Showing posts with label Obesity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obesity. Show all posts

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Maya Trees Chaya Medicinal Uses for Diabetis, Artritis, Obesity, Kidney Stones, Hemorrhoids, Acne, and Eye Problems, Laxative, Diuretic Circulation Stimulant

By Liliana Usvat    
Blog 343-365
 


Chaya - Spinach Tree (English), Chay (Maya)Chaya (Spanish), Cnidoscolus chayamansa. Native to Yucatan, chaya are highly nutritious shrubs with valuable concentrations of minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants. Organically grown Chaya shrubs have large leafs.  It is an evergreen that loves sunny areas.  Chaya blooms frequently with both male and female flowers bloom together. Young leaves  are used by Maya people much like spinach in traditional Mayan Cuis













It is also known as tree spinach.  Make sure to cook it, as it contains hydrocyanic glycosides (whatever they are) and the obvious milky white sap that can be an itchy irritant if it touches your skin, so be careful when harvesting.  Chaya is rich in protein, calcium, iron, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid.  It is drought tolerant and grows well in hot, rainy, dry, well drained and partially shaded areas.  chaya reproduces well by stick cuttings and can be coppiced and regrows well after cutting.  It has no pest problems.

Chaya or spinach tree or Tree Spinach (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) is actually about twice as nutritious as spinach. It is a good source of nutrients including protein, calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C. It is a fast growing dense shrub, native to Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. It grows to about 6-8 feet tall.

Soil: Tolerates most soil conditions, but might dislike acid. Liming and fertilizing should benefit Chaya. The leaves contain a lot of protein, calcium, and potassium, so the soil must have it for the plant to extract, if it is to be healthy. (Nitrogen to make protein)
 

Good for Reforestation
 
Water: well to somewhat well drained. Tolerates brief flooding and droughts
Sun: full is best, tolerates shade
Cold: Can be killed by a hard freeze, but will usually resprout from the roots. Mulch the base to protect it.
Pruning: Unnecessary, but sometimes used to control height. Crowded internal branches can be removed for propagation or aesthetics.
Propagation: Easily propagated by stem cuttings.
Pests: none
Other problems: It can be slow to get going.

Harvesting, storage, and preparation: Most recommendations say not to harvest until the second year, because the plants are slow to establish before they can grow quickly.  Never harvest more than 50% of the leaves, except from stems cut for propagation.


 Leaves must be cooked to release cyanide, which evaporates. Apparently aluminum cookware can cause a diarrhea-causing reaction with the cyanide compounds when cooking. 

 On principle it's wise to cook all fruits and vegetables in non-aluminum pans because of their high acidity. 

Drying the leaves also reduces the hydrogen cyanide significantly. Blending will do the same IF the blended leaves are allowed to sit for several hours. The amount of hydrogen cyanide differs from variety to variety and may account for reports of some variety leaves being eaten raw.  Researchers say they have found no reports  of acute or chronic effects attributed to the consumption of fresh or cooked Chaya leaves.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Chopped leaves, stem tips and shoots boiled or fried. Cooking for 20 minutes destroys hydrogen cyanide in the tissue. Cooking broth is drinkable.  Leaves can be blended and consumed after letting them sit for several hours. Large leaves can be used to wrap food for cooking. The entire plant can be dried, ground, and used as fodder for animals or meal for fish.

Medicinal Uses
 
Recent scientific studies confirmed what Belizean natural healers and Maya shaman have known for centuries – eating a small amount of Chaya after or as part of a meal will lower blood glucose levels.
A study conducted by the Mexican National Institute of Nutrition concludes that Chaya will not only combat diabetes but is also effective in treating arthritis. 

Following the oral administration of chaya tea, the blood glucose levels of the diabetic rabbits were gradually lowered from a high of 118 (baseline at 0.0 h) to 87 six hours after administration. The blood glucose level of 87 is similar to blood glucose levels of normoglycemic rabbits on drinking water.”Chaya was used by the Maya in their healing practices and to this day it is common to observe Chaya trees growing around Mayan temples in Belize.

