Sassafras is native to North America. For centuries the Sassafras tree was sought out as a tree of high profit. The essential oil (Safrole) is obtained from Sassafras. Sassafras tea is made from the bark of the Sassafras tree.
Sassafras is native to North America. For centuries the Sassafras tree was sought out as a tree of high profit. The essential oil (Safrole) is obtained from Sassafras. Sassafras tea is made from the bark of the Sassafras tree.
Honey, because of its health benefits, has been used for various medicine purposes since ancient times. In Greek mythology honey was known as “Food of the Gods”. Indigenous Maoris of New Zealand have been utilizing health benefits of Manuka honey for medical use. It is now that scientists established health and medical benefits and antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey.
Manuka Honey is monofloral honey that is derived from the nectar of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) indigenous to New Zealand.
All honey has anti bacterial properties. Honey when used on infected wound, have ability to absorb moisture from bacteria. Also most honey produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide which is natural antiseptic. Manuka Honey apart from producing low levels of hydrogen peroxide also contains manuka flora compoents which provide it unique anti bacterial property. This non peroxide anti microbial property of manuka honey is due to combined action of methylglyoxal and an unidentified synergistic component.
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.
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.
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.
Vitamin B3 or Niacin is one name for a pair of naturally occurring nutrients, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. It is one of the most stable Vitamin B. Niacin is essential for proper growth, and like other B vitamins. This water soluble vitamin plays important role in metabolism and nervous system.
Good sources of Vitamin B3 are beets, brewer’s yeast, beef liver, beef kidney, fish, salmon, swordfish, tuna, mushroom, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Foods which contain tryptophan which from which niacin can be synthesized in body include poultry, red meat, eggs, and dairy products. Vitamin B3 is available in several different supplement forms as a tablet or capsule.
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin, water soluble vitamin plays important role in metabolism and nervous system. Riboflavin, the second B vitamin to be identified, was once called Vitamin G. Its present name is derivative of its chemical structure, a carbon hydrogen oxygen skeleton that includes a sugar, ribitol attached to a flavonoid, substance from plants containing pigment called flavone.
Like Thiamine, riboflavin acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism. Without riboflavin, our body would not be able to digest protein and carbohydrate.Riboflavin is a constituent of enzymes involved in cell respiration. It is also necessary for the maintenance of good vision and healthy skin. The vitamin helps convert carbohydrates to ATP, the energy fuel. It has a yellow pigment and colors the urine.
Like Vitamin A, it protects the health of mucous membranes of body – the moist tissue that lines eyes, mouth, nose, throat, vagina and rectum. Vitamin B2 is helpful in maintaining good vision and healthy hair, skin and nails and it is necessary for normal cell growth.
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans.
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.
Several forms (vitamers) of vitamin D have been discovered. The two major forms are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. These are known collectively as calciferol.
Adequate intake levels of vitamin D have been established by the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies. These intake levels are based only on age (i.e., they are the same regardless of weight, gender, pregnancy, or lactation) – Birth to 50 years, 5 µg (200 IU); 51–70 years, 10 µg (400 IU); 71+ years, 15 µg (600 IU). These intake levels are based on the assumption that the vitamin is not synthesized by exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D from food is absorbed from the upper part of small intestine along with dietary fat and transported to liver. In skin ultra violet radiation from Sun converts cholesterol derivative to cholecalciferol which is transported to Liver, where it is converted to calcidiol, which is convereted into Vitamin D in kidneys.
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:
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:
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:
Cumin Seeds (scientific name is Cuminum cyminum) is globally popular as spice and used widely due to its distinctive aroma. It is extensively used in Indian Subcontinent and some other Asian, African and Latin American countries, as a condiment or spice.
Apart from the distinctive aroma, Cumin seeds have high nutrition value. They are a rich source of Iron and Manganese, which are essential for vital functions of human body. 10 gram of Cumin seeds provide around 50% of daily dietary requirement of Iron. Cumin seeds also contain minerals such as Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc and others.
Helps in Digestion: Traditionally, Cumin seeds are known to be of benefit to digestive system. Cumin seeds, contain aromatic organic substance called Cuminaldehyde, which stimulates salivation and thus facilitate primary digestion. According to scientific research, cumin seeds may stimulate secretion of enzymes from Pancreas, which are necessary for assimilation of nutrients from food during digestion.
Proteins make up most of the body weight after water. Proteins are required for growth and development of all body tissues. They are the major source of building material for muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and internal organs, including the heart and brain. Protein is needed for the formation of hormones which control a variety of body functions such as growth, sexual development, and rate of metabolism. Protein also helps prevent the blood and tissues from becoming either too acid or too alkaline and helps regulate the body’s water balance.
Proteins are more complex than carbohydrates or fats. When a protein food is ingested, the body breaks it down into amino acids. Ribosomes in each cell receive coded messages from DNA in the cell nucleus on how to put these amino acids together in chains. There are 20 amino acids and they can be combined in numerous ways, like the letters in the alphabet. When a protein chain is finished, its chemical, electrical, and sequential (the sequence of amino acids) characteristics result in a unique coiled three-dimensional shape which is important because the shape alone enables the protein to perform a specific function.
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.
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.