Health Tips » benefits

What are different health benefits of coconut? Part 2

ashish — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:05:50 +0000

Health benefits in modern medicine
- 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.
- No harmful or discomforting side effects.
- Is completely non-toxic to humans.

Health benefits of coconut water
- The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels in the body.
- Cytokinins in coconut water showed significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects.
- Its water has much better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of fruits like oranges.
- Its water is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates.
- These vitamins are essential to replenish.
- Coconut water contains a very good amount of electrolyte potassium.
- 100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and 105 mg of sodium.
- Together, these electrolytes help replenish electrolytes deficiency in the body due to diarrhea (loose stools).
- Fresh coconut water has small amount of vitamin-C (ascorbic acid); provides about 2.4 mcg or 4% of RDA. Vitamin C is a water-soluble ant-oxidant.

The Coconut Oil Miracle	Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut	Cooking with Coconut Flour

What are different health benefits of coconut? – Part 1

ashish — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:39:51 +0000

- Young coconuts have either a green shell or a white “husk” if the outer shell has been removed.
- Mature coconuts are the more familiar-looking brown, hairy variety.
- The nutrients and physical characteristics change as a coconut matures.
- Young coconuts have more ‘water’ and soft, gel-like meat, and mature coconuts have firm meat and less ‘water.’
- The nutrient values per 100-gram (edible) portion vary significantly.
- The liquid inside the coconut is known as coconut water or juice.
- Coconut cream is made from pressing the coconut meat.
- Coconut milk is made from the expressed juice of grated coconut meat and water.
- Coconut oil, on the other hand, is the fatty oil that comes from the coconut meat.
- High-quality coconut oil is truly the healthiest oil you can consume.
- Coconut can be safely added to most everyone’s diet.
- Young coconuts are good for most people.
- They are particularly good for carbohydrates and mixed types.
- Mature coconuts are best for protein types.
- Coconuts can add flavor.
- Coconuts adds healthy nutrients to your diet.
- Coconuts are rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and boosts the immune system.
- Fresh coconut juice is one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man.
- This can be used to prevent dehydration.
- In cases of diarrhea or strenuous exercise this is best.
- It helps you lose weight, or maintain your already good weight.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Lowers your cholesterol.
- Improves the conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue
- Improve Crohn’s, IBS, and other digestive disorders.
- Prevents other disease and routine illness with its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal agents.
- Increases metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function.
- Boosts your daily energy.
- Rejuvenate your skin and prevent wrinkles.

Health benefits in traditional medicine
Coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including
- 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,
- wounds

Health benefits in modern medicine
- 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.

The Coconut Oil Miracle	Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut	Cooking with Coconut Flour

What are benefits of Vitamin C during cold or viral?

ashish — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:21:20 +0000

What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an important vitamin and antioxidant that the body uses to keep you strong and healthy. Vitamin C is used in
- the maintenance of bones,
- muscle,
- blood vessels.
- the formation of collagen
- helps the body absorb iron

Vitamin C is found naturally in:
- vegetables
- oranges
- other citrus fruits.

This key vitamin is also available as a natural dietary supplement in the form of vitamin C pills and vitamin C chew able tablets.

Vitamin C and Common Cold
- The common cold is caused by several strains of viruses which includes the rhinovirus and the coronavirus.
- However, vitamin C does not prevent the common cold or decrease the severity of symptoms.
- In the 1970s, Linus Pauling argued that vitamin C could significantly decrease the incidence of the common cold.
- Vitamin C for the common cold is such a widely accepted treatment.
- We seek it in fortified juices, cough drops, and tea.
- Vitamin C was first touted for the common cold in the 1970s.

Other facts found are
- The average adult who suffers with a cold for 12 days a year would still suffer for 11 days a year if that person took a high dose of vitamin C every day during that year.
- For the average child who suffers about 28 days of cold illness a year, taking daily high-dose vitamin C would still mean 24 days of cold illness.
- When vitamin C was tested for treatment of colds in 7 separate studies, vitamin C was no more effective than placebo at shortening the duration of cold symptoms.

