Today I would like to share the super healing power of Grapes. Grapes are rich in dietary fibers and are loaded with anti-oxidants. They prevent anemia, induces appetite, strengthens bone marrow, helps in cells rejuvenation, gout, allergies, cystitis etc. Based on the taste of Grapes, its medicinal property will vary a little.
- Sour grapes increases Kapha (Earth & Water elements) and Pitta (Fire & Water) but reduces Vata (Air & Space) disorders such as bloating, constipation, paralysis etc. In moderate amount with spices like cardamom and ginger, even kapha people can enjoy sour grapes.
- Sweet grapes supports Vata and Pitta and are used in treating bleeding disorders, excessive thirst, burning sensations, tuberculosis, jaundice, liver diseases, giddiness, asthma etc. These are best coolant.
Some more benefits are listed below.
Fresh Grapes
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-cancerous
- Brain tonic
- Heart tonic
- Strengthens muscles
- Diuretic
- Soothes inner layer of bladder
- Improves voice
- Relieves cough and soothes throat
- Relieves thirst
- Prevents skin diseases
- Immune boosters
- Increases fertility by improving the quality and quantity of semen, sperm count and motility
- Helps in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
- Strengthens lungs
Raisins (Dry Grapes)
- Useful in cold and cough
- Eases bowel moment (Soak few raisins over night and have it on empty stomach in the morning)
- Good for eyes
- Calms the mind
- Relives bloating
- Aphrodisiac
- Treats UTI
- Improves tastes
- Prevents tooth decay
Grape seeds
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-allergic
- Anti-cancerous
- Reduces cholesterol
- Strengthens bone
- Prevents Alzheimer's
- Reduces oxidative stress
- Normalizes blood pressure
Please buy grapes with seed whenever possible and try to eat the seeds to get its full benefits. Grapes when consumed with honey, ginger (or black pepper) will keep your Kapha (water and earth elements) in balance.
Raisins as a natural laxative:
Good bowel movement is one of the pillars for good health. If a person is constipated, the toxins will not be eliminated properly and gets reabsorbed by the body and enters into the blood stream. I see many people taking chemical-based laxatives on a regular basis. Sad to hear when even some toddlers get dependent on laxatives. When they stop taking it, they get constipated again. What is actually happening? The body gets dependent on the laxative and is not able to function properly without it. That's why when laxatives are stopped, constipation returns . Go for a natural remedy like soaked raisins to bring back the body's intelligence.
Soaked raisin is the best remedy for constipation, for kids as well as adults. But some people say that raisins didn't help them much. The reason is very simple. Constipation is caused due to increase in Vata (air and space element) in the body. This imbalance occurs when the person eats lot of dry foods like biscuits, crackers, cookies, chips, salads, potatoes, dry fruits (without soaking), spicy foods, too much of astringent foods, going out in cold weather etc. Stress and anxiety also contribute to constipation. If the constipated person keeps on eating these foods, then soaked raisins can't do its job well.
To cure your constipation, in addition to raisins, please include Vata pacifying diet, like warm cooked food, good amount of ghee intake, cooked apples/pear with a clove, soaked nuts, soaked dry fruits etc. Continue the soaked raisin treatment till your bowel movement returns to normal. Even soaked prunes are very good for constipation in adults. If you are not able to eat prunes as such, you can use it as a substitute to tamarind while making rasam, sambar, dhal etc. Prune chutney is yummy as well as a great laxative.
Some yummy ideas to include raisins in your diet:
- Soaked nuts and raisins are a great mid-morning or evening snack.
- Add soaked raisins (whole or as a paste with some fennel, cumin & black pepper) to your Bittergourd Subji which will balance the bitterness and dry nature of bittergourd.
- Soaked raisins + roasted cashews + (Ghee sauteed homemade paneer + black pepper powder + cumin seeds + turmeric powder) + lime juice + chopped cilantro + salt = Yummy masala paneer.
- Add soaked raisins to your sweet or savory poha.
- Grind 1/4 cup of raisins + 1/8 cup of curry leaves + 1/4 tsp cumin seeds into a fine paste. Heat a pan and add this paste, little water (if needed) to get a chutney consistency. Let it cook for 5 minutes on low-medium flame. Add a pinch of salt if needed. This recipe is great for anemic people.
- Fresh grape juice + diluted cooked toor dhal water + rasam powder + turmeric powder + salt + usual Tadka = Refreshing Grape Rasam. Add lime juice if the grape is fully sweet.
Caution:
Raisins should not be eaten with Daikon Radish. This is because raisin-daikon combo carry "rasa virudh" which means, their properties are opposite on rasa or taste level. Raisin is sweet and cold while daikon is pungent and hot. This combination confuses our digestive system and hence considered incompatible combination in Ayurveda. Hence it is advised to avoid raisin and radish in the same meal.
Never mix fresh grapes with milk (like milkshakes) as this is considered as an incompatible combination which will lead to indigestion, bloating and toxin formation. Eat fresh fruits alone without mixing it with grains, lentils, milk and cheese.Enjoy Grapes(fresh & dry) with proper combination and stay healthy :) !!!!
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