Sambong

We call it "alimhon" in our place.

Popularly known as Sambong or Blumea balsamifera, it is used to aid in the treatment of kidney disorders or kidney stones. Sambong leaves can also be used to treat colds and mild hypertension. Since it is a diuretic, this herbal medicine helps dispose of excess water and sodium (salt) in the body. Its expectorant properties make it as a popular recommendation to be taken in as tea to treat colds. Sambong is also a natural cleansing herb. I take a glass of sambong tea to cleanse my lungs of phlegm until it is gone.

Sambong is a native flowering or weed that is endemic in the Philippines and other tropical countries. It is a popular herb especially for its multitude of healing properties including anti-diarrhetic, anti-gastralgic, expectorant, stomachic, and antispasmodic, among others. Leaves can also be used for wounds and cuts.

Aside from these, sambong is also popular for stimulating the blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus. Sambong helps in relieving menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea by stimulating blood flow thereby helping women in releasing the molecular compounds called prostaglandins, which causes the uterus to contract and constrict the blood supply that causes the menstrual cramps.

Since the plant is emmenagogues, drinking the sambong tea is not advisable to pregnant women as well as women who wanted to be pregnant. Moreover, drinking sambong should also be regulated because it also has hallucinogenic effects when excessively consumed.

 Sambong is one herbal medicine (of ten) approved by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) as an alternative medicine in treating particular disorders.   

Preaparation or use:

• A decoction (boil in water) of Sambong leaves as like tea and drink a glass 3 or 4 times a day.

• The leaves can also be crushed or pounded and mixed with coconut oil.
• For headaches, apply crushed and pounded leaves on forehead and temples.
• Decoction of leaves is used as sponge bath.
• Decoction of the roots, on the other hand, is to be taken in as cure for fever.


Other Benefits of Sambong


• Good as a diuretic agent
• Effective in the dissolving kidney stones
• Aids in treating hypertension & rheumatism
• Treatment of colds & fever
• Anti-diarrheic properties
• Anti-gastralgic properties
• Helps remove worms, boils
• Relief of stomach pains
• Treats dysentery, sore throat

Related liks:

http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/sambong.htm

BANABA, LEMONGRASS, BASIL, GYNURA PROCUMBENS, GUYABANO, MALUNGGAY,
   

How To Make Banaba Capsule

       
                                  This was how I made my homemade Banaba capsule.

Carefully wash the leaves.

Air drying the leaves

Roast for about 5 minutes. You may tear the leaves into smaller sizes so that more leaves can be powdered at the same time.

Arrange in a blender and blend until leaves turns into powder.

Sift the powder.

 

Empty gelatin capsules are available in leading drugstores.

In capsuling, proper hygiene must be observed. It is recommended to sanitize hands with alcohol, making sure under nails are clean. Wear mask while packing. You may wear a hair net.

Related links

How to Make Malunggay/Moringa Capsule

How To Make Guyabano/Soursop Capsule

 

 

Health Benefits of Basil

Basil is said to be the "King of all herbs." In India, it is termed as "Holy Basil"  and is worshiped as a form of incarnation and God. It is also a sacred plant for Hindus and grown in pots near the temples and outside almost every Hindu home. Basil is attributed to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna according to Hindu mythology and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine where it is called Tulsi or Holy Tulsi.

 It is recommended that if you will take 5 leaves of Basil or tulsi on a daily basis dipped in tea, then you do not need to go to the doctor. Basil herb is best to cure ailments of nervous and digestive system.

Basil is also;

• used to treat respiratory tract problems such as cough, cold, bronchitis, and asthma and improves blood circulation.
• a well known antiseptic, analgesic, and antidepressant.
• a carminative with antispasmodic properties.
• an emmenagogue (herb which stimulates blood flow.
• a natural expectorant and treats chronic and acute cough.
• a natural febrifuge (a medication that reduces fever).
• stimulates the adrenal cortex and stomach.
• a natural tonic and aphrodisiac.

There many kinds of flavonoids that is found in basil, which help to protect cells and chromosomes from damage. Studies have shown that two of these flavonoids in particular, orientin and vicenin, are useful in protecting cell structures and chromosomes from damage by radiation and oxygen.

Basil essential oil has been found to help stop the growth of several types of bacteria, many of which have become resistant to antibiotics. This essential oil has been found to inhibit growth of the widespread staphylococcus, enterococcus, pseudomonas, and e. coli bacteria, among others. Adding basil to your vinaigrette will both enhance the flavor, and ensure that the fresh salad greens are safe to eat.

