“(Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless. Within these varieties, several cultivars have been created. In North America, the term "wild cucumber" refers to plants in the genera Echinocystis and Marah, but these are not closely related. The cucumber is originally from South Asia, but now grows on most continents. Many different types of cucumber are traded on the global market.
The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around supports with thin, spiraling tendrils.
The most used and abused piece of veg..
Much like tomato and squash, it is often perceived, prepared and eaten as a vegetable. Cucumber fruits consist of 95% water.
The cucumber originated in India, where a great many varieties have been observed, from Cucumis hystrix. It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, and was probably introduced to other parts of Europe by the Greeks or Romans. Records of cucumber cultivation appear in France in the 9th century, England in the 14th century, and in North America by the mid-16th century.
The cucumber is listed among the foods of ancient Ur, and the legend of Gilgamesh describes people eating cucumbers. Cucumbers are mentioned in the Bible as one of the foods eaten by the Israelites in Egypt. From India, it spread to Greece (where it was called "σίκυον", síkyon) and Italy (where the Romans were especially fond of the crop), and later into China.”
Roman imperial cucumber recipe see link *
Antioxidant *see research link PMC5872694/
Reduces knee pain& stiffness related to osteoarthritis better than glucosamine (excerpt from research:” In the CSE group ( Extract of Cucumis sativus 10mg), the WOMAC score was decreased by 22.44% and 70.29% on Days 30 and 180, respectively, compared to a 14.80% and 32.81% decrease in the GC group. “) *see research link 30498336/ Hs , PMC6207263/ same eloborate
Cucumis juice inhibits elastase & the degredation of hyaluronic acid *see research link 21153830/
Reduces high blood pressure effectively by down regulating inflammations in the arteries (excerpt from research:” The subfractions SF1, SF2, and SF3 from the C. sativus aqueous fraction were evaluated herein for their capacity to prevent Ang II-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro. Our findings indicate that SF1 and SF3 modulated several inflammatory and oxidative parameters as effectively as losartan. “) *see research link PMC5872694/ , PMC6019722/ Hc
Cucumis with a warty look contain more of the trace element silica/ silicium in the skin (good for nails, skin, hair& bones) *see research link PMC5678890/
Helps blood to clot *see research link PMC5447519/
Reduces cholesterol and increases HDL ,the good cholesterol (Excerpt:” In conclusion, the consumption of C. sativus seed extract with daily dose of 500 mg results in desirable effects on serum lipid profile in adult hyperlipidemic patients. “) *see research 27886382 Hs
Contains a compound called Vitexin, better to avoid in high amounts when having enlarged thyroid glands *see research link 23098877/
Contains a compound called Cucurbitacins, which has diuretic and blood pressure lowering abilities. *see link 23098877/
High in Perillyl alcohol as of 2015 it was in development as a potential treatment for people with brain cancer *see link PMC5074635/ and Wikipedia
Contains Erepsin which is a mixture of enzymes *see research link PMC3019374/
Inhibits melanin production *see research link 19009501
Also known as cock’s comb, love lies bleeding, and kiwicha, amaranth is a bushy plant with broad alternate leaves that grows two to seven feet tall, and is known for having distinctive red flower heads that resemble the plumage of an exotic bird. The name amaranth comes from the word amaranton, which means “unwithering,” as the flowers keep their shape even when dried. In addition to its uses in herbal medicine and witchcraft, amaranth is also eaten like a grain!
This plant is very easy to grow. Amaranth is an annual, so it will either have to be replanted or be allowed to self-seed each year. It readily reseeds, however, and unless you're careful, you won't have much choice in the matter. It doesn't transplant well and grows best outdoors. It tolerates a variety of soil types, though fertile, well-drained soil is best. Resistant to heat and drought and possessed of no major disease problems, Amaranth is, however, susceptible to fungus if the soil is kept too moist.
Highly nutritive as a tonic herb, amaranth should always be cooked before it’s eaten and should be grown in low-nitrogen conditions if possible. Amaranth seeds can be used as a grain substitute for someone who is sensitive to grains or looking for a low-carb option. Because it is highly digestible, it is also good for people recovering from an illness or breaking a fast. It must be mixed with other flours for making yeast breads because it contains no gluten. The seeds also help to lower cholesterol, while an extract of the flowers can be used externally for ulcers and the like, as well as a mouthwash for gum sores. The flowers can also be dried, powdered, and used as a cosmetic to brighten lips and cheeks!
Amaranth is sacred to Huitzilopochtli, an Aztec Sun God and is a suitable offering to Artemis and Demeter. A crown of amaranth flowers is said to accelerate the healing process, while a wreath is said to grant one invisibility. The flowers are said to heal a broken heart, and the dried flowers have apparently been used to summon forth the dead, though I don’t know the process and find this questionable. To ensure you will never be hit by a bullet, pull up an entire amaranth plant during the full moon, preferably on a Friday; leave an offering to the plant and then fold it, roots and all, in a piece of white cloth, which is then worn against your breast to become “bulletproof.” You'll likely have to use one of the smaller, ornamental varieties for this. This flower is even associated with immortality, often seen decorating images of deities during Pagan funeral ceremonies!
In flower language, sweet amaranth means “Worth Beyond Beauty,” while globe amaranth means “Unchangeable.” Meanwhile, amaranthus (or love lies bleeding) means “Hopeless, Heartless.”
