AGOHO

Scientific name: Casuarina equisetlifolia L. Cauanrinaceae

Description:
A large evergreen tree, 20 m high, with a 65-cm diameter. The crown is narrowly pyramidal resembling some of the conifers in appearance. The bark is brown to dark brown and rough. The inner bark is light in color and has a bitter taste. The leaves are actually reduced to small sheaths on the needle-like branchlets. It is commonly found throughout the Philippine but it can also be found in other Southeast Asian countries as well as in Australia.

Medicinal Value:

A decoction of the bark, when taken in large doses, is used as an agent that promotes menstrual discharge and alleviates menstrual pains. It is helpful in expectorating blood from some part of the respiratory tract and also an excellent astringent.

The bark is used to arrest diarrhea and dysentery; it's lotion used for beriberi; a powder of the bark is prescribed for pimples on the face.

An infusion of the bark is used as a tonic.

A decoction of the twigs is used as a lotion for swellings; an infusion of the branches is used as a diuretic ( an agent that tends to increase the flow of urine).

The leaves are used for colic spasm, obstruction or twisting or abdominal pain.

The bark is used to ease diarrhea and dysentery. The powder of the bark is prescribed for pimples in the face.

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.

ALMOND

Scientific name: Prunus dulcis   

Description: This is native to the Middle East and South Asia. The fruit of  the almond is a drupe 3.5–6 cm long, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed inside.  The seed is the nut.  It is often eaten on its own, raw or toasted.  It can also be mixed in various dishes. Almonds are available also as almond butter, almond milk and almond oil.    

Nutrients in Almonds

Almonds are regarded as the king of nuts probably because it is thought to be the most healthy and nutritious of all nuts. They are not just good for improving the overall health of the body and the mind; they are also used as home remedies for many common ailments.

    * Almond is a good source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is good for building healthy tissues and blood cells and can reduce the chances of cataract, cardiac diseases and cancers.

      Oil of Vitamin E can also be applied on skin to prevent premature wrinkling and increase growth of new cells on the skin. The Almond oil is also good for the hair.

    * Almond contains folic acid or folate, a B-vitamin that helps to reduce the chances of birth defects in babies.and is also good for making red blood cells. Folate also protects the heart from cardiac problems like
stroke and heart attacks.

    * Almond contain iron, which helps to carry oxygen to the organs and cells.

  * It is also rich in zinc(helps to heal wounds); magnesium (good for the bones and muscles); phosphorus(helps body to process carbohydrates, fats and protein; copper (can oxygenate the various parts of the body and can keep the nerves, blood vessels and bones healthy)

    * Rich in phytochemicals, thus protecting the body from cancer, heart diseases and other diseases.
    

    * Loaded with minerals, vitamins, protein and healthy fats. It has more calcium than any other nut and are an excellent source of antioxidant flavonoids.

    * Despite of the fact that almonds are quite high in calories. Studies indicate that people who eat almonds regularly are at a lower risk for gaining weight. Since almonds are very high in fiber, protein and
mono-saturated fat, they can help you feel full for a longer time and it also help reduce fat in the abdominal area.

    * Almond contains laetrile or amygdalin which is known to be an anti-cancer nutrient.

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.

Aloe Vera

Scientific name: Aloe Barbadensis

Other common names:
Chinese Aloe, Indian Aloe, true Aloe, Barbados Aloe, burn Aloe, first aid plant


Description:

Aloe Vera is a common houseplant, widely cultivated as garden or tub plants in warmer regions and is known for its nutritional properties and cosmetic properties.  It is a genus of plants belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, and is related to onions and asparagus. It is a succulent plant that is believed to have originated in the Sudan.

Aloe Vera have green fleshy, tapering leaves crowded in rosettes at the end of the short stem.  Its flowers are red or yellow tubular in dense clusters.

Health Benefits:

Aloe Vera contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, vitamin C, choline, niacin amide and 18 amino acids.

Medicinal Uses:

The aloe vera plant has been found to have great contributions to health, both internally and externally.  It also cures several illnesses and ailments, having anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and anti-bacterial properties.


The most frequent use of the plant is in the form of a topical gel. 

• Treatment of acne, pimples & psoriasis
• Analgesic properties for inflammation of skin, contusions.
• Anti-aging properties
• Heals insect bites, minor scrapes, minor burns & sunburns
• Treatment of dandruff and dry or itchy scalp
• Antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and antibiotic properties.
   

Preparation and Use:


• To make a gel, remove the skin of a leaf then rub Aloe Vera extract on your skin or scalp.  For dandruff, you can mix aloe vera extract with coconut oil and leave for at least 30 minutes, then rinse.


•The leaves can be snapped open, and the moist open ends of the leave can be rubbed onto a burn or scrape directly.

• The poultices of the aloe vera leaves may be applied directly to contusions.


Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice:

• Ability to aid in digestion, used as laxative, improve circulation, detoxify and heal from the inside

• For hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, intestinal parasites, constipation etc. drink juice or remove the skin and take out the fleshy part. This will liquefy after a few minutes and can be mixed with other drinks.

• Treatment for coughs, ulcers, muscle pain, and headaches

• anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and believes to be beneficial for cancer and HIV patients


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.

