Herb 101 - Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is used as traditional medicine wherever it is found. Asia, Africa and Latin America widely used this as remedy for diabetes millitus since ancient times. It is also used to treat fevers, viral infections and as an emmenagogue in reproductive health. Other uses are for treatment for gastrointestinal complaints, worms, constipation, headaches and skin conditions. Its fruits are use for topically for wound healing.

Bitter melon is also known as African cucumber, balsam pear,bitter gourd, kakara, karela, ku gua, sushavi and wild cucumber.

Allowable dosage for common illness is at 50 to 100 ml per day. Though over dosage do not show any significant side-effect, it is discourage to take more than the normal dosage.

Take not of this, in administering bitter melon to patients, avoid the seeds, it contains toxic lectins. Only its fruit and leaves are used in medicine.

Dengue Cases Going Up

Dengue cases are going up in all areas of the Philippines. Some of the provinces already declared state of calamity due to this disease. There is an increase of almost 200% from previous year (2009). And the worst thing is, it kills. Death due to Dengue is increasing.

Local government are encouraging local communities to clean their surroundings. There is a clean up drive called "4 o'clock habit" where residents are urge to clean everyday at 4 pm. This is very effective since constant cleaning eliminates stagnant water where these mosquitoes, the carrier of dengue, breeds. Fogging is also done to ensure death of adult mosquitoes.

Dengue is prone to tropical countries like Philippines. Every rainy season, where water is abundant, dengue carrying mosquitoes attacks. This is the time where they can breed and propagate.

The only solution is to clean your surroundings to prevent these mosquitoes to lay eggs. With no place to breed, eventually they will perished.

Dengue Attacks

Dengue fever can be fatal if untreated and undetected. Dengue can be acquired from a bite of mosquito called Aedes aegypti. This mosquitoes live in the tropics and breeds in stagnant waters in cans, vases, old tires and others that will hold enough water.


Symptoms of Dengue are the follwoing;

• Fever which may last 2 to 7 days
• Joints and muscle pains including at the back of the eyes
• skin rashes
• nose bleeding
• abdominal pains
• Vomiting  

As of now, no vaccine is available for this disease. As the saying goes, Prevention is better than cure. It is better to prevent the growth of this mosquitoes. So clean all your water containers once a week. Replace water in vases, cover your water containers and make sure you dispose it after a week so mosquitoes cannot breed on them.

If a member of your family has dengue, you need to send them to the nearest hospital, If remains untreated, virus will start to infect/reduce the host's blood platelet count that will lead to death.

Increasing the patient's blood platelet count will eventually help him recover. Blood transfusion can be administered. As herbal remedy, eating Durian will help increase the platelet count. Tawa-tawa weed can be helpful too. Boil 1 liter of water, put 6 full tawa-tawa weed (roots removed), boil for at least 1 minute. Put in a glass and let the solution to cool down before drinking. Drink 1 glass every hour. Fever will go down within 24 hours and dengue is cured.

Pretty simple, but effective.

Information about Charcoal

Charcoal is an amorphous, porous form of carbon made by the destructive distillation of almost any carbonaceous material such as wood, coconut shells, animal bones, and corn cobs. Woods, coconut shells, and animal bones do not produce harmful chemicals, such as methylcholanthrene and benzopyrene in the process of burning. Accordingly, powdered charcoal is an antiseptic and adsorbent.

   

Charcoal powder can be given for dyspepsia (poor digestion) where foul breath and smelly eructation are present, and for the offensive smell in the bowels which usually attend to pregnancy.

The most important work of charcoal powder in the treatment of various diseases is it adsorbs chemical substances that are harmful to the body, like germs, viruses, toxins, wound secretions, and other results of infections. Charcoal does not absorb but rather it adsorbs substances, by "adsorb" means to take up, hold on, or spread out on the surface of the molecules. Charcoal works like a magnet, it collects foreign substances around it, bonding them all together and disposes of them through the excretory system.

Charcoal Therapy?

Have you heard about charcoal therapy? It surprises me when I’ve read about it and it really catches my attention since then. I’ll write more about it in my blog these days and you’ll definitely be amused with it.

Charcoal has been used as a simple remedy for different health problems since the time of Hippocrates who lived from 460 to 370 B.C.

