Fennel

Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Description:

Fennel are strongly aromatic herb with yellow umbrella-like inflorescence flower.  The fruit looks like the unhusked rice grain and is very aromatic.

Parts Used: Ripe fruit (dried)

Medicinal Uses:

1. Relieves Dysmenorrhea, Indigestion and Stomachache

Fennel Tea - Boil dried fruits in water.

2. Drinking Fennel Tea also prevents gout and treat jaundice

3. Fainting - Sniff the pounded fruit




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 BEFORE TRYING THIS.

Lavender

Scientific Name: Lavandula angustifolia (also Lavandula spica or Lavandula vera; formerly  Lavandula officinalis

Description: Lavender grows in temperate climate especially in hilly areas. It is an evergreen shrub with thick silvery leaves.  It's flower consist of numerous small thick tubular lavender-colour flowers that yield abundant nectar.

Parts Used:
Flowers and Leaves

Uses:

1. Muscle Pain/Arthritis/Sprain/Headaches

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, massaging lavander essential oil can ease pain caused by sprain, arthritis, joint pains, sore muscles and headaches.

Note: lavender oil can also be a powerful allergen and must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

2. Ease Nervous Tension/Anxiety
Lavender essential oil is used to calm the nerves. The scent of lavender is known to relieve emotional stress, anxiety, depression and nervous tension due to its calming effect. Use a scent diffuser or a lavender scented candle.  Some would also put a lavender soap inside a pillow to induce sleep.

3. Psoriasis/Sunburn

Lavender is known to be a powerful antiseptic and antifungal. Use as bath oils.

Lavender Tea:

Decoction of leaves and flower are used also as herbal tea.



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.

Guava

Scientific name: Psidium guajava

Description: 

Guava is indigenous to the Central American region and are cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics as well as in some subtropical regions. The guava tree is aperennial shrub or a general shade tree that grows up to a height of 4 meters.  It leaves have conspicuous veins, are oblong and tapered at the end. Its green to yellowish fruits contain numerous seeds with a reddish, pink or yellowish flesh that is very delectable as well as nutritious.

Nutritional value:

Guavas are rich in vitamins A and C.  A big guava contains over four times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange (212 mg/100 g fruit) and the quantity of vitamin C increases as the fruit matures. The seeds are known to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Depending on the variety, guava has good levels of the dietary minerals that includes phosphorus, potassium, calcim, and magnesium.

Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves, bark, fruits.

Medicinal Properties:

The guava fruit,leaves and bark of the plant possess some therapeutic properties and have been known to treat various disorders.

The guava with a reddish flesh are extremely rich in antioxidants than the yellowish-green ones.  The guava fruit has carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, eugenol, lectins, triterpenes as well as polyphenols. The fruit is also considered to be an excellent source of a dietary fiber known as pectin. 

The guava leaf is high in flavonoids and quercetin, in fact, the majority of the medicinal properties of guava are attributed to the flavonoids seen in the fruits and leaves.

Indication:

1. Acute Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, intestinal worm, dysmenorrhea,gastric disorders

Pound guava leaf and boil in a 1 liter of water.  Drink infusions prepared with guava leaves as a tea. Some would combine leaves and bark to prepare a decoction. In tropical countries, townfolks use the leaves, roots, barks as well as the unripe fruits of guava to treat such disorders because of the presence of quercetin and other flavonoids in the guava plant.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

same as above.

3. Vaginal discharges

Prepare a decoction with leaves and bark of the guava tree and use it as a vaginal wash.

4. Toothaches;Bad Breath; Bleeding gums; Mouth sores; sore throat and laryngitis

Chew leaves of guava.  Some would prefer to chew the young leaves of the guava. Others use a decoction prepared with the leaves of guava and use it as a gargle.

5. Wound and skin ulcers

Prepare a decoction of leaves and/ or barks of guava trees or an infusion prepared with guava flowers.  Some would pound the guava leaves and apply it as a poultice over the wound. Guava leaves and bark are used traditionally as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

6. Cough, sore throat and laryngitis

Eat guava fruit for this it is excellent source of Vitamin C (Four times more than oranges).

7. Believed to alleviate hangover when tender guava leaves are chewed before taking intoxicating drinks.

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.

