Archives for February 2021

Moringa (Drumstick/Horseradish tree)

Feb 10, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Moringa Scientific Name

Moringa oleifera

Moringa Other Names

English: Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Ben tree
Sanskrit: Subhanjana
Portuguese: Moringa
Spanish: Angela, Ben
Hindi: Saguna, Saijana
Other: Suragavo, Shevga, Rawag

What is Moringa?

Moringa, a native plant in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, is mainly used for its leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root to make medicine.

It is an effective antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage. It is also an anti-inflammatory that decreases inflammation and reduces pain. Moringa is a good source of protein and when dried, it is used in feeding programs to fight malnutrition.

Common forms of Moringa

Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Juice, Syrup, Tea

Moringa is commonly used for:

Treating Joint pain
Asthma
Curing wounds
Treating colds
Treating Diabetes
Protecting the liver
Treating edema
Treating stomach complaints
Treating mood disorders
Reducing high blood pressure
Improving eye health
Treating anemia and sickle cell disease

Moringa Dosage

3 grams of moringa twice daily for 3 weeks

Moringa Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Moringa has laxative properties. In large quantities, it can cause stomach upsets, gaseous distension, diarrhea, and heartburn.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant women: Moringa may possess anti-fertility qualities and is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.
Children: Moringa leaf is likely safe when taken by mouth for short-term. Moringa leaf has been used safely in children for up to 2 months.
Warnings:
1. Moringa might drastically lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
2. Moringa might lower blood pressure.
3. Using moringa might worsen Hypothyroidism.

Where to Buy Moringa in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Mint

Moringa Ginger Tea | Multi-grain Moringa Dosa

Asafoetida (Hing)

Feb 8, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Asafoetida Scientific Name

Ferula assa-foetida

Asafoetida Other Names

English: Asafoetida, Stinking gum, Devil’s dung
French: Asa-fœtida, Asa-fétida, Férule persique, Merde du diable, Ase fètide
German: Asant, Stinkasant, Teufelsdreck, Asafötida
Hindi: Hing
Sanskrit: Hingu

What is Asafoetida?

This gum-resin extracted from roots of the Ferula plant is widely used in cuisines in India and Iran. Due to presence of Sulpher compounds it has strong and pungent odor.

Its properties are antispasmodic, expectorant (promotes drainage of mucus from lungs), stimulant (increases activity of central nervous system), emmenagogue (increases menstrual flow) and vermifuge (destroys parasitic worms). It improves digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine.

Common forms of Asafoetida

Powder, Capsule, Tablet, OIl

Asafoetida is commonly used for:

Promoting digestion
Curing Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Treating Allergies And Corns
Treating dehydration
Curing piles
Earache
Flatulence
Treating Hysteria

Asafoetida Dosage

Powder: 1-2 pinch twice a day.
Capsule: 1-2 capsules twice a day.
Tablet: 1-2 tablets twice a day.
Oil: ¼-½ teaspoon a day or as per your requirement.

Asafoetida Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: It might cause swelling of the lips, burping, intestinal gas, diarrhea, headache or Allergic reaction.
Not so common side-effects: It might cause convulsions, blood disorders.
Pregnant women: Avoid oral consumption during pregnancy as high doses can cause miscarriage. Stick to normal food amounts.
Children: Oral consumption in infants have found to be linked with certain blood disorders.

Where to Buy Asafoetida in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Asafoetida

Long Pepper (Pippali)

Feb 5, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Long Pepper Scientific Name

Piper longum

Long Pepper Other Names

Chinese: Pipo
French: Poivre long
German: Langer pfeffer
Greek: Peperi makron
Hindi: Pipplie, pipulmul
Sanskrit: Pippali

What is Long Pepper?

Long Pepper aka “Indian Long Pepper” used widely in Ayurveda for it’s medicinal properties, many times in combination with other herbs and spices. Most common uses of Long pepper are to promote healthy appetite and digestion, treat common stomachache, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, and in some cases to treat cholera. It is has also shown improvement in severe lung disorders like asthma, bronchitis, and cough.

Long pepper is also found to be beneficial in treatment of common body pains like headache, toothache; in treating vitamin B1 deficiency (aka beriberi); brain disorders like coma, epilepsy, insomnia, paralysis; skin disorders like leprosy, psoriasis, intestinal disorders like worm infestation; extreme tiredness, enlarged spleen, muscle pain, nasal discharge, snakebites, tetanus, tuberculosis, and tumors.

Common forms of Long Pepper

Whole, Powder, Capsule, Tablet

Long Pepper is commonly used for:

Splenic disorder
Obesity
Tuberculosis
Asthma
Anaemia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Urinary Tract infection (Cystitis)

Long Pepper Dosage

Capsule: 1-2 capsules twice a day.
Powder: 4-8 pinch twice a day.

Long Pepper Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Stomach pain, Acidity, Heartburn.
Not so common side-effects: Not Known.
Pregnant women: Not Known.
Children: Not Known.
Warnings:
Indian long pepper might slow blood clotting. Taking excess amounts than those in food might increase the risk of bleeding.

Where to Buy Long Pepper in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Long Pepper

Red Lentil Lemongrass Soup

Psyllium (Isabgol)

Feb 4, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Psyllium Scientific Name

Plantago ovata

Psyllium Other Names

English: Spogel seeds, Psyllium, Isphagul, Psyllium husk
Hindi: Isabgol, Ashwagol, Bhusi
Sanskrit: Ashwakarna, Ishadgol, Sheetabeeja, Ashwagol

What is Psyllium?

Psyllium, aka psyllium husk is obtained from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. It is mainly used for it’s husk which turns oily and gluey when soaked in water and has a sweet, astringent taste which creates cooling effect on the body. It is a powerful herb, that promotes digestive health and works as a natural laxative.

Psyllium husk can be incorporated in the daily diet. The dietary fiber content in it both soluble and insoluble, makes this husk an excellent beneficial nutrient. It’s most common therapeutic use is in treating constipation

Common forms of Psyllium

Powder, Seeds, Capsules

Psyllium is commonly used for:

Gentle Laxative action
Anti-diarrheal properties
Food Allergies
Antacid
Colitis
Reducing Bad Cholesterol
Regulating blood glucose
Rectal Bleeding (hematochezia)
Weight loss or Fat loss

Psyllium Dosage

Adults: 2-3 tablespoon.
Teens (13-18 years): 1-2 tablespoon.
Children (8-12 years): 1/2-1 tablespoon.

Psyllium Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: People may see some cramping, gas, or bloating in the stomach as it forms bulk by absorbing water.
Not so common side-effects: Choke in the throat if you have not mixed it properly with water or any adjuvant or have difficulty in swallowing.
Pregnant women: Not Known.
Children: Not Known. However smaller doses are recommended.

Where to Buy Psyllium in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Cloves

Carrot Walnut Bread