The following recipes support the more detailed information about the medicinal uses of cucumbers discussed during the episode above.

1. Burns

Mash/blend 1 cucumber and blend the juice/pulp with 50mls of pure aloe vera juice or gel. Apply this liberally to the affected area and leave in place for 15-20 minutes and repeat several times a day. You can wrap the area in a bandage covered in clingfilm to keep the mix in place if needed.

2. Sunburn

The same remedy as above can also be used with great success to treat sunburn and also to act as a natural “after-sun” treatment.

3. Liver Detoxification

This remedy works wonders if you are feeling heavy, sluggish or “toxic.” Simply add ½ a cucumber, ½ a beetroot, 1 celery stick, 1 tsp of fennel seeds and ½ tsp of turmeric (with a pinch of black pepper) into a food blender or NutriBullet with 200mls of water, aloe vera juice or coconut water and blend until smooth. Aim to drink 2-3 cups a day for several days to help stimulate liver function and clear toxins.

4. To Cool Pitta and Reduce Summertime Heat

Blend together a medium cucumber, a handful of mint leaves, half a cup of organic whole milk and half a cup of pure water and drink to alleviate thirst and heat stress.

5. Cystitis and Urinary Tract Infections

At the first sigh of symptoms, drink 1 cup of cold cucumber juice every 90-minutes to prevent the infection establishing and to clear the invading bacteria whilst also helping to reduce pain and inflammation within the urinary tract.

6. Sore Throats and Throat Infections

This is a brilliant remedy for helping to soothe the pain and inflammation of a throat infection.

Instructions:

· Make a strong sage infusion by adding 2 tablespoons of sage into a bowl and pouring over 2 cups of boiling water.

· Leave this to cool.

· Juice or blend 2 cucumbers into a fine liquid.

· Mix the cooled sage infusion into the cucumber juice and stir well and leave in the fridge.

· Sip this drink over the course of the day; the mix will need to be stirred together before drinking to clear the separation.