Health benefits of grapes - For Heart, Metabolism and immunity

Hello friends, My blog is one year old baby now. Your response is much encouraging and gives me a moral booster to continue writing about various subjects in this blog.

In our last three previous posts we have discussed about the health benefits of Water melon, Drumstick (Moringa), Coconut water. 

Fresh brown grapes

Now let us discuss about GRAPES, its health benefits and usages. 

Grapes are non-climatic type plants. Grapes are one of the most liked fruits in the world. 

Grapes are available in different varieties and in different colours according the cultivation and nature of fields in which they are cultivated. Mostly they are available in red, green, black and purple colours.

Grapes in a farm fence

It is learnt that grapes were cultivated first in the middle- east. Grape is considered a berry. Grapes are in different in tastes according to the varieties.

Studies reveal that grapes will help in prevention of cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and constipation etc. They are high in water content and good for hydration.

Green grapes

How do Grapes help in cancer treatment? Grapes contain powerful antioxidants known as POLYPHENOLS which can slow/prevent many types of cancer cells including prostate and colon cancers. You can learn more about PolyPhenols and their health benefits in the www.grapescience.com website.

The appearance of flavonoid quercetin which is a natural anti-inflammatory may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (A disease of heart involving hardening of arteries due to Plaque or Plak buildup) . The high content of polyphenol in grapes may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorder by preventing artery wall build ups and reducing blood pressure via anti-inflammatory mechanism.

The fiber and potassium present in the grapes are also support to heart health. High potassium in take may reduce risk of stroke, increase bone strength and help reduce the formation of Kidney stones.

How grapes help to treat constipation? Eating of grapes will help to have free bowel movements there by it will prevent constipation.

Studies reveal that grapes can help to control diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy.

Few more important benefits of grapes are:

• Better blood sugar regulation including high blood pressure 
• Better total cholesterol regulation reducing LDL cholesterol levels
• Better inflammatory regulation in the blood
• Increase levels of glutathione (is produced in human liver and is important for metabolism, immunity and health) in the blood.

Grapes can be eaten as raw or can be enjoyed as juice. They is widely used for making different varieties of wines, jams, and jelly etc.,  For more interesting information and facts on grapes, check out Wikipedia page on grape

I hope by knowing the above usages and medicinal properties of this wonder grapes, all of us should have a bit of grapes in our weekly diet.  

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.

Papaya fruit - Full of Vitamins and Minerals

In continuation of the several natural remedies discussed in previous posts for diabetes, here is another fruit PAPAYA which contains anti-diabetic properties which are very helpful for diabetic patients specially those suffering from type II diabetes.

Most Naturopathy, Homeopathic, even Allopathic doctors are recommending this fruit for diabetic patients. This beneficial fruit contains many properties and can be used to treat many problems.

Papaya Tree

Let us see Papaya’s origin. It is native to tropical regions of America and cultivated in southern Mexico. Now it is cultivated in the other parts of the world including India. 

Papaya is melon like fruit with yellow-orange flesh; it contains large part of water.  

This is a very easy tree to grow in your home backyard. Just plant a few seeds of a ripe papaya and you will get a tree and fruits very quickly.

Papaya contains many medicinal properties - Anti-oxidants, Vitamin B, vitamin C, Pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5, minerals like Potassium, Magnesium, Fibre,  Folic acid etc. These promote the health of cardio-vascular system and provide protection against cancer.

Because Papaya contains vitamin A and C, it helps body’s immune system. The vitamin A which helps to prevent constipation, helps to maintain healthy mucus membranes and helps for the eye sight and to the skin.

Papaya contains papain enzyme which helps to lower inflammation in the body thereby healing wounds and burns. This enzyme helps to digest proteins by breaking the proteins thus helping to improve digestion and also cleansing the digestive track. If proteins are not digested it may cause Arthritis, Constipation, Diabetes, High blood pressure and other related problems

This fruit plays major role in preventing colon cancer since it contains fiber. Fiber does not allow the cancer cells to grow. 

