Nuts instead of Pills. Brazil Nut

Nuts are natural energizers, and they perfectly restore strength after serious illness and stress. Nuts contain almost all existing vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The role of minerals in our health is simply colossal, but, unfortunately, they are not always found in the products we are used to.

Brazil nuts are unique because they contain virtually every possible macronutrient and vitamin that our bodies need to function properly.

History: The Brazil nut is a South American tree called Bertholletia excelsa that belongs to the Lecithidaceae family. The ideal climatic conditions for the growth of these trees are in the forests of Guiana and Brazil.

They don’t need to be cultivated there; the fruits are harvested from beautiful wild trees that grow up to 160 feet in height and have trunks ranging from 3 feet 3″ to 6 feet 7″ in diameter, making them one of the largest trees in the Amazon rain-forest. They can live for 500 years or more, and often can be thousands of years old. The large bertolethia fruit (weighing up to 4.5 pounds) with a fleshy outer and woody inner coat contains 15-25 large triangular seeds called Brazilian or American nuts, which taste like pine nuts.

Ayurvedic properties of Brazil nuts:

Rasa (taste in the mouth): sweet and astringent

Virya (influence on digestion): warming

Vipak (end result of digestion): sweet

Prabhava (specific action): positive – for the thalamus, hypothalamus, liver and eyes

Guna:  sattva ¾ , rajas ¼

Recommended time of consumption: from 10 am to 8 pm.

Physiological and therapeutic effect: Brazil nuts are composed of 70% fat and 17% protein.They include palmitic and linoleic acids, as well as tocopherols and phytosteroids. Brazil nuts are the highest natural source of selenium (its content in 3-4 nuts exceeds the recommended daily value). Brazil nuts can be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis (selenium protects the endothelium of the arteries from damage by free radicals) and early development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine and joints (selenium prevents the formation of collagen protein crosslinking) and prevents the appearance of early wrinkles.

The nut is rich in methionine (18%), glutamic acid and arginine. The presence of these amino acids improves liver and nervous system function.

Selenium

This element plays an important role in metabolism, thyroid function and protects cells from damage associated with oxidative stress. Selenium is also important for strengthening the immune system, improving brain function, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Therapeutic uses:

• Helps with atherosclerosis
• May reduce excessive wrinkles
• Acts as a powerful antioxidant
• May reduce the risk of some cancers (important to note that this effect was only associated with selenium from foods, not supplements)
• Improves liver function
• Strengthens the nervous system
• May protect against heart disease
• Helps prevent declines in mental development like Alzheimer’s.
• Important for thyroid health
• Boosts the immune system
• May help reduce asthma symptoms

Excessive selenium intake

Brazil nuts are very rich in selenium. Too much consumption can lead to selenium poisoning. However, poisoning is more likely with supplements than with food containing selenium. Although selenium toxicity is rare, it is important to stick to the recommended level of 55 mcg (2-3 nuts) per day and never exceed the 400 mcg per day limit.

Brazil nut soup recipe

You need:

5 cups of water

2 Tbsp butter (ghee, see recipe)

2 Tbsp flour

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup of cream

1.5 cups Brazil nuts, pre-roasted at 395°F for 10 minutes, then chopped

2 pomegranates

Salt, white pepper

Mix some warm water with the nuts and stir to make a paste.

Put clarified butter (ghee) in a saucepan with a thick bottom, fry the flour in it. Gradually add the remaining water and mix.

Add the nut paste, pepper, seasonings, ¾  cup cream, salt and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Save ¼ cup of the cream and add it to the soup when it thickens. Juice one pomegranate and add it to the soup. When serving, sprinkle the seeds of the second pomegranate over the soup.

TODAY’S TIP: Brazil nut oil is often used not only in food and medicine, but also as an ingredient in soaps, shampoos and other cosmetics. It is a wonderful hair conditioner that leaves hair shiny, soft and silky.