Eugenol, which is found in essential oil of basil, provides an anti-inflammatory effect, by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. Aspirin and Ibuprofen work by blocking this same enzyme. So, basil can have healing benefits, and provide relief from the symptoms of inflammatory problems, like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Basil is also a good source of vitamin A, which helps to prevent damage to the cells by free radicals. Vitamin A also prevents free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream, preventing the cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels.

Magnesium is also present in basil. This essential mineral helps the heart and blood vessels to relax, improving blood flow. Other nutrients found in basil include iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C.

Benefits of Basil Oil Massage

• In Nervous System, Basil treats depression, stress, fatigue or tiredness, anxiety, headaches, neuralgia, and migraines. Basil is also used to treat the brain numbness with essential basil oil by inhalations, massage, etc.
• In Circulatory System, Basil helps in stimulation of blood circulation and works as a tonic.
• In Digestive System, Basil cures indigestion, nausea, and gastric spasm.
• In Respiratory System, Basil treats asthma, cough, cold, phlegm in the lungs, sinus congestion, and loss of smell with the use of basil oil by inhalations, massage, dilution in the chest.
• In skin, Basil works as an insect repellent and makes the skin smooth, flaccid, and toned.
• In Reproductive System, basil works as an emmenagogue which helps in stimulation of the delay or lack of menstruation. Basil relieves cramps. It is taken in form of oil with massage and dilution.

 

Related links:   Basil 
                              Guyabano or Soursop  
                              Guyabano Cancer Cure
                              Moringa Oleifera or Malunggay
 

Basil

 
The word basil comes from the Greek "basileus", meaning "king", as it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constatine and his mother St. Helen discovered the Holy Cross. Basil or Sweet Basil,  is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae or mints. This can be identified by its square, hairy stems.

Basil is an incredible herb. It is enjoyed for its rich and spicy, mildly peppery flavor with a trace of mint and clove. There are over 40 known varieties of basil of which Sweet Basil is the most commonly known and grown. While the taste of sweet basil is bright and pungent, other varieties also offer unique tastes: lemon basil, anise basil and cinnamon basil all have flavors that subtly reflect their name.

Ocimum is from a Greek verb that means "to be fragrant." The foliage is easily bruised; just brushing against its foliage releases its wonderfully spicy fragrance. Varieties can grow to a height of 2 1/2 feet and are about as wide. Foliage colors range from pale to deep green, vivid purple and even purple laced with goldish yellow foliage. Texture varies from silky and shiny to dull and crinkly. Flowers appear in summer as whorls on the ends of branches and are either white or lavender.

Basil is a highly fragrant plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Basil has become one of the most recognizable herbs ever since pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese, has become popular.

Basil has round leaves that are oftentimes pointed. They are green in color, although some varieties feature hints of red or purple. Basil looks a little like peppermint, which is not surprising since they belong to the same plant family.


Basil is native to India and Asia having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It is grown there as a perennial in those warm, tropical climates.

Basil has a lot of benefits. Its is popularly called Holy Basil.

How To Make Malunggay Capsule

Wash the leaves. Carefully scrutinize each leaves for some particles that might not have been removed while washing like cobwebs. Take those off together with the yellow leaves. 

 Air dry it this way for 2-3 days. 

 

 Remove dried leaves from stems and petioles and roast for 4-5 minutes to sanitize it.

 Powder it in a blender. Two bladed blended is better.

Then sift it.

Malunggay or Moringa powder ready to be capsuled.

Empty gelatin capsules are available in leading drugstores. Malunggay capsules are normally packed in #0 capsule. I purposely packed it in #1 which is smaller so that small kids can easily swallow it.

In capsuling, proper hygiene must be observed. It is recommended to sanitize hands with alcohol, making sure under nails are clean. Wear mask while packing. You may wear a hair net.

Related Articles

Moringa Oleifera

Moringa Nutrition 

Moringa Benefits

Moringa Benefits

          Daily consumption of the Moringa or Malunggay Capsules yields the following benefits:

• Helps strengthen the immune system.
• Controls blood pressure.
• Relieves headaches and migraines.
• Helps restore skin condition.
• Helps strengthen the eye muscles.
• Helps heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.
• Prevents intestinal worms.
• Helps increase sperm production.
• Helps normalize blood sugar level.
• Helps stop the growth of cancer cells.
• Helps relax and promote good night sleep.
• Helps heal ulcers.
• Helps produce more milk in lactating mothers.
• Provides long lasting energy.