Ripe Papaya fruit and seeds

Papaya is very low in calories say just 39/100 gm and contains no cholesterol. It contains soft and easily digestive flesh with good amount of soluble dietary fiber.  

Raw papaya has higher concentration of nutritional elements than ripe one. Its seeds and leaves also have medicinal effects. The seeds are very effective remedy for stomach problems, ring worm etc.

Papaya is also rich in many essential B complex vitamins like folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), thiamine (B1).These properties play vital role in metabolism.

This sweet fruit also contains good amount of potassium (257/mg per 100 g) and calcium. These properties are helping in controlling heart and blood pressure problems by countering effects of sodium.

Papaya is very useful for motion sickness. The medicinal property called Folate with vitamin C and E helps in various ailments

How to use: Unripe raw papaya can be used in cooking like other vegetables. Remove the skin with the help of peeler knife and remove the seeds then you can use it as you like. Some tips are given below.

Ripe papaya can be taken as it is after peeling, or with few drops of lemon, it can also be taken as juice and small pieces can be added in the fruit salad.

One important information: After the details study which reveals that the juice from the leaves of this plants is well aiding to cure DENGUE fever, Tamil Nadu State Government is promoting this herb at all government hospitals in the state. The juice obtained from these leaves increases the platelet counts the patients affected by dengue fever. Check out the related news link here

I have given the medicinal benefits of this wonder fruit and the usages. I suggest every one of us can take this fruit in any form at least once a week to get its benefits. Do let me know your valuable feedback or comments

you can give your comments or for any questions you can write in the comments so that others also may know about it and will bebenefited thanks

Health benefits of Lemon

Before discussing about Lemon, let us see what is Naturopathy? Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on natural remedies to stimulate and support the body’s own healing. Naturopathy follows and utilizes the healing power of nature.

In my previous posts I have given views about Honey, Sunflower seeds, Insulin plant, Turmeric etc., Now I would like to share views about the medicinal benefits of the small yellow fruit - Lemon. This beautiful yellow fruit is smallest among other citrus fruits and contains more health benefits.

This small ball shaped yellow juicy fruit is native to Asia

Photo Author: Elena Chochkova

and has been used in cooking and also for medicines for several years in almost all the countries. Lemon contains 5 to 6 per cent of citric acid. This acid naturally helps for easy digestion and is one of the reasons that Lemon is used in Indian traditional medicines.

Lemon contains most of the vitamins and minerals. It has got wonderful healing power. It has got rich vitamins like Vitamins A,B, C and B1 and also some iron, calcium, potassium etc., it is low in calories say 29 per 100 grams. Lemon is rich in dietary fiber and is also one of the very low glycaemic fruit

Medicinal Benefits

Accumulated toxins can be flushed out if we use lemon. It is considered as a Detoxification. Lemon juice is an excellent natural hair cooler. Juice of this fruit is used to treat disorders of throat and to prevent common cold and fever because it contains vitamin C.

By consuming lemon the immune system of body is boosted. Since it contains vitamin C, it enables to improve body’s resistance at all levels. Lemon acts as a tonic for liver and pancreas. This juice will improve appetite. It is an excellent remedy for Flu.

Drinking lemon juice is the remedy for rheumatic fever with pain in joints. Lemon tea will relieve head aches and heartburns also. As is commonly known, it is a wonderful simple remedy for nausea, vomiting and travel sickness.

Elderly people require more vitamin C than youngsters. Since lemon contains vitamin C it helps to strengthen the capillaries in certain vascular diseases. Lemon is used to relieve from constipation also.

Since lemon contains potassium which helps to control blood pressure. Lemon helps to control heart rate also.

Even for Uninary related infections and problems, lemon can be used. Lemon is a diuretic which prevents accumulation of fluids in the body. Its antibacterial property helps in reducing urinary infections.

Check out the Nutritional values of Lemon in this wiki page here.

If you are having acidity problems consult your doctor and before using Lemon regularly.  

