Posts Tagged ‘Medicinal’

What are different health benefits of Dandelions?

Dandelions are also known as Taraxacum Officinale. The meaning of the name is that it is the Official Remedy for Disorders. Dandelion is commonly known as a flower which is used in decorations but its medicinal values and health benefits are unknown. Although there are many varieties of dandelion present but the one which is most commonly used is the Taraxacum Officinale. Dandelions originate from Greece and since ancient times it is used as a very useful herb for curing many purposes. Dandelions contain components like beta carotene a great source of Vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, Vitamin B, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine and proteins. Following are some useful health benefits and medicinal properties of dandelion:

- Dandelions are very nutritious and help in maintain a very good health. Dandelions contain sodium in a rich amount and therefore it is beneficial for liver problems especially the liver inflammations. There have been researches done, which indicate that the nutrition content of dandelion is excellent and is very beneficial for the human organism. The content of vitamin C and Luteolin in dandelion is good for the proper functioning of the liver and prevents liver from suffering from hemorrhage.

- Dandelions are great supplements for maintaining a healthy skin. They are used to treat many skin problems like rashes on skin, eczema, ringworms and acne. For treating these skin problems, the milk of the dandelion is used. The milk of the dandelion is alkaline in nature and has properties of an anti fungal, anti germicide and anti insecticide agent. For treating acne dandelion juice is used.

- The juice of dandelion contains properties to act like a diuretic, anti oxidant, stimulant and also a detoxifier, therefore applying the dandelion juice or the sap on the acne affected skin can cure it very effectively and quickly.

- Dandelion can be used for the treatment of cataract. For this treatment a mixture of the leaves, flowers, roots and stalks of the dandelion plant is boiled in some water for about 20 to 25 minutes and then with this water after being cooled down, wash the area surrounding your eyes. This can be done for about 5 times in a day.

- The tonic extracted from dandelions can be of great help for health. Dandelion is also helpful in increasing your appetite as it helps to stimulate your hunger and it also acts as a good remedy for the patients suffering from dyspeptic problems.

- Dandelion is very helpful in weight loss management. Dandelion helps us to excrete the extra fats stored in our urine through urination. It stimulates the urination process and therefore makes us frequently urinate and as a result all the fats stored in our urine are thrown out of the body. When the fats are removed from the body then automatically the body will lose weight. Hence dandelion is a great source of weight loss.

- Dandelion is very rich in fibers. Fibers are very essential for maintaining the cholesterol level in your body. It helps lower the cholesterol level and also helps in treating diabetes. The juice extracted from dandelion is very good for diabetic patients and it lowers the blood sugar level in a diabetic patient by maintaining a balance in insulin production. As a diuretic agent, dandelion makes the diabetic patient urinate frequently which results in the excretion of extra sugars from the body.

- Dandelions are very good for treating many heart diseases and also different types of cancers. The high content anti oxidants in dandelion help the body reduce the free radicals which cause cancer in a person.

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Coriander herb – Characteristics, Uses, Properties and Medicinal Uses

Coriander, which is basically an annual herb in the family of apiaceae is exotic to southern Europe and north America to southwestern Asia. The plant of coriander is a soft and hairless growing to 20 inches in height; with variable shape leaves loaded at the base of the plant. The coriander is a flowering stem having white or pale pink with the petals pointing away from the center. In the American usage, the seeds are generally called as coriander and the leaves as cilantro. Coriander oil used in the fruits gives them the bitter, pleasant, strong, sweetish and peculiarly aromatic color.

Early uses and Folklore:
- Hippocrates recommended use of coriander as a medicine. Later on, Late Bronze Age invaders introduced the coriander plant into Britain. They used coriander to flavor their barley gruel and mixed it with cumin and vinegar to preserve meat.
- The farmers in the Essex referred coriander by the name of Col.
- Coriander was thought to be an aphrodisiac and was added to love potions during medieval periods as, when it was consumed with wine it simulates the animal passion. The Israelites used coriander in their cooking and the Chinese believe that those who consume coriander seeds will be rewarded with immortality.
- Gerard defined coriander as a “very stinking herb” and was introduced to Mexico and Peru by the Spanish conquistadors. After then it became an integral ingredient in their chili.

