Sarsaparilla Information Uses and Benefits

Sarsaparilla is a woody vine that has small flowers and black, blue or red fruits in a berry like form. These fruits are generally eaten by birds. The plant can grow to heights of about 50 m. Tropical and temperate regions of the world like South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West Indies are native to this plant. A vine is produced by its long, tuberous rootstock which trails on the ground and climbs with the help of tendrils which grow in pairs from the petioles of the alternate, orbicular to ovate, evergreen leaves. The auxiliary umbels produce small greenish flowers.

Sarsaparilla’s steroids like sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol and saponins like sarsasaponin, smilasaponin, and sarsaparilloside and sitosterol glucoside are the main chemicals to which its pharmacological properties can be attributed.

A number of diseases like venereal diseases, herpes, arthritis, gout, epilepsy, insanity, chronic nervous diseases, abdominal distention, intestinal gas, debility, impotence and turbid urine can be treated by this plant’s extracts and the indigenous populations of South America have used its root to cure conditions like sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments and as an effective ward against physical weakness.

Many traditional medical practitioners also use the root as a treatment for leprosy and skin problems such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

Sarsaparilla root is used as a tonic, blood purifier, and diuretic and sweat promoter by European physicians for a long time. Worldwide, treatments for gout, syphilis, gonorrhea, wounds, fever, cough, scrofula, hypertension, digestive disorders, and cancer have been prepared by using the Sarsaparilla plant’s many useful properties.

Mexico, Latin America, and China have cultivation projects which produce the majority of the plant roots which are used to make herbal medicines. The processed herb is also widely available in the form of tablets, capsules and tincture products.

Its tonic, detoxifying, blood purifying and lymph cleansing properties are used by naturopathic and

herbal medicine practitioners by combining it with other herbs to make effective treatments.

A very wide selection of herbal remedies for skin disorders, libido enhancement, hormone balancing, and sports nutrition formulas contain the plants root as one of its ingredients.

While no side effects or toxic effects of Sarsaparilla have ever been documented, ingestion of large doses of saponins may cause gastrointestinal irritation and is not recommended.

Pudina Information-Uses and Benefits

Mentha or mint falls into the genus that comprises of some 25 species and belongs to family Lamiaceae. It is widely found in Africa, Europe, Australia, North America and Asia. Mentha is aromatic, essentially perennial and rarely are annual herbs. They possess simple oblong or lanceolate leaves which are present in opposite pairs and bear serrated margins. The leaf colors may range from grey green or dark green to beautiful, blue, purple or pale yellow. Flowers come out in bunches on an elevated spike and can be white or purple in color. The corolla is 2-lipped comprising of 4 unequal lobes in which the uppermost happens to be the largest one. Fruits borne are small and like a dry capsule and contain 1-4 seeds.

Mint grows best in moist soils and wet conditions. They are around 10 to 120 centimeters tall and have the capability to spread in the vicinity.

Cultivation

Mints grow well in moist, cool places with shade. They can extend through runners and due to this reason they are known to be invasive in nature. They can be kept in bottomless, deep containers which can then be buried in the soil partially. They can also be spread through seeds but this is considered to be an unreliable means as seeds of mint are very different from one another and some can even be sterile.

Usages

Cosmetic and MedicinalIt is a medicinal herb that is utilized to treat chest pains and stomach aches. Menthol extracted from mint oil is a constituent of many cosmetics and perfumes. It is also helpful in aromatherapy. It is also mixed in insect-bite treatments as an antipruritic. Other products in which menthol can be seen are cigarettes (so as to lessen the tobacco effect) and those related to common cold.

CulinaryMint leaves, either dried or fresh, can be used for adding in various food materials. This is because; they produce a fresh sweet flavor. They are utilized in beverages, teas, syrups, jellies, ice creams and candies. Menthol which is a mint essential oil is used as a flavoring agent in drinks, breathe fresheners etc. Methyl salicylate (common name being “oil of wintergreen”) is used as a flavoring agent in candies and other food stuffs

InsecticidesUsed by a number of capers to kill mosquitoes. Mint oil is a well-known insecticide which is environmental-friendly.

