By Yanti

Borage oil is oil derived from seeds of wild flowers called starflower. Borage plant (Borago officinalis) is derived from the boraginaceae family and genus borago and is an annual herb originating from Syria and is spreading in many countries such as the Mediterranean area, Asia Minor, North African, European and South American.

Borage herbs can grow about 60 to 100 cm long with leaves measuring approximately 5 to 15 cm, and have fur on the leaves and stems of the herb borage. Borage herb flowers have a pink, white, and blue are the most dominant. Herb borage flowers can bloom continuously throughout the year in mild climates.

Borage traditionally cultivated for cooking and as medicine, and now commercially cultivated to produce the herb for borage seed oil, which is one source of gamma-linolenic acid or omega 6 which is the highest compared to other vegetable oils, and oil is known as borage oil or starflower oil.

Borage oil nutrition

There are many nutrients contained in borage oil in addition to gamma linolenic acid (GLA) such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sodium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, and Calcium

Borage oil benefits

The content of GLA in borage oil is converted in the body to be hormone such  substance that called prostaglandin E1  in which this compound has anti inflammatory properties,  also useful as  blood vessel dilator, and a blood thinner.

From the experimental results have shown as much as even the usage of borage oil around 1.1 to 2.8 grams every day for at the least 3 months have showed that it can minimize rheumatoid arthritis symptoms experienced by a person.

Borage oil has been utilized to treat individu  suffering from eczema or atopic dermatitis, reduce itching, dryness, skin inflammation without side effects on the body.

Borage oil is also believed to be beneficial for reducing inflammation, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart problems, breathing problems, bronchitis, inflammation, scleroderma, and other skin problems.

Although there are many benefits of borage oil but for some people who use borage oil, it give mild side effects such as nausea, bloating, and indigestion, and so we suggest if you want to take certain supplements such as borage oil supplement continuously is to get the most result, and prevent the body from a wide range of effects that may occur, then you should consult your physician first to get the good advice.

By Yanti

Turmeric Health Benefits

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is ginger herbal from the zingiberaceae family and came from southern Asia. Turmeric is yellow herbal which yellow color come from turmeric give turmeric health benefits for other foods such as butter, cheese, yogurt, yellow cakes, yellow rice, and beneficial to protect the food from damage due to the sun.

To grow normally turmeric plant  need routine rainfall and temperatures around 20 C for up to 30 C. and usually turmeric grows wild in the forest Southeast Asia and south Asia such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Pakistan. And in Nizamabad that located in southern India is the biggest producer of turmeric in the world and the city is known also as the turmeric city.

People can use fresh turmeric  or also widely used in powder form where the powdered turmeric is made by boiling turmeric and then dried and crushed into a powder of yellow-orange color. In the countries in Southeast and South Asia, turmeric powder generally is utized as a spice in curries for cooking food, to process coloring other products, traditional medicine, and so on.

Turmeric Nutrition
Curcurmin is the active ingredient contained in the turmeric, the yellow-orange color, other active compounds contained in the turmeric is essential oil. Some studies showed the compound in turmeric has anti bacterial and anti fungal, and to clear the nutrients found in turmeric is Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, selenium, fluoride, protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, Vitamin A, B complex, C, E, K.

Turmeric Health Benefits
Turmeric has been utilzed for a different needs for thousands years ago especially in the country east and south Asia, for example in India, turmeric has been utilized by Indian women so that their hair was not excessive and as antimicrobial. Coloring with turmeric is trusted to increase skin tone and brown. Turmeric in India is part of many religious ceremonies and weddings occasion.

From the results of research conducted at the University of California in 2004 showed that curcurmin has the ability to prevent the accumulation of the compound beta-amyloid in the brain where these compounds can cause damage to the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Curcurmin is also able to decompose the plaques or prevent the growth of plaque, the freeze blood, and prevent oxidation process of LDL cholesterol is in the body. The other is the ability of curcurmin to relieve pain, it is seen in the results of the research that has been loaded on arthritis and rheumatism journal in November 2006 that showed curcurmin compounds that can reduce inflammation in the joints.

Other turmeric health benefits is its ability to slow the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs and other part of body, and the ability of turmeric to prevent disease and reduce type 2 diabetes this insulin resistance is the result of research carried out using mice as experimental materials in lab.

Another turmeric health benefit as a raw material for the treatment of body and face skin where turmeric has been exploited for several Sunscreen products protect the skin from the sun.

The Compounds of tetrahydrocurcuminoids or THCs in turmeric is useful as an antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals that are in the body so it can improve the immune body from variety of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, etc.

