Be Vegetarian

Which Products it is Found in
Foods that are rich in Vitamin B1 are whole rice, peanuts, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, dark molasses, brazil nuts, brewer’s yeast, pecan, poultry, and fish.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Vitamin – B1  Men need 1.4 mg of Vitamin – B1 everyday, while women need 1.0 mg.

Benefits
· It is required for muscle tone and growth, hence needed for kids as well
· Improves metabolism of carbohydrates in the body
· To maintain continuous growth in children, their diet should be Vitamin – B1 enriched
· People under stressful conditions need adequate intake of the Vitamin
· Required for fertility and lactating mothers
· Helps improve digestion and assimilation of nutrients
· Keeps the heart, brain, nervous system, and muscles healthy
· Improves learning capacity by strengthening the brain

Which Products it is Found in
Vitamin A is found in green and yellow vegetables and fruits, raw carrots, fish, cod liver oil, dairy products, spinach, and dried apricots.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Vitamin – A  Men need 5000 IU, while women need 4000 IU of Vitamin – A everyday. The requirement of Beta carotene, which converts into Vitamin - A when the body requires it, is 15 mg (10,000 IU) per day.
 
Benefits
· Assists the body fight and get rid of infections
· Required for improving vision and treat night blindness
· Important for children since it promotes growth
· Helps improve vitality in body
· Good for teeth, bones, skin, and hair
· Fights free radicals, while helping to neutralize them. People exposed to smog should take Vitamin A regularly
· Strengthens the liver and reproductive organs
· Good for pregnant women and lactating mothers

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a root that is sweet to taste. It is known for its therapeutic and healing properties. Both China and India have been using licorice for ages.

Benefits
Licorice is useful in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice helps in the formation of  tissues that protect the stomach and intestinal lining. This helps discourage the formation of ulcers. It is said to be more effective than antacids, as present day antacids work by controlling the secretion of gastric acids.

When licorice is deglycyrrhizinated through a chemical process, the pure extract is used to treat a large number of ailments. People, who are heavily into drinking alcohol, coffee, and taking medication that irritate the stomach lining need to take licorice. Studies conducted on people suffering from duodenal ulcers, show that success was registered in 91% of the cases. Depending on case to case basis, the treatment has to continue from 8 to 16 weeks.

Licorice is also said to have a direct bearing on the liver. Cirrhosis of liver and hepatitis patients too benefit from the intake of licorice. Herpes patients too have benefited from licorice owing to its property of stimulating the production of interferon in the body. Interferon is an immune system booster, which also helps the body combat against viral and bacterial infections, such as those that are responsible for cold, cough, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Licorice has anti-allergenic qualities that help fight asthma, and allergies related to the respiratory system.

The anti-inflammatory property of licorice helps people suffering from arthritis. It has proved to be an effective reduction agent of arthritic inflammation.

Women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may take licorice for its property of balancing estrogen and progesterone. It does help to take licorice 8 – 10 days before menstruation.

However, licorice should be avoided by people suffering from kidney problems and arterial hypertension. Excessive intake of the root can cause edema (water retention) and hypertension.

The per day recommended dose of licorice root is 1 to 2 grams or 0.25 to 0.5 grams of the extract. 

Onions have been a part of the human food chain since time immemorial. Ayurveda science holds the onion in high esteem for its healing qualities. Regular intake of onions adds vigor and luster to the body. It also accentuates the mental faculties.

Constituents
Water                                86.8%
Fat                                      0.1%
Carbohydrates                    11.6%
Protein                                 1.2%
Phosphorus                          0.05% 
Calcium                                0.18%
Carotene                            50.0 IU / 100 gm
Iron                                     0.7 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin B1                        120.0 microgram / 100 gm
Vitamin B2                          10.0 microgram / 100 gm
Niacin                                   0.4 microgram / 100 gm
Vitamin C                            11.0 mg / 100 gm  

Benefits

• Onions are germicidal in nature, and hence beneficial in respiratory disorders
• If virility is an issue, taking onion juice with honey for three weeks does help
• Eating onion in the morning and evening helps in case of jaundice
• It also protects against sunstrokes
• It is an effective vermifuge helping expel intestinal worms
• Onions effectively combat TB (tuberculosis) germs
• It gets rid of stubborn mucous and checks its formation. The elderly, thus can benefit from taking onions
• Helps in the case of flatulence by discouraging putrefaction in the intestines
• Onion juice with sugar is a remedy for bleeding piles

Onions are germicidal in nature, and hence beneficial in respiratory disorders. They are normally used in salads and cooked vegetables too. Ideally, two to three teaspoons of white onions with honey are helpful in medical conditions.

