Food Value
Nutritionally, the cucumber has a relatively high mineral content. Its skin is most valuable as the cell salts and vitamins
are in and near it. Hence it should not be peeled.
It is also valuable source of potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, silicon, chlorine and fluorine. The
cucumber taken with vegetables, cereals, fruits, nuts and salads enhances the nutritional value of food items. It is generally used as a salad
in combination with carrot, beet, tomato, radish, lettuce and other vegetables. The addition of some curd to the salad will make it a
tasty food of great nutritional value.
Natural Benefits and Curative Properties
The alkaline-forming minerals in the cucumber represent 64.05% and the acid-forming minerals 35.95%. This mineral arrangement invests the cucumber with definite remedial and
curative properties. It makes it useful in maintaining the alkalinity of the blood. It also operates as one of the best natural diuretics, secreting and promoting the flow of urine.
It should always be taken raw as in cooking potassium and phosphorus are lost.
Constipation
The cucumber is a dependable laxative food. It supplies bulk to aid bowel action. Those who suffer from
constipation can greatly benefit by taking two cucumbers a day.
Duodenal ulcers have responded almost miraculously to the drinking of cabbage juice. The juice contains the antiulcer factor, vitamin U. This vitamin is destroyed by cooking. The treatment
consists of taking 90 to 180 gm. of cabbage juice for three times daily followed by a natural diet.
Stomach Disorders
The juice of cucumber is a valuable food medicine in the treatment of hyperacidity, gastric and duodenal ulcers. It should
be taken in doses of four to six ounces every two hours in such conditions. Sufficient juice can be extracted from a cucumber
as it contains 96% water. It gives immediate relief when there is a burning sensation in the stomach.
Rheumatic Ailments
Cucumber juice in combination with the juice of carrots, beets and celery, has a very beneficial effect in the conditions associated with accumulation of uric acid such as arthritis, gout and rheumatism.
Urinary Disorders
Cucumber seeds are rich in potassium. Emulsion of the shelled seeds has been found highly beneficial in the treatment of burning sensation in urinary calculi or stone in persons who are predisposed to such disorders.
Emulsion of the shelled seeds, mixed with curd, is useful in dissolving the gravel in urinary tract and in reducing hyperacidity of the urine.
Cholera
A glassful of fresh leaf juice mixed with tender coconut water, given one or two ounces every hour, is a medicine for excessive thirst during cholera. It acts excellently by restoring the
electrolyte liquid balance in dehydration.
Skin Eruptions
Cucumber juice has proved effective in skin eruption. For better results, juices of carrot,
lettuce should be added to this juice. Further, addition of little alfalfa juice in some cases can help to speed up their efficacy.
Beauty Aid
Grated cucumber applied over face, eyes and neck for 15 - 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and a best tonic for the skin of the face.
Its regular use prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles and dryness of the face. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth due to its high silicon and sulphur content, particularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach juice.
