Alagaw

Abgaw

Scientific Name: Premna Odorata Blanco

Visaya: Adgaw, Abgaw, Argau, Abgan

Alagaw is a plant that grows in wild, all over the Philippines you can see its abundance. Filipinos use this plant as an alternative medicine, since from ancient times. Folks believe that this plant has miraculous property that has the ability to cure certain illness.

I listed here some its use:

• Rots masticated and saliva   swallowed   for heart trouble.

•  Pultice applied for headache and chest pain

•  Infusion mixed with sugar and kalamansi juice taken for cough and colds

•  Pultice applied for open cuts and cleaning wounds and for ticks and fleas.

•  Fusion taken to expel gas in the intestine

•  Infusion taken for difficult urination

• Decoction used as wash for vaginal irritation

•  Decoction used as aromatic bath and  for bathing infants.

•  Poultice applied for head ache

•  Infusion taken for cough and sore throat ecoction taken for dysentery

 

Akapulko

Akapulko

Scientific Name: Cassia Allata

English: Ringworm bush

Visaya: Palochina, Sunting

Akapulko is a shrub that grows wild in the Philippines. This plant is widely used in the Philippines as herbal medicine, as its leaves contain chrysophanic acid, a fungicide that is used to treat fungal infections.

Below are the lists of skin diseases that Akapulko can be used as herbal medicine:

• Tinea infections
• Insect bites
• Ringworms
• Eczema
• Scabies
• Itchiness

Akapulko’s anti-fungal properties, it is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines.

It is widely known that Akapulko leaves are also known to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, used to treat intestinal problems including intestinal parasites.

Abukado



Avocado



Scientific Name: Persea Americana Mill

English:  Alligator Per

Tagalog: Abukado

Bisaya: Abukado

Here are 15 health benefits of avocados:

1.                  Maintain a healthy heart
Avocado contains vitamin B6 and folic acid, which help regulate homocysteine levels. High level of homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Besides that, avocado also contains vitamin E, Glutathione and monounsaturated fat which help in maintaining a healthy heart.

2.                  Lower cholesterol levels
Avocados are rich in a compound called beta-sitosterol which has been shown to be effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels. According to a study, patients with mild hypercholesterolemia who included avocados in their diet for 7 days had 17 percent decrease in total blood cholesterol levels, a 22 percent decrease in both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels, and a 11 percent increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

3.                  Control blood pressure
Avocados are also a great source of potassium, which helps in controlling blood pressure levels.

4.                  Anti-Inflammatory properties
Phytonutrient compound found in avocados, such as polyphenols and flavonoids have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing the risk of inflammatory and degenerative disorders.

5.                  Promote eye health
Avocado is an excellent source of carotenoid lutein, which known to help protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

6.                  Regulate the blood sugar levels
The monounsaturated (good) fats in avocados can reverse insulin resistance, which helping to regulate the blood sugar levels. Avocados also contain more soluble fiber, which keep a steady blood sugar levels.

7.                  Prevent birth defects
Avocados are rich in folate, a B vitamin commonly known as folic acid. One cup of avocado provides you about 23% of the Daily Value for folate. The high amount of folate in avocado is essential in the prevention of birth defects, such as neural tube defect and spina bifida.

8.                  Reduce strokes risk
The high levels of folate in avocados also protect against stroke. A study has shown individuals who ate a diet rich in folate had a lower risk of stroke than those who do not

9.                  Protect against cancer
Many studies have shown that avocado can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. The oleic acid in avocado is also effective in preventing breast cancer.

10.              Fight free radicals
Avocados contain glutathione, a powerful antioxidants to helps fight free radicals in the body.

11.              Anti-aging properties
Being rich in antioxidants, avocado is beneficial in preventing aging symptoms. The glutathione in avocado may boosts immune systems, slows the aging process, and encourages a healthy nervous system.

12.              Cure bad breath
Avocados are one of the best natural mouth wash and bad breath remedies. It is cleanses intestine which is the real cause of coated tongue and this unpleasant condition.

13.              Increase nutrient absorption
Avocado intake is linked with increased nutrient absorption. A study suggests that, when participants ate salad included avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes beta carotene and lycopene) than those who do not include avocados.

14.              Skin Care
The avocado oil is added in many cosmetics because of its ability to nourish the skin and make your skin glow. It also aids in treating psoriasis, a skin disease that causes skin redness and irritation.