A prospective, controlled study focuses on:
- 715 students in a technical training facility found that vitamin C in mega doses administered before or after the appearance of cold and flu symptoms relieved and prevented the symptoms in the test population compared with the control group.
- More than 30 clinical trials with over 10,000 participants have examined the effects of taking daily vitamin C in doses up to 2 g/day.
- A review of Cochrane, PubMed, Natural Standard, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine databases found that regular vitamin C intake may reduce the duration of cold symptoms in both adults and children.
- It does not decrease the severity of cold symptoms.
- However, in a subgroup of marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers training in the Arctic doses ranging from 250 mg/day to 1 g/day decreased the incidence of colds by 50%.
- Researchers concluded that vitamin C does not prevent or treat the common cold.
- It is better to consume natural foods such as red peppers, oranges, strawberries and grapefruit.
- It is acceptable to consume vitamin C from a supplement and still maintain adequate intake levels.

Daily Dosage
- The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C in the United States is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men
- Taking doses above the RDA may have healthful benefits.
- Typically 70-90% of vitamin C is absorbed in the body but when taken in doses higher than 1 g, absorption decreases to 75%
- Further, it decreases to merely 16% after a 12 g dose.
- Popular vitamin C supplementation products, such as Airborne or Emergen-C, contain much higher doses of vitamins than necessary.

Overdose of vitamin C
- Taking vitamin C supplements in the recommended amounts is safe.
- The RDA or recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women.
- High doses of vitamin C (greater than 2000 milligrams per day for adults) may cause kidney stones, nausea and diarrhea.

What are health benefits of salmon?

ashish — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:51:51 +0000

Salmon is a species of fish which is found both in fresh water (rivers) and saline water(seas).
- These fishes are found in the type of water according the stages of its development.
- The scientific name of the salmon family is Oncorhynchus.
- Cherry Salmon, Pink Salmon are some of the types of salmon fishes. Salmon has earned its research reputation as a health-supportive food based largely on its unusual omega-3 fatty acid content.
- It’s very common for 4 ounces of baked or broiled salmon to contain at least 2 grams of omega-3 fats.
- About half of this omega-3 fat is provided in the form of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and a slightly lower amount is provided in the form of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
- The amounts of EPA and DHA contained in salmon are unusual
- An intake of omega-3-containing fish like salmon is essential.
- This fish is a good source of easy digestible proteins (amino acids), fatty acids like Omega-3 Fatty acids in form of Triglyceride, vitamins like vitamin-D, vitamin-A and some members of vitamin-B family, minerals like Selenium, Zinc, Phosphorus, selenium, Calcium and Iron.

The health benefits of salmon include:
- proper cardio vascular health
- muscle and tissue development
- eye care
- effective body metabolism
- cardiovascular benefits
- improved mood and cognition
- joint protection
- eye benefits
- decreased cancer risk
- reduces the risk of leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
- benefits Related to Protein and Amino Acid Content
- benefits Related to Vitamin D
- benefits Related to Selenium

It helps in good growth of:
- Muscles
- Tissues
- Enzymes
- Hormones

Vital points regarding health benefits of salmon:
- The proteins from salmon (and most other fishes) are easy digestible.
- They are easily absorbed into the body.
- They have no adverse side effects nor contain carcinogenic compounds.
- Selenium, which is very necessary for building up of tissues, hair, nails etc.
- The Omega-3 Fatty Acids maintain flexibility of arteries and veins.
- It also strengthens cardiac muscles.
- The essential amino acids repair damages to the cardio-vascular tissues.
- They help reduce the blood pressure.
- They lower cholesterol level.
- They prevent hardening of walls of arteries and veins.
- They reduce the chances of heart attack.
- The Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin-D and selenium, together help increase influence of insulin.
- This facilitates absorption of sugar and consequent lowering of blood sugar level.
- The Omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids help prevent macular degeneration, dryness, loss of vision and fatigue of eyes.
- The Omega-3 fatty acids increase efficiency of the brain.
- It improves memory and keeps it wide awake during long working hours.
- This protects nervous system from damages from aging.
- It acts as an anti depressant.
- It relaxes the brain and are also helpful in treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation of the arteries and digestive system.
- It reduces chances of cancer of colon,prostrate and kidneys.
- It improves the skin texture, add shining to eyes, skin, hair and nails.

What are the health benefits of Vitamin D and how do you get Vitamin D?

ashish — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:02:33 +0000

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique because it functions as a prohormone. Also, the body can synthesize it (as vitamin D3) when sun exposure is adequate. It is also known as the “sunshine vitamin”.

