“Let Food Be Thy Medicine”
— Hippocrates
The “Doctrine of Signatures” is a profound ancient health system, which states that every fruit and vegetable has a certain pattern that resembles a body organ, or system, and that this pattern acts as a signal or sign as to the health benefits of a particular fruit or vegetable. The healing and nourishing properties of any fruit or vegetable is reflected in, and ultimately revealed by, that fruit or vegetables’ outer physical shape, form, or “signature” in relation to the human body. Modern science confirms that the “Doctrine of Signatures” is astoundingly accurate.
The Doctrine of Signatures was first theorized by a Swiss physician, alchemist and philosopher named Paracelsus (1493-1541). Scholars consider him to be the father of modern chemistry. Paracelsus noted how the qualities of plants are often reflected in their appearance. He thus theorized that the inner nature of plants may be discovered by their outer forms or “signatures.” He applied this principle to food as well as medicine, remarking that “it is not in the quantity of food but in its quality that resides the Spirit of Life”—a belief familiar to those who choose to eat organic, whole, vegetarian foods while also being justifiably concerned over foods that that lack the “life force,” or spirit. This would include such “modern” inventions as GMO foods, processed foods without any inherent health value, or foods that in no way resemble anything in nature.
Here are some examples of “Doctrine of Signature” foods:
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function—and they look exactly like human kidneys:
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 just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop brain function:
The cross section of a Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye. And science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to the eyes and aid in the general function of the eyes:
Celery looks just like bones. Celery specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23 percent sodium and these foods are 23 percent sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. Foods like celery replenish the skeletal needs of the body:
Avocadoes target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female—they look just like these organs. Avocadoes 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:
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility:
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:
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. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy:
Ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, 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 Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics:
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries:
Fascinating to contemplate, no? If nothing else, now you can visually associate these foods with certain aspects of your nutritional health, and perhaps work them into your diet a little more often – as well as give you a great way to remember your grocery list: just go to each part of your body as you are standing in the aisle, trying to remember what to buy!