“A walnut looks like a little brain. It must be good for it too”
This principle and ancient knowledge was called “The Doctrine of Signatures“, and it was believed that the shape, color, taste, smell and other properties of a plant gave hints of its use in healing. This categorization was probably first recognized in China, where they had a classification system that associated plant features to human organs. This principle was further developed in the 1500s in Europe.
A similar belief was held by many Native Americans .The herbs of healing were held sacred by the peoples of the Earth Mother and were often given the names of their gods.
In the ancient days knowledge was passed on by word of mouth. Consequently the principle became a practical way of remembering the properties of medicinal plants in a time when books were not available. One could imagine that for an apprentice learning from a healer, the plant signature is a wonderful way of remembering the healing properties, especially when there were no manuals!
Some whole foods also have patterns that resemble a body organ or physiological function. This pattern could act as an indication as to the benefits this food provides the eater. The following Whole Food Signatures are just a few examples. Whole foods are raw foods at their finest. Enjoy the reading and sometimes you may find that you can judge a book by its cover! Or a fruit!
Avocado
Avocados target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female – they look just like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. Modern science has only studied and named about 141 of the photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these fruits. And did you know…. it takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
Avocados are good for the male too. The fruit got its name from the Mexican word ahuacatl , meaning testicle tree. They grow in pairs and resemble these organs.
Banana
The popular fruit looks like a smile! Bananas contain a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.
Beetroot
Beetroots and their juice are red like blood and are great blood tonics. They contain lots of nutrients, among them of iron which is essential for production of red blood cells to help with an anemic condition.
Blueberry
The blueberry resembles the iris in the eye. They improve circulation to the brain and extremities and particularly increase circulation to the eyes. These berries are recommended against a wide range of eye diseases and are especially helpful for people whose work can lead to strained eyesight, such as computer workers, drivers, pilots and air traffic controllers.
Carrot
A sliced carrot looks like an eye, with the pupil, iris and radiating lines, just like in a human eye. Science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. They are used in treating vision problems, such as dry eyes and night blindness.
Celery
Celery and Bok Choy look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Citrus fruit
Grapefruits, Oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Fig
Figs hang in twos when they grow and are full of seeds. Figs enhance the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Garlic
Garlic, like the onion, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
Ginger
Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So it’s interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness.
Grapes
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. They contain resveratrolwhich prevents platelet aggregation. Platelets are blood particles that play an important part in the clotting process.
Olive
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.
Onion
Onions look like body cells. Today’s research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.
Pear
Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female – they look just like these organs.
Sea vegetable
Sea vegetables, especially like Arame, hijiki look like strands of hair. Since they contain so many vital minerals they are wonderful for keeping your hair healthy and still on your head!
Sweet Potato
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Tomato
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Walnut
A Walnut looks like a little brain, with a left and right hemisphere. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut appear just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. They are full of omega3 fatty acids which are essential for nerve and brain health.
Remember you are what you eat –
so eat well!
By Åsa Paul-Johansson
On the Lime – Raw Foods
Fort Lauderdale area, Florida
