Lansones

Scientific name: Lansium domesticum

Common names: langsat, lansones, lanzones,langsak
langsad (thin-skinned variety); longkong (thick-skinned variety)


Description:

Lansones is native to Southeast Asia because of the tropical temperatures and the tree can grow to a height
of 15 meters. The bark is colored gray with light and dark spots. The compound leaves are alternate and
pointed at both ends while the flowers are small with short stems & spikes and is greenish-yellow.

The fruit is yellowish or beige and is borne in clusters on a single stem. It can be oval, round, ellipsoid
or globose and is 2 to 7 centimeters in size. When one opens it, it is divided in sections of succulent
sweet&sour flesh with seeds in it. The seeds are greenish and bitter.

This fruit is available all year round but it's the sweetest when it's in season which is between July and
September.


Parts used: fruit, bark, leaves, seeds and fruit rind

Health Benefits:

Lanzones is rich in riboflavin that promotes growth, helps the body to release energy converted from
carbohydrates and makes red blood cells healthy. It also provides a sufficient amount of thiamine that helps
treat nerve and heart conditions,  This delicious fruit also contains Vitamin A, C, E and antioxidants like
carotene, beta carotene, zea-xanthins which fight off many ailments.

It is has calcium, phosphorus, iron, alkaloids, sucrose, saccharose, fructose and glucose, carbohydrates,
fiber, phytin and niacin which helps reduce cholesterol.


Medical properties and uses:

Bark of the lanzones tree is considered astringent, antipyretic and anthelmintic. It is used to treat malaria
and the powder form is applied on scorpion stings.

The concoction of lansones leaves and bark is used to relieve symptoms of dysentery.

The seed has five tetranoterpenoids, domesticulide A-E (1-5) and limonoids.
Traditional medicine used the pounded seeds mixed with water for deworming, treating diarrhea and ulcer.

The lansones leaves or the the dried fruit skin are burned and used as natural mosquito repellant or as
incense.

The fruit has antipyretic properties that lowers the person's body temperature and the crushed seeds are also
used for fevers.

The dry extract of lansones fruit is also used for moisturizing, whitening/lightening effect and has
antibacterial properties.

Eating fresh lansones is also a great way to lose weight.


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.

Melon

Scientific name: Cucumis melo L.

Description:

Melon grows on the surface of the ground and is a climbing vine.  It originated in Africa and southwest Asia then gradually spread in Europe and other parts of the world. The fruit is round to oblong shape with netted skin and rib-like, grooved sections called "sutures". Its flesh is salmon-colored to rich orange color that is sweet, succulent and have a musky aroma.  At the center is a small hollow cavity filled with seeds enmeshed in a mucilaginous substance.  The seeds are small off-white color and are edible. The rind is greenish-orange.

Melons are culinary fruits that belong to the family Cucurbitaceae ( e.g.cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, gourds, squash...).  These can easily cross-pollinate and have many different hybrid melons and varieties namely: European cantaloupe, North American cantaloupe, Persian melon,  Japanese melon, Korean melon, Sharlyn melons,  Muskmelon (C. melo),  Horned melon (C. metuliferus), Casaba, Honeydew, sugar melon, hami melon, Kolkhoznitsa melon, winter melon, Santa Claus melon, Tiger melon, Canary melon, true muskmelons...
           
Parts used: Fruits and seeds

Preparation:

====Multicolored melon-ball salad====

You may pick from any varieties mentioned above to make a delicious salad.

Open the melon and remove the seeds.

Scoop the melons into balls.

Use each half as a basket in which to serve the multicolored melon-ball salad.

Topped with fresh, chopped mint.


=====Melon Seeds Snack=====

Put the seeds in a fine mesh wire strainer.

Rinse under tap running water.

Gently remove the gelatinous substance by gently pressing the seeds against the strainer using a spoon.

Drain and let the seed dry.

Place the seeds on a cookie sheet or baking pan and roast it in the oven for 15-20 minutes( 160-170F) or until brown.

sprinkle with salt and eat as a snack.



======Melon Juice======

Cut the melon in half and remove the seeds.

Scoop out flesh and put in a blender.

Add lemon juice.

Add sugar or honey to taste.

You may also add other fruits like peaches or a ready made yogurt.


Medicinal properties & Health Benefits:

Melon is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and is one of the fruits that give the
highest source of vitamin A.

Melons are also abundant in vitamin C, one arm of the now-famous disease-fighting antioxidant trio. Another arm that's well represented is beta-carotene. Researchers believe that beta-carotene and vitamin C are capable of preventing heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. No matter which way you cut them, when it comes to nutrition, melons are number one.


The abundant vitamin A content, alpha-carotene (lutein), beta-carotene(beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) makes it a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent lung cancer, colon as well as oral cavity cancer.  It is good for the eyes, mucus membrane and skin. It is also a valuable source of lycopene that reduces the risk of prostate, pancreatic, breast, and endometrial cancers. Melons are also rich in Vitamin C, B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, and folate) as well as vitamin K. Aside from vitamins, melons have electrolytes and minerals like folate, magnesium and potassium to help regulate body fluids and control heart rate and blood pressure.