 Chaya leaf furnishes appreciable quantities of several of the essential mineral macronutrients necessary for human health maintenance. For example, potassium has been shown to be an important mineral nutrient in the control of hypertension and in the reduction of risks of stroke (NRC 1989), calcium is important for ossification and iron is necessary for normal hematopoiesis

Diabetes is common in Belize and among native American populations in the U.S.A. and even among those who do not consider themselves native American but have native American markers in their DNA. Research has shown that indigenous Americans have adopted modern American style diets with high fat, carbohydrates and sugar content and their bodies simply cannot handle this diet.

Chaya traditionally has been recommended for a number of ailments including diabetes, obesity, kidney stones, hemorrhoids, acne, and eye problems (Diaz-Bolio 1975). Chaya shoots and leaves have been taken as a laxative, diuretic, circulation stimulant, to improve digestion, to stimulate lactation, and to harden the fingernails (Rowe 1994)

Most folks lightly boil the Chaya and drink the resulting “tea”.
 

Incorporate Chaya Into Your Diet

Here is how to make Chaya Tea: Chaya tea – five large chaya leaves (more if smaller). Cut up into small pieces and oiled lightly in one liter water for 20 minutes. Cool. Add pinch of salt and squeeze of lime. Drink about three cups throughout the day. Chaya tea is a natural diuretic keeps the lines clean. Lower blood sugar for diabetics Reputedly keeps the liver ‘clean’.
Others use Chaya as part of the meal, chop it up and mix it with sausage or longanisa and scrambled eggs. Others lightly boil the leaves and use it as spinach in a salad. 

Chaya and Corn Tortillas Recipe

Ingredients: Chaya leaf – a good size bunch. (Note handling advice)
Natural pig lard One or two onions. Fresh Corn tortillas Optional: Fresh Habanero Pepper Optional: Two eggs

Method: You pick a number of nice fat healthy dark green chaya leaves. Careful though — the edges of a Chaya leaf are full of tiny spines – that cause bad rash once in your skin!!

You then take your leaf and wash it. I then roll it up like a fat cigar and chop it with a sharp knife to “pieces” I usually also chop up one or two onions – plus a Habanaro pepper or two — and add that to the mix as well. Then take a good fry pan — lay down about 1/4 in fresh natural pig lard on the bottom. That too is a super food for your body. Salt well – or to taste.

Now — put over fire. Now the real “secret” – As soon as the pan warms up even a little bit – -stir the mix into the fat – then add sufficient rain water — say 1/2 inch level in that fry pan.

 Turn up the heat till it steams well – then put on big cover — and turn down heat so it but simmers. Leave it that way for 1/2 hour or more – raising cover and stirring about once every 10 minutes or so. When finished – there should be no water – or very little left – but do not let get fry hot in the fat — as that kills all the vitamins. Drain off excess water and fat — put in serving bowl — ready.

Now – take fresh tortilla – home made if you can get them. Fold it in the palm of your hand – fill with a fair amount of chaya leaf mix – – fold and roll gently and enjoy. You can also add eggs and / or some chopped up chicharrĂ³n to the mix – but do that only in the last 5 minutes of pan cooking – stirring it in.

The nutritional analysis of chaya (C. chayamansa) leaves and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) are presented for comparison.


 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Cecropia Tree Medicinal Use for Obesity, Diabetes Asthma, Kidney Disorder

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 304-365


One of the most interesting symbioses in the rainforest exists between the Cecropia tree and the Cecropia ant (Azteca sp.) The Cecropia trees recruit ants to live in them and protect the tree.  

The ants drive off herbivorous insects, attack herbivorous vertebrates, and remove epiphytes and competing plants.  Their wastes also provide a lot of nitrogen to the plant.   The plant provides them with housing (inside hollow stems) and gylcogen-rich  bodies.  At least, that's the simple explanation of the relationship.


















The Cecropia leaf is quite popular among the Amazonian Indian tribes who use it for its anti-inflammatory qualities in the treatment of lung, kidney and rheumatic inflammations. For instance, these tribes prepare a tea made of leaves to treat respiratory problems and diabetes. 

It is further used to cure liver disorders and to stimulate menstruation. People from Trinidad take these leaves as a remedy for colds, fever, flu, snake and scorpion bites. The Palikur indigenous people resort to Cecropia leaves when they need to take care of bruises, wounds, bone fractures and mostly to clean the genitalia and relieve the pain felt after childbirth.

Cecropia is a Neotropical genus consisting of sixty-one recognized species with a highly distinctive lineage of dioecious trees.

