Acai Berry

Scientific Name: Euterpe oleracea

Common Names: Acai berry, Açaí, Assai, Acai palm, Cabbage Palm, Iwasai

Description:

The Acai berry is a small, dark purple fruit that grows in clusters on the Acai palm tree. The berry has a unique flavor, often described as a blend of chocolate and berries, with a hint of earthiness. Each berry contains a single large seed surrounded by a small amount of pulp.

The Acai palm tree is native to the floodplains of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and other parts of Central and South America. The tree thrives in tropical climates and is commonly found along riverbanks and in swampy areas.

Acai palms are primarily found in Brazil, particularly in the states of Pará and Amazonas. They are also grown in other tropical regions of South America, such as Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Parts Used for Traditional Medicine:

Fruit pulp: The most commonly used part of the Acai berry for its health benefits.

Seeds: Sometimes ground into a powder and used in traditional remedies.

Leaves: Occasionally used in traditional practices.

Health Benefits:

1. Rich in Antioxidants:

   - High levels of anthocyanins, which help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.

2. Heart Health:

   - May help improve cholesterol levels by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol).

3. Skin Health:

   - Antioxidants in Acai berries may help improve skin appearance and reduce signs of aging.

4. Weight Loss:

   - Often included in weight loss diets due to its fiber content and potential to boost metabolism.

5. Immune System Support:

   - Contains vitamins A, C, and E, which are important for a healthy immune system.

6. Energy Boost:

   - Nutrient-dense profile can provide a natural energy boost.

Medicinal Properties and Uses:

Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body.

Antioxidant: Protects cells from damage by free radicals.

Cardioprotective: Supports heart health by improving lipid profiles.

Anti-aging: Slows down the aging process by protecting the skin and other organs.

Digestive Health: High in fiber, promoting healthy digestion.

This recipe provides a basic method for preparing acai berry tea, which is commonly used in traditional medicine practices.

Acai Berry Tea Recipe

**Ingredients:**

- 1 cup of dried acai berries

- 4 cups of water

- Honey or sweetener (optional, to taste)

**Instructions:**

1. Rinse the dried acai berries under cold water to clean them.

2. In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

3. Add the rinsed acai berries to the boiling water.

4. Reduce the heat to low and let the berries simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

5. Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool down slightly.

6. Strain the berries from the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to extract all the liquid.

7. Discard the berries or save them for another use.

8. Add honey or your preferred sweetener to taste, if desired.

9. Serve the acai berry tea hot or chilled, according to your preference.

You can also experiment with adding other ingredients like lemon or ginger for additional flavor.

Precautions and Side Effects:

Allergies: Rare but possible, especially in people allergic to other berries.

Digestive Issues: Excessive consumption can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating or diarrhea.

Interaction with Medications: May interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect the immune system or blood clotting. Consult with a healthcare provider before use if on medication.

The Acai berry is a highly nutritious fruit with a range of health benefits, from antioxidant properties to heart health support. While generally safe for consumption, it should be taken in moderation and with consideration of potential interactions with medications.

Catnip

Scientific name: Nepeta cataria

Common names: catswort, catmint and field balm

Description: It is native to Central Europe, though now naturalized throughout the northeastern US and Canada.

Catnip is a strong-smelling herb that belongs to the mint family and grows to approximately 1 meter. This flowering perennial has oval-toothed, dark green leaves and white flowering tops.

This herb is commonly used to help calm cats down and reduce the effects of stress and anxiety because of its sedative effect. The chemical compound present in Catnip that attracts and affects cats is called nepetalactone. Thus, it is recommended for use in cat shelters to help make cats more relaxed in an unfamiliar setting.  Take note though that when a cat eats catnip, it acts as a sedative, but when it is just smelled, it causes the cat to go hyperactive.

Catnip also holds amazing benefits for human beings and is a very potent mosquito repellent.

The shoots/leaves have been used as a flavoring in sauces, soups, and stews, as  as well as in fruit table wines and liquors.

The fresh young shoots with its aromatic mint-like flavor are good in salads too.


Parts used: Leaves, flowers and stem


Medicinal properties and Health Benefits: 

Catnip has long been thought to have medicinal properties.

The leaves and flowering tops are sedative, antispasmodic, antitussive,  diaphoretic, astringent, carminative, slightly emmenagogue, refrigerant, slightly stimulant and tonic. Its plant constituents include Nepetalactone, Nepetalic acid, Alpha- & beta- Citral, Geraniol, Dipentene,Limonene, Citronella, Nerol, a terpene, Valeric acid,  Acetic acid, Butyric acid, and Tannin.

The catnip's dried leaves and flowers are made into herbal teas to treat intestinal cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, headache and common colds as well as to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite.

The dried leaves have been smoked to relieve respiratory ailments, and has been used externally as a poultice to reduce swelling.

Traditional doses for sedation require 4 grams of dried herb that is made into tea.


How to make Catnip tea:

Mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and honey.

Some people prefer drinking the tea when the lemon has been immersed for a longer time for the natural minty, citrusy flavor to come out.


