Benefits of Radish - Di-uretic,helps Blood Pressure and other benefits.

Radish is also one of the root vegetables. Originally it was cultivated in Europe and china. Now it becomes a common vegetable being consumed around the world because this root vegetable is quick in growing and contains many health benefits.

Radishes are extremely low in calories and also fat free. 

Bunch of Radishes

A cup of radish slices contains only 19 calories. Even the leaves of this root vegetable can be used in cooking as well as in medicine. Radish contains fiber, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, and other B complex vitamins.

A Cup of thin sliced radish can be eaten raw or can be cooked. Before using it should be washed well and should be peeled.

Radish helps in purifying blood. It can be used to treat kidney and urinary problem. It is one among our grandma’s remedies.  This is a wonderful remedy to treat some Urinary problems and also it helps to cleanse kidney.

All of us know the varieties of this root vegetable are white and red in colours. There are red cells in RED RADISHES which help to cancer cells in our body it is proved by a study conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru technical university that these red cells contain the medicinal property called isothiocyanates and anthocyanin helps fight against cancer cells. The fiber content in the red radish is also very helpful in preventing cancer. Check out the link to the study papers. Check out the Chapter pdfs regarding Radish’s benefits.

Further this root vegetable contains many vitamins and minerals which help to maintain cardiovascular functions and also maintain lower cholesterol levels. The fibre content in this root vegetable helps to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Radish can be a part any weight loss diet. The water and fibre content creates a full feeling, thereby helping in weight loss. Further it is in low calories. No Wonder it helps in fighting constipation problems because of high fibre content which helps to clear the food stuck in colon and also helps facilitate the secretion of bile.

It can be used to fight against cold and cough. The anti-congestive properties help in clearing the mucus formed in the throat. It also helps to keep the immune system in our body. In the cases of SINUS infection or asthma, these radishes are acting as natural de-congestants.

After knowing the number of health benefits of this root vegetable, I hope you may definitely add this vegetable in your daily dishes frequently.

What is A C V – Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider
Vinegar

We have seen many remedies for our health benefits in our posts. There is another remedy called APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Some of you would have heard of this drink/tonic or even would have used this drink for home uses or for cooking. It is being observed that many people are turned to this A C V. Why? Because they know the health benefits of A C V.  What is this A C V and what are all its health benefits? Let us see in this post. Ok?

Benefits of this are plenty. This product A V C is also known as CIDER VINEGAR. This drink is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple must. The main ingredient in A V C is acetic acid. It also contains other acids like vitamins, minerals, salts and amino acids.

A C V will help to fight Heart problems, High cholesterol, Diabetes and is also said to help in fighting Cancer. Amino acids help to break down the protein blocks arising from the food we eat, so that amino acids are free to fuel different processes in the body. One hormone that is particularly important for weight loss is growth hormone. This hormone is instrumental in the breakdown of fat cells. The acid in the A CV helps to increase the availability of amino acids to create more growth hormones.

A C V is high in pectin. If you drink a glass of water with one or two teaspoons of A V C before your meals, the insoluble fibre will make you feel full and you will eat less food.

The acid contains in A V C helps to release iron from the food we take, so that iron can be used throughout our body. This process is very important because iron is a key component of haemoglobin and myoglobin. These two properties are responsible to carry oxygen to the cells throughout our body. Iron also gives the ability to burn calories in the body. This way ACV is very helpful in Weight loss.

Other health benefits are: A V C can be used to clear the stuffy nose. Mix a teaspoon of A C V in a glass of water and drink it fully. This will help to clear sinus blockage.

To treat sore throat, Just take ¼ cup of warm water and one spoon of A C V, mix well and gargle every one or two hrs.

The amino acid contained in the A C V acts as antidote and it contains potassium, and enzymes that may relieve the tired feeling. A table spoon of A C V with a glass of chilled veg soup will help to get relief from exhaustion.

By gargling with A C V mixed with water will help in removing stains and whiten the teeth and also help to kill the bacteria in the mouth. Don’t forget to brush as usual after gargle.

A study reveals vinegar slows the rise of blood sugar levels after consumption of meals and when taken at bedtime it helps to lower sugar levels.

Unfiltered & Natural
ACV

A C V is available in most of the departmental stores in India. Look for the import and expiry dates as many are imported.  The best one to buy is “Natural and unfiltered one” – Check out a sample from one company here.

Note: Be careful about the concentration. ACV is Acidic in Nature.  Do not take A C V as it is. Based on the concentration. It should always be diluted with water (2 spoons in one glass of water etc) before consuming otherwise it can harm the tooth enamel and cause throat trouble. Take two spoons of ACV in diluted water a day. Not more.

Green Peas - Tiny Vegetable with Big health benefits!

In our previous post we discussed about a very common and useful Ayurveda medicine Tri-Phala (Three fruits). 

