Abigails Herbs

I have been exercising to speed up my metabolism; especially weight bearing exercises. I alternate between weights and aerobics from day to day. I also take apple cider vinegar supplements, green tea and cayenne and other hot pepper sauces in order to burn fat. However, I am finding out that the main antioxidant in turmeric- curcumin – may help your body burn fat burn fat instead of storing it.

Mice that ate curcumin gained half as much total body fat as those that didn’t, according to a 2009 research study in The Journal of Nutrition. You can get your fair share of turmeric by cooking with it, of course. However, you can also drink turmeric as a tea. I prefer to cook with it. It has the kind of taste that grows on you. The more I eat it, the more I like the taste of turmeric.

Word to the wise:  Forget about those chemical supplements. You can lose weight naturally by increasing your intake of calcium, cayenne (capsicum),apple cider vinegar,vitamin D, white tea, green tea and turmeric.

Gotu kola or Centella asiatica, has been used for centuries as an effective mental enhancer, and recent studies with animals and humans support its use in increasing memory and improving cognitive functions. Gotu kola has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a balancing herb which promotes relaxation and energizes the senses. For this reason, it is particularly popular among yoga practitioners, who use it to enhance their meditation practices.

Western research on the effectiveness of gotu kola is still growing, but initial findings support its ancient reputation for brain building and relaxation. Research published in a 2008 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found gotu kola promoted stronger cognitive function and reduced mood disorders in healthy elderly patients who took 750 milligrams daily for two months.

The key memory booster is believed to be a group of  ingredients called triterpines, which are standardized to about 8 percent in high-quality extracts. The best way to take gotu kola is in tea form. For a quick mental pick-me-up, drink a tea made with one teaspoon of dried gotu kola steeped in one cup of hot water. Stir in a little lemon and some natural sweetener to mask any bitterness. Teas are a traditional way to consume herbs and a good choice for people with weak digestion.

Ayurveda, a 5000 year old  medical system from India, treats illnesses and other conditions by working to create balance among three life forces. These life forces are known in Ayurveda as 1) Vata dosha, made up of air and ether, governs bodily praocesses; 2) fiery pitta dosha rules digestion and transformation; and 3) earthy kapha governs stability and matter.

Insomnia (inability to sleep) is predominantly seen as a vata imbalance (although pitta also often plays a role). Vata governs all movement in the body, including the nervous system. Because, by nature, it is light, cool,mobile, rough and unbounded – like the wind- vata is the most easily unbalanced dosha. This is explained by Claudia Welch, D.O.M., a fculty member of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Kripalu Center for Yaga and Health in Stockbridge, Mass.

Overworking, multi-tasking, surfing the Web day in and day out and watching disturbing news can upset vata, which, in turn, upsets both body and mind. The best way to rebalance vata is to introduce the opposite qualities, heaviness, stability, warmth, oiliness and structure. For instance, drinking  warm, whole, nonhomogenized milk with a pinch of nutmeg can have a claming effect, according to Welch.

One classic Ayurvedic herb good for calming vata is ashwagandha. It is a great choice when ou are overworked, or you feel stressed out, if your body is tired and your mind is fatigued. Taking 500 milligrams of ashwagandha daily can help you balance your vata dosha. It will revitalize and give you some good energy. You can also combine taking ashwagandha with other stress-reducing herbs such as valerian, passionflower, chamomile, nutmeg and bhringara. Taking ashwagandha with these other sedative herbs will cure any kind of  insomnia.

Cloves have powerful medicinal properties. They are stimulating and have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic properties. They are also a natural anesthetic (due to the eugenol oil), which is why they were often used for dental procedures in centuries past and are still used in some cultures as a toothache remedy. It is the oil that is derived from the cloves that is so powerful, and this is often used for medicines both topically and internally. This oil contains compound that helps with blood circulation and can stimulate the skin when applied directly to it.

Cloves are a great spice to heal ailments of the digestive system. They are well known for relieving flatulence and can actually help promote good digestion as well as metabolism. They may also help relieve vomiting and diarrhea as well as a host of other digestive disorders.

Cloves have been well known as an all around healing herb and it’s not just digestive problems that cloves are reputed to help with. In fact, they are used in tropical Asia to treat conditions such as scabies, cholera, malaria and tuberculosis. As an antispasmodic it can be applied topically to relieve muscle spasms or in a tea to ease coughing. It can also treat skin problems like styes and sores when applied as an ointment. It is said a paste of milk, salt crystals, and cloves can be a great headache remedy.

Cloves are believed to have other health benefits that aren’t necessarily connected with an immediate illness. For instance, they can make a great mosquito repellant, as well as a moth repellent. Clove studded oranges are often used to repel many kinds of insects in tropical climates. Sucking on cloves may even reduce the craving for alcohol. I love the smell and the taste of fresh cloves.

I will never forget what my boyfriend did when I was first going out with him. I brought a container of neem oil over to his place to show him the value of  Ayurvedic herbals. The smell of neem oil is hard to forget; it is horrifically and distinctively different. It has a very unique flavor and is usually used topically for healing of skin rashes and to keep insects away. I have never smelled anything like it. Well, my boyfriend must have been trying to impress me; after I expressed how horrendous the odor of the neem oil smelled, he took the bottle and poured almost half of it into a small glass, and, much to my surprise, he lifted the glass to his mouth and swallowed all of it right before my amazed eyes!