Let me know your feedback about this topic. I will cover the usage of Lemon in next post.  

CARBO VEGETABILIS (vegetable charcoal)

CARBO VEGETABILIS (Carbo Veg or vegetable charcoal) is a medicine for boosting energy in the case of old people and it will give good stamina. It may be called as an energy booster.

It is prepared by using charcoal. To prepare this medicine charcoal is powdered and subsequently triturated with lactose sugar. The result is a mother tincture of CARBO VEG. (which does not retain any trace of the material since it is so diluted).

The indications to use this medicine are

Head pain with fully sensitive to the pressure of hat and the sensation remains even after the hat is removed from the head and feeling as if bound up with a cloth.

Gums painfully sensitive while chewing

Feeling of the burning sensation in the chest with soreness.

In throat, suffering from Ulcer, Sensation of burning in the mouth and the same is extending to stomach

This is an excellent remedy for the old people who are suffering from Indigestion, Gastric problems, Constipation and loss of Appetite, Stomach Ulcers etc.

It is required for the people who possess very little physical energy. It can also work well in the case of Headache, Fatigue etc.

So CARBO VEG can be used for Gastro intestinal disorders and for stomach Acidity. Don’t forget that it is an energy booster. 

Dosage: Adults..4……4…..4 and for children 2….2….2 and will work with 3^rd to 30^th potency

BRYONIA ALBA (BRY) for Glaucoma, Constipation and pains

Bryonia Alba is prepared from the root of herb called bryony. This drug is mainly used to cure coughs, terrible head ache, flu etc.,

The other indications are:

Feeling pain in every muscle and Stitching pain in chest greatly aggravated by any motion, and Swellings, Rheumatic pains.

In the case of head the symptoms are Vertigo, Nausea, Fainting sensation on raising, Head ache with pain in eye balls and the pain getting worse on motion.

In case of Eyes, BRY can be used when eyes are Feeling pressing, crushing pain. It will also work well to cure GLAUCOMA.

In throat, BRY will be helpful to cure Dryness in throat, Stitching pain while swallowing, and Feeling too thirsty.

In case of Constipation when stools found hard and dry BRY can be used to cure those problems and help to pass free motion.

In the heart and chest when indications of stitches in cardiac region with breathing difficulty with ANGINA PECTORIS this remedy can be used to cure those problems. For this case, it should be used in tincture form. 10 to 15 drops mixed with 50ml water twice a day for ten days

Further this medicine can be used to cure acute gastroenteritis. It will also relieve pains associated with arthritis.

Dosage: Adult dosage is 4….4….4. For children 2….2….2 for a week or ten 

days. It will work with 6th to 200th potency

Alumina - Frequent urination, Constipation in elderly

Alumina is a medicine for constipation for the elderly.  It is a good medicine for staggering or the characteristic constipation. Elderly people may often find it difficult to pass even soft stool. If they use this medicine it is easy for them to get relief from constipation.

Another problem with the elderly is frequent urination especially during night. And they may find difficulty in starting before urination. This ALUMINA will solve frequent desire to pass urine

Other indications for which this medicine can be used: Sore throat, food cannot pass as if plug in the throat, Very hard, dry, knotty stools, burning in the anus, itching in the rectum .

Please note ALUMINA can work for even spinal degeneration, paralysis of lower limbs, Numbness feeling in the Heels, Tender and soft soles. It is a medicine for brittle nails also

So you can see how this wonderful medicine acts and solves many problems of the senior citizens and others also. 

Don’t forget that the two siddha and ayurvedic medicines called TRIPHALA and KAYUM CHURNAM can also be used for constipation. Please refer previous post CONSTIPATION.

This Alumina remedy will work well with 3rd to 200 potencies. Dosage 4----4---4 for children 2---2---2

ALUMINA is one of the fine homeopathic remedy for elderly especially for constipation and desire to pass frequent urination, Numbness in heels, Tender and soft soles

Next post will tell about ARSANICUM ALBUM

Anal Fissure

First let us see the differences among piles, fissure and fistula. All the three kinds of problems will be in anus and rectum.

