10 Benefits of Ashwagandha A.K.A(Indian Ginseng) for Health

Courtesy of herbmuseum.ca

One among other herb that is pops out and increasingly gaining attention in the medical world are ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng or Withania somnifera. This herb has been used for many years in the ancient Indian system of medicine, which is known as  Ayurveda, as well old Chinese medical society.
Ashwagandha has many health benefits. Such as boost immunity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, facilitate sleep, antibacterial and anticonvulsants.
Famous biologically active components in Ashwagandha are alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, iron, and choline. Ashwagandha also contains 18 different fatty acids and some polyphenols and phytosterols, hence the benefits of aswagandha A.K.A winter cherry is undoubtful any longer.

Indian ginseng or Withania somnifera
Here are 10 health benefits of ashwagandha (Indian ginseng), as another options of traditional, and natural remedies we can get from the nature.

1. Relieve Stress

A 2012 study found that ashwagandha is very helpful in relieving stress as well as side effects. The patients who consumed ashwagandha has stress cortisol (stress hormone) is lower.
Ashwagandha can help well in patients with acute and chronic stress. Ashwagandha works as a tonic and helps your body adapt to stress, and strengthens the nervous system and the adrenal and refreshes the body and mind and improve sleep quality.

2. Stimulate Brain Power

According to a study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2010, ashwagandha effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's. There are some chemicals in ashwagandha which helps boost the production of acetylcholine, the main transmitter of nerve signals. This in turn avoids the damage of the fornix, and improves the  thinking, concentration and memory as well as known as cognitive capabilities.
Ashwagandha can even stimulate the growth of parts of nerve cells that have been damaged and thereby help reduce the risk of mental illness associated with age such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
To protect your brain from degeneration, start ashwagandha supplements but only after consultation with your doctor.

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3. Protect and Against Cancer

Numerous studies have provides valid proves that ashwagandha can be helpful to help prevent or stop the cancer growth. Ashwagandha is because the high antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
The Ashwagandha consists of ingredients that can be beneficial in preventing the growth of various types of cancers such as breast, colon, leukemia, lung, melanoma, prostate and sarcoma.
Ashwagandha also can enhance the effects of chemotherapy and radiation on cancer cells and protects normal and healthy cells against damage from old methods cancer therapies.

4. Improve Immunity

Another important health benefits of ashwagandha is to help boost the immune system. Antioxidants are high on Ashwagandha helps increase the production of white blood cells and improve immune system function.
Drink 1 cup of tea ashwagandha regularly will keep your immune system strong.
Note: It is highly not recommended for people who have high blood pressure condition to drink Ashwagandha tea.

5. Against Depression

Ashwagandha has anti-stress and antidepressant properties that are more effective than powerful drug used in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
A 2000 study in India found that benefits of ashwagandha for depression, is that ashwagandha stabilize mood in patients with behavioral disorders.
And also, ashwagandha does not cause drowsiness, which is a side effect of many medications. This method should be taken orally under the guidance of a physician to control depression and anxiety.

6. Improve Sexual Drive

Ashwagandha works as a powerful aphrodisiac. In fact, a study in 2013 to evaluate the spermatogenic activity of Ashwagandha, the result confirms that this herb can increase sperm numbers, semen volume and sperm motility.
The benefits of ashwagandha for men is, if you regularly gives yourself intake of ashwagandha will help improve the quality and quantity of sperm and sexual performance and strength in men. It also can increase libido in women.
A glass of warm milk contains of mixed ½ teaspoon of ashwagandha powder, it would be enough for you to drink it twice a day.
Or, taking around 300 to 500 mg pills, it is equal to consume it twice a day for about a month to improve your sexual power.

7. Treat Arthritis

Because the anti-inflammatory substances, ashwagandha is also very effective against arthritis and osteoarthritis. Anti-inflammatory substances derived from alkaloids, saponins and steroidal lactones in it.
This will help reduce inflammation and pain in the joints, especially joint stiffness in the morning. Ashwagandha is also increase energy, strength and body fitness that are essential part of a normal healthy life when your are dealing health problems such as arthritis.
Topical applications of ashwagandha root powder is very effective against arthritis pain and inflammation.

8. Against Diabetes

Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since years ago, as a remedy for diabetes . Some studies also have shown positive results.
Those who has suffered enough from type 2 diabetes type 2, have the difficulty in metabolising carbohydrates. By consuming ahwagandha, it can provide helps to this condition.
Ashwagandha also can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce complications associated with diabetes.
Consult with your doctor before taking ashwagandha for the treatment of diabetes.

9. Assist Height

If you want to add a few inches in height, you can use ashwagandha. Ashwagandha can stimulate the production of growth hormone to help add height at the same time very helpful in making skeletons wider and more dense.
Add 2 tablespoons of ashwagandha powder and a pinch of sugar into a glass of warm milk to get the benefits of ashwagandha powder with milk.
Drink every day before going to sleep for at least 45 days.

