Gives sparkle and beauty to the eyes
Synonym: Apricock.
French: Abricot; Spanish: Albaricoque, damasco.
Description: Fruit of the apricot tree ('Prunus armeniaca'L.) from the botanical family Rosaceae. The tree may reach a height of ten meters.The Apricot Tree is famous for being one of the most traveled trees known. Its origin is in the north of China, where it is still found wild.
It was taken to Greece by Alexander the Great on the return from his conquests in India. From Greece it passed to Rome, from where its cultivation spread throughout the Mediterranean region. In the 18th century it was taken to North America, where it acclimated to California and states along the Misissippi River. And its long journey does not end here. American astronauts took it to the moon on one of their space journeys.
PROPERTIES AND INDICATIONS: The fact that the apricot has a low calorie content (about 48 kcal/100g) makes it an excellent part of weight-loss diets. It has an alkalizing effect because of its richness in alkaline mineral salts. It is particularly noted for its low sodium content and its high levels of potassium. It contains various trace elements of great physiological importance, such as manganese, flourine, cobalt, and boron. It is rich in sugars (fructose and glucose).
Dried apricots are an important source of protein (up to 5%). They also are an important source of iron, one of their principal minerals.
However, the most important component of apricots, whether fresh or dried, is betacarotene or provitamin A. This component provides most of its therapeutic value, which are the following:
-Diseases of the eye: Consumption of apricots maintains vision in good condition and gives the sparkle and beauty to the eyes that are characteristic of good health. This is not due exclusively to the action of provitamin A, but also to the combined action of other vitamins and minerals that accompany it.
Apricots are recommended in cases of conjunctival dryness, chronic irritation or itching of the conjunctiva, loss of visual acuity due to retinal atrophy, and night blindness.
The best results are obtained by following an apricot treatment regime.
-Anemia (due to lack iron): The iron content of fresh apricots is not significant, where as it is in the dried fruit.
The amount of provitamin A and iron found in apricots are actually quite small compared to the large doses that pharmaceutical preparations may contain. In spite of this, the results obtained from regular consumption of this fruit are superior to those to be expected from their content of iron and provitamin A.
-Disorders of the skin and mucosa, due to their content of provitamin A. Apricots increase resistance to infections. They are recommended for chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, and eczema.
-Nervous disorders: Dr.Valnet points out the apricot's properties of maintaining equilibrium within the nervous system and recommends it in cases of asthenia, depression, nervousness, and lack of appetite. These effects are attributed to the apricot's richness in trace elements.
Preparation and use
(1)Fresh and ripe.
(2)Dried.
(3)Preserves: compotes and marmalade.
(4)Apricot treatment: This is carried out over the course of 15 days by eating 1/2 kilo (one pound) of ripe apricots a day, preferably as the only dish at supper. They may be eaten with toasted bread.
Besides being delicious, dried apricots are a good source of provitamin A because of their richness in beta-carotene.