Uses:
All parts of the coriander plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts which are most commonly used in cooking. The fresh leaves are a main ingredient in most of south Asian foods like chutneys; it is also used in Chinese dishes and Mexican dishes also particularly guacamole, garnish and salsa. Chopped leaves of the coriander are garnished on dishes such as curries and dal. In Asian and Indian recipes, leaves are used in large amount and are cooked until their flavor is gone. Fresh leaves are used as salad in many countries. The seeds of the coriander are used as a spice in garam masala and Indian curries. Coriander seeds are also used in brewing certain styles of beer, mainly in Belgian wheat beers. The seeds of coriander plant are used with orange peel to add a citrus character. In spite, of the seeds and leaves the roots of the plant are used in variety of Asian cuisines; as they have a deeper and intense flavor. They are commonly used in Thai Dishes including curry pastes and soaps.
Coriander is common in Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican, South Asian, Latin American, Texan, African, Chinese, Southeast Asian and Scandinavian cuisine.
There are lots of other benefits of the coriander which can be also be listed. Medicinal uses and heath effects:
- Coriander contains antioxidants in it which prevents the spoilage of food filled with the spice. A research on the coriander shows that both the leaves and seeds contain antioxidants but the leaves are having higher proportion.
- Coriander can be used as medicine for diabetes as it contains insulin-releasing and insulin like activity.
- There are some of the chemicals derived from the coriander which contains antibacterial activity against salmonella choleraesuis and this acted to be the non-ionic surfactants.
- Coriander has a significant hypolipidemic effect resulting in lowering the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and increasing the levels of high density lipoproteins.
- Coriander juice can also be applied on the face as a type of toner to clear the acne’s.
There are some of the plants which are same like coriander like Eryngium foetidum, Persicaria Odorata called as Vietnamese coriander, Papaloquelite, macrocephalum

Precautions:
Coriander is a useful herb but, it can also cause reactions in some people; so, be careful.

Various Health Benefits of Saffron Spice….

Saffron is indeed a very special and a precious spice which has numerous health benefits too and is termed as golden spice. Saffron is a spice derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus. They are often dried and used in cooking as a seasoning and coloring agent. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices. Its golden-orange color comes from the carotenoids.
The saffron crocus grows from five to nine inches tall, with long thin leaves and lilac colored flowers. Saffron threads were traditionally used to dye cloth as a yellowish-orange color for the yellow-red color of robes for Hindu and Buddhist monks in India, Tibet and China. Powdered saffron is considerably stronger than saffron threads, but the powdered variety is frequently adulterated, so purists stick to the threads.
The carotenoids have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of macular degeneration of the eyes as well as some types of cancer.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAFFRON

- Saffron has medicinal applications like
healing menstrual pain.
menopausal problems.
depression.
chronic diarrhea.
neuralgia.
treats inflammation.
treat high blood pressure.
Saffron has long been considered an aphrodisiac.
- Studies show that saffron can prevent cancer. Its anti-cancer properties come from a certain carotenoid called crocetin that’s abundant in saffron and has strong anti-oxidant properties.
- Saffron improves your memory and is good for the brain.
- Saffron is used in suji halwa, and kheer. Apart from adding a pleasing color,it also makes the dessert nutritious.
- Saffron tea is used to treat mild to severe abdominal pain and upset stomach.
- Saffron tea has been used to induce vomiting and coughing in order to cause stomach, throat or chest relief.
- Studies have shown that saffron tea is used to treat a number of other maladies, including asthma, coughing, dry skin, shock, gas, heartburn, insomnia and premature ejaculation.
- Compounds in saffron may also have some effects on lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Saffron is also rich in many vital vitamins including vitamin A, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-C that are essential for optimum health.