Cinnamon

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum Zeylanicum

Description:

Cinnamon is the bark and twigs of a number of related plants that have cinnamon oil in it. They are usually small trees with deep green leaves and white blossoms and are grown South Asia and the Middle East region.  When the trees are 6 or 7 years old, the bark is peeled off, dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks and then ground into powder.  Cinnamon has a characteristic flavor and aroma called cinnamonaldehyde that comes from a compound in the essential oil of the bark.

Parts used: Bark

Health Benefits:

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits. It contains compounds like tannins, essential oils, and saponins that helps improve general health.

Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, iron, calcium as well as fiber.

Cinnamon is also a favorite in aromatherapy.


Medicinal Properties and Uses:

Herbal cinnamon tea: Boil water, add a cinnamon stick and let it boil for 2 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick.

In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used as a pain killer and it relieves fever, colds, arthritis, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, promotes good
digestion and circulation.  It is used as a remedy for diabetes and is particularly helpful for people who feel hot in their upper body but have cold extremities.

Cinnamon oil has high anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, larvicidal and anti-fungal properties and the cinnamaldehyde content is a proven tranquilizer.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest tonic and uterine stimulant.  It is used as a treatment for PMS and promotes regular, pain-free menstruation.

Precaution:

Because cinnamon is a uterine stimulant, it should not be used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy.

Green Tea

Scientific name: Camellia sinesis

Other common names: Green tea extract, Chinese tea

Description:

Green tea has been consumed for many centuries and made from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis. Camellia sinesis is a shrub native to Asia.

Today, there are different types of green tea - some are more useful and beneficial than others. Many varieties of green tea created in countries where they are grown differ substantially on many factors like harvesting time, horticulture and production processing. The best sources of green tea are those that are from the dried leaves of Camellia sinesis and cultivated with use of 100% organic processes.

Benefits of Green Tea:

The key component is epigallocatechin gallete (EGCG) a major antioxidant that is abundant in Camelia Sinensis plant. It is also rich in other antioxidants like flavonoids, catechins and their derivatives. Aside from those, green tea contains tocopherols, carotenoids, , ascorbic acid, manganese, chromium, selenium or zinc, and some phytochemical compounds.


* Green tea has been shown to induce thermogenesis and increase a person’s metabolism

* helps decrease blood sugar

* effectively lower risk of atherosclerosis

* lower the risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer

* improves the ratio of LDL (bad) to HDL (good) cholesterol. Green tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and lipid peroxides (free radicals).

Precautions:

Take herbs with care as they can trigger side effects and may interact with other herbs, medications or supplements,and




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.

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.

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.