Health benefits of Kokum can be attributed to its medicinal properties to aid digestion, provide…
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Health benefits of Parsley
Parsley [Scientific name: Petrocelinum Crispum] also known as Persele, it is one of the most widely used herb. The name Parsley is derived from greek word which means ‘rock celery’. This herb with is vibrant taste has amazing medicinal and healing properties. Most popular use of this herb has been for garnishing.
Ancient Greek medicines find use of Parsley. Medicinal use of Parsley is also found in traditional Indian Ayurveda, where it is used in different forms like dried root or essential oil.
Health benefits of Poppy seeds
Health benefits of poppy seeds include its effect on neural systems and brain, treatment of cancer, treatment…
Health benefits of Saffron
Health benefits of saffron includes it properties to treat cancer, improve blood circulation, act as…
Health benefits of Sumac
Health Benefits of Sumac(French: Sumac German: Sumach Italian: Sommacco Spanish: Zumaque Arabic: Sammak):
Scientific Name: Rhus Coriaria
Sumac is native to North America, Iran and Turkey. There is also a poisonous variety of Sumac known commonly as ‘Poison Ivy’. Sumac is used as a substitute for lemon because of its sourness and astringency. Sumac also is used as a substitute for Vinegar.
Health benefits of Vanilla
Vanilla
Scientific Name: Vanilla Fragrans or Vanilla Planifolia
Vanilla follows saffron and cardamom as the most expensive spice. Vanilla is native to Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar and Mexico. Vanilla is one of the most popular flavoring agents for chefs and amateur cooks alike. In fact in the older days Vanilla’s use was only restricted for the royalty because of the pricey nature.
Health benefits of Zedoary
Zedoary (Scientific name: Curcuma Zedoria) is an ancient spice and a close relative of ginger. It is a native of India, China, Nepal and Indonesia. Zeodary was introduced in the west as early as 6th Century by the Arabs. Today, however it is very rare in the West having been replaced by Ginger. Dried Zedoary is ground in a pestle and mortar. The dried rhizomes of Zeodary plant are used as a condiment and in perfumes, medicines and cosmetics. The Zerumbet has been erroneously confused with the round Zedoary.
Health benefits of Vitamin C – Ascorbic acid
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans.
Functions of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen, the connective tissue in skin, ligaments, and bones. Vitamin C speeds the production of new cells in wound healing, protects your immune system, helps you fight off infection, and plays a role in the syntheses of hormones and other body chemicals. The vitamin aids in forming red blood cells and preventing hemorrhaging and bleeding gums.
It maintains the activity of white blood cells which act as bacteria fighters. Vitamin C acts as an inhibitor of histamine, a compound that is released during allergic reactions and reduces the severity of allergic reactions. Vitamin C has shown protective effects against heavy metal exposure, pesticides, and food additives such as nitrates which have been associated with cancer. The vitamin is an antioxidant, protects LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage, supports the immune system, and helps prevent cancer. Recent studies have shown vitamin C affects nitric oxide activity, which is important in the dilation of blood vessels beneficial in preventing artery spasms leading to heart attacks and in lowering blood pressure.
Health benefits of Vitamin E
Chemical name of Vitamin E is tocopherol, derived from toco, meaning related to childbirth.
RDA- 30 IU ; Optimal Intake- 100-300 IU
Vitamin E comprises of family of eight naturally occurring compounds – 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is the only Vitamin E active in human body and the most common form of vitamin E in food. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, absorbed in the presence of bile salts and fat. From the intestine, it is absorbed into the lymph and transported in the bloodstream as tocopherol to the liver where high concentrations are stored. It is also stored in the fatty tissues, heart, muscles, testes, uterus, blood, and adrenal and pituitary glands.
Health benefits of Basil or Tulsi
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) derived its name from from the Greek ‘basiikon phyton’ which means ‘kingly herb’. French consider it royale, while Indians consider Basil sacred and holy. Every Hindu house has plant of Tulsi or Basil shrub and is worshipped.
Basil has refreshing clove like aroma. This aroma is complementary to tomatoes and other vegetables. Hence it is also referred as “Tomato herb”. It is also used in garnishing salads and other foods.Stem and leaves of Basil are known to have health benefits and medicinal use. Basil leaves contains essential oil – estragol, eugenol, lineol, caffine, beta carotene, camphor and Vitamin C. It is rich in vitamins A and C and contains minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and calcium.
