2010By Syed AkbarHibiscus is a common garden plant with a variety of flowers sure to attract everyone’s
attention. Apart from providing beauty and elegance to gardens and backyards of houses,
hibiscus has several medicinal properties. It is a handy medicinal recipe for home
remedies for problems like dandruff, hair fall, premature greying of hair, high blood
pressure, upper respiratory tract infections and indigestion.
Hibiscus is generally consumed as hibiscus tea, available in the market. Or one can
prepare hibiscus tea at home. It is quite simple to prepare a cup of fresh hibiscus tea,
which can be consumed as a general health tonic to keep the physiological functions of
the body in perfect condition.
Take fresh flowers from a hibiscus plant and dry them under sun. Make them into powder
and keep it in a clean and dry bottle. Whenever you feel like taking hibiscus tea, take a
teaspoon full of powder and add it to a cup of water. Boil the mixture, filter it and
allow the hibiscus tea to cool. You may add honey or lemon or a little bit of sugar to
add taste.
Ayurveda and Unani doctors recommend use of hibiscus tea early in the morning for a
day-long feeling of good health.
Home remedies
Hibiscus tea is often suggested as the best home and quick remedy for high blood
pressure. Regular consumption of hibiscus tea will keep the blood pressure under check,
preventing major health complications.
If you are obese and want to reduce your weight, hibiscus tea is the best bet. Research
studies have shown that hibiscus tea reduces the blood cholesterol levels in arteries and
ensures that the blood flows through them without any interruption. Blockade of arteries
is serious problem which may even lead to death in coronary arteries are involved.
If it is a hot and sultry day and you feel exhausted, then go in for a cup of cool
hibiscus tea.
Body inflammation and swelling can be reduced through hibiscus tea, as it is believed to
be a good diuretic.
Paste prepared from fresh leaves and flowers of Hibiscus can be applied on the scalp for
treatment of dandruff. It is good for hair growth too. Hibiscus shampoo prevents hair
fall.
2010By Syed AkbarJasmine has always played a key role in various religious and marital rituals in different parts of Asia, particularly India. It is valued for its lovely and intoxicating perfume and its essential oil used in aromatherapy andtraditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda and Unani.
Jasmine oil and jasmine tea are widely recommended for their unique medicinal properties including soothing of the nervous system and improving the brain power. Chinese and Japanese use jasmine tea for relief from practically every health problem ranging from fever to insomnia, headache to body pains and cough to scars left behind by pimples and blackheads.
While jasmine tea is meant for oral intake, jasmine oil is for external use only. In no case the essential oil obtained from jasmine flowers should be consumed. It may prove quite harmful. Ayurveda and Unani doctors generally do not prescribe jasmine oil treatment for pregnant women and children. Lactating mothers should also stay away from jasmine oil as several studies showed that it curbs milk production.
A word of caution. While buying jasmine oil and jasmine tea, one should verify the credentials of the manufacturer. Since pure jasmine oil and jasmine tea are highly expensive, unscrupulous manufacturers generally use artificial flavours and pass the product as genuine. Always buy the jasmine products from a reputed manufacturer or herbal shop.
Jasmine is also regarded as an aphrodisiac. Some practitioners of traditional medicine recommend jasmine oil and jasmine tea for digestive issues and menstrual pain, and as an
anti-depressant and sedative.
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Home Remedies
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Those suffering from chronic insomnia or sleeplessness may try a drop or two of pure jasmine essential oil. Just inhale the fragrance and you will get relief from insomnia. Since it acts on the nerves system and soothes the brain, you will get a quiet and sound sleep. But do not use large quantities. It may turn harmful.
Ayurveda and Unani doctors as well as those practising aromatherapy recommend use of jasmine oil for sexual problems like impotence and premature ejaculation. A little spray of jasmine oil in the room spreads fragrance and soothes the nervous system, relieving anxiety.
People with muscular or joint pains may try a little of jasmine oil. Gently massage the oil on the affected part for quick relief. Once again, excessive use of oil is not recommended.
For a fair and glowing skin and to treat scars left behind by pimples and acne, apply a few drops of jasmine oil and gently rub against the affected portion.
Application of a few drops of jasmine oil on the scalp will give relief from headache.
Collect fresh jasmine flowers and crush them. Apply the paste on skin rashes and cracks
for quick relief.
Herbal doctors suggest Jasmine tea as a home remedy for problems like toothache, stomach
upset, hypertension and obesity. It is also recommended as a general tonic to keep the
heart in good working condition.
By Syed Akbar
Peepal has always played a key role in the religious history of India. It is considered holy by Hindus and Buddhists. It was under the Peepal tree, popularly known as the Bodh tree, that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Peepal is also called the holy fig and Buddhists recognise it as Bo tree.
Apart from its religious significance, Peepal has been used in traditional systems of medicine for more than 2000 years. In fact this tree was associated with the Indus Valley civilization. The leaves and fruits of Peepal are extensively used by Ayurveda and Unani practitioners to prepare a number of medicines for problems ranging from simple boils to the control of heart beat and from treating mumps to fighting water loss due to diarrhea.
Peepal is also recommended as a general health tonic. It is considered good particularly for those suffering from constipation. Often Peepal formulations are prescribed for jaundice, to control bleeding, to arrest nocturnal emission, and relief from general body pain caused by inflammation or swelling.
