Herbal Blog

It is known that not all mushrooms are edible but we agree that mushrooms are exquisite in taste and texture when used as food. There are several varieties of mushrooms commonly available in the market. These are the shiitake (Lentinus edodes), the winter mushroom or enokitake (Flammulina populicola),  button (Agaricus bisporus), and the common oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushroom. Generally containing beta-glucans, which are fiber-type polysaccharides which are believed to reduce blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, boost the immune system and fights cancer. They are naturally low in sodium but significant source of trace minerals such as selenium, copper and zinc. It is high in potassium. Among the vitamins, mushrooms contain Vitamins A, E and C. If you have low sperm count, mushrooms also have the benefit of improving sperm quality.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been a spice of many uses and is used extensively in Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cooking . It is also medicinal and contains essential oils which are helpful in upset stomach, diarrhea, colic, and even on heart conditions. It is also used as topical, in addition to oral intake, for arthritis. The anti-inflammatory property of ginger is used for most of its perceived effects. In the Philippines has a unique use for ginger which is ginger brew or our local ginger tea. Add some honey or brown sugar, and it can help reduce sore throat and body aches.

Making a basic ginger brew is quite simple, just boil, for 15 minutes,  a piece (2 inches) of crushed ginger in 2 glasses of water.

Acne or pimples are a common problem of teenagers and even young adults. There are only very few medicinal plants for acne if ever and most of these are based on the alleviation of infection involving pimples.

Turmeric or popularly known as luyang dilaw is an effective medicinal plant for acne since it promotes healing and acts as anti-inflammatory medicinal plant. Turmeric contains curcumin which inhibits most of the inflammatory reactions of the body especially the skin. It also promotes cleansing of the body as well as liver detoxification.

Prepare turmeric tea to be taken 1 cup two times daily. An inch of luyang dilaw can be pounded and boiled in 2 glasses of water for 5 minutes, keep in the refrigerator no more than 2 days if there will be some left. Another way is to make turmeric tea granules. Peel a rhizome of turmeric and grate it. In a very hot iron pan put the grated turmeric and sort of fry the grated  turmeric for a few minutes. Keep the pan uncovered until it cools. Scrape the turmeric and keep it in clean jar. To make your daily tea, just put ½ teaspoon of turmeric granules in a cup of very hot water, stir and steep for about 5 minutes before drinking the turmeric tea.

Many of long time smokers have always wanted to quit but failed. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”  Although some have succeeded in quitting by just sheer will power, many do not have such strength. If we look at the cost of quitting using drugs, we may also have some problems especially for those who cannot afford. Incidentally, many of those who are poor are smokers too. Medicinal plants can help. Yerba buena (Mentha cordifolia, Opz) or mint have essential oils and aromatic oils which help remove nicotine. It can be used as lung detox through a tea preparation. When we drink yerba buena tea, the aromatic oils moves the nicotine out of our lungs, and through coughing we can gradually eliminate those nicotine in the lungs. For those nicotine cravings, instead of reaching out for a stick of cigarette, chew yerba buena leaves just like chewing gum and let it stay in your mouth until the craving stops. It also makes our breath smelling fresh. You can also try spearmint leaves but yerba buena can be easily found in supermarkets.