Sunday, September 29, 2013

 

FOODS&HERBS

Fenugreek, Honey, Coriander, Bitter Gourd, 



FENUGRREK:


Loss of Appetite
Upset Stomach
Constipation
Gastritis - Inflammation of stomach
Hardening of Arteries - Atheroscleorosis
Lipids
Kidney ailments
Mouth Ulcers
Beriberi
Boils
Bronchitis
Cellulitis
Tuberculosis
Chronic Coughs
Chapped Lips
Baldness
Cancer
Diabetis
Hernia
Erectile Dysfunction
Breast Feeding
Muscle Pain - wrap in a cloth and warm and apply
Lymphnode Swelling
Gout
Leg Ulcers
Eczema

CINNAMON
Good for Diabetis
Not good for Liver problems

GINGER:

- Lipids
- Diabetis
- Nausia
- Indigestion
- Alzeimers
- Arthiritis
- Muscle, Joint Pains
- Head Ache
Side Effects:  Gas, Heartburn
Interactions: diabetis and heart problems medicines.

HONEY

1. Immunity booster

The antioxidants and anti bacterial properties that honey contains, aids the improvement of the digestive system. Consuming this liquid can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy and fit in life.

2. Skin Care

Variety of beauty products available in the market contains honey as their prime ingredient. Honey not only helps to smoothen your skin but also keeps acne at bay. The anti-bacterial properties of this liquid can give your skin a nourishing look and feel.

3. Aids Weight Loss

Experts recommend eating honey mixed with warm water every morning. This unique combination helps you digest the fat in your body and aid the weight loss process.

4. Cancer preventive properties

Honey contains a number of antioxidants and flavanoids that help diminish the risk of a few types ofcancer. These antioxidants kill the collagen in the body.

5. Vitamins and Minerals

Honey is rich in a number of vitamins and minerals too. Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron are primarily derived from this golden ingredient.

6. Relaxes the throat

A commonly known benefit of eating honey is the soothing effect it provides to the throat. You must consume it or gargle with a honey and water mixture when you have a sore throat. It is known to kill the infection causing bacteria, reliving you of the irritation.

7. Healing Properties

Honey is considered to be a natural healer when applied to wounds. It cures the wound by killing the bacteria and cleans the infection too. The antibacterial property it contains does this magic to any kind of injury.

8. Induces Sleep

Enjoying a sound sleep is a problem for many especially amongst the older people. Drinking a glass of warm milk mixed with honey can solve your problem. This mixture is known to soothe you and induces sleep too.
Consuming a spoonful of honey on a daily basis can help you extract a number of golden benefits from this thick liquid. Making this tad bit effort can shower your body with miraculous benefits and promise a healthy life too.

CORIANDER LEAVES

Excellent source of minerals like 
            Potassium, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, and Magnesium. 
Rich in many vital vitamins including 
            Folic-acid, Vitamin-A, Beta Carotene and Vitamin-C 
Other Benefits:
            It is natural antioxidant
            It has powerful anti-inflammatory capacities 
            Helps arthritis. 
            Increases HDL cholesterol (the good kind), and reduces LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). 
            Offer great relief from stomach indigestion problems, Nausea
            Promotes healthy liver function.

CORIANDER SEEDS:

   Digestion Problems
   Upset Stomach
   Loss of Appetite
   Hernia
   Nausea
   Diarrhoea
   Bowel Spasms
   Intestinal Gas
   Measles
   Joint Pains
   Bacteria, Fungus Infections
   Breast Feeding
   Food Poisoning Effects
   Lowers Blood Sugar


BITTER GOURD



   Stomach Disorders
   Gastro Intestinal Upset
   Ulcers, Colitis, Constipation, Intestinal Worms
   Diabetis
   Kidney Stones
   Psoriasis
   Liver Disease
   HIV/Aids
   Deep Skin Infections, Wounds
   Weight Loss
   Acne
   Complexion
   Kidney Stones, Cleansing
   Respiratory Disorders - Bronchitis, Asthma
   Bowel Movements (High Fiber)
   Cancer (Powerful Anti Oxidant)
   Heart, Lipids
1.  Bitter gourd provides power to your body muscles, immune system and stomach.
2.  Bitter gourd is best for joint pain, uric acid, decreases swelling and spitum from the whole internal body.
3.  Bitter gourd is very much beneficial for diabetic patients. Eating 1 tablespoon powder of Bitter gourd daily with an empty stomach with water will help to get rid of this disease. Or drinking 3 tablespoons bitter gourdjuice continuously for 15 days will remove this disease.
4.  Bitter gourd juice with salt is best to treat Diarrhea. Motions and vomiting will stop within few minutes.
5.  Bitter gourd is best for any kind of skin diseases. Applying its juice on face is best tonic for your skin.
6.  Bitter gourd is best to lose weight fast. Eating ½ teaspoon bitter gourd powder with water daily is best to control your body weight.
7.  Bitter gourd is best for Piles patients. Drinking 10 gram juice of bitter gourd leaves 2 times during the day stop Piles bleeding and with a continues use of this tip you can get rid permanently of Piles. Or cook bitter gourd leaves in 250 grams pure ghee. When the bitter gourd water evaporates or burnt away apply this ghee on hemorrhoids (mason). Within few days hemorrhoids will remove and the inflammation must reduce on first application.
8.  Bitter gourd juice before going to bed 2 tablespoons is best to treat Kidney stones. Also use 1 teaspoon olive oil in 1 cup of warm milk after having bitter gourd juice.
9.  Bitter gourd is best for asthma patients. Daily add a little amount of bitter gourd in your meal.
10. Bitter gourd is best to increase Appetite and improve the digestive system.
   
***
Bitter melon contains a chemical that acts like insulin to help reduce blood sugar levels.
BLACK CARDAMOMS

   Gastro Intestinal Health
   Healthy Heart, Help reduce clotting
   Asthma, Whopping Cough, Lung Congestion, Bronchitis
   Oral Care, Mouth Odor, Bleeding Gums, Tooth Decay  
   Urinary Health, Natural Diuretic, Dehydration
   Cancer(Glutathione)
   Natural Detox
   Anesthetic, Stress, Fatigue, Nausea (oils)
   Boosts Immunity, Antiseptic, Anti-Bacterial, Infections, 
   Improves Blood Circulation
   Fair Skin
   Skin Allergies
   Hair Care
   Scalp Infections
   Heat Stroke
   
SAPOTA
   
  Fungal Infection
  Digestion
  Cough, Cold
  Detox
  Hairfall
  Wrinkles
  Antibacterial
  Hair Softening
  Blood Flow
  Kidney Stones
  Diarrhea
  Dandruff
  Weight Loss
  Anti Inflammatory
  Cough and Cold
  Skin
  Vision
  Bones
  Mental
  Constipation
  Energy

CURRY LEAVES

- A good remedy for nausea and indigestion. Extract juice of curry leaves, squeeze a lime and add a pinch of sugar.
- Chew a few leaves every day to lose weight
- Curry leaves are also known to improve eyesight, so make sure you do not throw away the leaves while eating. It is also believed to prevent cataract.
- Curry leaves are also good for hair growth and color. If you don't like its raw taste, you can buy the curry leaf powder widely available in the market and have it with dosa or hot rice. You can also make it at home. This will prevent pre mature greying of hair.
- Alternatively, you can also add a few curry leaves to your hair oil and boil it for a few minutes. Applying this hair tonic will keep your hair healthy.

Curry leaves are natural flavouring agents with a number of important health benefits, which makes your food both healthy and tasty along with pleasing aroma. They contain various antioxidant properties and have the ability to control diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, excessive acid secretion, peptic ulcers, dysentery, diabetes and an unhealthy cholesterol balance. They are also believed to have cancer fighting properties and are known to help protect the liver.
Scientific Information: The scientific name of the curry plant is Murraya Koenigii Spreng and it belongs to the Rutaceae family. The plant is native to India and is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is cultivated in various other countries such as China, Australia, Nigeria and Ceylon. Height of the plant ranges from small to medium. The most useful parts of this plant are the leaves, root and the bark.
In Ayurvedic medicine, curry leaves are believed to have several medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and hepato-protective (capability to protect liver from damage) properties. The roots are used for treating body aches and the bark is used for snake bite relief.
The leaves, with their vast herbal properties, are used in various local cuisines across India and other parts of Asia as flavoring agents. Curry leaves resemble ‘neem’ or Indian lilac and their name in most Indian languages translates to ‘sweet neem’.

Nutritional Value of Curry Leaves

The main nutrients found in curry leaves are carbohydrates, energy, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and minerals.  It also contains various vitamins like  nicotinic acid and vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, antioxidants, plant sterols, amino acids, glycosides and flavonoids. Also, nearly zero fat (0.1 g per 100 g) is found in curry leaves.
Health Benefits of Curry Leaves (Murraya Koenigii)Some of the other chemical constituents present in curry leaves include carbazole alkaloids. Research studies held by the Department of Home Economics at Kenmei Women’s Junior College in Hyogo, Japan showed that alkaloids found in curry leaves possess antioxidant properties. Carbazole alkaloids include mahanimbine, murrayanol, mahanineoenimbine, O-methylmurrayamine A, O-methylmahanine, isomahanine, bismahanine and bispyrayafoline. . Further studies conducted at the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University suggested that these chemicals had insecticidal and antimicrobial properties as well, specifically mosquitocidal properties.
Most people think that curry leaves just add flavor to the food and they throw the leaves away while eating eating their soup or curry. However, curry leaves are far more important than many people realize, and they offer a number of health benefits without the side effects of other medicines.
Stops Diarrhea: Research studies conducted by Ashish Pagariya and  Maithili, V. concluded that the carbazole alkaloids present in curry leaves or Murraya Koenigii had anti-diarrheal properties. Experiments on lab rats showed that carbazole extracts from curry leaves had significantly controlled castor oil-induced diarrhea. A bunch of curry leaves can be ground up and the paste can be eaten or the juice of the leaves can be consumed.
Antioxidant Properties: Research studies conducted by Mylarappa B. Ningappa et al. at Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Molecular Parasitology and Protein Engineering Laboratory in Bengaluru, India have indicated that curry leaves or Murraya Koenigii is a good source of antioxidants.  The presence of various vitamins like vitamin A, B, C and E help in reducing oxidative stress and free radical scavenging activity. Curry leaves can be added to your curries, vegetable stews and soups. They are also available in dried powder form.
Gastrointestinal Protection: Use of curry leaves is recommended as a cure for gastrointestinal issues in Ayurvedic methodology. One important is due to the fact that they are considered to possess mild laxative properties. Make juice out of a bunch of curry leaves and add lime juice. This mixture is to be consumed for indigestion or a paste made from the leaves can be added to buttermilk and taken every morning on an empty stomach.
Anti-Diabetic Properties: Perhaps one of the biggest health benefits of curry leaves is its use in diabetes control. Research conducted by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at University of Madras, Chennai had shown that the anti-hyperglycemic properties of curry leaves were beneficial in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Curry leaves are also known to reduce bad LDL cholesterol level. Studies conducted at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Kerala, India have shown that curry leaves have the potential to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
Good for Eyesight: Curry leaves contain high amounts of vitamin A and are therefore good for eyesight. Vitamin A contains carotenoids which protect the cornea, which is the eye surface. Deficiency of vitamin A may cause night blindness, cloud formations in front of the eye and even the loss of vision loss in some cases.
Fights Cancer: The chemical constituents found in curry leaves such as phenols are helpful in fighting cancers such as leukemia, prostate cancer and colorectal cancers. Research on curry leaves at the Department of Medical Chemistry at Mejio University, Japan showed evidence of cancer fighting properties in the carbazole alkaloids extract from curry leaves.
Radio-Protective and Chemo-Protective: Studies on the extracts of curry leaves have shown positive results in reducing the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while also offering protection against chromosomal damage, protection of bone marrow and prevention of free radicals becoming active in the body.
Protects Against Pathogen Attack: Research on curry leaves has revealed that they are also effective in fighting bacterial and fungal infections. The leaf extracts from the plant have been comparable to popular, mainstream antibiotic drugs.
Protects the Liver:  Your liver plays a major role in the digestive system and it needs to be protected from any attack by free radicals, as well as viral and bacterial attacks that can result in infection. Research on curry leaves has indicated that the tannins and carbazole alkaloids present in curry leaves exhibited good hepato-protective properties. They are also helpful in protecting the liver from various diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Good for Hair Growth: Curry leaves are believed to help in strengthening hair roots. Dry curry leaf powder mixed in oil can be applied to your hair with a quick massage. The paste from curry leaves can also be applied in cases of gray hair. Doing these on a regular basis can improve hair growth as well.
Skin care: Curry leaves are also helpful in skin care. The juice or paste of the leaves can be applied on burns, cuts, bruises, skin irritations and insect bites for quick recovery and clean healing

