7 Dangerous Side Effects Of Wheatgrass You Should Be Aware Off

 

Wheatgrass refers to the young freshly sprouted leaves of our common wheat plant whose botanical name is Triticum Aestivum. The grass is either juiced fresh or the dried grass powder is mixed with water and drunk as it has amazing health benefits. It is also packed with nutrients and you can read about all the health benefits here. Wheatgrass juice is called "கோதுமை புல் ஜூஸ் " in Tamil, "Genhu Ke Jaware ka Ras" in Hindi, "Gavankur Juice" In Marathi and "Godhuma Gaddi" in Telugu. Although wheatgrass has amazing health benefits, there are few things we should keep in mind while consuming wheat grass juice to prevent side effects. The first thing we should be careful is overdosing, usually the suggested dosage for wheatgrass juice is around 40 ml to 120 ml per day If you are taking wheatgrass powder, mix 1 tsp of wheatgrass powder in a cup of water and drink. If consuming wheatgrass capsules, the suggested dosage is 1 capsule with meals. I would strongly suggest slowly increasing the quantity so your body gets used to it. If you overdose on wheatgrass juice, you will experience certain side effects which I have given below. The second important thing while consuming wheatgrass juice is to try your best to make it at home. Wheatgrass juice contamination is also one of the main reasons certain people experience side effects while consuming wheatgrass juice. Try you best to grow your own wheatgrass, it is so easy, all you need are few old containers and wheat. Make the juice out of freshly cut, washed grass and drink it in the suggested dosage and you will not experience any side effects at all.....

5 Top Benefits Of Wheatgrass Juice For Skin, Hair & Health

 

If there is truly a miracle juice that gives us glowing skin and hair and treats many health problems, it is wheatgrass juice also called as wheatgrass shots. It is the juice got when we grind the grass of our common wheat whose botanical name is Triticum Aestivum. Since wheatgrass juice has many health benefits and is packed full of nutrients, it is rightly called the "Green Blood". Wheatgrass juice is called "கோதுமை புல் ஜூஸ்" in Tamil, "Genhu Ke Jaware ka Ras" in Hindi, "Gavankur Juice" In Marathi and "Godhuma Gaddi" in Telugu. I first came to know about consuming wheatgrass juice through one of my relatives, she is used to grow wheatgrass at home and consume wheatgrass juice regularly. She was also the one who made me aware of it's amazing health benefits. Wheatgrass Juice Nutrients: One of the important ingredients that wheatgrass juice is rich in is chlorophyll which accounts for almost 70 %. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that gives the plant it's green color and which also helps absorb light energy needed for photosynthesis. Along with chlorophyll, wheatgrass juice is rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. Wheatgrass juice is rich in vitamins and minerals like ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, vitamin E, carotene, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, zinc and copper. A cup of wheatgrass juice has only 20 calories. Wheatgrass juice Benefits: 1. Wheatgrass Juice For Weight Loss: Wheatgrass juice helps detoxify our body naturally which helps get rid of the toxins from our body effectively. When our body is rid of toxins, our digestion is in peak order and boosts our metabolism resulting in natural weight loss. If you are on a weight loss diet, try to include wheatgrass juice in your diet, it will not only help in weight loss, it will also help prevent nutritional deficiencies that is very common during weight loss. 3. Wheatgrass Juice For Hair: Since wheatgrass is rich in all vital nutrients and minerals that are essential for hair growth, consuming a glass of wheatgrass juice daily will greatly prevent hair loss caused due to nutritional deficiencies. Since it has wonderful antioxidant properties, it will prevent premature greying of the hair too. If you are experiencing severe hair loss, I would suggest consuming wheatgrass daily. 3. Wheatgrass Juice For Skin: Wheatgrass is excellent for skin both when applied externally and taken internally. Since wheatgrass  is rich in antioxidants, it prevents free radical damage which is usually the cause of premature ageing of the skin. Since it has anti bacterial and soothing properties, it treats many skin ailments including acne, psoriasis and eczema. You can apply fresh wheatgrass juice mixed with little honey as a face pack to keep the skin glowing and youthful. 4.Wheatgrass juice For Treating Diseases: Wheat grass juice treats many diseases, it treats ulcers as it has anti ulcer properties. It is a good remedy for constipation and piles as it reduces inflammation and eases bowel movements. It treats anemia and it also treats gum diseases very effectively. 5.Wheatgrass Juice Protecting Effect: Wheatgrass juice has a protective effect on the kidneys, liver and heart. Since wheatgrass detoxifies our body and purifies our blood, people who are suffering from kidney disease and liver diseases can consume wheatgrass juice everyday. But I would kindly suggest consuming wheatgrass juice after consulting with your physician especially if you are on any medication for treating kidney or liver problems. It also has anti cancer properties. Wheatgrass Juice Dosage: Usually a cup of wheatgrass juice is the suggested amount, I usually consume one cup of fresh wheatgrass a day. Pregnant women can consume wheatgrass juice but make sure to make your own wheatgrass juice at home and it is also best to consume it after consulting with your doctor. Wheatgrass Side Effects: Some people might be allergic to wheatgrass. Generally, wheatgrass juice if consumed in the normal amounts will not cause any side effects. But if you overdose on wheatgrass juice, it will cause diarrhea......

 

15 Top Benefits & Uses Of Wheatgrass For Skin, Hair & Health

 

Wheatgrass is gaining in popularity day by day due to it's amazing health benefits and medicinal uses. It is rightly called "Green Blood" because it is full of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that is essential for our well being. What Is Wheatgrass? Wheatgrass refers to the young freshly sprouted leaves of our common wheat plant whose botanical name is Triticum Aestivum. Wheatgrass is called "கோதுமை புல்" in Tamil, "Genhu Ke Jaware ka Ras" in Hindi, "Gavankur Juice" In Marathi and "Godhuma Gaddi" in Telugu. I first came to know about consuming wheatgrass through one of my relatives, she is used to grow wheatgrass at home and consume wheatgrass juice regularly. She was also the one who made me aware of it's amazing health benefits. Wheatgrass Nutrients: One of the important ingredients that wheatgrass is rich in is chlorophyll which accounts for almost 70 %. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that gives the plant it's green color and which also helps absorb light energy needed for photosynthesis. Along with chlorophyll, wheatgrass is rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids and enzymes. Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins and minerals like ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, vitamin E, carotene, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, zinc and copper. The important amino acids present in wheatgrass are aspartic acid, threonine, serine, asparagine, glutamine, proline, glycine, alanin, methionine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, tryptophan and arginine. Some of the enzymes present are protease, amylase, lipase, cytochrome-oxidase, transhydrogenase, etc. How To Consume Wheatgrass? We get wheatgrass in different forms like wheatgrass powder, wheatgrass capsules, freeze dried wheatgrass, pills and tablets in the markets. Though you can take wheatgrass in any form, I would suggest consuming fresh wheatgrass juice as it retains the maximum nutrients or buy freeze dried wheatgrass as it is not exposed to heat. You can easily grow wheatgrass at home, you don't need much space for it too. How To Grow Wheatgrass? Take about 1/2 cup of organic wheat and soak them in 1 cup of water overnight. The next day, rinse out the water and now take the soaked wheat grains in a thin muslin cloth. Tie into a bundle and leave it aside for 24 hours to let it sprout. Once it has sprouted, it is time to plant them. To plant, take potting mix in a shallow, wide pot and dampen it. Sprinkle the wheat sprouts, now cover the top with soil too. Sprinkle with some more water, cover with a thin cloth and leave it in the balcony. Sprinkle water the next three days over the cloth. Once you see green sprouts, remove the cloth but make sure to water them daily. Once the wheatgrass reach a height of about 5 to 6 inches, it is ready to be cut for juicing. Where To Buy Wheatgrass? In India, we get fresh wheatgrass in some super markets but it is quite expensive so I would suggest growing your own if you plan to consume regularly. You can get wheatgrass powders, capsules and tablets easily in the markets. When buying make sure to buy from reputed brands and also make sure it is certified organic. Wheatgrass Dosage: If you are taking wheatgrass powder, mix 1 tsp of wheatgrass powder in a cup of water and drink. If you are taking fresh wheatgrass juice also called as wheatgrass shots, take around 120ml. You can easily make wheat grass shots by grinding a handful of fresh grass with water in a mixer and straining but make sure to drink it immediately. You can sweeten with honey if you prefer. If consuming wheatgrass capsules, the suggested dosage is 1 capsule with meals. Pregnant women can consume wheatgrass but make sure to make your own wheatgrass juice at home and it is also best to consume it after consulting with your doctor. Wheatgrass Side Effects: Some people might be allergic to wheatgrass. Generally, wheatgrass if consumed in the normal amounts will not cause any side effects. But if you overdose on wheatgrass, it will cause diarrhea......

