Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-24
F you have weak nerves and low vi

IF you have weak nerves and low vi
tality generally, eat Spring onions
regularly in small quantities, and
if you are unable to sleep, eat them be-
fore retiring, for the essential oil of
the onion is an excellent soporific. But
if you are a full-blooded person, in
clined to be feverish or bilious, the
onion is not for you. It will make
you sneeze and perspire and be un-
comfortable generally.
The onion is by no means alone
among fresh vegetables in having
marked medicinal properties. Near
ly all of them have strong acids and
essential oils which produce various
effects upon the body. Yet most per-
sons eat them indiscr1minately at this
time of the year.
The strawberry, with it's heavy con-
tent of citric and malic acid is a spe-
cific which bilious people will find ben
efcial, but which should be eaten spar
ingly by others. There is little food
value in the berry. Wood and acid
are its chief constituents.
Asparagus contains two active me-
dicinal principles It's essential sub
stance, asparagin, stimulates the kid
neys, while a green resin called man
mite which it contains has a sedative
effect upon the heart and will relieve
palpitation or nervous excitement of
that organ.
Common rhubarb is another veget-
able which should be used with care,
especially by equity persons. 1t con-
tains a large amount of oXalic acid
which combines with alkalies to induce
a gouty condition.
A naturally poisonous plant that has
been made very edible by cultivation
is the celery. Wild celery growing
ic nj M. l,,,t
the cultivated variety when buried
and bleached becomes not only
dainty vegetable, but a very salutary
one. 1t contains a great deal of sui
phur, and for this reason is good for
rheumatism. A famous British veg
etarian writing in the London Times
asserts that on a diet of celery, rheu-
matism is impossible. Celery also
has sedative effect upon the nerves.
There are some very sensitive persons
who can not eat it; but for most it is
an excellent vegetable, either cooked
or raw.
Probably one Of the best of Ameri-
can food habits is the abundant eat
ing OF lettuce in the summer time
This plant contains lactucerin which
has genuine narcotic effect. In the
wild lettuce this principle is strong
that narcotic may easily be express
ed from the stem or the plant; but in
the cultivated variety there is Just
enough of it left to make the vegetab BILE
mildly soporiic. 1t is also mildly
aperient, and has generally soothing
erect 1t should not, however, be
eaten with vinegar us this acid will
neutralize its best qualities.
water cress is a vegetable which has
never been properly appreciated in this
country. There are few restaurants
where you can order a watercress sal
ad and few homes where the plant is
regularly served Yet cress is rich in
iodine. iron, phosphate and potash,
and has genuine tonic value, especial
ly in the Spring. 1t is antiscrofulous
and is credited with being beneficial
in pulmonary tuberculosis. It will
clear your head in the morning and
aid digestion. In England it is often
eaten for breakfast with bread and
butter, while in France it is popular
as salad to be eaten with meats, and
is generally dipped in vinegar or oil