Health benefits of Vitamin D
1. Maintains Your Calcium Balance.
- Narrow range is vital for normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin D is required for bone growth, and maintenance of bone density.
- Vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium by the body.
2. Aids Your Cell Differentiation
- Differentiation of cells leads to a decrease in proliferation.
- Cellular proliferation is essential for growth and wound healing.
- Uncontrolled proliferation of cells causes diseases like cancer.
- Proliferation inhibition and stimulation of the differentiation of cells is done by Vitamin D.
3. Boosts Your Immunity
- Active vitamin D is a potent immune system booster.
4. Has a Role in Insulin Secretion
- Insufficient vitamin D levels may have an adverse effect on insulin secretion.
- It also effects glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes.
5. Blood Pressure Regulation
- Adequate vitamin D levels is important for decreasing the risk of high blood pressure.

Vitamin D and Diseases
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Autoimmune Diseases
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitamin D overdose
- Hypercalcemia
- Bone loss
- Kidney stones
- Calcification of organs like the heart and kidneys
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Sarcoidosis
- Tuberculosis
- Lymphoma

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Vitamin D
- Infants 0-12 months- 1000 IU
- Children 1-18 years- 2000 IU
- Adults 19 years and older- 2000 IU

Vitamin D Deficiency
- Rickets
- Osteomalacia
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Certain cancers
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Juvenile diabetes
- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

How do you get Vitamin D?
- Sunshine (natural)
- Foods are artificially fortified with vitamin D
- Vitamin Supplements

Dietary sources of vitamin D
- Fatty fish species, such as:
- Catfish, 85 g (3 oz) provides 425 IU (5 IU/g)
- Salmon, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz) provides 360 IU (3.6 IU/g)
- Mackerel, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz), 345 IU (3.45 IU/g)
- Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 50 g (1.75 oz), 250 IU (5 IU/g)
- Tuna, canned in oil, 100 g (3.5 oz), 235 IU (2.35 IU/g)
- Eel, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz), 200 IU (2.00 IU/g)
- A whole egg provides 20 IU if egg weighs 60 g (0.33 IU/g)
- Beef liver, cooked, 100 g (3.5 oz), provides 15 IU (0.15 IU/g)
- Fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil, 1 Tbs. (15 ml) provides 1360 IU (90.6 IU/ml)
- UV-irradiated mushrooms and yeast are the only known vegan significant sources of vitamin D
- Exposure of portabella mushrooms to UV provides an increase of vitamin D

What are different health benefits of clove oil?

ashish — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:15:41 +0000

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.

What are different benefits and types of oats?

ashish — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:32:49 +0000

Oats are super food because of the vast array of essential nutrients that are not only needed by the body but also boost overall health. The cereals that contain oats are supposed to have the property of lowering the cholesterol level. Recent study has found that:

- Oats have compounds that also reduces inflammation inside the artery walls.
- These compounds are called avenanthramides and they contain anti-inflammatory properties and they help in reducing inflammation.
- These compounds inhibits the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Cytokines are small proteins that are released by cells to repair tissues.
- Few cytokines triggers inflammation which can also lead to atherosclerosis in response to an infection.
- Oats and other cereal grains helps in a gradual rise in the level of sugar in the blood as they are digested slowly. Less insulin is needed to control blood sugar after eating plain, unadorned cereal grains than after eating some other high-carbohydrate food.
- Oats are rich in soluble fibre and it helps in reducing hypertension, or high blood pressure.
- The high content of fibre in oats keeps the bowel movements regular.
- Oats contain iron which helps to boost the immunity of the human body.
- Oats are a good source of magnesium, selenium, manganese and phosphorous.
- Oats are also a good source of vitamin B1 and dietary fiber.

Consumption of oats is an optimal way of lowering health risks. The three instants of oatmeal – regular, quick or instant have same amount of beta-glucan, a kind of fibre, which gives oats their cholesterol claim to fame.

TYPES OF OATMEAL
- Plain oatmeal groats i.e. whole kernels take a very long time to cook.
- Steel cut oats groats are cut into 2 or 3 chunks and they cook a little quicker as the piece is smaller and water gets penetrated more easily.
- Rolled oats are first steamed, then rolled and dried. Since they are already steamed and rolled, water penetrates more easily and they cook more quickly. Rolled oats come in three varieties:
regular oats – whole groats rolled.
quick oats – oat in pieces and then rolled thinner.
instant oats – oats cut even smaller and rolled even thinner.

