Potent and Safe Antiviral Herbs

Viral infections can be one of the biggest nightmares for medical doctors. And the use of antiviral herbs holds some distinct advantages over the use of drugs.

Over the years, western medicine has produced countless numbers of antiviral drugs, with each drug made to work only for certain types of viruses. But there are big problems with the use of such drugs.

Chemical drugs almost always have side effects. And, as time goes by, the viruses also adapt and become immune to them. Higher doses and stronger drugs would then have to be used. And they take a toil on the human body.

Drug resistant strains of a deadly virus can be a medical doctor’s greatest nemesis. The truth is, however, that nature has already provided us with full spectrum antiviral remedies in the form of herbs.

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, antiviral herbs are full spectrum, and viruses do not develop resistance to them. Regardless of what kind of viral infection you may have, you can be sure that nature’s pharmacopoeia will be effective against it.

In addition, natural herbs work with the body, rather than against it. Pharmaceutical drugs are unnatural, and work against, or independently of the body’s natural functions, balances, and built-in intelligence. This is one reason why virtually every pharmaceutical drug has numerous side effects.

Below, some of the better antiviral herbs are discussed.

Garlic

Garlic is the number one all-round anti-pathogen herb. It is a powerful antiviral, as well as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitical herb. Raw garlic is a more effective antiviral herbal remedy than any pharmaceutical drug.

In addition, because it is a natural substance, it works with the body rather than against it. Because of this, garlic will quickly penetrate any part of the body. When you take garlic, the body’s built-in intelligence will use it where it is needed.

It is important to use raw, potent, high quality garlic. Organically grown garlic is always ideal. Quality garlic is hard, and the cloves should be white. A quality garlic bulb will have around 12, large cloves. Each clove in a quality garlic bulb is around an inch long and as thick as an adult’s thumb. Garlic that is yellowish, or has 30-50 small cloves is usually of inferior quality.

For viral infections, start with 3-5 raw cloves of garlic per day. For serious, or even life-threatening infections, there is no upper limit to how much you can use. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, herbs like garlic do not have dangerous side effects, other than killer breath, perhaps. For serious infections, you might end up using 8, 10, 12, or 16 cloves per day.

You may use raw honey to help alleviate some of the intensity of garlic’s taste.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal is one of the most well-known antiviral and anti-bacterial herbs. It is one of the rarer herbs, and is thus far more expensive than most other herbs.

Its main advantage over garlic is that it is milder. This makes it a better choice for sensitive parts of the body, for example the eyes. For pure virus destroying power, garlic is still the superior choice.

St. John’s Wort

As one of the most well-known and popular herbs, St. John’s Wort is sometimes touted as a cure-all for just about everything. This makes it difficult to know exactly what its strengths really are.

St. John’s Wort was, and is, used by many top natural healers as a powerful antiviral herb. For the most powerful effect, St. John’s Wort should be used along with herbs like garlic and echinacea.

Echinacea

While not a direct antiviral herb per se, echinacea is well known for its immune stimulating effects. Like most well-known herbs, the quality of most commercially available echinacea products is abysmal.

Good quality echinacea produces a very strong tingling effect in the mouth. The tingling effect triggered by potent echinacea is so strong it can numb the mouth. If an echinacea product does not produce a strong tingling effect, then it means that it has little to no echinacea in it.

A product that produces only a mild tingling effect probably does have some echinacea in it, but it is still worthless for the most part. A really good echinacea tincture should be numbing to the mouth. You could try making your own tincture from fresh echinacea root and seeds, or buy some from a high quality source.

Echinacea is a powerful immune system strengthener. It can quickly stimulate the body to produce double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of immune cells and chemicals. The repeated effect can quickly kick-start a sluggishimmune system to an effective degree of antiviral capability.

However, it can’t do this well using junk fuel like pizza, potato chips and beer. If your body doesn’t have the required nutrition, you can take all of the best echinacea in the world, and yet not have any benefit.

Herbal combinations are the most effective

When you need to beat a serious viral infection, always combine antiviral herbs like garlic with immune-boosting echinacea, as well as with high quality nutrition in the form of superfoods. As the herbs work synergistically together, the impact of such combined antiviral herbal remedies is usually greatly magnified.

http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/antiviral-herbs.html

Much ado about spirulina

Medical Notes

Much ado about spirulina

By EDUARDO GONZALES, MD

May 10, 2010, 5:35am

Q: What is spirulina? There are claims that it can cure certain diseases? Is this true? Has there been any research conducted, local (FNRI) or otherwise on the health benefits of spirulina?
–DaveLJ @yahoo.com

A: Spirulina is a tiny blue-alga or plankton that naturally grows in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes. Like all plants containing chlorophyll, Spirulina is able to synthesize or manufacture nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals from water and air in the presence of sunlight.

