and other plantain recipes.

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The Healing Power of Ripe Papaya (Pawpaw)

We've had quite a bit of papaw (also known as pawpaw or papaya) come into our home in the past couple of weeks. I decided to research papayas to see exactly what nutrients the Lord was blessing us with.

Papaya is a delicious orange colored fruit when ripe. It is sweet with black seeds that are edible. Papaya is about 88% water and contains about 103% of the recommended daily allowance(RDA) of Vitamin C for an adult. The vitamin A in a papaya is about 18% of the RDA for an adult.

According to the book Healthy Foods, papayas are very easy to digest and they contribute to the digestion of other foods as well. It is used in the treatment of various ailments such as:

• stomach disorders
• Papaya is recommended in cases of difficult digestion and gastritis.  It helps neutralize excess gastric acid and as a result it is extremely good for gastroduodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and pyrosis(heartburn).
• intestinal disorders
• The papaya's emollient and antiseptic effect on the digestive mucosa makes it useful in any type of case of gastroenteritis or colitis, even irritable bowel.
• skin disorders
• Papaya is can be part of the suggested diet for those with skin disorders such as eczema, furunculosis(boils) and acne because of its rich amounts of Vitamin A.

The papaya(pawpaw) has a lot of nutrients and vitamins in varying amounts.  The highest amounts being Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate and Calcium.

• 
  
  
  Vitamin A : 1,750 I.U
• Phosphorus : 16 mg.
• Potassium : 470 mg.
• Folate 115.52 mcg
• Vitamin C - 61.8 mg
• Calcium - 24 mg
• Magnesium - 10 mg
• Sodium - 3 mg
• Vitamin E - 1.12 mg
• Niacin - 0.471 mg
• Iron - 0.1 mg 
• Zinc - 0.07 mg
• Vitamin B2 - 0.032 mg
• Vitamin B1 - 0.027mg
• Vitamin B6 - 0.019 mg

Since discovering that the seeds are edible we do not scoop out the seeds anymore.  They are bitter when chewed so we simply swallow them along with the pawpaw.  I'm also researching the health and healing benefits of the seeds and ways to use it other than just swallowing it like we do.  More on that later this week. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  I'm enjoying all that he provides.

Look out for and eat more papaya.  It's good for you.  And if you know anyone who is suffering with any of the above ailments point them to papaya.

For more information you would enjoy reading this article about papaya. There are so many things that can be done with it and this article lays out many more uses and benefits.

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