On Taste and Aroma: What's the Secret of the Etrog?

The etrog fruit is one of the four species in the lulav. The Gemara describes that what distinguishes it among the four species is its pleasant aroma and taste. Is the etrog also special for its health benefits? It turns out it is. The Rambam already wrote about it: "The etrog is the most important medicinal fruit, and it contains many remedies for the body. Even if the fruit is not found, one takes from the tree or the leaves, brews it like tea, drinks it as needed, and it is good for every illness, curing them with its virtue."

The etrog belongs to the citrus family, meaning it is rich in vitamin C, which is crucial for strengthening the immune system. This vitamin also serves as a strong antioxidant, helping the body deal with toxin development. However, what makes the etrog unique is that its peel contains a very high amount of pectin. Pectin is a type of dietary fiber found in the outer skins of various fruits and vegetables such as citrus, apples, carrots, and more. Pectin serves various roles. One property of pectin is that it forms a gel, which can be used in the kitchen for making jams. The pectin gel binds to cholesterol, thereby excreting it from the body and lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. However, recent years have revealed that one of the properties of pectin, after special processing, is its ability to halt the spread of cancer cell metastases, such as prostate cancer and colon cancer, in various ways. One way is that a cancer cell needs a rich supply of blood vessels. Thus, it weaves around itself a network of many blood vessels. Pectin helps to stop the proliferation of blood vessels around the cancer cells, preventing their multiplication and development, and importantly, aids in preventing the spread of metastases. The more metastases present, the more it burdens the immune system until it struggles to function. However, when processed pectin makes it difficult for cancer cells to develop, it eases the burden on the immune system, allowing it to function more easily. Dr. Isaac Eliaz, a leader in the use of pectin for tumor treatment, writes: "For 15 years, I have successfully used MCP (modified citrus pectin) as a vital component in integrative protocols for patients with breast, prostate, lung, colon, liver, and pancreatic cancer. I have seen tumors shrink, metastases disappear, along with significant improvement in patients' overall health and vitality. While each of my patients receives a personalized protocol specific to their unique needs, MCP always plays a critical role in my cancer battles to promote recovery plans. Pectin also has additional benefits such as detoxifying the body of various toxins and metals. To health.

Eliyahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist