Posts Tagged ‘Antiseptic’

What are different health benefits of clove oil?

Cloves have been used for home remedies and for flavouring cuisines for time immemorial. It is largely grown in Indonesia, South Philippines and the Island nation of Zazibar. Today Cloves are also grown in India, China, West Indies, Brazil, Madagascar and some other Tropical climates. Clove trees are 10-12 metres high; the clove is a flower which is originally of pink colour and on drying it becomes brown.

In fact Cloves are dried unopened flower buds. Clove oil is isolated from these dried cloves by steam distillation. Clove oil has 60-90 % eugenol. It is antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and has antiseptic properties. It has Omege-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, Fibre, Iron Potassium and Calcium as well. It also contains fair amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Dental Applications
Clove oil is used mainly for dental applications. It is a natural pain killer as well as it kills bacteria and fungus. Cotton wads soaked in Clove oil reduce tooth ache considerably. It can also kill bad breath and there is a saying that in China it used to be used as a mouth freshener. The eugenol in Clove oil is a natural pain killer.

Reduce inflammation
Clove oil can reduce inflammation in the body. In case of colds, stuffy nose, viral infections, asthma, and bronchitis, clove oil relieves such conditions. Clove oil is also used in massages to relieve muscle pain and arthritis because of its inflammatory properties.

Antiseptic and antispasmodic properties
As for its antiseptic properties it heals cuts and bruises, fungal infection, burns wounds and other skin ailments and cold sores. This is due to its high flavonoids content. It also relives muscle spasm if applied in the affected area.

Stomach Ailments
It can also be used to cure stomach ailments such as flatulence, loose motions, indigestion and nausea. Cloves are used to relieve, diarrhoea, gastric irritability and vomiting. Possibly that is why it is used in food preparations as a common spice.

Nutritional Value
Clove oil contains significant amounts of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, Sodium, Iron, magnesium and dietary fibre which makes it important nutritionally.

Curative effects
- Eugenol in the cloves helps in minimizing the harmful effects of environmental waste, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. It helps to boost the immune system by clarifying the blood and thus helps fight infection.
- In Asian countries clove oil is used to countries to cure malaria, cholera, scabies and other tropical diseases.
- Clove oil also prevents blood clots and is used to control glucose and hence beneficial for diabetic patients.
- At home it is used to relieve headaches. You apply clove oil mixed with salt on your forehead and headache is relieved.
- If clove oil is applied on a stye in the eye, the pain is relived and after a while the style disappears.
- It also relives ear ache. A mixture of clove oil and sesame if applied to the ear the pain is relieved.
- Clove oil also acts as a mosquito repellent and can be safely used for 4-5 hours effect.

Cosmetics
Clove oil is also used in the cosmetic industry in the manufacture of creams and lotions. In aromatherapy it is used as a massage oil to relive stress and tension by its application. Even perfumes use a mixture of clove oil.

Food
- Clove oil is used extensively in the Asian and African countries as a part of the spices used in everyday cooking. It highlights the taste of the food and also brings dilatory benefits.
- Mixed with either vanilla or other ice creams it is used in the preparation of Desserts.
- In certain Asian countries it is served as a digestive after food, along with other mouth fresher’s.

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What are different health benefits of white pepper corns?

White pepper, scientifically known as Piper nigrum, is a milder version of the strong back pepper. It is derived from same pepper corns. The only variation is that once the pepper berries in this case is ripened and then it is soaked in water to remove the hulls.
The white pepper corns are not as pungent and strong as the black pepper. However, it has the same nutrition value. White pepper is rich in minerals and vitamins. It also contains some amount of fats in the form of essential oil and has dietary fibers as well. This high nutritive content is the reason why there are various health benefits of white pepper to the body. Some of these are discussed below.

Anti inflammatory
The white peppercorns are used as an anti inflammatory agent. It has a property that it causes numbness in a mild way which helps in reducing pain, this is the main reason pepper is so popularly used to treat throat infection, influenza, arthritis and stiffness in joints.

Digestion
Pepper when added to food helps in its easy digestion and assimilation. Certain food components like vitamin A and B and minerals like selenium cannot be easily absorbed. However, presence of pepper allows easy absorption of these essential nutrients in the body. Pepper is also known to help in the treatment of gas or flatulence.

Cardiovascular health
Potassium is a mineral which is very abundantly found in pepper. This mineral helps in maintaining fluid level in the cells as well as in maintaining the heart rate and blood pressure levels in the body.