 

8 Serious Side Effects Of Turmeric We Should Know !

 

Turmeric is one of the top most spices used in India. There is not a day that I have not used turmeric, we use it extensively in cooking, remedies and also for skin care. Now turmeric is one of the most popular ingredients used all around the world medicinally. Like with any ingredient, it is best to get to know both the benefits and side effects of turmeric. Using turmeric in small quantities like in curries will not have any side effects but if you are planning to take it in large doses daily for medicinal purposes then you should get to know the side effects too. The botanical name of turmeric is Curcuma Longa, it belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. Turmeric is called Manjal in Tamil, Haldi in Hindi, Halad in Marathi, Pasupu in Telugu, Arisina in Kannada, Haridra in Sanskrit, Haluda in Bengali and Haladar in Punjabi. Turmeric Chemical Constituents: Lot of chemical constituents have been isolated from turmeric primarily phenolic compounds and terpenoids which includes diarylheptanoid ( including the most commonly occurring curcuminoids), diarylpentanoids, diterpenes, sterols, alkaloids, monoterpenes and triterpenoids. Turmeric Toxicity: Since turmeric has a long usage, it has been proven through hundreds of years of usage that it is very safe to be used as a spice in cooking but now lots of research has been done to prove that even turmeric supplements have very low toxicity. Healthy volunteers were given doses ranging from 500 mg to almost 12000 mg! Out of the 74 participants, only 7 people experienced mild side effects and you can read the study here. Turmeric Drug Interactions: Turmeric slows blood clotting so it might interact with anti coagulant medicines like aspirin, clopidogrel, etc. It can also lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels so practice caution if you are on blood pressure or diabetic medications. Turmeric General Recommended Dosage: The general recommended dose for turmeric powder is 1/4 to 1/2 tsp per day. If you are using turmeric tincture, the general recommended dosage is around 15 to 25 drops 3 to 4 times per day. If you are taking turmeric capsules, 500 mg is the general suggested dosage. If you are taking turmeric tea, take 1 cup a day. Although turmeric has low toxicity, please remember that taking high doses in the form of turmeric supplements for long duration's of time should be done with caution. This is especially important if you are on any medications.....

 

6 Fenugreek (Methi Seed) Side Effects For Hair, Skin & Health

 

Fenugreek is a very common spice used extensively both in home remedies and in cooking in India. The botanical name of fenugreek seeds is Trigonella Foenum-Graecum. Both the leaves (called methi leaves in Hindi and vendhaya keerai in Tamil) and the seeds of the plant are used extensively. Fenugreek seeds are called Methi Dana in Hindi, Vendhayam in Tamil, Menthulu in Telugu, Menthe in Kannada and Uluva in Malayalam. Fenugreek Seeds Composition: Trigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, sotolon, protodioscin, diosgenin, yamogenin, apigenin-7-0-glycoside, luteolin-7-0-glycoside, trigoneosides, trigofaenoside A, glycoside D, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and minerals. Fatty acid component of fenugreek seeds contain linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids in the order given. Fenugreek seeds have wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits, it has anti diabetic, anti inflammatory, anti obesity, antioxidant, galactagogue and anti ulcer properties and you can read about the uses in detail here. Though fenugreek seeds have wonderful medicinal uses like with any ingredient if consumed in excess will have side effects. Few months back, one of our relatives asked me whether consuming fenugreek seeds was good for reducing his high blood sugar levels. I explained that fenugreek is indeed good for reducing high blood sugar levels and also mentioned the dosage to be taken daily. When we met again few days later, he mentioned that he felt unwell on days he consumed fenugreek seeds so he had stopped consuming it. When I asked him the amount he consumed he replied 1 tbsp! I had asked him to consume 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Along with consuming fenugreek seeds, he was taking his regular blood sugar medication also and both had drastically reduced his blood sugar levels making him feel dizzy and unwell. Please remember that dosage is very important when it comes to consuming fenugreek seeds. How To Consume Fenugreek Seeds? You can consume the seeds by soaking it in water overnight or in the form of fenugreek powder and finally as fenugreek tea and you can find the recipe for it here. You can also try fenugreek capsules if you don't want to consume the seeds. Fenugreek Seeds Dosage: The general suggested dosage is 1/2 tsp but start with  1/4 tsp of the seeds and increase it to 1/2 tsp over time.....

8 Top Medicinal Uses & Benefits Of Cassia Alata (Akapulko | Seemai Agathi)

 

Senna Alata | Cassia Alata is a very important medicinal plant with amazing medicinal uses and health benefits. It is native to Mexico and but now can be found in many parts of the world. In India, it is found commonly and can be easily found along road sides and wastelands. The seed, leaves and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Cassia Alata belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Senna. Cassia Alata| Senna Alata is the botanical name. It is commonly called Candlestick Plant | Candle Bush | Candlestick Cassia | Candle Tree Plant | Candle Bush Plant | Yellow Candlestick Plant as the inflorescence of the plant looks like a candle. It is also commonly called as Ring Worm Bush plant as it is very famous for treating ringworm. It is called Seemai Agathi in Tamil, Dadmurdan In Hindi, Shima Agati in Malayalam, Shima Avasi in Telugu, Akapulko in Philippines, Eth Thora in Sinhalese, Chumhet Thet in Thai, Bois Dartre in French, Kerzenstrauch in German, Kasshia Arata in Japanese and Dadrughna in Sanskrit. Senna Alata plant is a large shrub that grows up to 3 to 4 meters tall. The large and broad bilateral leaves close at night. The inflorescence are candle shaped and looks strikingly beautiful. The fruit is a straight pod with small square seeds. Chemical Constituents: Anthraquinones, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, lectin, rhein and tannins. Some of the compunds isolated from the leaves are chrysoeriol, kaempferol, quercetin, 5,7,4 trihydroflavanone, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1>--6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, stearic acid, palmitic Acid, palmitic Acid Ceryl Ester, n-triacontanol, n-dotriacontanol and 17-hydrotetratriacontane. Traditional Uses: Traditionally it has been used for treating insect bites, ring worm, wounds, as a laxative, hyper tension, skin diseases, decoction of the leaves are used for cough and to get rid of intestinal worms. Here are the medicinal uses of cassia alata:1. Anti Fungal Properties & Anti Microbial: Both ethanol extract and water extract got by boiling the cassia alata leaves in water has amazing anti fungal properties and anti microbial properties making it very effective for treating skin diseases. It is very effective against ringworm as it has anti dermatophyte properties which are the main causes of ringworm. It is also particularly effective against Cadidia Albicans, Microsporum Canis and Trichyophyton Mentagraphytes. You can read the study that proves it here. 2. Anti Inflammatory & Antioxidant Properties: Cassia alata has wonderful anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Applying a poultice of the leaves on the effected area helps bring down the inflammation effectively. In fact, cassia alata showed the most anti inflammatory properties against four other herb extracts it was tested along with, you can read the study here. 3. Anti Pyretic Properties: Cassia Alata has wonderful fever reducing properties and the water extract can be used for reducing high body temperature. The water extract can also be used for treating malaria fever as it has anti malarial properties too. 4. Anthelmintic Properties: Generally all cassia plants have the ability to expel worms and especially cassia alata is very powerful. The water extract of cassia alata leaf can be taken for expelling worms and has been traditionally used for it for many years. 5. Anti Diabetic Properties: Cassia alata has blood sugar lowering properties and this action is believed to be because it inhibits carbohydrate digestion. Slowing carbohydrate digestion leads to slow release of sugar thus it greatly helps diabetic patients. 6. Anti Tumor properties: An isolate extracted from cassia alata has wonderful anti tumor properties and has been proven to be very effective against colon canceroma, bladder carcinoma and colo rectal carcinoma. The extract isolated from cassia alata is named f61 and amazingly it does not cause any harm to non cancerous cells. You can read about it here. 7. Ovicidal & Larvicidal Properties: Cassia alata has both ovicidal and larvidal properties and is used for getting rid of nematodes of sheep and goats. The water extract can be used safely for getting rid of parasites. 8. Cassia Alata As a Laxative: Cassia leaf extract got by boiling the leaves in water has been traditionally used for treating constipation. This traditional use has been backed by research and you can read the study here. Cassia Alata Side Effects: Cassia alata has low toxicity when consumed internally as a medicine but pregnant women should not consume cassia alata as it can lead to abortion. Traditionally cassia alata extract has been used for inducing abortion in pregnant women and this practice is indeed proven to be true. Cassia Alata Dosage: Usually the recommended dosage for cassia tea is 1/2 to 1 tsp of the dried leaves and 1 to 2 small fresh leaves....