Spirulina is a traditional food of many indigenous people of Mexico (i.e., Aztecs) and some African countries.  However, modern man has largely ignored the value of the plant until about 40 years ago when it was rediscovered by the public and some members of the scientific community. At present, it is available commercially in tablet or capsule form in many countries including the U.S., Japan and the Philippines. Its principal use for which it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is as a food supplement.

Nutrient analyses of Spirulina are very revealing. It contains 55 to 70 percent protein, four to seven percent fat including the essential fatty acids linolenic and linoleic acids, 15 to 25 percent carbohydrate, considerable amounts of vitamins especially provitamin A, Vitamin E and the B complex vitamins (it is reportedly the world’s richest natural source of vitamin B-12), and traces of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. Spirulina is easy to digest, thus, it is a remarkable source of nutrients for humans.

Recently, Spirulina has been gaining more attention because many anecdotal reports and some scientific studies—mostly on animals—have suggested that aside from its nutritional value, it has some therapeutic effects. Incidentally, these scientific studies were conducted abroad. I have not come across a study that has been done in the Philippines.  In any case, the studies are preliminary and by no means conclusive, but they indicate that Spirulina can help (with emphasis on the word help) shrink and prevent cancers, fight some viral infections, strengthen the body’s immune system and prevent anemia.

Spirulina may help regress and prevent cancer because some common forms of cancer are the result of damaged cell DNA and in vitro studies show that Spirulina enhances repair of damaged DNA. Furthermore, studies on animals with induced cancer report high levels of suppression of the malignancies after being fed whole Spirulina or treated with its water extracts.

Another in-vitro study using a purified water extract from Spirulina called Calcium-Spirulan indicates that the alga has some anti-viral activity because it inhibited the replication of HIV-1, herpes simples, human cytomegalovirus, influenza A virus, mumps virus and measles virus.

Spirulina evidently perks up the immune system. Several studies have shown that feeding animals with Spirulina increases the number and the activity of these animals’ protective cells against germs and parasites.

Chinese scientists have suggested that Spirulina can help prevent anemia because they have documented the presence of phycocyanin in Spirulina. This is a chemical that stimulates red blood cell formation much like the hormone erythropoetin (EPO) does.

All told, I am convinced that Spirulina is indeed a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals and that it is can serve as a good nutritional supplement for optimum health and wellness. But I seriously doubt whether on its own, it can prevent, much less cure, any disease, encouraging preliminary scientific evidence notwithstanding. If at all, it can simply help prevent some chronic diseases in the same way that other plant-derived antioxidants do.

By the way, there is a group in our country—the Spirulina Foundation of the Philippines—that is dedicated to producing the alga in massive quantities by scientific cultivation.

(Email inquiries on health matters to: medical_notes@yahoo.com)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/256729/much-ado-about-spirulina

20 Health Benefits of Garlic

1. A compound in garlic called ajoene is a natural antioxidant that has anti-clotting abilities, thus helping in the prevention of heart disease and strokes.

2. Ajoene has also been shown to stop the spread of skin cancer cells when applied topically.

3. Compounds in garlic have been shown to prevent prostate cancer.

4. Garlic may protect against colon cancer by protecting colon cells from toxins and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells if they do develop. The selenium and vitamin C found in garlic are also known to protect against colon cancer.

5. Research suggests garlic may decrease the ability of H. pylori to cause ulcers and stomach cancer.

6. Research has shown that cooking garlic with meat reduces carcinogenic chemicals in cooked meat that are believed to be linked to breast cancer in meat-eating women.

7. The allicin in garlic has been shown in some studies to promote weight loss in rats.

8. The allicin in garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure.

9. Garlic has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol.

10. It has been shown to reduce the carcinogenic effects of asbestos exposure.

11. It fights free radicals.

12. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in the body, making it beneficial for people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Cold and flu prevention: Because of its antiviral and antibacterial properties as well as its vitamin C content, garlic is a powerful agent against the common cold as well as the flu.