AromatherapyMenthol is used in Aromatherapy.

Pterocarpus Marsupium Information-Uses and Benefits

Pterocarpus marsupium, which is known for the blood sugar reducing qualities, is one of the most known Eastern herbal medicines. This tree’s heartwood contains high levels of flavonoids which are said to be the source of chemical potency of this tree. It is said that drinking some overnight kept water in goblet made of the heartwood of this tree is extremely beneficial for diabetic people.

Some studies conclude that this herb lowers down the absorption process of glucose in gastrointestinal areas which helps in improving the insulin as well as pro insulin level in blood. Apart fro this, Pterocarpus also helps in improving the restoration of the pancreatic B cells. Some researches have shown that this plant has medicinal qualities like lowering down the cholesterol level, act as anti inflammatory medicine and work as cardio tonic.

Studies and researches which are done to prove the anti diabetic effects of Pterocarpus marsupium

Various researches and studies have shown that this herb is very effective in curing various diseases. This herb is also very useful in lowering blood sugar level which is very important for a diabetic person. There have been two trials done to check the effects of this herb in diabetic patients. In the first trial, ninety seven patients were put on test for 12 weeks and were given two to four grams of extracts of this herb each day.

By the end of 12 weeks, all the patients were again tested and it was found that about 67% of the patients had reduced levels of blood sugar in them and they have also maintained the levels with the help of this herbal extract. Aroun

d 73% of the patients reduced their glucose levels with the help of 2 grams, 16% of the patients needed 3 grams and 10% of the patients had to take 4 grams per day of this herbal extract to stabilize their blood sugar levels.

In the other research, 22 diabetics were treated with 29 to 70 years of age were given two or four ounces of this herbal extracts for thrice a day for about seven days. These patients also showed good

results and proved that this herb is a perfect remedy and cure for diabetes.

Additional researches

Many other researches were also done to check the results on diabetes patients. It was found that this herb is perfect for curing diabetes in the most efficient way.

Psyllium husk Information-Uses and Benefits

Psyllium husk which is also known as isphagula is actually the coat of the Plantago Psyllium seeds. This plant is majorly found in the areas of Middle East. The Psyllium husk is one of the best sources of dietary fiber and it is highly recommended to add this husk in diet in comparison to any other grain. For instance, Psyllium husk has about 71 grams of fiber per third part of a cup whereas Oat bran has 5 grams of fiber per third part of a cup.

You can find the Psyllium husk content in major supplements which are known for having dietary fiber in them. This dietary fiber is very useful for people who have dietary problems like diarrhea or constipation. Psyllium husk works in a different way by absorbing the water of the digestive tract of a human body. It itself does not get digested which make the stool bulkier and softer. This helps in reducing the digestive problems.

Isphagula or Psyllium husk also helps in reducing the cholesterol level in blood other than helping in digestiveproblems. Cholesterol is reduced at a higher rate if Psyllium husk is taken with low fat diet but researches have shown that Psyllium husk can reduce cholesterol level if it is taken with high fat diet too. It can reduce 7% of low density lipoproteins which are called ‘bad cholesterol’.

Some researches are still in progress to determine other benefits of Psyllium husk. It is said that Psyllium husk helps in reducing blood sugar. Other benefits from consuming this product are that it may help in losing weight by passing fat through stools.

Although, Psyllium husk beneficial in many ways but it should be consumed with some care. You can feel problems like gas or bloating in the first few days after using this product. You can also feel problems like flatulence or diarrhea in the starting days. It takes your digestive system some time to get habitual of this dietary product.

Psyllium husk should be taken with special care among those people who have gone through any surgery related to bowels or intestines. Some people are allergic to this product; hence it should be taken with care.

You should remember that this product should be taken with water. You should take this product with water and also drink at least six to seven glasses of water per day.