8 Top Medicinal Uses & Benefits Of Artemisia Vulgaris (Mugwort)

 

Artemisia vulgaris commonly called as mugwort has wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits. It belongs to the genus Artemisia and family Asteraceae. Though many plants in artemisia is called mugwort, artemisia vulgaris is the one most commonly referred to as mugwort. Artemisia Vulgaris is an aromatic perennial plant that grows about 2 meter tall and the leaves are about 2.5 to 20 cm long. We can also identify artemisia vulgaris with the numerous flower heads. It is native to Asia, Temperate Europe, North Africa and Alaska. Here in India, it is not commonly found but few grow it as it used in garlands often. The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes and is very easy to grow at home and needs little to no maintenance. An essential oil called artemisia vulgaris essential oil is distilled from the plant and it also has wonderful medicinal uses. It is called Masipathiri in Tamil, Douna | Naga Douna in Hindi, Dona in Bengali, Mugwort | Indian Wormwood in English, Dona in Bengali, Davanamu in Telugu, Damoro in Gujarati, Nagadamani in Sanskrit,  Davana in Marathi. Traditional Uses: Traditionally, it is most commonly used for treating menstrual and digestion related problems and also to get rid of intestinal worms. The leaves are slightly bitter and very aromatic so they are added as a seasoning to certain dishes in small quantities as it adds a nice aroma along with stimulating digestive juices. The dried leaves are used as a smudge stick and the smoke has a calming effect. The dried leaf sticks also burns for along time. Here in our place we tie the leaves along with flowers and wear it as a garland on our hair. Chemical Components: The active compounds of artemisia vulgaris are flavonoids, coumarins, volatile oils, inulin and alkaloids. The main compounds of volatile oils are camphor, camphene, germacrene D, 1-8-, cineole, alpha-thujone and beta-caryophyllene. Here are the medicinal uses of artemisia vulgaris: 1. For Asthma: Artemisia vulgaris has bronchodilatory properties and has been traditionally used for treating asthma. For treating asthma, water infusion of the bark and leaf are used. This traditional use has been proven beyond doubt, you can read the study that proves it here. 2. Anti Spasmodic Properties: Artemisia vulgaris has anti spasmodic properties and can be used as a home remedy for treating menstrual pain very effectively. A warm cup of mugwort tea will greatly help reduce the pain. 3. Anti Diarrhea Properties: Artemisia Vulgaris stops diarrhea very effectively. The water decoction of artemisia flowers and leaves is effective as a remedy for diarrhea. 4. Anti Malaria Properties: Artemisia vulgaris has wonderful anti parasitic properties and the water extract of the plant can be used as a remedy for treating malaria. You can read the study that proves it here. 5. Anthelmintic Properties: Artemisia vulgaris has wonderful anthelmintic properties. The water decoction of leaf can be used to get rid of intestinal worms. But please be careful of the dosage and never over consume it. 6. Antiseptic Properties: Since mugwort has anti bacterial and antiseptic properties, the paste of the leaves can be applied as a poultice for treating all kinds of skin infection. 7. Nervous Problems: It has a soothing effect on the nerves and can be used as a home remedy for anxiety, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia and depression. Spiritually, mugwort tea is recommended before sleeping for remembering our dreams (I am not sure whether it works) and if had before meditation, it relaxes us and helps us enter the meditative state easily. 8. Improves Digestion: Mugwort is an all round remedy for treating a variety of stomach problems. It stimulates gastric juices and helps improve digestion. It reduces colic and stomach cramps along with treating diarrhea. Dosage: Around 1 to 2 grams is the suggested dosage for the leaves, 0.5 to 1 gram for the powder, 1 to 2 tsp for fresh juice and 50 ml for the decoction. Never overdose on artemisia vulgaris, it will do more harm than good. Side Effects: Mugwort is toxic when used in large doses. Never use it for children and it should not be taken during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions. Mugwort pollens are famous allergens and can cause allergies commonly. Some common symptoms of mugwort pollen allergy are sneezing, swollen eyes and lips, burning sensation in the throat, etc. If you are prone to allergies, it is best not to grow mugwort at home...

 

10 Top Health Benefits, Nutrition & Uses Of Gongura | Pulicha Keerai

 

