Health Benefits of Lagundi/Vitex Negundo

Department of Health in the Philippines
Scientific Research on Medicinal Herbs
Lagundi Studies

Scientific name: Vitex Negundo

Lagundi is a shrub that grows in the Philippines.  It is one of the ten herbal medicines endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with proven therapeutic value.  Lagundi has been clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds, flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis.  Studies have shown that Lagundi can prevent the body’s production of leukotienes which are released during an asthma attack.  Lagundi contains Chrysoplenol D – a substance with anti-histamine properties and muscle relaxant.

Plant Description: The Lagundi plant can grow up to five meters tall.  It has a single woody stem. Lagundi distinctive feature are the pointed leaves with five leaflets set like a hand.

Benefits:
•    Relief of asthma and pharyngitis
•    Relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils diarrhea (roots)
•    Treatment of chough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders
•    Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
•    Removal of worms and boils

Hepatoprotective effect of Vitex negundo against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

http://www.perfectlynaturalherbs.com/slagundi.html

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Uses
Folkloric
Leaf decoction for fever, headache, toothache, cough, asthma.
(1) For fever and toothaches, boil 6 tbsp of the chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes; strain and cool. Divide the decoction in 3 parts and take one part every 3-4 hours. Also, bruised leaves may be applied to forehead.
(2) For asthma and cough: Take 1/4 of the decoction three times a day.
Pounded leaves applies on the forehead and temples for headaches.
(3) Aromatic bath or sponge bathing: Boil 4 handfuls of leaves in a pot of water for 5 minutes; use the lukewarm decoction for sponge bathing.
(4) Wounds and ulcers: Use infusion of leaves as wash.
• In Ayurveda and Unani, leaves and seeds used for rheumatism and joint inflammation. Decoction of leaves taken as a diuretic.
Recent Use
Lagundi has been proven to be an effective analgesic and antitussive (prepared as a pleasant tasting cough syrup) and has been considered as a replacement for dextromethorphan in the public health system.
New Application
Studies have shown benefit through reduction of coughing and relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles. Being promoted by the Department of Health (DOH) for cough and asthma. One of a few herbs recently registered with the Bureau of Foods and Drugs (BFAD) as medicines.

Studies
• Anti-Venom: Snake venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plants (Vitex negundo and Emblica officinalis) root extracts: A methanolic extract study of VN showed it possesses potent snake venom neutralizing capacity and suggests further investigation.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Vitex negundo Linn (VN) leaf extract as an adjuvant therapy to standard anti-inflammatory drugs: VN significantly potentiated antiinflammatory activity of phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in albino rats.
• Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Anti-inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Action of Vitex negundo Linn: Study suggests VN possess anti-imflammatory activity against acute and sub-acute inflammation probably due to prostaglandin inhibition and reduction of oxidative stress.
• Antibacterial: Essential oil composition and antibacterial studies of Vitex negundo linn. extracts: : Study showed the essential oils and extracts to have antibacterial activity. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts showed prominent antibacterial activity against all tested strains.
• Antifungal: (1) New antifungal flavonoid glycoside from Vitex negundo: Study found a new isolated flavone glycoside and a known compound to have significant antifungal activity against Tricophyton mentagrophytes and Cryptococcus neoformans. (2) Ethanol extract of fruit seeds showed significant activity against Fusarium solani and moderate response against Microsporum canis with no effect against C albicans.
• Larvicidal: Differential larvicidal efficacy of four species of Vitex against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae: The methanolic extracts of all Vitex species showed varying levels of larvicidal activity.
• Anthelmintic: Study of ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vitex negundo on anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma showed both to have dose dependent activity, with Moringa oleifera showing more activity.

Preparation
How to make lagundi syrup
• Clean fresh lagundfi leaves and chop.
• In 4 glasses of water, boil 4 tablespoons of minced lagundi leaves for 50 minutes.
• Strain the liquid extract and add 1 part honey to 4 parts extracts.
• Boil in an earthen pot or enamel-lined saucepan for 15 minutes until the desired viscosity is attained; cool.
• Pour the syrup in clear amber-colored bottles.

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Lagundi.html

The Health Benefits of Ginger

The medicinal uses of ginger is almost endless.  If you can stomach the spiciness, it does wonders in treating many disorders.

