Helpful Health Tips

Syzygium cumini or the jambolan is a fast growing tree which does well in a very wide variety of climatic conditions and is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It can grow in a variety of soils (loam, marl, sandy, calcareous etc.). It develops best in areas with heavy rainfall and is usually found in areas receiving 900 – 5000 mm of rain in India. Syzygium cumini is useful as a fruit producer, an ornamental tree and for its timber and has been introduced in many different regions. Growth of the Syzygium cumini excludes other species as it forms a dense cover and this property has caused it to be invasive in Hawaii, Cook Islands, and French Polynesia where it prevents re-establishment of native lowland forests. Herbicides are being employed in Hawaii in an effort to control its spread.

Syzygium Cumini HerbTarts, sauces and jams are made out of the jambolan fruit and it can also be eaten raw. Good quality jambolan juice can make excellent sherbet, syrup and squash. A wine, which is like Port, can be made out of the fruit. In Goa and the Philippines, jambolans are an important source of wine. Distilled liquors, brandy and “jambava” can also be made from the fermented fruit. Furthermore it the fruit can also be used to make vinegar.

Syzygium CuminiOne of the most important uses of the Syzygium cumini is in apiculture (beekeeping for honey) as the flowers have abundant nectar and the honey produced is of very good quality. The leaves can be used as food for tasser silkworms in India and as feed for livestock. The distilled leaves yield an essential oil which is used to scent soaps and is blended with other chemicals to make inexpensive perfumes.

Jambolan bark extracts yield brown dyes of various shades and is used in tanning leather and preserving fishing nets due to its high tannin content (19%). The kiln dried heartwood is hard and difficult to work but can be polished very nicely. It is commonly used for beams rafters, posts, bridges, oars, boats and many other applications. The wood is resistant to termites and water.

Syzygium CuminiThe fruit has antistringent, stomachic, carminative, antiscorbutic and diuretic properties and the leaves and fruit are used in various forms to make natural treatments for a very wide variety of problems like diarrhea, diabetes, ringworms and many more.

Syzygium cumini is venerated by Buddhists and is commonly found near Hindu temples because it is considered to be sacred to Krishna.

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Since ancient times, the tuber root and rhizome of Safed Musli has been used to cure human ailments and infections. Safed Musli is a plant with small, usually white flowers, produced on spare panicles up to 120 cm long. In some species, the panicles also bear plantlets that take root when they touch the ground.
Commercial cultivation of this plant has begun in various regions of the world as it has been found to be an effective aphrodisiac. It has also become a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic preparations due to its unparalleled therapeutic and medicinal properties. As it boosts the general immune system, it is increasingly being used as a health tonic. The climatic conditions and temperature of the central zones of India are conducive to its growth and it is found growing wild here. Sandy, loamy soil, with suitable drainage, is the perfect soil type for growing Safed Musli. The Medicinal Board of India has recognized it as the sixth most important herb, to be preserved and protected, due to its many medicinal uses.

Plant Chemicals

Safed Musli HerbCarbohydrates (35-45%), fiber (25-35%), alkaloids (15-25%), saponins (2-20%), and proteins (5-10%).

Benefits and Uses of Safed Musli:

Safed Musli is often prescribes for enhancing male potency and battling signs of fatigue. It is a very popular aphrodisiac and shows no side effects. Individuals with a low sperm count or a low libido find it particularly useful. The general immune system of the body is strengthened by the roots of the herb and it is regarded as an energy booster in asthmatic conditions.Safed Musli

The tuber roots are used in Ayurvedic medicines even today to make a nutritive tonic for sexual weakness. It also proves useful during pregnancy as a nutritive tonic for both the mother and the child and during the post-partum stage is used to replenish body fluids. The quantity and flow of breast milk in feeding mothers is also improved by this herb.

Obesity and its many side effects can also be effectively controlled by this plant. It also enhances the activities of vitamin C and antioxidant enzymes. Its use in curing diabetic and arthritic condition has been proven by research. Natal and Post-natal problems can also be treated.Safed Musli

Increase in levels of high Density Lipoprotein and decrease in plasma and hepatic lipid profiles have been observed with regular use. It also prevents premature ejaculation and chronic leucorrhoea apart from rejuvenating the reproductive system.

While there are no known side effects of Safed Musli, excessive doses may lead to gastrointestinal upsets.