Ellen G. White spearheaded the use of charcoal in the late 1800 for treating different diseases. She stated in one of her books: “One of the most beneficial remedies is pulverized charcoal, placed in a bag and used in fermentations. This is the most successful remedy…I have prescribed this simple remedy, with perfect success…This works like a charm.” She continues: “I expect you will laugh at this; but if I could give this remedy some outlandish name that no one knew but myself, it would have greater influence…But the simplest remedies may assist nature, and leave no baleful effects after their use.”

Some diseases that can be cured with charcoal are:

1.       Indigestion

2.       Inflammation of the bowel/dysentery

3.       Inflammation of the eyes

4.       Inflammation and bruises

5.       Boils

6.       Insect and snake bites

7.       Typhoid fever; and a lot more

I’ll discuss more about these on my following blogs…

Medical Ethics and its Principles

In any field or profession, there should be principles and ethics that should be followed as cardinal rule. The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patients/clients. A physician must recognize responsibility not only to patients, but also to the society, to other health professionals and to himself. These ethics are not laws, but standards of conduct which define the essentials of honorable behavior for all professionals.

A Physician shall;

•  be dedicated to provide competent  medical services with compassion and respect for human dignity.
• deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in fraud or deception.
• respect the rights of patients, colleagues and other health professionals and safeguard patient confidences within the constraints of the law.
• continue to study, apply and advance scientific knowledge, make relevant  information available to patients, colleagues and the public. Obtain consultation and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated.
• in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate and the environment in which to provide medical services.
• recognize a responsibility to participate in the activities contributing to an improved community.

If your physician or doctors, do not apply or use these ethics, you can have them reprimanded or you can have their license canceled. But most of the time, Physicians are following these ethics. 

Time to see your doctor

It is already common that we only go to our doctor in case of emergency or disease. Sometimes, our doctor can still handle the illness, but what if he can't? It will be your last visit to your doctor, isn't it?

Here are some body signals that we need to see our doctors without delay if we experience any of the following symptoms;

• For women, unusual bleeding or discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods, during pregnancy or after menopause; bleeding or discharge from the nipples. In both sexes, rectal bleeding; feces (they will look black and tarry), urine (it may range from faint pink to dark brown), cough up phlegm and sputum or vomit.
• Any marked change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore that doesn't heal about three weeks.
• A change in the size or appearance of a mole, freckle or skin blemish.
• A lump, swelling or thickening in a woman's breast or in either sexes, elsewhere in the body; any change in the contour of a woman's breast.
• Nagging hoarseness or coughing; a worsening smoker's cough.
• Chronic indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
• A sudden, unexplained  drop in weight; loss of appetite.
• Recurrent vomiting.
• Unexplained chronic pain, new or unusually severe pain in the head., chest or abdomen.
• Chronic fever or night sweats.
• Unexplained lightheadedness or fainting spells.
• Blurred vision; seeing halos around lights.
• Sever, unexplained shortness of breath.
• Bluish lips, eyelids or nail beds.
• Chronically swollen ankles.
• Excessive thirst.
• Unusual weakness or fatigue.
• Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• In men, frequent difficul or uncomfortable urination and a discharge from the penis.

You need to visit your doctor if you have one or more of these symptoms before its too late. Prevention is still better than cure. Visit your doctor today and live healthy and happy.

(Source: Reader's digest)

Benefits of Gardening

Having fresh air to breath not only makes your body healthy it also refreshes your soul. Observe, when you’re on a trip by land and you passes by a place with many trees and plants, see how it felt good smelling fresh air with the scent of nature. You can achieve this similar feeling by planting trees, plants and vegetables around your backyard. Fill open spaces of your area with plants, it can make your home more beautiful; plants will provide you fresher air plus Mother Nature will be happier.

               

For some, like me, gardening is a therapy. Every time I plant, I feel good, realizing that this plant will ultimately have a little part in preserving our beloved nature; and this little part will become big if everybody participates in protecting the nature. Moreover, plants for me have positive energy that makes me happy. I think there are a lot of advantages in gardening and I will enumerate some to encourage you to plant;

1.       Plants make your home beautiful;

2.       Plants will provide you fresh air which ultimately benefits you and your family;

3.       It helps our Mother Nature;

4.       It prevents soil erosion in the garden;

5.       It makes you feel good since gardening is an efficient way to reduce stress;

6.       It physically helps your body in the form of exercise;

7.       When you plant vegetables or fruit-bearing trees, it will provide you food.

When you have smaller backyard or area you can try planting in pots, just arrange it properly so as not to make your space crowded. Anyway, plants will not grow bigger if you plant them in pots except if you place them into huge pots. But if you have larger area, it is much better; you can even plant vegetables, herbs or fruit-bearing trees. Try planting now and experience the good feeling I’m talking about.