Gongura | Pulicha Keerai is a very popular plant in India grown for it's green leaves. The leaves taste sour and there are two varieties of gongura - green stemmed called Kenaf in English and red stemmed variety is called Roselle in English. It is especially popular in Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu and is called Gongura in Telugu, Ambadi in Marathi and Pulicha Keerai | புளிச்ச கீரை in Tamil, Pitwaa in Hindi, Pandi | Pundi in Kannada, Taka Bhendi in Oriya, Sankokada in Punjabi, Mathipuli in Malayalam, Chukor in Bengali and Shougri in Manipur. Green Stemmed Gongura (Kenaf): The botanical name of green stemmed variety of gongura is Hibiscus Cannabinus. The green stemmed variety is not as sour as the red stemmed variety and it grows about 11 feet tall. The leaves of young plants are usually simple but as the plant grows, they become 3 to 5 lobed. The flowers of green variety are about 8 to 15 cm in diameter and are white, yellow or purple in color. Another main difference between kenaf and roselle is the fruit pod, it is a small capsule in kenaf about 1. 5 to 2 cm in diameter. The leaves are used in cooking and the stem is used for producing fiber. The fiber got from gongura plants are used in so many industries. The fiber got from gongura stem is white so there is literally no bleaching involved thus reducing the amount of chemicals used. Red Stemmed Gongura (Roselle): The botanical name of the red stemmed gongura is Hibiscus Sabdariffa. The red stemmed variety is more sour than the green variety and it grows about 8 feet tall. The leaves are 3 to 5 lobed and are arranged alternatively. The flowers are white to pale yellow in color with a fleshy red calyx. The calyx enlarge as the fruit matures and fully encloses the velvety capsule which contains the seeds. Both the leaves and the calyx are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. The stem is used for producing fiber. Gongura Nutritional Value: The leaves contain around 3.3 grams of protein, .3 grams of fat, 9.2 grams of carbohydrate. It is rich in phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and vitamin C. The major fatty acid present in the gongura seed oil are palmitic acid followed by stearic acid. The main unsaturated fatty acids found are linoleic acid and oleic acid. Chemical Constituents: The main bio active constituents present in gongura are anthocyanins, organic acids, polysaccharides and flavonoids. Traditional Uses: Traditionally the calyx of roselle is boiled in water and made into syrups and drinks and consumed all over the world. The seeds are roasted and consumed in certain countries. Oil extracted for gongura seeds are used in cooking and the roasted seeds are also used as a coffee substitute. In India we use the leaves of both varieties in cooking extensively. Medicinally the calyx has been used for treating fever, lowering blood pressure, constipation, sore throat and cough. The seeds are used for improving the lactation and the leaf paste is used for treating wounds. Gongura Recipes: Gongura is used to make Andhra gongura pickle, gongura pappu, gongura chutney, gongura chicken curry and gongura mutton. Here at home, we make gongura chutney also called pulicha keerai thuvaiyal | Pulicha keerai chutney (thokku) in Tamil : For the chutney, separate the leaves from the stem, wash and drain. Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan and add 1 tbsp of urad dal, 2 red chillies and a small piece of asafoetida and fry till urad dal turns golden brown and remove from fire. Now add some more oil and add 1 cup of the chopped leaves along 2 cut garlic pods and fry in medium flame till gongura wilts and changes color. Now grind everything together along with required salt and tiny bit of jaggery without adding any water to a thick chutney. Gongura Pickle: To make gongura pickle, grind gongura leaves along with red chilli, tiny piece of jaggery and salt. Now heat sesame oil in a pan, season with mustard and then add in the ground paste. Fry well till the oil oozes out, switch and store. Gongura Pappu: To make gongura pappu, boil 1/2 cup of moong dal along with little turmeric powder for 2 to 3 whistles in cooker. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan, add in 1/4 cup of sliced onions, 2 finely cut green chillies and the cut gongura leaves and fry for few minutes. Now add in little water and salt and boil till the gongura leaves are cooked. Once cooked, add in the boiled dal and cook for few minutes more and switch off. To season, heat ghee in a pan, add in mustard, jeera, curry leaves and 1 red chilli. Once the mustard splutters add to the dal and serve with hot rice. Roselle Tea: To make roselle tea, take 2 dried calyxes and a cup of water in a pan and bring to a rolling boil and switch off. Let it steep for 10 minutes, strain and add few drops of lemon juice and honey to taste. This tea has wonderful health benefits and can be used by both diabetic and pressure patients. It also has wonderful anti spasmodic properties. When buying gongura, try to buy fresh leaves and use them while still fresh for best results. Gongura Side Effects: Gongura if had in moderation rarely causes any side effects. Pregnant women also can enjoy gongura in moderation... 

10 Top Health Benefits & Side Effects Of Noni Fruit Juice

 

Noni fruit commonly called as Indian Mulberry | Cheese Fruit | Vomit Fruit is very popular all over the world. Noni was used by Polynesians more than 150 to 200 years before and is found mostly in tropical countries like Hawaii, Malaysia and Fiji Islands. Noni fruit is called Aal | Aach | Barral in Hindi, Nunaa | Manjanari | Vellai Nunaa in Tamil, Ach | Bartundi in Bengali, Surangi in Gujarati, Mulgul in Kannada, Manjanathi in Malayalam, Nagakuda in Marathi, Achuka in Sanskrit, Madi Chettu in Telugu, Mengkudu in Indonesia & Malaysia and Kumudu in Bali. Noni is an amazing fruit with multiple health benefits and wonderful medicinal uses. The botanical name of noni is Morinda Citrifolia. It belongs to genus Morinda and Rubiaceae family (coffee family) which has around 80 species. Noni is native to South East Asia and Australia and now as it's medicinal uses are getting widely known, it is grown widely all over the world. The tree grows up to 9 feet tall and bears fruits throughout the year. The fruits have a weird shape and smell pungent when ripe. Almost all parts of the tree are used both in traditional medicine and in cosmetics. The fruits are green in color and when ripe turns almost white in color. Despite it's long usage it has never been a food plant because noni fruit tastes bland and has a pungent smell that many dislike. Noni Fruit Nutrition: Noni fruit has almost 90 % water and 10 % solids. The solid matter comprises of protein (the amino acids found in noni are glutamic acid, aspartic acid and isoleucine), fiber and sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose). The minerals found in noni are sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sulfur. The main vitamins found in noni fruit are vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B3. Noni Fruit Chemical Constitution: Noni fruit and other parts of noni tree contains many phytochemicals that include phenolic compounds, anthraquinones, flavonoids, iridoids, lignans, ketones, sterols, carotenoids, nucleoside, triterpenoids. The fruit goes through 3 stages - unripe green, hard ripe white and soft ripe white. Out of these 3 stages, the hard ripe stages contains the maximum nutrients and phytochemicals, it contains 2 times more antioxidants, one and half times more phenols and 7 times more vitamin C. The presence of all these compounds are responsible for it's anti obesity, anti cancer, anti tumor, anti inflammatory, anti diabetic, anti viral, anti bacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic, anti arthritics, anti allergic, analgesic, wound healing, anti nausea, anti wrinkle, anti ulcer, anthelmintic, anti psychotic properties and immune enhancing properties. Traditional Medicinal Uses: Noni juice has been traditionally used for arthritis, diabetes, aches and pains, menstrual pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, headache, cancer, mental diseases and for drug addictions! How To Consume Noni? Noni can be consumed in the form of fresh noni fruit, fermented noni juice, fresh noni juice, dried noni fruit power and noni capsules. Noni Fruit Juice: Noni fruit once it turns rips starts fermenting rapidly so it is usually converted into juice and bottled. I was very confused at first in deciding whether fresh noni juice or fermented noni juice is best. After researching I have to come to the conclusion that fresh fruit juice is the best followed by fermented noni juice. How To Make Fresh Noni Juice? To make fresh noni juice, collect fresh noni fruit and grind to a pulp using the whipper button. Make sure not to grind the seeds. Now mix in any fruit juice of your choice to make it palatable and drink immediately. To make fermented noni juice at home, wash noni fruits and take them in a jar. Now close the jar tightly and leave it under hot sun for 2 months, the juice will start collecting in the bottle. After 2 months strain the juice and your fermented noni juice is ready. The noni juice shown in the picture is homemade fermented noni juice that is fermented for about 2 weeks. As time goes by it will take on a darker color. Where To Buy Non Fruit Juice? We get noni fruit juice concentrates very easily in Indian markets. Noni capsules and noni fruit powder are also marketed, noni capsules can also be easily got in the shops but noni fruit powder is not easily available but you can order it online. Usually if you look for noni juice online, you will find Hawaiian Noni juice and Tahitian Noni juice named after the place it is manufactured from. You can choose anyone, both are good. Noni Juice Dosage: Generally 30 ml is the suggested dosage and I would suggest starting with this dosage. You can even start with 15 ml if you are not comfortable. If you feel you need to drink more, you can slowly increase it to 45 ml but don't overdose. The best time to take noni juice is in the morning, 15 to 20 minutes before having your breakfast. Noni juice tastes bad so be prepared for it. Noni Leaf Tea: I also wanted to mention about noni leaf tea, it also has wonderful anti oxidant, anti fatigue, anti diabetic and anti microbial properties. Noni leaf tea is nothing but noni leaf boiled in water, it has strong anti microbial properties. In research, noni leaf extract showed powerful action against microorganisms like Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Subtilis, etc. This antimicrobial activity is due to the large amounts of phenolic compounds present in the leaves. Side Effects: Consuming large amount of noni juice should be strictly avoided, several side effects have been reported after excessive noni juice consumption. A young man after suffering from hepatitis took 1.5 liters of noni juice and he suffered from sub acute liver failure. An older lady who suffered from liver disease developed acute hepatitis after she consumed 2 liters of noni juice.  The toxicity of noni fruit is said to be due to the high amounts of anthraquinones present in it. However many commercial noni juice makers remove the toxic compounds from the juice making it safe to drink. But I would suggest practicing caution and to never over consume noni juice. Also noni juice is high in potassium and people with kidney and liver problems should be very careful of the dosage.....