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Botanical Name: Zingiber Officinalis
Family Name: Zingiberaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Zingiber
Species: Z. officinale
Popular Names: Adrakam, Race Ginger, Jamiaca Ginger, African Ginger, Black Ginger, Adrak, Root Ginger, Sunth, Sheng Jiang
Parts Utilized: Dried and fresh rhizomes
Habitat: Throughout India and South East Asia.

Portrayal

Zingiber OfficinalisThis is a crawling herb with branching, thick bulbs and upright, muscular stems with 15 to 30 centimeters long spear shaped leaves. The flowers are green-yellow in color with dark purple lip with yellow linings. The fruits of this plant are very much alike to fleshy capsules. This plant grows best in moist, well drained and fertile soil. The areas which are considered best for growing ginger are California, Hawaii, Florida, India, China and tropical areas. In Indian regions, this herb is also known as aadrak in Urdu and Bengali, adrak in Gujarati, allam in telugu, shunti in Kannada, alay in Marathi, aduwa in Nepali and inji in Malayalam and Tamil.

Chemicals which are found in the plant

Zingiber OfficinalisShogaols including 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 10-shogaol, (+) – volatile oil including arcurcumene and zingiberene, geranial and neral, arcurcumene and beta-bisabolene, geranial, linalool and neral, beta-phellandrene, D-camphor, mixture of cis- and trans-beta-eudesmol and E)-alpha-farnesene, gingeroils including 6-gingeroil, 8-gingeroil, 10-gingeroil and other various chemicals like zingiberene and bisabolene.

Usages and advantages of Ginger

• This herb also helps in curing diarrhea, arthritis, rheumatism, motion sickness, bronchitis, diabetes, other digestive problems and stomach aches.
• It has cholesterol reducing and blood thinning properties which reduces the risks of getting heart problems.
• This also helps in getting rid of nausea due to morning sickness, chemotherapy and seasickness or during pregnancy.
• Ginger with 3 or 4 Tulsi leaves helps in curing cough, cold and congestion.
• In West, dried ginger root powder is consumed in capsule form.

Zingiber Officinalis

• Chinese make a delicious remedy with ginger to cure cold. They cook some sliced ginger in water with along cola or brown sugar to prepare it.
• Burmese make an excellent remedy to prevent flu by adding boiled mixture of a sweetener which is made from juice of palm tree with ginger.
• Indian use ginger paste on the temples to cure severe headaches.

Zingiber Officinalis
Cautions to be taken
Ginger is a restricted herb for children under 2 years. Ginger powder can cause nausea, bloating, gas or heartburn so it should be used after consulting your doctor.

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Ashwagandha has a long history in medicine which goes back 4000 years. Its scientific name is Withania Somnifera. It is considered to be a very important drug by Ayurveda which is the Indian traditional medicine system. This herb is used in the treatment of many infectious diseases, tremors and arthritis.

AshwagandhaAshwagandha is a delicate plant which is found India Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It is defined by branched limbs, green leaves, and yellow flowers. It has a stunning appearance and is considered an important herb in Ayuerveda. This herb has a very long history and had been considered to be a holistic herb for the past 4000 years and used in the treatment of various ailments like inflammation, tremors, sexual enhancement, longevity and various infectious diseases.

AshwagandhaAshwagandha is used in Indian food and used to thicken milk. African tribes also use this herb in the treatment of fever and inflammation. It is crushed and mixed with other herbs to for traditional formula know as shilajit. It has the similar properties as ginseng and is used to stimulate the immune system of the body, increase memory, stop inflammation and helps in maintaining health and wellness. It is also known to increase the bone marrow and semen. It is also considered to inhibit the aging process.

AshwagandhaThere are various medical uses of Ashwagandha. It had been used in the treatment of the mental health problems from quite a long time. In a study done 30 patients who were suffering from anxiety disorder were given 40 ml doses twice a day. After 30 days a lot of improvement was seen in the patients. In some patients symptoms of anxiety like panic attacks and paranoia totally disappeared. It has also been used to treat depression, schizophrenia and alcoholism. It is also helpful in increasing memory and learning skills.

AshwagandhaStudies have been conducted in order to prove the effectiveness of Ashwagandha in treating arthritis, tumors and other inflammation. These studies proved that it acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor agent as the naturally occurring steroidal content is higher than hydrocortisone which is used for treatment of cancer.

