The almond, known as the king of nuts, is a highly nutritious food.
It is rich in almost all the elements needed by the body. It is an effective health-building food, both for the body and the mind. And a valuable food remedy for several common ailments.

The most useful preparation of almonds is the almond milk, also known as badam milk.
The almond drink is rich in vitamins, and makes a delicious and nutritious drink.
Almonds contain copper, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B and help the formation of new blood cells, and play a major role in maintaining the smooth physiological functions of the brain, nerves, bones, heart and liver.

Remedies.
1. Constipation: grind separately 5 almonds and 5 dried dates. Combine them and add 10-tsp honey. Take 3 tsp of this mixture twice daily.
2. Sore throat and cough: soak 2-3 almonds and 1 dried fig for a few hours in 1-cup water. Remove the outer skins and grind everything together into a paste. Add 1 tblsp honey and eat at bedtime.
3. Yellowing of teeth, toothache: Burn the shells of almonds and powder them. Use as a toothpowder.
4. Psoriasis and skin problems: powder a few almonds and boil thoroughly in water. Apply this paste on the affected areas and let it remain overnight. Next morning wash off with water.
5. Help in maintaining a good complexion: soak 10 almonds overnight in water. After discarding the outer skin, grind the kernels along with a little milk into a very fine paste. Apply daily before taking a bath on the exposed parts of the body, i.e. face, neck, forearms legs etc everyday.

Coconut.

The coconut is known as the “wonder food”. It is a near perfect diet, as it contains almost all the nutrients needed by the human body. The coconut is nourishing, strengthening and fattening. It is an excellent tonic for health. The water of a single coconut contains sufficient vitamin C to meet the daily requirements of the body.

Remedies.
1. Stomach ulcer: frequently drink tender coconut water and milk extracted from the kernel.
2. Digestive disorders: tender kernel of coconut is highly beneficial in the treatment of digestive disorders. It is valuable in diseases like indigestion, colitis, gastric ulcers, diarrhoea, dysentery and piles.
3. Dry cough: tender coconut milk, mixed with a tbslp of poppy seeds, milk and honey, taken every night before going to bed, is an effective food remedy for dry cough due to throat irritation or due to excessive smoking.
4. Urinary disorders: the coconut water is valuable in urinary disorders. It acts as a natural diuretic in heart, liver and kidney disorders such as scanty urination.
5. Skin disorders: the oil extracted from the flesh of the ripe nut is an effective dressing for burns and scalds. It is of great value in the preparation of ointments as it penetrates the skin readily. It is a household remedy for ringworm, itch and skin diseases. The oil is used for hair in many households among our Indian families.
6. Mouth ulcers: mix some coconut milk with honey and massage the gums 3 to 4 times a day. Gargle with freshly extracted coconut milk frequently.

Milk.
Milk is one of the most common articles of food throughout the world. It occupies a unique position in the maintenance of health and healing diseases. It is considered as “ natures most nearly perfect food”.
Milk is regarded as a complete food. It contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, all the known vitamins, various minerals and all the food ingredients considered essential for sustaining life and maintaining health.
From the earliest dawn of the human history to the present day, the great value of milk as human food has always been recognized and there is evidence to show that the first occupation of mankind was cow keeping.
There is no adequate substitute for milk. Milk, in fact is the only single article of food that penetrates a complete diet; it is excellent for growing children and has no equal for the promotion of growth and nutrition.

Remedies.
1. Insomnia: milk is very valuable in sleeplessness. A glass of milk, sweetened with honey, should be taken every night before going to bed. It acts as a tonic and a tranquilizer. Massaging the milk over the soles of the feet has also been found effective.
2. Poor blood circulation: an exclusive milk diet is very valuable for those suffering from poor circulation. The natural increase in circulation results from the increased amount of fluid assimilated by the stomach and intestines. Hands and feet, which are usually cold in case of poor circulation, become warm and life-like and the patient gets a feeling of wellbeing within a few days on the milk diet.
3. Skin disorders: cream of milk, mixed with a little vinegar and a pinch of turmeric powder (arad), makes an effective dressing for cut wounds, other simple injuries and eczema.
4. Beauty aid: a fresh lime should be squeezed in a glassful of boiled milk and set it for about 10 minutes. It should then be applied over the hands, arms, face, neck and soles in the night and allowed to dry. It should be washed with warm water in the morning.
Washing the hair with milk and an egg yolk every day will promote hair growth and protect the scalp from many diseases.

PROGRAMME PREPARATION.

PROGRAMME: HANDY HINTS AND REMEDIES.
PRESENTERS: SISTER AMMARAH AND SISTER ZEENAT.
TOPIC: REMEDIES OF ALMONDS, COCONUT AND MILK.
DATE: 30 AUGUST 2004.