halamang gamot

Peppermint for Indigestion, Colds and Aches

2:13 AM



Peppermint is a perennial plant which is a crossbreed between water mint and spearmint.  In the Philippines, it is called Herba Buena or which loosely translates as “good herb”.  Its scientific name is Mentha x piperita. Ancient Greeks and Romans used this for décor for feasts and an ingredient for sauces.

As a kitchen herb, it can be used as minty topping for salads, added to chicken, meat or fish, and for sauces.

As a herbal tea, it can soothe indigestion and colds. Fresh or dried leaves can be made into herbal tea. Fresh leaves can be eaten, or crushed on aches and pains like headache, sinusitis, arthritis, etc. to directly apply enzymes. It may be slightly placed under the fire before direct application. It can also be made into homemade oil for massage for body pains and before bath. (Check Herbal and Herbs in Personal Care for more information.)

For plant care, peppermint needs part sun exposure, daily watering and organic fertilizer monthly. (Visit Plant Care for more information.)

Get your Peppermint at www.herbalandherbs.wordpress.com!

EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener

Source:

Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to healing of herbs. Bath: Parragon Publishing


halamang gamot

Lavender for Fatigue and Stress

2:00 AM



Did you know that it was the Romans that brought Lavender to Britain?  Its scientific name is Lavandula Angustifolia.

As a herbal tea, the dried flowers soothe fatigue, stress and tension, while the stems and leaves are made into essential oil. You can make homemade oil. (Visit Herbal and Herbs in Personal Care for more information.)  

Lavender requires full sun and watering every other day (or when soil is partly dry). Nourish it by putting organic fertilizer monthly.  (Visit Plant Care for more information.)

EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener


Source:

Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to healing of herbs. Bath: Parragon Publishing

halamang gamot

Lemon Balm for Nervous Tension and Insomnia

1:47 AM



Lemon Balm is a perennial herb which is also referred to as Melissa, the Greek word for "bee".  Its scientific name is Melissa Officinalis (Labiatae/Lamiaceae).  It is a native of South Europe and North Africa.

It has a lemony scent with a gingery taste. Crushed leaves may be added to sauces, fruit salads, jellies and cold summer drinks.

As a herbal tea, it is helpful for indigestion, nervous tension, stress, insomnia and headache.  Lemon balm and peppermint make a good combination for tea.

Lemon balm plants need full sun, daily watering and its monthly organic fertilizer. (Visit Plant Care for more information.)

Get your Lemon Balm at www.herbalandherbs.wordpress.com!


Em-em Tinasas, MBA
The Gardener


Source:

Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to the healing power of herbs. Bath:  Parragon Publishing 

alternative medicine

Luyang Dilaw or Turmeric

6:24 PM



This plant has a wide, attractive leaf but its fruit is a small root with a strong medicinal value.

Its uses are for:

1. Arthritis - Ground leaf and mix with coconut oil. Add salt and apply on the painful area.
2. Arthritis - Ground the Turmeric root and apply to the painful area.
3. Cancer Prevention - Take one nail-sized Luyang Dilaw daily, cooked or fresh.
4. Dandruff - Ground the root or leaf. Massage the extracted juice on scalp and hair. Let it sit overnight, then shampoo.
5. Fish and Meat odor - Add Turmeric root to cooking. May also be mixed with oregano and peppermint.
6. Fever and relapse - Mix one teaspoon of powdered Luyang Dilaw with one glass of warm water.
7. Cough - Prevent throat inflammation by getting a small piece and biting into it, squeezing the juice out. Drink the juice.


Get your Turmeric at www.herbalandherbs.wordpress.com!  



Sources:

Perello, A. & Domingo, R. Halamang gamot. Philippines: Booklore Publishing Corp.
De Padua, L. (2000). Gabay sa negosyo. Philippines: Technology and Livelihood Resource Center. 

Dill

DILL: The Kitchen Herb

6:30 PM

Also for Flatulence, Colic, Stomach Disorders & Breast Milk Production



Dill grows into a tree if grown on the ground. It is a biennial plant, which means its life is good for two years. Small dill plants will grow surrounding the tree. This maybe be transplanted.  Its scientific name is Anethum Graveolens.   It is also used decorative plant. 

As a medicinal herbal, it can be taken as tea or eaten fresh for flatulence, colic and stomach disorders.  It helps in breast milk production.

As a kitchen herb, the chopped dill can be used as topping for rice with garlic and onion.  Chopped dill can flavor boiled potatoes and other vegetables.  Dill is at its best when picked from the garden when it is needed as topping.  It has a tendency to lose its flavor if kept for some time.

