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.