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Beet Root Cures and Natural Remedies

| Modified on Feb 17, 2019
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Health Benefits of Beets

The humble beet may not be high on the "favorite vegetable list," but this beautiful root vegetable has such wonderful healing properties, if word gets out, it may become a favorite after all. People affectionately claim that beets taste like "dirt." But no worries because beets lend themselves to delicious recipes and juices. When you find out what beets can do for your health, you are likely to find some ways to make beets are regular part of your life, and you will probably end up enjoying them as well!

Beets contain numerous vitamins and minerals that are critical to good health.

Nutrients in Beets

  • Vitamin C
  • Betaine
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Thiamine
  • Tyrosine
  • Iron
  • Zinc

Constipation

Beets contain a significant amount of fiber, making them a good choice for constipation.

High Blood Pressure

Beet juice has been found to be helpful in reducing high blood pressure, naturally.

Ovarian Cysts

Consuming beets (especially with aloe and blackstrap molasses) has healed many women of ovarian cysts. It may be the hormone balancing property of beets along with its detox effects that have helped many women with cysts or other fertility issues.

Liver Heath

A Pubmed study found promise in using beets to protect the liver.1 Herbalist recommended beets for detoxifying the liver. Beets are reputed to remove heavy metals from the body.

Beet Root Juice and Cancer

A Pubmed study found that consumption of beet root juice was protective against toxicity of a certain cancer drug.2

Beets are sometimes used as part of natural cancer protocols. They are considered to be antioxidant in nature.

Mini-Beet Protocol

The Mini-Beet Protocol uses beets, asparagus, cinnamon, apples and carrots to bring healing to a variety of heath problems, including fungus, heavy metal poisoning, fluoride poisoning, cellulite, etc.

Side Effects

The bright red color beet can give your urine or stool a pink color. This is not a cause for alarm.

Because beets are a blood purifier, beets taken in a concentrated amount can cause a detox reaction, especially when the beet is juiced and the juice consumed. For this reason, if you are juicing beets, start with a small amount (no more than 1 small beet, juiced) and increase the amount you juice slowly.

Have you tried beets for your health? We would love to hear from you!

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17234508

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27565811

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Balancing Food

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Posted by Rob (Manhattan, New York) on 09/23/2009
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One of my favorite balancing foods are beets. (I have yet to try the Mini Beet Protocol) at least once a week I will buy a bunch of organic beets at the local market...

I pressure cook them for 7 minutes (using one cup of water). I then drink this dark red water with a dash of vinegar. Do not discard!

Add a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar to the beets and also saute the greens with a little mustard powder and sweetened rice vinegar. This has a wonderful balancing effect, especially drinking the beet broth.

By the way...one of my most loved kitchen devices is my pressure cooker..it greatly speeds up cooking time and reduces energy costs.

Replied by Au Natural
(Auckland, New Zealand)
04/11/2010

pressure cookers cook food at high temperature (approx 120°C) this will destroy all enzymes and many vitamins. This reduces the nutritional value of food. Please don't use pressure cookers for any vegetables or meat. They are good for cooking pulses as the high temperatures destroy the harmful enzymes in beans that interfere with digestion.

Replied by Rob
(Manhattan, New York)
04/13/2010

Thanks, though I will need more real information to give up my pressure cooker. Just from my own experience, I feel a greater effect/calm after drinking the beet juice from my pressure cooker than from my vegetable juicer.

There may be some truth to the raw-enzyme theory but to look at heat as an enemy is nonsense. In many cases it helps to break down cell walls to provide more nutrients. I believe a balance is required and considering the average American diet, yes, many would benefit by adding more raw fruits & vegetables to it.

Replied by Rob
(Manhattan, New York)
04/17/2010

Au Natural, I take heed to your advice, & what you say is true for some vegetables...like cabbage. Cabbage should be eaten raw or lightly cooked for a few minutes only....When cabbage is sliced or chopped, anti-carcinogenic compounds called glucosinolates are formed, but cooking destroys the enzyme that creates these compounds.

Just to note, I only cook Oat Meal(steel cut), Sweet Potatoes, & Beets with my pressure cooker. Except for beets, I don't believe my body could do much with the others raw. There was also a study recently showing that people who consumed their potassium from primarily raw source reduced their chance of stroke..

Replied by Cory
(Chengdu, Sichuan, Prc)
07/22/2012

Dr. Michael Greger covered this last year on this website www.nutritionfacts.org. I would recommend watching this video:

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/best-cooking-method/

Beet Kvass

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Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 03/02/2014
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Hello All,

Beet Kvass is fermented drink made from beets. It is good for common allergies cold and flu, during winter and a probiotic supplement for your gut, rich in vitamin b complex, iron, anti oxidants, anthocynanins, liver detoxifier, nitrates necessary to produce NO (nitric oxide) in your body. dispepsia, digestion assimilation, anemia. Some grannies it is a cure for all.

