Plum

Scientific name: Prunus

Description: Plums can be yellow, green, red or even white but the most popular varieties are colored deep purple or reddish purple. They are small deciduous trees which can grow to a height of 10-15 m and bear smooth fruits/drupes or stone fruits. The flesh is sweet, very juicy and has a big seed in the center. They exist in diverse colors and shapes with over 2000 different varieties.  Here are some of the cultivars of plum:

Damson (purple or black skin, green flesh)
Greengage (firm, green flesh and skin)
Mirabelle plum (dark yellow)
Satsuma plum (firm, red flesh and skin)
Victoria plum (yellow flesh with red or mottled skin)
Yellowgage or golden plum (yellow flesh and skin)

 Plums can be used to make jams, pickles or wine, canned or dried which are then referred to as prunes.

Medicinal Properties:

Plums are an excellent source of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C (help increase the absorption of iron into the body), folate, and vitamin K (phylloquinone).  They are also a good source of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B-6, and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). Aside from vitamin C, the other antioxidants plums contain are zea-xanthin, lutein, cryptoxanthin which are health promoting compounds.  It also contains pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, copper, magnesium,  selenium and zinc. They also supply dietary fiber and are low in calories, low in fat, low in carbohydrate, low in glycemic rating.

Health benefits:

1. Protect your heart
The potassium in plums helps manage high blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.

2. Anti-cancer
The reddish-blue pigment in some plums called anthocyanins can help protect against cancer by getting rid of harmful free radicals. Plums are known to destroy breast cancer cells.

3. Improves bone health.
Plums contain calcium, phosphorous and other minerals that is good for the bones.

4. Improves brain memory.
Plums are full of antioxidants that have been shown to slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases related to memory loss. It also contain anthocyanin and quercetin, beneficial for preventing brain cell breakdown.

5.Keep your bowels regular
The dried plums also known as prunes contains lots of fiber that help you move your bowels regularly.

Contraindication: Plums are rich in Oxalates, oxalic acid which are not good to those with kidney stones.

Tamarind

Scientific name: Tamarindus indica

Description: The tamarind tree is native to tropical regions of Africa, particularly the Sudan, but it has spread since to almost all tropical areas of the world. The tamarind pods are about five inches long which contain seeds and a sweet&sour pulp.   It can be consumed as a raw fruit, candied, dried and ground into a spice or when it is fully ripe it can be added to dessert.

Parts used: Pulp of fruit

Health benefits:

Tamarind has many nutritional components such as having  a significant level of vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and manganese. Tamarind is also rich in dietary fiber such as tannins, mucilage and pectin.There are also a number of organic compounds that make tamarind a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Medicinal properties and uses:

Tamarind fruit is also cathartic, febrifuge, antiseptic and refrigent. It is used as an Ayurvedic medicine for gastric problem, digestion problems and in protecting the heart.

Good for Digestive Health, Bile disorder, Constipation, Diarrhea: Tamarind is a natural laxative. It is also a bilious substance, that stimulates the activity of bile and help dissolve food faster. Studies have shown tamarind to be effective against chronic diarrhea as well.

Sunstroke: Two tablespoons of thick tamarind paste is an excellent home remedy for with mild sunstroke.

Healthy Heart: Tamarind is effective in reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol. The potassium in tamarind may be responsible for the reduction in blood pressure while the fiber content is responsible for the reduction in cholesterol by scraping excess LDL cholesterol from the veins and arteries.

Nerve Function: One of the most significant vitamin elements of tamarind is the B complex especially the high quantities of thiamine. Thiamine is responsible for improving nerve function,
as well as muscle development.

Weight Loss: Tamarind has a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which inhibits an enzyme in the body that specifically helps store fat. It also suppresses the appetite by increasing the serotonin neurotransmitter.

Tamarind is use as a gargle for sore throats.
Tamarind is a good source of antioxidants that fight against cancer.

Tamarind Juice:

Use a high power blender. IF not, then soak tamarind pod overnight or for several hours to soften it. The seeds can be either removed or not, depending on your preference.  

Put a cup of tamarind in blender and 1 1/2 cups of water. You may add a bit of ginger or vanilla or both. Add a tablespoon of honey.

Caution: As with all the medicinal plants found on this website. It is best to consult your doctor before trying any supplements or medicinal plants.

Goji Berries

Scientific name: Lycium barbarum

Common names: Goji, goji berry or wolfberry

Description:

Goji berries grow on an evergreen shrub found in China, Mongolia and in the Tibetan Himalayas. This berry is a member of the nightshade family (Solonaceae), which includes other common vegetables like potato, tomato, eggplant and pepper as well as some poisonous plants like belladonna and deadly nightshade.

They are bright orange-red, ellipsoid about 1–2 cm in diameter.  Goji berries have a mild tangy taste that is slightly sweet and sour that is usually sold dried and looks like bright red raisins.

Goji berries are eaten raw, brewed into tea, or used in smoothies or made into juice. 

Health benefits:

Goji berries have vitamins, antioxidants and all essential amino acids.  It has the highest concentration of protein of any fruit and loaded with vitamin C. Gogi berries have the highest
carotenoids than any other food; have 15 times the amount of iron found in spinach, as well as calcium, zinc, selenium, sodium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, polysaccharides, betaine, peptidoglycans and has twenty-one trace minerals.  It is also high in fiber.

It also has natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds.

Goji berries are typically sold in dried berry form when used in traditional Chinese medicine also one should consult a doctor before taking it.

Medicinal Benefits:

Eyesight:

Being rich in zeaxanthin which is an antioxidant, Goji berry protect the eyes and decreased the likelihood of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Cancer:

Goji berries prevent cancer. Studies show that those treated with immunotherapy in combination with goji polysaccharides saw their cancers regress.

Diabetes Control:

Studies suggest that the fruit extracts of goji berries possess considerable hypoglycaemic properties.

Some studies using goji berry juice found possible benefits that included:


*a feeling of well being and calmness
*better athletic performance
*better quality of sleep
*cardiovascular protection
*lowering of cholesterol
*protection of brain cells 
*protection of the liver and skin
*Weight loss

Precaution: Little is known about the safety of using goji supplements or consuming goji juice in the long-term. It may increase the risk of bleeding and may interact with diabetes medications and/or anticoagulant drugs. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.