Health benefits of Basil are attributed to its properties as antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, insecticide. Health benefits of Basil are summarized below:
Health benefits of Asafoetida
Asofoetida (scientific name Ferula asafoetida) is also known as Asafetida, Assafetida, Assafoetida, Devil’s Dung, Devil’s Durt, Food of the Gods (Persian), Laser (Roman), Stinking Gum, Hing (Hindi). The name is combination of Persian aza (meaning resin) and Latina foetidus (meaning stinking). Asofoetida has been used as a spice in ancient Rome. Although it is not native to India, Asofoetida is widely used in Indian medicines and cookery for ages.
The spice, Asofoetida is hard resinous gum, from sap of roots and stem. The resin is powdered and used. Resin is composed of coumarin. Asofoetida has pungent smell like sulphur, which dissipates on cooking. It adds onion like pleasant flavour to food. Minute quantities of asafoetida is added is added directly to cooking oil or cooking liquid.
Health benefits of Asafoetida can be attributed to its medicinal properties like carminative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and others. Health benefits of Asafoetida are summarized below:
Health Benefits of Amchur
Amchur (Raw Mango powder) or Amchoor is popular spice in Asia. The name comes from Hindi names Aam meaining mango and chur meaning powder. Raw, unripe green mango fruit are sliced and sundried to obtain Amchur. The mango tree, native to South Asia, is of such popularity in India and the Far East. Almost all parts of the tree have some medical use. Use of Amchur has been limited to Indian cookery, where it is used as an acid flavouring ingredient or as a condiment. Amchur adds tanginess to dishes and acts as souring agent. It is particularly useful as an ingredient in marinades, having the same tenderizing qualities as lemon or lime juice.
Raw mango powder or Amchur is acidic, astringent and antiscorbutic in nature. Raw mango powder has high Vitamin A and Vitamin C content, which attributes to some of the health benefits and medical uses of Amchur. Health benefits and medicinal uses of raw mango powder or amchur is summarized as under:
Health benefits of Ajowan or Ajwain Seeds
Ajowan or Ajwain (scientific name Trachyspermum ammi pronounced aj’o-wen) is from same family as caraway or cumin. Ajowan also known as carom / Ajave/ Ethiopian Cumin or Omam, is common spice in Indian cooking.
Ajowan seeds are often chewed on their own after a meal for medicinal value. Ajowan tastes hot and leave tongue numb for a while. Crushed or cooked ajowan leaves strong and distinctive thyme-like aroma. Oil of Ajwain seeds essential contains Thymol. Thymol constitutes more than 50% of Ajowan oil.
Health benefits of Ajowain seeds are known traditionally and it is only because of these health and medicinal benefits of ajowain seeds, it finds its place as home remedies for common ailments. Health benefits of Ajwain seeds and other medicinal uses of Ajwain are summarized below:
Health benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric or Indian Saffron or Curcuma longa is rhizomatous plant native to South Asia including India. Turmeric roots provide one of the best known medicinal spices. Roots of turmeric have been used in as food additive, medicine, cosmetics, and fabric dying for more than 2,000 years in Asia.
Turmeric powder is obtained from boiling Turmeric rhizomes for several hours, subsequently drying and grounding.
What is turmeric composed of? Turmeric contains about 6-7% protein, 4-5% fat, 3-4% minerals, 70% carbohydrate and 10-15% moisture. The essential oil from Turmeric is obtained by steam distillation of rhizomes.
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) (3–4% in Turmeric) is a polyphenol responsible for distinct yellow colour and many of its medicinal properties.
Health benefits and uses of Turmeric
Turmeric has been used since ancient times for treatment of variety of ailments. Turmeric is best recognized as anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, and antiseptic. Turmeric leaf oil and turmeric extract can also be used as sunscreens and bio-pesticides.
Health Benefits of Royal Jelly
What is Royal Jelly? Royal Jelly is sticky jelly like liquid, produced in hypopharyngeal glands, in head of worker honey bees. Royal Jelly is used to feed adult queen honey bee and larvae.
What is royal about Bee Royal Jelly? When bees want a new queen, they choose larvae and feed them with abundant amount of royal jelly in specially constructed queen cells. This natural royal jelly stimulates development of queen morphology in the selected larvae, including the fully developed ovaries needed to lay eggs. With the effect of bee royal jelly, the queen bee lives 3-5 years and shows high fertility. Without sufficient bee royal jelly other larvae become worker bees. Royal Jelly is the queen’s royal diet, which make it superior to other honey bees.
Other names for Royal Jelly are Apilak, Gelee Royale, RJ and Queen Bee Jelly