16. It has been shown to fight the germs that cause tuberculosis.

17. A component of garlic called diallyl disulfide has been shown to kill leukemia cells.

18. It is a good source of vitamin B6.

19. It has been shown to be an effective anti-fungal agent for treating yeast infections, vaginitis, and athlete’s foot.

20. Garlic has been shown to protect rats from diabetes complications such as retinopathy, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and neuropathy.

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-garlic.html

+++++

Data from other source:

Studies by competent multi-degreed scientists have shown beyond any reasonable doubt that consuming garlic generally has the following physical effects:

• Garlic lowers blood pressure a little. (9% to 15 % with one or two medium cloves per day.)
• Garlic lowers LDL Cholesterol a little. (9% to 15 % with one or two medium cloves per day.)
• Garlic helps reduce atherosclerotic buildup (plaque) within the arterial system. One recent study shows this effect to be greater in women than men.
• Garlic lowers or helps to regulate blood sugar.
• Garlic helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes and thromboses (Hemophiliacs shouldn’t use garlic.)
• Garlic helps to prevent cancer, especially of the digestive system, prevents certain tumors from growing larger and reduces the size of certain tumors.
• Garlic may help to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body.
• Raw Garlic is a potent natural antibiotic that works differently than modern antibiotics and kills some strains of bacteria, like staph, that have become immune or resistant to modern antibiotics.
• Garlic has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
• Garlic dramatically reduces yeast infections due to Candida species.
• Garlic has anti-oxidant properties and is a source of selenium.
• Eating garlic gives the consumer an enhanced sense of well being – it makes you feel good just eating it.
• Garlic probably has other benefits as well.

See also:

http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofgarlic.html
http://www.essortment.com/all/healthbenefits_rntv.htm
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=60
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/garlic-benefit.shtml

Lingzhi (Ganoderma Lucidum) a Miracle Herb

The secret to true success is good health. As the saying goes “Health is Wealth”, Yes! indeed it is true. One cannot be successful if health is compromise. Daily exercise, a good diet, healthy lifestyle, natural supplement and peace of mind can keep you up in good condition and maintain the balance of your body.

Today modern medicine has succeeded on treating many disorders in our body but yet none of today’s medical science found a system that prevents deadly diseases.

A prevention system that is purely natural and adaptable for all conditions and all body systems. There are now extensive research in Herbs as the primary preventive source and healthy herbal and organic food products now take the lead in preventive systems. The king of Herbs known as Lingzhi in China and Reishi in Japan is now widely researched by many universities and research institutions.

Today, Lingzhi is still widely revered as a valuable health supplement and herbal medicine worldwide. Studies of Lingzhi are mostly conducted in China, Japan, Korea and United States into the medicinal and nutritional values of the said herb.

About Lingzhi

LINGZHI is the name form of the mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum, have worldwide distribution in both tropical and temperate geographical regions which includes North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. It has been use in traditional herbal medicine as a herbal medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine.

In Chinese the word Lingzhi means “herb of spiritual potency” or some described it as “mushroom of immortality“. Because Lingzhi has no known treatening side-effects, it has a good reputation in the East as the ultimate herbal substance. Some mild side effects, including dryness of the nasal passages, mouth and throat, as well as stomach upset and nosebleed. However, these effects were avoided by discontinuing use of the mushroom for one month after taking it for four months, and taking it again for four months, and so on.

In history, the 2000 year old medicinal Chinese book, Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic categorized Lingzhi as Superior, herb effective for multiple diseases and responsible for maintaining and restoring the body balance.

Medicinal Qualities

Scientist discovered 252 active components benefecial and essential to the human body. It is an adaptogen which brings immense benefits to human body without any side effect. The two main components is Germanium which can promote blood circulation, can increase oxygen absorbing capability of the body and keep sufficient oxygen in the body. Polysaccharides, increases the number of antibody which improves immune system.

Because of the presence of many medicinal properties such as polysaccharides, germanium, ergosterol, coumarin, mannitol, lactones, alkaloids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and triterpenes, Lingzhi may be use to treat or prevent diseases.

