Cucumbers! Who would think this inexpensive vegetable can be so good for eyesight in so many ways? They’re really kind of fascinating, when it gets right down to it.
Once they’re in brine, they’re pickles. But fresh off the vine and scrubbed, not even peeled, they’re terrific.
They grow on a creeping vine and grow up trellises, or without some support, they’ll spread out along the ground. The leaves of the plant are big, and protect the cuke while’s it’s growing.
There are several varieties but we here in the United States are most used to the cylindrical ones, with slightly tapered ends, about 8 to 15 inches or so in length and about 2 to 4 inches wide.
They’re 95 per cent water which makes them healthy to begin with, and that’s the reason why they‘re good for use outside the body as well as consumption. They’re full of Vitamins, notably A,C and E and also have collagen, all of which means they’re sensational for cutting down on wrinkles, providing moisturizer for the body, and getting rid of dark circles and puffiness.
If you’re subject to redness or swelling or puffiness around the eyes, simply slice a couple of pieces off a well scrubbed, unpeeled cucumber, lie down for 15 minrtes rest, and place a slice over each closed eye. Since swelling is usually called by water retention, the cukes have caffeic acid that helps reduce the vessel dilation that causes it.
If you don’t want to put plain slices over your eyes, try crushing a few pieces and squeezing out the juice. Soak cotton balls or cotton pads in the juice, and once again, take a 15 minute break and place the pads over your closed ayes.
Always remember to be sure both the cukes and your hands are clean before going anywhere near your eyes. Infections are dangerous.
It’s a simple vegetable to prepare to eat as well, either in a sandwich or in any salad, be it tossed, cuke and onion, cuke and tomato or any combination of green vegetables.
On a sandwich, slices with a touch of salt are great on their own. If you want something fancier, or want hors d’oeuvres, simply get French bread, slice it, and make a mixture of:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ Cup mayonnaise
1 package Italian dressing
Mix well and refrigerate, it’ll keep for weeks.
When ready, spread the mixture on the bread slices, top with a cucumber slice, perhaps sprinkle on a bit of dill and voila! Healthy hors’do’oeuvres or sandwiches.
Or, for fun, how about a Cucumber Martini? Fun to try just once!
Crush 3 slices of cucumber in a cocktail shaker, toss in 2.5 ounces vodka, ½ oz vermouth and 1 cup ice.
Shake them all together first to bring out the cucumber flavor, then shake at least 30 seconds, to be sure the ice melts a bit and picks up the taste. Garnish with another slice, or a slice of lemon.
You might gain better skin color, fewer wrinkles, restful eyes, healthy eye care and a new respect for this little green vegetable.