You should be careful while taking Ashwangandha as a medicine. Overdose of herbal medicine can be equally lethal and dangerous as any other drug. You should never take it if it is congested, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You should first consult your doctor if you are taking it for the treatment of cancer or AIDS.

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Asparagus Racemosus is an Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic for female. It belongs to Liliaceae family and is also known as Shatamuli and Shatwari, it’s botanical name is Asparagus Racemosus. Shatwari means who has a hundred of husbands. It is used for sexual infertility and debility in both sexes. It can also be used for treating menopausal symptoms and to increase lactation. It is found in the forests of Northern India which are around 8000 feet high.

Asparagus RacemosusChemical composition and key active constituents

It contains steroidal saponins which are also called shatavarins 1-4. Shatwari 1 is the main glycoside which has 3 glucose & rhamnose moiteis attached to sarsasepogenin. Shatwari 4 on the other hand has proteins, alkaloids, tannin, and starch. It also has Isoflavones which includes 8 methoxy 5,6,4 trihydroxyisoflavone 7-0-beta D glucopyranoside. It contains asparagamine, a polycyclic alkaloid and Racemosol which is a cyclic hydrocarbon. The roots contain polysaccharides.

Asparagus RacemosusThe shatwari plant has Immunostimulant properties. It helps in preventing post operative adhesions. In a study done on mice it was found that Asparagus racemosus has a protective effect against the myleosupressions which is induced by single or multiple doses of cyclophosphamide. The study found that it has almost the same activity as lithium and glucan. The galactogogue activity is also found in asparagus racemosus. Saponin mixture from the extaract of Shatavari has uterine blocking activity which is spontaneous and induced by hormones like oxytocine and acetylcholine. It can be used during pregnancy for threatened abortion.

Asparagus RacemosusIt is used for increasing the production of breast milk after birth of a baby. It can also be used as an immunomodulator. Shatavari is also considered to have aphrodisiac property which can increase the sex drive in people. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea as it has anti diarrheal properties. It is considered to be good for health as it has antioxidants and antibacterial properties. It is used as a remedy for mucilaginous, refrigerant, diuretic, nutritive tonic, demulcent, antispasmodic, adaptogen, anti dysenteric, anti oxtocic and cytoprotective.

Asparagus RacemosusIt can be used in the form of powder, ghee, oil and decoction. For diseases like cancer you can one or more ounces every day. The formula for preparing the mixture is 1:2 root extract in about 25 % alcohol. You can take about 30-60 ml dose every week.

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Bacopa monnieri is herb which is used in the Indian Ayurvedic system as a medicine. In Sanskrit it is known as brahmi. It belongd to the Scrophilariaceae family and is also known as babies tears, bacopa, herpestis monniera and water hyssop. It has a bitter taste and has been used in ayurveda for centuries. It is a herb which is found naturally in India and is used in treating various disorders such as anxiety disorder, poor memory and intellect. Traditionally it has been used for enhancing memory, learning and concentration.

Bacopa MonnieriBrahmi is a small herb and has numerous branches which root at the nodes with many prostrate branches (10-30 cm). The leaves are oblong, sessile, petiole and fleshy. The brahmi flowers are purple in color. It grows naturally in the tropics and India in shallow water marshes and wet soil. It is usually found at an elevation of 4500 feet from the sea level and can be cultivated if enough water is available. The entire plant from its fruits to the leaves has medicinal values. Brahmi is distributed throughout India and in the North Eastern region.

Bacopa MonnieriBrahmi constitutes compounds like alkaloids, saponins and sterols which give the plant its medicinal properties. Many alkaloids such as herpestine and brahmine, hersaponin and saponins d-mannitol, monnierin and acid A were isolated in India. Some other effective constituents include betulic acid, beta sitosterol and bacosides A and B which are reponsilble for its cognitive effects.

Bacopa provides us with many pharmacological properties as it has an ability to enhance nerve impulse transmissiondue to the presence of compounds like tritepenoid saponin. It has an ability to repair the damaged neurons as it can enhance kinase activity, restore synpatic activity and the nerve impulse transmission.

Bacopa MonnieriThere are a lot of benefits of using brahmi. It is used to treat skin problems like psoriasis, abscess, ulceration etc. It can stimulate the growth of hair, skin and nails. It is effective in treating diseases like asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, backache, constipation, fevers, hair loss, digestive problems etc. It is also used for improving confidence, mental clarity and meory in students.

