Herbal Blog

Tamarind is a fruit which is rich in essential oils and citric acid. It can be used as anti-helminthic, astringent and tonic. It well known that tonic baths or aromatic baths has been traditionally practiced. By boiling the leaves of tamarind in water, the decoction can be used as bathing solution or decoction after childbirth. Other traditional use of tamarind is to mix the pulp of the fruit in water and using it as an anti-pyretic (for fever).

The fruit is a good source of Vitamins B-complex and C.

Butones-butonesan (Gomphrena globosa) is rich in bioactive substances such as phytonutrients, anti-oxidants (anti-free radicals), Vitamins A, Vitamin E, and the group B vitamins. It also contains minerals such as the rare or trace minerals: Germanium, Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Manganese, and Potassium.

Butones-butonesan also has Phytosterol Saponosides as well as amino acids The phytosterols are hormone-like substances that protect against hypertension, arthritis, migraines and colitis. These saponosides are believed to relieve arthritic symptoms, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also serves to detoxify the body by absorbing some active compounds that causes pain. It prevents skin wrinkles. It also allows relaxation, especially for women suffering from dysmenorrhea and symptoms of menopause. Although saponosides promotes sleep, it also increases memory stimulation, concentrations and alertness.

The medicinal property is good and this is in the form of tea preparation of the flowers. You can put this on regular tea preparations since it is odorless and tasteless.

Talinum as we know it from the local dialect is the same name of the genera. It is widely available in the tropics and is also commonly known as Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Ceylon spinach, Florida spinach, and Lagos bologi.

Apparently, we have a number of so-called spinach as this name also applies to amaranth. What is remarkable about this plant is that it has a rich amount of protein in almost the same as amaranth. Therefore we view this plant mainly as a potentially good support to under nutrition.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) has included talinum as an ethnic food with high nutritional value and BAR is actually promoting its consumption. It is easy to propagate and very economical since we can plant it almost in any soil. In Nigeria, the University of Ilorin, has done experimental work on the value of this ethnic vegetable as protecting the liver, able to reduce fatty liver and “bad” cholesterol in experimental animals. We also caution everyone interested in propagating this vegetable because it adsorbs all types of metals where it is planted, apparently without exception, including arsenic. Although it true that most plants will absorb soil contaminants, talinum could absorb heavy metals more than other plants. So the lesson here is that we should be careful that we use good soil in propagating talinum.

Talinum can be prepared just like spinach; so we can have stir-fry, spinach calzone, and of course just boiled spinach.