Showing posts with label skin problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin problems. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Mexican Trees - Golden Shower Trees Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat      
 Blog 325-365













Golden Shower Trees (English) Lluvia de Oro (Spanish), Cassia fistula, Fabaceae family; native to southern Asia. A deciduous tree with pinnae leaflets (foliage), brought in the late 19th Century to Yucatan as an ornamental flowering tree; it is most striking during May when it is in full bloom. 

Cassia fistula is native to South Asia. It has been found widely in India, Pakistan, Myanmar, SriLanka, etc. This tree is the national tree of Thailand and its flower is its national flower. It is also the state flower of Kerala in India.

Flowers bloom in delicate golden yellow drop clusters. Golden Shower seed pods are long dark brown sausage-like with woody exterior and stick molasses covering wafer shaped seeds,  abundant while blooming. 

 Like the Royal Flamboyan, Golden Shower tree is a favorite in Mayan villages and Yucatan's urban avenues or parks, for its amazingly exotic looking and has truly whimsical beautiful  flowering bloom clusters gently dropping ever so graceful down its branches. 

 Golden Shower should not be confused with another member of the Fabaceae family the Golden Rain Tree or Lapacho amarillo (Spanish), Tabebuia chrysotricha, native to China, whose flower clusters grow upwards. 


Lluvia de Oro, also known as the Golden Shower tree, Amaltas and Cassia Fistula, is a small to medium-size tree which can reach 30-40 feet tall. Its shiny green leaves drop in April, and by late spring the entire tree turns into a show stopping burst of lemon-yellow. 

When in full bloom (May-June or early July), the trees are covered with long grape-like clusters of countless delicate yellow flowers – it almost appears as if they have yellow lace dripping from their branches. The leaves begin to return as the flowering progresses, with foliage totally restored by July. 


Lluvia de Oro trees attract bees, butterflies and birds and are widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas around the world for their ornamental and medicinal properties.
The flowers are followed by 2-foot-long, round, slender and woody bean pods which contain several seeds. The fruit/pods emerge green, but mature to black, and can remain on the tree until the following year.

Medicinal Uses

The pod produces between its many seeds a pulp that makes an excellent laxative
The uncooked pulp of the pods cures constipation.

The herb, Cassia fistula is having great medicinal uses and its bark, fruits and leaves have been used since ancient times. It has been referred to as “Aragvadha” or “disease killer”.
Stomach disorders
Cassia Fistula is very effective in treating constipation. Cassia fistula is very effective in treating ulcers. The herb is very effective in treating piles. The pulp of the tree can be soaked in water for about an hour or so and consumed at bedtime. It also kills the intestinal worms.
Common Cold and Cough
The roots of the herb have great curative effects against common cold. Some people inhale the smoke of the roots. This cures the mucous that is found along the respiratory tract.
The pod of the tree is powdered and mixed with honey and consumed. This is very effective in curing cough.
Fever
When infected with fever, a tonic is prepared from the roots of Cassia Fistula.
Skin Problems
The herb is very effective in treating skin disorders like irritation, swelling, etc. The herb is very great in curing fungal infections of the skin. Some of them are athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, etc.
Immunity Booster
The bark and fruits of the tree have great antioxidant properties and hence boost the immunity system of the body.
Blood Purification
The bark of the tree and fruits help in purification of the blood.
Wounds
Cassia Fistula is great in treating wounds. The specialty of the herb is that it promotes tissue regeneration. In many countries, the juice extracted from the juice of the leaves or a paste of the leaves is used for dressing the infected skin areas.
Blood Sugar
The roots of Cassia fistula have the property to reduce blood sugar by about 30 percent.
Purgative
In some countries like Philippines, a decoction is prepared from the leaves and fruit pulp of the tree. This serves as a great purgative.

Precautions

The herb needs to be taken in small quantities. Consuming excess of the medicine results in stomach pain and vomiting.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Sacred Trees in India

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 228-365


India is widely recognised for the amalgamation of various religions and cultures. India is known as a land of spirituality and people across the world visit the country for spiritual solace. It is a country where you find the essence of religion and spirituality in every state including the age old architectures and temples. On a factual note, people in India especially Hindus are known to pay their respects to the nature, including animals and trees. 
 
