How to Eat the Way God Intended: Plants from the Bible - Part 2

It has always been my desire to plant a garden that would provide plants mentioned in the bible. The reason is simple, the health benefits of these plants are huge and as the Bible is an instructional guide for us to live by then it only makes sense that we eat, heal and maintain our bodies as described by God's word.

From my research I have discovered 110 plants mentioned in the Bible. Some are mentioned quiet often, while others less as often. Because of translation difficulties, there are some plants mentioned that may be in limbo forever, as it has proven to be difficult to correctly identify them.

If you would like to read about the various plants mentioned in the Bible, Isiah is a great place to start.

Let's start with Lentil: This small but mighty plant is a member of the Legume family and contains a good source of cholesterol lowering fiber. They also have benefit in managing blood sugar levels, as their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal.

Lentils also contribute to heart health because of their high amounts of foliate and magnesium.

Lentil is spoke of in Genesis 25:34

Mandrake: the root of the Mandrake is the one part of the plant that is used. It is believed to be related to the tomato and potato and has been used for infertility. It has also been called the "love apple" or mandriva. It is mentioned in the book of Genesis 30:14. Not much else could be found. Other then it was thought to be poison at first as well as the tomato. People in the Bible times believed that eating too much of it could result in insanity.

Lemon Balm: Known most commonly as, Melissa, and has soothing effects on the stomach, it has been used to ease pain and discomfort with digestion, including gas and bloating. Lemon balm has also been used as a memory enhancement and contains a good source of antioxidants. It also has benefits on lowering the risk of certain cancers. Balm is spoke of in Genesis 37:25

Cattail: Yes, Cattail. The stems of this plant can be peeled, boiled and consumed. I haven't tried this one yet, but hear that it has a quality of corn on the cob. Take a drive out to the country and you'll find these healthy plants along side a road, ditch or slue. There are three Bibical sources for cattail, and they are as follows: Exodus 2:3 Isaiah 19:6 Jonah 2:5

Coriander: Coriander contains lots of anti oxidants, vitamin-A, vitamin-C and minerals like phosphorus, which aids in good eye health. Coriander is also an excellent appetizer suppresant,and helps in the proper secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach and stimulates digestion. Coriander has been shown to be very effective in reducing cholesterol levels and also in the reduction of cholesterol deposition along the inner walls of the arteries and veins.

Mentioned in Exodus 16:31

Flax: This little plant has so many benefits that they haven't all been identified yet. I'll name a few: but first, this bit of information, it's high in an omega-3 fat called alpha-linolenic acid and appear to lower triglyceride levels. This super seed also has been found to: Lower blood cholesterol levels,Lower high blood pressure,Increase energy, vitality, and stamina,Increase sense of calmness under stress, aids in protection against cancers, particularly hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate

Flax seed can be purchased from any health food store or even at your local grocery store in the health food isle. Add a teaspoon while preparing meals and you'll be allot healthier for it. It is tasteless, so other than seeing it, you won't even know it's there...but your body will. Found in Exodus 39:27-29

Barley: This healthy plant contains the following nutrients, protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium. It is also a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as other vitamins and amino acids. It is thought that the better the soil, the better the nutritional value of barley can be. Mentioned in II Kings 4:42 John 6:13

Dandelion: Believe it or not, this plant is actually useful to our bodies and not just a weed destroying our lawns. The flowers of the dandelion are one of our best sources of lecithin, as well as a good source for choline. These to minerals aid in better concentration, memory and improves brain function.

Dandelion also contains a significant amount of vitamin A and potassium, as well as small amounts of vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. The dandelion also provides a more specific health benefit, it can actually act as a gentle and natural diuretic that aids in the function of the entire digestive system, including the function of the kidneys, gallbladder, bowels and more. It can also aid in treating constipation and water retention.

Dandelion leaves can be consumed directly from the plant, but their bitter taste makes them less than appealingso it is better to boil the leaves and add them to salads, vegetable dishes, pasta dishes, and casseroles.

And the best part....you can get a never ending supply right in your own back yard.

Walnut: Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of protein. Walnuts are rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants such as vitamin E. All nuts in general, are high in plant sterols and fat - but mostly mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, ( omega 3) they have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. Walnuts, in particular, have significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as compared to other nuts.

Cracked wheat: All whole grains are healthy for us, they have been found to be extra beneficial to those that live with diabetes, as they stable the blood glucose levels. Whole grains help to maintain a healthy weight, provides protection against certain cancers and is heart healthy. Not all breads are created equal...please read the label to make sure that what you are getting is 100% nutritional and not colored with molasses and had a little fiber added to its contents.

Rosemary: Rosemary is a well-known culinary herb, dried rosemary leaves are used as a seasoning for food But did you know that when applied to the skin, rosemary essential oil helps strengthen the capillaries and has a rejuvenating effect, or that rosemary extract has a long history of medicinal uses too. It has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including stomach upsets, digestive disorders and headaches.

Recent research is now revealing even more benefits attached to this remarkable herb, including its ability to help prevent cancer and age-related skin damage, and boost the functioning of the liver as well as act as a mild diuretic.

Sage: Are you ready for this? Sage it not just used to season our poultry, it actually has several health benefits and medicinal uses.

Here's a little history on sage: The generic name for sage, Salvia, which comes from the Latin word meaning "to heal." This should be a clue as to just how beneficial sage can be. Sage has been found to enhance memory, like it's cousin, rosemary. It can be used externally for treatment of wounds and insect bites, and as a mouth wash to treat bleeding gums or sore throats.

The last thing that I am going to add to this list of Biblical herbs, plants, nuts and beans, is the fava bean.

Fava Bean: These beans, like all legumes, are quite rich in lecithin, B vitamins, fiber and iron. Regular consumption has shown to help in the reduction of heart disease and maintaining cholesterol levels. Recent studies have shown that regular consumption may aid in in Parkinson's disease, due to their antioxidant nutrients.

Super-duber Brain Enhancing Soup:

Combine the many plants and herbs mentioned with chicken stock or vegetable stock to make a healthy body-beneficial soup. The combination of antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals will produce brain enhancement, as well as a healthy heart. Experiment to make something that agrees with your taste buds, add carrots, tomato, potato, whatever you like to increase the nutritional value.