According to an Indian research Brahmi has properties of cardiotonic, antioxidants and anticancer properties. The taste of brahmi is bitter therefore in India it is used in soups, salads, cooked and pickled. It is used to treat stroke and nervous exhaustion in case of nervous defecit.

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Bostwellia Serrata also known as Indian frankincense is a vital derivative herb and is usually found in dry, hilly areas of India. It belongs to the Bruseraceae family and is also known as Indian olibanum tree, Luban, Gond, Shallaki and Guggal. The bark and gum resin are the parts which are used. Its most important derivative is the gum resin. Oleoresin which is gummy in nature is excluded when trea trunk is being tapped. It is yellowish brown in color. The extract us further purified which is then afterwards used in the modern herbal preparations.

Boswellia SerrataIndian frankincense restores the integrity of the vessels which are weakened by spasm and it also improves the blood supply to the joints. Indian Ayurvedic system had been using this herb from thousands of years as an ailment of various health problems. The gum resin which is taken out of this tree is used to treat skin and blood diseases, diabetes, fever, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, rheumatism, dysentery, and various other health problems and disorders. This tree is mostly found in the central and the western parts of India, mostly in Rajastan and Madhya Pradesh. The plant contains various chemicals like camphene, olibanol, dipentene, cardinene, pinene and phellandrene.

BoswelliaThere are various uses and benefits of this plant. The bark of this tree is considered to be cooling, sweet and tonic. It is quite useful in treating cough, pitta and asthma. It is used in the treatment of various diseases like fevers. Urethrorrhea , convulsions, diaphoresis, chronic laryngitis and jaundice. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis. The resin contains active ingredients like boswellic acid which is a very power anti inflammatory agent. It also has pain relieving properties. These properties help in treating arthritis and osteoarthritis.

BoswelliaThe plant has mild sedative effect. Although it is considered to be a side effect of the plant but it is good relieving the pain in various conditions. According to some studies the plant works well in lowering the cholesterol levels in the liver and the blood. The overall cholesterol in the body is brought by the plant. It helps in improving the immune system of the body. Some studies also claim that it can cure Crohn’s disease. It helps in treating colitis and also clears the bronchial passageways. The oil made from the herb is effective in calming the mind and the whole body. It also reduces the pains and the aches of the body

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Calamus is an underground stem of the perennial herb Acorsus calamus. This herb had been known since the Biblical times and is also known as bacc, sweet flag, sweet grass, sweet root, sweet rush etc. It is used in the treatment of various types of indigestion in adults and children who suffer from colic. It is grown in moist conditions near a water body like a lake, pond, stream etc. This herb is found in North America, Europe and Asia. Although calamus was originated in India I had been used in almost every part of the world in the swampy and marshy areas. It usually grows near lakes, ponds , streams or any other moist area.

CalamusThe rhizome is used in powdered or in chewable bits by the people who want to break the habit of smoking as it destroys the craving of tobacco. It has been used by the native Americans to treat problems like toothache, stomach ache and fever. It has also been used to treat various menstrual problems. It had been used as a commodity of exchange by the American Indians. But later the drug was banned by the American government as it was found that it had cancer causing properties.

The rhizome is used as a spice in cooking because of its pleasant aroma. Many modern experts on cooking claim that it should be used in cooking as it helps on digestion of the food. It is used for the flavoring of commercial products like tonics, tooth pastes, beer, bitter etc. Medicinal oil is made from calamus which ranges from 1.5-3 %. Various tests have been done calamus and it seen that isoasarene free oil is helpful I the treatment of spasmodic activity. It is also used as an afrodasiacCalamus

This wonder herb is used for a lot of purposes throughout the world. In Europe it was used as a stimulant of appetite and in North America it was used as a treatment of fever, stomach ache, cramps, etc. In Ayurveda system of medicine it is used treat digestive disorders and to rejuvenate brain. It is also known as a very good antispasmodics as it relieves intense spasms. It is also used to treat headaches.Calamus

Calmus can be consumed as an infusion with boiling water and dried calamus (2 teaspoons).You should let it boil it for 10-15 minutes and then drink it 1hour before having dinner. 2-4 ml of clamus tincture can also be consumed thrice a day.