Blumea Camphor / Ngai Camphor Plant/ SAMBONG

Description:
It is a strongly aromatic herb that can reach up to 3 m tall. The stems are erect, coarse and half woody. The leaves are leathery in texture, serrated at the margins and narrowly oblong-shaped with tapered
base.  The aggregated flower heads are yellow, sometimes reddish yellow that is 6 to 7 mm long.

Health Benefits:

• Alleviates rheumatism
• Diuretic agent
• Known to dissolve kidney stones
• Treatment of colds & fever
• Anti-diarrheic properties
• Relief of stomach pains and gas pains

Parts Utilized: Whole plant

Indications and Direction of Use:

1. Traumatic injuries, Abscesses, Boils - Fresh leaves that are crushed can be applied as poultice.

2. Arthritis, Rheumatism - Pound fresh leaves and mix it with coconut oil.  Rub it over affected area. To relieve rheumatic pains on the back or waist - soak affected area with warm decoction of boiled blumea camphor leaves.

3.Headache - Use the pounded fresh leaves as poultice on the forehead and hold it in place with a clean piece of cloth.  Some would mix the leaves with coconut oil before rubbing it on the forehead.

4. Cough and colds - the tea is used as an expectorant.

5. Gas pains(children)- rub the ointment consisting of crushed leaves and coconut oil.

Decoction of roots and leaves are also used for cystitis and fever.  One can use the lukewarm decoction as a sponge bath. Tea is also used to cure diarrhea.

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.

Spanish Needles

Scientific name: Bidens pilosa

Description: 

A native in North America it is now considered weed as well as an edible plant in some tropical places.  The fresh or dried tender shoots and young leaves are used as a vegetable.  A fruiting Spanish needles can easily cling to clothing.  It is erect, somewhat hairy and the flowers are small, yellow or brown and usually contain 4 to 5 white petals. 

Medicinal Properties:

Spanish needles have been used in traditional medicine for infections from wounds, upper respiratory tract infections like colds and flu, urinary tract infections as well as venereal diseases. The leaves, seeds and roots of spanish needles have also been reported to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, diuretic, as well as hypotensive properties.

Parts used: Leaves, seed and roots

Description and Indication of Use:

Dysuria or Painful Urination - drink the expressed sap of a fresh Spanish needles.

Wounds - sap from crushed leaves is used  on fresh wound to speed up clotting of blood.

Gastric pain - Boil spanish needles plant in water until most of the water has evaporated.  Make a pasty mass by mashing it.  Combine it with ginger tea.

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.

Avocado (Alligator pear)

Scientific Name: Persea americana

Description: This medium-sized tree is a native of tropical America.  The leaves are dark green and greyish green underneath. The flowers are small, clustered and yellowish- green.  The fruit is elongated thus the name alligator pear with a yellowish –green flesh surrounding a single large seed.

Health Benefits: Avocado provides protein and contains vitamins, minerals,fiber and antioxidants such as beta-sitosterol, glutathione and lutein.  It has no cholesterol and sodium. It is high in folate and provides more than 25 essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin E, C, B-vitamins, iron, copper, panthothenic acid, niacin, phosphorus and magnesium. Avocado also provides calories for energy (the fat in avocado is mostly monounsaturated).

Parts used:

Leaves (fresh and sundried)

Bark (Sundried)

Seed (Sundried)

Indication and direction of use:

Rheumatism – Finely grind the sundried bark and sundried seed. Mix it with oil.  Rub on the affected area.

Wound wash – Boil leaves in a pot of water. Let it cool and use it as a wash.

Neuralgia – Mix the finely ground bark and seed (both sundried).  Add oil to the mixture.  Rub on affected area.

How to Make Avocado Tea –Take 30 g of finely chopped dried avocado leaves.  Boil in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes or so.


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.

Angel’s Trumpet

Scientific name:  Brugmansia suaveolens

Description:  A small tree about 3m or more with creamy white trumpet-looking flowers hanging

.

Parts used: Leaves and flowers

Indication and Direction of use:

Muscle Pain- Crushed the fresh leaves of the Angel’s trumpet.  Place the crushed leaves in coconut oil for about a week or two.  Rub it on the affected area.

Rheumatism - Pound fresh leaves of the Angel’s trumpet mix with a little starch paste.  Plaster it on 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.

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.