Melon is a good source of fiber and is a natural weight-loss food.
The seeds are a good source of omega-3 fat(alpha-linolenic acid)

The zea-xanthin content provide antioxidant and protects from age related macular degenerationMelon also has anti-inflammatory properties like the presence of cucurbitacins (cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E) as well as the high concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) an anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.


In other words, Melons are beneficial for the following conditions/diseases:

Cancers (especially lung, colon, pancreatic, prostate, oral cavity, breast, endometrial cancers)
Heart Disease, Atherosclerosis, stroke, blood pressure
Inflammation
Weight loss
Eye conditions (e.g. age-related macular degeneration)

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.

Soursop aka Guyabano

Scientific name: Annona muricata var. subonica
Other names: guanábana, guanavana, guyabano, graviola,  custard apple, Brazilian pawpaw, durian benggala, nangka blanda, nangka londa, mullaatha.

Description:

Soursop or Guyabano is a fruit-bearing tree that is native to Central America, Caribbean, South America and sub-Saharan African countries.  It is also grown in parts of Southeast Asia. Guyabano is just a small evergreen tree of usually about 5 to 7 meters high. The leaves are oval-shaped, pointed on both ends and with smooth, shiny texture.  The flowers are large white or yellow or greenish-yellow that bloom all year round and emits a pleasing scent.

The fruit of the soursop (guyabano) is green, obviate, pear or heart-shaped and covered with soft spines.  It has thin skin and the fibrous edible pulp is soft & whitish with sweet-sour citrusy flavor. The black, hard seeds
inside taste awful and are indigestible. The guyabano pulp is usually eaten ripe or made into juice, smoothies,
sorbets or ice cream.


Parts used: Fruit; Leaves

Health Benefits:

Soursop is one of the healthiest fruits available to us. It has high amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, potassium, phosphorus, iron and dietary fiber. Because of the presence of these vitamins and minerals,
guyabano(soursop) is known to have lots of health benefits, it is a potent antioxidant and it enhances the immune system.


Medicinal properties:

Traditional medicine have used not only the fruits of the guyabano/soursop but also the bark, leaves, roots,

flowers and seeds to treat many ailments like asthma, wounds, infection, eczema, inflammation, arthritis,

rheumatism, heart disease, liver problems, wounds, stomach spasm, dysentery, scurvy, hematuria, urethritis and

even to remove head lice.

~Guyabano seeds (pulverized)

*It is toxic and is for external use only

*The seed oil is used to purge parasites and kill head lice. It is also used as a skin astringent.


~Guyabano leaves (minced and boiled)

*Treatment for eczema and skin diseases (poultice of mashed leaves and sap applied directly on skin)

*Used as wet compress to treat pain and inflammation of the joints like arthritis, rheumatism

*Treatment of pimples (The sap of the young leaves may be applied directly)

*Treatment of fever (decoction of leaves taken internally)

*Tranquilizing and sedative properties (Drinking boiled guyabano/soursop leaves may help induce sleep)

~Guyabano fruit (juice/shake or smoothie)

*The guyabano fruit is diuretic and can treat dysentery, scurvy, hematuria and urethritis
  
~Guyabano bark, roots and leaves (minced and boiled)

*To treat diabetes
*Tranquilizer and sedative

~Guyabano leaves and roots

*Treat colic and convulsions

1. Anti-Cancer

Annonaceous acetogenins are the compounds found in Guyabano extract that has the ability to inhibit the enzyme processes and the growth of malignant cells. It is known to kill the different types of cancer cells found in colon, pancreatic, liver,lung, breast, ovarian, cervical, prostate cancer and lymphoma. Researched showed that this compound is many times stronger in killing cancer cells than the commonly used chemotherapy drug. And unlike chemotherapy which can harm the healthy cells, Soursop or Guyabano can kill these malignant cells without damaging the healthy cells.


How to make Guyabano Tea:

Boil 1 liter of water.
Add 1 cup of shredded air-dried guyabano leaves (air dried guyabano leaves have more medicinal properties than

fresh leaves).
Turn down the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Drink within 7 hours after making the tea to benefit from its medicinal properties.

30-3-30 Rule

It is best to drink it 30 minutes before mealtime.
Taken 3 times a day.
For 30 consecutive days.

To get the full benefit of the treatment.

For maintenance, drink one glass for 5 consecutive days then stop for 2 days then resume drinking for 5 days.
Repeat the process. You may taper it when the cancer cells are gone.


2.Good for the Liver
Guyabano enhances production of endogenous antioxidant that is beneficial to hepatic tissues.

3. Anti-Depressant
Guyabano contains compounds like annonaine, nornuciferine and asimilobine that possess anti-depressive effects.


Cautions and Adverse Effects:

Internal consumption of the concoctions of leaves, seeds and barks are not recommended for young children, pregnant and lactating women.

The annonacin content is a neurotoxin associated with neurodegenerative disease and  might be linked to the
development of atypical Parkinson's disease.  Thus taking guyabano in large doses is not recommended for people with suspected Parkinson's disease and those with motor control problem.

The hydrocyanic acid found in leaves can be harmful when taken in high concentrations.

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.