What are Benefits and Medicinal Uses of Tomatoes (Tamatar)?

 

                        Tomatoes

The tomatoes is an excellent food for diabetics for those who desire to reduce their their weight.

 

Introduction:

                        The tomatoes is a native of South America. Sir Walter Raleigh brought it to Europe. It is said that it was introduced into India from Europe.

Qualities:

                        According to the Ayurveda, the tomato is light, lubricous ,warm, stimulant, appetiser, laxative and a remover of cough and windiness.

Analysis of Contents:

                        Tomatoes are contained   94.3% Water, 0.9% Protein, 0.4% Fat, 3.9%  Carbohydrates, 0.9% Minerals, 100 I.U./100 gm Vitamin ‘A’, 39 mg/100 gm Vitamin ‘C’.

                         The tomato contains some  Vitamin 'B1' and Vitamin 'B2'. The minerals contained in the  tomato include Calcium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Potassium, Magnesium, Chlorine, Sodium, Iron and iodine. It also contains citric, phosphoric and malic acids which purify the blood.

                          The tomato is rich in vitamin 'A'. Five small tomatoes are sufficient to supply necessary vitamin 'A' for a day.Weight for weight tomatoes contain more vitamin 'A' than butter. It is remarkable that the vitamin 'C' content contained in the tomato is not quickly destroyed because it is protected by  the acid it contains. The vitamin 'C' content of the tomato increases as it ripens. Only ripe tomatoes contain vitamin 'B2'. Only 150 ml of tomato juice supplies one-third of vitamin 'C' necessary for a day. For children, tomato-juice is better than orange-juice.

 Use:

                                     Tomatoes are widely used as salad. Tomato-juice is taken as soft drink. Soup can also be prepared after boiling tomatoes. Some honey, date or  jaggery can be added to tomato-juice to make it a palatable drink.

 Benefits:

                    As the tomato has a very low carbohydrates content, it is a very good food for diabetic patients and for those who want to reduce their body weight.

                            Tomato juice cleanses the stomach and the intestines. It is also useful in kidney disorders. It removes indigestion, gas and constipation. It gives relief in liver-diseases. As the iron of the tomato is easily digestible, it is completely absorbed in the body. Hence tomato-juice is very important for anaemic patients. Tomato soup can be given also in fever.

                             There is a reference that in Guy’s Hospital at London, patients suffering from eye-troubles and weakness were cured by tomato-juice. In ‘The Cancer Hospital’ at  New York  the patients are given tomatoes and tomato-juice