Anticoagulant: Add ginger in most of your cooking or add a teaspoonful of fresh ginger juice in your beverages to enjoy the anticoagulant properties of ginger.  It helps make blood platelets less sticky which in turn reduces your risk of atherosclerosis.

Aphrodisiac effect: A natural aphrodisiac, this might be the better substitute to viagra!  Drink hot ginger tea (by mixing ginger juice, hot water and honey) after a not-too-heavy meal and see it work!

Cold: Cut up a small piece of ginger and boil it with a small cup of pure drinking water.  Add some green tea leaves if you wish.  Strain and drink when hot.  Effective if you also have fever resulting from the cold. You may also drink this concoction if you feel a cold coming.

Cough: Drink ginger juice with honey three to four times a day for a bad throat.  It is soothing and helps clear up phlegm.

Digestive disorder: Mix a teaspoonful of fresh ginger juice with one teaspoonful each of fresh lime juice and fresh mint juice with some honey to taste in a glass of water.  Drink to relieve heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.  Especially helpful after a big meaty meal.

Fatigue: Slice a piece of ginger into disks and boil it with a big glass of water.  Add a piece of cinnamon bark, bring to boil and then cover it for about half an hour till it turns to golden color.  Drink it to relieve fatigue when recovering from fever.  It also relieves muscle pain and soreness.

Flatulence/wind: Pound a piece of fresh ginger and boil with a cup of water and add a little honey to taste.  Drink it twice a day to let off the wind trapped in the intestinal tract.

Impotency: Believe it or not!  Mix a teaspoonful of fresh ginger juice to a half-boiled egg and a teaspoonful of honey. Take this concoction on an empty stomach, every night for a month.  It is supposed to cure impotency, premature ejaculation and increase sperm count.  (Not proven but worth trying!)

Inflammations: The anti-inflammatory (gingerols) and anti-oxidant properties in ginger help relieve various inflammatory disorders like gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.  It provides substantial relief in pain caused by inflammation and help decrease swelling and morning stiffness.

Menstruation disorders: Pound a piece of fresh ginger and boil with a cup of water and add a little honey to taste.  Drink it hot two or three times a day for a month.  The pain-relieving and anti-cramping compounds in ginger effectively help relieve painful menstruation cramps (dysmenorrhoea).  In the absence of menstruation in women in the reproductive age (amenorrhoea), this concoction can also help induce menstruation.

Morning sickness: A teaspoonful of fresh ginger juice with some honey will also help alleviate morning sickness, sea or motion sickness, dizziness and even nausea caused by chemotherapy or anesthesia.

Pain killer: Ginger juice makes an excellent pain killer, even when applied externally.  In headache, apply ginger juice to the forehead.  With toothache, apply it to the external area either on the cheek or jaw area.

http://www.juicing-for-health.com/health-benefits-of-ginger.html

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Gastrointestinal Relief

A clue to ginger’s success in eliminating gastrointestinal distress is offered by recent double-blind studies, which have demonstrated that ginger is very effective in preventing the symptoms of motion sickness, especially seasickness. In fact, in one study, ginger was shown to be far superior to Dramamine, a commonly used over-the-counter and prescription drug for motion sickness. Ginger reduces all symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating.

Safe and Effective Relief of Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

Ginger’s anti-vomiting action has been shown to be very useful in reducing the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, even the most severe form, hyperemesis gravidum, a condition which usually requires hospitalization. In a double-blind trial, ginger root brought about a significant reduction in both the severity of nausea and number of attacks of vomiting in 19 of 27 women in early pregnancy (less than 20 weeks). Unlike antivomiting drugs, which can cause severe birth defects, ginger is extremely safe, and only a small dose is required.

A review of six double-blind, randomized controlled trials with a total of 675 participants, published in the April 2005 issue of the journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology,has confirmed that ginger is effective in relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The review also confirmed the absence of significant side effects or adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly. In two clinical studies involving patients who responded to conventional drugs and those who didn’t, physicians found that 75% of arthritis patients and 100% of patients with muscular discomfort experienced relief of pain and/or swelling.

Arthritis-related problems with your aging knees? Regularly spicing up your meals with fresh ginger may help, suggests a study published in a recent issue of Osteoarthritis Cartilage. In this twelve month study, 29 patients with painful arthritis in the knee (6 men and 23 women ranging in age from 42-85 years) participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Patients switched from placebo to ginger or visa versa after 3 months. After six months, the double-blind code was broken and twenty of the patients who wished to continue were followed for an additional six months.

