Dragonfruit

Scientific names:
Red Dragonfruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)
White Dragonfruit (Hylocereus undatus)
Yellow Dragonfruit (Selenicereus megalanthus)

Other scientific names:
Acanthocereus, Ceraus, Echinocereus, Escontria, Hylocereus, Myrthillocactus, Selenicereus, Stenocereus
 
Common names: Pitaya, Red Pitahaya, Night blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, conderella plant

Description of Red Dragonfruit or Red Pitaya:

The plant of the Dragon fruit is vine-like epiphytic cacti that is native to Central and Southern America but
eventually spread to Southeast Asian countries.  The Dragon plant has a fleshy stem about 20 feet long and
its edible flowers have fragrant scent and ornate that only blooms at night.

The skin of the Dragon fruit is dark red with soft spine and its flesh is also red with lots of black small
seed that is also edible. The flavor is likened to that of the kiwifruit.

The dragon plant can bear fruit 3 to 6 times in a year depending on growing conditions.

Dragon fruits are made into smoothie, juice, sherbet, jams, puree, sherbets, salads...

Health Benefits and Medicinal properties/uses:

Pitaya or Dragon fruit is rich in fiber, minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron), vitamins
A, C, B1, B2, B3 and naturally-occurring flavonoids which acts as antiatherosclerotic (also reduces
cardiovascular risk), antiinflammatory, antitumour, antiosteoporotic, and antiviral.

Another highly valued antioxidants found in Dragon fruit are lycopene and phytoalbumins which are known to
fight cancer cells and prevent formation of cancer causing free radicals.

Dragon fruit is known to reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Asthma and cough - because of its high vitamin C content.

Dragon fruit boosts immune system and the fibers help in digestion.

Dragon fruit is also known in folk medicine for preventing memory loss, controling blood glucose level in
diabetes and aids in healing of wounds.

Black Currant/Blackcurrant

Other names: Cassis, quinsy berries

Description:

Black currant is a shrub with edible berries that can be found in Northern/Central Europe and Asia.  It has woody branches that grows to a height of 2 meters.  The leaves are deeply lobes and used to improve the
taste and color or Vodka.  The flowers are small and white.  During summer the black currant berries are formed which are small (1 cm in diameter), dark purple to black in color, glossy skin and contains several seeds.

Black currants are added to make cordial, liqueur and beer.  It is very sweet and made into jellies, jams, juice and ice cream or added to desserts, sauces, and salad dips.

Parts used:
Fruits, leaves and seeds (for oil).

Medicinal properties and uses:

Black currants are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and vitamins especially Vitamin C. It also contains essential fatty acids like Gamma Linoleic Acid(a very rare Omega-6 essential fatty acid), flavonoids,
proanthocyanidins, cassis polysaccharide (CAPS) and anthocyanins that inhibit the enzymes Cyclo-oxgenase 1 and 2, and reduce inflammation and gives relief to arthritis. Black currants are also rich in potassium having
twice the potassium of bananas.

The oil from the seed of the black currant has linoleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, which are essential fatty acids the our body cannot produce on its own.

Black currant leaves is known for its diuretic property. The leaves are dried to make a tea and used againsts:

Arthritis
Diarrhea
Urinary problems
Bleeding gums

Black currant juice are high in Vitamin C and is used to treat:

Cough
Sore Throats

Black Currant Seed Oil (BCSO) contains gamma-linolenic acid which is a powerful anti-inflammatory used to treat:

Swelling/Inflammation
Pain Relief
Arthritis

The black currant seed oil is also effective for treating a wide variety of disorders like:

Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Gastritis/Ulcers
Allergies

Black currant may also help prevent cancer.

BURDOCK

Scientific name: Arctium lappa (Great Burdock); Arctium Minus (Lesser Burdock)

Other names: Cocklebur, Gobo root, Clot bur, Burr Seed,  Thorny Burr, Fox's
Clote, Beggar's Buttons, Cockle Buttons

Description:

Burdock is an herb with prickly seeds that grows freely by the roadside, hedgerows and wastelands.

Burdock have large about a foot long, heart-shaped or wavy leaves that lay on the ground. The upper leaves are much smaller and the stems about 3 to 4 feet long.   In the early summer, the stem sends up round heads of pink, white or purple flowers. This turns into prickly seeds that cling to clothing and animal fur.

There are various subspecies of burdock depending on its appearance like the size of the flower-heads, length of the stalks etc.


Parts used: roots, seeds and leaves


Medicinal properties:

Burdock has many medicinal properties and has been used in many herbal remedies.

Traditionally, burdock has been used as a remedy for acne, measles, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, tonsillitis, sore throat and colds. 

The root of the burdock is edible and used as a diuretic as well a blood purifier by removing toxins from the blood.

The seeds can be used as a diaphoretic which cleanses the body of toxins and treat gallbladder, liver and kidney disorders.


Burdock is also used in oncology today. But the seeds of the burdock when soaked in milk has been used traditionally to cure cancer. The extract from the pounded seeds or leaves are used to soothe aching joints and also treats skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis and other scalp problems.

The Japanese used Burdock as a source of vitamins and other nutrients.  It contains flavonoids, arcigen, calcium, iron, chlorogenic acid, essential oil, lactone, mucilage, polyacetylenes, potassium, resin, tannin and
polyacetylenes which are known to be effective antifungal and antibacterial agents.

In many places, burdock is eaten as a vegetable for it has the same taste as the asparagus.  It is also eaten as a salad with oil and vinegar.

In China, burdock is used as an aphrodisiac and is found effective in treating impotence.





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.