Description
The spinach is a leafy vegetable, with
broad green leaves. It ranks high among all green vegetables. The leaves are
cooling and very nutritive. This vegetable is a cool season annual crop which
matures quickly. It has round, very smooth and delicate stem. The leaves are al
ternate, succulent, fleshy, very smooth and dark green in color. They are
generally five to eight cm. in length and one to one and half cm. in width. The
bottom of the leaf is shiny, with thick veins running across.
Origin and
Distribution
The spinach is believed to have been first
cultivated by the Arabs. The Persians cultivated it about 2,000 years ago. The Moors
or the blacks took it to Spain from where it spread to other parts of the
world. The word spinach actually comes from a Spanish word hispania. In India it grows in great abundance. This crop thrives
best in cooler and moist climate. High humidity and cool temperature are
conducive to the rapid growth of succulent, tender foliage.
Food Value
The chemical constituents of spinach are
essential amino acids, iron, vitamin A and folic acid. It is one of the
cheapest vegetables which supply the same amount of protein as one gets from
the same quantity of meat, fish, eggs and chicken. Other vegetables such as
tomatoes, onions and cucumbers maybe added to the raw tender spinach. It will
make an excellent dish with the addition of a little lemon juice and olive oil.
The vitamin C content in lemon juice helps the body to absorb the entire amount
of iron from the spinach consumed.
Spinach*
|
|||
Food Value
|
Minerals and
Vitamins
|
||
Moisture
|
92.1%
|
Calcium
|
73 mg
|
Protein
|
2.0%
|
Phosphorus
|
21 mg
|
Fat
|
0.7%
|
Iron
|
10.9 mg
|
Minerals
|
1.7%
|
Vitamin
C
|
28 mg
|
Fiber
|
0.6%
|
Small
amount of
|
|
Carbohydrates
|
2.9%
|
Vitamin B Complex
|
|
100%
|
|||
*Values
per 100 gms edible portion
|
Calorific
Value - 17
|
||
Natural Benefits and Curative Properties
The leaves of spinach are demulcent or
soothing agents, refrigerant or coil ants, diuretic and milk laxative.
Spinach juice cleans the digestive tract
by removing the accumulated waste therefrom. It nourishes the intestines and tones
up their movements. It is, therefore, an excellent food remedy for
constipation.
Anemia
This vegetable is a valuable source of
high grade iron. After its absorption in the system, the formation of hemoglobin
and red blood cells take place. It is thus highly beneficial building up the
blood and in the prevention and treatment of anemia.
Acidosis
Spinach is also a rich source of calcium
and other alkaline elements which are essential for keeping the tissues clean
and for preserving the alkalinity of the blood. It, therefore, helps prevent chronic
diseases which thrive on the formation of too much acid in the system.
The spinach is particularly rich in
vitamin A. It contains more vitamin A than most other green vegetables. This
vitamin promotes growth and health, specially the health of the eyes.
Lack of this vitamin
may lead to night blindness. Spinach is thus an effective food remedy for the
prevention and treatment of night blindness.
Tooth Disorders
The spinach juice is effective in
strengthening the gums and preventing and curing dental cavities. Chewing raw
spinach leaves cures pyorrhea. A mixture of carrot juice and spinach juice,
taken early in the morning, can cure bleeding and ulcerated gums.
Pregnancy and Lactation
As the richest source of folic acid,
spinach is a very valuable food during pregnancy and lactation. Megaloblastic anemia
of pregnancy occurs because the mother is deficient in folic acid. This
deficiency of folic acid occurs as this substance is required for the
developing fetus. Regular use of spinach during pregnancy will help prevent the
deficiency of folic acid. It will also prevent threatened abortion and
accidental hemorrhage, deficient absorption of food by small intestine
associated with lassitude i.e. tiredness, shortness of breath, loss of weight
and diarrhea. Spinach is also good source of nutrition for nursing or lactating
mothers and improves the quality of their milk.
Urinary Disorders
Fresh spinach juice taken with tender
coconut water once or twice a day acts as a very effective but safe diuretic
due to the combined action of both nitrates and potassium. It can be safely given
in cystitis, nephritis and scanty urination due to dehydration.
Respiratory Disorders
Infusion of fresh leaves of spinach
prepared with two tea spoonful of fenugreek seeds mixed with a pinch of ammonium
chloride and honey is an effective expectorant tonic during the treatment of
bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma and dry cough due to congestion in the throat.
It sooths the bronchioles, liquefies
the tenacious sputum and forms healthy tissues in the lungs and increase
resistance against respiratory infection. It should be taken in doses of 30 ml.
three times daily.
Uses
Spinach is often cooked as a green vegetable;
it is also used as a soup. Small, young and tender leaves of spinach can be
used as raw salads. They are as appetizing as tender lettuce leaves. The leaves
of spinach are so juicy that no additional water is needed for its cooking. The
leaves should first be washed in several changes of water. The water which
clings to the leaves is sufficient for cooking without adding more. The leaves
should always be cooked on a moderate heat. It contributes roughage, color and
a bland flavor to the diet and it helps to balance the fuel foods in the menu.
It however, contains a small amount of
oxalic acid which is insoluble in the fluids of the alimentary tract and is
harmful in gravels, gout and liver disease. Therefore, it should not be used by
those suffering from these ailments.
No comments:
Post a Comment