Billy Goat Weed/Goat Weed

Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides

Description: A native of tropical America, Billy goat weed is a perennial, hairy, aromatic herb that grows up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are heart-shaped with round toothed margins and are hairy. The small flowering heads are numerous about 5 mm across and are pale blue, purple or white.

Medicinal properties: known to be an analgesic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and laxative. The extract of the leaves are also known to have hemostatic activity.

Parts used: Whole plant (fresh or sundried)
                     Leaves (air-dried)

Indications and directions for use:

Otitis media – Squeeze out the sap of the fresh plant and drop the sap into the ear.

Wounds – Pound fresh plant. Apply poultice over the wound.

Eczema, furuncle, carbuncle - Mix the powdered leaves (dried) with coconut oil. Rub it over the affected area.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Wheatgrass (Wheat grass / wheat-grass)

Scientific name: Triticum aestivum

Description:

The wheatgrass is harvested while still green and before it develops grain kernels and turns the usual yellow color associated with wheat stalks.  It is part of the cereal grass family like rye, barley and oats.  Wheat grass is commonly prepared as a juice, and is consumed either alone, or as a mixture with other juices. It has high alkaline and is a good source of many nutrients.

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass:

Wheatgrass has more protein than chicken.   It contains chlorophyll, 17 amino acids, 10 minerals, 13 vitamins, and enzymes.  It has a higher Vitamin A content than spinach and is rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin B12.  Wheatgrass is high in magnesium, phosphorus and calcium (higher than that of broccoli).   The chlorophyll helps to remove heavy metals that cause cancer and also lower the risks of colon cancer. Wheatgrass helps strengthen the immune system and is a powerful detoxifier that may prevent cellular damage.

Wheatgrass increases red blood cell (RBC) count, restores alkalinity to the blood and lowers blood pressure.

Wheatgrass has also been found to relieve constipation, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea and other ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. What's more it has anti-inflammatory properties.

When eaten raw, wheatgrass contains beneficial enzymes.

Indications and Directions for use:

1.    Removes Dandruff - Rubbed into the scalp before shampooing, it will help alleviate itchy and scaly scalp conditions.

2.    Skin Allergies/ Sunburn/Rashes - Applying on the affected area can help eliminate itching almost immediately.  It acts as a disinfectant as well.


3.    Cuts/ Burns/ Scrapes/ Insect bites/ Boils/ Sores – Use as a poultice and replace every 2 to 4 hours.

4.    Athlete's foot - Add some to your bath water and settle in for a soothing, relaxing soak.


5.    Insomnia - Tuck some fresh wheatgrass inside one of your pillows or simply put it on your beside table.  It will enhance the oxygen in the air and create healthful negative ions to help you sleep soundly. Sleep pillows containing a mixture of aromatic herbs like lavender, chamomile can also be helpful in promoting sleep.

6.    Constipation, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea – take wheatgrass as juice.

7.    Gum problems – Gargle wheatgrass juice.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Celery

Scientific name:  Apium graveolens ( var dulce)

Description: Celery is a biennial plant, used as a vegetable for its leafy stalk and fleshy taproot or grown for its seeds. It reached around 12 to 16 inches tall and has furrowed stalk composed of a leafy top. The stalks are crunchy and the whole plant has a distinctive smell.

Health Benefits: Celery is a rich source of vitamin C, phalides, tryptophan, folate, dietary fiber, molybdenum, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B1 (thiamin), B2
(riboflavin) and vitamin A . It provides a low-calorie dietary fiber bulk and is thus used in weight-loss diets.

Celery seeds are a great source of calcium.

Parts used:  Fresh plant, seeds.

Indications and Directions for use:

1.    Asthma
The seeds are used as (as a
Pound the celery seeds until powdery and wrap it in a piece of cloth.  This is given as an inhaler and the seeds will act as a bronchodilator. 

2.    Inflammation
The Vitamin C in celery functions as an anti-oxidant and it also helps the immune system.

3.    High Blood pressure/Hypertension

Include celery regularly in the diet, either eaten raw, boiled or stir-fried. Celery has long been recognized in Chinese herbal medicine as effective in lowering blood pressure.

4.    Urinary problems
Squeeze out the sap from a fresh whole herb.  To cook: warm over low flame without boiling it.  Drink the concoction. Or, eat it as raw.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Corn

Scientific name: Zea mays

Parts Used: Fresh or sun-dried corn cob and corn silk 

Health Benefits of Corn:

Corn is a good source thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folate, dietary fiber, vitamin C, phosphorus and manganese. It is also rich in complex carbohydrate, fiber, and healthful essential fatty acids.

The different varieties features an array of different colors mainly due to the various flavonoids and carotenes contained in corn.  Yellow corn is high in the carotenoid and lutein.  The lutein in yellow corn helps to protect against heart disease and macular degeneration (condition of the eye typically seen in old age).

The significant amounts of folate can prevent birth defects and reduce the risk of heart attacks.  Since corn is rich in fiber as well as folate it is known to reduce risk of colon cancer.

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is necessary for carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism and it supports the function of the adrenal glands. Thus, corn is seen to be beneficial to those with kidney problems including renal dysfunction.

Indications and Directions for use:

1. Renal Calculi (Initial stages), nephritis, edema
Boil corn hair in water to produce a concentrated decoction.  Drink it as a regular tea. For Edema, do the same and take it during meal time (also limit salt intake).

2. Gout
Boil 2 fresh corn cobs in water for at least 45 minutes.  Allow to cool. Drink one cup 3x a day.

3. Primary hypertension
In equal amounts, boil together dried corn hair, watermelon rind and sliced banana in water. Drink it 2x to 3x a day depending on the severity of the condition.

4. To lower cholesterol
Boil and eat corn everyday. The soluble fiber in corn binds with cholesterol in bile from the liver and passes through the body taking the cholesterol with it.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.