ASAFOETIDA

  • Bronchitis.
  • Asthma.
  • “Whooping cough” (pertussis).
  • Hoarseness.
  • Hysteria.
  • Intestinal gas.
  • Stomach upset.
  • Irritable colon.
  • Convulsions.
  • Nerve disorders.
  • Menstrual problems.
  • Corns and calluses, when applied directly to the skin.
BASIL

This member of the mint family has been used as a medicinal plant, and its oils and extracts are said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Fragrant fresh basil, for instance, offers a healthy dose of blood-clotting vitamin K -- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil provide 27% of the RDA -- as well as vitamin A, manganese, and magnesium. (You can find more vitamin K in green leafy veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and spinach -- but talk to your doctor if you’re taking a blood thinner such as warfarin; you don’t want too much or too little K.)

1. Basil promotes heart health. Basil may be a flavorful addition to our kitchen cuisine, but it's also rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids , powerful antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage and cholesterol. Basil is also an excellent source of magnesium, improving blood flow, and promoting cardiovascular health and wellbeing. 


2. Basil advances healthy skin. Essential oils found in basil have long been effective as organic alternatives in treating dry skin, acne and psoriasis. 

3. Basil prevents some cancers. Not just a delicious addition to tomato-based sauces, basil's antioxidant properties and flavonoids protect cell structures from damage inflicted by free radicals, important in cancer prevention and overall good health and wellness. 

4. Basil boosts the immune system. Basil's not just an herb to sprinkle on spaghetti. No, indeed, basis has important antibacterial properties. When applied to the skin or surfaces, basil fights back against bacteria and so much more. 

5. Basil promotes a healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Not just any old herb, basil's got anti-inflamatory properties second-to-none that can provide much-needed relief from all kinds of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) conditions. Basis is also reportedly helpful in treating constipation, indigestion, stomach cramps, and more.

Fever & Common Cold: The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature.
3. Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.
4. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.
5. Respiratory Disorder: The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.
6. Kidney Stone: Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.
7. Heart Disorder: Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
8. Children's Ailments: Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.
9. Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.
10. Mouth Infections: The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.
11. Insect Bites: The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.
12. Skin Disorders: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.
13. Teeth Disorder: The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.
14. Headaches: Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.
15. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.
Recent research suggests that basil can help fight bacteria, viruses, and chronic diseases. And you thought it was just for pesto!
Basil (Ocimum basilicum), an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family, is perhaps best known as the key ingredient in pesto – that savoury Italian sauce made from olive oil, garlic, crushed pine nuts and loads of fresh basil leaves.

The type of basil used in Mediterranean cooking – Italian large-leaf – pairs well with tomato flavours and consequently appears in a wide range of dishes from Caprese salad to marinara sauce. Other common basil varieties like sweet, lemon, Thai and holy basil are used judiciously in Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisine.
There are more than 40 cultivars of this pungent plant, each with its own characteristic colour and aroma. Depending on the variety, basil can be green, white or purple with a scent reminiscent of lemon, cloves, cinnamon, anise, camphor or thyme. Some non-edible kinds are cultivated for ornamental purposes or to ward off garden pests.
But it is basil’s medicinal properties, rather than its culinary value, that extend the herb’s uses far beyond the humble pesto. Like other aromatic plants, basil contains essential oils and phytochemicals in the leaves, stem, flowers, roots and seeds that have biological activity in the body.
Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbal remedies to prevent and treat illness and disease. Basil is just one example of the wide range of medicinal flora historically used in plant-based tinctures, compresses, syrups and ointments.
For instance, holy basil (known as tulsi in Hindi) has been used for centuries in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of medicine, as a treatment for gastric, hepatic, respiratory and inflammatory disorders as well as a remedy for headache, fever, anxiety, convulsions, nausea and hypertension. (See Kyra de Vreeze’s article “Holy… Tulsi!”, elsewhere in this issue.)
Fresh roots and leaves of holy basil were prepared as a tea, or sometimes as a topical treatment to speed wound healing. There is also evidence that traditional Chinese medicine used basil. (See Paul O’Brien’s article on TCM and basil, elsewhere in this issue.)
Even though basil has been used therapeutically for many years, are its healing properties simply hearsay or have the herb’s health effects been substantiated by modern science?
In recent years increased scientific interest in plant phytochemicals (plant chemicals) has brought numerous vegetables, herbs and spices – including basil – to the forefront of nutritional research. Although the study of plant compounds is not new, scientists are only now beginning to characterize the wide range of biologically active components in our food plants and investigate their impact on human health and disease.
In cell culture and animal studies basil has been found to exhibit 
   antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant and anti-cancer activity. But how does basil – which nowadays is used as little more than a cooking herb – defend our bodies against chronic disease and illness?
Antimicrobial properties
Basil contains dozens of aromatic essential oil components in its leaves that vary in quantity and proportion depending on the cultivar . These include eugenol, linalool, estragole, limonene, citral, methylchavicol, and methyl cinnamate. The more distinctly scented varieties boast a predominant volatile compound that out-competes the rest, producing a characteristic aroma.
Lemon basil, for instance, contains mainly citral and limonene, while camphor basil has high concentrations of – you guessed it – camphor. Italian large-leaf basil, the kind we associate with the traditional basil smell, acquires its odour from a combination of linalool and methyl chavicol.
In nature these compounds defend the herb from hungry insects and invasive bacteria and fungi. It is no surprise, then, that they can help protect us.
In cell culture studies, basil essential oils have demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity, likely inhibiting bacterial growth by degrading bacterial cell walls and inducing cell lysis (bursting). Extracts of linalool, methyl chavicol and methyl cinnamate, a derivative of cinnamic acid which gives cinnamon its flavour and aroma, among others, inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Shigella species, Salmonellaspecies, Mycobacterium species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  Pathogenic strains of these bacteria can cause illnesses like food poisoning, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and dysentery.
Basil is also a known antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal agent.

Inflammation

Another way basil can benefit health is through its anti-inflammatory activity.
Acute inflammation is a normal, protective process that helps the body to cope with infections, immune reactions and tissue injury. But in some cases inflammation occurs chronically and systemically (affecting the whole body), which can be detrimental to health. This is not only important for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but also for cancer and cardiovascular disease which involve inflammatory processes.
Most anti-inflammatory drugs are derived from plants, so it is not surprising that an herb like basil, which has been used for centuries to treat inflammatory disorders, possesses similar properties. Basil extracts reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-• and IL-1-•) and mediators (most importantly nitric oxide).
Cytokines are proteins that are secreted from one cell in our bodies to another, allowing for direct cell-to-cell communication. Specific cytokines help initiate and regulate the inflammatory process. Similarly, nitric oxide, a chemical involved in various cell signalling reactions, helps orchestrate numerous steps in the inflammatory cascade. Thus, blocking the action of these two kinds of substances means blocking the communication and/or orchestration of inflammatory processes.
Disruption of this cascade can be useful in treating inflammatory diseases. This is a promising finding in the case of basil and other dietary herbs. Although these results are hopeful, more human-level research is needed before any solid recommendations can be made for the use of basil as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Basil extracts may also influence the development of two other major diseases currently affecting an enormous proportion of North Americans: diabetes and heart disease. Basil essential oils have been shown to lower blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Each of these has tremendous clinical implications.
Glucose, the main nutrient used by cells, is obtained from the digestive breakdown of food and is delivered to cells through the bloodstream. The pancreas secretes a crucial player involved in glucose delivery – insulin – to help regulate this movement of glucose into cells. Insulin’s primary job is to transport glucose into cells so that it can be used or stored.
When blood glucose is high, the sugar itself can damage the body; in addition, the body keeps releasing insulin in an attempt to control blood sugar levels. Both high blood sugar and high insulin can do damage.
High blood glucose is a marker for diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by an impaired ability to produce or utilize insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent than type 1; type 2 diabetics can manage their condition through medication and, more importantly, through dietary and lifestyle modifications. With all of these lifestyle diseases, it’s important to keep circulating glucose levels under control – both to prevent the harmful consequences of high blood sugar, as well as high levels of insulin as the body attempts to deal with blood glucose running amok.
This is where basil and other glucose-lowering agents come into play. Holy basil in particular has been found to reduce circulating glucose levels in both normal and diabetic laboratory animals as well as in diabetic humans. These results, particularly the evidence from human experiments, are hopeful and add credibility to the medicinal use of basil in ancient cultures. Although it is unclear which active compounds are responsible for basil’s anti-diabetic effects, researchers think its essential oils are involved.
Basil’s triglyceride- and cholesterol-lowering properties also offer promise for preventing cardiovascular disease. The combination of high circulating triglycerides (a form of fat in the blood) and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind that can clog blood vessels) are risk factors for atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. In an experiment in rats, sweet basil extracts hindered platelet aggregation (the clumping together of blood platelets to form a clot) and thrombosis (the actual formation of the blood clot), suggesting the potential for heart attack and stroke prevention. Although the research is still preliminary, basil shows therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.

Antioxidants and cancer

Of all of basil’s health-promoting attributes, its ability to inhibit cancer is the most heavily researched and probably the most interesting.  By now it is common knowledge that a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal-based foods contributes to a significant reduction in cancer risk. But how exactly does this occur, and where does basil fit in?
Although there is some debate, scientists generally believe antioxidants have something to do with it. In the case of basil, antioxidants (e.g. vitamins and phytochemicals) contribute to the herb’s ability to prevent cancer.
Phenolics, a group of organic compounds found in tea, herbs, fruits and vegetables, account for the majority of basil’s antioxidant properties. The predominant subtype of phenolics found in basil is the flavonoids, which include vicenin, orientin, eugenol and anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins, in particular, are responsible for the deep red-violet pigmentation of purple basils, while eugenol is a component of the essential oils. Because of their anthocyanin content, of all the cultivars purple basils pack the most antioxidant-rich punch: they contain up to 126 milligrams of total phenolics per gram of plant material, roughly half the amount found in green tea. This is notable since green tea is known to be one of the richest dietary sources of phenolic compounds.
Due to their antioxidant properties, phenolics are currently a hot topic in health research and are thought to play a large role in the anticancer effects of many edible plants.
Antioxidants work by protecting cells from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are oxygen-derived molecules generated by natural chemical reactions in the body. Although ROS are normally occurring, these molecules – if not neutralized properly – can accumulate in the body and contribute to lipid peroxidation (cell membrane damage) and DNA breakage.
DNA, formed from long strands of proteins containing genetic information, is essential for normal cell functioning. It constantly dis-assembles and re-assembles itself as part of the cells’ regular processes. Because there’s so much complicated stuff to keep track of, DNA can often mis-assemble itself in the day-to-day operation of cells, especially if it gets knocked off track by things like chemicals, radiation or these ROS. Luckily, DNA can also usually fix itself if something goes wrong.
However, more severe damage such as a strand break or compromised repair system can cause irreversible harm. When we have high circulating levels of ROS without enough antioxidants to counter them, DNA has a much harder time keeping things under control.
When this happens, the cell will often proliferate uncontrollably and resist normal cell death (apoptosis). Cells’ uncontrolled reproduction and failure to go quietly into that good night are hallmarks of tumour initiation and the early stages of cancer.
ROS are also involved in other conditions like cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders and liver disease. The good news is that dietary antioxidants are like nature’s housekeeper: they can protect us by scavenging ROS and preventing DNA damage before it starts.
Along with antioxidant phenols, basil is also a good source of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, all of which have been shown to inhibit cancer through similar mechanisms.
Overall, basil is a promising source of antioxidants and the evidence for its anti-cancer activity is optimistic thus far. As with other supplements and natural health products, future research should be conducted to establish basil’s safety, efficacy and possible side effects. But one thing is for certain: behind basil’s unassuming leaves lies a plethora of pharmaceutical products waiting to be tapped.

