Herbal Blog

Although pregnancy is a normal condition which most women experience, it important to understand that having adequate diet is very important in order to prevent growth retardation of the developing baby. Having a good nutrition means reducing the risk of small babies, support for the nervous system. While genetics is an important determinant of birth defects, ensuring a good nutrition would likely reduce the risk of post-natal problems. One of the most important components of good maternal nutrition is the intake of dark green leafy vegetables which supplies most of the many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, calcium, iron as well as folic acid. Folic acid prevents nerve anomalies especially the spinal cord. Take at least 3 servings per day.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

A medicinal plant for western and chinese traditional medicine.Known as damong maria in the local (Filipino) language, it is a common herb seen in both metropolitan and provincial areas in the Philippines. It is said that St. John the Baptist wore a girdle of this plant to ward off evil spirits,diseases and misfortunes.

Modern medicine has placed this plant into a class similar to anti-pyretics because a tonic drink of the plant can cause diaphoresis (sweating) and diuresis (increased urination). This plant is also closely related to Artemesia annua which is known, even as a pharmaceutical preparation, as an anti-malarial. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, mugwort is a very important plant for moxibustion, as a aromatic herb. Moxa is an integral part of
acupuncture.

Seaweed Kelp

You may wonder why most Asians are lean and basically they live on ethic diet. In many Asian foods or dishes we note the presence of seaweeds especially Japanese and Chinese.  Seaweeds can actually boost our metabolism by way of the thyroid gland. Feeding the thyroid with enough minerals from the sea improve the thyroid function which increases our metabolism. This diet will significantly improve most our energy needs and in particular any weight loss program.

Seaweeds contain iodine, minerals and vitamins. The most common seaweed in the local market are “lato” and “guso” but commercial forms of seaweed and the most popular is kelp. You can use kelp in most stir-fry dishes and incorporated in soup such as tofu-based soup. One-third cup of dried kelp when soaked in water will give you a cup for a health meal and metabolic booster.

Watch Rated K this Sunday (Feb 8, 2009) at ABS -CBN ch 2. Enduranz Capsule for Men will be featured.

Palm sugar is concentrated sap of the coconut flower, the one which is also used to make the local drink “tuba”. When made into syrup or sugar it contains fructooligosaccharides or FOS for short. These are non-digestible carbohydrates or sugars that are found in plants, especially fruits. Because FOS are non-digestible, they pass through the human digestive virtually unchanged. When FOS reach the colon, they are used by the good or beneficial bacteria, also known as bifidobacteria or bifidus, for growth and multiplication. These beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract enhances the digestion and absorption of nutrients,helps in detoxification and elimination processes, and boost the immune system.

Phot from: http://www.coconutstudio.com/Coco%20LocoXYZ_files/P1010015flowers.jpg