The Basic of Health Care - You and your Doctor

Your relationship with your doctor is as unique as it is important. In the strictest terms, it is highly professional arrangement, one involving the hiring of a medical expert to treat your health needs. Yet it is a relationship that fosters a degree of intimacy, both physical and emotional, which may on occasion be as great as that found in other areas of your life or even greater. Most of all, your relationship with your doctor must work. To be successful, it must be based first and comforemost on communication - the clear, complete and comfortable exchange of information, which is the foundation of all good medical care.

But the question is when and whom to choose one. Finding a doctor when you are sick or worse in an emergency is never a good idea. Time is likely to be short and your judgment may be affected. The best time to find a doctor is when you least need one. This is the time when you will have the luxury of making careful, informed choice and to have the opportunity of establishing a comfortable working relationship with the doctor before a medical problem occurs. Also, this will give the doctor time to assess your general health condition. So when an emergency or illness occurs, your doctor have records of your normal or standard health condition.

Whom to choose? Here, we need to differentiate between a specialist physician, a family physician and general practitioner.

A specialist physician is a doctor who has undergone eight years of post medical school in the diagnosis and treatment of general medical disorder and has acquired specialist qualifications in a university or college of physicians. He does not perform surgery or deliver babies, but may be the first to confirm a pregnancy or recommend a surgery,; or may coordinate the treatmnent provided by a number of specialist.

Family physician and general practitioner on the other hand are interchangeable; both refer to doctors who provide primary health care for people of all ages both male and female. To practice, they must complete at least one year of postgraduate training, but most have had additional training in hospitals or working with other general practitioners. Some have had trainings even up to specialist level in areas such as obstetrics, pediatrics, psychotherapy and community medicine.

In some rural areas, a general practitioner performs a wider range of services than the specialist physician or other specialist. Besides providing routine care, the general practitioner is trained to deliver babies, counsel parents, do immunizations, set broken bones, provide contraceptive advice, do annual check ups, take cervical smears and perform minor surgery.

Some general practitioners may recommend or refer you to a specialist if he can no longer give treatment or he lacks experience in some illnesses or major surgery that only specialist surgeon are capable of.

You need to have at least have one family physician or General practitioner and one specialist physician. But in most cases, only a family physician is known. With this, your doctor will advice your or refer to some specialist he knows when needs arises.

Herbs and Supplements handbook

I have this Herbs and Supplement Handbook. I want to share it with you so you have a copy. This is great as reference and guide in exploring alternative medicine using these herbs.

I find this e-book very useful and helpful in times of illnesses and diseases. For those who cannot download this e-book, I will post some of them one by one on a daily basis.

Please "Click Me to Download".
 

Herb 101 - Astragalus

The roots of astragalus have been usedbyu Chinese herbalist for more than two thousand years and is believe to be the most important and most popular herb for invigorating vital energy health promotion and strengthening Qi. It is also used as emulsifier, food thickener and anti-diarrhoeal agent.

It most cases, Astragalus is used as anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, improved digestion, improved sperm motility and Hepatoprotective actions. It is also used to facilitate chemotherapy for cancer patients to reduce associated side effects.

Dosage limit;

• Dried root = 2 to 30 grams per day
• Liquid extract or solid dose = 4.5 to 8.5 ml per day
• Decoction = 8 to 12 grams divided into two doses daily on an empty stomach

Tom & Jerry Greatest Chases 2010

I have found a collection of Tom & Jerry and I would like to share to all fans of this famous cartoon characters. I personally like their chemistry. In the end, they are friends.

Please check this out. Download and see Tom chases Jerry and vise versa.

http://rapidshare.com/files/404037843/TJ.Greatest.part1.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/404037765/TJ.Greatest.part2.rar
 
http://rapidshare.com/files/404037772/TJ.Greatest.part3.rar
 
http://rapidshare.com/files/404037748/TJ.Greatest.part4.rar
 
http://rapidshare.com/files/404037571/TJ.Greatest.part5.rar
 
http://rapidshare.com/files/404037546/TJ.Greatest.part6.rar

Hope you like it as I love them.