How to benefit from basil

So how much basil does one have to consume to reap the health benefits?
Researchers have not established an exact amount, but it is worth noting that herbs and spices contribute significantly to the total antioxidants obtained from the diet. Basil is virtually calorie-free and, in addition to antioxidant vitamins and phenolics, is a rich source of vitamin K, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium and dietary fibre. It adds a lot of flavour in a way that’s waistline-friendly.
Introduce basil into your meal plan by flavouring dishes with chopped fresh basil instead of cream-based sauces, cheese or salt. Add a few leaves and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette to spice up boring greens, or stick to the classic tomato-basil combo and toss in a handful of chopped basil to pasta sauce, Mediterranean-style pizza or tomato-mozzarella salad. For an Eastern flair, stir a few coarsely chopped Thai basil leaves into spicy curries, soups or stir-fries until just wilted.
If you can’t decide between dry versus fresh, opt for the latter whenever possible – much of basil’s health benefits (not to mention flavor and aroma) come from the antioxidant compounds and essential oils that are mostly lost during the drying process. Other options are basil teas and oils, which can be found in health food stores, although the scientific evidence for its efficacy in these forms is limited.

Studies Done on Basil

When scientists tested basil oil in diluted concentrations against several common but serious multidrug-resistant bacteria, including some of those listed above, it strongly reduced the negative effect of the bacteria. Research data noted the encouraging results of the tests, especially in light of the high level of resistance of the bacteria.1
Another study debated the traditional use of basil to treat several respiratory diseases and the symptoms of tuberculosis, exploring the possible use of basil against actual tuberculosis symptoms. Test results were affirmative, with the conclusion that basil could be used to formulate new and natural anti-tuberculosis treatments.2
Since basil extracts reduce sugars as well as free radicals in your body, tests were conducted in relation to its effect on glycemic index, leading researchers to conclude that basil extracts may have the potential to inhibit diabetes.3
One impressive study showed that washing produce in a solution of basil or thyme essential oil in just a 1% concentration diminished the number of infectious Shigella bacteria, which can   produce intestine-damaging diarrhea. This result proves that ingesting basil and thyme in as many ways as possible, especially fresh in salads and their dressings, helps ensure the safety of the fresh produce you bring to your table.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is best known as a spice, sprinkled on toast and lattes. But extracts from the bark of the cinnamon tree have also been used traditionally as medicine throughout the world.

Why do people take cinnamon?

Some research has found that a particular type of cinnamon, cassia cinnamon, may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. However, other studies have not found a benefit. Studies of cinnamon for lowering cholesterol and treating yeast infections in people with HIV have been inconclusive.
Lab studies have found that cinnamon may reduce inflammation, have antioxidant effects, and fight bacteria. But it’s unclear what the implications are for people.
For now, studies have been mixed, and it’s unclear what role cinnamon may play in improving health.

How much cinnamon should you take?

Because cinnamon is an unproven treatment, there is no established dose. Some recommend 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams) of powder a day. Some studies have used between 1 gram and 6 grams of cinnamon. Very high doses may be toxic.

Can you get cinnamon naturally from foods?

Cinnamon is an additive to countless foods. When purchased in the store, common spice cinnamon could be one of two types or a mixture of both. It is either "true" or Ceylon cinnamon, which is easier to grind but thought to be less effective for diabetes. Or, and more likely, it could be the darker-colored cassia cinnamon. 

What are the risks of taking cinnamon?

  • Side effects. Cinnamon usually causes no side effects. Heavy use of cinnamon may irritate the mouth and lips, causing sores. In some people, it can cause an allergic reaction. Applied to the skin, it might cause redness and irritation.

  • Risks. Very high quantities of cassia cinnamon may be toxic, particularly in people with liver problems. Because cinnamon may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes may need to adjust their treatment if they use cinnamon supplements. People who have cancer that’s affected by hormone levels, like breast cancer, should not take cinnamon. An ingredient in some cinnamon products, coumarin, may cause liver problems. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, cinnamon -- as a treatment -- is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using cinnamon supplements. They could interact with antibiotics, diabetes drugs, blood thinners, heart medicines, and others.
  1. Blood Sugar Control – Several studies have found that Cinnamon has properties that help those with insulin resistance. It is therefore very popular with Type 2 diabetics who take it to control their blood sugar variations.

     Ceylon Cinnamon is particularly popular because it has low levels of Coumarin. compared to Cassia Cinnamon found in your grocery store. In case you did not know Coumarin in high doses can cause liver damage.
    in another study Ceylon Cinnamon was found to have an effect on blood sugar control in a rat model. If you are taking Ceylon Cinnamon for diabetes, take it in moderation as part of a healthy program of diet, proper nutrition and moderate exercise.
  2. Candida Yeast Infections - Cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. This applies to Escherichia coli bacteria and Candida albicans fungus.This study discovered that Cinnamon Oil was one of three leading essential oils effective against Candida. Another study was found Cinnamon Oil to be effective against two strains of Candida, C. orthopedics and C. parapsilosis. A third study found that Cinnamon Oil was effective against three strains of Candida, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. Real Ceylon Cinnamon Tea infused with Cinnamon Bark Oil could be an excellent way to fight internal Candida infections and boost your immune system. For topical applications (except genital areas and mucous membranes) 1% Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil mixed with a carrier Oil could be an extremely effective treatment option.
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – As a digestive cinnamon dramatically reduces the uncomfortable feelings associated with IBS especially the bloating. It does this by killing bacteria and healing infections in the GI tract and enabling the gastric juices to work normally. A Japanese study apparently showed it to cure ulcers but this cannot be verified. But if you do have stomach cramps or upsets, a cup of Cinnamon tea 2-3 times  per day will dramatically reduce the pain.

  4. Cancer Preventer – Research shows that Cinnamon oil is a promising solution in the treatment of Tumors, Gastric Cancers and Melanomas. Research studies show that sugar maybe causing or sustaining cancer cells and cinnamon may have a mitigating effect by controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Another study found good results with leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. Cinnamon in its various forms has two chemical constituents called Cinnamaldehyde  and Eugenol (From Cinnamon Oil). These have been used to develop nutraceuticals in this study that have proven fairly effective in fighting Human Colon Cancer Cells (Eugenol) and Human hepatoma cells (Cinnamaldehyde). So the evidence seems to suggest that Cinnamon is starving cancer cells of the sugar needed to sustain them.

  5. Arthritis/Osteoporosis –  The widely cited Copenhagen university study is a hoax. Most of the evidence that Cinnamon helps arthritis is from personal testimonials. Some people claim drinking Cinnamon tea helps the pain from arthritis while others claim a Cinnamon Oil based massage oil helps ease the pain.

     What we do know is that Cinnamon has high levels (73% DV in two sticks of Cinnamon) ofManganese which is used to build bones, blood and other connective tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The body needs manganese for optimal bone health, so people who are deficient in the mineral are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Of course another factor causing Osteoporosis may be excessive dairy consumption.

     A study in 2008 listed in this pdf found that Alderhyde components of Ceylon Cinnamon bark extract suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NFATc1 down regulation.

  6. Anti-Bacterial/Anti Microbial - Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil is a powerful anti-bacterial and makes a great natural disinfectant. Cinnamon oil had the best anti microbial activity among three oils against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Aspergillus oryzae , and Penicillium digitatum according to this abstract..

     Dilute it with water to disinfect kitchen counter tops, sinks, your refrigerator, door knobs, toys and many other things. If you have young children and don't want to use harsh cancer causing chemicals use Cinnamon Oil. Cinnamon sticks are also a good anti bacterial but you would need a lot of it to make a difference. If you want a mild disinfect, like to wash your face, then a couple of Cinnamon sticks boiled in hot water might be an idea.

  7. Food Preservative – Cinnamon is effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. This maybe one reason why it is widely used in food preparation in hot Asian countries. In Sri Lanka, virtually every dish has a pinch of Cinnamon in it. In addition to great flavor, Ceylon Cinnamon in combination with other spices like Turmeric and Chili may have been an indigenous solution to preserve food without a refrigerator. This study for using Cinnamon Oil coated paper as a preservative found a 6% Cinnamon Oil solution was responsible for complete inhibition of mold in sliced bread packaging. This study listed on Feb 2013 also found cinnamon oil effective in developing insect resistant food packaging film. Cinnamon also came on top in this study, even against All spice and Clove Oil as very effective for making edible food film.

  8. Odor Neutralizer – Pure Cinnamon Leaf oil not only smells great but is an effective odor neutralizer as it kills bacteria that creates the odor. All you need is 2-5 drops of Cinnamon leaf oil mixed with water on a diffuser and within minutes all odors are neutralized. It also has the effect of improving your mood. Especially great as a cure for the winter blues.

  9. Alertness, Memory & Cognitive Development –  According to this study by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, Director of Undergraduate Research and associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. Cinnamon may keep you more alert and decrease your frustration when you are behind the wheel.

     This hard to verify German study cited in this article those taking Cinnamon improved their response times and memory recall. While not scientific, our personal experience suggests pretty good results in alertness and concentration.

  10. Anti-oxidant – With an ORAC value of 267536 μmol TE/100g (USDA 2007) cinnamon is one of the top seven anti-oxidants in the world. The suggestion is that Anti-oxidants reduce the formation of " Free Radicals " that cause cancer. This study found Cinnamon has sufficient anti-oxidant properties and makes for improved food palatability. This detailed Indian study (pdf) also found potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the volatile oils and oleoresins of cinnamon leaf and bark. But consider anti-oxidants as good for your whole body, repairing damage to virtually all parts of your body from skin to organs.

  11. Weight Reducer – Cinnamon apparently has the effect of thinning your blood thereby increasing blood circulation. Increased blood flow generally boosts your metabolism which is why it may be helpful in weight loss. This blood thinning property of Cinnamon also helps it in acting as an anti clotting agent especially for those suffering from heart disease. However care must be taken to NOT to take it with other blood thinning medication. The main ingredient that causes your blood to thin is Coumarin which is present in high doses in Cassia Cinnamon (4%) but not in Ceylon Cinnamon (0.04%). However Coumarin causes liver damage. So taking Cassia Cinnamon for weight loss may end up causing liver damage.

     Since Cinnamon increases insulin's capacity to metabolize sugar - cinnamon may help reduce hunger pains and sugar cravings, which could help reduce weight. Especially those who have diabetes and find it hard to lose weight. This article cites Dr. Greenburg of Tufts University as saying it holds promising possibilities for weight loss..

  12. Massage Therapy – Cinnamon is a well known warming agent. Combined with a carrier oil it is highly effective in relaxing and relieving muscle pain. Some put a few drops in their bath to relax and to sooth tired and aching muscles.