Well, I immediately told him to please go brush his teeth and use some mouthwash.  I had a bewildered look on my face as if I could not believe what I had just seen. I had never witnessed anybody actually drinking neem oil. (It comes as a supplement in capsule form). I know that neem oil is an anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal agent and it has many other healing qualities too. I was using it on my dog’s skin to heal and prevent mange and skin itchiness.  

I was wondering what the impact of  the oil had for my friend. Almost three days later I saw him and I asked him if he felt any different after drinking the neem oil. He smiled and  told me, unfalteringly, that he felt amazingly better; his muscle aches went away and he said that his movements were more fluid. He actually reported that his joints were pain-free and easier to manipulate. (He is a physical fitness trainer and is very active, so his muscles become sore and achy frequently). So, I am happy to report to you that the neem oil was very beneficial for him. For some people, the odor of the neem oil is not bad at all. As for me, I would rather take the supplements for healthier joint function than to taste the actual oil itself.

Bel (Aegle marmelos) is a medium-sized deciduous tree.  Its local names are bael, bil, bela, bilvam, mahaka, etc. It belongs to the rutacae family. Its branches are thorny and bark is gray in color. The leaves are trifoliate, aromatic and full of aromatic oil.

Bel tree is generally found in the outer Himalayas, Shivaliks and South Indian plateau with altitudes ranging from 250 to 1200 m. It prefers comparatively drier and sunny or warmer aspect of the hill slopes with well-drained loamy soil. It is found growing naturally in mixed stands of Sal, Chir, Baheda, etc. in dry temperate region. Its natural habitat begins from Burma and extends to Afghanistan, and also the Deccan plateau.

Bel bears greenish white flowers during early summer. The fruit, green when raw, appears in June-July and become pale brown on ripening during early winter. It is spherical, with a diameter approximately 5 to 8 cm. It contains, medicinal element called marmalosin. Its bark exudes a kind of gum which is sweet like honey and is used for making squash. Children eat it when raw and also when ripe. Half-ripe Bel fruit is regarded as astringent, digestive, appetizer and gives relief from dysentery. The pulp of ripe fruit, being sweet, is used in marmalade. The gum is also used as adhesive.

Bel wood is aromatic, tough and strong. It weighs about 22 kg per cubic foot and is light yellow in color. It is difficult to season and if kept in the sun it develops cracks. Nevertheless it finds use for cheap rural house construction and also for agricultural implements. During drought Bel leaves are used as fodder for cattle.

Bel tree matures in about 60 years reaching a height of about 10 m and girth 1 to 1.5 m. It regenerates itself with ease in its natural habitat. It can also be raised in nurseries from its seed and from root cuttings.

Extra-virgin olive oil means the olives are pressed within 24 hours of harvesting without any chemicals or preservatives. Some of the most fresh olive oils come from California, believe it or not!  For health reasons, always select virgin olive oil as it balances Omega-3 fatty acids with Omega-6 fatty acids. As a result of this incredible balancing system, virgin olive oil helps to keep our cholesterol levels way down, unlike vegetable oils.  Infused with basil (or other organically grown herbs), olive oil tastes better and the flavor is enhanced; given  more depth.

Here are the steps for making your own basil-infused olive oil:

1. BLEND     -      Combine 4 cups of packed basil leaves & 2 cups of virgin olive oil  in a blender.  Puree the mixture until smooth.
2. SIMMER, STRAIN and STAND     -     In a saucepan, simmer the olive oil and basil puree over medium heat for 45 seconds. Pour the heated mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the basil. Let the mixture sit for a few hours.
3. BOTTLE     -     Pour the oil into an airtight jar (don’t include the dark liquid at the bottom of the bowl, which is water mixed with finely ground basil). Use oil as a marinade, condiment, or substitute for herbs when when cooking.

Extra virgin olive oil is best used cold in recipes for salad dressings.  This recipe was from Alison Kotch, from an article in the Jun/July 2008 issue of Best Life magazine.

To make herb butter, combine four parts butter with one part chopped herbs. Shape the mixture into a log on parchment, and store it in a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate the butter for one week, or freeze it for up to two months. Always thaw in the refrigerator before using. Serve the butter on your favorite meat, on fish, or with bread.

Pesto is another popular option. Any leafy herb such as basil, but also parsely and cilantro. Freeze the sauce in ice – cube trays, and store the cubes in a resealable plastic bag for up to six months. Before using, defrost them at room temperature. I love fresh pesto sauce. My friend, Patrice, has a great recipe: just combine olive oil, fresh basil and cloves of garlic in a blender until the mix reaches a sauce -like consistency. Then serve on top of your favorite pasta, heated. It tastes so fresh and delicious; and it is healthy!

This advice was taken from Ask Martha in the September 2009 issue of the Martha Stewart Living magazine. You can also go to Marthastewart.com for advice about household maintneance and DIY ideas. Martha Stewart is a great resource for healthy eating and living, with creative flare.

Shatavari root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over hundreds of years. It eases symptoms of PMS and it helps to prepare the female reproductive organs for fertilization. It stimulates the womb for reproduction. It also cleanses and purifies the organs. For women who are in menopuase, this wonderful Ayurvedic herb helps to replenish moisture for sexual satisfaction and is also rumored to be an effective aphrodisiac.

Shatavari root also promotes fertility in males and makes it easier for men to help reproduce. In children, it helps to foster growth and overall healthy functioning. It is reported to have little to no side effects. It is used in Ayurvedic medical science in India where it grows freely.