Herbal Help, Ingredients in your home that can cure your sickness

HERBAL HELP
Admit it - every time grandma suggested an infusion of turmeric and hot milk for your nagging cold, you cringed. Well, she may have been right! Studies show that incorporating herbs and spices in your diet has a host of health benefits

GARLIC
Properties: Garlic is a phytonutrient that contains allicin, produced by the enzyme alliinase in garlic. It significantly lowers cholesterol, reduces blood clotting in the arteries, and widens-blood vessels, helping prevent heart disease. It also enhances immunity and wards off bacterial and fungal infections.
Dosage: There is no standard dosage for garlic, although a daily intake of one or two cloves (four grams) of garlic is considered adequate.

FENUGREEK (methi)
Properties: Its therapeutic properties include relieving sinus and asthmatic conditions and promoting lactation in nursing mothers. It relieves constipation and prevents inflammations that can cause ulcers and heart disease.
Dosage: Use one or two grams of ground fenugreek soaked in water thrice a day Fifteen grams of fenugreek helps in controlling blood sugar. Lactating mothers can use over 3.5 grams of fenugreek thrice a day.

ONION
Properties: It has medicinal properties of flavinoids and antioxidants. Onion lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels and regulates blood sugar. It also acts as a blood thinner. The pungent food is also beneficial in the treatment of cholera and diarrhea.
Dosage: A daily dosage of 100 to 250 grams of fresh onion is considered adequate.

TURMERIC
Properties: Turmeric contains high amounts of a carotene akin to Vitamin A. It is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It helps treat colds, sore throats, fevers, acne, psoriasis, arthritis and kidney and liver troubles. The powder can be added to honey, herbal tea, or hot water to treat infections and digestive problems.
Dosage:The usual daily dose of turmeric is one quarter to one half of a teaspoon powder twice or thrice daily between meals.

GINGER
Properties Volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds like gingeroh sesquiterpenoid and shogaol compose the active ingredients of this rhizome. Ginger suppresses disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage:Two to four grams of ginger juice or powder helps relieve arthritis pain. It can also be used as a compress or paste for inflamed joints. Two to four grams of ginger juice or powder helps relieve arthritis pain. It can also be used as a compress or paste for inflamed joints.

CINNAMON
Properties: The coumarin in cinnamon is responsible for its sweet taste. It is loaded with chromium, zinc and blood sugar
regulating protein. Normally used in its powder form, it balances blood sugar levels and improves response to insulin. It also acts as a blood thinner and prevents fungal infections.
Dosage: The dosage for diabetics is half a teaspoon daily while for overall health, a dose of a quarter of a teaspoon is advised.

PEPPER MINT
Properties In its liquid form, it is a volatile oil containing menthol, polyphenols and vitamin E. Beneficial for digestive disorders,it prevents gallstones. It relieves symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and flatulence. It also improves appetite.
Dosage: A herbal tea concocted with a few teaspoons of dried leaves in 250 ml water is an effective remedy.

GREEN TEA
Properties: Green tea contains polyphenols, vitamins and minerals. The antioxidants in green tea provide protection from a host of diseases. It regulates blood sugar and fights mental fatigue. It also shields against breast cancer
Dosage: A cup of green tea has about 40 grams of caffeine. It should be consumed without milk. Pregnant and nursing women, therefore, should limit their intake of green tea.

Note: These ingredients can be easily incorporated in your diet without much difficulty However, do rule out any allergies to the same and check with your medical advisor if on medication. Bon appetit!