Amazing Super Food-Maca

Amazing Super Food-Maca

Maca is a hardy perennial plant cultivated high in the Andean Mountain at altitudes from 11,000-14,500 feet. Maca was domesticated about 2000 years ago by the Inca Indians. To the Andean Indians, Maca is a valuable commodity. Because so little else grows in the region, Maca is often traded with communities at lower elevations for other staples like rice, corn, and beans. The dried roots can be stored for up to seven years. Native Peruvians have traditionally utilized Maca since before the time of the Incas for both nutritional and medicinal purposes.

Maca is a member of the Brassica family of plants (cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, watercress) and consists of an above ground leafy component and a below ground root component. It is the root component that is primarily used and studied.

An adaptogen is a substance which helps the body adapt to a variety of situations. Some 
adaptogens, like Ginseng, have an ability to promote energy. Maca is such an adaptogen.  It’s truly a buried treasure, though. The edible root, which looks like a turnip or radish, comes in a range of colors, including cream, gray, yellow, purple, yellow-and-purple, red, and black. It smells faintly of butterscotch, and can have a sharp taste that packs a zing like mustard or wasabi-which is why locals prefer to boil, roast, or dry and/or grind it into flour before including it in their daily dishes. 

Many factors can affect libido, including hormone levels, stress, and mood. Well-designed research has shown, however, that within 8 weeks of taking 1,500 mg of maca daily, men have an average 180 percent increase in their libido. Furthermore, the effect is independent of whether they have depression or anxiety, and it doesn’t cause changes in their levels of testosterone or estrogen.

1. Many  holistic  practitioners  recommend  Maca  to  help relieve unpleasant symptoms of 
menopause.

2. Maca has a balancing effect on the hypothalamus, the master switch of the body,which regulates the endocrine glands, including the pituitary, the adrenals, the ovaries, the  testes, the thyroid and the pancreas.

3. Maca nourishes your body and the natural production of hormones by encouraging the optimal functioning of the endocrine system.

4. Maca improves physical and emotional well-being and lowers stress, improves athletic 
performance without harmful side effects, increases energy and promotes mental clarity and concentration.


Benefits of Maca in Women 
Nourishes the endocrine system, stimulating the natural production of estrogen and  n progesterone. 

Increases energy, improves physical and emotional well-being, and lowers stress. 

Promotes mental clarity and concentration. 

Maca increases stamina and athletic performance without harmful side effects. 

Alleviates the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, night sweats, chills, irritability, incontinence, sore muscles and joints. 


Benefits of Maca in Men 
Nourishes the endocrine system, encouraging it naturally to produce higher testosterone levels which in turn boosts sexual energy. 

Improves physical and emotional well-being and lowers stress. 

Maca increases stamina and athletic performance without harmful side effects. 

Promotes mental clarity and concentration. 

ADULSA: Malabar Nut

ADULSA: Malabar Nut

Adhatoda vasica is one of the two Indian species of genus Adhatoda of the family Acanthaceae known for its medicinal properties. Adhatoda vasica is commonly known as Adulsa, Arusa, Bakas or Malabar nut tree. It is dominant vegetation of hilly areas and throughout the planes of India.

The "drug use" from the fresh or dried leaves of the plant. Leaves contain an alkaloid vasicine, and an essential oil. The chief use of vasaka is as an expectorant; it is given in the form of juice, syrup or decocation, It softens the thick sputum, facilitates its coming out and thus bring about quick relief in bronchitis. The expectorant activity is due to stimulation of bronchial glands. Larger doses can, however, cause irritation and vomiting.

Cattle do not eat this plant as the leaves emit an unpleasant smell.

The leaves of this plant are also utilized as green manure and for yielding a yellow dye.

Due to the presence of certain alkaloids, the leaves are not easily attacked by fungi and insects, and are, therefore, used in packing or storing fruits.

The leaves emit an unpleasant smell and are spared from browsing; the plan is,therefore, suitable for planting in soil reclamation programmes, seed are also useful.

It is well known drug in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicine and is recommended against various chest ailments like bronchitis,asthma, tuberculosis, cough.

Used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years to treat respiratory years to treat respiratory disorders.

