Tag: Immune System

April 4, 2019

Health Benefits and Medicinal uses of Neem-Azadirachta indica

Introduction

Neem, (Azadirachta indica) is a tree with plenty of health benefits that holds a solid reputation in Ayurveda zone. It has many remedies that can heal a number of ailments like treat dandruff, pacify irritation, saves the skin from many diseases, accelerates wound healing, boosts the immune system and reduces the inflammation. It is also used to heal gastric troubles, enhances scalp health and hair growth, slows down the aging process, manages libido, has anti-cancer potential and useful in controlling diabetes.

Neem in fact is a native of Indian subcontinent, these days it can be found in many other parts of the world because it is used to treat a huge number of diseases in a natural way. In fact it belongs to the family of Meliaceae. These trees grow in a rapid way and have massive quality and broad spreading leaves, which drop in drought as if they want to shield the other trees and the ground. Almost all the parts of this tree are used to prepare various remedies that cure plenty of diseases.

Neem leaves are in great demand because they have numerous beneficial & medicinal properties. The neem oil is extracted from its leaves and used in multiple ways to heal many ailments. These can also be dried and burnt, they turn into a pest repellent. In India the shoots and flowers of this tree are used in culinary applications.

Health Benefits of Neem

Some of the benefits of its leaves are:

How to Use

  1. Make a paste of neem leaves and water and dab it on your wounds, repeat this process a few times in a day. It will help in reducing the inflammation and pain and heals the wounds at a fast pace.
  2. Boil a handful of neem leaves in a glass of water till its color changes to green, let it get cooled. After washing your hair with a shampoo, apply this water to your hair. It will just say goodbye dandruff.
  3. Boil some neem leaves in water for some time and let it gets cooled. Sprinkle your eyes with this water. It will certainly cure the redness, itching, and feeling tired kind of look.
  4. Grind a few neem leaves and make a paste with water and apply it on your zit (a spot on the skin) directly, acne will just dry out. This paste also helps in removing all skin blemishes, making it totally flawless and supple. Add turmeric to this paste and it helps in removing many skin problems like itching, ring worms, eczema and other skin diseases.
  5. In fact, it just enhances your immunity, crush some neem leaves in a glass of water and can be drunk straight away. I know it has a very bitter taste, you can add some honey to sweeten it. But if you pay a look at its benefits you will not mind drinking it, without worrying about the taste.
  6. Neem flowers: The whole tree is bitter, except its flowers, which have a mystic jasmine like fragrance and which blossom in the afternoon and once again during the evening. During monsoon season, you will find them scattered all over the ground in bunches. These can be used in any form fresh, dried or powdered form, mostly these are used in South India to cook  many kinds of dishes. These flowers are roasted to be sprinkled on top of some dishes to make them more impressive.
  7. Neem flowers are also used to heal anorexia, belching, nausea and intestinal worms. Aromatherapy is done with them due to their calming effect. A recent study found it’s flower’s alcoholic extract to be a nice contraceptive.
  8. Neem Twigs & Bark: If you are an Indian and live in the rural sector, early in the morning you will find lots of people chewing on neem twigs and often don’t do any toothbrush. These twigs are so beneficial for the jaw health that it  kills all the toxins that are collected during the night and stop tooth decay or after getting shredded work as threads to stop the formation of plaque. It also maintains the alkaline level of your saliva, treats swollen gums and gives you sparkling white teeth.

Amazing Health Benefits of Neem

Benefits of Neem Oil:

  • Neem oil, which is extracted from seeds of neem trees has immense medicinal properties.
  • Making it a strong ingredient of many beauty products and cosmetics like soaps, shampoos, tooth pastes, hair oils, hand wash, mosquito repellents many creams & lotions that are made to moisturize your skin and make it smooth.
  • You can also add coconut oil in it and massage your whole body to enjoy the cooling effects.
  • We Indians feed our kids with the neem oil to eradicate all diseases that are caused due to viral infections to keep them healthy.

Here are some other great uses of neem oil you may have missed:

How to Use

  1. Say no to blackheads: Take 2-3 drops of neem oil, dilute by adding some water to it and apply this mixture on your blackheads directly.
  2. Apply this regularly to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
  3. Anti-ageing oil: Neem oil is extremely nourishing and can be applied along with your face packs. It also helps in reducing the wrinkles that appear on your face and thus prevents aging skin, any kind of skin irritation caused by the harmful rays of the Sun and reduces itching.
  4. For strong hair: Take some neem oil and rub it into the scalp with the help of your fingertips, leave it  for a while and later wash. Neem oil can make your hair strong right from the root to the tip, prevents hair fall and treats dandruff.
  5. Ayurveda uses the basic properties of neem tree to cure ailments which occur due to disturbances in Vata dosha and also reduces neuro-muscular pains. The free radicals that circulate  cause harmful effects on our body.
  6. The neem tree has anti-bacterial properties that  neutralize these free radicals and then are thrown out of the body. It also destroys the bacteria that cause so many infections and promotes healing in a rapid manner.

Note

  • The neem tree has immense medicinal properties in it and can bring lots of benefits if taken properly. Remember one thing that the neem tree should be grown in an organic way and should be free from all chemicals. But it will be a good idea to consult your Ayurvedic doctor before proceeding. He/she can guide you more properly.
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January 23, 2019

Health Benefits of Pistachio Nuts You Should Know

Overview

Pistachios (roasted without salt) are one of the most nutritious nuts, low calorie, oldest edible nuts, healthy for heart and the entire body as they improve blood, brain and skin health. Pistachio nuts belong to the Anacardiaceae family. A tree (Pisracia vera tree) takes almost 10 years to produce its first crop. Pistachios are seeds of the tree.