Silence, Meditation for the Soul

I don't know if you'll agree, but I think sometimes we also wanted to have our silent moment where we can ponder a lot of things, just relax or just do nothing at all. A Buddhist always do this when they meditate, but their manner of silence is quite unique. When they contemplate, they try to think nothing, gradually allowing their senses to loosen up until their mind will stop thinking about anything, similar to a blank paper. During this condition they achieve I guess what they call "enlightenment".

Have you ever experienced silence? There is a good feeling afterward that you can't explain, its beyond reason. I'm not sure if it applies to you but as for me it did. That's why when I have a chance, I try to have a moment alone, where there's no noise and you hear nothing. During this moment, a lot of affirmative things happen, I felt good and relief, feeling the peace in silence...and then I'll take a deep breath like letting positive things get in my body and the negative things out. In the course of my meditation, a lot of things comes in my mind like how blessed I am and should be thankful for numerous blessings I received from God; I can't understand, but all that I can think of or reflect are positive idea, maybe that's the reason why I find peace in silence and felt good after. It's really an amazing experience and I hope everybody will experience it too!

We all have different thought of silence, it depends on what silence is for you, you may even have or achieve silence even in a loud or noisy situation. Whatever it is, it is worth living through.

Herb 101 - Aloe vera

Aloe Vera has been used as medicinal herb since ancient times. Evidence was found on a Mesopotamian Clay tablet dating back to 2100 BC. It is used as topical  treatment for wound, burns, and other skin conditions and internally as general tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, carminative, laxative, aphrodisiac and anthelmintic by ancient Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Indians and Spaniards. Today, Aloe Vera is use to soothe skin disorder and heal burns, and is one of the most common ingredient for cosmetic products.

The leaves, from which several different products are made, namely the exudate, gel, extract and juice. The exudate is a thick residue, yellow in color and bitter in taste, that comes from the latex that oozes out when leaf is cut. The gel refers to the clear gel or mucilage produced by the inner parenchymal cells in the central part of the leaf. Diluted Aloe Vera gel is commonly known as aloe extract or aloe juice.

Aloe Vera has other many uses, some them are the following;

• Anti-ulcer because of its anti-inflammatory properties and cytoprotective effect.
• Hypoglycaemic as it slows down carbohydrate absorption
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-viral

Dosage limitations;

• Gel, fresh from living plant or as stabilized juice up to 25ml, four times daily
• Extracts standardized to acemannan: preparation containing up to 800 mg per day
• Topical application; gel, cream or ointment as needed
• Tincture of resin (latex); 1.5 to 4.5 ml per day

Aloe very has no side effects, safe to use and most of all non-toxic.

Herb 101 - Albizia

Albizia got its name from Filipo del Albizi, an 18th century nobleman, who introduced the species for cultivation. It has been used in ayurvedic medicine for many years and is still very popular treatment for asthma, allergy and eczema.

Its leaves and stem bark is used to cure allergic rhinitis, urticaria and asthma in clinical  practice. In vitro and vivo evidence of mast-cell stabilization provide a theoretical basis for its used in allergic condition. Traditionally, a juice made from its leaves has been used internally to treat night blindness. Its bark and seeds have been used to relieve diarrhoea, dysentery and hemorrhoids, most likely because of it astringent activity. The flowers have been used as an emollient to soothe eruptions, swellings, boils and carbuncles.

Dosage should not exceed 3.5 to 8.5 ml per day for liquid in take while for dried herb, limit is 3 to 6 grams per day.

Herb 101 - Adhatoda

Adhatoda or commonly known as Malabar nut tree has been used for hundreds of years as an important ayurvedic medicine. It is used to treat cough, asthma, bronchitis and tubecolosis (TB).

Leaves and its roots are the most common part where they extract or dried for medicine use. In some areas and cases, Malabar has been used to stimulate birthing process and aid healing after wards.

Dosage should not exceed 1-3 ml per day for liquid consumption and 1.5 grams for dried application.

Alternative Medicine - Hydrotherapy - Steam Inhalation

Hydrotherapy means treatment with the use of water in any of  three states; solid, liquid and gaseous. Steam inhalation is under gaseous state. Inhalation of warm, moist air into the mucus membranes and respiratory tract. It relieves inflammation and congestion of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. It also relieves irritation (throat tickle) by moistening the air. Loosens secretions and stimulates expectorant. Relaxes muscles and thus relieves coughing. It prevents excessive dryness of the mucuos membranes and it relieves spamodic breathing.

Things that you'll be needing in doing this procedure.