By the end of the first six month period, those given ginger were experiencing significantly less pain on movement and handicap than those given placebo. Pain on movement decreased from a score of 76.14 at baseline to 41.00, while handicap decreased from 73.47 to 46.08. In contrast, those who were switched from ginger to placebo experienced an increase in pain of movement (up to 82.10) and handicap (up to 80.80) from baseline. In the final phase of the study when all patients were getting ginger, pain remained low in those already taking ginger in phase 2, and decreased again in the group that had been on placebo.

Not only did participants’ subjective experiences of pain lessen, but swelling in their knees, an objective measurement of lessened inflammation, dropped significantly in those treated with ginger. The mean target knee circumference in those taking ginger dropped from 43.25cm when the study began to 39.36cm by the 12th week. When this group was switched to placebo in the second phase of the study, their knee circumferences increased, while those who had been on placebo but were now switched to ginger experienced a decrease in knee circumference. In the final phase, when both groups were given ginger, mean knee circumference continued to drop, reaching lows of 38.78 and 36.38 in the two groups.

How does ginger work its anti-inflammatory magic? Two other recent studies provide possible reasons.

A study published in the November 2003 issue of Life Sciences suggests that at least one reason for ginger’s beneficial effects is the free radical protection afforded by one of its active phenolic constituents, 6-gingerol. In this in vitro (test tube) study, 6-gingerol was shown to significantly inhibit the production of nitric oxide, a highly reactive nitrogen molecule that quickly forms a very damaging free radical called peroxynitrite. Another study appearing in the November 2003 issue of Radiation Research found that in mice, five days treatment with ginger (10 mg per kilogram of body weight) prior to exposure to radiation not only prevented an increase in free radical damage to lipids (fats found in numerous bodily components from cell membranes to cholesterol), but also greatly lessened depletion of the animals’ stores of glutathione, one of the body’s most important internally produced antioxidants.

A study published in the February 2005 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine sheds further light on the mechanisms of action that underlie ginger’s anti-inflammatory effectiveness. In this research, ginger was shown to suppress the pro-inflammatory compounds (cytokines and chemokines) produced by synoviocytes (cells comprising the synovial lining of the joints), chrondrocytes (cells comprising joint cartilage) and leukocytes (immune cells).

Protection against Colorectal Cancer

Gingerols, the main active components in ginger and the ones responsible for its distinctive flavor, may also inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, suggests research presented at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, a major meeting of cancer experts that took place in Phoenix, AZ, October 26-30, 2003.

In this study, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Hormel Institute fed mice specially bred to lack an immune system a half milligram of -gingerol three times a week before and after injecting human colorectal cancer cells into their flanks. Control mice received no -gingerol.

Tumors first appeared 15 days after the mice were injected, but only 4 tumors were found in the group of -gingerol-treated mice compared to 13 in the control mice, plus the tumors in the -gingerol group were smaller on average. Even by day 38, one mouse in the -gingerol group still had no measurable tumors. By day 49, all the control mice had been euthanized since their tumors had grown to one cubic centimeter (0.06 cubic inch), while tumors in 12 of the -gingerol treated mice still averaged 0.5 cubic centimeter-half the maximum tumor size allowed before euthanization.

Research associate professor Ann Bode noted, “These results strongly suggest that ginger compounds may be effective chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinomas.”

In this first round of experiments, mice were fed ginger before and after tumor cells were injected. In the next round, researchers will feed the mice ginger only after their tumors have grown to a certain size. This will enable them to look at the question of whether a patient could eat ginger to slow the metastasis of a nonoperable tumor. Are they optimistic? The actions of the University of Minnesota strongly suggest they are. The University has already applied for a patent on the use of -gingerol as an anti-cancer agent and has licensed the technology to Pediatric Pharmaceuticals (Iselin, N.J.).

Ginger Induces Cell Death in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Lab experiments presented at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer, by Dr Rebecca Lui and her colleagues from the University of Michigan, showed that gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and autophagocytosis (self-digestion).

Ginger extracts have been shown to have both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects on cells. To investigate the latter, Dr Liu examined the effect of a whole ginger extract containing 5% gingerol on a number of different ovarian cancer cell lines.

Exposure to the ginger extract caused cell death in all the ovarian cancer lines studied.