For example, if you visit the temples of India, you would not be surprised to find the presence of peepal tree, which holds a significant place in the Hindu religion. Worshiping trees is not a strange practice in India. Few trees are said to be sacred, filled with spiritual powers and sometimes associated to the supreme deities. 
 
Trees such as peepal, coconut, bhang and sandalwood are worshiped in many states of India and have high regards in Hindu religion. The sacred trees are famously referred as 'kalpa-vriksha'. Apart from being worshiped, it also has certain medicinal benefits

Bael tree

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bael tree, also referred to as 'bilupatre' is associated with 'Lord Shiva', the God of Destroyer. Offering the leaf of this tree to the almighty is said to be very beneficial. The trifoliate leaves symbolise the functions of the almighty that is creation, preservation and destruction.
 
It can tolerate severe drought so is good for reforestation of arid areas.
 
Curative Properties

In the ancient medical treatise in Sanskrit mention all parts of this tree stem, bark, root, leaves and fruit. At all stages of maturity have been used as medicine. The fruit's medicinal value is very high when it just begins to ripen. The fruit is cooling and a laxative. It stops secretion or bleeding. The unripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in curing scurvy.

Ear Problems A home remedy for curing ear problems. A stiff piece of the root is dipped in neem oil and lighted. The oil that drips from the burning end. An effective medicine for ear problems. The antiseptic properties of neem combined with the astringent extract of bael root curing infection, chronic inflammation and discharge.

Respiratory Disorders The leaves gives relief from recurrent colds and respiratory inffections. A teaspoon oil should be massaged into the scalp before a head bath. Its regular use builds up resistance to colds and coughs. Theoil is prepared, juice extracted from bael leaves mixed with an equal quantity of gingelly or sesame oil and heated thoroughly. A few seeds of black pepper and half a teaspoon of black cummin are added to the heated oil. Removed from the fire and stored for use when necessary.

 
Constipation Ripe bael fruit isthe best of all laxatives. It clears and tones up the intestines. Its regular use for 2 or 3 months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. Taken in the form of sherbet, which is prepared from the pulp of the ripe fruit. After breaking the shell, the seeds are removed, with the contents spooned out and sieved. Milk and sugar are added to make it more palatable.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery
The unripe fruit is the most effective remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The bael fruit, when it is green is sliced and dried in the sun. The dried bael slices are powdered and preserved in airtight bottles.

Peptic Ulcer
An infusion from bael leaves are soaked overnight in water. This water is strained and taken in the morning. An effective remedy for peptic ulcer. . Bael leaves are rich in tannin which reduces inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers.
Peepal Tree 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peepal tree are found in almost every temple of India; especially in South India. Peepal tree holds the highest rank among all holy Hindu trees. 
 
This tree is associated with Lord Vishnu, as the Puranas says that this tree is home to the trinity of Gods, the root being Brahma, the trunk is Vishnu and leaves represent Lord Shiva. Interestingly, peepal tree is also associated with Lord Shani too. In order to invoke the blessings of Shani Dev, water the
 
 Peepal tree on Thursday or Saturday. Apart from that wrapping sacred thread around the Peepal tree for seven times and enchanting Shani Mantra is said to take away the troubles of Saadhe Saatee. After wrapping the holy thread dont forget to light a lamp under the peepal tree. 
 
Curative Properties
 
Peepal leaves are of heart shaped and so does their use, the leaves of peepal trees are effective against many  heart disease.
 
Charge mobile with peepal leaves 
 
Its very Strange But True Very True.
Now, you do not require any mobile charger to charge your mobiles. Only there is need to use green leaf of peepal tree and after some time your mobile will get charged.
No soon the people came to learn this development; they tested it and found encouraging results. If your mobile has been discharged and you are inside a jungle then you need not to use any charger. You Should pluck two peepal leaves and your work would be done.
It is very good idea and easy to charge your mobile. You would have to open your mobile battery and connect it with peepal leaf. After that without shaking mobile set you should set the battery in your mobile set. After some time your mobile would be charged.  
 
 Bamboo tree 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sacred bamboo, also commonly known as nandina, is native to China, Japan, and India.
 
