TURMERIC - The Natural Indian Antiseptic

In my previous post we discussed about the valuable medicinal effects of BITTER GOURD. Now it is about a well-known spice called TURMERIC.

Turmeric is one of the nature’s gifts for us.

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Indian Subcontinent. It is a root product like ginger.

It is used right from the ancient times in India as well as in many other countries. Most Indians cannot think of a day without this herb in our cooking. 

  

Photo Author: Thamizhpparithi Maari

The main active ingredient in this herb is CURCUMIN. This CURCUMIN has got many medicinal properties. This will help to treat many diseases including Cancer, Allergies, Arthritis, and Common cold etc. Turmeric is used in various forms in traditional medicines in Siddha, Ayurveda etc.,

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent can be used for cuts, burns. It can be applied on burns and cuts and help in curing them. Due to these properties turmeric is used in many beauty products.

This valuable spice contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat cancers and helps in prevention of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Do you know turmeric can be used to prevent PROSTATE CANCER? A study revealed the concentrated sources of the phytonutrient curcumin can help in preventing prostate tumour growth cells and also may stop existing prostate cancer.

Important note for young ladies - if you are having trouble with acne, turmeric is the best remedy. It is harmless and gives great results. Mix the turmeric powder with sandal wood powder with little water and apply on the affected parts of the face, as a regular basis for some time. It will definitely reduce the appearance of acne. It is a cheaper, Natural and effective remedy for this kind of problems.

Turmeric is widely used in powder form. For many years turmeric powder is used in our kitchen for preparing many dishes.  

Hot milk with few pinches of turmeric powder will help to cure “throat infection” and “gum infection”. By knowing its valuable medicinal properties turmeric (Manjal in Tamil), is considered auspicious in India and is used widely in our most religious ceremonies, especially in weddings and other religious functions.

I have given some information about this valuable herb. You may know more about this yellow herb if so feel free to give your comments.

Here is one valuable tip: Are you suffering from nose block due to cold? Turmeric can be used as a natural inhaler. Just select a turmeric longer in size, by holding one end,  heat the other end on candle flame or lamp flame till you get smoke from the turmeric, then inhale the smoke for few seconds repeat for two or three times. Definitely you will be relieved from the nose block and cold. This one of our grandmas’ easy and effective remedy.

Will meet you with another natural herb through next post

BITTER GOURD OR BITTER MELON – Bitter but effective Diabetes Medicine.

I have explained about the benefits of Onion in my previous post. Now I will give some usages of another anti-diabetic natural vegetable namely BITTER GOURD. It is also known as Bitter Melon or Bitter Squash. It resembles cucumber with bumpy skin. See the pictures below

Chinese Variety

Subcontinent Variety Author: FlyingToaster

Bitter Gourd contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium etc., with high dietary fibre. This vegetable possesses significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is said to contain every antiviral properties and to stimulate the immune system. 

Bitter Gourd contains very low calories – e.g. just about 17 calories in 100 gms.

Bitter Gourd has been used in various medicine systems for quite a long time. It is very effective in helping type II diabetic patients since it contains medicinal property of POLYPEPTIDE-P or P-Insulin which helps to lower blood sugar levels. It plays an important role in Glycaemic control. It is learnt that regular intake of bitter Gourd along with food could help to control diabetes effectively. You can read much more about Bitter Guords' anti-diabetic properties in this article here.

Compounds present in this vegetable may help in treating HIV infection. Since it has got anti-malarial properties, it is used to prevent malaria.

Bitter Melon is an excellent source of vitamin C which serves as powerful antioxidant. This bitter Gourd is very useful for easy digestion and for easy bowls movements there preventing constipation. Bitter melon’s extracts will help in preventing cancers due to its anticancer properties.

With so many healing properties – there is even a website about Bitter Melon started by a few enthusiasts. Check out the health articles here - http://bittermelon.org/heal/healthbenefits

Bitter Gourd can be taken as juice with water. You can use 10 gms of bitter melon juice twice daily with water for two or three months can help even to eliminate sugar problems.

In India this vegetable is very common part of the diet and people are getting its medicinal benefits. And this vegetable is widely used in Indian traditional medicines especially for treating type II diabetes.

My advice is diabetic patients to take bitter gourd in any form with their meals so that it will help to reduce the blood glucose levels.

ONION – Simple plant with lot of health benefits

In my previous posts we saw about the Natural properties of Garlic that help our Blood systems & whether Garlic helps diabetes patients.

Now, after a small break, in this post let us see about another plant similar to garlic, that is ONION. Both onion and garlic are members of the allium family and are sometimes called allium vegetables. The word onion comes from the Latin word called "Unio" which means single or one and used to refer unity.

Onions are native to Asia and middle-east and also in Egypt.

© User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

In India onions have an important place in everyone’s kitchen to prepare tasty dishes. There are many varieties in onions like white, red in colours and small and big in sizes. See the picture for some colourful Onions.

Does onion brings tears - How and Why? Is it because of its High price? Ha Ha..! 

Answer for this million dollar question is the gases that are releasing while cutting the onions reach with our eyes and mixing with the water in the eyes creating some sulphuric acid which irritates the eyes. 

Although there is no foolproof way of avoiding these tears, a few successful trials include rinsing the onions in cold water before cutting, or chewing something while cutting the onions.

The phytochemicals (Set of compounds produced by plants that may affect human health) in the onions, called flavoniods, are considered an anti-oxidant, hence it helps to improve our immunity system.

Since onion contains chromium which helps to regulate blood sugar. Onion helps to reduce inflammation and heal the infections. Raw Onions have got medicinal properties which help the production of good cholesterol that is HDL.

Onions are also used to protect against some forms of cancers and heart diseases because of its medical properties called QUERCETIN. Onions can be taken even in boiled form. When they are boiled the property of QUERCETIN does not get degraded. Check out the article regarding phytochemicals and plant compounds that help Human health.

My suggestion is eat, raw onion slices mixed with other vegetables with few lemon pieces. Or take some raw slices; add some lemon drops, salt and pepper. Onions can be taken with rice also. I need not explain much about how the onions are used in our kitchen because it is one among our regular routine usages.

I have given some information and usages of Onion, if you have anything more to add please share here.