Pineapples are rich in chlorine that helps removal of waste from the body by stimulating the kidneys. The fruit, a native of Brazil, is available all over the world, but high quality pineapples are produced in Myanmar, Philippines, and Malaysia. The fruit is sweet containing 12% sugar. It also contains acid, 87% of which is citric acid and the remaining 13% constituting malic acid.

Constituents
Water                                 86.5%
Fat                                       0.1%
Protein                                  0.6%
Sugar                                 12.0%
Phosphorus                          0.01% 
Calcium                                0.12%
Iron                                     0.9 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin A                            60.0 IU / 100 gm
Vitamin B2                        120.0 IU / 100 gm
Vitamin C                            63.0 IU / 100 gm  

Benefits

• It helps in proper digestion and removes flatulence
• It is a diuretic. Thus, it helps the kidneys clear waste products
• It stimulates and helps the heart remain healthy
• A destroyer of intestinal worms, it keeps the digestive and eliminative systems in order
• It helps in cases of jaundice and anemia
• Fresh pineapple juice has a soothing effect on the throat
• Helps remove dead membrane from the throat in case of diphtheria
• It contains antiviral properties

It helps in proper digestion and removes flatulence. Avoid taking pineapple on an empty stomach. Pregnant ladies should avoid overly ripe and raw pineapples. The outer rind and the innermost core of the pineapple are not edible, and should be discarded. The juicy middle portion is sweet and tasty. It can be eaten in chunks and savored as juice.

Oranges are acidic in taste but alkaline in nature. After metabolism, it leaves an alkaline residue that accentuates the body’s strength to fight disease. It is a sweet and sour juicy fruit that can both be eaten and taken in the form of juice. Its appetizing nature makes it a fruit most suitable before a meal.

Constituents
Water                                 87.8%
Carbohydrates                     10.6%
Fat                                       0.3%
Protein                                 0.9%
Potassium                           19.7 mg / 100gm
Sodium                                 2.1 mg / 100gm
Chlorine                                3.2 mg / 100gm     
Magnesium                          12.9 mg / 100gm
Phosphorus                           0.02% 
Calcium                                 0.05%
Sulfur                                   9.3 mg / 100gm
Iron                                      0.1 mg / 100 gm
Copper                                 0.07 mg / 100gm 
Vitamin A                          350.0 IU / 100gm
Vitamin B1                          120.0 IU / 100gm
Vitamin C                             68.0 IU / 100gm  

Benefits
· It is an efficient blood cleanser
· Helps in flatulence removing excessive wind from the abdomen
· Removes constipation and destroys intestinal worms
· Helps skeletal system by strengthening bones
· Being nutritious, orange juice can be taken in case of fever
· Helps in asthmatic and bronchial conditions

Orange juice does not allow intestinal microbes and bacteria to stay put. It is one of the best natural cures for intestinal health. It helps alleviate the feeling of nausea in pregnant women. In case of putrefaction of food in the digestive tract that leads to flatulence, orange juice certainly helps cleanse the tract. Orange is a rich source of Vitamin C. 125 to 150 ml orange juice is enough to satisfy the body’s daily Vitamin C need. The white membrane that is usually discarded is a rich source of calcium.

Lemon has found special mention in Ayurveda as a fruit that has many healing properties. It is sour, acidic, and promotes digestion. It is indigenous to India, though now grown abundantly in other countries such as Sri Lanka, West Indies, Mexico, and Malaysia. 

Constituents
Water                          85.0%
Carbohydrates              11.1%  
Protein                           1.0%
Fat                                0.9%  
Phosphorus                    0.03% 
Calcium                          0.07%          
Iron                               2.3 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin C                      39.0 mg / 100 gm 
Fiber                              1.8%

Benefits
· It removes stubborn phlegm
· Helps in flatulence by expelling wind from the abdomen
· Controls excessive bile production
· It acts as a good skin astringent
· Helps people with constipation
· Though acidic, it leaves alkaline residue in the body
· Lemon is a known intestinal worms destroyer
· It prevents rheumatism and acidity
· Helps curtail nausea and acidity
· It soothes the nerves and is a good diuretic
· Helps people with palpitation problem

Lemon juice destroys bacteria related to malaria, diphtheria, cholera, typhoid and other such disease. The Vitamin C it contains is more effective than synthetic tablets because of bioflavonoids (Vitamin P). The small traces of Vitamin A makes lemon good for vision. The Vitamin C helps in calcium metabolism, which is good for the bones and teeth. Being diuretic, it helps in all kinds of kidney related problems. Mountaineers find lemon beneficial in areas where there is less oxygen, as it helps in restoring normal breathing. Sir Edmund Hilary, the first person to conquer Mount Everest has said, “My success in climbing Mt. Everest, the highest summit in the world, is greatly due to lemon.”

