07/10/2023
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It's hot! Are you eating enough cucumbers?
Cucumbers are nearly 95% water bound up in dietary fiber. They contain most of the essential vitamins our bodies need of a day including: Vit A, B1, B6, C & D, calcium, folate, magnesium, potassium and trace minerals. The skin is higher in Vit C, silica and sulfur, so don't peel all your cukes if you don't need to.
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Energetically, cukes are very cooling, their flesh is sweet and slightly bitter while the skin is very bitter. They influence the Stomach, Spleen, Lungs and Large Intestines. They strongly nourish Yin and help to purge parasites.
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Replenishes Yin and fluids - Excellent for Summer Heat and dry, hot conditions. They are also very beneficial in patterns of Yin deficiency heat (false heat) like menopause and hot-flashes.
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Clears heat in the Middle Burner - This form of heat attacks the Stomach, Spleen and Pancreas and appears as conjunctivitis, burning sensation in the stomach, acid reflux, ulcers, bleeding and burning gums, pancreatitis, and diabetes. Cucumber also clear bad breath, which is a Stomach heat pattern in Asian medicine.
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Clears damp heat in the Lower Burner - Huh? Bladder infections, Kidney infections, and painful hot urination, yeast infections, epididymitis and vaginitis are examples of damp heat in the Lower Burner.
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Treats sore throat and dry Lung conditions - Chronic dry throat, sinus and dry, tight lungs - cukes to the rescue. Their Yin nourishing nature replenishes the delicate fluid balance in the Lungs, which rules over the throat and sinuses.
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Treats burns - Any, and all burns. Apply slices of cucumbers or grated cucumber packs to sun burns or any burns to cool and replenish the skin.
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Pictured - cukes and red onions in water with a red wine vinegar, with a pinch of sugar, cayenne and cilantro.
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Learn more - https://aprilcrowell.com/blog/coolcucumbers