Sleep Aid
Catnip has been used by people with insomnia. Its sedative effect helps slow down the body’s natural cycles and induce a calm, relaxed state.

Stress Relief
Catnip reduces stress and chronic anxiety as well as strengthens the immune system.

Speeds up Healing (Flu and colds)
Catnip induces sweating and gets the toxins flushed from the system.

Increased Sweating And Weight Loss
Catnip has diaphoretic property that makes one sweat more. Thus, it removes all harmful toxins from the body and improves metabolism. With improved metabolism, the body will burn fats much more quickly.

Headache/Migraine 
Drinking catnip tea or rubbing Catnip essential oil or leaf salve on the temples can offer quick relief.

Heals Digestive Problems
The organic compounds in catnip has relaxing, anti-inflammatory effects to  relieve tightness and discomfort of the gastrointestinal system.

Menstrual cramps/Irregular periods 
Catnip tea is a natural remedy to quickly relieve cramps and stresses in the body. Its sedative and calming effects can also soothe mood swings, depression and other symptoms of menstruation.

Treats Skin Conditions
Aside from Catnip's natural repellent quality, it also has organic compounds to soothe bug bits, relieve skin of irritation and reduce inflammation quickly.

Beneficial For Kidneys
Catnip is a diuretic meaning it promotes urination and quickly eliminating wastes from the body.

Anti-dandruff
Catnip has antiseptic properties that is good for irritated scalp and those with dandruff. The catnip tea can also be used as a conditioner.

Side effects/Precaution:
It's recommended to drink catnip tea at night as this will make one drowsy.

However, since it's also a diuretic it would cause frequent urination and  frequent trips to the bathroom/interrupted sleep.

You should not drink catnip tea if you’re pregnant, as it can cause uterine contractions that may result in premature labor.

Stop drinking catnip tea for several weeks before surgery, so that it doesn’t interfere with or intensify anesthesia and the central nervous system.

Always consult your doctor prior to taking any medications and avoid self-medication.

Tamarind

Scientific name: Tamarindus indica

Description: The tamarind tree is native to tropical regions of Africa, particularly the Sudan, but it has spread since to almost all tropical areas of the world. The tamarind pods are about five inches long which contain seeds and a sweet&sour pulp.   It can be consumed as a raw fruit, candied, dried and ground into a spice or when it is fully ripe it can be added to dessert.

Parts used: Pulp of fruit

Health benefits:

Tamarind has many nutritional components such as having  a significant level of vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and manganese. Tamarind is also rich in dietary fiber such as tannins, mucilage and pectin.There are also a number of organic compounds that make tamarind a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Medicinal properties and uses:

Tamarind fruit is also cathartic, febrifuge, antiseptic and refrigent. It is used as an Ayurvedic medicine for gastric problem, digestion problems and in protecting the heart.

Good for Digestive Health, Bile disorder, Constipation, Diarrhea: Tamarind is a natural laxative. It is also a bilious substance, that stimulates the activity of bile and help dissolve food faster. Studies have shown tamarind to be effective against chronic diarrhea as well.

Sunstroke: Two tablespoons of thick tamarind paste is an excellent home remedy for with mild sunstroke.

Healthy Heart: Tamarind is effective in reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol. The potassium in tamarind may be responsible for the reduction in blood pressure while the fiber content is responsible for the reduction in cholesterol by scraping excess LDL cholesterol from the veins and arteries.

Nerve Function: One of the most significant vitamin elements of tamarind is the B complex especially the high quantities of thiamine. Thiamine is responsible for improving nerve function,
as well as muscle development.

Weight Loss: Tamarind has a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which inhibits an enzyme in the body that specifically helps store fat. It also suppresses the appetite by increasing the serotonin neurotransmitter.

Tamarind is use as a gargle for sore throats.
Tamarind is a good source of antioxidants that fight against cancer.

Tamarind Juice:

Use a high power blender. IF not, then soak tamarind pod overnight or for several hours to soften it. The seeds can be either removed or not, depending on your preference.  

Put a cup of tamarind in blender and 1 1/2 cups of water. You may add a bit of ginger or vanilla or both. Add a tablespoon of honey.

Caution: As with all the medicinal plants found on this website. It is best to consult your doctor before trying any supplements or medicinal plants.

Apricot

Scientific name: prunus armeniaca

Description:

Apricots are small deciduous tree originally cultivated in Persia and Armenia and belong to the Rosacea
family like pear, apple and pear. The leaves are ovate with a rounded base, pointed tip and serrated edge.
The flowers are pinkish white that are produced singly or in pairs.  The fruit is golden orange with a
velvety smooth skin and inside is a single seed enclosed in a protective outer shell.
The flesh is not as juicy as peaches but it's usually firm and its taste ranges from sweet to being tart &
musky.

Apricot is enjoyed as a fresh fruit or as dried. It is also distilled into brandy and liquor or cooked into
pastry or made into jam. The essential oil from seeds is also commercially sold as almond oil.

Parts used: fruit(fresh and dried), leaves, seeds.

Health benefits:

Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, dietary fiber, and potassium.

Apricots contain phytochemicals called carotenoids which gives it the red, orange and yellow hues. One of the carotenoids found in apricots is lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that protects from cancer.