Readymade herbal formulations of Peepal tree are available in the market for those who do not have the time and energy to collect its leaves or fruits and prepare medicine at home. One has to be extra cautious about the genuineness of the Peepal formulations sold in the market. Always be moderate in taking the medicine as any excess intake may lead to health complications.
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Home remedies
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If you have troubled bowels and often suffer from constipation, you may take a few Peepal leaves, clean them and dry them. One you obtain dried Peepal leaves, make them into powder. Take a small piece of jaggery and mix it with the leaf powder. Take a small portion of the Peepal-jaggery preparation and see the results.
Mumps are rare now thanks to universal vaccination. And yet some people suffer from this highly painful problem. Peepal is a handy and readily available treatment for relief from the pain and swelling caused by mumps. Take a couple of Peepal leaves; apply a thin layer of ghee on them. Put the leaves near a flame for them to become tender. Then apply the leaves on the affected portion.
Ayurveda and Unani practitioners recommend Peepal decoction for jaundice. This home therapy is quite simple and easy. Take a small piece of Peepal bark. Wash it properly and then put it in a glass of water for about eight hours. Filter the water and consume it.
Syed Akbar
Sita-Ashoka or true Ashoka is a highly revered tree in Indian traditions. It has been associated with the Ramayana and the life of Goutam Buddha. Ayurveda and Unani practitioners regard it as a miracle tree for women, since most of its medicinal properties solve many gynaecological issues.
Here is a word of caution. Sita-Ashoka, scientifically called Saraca indica or Saraca asoca, is a true Ashoka tree mentioned in the ancient Indian, Arab and Greek medical texts. It should not be confused with the false Ashoka tree (Polyalthia longifolia) largely grown in parks and on road dividers in cities. The true Ashoka is a small tree while the false Ashoka grows much taller.
Though the medicinal properties of Sita-Ashoka have been known for ages, it’s only recently that they have been scientifically validated. Its leaves, bark and flowers are used in traditional systems of medicine in several parts of the world. Its properties include fighting tumours, excessive or irregular bleeding in women during monthly cycles or bleeding resulting from fibroids in uterus, and controlling infections.
According to a recent study by Dr P Pradhan and others from Rajasthan, Saraca is capable of killing different organisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, Staphylococcus aureus, (plant pathogen) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
The team found that the anticancer principle from Saraca flowers indicated 50 per cent cytotoxicity (in vitro), with no activity against normal lymphocytes but preferential activity for lymphocytes derived from leukemia patients.
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Quick remedies
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Readymade Ashoka extracts and tonics are available in the market, but before purchase one should make it sure that they are not adulterated with derivatives from false Ashoka tree.
Women with the problem of irregular or excessive bleeding may try the decoction obtained from the bark of Ashoka. The decoction should be prepared fresh everyday before consuming. It should be taken during the periods to check excessive loss of blood. Herbalists generally suggest that along with water a little quantity of milk can be used to obtain decoction from the bark. A teaspoon may be taken twice daily.
Dysentery is often accompanied by blood. Those who notice blood may try the Ashoka bark decoction. They may also try the dried flowers of Ashoka.Herbal medicine practitioners also recommend Ashoka dried flowers for diabetics to maintain their blood sugar levels within the prescribed limits.
More importantly, Ashoka extracts are sold as “female tonic” to keep the women reproductive system in healthy condition.
The decoction of Saraca bark is also used in treating bleeding piles.
2010By Syed Akbar For more than three millennia, rose has been a source of inspiration, for poets and doctors alike. Doctors in ancient India, Greece, Persia, Arabia and China had prescribed rose therapy for beauty as well as good health. Flowers and fruits of the rose plant have always been part of the herbal systems of medicine the world over.
Rose fruits or hips are capable of preventing and controlling human influenza or common cold. The rose hips get this flu-fighting properties from the large quantities of vitamin C present in them. They are also helpful in controlling the water content in the body and proper functioning of kidneys, urinary bladder, heart and liver.
Ayurveda and Unani doctors prescribe rose hips to prevent cardiovascular diseases, treat arthritis, skin problems and as a general tonic for a healthy living.
The importance of rose petals and rose hips can be gauged from the fact that almost all the pharmacopoeias of important nations including the USA and the UK recognise their medicinal properties. The grandma's recipe of "gulkhand", or rose candy prepared by using dried rose petal and sugar syrup or honey, continues to be a valid prescription in Ayurveda and Unani.Rose hips should be collected from common natural red rose plants. Hybrid roses should be avoided. Practitioners ofherbal medicine caution kidney patients, pregnant women, lactating mothers and small children against using rose hips.
Home remedies
People suffering from knee pain connected to arthritis may consume daily raw rose hips or extract for relief. Cut rose hips from rose plant grown in your garden, or purchase them from stores selling traditional herbal medicine. Clean the stuff with water. You may take the rose hips raw.
Rose hips contain chemicals like flavonoids that fight swelling and inflammation. Apply rose hip oil on the affected portion for quick relief.
For general well being and to prevent cardiovascular diseases, a daily dose of rose hips is the best natural bet.
Rainy season is the time when the flu virus is active. Herbal tea prepared from rose hips is said to fight flu. Ayurveda and Unani doctors claim that it also prevents common cold or flu.
Rose hip oil keeps the skin glowing, free from blemishes including those caused by black heads.
Aroma therapists claim that rose oil will give relief from depression and stress, by keeping the mind calm and cool.
Rose hip oil is a natural rejuvenant for those conscious of their beauty and also for those who want to hide their age. It kills the wrinkles on the skin.
