Wednesday, October 5, 2016

www.malaysianherbals.com ---Java Brucea (ya dan zi) --(116)

  Java Brucea                    http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com


The java brucea is a type of deciduous tree native to the mountains of China, India and Indonesia. In China, it is produced mainly in the Guangdong and  provinces. It can reach a height of approximately 20 feet, and produces small, berry-like fruits. The seeds are used medicinally; they are typically harvested in the late summer. After ripening, the fruit is picked and dried in the sun, after which the seeds are harvested for use.
According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, java brucea seed has bitter, cold, and slightly toxic properties, and is associated with the Large Intestine and Liver meridians. It has been used for centuries to treat dysentery and malaria. Externally, it can be made into an ointment to treat foot problems such as corns, and skin conditions such as warts. There is also some evidence that brucea, in combination with longan, may be effective in treating some types of cancerous tumors.

How much java brucea should I take?

The typical dose of java brucea for adults is between 5 and 12 seeds, taken up to three times per day. Some practitioners may recommend larger doses (15-30 seeds) depending on the condition being treated. Java brucea can also be applied externally as a cream or ointment.

What can happen if I take too much java brucea? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Image result for java bruceaBecause of its toxic properties, java brucea should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor should it be given to small children.B In addition, it should not be taken by patients with nausea and vomiting, or those with pre-existing liver or kidney disorders.
As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions associated with java brucea. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking java brucea or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Image result for java brucea

Medicinal use

The fruit Brucea javanica was first written about as medicine in the Chinese medical monograph Omissions from the Grand Materia Medica, written in 1765. It contains quassinoid compounds called bruceolides that are anticancer and antiparasitic. It is traditionally used to treat dysentery and malaria, though no clinical trials have been published confirming efficacy for these conditions despite test tube studies repeatedly showing anti-malarial activity. An injectable oil emulsion form of the plant has been studied in China in controlled trials for treating lung cancer patients combined with chemotherapy, with promising results. More high-quality trials are needed to confirm this use.

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                                                                                     (117)     

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

www.malaysianherbals.com -- moringa oleifera-(115) முருங்கைக்காய்


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 Moringa Oleifera- முருங்கைக்காய்
You might want to memorize that name. Why? Because it is a plant that may very well change the world in the near future.  The interesting part about it though is Moringa Oleifera, or Moringa has been around for tens of thousands of years and used by civilizations for almost that long.  Not only does this tree provide a vast array of nutritional value, but it can also: produce fuel, enhance crop growth, produce livestock feed, purify water and produce medicine!

Image result for moringa oleiferaImage result for moringa oleiferaMoringa oleifera, known popularly as drumstick tree, is a tropical plant grown for its nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, and mineral-rich green fruit pods. It is a well-recognized member in the Moringaceae family of trees, and thought to be originated in the sub-Himalayan forests of the Indian subcontinent. It possesses horseradish-like root and, hence, known to the western world as horseradish tree.

 Their young, tender seed pods are popular as murnga in Tamil, and malunggay in Philippines.Moringa is a drought tolerant, medium-sized, evergreen tree that prefers warm, frost-free climates to flourish. Its tender leaves and twigs can be harvested at any time from a well-established, 1.5 to 2 meters tall plant. Taller plants bear cream-white, small size flowers in clusters throughout the season, which subsequently develop into long slender dark-green, three-sided, edible seedpods with tapering ends. Each pod measures about 6-18 inches in length with constrictions at the seed nodes giving them a typical drumstick-like appearance. Inside, Fresh tender leaves, flowers, tender pods, and seed-kernels of  each pod features fleshy pulp and round pea-sized seed encased inside a wing-shaped coat (hull).