  13. Anti-Fungal – Got a bad case of athletes foot? It's powerful anti fungal properties are the perfect natural alternative to killing the athletes foot fungus.

  14. Lowering LDL cholesterol & triglycerides – According to a Mayo clinic article the only possible way Cinnamon could lower cholesterol is indirectly via how the body processes sugar and fat. But there is no direct effect on cholesterol. Still another study in Pakistan found Cinnamon reduced triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol (7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%).

  15. E-coli Fighter – One of the most effective E-coli fighters because of its anti microbial properties. Mix cinnamon oil with hydrogen peroxide and spray your cutting board and kitchen sink especially after you have cut meats. Spray it in your refrigerator. It’s safe and natural.

  16. Tooth Decay and Gum Disease – Again the anti-bacterial properties of Cinnamon play a crucial role in getting rid of harmful bacteria without damaging your teeth or gums. It’s one of the reasons that Cinnamon Oil is often used in chewing gums, mouthwashes, toothpaste and breath mints.

  17. Nutrients –  One teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder (a realistic dose) has 0.33mg (16% DV) Manganese, 0.76 mg (4% DV) Iron, 24.56 mg (2% DV) Calcium. This data was calculated from this site. We have also presented USDA figures with RDA % (see chart below) which we think is more accurate, although we cannot confirm the Manganese levels in Cinnamon from any reliable source. Manganese apparently works as an enzyme activator and plays an important role in building good structure and bone metabolism. According to WebMD manganese is therefore useful for weak bones (osteoporosis), a type of “tired blood” (anemia), and symptoms ofpremenstrual syndrome (PMS).

  18. Insect Repellant – The anti microbial qualities of Cinnamon Leaf oil is often used for head lice treatment, black ant control, bed bugs, dust mites, and roaches. It is well known as a defense against mosquitoe's. This WebMD article sites a Taiwanese study which found that it not only kills Mosquito larvae but also acts as a bug repellant. This paper suggests that real Cinnamon Oil as opposed to Cinnamon extract is the best for a broad range anti microbial activity.

  19. Cold, Sore Throat and Cough – At the first sign (within 5-10 minutes) of sniffles or an itch in your throat take some Cinnamon Tea or Cinnamon stick Tea. It is said to stop an impending illness in its tracks. Again this is related to the anti bacterial properties and warming properties of Cinnamon and its propensity to increase blood flow and thereby improve blood oxygen levels to fight illness. Chinese traditional medicine commonly recommends Cinnamon for phlegm coughs.

  21. Alzheimer’s Disease – This article cites an Israeli study done at the University of Tel Aviv that found sufficient evidence to conclude that Cinnamon can delay the effects of five aggressive strains of Alzheimer's inducing genes. Another study also finds that orally administered Cinnamon extract has had good success in correcting Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease in Animal Models.

  22.  The latest finding indicate that two compounds found in cinnamon — cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin — may be effective in fighting Alzheimer's. According to a study by Roshni George and Donald Graves in 2013, two scientists at UC Santa Barbara, Cinnamon has been shown to prevent the development of the filamentous “tangles” found in the brain cells that characterize Alzheimer’s.

PMS - Again because of the high levels of Manganese Cinnamon may be an excellent candidate to mitigate the effects of PMS. According to the University of Maryland web site women who ate 5.6 mg of manganese in their diets each day had fewer mood swings and cramps compared to those who ate only 1 mg of manganese. These results suggest that a manganese rich diet may help reduce symptoms of PMS. Another clinical study found that 46 patients with PMS had significantly lower amounts of calcium, chromium, copper, and manganese in their blood. You should not consume more than 11 mg of Manganese per day (about 12 cinnamon sticks) according NYU. FDA guidelines establishes a daily value of 2mg (about 2 Cinnamon sticks).


1. Numerous studies show that cinnamon regulates blood sugar, making it a great choice for diabetics and hypoglycemics alike.  That’s also great news for anyone who wants stable energy levels and moods.
2. It reduces LDL cholesterol levels.  LDL is also known as the harmful cholesterol.  Reducing it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. It has natural anti-infectious compounds.  In studies, cinnamon has been effective against ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and other pathogens.
4. It reduces pain linked to arthritis.  Cinnamon has been shown in studies at the Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Korean Hospital, to reduce cytokines linked to arthritic pain.
5. Research at the University of Texas, published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, shows that cinnamon may reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, holding promise for cancer prevention and sufferers of the disease.
6. It is a natural food preservative.
7. It contains fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese—albeit small amounts to the typical dose of ground cinnamon.
8.  It’s been proven effective for menstrual pain and 9. infertility.  Cinnamon contains a natural chemical called cinnamaldehyde, which studies show increases the hormone progesterone and decreases testosterone production in women, helping to balance hormones

. Cinnamon holds promise for various neurodegenerative diseases, including: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and meningitis, according to research at the Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas.  Their research shows that cinnamon reduces chronic inflammation linked with these neurological disorders.

11.  Not a health benefit, but a great reason to love cinnamon, it’s versatile.  It works with sweet and savory dishes alike.  Consider that many curries and savory Moroccan dishes include cinnamon.  It’s not just for apples anymore.

Cinnamon is currently used to help treat muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, infections, the common cold, and loss of appetite. In addition, some men claim cinnamon is effective in treatingerectile dysfunction (ED).

Research suggests that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people with type 1 or type 2diabetes, according to Diabetes UK - although high quality research supporting the claim remains scarce. Cassia cinnamon has been shown to have the most effect on blood sugar in humans.

According to the National Institutes of Health, cinnamaldehyde, a chemical found in Cassia cinnamon, can fight against bacterial and fungal infections.

Health benefits of cinnamon


Diabetes - cinnamon may help improve glucose and lipids levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetics Care.

The study authors concluded that consuming up to 6 grams of cinnamon per day "reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes." and that "the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases."


Alzheimer's disease - Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that cinnamon could be the key to Alzheimer's prevention. According to Prof. Michael Ovadia, of the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, an extract found in cinnamon bark, called CEppt, contains properties that can inhibit the development of the disease.


HIV - a survey of some Indian medicinal plants for anti-HIV activity revealed that cinnamon can be effective against HIV. According to the study authors "the most effective extracts against HIV-1 and HIV-2 are respectively Cinnamomum cassia (bark) and Cardiospermum helicacabum(shoot + fruit)."


Multiple Sclerosis - cinnamon may help stop the destructive process of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a neurological scientist at Rush University Medical Center. Cinnamon could help eliminate the need to take some expensive and unpleasant drugs.

Blood sugar levels - a certain cinnamon extract can reduce fasting blood sugar levels in patients, researchers reported in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Lower the negative effects of high fat meals - Penn State researchers revealed that diets rich in cinnamon can help reduce the body's negative responses to eating high-fat meals.
Cinnamon intake has also been associated with:
  • Relieving pain among arthritis sufferers
  • Boosting the body's immune system
  • Preventing the formation of blood clots
  • Relieving indigestion

BRAIN

4 Spices for Your Brain




Turmeric. So, will a little Indian curry help your brain? The chemical curcumin that makes turmeric yellow appears to activate a key antioxidizing enzyme that reduces plaque buildup. It also is an anti-inflammatory that fights some cancers and multiple sclerosis.
Saffron fights depression in humans, as well as improving learning and memory in animals. Saffron twice daily was as effective as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression, according to a 2005 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Sage, the aptly names herb, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Chinese sage root contains compounds similar to Alzheimer’s disease drugs, and just 50 microliters (.001690 fl oz) of sage oil extract significantly enhanced memory, according to research in Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior. SAge is a great addition to salads, in soups, even on pizza. It tastes and smells better fresh.
Cinnamon. A whiff of cinnamon boosts your brain. Even cinnamon-flavored gum enhances memory, visual-motor speed, recognition, attention, and focus. Cinnamon is a wonder spice: it helps to regulate sugar levels; reduces proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells; reduces clotting of blood platelets; acts as a antimicrobial, which means it helps with yeast infections; contains the trace mineral manganese and is a very good source of dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. Try some apples and cinnamon for a snack–especially for your kids before homework.

AMLA OR GOOSEBERRY
1.) It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C:
3.) It’s high in antioxidants.
4.) inflammation.
5.)digestion, and helps the body to absorb and assimilate nutrients from the foods we eat.
7.) urinary system.
8.) Great for the skin.
9.)  lustrous hair.
10.) Relieves menstrual cramping.
-Winter brings along its share of colds and cough. To cure this, prepare a mixture of two tablespoons of amla with an equal amount of honey. Have this three to four times a day.
-People suffering from Vitamin C deficiency can greatly benefit by eating amlas, as it is one of its most potent sources. On the other hand, Vitamin C, taken in the form of supplements, is not easily absorbed by the body, unlike when taken in a natural form.
-Battling with constipation problems? Amla contains high fibre content and will ease your problem.
-Because they are also rich in antioxidants, which protect against the formation of free radicals in the body, amlas, when eaten frequently, help to prevent cancer.
-To seek relief from painful mouth ulcers, simply gargle with a mixture of water and amla juice.
-Are joint pains getting you down? Have amlas, as they contain anti-inflammatory properties which will help in reducing the swelling in the joints caused by arthritis.
-Struggling to get some sound sleep? Amlas are a great option to relieve stress and therefore, useful in treating sleep disorders like insomnia.
Acts as an antioxidant:  Rich in Vitamin C and polyphenols, amla is a great source of antioxidants. Research has shown that it has a high content of tannins, which when combined with polyphenols gives the fruit a unique free radical scavenging property. This unique asset helps reduce the damage caused by free radicals on the body.
Protects your heart:  Amla is known to reduce cholesterol, and keep heart disease under check. Rich in fibre and iron, it is very effective in controlling the oxidation of LDL (Low density lipoprotein). Oxidation of LDL releases free radicals which are known to cause coronary artery disease, therefore stopping this oxidation is essential for preventing heart disease. Amla also helps to maintain cholesterol levels by inhibiting the oxidative properties of a chemical calledthiobarbituric acid (TBA) that induces LDL oxidation. Another benefit of this wonder fruit is that itprevents arthrosclerosis (accumulation of plaque in the arteries) thereby protecting you from heart disease.
Controls diabetes and its complications: Research studies show that the polyphenol- rich fruit actually has properties that can protect the body from the oxidative properties of high blood sugar. The same compound is also effective in preventing the insulin resistance caused due to a high fructose diet. What this means is that the fruit can actually assist in the proper absorption of insulin leading to a drop in blood sugar in diabetics.
Reverses the ageing process: The extract of amla is rich in Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential in collagen production, a compound that keeps the skin looking young and elastic. Amla when consumed on an empty stomach has properties that slow down the degradation of collagen and helps the body produce more.
Improves your sex life: In a recent study, it was found that the iron content in amla has sperm enhancing properties. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest, drinking amla juice once a day helps increase the virility as well as sexual vigour. Amla has also proven to increase the motility of sperm and increase sperm production in men suffering from Oligospermia (a condition where a man has a low sperm count).
Protects you from cancer: Packed with antioxidant properties, amla has the potential to keep cancer at bay. Research into this particular property of the fruit, has found that it had the potential to prevent cancer by helping the body fight the harmful effects of chemicals that are carcinogenic. It also helps to inhibit the further growth of cancer affected cells. Apart from this, Amla extract can reduce the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy without reducing their beneficial effects as an anti cancer treatment.
Gastric problems: The fiber, polyphenol and water content of amla combined with its anti inflammatory properties make it a great antidote for an upset stomach. Having one teaspoon of amla juice on an empty stomach can take care of acidity and resolve a stomach upset.
Soothes the throat: Amla juice mixed with some ginger provides instant relief from a sore throat and cough.
Protects your liver: Studies have proved that amla has properties that protect the liver from oxidative damage caused by chemicals or alcohol. So after a long night of partying, have a piece of amla first thing in the morning, to get rid of that hangover and keep your liver safe

FENNEL SEEDS (SOMPH)

Health benefits of fennel seeds

  • Fennel symbolizes longevity, courage, and strength. In addition to its use as medicinal values, fennel has much health benefiting nutrients, essential compounds, anti-oxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
  • Fennel seeds indeed contain numerous flavonoid anti-oxidants like kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds function as powerful anti-oxidants by removing harmful free radicals from the body thus protect from cancers, infection, aging and degenerative neurological diseases.
  • Like in caraway, fennel seeds too are rich source of dietary fiber. 100 g seeds provide 39.8 g of fiber. Much of this roughage is metabolically inert insoluble fiber, which helps increase bulk of the food by absorbing water throughout the digestive system and easing constipation condition.
  • In addition, dietary fibers bind to bile salts (produced from cholesterol) and decrease their re-absorption in colon, thus help lower serum LDL cholesterol levels. Together with flavonoid anti-oxidants, fiber composition of fennel helps protect the colon mucus membrane from cancers.
  • Fennel seeds compose of health benefiting volatile essential oil compounds such as anethole, limonene, anisic aldehyde, pinene, myrcene, fenchone, chavicol, and cineole. These active principles in the fennel are known to have antioxidant, digestive, carminative, and anti-flatulent properties.
  • Fennel seeds are concentrated source of minerals like copper, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Zinc is a co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the powerful anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
  • Furthermore, the seeds indeed are the storehouse for many vital vitamins. Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C as well as many B-complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin particularly are concentrated in these seeds.