Of course, it is should taken as a part of food regularly to benefit from its medicinal properties.

It is easy to make when compared to milk kefir, sauerkraut and MISO

HOW TO MAKE BEET KVASS

Ingredients:

1. Large Beet Root -1

2 . 1 tablespoon sea salt

3. 50 whey or Sauerkraut Juice (for the first batch)

Whey is obtained from filtering home yoghurt with a nice cloth. The clear liquid you get is the whey. Or you can use crushed sauerkraut to get 50 ml juice. It is the starter.

Preparation

1. Skin off 1 big beet root and dice it into quarter inch pieces.

2. Take a large mason jar or any other glass jar that can hold 1 litre of water.

3. Add the diced beets into the jar, Add whey or saurkraut juice, Add 1 tbsp sea salt.

4. Add 1 litre of water and mix it throughly so as to dissolve the salt.

5. Close it with a lid and place it in a warm dark place for 24 to 36 hours for the first batch.

During winter you can keep inside the baking over with lights turned on. Cover the jar with a dark color cloth to prevent it from exposure to light.

After 36 hours you can filter the liquid. This liquid is the BEET KVASS.

You can keep 50 ml of your first batch to use as a starter for other batches. Two weeks ago, someone asked for how to ferment Turmeric Root.

So, along with the diced beets you can add one grated Turmeric Root. You can add grated ginger, sliced lemon for different flavours.

You can use any types of vegetables to make Kvass. Try with apple.

I tried making Kvass with 2 large grated carrots. The resulted drink was delicious and increased digestion like. It was literally burning the food I took.

Beet Kvass is lactose free. People who can't get milk kefir grains or water kefir grains can try this.

The best part it can made easily in tropical countries cause of the temperatures.

GOOD HEALTH

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
03/02/2014

Ed2010, can one use pickle juice that is only brine - with no vinegar - instead of whey or sauerkraut?

Replied by Ed2010
(Canada)
03/02/2014

Yes you can use, but the pickle juice should contain lacto fermenting bacteria.

However, if you don't have any starter whey or sauerkraut juice. Add 2 tablespoon of sea salt. And ferment it for 3 - 4 days. You can check the taste on the 3 day and extend it to the 4 day. Good Health

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
03/03/2014

Thank you Ed2010 for both options to fermentation. I am assuming ANY ferment can be done both ways (I mean veggie fermentation).

Replied by Frances
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
03/05/2017

Making this now, into 2nd day, from another recipe and didn't know to cover it, hope it turns out ok. You are right, it does ferment quickly in tropical climes.

Beet Kvass for Overall Health

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Posted by Anne (Redford, Mi) on 04/19/2010
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I don't see any information about Beet Kvass on your website. It is so good for you and easy to make. It is "an excellent blood tonic, promotes regularity, aids digestion, alkalizes the blood, cleanses the liver, and is a good treatment for kidney stones and other ailments." It's so great for overall health!

* 3 medium or 2 large organic beets, peeled & chopped coarsely.
* 1/4 cup homemade whey (strain organic plain yogurt at room temperature until drained, you have whey and cream cheese left)
* 1 tablespoon sea salt
* filtered water

Place beetroot, whey and salt in a 2-quart glass container. Add filtered water to fill the container. Stir well and cover securely. Keep at rooom temperature for 2-3 days before transferring to refrigerator.

When most of liquid has been drunk, you may fill up the container with water and keep at room temperature another 2 days. The resulting brew will be slightly less strong than the first. After the second brew, discard the beets and start again. You may, however, reserve some of the liquid and use this as your inoculant instead of the whey.

Replied by Uncommen
(Keizer, Oregon/usa)
12/10/2011

Great Kvass. Yours is the second recipe I have copied. Doing research first. For the inoculant, is it better to use the liquid from the first batch/brew or second? Thanks.

Beet Root Powder

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Posted by Denise (Crescent City, CA) on 02/17/2019
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I love our Grocery Outlet store, and we are very lucky to have one in our small town. I was shopping the other day, and in the health food aisle they had Beet Root Powder. I don't, or didn't, know a thing about Beets except that I heard them mentioned here on EC. So I picked up a package. So inexpensive at GO stores, but you have to make sure they aren't expired product. I never would eat beets when they were served, but I love this stuff in my blended protein drinks. This brand (main reason I bought it) is that it's 100% Certified Organic, Raw Beet Root powder. The brand is Cherie Sweet Heart, but I just wanted to share the info especially because of ECs info on nutritional value of Beet Root. I just use 1 tbsp in my blender, with half a banana, 1/2 cup blueberries, protein powder (another great brand from GO, non-whey). Looking forward to the benefits of adding this to my diet.