A pro-inflammatory state is thought to be an important contributing factor in the development of ovarian cancer. In the presence of ginger, a number of key indicators of inflammation (vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8 and prostaglandin E2) were also decreased in the ovarian cancer cells.

Conventional chemotherapeutic agents also suppress these inflammatory markers, but may cause cancer cells to become resistant to the action of the drugs. Liu and her colleagues believe that ginger may be of special benefit for ovarian cancer patients because cancer cells exposed to ginger do not become resistant to its cancer-destroying effects. In the case of ovarian cancer, an ounce of prevention-in the delicious form of liberal use of ginger-is an especially good idea. Ovarian cancer is often deadly since symptoms typically do not appear until late in the disease process, so by the time ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it has spread beyond the ovaries. More than 50% of women who develop ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.

Immune Boosting Action

Ginger can not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. A good sweat may do a lot more than simply assist detoxification. German researchers have recently found that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may help fight off infections. Investigators have isolated the gene responsible for the compound and the protein it produces, which they have named dermicidin. Dermicidin is manufactured in the body’s sweat glands, secreted into the sweat, and transported to the skin’s surface where it provides protection against invading microorganisms, including bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (a common cause of skin infections), and fungi, including Candida albicans.

Ginger is so concentrated with active substances, you don’t have to use very much to receive its beneficial effects. For nausea, ginger tea made by steeping one or two 1/2-inch slices (one 1/2-inch slice equals 2/3 of an ounce) of fresh ginger in a cup of hot water will likely be all you need to settle your stomach. For arthritis, some people have found relief consuming as little as a 1/4-inch slice of fresh ginger cooked in food, although in the studies noted above, patients who consumed more ginger reported quicker and better relief.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72

See also:

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/ginger.shtml
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-ginger.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72

The Health Benefits of Carrot

The carrot is an excellent vegetable as it has both nutritional and medicinal values which are essential for our optimum health.

The best thing of carrot is that it is easily assimilated by our body. Chinese practitioners said that carrot tastes sweet, and it is good for the health of spleen and stomach. It is also believed to improve impotence (lower sexual drive), sexual dysfunction, night blindness, long term cough (or call hundred days cough in Chinese medical prescription) besides strengthening kidney and eliminating excessive wind and cold in our body.

Carrot has proved its outstanding role in anti-cancer effect. The research revealed that people with lack of beta-carotene were more likely to have 2 times higher risk of cancer than normal people. It is wiser to eat an appropriate amount of carrot per day to prevent cancer. This is because beta-carotene in the carrot can be easily changed by our body into vitamin A, which is essential for healthy cell growth, strong immune system and protection against mascular degeneration (AMD).

The research also found that carrot contains bulk of folic acid, a group of vitamin B, which has good effect to fight against free radicals (substances that cause cancer) in our body. The lignin found in carrot too, helps to strengthen our immune system to fight against cancerous cells. Potash succinate, its anti hypertensive drug properties may also help to reduce the blood pressure. Therefore, it is also regarded as a good diet for hypertension’s patient.

As carrot is fat-soluble substance, its nutrition is absorbed better with the presence of oil. Therefore, it is better to dip one drop of olive oil into a glass of carrot juice so that our body can effectively absorbed its nutrition.

Carrots like other foods do contain sugar which may give rise to the blood sugar. However, if carrots are consumed in an appropriate amount they won’t give rise to an extreme blood sugar rise among people with blood sugar problems (both diabetic and hypoglycaemic). 8-ounce glasses of carrot juice per day have been seen as a successful cure among the patients who are terminally ill cancer. Your body appears to handling well with the natural occurring sugars found in carrot juice. There are still no scientific evidences supporting that appropriate consumption of carrot juice can cause negative impact to your body.  Nevertheless, I’d advise diabetic and hypoglycaemic to limit the intake of carrots because excessive intake of carrots may be detrimental to your health or may worsen your existing health condition.

Now, you may ask me, “ How much carrot juice should I take, chan?” It’s hardly to give you an accurate answer here since the intake of carrot juice  varies among the individuals. It’s always wiser to consult your doctor for any dieting alteration, particularly among the patients, those who’re engaging with diseases or those with serious health or physical problems. Basically, for a healthy person, it’s recommended to take two to three 8-ounce glasses of carrot juice daily.

Carrot Food Therapy for Certain Diseases is Listed as Follows:

For Hypertension’s Patient

Drink 100milliliter of fresh organic carrot juices everyday and it should be two servings per day. The therapy should proceed constantly for 30 days.