Health Benefits of Pistachio

Is Pistachios Are Good For You?

Pistachios are loaded with nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, antioxidants, amino acids, fats and dietary fiber. They are rich in minerals like phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and sodium. Pistachio provides essential vitamins like Vitamin A, C, E and K along with folate, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and pantothenic acid.

What are the Health Benefits of Pistachios?

Healthy Heart

Improve Heart Health

  • Pistachios are one of the most Vitamin B6 rich foods, which is important for formation of hemoglobin and blood sugar regulation. Getting Vitamin B6 in diet helps to improve cardiovascular health. Pistachios can lower bad cholesterol and cut the risk of coronary heart disease.
  • They lower the levels of lipids and lipoproteins which are the risk factors for heart disease. The omega 3 fatty acids present in serving of pistachios can help lower blood pressure and protect against abnormal heart beat.
  • The high amount of Vitamin B6 also helps in building amino acids essential in transmitting nerve impulses and thus helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system.
  • Pistachios are a great source of amino acid L arginine which is converted to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide plays an important role in vasodilation (widening or dilating of blood vessels). Thus, these nuts enhance the blood flow and manage the blood pressure naturally.

Boost Fertility

  • Proper blood flow is needed for body functions like erectile function. Along with this, Pistachios act as an aphrodisiac and is found to improve sex drive in men and boost fertility.

Sources of Vitamin E

Source of Vitamin E

  • Pistachios are amazing source of Vitamin E which is needed to prevent age related cognitive decline.
  • Pistachios are able to stimulate brain frequencies better than other nuts.
  • Thus, they help to enhance learning and information retention.
  • The oil from the pistachio nut is useful in fighting brain

Premature Aging

  • Inflammation and preserving the essential fatty acids in the brain. The vitamin E in pistachios protects the skin from the damage caused by Ultra violet rays and delays the signs of premature aging.

Weight loss Management

Weight loss Management

  • Pistachios are very helpful with weight management as they are low in calories, high in proteins.
  • They have low saturated fats and high unsaturated fats which is needed for weight management. The fiber in them helps to keep one full for longer periods.
  • Consuming pistachios can keep inches off the waist over time.
  • Pistachios have beneficial effects on triglycerides too.
  • The fat content in them is not fully absorbed by the body.
  • They are the healthiest nuts to be used as a snack in order to lose weight.
  • Eating in shell pistachios also leads to mindful eating as one needs to slowly remove the shell and eat the nuts.

Enhance Gut Health

  • Pistachios promotes healthy gut bacteria as they are high in fiber.
  • They help in smooth digestion of the food and prevents constipation.
  • Consuming pistachios increases the number of butyrate producing bacteria in the gut.
  • Feeding the good bacteria helps them multiply and crowd out the harmful bacteria.
  • The fiber in pistachios is digested by the food bacteria in the stomach which then ferments this fiber and produce short chain fatty acids. This helps in reducing risk of developing digestive disorders, colon cancers and heart diseases.

Helpful in Diabetes

  • Pistachios are known to increase the levels of peptide 1 hormone that regulates glucose levels in diabetes. The nuts have positive effects on glycemic control, blood pressure, inflammation and obesity in diabetic patients. Intake of pistachios lowers the glucose and insulin levels. They have low glycemic index which means they do not cause a large spike in the blood sugar.

Improve Vision Health

  • Pistachios are a rich source of antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are essential for healthy eyes. These antioxidants are found in human retina and taking care of eyes and prevents vision issues.
  • Consuming Pistachios regularly reduces the chances of age-related Macular Degeneration and cataracts. They also protect the eyes against damage caused by blue light. Pistachios also contain zinc which is a vital nutrient for healthy eyes.

Boost Immunity

  • The zinc and Vitamin B6 in Pistachios also boost the immunity and protects the body against various infections.

Pistachios Combat Inflammation

Pistachios Combat Inflammation

  • Pistachios combat inflammation as they are rich in monounsaturated fats and proteins which helps in fighting inflammation for Arthritis patients and also builds strength.
  • The presence of Vitamin A, E and anti-inflammatory properties in pistachios helps in reducing inflammation in any part of the body.

Increase Estrogen Levels

  • Pistachios are very helpful for females as they contain the highest number of phytoestrogens. They can increase the estrogen levels leading to regulated menstrual cycles.
  • They are also good source of nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Fight Premature Aging

  • These nuts are very useful for skin and hair. The copper in Pistachios aids the production of elastin which treats sagging skin and prevents the formation of wrinkles.
  • The nuts also help in eliminating dryness from the skin. The saturated fats in these nuts acts as a good carrier or base oil for massage therapies and aromatherapies.

Prevent Anemia

  • The high copper content in Pistachios helps in the higher iron absorption in the body from various food sources. Thus, the intake of these nuts helps prevent conditions like anemia.
  • Pistachios have high ratio of essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein making it exceptionally beneficial for vegetarians.

How to Eat

  • Pistachios are very popular in ice creams and desserts. They are prized high for their unique, slightly sweet flavor. They can be eaten as a snack or on top of a salad and mixed in baked goods for additional flavor.
  • These are delicious, versatile and fun to eat nuts. Pistachios in diet are a great way to improve overall health. It is important to stick to plain, unsalted pistachio nuts in their shells and avoid eating more than one ounce a day. Pistachios must be stored in airtight containers in cool and dry places to last longer.
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