The Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh

What is it?

This member of the buttercup family (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a perennial plant native to North America.  Its root has long been used as natural medicine.

Black Cohosh Roots

Why take it?

This herb has been a long history as treatment for “women’s problems,” such as menstrual and postmenopausal difficulties and postpartum pain.  Moreover, black cohosh contains phytoestrogens, plant versions of the estrogen produced by the human body.  Since phytoestrogens bind to hormone receptors in the breast, uterus and elsewhere, they may help ease menopausal symptoms.  Some studies have concluded that 40 milligrams of black cohosh taken twice a day has a similar effect to that of hormone replacement therapy in reducing the severity and frequency of menopausal hot flashes.  There is also some evidence that the herb may help build bone density.

The St. John’s Wort

St. John's Wort

 

What is it?

St. John’s Wort is a shrubby perennial that bears yellow flowers in the early summer.  Supplements are made from the dried flowers.

Why take it?

Numerous trials have concluded that St. John’s Wort is a safe effective treatment for mild and moderate depression.  Scientists suspects that this ancient herbal remedy boosts serotonin levels in the brain (serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood and emotion.  An analysis of 27 studies conducted on more than 2,000 people found that herbal remedy better than a placebo and as effective as some commonly prescribed antidepressant.

Investigators found that St. John’s Wort also helped alleviate fatigue, sluggishness and disturbed sleep, and improved cognitive function.

Research also indicates that St. John’s Wort may provide antiviral activity against HIV and the herpes simplex virus.

St. John's Wort

Basic Information About Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)

Scientific Name: Curcuma Longa

Turmeric is from the ginger family called Zingiberaceae which is perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plant.  This plant is a native of South Asia, tropical region of the world which grows in temperatures between between 20°C and 30°C together with considerable quantity of rainfall.

Nomenclature and taxonomy of Turmeric:

• Kingdom Plantae (plants)
• Phylum  Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)
• Class Liliopsida (monoctyledons)
• Order Zingiberales (gingers, bananas, birds-of-paradise, heliconias, costus, cannas, prayer plants, arrowroots, etc.)
• Family Zingiberaceae (ginger family)
• Genus Curcuma (curcuma)
• Species Curcuma longa (commonly known as turmeric)

 

Culinary uses of turmeric

Turmeric powder is used extensively in South Asian cuisine. It is used in the famous curry and other Indian, Persian, Thai, Filipino and Malay dishes.

Turmeric Flower

Products made from turmeric:

• curry powder
• canned beverages
• baked products
• dairy products
• ice cream
• yogurt
• yellow cakes
• orange juice
• biscuits
• popcorn color
• sweets biscuits
• pop corn color
• sweets
• cake icings
• cereals
• sauces
• gelatin
• food additives
• pickles and relishes
• food coloring
• mustard, etc.

 

Uses in folk medicine

Turmeric is used as antibacterial agent and antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises.  It is used as anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal agent.

 

 

Beauty and cosmetic uses of turmeric

Turmeric is now used in making sunscreens.  It is also used to beautify /glowing hair and skin.

 

Dying properties of turmeric

Turmeric is used in Goa, India to dye clothing like saris.

 

Gardening use of turmeric

Turmeric is used to repel/deter ants in the garden.

 

Ceremonial uses of turmeric

Turmeric is used for various ceremonial rituals such as: gaye holud (turmeric ceremony), Bengali wedding, pujas (making of elephant god ganesha form), Pongal festival, Thali necklace, power and purification rites, etc.

Turmeric Powder

Composition of Tumeric

Turmeric contains:

5% essential oils

5% curcumin

Polyphenol

Curcumin is a pH indicator.  It turns yellow if the solutions is acidic (pH <7.4) and it turns bright red if its not (pH > 8.6).

Turmeric Roots

Health benefits of turmeric

• Turmeric helps in lowering LDL cholesterol.  Studies have shown that turmeric lowers LDL cholesterol level.  The Low-density lipoprotein or commonly know as LDL is the one responsible for the build up of plaque in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.
• Turmeric aids in treating high blood pressure.  Studies shown that Turmeric can also improve blood flow as well as strengthen blood vessels.
• Turmeric aids in guarding against cancer.  Studies point to turmeric’s ability to neutralize free radicals and other various chemicals that could damage human cells.  Turmeric has also been proved to ward off cancer and tumorous cell growths.
• Turmeric aids in promoting general health.  Turmeric extract contains powerful antioxidants which can help boost the body’s immune system and protect against illnesses and diseases.

 

Turmeric Rhizomes

Some of the dietary reasons of turmeric:

1. Turmeric is useful in disinfecting cuts and burns because of its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
2. Turmeric prevents prostate cancer and/or stops the rapid growth of existing prostate cancer especially when it is combined to cauliflower.
3. Turmeric prevents the spread of breast cancer as proven to the experiment to the lungs in mice.
4. Turmeric helps prevent melanoma and/or the existing melanoma cells to collapse.
5. Turmeric helps reduces the high of risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Turmeric boosts the liver because of its natural detoxifying properties.
7. Turmeric aids in removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain which prevents and slows down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
8. Turmeric helps prevent metastases so that it will not occur in many different forms of cancer.
9. Turmeric prevents inflammation without side effects because of its potent natural anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Turmeric controls and slows down multiple sclerosis as proven in the experiment with the mice.
11. Turmeric has natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor properties
12. Turmeric helps weight management because it aids in fat metabolism.
13. Turmeric can treat depression as it has been used in Chinese medicines.
14. Turmeric is used as treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
15. Turmeric helps reduce the side effects of chemo therapy but boosts the effects of the chemo drug paclitaxel.
16. Turmeric helps boost the pancreas thus it has promising effects towards pancreatic cancer.
17. Turmeric has positive effects towards multiple myeloma.
18. Turmeric controls/stops the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Turmeric assists in the reborn of damaged skin and speeds up wound healing.
20. Turmeric aids in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Cautions:

Turmeric should not be used substitute for the treatment of people who are suffering from bile obstructions or with gallstones.  It is very important to consult first our physician/ doctor.

 

The Wonders And Benefits Of Chlorella

Chlorella: Detoxifier, Age-Fighter And Energizer

What is Chlorella?

Chlorella is a single-celled fresh water algae with a history of dating back more than two billion years.  The wonderful thing about Chlorella is its amazing inherent strength through a genetic structure that has remained unchanged for all the length of time.  This genetic structure is responsible for Chlorella’s nutritive value, ease of cultivation and astonishing rate of growth.

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The Grape Seed Extract Health Benefits

Basic information about Grape Seed

 

Grape seed oil is considered as vegetable oil from the pressed seeds of various grapes (Vitis Vinifera grapes).   This is a by-product of winemaking which is commonly known as grapeseed oil or grape oil.

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The Wonders Of Banaba

Basic information About Banaba

Banaba: Queen’s Flower

The scientific name: Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn.

Family : From Lyathraceae Family.

Other Scientific Names:

• Muchausia Speciosa Linn
• Lagestroemia Reginae Roxb.
• Lagestroemia flos-reginae Retz.

Banaba has been used by the Filipinos even in the old days as herbal medicine for treatment of diabetes for centuries.  It is also for our body health because studies proved that Banaba is containing high concentration of dietary fiber.  It has also some important mineral needed by our body such as zinc and magnesium.

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