Boils

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Posted by Jason (San Diego, CA) on 05/23/2006
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Beets cured two bad boils/abscess. (At different times.) One on my left shoulder and the other on my right lower butt. I was very skeptical upon reading this as a cure of boils or an abscess but decided to try anyway. The abscess on my left shoulder was very red, with pus, very sensitive to the touch and about a quarter in size. I bought an organic red beet. I cut a sliver of it then on the side that was to lay on the abscess, cut little lines to help release the beet juice. I secured the beet with a wide band aid which was also secured by white adhesive medical tape. I changed the beet twice a day, in the morning and upon going to bed. It took 2 1/2 days to see a reduction of 65-70%. Another day pretty much eliminated the abscess. I was stunned and amazed. A month or so later I had another abscess/boil on the lower region of my right butt. I tried the above and within three-four days it was pretty much gone. Thankfully, that was the last of any abscess/boils. If they come back I'll know what to do.

Replied by Diane
(Ajax, Ontario Canada)
01/06/2012

I had a boil on my tail bone. Here is what you do. after doing this never came back.

1st: u need to pop the boil try salt and warm water

boil 1/4 milk add teaspoon salt let it come to a boil. Cool it off not too cold more then a warm.. Cut a pc of an italian bread ( make sure u have the inside of the bread and the crust on it) dip it in the milk then place it on the boil place the inside of the bread on top of the boil)(u squeeze the pass out and place the bread again on it do it couple of time and get all that pass out.. It works trust me.. let me know how it goes..

Replied by Dhan Prem
(Livingston, Mt, Usa)
02/26/2012

I had to respond to this because for years I too had terrible boils that would come and go. They were all on the back of my head and neck. I never could figure it out why I had these until I gave up gluten. My facial skin cleared considerably and my boils never came back. Also a hard spot in my gut went away within 10 days that had been there all my life for as long as I can remember. You may want to have a trial of giving up gluten.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Diane (Ilford, Essex) on 07/26/2011

great site - beetroot juice is recommended for high colesterol, and is proven to be just as powerful as statins without harmful side effects, in fact beetroot juice gives many other benefits such as increased energy and general wellbeing.

Replied by Ellen
(N. Ireland)
11/18/2015

Do you think this applies to pickled beetroot too?

Replied by Earthling
(Usa)
11/18/2015

I've read that it does. I looked into this myself a few months ago.

All the sites I've read said that regardless of the veggie, fresh is always best (we already knew that), but that pickled and even canned beets will still yield the same health benefits. For reasons that I don't recall, it was said that beets retain more of their 'powers' than most veggies after the canning or pickling process.

I was happy to read that because I absolutely love pickled beets. I could eat the entire jar at once! Okay, I'll admit it--I HAVE actually eaten an entire jar in one sitting. :) SO good!

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile , Tn)
11/18/2015

HI U EARTHLING, , , , , , , ,, guess you have sent me to school because we always raise beets but only use the fresh ones for detox juicing. We always do pickled beets, but only assumed they were food and not for detoxing.

Hey, maybe I'll make it to 92 after all...... won't take a vote on that.

======ORH=========

Replied by Alton
(Florida)
01/23/2016

Take care of yourself and you have a good chance to make 92. I am 96 and still going. Maybe not strong but still going.

Fountain of Youth Remedy

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Posted by Jullian (Crosby, Texas) on 08/03/2007
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In Slovack villages the people live to be 100 years old. Many have tried to learn the secret. Scientists Believe that Red Beets (that the slovacks eat like americans eat carbs) Is the secret to longevity.

General Feedback

Posted by Anon (Anon) on 01/20/2012

From WH Foods. Com

"It's interesting to note that humans appear to vary greatly in their response to dietary betalains. In the United States, only 10-15% of adults are estimated to be "betalain responders. " A betalain responder is a person who has the capacity to absorb and metabolize enough betalains from beet (and other foods) to gain full antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and Phase 2 triggering benefits. (Phase 2 is the second step in our cellular detoxification process)."

Hot Flashes

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Posted by Clatterbuck (Beltsville, Md) on 05/24/2018
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Consuming beets and olive oil on a daily basis has cured my hot flashes and night sweats. I also take a half of a vitamin C tablet daily.

