Herbs , Vegetables and Spices with Healing Properties

Great to know why this herbs, vegetables and spices are not only good for dishes but for your wellness as well...

Health benefits of pumpkin

Mostly known for being a part of Halloween decorations or a pie filling, pumpkins are also packed with nutrition and offer a wide range of health benefits. Pumpkins are a storehouse of vitamins, mineral and other healthy nutrients. Whether it is the pulp or the seeds, pumpkins are great for your health and can offer some incredible benefits.

Nutritional Composition of Pumpkins

High Carotenoids Content – Pumpkins owe their bright Orange color to the high amount of carotenoids present in them. Carotenoids assist in staving off the free radicals in the body, and help in preventing premature aging, cardiovascular diseases and other infections. They are also high in Lutein & Zeaxanthin which protect the eyes against free radical damage and prevent formation of cataracts and degeneration of the eye tissues.

Protein – Pumpkin seeds also known as Pepitas are a rich source of protein. One ounce of pumpkin seeds contains approx. 7 grams of protein. Their oil is high in phytosterols or plant-based fatty acids and their chemical composition is the same as cholesterol. Phytosterols can replace cholesterol in the body, and help in reducing the blood cholesterol levels.

Essential Fatty Acids – Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids, which have numerous health benefits. From providing protection against serious health diseases such as high blood pressure, arthritis and cancer to promoting healthy skin and improving brain power, essential fatty acids present in pumpkin oil offer several health benefits.

Vitamin A – Pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin A. Regular consumption of pumpkin (both seeds and flesh) can promote the health of your eyes and boost your immune system remarkably.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C helps fight free radicals, improves immunity and promotes the production of collagen. The high Vitamin C content in pumpkins also offers protection against various forms of cancer.

Magnesium - Both the pulp and seeds of pumpkin are rich in magnesium, which is an important mineral required for various biological functions. Magnesium is also required for the maintenance bones and teeth.

Potassium & Zinc – Pumpkin is loaded with potassium and Zinc. Studies show that eating a potassium-rich diet can prevent onset of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Zinc is important for providing bone density support for people at risk for osteoporosis. It boosts the immune system and promotes reproductive health.

Fiber – Pumpkin flesh is very low in calories and contains abundant quantities of extremely good dietary fiber. It is extremely effective for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, indigestion etc. The high amount of fiber also helps in lowering the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood and in regulating the blood sugar levels.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Flesh and Seeds

Prostate Cancer – The protective compounds present within the pumpkin seeds, called phytosterols can lower the risk of prostate cancer. These work by shrinking the prostate and stimulating the secretion of chemicals that protect against the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels can cause enlargement of the prostate glands.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect – The Beta carotene present in pumpkin seeds and flesh has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of pumpkin can protect against joint inflammation and arthritis. Pumpkins have been known to provide relief from inflammation quickly, without the harmful side-effects of anti-inflammatory medicines.

Great on your skin – The high amount of Vitamin A, C and E as well as Zinc present in pumpkin, make it a great choice for those who want a healthy and glowing skin. Have a cup of pumpkin seeds per day to prevent appearance of wrinkles and to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.

Prevents Kidney Stones – Have 5 to 10 grams of pumpkin seeds every day. This stimulates the kidneys and prevents the formation of calcium oxalate stones.

Depression – Pumpkin flesh contains L-tryptophan, a chemical compound that triggers feelings of well-being and happiness. Having pumpkin as a part of your daily diet can keep your spirits high and prevent depression.

Treatment of Parasites – In various cultures especially China, pumpkins are used to treat infections caused by tapeworms and other parasites.

Diuretics – Pumpkins are natural diuretics. These help in flushing out the toxins and unwanted waste material from the body, leaving you refreshed and healthy.

With so many health benefits, it is no wonder that pumpkin is an important part of the list of Super Foods. Next time you are carving a pumpkin, do not throw away the pulp or the seeds – instead boil, bake or cook them in any form you like.

Health benefits of garlic

Garlic has been referred to as ‘nature’s antibiotic’. It is a powerful cleanser of the body and regular ingestion promotes a healthy heart and circulation by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps fight infection and can boost immunity.