Ayurveda and Fennel Seeds – Fennel seeds play an important role in Ancient Indian Medicine, Ayurveda. Fennel seeds are known as Mishi in Ayurveda and have numerous health benefits. In Ayurveda, saunf is considered to be light, non-unctuous, dry (ruksa) and cold. It is appetizer, carminative/purgative, an anti-spasmodic, an anti-emetic and a hepatic herb. It alleviates vata, pitta and ama dosa, promotes strength (Balya). Fennel seeds play a major role in Ayurveda for gas, stomach and respiratory related problems.
Health Benefits of Fennel Seeds – In India, it is common to find people chewing on fennel seeds after a meal. Indian Restaurants serve fennel seeds and mishri or sugar coated saunf after a meal to prevent gas and indigestion. One of the best natural remedies for gas and home remedy for acid reflux is to chew on a few fennel seeds regularly. Saunf helps relieve abdominal cramps, gas, flatulence, bloating and constipation.
It is an aromatic and flavorful herb and works great as a mouth freshener and removes bad breath, provides relief in toothache and gum disease.
Fennel seeds eliminates cold and the inhaling of steam from boiling fennel leaves provides relief in respiratory infections like asthma and bronchitis.
Fennel improves milk production in nursing mothers.
Drinking fennel tea regularly helps in detoxifying body and helps prevents water retention. There are 2 methods to prepare Fennel tea.
How to make Fennel Tea – Coarsely crush 1 1/2 tsps of fennel seeds/saunf in a mixer grinder or a mortal and pestle. Boil a cup of water, add the crushed fennel seeds and place lid. Turn off heat and let the tea steep for 6-7 mts. Strain the fennel tea, add 1/2 tsp of honey or jaggery syrup and drink warm.
Drink two to three cups a day for relief of gastrointestinal issues like bloating, gas and indigestion. If the problem is severe or persistent, visit your doctor.
Another method to prepare fennel tea, Indian style. Bring a cup of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds, 1 tsp of tea leaves (of your choice) and allow to steep for a minute. Add 1/4 cup of milk and bring to a boil. Turn off flame and add jaggery syrup. Strain the fennel tea and serve warm.
As a Coolant – Fennel seeds work as a coolant and is popular in India to drink fennel seed tea as a home remedy to overcome heat during summers. Soak 3 tbsps of fennel seeds/saunf in half a cup of water for 2 hours. Strain the water and grind the seeds along with sugar candy or mishri. Add the strained water to the ground saunf mixture and pass through a sieve. Store the strained fennel seeds water in the refrigerator and serve chilled.
Fennel Seeds and Weight Loss – Fennel seeds are a natural appetite suppressant and help in weight maintenance and weight loss. Fennel seeds help suppress hunger and it has been used since ages during fasting periods.
CUMMIN SEEDS

- It is a great aid in digestion and prevents indigestion, flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea and morning sickness.
- For immediate relief from acidity, chew a pinch-full of raw cumin seeds.
- Cumin seeds have antiseptic properties and aid in curing common colds.
- It doesn't let cough to form and collect in the respiratory system. Since it is supposed to be hot, it dries up all the mucous.
- It would be beneficial to sip on a concoction of cumin seeds and water. Boil a handful of cumin seeds along with water. Drinking this water wards off common colds and keeps the digestive system on track. Many South-Indian households drink only 'jeera-pani' instead of sipping on plain boiled water.
- Cumin seeds help in stimulating the secretion of enzymes in the pancreas which in turn help in the absorption of nutrients.
- Cumin seeds also boost the power of the liver to flush out toxins from the body.
Health benefits of cumin seeds
  • Cumin seeds contain numerous phyto-chemicals that are known to have antioxidant, carminative and anti-flatulent properties. The seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber.
  • Its seeds contain certain health-benefiting essential oils such as cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde), pyrazines, 2-methoxy-3-sec-butylpyrazine, 2-ethoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine, and 2-methoxy-3-methylpyrazine.
  • The active principles in the cumin may augment the motility of the gastro-intestinal tract as well as aids in the digestion power by increasing gut enzyme secretions.
  • This spice is an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Zinc is a co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the powerful anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
  • The spice also contains very good amounts of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, and other vital anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C.
  • The seeds are also rich source of many flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as carotenes, zea-xanthin, and lutein.
Selection and storage
Cumin spice is readily available around the year in the market both in the seeds and in the powdered forms. Good-quality cumin should release pleasant yet peppery flavor when squeezed between index and thumb fingers. In the stores, buy whole seeds instead of powder since, oftentimes it may contain adulterated inferior quality spice mixtures.
The seeds can be stored in cool, dry, dark place, in airtight containers for many months and can be milled using hand-mill as and when required. Ground and powdered cumin should be stored in the refrigerator in air-sealed containers and should be used as early as possible since it loses its flavor quickly.




Medicinal uses

  • Its seeds are used to prepare decoction, which is sometimes used in treating flatulence and indigestion in traditional medicine.
The seeds are used in traditional medicines to stave off common cold

Iron for Energy and Immune Function

Cumin seeds, whose scientific name is Cuminum cyminum, are an excellent source of iron, a mineral that plays many vital roles in the body. Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. Additionally, iron is instrumental in keeping your immune system healthy. Iron is particularly important for menstruating women, who lose iron each month during menses. Additionally, growing children and adolescents have increased needs for iron, as do women who are pregnant or lactating.

Seeds of Good Digestion

Cumin seeds have traditionally been noted to be of benefit to the digestive system, and scientific research is beginning to bear out cumin's age-old reputation. Research has shown that cumin may stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation.

Cancer Prevention

Cumin seeds may also have anti-carcinogenic properties. In one study, cumin was shown to protect laboratory animals from developing stomach or liver tumors. This cancer-protective effect may be due to cumin's potent free radical scavenging abilities as well as the ability it has shown to enhance the liver's detoxification enzymes. Yet, since free radical scavenging and detoxification are important considerations for the general maintenance of wellness, cumin's contribution to wellness may be even more farther reaching.

Warm jeera water

Sipping warm jeera water is believed to rehydrate human body and will provide refreshness. One of the health benefits reported is its thirst quenching property. Efraim Lev and Zohar Amar have reported several medicinal properties and health benefits of cumin seeds.[6] According to the authors, cumin seeds and warm jeera water is believed to improve saliva secretion, provide relief in digestive disorders. The pungent spicy property is also responsible for enhancing the appetite. It is also understood that the roasted cumin is in a recipe (powder) like jeera water to treat diarrhea, strengthen the stomach muscles, efficiently relieves intestinal gas problems, causes urination, and increase sexual desire. It is also reported that the ehereal oil produced from fruit helps in curing chills, reducing swellings; relieving breathing difficulties; regulating bowel movements; treating diseases of the intestines and the eyes and easing toothache. It is also used as medicine to treat joint infections, umbilical hernia and incessant crying in children. It is also claimed that the use of cumin seeds as spice in food and drink improves breast feeding.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Cummin Seeds
What follows are ten of cumin’s top health benefits. This list is by no means exhaustive. As research continues, more uses of this popular spice are likely to be revealed.
  • building healthy blood - Cumin is exceptionally rich in iron, making it a great natural supplement for blood health and an antidote for anemia. Increased iron makes the blood richer in hemoglobin, the substance that transports oxygen to all the cells of the body.
  • strengthening the immune system – Because of its powerful antioxidant properties, cumin strengthens the body’s natural immunities.
  • prenatal health – Cumin supports healthy prenatal development in pregnant women. It is also believed to make childbirth easier, and improves the milk supply of nursing mothers. Because it is so rich in iron, cumin is also a healthy herb for women of all ages during their menstrual cycle.
  • insomnia – Cumin seeds are a highly effective treatment for insomnia. In traditional medicine, cumin seeds combined with a ripe banana are taken at bedtime to induce peaceful sleep.
  • memory loss – Cumin improves memory and overall mental function, and can speed recovery from amnesia.
  • digestive function – Cumin seeds improves digestion and relieves many common digestive ailments, including flatulence (gas), bloating, diarrhea, nausea and indigestion. Cumin is believed to aid digestion by stimulating the production of pancreatic enzymes.
  • cancer – One of cumin’s most important uses may be in treating cancer. Recent research has revealed that cumin may slow the growth of breast and colon cancer cells. Cumin appears to act against cancer via its strong radical scavenging activity.
  • colds and respiratory ailments – A tonic made from cumin seeds is used traditionally to treat colds, cough, fever and sore throat.
  • kidney health – When combined with caraway seed and black salt, cumin seeds provide an effective treatment for renal colic.
  • healthy metabolism – Cumin boosts the metabolic rate and facilitates the absorption of nutrients throughout the body. Many herbal practitioners consider cumin to be one of nature’s best overall body tonics.
ANISEEDS

Health benefits
Aniseed has been found through research to prevent or cure the following health disorders:
  • Digestive disorders: Flatulence and indigestion can be relieved effectively with aniseed. Aniseed extract is a component of gripe water, which is used to cure the digestive troubles of infants.
  • Cataract: Cataracts patients can be given great relief when treated with aniseed. For this cure, 6 grams of spice is to be taken every morning and evening.
  • Insomnia: Aniseed tea is extremely beneficial in the treatment of sleeplessness, if taken after meals or before going to bed. Care should be taken to not boil aniseed for too long since its essential oil vaporises, and it loses most of its medicinal properties (as well as slightly bitter taste). Instead, if the taste is to be made more agreeable without losing the herb’s properties, one could add honey to the mixture after the tea is briefly brewed and cooled.
  • Asthma: Aniseed has excellent expectorative properties, and hence it is good for the treatment of cough, as well as for asthma.
  • Convulsions: Aniseed inhibits and controls convulsions, and is proven to do so even when convulsions are induced by electroshock or by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ).
  • Microbial infections and diseases: Aniseed extracts are found to inhibit the growth and propagation of a number of bacterial strains, viruses as well as fungi. It is considered beneficial in the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and diseases due to them.
  • Male climacteric, Menstrual disorders: Aniseed contains anethole as a main component of its essential oil, which is a phytoestrogen (an estrogenic agent). Derivatives of anethole, such as dianethole and photoanethole help in alleviation of symptoms of the male climacteric, increase in the production of breast milk, facilitation of birth, and promotion of menstruation

Health benefits of anise

  • Exotic anise spice contains some of the important plants derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.
  • The chief component that gives the characteristic sweet, aromatic flavor to anise is anethole, the essential volatile oil present in the seeds. Other important compounds found in these seeds includeestragol, p-anisaldehyde, anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene and limonene.
  • Anise seed oil obtained from extraction of the seeds is found application in many traditional medicines asstomachic, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, stimulant and tonic.
  • The seeds are an excellent source of many essential B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) helps increase GABA neuro-chemical levels in the brain.
  • The spicy seeds are the great source of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium. 100 g dry seeds contain 36.96 mg or 462% daily required levels of iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome C-oxidase and superoxide dismutase(other minerals function as cofactors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Copper is also required in the production of red blood cells.
  • The spice also contains good amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A.