Care For Your Dill:

This herb wants full sun, daily watering and monthly organic fertilizer.

Get your Dill at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ at Php60/seedling bag.


EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener

Source:

Todd, JUDE C. ,General Principles of Herbs p. 22, Herbal Home Remedies, Health and Harmony, B. Jain Publishers(P)Ltd., 2012, New Delhi, India 

green tips

It's Twice or More Polluted Inside Homes: The Handy Guide to Your Green Homelife

6:35 PM



Our home is our comfort zone.  But according to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America, indoor air is two (2) to ten (10) times more hazardous than outdoor air.

Also, the Philippine Department of Health conducted a study of houses in different Barangays of Metro Manila through its agency Environmental and Occupational Office. Findings showed that the homes has the presence of:

1. Lead – An ingredient found in insecticides, agricultural pesticides (in fruits and vegetables), pipes, paints, toys;

2. Nitrogen Dioxide - Produced by cigarette and tobacco smoking;

3. Sulfur Dioxide (The base of Sulfuric Acid) - An ingredient found in fertilizers, pigments, dye, drugs, 
explosive, detergent, preservatives especially dried fruits;

4. Benzene – An ingredient in detergents, plastics;

5.  Carbon Monoxide - Produced from cooking, processing of chemical products and from exhausting gases out of engines of vehicles and machineries.  

Aside from those mentioned above, The Eco-Living Handbook by Sarah Callard and Diane Millis showed that the electrical equipment that we enjoy at home also produce pollution from electromagnetic frequencies, ionizations, and statics.

I invite you to journey with me as I uncover how pollution invade our homes. Awareness is the first step. Let us resolve to improve air through a green and friendly environment together!

And as we go through our day-to-day routine, we have what we call necessity. But there are those that, which are not.

I.                     Cooking.    Burning of natural gas, oil, kerosene, coal, firewood, which release carbon monoxide. But we need to cook to survive.

Here are our Green Tips while cooking:
 
A.   Have good ventilation in the kitchen

1.           Open kitchen windows and the kitchen door while cooking to allow natural air to circulate;
2.            Use exhaust gadgets in the kitchen on stoves, walls, etc.  to help drive out the smell of combustion and cooking of food  faster;

B.     Stove fire should be bluish in color. Chefs say that slow fire is the best way of cooking.

C.    Do not use charcoal indoor.

II.                   Tobacco Smoking.  It is common knowledge that smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes is detrimental to the lungs of the smoker and the second- hand smokers. Nitrogen dioxide cause lung cancer.

The best solution is to stop smoking.  But if one cannot help but smoke, it is suggested that it is done in open space away from the family and second-hand smokers.  

Our Green Tips to strengthen and cleanse the respiratory system are:
1.      Food for the Lungs

      According to Dr. Bernard Jensen in his book Food that Heals; garlic, onion, grapes, honey, pineapple, and green leafy vegetables are good for the lungs.  Celery/ papaya juice and carrot juice are also helpful. Organic products are most beneficial because they are chemical-free and pesticide-free. It may be costlier but hospital bills and medicines cost much more.

      2.         Herbals for Cancer, Tumour, and Respiratory Diseases

      Among these Herbals are Green Tea, Ashitaba, Damong Maria, Dokudami, Guaybano, Holy Basil, Lagundi, Neem, Peppermint, and Serpentina. (For uses and recommended intake of these Herbals, check out https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/.

       Cancer affects the patient and the family because it drains emotionally and financially.   We experienced this with my father. How I wish no family would experience such trial again.

       3.       Deep breathing exercise also clears the lungs of bad air.  It is most beneficial when done in front of plants or under trees.

      Deep breathing is the process practiced while singing, where air is inhaled to fill up the stomach, then exhaled little by little.  Deep breathing is done in any exercise like Taichi, Pilates, gym workout and Pinoy Laughter Yoga.

All these remedies come from Mother Nature.  Thus, let nurturing the ecology be a challenge to us all. 

 Get the complete eBook at Amazon! Check out the Table of Contents and the eBook's first THREE chapters for FREE!

Serpentina

SERPENTINA: The Herb For Diabetes, Liver, Heart Disease, Kidney, Colds And Flu

10:48 PM

SERPENTINA (ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA):
THE HERB FOR DIABETES, LIVER, HEART DISEASE, COLDS AND FLU



Serpentina is a medicinal herb dubbed as the ‘King of Bitters’. Despite its bitter taste, it is widely sought after by diabetics because of its efficacy to lower blood sugar. This herb can be taken by itself or mixed with food to lessen the bitterness.