Essential oils contained in the turmeric to give effect as anti-bacterial compounds and turmeric does have the ability to prevent wound infection occurred in the body

Other turmeric health benefits is its ability to stimulate production of bile that help digest fats, and from the research done on animals have been known also that the compounds contained in the turmeric is useful for protecting the liver from various toxins.

By Yanti

Health Benefits of Celery

Celery (Apium graveolens) is an herb from the apiaceae family and genus apium. Herbal celery grows with the size varies depending on the type celery, some celery can grow up to 0.5 m, and even some celery which can grow up to 1 m. leaf width of celery generally 2 to 4 cm in green and shaped pinnate. Celery flowers are white, while the stems of celery are green that grow upright and have a cavity in the center of the stem. Celery usually used as a vegetable with the use of leaf and stem, but there are also people who know the health benefits of celery and use all parts of celery as a remedy for their health because there are different kinds of nutrients contained in celery.

Celery is an herb that is famous for its distinctive aromatic flavor and a family with parsley, because it is not surprising that celery and parsley are same family. This celery plant can grow well requires good moisture in the soil. Celery also has a seed-like grain caraway with dark brown color and a rectangular shape, and has a distinctive aromatic. Celery seeds are often used as a spice in cooking.

Celery Nutrition
There are many nutrients contained in celery, and type of nutrients contained within celery include Carbohydrates, Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, B complex, C, K, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Copper, Bes, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Zinc, and beta carotene.

Health Benefits of Celery
Aromatic flavor of celery has used it for seasoning food from earlier times, and Mediternia cuisine is one cuisine that uses celery. People do not just use the celery for eating but they also use celery   as an ingredient treatment in their humans life, and below are a number of health benefits of celery for body health

- Combining low calorie and high fiber in celery are useful to help people to do better diet program for losing weight and decreasing cholesterol levels in the blood.
- The content of antioxidant substances in celery such vitamin C, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin in celery able to ward off free radicals in the body that helps to boost immunity of body from various diseases.
- Other health benefits of celery can get from vitamin A and beta-carotene; they are natural source of antioxidant flavonoids that maintain healthy skin and eyes.
- Vitamin K which is in celery herbs beneficial to increase bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bone. The enzyme is useful also to minimize damage to nerves in the brain thus providing an important role for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
- The minerals contained in celery such as sodium, potassium, kalcium, magnesium, and manganese are essential elements for cell and body fluids because of petrified to control blood pressure and heart rate.
- The essential oil obtained from extraction celery is the health benefits of celery to treat osteoarthritis, gout and arthritis, decrease nervousness, anger, headache, and helps the secretion of mother’s milk.
- Content of apigenin in the leaves celery is useful to prevent the constriction of blood vessels. These effects will be larger because of the pthalide components that can relax blood vessels.
- The content of phytosterols in celery as the health benefits of celery to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, prevents cancer, helps the formation of skin permeability in order to run properly.
- Other health benefit of celery is as a diuretic substance which can remove body fluids where the effect is due to a balance between potassium and sodium that help to remove excess body fluids.
- Celery leaves also contain many apiin that provides benefits to increase the amount of urine
- Celery also believed to have anti-inflammatory substances that is useful for treating inflammation of the joints
- Oral hygiene and dental health can be improved by consuming raw celery because it can stimulate saliva production so it can help to paralyze the activity of bacteria that can lead to tooth loss. The fiber content in celery is also useful in cleaning leftovers found in between the teeth, and besides celery distinctive aromatic helps to fresh the mouth.
- Boils or inflamed body part that can be treated with leaf celery by grinding a few leaves of fresh celery leaves until smooth, then smeared on the body of the sick for a few minutes after it had cleared, while for treatment in such headaches, feeling nervous, and so can utilize celery leaves by boiling about 30 to 40 leaves celery with water, and then drink celery water after the water has cooled.
- Leaves fresh celery also believed to be treating people suffering from dry eye problems by consuming a few pieces of fresh leaves celery every day.

Although there are many health benefits of celery, but for pregnant women and people who have sensitive or allergy should not consume celery especially wild type celery because this herb can cause allergy reaction even quite severe anaphylactic reaction. Bergapten in seeds celery may also increase photosensitivity, so the use of essential oil externally in bright sunlight should be avoided.

As far back as 1900, the indigenous wildflower known as black cohosh provided the main ingredient for a popular tonic used to treat various female problems. Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family, and its usefulness extends far beyond PMS and menopause. In addition to these traditional uses, black cohosh have also other health benefits. It has been used to treat a large number of other conditions, including everything from eczema to insect bites.

Modern uses of black cohosh

For many years, the use of black cohosh fell out of favor, but this popular root is once again being used as an herbal treatment for such symptoms as hot flashes which are commonly associated with menopause. When traditional hormone replacement therapy was found to carry significant health risks, many doctors recommended that their patients treat their menopausal symptoms instead with black cohosh.

