It’s hard to pass a magazine rack these days without a glossy cover pleading for your attention pitching articles about foods that heal. It’s an appealing notion; that we can somehow restore health by choosing various foods.
Very little has been scientifically proven regarding the healing power of foods. I doubt it ever will. This doesn’t mean that I doubt that foods can contribute to healing; it’s just that no one is ever going to pay for the research. Think about it. The great majority of medical research is paid for by huge pharmaceutical companies. Considering how many billions of dollars are spent each year on just cold remedies, who is going to fund any research extolling the virtues of chicken soup?
Yet, there is evidence that certain foods can be very helpful for healing. Although I have read countless articles about healing foods, I learned the most from a very wise patient years ago.
“Minnie” was the kind of person that made a positive impression on everyone she met. Hardly anyone ever left her presence without reaching out for a hug.
She was in her eighties when I met her. Although she had come to see me about mild pain and stiffness, she sat erect and was pleasantly attentive. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled warmly when I greeted her. “Dr. Kestner, I’m so very glad to meet you. I hope you can help me with a small problem I am having.” Her words made me feel 10 feet tall, and I immediately also hoped I could assist her.
Although I administered the proper care and Minnie recovered well from her complaints, I don’t know how much I had to do with her response. She was someone that just seemed prepared to overcome any obstacle with calm expectant determination.
As I got to know Minnie, I learned that she had a high regard for the role of positive expectations and eating specifically chosen foods to stay healthy. She was certainly an excellent example of vibrant health.
During one visit, she noted that I had a little congestion. About three hours after her treatment she returned with a package containing a large container of steaming chicken soup. Sure enough, the soup relieved my symptoms as it nourished my body and perhaps more importantly, my spirit.
Although her homemade chicken vegetable soup was the most popular, she had many remedies available to meet the needs of the ailing as well as wholesome foods that she considered basics for good health.
Minnie ate salmon every week, sometimes two or three times. When she was younger, her mother had made her take cod liver oil. She said she was very thankful that now fresh fish like Alaskan salmon was available, so she would never have to take the cod liver oil again.
She ate a variety of fresh and cooked vegetables daily. Minnie once told me that she wished she could get some of her friends to eat more vegetables. “They wouldn’t complain about irregularity so much!”
She was a strong advocate of eating some local honey every day. “I’ve never had an allergy in my life!” She attributed this to eating honey produced from local flowers. She said it was “like taking allergy shots without the cost or the discomfort.”
Minnie preferred tea over coffee. She drank lightly brewed tea at least daily. She would often make and recommend various herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint and ginger.
Minnie had many other food remedies that she relied on. I’m sure there were many that she never got around to sharing with me.
None of us will live forever, even an ebullient soul such as Minnie. She passed a few years ago, having lived well for at least 90 years. While on this earth she radiated warmth and enthusiasm in a way that touched everyone that came into her life. Through her foods and her gestures of kindness, she was a genuine healer.
Next week, I’ll tell you why President Kennedy loved his rocking chair. In the meantime, learn more about healing foods by visiting your favorite bookstore.
Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@DrKestner.com
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