Facts About Malunggay

Fresh Leaves                                                   Dried Leaves

Gram for gram, fresh leaves contain about

4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots                      10 times the Vitamin A of Carrots

7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges                    1/2 the Vitamin C of Oranges

4 times the Calcium of milk                             17 times the Calcium of milk

3 times the Potassium of Bananas                    15 times the Potassium of Bananas

3/4 the Iron of Spinach                                   25 times the Iron of Spinach

3 times the Protein of Yugort                            9  times the Protein of Yogurt

Source: treesforlife.org

 Moringa leaves could practically wipe out malnutrition on our planet.

According to Dr. C.P. Gopalan of India, Moringa can prevent and cure over 300 diseases such as Anemia, Asthma, All forms of Cancer, Allergies, Diabetes, Depression and other psychological disorders, Fatty Liver and Cirrhosis, Heart and other cardiovascular disorders, Osteoporosis and other bone diseases, Obesity, Parkinson's disease, Scurvy Malnutrition, Migraine, Rheumatoid arthritis and many more.

       Synthetic multi-vitamin and minerals tablets are not fully absorbed by the body. Moringa's natural nutrients are 100% absorbable. Its has the highest bio-availability and has no toxicity or over-dose


 Related Articles: Moringa Oleifera, Moringa Nutrition, How To Make Malunggay Capsule

Moringa Nutrition

Moringa Oleifera is widely known to have an exceptionally potent mix of essential and disease-preventing nutrients, which are unusually better than most other food sources.

                                                            

The moringa plant is nutritionally dense. Along with it’s ability to thrive in harsh climates, this makes it a popular crop to cultivate in areas where food is scarce. Moringa leaves contain high levels of Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, beta carotene, and protein.

For this reason, Moringa oleifera leaves are often used as a primary food source or supplement for preventing malnutrition in children and nursing mothers. According to the Philipine Bureau of Plant Industry, “Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of 4 glasses of milk, the vitamin C content of 7 oranges, potassium of 3 bananas, 3/4 times the iron of spinach, 4 times the amount of vitamin A in carrot, and 2 times the protein in Yugort.”

In addition to the leaves, the moringa seeds and fruit are highly edible and nutritious as well. The seed pods (sometimes called drumsticks) are protein-rich and contain every essential amino acid, making them useful as a primary protein source. Even the flowers can be cooked and eaten, and contain high amounts of calcium and potassium.

Moringa root is also used as a condiment in some areas of the world, but the practice has become discouraged as it contains certain alkaloids that may be toxic. However, all other parts of the moringa tree are safe to eat.

Popularly known among pregnant and breastfeeding women, Moringa Oliefera has the ability to prevent malnutrition, alleviate anemia, increase production of milk, and promote overall health of child. Studies also reveal that Moringa helps in the prevention of Mastitis – a common problem with breastfeeding women in which breasts become inflamed due to the blockage of milk ducts. Moringa has also been known to contain an antibacterial peptide, which is highly effective in combating the infection of Staphylococcus Aureus in breastfeeding women. Moringa leaves can also provide them with a significant amount of calcium, iron, sulfur, copper and B-vitamins.

 Moringa has lived up to its name, the "Miracle Tree". What with all the vitamins and nutrients it contains, it is considered an almost complete food supplement. It could practically wipe out malnutrition in our planet.

The nutritional properties of Moringa oleifera are virtually unequaled in the plant kingdom. Just 25 grams of moringa leaf powder will satisfy the following nutritional requirements for an average child:

• Protein 42%
• Vitamin C 22%
• Calcium 125%
• Potassium 41%
• Magnesium 61%
• Vitamin A 272%
• Iron 71%

Experts believes that long-term solution to malnutrition is the use of foods rich in the essential nutrients often lacking in people's diet. Modern scientific research is proving that Moringa leaves are one of the richest sources of such nutrients. Even small amount of the leaves could protect thousand of people from suffering and death.

People in several countries have found that Moringa leaves are quite acceptable to taste, especially when added to common food.


Related Articles
How To Make Moringa/Malunggay Capsule
Moringa Benefits
Moringa Oleifera