Food Value
Potato contains high nutritive value. Its chie food principle is starch, but it has a notable amount of protein of high biological
value. It contains substantial amount of alkaline salts. It is rich in soda, potash and vitamins A and B.
To secure its maximum value, it should always be cooked with its skin as the most nutritive part of the potato lies just
below the skin and this particular layer is very rich in protein and mineral salts.
Natural Benefits and Curative Properties
The potato contains several medicinal virtues. As it is one of the most strongly alkaline of all foods,
it is, therefore, very helpful in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body and a natural antidote for an overdose of acid or
acidosis. It dissolves away uric acid and lime. It is also important in preventing the fermentative process in intestine
and it helps the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.
However, potatoes should be avoided by obese people as they are fattening. They should also be omitted from the diet of
those suffering from venereal diseases and those afflicted with aphrodisiac tendencies. The potato contains an alkaloid toxin known as solanine which affects
the nerves controlling the sexual organs. The solanine poison is particularly prevalent in potatoes too green in colour.
Potato Therapy
An exclusive potato diet is considered valuable in the treatment of certain disorders such as
chronic constipation, intestinal toxaemia, uric acid diseases, renal calculi or stone and dropsy.
This diet may be employed with beneficial results for several months, if necessary. In the
potato diet, potatoes can be sumed in its various preparations, such as baked, steamed and in soup form.
When on potato diet, other vegetables which can be taken are spinach, beet tops, turnip tops, cucumbers, lettuce, celery,
tomatoes and other green vegetables.
Scurvy
The potato is regarded as an excellent food remedy in scurvy.
Rheumatism
Raw potato juice is regarded as an excellent food remedy for rheumatism. One or two teaspoonful of the juice pressed out of
mashed raw potato should be taken before meals. This will help eliminate an acid condition and relieve rheumatism.
The skin of the potato is also an excellent food remedy for rheumatism. The skin is exceptionally rich in vital mineral salts
and the water in which the peelings have been boiled is one of the best medicines for the ailments caused by excess of acid in the system.
The potato peelings should be thoroughly washed and boiled for few minutes. The decoction should then
be strained and a glassful of the same should be taken three or four times daily.
Digestive System Disorders
Raw potato juice is valuable in stomach and intestinal disorders. Stomach ulcers are
treated with the juice of pink potatoes. Potato juice also relieves gastritis. The recommended dose is
half a cupful two or three times hald an hour before meals. Potato starch is administered as
an anti-inflammatory for gastro-intestinal diseases and toxins.
Skin Blemishes
The juice of raw potatoes, has also proved very valuable in clearing skin blemishes. This cleansing results from
high content of potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and chlorine in the potato. These elements are, however, of value only when the
potato is raw as in this state they are composed of live organic atoms. In the cooked state, they are converted into inorganic atoms
and are of little value for constructive purposes.
The juicy pulp of the shredded raw potatoes can also be applied as a poultice in clearing the wrinkles and other
skin blemishes due to ageing. It may be rubbed on the face and other portions of body that have wrinkles before retiring for bed.
It will help 'melt' the wrinkles, banish age spots and clear the skin. The
enzymes in raw potato pulp, combined with the Vitamin C and the natural starch, helps create a 'skin food' that nourishes the
starved cellular tissues of the skin. Furthermore, the alkaline juices of the potato promotes an antiseptic action that gives a
glowing look of youth. Much of the decaying skin sloughs off by the acid portion of the pulp.
Swellings
Raw potato juice, externally applied, is valuable in the treatment of swelling and other disordered condition of the joints and muscles. After
extraction of the juice, it should be boiled down to about one-fifth of its original bulk. A little
quantity of glycerine may be added as a preservative. It is used as liniment. It should be applied after
fomentation of the affected parts and should be repeated every three hours until the pain and swelling are relieved.
