Herbal Blog

Chamomile Flower is a mild relaxant useful for nervousness, stress and anxiety. It can induce sleep. It can be used used for an anti-inflammatory, an antispasmodic and digestive complaints, especially too much tummy gas. The flowers are edible and medicinal. It contains essential oils angelates & tiglates which can relax. Prepared as tea; or body wash or for aromatherapy.

Essentially, stressful or anger conditions can be helped by chamomile, however we recommend you to take the tea in the evening before bedtime for a good sleep and a relaxing evening.

How to Prepare a Chamomile tea

from http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chamomile-Tea

Chamomile tea is known well as an aid to sleep.It is also used to calm nerves, dispel stomach gas and aid  digestion.Making your own at home is easy.

Ingredients:

*2-3 tsps dried chamomile flowers per cup (use German Chamomile, Matricaria recutita)
*Hot water

Procedure:

1. Put the dried chamomile flowers into a cup.
2. Pour in hot water.
3. Allow to infuse for 3 minutes.
4. Strain into another cup. Use a tea strainer to catch the chamomile flowers.
5. Drink. If wished, you can add honey or lemon juice to adjust the taste if wished.

Note:

Do not consume chamomile tea if you have ragweed allergies unless advised that it is all right by your regular health professional. Chamomile is related to ragweed and some people can have allergic reactions. Those taking blood thinners should not drink chamomile tea either.

Photo from: http://leda.lycaeum.org/Images/Chamaemelum_nobile_Specimen.7163.jpg

There has been a strong tradition in the use of seaweeds worldwide, not only as delicacy but also as a nutraceutical. Notable are the Japanese foods of which “Nori” is the most popular or AKA Sushi/Maki wrapper. In china kelp is also very common. Scotland, Irland and Brittany (Celtic areas) also have a significant consumption of seaweeds.
Research have indicated that seaweeds are a rich source of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, and the vitamins B1 and B12. Basically containing iodine in significant amounts as well as chromium and zinc in trace amounts. These provide the preventive nutrition for iodine deficiency (against goiter) as well as immune boosters.

What is now interesting is that kelp may be helpful in breast cancer cases; it was reported that kelp lowers estrogens in laboratory animal experiments. Estrogens being a risk factor in breast cancer progression, kelp has the potetial to keep cases in remission.

It is generally believed that organisms in the sea which survived for millions of years have the most potent protector against invading organisms and even cancer.

Photo from: http://www.geocities.com/panuwatsuppakul/Giant_Kelp_Seaweed_macrocystis_pyrifera.jpg

It is said that diabetic retinopathy is much lower in India than in Europe. This observation was attributed primarily to the large consumption of turmeric, which, is also a good medicinal plant for diabetes.

In a study of 32 people with uveitis by the University of Maryland Medical Center, USA, turmeric was effective in reducing inflammation. Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the sclera [white outer coat of the eye and the retina [the back of the eye]). It also appears that it also prevents blindness due to cataract and optic nerve damage. These findings, including the recurrence of the conditions were comparable to standard medical treatment (steroids). It was noted that none of those treated with turmeric (as curcumin) had any side effects.

These reports show that turmeric is an important protector of the eyes, most specially diabetics. Aside from taking food supplements containing turmeric such as tea, we can innovate on a turmeric rice and curry by adding more turmeric or locally know as luyang dilaw.

How to prepare your turmeric rice: When cooking rice, of about 1 cup, add 2 inches of sliced turmeric, bring to boil. After about 5 minutes stir several times for even blend and color then continue cooking until rice is done.

You can also substitute chicken or beef stock for water and add some salt to you desired taste and a small amount of butter. When fully cooked fluffed with fork and you have turmeric rice pilaf.

Watch Rated K this Sunday (Jan. 18, 2008) ABS – CBN Ch 2. Slenda will be featured. You’ll know more about Resveratrol, Slenda’s main ingredient.

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Want to know more about Slenda? Visit us at http://www.slenda.ph

Medicinal value: Malunggay contains phytosterols (Pterygospermins) that removes free radicals in the body.

Dr Aligui’s Version of Malunggay Juice

Ingredients:

1cup of malunggay

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup of chopped green apple or a slice of  pineapple or squeezed dalandan.

Procedure:

Blend all then strain excess fiber.

Take daily for 1 week or more; coupled with meat free diet (no beef, pork or chicken) or for a continuous detox two times weekly.

Nutritional value: per 25 grams or 1 cup = Protein 42%, Calcium 125%, Magnesium 61%, Potassium 41%, Iron 71%, Vitamin A 272%, and Vitamin C 22% (2 cups enough for a daily requirement of an adult)