Spinach
Spinacia Oleracea
 The
creators of Popeye knew what they were doing when they
used Spinach as his source of strength, though canned is
a poor source of Spinach. One cup of fresh Spinach is a
nutritional powerhouse containing these important
vitamins and minerals: Vitamins A 4,460 IU, C 28 mg,
biotin 3.5 mg, E 1.25 mg, magnesium 44 mg, manganese .42
mg, zinc 0.5 mg, Minerals: calcium 51 mg, phosphorus 28
mg, iron 1.7 mg, sodium 39 mg, potassium 259 mg.
Spinach is thought to have originated in ancient Persia
(Iran). Spinach made its way to China in the 7th
century when the king of Nepal sent it as a gift to this
country. Spinach has a much more recent history in
Europe than many other vegetable. It was only brought
to that continent in the 11th century, when
the Moors introduced it into Spain. In fact, for a
while, spinach was known as "the Spanish vegetable" in
England.
Spinach was the favorite vegetable of Catherine de
Medici, a historical figure in the 16th
century. When she left her home of Florence, Italy, to
marry the king of France, she brought along her own
cooks, who could prepare spinach the ways that she
especially liked. Since this time, dishes prepared on
a bed of spinach are referred to as "a la Florentine."
Spinach, originally found in Eastern Europe and Asia,
can now be found in every corner of the globe. It is a
fleshy-leafed annual that forms a heavy rosette of broad
crinkly, tender leaves, where the high content of
vitamins and minerals are found. There are basically
three types of Spinach based on the leaf type: the
Savoy, which has crinkly leaves, the Simi-Savoy, whose
leaves are not quite as crinkly, and the Flat leaf.
Spinach is also considered another one of the top super
foods. An excellent source of chlorophyll which is a
magnesium complex created by plant photosynthesis. The
chlorophyll, along with the vitamins and minerals,
cleanse and build the body by stimulating and toning the
liver, gall bladder, kidneys, blood and lymph systems,
and the large intestine (colon).
Spinach also contains oxalic acid, which among other
attributes has a mild stimulating effect on the colon"s
peristaltic motion; this motion is a natural wave like
motion that moves matter through the colon. This
peristaltic action, which leads to bowel movements of
two to three times a day, has been compromised by many
people due to poor eating and bowel habits
Spinach juice because of its concentration of alkaline
minerals also has a strengthening effect on the teeth
and gums. The juice can stop bleeding gums, pyorrhea (a
mild form of scurvy), and fibroid degeneration of the
pulp of the teeth. These problems originate from the
use of devitalized foods, such as refined breads and
cereals, sugar, rice, and other deficiency fast
foods.
Other medicinal uses for Spinach:
Anemia, Cancer, Circulatory Weakness, Colitis,
Constipation, Diabetes, Eye Disorders, Kidney Disorders,
Liver Disorders, Nervous Diseases, Pyorrhea, Skin
Disorders, Poor Digestion, Thyroid Gland Regulation,
Arthritis, Swelling of Limbs, loss of Vigor, Rheumatism,
Heart Problems.
Sources:
The Juicing Book by Stephen Blauer, Avery Publishing Group Inc., NY, 1989
Heinerman"s Encyclopedia of Healing Juices by John Heinerman, Parker Publishing Company, NY, 1994
Juice Fasting and Detoxification, Steve Meyerowitz, Dist. Book Pub. Co. 2002
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Doctors'
Research
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