Chinese Hibiscus

Originating from China and the Pacific islands, the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Malaysia National flower has been accredited with wonderful therapeutic properties. It has been widely used in the traditional medicine of both the chinese and Indians. In the Philippines, the flowers are a household remedy and are used in all kinds of inflammation whilst in the Ayurvedic medicine, the flowers are uses as a heart tonic and a blood purifier.

The leaves and young flower buds of hibiscus are used as a poultice for treating boils and swelling. The Red flowers are used to regulate menstruation but when combined with papaya seeds, they can caused abortion.

A decoction of the roots is used to treat fever and venereal diseases. The flowers is also used as an exspectorant for bronchitis. The leaves and flowers are used to treat skin diseases, mumps.

To the Indians, the flowers are used for curing gastric ulcers as the flowers are said to possess a soothing effect on the mucous membrane that line both the respiratory and digestive tract. It is also believed to possess aphrodisiac properties and used as a brain tonic. The chinese used it to treat minor stomach, intestinal and kidney problems. For the ladies, it is used internally to improve complexion and considered as good blood purifier.

Pharmacology studies have been done using rats. There is no apparent toxicity. In mice, oral administration of the benzene extracts of hibiscus flowers at a dose level of 1g/kg body weight from day 5-8 of gestation led to termination of pregnancy in about 92% of the animals. The glycoside constituents isolated from hibiscus exhibit hypotensive effects (lowering of blood pressure) in dogs at dosages of 40-80 mg/kg. Blood pressure remains low for 1-2 hours.

Hibiscus has been marketed as herbal remedies, teas and cosmetic. In the cosmetic industry, hibiscus is used as contouring lotion for inhibiting fat production and stimulation of fat breakdown.

KING OF BITTER - from Cobra Venom to Diabetes

This annual herb is indigenous to South East Asia, China and India. I have this planted in my backyard and regularly plucked three leaves for making a decoction of it.

The plant, scientifically known as Andrographis paniculata is given as analgesic, laxative, expectorant, digestive, stomachi, antipyretic and also used for treating diabetes, fever,worm infections, chronic bronchitis,leprosy, pruritis, flatulence, colic,dysentery,diarrhea and skin diseases.

It is also used for treating snake bite (anti-dote to cobra venom) and female disorders. A decoction of the leaves is often taken orally to cure diabetes and high blood pressure.

It is very bitter (that is why it is called King of Bitter) and very effective for tonsilitis, fever, flu and chest pain. We used to juice the leaves to apply to area of snake bites and stings of insects.

Spicy Sex Life

Is the daily grind of work, home and kids sapping your sexual urges? One needs to destress but try these exotic herbal tonics to put the passion back into your relationship.

Damiana - Perfect for people who have trouble achieving arousal, as it produces tingling sensations in the genitals. Made from leaves of a shrub, the recommended dosage is one to two 400 mg capsules when needed.

Muira Puama - This tree extract is good for men and women with low sex drive, as it stimulates nerve endings in the genitals.The recommended dosage is 1.5 g daily for two weeks, then only when needed.

Ginkgo - Especially good for males with erectile dysfunction, this stimulant improves blood flow to the genitals. A maidenhari tree extract, the recommended dosage is 40mg-60mg up to three times a day.

St.John's Wort - This herb boosts sex drive in people suffering from stress, exhaustion or anxiety. Made from dried leaves and flowers of a common shrub, the recommended dosage is 300mg three times daily.

Herbal TeaTime Anyone?

Mums, Homemakers, Queen of the Kitchen, it's time to pampered ourselves. Herbal tea infusions have been popular for centuries for their therapeutic properties. They relax, revive and taste great too. Combining the benefits of herbs with the taste and scents of fruits, herbal infusions are great pick-me-ups.

Try some of these.

At breakfast: Drink rosehip, orange and rhubarb. They help detoxify your body gently, giving your energy levels a lift.

After Lunch: Try peppermint. It's a well-known aid for digestion.

Mid-Afternoon: Enjoy blackcurrant, ginseng or vanilla infusion. It will give you an immediate boost.

Bedtime: Unwind with a cup of chamomile. It's renowned for its relaxing properties.

Any time of the day: A cup of elderflower, strawberry ad rose will both calm and relieve stress.
Cheers!

Heady lemon grass

Some good things in life still come fairly cheap, lemon grass for instance and most other herbs too. if you have tried cutting or pounding lemon grass, you will feel that this lemony bulb has appeal. Slit lengthwise or bruised, the scented base releases its full flavor to why curry, soup, meat or vegetable dish that requires simmering. The citrus fragrance and physical appearance of bruised lemon grass fried over slow heat is quite unlike anything else.

Steep it in curries and suck its pungent juice or fry the pounded lemon grass till dry. Hmmm...any which way you treat this herb, its heady scent can only leave you hungering for more of such goodness. Sliced and pounded, mix together with shallots, turmeric and shrimp paste or belacan, lemon grass or serai as it is commonly known here adds a distinctive taste to spicy concoctions. It is featured in the familiar tom yam soup, the Vietnamese staple of lemon grass chicken as well as in a myriad Malaysia, Thai and Indonesian dishes.