For Those Who Have Constipation

Blend fresh organic carrot juices with a juicer. Then, pour the juice into a glass. Dip a drop of olive oil into the glass. Mix it with an appropriate amount of royal jelly honey. Stir the mixture for a thorough mix. Each serving should be 80 milliliter, with every morning and night each.

For Those Who Have Night Blindness or Dry Dull Eyes

Get ready with 250gram of fresh organic carrots. Put two tablespoons of olive oil in the wok. Add in carrots. Fry with slow fire till it is thoroughly cooked. It should be one serving for a day. The therapy should proceed constantly for 7 days.

For Those Who Have Long-Term Cough (Hundred Days Cough)

Get ready with 200 gram fresh organic carrots and 13 pieces of jujube (Chinese red dates). Cook with slow fire. Make sure the amount of water is not too much or too little. There should be approximately 8 bowls of water (measured with a small Chinese bowl) for approximately 30 minutes. It should be one serving per day.

For Those Who Suffer From Scalp Itching and Dandruff

Get ready with 200 gram fresh organic carrots. Use slow fire to stew the carrots. Add in appropriate amount of sea salt according to your taste. It should be one serving for a day.

For the Following Diseases, Please Do According to the Suggested Prescriptions as Listed Below:

Note: Each prescription stated below should be taken for at least 6 consecutive months. Organic grown fruits and vegetables are recommended here so that you can help prevent additional toxins from being dumped into your body. “in between the meal time” here means 2 or 3 hours before the meal time, and you should avoid to take this juice before breakfast and 3 hours before your bedtime. If you’re in medication, make sure that you’re not taken this juice together with your medicine. In this case, you can take this juice 2 or 3 hours after the medication. Bear in mind that this juice should be taken immediately to avoid any chemical changes that might have occurred.

Scurvy: Put carrot (8 ozs.) and grapefruit (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Adenoids: Put carrot (10 ozs.) and spinach (6 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Rheumatism: Put carrot (8 ozs.) and celery (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Acne: Put carrot (10 ozs.) and spinach (6 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Tumors: Put carrot (8 ozs.) and beet (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Bright’s Disease: Put carrot (8 ozs.), parsley (2 ozs.) and celery (6 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Dermatitis: Put carrot (6 ozs.), beet (5 ozs.) and cucumber (5 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Colitis: Put carrot (8 ozs.), and apple (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Angina Pectoris: Put carrot (6 ozs.), beet (5 ozs.) and cucumber (5 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Diabetes: Put carrot (6 ozs.), celery (5 ozs.), endive (2 ozs.) and parsley (2 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Albuminuria: Put carrot (10 ozs.), beet (3 ozs.), and cucumber (3 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Coronary Thrombosis: Put carrot (8 ozs.), and garlic (2 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Arthritis: Put carrot (8 ozs.), celery (8 ozs.), and one grapefruit (chopped in small cube) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Constipation: Put carrot (8 ozs.), celery (4 ozs.), and apple (4 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Gallstones: Put carrot (6 ozs.), beet (5 ozs.) and cucumber (5 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Nervous Disorders: Put carrot (8 ozs.), celery (6 ozs.) and parsley (2 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Nephritis: Put carrot (8 ozs.), celery (6 ozs.) and parsley (2 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Diarrhea: Put carrot (6 ozs.), celery (5 ozs.) and apple (5 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Asthma: Put carrot (8 ozs.), celery (8 ozs.) and one grapefruit (chopped in small cube) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Cancer: Put carrot (12 ozs.), and cabbage (4 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Blood Pressure (High): Put carrot (8 ozs.), and pod of garlic into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Allergies: Put carrot (8 ozs.), and celery (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Anemia: Put carrot (8 ozs.), beet (2 ozs.) and celery (6 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Hernia: Put carrot (6 ozs.), celery (6 ozs.), spinach (2 ozs.) and parsley (2 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Note: For each stated prescription below, you’re recommended to take it for several consecutive days until the disease goes off. Organic grown fruits and vegetables are recommended here so that you can help prevent additional toxins from being dumped into your body. “in between the meal time” here means 2 or 3 hours before the meal time, and you should avoid to take this juice before breakfast and 3 hours before your bedtime. If you’re in medication, make sure that you’re not taken this juice together with your medication. In this case, you can take this juice 2 or 3 hours after the medication. Bear in mind that this juice should be taken immediately to avoid any chemical changes that might have occurred.