The genus is easily identified by its large, circular, palmately lobed leaves, about 30–40 cm in diameter and deeply divided into 7-11 lobes. The trees consist of very few branches, usually with candelabrum-like branching system. In Costa Rica, three-toed sloths are often spotted easily in Cecropia trees because of Cecropias’ open, leafless branches compared to other trees. 

Cecropia trees have a hollow trunk and branches, which are divided into a series of chambers by partitions. The tree produces special structures in velvety-brown glandular patches under the leaf stems, providing nourishment for Azteca ants, which defend the leaves.

Common nameTrumpet tree, embauba, trompettier, snake wood, yagruma, bois cannon, Yagrumo hembra, ambay, sandpaper tree.


FamilyMoraceae (Mulberry family).

Medicinal Uses

The trumpet tree or embauba is widely used in traditional medicine throughout Central and South America.Virtually every part is used – bark, roots, sap, leaves and fruit – to treat a diversity of ailments. 

Each country has different uses for extracts of this plant, such as treatment for bronchitis and snakebites in Trinidad and a cure for diabetes and hypertension in Guatemala.

Recent scientific research on the trumpet tree has shown 

  • potential for treating obesity, as well as 
  • bacterial infections and 
  • cancer. 
  • The tree is regularly used throughout the world by herbalists for treating respiratory disorders and 
  • diabetes.


Suriname's traditional medicine.

  • The leaves of Embauba are used against: albumin in the urine and 
  • have a good effect on the urinary passages, 
  • bladder and 
  • kidney disorders.

Tea made from the leaves is used as

  •  a cure for asthma
  • cough and 
  • other upper- respiratory complaints such as bronchitis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 
  • emphysema, 
  • pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Trumpet tree is also used to treat 
  • high blood pressure, for 
  • childbirth and 
  • menstruation and 
  • to strengthen the heart.
The other parts of the plant are also useful: 
  • the bark decreases mucus, 
  • the roots ease bile problems and 
  • the fruit greatly soothes the skin thanks to its emollient qualities.
 In many parts of Latin America, Cecropia tea is considered to be 
  • a miraculous cure for asthma and apparently it is brewed from its leaves.
  • Cecropia has a beneficial effect in patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes. 
Dosage
Tincture: 1 - 3 ml daily
Infusion (herbal tea): 1 - 2 cups daily


Plant Chemicals

Trumpet tree has among its plant chemicals: glycosides; lipids; alkaloids; flavonoids; isoorientin; chlorogenic acid; tannins; resins; ambain; cecropin; cardenolid; leucocyanidin; methyl-salicylate; proanthocyanidins; ursolic and stearic acids. The latex contains an alkaloid, cowleyin.

Reforestation

Cecropia trees are common in the rainforest - and in the tropical dry forest as well.  The trees are often seen along the roadsides as well. They are related to the mulberry tree.  

They often invade disturbed areas (hence their presence on roadsides) and are considered a pioneer species.  They don't do well in the shade; in the rainforest they depend on the appearance of openings due to treefalls, landslides, fires, etc.  

They are very quick-growing and shed the lower limbs (this shedding epiphytes as well).  In addition to the ants, the Cecropia trees have a number of chemical defenses including latex ducts (which gum up the mouthparts of feeding insects) and tannins.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Sacred Trees in India

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 228-365


India is widely recognised for the amalgamation of various religions and cultures. India is known as a land of spirituality and people across the world visit the country for spiritual solace. It is a country where you find the essence of religion and spirituality in every state including the age old architectures and temples. On a factual note, people in India especially Hindus are known to pay their respects to the nature, including animals and trees. 
 
For example, if you visit the temples of India, you would not be surprised to find the presence of peepal tree, which holds a significant place in the Hindu religion. Worshiping trees is not a strange practice in India. Few trees are said to be sacred, filled with spiritual powers and sometimes associated to the supreme deities. 
 
Trees such as peepal, coconut, bhang and sandalwood are worshiped in many states of India and have high regards in Hindu religion. The sacred trees are famously referred as 'kalpa-vriksha'. Apart from being worshiped, it also has certain medicinal benefits

Bael tree

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bael tree, also referred to as 'bilupatre' is associated with 'Lord Shiva', the God of Destroyer. Offering the leaf of this tree to the almighty is said to be very beneficial. The trifoliate leaves symbolise the functions of the almighty that is creation, preservation and destruction.
 