Photo by Bill Ebbesen

In this post we will see the health benefits of GREEN PEAS vegetable.

These starchy and sweet green peas or garden peas has been in use in various part of the world - mainly in Egypt, and Mediterranean countries like Greece etc. In India, it originated in the sub Himalayan plains of north-west India and is now grown in Gangetic plains and in south india.

PEAS are really powerhouses of nutrition that are natural boon to our health.

They contain many Nutrients - Carbohydrates, Dietary fibers, sugars, Vitamins - C, B6, B12, A, Folic Acid, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Amino acids.... Phew!!! It is very surprising, isn't it? How a small pea can contain so many minerals. You may doubt me. Please check this link from the US Department of Agriculture for more details.

Photo by AndrewMT

Peas also contain antioxidants and are low in calories. 100gms of green peas contain 81 calories with no cholesterol. It reduces L D L and increases H D L cholesterol levels. Due to such good benefits, Peas is grown in many parts of the world today. Check out the green spots in the map to see where it is grown.

These green vegetable contain phytosterols which help lower cholesterol level in the body. It contains vitamin K thereby help to keep our bones healthy. One cup of peas contains 44 % of vitamin K which helps to anchor calcium inside bones. Vitamin B also helps to prevent osteoporosis.

Peas may also help to treat wrinkles, bronchitis and the fiber content in the peas improves bowel movement. It also contains essential B complex vitamins such as pantothenic acid, niacin, thamine, pyridoxine and many more. Further it contains many minerals, like calcium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese etc.

A study conducted in Mexico City reveals one needs only 2 milligrams of peas per day to help in preventing stomach cancer. Also it is helping in anti-ageing and for strong immune system with high energy.

Peas contain strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also contains OMEGA 3 fat in the form of alpha LINOLENIC-ACID (ALA).

Further peas also will help for blood sugar regulation. Since it contains high fiber and, it may help to slow down the blood sugar levels. The anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may help to prevent or even help to reverse insulin resistance.

Now I hope you may understand the benefits of this greenish vegetable. It can be used in many ways in our kitchen.

Here is one simple way to eat: Boil a cup of peas with required quantity of water and add a pinch of salt and pepper to it and it can be consumed as it is.

Let me know your comments on this article and any information you have about green peas and its benefits also.

Wonder medicine Triphala - To help Diabetes, Blood pressure, Urinary problems etc.

Dear friends,

So far we have seen about many medicinal plants and herbs for treating Type II Diabetes, Heart problems, Blood Pressure and other diseases. Check out the posts to select the herbs or plants according to the condition of your illness. Even you can take one or two of these natural healthy products each day, it will be good for your overall health. Further, these natural products have very limited or no side effects.

One more natural medicine for treating Type II Diabetes is none other than TRIPHALA.  In one of my earlier posts regarding cure for constipation I have suggested about this Triphala and also mentioned that, we will discuss about the other medicinal benefits of this medicine in our later posts. (Just a note, here are my many posts regarding constipation)

Now let us see the other benefits of this Triphala. This medicine is available in tablets and in powder forms and available at Traditional Indian medical stores such as Ayurveda and Siddha etc.,

Three fruits of Triphala

The word TRI-PHALA means "Three Fruits". It is an Ayurvedic medicine consisting of equal parts of 3 fruits namely AMLA (Nellikkai), BAHERA (Thanikai) and HARADE (Kadukai). Names of these herbal fruits may differ from place to place. 

In the picture, you will find AMLA on the outermost circle, Bahera on the middle circle and Harade (Kadukkai) on the innermost circle.

These three fruits are having many medicinal properties that help to cure/prevent many illnesses.

These three herbal fruits in Triphala help for smooth functioning of bowel system and relieve constipation.

The other benefits are, it helps internal purification, improves Digestion, reduces Serum Cholesterol. This Indian medicine contains 31% of linoleic acid which reduces high blood sugar and improves liver function.  It is good for nutritional as well as blood and liver cleansing actions. It has got anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Triphala can also be used for eye disease.

And also this medicine prevents urinary track disease. How? The urinary system in particular is supported by Amalaki (amla or nellikkai). This fruit is helpful in treating symptoms such as a mild burning sensation while urinating. And also acts as a mild diuretic, helping the body by eliminating excess water in natural way. This kind of action is very helpful in purifying the urine toxins.

The medicinal properties of HARITAKI (Harade or Kadukai) helps to enhance the absorption of nutrients in food and also acts as a cardio preventive by helping to promote heart health.

The other fruit contained triphala is BIBHITAKI (Thanikai).  It helps by creating balance and pure blood in nourishing the eyes and also strengthening the root of the hair.

I have given only few benefits of this wonder drug as an introduction. Here is the wikipedia link about Triphala.  

If you have any comments or if you have got benefits from this medicine, request you to please add your comments.