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The following table gives some of the elements present in seeds, roots, and fruits:
STEMS, LEAVES AND FRUITS.--Potassium, sodium, iron, sulphur.
SEEDS AND ROOTS.--Potassium, phosphorus, magnesium
SEEDS THEMSELVES.
The outer part.--Calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, fluorine and silicon.
The inner part.--Potassium and phosphorus.
It is interesting to note that there is a similarity between the constitution of the human
body and that of seeds. The muscular tissues, like the inner part of the seed, employ
potassium and phosphorus, while the blood and skin correspond in composition with the
outer part of the seed.
Perhaps the reader would appreciate a few further words on the essential work that
some of these elements perform.
POTASSIUM, which figures so largely in the composition of seeds, is the mineral basis
of all muscular tissues, and is essential in the formation of proteins. It can be
truthfully said: "No life without potassium."
SODIUM.--This is one of the principal constituents of blood and lymph. Without
sodium, lime and magnesium, salts are liable to form injurious deposits in the
body.
CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM.--Magnesium assists in the assimilation of phosphorus,
while magnesium, calcium and iron form the albumen of the blood. One percent
of magnesium enables the lime taken into the body to harden in the formation of
the bones.
MANGANESE.--It has been discovered that animals deprived of manganese lack the
maternal instincts.
ZINC is associated with the action of vitamins.
NICKEL is associated with the insulin of the pancreas.
If it be true that there is "no life without Potassium", it is equally true that there is "no
thought without Phosphorus". The elements Fluorine and Iodine are also important:
Fluorine plays an important part in the composition of the iris of the eye, while Iodine in
the thyroid gland is essential to growth and development.
The following is a summary of the various functions governed by these constituents of
soil, seed and herb:
CALCIUM is a counter to acid, and is the executive element.
SULPHUR purifies, and is the maid of all work.
POTASSIUM stimulates the liver, and is the balancer.
PHOSPHORUS aids the growth of nerve and brain, and is the thought-medium.
IRON is the vehicle of oxygen, and is the master chemical.
IODINE eliminates toxins, and is the gland regulator.
MANGANESE improves resistance, and is the chemical of poise.
SILICA gives gloss to the hair, and sparkle to the eyes, and is the optimist.
FLUORINE protects against infection, and is the youth preserver.
CHLORINE keeps the body supple, and is the laundryman.
SODIUM prevents acidosis, and is the alkaliniser.
MAGNESIUM is alkaline and sleep-promoting, and is the refresher.