Cucumber
Cucumis Sativus
The cucumber is believed to have originated in northern
India or Thailand. It was known to ancient Egyptians,
Greeks and Romans and was available in China in the
sixth century AD. It has now spread throughout the
world. Its areas of cultivation include northern and
southern India, South East Asia, China, Africa, central
and South America, the Caribbean and most tropical
areas.
Cucumbers are scientifically known as Cucumis sativus
and belong to the same family as pumpkin, zucchini,
watermelon and other types of squash. Varieties of
cucumber are grown either to be eaten fresh or to be
pickled. Those that are to be eaten fresh are commonly
called slicing cucumbers. Cucumbers such as gherkins
that are specially cultivated to make pickles are
oftentimes much smaller than slicing cucumbers.
The alkaline-forming minerals in the cucumber represent
64.05 per cent and the acid-forming minerals 35.95 per
cent. This mineral arrangement invests the cucumber with
definite reme'dial and curative properties. It makes
it useful in maintaining the alkalinity of the blood.
It also operates as one of the best natural diuretics,
secreting and promoting the flow of urine. Cucumber
juice in combination with the juice of carrots, beets
and celery, has a very beneficial effect in the
conditions associated with accumulation of uric acid
such as arthritis, gout and rheumatism. It should
always be taken raw as cooking destroys potassium and
phos'phorus.
According to the book
Fresh Vegetables and
Fruit Juices, drinking juice composed of
carrot, cucumber, lettuce and spinach will nourish the
roots and nerves of hair thereby stimulating growth.
Also, recommend is a combination of carrot, lettuce,
green pepper and alfalfa juice. Further information
can be found in books such as
Juicing For Life
by Cherie Calbom & Maureen Keane and
The Juicing Book
by Stephen Blauer.
Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of
silicon to improve the complexion and health of the
skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it
naturally hydrating--a must for glowing skin. Cucumber
juice has proved effective in skin eruption: For better
results, juice of carrot, lettuce should be added to
this juice. Further, addition of little alfalfa juice
in some cases can help to speed up their efficacy.
Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of
skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and
sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and
caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain
why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for
swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. This is a
wonderful diuretic and helps remove uric acid from the
body. It also helps to regulate blood pressure, in
part due to its potassium content. Due to its silicon
and sulphur content, promotes the growth and health of
hair, bone, teeth, and nails.
Japanese research in the first half of this century
indicated that there was a valuable substance present in
the cucumber juice for the treatment of the whole
intestinal tract.
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
Cucumber health benefits, Home-Remedies-for-You.com
Some of the benefits of juicing,
www.herbalconsults.com/juice.html
The cucumber,
www.indiangyan.com
Juicing for Healthy Skin and Hairjuicer.lifetips.com/cat/59935/benefits-of-juicing
Cucumber,
www.whfoods.com/genpa
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