Drumsticks for health

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” goes a popular proverb. How true! Health conscious people, who are busy counting calories and spending a fortune on expensive and nutritious foodstuffs, hardly spare a thought to the humble drumstick (sahjan) tree which is a common sight in the gardens of so many Indian homes. They don’t mind consulting dieticians who charge exorbitant amounts for chalking out a suitable diet chart but are hesitant to make use of any home-grown, nutritious or cheaply available vegetable. Why the special emphasis on 'drumstick' ? Simply, because it is loaded with all the vital health ingredients. Read on to find out more…

Drumstick or Moringa Oleifera is named so for its long bean-like fruit. Just about the whole plant is edible. The roots, flowers, leaves, pods are used in curries, salads and soups. The leaves are the most nutritious of all, and hence worth including in one’s diet. However, for maximum benefit, it should be consumed raw or in raw form. Don’t be put off by that characteristic aroma of the leaves. Just take a look at their nutritional value and then decide for yourself.

Nutritional value of drumstick leaves

* Seven times more vitamin C than oranges to fight many illnesses including cold and flu.

* Four times more vitamin A than carrots to protect against eye disease, skin disease, and heart disease.

* Four times more calcium than milk to build strong bones and teeth.

* Three times more potassium than bananas essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.

* Nearly 2 times the protein in milk and almost equal amounts of proteins as in eggs basic building blocks of all our body cells.[Source 1 & 2]

Medicinal uses

*The bark contains a gum that is used as a seasoning and a treatment for some stomach ailments.

*The seed is often used to purify dirty or cloudy drinking water. It is pounded into small fragments, wrapped in some sort or cloth, and then placed into water jars or containers.

*This pounded seed acts as flocculent, taking impurities out of water solution.

Home remedies

* For loss of appetite, colic pain and flatulence, seeds are found to be highly beneficial.

* The decoction of the seeds is found to be useful in dysmenorrhea or scanty menstruation. Papaya and aloe vera are also useful in such cases.

* A hot infusion of the leaves provides relief in skin diseases.

* The same infusion as mentioned above can be used in fevers to reduce temperature.

* Externally, the paste of the roots can be used in swellings and abscesses.

* Applying the oil obtained from the seeds reduces arthritic and rheumatic pain and swellings.

* Pound drumstick pods and/or leaves to form a paste and then mix it with lemon juice and get rid of pimples and the scars left by them.

Pic credits:fotosearch.com

Natural remedies for dark circles around your eyes

Dark circles around your eyes. How unsightly they look and even your best dress and layers of make-up sometimes does not quite succeed in concealing them! Blame it on your genes or your lifestyle, but, you cannot deny the fact that these are a blot on your beauty . And they become more prominent as you age. Let’s just debunk some of the myths as well as unearth some of the facts about the causes of these ‘ panda eyes ’. Dark circles under eyes usually are temporary and not a medical concern. You may be surprised to learn that fatigue usually isn't the cause of dark circles. Instead, the most common cause is nasal congestion. When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker.

The ache of acne (pimples)

Acne is often the bane of a pretty face. It is painful more emotionally than physically, for the scar that it leaves behind can last for a lifetime, adding to one’s miserable look & feeling. No doubt many expensive skin care clinics have mushroomed in ever nook & corner, offering to clear all the scars & blemishes on the face, but they are very expensive & charge exorbitant price for each sitting; not everyone can afford them. So why not try out this simple skin care regimen to minimize the damage caused by acne & as far as possible prevent its eruption.

Simple ways of acquiring a clear & blemish free skin

It is not necessary to go to expensive beauty parlours or buy expensive creams and lotions to acquire a blemish free & clear complexion. A few homemade remedies are provided below which will serve the purpose equally well. Hope this will benefit the readers. 1. Always wash your face with mild soap so that the pores breathe fresh air. For a clear and attractive skin mix besan, turmeric (haldi), lemon and milk together. Make a paste. Apply it on the face. Let it dry. Wash with clean water. Wipe your face with a soft towel and pat it dry.

Coconut oil for beauty

Coconut oil, due its high saturated fat content was branded as unhealthy and artery-clogging which could cause heart diseases. This claim has been widely disproved by the scientific community and it is now being hailed as one of world’s healthiest cooking oils. Though it may take time, perceptions are slowly changing as people are beginning to realize its tremendous benefits. Coconuts and coconut oil have always been a part of the cuisine in tropical countries like India (South) and Sri Lanka and even today coconut is indispensable in their diet. For now, let’s leave aside the health benefits and focus our attention on the beauty uses of this wonderful oil. South Indian women swear by it. They attribute their dense, long, raven black hair and a flawless , clear complexion to good genes and the liberal use of coconut oil in their diet and beauty regimen.

Aspirin for acne-prone skin

Aspirin has been around for a long time and its health benefits are wide and varied. Aspirin , or acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains , as an antipyretic to reduce fever , and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin's greatest benefit is reducing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. According to the American Heart Assoc. virtually all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors should more strongly consider prescribing a daily aspirin for their female patients. There is growing evidence to suggest regular aspirin use may reduce cancer and dementia as well. Investigators from the Women's Health Study have reported important new findings demonstrating that aspirin reduces the risk of a first stroke in women. When given to someone immediately after a heart attack, aspirin decreases death by 25%.

Comments

Naomi4:46 PM
That's a very interesting article. I love trees but had never heard of that one before. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm visiting you from the carnival.
Aparna3:33 PM
Thanks for visiting my blog, Naomi. Do try recipes with drumsticks if you can get them in England.
Anonymous6:11 PM
Interesting post. I look forward to seeing this herbal supplement in the U.S.
Anonymous11:04 PM
You did a great job with this post. I really didn’t know anything about drumsticks, although they look familiar so I may have seen pictures somewhere. I can’t believe how much I am learning from blogs these days.
Anonymous9:23 AM
Drumsticks or Moringa are high in calcium and dietary fibre, so it basically helps in bone development/nourishment & flushing out toxins from your body. It's part of a balanced diet regiment, and therefore a boon to you.
It wouldn't help you get thin, but will defintely help in keeping you healthy.
Anonymous8:38 AM
Drumstick pods are excellent cardio-protectors as they contain certain hypotensive compounds like thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate glycosides which help to lower blood pressure along with potassium. The fiber in the pods helps to lower cholesterol and prevent arterial clogs, thus reducing incidence of heart attacks and stroke.