There is strong evidence to suggest that garlic helps with the prevention of cancers of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. Those who don’t like the taste of garlic should try the odourless supplements that are available..!!

Home Remedies using Tomatoes

When it comes to home remedies using tomatoes, you will probably never look at ketchup or a glass of tomato juice the same again. While the fruit (and not a vegetable) is versatile in the world of health (helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower high blood pressure, and fight cancer cells), there are also plenty of other everyday uses for tomatoes to consider.

HEALTH FACTORS OF TOMATOES

The tomato offers high nutritional content and provides a good source of calcium and iron. Eating tomatoes also delivers phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B, lycopene and potassium to your body. Rich in vitamin C, the amount increases as the fruit ripens. This is why the tomato is helpful in treating a range of minor health ailments. As for home remedies in the household, the tomato offers acidic powers, which can come in handy when cleaning a variety of materials.

TOMATO HOME REMEDIES

Tomatoes aren’t just for decorating a side salad or making your favorite pasta sauce – the acids and other components of the fruit can provide a wide range of solutions in the household. To begin exploring the effectiveness of home remedies using tomatoes, consider the following suggestions:

a) Revamp Chlorinated Hair :

For blond headed swimmers, the chorine has a tendency to turn locks green. When taking a shower, massage ketchup into the hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash it out using baby shampoo. Not only will the color fade, but the scent of pool will also vanish. You can also use undiluted tomato juice as a rinse. Cover with a shower cap, and wait 10 to 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing and shampooing out of your hair.

b) Polish Copper Pots:

Reverse the damage of dull and tarnished copper pots by coating the surface with a thin layer of ketchup. Leave on for five to 30 minutes, and then rinse the pan. Dry immediately. It is the acids found in the ketchup that reacts with the tarnish to remove it.

c) Add Sparkle to Your Silver:

To add shine to tarnished silver, dunk your jewelry in a small bowl filled with ketchup, and leave in for a few minutes. To treat detailed surfaces, use an old toothbrush to work in the ketchup into small spaces. Do not leave the jewelry in the ketchup for too long or you run the risk of damaging the material. Rinse the jewelry clean, and dry it.

d) Skin Rejuvenation:

The vitamin C and antioxidants found in tomatoes offer an effective method of treating your skin. With the ability to tighten pores, kill bacteria and brighten the skin, start by cutting a tomato into two halves and rubbing one half on your face [2]. Concentrate on working the pulp into your skin. Let the remedy stay on the skin for 10 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. Use this remedy to fight oily skin, treat blackheads, and reduce the size of your pores.

e) Treat Eczema:

To fight the skin disease called eczema, try drinking tomato juice on a daily basis to see results.

f) Fight Diarrhea:

When you are suffering from a bad case of diarrhea, drink a concoction made out of the tomato paste that comes from 12 dried slices of tomato that has been placed in a cup of water.

g) Treat Bloodshot Eyes:

Treat bloodshot eyes by eating one or two fresh tomatoes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

h) Fade Acne Scars:

Slice up a tomato and place on your face to rejuvenate skin plagued with acne scars. It is the vitamin C in the tomato that helps refresh damaged skin.

i) Decrease Acne Breakouts:

The vitamin A in tomatoes helps prevent the overproduction of sebum that causes acne, which can contribute to clearer skin. Apply tomato slices to your face.

j) Treat Mouth Ulcer:

Raw tomatoes can provide relief from the pain of a mouth ulcer. You may also gargle tomato juice three to four times per day to see results.

k) Treat Dark Circles:

A paste made out of one teaspoon of tomato juice, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of turmeric powder can be used to treat dark circles under your eyes. Apply the paste to under your eyes and leave on for 10 minutes. With regular use, you should see results.

l) Fix a Sore Throat:

To temporarily soothe a sore throat, gargle with a mixture of ½ cup of tomato juice and ½ cup hot water that has 10 drops of hot pepper sauce added to it.

m) Ease Morning Sickness:

Drinking a glass filled with fresh tomato juice (with a pinch of salt and pepper) first thing in the morning can help ease the symptoms of morning sickness.

n) Deodorize Plastic Containers:

When plastic containers start to absorb unpleasant odors, remove the scent by pouring a small amount of tomato juice onto a sponge, and wiping around the inside of the container. Wash the container and lid in warm, soapy water. Dry them well and store in the freezer as separate pieces for a couple of days. The container will be free of scents when you remove from the freezer.

o) Skunk Treatment:

At some point in time, you’ve probably already heard of people using tomato juice to get rid of skunk smell. Sponge undiluted tomato juice on your pet, including their face (making sure to avoid contact with their eyes). Wait a few minutes and allow the acids from the tomato to neutralize the skunk odor. Follow up by shampooing your pet – scrubbing with soap and water. For lingering odor, repeat the process until the scent is completely gone. This could take several days.

p) Clean Out Refrigerator Odors:

To rid a refrigerator and freezer of spoiled food odors, thoroughly wipe down the insides of the fridge with a washcloth or sponge soaked in undiluted tomato juice. Rinse out using warm, soapy water and then wipe dry. If the smell lingers, repeat the process.

q) Soothe a Sunburn:

Soaking peeled tomato slices in buttermilk before applying directly to sunburned skin can provide relief. It is the acidity that snaps shut your pores. Tomatoes also contain soothing agents that can make your damaged skin feel better.

r) Heal Wounds and Sores:

The leaves of wild tomatoes have been known to heal wounds and sores. Take a fresh tomato slice and place it on a wound. The infection will clear faster – usually within two to three days.

s) Treat Anemia:

Anemics can benefit from drinking a mixture of apple and tomato juice, as the tomato offers a rich source of iron.

Grandam's Courtesy: Home Remedies of Grandam's

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CABBAGE:

The health benefits of cabbage include treatment of constipation, stomach ulcers, headache, excess weight, skin disorders, eczema, jaundice, scurvy, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, eye disorders, heart diseases, ageing, and Alzheimer's disease.

Did you know that the cheap, humble looking and so widely used cabbage could work miracles? Cabbage is a leafy vegetable of Brassica family, round or oval in shape, consisting of soft light green or whitish inner leaves covered with harder and dark green outer leaves. It is widely used throughout the world, eaten cooked or raw as salad and is a very popular vegetable.

Deficiency Symptoms:

Deficiency of Vitamin C: Scurvy, which is recognized by spongy and bleeding gums, cracked lip corners etc., very weak immune system, frequent infections and cold, ageing, depression etc.

Remedy: Cabbage is abundant is Vitamin C. You will be surprised to know that it is richer in vitamin C than the famous oranges. Vitamin C, being one of the best anti oxidant, reduces free radicals in your body which are the basic causes of ageing. It also helps repairing the wear and tears in the body. Thus it is very helpful in treating ulcers, certain cancers, depressions, for strengthening immune system and fighting against cough and cold, healing of wounds and damaged tissues, proper functioning of nervous system and thereby help curing Alzheimer’s disease etc.

Deficiency of Roughage: This is a very serious deficiency but most neglected. Lack of roughage in the food results in constipation, the root cause to innumerable other ailments and health hazards such as stomach ulcers, headache, intestinal cancer, indigestion and resultant loss of appetite, skin diseases, eczema, ageing and hundreds related problems.

Remedies: Cabbage is very rich in fiber. This helps retain water and forms the bulk of the food and the bowels. Thus it is a good cure for constipation and related problems.

Deficiency of Sulphur: Sulphur is a very useful nutrient as it fights infections. Its deficiency results in microbial infections and late healing of wounds.

Remedy: Again, cabbage is rich is sulphur. So, it helps fight infections in wounds and ulcers.

Detoxification by cabbage: Cabbage is a good detoxifier too, i.e. it purifies blood and removes toxins (primarily free radicals and uric acid which is major cause for rheumatism, gout, arthritis, renal calculi, skin diseases, eczema, hardening and de-colorization of skin etc.). This detoxifying effect of cabbage is due to the presence of vitamin C and sulphur.