It can tolerate severe drought so is good for reforestation of arid areas.
 
Curative Properties

In the ancient medical treatise in Sanskrit mention all parts of this tree stem, bark, root, leaves and fruit. At all stages of maturity have been used as medicine. The fruit's medicinal value is very high when it just begins to ripen. The fruit is cooling and a laxative. It stops secretion or bleeding. The unripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in curing scurvy.

Ear Problems A home remedy for curing ear problems. A stiff piece of the root is dipped in neem oil and lighted. The oil that drips from the burning end. An effective medicine for ear problems. The antiseptic properties of neem combined with the astringent extract of bael root curing infection, chronic inflammation and discharge.

Respiratory Disorders The leaves gives relief from recurrent colds and respiratory inffections. A teaspoon oil should be massaged into the scalp before a head bath. Its regular use builds up resistance to colds and coughs. Theoil is prepared, juice extracted from bael leaves mixed with an equal quantity of gingelly or sesame oil and heated thoroughly. A few seeds of black pepper and half a teaspoon of black cummin are added to the heated oil. Removed from the fire and stored for use when necessary.

 
Constipation Ripe bael fruit isthe best of all laxatives. It clears and tones up the intestines. Its regular use for 2 or 3 months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. Taken in the form of sherbet, which is prepared from the pulp of the ripe fruit. After breaking the shell, the seeds are removed, with the contents spooned out and sieved. Milk and sugar are added to make it more palatable.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery
The unripe fruit is the most effective remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The bael fruit, when it is green is sliced and dried in the sun. The dried bael slices are powdered and preserved in airtight bottles.

Peptic Ulcer
An infusion from bael leaves are soaked overnight in water. This water is strained and taken in the morning. An effective remedy for peptic ulcer. . Bael leaves are rich in tannin which reduces inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers.
Peepal Tree 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peepal tree are found in almost every temple of India; especially in South India. Peepal tree holds the highest rank among all holy Hindu trees. 
 
This tree is associated with Lord Vishnu, as the Puranas says that this tree is home to the trinity of Gods, the root being Brahma, the trunk is Vishnu and leaves represent Lord Shiva. Interestingly, peepal tree is also associated with Lord Shani too. In order to invoke the blessings of Shani Dev, water the
 
 Peepal tree on Thursday or Saturday. Apart from that wrapping sacred thread around the Peepal tree for seven times and enchanting Shani Mantra is said to take away the troubles of Saadhe Saatee. After wrapping the holy thread dont forget to light a lamp under the peepal tree. 
 
Curative Properties
 
Peepal leaves are of heart shaped and so does their use, the leaves of peepal trees are effective against many  heart disease.
 
Charge mobile with peepal leaves 
 
Its very Strange But True Very True.
Now, you do not require any mobile charger to charge your mobiles. Only there is need to use green leaf of peepal tree and after some time your mobile will get charged.
No soon the people came to learn this development; they tested it and found encouraging results. If your mobile has been discharged and you are inside a jungle then you need not to use any charger. You Should pluck two peepal leaves and your work would be done.
It is very good idea and easy to charge your mobile. You would have to open your mobile battery and connect it with peepal leaf. After that without shaking mobile set you should set the battery in your mobile set. After some time your mobile would be charged.  
 
 Bamboo tree 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sacred bamboo, also commonly known as nandina, is native to China, Japan, and India.
 
Bamboo tree is associated with Lord Krishna. According to the myths, the flute of Lord Krishna is said to be made of bamboo. Hence, bamboo tree is a symbol representing Lord Krishna and his flute. 
 
Sandalwood Tree 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sandalwood Tree, is not just known for its aroma and beauty benefits, but is also associated with the supreme powers. This tree is associated with Goddess Paravati because it is believed that she created Lord Ganesha out of sandalwood paste and her sweat. Hence it is considered to be very sacred. Sandalwood paste is widely used to worship Gods and Goddesses. 
 
On steam distillation of this heartwood Sandalwood oil is obtained that is widely used in perfumery, cosmetic and drug industries.
 