An apple is a sweet, edible fruit produced by an apple tree (Malus pumila). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus Malus. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today.
In the past M. sylvestris was thought to be the most important ancestor of the cultivated apple (M. pumila), which has since been shown to have been originally derived from the central Asian species M. sieversii. However another recent DNA analysis confirms that M. sylvestris has contributed significantly to the genome. Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and were brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have religious and mythological significance in many cultures, including Norse, Greek and European Christian traditions.
Winter apples, picked in late autumn and stored just above freezing, have been an important food in Asia and Europe for millennia.
In Norse mythology, the goddess Iðunn is portrayed in the Prose Edda (written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson) as providing apples to the gods that give them eternal youthfulness. Davidson notes a connection between apples and the Vanir, a tribe of gods associated with fertility in Norse mythology, citing an instance of eleven "golden apples" being given to woo the beautiful Gerðr by Skírnir, who was acting as messenger for the major Vanir god Freyr in stanzas 19 and 20 of Skírnismál.
“ “Eleven apples, Maid! behold, I offer thee of radiant gold: “
Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit. One of the problems identifying apples in religion, mythology and folktales is that the word "apple" was used as a generic term for all (foreign) fruit, other than berries, including nuts, as late as the 17th century.
Malus stems from mālum (an apple) and mălum (an evil) in Latin.
All parts of the fruit, including the skin, except for the seeds, are suitable for human consumption. The core, from stem to bottom, containing the seeds, is usually not eaten and is discarded.
Apples can be consumed various ways: juice, raw in salads, baked in pies
, cooked into sauces and spreads like apple butter, and other baked dishes. Apple juice can be fermented to make cider(called hard cider in North America), ciderkin, and vinegar. Through distillation, various alcoholic beverages can be produced, such as applejack, Calvados, and apfelwein.
The use of pesticides containing chemicals, such as sulfur, copper, microorganisms, viruses, clay powders, or plant extracts (pyrethrum, neem) has been approved by the EU Organic Standing Committee to improve organic yield and quality. A light coating of kaolin (clay), which forms a physical barrier to some pests, also may help prevent apple sun scalding.
One form of apple allergy, often found in northern Europe, is called birch-apple syndrome and is found in people who are also allergic to birch pollen. Reactions, which entail oral allergy syndrome (OAS), generally involve itching and inflammation of the mouth (think Angelina Jolie lips) and throat, but in rare cases can also include life-threatening anaphylaxis. Cooking does _not_ break down the protein causing this particular reaction. Freshly harvested, over-ripe fruits tend to have the highest levels of the protein that causes this reaction.
Apple seeds contain small amounts of amygdalin (tastes like almonds), a sugar and cyanide compound known as a cyanogenic glycoside. Ingesting small amounts of apple seeds causes no ill effects, but consumption of extremely large doses can cause adverse reactions.
Antioxidant content: medium *see research link 25050243, 17886017 Hs
Quercetin peak levels 2.5 h after consumption , half-lives of elimination 23 h for apples. *see research link 9414116/ Hs
High in Sugars, Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Magnesium ,Choline, Phosphorus, Fluoride and Omega- 6 fatty acids. *see nutriondata
Antioxidant per US/EU apple variety from high to low : 1 Fuij, 2 Red Delicious, 3 Gala, Liberty, Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Rome beauty , Fortune, Jonagold, Idared , Cortland , Empire *see research link PMC442131/ 2003
Antioxidant (Orac) per EU apple flesh variety from high to low as : 1 Jonathan, 2 Roter Boskoop , 3 Elstar *see research link PMC5789330/ 2018
Vitamin C content per EU apple flesh variety from high to low: 1 Ontario, 2 Oldenburger , 3 Jonathan *see research link PMC5789330/ 2018
Can cause weight loss from the visceral fat area aka tummy fat *see research 29630462 2018 Hs , 12620529 Hs, 17898508 Hs, 20484838 Hs,
Reduces total cholesterol and LDL and cholesterol oxidation *see research link 17898508 Hs , /17393221/ Hs
Apples reduce type 2 diabetes risk & apple cider vinegar improves diabetes by flattening the peak of postmeal blood glucose *see research 28186516 Hs , PMC5954571/ Hs, PMC4852413/
Contains Phlorizin is an inhibits peaking of blood sugar levels by inhibiting glucose affecting proteins *see wiki link
Reduces acne by inhibiting the overactive sebaceous glands *see research link 28191675 Hs
Alcoholic cider consumption does not yield benefits as the antioxidants are quickly exit by urine, but it does increase hippuric acid in urine which can prevent or treat UTI’s *see research link 11823574/ Hs
Phloridzin, an apple polyphenol might reduce osteoporosis and prevent bone loss *see research 16307390/
Apple consumption decreases calcium and net acid excretion *see research link 15105040/ Hs
Apple seeds are poisonous in amounts of a great handful *see link 318706.php
Listed as allergen *see research link 27593099 Hs
Golden Delicious gives the highest allergic reaction *see research link 7518656
Eating apples on a daily basis can temporarily reduce apple allergy by desensitization (se *see research link Hs 22070352
Commercial apple juice contains negligible amounts of amygdalin *see research 25306368