Other benefits of Cabbage: Cabbage, being rich in iodine, helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system, apart from keeping the endocrinal glands in proper condition. Thus, it is good for brain and treatment of neurotic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The various other nutrients present in cabbage such as vitamin-E which keeps the skin, eye and hair healthy, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc., are very useful for overall health. The cabbage can also be used for treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, peptic and duodenal ulcers etc.

Cabbage, raw Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 103 kJ (25 kcal)

Carbohydrates 5.8 g

- Sugars 3.2 g

- Dietary fiber 2.5 g

Fat 0.1 g

Protein 1.28 g

Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.061 mg (5%)

Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.040 mg (3%)

Niacin (vit. B3) 0.234 mg (2%)

Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.212 mg (4%)

Vitamin B6 0.124 mg (10%)

Folate (vit. B9) 53 μg (13%)

Vitamin C 36.6 mg (44%)

Vitamin K 76 μg (72%)

Calcium 40 mg (4%)

Iron 0.47 mg (4%)

Magnesium 12 mg (3%)

Phosphorus 26 mg (4%)

Potassium 170 mg (4%)

Zinc 0.18 mg (2%)

HOME REMEDIES OF CLOVES

Cloves have long been considered a home remedy in India for toothaches, joint pains, indigestion, asthma, cough, skin disorders, headache, etc. These health benefits of clove can be attributed to its antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, germicidal, rubefacient, stomachic stimulant properties. Presented here are some of the home remedies, collected from Indian kitchens where use of spices and condiments is not limited only to preparing meals, but also for treating common disorders.

Let's check how clove can be useful as home remedy for treating common ailments:

• The use of cloves in toothache is a common home remedy. Pressing a clove bud between the jaws, at the site of aching tooth eases the pain.

• Apply clove oil in the cavity of decayed tooth. This would reduce the pain and help to ameliorate infection.

• To remove bad breath, chew Cloves.

• Prepare a decoction by boiling 5-6 cloves in 30 ml of water. Take this decoction with honey thrice a day as an expectorant. Chewing a clove with common salt also relieves coughing.

• If you have cough or throat is congested, try chewing roasted clove. It is also a wonderful medicine in cases of inflammation in the pharynx (condition termed as pharyngitis).

• For treating asthma, soak 2 cloves, 12-15 basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaves, 10 black pepper (Piper nigrum) in water and boil for 15 minutes. Filter the same. To this, add two tsp honey and drink with milk.

• Those who suffer from acidity can suck a clove to relieve the uneasiness.

• Clove oil taken with sugar is known to cure stomach ache.

• Prepare a paste of clove with common salt. Drink it with milk to treat headache.

• Application of a paste of clove also relives headache.

• In cases of nausea and vomiting, prepare a paste by mixing clove powder in honey. Licking the same would ease the problem.

• Clove bud boiled in water and given to a pregnant lady eases vomiting sensation.

• Application of a few drops of clove oil mixed with mustard (Brassica juncea) oil is effective in joint pain and muscular cramps.

• For treating spasmodic coughs during tuberculosis, bronchitis and asthma, mix a few drops of clove oil and garlic in honey. Take this formulation before going to bed.

• In cases of earache, mix clove oil and sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil. Warm the mixture and put 2-3 drops in the ear.

• To treat acne, apply a paste of clove powder in honey over the affected area.

• Mix a few drops of clove oil in jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) or coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil and apply over acne. This home remedy not only removes acne but also leftover spots.

• For treating sty (inflammation on the eyelash), rub a clove stub in water and apply the same over the affected area.

• Clove oil works as an effective insect repellent when diluted with water in 1:10 ratio. Spray this solution to keep the insects at bay.

• Boil 6-7 clove buds along with 15 g aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) in half a liter of water till it remains one-fourth. Drinking the same with sugar is beneficial in the treatment of coryza (inflammation of the mucous membrane).

• Eating a clove in betel (Piper betel) leaf is best remedy for treating catarrh.

Disclaimer: The above mentioned home remedies are for information purposes only. Take advice from your doctor before following any of the above mentioned remedies. 

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