Fruit and Stuff

living plant-based and loving it
  • Home
  • Plant-based Recipes
  • Glossary
  • Resources
  • About / Contact
  • Tag: circulation

    • Facts about Chaya

      Posted at 10:53 am by Mary Ann Lesh
      Jan 16th

      The scientific name of chaya (español: chaya) is cnidoscolus aconitifolius. It is known as Chaya or Mayan Tree Spinach. It is a large fast-growing perennial shrub that is believed to have originated on the Yucatan peninsula. Chaya can be cooked just like spinach, and is an excellent addition to a stir-fry. in stir-fries! It is high in protein, vitamins, calcium, iron and antioxidants. The leaves must be cooked; raw leaves are toxic. In folk medicine, chaya is recommended for diabetes, obesity, kidney stones, hemorrhoids, acne, and eye problems. Chaya shoots and leaves serve as a laxative, diuretic, and circulation stimulant. They are used to improve digestion, to stimulate lactation, and to harden the fingernails. Like most food plants such as lima beans, cassava, and many leafy vegetables, the leaves contain hydrocyanic glycosides, a toxic compound easily destroyed by cooking. Even though some people eat raw chaya leaves, it is risky to do so.

      Chaya is believed to have these and other health benefits:
      Improve blood circulation
      Aid digestion
      Improve vision
      Help lower cholesterol
      Help reduce weight
      Prevent coughs
      Increase calcium
      Decongest and disinfect lungs
      Prevent anemia
      Improve memory and brain function
      Combat arthritis
      Improve glucose metabolism and prevent diabetes.
      SOURCES: HEALTH BENEFITS TIMES
      Posted in FOOD FACTS | Tagged chaya, circulation, diabetes prevention, digestion, iron, maya tree spinach, protein, Yucatan peninsula
    • Recent Posts

      • Recipe for Mejadra (rice and lentils)
      • Facts about Cumin
      • Facts about Cucumbers
      • Facts about Huitlacoche (Corn Smut)
      • Facts about Clementines
    • Categories

      • FOOD FACTS (48)
      • RECIPES (25)
      • RESOURCES (5)
  • When I switched to plant-based living after a lifetime of meals planned around a main course of meat, I immediately felt positive effects and found it surprisingly easy, even fun, to change my habits and explore new ways of enjoying food. Fruit and Stuff is a collection of some of the many things I have learned since I started the journey.

    Even if you are not ready to give up meat, you will benefit from adding more plant foods to your daily meals. I hope you’ll find something useful here.

    The most recent articles appear first on the Home page, and the tabs at the top of every page are for locating any article, past or present. The Glossary links to facts about plant-based foods, the Recipe tab will direct you to the recipe index, and the Resources consist of news and opinions about plant-based living.

  • Translate

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 148 other followers

  • JOIN THE FRUIT & STUFF FACEBOOK GROUP

    JOIN THE FRUIT & STUFF FACEBOOK GROUP
  • FOLLOW FRUIT & STUFF ON FACEBOOK

    FOLLOW FRUIT & STUFF ON FACEBOOK

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com