Anemia
Another very important health benefit of white pepper is the presence of iron. Iron is the oxygen binding factor in the hemoglobin part of the blood. A deficiency in hemoglobin may lead to a decrease in the oxygen binding capacity of the blood leading to weakness and breathlessness.

Anti oxidant
White pepper is rich in vitamin C and A, both of which are active antioxidants. These anti oxidants helps in removing the free radicals produced in the body during various metabolic activities. These free radicals cause harmful reactions in the body which may lead to cell damage and cancer. Anti oxidants also help in reducing cell damage thus slowing the aging process, Manganese is another mineral found in pepper this is a cofactor of the free radical removing enzyme superoxide dismutase hence, an ample supply of these anti oxidants to the body can help significantly.

Anti septic
Pepper is anti microbial in nature. It can help in getting rid of the intestinal parasites like round worm and tape worms. It has an anti bacterial property as well which help in avoiding bacterial infections. Due to its added property of being anti inflammatory in nature it is used in dentistry to treat tooth decay or any other oral infections.

There are various other health benefits of white peppercorns, it can be used to treat sinusitis. It helps in drying the mucus and prevent the formation and accumulation of further mucus. It is suggested in the treatment of gonorrhea, dysentery, flu, diabetes, diarrhea, mental exhaustion etcetera. However, all of these claims do not have scientific proofs and are based only on clinical experiences.

What are different health benefits of Sage?

Sage, scientifically known as Salvia officinalis, is a Mediterranean herb. This silvery green herb is grown all over the world and is known for its culinary and medicinal value since the ancient times.

Sage is used in the raw form to give a spicy taste; it is also used in the dried form as well as in the form of oil extracts. The health benefits of sage are mainly due to the presence of alpha and beta thujone, cinerole, camphor, tannins, falvonoids and rosmarinic acid. It also contains vitamins A and calcium.
Some of the prominent Health benefits of Sage are discussed below.

Anti microbial
Sage has been since ancient times been used for preservative purposes mainly due to the presence of the phenolic rosmarinic acid. It is known to fight against bacterial and fungal infections, which not only makes it a good and effective preservative in retaining the flavor and nutrients of food but also helps in maintaining the health of the digestive system.

Antiseptic
Due to its antimicrobial properties sage can also used as an effective antiseptic and can be applied externally to any wound to ward of further infection.

Enhancing Memory
Since ancient times, sage has been used to treat memory loss. However, recent research has confirmed the fact that the roots of this plant indeed contain chemicals, which can help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, a daily consumption of this herb can help in sharpening memory as well as in warding off degenerative Alzheimer’s disease.

Antioxidant
Sage is also known for its antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help in reducing the effects of the harmful free radicals produced during the metabolic activities of the body. Antioxidants also help in slowing the degeneration of cells thus slowing the aging process.

Anti-inflammatory
Sage contains rosmarinic acid, which acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, body pains and other inflammatory conditions can be given the herb in the form of tea which helps in reducing pains. This herb can also be used to treat swelling due to sprains, ulcers and wounds.

Oral Health
Sage is used in many regions as a gargle to treat sore throat, ulcers in the mouth and gums or inflammation. Its antibacterial properties helps in fighting bad breath and other oral infections.

Gynecological health
Another health benefit of sage for women is that it helps in controlling the bleeding during menstrual flow and in regularizing the cycle in case of any irregularities experienced.

Skin and bone care
Sage apart from vitamin A possesses cicatrisant which is helps in removing scars and blemishes from the skin. Due to this property extracts from this herbs is being used in cosmetics. Sage is also rich in calcium, which is essential for the good health of teeth and bones.

Anemia
Sage is rich in iron, an important factor required for the hemoglobin part of the blood. A deficiency of iron in the body can lead to anemia. Consumption of this iron rich herb can help in overcoming anemic conditions.

Digestion
Sage due to its chloretic and cholagogue properties facilitates in fat and protein digestion and also helps in relieving acidity. Hence adding a little of this herb as a spice in food not only enhances the flavor but also helps in digestion.

Due to its various health benefits, Sage has gained a lot of attention in the medical field and many researches are being conducted on this age-old herb to understand its impact and role in fighting various diseases like Alzheimer’s. This should help in the synthesis of more effective drugs against these diseases which still pose a challenge to our scientists.