Bamboo tree is associated with Lord Krishna. According to the myths, the flute of Lord Krishna is said to be made of bamboo. Hence, bamboo tree is a symbol representing Lord Krishna and his flute. 
 
Sandalwood Tree 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sandalwood Tree, is not just known for its aroma and beauty benefits, but is also associated with the supreme powers. This tree is associated with Goddess Paravati because it is believed that she created Lord Ganesha out of sandalwood paste and her sweat. Hence it is considered to be very sacred. Sandalwood paste is widely used to worship Gods and Goddesses. 
 
On steam distillation of this heartwood Sandalwood oil is obtained that is widely used in perfumery, cosmetic and drug industries.
 
Sandalwood tree is adapted to a wide variety of soils with pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 with area temperature ranging from 5 to 50 degree Celsius. It is not region specific and can adapt to different environmental condition. The plantation-growth trees with irrigation and fertilization perform exceedingly well compared to natural forest condition. It grows on clay to sandy loam soil. 
 
The trees grow on poor soils, particularly on stony or gravelly soil, don't attain such large dimensions, but produce more highly scented wood, giving a better ield of oil. Naturally it has been found to grow in Deccan plateau at an altitude of 600 to 1050 m, with annual rainfall of 600 to 1000 mm, which is considered ideal for this species. The formation of heartwood seems to be best at between 600 to 900 m altitude.
Bhang Tree
 
Bhang Tree If you visit any place associated with Lord Shiva, you ought to find the sadhus having bhang. However, bhang tree is known to be really auspicious as it brings wealth and prosperity. You can find abundance of bhang leaves being offered to Lord Shiva during Mahashivratri festival. They are also used for making 'prasad'. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cannabis, ( Marijuana , Hemp , Bhang, Ganja ) was first brought down from the Himalayas by Lord Shiva to India -- from where it spread throughout the world.
 
Cannabis is also associated with Lord Krishna . In 4300 BC, he used to dance with the Gopikas ( the milkmaids ) in the Hemp fields of Brindavan.  
 
Cannabis is mentioned in our Atharva Veda of 5000 BC. Vedas will NOT propagate anything which harms man, the planet , the flora  or the  fauna or even the insects. 
 
Cannabis flowers are drunk with milk and yoghurt by almost everybody during the Indian festival of Holi.  
 
 
Coconut Tree
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In India, chopping down coconut tree is considered to be a bad omen. Coconut tree also called as "Kalpa Vriksha" is a well known scared tree, and is used for all auspicious moment of any pooja. This tree also represents Lord Shiva.
 
 The coconut tree grows well in saline soils but in areas having good sunshine and rainfall like the tropical sea coastlines, which offer high humidity which is very necessary for the growth of the coconut tree. The coconut tree lives from about 80 to 200 years.
 
"He who plants a coconut tree, plants food and drink, vessels and clothing, a home for himself and a heritage for his children" - South Seas saying

"If you could count the stars, then you could count all the ways the coconut tree serves us" - Philippine proverb

Health Benefits Of Coconut

Coconut is called a functional food as the health benefits far outweigh the nutrition it provides.
  • Preventing Obesity
Coconut consumption gives a feeling of fullness for a longer time thus preventing overeating. It also speeds up metabolism.
  • Benefits The Heart
Coconut contains medium chain fatty acids or MCFA mainly and some short chain fatty acids, which lower the risk of arterial clogging or atherosclerosis.
  • High Dietary Fiber
The 60 % non digestible dietary fiber helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and regulates bowel movements as well.
  • Low Glycemic Index
Coconut has a low glycemic index which means a slower release of glucose into the blood. This helps in keeping the blood sugar levels low. Additionally, this benefits by making a lesser demand of insulin from the pancreas.
  • A Rapid Energy Boost
Coconut is an excellent source of quick energy food. This results in less storage of body fat. It relieves chronic fatigue and improves thyroid function.
  • Removes Intestinal Worms
To remove worms, grind some coconut and eat this at breakfast time. After 3 hours, take 1 tbsp castor oil. Repeat till relief.
  • For Acidity
Coconut oil reduces acid production in the stomach and gives relief.
  • For Digestive Disorders
Eat the tender meat of coconut for relief from indigestion, ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery, and piles. Coconut water gives relief in dyspepsia, vomiting & bloating.
  • For Dry cough
Take 1 tbsp poppy seeds, milk & honey. Mix with coconut milk. Take this at bedtime to relieve smoker's cough too.
  • For Cholera
Mix 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice in a glass of tender coconut water. It reduces the acidity in the blood and restores the electrolyte balance.
  • For Urinary Problems
A natural diuretic, coconut improves the urine output and alkalises it too. It also relieves kidney and liver disorders.
  • For Skin Problems
Coconut oil from the meat of a ripe coconut is effective in relieving pain and healing burns and scalds.


