Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Get into Cool Season Leafy Green Super Foods!

Healthy Green Vegetables

Spinach, Kale, Rapini, Dandelion


by Ronald Steriti, NMD, Ph.D.
The following is a discussion of some of the interesting foods that are now available at some grocery stores. Be forewarned, besides having odd tastes (because they are unfamiliar) you may also get some odd looks from the cashiers as they try to figure out what you are buying. Greens are prepared by submerging them in water to wash them and then cooking them either with steam or by frying them.
Spinach
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a native of Asia introduced into Europe about the fifteenth century. Spinach contains nitrogenous substances, hydrocarbons, and iron sesqui-oxide. Spinach contains chlorophyll, which has a chemical formula remarkably similar to that of hemoglobin. The combination of chlorophyll and iron make spinach beneficial for treating anemia. During the war, wine fortified with Spinach juice was given to French soldiers weakened by hemorrhage.
 
Dandelion Greens
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are unwelcome guests in lawns, but they have a long medicinal history. Dandelion leaves have been used for hundreds of years to treat liver and gallbladder problems. These medicinal actions are attributed to taraxacin, which is a bitter. Dandelion leaves have high amounts of vitamin D, and moderate amounts of vitamin C and B as well as iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc and manganese.
Kale
Kale (Brassica oleracae var acephala) contains calcium, potassium, vitamin A and C. Kale is the common names for non-heading types of cabbage (mostly of the variety acephala), cool-weather crops of the mustard family. They are grown for their edible greens and, in Europe, for fodder.
Collard greens
Collard greens (Brassica oleracae var acephala), called Colliard, coleworts and collie greens contains calcium, potassium, vitamin A and C. Collard greens originated in the Mediterranean basin and were a favorite food of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Rapini
Rapini, which also called broccoli raab, Choi sum and Chinese flowering cabbage, is used in Italian and Chinese cooking. Rapini is high in vitamins A, C and K.
References
A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, originally published 1931

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The Information Contained Herein Should not be Considered Medical Advice; Nor is it Meant to Treat, Diagnose, Prescribe or Cure Any Disease. Seek the Guidance of a Qualified Health Professional if You Have Concerns or Questions About your Health issues.

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Southern California, United States
Holistic living, natural remedies have been part of my life since the early 80's. As a natural progression of my passion, I became a certified massage therapist in 2006, a Reiki Master in 2008, and in 2013 an Ayurveda Lifestyle Coach. I am here to promote natural healing, for it is my deep belief that with a little help from our friends and nature, we can all heal ourselves.