Sandalwood tree is adapted to a wide variety of soils with pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 with area temperature ranging from 5 to 50 degree Celsius. It is not region specific and can adapt to different environmental condition. The plantation-growth trees with irrigation and fertilization perform exceedingly well compared to natural forest condition. It grows on clay to sandy loam soil. 
 
The trees grow on poor soils, particularly on stony or gravelly soil, don't attain such large dimensions, but produce more highly scented wood, giving a better ield of oil. Naturally it has been found to grow in Deccan plateau at an altitude of 600 to 1050 m, with annual rainfall of 600 to 1000 mm, which is considered ideal for this species. The formation of heartwood seems to be best at between 600 to 900 m altitude.
Bhang Tree
 
Bhang Tree If you visit any place associated with Lord Shiva, you ought to find the sadhus having bhang. However, bhang tree is known to be really auspicious as it brings wealth and prosperity. You can find abundance of bhang leaves being offered to Lord Shiva during Mahashivratri festival. They are also used for making 'prasad'. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cannabis, ( Marijuana , Hemp , Bhang, Ganja ) was first brought down from the Himalayas by Lord Shiva to India -- from where it spread throughout the world.
 
Cannabis is also associated with Lord Krishna . In 4300 BC, he used to dance with the Gopikas ( the milkmaids ) in the Hemp fields of Brindavan.  
 
Cannabis is mentioned in our Atharva Veda of 5000 BC. Vedas will NOT propagate anything which harms man, the planet , the flora  or the  fauna or even the insects. 
 
Cannabis flowers are drunk with milk and yoghurt by almost everybody during the Indian festival of Holi.  
 
 
Coconut Tree
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In India, chopping down coconut tree is considered to be a bad omen. Coconut tree also called as "Kalpa Vriksha" is a well known scared tree, and is used for all auspicious moment of any pooja. This tree also represents Lord Shiva.
 
 The coconut tree grows well in saline soils but in areas having good sunshine and rainfall like the tropical sea coastlines, which offer high humidity which is very necessary for the growth of the coconut tree. The coconut tree lives from about 80 to 200 years.
 
"He who plants a coconut tree, plants food and drink, vessels and clothing, a home for himself and a heritage for his children" - South Seas saying

"If you could count the stars, then you could count all the ways the coconut tree serves us" - Philippine proverb

Health Benefits Of Coconut

Coconut is called a functional food as the health benefits far outweigh the nutrition it provides.
  • Preventing Obesity
Coconut consumption gives a feeling of fullness for a longer time thus preventing overeating. It also speeds up metabolism.
  • Benefits The Heart
Coconut contains medium chain fatty acids or MCFA mainly and some short chain fatty acids, which lower the risk of arterial clogging or atherosclerosis.
  • High Dietary Fiber
The 60 % non digestible dietary fiber helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and regulates bowel movements as well.
  • Low Glycemic Index
Coconut has a low glycemic index which means a slower release of glucose into the blood. This helps in keeping the blood sugar levels low. Additionally, this benefits by making a lesser demand of insulin from the pancreas.
  • A Rapid Energy Boost
Coconut is an excellent source of quick energy food. This results in less storage of body fat. It relieves chronic fatigue and improves thyroid function.
  • Removes Intestinal Worms
To remove worms, grind some coconut and eat this at breakfast time. After 3 hours, take 1 tbsp castor oil. Repeat till relief.
  • For Acidity
Coconut oil reduces acid production in the stomach and gives relief.
  • For Digestive Disorders
Eat the tender meat of coconut for relief from indigestion, ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery, and piles. Coconut water gives relief in dyspepsia, vomiting & bloating.
  • For Dry cough
Take 1 tbsp poppy seeds, milk & honey. Mix with coconut milk. Take this at bedtime to relieve smoker's cough too.
  • For Cholera
Mix 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice in a glass of tender coconut water. It reduces the acidity in the blood and restores the electrolyte balance.
  • For Urinary Problems
A natural diuretic, coconut improves the urine output and alkalises it too. It also relieves kidney and liver disorders.
  • For Skin Problems
Coconut oil from the meat of a ripe coconut is effective in relieving pain and healing burns and scalds.


links

http://mangalore4u.blogspot.ca/2010/01/charge-mobile-with-peepal-leaves.html

http://lotusleaf-gardentropics.blogspot.ca/2011_06_01_archive.html