And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, on which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food. -Genesis 1:29 The Hebrew word for "for food" is "l'achlah" which has a numerical value of 86. This is the same as the numerical value of "Elohim" which is the appellation used for God in this passage. Hence, by gematria (Jewish numerology) we may conclude that food is an agent for God's healing.
The son of Sira said: "God caused drugs to spring forth from the earth; with them the physician heals the wound and the apothecary compounds his preparations." -Genesis Rabbah 10:6
And you shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you. -Exodus 23:25
"Help us draw all kinds of healing powers into everything in the world - into bread and water and all the different kinds of food and drink You send to our mouths for us to eat and drink. No matter what they are, channel into them the healing powers of all the various curative herbs and plants, so that we will have complete healing any time we need it through bread and water alone. Carry out Your promise - "and He shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you. -Exodus 23:25". Lovingly send us complete healing, physically and spiritually. Heal all of our two hundred and forty-eight limbs and three hundred and sixty-five arteries and veins. For you alone know all our pains and illnesses - those we know about and those that are hidden from us." -from a prayer by Rabbi Nachman
Eat a third, drink a third, and leave empty in your stomach the remaining third. -Talmud, Gittin 70
It shall be an everlasting statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that you eat neither fat nor blood. -Leviticus 3:17
Our Rabbis taught: Five things were said of garlic: It satiates, it keeps the body warm, it brightens up the face, it increases semen, and it kills parasites in the bowels. -Talmud, Baba Kama 82a
Every day more and more is being discovered by medical science regarding how food can be used to either help maintain or destroy our health. One need only go to the nearest book store or peruse legitimate health oriented sites on the internet to find the latest information on the benefits of various fruits and vegetables and the diseases associated with the excess consumption of certain other foods. One thing that I've found helpful is to make a weekly calendar with a list of foods that enhance my health so that I can make a check mark everytime that I eat an item that is good for me. This way I can see at a glance if I am consuming enough healthy fruits, vegetables, and fish each week.
The Talmud suggests limiting the amount of food that one eats to 1/3 of one's stomach. However, I must confess that that "1/3" has gotten larger over the years as my girth has increased. Nevertheless, modern science has shown that the easiest way to extend life is to simply decrease the number of calories consumed. The bottom line is that a very major component of continued good health is the kind of food you eat and the amount that you consume. For optimal health, get accurate information on the health benefits of various foods, and adopt a diet that will improve your well being. Below are some of the recognized healing properties of various foods.
BEANS: High in fiber, tends to lower cholesterol, regulates blood sugar levels.
BLUEBERRIES: Superior antioxidant activity, antiviral activity, high in natural aspirin, fights urinary infections by blocking the attachment of bacteria. Fresh blueberries frozen in the freezer and added to non-fat yogurt with live bacteria cultures are a wonderful and healthy treat!
BROCCOLI: Very high in anticancer activity, high in antioxidants, high in fiber, antiviral activity, regulates blood sugar levels, best eaten raw or lightly cooked. Eat as often as possible.
CABBAGE: Superior antioxidant and anticancer activity, especially protective against colon cancer, contains anti-ulcer compounds.
CARROTS: High in beta carotene, anticancer activity, lowers cholesterol, high in fiber, helps protect arteries, helps prevent strokes. Eat a raw carrot daily.
CAULIFLOWER: Contains many of the same anticancer compounds as broccoli and cabbage, eat raw or lightly cooked.
CELERY: Contains anticancer compounds, can help reduce blood pressure.
COLLARD GREENS: High in vitamin C and beta carotene, anticancer activity.
CRANBERRIES: Strong antibacterial activity, helps prevent bladder infections.
FISH: Protective against strokes and heart disease, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are most protective, can help with symptoms of arthritis, high blood pressure and respiratory problems, fish highest in omega-3 include sardines, mackerel, herring, salmon and tuna. Ingest fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids at least three times a week.
GARLIC: Lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, combats parasites, increases circulation, contains sulphur compounds. Eat a raw bulb daily as a garnish on other dishes.
GINGER: Relieves nausea, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, increases circulation and warms the extremities. Ingest raw, in capsule form, or as a tea every day.
GRAPES (RED): Rich in antioxidant and anticancer compounds, helps protect against strokes. Drink a glass of red grape juice daily.
OLIVE OIL: Lowers bad LDL cholesterol and helps protect arteries from plaque.
ONIONS (RED): Strong antioxidant and anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, lowers cholesterol, helps lung problems. A slice of red onion added to a healthy sandwhich is great for health when ingested on a daily basis.
ORANGES: Rich in vitamin C and a variety of cancer inhibitors. However, too many oranges can be inflammatory.
PINEAPPLE: Anti-inflammatory activitiy.
SEAWEED: Antiviral and antibacterial activity.
SOYBEANS: High in fiber, lowers cholesterol, protective against many cancers. Eat soy products that contain ample quantities of isoflavones.
SPINACH: Associated with low occurence of cancer, rich in beta carotene and lutein, eat raw or lightly cooked.
STRAWBERRIES: Associated with low incidences of all types of caner, antiviral, high in antioxidant activity. Eat both strawberries and blueberries frequently for their anticancer and antioxidant activity.
TEA (GREEN): Contains compounds that protect artieries and inhibit a variety of cancers, inhibits tooth decay, antiviral. However, the caffeine may overstimulate. Decaffeinated versions are available. Drink a cup of hot green tea daily or every other day for its many health benefits.
TOMATO: Lycopene helps protect against prostate and other types of cancer, more effective when cooked. However, eaten too often, tomatoes can be inflammatory. Eat raw or cooked tomatoes three or four times per week.
TURMERIC: Anticancer and anti-inflammatory.
WHEAT: High in fiber, helps protect against colon cancer.
WINE (RED): Small amounts boost good HDL cholesterol, protects against strokes, kills bacteria and inhibits parasites. Drink a glass of red wine two to four times a week.
YOGURT: Antibacterial, anticancer, boosts immune system through stimulating gamma interferon production, good source of calcium, provides the intestinal tract with healthy bacteria. Eat a little non-fat yogurt with live bacteria cultures on a daily basis.
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