10. Thyroid Stimulating

Ashwagandha can be an adaptogen that helps with both hypo and hyper thyroid problems. It can stimulate the adrenal and thymus gland, which supports the function of the thyroid gland.
This plant will also help relieve fatigue and stress, common symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Take ashwagandha root extract every day. Consult your doctor for proper dosage.

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Caution: Though ashwagandha(winter cherry) has so many health benefits, however, the used of it must be done under medical practitioners expertise. In some people may cause reactions, headaches, digestive and sleep problems. Also, this herb is may not consumed by pregnant or breast feeding women.

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Tamarind For Health Benefits

Courtesy of Benefitskeralayurvedic.biz

Tamarind is a monocots, tropical plant which is commonly spread almost in any region as shady tree. Even though it has small leaves, but it branches are enormous in numbers. Moreover, the size of its log is huge that even a hug of an elderly can not reach it. Tamarind pods containing chemical compounds such as citric acid, grape acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid and invert sugar. Besides its seeds' skin contain ohlobatannin, and the seed itself contains albunminoid and starch.

Compounds in tamarind can provide health benefits, one of which is able to treat a dry cough. In addition, there are several more of disease that are can be treated thanks to the benefits of tamarind. 

Here they are;

1. Asthma

Boil 2 pieces of tamarind skin(should you chose the young one), add a pinch of fennel(Foeniculum vulgare), and then boil them in a liter of water. Filter and collect the water, and then drink the water twice a day. Make a new potion each day.

2. Fever

boil 1 handful of tamarind leaves and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) sufficiently with 1/2 liter of water until it well boiled, then filter it. Drink 2 times a day in the morning and afternoon. Make a new potion each day.

3. Cough

Should you boil 3 pods of tamarind, and 1/2 hand held of Saga leaves(Abrus precatorius) in 4 cups of water, and let it remains only 1 cup of it. Filter and drink it twice a day, in the morning, and evening. Make new solution each time. 

Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

4. Fever

Brew 2 pods of ripe tamarind and a pinch of salt into a glass of hot water. Let it dissolved, and then filter it. Drink all at once.
For the record this recipe should not be used for pregnant women.

5. Rheumatism

Benefits of tamarind to overcome rheumatism, 1 handful finely crushed tamarind leaves and tamarind seeds 2-3. Use it to compress on the part of the body which is needed.

6. Morbili

Should  you mix 1-2 pieces of ripe tamarind and grated of 2 turmeric rhizome thumb size. Use as a powder or liniment.

7. Abdominal pain

Brew 3 tamarind pods and 1 piece of palm sugar into 1 cup hot water, then filtered. Drinking as usual.

8. Allergy

Boil 2-3 ripe tamarind pods, add a pinch of salt, and spoon 1/4 tablespoon of whiting with 3 cups water. Take only 2 cups remaining, filter it, and then drink 2 times a day in the morning and afternoon. Tamarind seeds have been used for treating common allergy since years ago in many cultural. However, even though there is no scientific proves yet, it works and has no side effects detected.

Courtesy of Wikiipedia.org

9. Thrush

There are 2 ways of benefits of tamarind for treating thrush

The first way, use 2 glasses of water to boil two pods tamarind, 2 thumb of ginger rhizomes and 1 slice of coconut sugar. Keep only a  glass of it, filter, and then drink it. 

The second way, boil 1 cup young tamarind leaves and 5 cm of sliced into tiny sized into 4 cups of water. Boil it, and let it left only about 2 glasses of it.  Drink it twice a day, in the morning and evening. You can add palm sugar if you want. Make a new one, each day.

10. Minor cuts

The new wound (minor cuts), chew some of tamarind leaves and put on the wounds.

11. Ulcers

Mash some of tamarind seeds until it finely mashed, then paste on the wound and bandage it.

12. Eczema and Boils

For boils; Mash carefully the meat of tamarind, until its color turns to black, add Spinach leaves, and some of Kales, and a pinch of salt. Each 5 grams. Mix all of the ingredients above. Stick to the part which is needed, evenly covered. Change it with the new one, every time it gets dry.

For eczema; Boil a handful of tamarind, mashed ginger, and a piece of palm sugar with 2 cups water until the remaining a half of it. Drink it once a day.

13. Swelling

Swelling due to a centipede or a bee sting, finely crushed 3-5 tamarind seeds. Clean the first part of the swollen using a cloth soaked in eucalyptus oil. Then stick with the powder made of tamarind seeds.

14. Rattlesnake bites

Amazing benefits of tamarind for curing Rattlesnake bites, by using tamarind seeds, split it into two. Stick it on the snake bite wound, the number of seeds that are used according to need.

15. Dysentery

Mix 5 grams of tamarind, 10 grams of ginger, and 10 grams of turmeric, then put them into hot water in a cup and then wring it out and filtered. Add 1 tablespoon of pure honey, mix well and drink it in the morning.