Medicinal use

Anise seed as well its oil have found application in many traditional medicines for their distinctive health promoting and disease preventing roles.
  • Anise preparations are an excellent remedy for asthma, bronchitis cough as well as digestive disorders such as flatulence, bloating, colicky stomach pain, nausea and indigestion.
  • The essential oil comprises 75 - 90% anethole, which has an observed estrogenic effect. The decoction obtained from the seeds oftentimes is prescribed in the nursing mothers to promote breast-milk production.
  • Anise seed water is very helpful in relieving running nose condition in infants.
  • The seeds are chewed after a meal in India to refresh the breath

Benefits of Ajwain or Carom seeds:

1. Acidity:

Mix one table spoon of carom seeds with one table spoon of cumin seeds. Consume them on a daily basis with some ginger powder. This natural remedy is a best way to cure indigestion problems. It is also useful in treating acidity and acid reflux problem.

2. Constipation:

Carom seeds are the best remedy to cure digestion related problems. Hence, it can also help you to get rid of constipation. Carom seeds don’t have any side effects.

3. Mouth problems:

Carom seeds have been proven to cure tooth pain. Floss your mouth with one part of clove oil, one part of carom oil and water for treating tooth ache, bad odor and decay. It is the best and effective way to maintain oral hygiene.

4. Kidney disorder:

Carom seeds are very essential to cure kidney stones. They can also be useful to treat and reduce the pain due to kidney disorders.

5. Asthma:

Consuming carom seeds with warm water give instant relief from cold and expel cough and mucus from the body. It is also useful for treating bronchitis and asthma. It can be consumed with jaggery twice a day.

6. Liver and kidney:

Drink ajwain water for curing intestinal pain caused because of indigestion and infection. This herb is also very beneficial for curing liver and kidney malfunctions.

7. Cold:

This seed is the best natural way to cure cold symptoms such as a blocked nose. Take a steam from ajwain seeds infused in hot water for best relief.

 8. Itching, Boils & Eczema:

Grind ajwain seeds with lukewarm water to make its paste. Apply this paste on any affected part of the face or body. Also, try washing the affected part with the ajwain water for best results. In case of swelling due to boils or pimples, make the paste of ground carom seeds with lemon juice. It will be helpful in removing the swelling.

9. Excessive Bleeding & Irregular Menses:

Women with this problem can drink ajwain water. Soak handful of carom seeds in earthen vessel filled with water at night. Grind them and drink it in the morning.

10. Digestion:

Carom seeds have the best properties to treat digestive problems. Chewing 1 tbsp of raw carom seeds with sugar can help you get rid of indigestion. It can also be consumed without sugar.

11. Arthritis:

Carom seed oil is a very useful method to cure arthritis pain. Massage on affected joints regularly with carom seed oil to get relief from rheumatic pain.

12. Diarrhea:

Carom seed is a natural remedy to cure dysentery or diarrhea. Boil a handful of carom seeds in one glass of water. Cool and strain this to consume twice a day. This is an orthodox remedy to cure indigestion and dysentery.
13. Viral infections:
Combine yogurt with carom seeds powder. Applying this paste on face for a whole night can help to lighten acne scars. Wash it with lukewarm water in the morning for best results.

14. Flu:

Boil carom seeds with cinnamon in water. Strain & drink 4 times in a day to cure flu.

15. Mosquito repellent:

Mix mustard oil with ground carom seeds. Dip cardboard pieces in this mixture and tie in the corners of your room. This will help you get rid of the mosquitoes from the room.

16. Lost appetite:

Mix and grind carom seeds, fennel seeds, dried ginger powder, salt and black cumin seeds. Add hot ghee to that mixture. Mix the mixture with cooked rice. This will surely increase lost appetite.

17. Piles:

Mix dried pomegranate flowers, poppy seeds and dried neem leaves. Consume this mixture with milk twice a day during bleeding piles. Drinking buttermilk with carom seeds powder and rock salt after lunch/dinner is useful for minimizing the condition.

18. Heals pain:

Mix carom seeds, onion seeds, fenugreek seeds with saboot isabgol. Grind them all and consume 1 tbsp of this powder everyday in the morning. Consume this on an empty stomach for best and positive results.

19. Sexual disability:

Roast carom seeds with some tamarind kernels and clarified butter. Grind them well, take 1tsp of this mixture and add to a glass of milk and honey. This is a proven method to reduce sexual disability. Consume this regularly at night for effective results.

20. Breastfeeding:


Carom seeds with fennel seeds are used to make ajwain aur saunf ka pani. This is useful to cleanse uterus and increase milk production. Add 1 tbsp of fennel seeds with ½ tbsp carom seeds and 1 litre of water. Boil them for 5 minutes and cool it. Cool and consume this everyday for best results.

21. Menstrual cramps:

Carom seeds acts as a nerve tonic, hence it can lower menstrual cramps during menses. You can also apply its oil on muscle to relax them.

22. Stomach problems:

Soak three teaspoon of carom seeds in lime juice and dry it in shade. Grind this and mix some black salt. Consume this twice a day with lukewarm water. This is a useful method to cure loss of appetite, flatulence and other stomach problems. Do this daily till you get the results.

23. Belching:

Many gas related problems can be cured by a mixture of dried ginger, carom seeds and black salt. This is useful to treat problems like gas, indigestion, and belching. You can also try to add this in warm water with cardamom and drink it.

24. Migraine:

Wrap carom seeds in the tissue paper and smell this. It is useful to reduce migraine headache. Also they can be burnt and inhaled for other problems related to head.

25. Heart health:

Consume one tablespoon of carom seeds with warm water to stimulate the heart. It is also beneficial to cure chest pain. You can mix one teaspoon of jaggery with some carom seeds to get quick relief.

 26. Alcoholic:

This herb is also beneficial for the people who want to get rid of alcohol. Chewing carom seeds daily can help to get rid of alcohol craving.
27. Sperm count:
Roast ajwain seeds with some tamarind kernels and clarified butter. Grind all of these ingredients. Grind them well, take a tsp of this mixture and add to a glass of milk and honey.
This is a proven method to improve sperm count and treat premature ejaculation. Consume this regularly at night for effective results.

28. Insecticide:

They have many therapeutic uses as well as are used widely in food preparations. Carom seeds are also used as an insecticide. Apart from this, this is an orthodox method for treating poisonous insect bites.

29. Used in cooking:

These seeds are widely used in Indian cooking as a spice. They can be roasted, fried in oil, or added in “panchphoran”. Ajwain is used in small quantity in making biscuits, snacks, sauces, soups, soft drinks and pickles for good digestion.

30. Pimple:

Apply powdered carom seeds with yogurt on your face. Keep it for half an hour and wash off with warm water. This remedy will help to lighten pimple scars.

31. Reduce weight:

Drink half glass of water with soaked carom seeds on an empty stomach. This will dissolve the fats.
Consume 1tsp of carom seeds on an empty stomach every morning. It helps to lose about 4 to 5 kg in a month.

32. Bed Wetting:

Take 50 grams black sesame, 25 grams carom seeds and 100 grams of jaggery. Mix them well. Consume this mixture 1tsp twice a day. This will help in treating frequent urination and bedwetting.

33. Ear pain:

Heat 1tsp garlic and 2tsp carom seeds in sesame oil, till they are red in color. Cool it and strain to put some drops into the ears. This is also useful to treat boils in ears.

34. Flatulence:

Soak 3 tbsp of carom seeds in lime juice. Dry this in the shade. Powder and mix it with little black salt and consume 1 tsp twice a day with warm water.

35. Joint pains:

Mix shatavari, black cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and carom seeds. Powder this and take ½ tsp every morning.

36. Greying of Hair:

Curry leaves – 2 to 3
Dry grapes – 2
Carom seeds – 1 pinch
Sugar– to taste
Method:
Add curry leaves, dry grapes, carom seeds in one cup of water and cook. Add sugar if required for taste. Drink 1 glass a day. This will stop greying of hair.

37. Colic:

Boil 1 tsp of fennel seeds and ½ tsp of carom seeds in ½ liter of water. Cook it on low flame for 5 minutes. Cool and strain it. Drink a cup daily after meals.

38. Diabetes:

Dry few neem leaves in the shade. Powder and store in a jar. At night, mix 1 tsp of the powder in hot milk with ½ tsp of powdered cumin and carom seeds. Consume it for 30 days.

39. Paralysis:

Carom seeds soaked in water and consumed daily can be useful in treating paralysis, trembling and shaking.

40. Eye cleanser:

Boil handful of carom seeds in a water. Cool and strain. Wash your eyes with this water to clean it.

41. Deafness:

Carom seeds have been used in ancient times to cure deafness. Put few drops of this oil in your ears to get rid of this condition.

42. Body cleanser:

Consumption of carom seeds tea can help in cleansing body toxins. Thus, this can reduce many skin and health related problems. This helps to purify blood and improve the blood flow in body.
43. Calculus:
Consume 6 grams of carom seeds daily to get rid of this disease.

44. Menorrhagia:

Soak 25 gm of carom seeds in a mud pot filled with water for whole night. Grind this and drink in the morning.

45. Urticaria:

Consume 1 gram of carom seeds with 3 grams of jaggery. This is a useful remedy to cure this.
Facts about carom seeds:
1. Keep them away from humidity and also from direct sunlight.
2. Carom seeds cannot be stored for a long time.
3. Avoid over consumption. It can lead to nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, allergy and headache in some people.
5. Proper intake doesn’t have any side effects.
6. Store them in air-tight bottle in a cool and dry place.
7. People with liver disease and hyperacidity should avoid this herb.
Health benefits of Ajwain
  • Ajwain seeds contain health benefiting essential oils such as thymol, a monopterone derivative class of chemical compound, which gives aromatic fragrances to seeds. In addition, they also comprise in small amounts other phyto-chemicals such as pinene, cymene, limonene and terpinene.
  • The active principles in the ajwain may help increase the digestive function of the intestinal tract by increasing gut juices (gastro-intestinal secretions).
  • Thymol, the essential oil obtained from ajwain has local anaesthetic, anti-bacterial and antifungal properties.
  • Like caraway, ajowan seeds are rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants.
Medicinal uses
  • Ajwain seeds have long been used in traditional ayurvedic and unani medicines for various ailments. Extraction obtained from this spice is sometimes used as carminative in treating flatulence and indigestion.
  • Thymol's germicide and antiseptic properties utilized in many cough remedies. In India, the seeds are used to ease asthma.
  • Ajwain seed oil has the highest percentage of thymol

