Remember always that food and the state of mind work hand in hand.

"The very best of food becomes a poison in the system when negative emotions are present during eating. When one is tired, angry, worried, fearful, jealous, or in any other state of consciousness, one should refrain from eating or drinking anything, until one can become rested and calm." (Dr. N.W. Walker, A Juice Guru of the Century).

It is very important to instil in one's mind never to eat when angry as this upsets the digestive system and the cells of the body. When food is blessed at the table, this is acknowledging its source and this is a method of establishing the connection and synergy between food and the body. Blessing the food also acknowledges its energy to feed the body and the soul.

What do juices do for us?

Mangoes are filled with vitamin C, B complex, vitamin A, iron and potassium. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Fruits and vegetable juices are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals necessary for the maintenance of good health. Within weeks, the skin, hair and well-being should improve. The best sources of vitamin C are available in cherries, guava, oranges, other citrus fruits and mangoes.

Mangoes (mangifera indica)

They are most popular any time from April to August, as well as January to March. Mangoes are filled with vitamin C, B complex, vitamin A, iron and potassium. Our elders always say during mango time 'pot tun down'. That means no cooking when this fruit abounds. The leaves and bark contain high levels of quercetin, a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic bioflavonoid. In some types of mangoes, it is not good to eat the skin, as this can cause dermatitis.

The healers use the leaves and apply topically to wounds. They also make a mouthwash from the leaves, to treat some gum diseases. The dried or green leaves are brewed as a tea and used as treatment.

GUAVA (Psidium guajava)

Guava leaves and the unripe fruits are excellent to use for diarrhoea and dysentery. The leaves are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal due to eugenol, and are useful in conditions of the gut such as food allergies and auto-immune arthritis.

The leaves can be used as a vaginal wash.

Researchers in Taiwan have confirmed that guava juice does help to lower blood sugar in diabetics and in normal human subjects. In the diabetic group, pure guava juice lowered blood sugar levels from 214 to 165 mg/dl for up to three hours. They also discovered that guava, in the same amounts has positive effects by lowering cholesterol and serum triglycerides.

Caution: Any diabetic taking medication should use caution in taking guava juice, tea or unripe fruits.

Note: Leaves are dried and pulverised. One teaspoonful brewed into a cup of boiling water can be taken as a tea for adults.

- Anon