Doctrine of Signatures: Foods That Resemble the Body Parts They Heal

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Walnuts resemble both the human head (skull and brains) and are a prime example of what ancient herbalists called ‘The Doctrine of Signatures‘: namely, herbs or foods that resemble various parts of the body can be used to treat ailments of that part of the body.

In fact, the 17th-century herbalist William Coles, author of The Art of Simpling and Adam in Eden, stated that walnuts were good for treating head ailments because “they have the perfect Signatures of the Head.”

Nutritional science now confirms walnuts contain nutrients that are necessary for healthy brain function, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

Referred to in the classical period of Rome as the "Law of Similarities", The Doctrine of Signatures is now called by scientists, "Teleological Nutritional Targeting." It now contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function and that this pattern acts as a signal or sign, as to the benefit the food provides the eater. 

In African medical philosophy and Chinese medical philosophy plants and humans know each other and play a complementary role in each others lives. 

For Example, plants make oxygen which we use and we make carbon dioxide which they use. This tells the thinking mind, with out double blind studies, that these two life forces must operate under the same rules. Even if we do not understand the rules the connection is self-evident.

A stupendous insight of civilizations past has now been confirmed by today’s investigative, nutritional sciences. They have shown that what was once called "The Doctrine of Signatures" was astoundingly correct. 

Carrots & Eyes

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and yes, science now shows that carrots greatly enhance eye health.

 

         Tomatoes & Heart

Slice open a tomato and you'll notice it has multiple chambers that resemble the structure of a heart, and it is red. Research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food. Studies have found that because of the lycopene in tomatoes, there is a reduced risk for heart disease in men and women who eat them.

Citrus Fruits & Mammary Glands

Cut in half one could say the pattern of citrus fruit resemble mammary glands.

Deep inside the white rind and membranes of these fruit are the miraculous group of plant compounds of bioflavonoid, citric acids and pectin. Lemon, Orange, Lime and Grapefruit are the foods to eat for cancers, in particular breast cancer cells.

The similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts may be more than coincidental. "Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells," says Dr. Moulavi. 

Celery & Bones

The greatest value of raw celery lies in the fact that it contains exceptionally high percentage of vital organic sodium.

  

“Looks like a bone, snaps like a bone and is 21% sodium like a bone”… says ‘Wholefood Medicine man’ Don Tolman. And now studies have proven how just 3 sticks of celery a day over 9 months can reverse Osteoporosis.

Kidney Beans & Kidneys

Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function—and they look exactly like human kidneys. Kidney beans provide many of the nutritional qualities that promote kidney health. They contain lots of soluble and insoluble fiber and are low in fat, sodium, sugar and cholesterol, and they are an excellent source of protein. Kidney beans also provide magnesium and potassium. Deficiencies in magnesium and potassium can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Avocado & Uterus

Avocados target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female—they look just like these organs. Avocados help women balance hormones, shed unwanted birth weight, and deter cervical cancers. It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.

Mushroom & Ear

Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles a human ear. Mushrooms have been found to improve hearing, as mushrooms are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.

Grapes & Lungs

Our lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. 

Grapes increase the moisture content in the lungs and can also reduce asthma problems. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy, and studies have found grapes fight against lung cancer.

Figs & Testicles

Hang in twos when they grow (look like testicles) and flush with seeds, from 30 to 1,600 per fruit, the fig is a symbol of fertility in Mediterranean cultures.

Figs rich in zinc, folic acid and other essential minerals necessary for increasing sperm count and the motility of the sperm.

Ginger & Stomach

Ginger often looks just like the stomach. So its interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness.

Sweet Potato & Pancreas

The oblong sweet potato bears a strong resemblance to the pancreas, and also promotes healthy function in the organ. Some diabetics might already know this, but sweet potatoes can actually help balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Sweet potatoes along with other orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, and squash contain nutrients which are beneficial for the pancreas and may help prevent pancreatic cancer.

Sweet potatoes also look like the stomach. Sweet Potatoes help to promote a healthy digestive tract, relieving constipation and also helps prevent colon cancer.

Bean Sprouts & Sperm

Bean sprouts look just like sperm. Bean sprouts are rich in vitamin C, E, Folate, Potassium, Zinc and Iron. Vitamin E and Zinc increase the production of healthy sperm count while Vitamin C and Zinc increase the sperm mobility. Zinc and essential fatty acids  are vital to healthy functioning of the male reproductive system.

Brussels Sprouts & Cancer Cell

Brussels sprouts resembles a cancer cell. Brussels sprouts are very high in fiber, rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene (vitamin A), and nitrogen compounds phytochemicals called indoles which may reduce the risk of cancers.

Research in the Netherlands suggests that Brussels sprouts keep the body free from cancer by promoting healthy DNA. Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables have been shown to disarm cancer causing chemicals and encourage the body`s detoxification enzymes.

 

Oyster & Female Sex Organ

The oyster — famous for being Nature’s answer to Viagra — is the food chain’s most concentrated source of zinc, a nutrient that’s crucial for conception. Zinc deficiency can disrupt the menstrual cycle and slow the production of good-quality eggs — neither of which is good for fertility. Not a fan of oysters in any form? Slurping those bivalves is not the only way to get your share of zinc.

Broccoli & Cancer Cells

Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 percent.

Walnut & Brain

A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are similar to those of the neo-cortex. Scientists claim that walnuts help in developing over three dozen neuron-transmitters within the brain enhancing the signaling and encouraging new messaging link between the brain cells. Walnuts help warding off dementia. They also extract and break down the protein based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s diseases, according to a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tuft University in Boston.

Banana & Male Sex Organ

Bananas target the size and strength of the male sexual organ. A urologist Singapore said, if men want to increase fertility, you should eat bananas regularly. Eating fresh bananas can improve sperm count and make better quality sperm. Banana is a fruit that is rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, B1, C, and protein and low in salt.

Bananas contain the amino acid L-arginine and L-carnitine which serves both to increase fertility and improve sperm production. According to Singapore-based Urological, a man can increase his fertility by eating bananas on a regular basis for 3 days.

The Color of Food

A lot can be said about the individual nutritional characteristics of such wonderful fruit and vegetables, but it gets tricky remembering all the things that they each do.

One way to simplify the healing properties of these foods(and juices) is designing your choices around various colors.

RED FOOD- speeds up circulation, creates fire, heats up your body including your hands and feet. Tomatoes, cherries, red cabbage, red capsicum, chillies, cranberries, watermelon, radish and rye to name a few.

ORANGE FOOD- is anti-spasmodic and is excellent for pains and cramps. It helps strengthen the lungs in polluted environments. Emotionally it opens up your joy and expansiveness. It promotes vitality and mental clarity. Oranges, apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sesame and pumpkin seeds.

YELLOW FOOD- is a motor stimulant. Which gets you going faster in the morning. It strengthens the nerves, digestion, and helps constipation. Lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, apple peach, banana, mango, yellow squash, corn.

GREEN FOOD-is a blood cleanser, bactericide and natural tranquilizer. Nutrifier. All green leafy vegetables and sprouts, wheatgrass, sea-vegetables and avocados.

BLUE FOOD- is for headaches, spiritual and mental work. It is cooling. Blueberry, plum, grapes, parsnip, nuts, potatoes.