A decoction of the leaves may be used as an herbal treatment for cough.

Used to speed delivery during childbirth.

Used to control both internal and external bleeding such as peptic ulcers, piles and bleeding gums.

Health Benefits of Henna

Health Benefits of Henna

Henna grows as a shrub with small, brown, capsule-like fruits. Henna has traditionally been used in festivals and celebrations in many parts of the world and in India since olden times, to apply mehendi on the hands, feet, arms and legs especially during weddings and festivals. Widely known for it’s use in hair dye also, it is popular all over India and is slowly gaining popularity in the West as well.

Henna has been used in hair dyes, cosmetic products and hair products to provide a bright red colour to the hair without damaging it as it is a wonderful conditioner for hair, making it thick, shiny and more manageable. It restores the natural acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Being a natural cleanser it does not alter the chemical structure of the hair.

Henna flowers are used to make perfume.

Since ancient times henna has also been used to dye wool, silk as well as leather. It is used in the preservartion of cloth and leather.

It also repels some insects and mildew. Placing henna flowers between folds of woolen cloth helps to keep moths away.

Henna has anthelmintic, expectorant, tonic, antiviral, diuretic, anti toxic, anti- bacterial, laxative and anti fungal properties. 

Image Source:  "Henna for hair". Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henna_for_hair.jpg#/media/File:Henna_for_hair.jpg

It promotes hair growth, relieves bronchitis, asthma,

Traditionally henna has been used to treat burns blisters and other skin conditions, headache and migraine, jaundice, amoebic dysentery, stomach and intestinal ulcers, enlarged spleen and even cancer. 

Henna acts as a good sunscreen, it is also applied to treat dandruff, fungal infections, eczema and wounds etc.

Henna oil can be used to treat leprosy, headaches, skin disorders, arthritic and rheumatic pains. 

Headache-Henna is considered to be a highly beneficial medicinal plant and hence the bark of the henna plant is known to be effective in the treatment of the enlargement of the liver as well as jaundice.

Skin problems- Henna can relieve  ringworm as well as athletes foot and it also acts as a sunblock. Since the leaves of the henna plant are astringent in nature they are also used against various skin diseases.

Mouth ulcers-100gms of henna powder in a litre of water can be used to rinse your mouth for instant relief. Chewing henna leaves also helps.

Got boils, rashes, wounds or cuts-Boil henna leaves in water and use it to wash the boils or apply henna paste to the affected area. Henna paste also relieves burning and itching immediately, specially with prickly heat, as it is a well known cooling agent. 

Henna also treats warts and herpes.

Image source: "Hand with mehndi design" by Rajettan - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hand_with_mehndi_design.jpg#/media/File:Hand_with_mehndi_design.jpg

Got gum disease- Boil henna leaves in water and rinse your mouth.

Plain old fatigue- People can benefit by an application of henna paste on the soles of the feet to get relief from fatigue and keep the body cool as well.


Some Precautions
Henna is safe normally when used externally on hair and skin. Allergic reactions like inflammation of skin and respiratory problems are rare if pure henna is used.

Do not use henna in children under 12 years and those with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as it can cause bursting of the red blood cells even when applied on the skin.

It is considered unsafe for oral consumption.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid it.

Health Benefits of Holy Basil

Health Benefits of Holy Basil(Thulsi)

Image source: "Ocimum tenuiflorum2" by en:User:GourangaUK - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tulsi02.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocimum_tenuiflorum2.jpg#/media/File:Ocimum_tenuiflorum2.jpg

Holy Basil, also known in Ayruvedic tradition as Tulsi, and formally named Ocimum sanctum, is an indigenous plant in India and Southeast Asia.  Numerous ancient systems of medicine value this plant for its medicinal properties, including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha and Unani.

In India, Holy Basil’s name of Tulsi translates to "incomparable one" and is considered sacred anywhere it is grown

It is the most sacred plant in the Hindu religion.  Holy Basil is an important part of religious ceremonies. Like a number of other medicinal herbs from other parts of the world, it is thought to provide protection for homes where it is cultivated.  The smell of the plant is effective in keeping away insects that typically spread disease, such as mosquitoes and flies.