Wild Raspberry – What are the characteristics and different Health Benefits?

ashish — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:24:42 +0000

Rubus rosifolius, also known as bush roseleaf, West Indian raspberry and ola’a Thimbleberry is a spiny shrub native to the sub forest and open forest high in the Himalayas, East Asia and Eastern Australia. It is also found in abundance in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and south to the Rio Grande do Sul.
Rose Petal leaves are compound, brambles, margins dentate with glandular hairs on both sides of brochures. The flowers are white in panicles or solitary. Edible fruits are 2 cm long. Leaves stay green and fruits ripen in winter in Eastern Australia.
Wild Raspberry is a tall shrub or climber confusion. The stems are covered with short hairs rusty or white wool, and armed with numerous spines recurred. The alternate leaves are broadly ovate-heart shaped, usually 3 – or 5-lobed, 20.3 cm long, 2.5-18 cm wide. They are densely white or rusty hairy beneath. The flowers are white, in clusters in the axils of the leaves at the top. Sepals are large, velvety, and persist into fruition. The fruit is a red berry, about 1.2 cm in diameter.

There are two varieties of rosifolius that differ only in the number of petals Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii has 9-13 petals, while Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius has five.

Habitat:-
The native habitat is rainforest, forest margins, clearings, gullies.

Reproduction of plant:-
Seed – requires stratification and is best sown in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires stratification month at 3 degree C and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Plant out into their permanent jobs in the late spring the following year.

Benefits:-
- Wild Raspberries contain significant amount of polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments related to potential health protection against several human diseases.
- The aggregate fruit contributes to its nutritional value, as it increases the proportion of dietary fiber, placing it among plant foods with the highest fiber content of up to 20% fiber per total weight.
- They are a rich source of vitamin C, with 30 mg per serving of 1 cup (about 50% daily value), manganese (about 60% daily value) and dietary fiber (30% daily value). Contents of B vitamins 1-3, folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron.
- Rubus rosifolius has great antioxidant strength, particularly due to their dense contents of ellagic acid .Yellow raspberries and others with pale-colored fruits are lower in anthocyanin.
- Due to their rich contents of antioxidant vitamin C and the polyphenols, raspberries have an ORAC value of about 4900 per 100 grams. Although there are no clinical studies to date proving these effects in humans, antioxidant and antiproliferative effects against cancer have been linked to the amount of phenolics and flavonoids in various foods including raspberries.
- Raspberries are a low-glycemic index food.
- Fruit is edible and sweet-tasting. It can be made into jams, pies and preserves.
- Leaves can be made into tea which can be helpful during painful menstruation, childbirth, flu, and morning sickness.
- Aboriginal people in Australia used a decoction of the leaves as a traditional treatment for diarrhea.
- It is also used as an ornamental plant.

Precautions:-
It should not be used in case of pregnancy.

What are different health benefits of Verbena Officinalis ?

ashish — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:54:32 +0000

Verbena officinalis is the perennial herb belonging to the family of Verbenaceae. The plant is native to the Europe and also known as Herb of Grace. The size of the herb varies with the climate conditions but it normally grows up to a height of meters, with an upright habitus. The leaves of the plant are toothed with delicate spikes that hold mauve flowers. Verbena grows mostly in limey soils and is used as an ornamental plant. It is mainly propagated through the root cutting or seed. Basically, it is neutralized outside its native range. It is also called as Herb of Grace, Herb of the Cross, Herbe Sacree, Herba veneris, Holy Herb.
Verbena hold the importance because of the strong history related to the god Jesus as it was used to treat his wounds after he was removed from the cross. It also brings good luck, good faith, attract wealth and more.

Origin or Habitat:-
Thought to be the native of Mediterranean, this is found almost everywhere in the world and cultivated in most of the gardens. This is found growing in the abundance in the wild all over the Europe, North America, Japan and china. Plant is grown through seedling in the summer or autumn season and flourishes in soil and doesn’t allow water to stand in it as it requires lot of sunlight.

Constituents:-
- alkaloid
- bitters
- glycosides
- tannins
- volatile oil

Usage of Vervain:-
It is used in the treatment of various diseases like –
Female Conditions
- irregular or painful menstruation
- post-natal depression
- promotes the start of menstruation
- helps to increase the flow of breast milk
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- benefits the digestive system
- acute diarrhea
- eases pain in the bowels
- stimulates digestion
- stomach disorders
Brain and Nervous Conditions
- insomnia
- depression
- fits and convulsions
- migraine and headache caused by nerves
- physical and mental problems that affect the nervous system
- nervous disorders
- restorative remedy for nervous exhaustion and debility
- mistletoe and valerian are sometimes combined with Vervain for nervous conditions
- strengthens the nervous system
Genitourinary Conditions
- kidney trouble
- bladder stones
Liver Conditions
- treats liver diseases
- stimulates liver function
- gallstones
- jaundice
- biliary tract complaints
Inflammatory Conditions
- reduces inflammation
Respiratory Conditions
- coughs (combined with Horehound)
- pleurisy
- in early stages of colds (can be combined with Yarrow) to promote sweating
- whooping cough
- throat conditions
Parasitic Conditions
- worms in children
- autumn fever
- relieves pain
- intermittent fevers
- ophthalmiarelaxant in cases of muscle tension
- exhaustion and fatigue
- used to cure congestion, dysentery, malaria, coughs and colds, nerves, gout.
- externally used for treating ear neuralgia, headaches, eczema, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, rheumatic pain, skin ailments, tooth decay and gum disease, ulcers of the mouth and gums, weak, sore or inflamed eyes.