Itchy Scalp

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Posted by Dick (Raleigh, North Carolina) on 03/09/2008
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I have a very Itchy Scalp. No Dandruff. I have tested for two months eating off the grocery shelf canned beets. I eat two (1 to 1 1/2 inch diameter beets)in the morning and two in the evening. Every day. It works.

Mental Clarity

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Posted by Didan (New York, Ny) on 07/26/2011
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Beet juice is truly amazing. I began juicing beets about 5 months ago because I learned that beets are a good detoxifier. The very first time (and every time) I drank the juice (in as little as 10 minutes), I noticed that my mind became sharper and more alert. I felt energized. It was like my mind just opened up and my body fully charged! It is so obvious to me as evidenced by the immediate reaction that beet juice is extremely beneficial for overall health! My favorite recipe is beet, carrot and grapefruit juice. Try it!

Ovarian Cysts

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Posted by Julissa (New york , New york) on 07/23/2007
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Molasses in spanish is MELASA. For years I have heard my dominican family member say that a mixture of molasses, aloe vera and BEETS will remove any cysts from women breast and ovaries. I just found out i have two cysts. According to my dominican aunts i must take the this mixture for 40 days. I will post my results. I have true faith in natural resources.

Replied by Tricia
(New York, USA)
08/07/2007

Please have Julissa give the portion for the aloe vera, molasses, and beets, to remove cysts from body.

Replied by Jaudi
(Somerville, New Jersey, Usa)
09/17/2009

I would like to know if the beets w aloe vera n molasses worked for julissa from NY....i have a cyst of the size of a baseball in my ovary, n i'll be drinking this remedy myself. Any feedback will be helpful. Thanks J

EC: A much longer thread on the subject is located here: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/ovarian_cysts.html

Unfortunately, Julissa never wrote the site back to answer anyone's questions.

Replied by Wanda
(Philippines)
07/24/2010
★★★★☆

Hi, I've had a single 4.4cm ovarian cyst in my right ovary since 2008. Because of this I had a very difficult time conceiving. Last month, June 2010, I read in this site about the beet, aloe vera juice & molasses tonic and decided to try it out. Before I started to try it, I first went to visit my ob/gyn to get an intravaginal ultrasound. My cyst measurement was 4.4cm by 4.4cm. Then I started drinking the beet-aloe-molasses tonic July 1st 2010. After 2 weeks, I was curious if it was working, so I went for another ultrasound. This time the measurement was 2.5cm by 2.2cm in 2 weeks. I will continue to take the tonic for another 2 weeks and monitor what happens. By the way, this is the measurement of the beet-aloe-molasses tonic I've been preparing which I've read: 1 Tbsp. molasses, 2 tbsp aloe vera juice, 2 thin slices beets (grounded in mortar & pestle. )The tonic is thick to drink, so I add a little hot water to dilute it. Then it is easier to drink. Good luck to other women out there and thank you for the tonic recipe. -Wanda

Replied by Sher
(Westminster, Md/usa)
12/16/2010
★★★★★

The beet juice, aloe vera, molasses tonic WORKS!!!!!!! I have suffured from ovarian cysts for the past two years. One, I had to have surgically removed. I must say, I was skeptical but desperate to get rid of the pain. I didn't have aloe vera juice, so I used the tablets you can get at vitamin world. I took a shot glass full of the beets and molasses followed by the aloe vera pill for 30 days or so. I had two complex cysts on my left ovary proir to beginning the tonic. And now, they are completely gone! I almost cryed in the middle of the MVA when my doctor called me with the news! One last ingredient that isn't mentioned here though... I followed my tonic shot with a shot of apple cider vinegar. I did this because all of my research showed that cysts have a difficult time lingering in an acidic enviornment. So, I'm not 100% sure which did the trick, but I'm cyst free!!!! Good Luck all!!

Replied by Luz
(Manila, Philippines)
03/08/2011

To Wanda fro Philippines,

Hi there, I'm also from Philippines, curious to know what happen to your ovarian cysts now. By the way, is the beet your taking is raw (unboiled) or precooked? Hoping for your response. Thanks in advance.

Replied by Junjun
(New York, Ny)
11/16/2012

If anyone has a question regarding the beet and molasse for cyst, let me know I was prone to cyst in my ovaries, but after I statred to drink the beet and molasses, I been cyst free for over 5 years now.

Replied by Aireen
(Tel Aviv, Israel)
01/03/2013

to Luz, are there any beets available in the Philippines? i'm from Phils. But currently in Israel

Replied by Korkor
(Accra, Ghana)
06/03/2015

Hello, I want to try the beet juice, aloe vera, molasses tonic for my ovarian cyst. However, I cannot get the black strap molasses here. Can I use any molasses instead? Please help....can't wait to be free of this cyst.



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