Benefits of Lingzhi

1. Lowers cholesterol in the blood
2. Improve body metabolism
3. Strengthens the immune system
4. Suppressed cancerous cells
5. Prevent Bronchitis
6. Used for Caridovascular treatment
7. Strengthens Respiratory System
8. Treatment for Hepatitis
9. Allergies
10. Chemotherapy support
11. HIV support
12. Fatigue
13. Altitude sickness
14. Kidney and Never tonic
15. Protects the Liver
16. Anti-Tumor
17. Anti-inflammatory
18. Antiviral
19. Lowers blood sugar
20. Anti-fungal
21. Antidiabetic
22. Anti-parasitic
23. Anti-Hypotensive
24. Nausea
25. Vomiting
26. Stomatitis
27. Sore Throat
28. Loss of appetite
29. Insomnia
30. Liver conditions
31. Hepatitis
32. AIDS
33. HIV
34. Stress

Japanese Research – Lingzhi and Cancer

The prestigious Japanese doctor, Dr. Fukumi Morishige, M.D., Ph.D., was involved in the research of Lingzhi’s role in cancer control at the Linus Pauling Institute in Japan.

The doctor has been a surgeon for 37 years and performed numerous operations including countless encounter on cancer cases. He stated that the key to cancer treatment is in its early detection. He also stated that there is no established method on preventing cancer, however he had attested Lingzhi to be the best method as of now. According to him Lingzhi is an effective in the treatment of cancer. The polysaccharides in Lingzhi are effective in suppressing cancerous cells.

Dr. Fukumi assigned random cancer patients to administer Lingzhi essense with a control group of patients with other illness, e.g. arthritic rheumatism, chronic bronchitis, hepatitis etc., that is, people with lowered body resistance to diseases.

Immunogloburin test determined the level of immunity. They have found that after using Lingzhi, the level of IgA, IgG, IgM increased. This indicates that Lingzhi can elevate the body’s resistance to other diseases.

“A 39 year old female came to me with lung cancer and complications of the chest wall membrane. She had been told that she could not be operated on by the number of hospitals. She left in a hopeless state. Upon returning home, her husband started to feed her Lingzhi. After examination, I was suprised by the findings after six months, she had edema in her chest cavity, secondary to the cancer, and the symptom had completely disappeared. For a person who had already made her funeral arrangements and was waiting for death to rediscover there is hope for life, was incredible. X-rays had presented an even better picture when going through her medical history. She insisted that her improvement was the result of her husband giving her Lingzhi.

No wonder the Lingzhi mushrooms are called the “Celestial Herb” by the Japanese for its health giving properties. Modern science and cultivation methods have made this difficult to grow herb available for the past decade or two for everyone to derive the benefits.

It remains debatable as to whether lingzhi is a food supplement for health maintenance or actually a therapeutic “drug” for medical proposes. Thus far there has been no report of human trials using lingzhi as a direct anticancer agent, despite some evidence showing the usage of lingzhi as a potential supplement to cancer patients.

AT PRESENT, lingzhi is a health food supplement to support cancer patients, yet the evidence supporting the potential of direct in vivo anticancer effects should not be underestimated. Lingzhi or its products can be classified as an anticancer agent when current and more direct scientific evidence becomes available.

http://hubpages.com/hub/lingzhi

See also:

http://www.naturalypure.com/GanodermaLucidum.htm

http://www.healthyganoderma.com/ganoderma-lucidum-health.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/71433/the_health_benefits_of_ganoderma_lucidum.html?cat=5

http://www.magicmushrooms.org/shop/vital-medical-mushrooms-ganoderma-lucidum-reishi-c-63_111.html

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Drinking coconut water has many benefits. Coconut Water is naturally

• Low in Carbs
• 99% Fat Free
• Low in sugars

Coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help

1. Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
2. Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
3. Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
4. Naturally replenish your body’s fluids after exercising.
5. Raise your metabolism.
6. Promote weight loss.
7. Boost your immune system.
8. Detoxify and fight viruses.
9. Cleanse your digestive tract.
10. Control diabetes.
11. Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
12. Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
13. Treat kidney and urethral stones.
14. Boost poor circulation.

More information about Coconut Water

“It’s a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life, so to speak.” In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water – siphoned directly from the nut – to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas – once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

• Coconut Water is more nutritious than whole milk – Less fat and NO cholesterol.
• Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice – Much lower calories.
• Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk – It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother’s milk.
• Coconut water is naturally sterile – Water permeates though the filtering husk.
• Coconut water is a universal donor – Its identical to human blood plasma.
• Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage – The same level we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.

“Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural”, according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization.

• Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
• Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
• Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
• Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.

Data is based on a 100ml drink.

http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-320.html

Other useful sites:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/01/27/feat/health.benefits.of.coconut.html

http://www.coconut-water-products.com/

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211348/coconut-water-health-and-healing

http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Coconut

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211348/coconut-water-health-and-healing

Health Benefits of Ibaiba-an

Chemical constituents and properties
Considered abortifacient, ecbolic, febrifuge.
Contains alkaloids, tannins.