Common Vervain is also used as herbal tea. It may act as a galactagogue and possibly a sex steroid analogue and abortifacient; it is reputed to help against nervousness and insomnia. In the Modern age, it is considered a powerful “ally” of poets and writers, as it has some relaxing effects. Vervain flowers are engraved on cabaret, Italian anti-stregheria charms. Vervain is worn as a crown during Druidic initiatory rites and as protection for those who are working magic. Vervain is worn to recover stolen articles. It is also a powerful attractant to the opposite sex.

What are different characteristics, uses and benefits of Plantain?

ashish — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:22:56 +0000

Plantains are generally called as herbaceous plants of genus Musa. The fruits produced by plantains are soft and sweet banana which is also used for cooking. Basically, there is no as such difference between the plantains and bananas; the use of the term is based on the way how these fruits are consumed. They are firmer and have lower sugar content than the desert bananas. Bananas are always eaten raw, while the plantains are cooked or processed, and are used green or unripe or overripe. They are staple food of the tropical regions of the world and used in the same way as potatoes like boiling, cooking and frying. Plantain crops are grown in almost all the regions like United States, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Mexico, Columbia, central America, Peru, Puerto Rica, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria.

Origin:-
Plantain are also called as cooking plantain, banana plantain, beer banana, bocadillo plantain but, formally classified as musa acuminate, musa balbisiana. Most of the plantains come from AAB cultivator and hybrid AAB groups. The genus musa members are all native to the regions of the Southeast Asia and oceania.

Uses of Plantain Food:-
- Steamed, boiled, grilled, fried or baked
In the countries like Honduras, Jamaica and Trinidad, Tobago, the plantains are simply boiled, fried or added to the soup. In Nigeria, the plant is eaten boiled, roasted and fried; the roasted plantain called as booli is usually eaten with groundnut or palm oil. In Ghana, the boiled plantain is eaten up with cabbage stew or kontomire stew. Ripe plantains are also eaten fried with black eyed beans. The dish called as Rellenitos de Plátano made from the plantains is also served as a dessert after the food.
- Rootstock
The root of plantain contains a lot of fiber and starch and is used as a food in many parts. It is also used for making dry curry and used as food in Ethiopia. The young shoots of the plant can also be cooked and eaten.
- Fruit
In the state of Kerala, the yellow fruits called Nendran are deep fried after dipping in a thin batter of gram flour which can be very difficult to remove.
- Drink
Plantain fruit can be mixed into alcoholic drink. They can also be boiled and blended with sugar and water to make chapo juice.
- Chips
Plantains can also be used to make banana chips after removing the skin and deep frying the sliced sections in hot oil. Chips are also named as bannan fris, chicharritas or mariquitas etc. Plantain chips are a popular treat in Ghana, Nigeria and Jamaica etc.

Other uses:-
- Plantain flowers
The flowers of the plantain are also used in variety of ways, for example, the young male flower at the end of bunch is used in salads. It can be used in vermicelli soups. Flower of the plant can also be used to make dry curry and thoran dish. The plantain flower can also be used to make sweet and sour gojju.
- Plantain leaves
The leaves of this plant can exceed two meters in length. The leaves of the plant when smoked in open fire help to improve the storage properties, flavor and aroma. They can also be used to wrap seasoned meat while cooking to keep the flavor. The plantain leaves are also used as plates while serving the food in South India. They also have religious importance in Hindu rituals. The leaves are also used as cooking foil for steaming idlis. It can also be used as a packaging material for packaging food and flowers.
- Plantain shoots
The plantain tree after harvesting is cut and peeled into layers to get cylinder shaped soft shoot, which can be used in salad or dry curry. It can also be used as a very good remedy to avoid constipation. Regular dosage of the juice of shoots can also help to procure kidney stones and stomach ulcers.