Papaver somniferum Information-Uses and Benefits

Botanical Name: Papaver Somniferum

Family Name: Papaveraceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Papaveraceae

Genus: Papaver

Species: somniferum

Popular Names: Aphium Opium Poppy, Poppy seeds, Plant of Joy, White Poppy Posta, Common Garden Poppy, Mawseed

Parts utilized: Flowers and Seeds

Habitat: Grown at an altitude of around 1500 to 2100 on a large scale in places like India

Portrayal

This plant is known to have narcotic properties hence the name “papaver somniferum” which literally means “sleep bringing poppy”. This is also called opium poppy and is an annual plant of height approximately 3-5 feet. It gives rise to radiant white, purple, red and pink flowers that grow on a mid bulbous shell. If smashed, this pod generates milky latex known as opium. Leaves are simple, alternate, toothed and clasping. Capsule –like fruits in which seeds are spread. Poppy is raised as a decorative plant in countries like South America, North America, Asia and Europe. India, Turkey and Australia are the chief producers of this plant.

Chemicals which are present in the plant

The chemicals present in poppy are as follows: thebaine, morphine, oripavine, codeine,protein,ether extract, nitrogen free extract, crude fiber, ash, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid,iodine,manganese,copper,magnesium,sodium,potassium,zinc,lecithin,oxalic acid, pentosans, an amorphous alkaloid ,narcotine, enzymes like emulsion, diastase, nuclease and liapase.

Usages and advantages of Poppy

Utilized for medicinal reasons and is a constituent of drugs like codeine, laudenine, morphine, nicotine etc.

Poppy based medications are very beneficial for lessening severe pains.

A stimulant that produces euphoria and assists in getting rid of tensions and anxieties

Highly advised for minor pains due to its analgesic and cough suppressing properties.

It is very effective in treating intestinal stomach seizures and also respiratory spasms that occur due to asthma attacks.

Beneficial for bruises, cold, colic, cancer, conjunctivitis, dysentery, fever, enteritis, hypertension, hemicrania, headache, inflammation, hysteria, hypochondria, insomnia, mania, malaria, neuralgia, nausea, melancholy, snakebites, ulcers, warts, toothaches ,tumors etc.

Effective for cancers related to tongue, spleen, stomach, skin, uterus, breast etc.

Reduces pain and calms down the excitement.

Offers two food constituents – poppy seed and seed oil.

Seeds are utilized in baking and spraying on bread and rolls.

Seeds are rich in drying oil which is employed for manufacturing varnishes, soaps and paints.

Oil cakes form the fodder for livestock

Warning

High dose is very addictive and may decrease respiration.

Liquorice Information-Uses and Benefits

Liquorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra is actually a white and purple flowering plant which is commonly found in southwest and central Asia and Mediterranean region. This plant is well known for its sweet taproot which grows about four feet deep. This plant grows best under full sun and needs limited shade with moist and rich soil. This pant may grow up to 3 to 17 feet in height.

The branches of this plant are upright and this plant has round stems which take a angular shape when reach to the top. The leaves of this plant are odd, pinnate, and alternate and are divided in about eight pairs of diamond shaped leaflets.

The plant of Liquorice flourishes in summer season. This plant has sweet pea alike flowers which grow in bunches. These flowers are small with long peduncles and are purple-bluish in color. The fruit grown on this plant is compressed, smooth, single cell legume and has four seeds similar to kidney shape.

The plant root is round, straight, fibrous, tough, long and perennial. The inner part has yellowish color and outer part has grayish color. It has a sweet taste and has the most wanted assets in its cortical. This plant can be majory found in Indian regions like sub- Himalayan regions and Punjab.

This herb is also given a name, glukos riza by the Hippocrates. This term means ‘sweet root’ due to the sweet taste of its root. This plant is used as herbal medicine. Liquorice is derived from the Latin word liquiritia which means sweet wood. In Sanskrit, this is called as yashti which means stem.

This plant is not only used as a medicine but also as a spice. But most of the times it is preferred as medicine than as spice. In ancient times, this herb was most commonly in use among Egyptians for the diseases related to the upper regions of respiratory system. Root of this plant is used as the medicine for curing diseases.

The root of this plant is highly recommended by Ayurveda for curing cold, cough, and other bronchial related problems. This herb was very common in use during the period of Charaka. This herb was used by singers’ pill to cure the soreness or harshness of the throat.

The root contains around 4% of glycyrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter in comparison to cane sugar which makes the root sweet.