The chemical constituents of spinach are essential amino acids, iron, vitamin A and
folic acid. It is one of the cheapest vegetables which supplies the same amount of
protein as one gets from the same quantity of meat, fish, eggs and chicken. Other vegetables
such as tomatoes, onions and cucumbers may be added to the raw tender spinach.
It will make an excellent dish with the addition of a little lemon juice and olive oil.
The vitamin C content in lemon juice helps the body to absorb the entire amount of iron from the
spinach consumed.
Natural Benefits and Curative Properties
The leaves of spinach are demulcent or soothing agents, refrigerent or collants, diuretic and milk laxative.
Constipation
Spinach juice cleans the digestive tract by removing the accumulated waste therefrom. It nourishes
the intestines and tones up their movements. It is, therefore, an excellent food remedy for constipation.
Anaemia
This vegetable is a valuable source of high grade iron. After its absorption in the system, the formation of
haemoglobin and red blood cells take place. It is thus highly beneficial building up the blood and in the
prevention and treatment of anaemia.
Acidosis
Spinach is also a rich source of calcium and other alkaline elements which are essential for keeping
the tissues clean and for preserving the alkalinity of the blood. It, therefore, helps prevent chronic diseases which
thrive on the formation of too much acid in the system.
Night Blindness
The spinach is particularly rich in vitamin A. It contains more vitamin A than most other green vegetables. This vitamin
promotes growth and health, specially the health of the eyes. Lack of this vitamin may lead to night blindness. Spinach is thus
an effective food remedy for the prevention and treatment of night blindness.
Tooth Disorders
The spinach juice is effective in strengthening the gums and preventing and curing dental cavities. Chewing raw spinach leaves
cures pyorrhoea. A mixture of carrot juice and spinach juice, taken early in the morning, can cure bleeding and
ulcerated gums.
Pregnancy and Lactation
As the richest source of folic acid, spinach is a very valuable food during pregnancy and lactation.
Megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy occurs because the mother is deficient in folic acid. This deficiency of
folic acid occurs as this substance is required for the developing foetus. Regular use of spinach during pregnancy will help prevent
the deficiency of folic acid. It will also prevent threatened abortion and accidental haemorrhage, deficient absorption of food
by small intestine associated with lassitude i.e. tiredness, shorness of breath, loss of weight and diarrhoea. Spinach is also
good source of nutrition for nursing or lactating mothers and improves the quality of their milk.
Urinary Disorders
Fresh spinach juice taken with tender coconut water once or twice a day acts as a very effective but safe
diuretic due to the combined action of both nitrates and pottasium. It can be safely given in
cystitis, nephritis and scanty urination due to dehydration.
Respiratory Disorders
Infusion of fresh leaves of spinach prepared with two teaspoonful of fenugreek seeds mixed with a
pinch of ammonium chloride and honey is an effective expectorant tonic during the treatment of bronchitis, tuberculosis,
asthma and dry cough due to congestion in the throat. It sooths the bronchioles, liquifies the tenacious sputum and forms healthy tissues in the
lungs and increase resistance against respiratory infections. It should be taken in doses of 30 ml. three times daily.