8 Top Uses & Skin Benefits Of Red Sandalwood (Rakta Chandan) Powder

 

Red Sandalwood also called Red Sanders in English is popularly called Rakta Chandan in India. It is endemic to Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu and has amazing medicinal uses and health benefits. The botanical name of red sandalwood is Pterocarpus Santalinus and it belongs to Fabaceae family and genus Pterocarpus. Red sandalwood should not be confused with our regular sandalwood which is very aromatic, red sandalwood bark does not have any smell and unlike sandalwood, the bark is red in color. The tree grows very fast when young but it slows down when it reaches 5 meters, because of it's slow growth it is becoming rare. Red sandalwood has cooling properties just like regular sandalwood and usually heartwood of the tree is used for medicinal purposes. Red sandalwood is also used for religious ceremonious and also as a colorant. Red sandalwood is called Rakta Chandan in Bengali, Sivappu Chandanam in Tamil, Agaru Gandhamu in Telugu, Rakta Chandanam in Malayalam, Raktachadan in Oriya, Honne in Kannada, Lal Chandan in Hindi, Tambada Chandana in Marathi and Ratanjali in Gujarati. Red Sandalwood Chemical Constituents: Carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and glycodises. Along with the above, it also contain specific bio active compounds like santalin A and B, savinin, calocedrin, pterostilbenes and petrolinus K and L. Traditional Uses: Traditionally red sandalwood has been used externally for reducing inflammation, treating skin diseases and wounds and internally for diabetes and fevers. In Ayurveda, it has been used for reducing blood sugar levels, eye problems, nasal bleeding, etc. Red Sandalwood Powder Medicinal Uses: 1. Antioxidant Properties: Red sandalwood has wonderful antioxidant properties and has wonderful free radical scavenging properties. Using natural and pure ingredients like red sandalwood which has antioxidant properties is the key to ageless skin. 2. Anti Bacterial Properties: Red sandalwood has wonderful anti bacterial properties that fights against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. It is proven to be effective against bacterial like Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Subtilis, Escherichia Coli, etc. It is because of it's anti bacterial property that it is used extensively for skin care. 3. Anti Diabetic Properties: Red sandalwood extract has anti diabetic properties. The active components present in red sandalwood helps reduce elevated blood sugar levels significantly and you can read the study that proves it here. Traditionally tumblers were made of red sandalwood and water was consumed from it by diabetic patients. 4. Anti Inflammatory Properties: Red sandalwood have wonderful anti inflammatory and analgesic properties and is a great home remedy for treating skin problems like acne and has been used for it for centuries. Applying a paste of red sandalwood powder on the affected area will bring down the inflammation greatly and also will relieve the pain to a great extent. You can read the study that supports this claim here. 5. Gastroprotective Properties: Gastric mucosal injury can be caused due to various reasons and some of the common reasons are stress, alcohol consumption, ageing, infection and certain medications. Gastric mucosal injury can lead to sever ulcers and consuming red sandalwood internally in the proper dosage greatly protects and prevent ulcers from forming. 6. Wound Healing Properties: Red sandalwood has amazing wound healing properties and is wonderful for treating small wounds and cuts. Washing minor scrapes and cuts with red sandalwood water will help in fast wound healing. 7. Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Properties: Red sandalwood has protective effect on our lungs and heart and hence protects us from major diseases when taken internally. Along with the above uses, it also has anti viral, anti fungal and anti cancer properties. 8. Skin Benefits: Red sandal wood powder has amazing skin benefits. Due to it's cooling properties, it is great for using it on suntanned skin. It reduces skin inflammation, treats acne and acne scars, evens out skin complexion, fades dark spots and is an amazing home remedy for hyper pigmentation. Due to it's anti ageing properties, it prevents premature ageing of the skin and gives one a radiant, fair and glowing complexion. For skin and face care, it is usually combined with nourishing ingredient like rose water, honey and applied as a face pack. Side Effects: Red sandalwood powder when applied externally does not have any side effects. Taking it internally is best done under medical guidance to determine the correct dosage. But if you want to take it internally at home don't go above the suggested dosage. Dosage: The general safe dosage for internal consumption is 2 to 5 grams of the red sandalwood powder but please don't over dose on rakta chandan powder. Red Sandalwood Price & Where To Buy: 100 grams of red sandalwood powder costs around 210 rupees. You can buy either the red sandalwood bark or red sandalwood powder in herb shops or through online shops. How To Make Red Sandalwood Powder At Home? Take red sandalwood bark and rub it in sandalwood stone till you get a thick paste. Now dry this paste by spreading it on a plate. Break the dried pieces and you have pure red sandalwood powder. We also get rakta chandan soaps in the markets and they are used for treating pimples, prickly heat, itching and skin allergies.....

Nilavembu Kashayam (Nilavembu Kudineer) Recipe Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects

 

Nilvembu also called Kalmegh in Hindi is an amazing herb that has wonderful medicinal uses. It's botanical name is Andographis Paniculata and you can read about it here. Nilavembu has anti pyretic properties and has been used in traditional medicine for long time to treat all kinds of fevers. It also reduces blood sugar levels and is good for diabetic patients. Here in Tamil Nadu, nilavembu kashayam | nilavembu kudineer is very very famous as it widely used for treating dengue and chikungunya fever. Though it is called nilavembu powder | choornanam, it is not just made with just nilavembu herb. It is an amazing Siddha formulation that is a mixture of 9 herbs and nilavembu is just one herb in the mixture. The 9 herbs used in nilavembu kashayam are Nilavembu | Kalmegh (Andrographis Paniculata), Sukku | Dry Ginger, Vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanioides), Korai Kilangu | Nagar Motha, Milagu (Pepper), Sandhanam (Sandalwood), Vilamichai Ver (Plectranthus Vettiveroides) and Parpadagam (Mullugo Cerviana). Here are the medicinal uses of nilavembu kudineer: 1. For Fever:  Nilavembu powder has anti pyretic properties and helps reduce all kinds of fevers though it is famously used mainly for treating dengue and chikungunya. 2. For Reducing Inflammation: nilavembu kashayam has anti inflammatory properties and treats all the inflammation really well. You can read the study that proves it here. 3. Reduces Pain (Analgesic Properties): Nilavembu kashayam also called nilavembu kudineer has amazing analgesic properties and greatly reduces body pain when we are suffering from fever. 4. Anti Bacterial & Anti Viral Properties: Nilavembu kudineer has both anti bacterial and anti viral properties so it can be used for treating viral fevers very effectively. 5. Improves Immunity & Detoxes The Body: Nilavembu kashayam is great for improving immunity and helps detoxify the body naturally. One of my uncles mentioned that after he took nilavembu kashayam, he has never got a cold or flu till date. 6. For Diabetes: Nilavembu kashayam is good for diabetic patients as it lowers blood sugar levels but I would kindly suggest taking it under medical supervision as taking both nilavembu kashayam and diabetic medications together might lower blood sugar levels drastically. Nilavembu kashayam is especially useful for dengue fever and chikungunya as it helps reduce the fever and the pain greatly due to it's anti inflammatory and anti pyretic properties. But please remember, since nilavembu kudineer chooranam is a Siddha formulation, the dosage and duration is very important. Nilavembu Kashayam Dosage: For babies less than 5 years: 1 to 1.5 tsp, for children between the age of 5 to 12 years 1 to 1.5 tbsp, above 12 years : 40 to 50 ml. For prevention take it in the mentioned dosage once in empty stomach for 5 days. If you have fever, you can take it 3 times a days for 2 to 3 days but I would suggest consulting a doctor immediately. This formulation is not recommended for babies below 1 year. Nilavembu kashayam during pregnancy and breast feeding is best taken under medical supervision. Nilavembu Kashayam Side Effects: Nilavembu kashayam as the name suggest is bitter and if you overdose, it might cause stomach irritation and diarrhea. If you are suffering from sever ulcers, it is best to take it under medical supervision. You can get nilavembu kudineer chooranam | nilavembu powder easily in Tamil Nadu, even departmental stores stock them. You can also order it online...