Vitamin A - promotes good vision, reduces risks of having cataracts, lowers risk of age-related macular
degeneration and good for the skin.

Beta-carotene - helps protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation and helps prevent heart disease.

Vitamin C - prevents colds and other respiratory diseases.

Fiber - prevents constipation and diverticulosis.

Medicinal properties and uses:

Cancer: Apricots are rich in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and prevents cancer cells from forming. In folk medicine, apricots seeds, leaves or even the dried apricot fruits are considered effectove against tumors and cancers.

Anemia: Apricot is a good source of iron which plays an important role in the formation of blood. Eating
apricots regularly improves blood flow and prevents anemia.

Heart Diseases: Since apricot is rich in lycopene and other antioxidants and is also a good source of Vitamin
C then it plays a good role in making the heart healthy - reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers
bad cholesterol (LDL) and improves general heart health.

Eye vision: As mentioned above, apricot is rich in carotenoids which reduce risk of eye vision problem.
Together with Vitamins A,C,E these components help improve eye vision and prevent macular degeneration.

Good for the Skin/ Anti-Aging: Apricot is a good source of antioxidants that nourishes the skin.

Improve digestion:  Apricot is rich source of dietary fiber that helps in digestion and prevents constipation
problems.

Weight loss: Apricot is rich in dietary fiber that proves beneficial to lose weight.

Asthma: Apricot is proven to treat asthma.

Arthritis and joint pains: The oil extracted from apricot seeds are used as liniments to alleviate pain.

Choose fully ripened fruit to get the most antioxidants.


Precautions:

Apricot seeds are believed to contain cyanide and can be dangerous when taken in large quantities.

Agar Agar

Scientific name: Gelidiella Acerosa, genera Gelidium and Gracilaria and Sphaerococcus euchema

Description:

Agar-agar is extracted from marine red algae. The seaweeds (Sphaerococcus Euchema and Gelidium) that grows to 15 to 25 cm high are mostly found off the Pacific coast and the coast of South Africa.  Fronds are elongated, cylindrical, soft or subcartilaginous and dichotomously branched.

The seaweeds are laid out along the shore to get bleached and dried. By boiling them in water the mucilage can be strained and filtrated.  After which it is dried again under the sun.

You'll find the Agar Agar most often in the form of white powder or as a clear bar.  It has almost no color, no taste, calorie-free and has 80% percent fiber.

One can also blanch the entire plant and eat as salad.

Parts Used: Seaweed extract and the whole plant.

Medicinal properties and Uses:

Agar agar contains gelose, protein, galactose, pentose, fructose; iodine, iron and other
trace elements and minerals

This seaweed rich in soluble fiber that is very good for dieters. Agar agar absorbs water making you feel full. So, munching on agar agar before each meal prevents you from overeating.

Constipation - as agar agar is rich in soluble fiber it is used as a bulk laxative because it
absorbs water in the intestines  resulting in increased bowel activity.

Diabetes - Agar Agar will capture the sugars, fats and toxins.

Sores and Swollen knee joints - An agar agar poultice is used for swollen knee joints and sores.

It is also use for menorrhagia, leucorrhea and other intestinal and bladder difficulties.

An agar agar decoction given for dysentery and diarrhea as a folk medicine. It is also found
to be useful for coughs and other pulmonary complaints.

High doses may cause flatulence.

Agar agar readily forms a gel and is used as a stabilizer, thickening, gelling, bulking agent and food additive.

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.

KELP

 Scientific name: Phaeophyceae Laminariales

Description:

Kelp is a kind of brown seaweed that grows along coastlines around the world. Kelps grow as fast as half a meter a day in underwater kelp forests in shallow waters.The kelp has leaf-like structure or the blade, the stem-like structure also know as the stipe and the root-like structure called the holdfast that anchors the kelp to the seabed.

Medicinal properties and uses:

 Kelp is a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals, as well as essential trace minerals.  It is especially high in iodine and is a great natural source of iron. Kelp contains calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. This seaweed also contains vitamins A, B1,
B2, C, D and E, as well as amino acids.

Thyroid Health
Since Kelp is rich in iodine and Iodine is essential to the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. Eating kelp regularly will help to regulate thyroid hormones. It can also protect against radiation poisoning due to its high iodine content.

Anti-Inflammatory
Kelp has anti-inflammatory properties found in the substance fucoidan.

Arthritis
Kelp alleviate arthritis pain because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Improve liver function

Fight against heart disease.  Kelp helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Estrogen-Related Cancer( ovarian, breast, and endometrial cancer) and Endometriosis
kelp has phytoestrogenic properties as well as it lowers the serum estradiol levels in women. Iodine is also important for female hormone regulation.

Kelp can help to increase energy levels and boost immunity

Weight Loss
Kelp has metabolism stimulating properties

For poor digestion, flatulence and constipation

Reduce hair loss

Kelp is consumed as a salad. Kelp also makes a popular salt substitute (granules or
powder form) that can be added to salads, soups, seafoods and sausages. Or kelp can be taken as a
nutritional supplement.



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.