In the United States of America, Holy Basil has been granted “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) status by the FDA. 

Holy Basil is valued for its versatility in helping to restore health where imbalance is the cause of illness.

1. Healing Power: The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

2. Fever & Common Cold: The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature. 

3. Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups andexpectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves  relieves cold and flu. 

4. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

5. Respiratory Disorder: The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

6. Kidney Stone: Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.

7. Heart Disorder: Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

8. Children's Ailments: Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and  vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them. 

9. Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.

10. Mouth Infections: The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

11. Insect Bites: The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.

12. Skin Disorders: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.

13. Teeth Disorder: The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

14. Headaches: Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general. 

15. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

16. Constipation: If you are suffering from constipation, use some tulsi leaves with water daily after meals.

17. Provides Anti-aging abilities-It hydrates the skin and is able to treat skin conditions and chronic dry skin. It reduces the physiological effects of aging and works as an anti-aging treatment.

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Image Source:

"Aloe Vera". Licensed under GFDL via Commons -https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aloe_Vera.jpg#/media/File:Aloe_Vera.jpg

Aloe vera is a succulent prickly plant of the Lily Family which grows in warm, frost-free climates and which has been known for centuries as a potent medicinal plant according the “folk medicines” of cultures around the world. Any nearly pure Aloe vera liquid product, whether called Gel, Juice or Whole Leaf Extract, comprises the fluid obtained by breaking up the structure of the Aloe leaf and separating off the solid residues to leave a more or less clear solution.

The Egyptians called Aloe the “Plant of Immortality” because it can live and even bloom  without soil. Aloe has been used medicinally since at least the first century C.E. and continues to be used extensively worldwide. In Egypt, aloe was called “the plant of immortality” and was given as an offering at the funerals of pharaohs and used in the baths of Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra.

According to the Roman scholar, Pliny, the plant was also used for embalming. 

Alexander the Great conquered Socotra Island, reportedly at the request of Aristotle, just to obtain aloe.

In the first century C.E., the Greek physician Dioscorides used aloe for mouth infections, sores, wounds and as a purgative. 

In the10th century, aloe was used in England and during the 17th century, records show that the East India Company frequently purchased aloe from the king of Socotra.

Today, Egyptians still hang an aloe plant over the door of a new house to provide a long and fruitful life for its occupants. In India the whole leaves, exudate, and fresh gel aloe are used as a cathartic, stomachache, emmenagogue, and antihelminthic. 

In China, Mexico, and the West Indies, it has become a common household remedy for a  variety of uses. Until the 1930s in the U.S., the primary commercial use of aloe was the dried latex as a laxative.

1. Aloe Vera has a wonderfully beneficial action on bowel function which results in a smooth and efficient transit of contents, often eradicating inconvenient, colicky pain.

2. Assists in healthy digestion A healthy digestive tract ensures that nutrients from the food we eat are absorbed into the bloodstream. There is clear, clinical evidence that by drinking Aloe Vera Gel the bowel is able to absorb these nutrients more efficiently, especially protein.

3. Aloe Vera is a natural balancer in many areas and nowhere more so than inside the gut where it tends to regulate the proportion of bacteria and yeasts that inhabit it. At various times in life people can develop an imbalance through a variety of causes which can lead to problems and, as with probiotics, Aloe may often help to normalise the situation.

4. Aloe vera used to heal skin wounds.

5.  Aloe vera plant is used to heal burn.

6. Helps in speeding recovery time after surgery.

7. Aloe vera gel is used on blisters.

8. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing insect bites.

9. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing rashes.

10. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing sores.

11. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing herpes.

12. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing urticaria.

13. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing fungus.

14. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing vaginal infections.

15. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing conjunctivitis.