Black cohosh is also thought to be an excellent anti-inflammatory medication, a relief for muscle aches and even a mild sedative. In addition, black cohosh has been used to clear stopped up mucous membranes and to help lessen congestion and coughing.

The importance of black cohosh

Black cohosh also has a long history of treating menstrual cramps in a drug free way. The antispasmodic properties of black cohosh may be responsible for its effectiveness at treating the discomforts of menstrual cramps. In addition, black cohosh is thought to increase the blood flow to the uterus, and to reduce the intensity of painful cramping. Black cohosh is even thought to benefit those suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Black cohosh is available in a number of different preparations, including tinctures, tablets, capsules, and dried herbs. These dried black cohosh herbs are often used to prepare soothing teas.

What to look for

When shopping for capsules or tablets containing black cohosh, it is important to look for those products which have been standardized to contain 2.5% triterpenes glycosides, which are the active ingredients in the black cohosh root. It is this amount that has proven most effective in clinical trials of black cohosh.

When buying liquid forms of black cohosh, it is important to seek out those products that have been standardized to a higher percentage, around 5% of triterpene glycosides.

For many people the capsules which contain the freeze dried black cohosh roots can be an excellent choice, since these capsules are most likely to contain all of the key ingredients in this herb. This includes many of the compounds that have yet to be identified by science, but which are likely to be part of the active ingredients of black cohosh.

For the best result for PMS symptoms, take 40 mg of black cohosh two times a day. This regimen should be started from a week to 10 days prior to your period. The black cohosh tea is made by boiling the dried black cohosh root in water for 20 to 30 minutes, and then allowing the tea to cool before it is used. Muscle aches and pains are best treated with a warm compress which has been soaked in black cohosh tea for about 20 minutes

By Yanti

Marshmallow Root Benefits

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is an herb of the family malvaceae and comes from Greek which means to cure. Marshmallow root has many names like Althea root, marsh mallow, sweet weed, mortification root, and, wymote. The ancient marshmallow root benefits as a traditional medicine in Greek and then spread also in the treatment medicine system in Arabic, and Indian. Marshmallow has also been consumed since ancient times in Egypt, Roman, and Syria.

Marshmallow herbs can be grown in place trash, in marshy areas, along the banks of the river, and so on. This plant can grow to a height of 4 to 6 meters. And all part of the plant can be used for various purposes for human consumption, such as a decorative material, cosmetics, and medicine pharmaceuticals primarily for the marshmallow root.

Marshmallow nutrition

There are many nutrients that are contained within the marshmallow, especially in the marshmallow root, because it is not surprising that people have used marshmallow root benefits for thousands of years ago, and nutrients in the marshmallow root some of them include Vitamin B complex, vitamin C, amino acids, salicylic acid, beta carotene, calcium, lecithin, pectin, paraffin, mucilage, tannins, beta-carotene, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.

Marshmallow root benefits

Marshmallow root as an herb that is used to treat various diseases has been used since ancient times, where the ancient Egyptians has been used althaea officinalis as a medicine to treat sore throat, and marshmallow root has also been used to make candy at that time. Roman has also been taking marshmallow herb as nutritious plants in barley soup, and Persia has used this marshmallow as herbal that can reduce inflammation in infants who are experiencing teething, and baby who is breastfeeding, and others marshmallow root benefits include as follows

- Marshmallow root benefits to soothe irritated tissue, and minimize the several forms of inflammation experienced by someone, because marshmallow root benefits to help remove excess fluid and mucus so it is suitable for people who experience sore throat, cough or sinusitis.

- Salicylic acid content in the marshmallows provides benefits to reduce pain in muscles and pain that occurs on the head.

- Content of polysaccharides in marshmallow root is the cure for people suffering from digestive disorders because it can strengthen the digestive system that forms a protective layer on the lining of the stomach and will reduce stomach acid. This herb has been used also to relieve the people who have Crohn’s disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers in the stomach, and ulcers.

- Marshmallow root benefits As a diuretic drug for Marshmallow Root to increase the flow of urine and rids the human body of excessiveness fluid, and also beneficial to improve renal function, urinary tract calm, eliminating the infection in the bladder, and cystitis.

- Other benefit of marshmallow is to improve immune system function, so it will help body stronger from any kind of diseases and make body healthier.

- For external use marshmallow root benefits in the ointment as emollients to soften skin and soothe dry hands, because the mucous found in marshmallow root help as a protective coating for the skin so it can heal damaged skin. Other root marshmallow benefits derived from the content of mucus is either in use internally and externally that is useful also to accelerate the healing of skin diseases for people who experience skin problems such as people affected by eczema, skin ulcers, rashes, sunburn, and psoriasis.