links

http://mangalore4u.blogspot.ca/2010/01/charge-mobile-with-peepal-leaves.html

http://lotusleaf-gardentropics.blogspot.ca/2011_06_01_archive.html



Monday, April 14, 2014

Cerasee for Diabetis

By Liliana Usvat
174-365



A tea made of the vine is used for diabetes, hypertension, worms, dysentery, malaria and as a general tonic and blood purifier. It is also very effective to relieve constipation and colds and fevers in children.
Women in Latin American use the leaf for menstrual problems to promote discharge after childbirth.

The tea is taken for 9 days after giving birth to clean out and tone up all the organs involved in the delivery. Cerasee is also used as a natural method of birth control, by taking two cups each day after intercourse, for three days. It is said that women who drink Cerasee daily will not conceive during that time.
As a wash, the tea is used externally for sores, rashes, skin ulcers and all skin problems. A Cerasee bath is good for arthritis, rheumatism, gout and other similar ailments.
 
  Cerasee comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.  The Cerasee more typical of India has a narrower shape with pointed ends, and a surface covered with jagged, triangular "teeth" and ridges. It is green to white in color. Some bear miniature fruit of only 6–10 cm in length, which may be served individually as stuffed vegetables. These miniature fruit are popular in India and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

The flesh on the cerasee seeds are edible and sweet in taste. The pods found all over the cerasee vine, are first green, then turn orange when ripe.

Around the World 

  In Trinidad and Tobago, Cerasee are usually sautĂ©ed with onion, garlic and scotch bonnet pepper until almost crisp, while in Jamaica it is consumed exclusively by drinking.

Cerasee is a significant ingredient in Okinawan cuisine, and is increasingly used in mainland Japan. It is popularly credited with Okinawan life expectancies being higher than the already long Japanese ones.In the Philippines, Cerasee may be stir-fried with ground beef and oyster sauce, or with eggs and diced tomato. 
 
The dish pinakbet, popular in the Ilocos region of Luzon, consists mainly of Cerasee, eggplant, okra, string beans, tomatoes, lima beans, and other various regional vegetables altogether stewed with a little bagoong-based stock.

Cerasee can be consumed in two ways, sauteed or boiled, and drink as tea, or chilled, and serve as a refreshing drink. The young shoots and leaves of Cerasee may also be eaten as greens.Cerasee is often used in Chinese Cuisine for its bitter flavor, typically in stir-fries (often with pork and douchi), soups, and also as tea. It has also been used in place of hops as the bitter ingredient in some Chinese beers.It is very popular throughout South Asia.
 
 In Northern India, it is often prepared with potatoes and served with yogurt on the side to offset the bitterness, or used in sabji. In North Indian cuisine it is stuffed with spices and then cooked in oil. In Southern India it is used in the dishes thoran/thuvaran (mixed with grated coconut), theeyal (cooked with roasted coconut) and pachadi (which is considered a medicinal food for diabetics). 

Other popular recipes include preparations with curry, deep fried with peanuts or other ground nuts, and pachi pulusu, a soup with fried onions and other spices.  

In Tamil Nadu a special preparation in Brahmins' cuisine called 'pagarkai pitla' is a kind of sour 'Koottu' , variety is very popular. Also popular is ' kattu a curry stuffed with onions,cooked lentil and grated coconut mix, tied with thread and fried in oil. 

In Pakistan and Bangladesh, Cerasee is often cooked with onions, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, coriander powder, and a pinch of cumin seeds. Another dish in Pakistan calls for whole, unpeeled Cerasee to be boiled, and then stuffed with cooked ground beef, served with either hot tandoori bread, naan, chappati, or with khichri (a mixture of lentils and rice). 