Pili Nuts

Scientific name: Canarium ovatum Engl. Burseraceae


Description: Erect and spreading, this large tree reaches a height of about 35 m and is a meter
or more in diameter.  The leaves are alternate, pinnate and about 30 cm long with usually three pairs of opposite leaflets and a terminal leaflet.

The leaflets are ovate to elliptic, 12-20 cm long and 3-7 cm wide, smooth and shiny on both sides, pointed at the apex and rounded or obtusely pointed at the base. The fruit or nut, botanically a drupe, ovoid to ellipsoid, 4-7 cm long, about 3.8 cm wide.

Medicinal Value et al:

Young shoots, fruit pulp and the pili nut kernel are edible, used for cooking and making salads. The seed coat must be removed before eating as it can cause diarrhea.

Oil from the pili pulp could also be used in the make of soap.

The oleoresin is used as a stimulant; a rebefacient (an external skin application causing redness of the skin); and an antirheumatic when applied externally.

Poultices of brea(soft resin obtained from genes Canarium tree) are used externally for swellings of the legs.

Oleoresin, prepared in the form of ointment is applied on indolent ulcers.

It is a good source of fiber; minerals; vitamin E, folacin and other B vitamins and monounsaturated fat.


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.

PARSLEY

Scientific name: Petroselinum crispum

Description:

Also known as “rock celery” and belongs to the Umbelliferae family of plants.

One of the world's most popular herb. It is a biennial plant that grows in most climates and is readily available throughout the year.

Parsley has flavonoids that act as anti-oxidants. It is also rich in vitamins A and  contains more vitamin C (approximately three times as much as oranges). It is a good source of manganese (2.7mg per 100g), calcium (245mg per 100g) and iron (5.5mg per100g (4oz).

Medicinal Uses:

Eating raw parsley mitigate risks of atherosclerosis  because it cleanses the blood, dissolves sticky deposits in veins, maintains elasticity of blood vessels.

It settles the stomach and improves the appetite.

Parsley contains some components of the female hormone estrogen and it has been used to treat women who suffer from problems such as irregular menstruation.

Parsley is effective for nearly all kidney and urinary complaints. It acts as a diuretic and helps improve edema, ease fatigue and scanty or painful urination.

Parsley is also good as a topical remedy for bruises. Crush some parsley leaves and apply straight to the affected area.

Chewing parsley prevents bad breath as well!

When checking for parsley benefits and side effects it is still best to consult your doctor and seek medical advice.

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.

Fennel

Scientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Description:

Fennel are strongly aromatic herb with yellow umbrella-like inflorescence flower.  The fruit looks like the unhusked rice grain and is very aromatic.

Parts Used: Ripe fruit (dried)

Medicinal Uses:

1. Relieves Dysmenorrhea, Indigestion and Stomachache

Fennel Tea - Boil dried fruits in water.

2. Drinking Fennel Tea also prevents gout and treat jaundice

3. Fainting - Sniff the pounded fruit




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.

Guava

Scientific name: Psidium guajava

Description: 

Guava is indigenous to the Central American region and are cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics as well as in some subtropical regions. The guava tree is aperennial shrub or a general shade tree that grows up to a height of 4 meters.  It leaves have conspicuous veins, are oblong and tapered at the end. Its green to yellowish fruits contain numerous seeds with a reddish, pink or yellowish flesh that is very delectable as well as nutritious.

Nutritional value:

Guavas are rich in vitamins A and C.  A big guava contains over four times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange (212 mg/100 g fruit) and the quantity of vitamin C increases as the fruit matures. The seeds are known to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Depending on the variety, guava has good levels of the dietary minerals that includes phosphorus, potassium, calcim, and magnesium.

Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves, bark, fruits.

Medicinal Properties:

The guava fruit,leaves and bark of the plant possess some therapeutic properties and have been known to treat various disorders.

The guava with a reddish flesh are extremely rich in antioxidants than the yellowish-green ones.  The guava fruit has carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, eugenol, lectins, triterpenes as well as polyphenols. The fruit is also considered to be an excellent source of a dietary fiber known as pectin. 

The guava leaf is high in flavonoids and quercetin, in fact, the majority of the medicinal properties of guava are attributed to the flavonoids seen in the fruits and leaves.

Indication:

1. Acute Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, intestinal worm, dysmenorrhea,gastric disorders

Pound guava leaf and boil in a 1 liter of water.  Drink infusions prepared with guava leaves as a tea. Some would combine leaves and bark to prepare a decoction. In tropical countries, townfolks use the leaves, roots, barks as well as the unripe fruits of guava to treat such disorders because of the presence of quercetin and other flavonoids in the guava plant.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

same as above.

3. Vaginal discharges

Prepare a decoction with leaves and bark of the guava tree and use it as a vaginal wash.

4. Toothaches;Bad Breath; Bleeding gums; Mouth sores; sore throat and laryngitis

Chew leaves of guava.  Some would prefer to chew the young leaves of the guava. Others use a decoction prepared with the leaves of guava and use it as a gargle.

5. Wound and skin ulcers

Prepare a decoction of leaves and/ or barks of guava trees or an infusion prepared with guava flowers.  Some would pound the guava leaves and apply it as a poultice over the wound. Guava leaves and bark are used traditionally as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

6. Cough, sore throat and laryngitis

Eat guava fruit for this it is excellent source of Vitamin C (Four times more than oranges).

7. Believed to alleviate hangover when tender guava leaves are chewed before taking intoxicating drinks.

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.