Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been known to boost mental activity and also helpful against high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous disorders. According to Ayurvedic medicine heart disease, water retention, hoarseness, bronchitis, and coughs in children, and as a poultice for many skin conditions are some of the ailments that gotu kola can help relieve. It contains the following phytochemicals: asiaticoside, a triterpene glycoside, which has an antibiotic and wound healing property; saponin glycosides (diuretic); madecassoside (glycoside with strong anti inflammatory action); phytosterols such as campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol, which are good for the heart. It also contains vitamin K as well as minerals such as magnesium, calcium and sodium. 
Gotu kola is not a stimulant but a healthy plant supplement that can improve memory and learning, believe to be due to improvement of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters). If you plan to use this plant, the recommendation is to eat the leaves with ordinary salad such as tomatoes, onions and other green leafy vegetables. If you have tried arugula with garden salad, then you can eat gotu kola as added value to your garden salad.
Have you ever experienced drinking apple cider vingegar (ACV)? Yack! However the health benefits of ACV has been known even in biblical times. It is good for constipation because of the pectin (fiber), it can relieve inflammatory conditions such those from allergy, infection and as a natural detoxifying drink. The malic acid in ACV can also help reduce uric acid in the body. Locally applied, it can help in fungal and bacterial infections and as a general natural acidifier of the skin.
Many of us would like to have a good skin toner, moisturizer and maybe something to put on our skin for allergic rashes. A good mixture is milk. All we have to do is to get the casein in milk. Mix 1 part of lemon or calamansi juice with 4 parts evaporated milk (not UHT milk). Blend this and you get a soft material fit for a lotion. Blend again this “lotion” with yerba buena (mint) and you have a simple mix for easy application for rashes. The menthol in yerba buena makes a good remedy for itching and simple skin inflammation. The milk proteins will help restore skin health and of course the vitamin C in lemon. You can vary this to include apple sauce or even aloe vera to vary the use of the basic mixture. If you put this on the face (not to include yerba buena but aloe or apple or cucumber), wash your face and put the lotion, leave it for about 15 minutes and wash again your face. Do this nightly and you will feel the softness of the face over time. This is all natural lotion. Time defiance? Maybe. [note: put this in the refrigerator or it will spoil. The shelf life is about the same as cheeze but do not use if it develops molds.]
A great food is salsa. It consists of tomatoes, onions, capsicum, a bit of well crushed garlic, salt, pepper and maybe a dash of brown sugar (if you like). The entire collection of veges is blended with cilantro and mixed with chopped samples. Try this with your favorite corn chips. This is a meal by itself and would be great for weight watchers. Nothing is cooked so be sure to wash all veges very well and store in the refrigerator. The salt would help prolong shelf life. To those who like to have a very good meal of anti-oxidants, this is want you want to eat often. If you prefer to eat with fish with a different twist, this is it. Enjoy! 
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