Hay Fever: Put carrot (8 ozs.), and celery (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Influenza: Put carrot (8 ozs.), and celery (8 ozs.) into the blender. Blend well until smooth before serving. Take this juice once a day in between the meal time.

Warning!

It’s very important to take note that carrots should not be taken together with wine, beer, or any alcoholic drinks. The reason is that the combination of both will cause substantial amount of alcohol and carotene entering your body at the same time, which will later lead to the production of toxins in your liver. When this situation occurs, you’re more likely to have liver disease. Similarly, carrots cannot be taken with black fungus at a time as the combination of both will cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). The intake of 500g carrots with any sea foods may also cause arsenic poisoning.

Although carotenoids found in carrots are beneficial to baby, attention should be paid for the volume of the intake. It’s always better to consult a registered doctor or dietician on the issue of how much carrot juice should be given to your child based upon their existing health condition. Excessive consumption of carotene (either from carrots or tomatoes) can cause hyperlipidemia, which can lead to orange-colored skin on the face and hands. Other symptoms which are observed among your child include loss of appetite, mental instability, anxiety, and sleep disorder accompanied by crying, screaming, nightmare and murmuring throughout the night.

We always think that goiter (a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx) is caused by a deficiency of iodine. But do you know that the combination of carrots and oranges can also indulge or cause the development of goiter? Many clinical experimentations have shown that after entering your body, carrots (a type of cruciferous vegetables, which refers to edible plants in the family of Brassicaceae) can quickly produce a substance called Thiocyanate (common compounds that include the colorless salts potassium thiocyanate and sodium thiocyanate), and this thiocyanate will soon undergo a procedure of metabolism to produce an anti-thyroid substance called thiocyanate acid. The question on how much this so-called substance is produced is directly proportional to the volume of the intake of the carrots. When fruits such as oranges, pears, apples, or grapes are taken immediately or are combined with carrots at a time, the flavonoids from these fruits will be decomposed by the intestinal bacteria into hydroxyl benzoic acid (a crystalline derivative of benzoic acid) and ferulic acid (an organic compound that is an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant cell walls). Both acids are found to reinforce thiocyanate acid to inhibit the functionality of thyroid gland which might have contributed to a consequence of goiter. Therefore, you’re encouraged not to drink juices of/ eat oranges, apples or grapes straight away after the consumption of carrots.

Final Remark:

Again, it’s very important to take note that  carrot should not be taken together with an orange. This is because Thiocyanate compound in carrot will react chemically with substances in orange which can cause goiter (the enlargement of the thyroid). Similarly, carrot cannot be taken together with polygonum multiflorum (Chinese knotweed or flowery) and ginseng.

http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-health-benefits-of-carrots/

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Health Benefits of Carrot:

1. Carrot can enhance the quality of breast milk.
2. Carrot can improve the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.
3. When taken daily it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
4. Raw contain beta-carotene, a strong antioxidant that can prevent cancer.
5. Carrot juice when taken everyday prevent bodily infections and is claimed to be valuable for the adrenal glands (the small endocrine glands situated above the kidneys).
6. Carrot can help improve eyesight.
7. Carrot can help increase menstrual flow.
8. Carrots can regulate blood sugar.
9. Carrot can promote colon health, because carrot is rich in fiber.

Carrot is also helpful in the following cases : Obesity, Poisoning of the blood, Gum disease, Insomnia, Inflamed Kidneys, Liver, Gallbladder, Alzheimer’s disease, Colitis, Ulcer Painful urination

Vitamin and Mineral Content :

• Vitamin A – 12,000 I.U,
• Vitamin B; Thiamine B: .06 mg.
• Riboflavin: .06 mg.
• Niacin: .5 mg.
• Vitamin C: 5 mg.
• Vitamin D, E, G, & K
• Calcium: 39 mg.
• Iron: .8 mg.
• Phosphorus: 37 mg.
• Fat: 0.3 gm
• Carbohydrates: 9.3 gm.
• Protein: 1.2gm.
• Calories: 42

http://hubpages.com/hub/HEALTH_BENEFITS_OF_CARROT

See also:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=21
http://hubpages.com/hub/HEALTH_BENEFITS_OF_CARROT
http://home.howstuffworks.com/carrots3.htm
http://www.health-fitness.com.au/carrot-health-benefits/