Piles is indicated by pain or painless bleeding due to swelling of blood vessels in the anal canal

Fissure with skin tags leading to painful bleeding due to a small cut or scar at the anal margin.

Fistulas are abnormal small openings next to anus from where anal discharge is occurring.

About Piles we had seen in the previous post here. Now let us take FISSURE

A Fissure is a small tear or cut of the skin just inside of anus. This may be painful when passing stools. Bleeding may also appear. If you treat this early it can be cured easily. Ayurveda, siddha medicines are available. if you don’t treat it at early stages, it will become chronic because blood supply will be reduced to the affected part of the anus due to tightening the anus muscles.

The main reason for fissure is constipation. Because of very hard stools to pass through the anus, muscles are pressed heavily resulting in a tear of the skin at the anal opening. So if there is no constipation this kind of trouble won’t arise normally. A healthy person have to pass motion freely twice daily that is once in the morning then in the evening or at night. In that case there is very low  chance for piles, fissure or fistula problems.  Always prevention is better than cure.

Treatments for Fissure are available at Ayurveda or siddha centres.  Take treatment at early stages. The ointment by name HADENSA will help to heal and will also reduce the bleeding, pain and itching etc and also PILEX a product from Himalaya drug company (refer  www.himalayahealthcare.com ).

Precautions and diets are the same as mentioned in my previous post for piles

Next topic will be about FISTULA

Piles

A sizeable number of people are suffering from piles or haemorrhoids (medical name). Actually piles are due to swelling of veins in and around the rectum.

There are two types of piles - internal piles and external piles. Internal piles refers to swelling located inside the anal passage and cannot be seen but can be sensed (Felt). In external piles swelling is visible.

Symptoms for piles:

·         Blood from the anus

·         A lump on the anus

·         Pain and discomfort after passed bowels

·         Discharge of mucus which may leave the area itchy

·         Feeling that bowels have not finished completely

·         Itching pain in the anus

Constipation and piles are like twins. Main reason for piles is constipation. If you are free from constipation your chances of being hit by piles is lesser (check the post on Constipation here for a few tips regarding the same)

Remedies for Piles:  

First you should be under diet control. Avoid chillies, tamarind, pickles. Use plenty of greens and fibre vegetable. Use ghee, avoid masala products, fast food, and at night take one banana, drink plenty of water. Don’t sit for a long time continuously.

Ayurveda and siddha medicines are available and can cure both the internal and external piles.

Another easy treatment is called as rubber band treatment or rubber band ligation (refer wikipedia page here). In this case rubber band is used to cut the blood supply to the piles. This can be done at any major hospital as outpatient. It is painless and easy procedure.  After the piles shrinks the rubber band will pass through stools.  

Another fine remedy is PILEX. It is also as in ointment form and tablets. It is from Himalaya drug company. It has no side effects and is an Ayurveda medicine link http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/products/pharmaceuticals/pilex-tablet-ointment.htm

One ointment called HADENSA is also present and is effective. It is a good medicine to heal and shrink the piles. It will also help for easy bowels movement.  It should be used after each bowel and also at night before bedtime.

Don’t forget. Main reason for piles is constipation. So watch the symptoms and take treatment at the early stage itself. In case of chronic it can be cured only by surgery

Next we will see about fissure and fistula in anus in short form

Siddha, Ayurvedic and home remedies for Constipation

Before embarking on details of  named homeopathy basic medicines one by one, we now discuss some very troublesome and painful conditions called CONSTIPATION and PILES. First let us see about constipation. Many people are suffering from constipation.

Reasons for constipation are many: It may be due to sitting for a long time, sitting on resin material, travelling without break , smoking, alcohol, fast food, or due to side effects of some medicines etc.,

There is a very fine remedy in siddha and Ayurveda medicines with no side effects and easy to follow.  The name of medicine is TRIPHALA CHURNAM OR TABLETS.