 

8 Top Medicinal Uses Of Kokum (Garcinia Indica) For Skin, Hair & Health

 

Kokum whose botanical name is Garcinia indica is quite popular in India. Though it is mostly used as a spice to flavor curries, it has wonderful health benefits and medicinal uses. Kokum belongs to the mangosteen family and there are more than 200 species. In India, they are mostly found in western ghats and Andaman Islands. It is called Wild Mangosteen In English, Kokum in Hindi, Punarpuli in Kannada, Bhirand in Konkani, Kokum in Marathi, Kokam in Gujarati, Tintali in Oriya, Murgal in Tamil, Chinta in Telugu and Kattampi in Malayalam. The fruits are red in color and they are used to make the famous kokum sharbat (kokum juice) which is very popular in India as a body coolant drink. The ripe fruits are more commonly available in North India and we get only the dried fruits in South India. The outer covering of the fruit is dried, packaged and sold and when it is dried it turns black. It has a sour taste and sweet aroma and is usually added to curries for sourness. Traditionally, kokum is used as a body coolant, for treating heat strokes and as an appetizer to improve digestion. Kokum is generally confused with kudampuli (Garcinia Cambogia), both are different and you can read about kudampuli here. Chemical Constituents: The main chemical constituents found in kokum are flavonoids, citric acid,  hydroxycitric acid, garcinol and anthocayanins. Kokum Medicinal Uses: 1. Anti Depressant Properties: Kokum extract has a positive effect on our nervous system and helps reduce anxiety and depression. Given our stressful lives, anxiety and depression are getting more common and natural ingredients like kokum helps treat it safely. You can read the study that proves it here. 2. Antioxidant Properties: Kokum sherbet has been known to improve immunity and prevent diseases that is because kokum is very rich in antioxidants. Antioxidant rich foods like kokum if consumed regularly will keep us healthy. 3. For Parkinson's Disease: Kokum has neuro protective properties and will greatly help treat nerve related problems. Antioxidants play an important role in Parkinson's disease. Since kokum is rich in antioxidants, consuming it's extract regularly will greatly help people suffering from Parkinson's disease. You can read the study that proves it here. 4. For Type 2 Diabetes: Oxidative stress is one of the major factors in type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress depletes glutathione which in turn leads to diabetic complications. But consuming antioxidant rich foods like kokum reduces oxidative stress and helps restore the level of glutathione thus preventing diabetic complications. 5. Anti Cancer: Garcinol extracted from the rind of the fruit have amazing anti cancer properties. The amazing anti cancer properties of garcinol is due to it's antioxidant, anti ageing and anti inflammatory properties. You can read the study that supports this claim here. 6. As a Body Coolant: Kokum has a cooling effect on the body and kokum sharbat if had during scorching summers actually reduces body heat and greatly prevents heat strokes. Also if you get fresh fruits, you can rub it on prickly heat rashes that is very common during summers, it is an amazing remedy for it. 7. Anti Ulcer: Garcinol present in kokum has amazing free radical scavenging properties and it also has anti ulcer properties. You can read the study that proves it here. If you are suffering from acidity consume kokum sharbat made at home regularly. 8. For Weight Loss: Some of the plants in the genus Garcinia has been widely used for aiding weight loss. Especially Garcinia Cambogia is widely used for weight loss and now kokum also is used as a weight loss supplement. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) present in garcinia extracts is reported to reduce blood lipids, suppress appetite thereby naturally aiding weight loss. But the weight loss benefits have not been proven 100 % clinically on a large scale. Kokum Side Effects: Kokum generally agrees with everyone but don't over consume kokum. Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers can consume kokum sharbat (kokum juice) in moderation. How is Kokum Oil Made? Kokum oil is made from the seed kernels of the fruit. The seeds are roasted and the kernels are separated from the seed shells. The kernels are then ground to a fine paste and then the ground paste is pressed to extract kokum oil. To make pure kokum oil, the extracted oil is boiled in large vats with little water, the impurities settle down and the pure kokum oil which floats on top is skimmed off. Pure kokum oil has all the benefits of kokum butter mentioned below. How Is Kokum Butter Made? The pure kokum oil thus extracted is churned for 6 to 8 hours to solidify and then it is poured into containers to set completely. Traditional kokum butter is made this way but refined kokum butter is made by adding lot of chemicals. Though expensive, I would suggest buying only unrefined kokum butter. Kokum butter is used extensively in cosmetics and can be used in place of any natural butters. It has amazing skin and hair benefits, it does not clog pores so it great for acne prone skin, reduces dryness of the skin, is rich in antioxidants, helps keep the skin supple and it is also a great hair conditioner. Where to Buy Kokum? You can buy dried kokum in health shops in India. You get ready made kokum sharbat easily in India but I would suggest making your own, it is so easy...

 

10 Top Medicinal Uses & Benefits Of Saffron (Kesar) For Skin, Hair & Health

  