I once suffered from diarrhea. Aware of the potency of Serpentina, I took it by making tea (5 leaves of Serpentina to 1 cup of water) thrice a day. I had to eat a little chocolate in between sips just to finish a cup of it! The following morning my stomachache was history. I also noticed that I was healed from my cold and nasal congestion when I ate Serpentina leaves with honey. Because of this, Serpentina makes it to my go-to list for stomachache, common cold and asthma remedies. Some customers amusingly narrate to us how much they enjoy eating this fresh ‘Bile of the Earth’ together with their family. Happy customers, too, relate unbelievable healing results from stroke, insulin and lung infection.


This herb is popularly known in the Philippines as Serpentina but its name in the ‘List of Philippine Medicinal Plants’ is Sinta.  It is known scientifically and internationally as Andrographis Paniculata. This traditional medicine is native to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, which is used as a cooling herb for fever and flu. Indian tribes also use Serpentina as treatment for liver problems and cancer in their Ayuverdic medicines. Serpentina’s popularity is not limited to its Southeast Asian roots though. It is also regarded as a remedy for common colds in Scandinavian regions. 

Get your Serpentina at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ at Php60-80/seedling bag.

The many names of Serpentina, Andrographis Paniculata and Sinta, boil down to one and the same herb, which belong to the Acenthaceae family. It is not to be confused with Serpentina Ravoulis though because this herb belongs to the Apocynacea family, which is used as tranquilizer and cure for mental disorders, venom and reptile bites.

There are many scientific studies about Serpentina. Some notable studies are as follows: 
In 1911, Dr. Fougere studied on the ‘Bitter Principle’ (pure bitter extract) from the herb.  According to his research, this ‘Bitter Principle’ protects the liver.

In 2006, a research was conducted to study the extract from this herb. One of its discoveries is one of the major constituents of this ‘Bitter Principle.’ It is an active ingredient, now scientifically identified as Andropholide, which is both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.

Serpentina’s Andropholide property is supported by Philippines Medicinal Plant studies. It is said to be anti-diarrheal, anti-pyretic, anti-infective, anti-bacterial, anti-typhoid, anti-fungal, anti-hepatoxin and anti-cancer.

Chinese studies show that it also prevents blood from clotting. It also prevents reclogging of arteries post-angioplasty. It is said to lower blood pressure as well.   

Research also supports the uses of Serpentina in Ayurvedic medicine as protection against hyperglycemia (for diabetics) and control of renal disease (kidney).  

Studies also support that 6 grams of Serpentina is as effective as an Acetaminophen, which is taken for 2 to 5 days for cold, fever and sore throat.

To reap all these benefits, our common healing practice is to eat five (5) big leaves of fresh Serpentina or six (6) small leaves, thrice (3x) a day. It may also be taken as tea but the infused leaves should be eaten as well three (3x) a day.  You may start with a few leaves as it takes a while to get used to it.
Despite all its virtues, there should be some caution in taking Serpentina, especially, among the following:

1. Should not be taken by patients taking aspirin or any blood thinner medication since Serpentina is also a blood thinner.  

2. Pregnant and lactating mothers should avoid this since Serpentina is an abortifacient. While there is no actual study on adverse effects on lactating mothers, it is better not to risk.

3.  Individuals with Auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. should avoid taking this.


If Serpentina is taken regularly and continuously, it is important to note also that it should be limited to only three (3) months for adults and one (1) month for children, whether in capsule or fresh form. It has side effects like swollen lymph glands, serious allergic reactions and elevation of liver enzymes. Too much of everything is unsafe.


Get your Serpentina at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ at Php60-80/seedling bag.

Serpentina plants are very easy grow. Just make sure the plant gets sunlight for 3-4 hours, and that the leaves and soil are watered daily. Serpentina bears a pod that contains tiny seeds which pop and grow anywhere where there is soil - even cemented fences and floors with holes! Serpentina plants for sale are available in our garden.

If you are not anywhere near us, you can get Serpentina in capsule form and still get the same benefits mentioned above.  


Monitoring your blood sugar is important if you want to manage your diabetes. Testing your blood glucose will help you evaluate how your current diet, lifestyle, and medication affect you. It will even show you if your Serpentina intake is working for you! Don't let diabetes control your life. Manage your diabetes with the right glucose analyzer now! 

Sources:

WebMD.com, Dosage and Caution on Andrographis Paniculata
Wikepedia, Description and Studies on Andrographis Paniculata
Examine.com, Background of Andrographis Paniculata
www.Stuartxchange.com/sinta.html, Philippine Medicinal Plant, Sinta