There is a common misconception that vegetarian food lacks protein. Almond defeats such myths as it contains as much as 20% protein, which cannot be found even in meat. The quality of its protein is such that it is much more easily digestible than any animal protein.
For ancient Greeks, almond was a symbol of ‘Love and Truth’. They also believed in its supernatural powers.
The medicinal and cosmetic importance of almonds was fully recognised by the ancient Europeans.
Almond forms an ideal food for the diabetics as it contains little or no carbohydrates.
As it is a highly nutritive tonic, it is good for elders as well as children.
In order to ensure its assimilation, almonds are often taken in combination with other condiments like black pepper, poppy seeds, turmeric or cardamom.
Almond: A profile
Latin Name: Prunus amyqdalus, Batsch
Indian Name: Badam, Vaadumai
Distribution: A native of the Eastern Mediterranean, almond is cultivated in Kashmir and the Punjab for its edible seeds.
Appearance: A tree growing to the height of around 9 metres.
Almond: How to use it
| Ailment | Prescription |
| Early stages of cataract. This treatment helps eyes regain normal vision and also sharpens memory. | Soak 8 to 10 almonds in a glass of water overnight. Blanch and grind with an equal number of black pepper corns (kalimirch). Strain and add sugar candy (misri). Drink once a day. |
| Helps in maintaining the complexion of the skin in exposed regions. Skin darkened due to long exposure to sun regains original colour by this treatment | Soak about 10 almonds overnight. Blanch, and grind into a very fine paste with 1 tsp clotted cream (malai). Add one tsp coconut oil. Massage face, neck, forearms, legs every day. |
| Insomnia | Grind blanched almonds (8 to 10) along with 1 tsp poppy seeds (khaskhas) in little milk and apply the paste on the palms and soles at bed time. |
| Nervous weakness | Grind about 10 blanched almond kernels along with 8 to 10 black pepper corns into a very thin paste. Dissolve in a glass of milk. Take daily for 40 days. |
| Generous weakness | Make parathas with a mixture made of boiled fenugreek (methi) leaves, almonds, poppy seeds (khaskhas) and ghee and take every day for 40 days. |
| Sexual debility | Boil a few drumsticks. Grind a few almonds and a pinch of saffron along with this pulp. Take it every day for 40 days. |
| Kidney and liver mal-functioning | Add a few almonds to the daily diet. |
| Obesity | Grind 6 to 7 blanched almonds, 1 tsp rice and 1 to 2 tbsp juice of banana-flower into a fine paste. Pour in some milk and drink every day for 40 days. Foods rich in saturated fat should be avoided. |
| Vertigo | Mix about 7 to 8 almonds with an equal amount of pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp poppy seeds (Khaskhas) and 3 tbsp wheat. Soak in water over night. Next morning blanch almonds and grind all into a fine paste. Heat 2 tsp ghee and fry 1/2 tsp cloves. Add the above paste along with milk and boil the whole mix mixture. Sweeten, it with sugar. Drink. |
| Lice | Grind 7 to 8 kernels with 1 to 2 tsp lime juice and apply to scalp. |
| Scabies, itch, psoriasis (a skin disease in which red scaly papules and patches appear) | Boil almond powder in water till it reaches paste consistency. Apply on affected areas overnight. Next morning wash it off with water. |
| Constipation, throat irritation, cough | Soak a few almonds and 2-3 dried figs for a few hours. Blanch almonds and grind with figs into a paste. Add 1 tbsp honey. To be taken before going to bed. |
| Anaemia, cough, physical weakness, body heat | Soak 8 to 10 almonds and 1 tsp rice over night. Blanch almonds and grind with rice into a fine paste. Boil with milk and a pinch of turmeric powder. To be had with sugar-candy (misri) or palm-sugar. |
| Cough, throat irritation | Sprinkle some salt water on almond kernels and fry them. Chew 5 or 6 of these nuts frequently. |
| Dry cough, cough due to heat, body heat | Drink juice of pomegranate(anar) with 2 to 3 drops of almond oil added to it or the almond oil may be added to a glass of warm milk. |
| Failing hair | Apply a little almond oil on hair frequently and massage. |
| Skin problem | Massage the body frequently with almond oil. |
| Wounds or lesions inside the nostril | Pour 1 to 2 drops of almonds oil with a dropper in the nostril. |
| Yellow teeth, tooth-ache, pyorrhoea (gum disease) | Burn the shells of almonds and powder. To be used as a tooth powder. |
| Delayed menstruation | Add 6 to 8 crushed almonds, an egg yolk, 1/2 tsp sesame powder and 1 tsp honey to a glass of milk. Take once or twice a day. |
Caution
In summer and in hot places, almond should be consumed after removing its brown outer skin. It is believed that the outer skin produces enormous heat in the body.