It is a common sight in India to see mothers and grandmothers handing out ajwain seeds to family members who have an upset stomach. Carom seeds or bishop’s weed  also known as ajwain is a common herb found in Indian households and  is well known for properties that make it one of the most used home remedies. But other than being a good digestive aid, it has a number of other health benefits. Here are some of them: 
1. Beat indigestion and flatulence: Ajwain is packed with tahymol. In fact it’s the only plant in the world with the highest amount of thymol. This chemical is very effective in helping the stomach release gastric juices that speed up digestion. It is known to help in cases of indigestion, flatulence, nausea and relieve colicky pain in babies. Tip: Boil a teaspoon of the seeds in a cup of water till it is reduced to half, strain and drink this water for instant relief. Another good remedy for nausea is to take a teaspoonful of the seed and wrap it in a beetle leaf. Place this at the back of the mouth and swallow the juice slowly till as long as the leaf is intact.
2.Improves digestion when your’re pregnant or lactating: Due to its great anti-inflammatory and curative properties, ajwain is great for pregnant and lactating mothers. It helps to improve digestion, ward off constipation due to pregnancy and strengthens the muscles that make up the floor of the uterus. After pregnancy ajwain is known to heal the woman’s body internally, reduce inflammation and helps maintain good circulation. In some cultures it is also believed to improve the production of milk in lactating mothers. Tip: It is important that mothers-to-be do not eat too much of this seed. The seed is known to increase the heat causingpitta levels in the body and can cause problems with the pregnancy.
3. Relieves cough and asthma: The thymol, present in ajwain makes it a great local anaesthetic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is known to relieve congestion due to formation of phlegm even in severe cases.Tip: Crush a few seeds of ajwain, mix it with jaggery and eat the mixture like a toffee. Another quick method is to tie it in a soft cloth and heat the bundle over a warm tawa. Apply this warm bundle over the chest to relieve congestion immediately.
4. Helps ease rheumatic and arthritic pain: Due to its anti-inflammatory  and anaesthetic properties, ajwainis a good way to get rid of pain due to rheumatism and arthritis. Try soaking your aching joints in a basin of warm water with a few seeds of ajwain. Alternatively you could crush the seed and apply the paste on the affected area for instant relief.
5. Instant relief from earache: Due to its antiseptic properties ajwain mixed with garlic and sesame oil provides instant relief from earache due to boils. If a person is suffering from earaches due to congestion, a good remedy is to heat ajwain with milk. Putting a few drops of either of the mixtures in the ear can help relieve pain and discomfort.
6. Helps improve your sex life: Did you know that ajwain is a great aphrodisiac? Mixing ajwain with the seeds of tamrind, honey, ghee and milk is a great way to increase vitality. Having the mixture every day helps improve vitality and libido.
7. Keeps the heart healthy: Due to the presence of niacin and thymol along with other vitamins, ajwain is very good in maintaining heart health. It has properties that improve nerve impulses and overall circulation within the heart. Tip: Have ajwain boiled in hot water on an empty stomach regularly to keep heart disease at bay.
8. Cures hiccups instantly: As mentioned earlier, ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it is a great remedy to stop hiccups instantly. Have a few raw ajwainseeds with a few sips of water and watch your hiccups vanish instantly.
9. Remedy for acidity: Since it helps improve digestion, ajwain also helps in relieving acidity. The thymolcontent helps release stomach acids which helps reduce the regurgitation of acids. Tip: Mix one teaspoon of  ajwain with one teaspoon of jeera (cumin) and boil them in a glass of water. The solution should have a goldencolour. Drink this whenever there is an attack of acidity for instant relief.
10. Relieves pain due to migraines: Sniffing the fumes of ajwain or applying its paste on the head helps relieve the pain due to migraines. When the seed is burned or crushed into a poultice, it releases its essential oils high in thymol content, this gives it a pain relieving effect.


TURMERIC

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
Here are 20 health benefits of turmeric:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

COCONUT OIL

Not only is coconut oil good for helping your skin through the ageing process, but it is also an excellent moisturiser. Use organic coconut oil on your skin so you aren't at risk of applying toxins from pesticides. It's not just good for your skin, it is safe to use on babies and young children too.
Improves heart health
One of the most impressive health benefits of coconut oil has to do with your heart. Years ago it was a common belief that all fats and oils were bad for the heart. Now we know coconut oil, along with a few others, can actually improve your heart health by reducing cholesterol. Consider using coconut oil when cooking.
Reduces abdominal fat
A research study found that women who consumed 2 tablespoons of coconut oil every day for 12 weeks had decreased the amount of fat in their abdomen. This is significant because belly fat is typically harder to lose than other body fat.
COCONUT
Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life." Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers.

 Coconut In Traditional Medicine

 People from many diverse cultures, languages, religions, and races scattered around the globe have revered the coconut as a valuable source of both food and medicine. Wherever the coconut palm grows the people have learned of its importance as a effective medicine. For thousands of years coconut products have held a respected and valuable place in local folk medicine.

 In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.

 Coconut In Modern Medicine

 Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:
  • Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
  • Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
  • Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
  • Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
  • Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
  • Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
  • Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
  • Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
  • Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
  • Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
  • Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
  • Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
  • Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
  • Helps protect against osteoporosis.
  • Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
  • Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
  • Improves digestion and bowel function.
  • Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
  • Reduces inflammation.
  • Supports tissue healing and repair.
  • Supports and aids immune system function.
  • Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
  • Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
  • Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
  • Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
  • Functions as a protective antioxidant.
  • Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
  • Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
  • Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
  • Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
  • Reduces epileptic seizures.
  • Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
  • Dissolves kidney stones.
  • Helps prevent liver disease.
  • Is lower in calories than all other fats.
  • Supports thyroid function.
  • Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
  • Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
  • Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
  • Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
  • Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
  • Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
  • Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
  • Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
  • Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
  • Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
  • Helps control dandruff.
  • Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
  • Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
  • Is completely non-toxic to humans.
See Research to read some of the published studies regarding the above mentioned uses of coconut products.

 Coconut Oil

 While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it's the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.

 Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

 Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth." That's quite a remarkable statement. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?

 The difference is in the fat molecule. All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. There are two methods of classifying fatty acids. The first you are probably familiar with, is based on saturation. You have saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. Another system of classification is based on molecular size or length of the carbon chain within each fatty acid. Fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. In this system you have short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).

 The vast majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.

 The size of the fatty acid is extremely important. Why? Because our bodies respond to and metabolize each fatty acid differently depending on its size. So the physiological effects of MCFA in coconut oil are distinctly different from those of LCFA more commonly found in our foods. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids. Both the saturated and unsaturated fat found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including most all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA.

 MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial.

 There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.

Because of its strong antioxidant properties and health benefits, the coconuts can be used to:

    • Lower cholesterol
    • Improve digestion
    • Ward off wrinkles
    • Stabilize glucose levels
    • Fight off viruses
    • Build cells
    • Regulate hormones
    • Increase thyroid production
    • Lose weight
    • Increase metabolism
    • Fight infections
    • Stave off memory loss
    • Kill bacteria
    • And more!
Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconut products — including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut cream — each deliver superb health benefits.
Coconut oil, for instance, is considered the best and safest oil to use for cooking — even superior to extra virgin olive oil when it comes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlike other fats and oils that we typically use for cooking and baking, coconut oil does not form polymerized oils or dangerous trans fatty acids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels; clog our arteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle. Plus, this ultra-safe oil can give your body important antioxidants that can help build stronger cells and improve your overall health and well being.

Coconut health benefits found all-in-one

Here are a few ways that you can take advantage of coconut products to stave off disease and to recapture the look and feeling of youth:
Coconut Water – The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost 9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions.
Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration.
Coconut Oil – In addition to being superior for cooking and baking, coconut oil also makes a superb topical oil that can help to naturally rid the skin of dangerous toxins. It also gives the skin the perfect mix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy, smooth and younger-looking longer.
Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting your teeth from the bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing a little fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them stronger and healthier than virtually any other dental treatment.
Most people don’t realize that coconut oil can actually help you lose weight! Yes, simply changing your cooking oil from the unsaturated fat variety to coconut oil can help you lose those extra pounds.
Here’s why: Unsaturated fats found in canola, corn and other vegetable oils, as well as margarine suppress the metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight — and easier to gain it. Over time, this metabolism suppression may result in 20-30 pounds of excess weight that your body cannot get rid of. Coconut oil, on the other hand, helps to increase thyroid function and boost your metabolism — 2 important components to shedding unwanted pounds.

Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.”
Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health.
This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.
Here are the top 10 health benefits of coconut oil that have been experimentally confirmed in human studies.

1. Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat. In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated
However, new data is showing that saturated fats are harmless. Many massive studies that include hundreds of thousands of people prove that the whole “artery-clogging” idea was a myth 
Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t contain your average run-of-the-mill saturated fats like you would find in cheese or steak.
No, they contain so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.
Most of the fatty acids in the diet are so-called long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.
They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source energy or turned into so-called ketone bodies, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
Bottom Line: Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and can have therapeutic effects on several brain disorders.
2. Populations That Eat a LOT of Coconut Are Among The Healthiest People on The PlanetCoconut is kind of an “exotic” food in the Western world, primarily consumed by health conscious people.
However, in some parts of the world, coconut is a dietary staple that people have thrived on for many generations.
The best example of such a population is theTokelauans, which live in the South Pacific.
They eat over 60% of their calories from coconuts and are the biggest consumers of saturated fat in the world.
These people are in excellent health, with no evidence of heart disease 
Another example of a population that eats a lot of coconut and remains in excellent health is the Kitavans

3. Coconut Oil Can Increase Your Energy Expenditure, Helping You Burn More Fat

Obesity is currently one of the biggest health problems in the world.
While some people think obesity is only a matter of calories, others (myself included) believe that the sources of those calories are critical too.
It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways. In this regard, a calorie is NOT a calorie.
The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can increase energy expenditure compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats 
One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totalling about 120 calories per day 

4. The Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil Can Kill Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi, Helping to Stave Off Infections


Almost 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil is the 12-carbon Lauric Acid.
When coconut oil is enzymatically digested, it also forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin.
Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi 
For example, these substances have been shown to kill the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and the yeast Candida Albicans, a common source of yeast infections in humans 

 5. Coconut Oil Can Kill Your Hunger, Making You Eat Less Without Even Trying

One interesting feature of coconut oil is that it can reduce your hunger.
This may be related to the way the fatty acids in it are metabolized, because ketone bodies can have an appetite reducing effect
In one study, varying amounts of medium and long chain triglycerides were fed to 6 healthy men.
The men eating the most MCTs ate 256 fewer calories per day, on average.
Another study in 14 healthy men discovered that those who ate the most MCTs at breakfast ate significantly fewer calories at lunch.
These studies were small and only done for a short period of time. If this effect were to persist over the long term, it could have a dramatic influence on body weight over a period of several years.

6. The Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Are Turned into Ketones, Which Can Reduce Seizures

A so-called ketogenic (very low carb, very high fat) diet is currrently being studied to treat various disorders.
The best known therapeutic application of this diet is treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children.
This diet involves eating very little carbohydrates and large amounts of fat, leading to greatly increased concentrations ofketone bodies in the blood.
For some reason, this diet can dramatically reduce the rate of seizures in epileptic children, even those who haven’t had success with multiple different types of drugs.
Because the MCTs in coconut oil get shipped to the liver and turned into ketone bodies, they are often used in epileptic patients to induce ketosis while allowing for a bit more carbs in the diet.

 7. Coconut Oil Can Improve Blood Cholesterol Levels and May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought.
Saturated fats raise HDL (the good) cholesterol and change the LDL cholesterol to a benign subtype.
In one study in 40 women, coconut oil reduced Total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL compared to soybean oil.
There are also rat studies showing that coconut oil reduces triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL and improves blood coagulation factors and antioxidant status.
This improvement in cardiovascular risk factors should theoretically lead to a reduced risk of heart disease over the long term.
Bottom Line: Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.