15.              Weight gain
The avocado has 200 calories for 100 grams. Typically, fruits has approximately 60-80 calories for 100 grams. Due to the high amounts of calories, avocado is a best diet for people who want to gain weight. Avocado is a healthy source of calories, unlike many other calorie-dense foods that may contain excess saturated fats and sugar.

Amazing Facts of Parsley

Parsley

As we have mentioned before Parsley is a good remedy in kidney problems. Today another article about parsley will give us knowledge about parsley. I hope all of us enjoy reading.

Parsley is the most popular herb. Usually it is used as a garnish for some recipes because of its decorative appearance.

This highly nutritious plant can be found all year round in all local supermarkets. Parsley is very easy to grow, it can easily plant it in garden, in a container, or in hanging baskets.

Parsley is famous for having delicious vibrant taste, but also unknown to many, having contains good healing properties.

Parsley provides two unique health benefits its “essential oil” and “flavonoids”.

An organic compound called “myristicin” also found in Parsley. Studies show that this compound can:

· myristicin inhibit tumor formation particularly in the lungs.

· myristicin help the molecule glutathione to fight against free radicals that would otherwise damage the body.

· myristicin neutralize carcinogens like benzopyrene, which is present in tobacco or cigarette smoke and charcoal grill smoke.

Another compound flavonoid  is also found in Parsley it is called “luteolin”. In various studies it shows that this compound can:

· luteolin function as an antioxidant, thereby eliminating free radicals from the body that can damage cells.

· luteolin  help increase antioxidant levels in the blood

· luteolin  help prevent several types of cancer such as breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia.

Parsley is a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin C is the body's primary water-soluble antioxidant, which can remove free radicals in all water-soluble areas of the body. Therefore, it can help prevent various diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetes.

As a matter of fact, people consuming foods with good amounts of vitamin C have a lower risk of acquiring these diseases.

Meanwhile, beta-Carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) is the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant, which can get remove of free radicals in all fat-soluble areas of the body. Like vitamin C, it can also help lower the risk of atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetes.

Studies show that people who consumed the lowest amounts of vitamin C-rich foods were at risk of developing arthritis by as much as three times more than those who consumed the highest amounts of vitamin C.

Vitamin C combined with beta-Carotene found in parsley can prove beneficial in inflammatory diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Since vitamin C is vital for strengthening the immune system, it can help prevent many common infections like colds and flu. Beta-Carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A. Vitamin A is an immune system regulator, which can make the white blood cells destroy bacteria and viruses.

One of the most essential B vitamins is “folic acid”, naturally produce by Parsley.

Studies show that folic acid can:

· folic acid keep the heart healthy and maintain its function.

· folic acid ower the risk of stroke and heart disease.

· folic acid remove homocysteine in the body.

Note: Homocysteine is an amino acid used by the body to manufacture proteins and in cellular metabolism. However, a high concentration of homocysteine in the blood can damage the lining of the blood vessels and enhance blood clotting, which can significantly increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Finally Parsley is rich in chlorophyll, which can act as a natural deodorizer. Eating parsley makes us sure that we will be able to maintain a fresh breath everyday.

Green Tea Helps Burn Fat Because It Is Rich In Catechin

Green Tea

Green tea helps burn fat because it is rich in catechin. By increasing the amount of energy that your body uses, Green tea helps promotes weight reduction, making it easier to use the excess body fat. These Catechins found in foods other than green tea do not seem to have this positive effect.

As we believe green tea isn't just a solution for weight reduction. Without wondering Green tea is also good in reducing both high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It also prevents premature aging and fight free radicals. Green Tea is natural remedy for constipation, too! It has really lots of advantages in our body.

Green Tea Leaves

When we look at people who are able to maintain their ideal weight, most of them are chewing their food properly. The problem with most people is that they chew their food too fast.

If we chew your food 30 to 50 times per mouthful, we should be able to consume less food and aid you in losing weight. Chewing slower also increases histamine in your brain, which will result to decreased food intake. Histamine works by suppressing your appetite! It will help satisfy your stomach with only small amount of food.

Some medical studies reveal that, catechin from green tea helps prevent or inhibit certain types of cancer. We must know that green tea drinkers usually live longer. As evidence, in some places that green teas are abundant people live as long as 100 years or more.