If you prefer powders, consider TRIPHALA churnam (powder) take one teaspoon with hot water in empty stomach before breakfast and at bedtime. If you prefer tablets, take 2 tablets with hot water in empty stomach in the morning and 2 tabs at bedtime with hot water. Definitely you will find relief. You can take TRIPHALA medicines every day, no harm.  This TRIPHALA medicine has many other medical properties. That we will see in our later posts.

In my experience I am using this medicine since ten years and avoiding constipation. A healthy person has to pass motion freely twice a day. That is in the morning and in the evening. In that case   there won’t be constipation trouble. And no medicine is required

There is another siddha medicine called KAYAM CHURNA.  It is also very effective medicine for CONSTIPATION. Take one teaspoon powder with hot water ONLY at BEDTIME. Morning you will have free motion. Better not to exceed the dosage. If you find loose motion reduce the dosage. Link www.kayamchurna.com

So try any one of these two siddha medicines to avoid constipation problem. These medicines are available in Ayurveda medical shops.

Prevention: Prevention is anytime better than cure. To prevent constipation, take plenty of water; avoid smoking completely, also alcohol. Don’t sit continuously more than one hour. Better avoid non-veg, take greens, fibre contained vegetables and take one ripped banana at night which will help for easy bowel movement in the morning

There are medicines for constipation in homeopathy also that I will take up later. One Simple Home remedy in case of constipation is to take a teaspoon of castor oil with warm milk at bed time. This is our grandma’s treatment. It will work wonderfully. Can use whenever you feel problem is severe.

Anyhow constipation is a severe one; if you ignore it, it may lead in to piles, fissure, and fistula. So better prevent it or cure it at the earliest

Next topic about PILES

Natrum Muriaticum

Natrum Muriaticum is also is called a water distributor. This kind of element (salt) is present in the blood plasma and fluids which surround the cell structures throughout the body.

As it is already stated this is a water distributor, that means the function of this salt consists in properly distributing water through organism.

Indications: 

Watery symptoms in skin diseases, respiratory problems with thin watery expectoration, constipation with headache, inflammation of any mucous membrane with watery discharges, Fever, dryness of excessive moisture in any part of the body.

Next post will be about NATRUM PHOSPHORICUM                                                                                                                         

List of Biocombination medicines

In previous posts, we saw a few biocombination medicines. How to select the biocombination remedy for your problem?

It is very easy, since they are indicated by numbers from 1 to 28 connected with the symptoms. The table is given below so that it is easy for you to select the correct remedy

B C NO. 1.	For Anaemia & Chlorosis
B C NO. 2.	For Asthma
B C NO. 3.	For Colic
B C NO. 4.	For Constipation
B C NO. 5.	For Coryza
B C NO. 6.	For Coughs, Cold, Catarrh
B C NO. 7.	For Diabetes
B C NO. 8.	For Diarrhoea
B C NO. 9.	For Dysentery
B C NO. 10.	For Enlarged tonsils
B C NO. 11.	For Fevers and inflammatory diseases
B C NO. 12.	For Headaches
B C NO. 13.	For Leucorrhoea
B C NO. 14.	For Measles
B C NO. 15.	For Menstruation troubles
B C NO. 16.	For Nervous exhaustion
B C NO. 17.	For Piles
B C NO. 18.	For Pyorrhoea
B C NO.  19.	For Rheumatism
B C NO.  20.	For Skin diseases
B C NO.  21.	For Children teething   troubles
B C NO.  22	For Scrophula
B C NO.  23.	For Toothache
B C NO.  24.	For Nerve & Brain tonic
B C NO.  25.	For Acidity, Flatulence and Indigestion
B C NO.  26.	For easy child birth
B C NO.  27.	For Vital weakness
B C NO.  28.	General  tonic

You can select the number according to indication of illness and get relief from the problems.  These medicines are in the form of tablets.  

Dosage: 4-----4------4 for adults, for a week or ten days. if problem continues continue the dosage till you get relief. 

These remedies are Safe, no side effects, will work effectively. These  is from my experience.