Almonds or Badam are native to Middle East and South Asia. Almonds are super food and are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, folic acid, dietary fibre, minerals and oil.
Almonds are sweet, nutritious and hot in potency. These alleviates Pitta vata and increases Kapha. Almonds have anti-stress, anti-oxidant, immunostimulant, lipid lowering, and laxative properties. It is rich in Vitamin E, monosaturated fats and phenolic make it excellent natural anti oxidant.
Almonds are very beneficial in following
- Health building, gives strength and stamina, Strengthen muscles
- Improves hair growth and prevents premature hair fall
- Reduces risk of heart diseases
- Reducing cholesterol
- Treating anemia
- Constipation
- Skin problems
- Improving memory, Amnesia
- General weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Sexual tonic
- Aphrodisiac
Almonds for nursing mothers
Almonds are very beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. Drinking Shatavar churna in almonds containing milk helps to improve breast milk and it nutrition. It also cure weakness in mother and gives strength.
Almonds for erectile dysfunction
Almonds are used in traditional medicines to improve fertility. These are helpful in improving libido, arousal and performance. Soak almonds (as per digestive strength but not more than 25) in cold water at night. Next morning grind, make paste of it and add in a glass of lukewarm milk. Now add grinded black pepper (4-5), sonth (2 gm), misri in milk and drink. Do this twice a day. At night take this milk after two hours of eating meal. Do this regularly for two months.
Almonds for increasing weight
If you are very thin, get tired easily and want to increase weight then almonds can help. Soak almonds in water at night and next morning grind to make paste. Mix this paste in butter. Spread this on roti or bread and eat. Also drink a glass of lukewarm milk. Do this regularly for a few months.
This helps in gaining weight, improving memory, vision and provides adequate nutrition.
Almonds for burning urination
For painful urination, take soaked and grinded almonds (5), choti elaichi(7)powder, misri and mix in glass of water. Drink this for twice a day.
Almonds for jaundice
Take almonds (6), choti elaichi(3), chuhare(2) and soak in water at night. Next morning, grind and mix this in butter, misri and eat.
Precautions to take
Almonds should be consumed as per the digestive strength of a person. The recommended dose of almond in day is around 20 to 25 (in number). Also it must not be eaten too much in a day because it may cause abdominal pain, bloating, vitamin E overdose, and headache and digestive system problems. Another important thing to note is that almonds are rich in oxalate content so if you are prone to or suffering from kidney stone always eat in lesser amount. So to take maximum benefits out of eating almonds it is important to eat almonds after proper soaking and consuming it as per digestive strength.
Almond skin should always be removed before consuming as it has irritating properties. Also almonds should be soaked in water for 10 – 12 hours before consumption. Do not eat much, just eat according to your need, 10-15 per day is best.
Almond Milk Recipe and Health Benefits
As the name itself suggests, this is nut or non-dairy milk prepared from sweet almonds. It can be substitute for cow-milk and is good option for lactose-intolerant people. Almond milk offers numerous health benefits. It is low in sodium and contains fair amount of potassium so good for the heart.
It is power house of nutrients but has less of carbohydrate and sugar. It has low glycaemic index and can be taken by individuals suffering from diabetes without any side-effect. It offers all benefits of eating almond. To know, how to prepare Almond Milk at home and its benefits read on.
Recipe for making Almond Milk
- Almond recipe is simple and very easy. You just require almonds (1 cup) and water.
- Soak one cup sweet almonds in water for eight hours. The soaking helps in better digestion and absorption of almonds in the body as nuts contain phytic acid which inhibits the absorption of many vitamins and minerals.
- Remove the peels. Put almonds in grinder, add some lukewarm water and grind well.
- Strain this through cheesecloth to get extract. Again put the grinded almonds from cheesecloth, in grinder and grind again adding some water.
- Keep repeating till smooth Almond milk is obtained.
- You can store this in fridge for 3-4 days. You can add green cardamom to this milk for improving aroma and taste.
Almond milk prepared from one cup or 100 gms, is good for four servings. Each serving provides approximately 105 calories, 4g of protein, 3.6g of carbohydrate, 1.9g of fibre, 23 mg of calcium, 5.1mg of sodium and 9.2 g of total fat.
Variation: Coconut-Almond Milk
You can prepare coconut-almond milk in similar way. Take coconut (3/4 cup) and almonds (3/4 cup) and grind in water (500 ml). Strain this through cheesecloth.
Benefits of drinking Almond milk
- Source of vitamins and minerals
Almond milk contains various essential vitamins and minerals which are required for good health such as vitamin E, B complex, copper, magnesium, zinc, calcium, protein and healthy fat. - Antioxidant
Almonds are rich in phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds neutralize free radicals inside the body and protects from diseases. - Good for the heart
Almond milk is good for the heart, as it contains less sodium, no cholesterol and fair amount of potassium. Clinical trials have shown that consuming 85g of almonds per day lowers LDL cholesterol levels by approximately 10%. If you are taking 7g almonds per day then it reduces LDL cholesterol by 1%. As per researchers the risk of cardiovascular disease decreases by 2% for every percentage reduction in LDL cholesterol. - Good for Bones
Almond milk provides strength to the body. In a serving, it gives approximately 30 % of daily value of calcium and 25% of vitamin D. The presence of magnesium ensures better calcium absorption. - Good for Eyes and skin
Almond milk contains vitamin A and vitamin E that keeps your eyes and skin healthy. - Gives strength, power and improves growth
Almond milk contains vitamin B complex, vitamin E iron and other muscle regulating nutrients that makes you strong and healthy.