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16. Menstrual pain

Mix a handful of tamarind leaves with 2 finger turmeric and half a glass of boiled water, then ground. strain and drink.

17. Hemorrhoid

Use 1 gr of tamarind, Kecibeling (Strobilanthes crispa) leaves and Meniran (0Phyllanthus urinaria) each 6 grams, 3 grams of ginger. Clean and boil them with 1 liter of water. Leave it be, until the remaining half, and let cool for a while. Drink the potion three times a day.

18. Puerperal fever

Brew a finger size of tamarind and palm sugar into 2 cups of hot water. After it warms out, drink twice a day in the morning and evening.

Well, that are some of tamarind benefits for health for the sake of our health. Remember to use only CLAY based kitchen utensils, instead of the aluminum or metal wares for cooking, brewing, steaming, or boiling. This is due to the consideration of getting chemical reactions between the metal and the herb in the processing. However, should you contact your primary health care for immediate further help.
Stay health!

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Magical Handeuleum (Graptophylum pictum Griff) use as Natural medicine

Courtesy of Handeuleum (Graptophylum pictum Griff) use as Natural medicine

Handeuleum, as it is also called Ungu leaves (Graptophylum pictum Griff) is shrubs that is very popular, since it becomes useful for its health benefits nutritious treatment for hemorrhoids, and can also be planted as in gardening since it has beautiful purple leaves.
Purple leaves or also called as ungu purple(ungu means purple, literally) is also efficacious anti-inflammatory, anti plaque tooth, and prevent pain when menopause. Piles or hemorrhoids is a disease characterized by swelling or enlargement of the veins at the bottom of the shaft intestine, both on the inside and on the outside of the anus.

The disease is characterized by the appearance of a bump as red blotches bluish or blackish. There are two types of hemorrhoids are commonly known, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids . Hemorrhoids can be caused by consuming less fiber. This results in constipation (constipation), until the patient is often strained.
Purple leaf (Graptophyllum pictum) or other names Demung, Tulak, Wungu (Java), Handeuleum (Sunda), Temen (Bali); Karotong (Madura), Dongora (Ambon); Kobi-kobi (Ternate); including plant growing wild in the countryside or planted as garden shrubs or natural herbal plants, purple leaf suitable to grow in area with low altitude. It is around 1250 meters above sea level. The leaves taken from this tree, is commonly used as treatment to certain diseases, since the time when doctors even haven't existed yet. Here are the Magical Ungu Leaves/Handeuleum (Graptophylum pictum Griff) use as natural medicine, which are mentioned below for you to read.

Purple leaves of plants contain chemical constituents among others. Non toxic alkaloids, flavonoids, leukocytes, steroids, saponins, tannins, calcium oxalate, formic acid and fat. With a variety of chemical's purple leaves have anti-inflammatory properties, laxative urine, treatment for ulcers, laxative function, skin and feet softener, soften the faeces, and deflates hemorrhoids.

Many diseases can be treated with this Magical Handeuleum (Graptophylum pictum Griff) use as natural medicine plants (leaves), and some of them are very dangerous;

1. Constipation:  Boil 7 handeuleum leaves with 2 cups of water until the water a half. Drink once in the morning.
2. Piles:  Pick 15 leaves handeuleum, a thumb saffron, a little palm sugar boiled in 4 cups of water until the water a half. Strain. Drink twice a day, each 1 cup.
3. Ulcer: Use  a few leaves handeuleum washed and finely grounded. Apply on the desired area.
4. Fever:  Take 7 leaves handeuleum, 5 slices of ginger boiled in a glass of water. Strain. Once (one time NOT eleven as once in Spanish) drink a day.
5. Gallstones: Get 7 leaves handeuleum, some leaves veins boiled with 2 cups of water until the water a half. Drink this potion twice a day.
6. During menstrual cramps:  A handful well dried  handeuleum leaves, boiled in 4 cups of water. Drink like we drink tea 3 times a day. Note: Should be taken at least before menstruation.

Swelling due to got hit or fall : finely grounded, barks of handeuleum, and place it on the swelling part of the body.

Rheumatism: A handful of leaves Uungu leaves (Graptophylum pictum Griff), washed and crushed. Apply on the affected part.

Image by flickr.com

See, even there are more than 6 benefits actually, including breast inflammation, due to whatever it is :)

Magical Ungu Leaves/Handeuleum (Graptophylum pictum Griff) use as Natural medicine, mainly can be found in Asian countries. It is used as bench trees, ornamental shrubs in the garden and also medicine herbs in the neighbourhood, which means they are easily to be found.

Just for the highlight; always use Clay based kitchen utensils, whenever you want to steam, boil or extract and use herb or plant as medicine. Since the using of aluminum based kitchen utensils will conduct unwanted chemical reactions between the herbs and the metal, and resulting unwanted side effects and lessen the medical benefits of the herb itself.

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