Saffron called as Kesar in Hindi is one of the most expensive spices in the whole world and has been in use from ancient times. Saffron imparts a golden yellow color to the dishes and has been mainly used a natural colorant but it also has wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits. Saffron is called kungumapoo in Tamil, Kumkum puvvu in Telugu, Kumkumapoovu in Malayalam, Kesari in Kannada, Kesar in Punjabi, Keshar in Marathi, Zafran in Punjabi and Urdu. Saffron is got from saffron flowers whose botanical name is Crocus Sativus. Saffron flower is light purple in color but the thread like stamen is a beautiful crimson red. It takes very careful picking of about 36000 saffron flowers to get 1 pound of stigmas and over 2 lakh stigmas to get just 500 grams of pure high quality saffron which makes it very expensive. Saffron was first cultivated in Greece but now Iran accounts for almost 90 % of the world production. Saffron has been used in both traditional ayurvedic medicine and in home remedies, it has been used as a sedative, as an expectorant for treating cough, to improve skin color and it is also regularly given to pregnant women. Saffron Chemical Constituents: Saffron contains more than 150 volatile compounds. The yellow color of saffron is mainly due to the presence of carotenoid compounds crocin and crocetin. The unique taste and smell of saffron is due to the presence of compounds called safranal and picrocrocin. In the dried saffron threads, safranal accounts for almost 70 % of the volatile compounds present in it. Saffron Nutrition: 100 grams of saffron has around 310 calories, 6 grams of fat, 11 grams of protein and 65 grams of carbohydrates. Saffron is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B6 and calcium. Saffron Medicinal uses: 1. Anti Cancer Properties: Saffron has wonderful anti cancer properties. Crocin, safranal and picrocrocin present in saffron greatly prevents the growth of cancer cells. Out of these three compounds, crocin has the most anti cancer effect. 2. Natural Aphrodisiac: Saffron has been believed to be a natural aphrodisiac and this traditional belief has been backed by research. The main constituents of saffron are safranal and crocin and though safranal does not have aphrodisiac properties, crocin has significant aphrodisiac properties and you can read the study that supports this claim here. 3. Antidote For Poisoning: Saffron has a protective effect and acts as a natural poison antidote. Crocin and safranal present in saffron has a protective effect and reduces the effect of poison in our body, you can read the study here. 4. Antioxidant & Anti Inflammatory Properties: Saffron extract has wonderful antioxidant properties and it also helps reduce inflammation as it has anti inflammatory properties too. Since it has high antioxidant properties, it has radical scavenging properties thus greatly preventing premature ageing. 5. For Depression: Saffron has been believed to have anti depressant properties and usually saffron milk is given as a remedy for it and this traditional remedy has been backed by research. Saffron greatly helps people suffering from mild to moderate depression and even just 4 weeks of supplementation will help. This is due to its neuroprotective, antioxidant, serotonergic and anti inflammatory properties. 6. For Anxiety and Schizophrenia: Saffron has neuro protective effect and greatly helps with mental diseases like depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's and schizophrenia. Safranal and crocin greatly helps reduce anxiety, you can read the study that supports this claim here. It also greatly helps with learning and improves our memory. 7. Reduces Blood Pressure: Saffron reduces blood pressure and the effect is dosage dependent. Out of the two major constituents in saffron, safranal has the most effect in reducing blood pressure. You can read the study here. 8. Macular Degeneration: Saffron supplementation has been highly recommended for good eyesight and this traditional use has been proven through research. Just 3 months of regular supplementation with saffron has shown to improve the retinal function. 9. For Weight Loss: As consumption of high fat processed foods increases, the risk of getting diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, sleep problems and liver diseases also increases. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver disease the commonly affects overweight people. Crocin present in saffron greatly helps prevents non alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese people. Along with eating healthy, if we supplement with saffron we can prevent liver diseases caused due to obesity. 10. For Diabetes: Saffron has a positive effect on diabetic patients and regular intake will greatly help prevent some of the complications of diabetes like oxidative stress, encephalopathy, cardio vascular damage, nerve damage etc. Due to it's antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties, saffron prevents many of the diabetic complications. Along with the above uses saffron has been used for skin care for centuries as it helps improve the skin complexion. Also it is a traditional Indian custom to give saffron to pregnant ladies as it greatly helps in digestion, has a calming effect and also keeps the pregnant women healthy and it is also believed to improve the complexion of new born babies. How To Buy & Store Saffron? Since saffron is expensive, always test  a small amount before buying it in bulk. To test, take one saffron strand and put it water, if it is fake, the saffron thread will lose it's crimson red color whereas original saffron will not. Saffron Dosage: Usually just a pinch or two of saffron is added to milk and that is the amount of saffron I took when I was pregnant too. Saffron Side Effects: If taken in normal dosage like mentioned below, it will not cause any side effects. But consuming large dosages for long duration's of time might have side effects like dryness of the mouth, nausea, headache, etc....

8 Top Medicianl Uses of Aerva Lanta | Polpala (Cherula | Sirupeelai)

 

Aerva Lanata is a popular plant in Tamil Nadu that goes by the name Sirupeelai in Tamil. It is called Mountain Knotgrass in English, Polpala in Sinhalese, Cherula | Cheroola in Malayalam, Gorakhbuti in Hindi, Bilesuli in Kannada, Chaya in Bengali, Pindi Kura in Telugu, Kapuri Madhura in Marathi and Bhui in Rajasthan. The plant is commonly found in Asia, Africa and Australia. Here in Tamil Nadu, during Pongal festival we adorn the house with this plant, it is a traditional custom that is still followed today. The plant produces small white flowers and is very very commonly found all over India. Aerva Lanata has wonderful medicinal uses and has been used both in ayurvedic and siddha medicine from ancient times. It is especially well known for treating all kidney problems and has been traditionally used for treating kidney stones. Along with treating kidney stones, it is also well known for treating headaches, painful urination and as a natural deworming medicine. Aerva Lanta Chemical Constituents: It has a diverse range of constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. Here are some of the medicinal uses of Aerva Lanata: 1. Antioxidant Properties: Aerva lanata possess wonderful antioxidant properties. Though here in our place we don't use it in cooking, some cultures do use the leaves of the plant in cooking like any other greens. Consuming this plant is one of the best ways to enjoy it's antioxidant potential. 2. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels: Aerva Lanata lowers blood sugar levels and internal consumption will have a positive impact on diabetic patients. You can read the study that supports this claim here. 3. Treats Asthma: Aerva lanata extract has been proven to be effective for treating asthma. It is common practice to give water decoction of the plant to treat asthma traditionally. 4. Treats Diarrhea: The water decoction of the plant treats diarrhea, many cultures use the water decoction for treating diarrhea till today. 5. Anti Urolithiatic Activity: Aerva lanata is very very well known for treating kidney stones. Here in our place the water decoction of the plant is given for dissolving kidney stones. It also has a protective effect on the kidneys and is great for patients suffering from kidney problems but kidney patients should take it under medical supervision. You can read the study that supports this claim here. 6. For Getting Rid Of Intestinal Worms: Aerva Lanata has wonderful anthelmintic properties and has been used for treating intestinal worms traditionally. You can use either the powder or the water extract of the fresh plant. 7. Anti Cancer Properties: The plant also anti cancer properties and you can read the study that supports this claim here. 8. Anti Ulcer Properties: The stem extract of the plant has anti ulcer properties, people suffering from ulcers will benefit consuming sirupeelai kudineer (water decoction of the plant in Tamil). Side Effects: This plant has anti fertility properties and people who are on diabetic medication should be careful while consuming it as taking both diabetic medication and polpala might lower blood sugar levels drastically. In Sri Lanka, polpala tea is famous for cleansing the kidneys and is consumed regularly.....

 

10 Top Medicinal Uses Of Fenugreek Seeds | Methi Seeds (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum)

 

 

We use fenugreek seeds extensively both as a remedy and in cooking. The botanical name of fenugreek seeds is Trigonella Foenum-Graecum. Fenugreek seeds are called Methi Dana in Hindi, Vendhayam in Tamil, Menthulu in Telugu, Menthe in Kannada and Ventiam in Malayalam. Fenugreek seeds have wonderful medicinal uses and since most homes stock it always, if we get to know it's medicinal uses, it will always come in handy. At home, we use it to treat ulcers by making a porridge with it, it is very soothing on the stomach and is very tasty too. It is also a common practice for diabetic patients to consume fenugreek seeds in our village. But please remember to keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels as fenugreek seeds might lower it significantly if you are taking it along with diabetic medication. Using fenugreek seeds for increasing breast milk supply is also very common, it is usually given in porridge form for breast feeding mothers. We also use fenugreek seeds externally too, we use it as a hair pack to treat dandruff, I have been using fenugreek hair pack for more than 10 years now. It not only keeps my hair shiny, it also prevents dandruff. Fenugreek Seeds Nutrition: 100 grams of fenugreek seeds contain around 323 calories, 6gm of fat, 23 gms of protein and 58grams of carbohydrates. It is rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin B6. Side Effects Of Fenugreek Seeds: When consuming internally in small amounts it does not cause any problems, but in excess it can lead to upset stomach for some as it is very high in fiber. People who are taking thyroid medication should practice caution when taking excessive amount of fenugreek seeds. The only problem with fenugreek seeds when applying it externally on the scalp is that anyone who is prone to sinus or asthma can't use it as it is very cooling and will aggravate the problem. To be on the safer side, don't let it soak for a long time (max 10 minutes) when you are using it the first time. Once you are comfortable then you can let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Where to buy fenugreek seeds? In India fenugreek seeds can be found in all departmental stores, abroad you can find it in grocery stores but if you can't try in Indian stores. How To Consume Fenugreek Seeds: You can consume it as it is or take it in the form of fenugreek powder. You can also try fenugreek capsule if you don't want to consume the seeds. Fenugreek Seeds Dosage: The general suggested dosage is 1 tsp but start 1/2 tsp of the seeds and increase it to 1 tsp over time

 

8 Top Medicinal Uses Of Kaffir Lime (Makrut) For Hair, Skin & Health

 