It is also believe that the herb helps expel 'wind' from the body. In some countries, lemon grass has been combined with other herbs to treat fevers, irregular menstruation, diarrhea and stomach aches. In East India and Sri Lanka, it is known as fever tea. it is also one of the more popular herbs in Brazil and the Caribbean for nervous and digestive problems. The Chinese use it to treat headaches, colds, stomachaches and rheumatic pains.

Benefits of Dandelion

Dandelion is a traditional herb which is widely used by physicians to cleanse and tone the liver, stimulate bile flow and prevent gallstones.

Supplementing your diet with Dandelion Complex will ensure a healthy liver and bile function, a healthy digestion, relief of indigestion, heartburn and gastritis.

It also provides relief of fluid retention and inflammation. In some cases, it can also help in the control of obesity.

Hair care

Here are some tips for your hair care. Just head to the kitchen to get your tresses sorted out naturally.

Dandruff - mix a few drops of rosemary with two tablespoons of olive oil and rub well into the scalp before bed. Shampoo and rinse out thoroughly in the morning.

Limp Hair - Mix two eggs in a blender with 50ml mineral water and 15ml of cider vinegar or lemon juice. Blend for 30 seconds at low speed. Massage well into the scalp and rinse with lukewarm water.

Fragrant tresses - For lovely herbal-scented locks, crush a few dried bay leaves with a rolling pin and mix with a handful of dried chamomile flowers and a handful of rosemary. Place in a large jug and fill with 1 litre of boiling water. Strain after 2-3 minutes and mix in 5 ml of liquid soap or gentle shampoo. Apply to the hair, massage well and rinse thoroughly.

Ginseng goodness!

Chinese ginseng is the most potent and pricey. It grows wild int eh remote mountains of Manchuria and is believed to prolong life through regular consumption. The Korean variety is considered 'heaty'. It is said to be effective in enhancing blood circulation and physical energy. American ginseng, as it name indicates, is indigenous to tech United States. Said to be 'cooling'. It is prescribed for weakness of heart, indigestion, dry throat, fatigue, menopausal depression and acne.

A 1985 research review by Japanese Pharmacologist said that ginseng promotes homeostasis by maintaining steady blood pressure, blood sugar and energy levels. It's effectiveness is attributed to saponins, a class of chemicals found in many herbs, which have therapeutic properties. Research in China and Japan suggests that saponins protect the heart and liver. They have antioxidant effects, which may account for the longevity claim of ginseng.

Kanazawa Medical University in Japan reported that saponins were able to return human liver cancer cells to normal in a test-tube. Beside saponins which are found in the outer layer of the root, ginseng also contains amino acids, chlorine, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid and vihydrates, ascorbic acid and vitamin B complex. The quality of ginseng is usually determined by the cotnent of the saponins. The more the better. As the saponin content increase with age, only plants six years and older have roots with therapeutic value.

General, wild ginseng is considered superior to the cultivated variety. Chinese medicine shops sell them in several grades. The larger the root, the older it is, the more potent and of course, the more costly. Buy from reputable medicine shops to ensure authenticity. Ask the herbalist how to prepare the root to get the most of its goodness.

Herbs and spices in cosmetics

To Western ears jasmine and gingko biloba may sound exotic. But her in Asia, they're well-known. Indian women often wear jasmine flowers in their hair. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a Chinese woman who hasn't tasted herbal soups with ginseng or a Muslim woman who has never used inai (henna) on her hands and fingers.

Now these traditional Asian herbs and spices are turning up in Western based skincare and cosmetics. So we're finally getting the best of both worlds. For many years Asian flowers like gardenia, jasmine and yiang ylang have formed the core of floral perfumes. But now other Asian herbs like ginger are used for its warm and invigorating fragrance. There's a whole new class of 'green' fragrances such as leaves like bamboo to balance freshness and sensuality.

Plant extracts are used in most creams and lotions to moisturize and nourish, that's nothing new. But what's new is the increasing use of Asian herbs. Ginseng and gingko biloba help stimulate the skin so you look more radiant. Soy, which is high in protein and amino acids, helps to nourish and condition dry skin and hair. Green tea is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps to reduce the effect of wrinkle-causing free-radicals.

Alpha-hydroxy acids found in face cream might come from fruits like lime, papaya and mandarin. Kaolin, also known as Chinese clay, helps combat oily skin. Perhaps the best thing about the increased use of Asian ingredients is that we're getting products specially developed to suit Asian women.

Medicinal value of lemon grass

It's medicinal value has found faith with some Buddhist monks who serve lemon grass tea in temples as it reputedly has a calming effect. The leaves are infused in water as a cooling tea.
In the realm of aromatherapy, the oil from lemon grass is mixed with coconut oil to rub on those having painful nerve conditions, rheumatism or lumbago.

Some in the Caribbean believe lemon grass baths ease soreness. Lemon grass is easily available in wet markets and supermarkets. wrapped well in kitchen paper, it can be stored in the refrigerator for at least two weeks, though as with most food, the taste cannot beat that of freshly bought lemon grass. In appearance, its pale green, grass-like leaves leave much to be desired but its bulbous-liking, creamish base, when cut open to expose mauve-colored rings amid the off-white surface, is quite something else.

It grows profusely in dense clumps throughout the tropics. As part of your own herb garden, just put some old lemon grass in soil and it will spread like wildfire, even by the side of the drains! However, experts say the soil must be well-drained and dry, for excessive watering will lower the oil content. Lemon grass is a natural insect repellent and it adds a citrus fragrance to potpourri.