Cerasee is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, and drink, is among the bitterest of all fruits. Cerasee is very common here in Central Florida, but very few people really know the value of this very important herb. This herb may hold the key to a lot of the health problems we face. 

Medicinal Uses 
 
Today folks in the Caribbean still use cerasee as a blood cleanser; bush bath for beautiful skin; and for diabetes, cancer and other infectious diseases. We also use it for all types of stomach complaints including griping or pain in the stomach, amoebas and intestinal parasites and as a laxative. Research confirms these benefits by documenting the anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties within cerasee.

Cerasee has been used in various Asian and African traditional medicine systems for a long time. In Turkey it has been used as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly stomach complaints. The fruit is broken up and soaked in either olive oil or honey.The plant contains several biologically active compounds, chiefly momordicin I and II, and cucurbitacin B.

The plants contains also several bioactive glycosides (including momordin, charantin, charantosides, goyaglycosides, momordicosides) and other terpenoid compounds (including momordicin-28, momordicinin, momordicilin, momordenol, and momordol). It also contains cytotoxic (ribosome-inactivating) proteins such as momorcharin and momordin.
 
Diabetes:
                       In 1962, Lolitkar and Rao extracted from the plant a substance, which they called charantin, which had hypoglycaemic effect on normal and diabetic rabbits. Another principle, active only on diabetic rabbits, was isolated by Visarata and Ungsurungsie in 1981. Cerasee has been found to increase insulin sensitivity. In 2007, a study by the Philippine Department of Health determined that a daily dose of 100 mg per kilogram of body weight is comparable to 2.5 mg/kg of the anti-diabetes drug glibenclamide taken twice per day. Tablets of Bitter Melon extract are sold in the Philippines as a food supplement and exported to many countries.Other compounds in Cerasee have been found to activate the AMPK, the protein that regulates glucose uptake (a process which is impaired in diabetics).
                  
  Cerasee also contains a lectin that has insulin-like activity due to its non-protein-specific linking together to insulin receptors. This lectin lowers blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and, similar to insulin's effects in the brain, suppressing appetite. This lectin is likely a major contributor to the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating Bitter Melon.

Anti malarial:
                    
 Cerasee is traditionally regarded in Asia as useful for preventing and treating malaria. Tea from its leaves is used for this purpose also in Panama and Colombia. In Guyana, Cerasee are boiled and stir-fried with garlic and onions. This popular side dish known as corilla is served to prevent malaria. Laboratory studies have confirmed that species related to Cerasee have anti-malarial activity, though human studies have not yet been published.
Anti Cancer:
                     Researchers at Saint Louis University claims that an extract from Cerasee, commonly eaten and known as karela in India, causes a chain of events which helps to kill breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying.
Cerasee has been used in traditional medicine for several other ailments, including dysentery, colic, fevers, burns, painful menstruation, scabies and other skin problems. It has also been used as abortifacient, (no ideas please) for birth control, and to help childbirth.

Anti viral:
                 
In Togo the plant is traditionally used against viral diseases such as chickenpox and measles. Tests with leaf extracts have shown in vitro activity against the herpes simplex type 1 virus, apparently due to unidentified compounds other than the momordicins.                

Laboratory tests suggest that compounds in Cerasee might be effective for treating HIV infection. As most compounds isolated from Cerasee that impact HIV have either been proteins or lectins, neither of which are well-absorbed, it is unlikely that oral intake of Cerasee will slow HIV in infected people. It is possible oral ingestion of Cerasee could offset negative effects of anti-HIV drugs, if a test tube study can be shown to be applicable to people.

Cardio protective:
                 
 Studies in mice indicate that Cerasee seed may have a cardio protective effect by down-regulating the NF-κB inflammatory pathway.
Cerasee has been used in traditional medicine for several other ailments, including dysentery, colic, fevers, burns, painful menstruation, scabies and other skin problems. It has also been used as abortifacient, for birth control, and to help childbirth.

Propagation

Propagated by cuttings, which, is planted on a bed on light earth, during any of the summer months.