Parts utilized
· Part utilized: entire plant.
· Collect from May to October.
· Rinse, half-dry under the sunlight, compress, then continue drying under shade.

Uses
Folkloric
· Infantile convulsions, hepatitis, jaundice.
· Nephritic edema, urinary infection and lithiasis.
· Enteritis-diarrhea, dysentery,
· Reddening and swelling pains of the eye.
· Dosage: use 15 to 30 gms of dried material or 30 to 60 gms of fresh material in decoction.
· In Ayurveda, used to treat jaundice, dysentery, diabetes, skin ulcers, itching.
Studies
• A study reports that Phyllanthus may inhibit some pro-inflammatory enzymes with a potential use as antiinflammatory for rheumatic ailments.
• Study suggests that P. urinaria and P. niruri may be helpful in Hepatitis B and in malaria.
• Acetone, ethanol and methanol extracts of Phyllanthus urinaria inhibit HSV-2 infection in vitro: Study showed the extracts likely inhibited HSV-2 infection by decreasing virus infectivity and disturbing the early stage of infection

• Hippomanin A from Acetone Extract of Phyllanthus urinaria inhibited HSV-2 but not HSV-1 Infection In Vitro: Results shows hippomanin A impeded HSV-2 but not HSV1..
• Antioxidative and Cardioprotective Effects of Phyllanthus urinaria L. on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Study showed the PU may be an alternative antioxidant for the prevention of DOX cardiotoxicity.
• Phenolic Antioxidants from the Whole Plant of Phyllanthus urinaria: Study demonstrated considerable radical-scavenging activity, isolating 15 phenolic compounds, including ellagitannins, flavonoids and simple glycosylated aromatic acids.

Source: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Ibaibaan.html

Health Benefits of Bulaklak ng Paraiso

Parts utilized
Roots, leaves, flowers, seeds and bark.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of roots used for fevers.
Infusion of the bark used as wash for the teeth and gums.
Infusion of leaves used for colds, fevers, skin ailments and purging.
Reported to be abortifacient.
Decoction of leaves used as mouth wash and gargle for mouth ulcers.
Decoction of flowers used for erysipelas and inflammation of the eyes.
Powdered flowers used as insecticide.
Fruit is astringent and used for diarrhea and dysentery.
In the Amazon, leaf juice used for fevers; the flower juice for sores.
Seeds used for cough, chest pains, breathing difficulty.
Roots used to induce first trimester abortion.
Leaves are purgative; used for renal stones, malaria, bronchitis.
In Ayurvedic medicine, used for fever, jaundice, colic, flatulence, malignant tumors.
In Nicaragua, astringent infusion of the bark is used as a wash for teeth and gums.
In the West Indies, decoction used for fevers.
In the Antilles, the leaves are used as emmenagogue and abortifacient.
In Jamaica, plant is used as a purgative.

Studies
• Antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Euphorbia hirta and Asystasia gangeticum: Studies on the ethanolic extracts of the dry fruits of C. pulcherrima showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against E. coli (enteropathogen), Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
• In vitro antiviral activities of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and its related flavonoids: A study showed a potential for use in the treatment of infection caused by two viruses: herpesviruses and adenoviruses.
• Anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids isolated from Caesalpinia pulcherrima: The study supports the use of Caesalpinia pulcherrima for the treatment of inflammtory conditions in traditional medicine.
• Furanoid Diterpenes / Antibacterial / Antifungal : Study isolated four new cassane-type furanoditerpenoids from the leaves of CP. Antimicrobial testing showed activity against bacteria (S aureus, E coli, P aeruginosa and B subtilis) and fungia ( C albicans and T mentagrophytes).
• Nutrient studies of CP Seeds: Study suggests C pulcherrima could be a good source of low cost plant protein, a good source of iron and calcium; the whole seeds more nutrient-rich than the seed nuts.
• Flavonoids / Antiinflammatory: Study isolated five flavonoids from CP which significantly and dose-dependently inhibited inflammatory mediators, NO, cytokines (TNF and IL-12).
• Antifungal: Study of methanol extract of 9 Indian medicinal plants showed C pulcherrima with good antifungal activity against C albicans.

