Very high in calories, figs are great for energy during the icy winter days. They are very rich in fiber so that they regulate intestinal transit. Is rich in iron and vitamin C and B makes them very suitable for the manufacture of red blood cells, much needed to prevent anemia . They are very nutritious for children and for athletes, especially the "fig bread" formed by these fruits when dried, mixed with almonds. An older combination, easy to prepare, has been called "Nougat for the poor"; it consisted in opening a dried fig in half and place a sweet acorn inside. This could be replaced by a peeled almond.

Similarly, they contain much potassium, a mineral that is essential to regulate body fluids and to control heart rate, nervous system and the production of muscle mass.

Dried figs are extremely energetic - 250 kcal per 100 grams compared with 220 kcal for the same weight of pork chops- dried figs have quite a higher amount of calcium compared with the figs - 144 mg 35 mg, respectively, which are suitable for growth and to prevent osteopororis.

We can prepare a syrup against cough based on 6 dried figs cooked per glass of water, until the liquid becomes thick. We will take four tablespoons per day.

In addition to these traditional uses as nutritious, dried figs, according to recent research, are considered anti-cancer food. Thus, we should dry the fresh figs, collected in summer and autumn, to take advantage of all its virtues, even increased, when winter comes. For this purpose, extend over canes in the sun. Then place them in cardboard or wood boxes, rather dry.

Given the nutritional capacity of this fruit and its many healing properties, figs have had a great importance throughout history. This fruit has a fundamental role in classic mythology. The fig tree was considered sacred by the Romans, especially dedicated to the god Bacchus. We must bear in mind that a fig tree was the tree where it lay the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. In major parties were offered the figs as an offering to those who visited a home and in many writings of this culture are continuous references to the fruit.

Related information:

Fig tree

Toxicity of the fig tree

Medicinal properties of the fig tree

Natural prescriptions: Coated dry figs

Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E , which is an antioxidant which prevents aging and seeks a satisfactory condition of the skin. Its fat content is high, as most nuts, having a very large caloric power.

However, the fat of the fruit is rich in oleic acid, so unlike that we supply most of the foods of animal origin, they are unsaturated fats, very suitable for lowering the level of cholesterol. Very rich in minerals, especially magnesium, potassium and calcium, for optimal conservation of our bones, have also folate, an element that prevents malformations in fetuses and the lack of which leads to intestinal disorders or prematurely gray hair .

Hazelnuts, according to Irish tradition, became a symbol of wisdom, so to convey this property to people who eat them. Water or metal seekers often used a branch of this tree so that guide them in their search. The parasitic mistletoe that grows on the branches of hazel is considered that protects against the arts of witchcraft.

Natural foods

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