How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Cool as a Cucumber

Cucumber is an easy-going vegetable with a delightfully pleasing crunch. If you're feeling a little hot and bothered, this natural refresher will alleviate your thirst and freshen your breath. Its jade green skin recalls a cool afternoon under your favorite shade tree, ideal for your next picnic. Moisturizing & cool, a single slice is restorative, helping you mellow the summer heat.

Purifies the Blood

As they calm your eyes and cool down your liver, you may feel the pressure in your arteries decreasing - cucumber's diuretic nature has been used to reduce blood pressure, water retention and detoxify the blood. It's cooling & soothing nature aids urinary, bladder and kidney function. Those who suffer from gout will be pleased to know that cucumbers aids removal of uric acid from the blood.

Cucumbers & Beautiful Skin

If you're looking for healthy, glowing supple skin, then cucumber is your answer. Topical application of cucumbers restores smoother skin to your face or thighs. The appreciation of cucumbers in cosmetics is ancient, a beauty ritual passed down from generation to generation. To rejuvenate your skin with cucumber, simply place raw cucumber slices on the affected area. Or make a mask with shredded cucumber. For stronger effect, chill before use. The juice, especially when mixed with aloe vera or rose water, softens and whitens the skin.

Natural chemicals in cucumbers help collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer of skin - good for eyes, and good for reducing visible signs of cellulite. In their true essence, cucumbers are cooling, soothing and nutritive. If you are experiencing tired eyes or hot inflamed skin (whether from excess eye strain, wind, sun exposure, or other environmental elements), a slice of cucumber on your eyes helps them relax while reducing redness, puffiness, and the appearance of bags. External application of cucumber has also shown healing effects for acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Cucumbers are mother natures' cooling ointment. High silica content may help strengthen connective tissues in joints.

Calming Stress with Cucumber

For a quick fix stress relief, place cucumber slices into a pot of boiled water, and take some deep breaths. You will walk away from this soothing experience feeling a little more relaxed. For a quick anti-stress facial mask, mix 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt with 2 teaspoons of shredded cucumber for a quick calming fix. Shredded cucumber with honey (3 to 1 ratio) is a soothing remedy for dark under-eyes.

About Cucumber

Oft considered a vegetable, these elongated cylindrical delicacies are actually a fruit. They join watermelon and honey dew as succulent members of the summer friendly melon family. Originally from the Indian subcontinent, cucumbers are now grown worldwide.

Buying & Preparation

Cucumbers come in boggling array of shapes and sizes ranging from short to elongated, thin to fat, and sweet to bitter. Cucumber skin is full of nutrients and antioxidants however conventional supermarket fruits may contain significant pesticides and wax. Therefore we recommend buying organic cucumbers when possible, or peel the skin off the fruit.

Cucumbers are easy to grow and ideal for container gardening. Plus, growing pesticide-free cucumbers at home produces the most delicious fruit and provides a highly satisfying garden to plate experience.

The skin of certain varieties of cucumbers may be a little tough and difficult to digest, in which case consider peeling and de-seeding this versatile fruit before eating. The skins contain potassium, magnesium, silica and are high in Vitamin A.

In addition to its light sweetness and astringent tastes, cucumbers are slightly bitter, especially in the seeds, skin and tips of the fruit. The bitterness, although certainly with its benefits, may be a bit too strong for your palate. In which case, cut off the tips and rub them gently on the cucumber to extract the bitter white juice, or consider mixing cucumber juice with carrot, apple, or other fresh juice.

Cooking Cucumber

Cucumber serves as a delicious silky base or crunchy addition in salads, pickles, smoothies, dips, and so much more. They are a versatile addition to most cold dishes, from Japanese sushi to yogurt based dips such as raita. In India cucumbers are often served with yogurt, either as a garnish on yogurt, or pureed in lassis with cumin. Cucumbers are more common cooked than raw in China. In the middle east, Cucumbers are served chopped with tomatoes, vinegar, chilis, and raw red onions. Cucumbers may be pickled in brine or vinegar with various spices such as dill and celery seed.

They may be served shredded, julienned, or formed in elegant edible shapes such as cups and vases. Although mostly consumed raw, cucumbers can also be baked, sauteed, or boiled.

Remember, beautiful skin starts from the inside first, namely your digestion. So load up your cucumber dishes with lots of fresh spices and digestive herbs, as pretty much any herb and veggie combines well as well as a variety of vinegars and oils. Herbs such as mint and cilantro will enhance cucumbers cooling effect, while heating herbs such as oregano, & thyme add warmth. As a member of the melon family, cucumber smoothies popularly feature watermelon or honey dew. Browse Recipes