Food As Medicine
Seeing food as medicine can be quite a perspective shift. Typically when we think of medicine, an image of a pill or cough syrup might come to mind, but food is medicine too. It's just that Earth didn't get a patent and then hire a marketing team to tell us how amazing her food medicines are. She just makes them for us, and like The Giving Tree, asks for nothing in return.
Another reason it might be a stretch to see food as medicine may be due to what comes to mind when you think of food. What comes to mind for you? A cheeseburger? A bagel? A bag of chips?
If that's the case, then you're right; these foods aren't exactly medicine. They're typically made from processed ingredients which detracts from the potency food has when it comes directly from its source: nature.
If you want to use food as medicine, then consider this: nature gives us what we need. Foods that come directly from nature, that don't have an ingredient list, are full a beneficial, life giving properties. They help the body function properly and assist in the continuous, healthy regeneration of cells.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
-Hippocrates
Here are a few examples:
Garlic
Garlic lowers blood pressure and improves circulation. It has blood thinning properties which prevents blood clots and heart attack. It strengthens the immune system and is naturally antibiotic, antiviral, and anticancer. It is good for virtually any disease or infection.¹
Ginger
Ginger is anti-inflammatory. It's an effective antimicrobial and antioxidant. It is useful for digestion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever, motion sickness, arthritis, and circulation.¹
Alfalfa
Alfalfa sprouts are anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. Lower cholesterol and balance blood sugar and hormones. They're good for anemia, arthritis, ulcers, disorders of the bones and joints, digestive system and skin.¹
Cranberry
Cranberry prevents bacteria from adhering to bladder cells. Is good for the kidneys, bladder, and skin. Has anti-cancer properties, and is shown to improve memory in those over 60.¹
Turmeric
Turmeric fights free radicals, protects the liver from toxins, aids circulation, lowers cholesterol, and improves blood vessel health. It has antibiotic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It's helpful for all arthritic conditions.¹
Rosemary
Fights free radicals, inflammation, bacteria, and fungi. Stimulates circulation and digestion. Is anticancer and antitumor. Improves circulation to the brain and is good for headaches, high and low blood pressure, circulatory problems, and menstrual cramps.¹
¹Phyllis A. Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. 5th Edition. New York, New York: Penguin Group;
2010. p. 84, 102, 109, 112, 113, 124, 127, 131