Ginkgo biloba (also spelled as Gingko)

Other names: Japanese silver apricot,Kew tree, Maidenhair tree

 Description:

Ginkgo Biloba are trees reaching to a height of 66–115 feet.  It is well-known for its antioxidant and detoxifying

properties. It has fan-shaped leaves that sometimes bifurcates. It is called as the Maidenhair tree because the leaves resemble the pinnae of the maidenhair fern. It has yellowy seeds.

Parts used:
Leaves and seeds of maidenhair tree

Medicinal properties and uses:
 
There are 2 main components that are responsible for its medicinal effects
namely ginkgo flavone glycosides and terpene lactones.  Ginkgo biloba also
contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties, ginkgolides(terpenoids)
that improve circulation as well as bilobalides that have neuroprotective
properties.

Ginkgo Biloba help to keep a healthy circulatory system by:

* improving muscle tone in the walls of blood vessels
* stopping blood clots from forming
* softening the arteries and helping to unblock the blood vessels
* relieving fluid tension in the blood vessels
* helps to increase the blood flow

Thus, ginkgo biloba is beneficial to the following health conditions:

Cerebral atherosclerosis
Cerebral edema
Peripheral artery disease
Arterial circulatory problems
Arterial obstruction 
Reynard's disease

Cochlear deafness
Tinnitus
Vertigo

Impairment to memory and cognitive function
Alzheimer's disease
Dementia

Erectile dysfunction

Macular degeneration
Glaucoma


Ginkgo is effective in helping to treat conditions which involve the blood
vessels.  It also has hematologic effects that lower serum fibrinogen
concentration.

Ginkgo has been known to aid alertness and memory. It also helps people who
suffer from vertigo by relieving the dizziness and nausea.

It also treats asthma and coughs.


Precautions:


Gingko can result in uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage and shouldn't be
used by people with bleeding disorders.

Gingko may increase frequency of seizure for people with epilepsy or anyone
with a history of seizures.

Gingko has also been known to cause some side effects in some people namely:
indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, allergic skin reactions, difficulty
of breathing, dizziness and seizures.


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.

Hibiscus

Other names:
Hibiscus rosa sinensis, rosemallow, Jamaica Sorrel, Red Tea, Roselle, Sudanese Tea, Gumamela, shoe flower or Javakusuma, flor de Jamaica

Description:

Hibiscus are large trumpet-shaped tropical flowers that have five or more petals. The color ranges from white to pink, red, orange, purple or yellow. The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The species includes perennial herbaceous plants, woody shrubs and small trees that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

The hibiscus flowers used in herbal teas are from Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called Jamaican Sorrel. The Roselle hibiscus are those used in Sudanese tea, the red tea, or the Jamaica sorrel. The flowers of the hibiscus are mostly used in the preparation of herbal teas and juices.


Medical Properties and Uses:

Heart diseases, High Blood Pressure - Hibiscus has antioxidant properties of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanins that can prevent the oxidation of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL). These antioxidants also help control cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease.

Acne & sunburn - Hibiscus help unclog closed pores. Crushed the leaves and flowers of the hibiscus and spread a paste on your face on the acne affected area.  Keep it for 15 minutes and wash off with water. Do the same with sunburn.

Eczema/Skin allergies - Hibiscus flower extracts are used in many herbal ointments in the treatment of eczema and allergic problems.

Dandruff & Hair loss - Add coconut oil or sesame oil to a bunch of hibiscus flowers and leaves.  Heat it at low fire. Cool. After cooling, strain the oil from the mixture and store in clean containers.  Massage this oil on scalp and leave it for an hour. Care should be taken to rinse the oil out with very mild shampoo. Hair loss caused by thyroid problem can also be remedied by drinking hibiscus tea or applying the hibiscus to the scalp.

Promotes Hair Growth and Prevents Premature Hair Greying - same as the procedure above. Hibiscus also stimulates blood circulation and ensures the supply of essential nutrients to the hair follicles.

Fever and Hot flashes - Hibiscus will help cool the body temperature down.

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.

MALUNGGAY

Scientific name: Moringa Olifera

Description:

Malunggay is an exotic species that grows well throughout the Philippines. 
The tree can grow as high as 3 to 5 meters in a span of 1 year and can reach
a height of about 15 to 30 meters without cutting.

Parts Used:

From the roots, trunk, and branches to the leaves, flowers, and seeds all
parts of the malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal
purposes.


Medicinal Value:

*It can be used for hiccups, asthma, gout, back pain, rheumatism,
wounds and sores by decocting the leaves.

*Pods are cure for intestinal spasm

* It is high in calcium (four times the calcium in milk), therefore
lactating mothers are advised to consume malunggay leaves to produce more
milk for their babies.

*Leaves and fruits are cure for constipation

*Leaves and pods are helpful in increasing breast milk in the breastfeeding
months. 6 tablespoons of leaf powder will provide nearly all the woman's
daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

* Pounded roots are used as poultice for inflammatory swelling

* The root bark has sex-hormone related properties

* The young malunggay leaves are also boiled and taken as tea and can help
heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.


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.