Introduction Potato is considered the king of vegetables because potato is used as a vegetable in the whole world, probably no other vegetable is used as much. Potato contains calcium, iron, vitamin “B” and phosphorus in very high quantities. By eating potatoes, blood vessels remain flexible till old age and do not become hard. Therefore, a long life can be achieved by eating potatoes. Potato has the status of a supplementary diet to cereals. All types of potatoes are cool, laxative, sweet, heavy, produce stool and urine, are difficult to digest and eliminate hematemesis. It removes phlegm and gas, is a strength enhancer, semen enhancer and in small quantities also increases digestive power. Potato is very nutritious for people suffering from weakness caused due to excessive work, suffering from hematemesis, alcoholics and those with strong gastric fire. Properties
- Elements – Quantity
- Protein – 1.6%
- Carbohydrates – 22.9%
- Water – 74.7%
- Vitamin A – 40 I.U./100 grams
- Calcium – 0.01%
- Phosphorus – 0.03%
- Iron – About one-fourth of 1 gram/100 grams
Treatment for various diseases
1. Beri-Beri:
The simplest meaning of Beriberi is – “cannot walk”. This disease especially causes weakness in the nerves of the thigh. Extract the juice by grinding or pressing the potato, give it four times a day in the amount of one spoon. This benefit can also be obtained by chewing raw potato and swallowing the juice.
2. Hematemesis:
This disease is caused by the deficiency of Vitamin “C”. In the initial stage of this disease, the strength of the body and mind becomes weak, that is, the body of the patient looks weak, incapable, slow and pale. Breathlessness occurs with a little exertion. Instead of activity, inactivity comes in the person. When the disease is in its manifest form, bleeding starts from under the cover around the hair follicles on the skin of the legs. Small red rashes appear under the skin around the hair and then such big rashes appear around the hair follicles on the skin of the torso also. The skin appears dry, rough and dry. In other words, hyperkeratosis occurs. The gums are already swollen and they start bleeding. Later, when the disease increases, bleeding starts from the muscles of the legs, especially the extensor muscles, and severe pain occurs. There may be discharge from the heart flesh as well and heart pain may occur. There may also be open bleeding from the nose etc. Weakness of bones and pus discharge also often appear due to deficiency of vitamin “C”. Raw potato removes hematemesis. 3. Wrinkles of skin: When wrinkles appear on the skin of hands due to cold dry winds, grinding raw potato and rubbing it on hands is beneficial. Lemon juice is also equally useful for this. Drinking raw potato juice cures ringworm, boils, gas, nervous and muscle diseases. 4. Eye cataract and swelling: By rubbing raw potato on a clean stone and applying it like kajal in the eyes in the morning and evening, five to six years old cataract and four years old swelling gets cleared in three months. 5. Obesity: Potato does not increase obesity. By frying potato and applying spicy spices, ghee etc. on it and eating it, the fat that goes into the stomach increases obesity. It is beneficial to boil potato or fry it in hot sand or hot ash and eat it. Dried potatoes contain 8.5% protein while dried rice contains 6-7% protein. Thus, potatoes contain more protein. Potatoes contain protein like chicken chicks. Protein is essential for older people. Potato protein is very energizing for old people and removes the weakness of old age. 6. Nutritious food for children: Potato juice can be given to milk drinking children and older children to make them healthy and strong. You can also give it by mixing honey in potato juice. Method of extracting potato juice: Wash the potatoes thoroughly with fresh water, grate them along with the peel and squeeze the pulp in a cloth to extract the juice. Keep this juice covered for 1 hour. When all the waste and pulp settles down, separate the juice from the top and use it. 7. Swelling: Cut raw potatoes like vegetables. Boil them in water that is approximately twice the weight of the potato. When only one part of water is left, then washing the swollen part caused by injury with that water and applying it on the affected part will be beneficial. Note: Kidney patients should eat potatoes in their diet. Potatoes contain high amount of potassium and low amount of sodium. High amount of potassium removes excess amount of salt from the kidneys. This is beneficial for kidney patients. Eating potatoes fills the stomach and satisfies hunger. Potatoes do not contain fat. It is a source of energy and is easily digested. Therefore, it can be eaten in place of grains.
8. High blood pressure:
Patients of this disease get more benefit in normalizing blood pressure by eating potatoes. Boil potatoes by adding salt to water. (When the potato is peeled, less salt reaches the potato.) And the potato becomes a salty food. Thus, it is beneficial in high blood pressure because potatoes contain magnesium.
9. Acidity:
Potatoes are alkaline in nature which reduces acidity. For patients who have excess acidity in their digestive organs, have sour belches and produce more gas, potatoes roasted in hot ash or sand are very beneficial. Roasted potatoes are digested in half the time of wheat bread. It removes chronic constipation and bad odor from the intestines. Potatoes contain potassium salt which prevents acidity.
10. Kidney stones:
If there is stone in one or both kidneys, then eating only potatoes is very beneficial. By feeding only potatoes to the patient suffering from stones and giving him plenty of water repeatedly, kidney stones and sand are easily removed. Potato contains magnesium which removes stones and prevents stone formation.
11. Beauty of skin:
Apply grinded raw potato on burnt area and if skin is burnt due to hot sun or heat wave then applying raw potato juice on burnt skin enhances beauty.
12. Heartburn:
Drink potato juice in this disease. If it is difficult to extract juice then chew raw potato with mouth and drink the juice and spit out the pulp. Heartburn is relieved by drinking potato juice and you feel cool immediately.
Heartburn is relieved by drinking potato juice with honey.
13. Arthritis or joint pain:
Bake four potatoes in hot ashes and then peel them and add salt and pepper and eat regularly. Arthritis is cured by this method.
14. Rheumatism:
If you keep a small potato in both the pockets of pant, pyjama or trouser then this method protects from rheumatism. Eating potato is also very beneficial.
15. Waist Pain:
Back pain can be cured by grinding the pulp of raw potato and making a bandage and tying it on the waist.
16. Erysipelas (cluster of small boils):
This is an infectious disease in which there are small swollen boils, the skin appears red and fever is also there. In this disease, applying grinded potato on the affected part cures the boils and provides relief.
17. Green Cataract:
Peel the raw potato from top and rub it on a clean stone and apply it on the eyes with the help of a stick, it provides relief.
18. Gas formation in the stomach:
Grind raw potato and drink its juice provides relief. Drinking half a cup of raw potato juice twice a day provides relief from stomach gas.
19. Face Beauty:
Extracting the juice of raw potato and applying it on the dark circles under the eyes removes the blackness of the skin under the eyes.
