Blueberry

Scientific name: Vaccinium corymbosum

Description: Blueberries specifically the northern highbush blueberries are native to North America.  They are perennial, deciduous, woody shrubs which are slow-growing, upright, multi-stemmed and spreading branches. Blueberry trees have flowers that are long bell- or urn-shaped white to very light pink; dark glossy green leaves that turns to brilliant red, orange, yellow, purple and/or burgundy during autumn. The fruits are 6.4–12.7 mm diameter blue-black berries.

Blueberries are eaten fresh or sold processed as individually quick frozen (IQF) fruit, purée, juice, or as jellies and jams.

Parts used: fruits/berries, leaves

Nutrition Facts:

Blueberries are low in calories yet packed with vitamins especially vitamin C, potassium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc. Blueberries are among the highest anti-oxidant value fruits, it is also rich in dietary fiber, anthocyanins and various phytochemicals.

Medicinal properties and uses:

Blueberries have a number of medicinal properties that have been used for generations to treat and prevent digestive orders, improve circulation, maintain eye health, and reduce inflammation.

Antioxidants have been shown to help prevent a number of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, high blood cholesterol, cancer and eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Blueberries are also brain boosters and can help with memory loss and increased circulation, which may help to combat the start or progression of degenerative diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It is also a laxative and helps to treat diarrhea, ulcers, urinary tract infections (UTIs), arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), colic, fever, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

Vitamin C aids the formation of collagen, maintains healthy gums as well as a healthy immune system. helps maintain healthy gums and capillaries, and promotes iron absorption and a healthy immune system.

Traditionally, blueberry leaves have been used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Banaba

Scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciosa.

Common names: Queen's flower, pride of India and queen's crape myrtle and Banaba.

Banaba is a deciduous tropical flowering tree that grow up to 10 meters high. It has large green oblong to elliptic-ovate leaves, smooth and spatulate. The flowers or Banaba are racemes, 6-parted and colored mauve-pink to lavender, purplish lilac. Petals are obovate, shortly clawed with margins that are undulate and hardly fimbriate. Banaba or Queen's flower, crape myrtle bears nut-like fruits that are obovoid and arranged in large clumps.

Parts used: Leaves, fruits

Medicinal properties and uses:

Banaba contains corosolic acid/triterpenoid glycoside acid that act like insulin by lowering the blood sugar in the body. Banaba also contains a lot of dietary fiber and minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

The leaves has Valoneic Acid Dilactone (VAD) which acts as an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase to lower uric acid levels and is effective against gout.

It is also rich in tannin, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and saponins.

Banaba is used in folkloric herbal medicine for the treatment of the following:

Blood pressure control
Cholesterol level control
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Gout
Kidney stones and other kidney disorders
Weight loss

Preparation of Banaba herbal tea:

Dry Banaba leaves and fruits for about two weeks; cut Banaba leaves/fruits into pieces. One cup of water for every cup of Banaba leaves and fruits.

Boil, strain and let it steep for 30 minutes. Take the Banaba herbal tea for 4 to 6 times daily.

Precaution:
It is recommended to consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.

Konjac

Scientific name: Amorphophallus konjac

Other names: konjak, konnyaku, konjaku, devil's tongue, snake palm, elephant-foot yam, voodoo lily, konnyaku (yam cake)

Description:

Konjac is an underground tuber (that looks like a horseshoe) from a perennial plant that has an elongated central corm and  purple bipinnate leaves with numerous leaflets. It abundantly grows in the cold mountains of Japan and China and is processed into flour and used in East Asian cuisine. The gel form is transparent, odorless and used in Western foods as a vegan substitute for gelatin. the konjac glucomannan (KGM)is white and deliciously made into various types of foods like konjac noodles, konjac cakes and also used as a food additive and dietary supplement.


Health Benefits:

Konjac foods are alkaline food that has various dietary uses and health benefits.

It contains essential amino acids, carbohydrate, fatty acids, folic acid, dietary fiber. as well as vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, pantothenate, niacin) and minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, selenium and calcium).


Medicinal Properties, Uses and Indication:

Anti-diabetes: 

Konjac fiber has been medically proven to lower the blood sugar level and treating diabetes by increasing blood insulin and reducing the burden of islets. Because of its molecular weight and high viscosity, konjac fiber can delay the absorption of glucose and effectively reduce postprandial blood glucose.


For diabetic patients:

In a 200ml water, add 5 grams of konjac flour and stir. Drink 15-20 minutes before meals 3 to 4 times a day.



Promotes Weight Loss / Improves carbohydrate metabolism:

Konjac foods promotes satiety and makes you feel full because glucomannan absorbs water and will increase up to 200 times of its original volume. Konjac also has almost no calories, is very high in fiber and is a component of weight loss supplements.

For weight loss:

In 250 ml warm water, mix 3-5 grams of konjac powder and drink it 15 minutes before meals. Drink it 2 to 3 times per day.


Prevent arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases
Reducing LDL cholesterol/Lowers plasma cholesterol
Reducing Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Regulates bowel movement
Regulating the gastrointestinal tract/Bile/Good for the liver
Detoxification

Glucomannan which is the main active ingredient in konjac food does not remain in the stomach is effective in inhibiting the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and bile acid. It also prevent food from interfering with digestive enzymes. Konjac fibers also promote intestinal peristalsis, cleans the stomach and removes toxins.

The glucomannan fiber also acts as a prebiotic in the intestine for Lactobacillus bifidus growth.