1. Boiling water in a kettle
2. Hot plate or gas stove
3. Tincture of benzoin or camphor oil
4. Old newspaper as breathing passage
5. umbrella or tent to enclosed steam

Put tincture of benzoin or camphor in boiling water. Keep the water boiling by putting it on gas stove. If tent is used, put the kettle near the patient, with kettle pointing towards patient. Make a cylindrical tube using old newspapers and put it in the kettle's mouth or opening. The cylindrical newspaper should be facing the patient so steam is directed into the patient's face for inhalation. Treatment time is 30 minute up to one hour. It should be done in the morning and in the evening.

Kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal Lauraceae)

Kalingag as is known in the Philippines is a medium size tree with relatively thick, aromatic bark. It reaches a diameter of 60 cm and sometime more. Its bark is gray, without fissures or cracks and covered irregularly with cork pustules, which give it a slightly rough appearance. The leaves are smooth, opposite, elliptical , 7-14 cm long and 3-6.5 cm wide; apex is acute, tip is rounded; texture is leathery; both faces are glabrous, the upper face is shiny while the lower has glaucous ochre bloom.

Its medicinal values are; Its bark, when masticated and taken internally, helps in digestion. It is also used for flatulence (gas accumulation in the alimentary canal) ans as expectorant. It is used for tuberculosis and as a remedy for headaches and rheumatism.

Alternative Medicine - Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy is a branch of medicine developed in the eighteenth century alongside with orthodox medicine. It relies very much on the body's own considerable healing powers and uses only mineral, plant and animal substances in its treatments.

A sick person is given minute quantities of heavily diluted natural substances, which if given in a concentrated dose to a healthy person would produce the symptoms of the same disorder.

Orthodox medicine asserts that the dilutions are so great that the resulting liquid is little more than of pure water and must therefore be ineffectual. But for people concerned about the side effects of many powerful modern drugs based on artificial chemical substances, homeopathy offers an alternative solution.. In addition, Homoeopaths  take a great interest in the patient's lifestyle, personality which generates an atmosphere of confidence and reassurance.This cannot help but assist in patient's recovery.

Though homoeopathy is not widely used, in Australia and New Zealand, it is becoming popular.

In my future post, I will list down some herbs and plants are used in alternative medicine. I will include an ebook of herbal plants.

Alternative Medicine - Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is an ancient system of treatment involving the use of plants, or substances extracted from them. Many drugs used by doctors today are also derived from plants , but herbalist use them in their natural, unrefined, unconcentrated form; they consider that in this way, side effects are balanced.

Herbal medicine are administered in infusions, decoction, liquid medicines, tablets or creams.Herbal medicine is a complementary of the orthodox and western medical treatment.

In most areas here in the Philippines, Herbal medicine is widely used. There are professional doctors who specialize in this field and they develop their own medicine from herbs and plants. From medicine, today there are soaps that are infused with herbs for added benefits. Shampoos followed for better looking and healthy hair.

If you think you're not using any of these herbs and plants, think again. It is widely used and most of us don't know that we are using it.

Alternative Medicine - Chiropractic and Osteopathy

Chiropractic and Osteopathy were both developed late 19th century and deal with problems of the spine by manipulation. Both have similar treatment but differs in theory, however, often combines both method.

Osteopaths believe that faulty alignment of bone structure is the underlying cause of many disorders. The body is examined as an integrated whole and treatment is through powerful manipulation of joints and by massaging the muscles.

Chiropractors on the other hand believe that disorders result from faulty working of the spine, which affects the normal function of the nervous system. They treat specific joints, muscles or bone areas rather than the body as a whole. Treatment involves a more forceful manipulation of the joints than osteopathy.

In some cases, by using this methods, patient can be save from undergoing surgery. Both methods do not use injections or active drugs, instead, Chiropractors and osteopaths may recommend using herbal medicine.

Before going to a chiropractor or osteopath, check if they are registered or license to practice either of the two, or at least have years of experience in doing this alternative medicine to avoid accident.

Alternative Medicine - Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest method of alternative medicine. It was first used by Chinese doctors. The theory behind it is that a life force flow through the body along a network of so-called meridians quite distinct from the nervous system. Acupuncturist corrects the energy imbalance by inserting very fine sterilized needles into the skin at specific points along the meridian lines. The needles are are then manipulated or, more rarely, a weak electric current is passed through them. When performed by a professional or expert, the procedure is seemingly painless.

This method is specifically used to relieve chronic pain and stress. First session will be painful but if you do it on a periodic basis to relieve pain and stress, it becomes painless as your skin allows to expand and accept pain.