16. Aloe vera Plants are also helpful in healing allergic reactions.

17. Aloe gels are applied on dry skins to give them glowing effect. 

18. Helps in reducing acne.

19. Helps to reduce sunburn.

20. Aloe vera helps to fight frostbite.

21. Aloe vera uses includes fighting from shingles.

22. It helps in screening out x-ray radiation.

23. Aloe vera used to reduce psoriasis.

24. Aloe vera used to reduce rosacea. 

25. Aloe vera used to reduce warts.

26. Wrinkles from aging are reduced by applying Aloe vera.

27. Aloe vera used to reduce eczema.

By drinking the Gel with all its important ingredients (often now deficient in our food) including 19 of the 20 amino acids needed by the human body, and seven of the eight essential ones that just cannot be made, the body is able to get enough to allow complex enzyme systems to work really well. This means the body can function at 100%. The net result to the individual is a wonderful feeling of well being which tends to go with an improved ability to withstand and even fight illness.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Image Source:"Heart near" by BodyParts3D/Anatomography - Anatomography. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.1 jp via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heart_near.png#/media/File:Heart_near.png

Cardiovascular diseases include:
a. coronary heart disease (heart attacks),
b. cerebrovascular disease,
c. raised blood pressure (hypertension),
d. peripheral artery disease,
e. rheumatic heart disease,
f. congenital heart disease, and heart failure.


The existence of the heart was well known to the Greeks, who gave it the name Kardia, still surviving in modern words such as cardiac and tachycardia. Aristotle believed that the heart was the seat of the soul and the center of man. Romans modified Kardia to Cor, the latter word still surviving in "cordial greetings". The old Teutonic word herton was also derived from Cor and gives us heart via the medieval heorte.

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack. Other kinds of heart disease may involve the valves in the heart, or the heart may not pump well and cause heart failure. Some people are born with heart disease.

Anyone, including children, can develop heart disease. It occurs when a substance called plaque builds up in your arteries. When this happens, your arteries can narrow over time, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

Smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, and not getting enough exercise all increase your risk for having heart disease.

Having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes also can increase your risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor about preventing or treating these medical conditions.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease. For many people, chest discomfort or a heart attack is the first sign.

Someone having a heart attack may experience several symptoms, including:

Chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away after a few minutes

Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day of the week will help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, also helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

To maintain an ideal body weight, take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.

Cessation of tobacco use reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke.

Use simple charts to determine your risk of developing a heart attack or a stroke.

Check your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly.

If you have diabetes, control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize your risk.

Head Lice Facts

Head Lice Facts

Image Source:  "Male human head louse" by Gilles San Martin - originally posted to Flickr as Male human head louse. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_human_head_louse.jpg#/media/File:Male_human_head_louse.jpg

1. Lice are spread by head-to-head contact and are much harder to get than a cold, the flu, ear 
infections,pink eye, strep throat or impetigo.

2. Lice do not spread any known disease, nor are they impacted by dirty or clean hygiene. They are just annoying.

3. Head lice need a blood meal every few hours and the warmth of the human scalp to survive.  When off the human body, they cannot survive for more than 24 to 36 hours.

4. Nits are glued to the hair shaft by a cement-like substance and are very hard to remove. When a nymph (baby louse) is hatched, it must quickly have the warmth and food source of a head to survive.

5. The length of a person’s hair does not impact his or her risk of getting head lice. 

6. Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact. The lice do not hop, jump or fly, so sitting near someone with head lice does not increase the risk of getting the lice.

7. Transmissions in schools are rare. It is more common to get head lice from family members, overnight guests and playmates who spend a lot of time together. 

8. Although spread through hats or helmets is possible, it is rare. It is more common for transmission to occur from pillows, hairbrushes or sheets. The most common type of transmission is from head-to-head contact.

9. Having regularly scheduled mass screenings does not reduce the incidence of head lice.

10. Research shows “no-nit” policies do not decrease the number of cases of head lice.  They do increase the risk of incorrect diagnosis of head lice, the number of days children are out of school, and negative social stigma associated with head lice.  They also may hinder academic performance.

11. Studies have shown the removal of nits immediately after treatment with a pediculicide is usually not necessary.

12. Head lice are specific to humans. You can get human lice only from other humans. You cannot give your pets lice.

13. Head lice is also called pediculosis. 

14. Head lice are not a major public health concern because they do not spread illness or disease.  

15. Head lice can be a bother because of the discomfort they can cause and how easily they are spread from person to person.