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Cassia angustifolia or senna is a herb which was first used by Arabian physician, Mesue and Serapion. It is also known as Rajavriksha, American senna, Fan xia ye and locust plant. Its botanical name is Cassia Angustifolia. Traditionally it has been used in love sachets. Plants which are grown in different parts of India also contain sennoside B in pods and leaves and also vary in chromosome morphology. The pods and leaves of the plant contain laxative sennoside which has commercial importance.

Cassia AngustifoliaThe origin of cassia senna is thought to be tropical Africa as it is cultivated in various countries across the African continent like Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria etc. It is also native to Indian subcontinent as it is grown in India and Pakistan.

The leaf of the plant contains sennosides A and B which are based on the Aglycone Sennidin A and B, senoside C and D which are the glycosides of heterodianthrones and rhein. Other includes rhein anthrone, palmdin A and aloe emodin glycosides, some ptent and some free anthraquinones, novel compounds of undetermined structure. Senna usually has more sennosides. The fruit of the plant contains a related glycoside sennoside A1 and sennosides A & B. It has naphthalene glycoside , 6 hydroxymusizin glycoside and tinnevellin glycoside.Cassia Angustifolia

The anthraquinone glycosides can be attributed to the medical action of senna especially sennoside A and B. It can be seen that its action are controlled by the presence of the aglycone portion. There is a breakdown of the anthraquinone glycosides inside the digestive tract which happens in one of the 2 ways. The bowel flora directly hydrolyzes themin in a same way like free ative aglycone. They can be absorbed alternately in the presence of bile & the sugar moiety. It gets absorbed in the blood and later goes into the colon. The stimulation of auerbach plexus is the final result which increases intestinal muscle contraction. The mucilage content decreases bodily absorption of the fluid which leads to an increase of the last laxative action in the body.

Cassia AngustifoliaRemedies are purgative, anthchintic, antipyretic, laxative, cathartic, diuretic and vermifuge. Senna is considered to be a very powerful cathartic which is used in the treatment of the patients of constipation as it stimulates the intestinal peristalsis.

The dosage can be taken in the form of root infusion with 2 to 20 ml and powder 1 to 3 gm.

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Cassia Fistula is a deciduous tree belonging to Fabaceae family. It is also known as golden shower, Indian laburnum, baton casse, keyok, klober etc. It is a fast growing tree of deciduous type and grows up to 9 m. The leaves of the tree are compound and have 4-8 pairs. Flowers of the tree are golden yellow in color and they hang in bunch which looks like a shower of up to 40 centi-meters. This tree is native to the Amazon, India and Sri Lanka and they are widely cultivated worldwide because of beauty. The flowers of the tree attract bees and butterflies.

Cassia FistulaThere are various species of cassia worldwide which are used for medicinal purposes. Some species of the tree are used for their laxative properties. Canfistula is used to make moderate laxatives for children. It is used as a remedy for tumors in abdomen, liver, gland, stomach and throat. It is also used for the treatment of cancer, convulsions, diarrhea, delirium, dysria, burns, epilepsy etc. In the Ayurvedic system its seeds are thought to have antibilious, aperitif and laxative properties. The roots are used to treat burning sensation, skin diseases, leprosy, syphilis, and tubercular glands. The leaves of the tree are used to treat malaria. The main actions of this tree are that it’s a moderate laxative, it kills viruses, it acts like an antioxidant, lowers the blood pressure and kills parasites. Secondary actions include relieves pain, reduces fever, lowers blood pressure and stimulates digestion.Cassia Fistula

The laxative properties of canafistula are because of the presence of anthraquinones. The seeds of the tree conains24 % crude protein, 2 % anthraquinones, 6.5 % crude fiber, 4.5 % crude fat and 50 % carbohydrates. The leaves of the tree contains 6.65 % crude fat, 15.8 5 crude protein, 6.6 crude fat, 20% crude fiber and 39.8 % crude carbohydrate. The other compounds which are contained in the tree are fistulic acid, rhein, galactomannan, sennosided A and B, tannin etc.

Cassia FistulaAccording to studies done in laboratory the reports show that canafistula has antioxidants, Ache, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antiviral, laxative, mild estogenic, liver protective, anti timorous, cholesterol lowering, fever reducing and pain relieving actions.

Standard dosage should be of leaves and barks. Infusion of one and a half cup should be taken daily or a tincture of 1 to 2 ml twice a day can also be taken.

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