Most of wellness centers, spa and massage centers now includes acupuncture in their services. This is because acupuncture relieves pain and helps our body to relax. Visit your nearest wellness center now and go for a round of acupuncture and see the wonder of needles.

Agoho (Casuarina equisetlifolia L. Cauanrinaceae)

Agoho is a large tree, reaching 20 meters in height and 65 cm. diameter. Its crown is narrowly pyramidal resembling some of the conifers in appearance. Its bark is dark brown and rough, but the inner bark is light in color and has a bitter taste. The leaves are actually reduced to small sheaths on the needle-like banchlets.

Some of it medicinal wonders are the following;

• A decoction of its bark, when taken in large doses, is used as an emmenagogue (an agent that promotes menstrual discharge) and ecbolic (alleviates menstrual pains). It is helpful for hemoptysis (expectoration of blood from some part of the respiratory tract) and also an excellent astringent.
• Its bark is used to arrest diarrhea and dysentery; it's lotion is used for beriberi; a powder of the bark is prescribed for pimples and acne. An infusion of its bark is is used as a tonic.
• A decoction of the twigs is used as a lotion for swellings; an infusion of the branches is used as a diuretic (an agent that tends to increase the flow of urine).
• The leaves are used for colic (spasm, obstruction or twisting or abdominal pain.

With its medicinal wonders, no wonder it is widely planted throughout the Philippines. If you still don't have this tree, and you have a wide area to plant on, have one and discover the medicinal wonders of this agoho tree.

Banaba (Legerstroemia speciosa)

Banaba is a deciduous growing from 5 meters to 20 meters in height. Its bark is smoothly gray to cream color and peels off in irregular flakes. Leaves are smooth, oblong to elliptic-ovate and 12 to 15 cm long. Flowers are of six parts, purplish lilac or mauve-pink, rarely pink, 5 to 7.5 cm across and borne in large terminal pinnules up to 40 cm in length,

Its medicianl benefits are the following. Old leaves and ripe fruit of banaba contain the greatest amount of an "insulin-like principle" (20 grams of old leave or ripe fruits, dried from 1 to 2 weeks, in the form of 10 cubic centimeter of 20% decoction), were found to have an equivalent to 6 to 7.7 units of insulin in lowerin blood sugar level. The mature and young leaves and flowers have an activity that ranged from 4.4 to 5.4 units of insulin per 100 cubic centimeter of 205 decoction or equivalent to around 70% of the activity of the leaves or fruits. A decoction of the leaves of all ages is used for diabetes mellitus. It is prepared and taken like tea. Some believed that decoction of dried fruit is even better.

If you have diabetes, this is an alternative way to control and lower down your blood sugar levels. Just plant this banaba in your backyard and you have an insulin supply as long as it lives.

Grow Flowers

Flowers can be very difficult to grow if you have are not use to it or you don't have a green thumb. IF you are new to growing flowers, you might like to grow thick anodyne flowers in you backyard. This will test your skills in growing flowers. If you become successful in growing thick anodyne flower, you can try to move on to the next level and plant. I mean more flowers of different varieties.

Flowers make your area look beautiful and more pleasant to the eyes. It also gives you fresh supply of oxygen and most of all, you are helping our mother earth to regain its beauty.

Start now and enjoy planting. Grow thick anodyne flowers first.

Kapok Tree and its benefits

Kapok tree is a large and erect tree that reaches a height of 15 meters height. Its trunk is cylindrical in shape, usually bearing scattered & large spines. Its branches are distant whorls and spread horizontally. Leaves are compound with 5-8 lanceolate leaflets, 6-15 cm long on both ends.  This tree is native to tropical countries and can be found anywhere in the Philippines.

Its bark is used as a vomitive and diuretic. It is commonly used to treat fever and diarrhea. It is also applied on wounds and swollen fingers. A decoction of its flowers is used to relieve constipation. An infusion of the leaves is cure for cough, hoarseness, intestinal catarrh and urethritis. The tender leaves are administered for gonorrhea.

Here's more, the unripe fruit is regarded as a demulcent (soothing medicine; provides a protective coating on mucus membranes) and an astringent. It is also used as emollient. A decoction of the roots is given for chronic dysentery, diarrhea, ascites (abnormal accumulation of serious fluid in the abdominal cavity) and anasarca (edema characterized by accumulation of serum in the connective tissue of the body). Its gum is an astringent and useful as a styptic (having a harsh acrid, acid flavor). It is given with milk as cooling laxative to children. It is also used for incontinence of urine of children.

