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Grapefruit - Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

Botanical Name :: Citrus paradisi

Indian Name :: Chakolia

Description

The grapefruit occupies a high place among the citrus fruits because of its flavour, its appetizing properties and its refreshing qualities. The fruit is often very large - larger than the human head. It varies in color and may have a pale yellow or pinkish flesh. The rind is usually quarter to half an inch thick.

Origin and Distribution

Food Value

The fruit is nutritive and refrigerant and possesses very much the same prop~ties as the orange, lemon and lime. The seedless variety is the best as it often contains greater amount of sugar, calcium and phosphorus. The grapefruit is often used as table salad and is taken together with other fruit and vegetables. It is

sometimes cut into half, and the seeds and the hard pith removed. from the centre. The cavity is then filled with sugar which is also sprinkled over the cut surface. It is left for one hour in a covered plate and then taken

Grapefruit*

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

The grapefruit is an excellent appetizer. It promotes salivary and gastric digestion. It is an important health builder and a tonic.

• Acidity :- Inspite of its often sharp, sub-acid taste, the fresh grapefruit has an alkaline reaction after digestion. The citric acid of the fruit IS oxidized in the human system and hence the effect is to increase the alkalinity of the fluids of the body. Its juice is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of acidity and many diseases caused by too much acid in the system.
• Digestive Disorders :- The fruit is valuable in relieving constipation. The pulp, when wholly taken, supplies healthy bulk to aid bowel action. It is beneficial in maintaining the health of intestines and is regarded as a preventive food item against dysentery, diarrhea, enteritis, typhus and other infective diseases of the digestive tract.
• Diabetes :- According to Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, a well-known expert in nutrition, "Grapefruit is a splendid thing in the food of diabetic patient. If grapefruits were eaten more liberally, there would be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times a day. If you do not have sugar, but a tendency towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day Decrease starches, sweets and fats Eat mostly fruits and vegetables and juices. In two weeks this will eliminate sugar when not taking insulin. When taking insulin, it takes longer".
• Influenza :- The juice of grapefruit is an excellent remedy for influenza as it helps to reduce acidity in the system and its bitter properties arising from a substance called 'maringin, tones up the system and the digestive tract.
• Fever :- The juice of grapefruit is also an excellent diet in all fevers. It quenches thirst and removes the burning sensation produced by the fever. It should be taken mixed with water.
• Malaria :- The grapefruit contains a natural 'quinine' and hence is valuable in the treatment of malaria. This 'quinine' is also beneficial in feverish colds. It can be extracted from the fruits by boiling a quarter of a grapefruit and straining the pulp.
• Fatigue :- The grapefruit is beneficial in the treatment of fatigue. Taking a glass of grapefruit and lemon juice in equal parts is an excellent way of dispelling fatigue and general tiredness after a day's work.
• Scanty Urination :- The juice of grapefruit is extremely rich in vitamin C and potassium. It can, therefore, be beneficially used as a medicine in scanty urination caused by liver, kidney and heart disorders.