Health benefits of moringa

  • Moringa plant possesses unique nutritional qualities that hold promise to millions of impoverished communities around the world who in need of nutritional supplements like protein, minerals, and vitamins.
  • Image result for moringa oleiferaMoringa greens (leaves) are an excellent source of protein which is a unique feature for any herbs and leafy-greens in the entire plant kingdom. 100 g of fresh raw leaves carry 9.8 g of protein or about 17.5% of daily-required levels. Dry, powdered leaves indeed are a much-concentrated source of several quality amino acids.
  • Fresh pods and seeds are a good source of oleic acid, a health-benefiting monounsaturated fat. Moringa, as a high-quality oilseed crop, can be grown alternatively to improve nutrition levels of populations in many drought-prone regions of Africa and Asia.
  • Image result for moringa oleiferaFresh leaves and growing tips of moringa are the richest source of vitamin A. 100 g of fresh leaves carry 7564 IU or 252% of daily-required levels of vitamin A! Vitamin A is one of the fat-soluble anti-oxidant offering several benefits, including mucus membrane repair, maintenance of skin integrity, vision, and immunity.
  • Fresh moringa pods and leaves are an excellent sources of vitamin-C. 100 g of pods contain 145 µg or 235% of daily-required levels of vitamin-C. 100 g of greens provide 51.7 µg or 86% of daily-recommended intake values of this vitamin. Research studies have shown that consumption of fruits/vegetables rich in vitamin C helps the body develop immunity against infectious agents, and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals from the body.
  • The greens as well as pods also contain good amounts of many vital B-complex vitamins such as folates,vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and niacin. Much of these vitamin functions as co-enzymes in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.
  • Furthermore, its greens (leaves) are one of the finest sources of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. Iron alleviates anemia. Calcium is required for bone mineralisation. Zinc plays a vital role in hair-growth, spermatogenesis, and skin health.
 are edible.Fresh moringa pods and greens can be readily available in the markets all around the season in the tropical and sub-tropical countries of South-East Asia, Philippines, Middle-Eastern, Africa, Caribbean, and in some Central American region. In the USA, the tree grows easily in the Southern states; however, only few owners grow them in their backyard. Its consumption in the USA is mainly driven by several thousand expatriated communities of Asian and African background who prefer M.oleifera in their diet.
Image result for moringa oleiferaFresh leaves, pods, seed-kernels can be found in the farmers markets. Dry moringa leaf powder in bins, packs can be found in some specialized stores. At their nativity, moringa leaves are one of the inexpensive greens available in the markets. However, fresh pods and seeds command good price even in the native Asian and African markets.
While buying fresh pods; look for just tender, uniform, evenly full, green color pods. Avoid dry, shriveled, bent, twisted, or broken pods. Do not by over-mature big size pods as they feature tougher skin, bitter pulp and hard seeds and thus unappetizing.
At home, moringa leaf should be stored as any other greens. Pods can keep well for 1-2 days at room temperature, however, should be kept inside the refrigerator for extended shelf life.
Dried moringa leaf powder and capsules are also sold in the stores for their advocated health-benefits across Europe and North Americas.

Safety profile

Image result for moringa oleiferaAlthough moringa plant parts confer many health-benefiting qualities, it is advised to use them as a vegetable and not as medicine. Some traditional medicines and pharmaceuticals broadcast various healing properties of M.oleifera, which are yet to be approved by scientific and research medical fraternity around the world. Moringa root contains alkaloid spirochin, which is a potential neuro-paralytic toxin. Its leaves when eaten in large quantities may cause stomach upset, gaseous distension and loose-stools due to their laxative properties. 
Interesting Facts
www.malaysianherbals.com
Moringa Oleifera leaves can prevent at least three hundred known diseases in the world.
– In many parts of the world, its used leaves are used for cleaning utensils and walls.
– Wood pulp of Moringa Oleifera tree is used for making newsprint also.
– Seeds of this tree are eaten like peanuts in Malaysia.



Wednesday, July 13, 2016

www.malaysianherbals.com --licorice - Athi mathuram (114)-அதிமதுரம்


http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com        ATHIMATHURAM-
அதிமதுரம்
Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra    Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)


Common name: Licorice, Liquorice, Sweetwood • Hindi: jethi-madh, kubas-susa, mithilakdi • Kannada: atimadhura, jestamaddu • Malayalam: atimadhuram, erattimadhuram • Marathi: jashtimadh • Sanskrit: jalayashti, klitaka, madhu, madhu-yashtikam • Tamil: adimaduram • Telugu: athimathuram • Urdu: mulhatti, mulathi 

 Licorice is the root of the glycyrrhiza glabra plant, a legume that sprouts purple and blue flowers.
The licorice plant is native to Europe and parts of Asia. Licorice and licorice extract can be found whole, sliced, and in powder and liquid forms.
The root has a brown, bark-like exterior and yellow interior and is 50 times sweeter than sugar.
 For cosmetic purposes, licorice root can be used to reduce inflammation and to combat aging. It hydrates, soothes, and brightens skin, and helps reduce the appearance of age spots. A common herbal remedy in Asia for a variety of ailments, it is eaten and used as flavoring in Europe.
 You’ll find it in rejuvenating lotions and creams, acne products, makeup, eye treatments, soaps, skin-brightening products, and cleansers. It is also sold as a tea, cut in slices for chewing, and used as a flavor agent in candies, drinks, and tobacco products.
Other uses: Chewing on slices of licorice root is said to relieve sore throats, dry coughs, and help with respiratory problems
Image result for Glycyrrhiza glabra.The licorice plant is a perennial herb, growing up to 1 m in tall, with pinnate leaves about 7-15 cm long, with 9-17 leaflets. The flowers are 0.8–1.2 cm long, purple to pale whitish blue, produced in a loose inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong pod, 2-3 cm long, containing several seeds. The flavor of liquorice comes mainly from a sweet-tasting compound called anethole, an aromatic, unsaturated ether compound also found in anise, fennel, and other herbs. Additional sweetness in liquorice comes from glycyrrhizic acid, an anti-viral compound sweeter than sugar. Liquorice flavouring is also used in soft drinks, and in some herbal teas where it provides a sweet aftertaste. The flavour is common in medicines to disguise unpleasant flavours. 
Medicinal uses:  Liquorice may be useful in conventional and naturopathic medicine for both mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers. In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to "harmonize" the other ingredients in the formula and to carry the formula to the twelve "regular meridians" and to relieve a spasmodic cough.                                               (114)