Aside from its medicinal benefits, its fruits when old enough is used as insert/body for pillows because it has cottony and soft properties. This tree can last 50-75 years, though its not best used as lumber but because of its other unique properties, it is still widely planted across the country.

Sponge bath

There are many ways of applying sponge bath to a person with fever. These are hot sponge bath, cold sponge bath, tepid sponge and saline sponge bath. Sponge bathe relieves fever and lowers body temperature and has sedative effect.

1. Hot Sponge bath - is given to patients with very high fever but whose skin on legs and arms are cold. Water for sponge bath is as hot as can be tolerated. The sponge bath should be made fast and with friction to encourage blood to the surface. Should be done every 1 to 2 hours if fever persist.
2. Cold Sponge bath - is employed where the skin is dry and hot. Cold water is applied for sponge bath but in case where skin is burning hot, ice cubes may be added in the water. Avoid chilling the patient. A cold compress on forehead or armpits may be made while the sponge bath is being done. Chilling with shivering will cause the temperature to go high. Sponge bath may be done again or prolonged until fever goes down.
3. Tepid Sponge bath - is provided to restless and very tensed patient with fever, it relaxes the patient. The temperature of the water is 94-98 degrees Fahrenheit or comfortably warm if tested with the elbow. This time there should be no friction or rubbing on the skin. Sponge the dry skin very gently with very slight rubbing. Put off the treatment for relaxing effect and to allow more evaporation.
4. Saline Sponge bath - is applied to a person having a fever who is inactive and sleeps most of the time. Saline or salt bath has a mild tonic or stimulating effect. It makes the sick person active. Temperature of water should be 96-100 degrees Fahrenheit or a little bit warmer than tepid bath. One half cup of salt is added to a basin of water. Do the sponge bath with friction and repeat till the desired effect is obtained.

The Greener the Vegetable, the better

Did you know that the deeper the green color and darker the leaves in vegetables, the fresher, crispier, and more nutritious they are? Hence, the main diet sources of greens are the leafy vegetables.

Green leafy vegetables have rich source of vitamins A and C, and minerals like iron, phosphorous, and calcium that the body needs to become healthy. These vegetables are also a good source of fiber that helps the intestine to have good digestion.

When preparing green leafy vegetables, it is advisable to make it raw because it preserves the bright green color, conserves water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C, and minimizes energy in the form of electricity and manpower.

Here are the following suggested vegetables that are green:

• Snap beans
• Malabar nightshade
• Bitter melon
• Hyacinth bean
• Sweet peas or snow peas
• Toro leaves
• Swamp cabbage
• Horseradish
• Cow pea
• Fern
• Chinese cabbage
• Jute
• Winged bean

Why not grow green leafy vegetables in your backyard? You can use old car tires, big cans, plant pots, and other container which you can personalized by adding some accessories to make it beautiful. Having vegetables around your home will not only provide you fresh air/oxygen, it can also give you fresh veggies for a healthy meal.

Caballero (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima)

Caballero or Caesalpinia is a small and smooth tree reaching 1.5 meters up to 5 meter in height. It is armed with scattered spines along its branches. Its yellow and red, few flowered clusters are borne on terminal portions. It is commonly planted as ornamental shrub because of its striking beauty especially when flowers starts to bloom.

In some countries, caballero is called peacock flower because of the leaves that forms like a peacock tail. This particular plant is the national flower of the Caribbean Island of Barbados.

Its medicinal properties were used long ago by the medicine men of the Amazon rain forest.

• Fresh leaves are applied externally to relieve rheumatism. If the leaves are heated, it can remedy stomach aches. 
• A decoction from the crushed seeds is used as an emetic and believed to be remedy for dysentery.
• Roots are diuretic and useful in cases of stone formation in the bladder.
• The juice of its stem and roasted fruits are used for eye ailments.
• The finely powdered  leaves are given as uterine tonic to women immediately after giving birth.

These are just some medicinal properties of this beautiful shrub. Most of us just use this as ornamental, not knowing its healing touch. Natural and no side-effects.

Narra Tree and its Medicinal Benefits

Narra is Philippines’ national Tree. It grows widely in the remaining forest and some in urban areas. It is known for its value, in making furniture, timber and lumber. But none of us or only some of us know that narra is also used as medicines by our ancestors.