  Coconut Oil Can Protect Hair Against Damage, Moisturize Skin and Function as Sunscreen
Coconut oil can serve various purposes that have nothing to do with eating it.
Many people are using it for cosmetic purposes and to improve the health and appearance of their skin and hair.
Studies on individuals with dry skin show that coconut oil can improve the moisture and lipid content of the skin.
Coconut oil can also be very protective against hair damage and one study shows effectiveness as sunscreen, blocking about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Another application is using it like mouthwash in a process called oil pulling, which can kill some of the harmful bacteria in the mouth, improve dental health and reduce bad breath .
Bottom Line: Coconut oil can be applied topically as well, studies showing it to be effective as a skin moisturizer and protecting against hair damage. It can also be used as a mild form of sunscreen and as mouthwash.

9. The Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Can Boost Brain Function in Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and occurs primarily in elderly individuals.
In Alzheimer’s patients, there appears to be a reduced ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain.
Ketone bodies can supply energy for the brain and researchers have speculated that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for these malfunctioning cells and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
In one 2006 study, consumption of medium chain triglycerides lead to an immediate improvement in brain function in patients with milder forms of Alzheimer’s.
Other studies support these findings and medium chain triglycerides are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease.

 Bottom Line: Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms.

10. Coconut Oil Can Help You Lose Fat, Especially The Dangerous Fat in Your Abdominal Cavity

Given that coconut oil can reduce appetite and increase fat burning, it makes sense that it can also help you lose weight.
Coconut oil appears to be especially effective in reducing abdominal fat, which lodges in the abdominal cavity and around organs.
This is the most dangerous fat of all and is highly associated with many Western diseases.
Waist circumference is easily measured and is a great marker for the amount of fat in the abdominal cavity.
A study in 40 women with abdominal obesity, supplementing with 30 mL (1 ounce) of coconut oil per day lead to a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference in a period of 12 weeks 
Another study in 20 obese males noted a reduction in waist circumference of 2.86 cm (1.1 inches) after 4 weeks of 30 mL (1 ounce) of coconut oil per day.
This number may not seem too impressive on the surface, but be aware that these people aren’t adding exercise or restricting calories. They’re losing significant amounts of abdominal fat simply by adding coconut oil to their diet.

 CORN

Corn is high in nutrients, which are extremely beneficial for you. Rich in Vitamin B1, which is used in the metabolism of carbohydrates, Vitamin B5, which helps with physiological functions, folate, that helps generating new cells and Vitamin C, which helps fight diseases, corn should be a must in your diet. 
Corn is also high in fibre, which helps you fight digestive problems like constipation. Fibre also helps lower cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of colon cancer and is also useful in helping to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Folic acid present in corn is known to prevent neural-tube birth defects. Experts also recommend corn for people who suffer from Anaemia. Make a delicious and easy side dish — corn sauteed with green chillies and onions not only tastes good but is healthy.

Health benefits of Custard Apples

1. Beneficial during Pregnancy:
2. Good Eyesight:
The existence of riboflavin as well as vitamin C content within custard apple is recommended to aid in combating free-radical destruction brought on to the cells. These may assist in sustaining excellent eye-sight.
3. Improves Digestion:
Digestion is definitely the mechanized as well as chemical wearing down of food items directly into smaller sized elements, to your form that may be soaked up, as an example, right into a blood stream. Digestion is usually a type of catabolism; a break-down of macro food molecules to smaller sized ones.
This particular fairly sweet flavored fresh fruit can also be effective with regards to digestive function. It really is belief that custard apple is usually a natural method to obtain soluble fiber. It will help enhance digestion by causing stools much softer as well as helping in peristalsis. Furthermore, the existence of magnesium might help in smooth muscle relaxation of the alimentary canal. This may assist deal with dysentery as well as diarrhea.
4. Healthy Heart:
The heart is often a muscular organ about the dimensions of a closed fist, situated just behind as well as somewhat left in the breastbone. The heart pumps blood from the network of arteries as well as veins referred to as cardiovascular system.
The heart possesses four compartments.
It is strongly recommended that custard apple consists of moderately large quantity of magnesium as well as potassium. Magnesium can unwind the smooth muscles of the heart as well as calm jerks or even cramping, therefore avoiding heart attack as well as strokes. Alternatively, the rich content of potassium may possibly control blood pressure level, therefore sustaining cardiovascular performance.
5. Treat Arthritis and Rheumatism:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is definitely an autoimmune illness that leads to persistent swelling of the important joints. Whilst swelling of the tissue round the joints as well as inflamation related joint disease are attribute features of rheumatoid arthritis, the condition may also result in swelling as well as injuries in various other internal organs within the body. Autoimmune diseases are usually health problems which happen if your body’s tissues are incorrectly assaulted by their own defense mechanisms. The immune system includes a complicated organization of cells as well as antibodies developed usually to “seek and destroy” intruders of the entire body, especially bacterial infections. Individuals along with autoimmune illnesses have got antibodies within their blood that focus on their very own body tissues, exactly where they may be related to swelling. Mainly because it can impact several additional organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is known as a endemic illness and is also occasionally known as rheumatoid illness.
Experts claim that high in magnesium content, custard apple might control water balance. This may assist in eliminating acids through the joints, therefore relieving the signs of arthritis as well as rheumatism.
6. Fighting Fatigue:
Exhaustion like a idea is incredibly difficult to explain, since most people have their very own concept of what being exhausted means. Everyone is exhausted once in a while – the most typical cause is, obviously, insufficient sleep.
Fatigue may also be the result of a number of ailments as well as diseases. In such instances, an individual generally finds they abruptly (or perhaps steadily) require more rest as well as sleep. This might have an effect on their own performance at the office.
Fatigue is additionally popular when you are experiencing down.
Custard apple is really a abundant energy source. It will help to fight exhaustion as well as a weakness. And also the existence of potassium will also help in eliminating muscle weakness.
7. Helps in healing process:
Healing is definitely the all-natural method by which almost all instability are corrected to ensure the signs and symptoms of the strain or even sickness could be managed. Occasionally our own natural capability to cure ourselves are not able to cope therefore we require the assistance of other individuals. Drugs might help for the short term yet restorative healing occurs individually and this is why you will need to see the procedure so that sufferers might help themselves returning to overall health.
Healing is definitely the act of getting rid of all the unbalances as well as making equilibrium while using Soul. As a result, Supporting Drugs are affected person centered.
The fleshy area of the fruit, if used on any kind of injury will accelerate the recovery process and in addition avoid any kind of infection. Custard apples consist of anti-oxidants just like Vitamin C, which will help to battle free radicals within our body as well as cures the wound quickly.
8. Protects Anemia:
Anemia is really a situation as opposed to a illness by itself which results because of a disorder within the body.  The condition signifies less than regular amounts of red blood cells or even hemoglobin within the body. Red blood cells utilize hemoglobin (a protein) to transport oxygen round the body, which in turn in turn functions its numerous responsibilities.  Lower amounts of hemoglobin as well as RBCs result in the blood flow inadequate quantities of Oxygen towards the tissues, therefore pushing the heart as well as lungs to operate harder to pump extra oxygen to where it really is required.
Custard apple can serve as an expectorant, catalyst, coolant as well as haematinic and is also even beneficial in dealing with anemia.
9. Treats cancer and tumors:
The term cancer comes from the Latin phrase for crab mainly because it holds onto something and won’t let it go. The phrase cancer identifies a brand new development that will occupy encompassing tissues, metastasize (spread along with other internal organs) and may even ultimately result in the patient’s death if unattended.
We regularly listen to cancer from family and friends as well as in the news. The phrases tumor as well as cancer are occasionally utilized synonymously which may be inaccurate. A tumor just isn’t always a cancer. The term tumor basically identifies a mass. As an example, an amount of pus is as simple as definition a tumor. A cancer is an especially frightening kind of tumor. It really is beneficial to keep these kinds of variations clear whenever discussing a likely cancer analysis.
Perhaps the bark of the custard apple tree, that contains astringents as well as tannins, is utilized for making herbal supplements. The leaves of the tree are believed to be good for the treatment of cancer as well as tumors; whilst the bark can easily reduce tooth pains as well as gum pain.
Custard apples are usually loaded with vitamin C that is a extremely effective anti-oxidant participating in safeguarding our body from free radical injury. Vitamin C will save our body from transmittable illnesses as well as fortifies our immunity system. In addition, vitamin C is usually hugely renowned for its role just as one anti-cancer as well as anti-viral agent,

BRINJAL

  Increase appetite and strengthen your stomach.
2.  Best to treat constipation. If you got loose motion by eating Brinjal it is very helpful and beneficial to treat gastritis and stomach inflammation.
3.  In joint pain or pain after an injury, cut a brinjal into two pieces and heat it on a frying pan for few seconds and sprinkle 3-4 pinches of turmeric powder over these two pieces and tie it on affected area with a cotton cloth piece. The best tip to get rid from pain.
4.  Brinjal is the best to treat sprain/wrench (Moch) and swelling. Cut a brinjal into thin slices and mix 1/8 salt in it. Heat them in an iron utensil when slices become soft tie up them on wrench. Wrench and swelling gone away within few minutes.
5.  Brinjal is the enemy of the spitum (Balgum). Not only reduces spitum but removes it permanently.
6.  Rub and apply brinjal head (green part) to removes piles/hemorrhoids (veins of the rectum). Dry up brinjal peel off and green part (head). Steaming with it is the best to remove piles veins (masay) within few days.
7.  Burn a small size brinjal on fire and make ash with it. Mix honey in this ash and apply it on piles veins (masay).
8.  Mash a yellow ripe brinjal and mix petroleum jelly int it. Application of this mixture on cracked heels and finger skin is the best tip to get rid fast from this problem.
9.  To reduce excessive sweating and foot odor just apply brinjal juice on your feet. Not only reduces excessive sweating but also removes foot odor.
10.    Add brinjal weekly in your meal but not excess the amount from 125 grams. During piles, fever and skin problems avoid using brinjal. Excessive amount of eating brinjal can be the cause of semen leakage.


HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORGANIC HORSE GRAM

Horse gram is a very popular food in the northern hilly regions of India. Locally known as kulath it has many health benefits associated with it. Let us discuss about some of them in this article and find out why horse gram is becoming so popular all over the world. 

The plant of horsegram is known to show antioxidant, astringent and diuretic action. It has been found to be specially useful in the treatment of hemorrhoids, diarrhea and hemorrhage. Horsegram plant has been also found useful in cases of bleeding during pregnancy, leucorrhea and menstrual disorders. 

People suffering from spleen enlargement, colic and weak liver can also benefit from this plants medicinal properties. People with kidney stones, hypertension, gall stones also benefit from its intake. 

Kulath or horse gram is rich in B-complex vitamins and protein. It is quite delicious to taste and at the same time highly nutritious. Hence it is a favorite food of a large number of people ranging from young to old. 

In India it is commonly prescribed in ayurvedic medicine for conditions like difficult breathing, cough, gastric problems, ulcers, worm infections and excessive perspiration. Some alternative medicine experts even consider horse gram as a good remedy to control joints pain. It can be also used as a natural health tonic. 

However horse gram is not considered adequate for people who have tuberculosis or women who are pregnant. 

Uses Of Horse Gram As Medicine 

People who have gall or kidney stones can take horse gram by soaking a little quantity in glass of water for 8 to 10 hours. The soaked horse gram can be mashed up and consumed two times a day or the infusion can be taken again two times a day whichever way one likes. 

Horse gram is excellent food for those who are looking to loose some weight. 

Eating kulath regularly helps in getting rid of worm infections. It tones up the digestive system and prevents acidity and flatulence. 

For relief from cold take a small amount of horse gram boil it in water, filter and cool it. Mix it in a grinder with water and make a semi solid paste. Add pepper to this paste and drink for relief from cold, sore throat and cough. 

# posted by vyas @ 3:40 AM
Comments:
Massage is very god for the health. It gives full relaxations and peace of mind. I take massage every weekend.

Aaron |
Float Tank Massage
# posted by Blogger Unknown : September 30, 2013 at 1:59 AM
 

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