Monday, May 14, 2012

www.malaysianherbals.com -(22) CLOVES கிராம்பு


http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com          Syzygium aromaticum 


        

 Cloves

Indian/Sanskrit   Lavanga, Devakusuma

கிராம்பு 

Japanese: Choji -- Chinese: Ding xiang, Ting hsiang, Ding heung


 This pyramidal evergreen clove tree, grows up to 15 to 30 feet tall, has smooth grey bark and ovate 5 inches long leaves with small bell-shaped white flowers which grow in terminal clusters. The flower buds are greenish and turn pink at maturity. The seeds are oblong, soft, grooved on one side. 

Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree. This small reddish-brown flower bud resembles a tiny nail head. The name clove is believed to be derived either from the Latin word 'clavus' or the French word 'clou' which means nail. It is native to Moluccas or Spice Islands (Indonesia) but is also grown in India, Sumatra, Jamaica, the West Indies, Brazil and other tropical areas.

Nutrients in Cloves

Cloves (Eugenia aromatica) are an excellent source of manganese. They are a very good source of vitamin C, K, and dietary fiber. They are a good source of calcium and magnesium.

All parts of the clove tree are highly aromatic. 
Dried flower bud, which gives a sharp and spicy flavour, either whole or ground are used for culinary purposes. 
It is one of the most important drugs used in indigenous medicine in India, especially in Unani medicine.
 Clove is reported as an aphrodisiac, stomachic, carminative, and antispasmodic.
 It is reported to be useful in conceiving in high doses and act as a contraceptive in low doses and useful in cataract. Clove is also reported to have anticarcinogenic property.
 It possesses antiviral activity against Herpes simplex
.

Medicinal parts used:      Dried unopened flower buds


Therapeutic use:
•   Clove oil has got analgesic properties and applied locally in swollen gum and in toothache.
•   The use of clove in food and condiments triggers the body to secrete antioxidant enzymes which prevents the body from oxidative damage.
•   Reduces the excess fat and lipid from the body.
•   Clove oil has good antiviral, antibacterial properties and used in traditional medicine as a bactericide, fungicide, can prevent the body from infections and is a good antiseptic.

 Ceylon Cloves

It is an aromatic flower bud of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. It is used as 

spice in cuisine all over the world. Clove tree is an evergreen tree whose height 

ranges from 10-20 m. Apart from being used in cuisine; clove is also used in


other industries for its medicinal use and 

therapeutic value.


Toxicity:
Large amounts should be avoided in pregnancy. Cloves can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, and should be avoided by people with gastric ulcers, colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. In overdoses - sometimes referred to with the neologism 'clover doses' - cloves can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages. Severe overuse can lead to kidney failure, changes in liver function, dyspnea, loss of consciousness, hallucination, and even death.Thanks to


Clove is an important ingredient in Japanese incense. Cloves are extremely stimulating and refreshing.
Clove is the common name for the tropical tree, Syzygium aromaticum, of the family Myrtaceae. The clove tree is native to North Moluccas (Indonesia) It was replanted to several other islands by the Dutch and later introduced to Zanzibar and Madagascar.
The clove tree is a evergreen with small white flower which grow in clusters. The flower buds are gathered and dried. Clove is used in the famous Worcestershire sauce and extensively as a spice in cooking.
Cloves are said to have antiseptic properties and are used as a preservative in pickles among other things. Ancient Chinese civilization chewed Cloves to sweeten their breath before talking to the emperor. Cloves and "Oil of Clove" have also been used as a mild anesthetic for toothaches. It could be one of Mother Nature's premium antiseptics!

Cloves as an Aphrodisiac

Extract of clove has been shown to enhance the sexual behavior of male mice. The results of the study resulted in a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any adverse effects. The results seem to support the claims for its traditional usage as an aphrodisiac.

Cloves as Mosquito Repellant

The natural oil of clove is a natural mosquito repellant and can give protection against mosquitoes for4-5 hours.

Cloves for Cancer Prevention

Preliminary studies have suggested the chemopreventive potential of clove for lung cancer, and to delay and reduce the formation of skin cancer.

Cloves for Cardiovascular Health

The compound eugenol from cloves has been found to be a potent platelet inhibitor (prevents blood clots).

Adverse Reactions from Cloves

Allergic reactions to clove and eugenol have been reported.
Clove supplements should be avoided in children and pregnant or nursing women.Thanks Elements 4 health
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Sunday, May 13, 2012

www.malaysianherbals.com (21) Delonix regia செங்கொன்றை மலர்


Royal Poinciana.           செங்கொன்றை மலர்


In India it is known as Gulmohar (Hindi and Urdu -‘Gul’ means ‘Flower’ and ‘Mohr’ is 'Peacock', thus the name suggests a spectacular show of color, like the extraordinary colors of a peacock's tail). It is also known there as Krishnachura (Bengali: 'crown of the Lord Krishna). In Vietnamese it is known as Phượng vĩ (means "Phoenix's Tail) (Vietnamese), Malinche, and Tabachine. In Guatemala,Antigua Guatemala, it is known as "Llama del Bosque".
This species was previously placed in the genus Poinciana, named for Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, the 17th century governor of Saint Christophe (Saint Kitts), who is credited with introducing the plant to the Americas. Because it is a legume, the tree has nitrogen-fixating and soil-improving properties.File:Gulmohar leaves closeup.JPG
 Dear friends  we can see many of these trees 

through out Malaysia.  My teacher thought me this as 

"Flame of the Forest " , because the one standard 

petal is  in distinguished white color.

Environmental requirements

The Royal Poinciana requires a tropical or near-tropical climate, but can tolerate drought and salty conditions. It is very widely grown in the CaribbeanAfrica, Northern Australia (as far south as South east Queensland, although in sheltered micro climates it can be successfully grown in some areas of Sydney), Hong Kong, the Canary IslandsCyprusThailandTaiwan and southern China, and is also the city tree of Tainan, Taiwan and XiamenFujian ProvincePeople's Republic of ChinaNational Cheng Kung University, a university located in Tainan, put Royal Poinciana on its emblem. It also grows throughout southern Brazil, with ornamental trees in Rio Grande do Sul (Canoas and Porto Alegre).

This is the seeds

Flowering season


Royal poinciana in Martin County, Florida, May

Gulmohar flowers in New Delhi
The royal poinciana tree--scientifically known as Delonix regia--is a showy ornamental tree that features lavish clusters of red and orange flowers in spring and summer, an umbrella-like canopy, and feathery, fern-like leaves. Originally from Madagascar, the poinciana tree has established itself in tropical cities throughout the world, and is particularly abundant in the Caribbean, where it is known simply as a flamboyant tree. The royal poinciana tree is an outstanding shade and specimen tree. This tropical plant is not very tolerant of temperatures below 45 degrees, however, and should only be grown in warm climates  climates.                                                                                                            Even there are yellow flowers which are  very common  in India
  • South Florida: May–June  
  • Vietnam: May–July
  • Caribbean: May–September
  • India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: April–June
  • Australia: December–February
  • Northern Mariana Islands: March–June
  • United Arab
  • Brazil: November–February
  • Southern Sudan: March–May
  •  Thailand: April–May
  • Zimbabwe: October–December
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