Source: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bulaklak.html

Health Benefits of Hantalikod

Phyllantus urinaria Chamber bitter in english, is a small tropical annual herb growing up to 2 feet tall, along the erect, red stem are equally set small green, oblong feathered leaves. It has a greenish white flowers. A very small wart-like fruit, greenish-red is underneath every pair of the feathered leaves. When the plant is picked the feathery leaves will fold in. Phyllantus amarus-has a greenish stem. Similar in appearance only color that differ. We call it here the red and white phyllantus.

Benefits: The plant is used for liver problems in general such as acute and chronic Hepatitis B. Diabetes,dysentery, flu, tumors,headache, fever; Jaundice ( the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes); Vaginitis ( swelling, itching, burning or infection in the vagina); Conjuntivitis (pink eye or bloodshot eyes); Menstrual disorders and dyspepsia uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of the stomach; It is proven antihepatotoxic, antiviral, antibacterial and hypoglycemic It is used against colic, and as an effective remedy to eliminate gall and kidney stones, urinary tract infection (UTI) and bladder inflammation; It is used for several conditions such as blennorrhagia (gonorrhea)

How to use:

The five grasp of dried material or fresh plants,boil three glass of water in 10 seconds and drink 3 times a day.

The Phyllantus urinaria cleaning the lever and eye condition.

Posted by Philippine Herbal’s at 6:46 PM 0 comments

http://mountainherbs.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

Health Benefits of Onion

Onion is being used for centuries not just to add flavor to foods but also for its therapeutic properties. Onion have an antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some people mixed vinegar with onion juice and apply it in their freckles and warts, it is believed that it can remove/reduce this skin problems.

Nutritive Values of Onions : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A : 50 I.U.
• Vitamin B :
• Vitamin C : 9 mg.
• Calcium : 32 mg.
• Phosphorus : 44 mg.
• Potassium : 300 mg.
• Carbohydrates : 10.3 gm.
• Protein : 1.4 mg.
• Calories : 45

Onion is Benenificial in the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Influenza
• Colds
• Tuberculosis
• Insomnia
• Pneumonia
• Antiallergy
• Obesity
• Reduce inflammation
• Slightly laxative
• High Blood Pressure

• Lowers cholesterol
• Prolong longevity
• Helps destroy worms and other parasites.
• Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube)
• Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves)
• Vertigo (inflammation of nerves)
• Diuretic (increases the secretion of urine)
• Diabetes mellitus – lowers blood sugar.
• Valuable for the hair, nails of the fingers and toes, and for the eyes.
• Sinus conditions – helps to drain mucus from the cavities and loosen phlegm.
• Whether fresh or cooked onions have antiplatelet, adhesiveness, thus preventing thrombosis.

‘Siling labuyo’ can be a potential shield vs cancer, expert says.

Publication: Manila Bulletin
Date: Monday, October 22 2007

Byline: Marvyn N. Benaning

Siling labuyo (Capsicum frutescens), the small but very hot pepper variety common in the country can be a potential shield against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract and muscular degeneration.

Thus says Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez, a professor at

the Institute of Chemistry at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB), who stressed the siling labuyo’s huge potential during a seminar on indigenous plants for health and wellness at the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) during the 19th National Research Symposium held in celebration of the 8th National Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Week.

Known as chili pepper, siling labuyo is among the indigenous plants that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is promoting through the Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness RDE Program of BAR.

The program aims to promote and highlight the importance of indigenous plants and their by-products.

The fruit of the siling labuyo is a popular condiment in sauces and dishes while its leaves are consumed as vegetable and is an ingredient for tinola, a popular chicken soup dish.

For centuries, the labuyo fruit has been used as an herbal treatment for arthritis and rheumatism and cure dyspepsia, flatulence and toothache.

“Phytochemicals are what people need to stay healthy,” Rodriguez stressed in her presentation.

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds found in fruits, vegetables and other edible plant species. These compounds act as anti-oxidants that are capable of metabolizing free-radicals in the body that cause cell death.

Carotenoids and phenolic acids are phytochemicals derived from siling labuyo.

Based on studies conducted by the team of Rodriguez, the anti-oxidant activity of siling labuyo extracts in terms of free radical scavenging activity is 60.1 percent, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for certain medical conditions.

Rodriguez encouraged eating a variety of fruits and vegetables to acquire the phytochemicals needed to promote health and wellness.

Moreover, Rodriguez pointed out that more studies should be done on other indigenous plants like malunggay.

The potential disease-preventive mechanisms of pyhytochemicals in fruits and vegetables and their constituents are not limited to anti-oxidant activity alone.

Phytochemicals can also act in the modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, alteration of cholesterol mechanism and blood pressure reduction.