Narra grows up to a height of 40 meter and can reach up to 1.8 meter in diameter. It is known for its large and irregular fluted trunk. It thrives best in flats and gullies, on moist sandy loam or clay loam soil. It is found in association with dipterocarp species and needs sufficient moisture for its growth.

In ancient medicine, its shredded bark is boiled and the fluid is taken orally for the treatment of dysentery (disease of lower intestine caused by infection with bacteria, protozoan or parasites marked by severe inflammation and the passage of blood and mucus) and diarrhea. Narra extracts were made into herbal teas and pills and were popularized in the Philippines for treating diseases and ailments like leprosy, menstrual pain, flu, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. The leaves can also be used to cure small cuts and bruises.

This is the Narra tree, national tree of the Philippines that is not just a simple tree, but with great healing touch.

Natural treatment for sore throat

Letting hot salt solution roll in the throat for a few seconds relieves throat congestion, relaxes throat muscles, reduces inflammation, relieves throat itchiness and relieves sore throat. It also helps to relieve dry cough, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis.

In doing hot salt solution, you mat need 1/2 teaspoon of salt (rock salt or iodized salt) into a glass of luke warm water. Temperature of water should be as hot as can be tolerated for drinking. Stir the solution until all salt is dissolved. When you gargle, sip enough water and let it roll freely into the throat for a few seconds before spewing it out. It is recommended that you finish 2 glasses of slat solution for better result.

If sore throat is severe with harsh voice, salt gargle may be repeated every two (2) hours. Throat garle is best done after meals. It is also advised not to take cold drinks while sore throat is present.

There are other natural cure for sore throat. But the most common and most widely used is salt solution.

Malunggay (Moringa olifera)

Malunggay or Moringa is an exotic plant but grows well throughout the Philippines. The tree can grow as high as 3 to 5 meters in a span of 1 year and can reach a maximum height of 30 meters without cutting.

Malunggay  has many medicinal value from its roots to leaves and pods. The leaves when boiled and drink can cure the following ailments;

1. hicupps
2. asthma
3. gout
4. back pain
5. rheumatism
6. wounds
7. and sores

Pods are cure for intestinal parasites, constipation. Powdered pods and leaves are very helpful in increasing breast milk for moms who breastfed their babies. Six tablespoon of powdered leaf will provide almost all the woman's daily iron and calcium requirement during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pounded roots are used as poultice for inflammatory swelling while the fruit could increase sperm count. The root barks has sex-hormone related properties.

Today, malunggay or moringa can be purchase over the counter. There are pharmaceutical companies who studied and processed this one of a kind plant and is now being sold worldwide.

Aside from its medicinal properties, malunggay is widely used as ingredients in cooking. I love chicken with malunggay leaves and papaya, it is called "tinolang manok"., 

Hot Water or Tea After Each Meal

Have you considered hot water or tea after each meal? You know why Old Chinese people are not sickly? It is because of their habit of drinking hot water or tea after every meal instead of cold or ice cold water.

A study was made in China which proves that there is really a connection
between hot water or tea and sickness. It was concluded that during digestion process, fats and oils are being extracted from our food in our stomach. If after each meal we used to drink cold water, those fats and oils harden and clog the walls of our intestines (walls of our intestines have small pores that absorbs vitamins, minerals and etc.). It obstructs the vitamins and mineral being absorb by our body. Instead of being absorb, it is flush out of our body as waste. On the other hand, drinking hot water or tea after each meal, the oils and fats do not harden and is being maintained as liquid thus it does not harden and clog the walls of our intestines. With this, more vitamins and minerals are absorb by our system and the fats and oils are flush out as waste.

Most of us now are into cold carbonated beverages and this will alleviate the situation. But its not too late to start drinking hot water or hot tea. If we want to be healthy, let us start and change our eating habits. In turn, it will make our body healthy and live longer.

Healing Wonders of Water

Eight glasses of water a day will keep the doctor away. Whenever we feel sick, friends and family will advice you to drink plenty of water. Since water is a universal solvent, it certainly cleanses our body. Research proved that by drinking six to eight glasses of water per day  can cure certain ailments such as:

1. headache
2. hypertension/high blood pressure
3. asthma
4. constipation
5. leukemia
6. kidney stones
7. sinusitis
8. cough
9. arthritis
10. bronchitis and many more.

So keep on drinking water everyday. Our body needs it, nothing can substitute water for a healthy body.