Kaffir lime is actually a lime that is native to Thailand and it is popularly called Makrut in Thailand. We call it kolumichai in Tamil and it's botanical name is Citrus Hystrix. I am not sure about it's Hindi name and names in other Indian languages. If you do know please update me in the comment section. Last week one our family friends sent some kaffir limes from their farm but they had sent it naming them citron lime (Citrus Medica). But citron limes are more elongate and we call it narthangai in Tamil. Both should not be confused with each other, kaffir limes are small with bumpy skin and a very strong unique smell. The main compounds found in kaffir lime are citronellal and in smaller amounts limonene, citronellol are found. In Thailand, kaffir limes are used extensively in cooking and especially the kaffir lime leaves are used more than the limes in cooking as it imparts a wonderful flavor. Kaffir lime has amazing health benefits and is especially wonderful for treating all gum related problems. It has got antifungal, anti inflammatory and insect repelling properties. Here are some of the benefits of using kaffir limes: 1. Kaffir lime For Hair: Kaffir limes are excellent in treating dandruff. To treat dandruff mix 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with 1 tbsp of kaffir lime juice and 1 tbsp of water and apply on the scalp directly. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing and conditioning your hair. This is a very good home remedy for dandruff. 2. Kaffir Lime For Dental Problems: Kaffir limes have been used in various cultures for treating various dental problems. Kaffir lime has anti bacterial properties and to treat dental problems we can make a simple mouth wash by boiling kaffir lime rind with water. 3. Kaffir Lime For Digestion: Kaffir limes is very very good for improving digestion. For improving digestion make kaffir lime juice by mixing the juice with water, a pinch of salt and honey and drink. It is also a very good drink to serve after a heavy meal. 4. Anti Inflammatory Properties: Kaffir lime has good anti inflammatory properties and is good to take when suffering from any kinds of inflammation. 5. Insect Repellent: Kaffir limes is an amazing insect repellent, the essential oil and the rind of the fruit can be used for repelling insects. 6. Detoxify The Body: Kaffir lime juice when taken often like lemon juice detoxifies the body and helps flush out the toxins.7. For Skin: Kaffir lime can be used for skin care too. Since it has anti bacterial properties, it will treat and prevent skin infections. I have given a face pack using kaffir limes below. 8. As a Cleaner: At home, I try to use natural cleaners and I like to boil the rind of kaffir lime and use the liquid as a kitchen top cleaner. The smell when we boil the rind is amazing and so uplifting. Side Effects: Kaffir lime if had in moderation will not cause any side effects.....

 

8 Top Medicinal Uses Of Chives For Skin, Hair & Health

 

I have always been interested in herbs and when I read about new herbs, I always wonder how it will smell and taste. You will always find me asking my family members when they travel to new countries whether they smelt or tasted a herb that is well known in that country. Now I am so happy because we get many well known herbs in India and my latest obsession is chives. The botanical name of chives is Allium Schoenoprasum and they belong to the Allium family and are closely related to onion and garlic. They are bulb forming perennial plants grown for the scapes (stems) and flowers. They produce beautiful pale purple flowers and the stems are soft, hollow and tubular. I want to grow chives in my garden, hopefully I can update the above picture with beautiful chive flowers soon. Commonly chives are refered to as onion chives and garlic chives, they both do not refer to the same plant. Onion chives is Allium Scheonoprasum and garlic chives refers to Allium Tuberosum. Chives goes by the same name in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and all other Indian languages. Chives Nutrition: 100 grams of chives have around 30 calories, 4.3 grams of carbohydrates, 2.5 grams of fiber, less then 1 gram of fat and 3.2 grams of protein. Chives are rich in vitamins like vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B5 and vitamin B6. It is rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc. I have been wanting to use chives in my cooking for a long time and the day I bought it, I made a potato souffle and adding chives took it to an other level. Once my longing for using it in cooking was satisfied, I started looking out for all the medicinal values and health benefits and I have given all of them below. Chives have wonderful anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties and can be used both externally and taken internally. The easiest way to use chives medicinally is either by making a water decoction by boiling the cut chives in water or by extracting the fresh juice by pounding the fresh stem along with little water and then extracting the fresh juice, both are effective. We get chives in big cities in India and some nurseries also sell chive plant. We can easily grow chives at home, it needs full sun and a well drained soil. Chives Side Effects: Having it in moderation you will never experience any side effects but if over consumed might cause stomach issues....

 

10 Top Skin, Hair & Health Benefits & Uses Of Neem Powder

I can only call neem tree whose botanical name is Azardirachta Indica, a natures miracle because it magically cures almost all the skin and hair problems. For people who don't have access to fresh neem leaves, neem leaf powder is a wonderful alternative. We have a very very huge neem tree in front of our house that is  more than 100 years old. I am so fond of that tree and I make neem leaf powder during hot summers and use it throughout the year. Neem leaf powder have anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti microbial, anti viral, anti fungal and anti inflammatory properties making it a very important ingredient that can be used for treating wide variety of problems. Neem powder have these following amazing health benefits and medicinal uses: 1. Neem Powder For Teeth: Neem has been used for dental care for centuries and in our village we still continue to use it. Neem has antibacterial properties and using it as a tooth powder is one the most effective ways to treat dental problems very effectively. It treats bad breath, plaque and kills bacteria in the mouth effectively. I have given homemade tooth powder recipe using neem powder below. 2. Neem For Pimples (Acne): Neem powder is wonderful for treating acne as it has anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and antiseptic properties. To use it for treating pimples apply neem face pack regularly. The anti bacterial activity of neem has been proven through clinical research and not surprisingly it was more potent than other ingredients it was tested along with. You can read that study here. 3. Neem For Eczema: Eczema is a skin condition in which skin becomes dry, inflamed, red and extremely itchy. Neem powder is one of the best home remedies for eczema as it helps reduce the inflammation very very effectively. To use for treating eczema, mix neem powder with yogurt and apply as a poultice. 4. Neem For Athlete's Foot & Other Fungal Infections: Neem leaf powder is an amazing home remedy for treating Athlete's Foot as it has anti fungal properties. To treat it, mix 2 tbsp of neem powder along with a handful of Epsom salt in 2 liters of warm water and soak your feet in it. 5. Neem For Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by red, itchy and scaly skin. Neem powder when mixed together with turmeric powder and applied as a poultice greatly helps reduce the itching. 6. Neem Powder For Dandruff: Neem powder is an amazing home remedy for dandruff when used as a hair pack. I like to mix neem powder with lemon and yogurt and apply as a hair pack for treating dandruff. 7. Neem Powder For Hair Growth: Neem leaf powder treats almost all the problems of the scalp from itchiness to dandruff so it greatly arrests hair loss and promotes new hair growth. 8. Neem Powder For Head Lice:Neem leaf powder is a natural pesticide and is wonderful for killing head lice. You can also use pure neem oil for head lice but neem oil has a very strong odor. If you don't want to use neem oil, try neem leaf powder hair pack mentioned below, it is highly effective. 9. Neem Powder For Stomach Parasites: Here in our village it is a common practice to take neem balls once every 3 months to get rid of stomach parasites. For the balls, you can grind neem leaf powder along with crystal salt, carom seeds and small piece of dry ginger to a fine paste, make into small balls and swallow one small ball in empty stomach. 10. Neem Powder For Diabetes: Neem powder lowers blood sugar levels when taken internally. Now neem leaf tablets are sold everywhere, you can use it or mix neem powder in water and drink it for controlling blood sugar levels. You can read the study that proves the anti diabetic properties of neem here. Neem Powder Side Effects: Neem powder rarely causes any side effects when used externally and can be used for all types of skin. But when taken internally it might cause stomach irritation for some people due to it's extreme bitterness. How To Make Neem Powder? To make neem powder, collect fresh neem leaves, sun dry till crisp and powder in a dry mixer and store. Where To Buy Neem Powder? You get neem powder easily through online shops, it is cheap and stores well....