The Pagan Heart
|
The Magical Foods We Eat and Their Alternative Uses: An Expose on Strawberries
By Callum Mostyn
Part One Strawberries...luscious, divine, tasty. Plus they are good for you both inside and out. Like our last subject, strawberries are much more than they seem. They are packed with vitamin C and anti-oxidants (among other things), soothing to the skin, and pack a powerful punch magic-wise. Over the next few issues we will be exploring the power of the simple strawberry!
Part Two The strawberry - a vivid and fragrent symbol of spring and early summer, picnics, and romantic dinners for two. This little berry has been a part of our diet since Roman times, although not always as the large, luscious fruit we are familiar with. Before cultivation techniques were applied, the berry was much smaller and tarter, and prized more for its medicinal value than its taste. However, sometime in the eighteenth century agricultural science got its hands on the strawberry and developed it into what has become the world's most popular berry. There are now more than 600 varieties to choose from, should you decide to grow them yourself! So, what are the medicinal qualities or health benefits of this fruit? Cancer fighting techniques now include what we eat, and the strawberry is one of the top eights foods determined to lower rates of death by cancer - by three times the chance faced by non-strawberry eaters. This is due to the ellagitannin content (one of the phenols). The strawberry contains protective plant compounds such as phenols, flavonoics, and anthocyanins. In addition to the antixodant aspect of the anthocyanin, the cumulative effect of these compounds has been verified as responsible for significantly inhibiting human cancer cell proliferation. The phenol content makes the strawberry a very powerful agent in helping the heart remain healthy and as an anti-inflammatory. Like NSAI drugs such as asprin, the strawberry's phenol content reduces the activity of the enzyme COX (an inflammatory enzyme when overactive). Unlike NSAI's strawberry consumption does not lead to intestinal bleeding - making it an effective tool in pain management and treatment for diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, cancer, and various forms of arthritis. "Two separate studies presented at the 2003 American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition reveal that in addition to being low in fat and calories, strawberries are naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants, making them a sweet alternative that advances heart health, reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, and gives a boost to total body wellness." says dietician Nigel Denby There is a note of caution, however. Strawberries, despite all their wonderful promises, can also be dangerous. They are one of the most common items in the food-allergy chain. For this reason it is not recommended to give them to children under the age of at least ten months, preferrably a year. People who suffer food allergies should exercise care when deciding to include strawberries in their diets. Also, strawberries are one of the twelve foods most susceptible to lingering pesticide residue. For health reasons, as well as environmental and taste, we at The Pagan Heart strongly recommend you consider consuming only organic strawberries. The twelve foods on this list are known as the dirty dozen. Conventionally grown produce in this list contain high levels of pesticide residue. If you can't buy them organically, keep amounts consumed low - especially in children whose low body mass means the cumulative build up of toxins occurs at an exponentially greater rate and has more damaging effects due to their still developing systems. Where possible, discard the peel as this usually contains the greatest amounts of the chemicals. The list is as follows:
Strawberries also contain oxalates and goitrogens - which can cause problems for (respectively) people with kidney or gallbladder problems and those suffering from thyroid disorders. They also interfere with calcium absorbption - so be sure to keep your calcium consumption up.
Part Three As you have probably gathered from the recipes and spells recorded in the past two issues, the innate magic of the strawberry lies in its effect upon the emotions - especially where love is concerned. The strawberry also has an ancient history as a healing herb and as a prime ingredient in beautification potions. It's a very handy little package of tasty goodness. But why the strawberry for love and lust? The banana might seem more logical.... Two reasons - one is its intrinsic chemical makeup and the other is its physical appearance. As discussed last issue, the strawberry is incredibly rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and other beneficial components. It literally perks you up just by eating it. And when you "feel" good, you become more receptive to passion. Beyond that lies the realm of sympathetic magic. When people first began eating the strawberry it was a different fruit in both flavour and appearance. It looked like a nipple - a bright red one nestled amongst the rich green leaves. Before the genetically altered versions came onto the scene, the strawberry was a ground hugging, rambling plant. With the flash of brilliant red here and there, peeking through the foliage, it looked somewhat as if Nature herself lay revealed. Sympathetic magic often utilises the similarities between the desired outcome and the ingredients within the spell. The strawberry, with its nipple-like appearance, is indeed a powerful component in works of nuture and sexuality. We see the nuturing coming to the fore in its healthful nature, where the magical aspect of the strawberry nipple as a source of nutrition and healing from Mother Earth is mirrored in the physical reality of the benefits a diet rich in strawberries brings. The sexual side may seem less well-known until you consider how often the strawberry is an ingredient in foods designed to titilate and tempt...strawberries and cream, strawberries in champagne, fresh picked strawberries fed by hand to your beloved...the possibilities are endless. Why not explore this for yourself?
|
