Salba seeds are a raw, vegetarian food that have a variety of purported health benefits. Salba seeds come from the salvia hispnanica L. plant, and they are a source of protein and fiber. Health food stores sell raw salba seeds as a dietary staple, and there are several health supplement manufacturers that market supplement forms of salba seeds sold as pills and powders. If you are considering salba seeds as a health supplement, talk to your doctor prior to consuming the supplement.
Ancient Food Source
According to "Healing Remedies: More Than 1,000 Natural Ways to Relieve Common Ailments from Arthritis and Allergies to Diabetes, Osteoporosis, and Many Others," salba seeds have long been used in the Americas. The Aztecs used salba seeds in a variety of medicinal applications, as a nourishing food source for their athletes, and a as religious offering to their gods. More than 500 years later, natural medicine continues to use salba seeds as a dietary supplement that can benefit your overall health.
Types of Salba Seeds
There are two strains of salba seeds, a black variety and a white variety. Black salba seeds are not known to have any health benefits associated with their use. White salba seeds, on the other hand, have several health benefits associated with their use. In addition to Mexico, these seeds can be found growing naturally in the Amazon basin countries of Bolivia and Peru.
Salba Seed Content
According to "Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal," white salba seeds contain a significant amount of calcium, antioxidants, magnesium and fiber. In addition, salba seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. The actual amount of omega-2 fatty acids, however, can vary significantly between seeds. Therefore, salba seeds typically are not considered a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Benefits
The nutrients found in white salba seeds promote several benefits, including a healthy, functioning heart and cardiovascular system. The nutrients can also help you maintain balanced cholesterol levels and blood pressure. In addition, the high fiber content of salba seeds can help relieve symptoms associated with digestive irregularities, such as diarrhea, bloating, gas and constipation. Further, the calcium found in salba seeds promotes stronger bones and general bone health.
References
- "Healing Remedies: More Than 1,000 Natural Ways to Relieve Common Ailments, from Arthritis and Allergies to Diabetes, Osteoporosis, and Many Others!"; Lydia Wilen and Joan Wilen; 2008
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
- "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments"; Andrew Chevallier; 2000
- "Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
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