For Detoxification:

In 200 ml water, add 5 grams of konjac powder, stir. Drink 1 to 2 times.


Konjac also helps in healing Cancer and is a good diet during cancer recovery and is good to use in raw foods diet.

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 AND AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

JACKFRUIT

Scientific name: Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.

Other names: Langka, nangka

Description:

Jackfruit is cultivated in tropical Asia and belongs to the mulberry family. This evergreen tree can grow to more than 20 m and has leaves that are oblong with a pointed apex and base.  The fruit is green to
greenish-yellow when ripe, oblong with pyramidal projections.  Inside, there are numerous seeds covered with luscious custard yellow pulp.


Parts used: Leaves, fruit, latex, roots, bark

Medicinal Uses and Benefits:

Jackfruit's Root extract (decoction of roots that chopped into small pieces and boiled)
used to treat:

Fever
diarrhea
skin diseases
asthma

Jackfruit's Leaves extract:

Fever
skin diseases, boils
curing woulds
diabetes

Jackfruit's Bark:

It has sedative effect and used as poultice

Jackfruit's Latex:
pharyngitis
opthalmities
dysopia

The latex when mixed with vinegar is used to heal glandular swelling,
abscesses and snakebites.

Jackfruit's Pulp and Seed - tonic

Jackfruit's Ripe fruit:
Laxative

Jackfruit contains flavonoids, vitamin C and is a good source of carotenoids, vitamin B1 and B2.


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. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

Parsnip

Scientific name: Pastinaca sativa

Description:
Parsnip is physically similar to the carrot, but different in color and flavor. Parsnip is actually richer in vitamins than a carrot.

It is a biannual plant with a thick ramified root, grayish white or yellowish in color., and the pulp is succulent with specific flavor. The leaves are shiny on one side and puffy on the other, and are bigger than those of parsley or carrot.

Part used:

Only its roots are consumed

To preserve nutritional value, many prefer to boil or steam the washed root and then scrape off the skin.

Properties and benefits:

Parsnip is rich in vitamins B1, B2, C. It also has minerals like potassium, folic acid and is a good source of fibers. Parsnips provide the body with manganese, niacin, thiamine, magnesium, and copper. It also has antioxidant, antirrheumatic and diuretic properties.

Treatments

Parsnip is consumed as a soup or as a juice and is good for those who are having a fever.

Parsnips are good for those with kidney diseases.

It is also found to control obesity and diminish cellulite. As a rich fiber source, it helps lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar level normal.

Parsnip also stimulates growth and is beneficial for those suffering from anemia.

BANABA

Scientific name:Legerstroemia speciosa

Other names: Mitla, Bugarom, Duguam, Nabulong, Pamalauagon, , Pamarauagon,
Kauilan, Tabangau, Parasabukung, Makablos

Description:

Banaba is a deciduous flowering tree growing from 5 to 20 m in height. The
bark is smooth gray to cream-colored, and peels off in irregular flakes.
Banaba has nut-like fruits that are arranged in large clumps.

The leaves are smooth, oblong to elliptic-ovate. The flowers are purplish
lilac or mauve-pink, rarely pink with large, terminal pinnules.

Medicinal Value:

Banaba contains corosolic acid that is used for the treatment of diabetes.
The dried leaves (dried from 1 to 2 weeks) and ripe fruit of banaba contain
the greatest amount of an insulin-like principle; because it is found to
have the equivalent of 6 units of insulin in lowering blood sugar.

The mature and young leaves, and flowers have an activity that ranged from
4.4 to 5.4 units of insulin per 100 cm3 of 205 decoctions or equivalent to
around 70% of the activity of the leaves or fruits.

A decoction of the leaves of all ages is used for diabetes mellitus. It is
prepared and taken like tea.

Other uses of Banaba include the treatment for diarrhea, constipation,
inflammation of kidneys and other urinary dysfunctions.


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. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

Sweet Potato

Scientific Name: Ipomoea batatas

Description:

The sweet potato is a dicotyledonous plant that spreads as a ground creeper.  It is a commonly grown rootcrop with enlarged fleshy, starchy, sweet tasting tuberous roots. Its flesh varies in color from white, yellow, orange, and purple.The heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and shoots are eaten as greens.

Health Benefits:

Sweet potatoes are rich in simple starch,complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene(dark orange variety), carotene (pink & yellow varieties) Vitamin B6, and vitamin C.

Because of its high beta-carotene and carotene content, sweet potatoes are recommended for those with Vitamin A deficiency.  It is also found to stabilize blood sugar and lower insulin resistance

Sweet potato is a good source of iron, calcium, potassium.  It also contains proteins and other trace minerals.

The leaves of the sweet potato are a good source of polyphenolic and phenolic antioxidants. Purple sweet potato have anthocyanins which is also an antioxidant.

The phytochemicals in sweet potato particularly flavonoids and phenols may have significant antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Indications and Directions of Use:

1.       Acne

Crush leaves and apply to acne.

2.       Constipation

Eat cooked sweet potato leaves preferably during supper.  This will work while you are sleeping.

3.       Dengue

Make a decoction using sweet potato leaves by boiling it in water for 5 minutes.  It is known to increase platelet counts.

4.       Diabetes

Include in your diet, sweet potato leaves and shoots especially the purple variety.

5.       Diarrhea

Boil roots and drink.

6.        Sores and Furuncles

 Pound fresh sweet potato.  Apply over 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.