Lemon juice should never be taken in concentrated form. The extract of one lemon should be diluted with one glass of cold water. Add a cube or two of ice to make a refreshing summer drink. Lemon juice with honey first thing in the morning is good for people suffering from constipation.

Here is an interesting vegetarian recipe keeping in mind the needs of diabetics. It is just as well good for perfectly healthy people.

Ingredients
· Asparagus – 2 lbs
· Fresh ginger (grated) – 1½ tablespoon
· Low fat mayonnaise – ¾ cup
· Distilled vinegar – 1 tablespoon
· Orange juice – 1 tablespoon
· Light sour cream – ¾ cup
· Soy sauce – 1 teaspoon
· Orange Zest (grated) – 1 teaspoon
· Garlic clove (peeled and crushed) – 1
· Dijon-style mustard – 1 tablespoon
· Sugar – ½ teaspoon
· Salt & pepper (to taste)

Method of Preparation
To zest the orange, peel off thin layers from the outer surface of the skin. Make sure not to include the white on the underneath of the skin, which can be bitter.  Take the asparagus and chop off the tough ends. Next, peel the stalks. Take a large skillet and fill water until it is about 1 inch from the base. Place it on a stove and boil it. Add the asparagus and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes or when the asparagus just about goes tender, whichever is earlier. Do not place the lid while the asparagus is simmering. Drain the water and place the asparagus in ice water to cool it. 
Drain the excess water and refrigerate to chill.

Take the other ingredients and mix them well in a medium size bowl. Add this mixture to the bowl containing the asparagus and chill before serving.

It is enough to serve 8. Each serving contains:

· Calories – 127
· Protein – 5 gm
· Fat – 8 gm
· Carb – 10 gm
· Sodium - 235 mg
· Calcium – 50 mg

The ginkgo biloba herb is native to China and Japan. It is known for its medicinal properties. It has been used by  royalty since ages and was a revered plant. Recent scientific research has shown that ginkgo biloba possesses some valuable healing properties.

Benefits
Ginkgo biloba helps increase memory and mental concentration. Europeans are enamored by the herb as millions of daily doses are reported to be consumed in Europe. It also helps improve circulation in the brain thus, resulting in increased oxygenation of the brain cells. Research has shown that its extract not only improves memory considerably, but also enhances activity of neurons in the brain. Ginkgo has helped many patients with asthma for its bronchodilating property.

Patients of migraine were subject to ginkgo biloba extract, where researchers found marked improvement in their condition owing to its effect on the arteries. Due to its circulatory effects, the herb has shown improved results in loss of hearing problems, impotence, and brain and heart related problems. As ginkgo helps in dilating the blood vessels, the resultant improvement in circulation of blood and oxygen help many organs revitalize. Ginkgo biloba is an excellent antioxidant, which helps prevent deterioration of the body organs.

Ginseng is an oriental herb that is considered highly nutritional. It has been known to ancient cultures since 3000 BC. Europe got a taste of the herb in 1610 AD through Dutch traders and merchants. Ginseng has highly effective adapting properties that help normalize body functions. It has a most telling effect on the nervous system and hormones.

Benefits
· It strengthens the human body after it is subject to prolonged physical exertion. Ginseng is known to provide energy.
· In weak and recuperating patients, it starts the process of stimulating the physical and mental faculties. It is just as beneficial for old people.
· It helps stimulate the nerve cells of the brain, in the process rectifying illness related to the nervous system. Ginseng is good for psychosomatic, memory and intelligence related problems.
· It promotes healthy functioning of the endocrine system – especially related to the sexual and suprarenal glands.

In research conducted at the University of Osaka Japan, ginseng was found to help improve memory, blood circulation, nervous system, and metabolism. It was also seen to normalize sugar levels in the blood. Australians use ginseng to normalize blood pressure and prevent heart ailments. According to the National Cancer Research Institute of Maryland, ginseng (eleutherococcus) helps in the treatment of cancer.