Boil a Banana, Drink the Water Before Bed and See What Happens to Your Sleep!

All people have troubles sleeping at times, as we are living in a world full of stress, electromagnetic influences from modern technology devices, and various other negative factors.

All of these things disrupt our ability to get the needed rest, affect our nervous system, and sleep hormones, and reduce the quality of sleep.

There are numerous other factors, external and internal, which affect the nervous system, hormones, and brain, and lead to sleep deprivation.

The easiest thing to do is to grab a sleeping pill, but is that a good solution? It may work short-term, but in the long term, you are hindering your body’s health and natural abilities.

Sleeping pills have known side effects such as dizziness, constipation, stomach pain, difficulty focusing, memory problems and harm to the central nervous system.

However, sleep is of utmost importance for our overall health and normal functions, so its deprivation leads to numerous health issues, impaired cognitive functions, poor immune system, energy drops, reduced motor skills, and an increased risk of diseases and health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

Therefore, the eight-hour sleep is a must and you should try all means to ensure it every night in order to enhance your health. On the other hand, the sleeping pills are not the best solution as they cause numerous severe side-effects.

Yet, you can successfully restore your sleep completely naturally, with the help of this amazing banana cinnamon tea.

Bananas are incredibly healthy fruits, which are high in nutrients, like magnesium, and potassium. Their peels are even more abundant in these minerals.

Magnesium provides relaxation and soothes muscle cramps which lead to pain and aches. It is the first mineral which is depleted from the body due to stress. On the other hand, the both of them are beneficial for the nervous system.

Also, cinnamon regulates the blood sugar levels, and their balance supports the function of the hormones and ensures better sleep. The hormonal disbalance also caused fatigue during the day and may make you feel energetic during the night, so you won’t be able to fall asleep.

Therefore, by combining the properties of bananas and cinnamon, you can effectively treat insomnia. This is how to prepare this amazing natural sleep remedy:

Ingredients:

• 1 organic banana (unpeeled)
• A sprinkle of cinnamon
• 1 small pot of water

Instructions:

Initially, cut off the ends of the banana and put it in a pot with boiling water. Boil the banana for 10 minutes, and then add the cinnamon.

You can sweeten the drink with stevia, which will also regulate the blood sugar levels.

Drink this natural remedy before bedtime and enjoy your sleep!

You can eat the boiled banana with cinnamon the next day, as we recommend that you do not consume food right before bedtime.

Source: www.davidwolfe.com

The Healthiest Food In The World: It Can Lower Cholesterol & Blood Pressure, Prevents Heart Attack & Stroke

Dates are one of the healthiest foods on the planet – they contain valuable nutrients that can improve your health and prevent diseases and conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Here are the top health benefits of dates:

1. Rich in iron

Thanks to the high iron content, dates are great for people suffering from anemia as well as pregnant women. Just 100 gr. of dates should be enough – this amount contains about 0.90 mg. of iron, which equals to 11% of the recommended daily allowance. Iron regulates the hemoglobin and red blood cell levels and enables oxygen flow in the bloodstream.

2. Prevent diarrhea

Dates can prevent diarrhea due to the rich potassium content, which heals the intestinal flora and stimulates beneficial bacteria production.

3. Treat constipation

Besides treating diarrhea, dates can stop constipation as well. Soak some dates in water overnight and consume the liquid which acts as a natural laxative.

4. Regulate weight

Dates are rich in nutrients that can regulate your weight and prevent fat buildup. They contain no cholesterol or fat, which is why they’re perfect for reducing weight. However, they do contain sugar, so you should consume them moderately.

5. Regulate cholesterol

Dates can lower the levels of the “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and clean the blood vessels, effectively preventing numerous cardiovascular diseases.

6. Strengthen the heart

Soak some date in water overnight, then strain the mixture and pit them in the morning. Blend the seeds with water and drink the mixture during the day to strengthen your heart muscle and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

7. Regulate blood pressure

Dates are rich in potassium and sodium, minerals vital for normal blood pressure. 5-6 dates contain 80 mg. of magnesium which expands your blood vessels and improves circulation. According to studies, 370 mg. of magnesium can lower your blood pressure immediately.

8. Reduced risk of stroke

Dates can keep your nervous system safe and prevent strokethanks to the high potassium content. 400 mg. or more potassium a day can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%.

22 Health Benefits of Guava Leaves (No.1 Doctor Uses)

Guava is known well as tropical fruit which rich in nutrients throughout the world. People loves to eat it as it has sweet and juicy flavor. Not only consumed as food, guaya also being used in medicinal purpose. The fruit, leaf and other parts of guava has been proved may give benefits to human health.

Guava plant or Psidium guajava is a small tree or a large evergreen shrub member of Myrtaceae family. It can grow until 15m in height. This plant is native in Mexico and other Central America countries. Since it tropical plant, guava can only adapt to warm climate. Nowadays, after more than 300 years introduced in United State, guava is cultivated in many countries in Asia and Africa with various varieties.

Many researches have been conducted to found the scientific evidence of guava in medication including guava leaves. Health benefits of guava leaves have been used by people to treat digestion problem such as diarrhea and thrush. Guava leaves contains many potential bioactive components such as saponine, tannins, flavonoid, eugenol and tritenoids. Flavonoids ( more than 1.4 % ) and tannins are dominate the polyphenolic component of guava leave.

Health benefits of guava leaves

Since guava leaves contains many active phytochemical, it provides many health benefits those are :

1. Cure diarrhea

Guava leaf in medicinal purpose is mostly used to treat diarrhea. Diarrhea is a condition where the colon cant absorb water due to bacterial infection of Staphylococcus aureus. Study reported that guava leaf has strong anti-bacterial compound such as tannins and essential oil which very effective to fight against S. Aureus infection and inhibit those bacteria growth.

2. Decrease cholesterol level

It is surprising that guava leaf can reduce the level of cholesterol in bloodwhich can cause many health problems. Studies reported that guava leaf contains active phytochemical compounds such as gallic acid, cathechin and epicathecin which can inhibit pancreatic cholesterol esterase which slightly reduce cholesterol level.

3. Prevent from obesity

Obesity is being an epidemic nowadays since the change of people lifestyle. Obesity can cause many health problem such as diabetes and heart disease which are the main cause of mortality in most countries such as United State. Guava leaf contains compound called quarcetin which can inhibit the fat cell formation and the cathechin that has fat burning effect in the body.

4. Prevent diabetes type 2

Cathechin in guava leaf is not only can burn the fat but it also can control the blood glucose level or in other name it has hypoglycemic effect to the body. This may help to prevent the development of diabetes especially type 2 that also become a consequent along with developing obesity.

5. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke

Quercetin has a strong antioxidant effect to the body. It can help to reduce oxidative stress which caused by free radicals. This effect of quercetin is lead to inhibit the LDL or low density lipoprotein formation. LDL is known as bad fat which can cause atherosclerosis or plaque in the blood vessels. By consuming guava leaf, you can reduce the risk of develop atherosclerosis and prevent you from heart disease.

6. Prevent from cancer

Many studies have been conducted to found the components and benefits of guava leaf. One of best benefits that you may found in guava leaf is anti-cancer activity. It has been proved that guava leaf can reduce the risk of several types of cancer such as gastric, breast, oral and prostate cancer. This benefits performed by the antioxidant contains in guava leaf such as quercetin, lycopene and Vitamin C. Those components can induce the apoptosis or self-killing activity of cancer cells according to a study which published in 2011.

7. Cure and prevent from cholera

According to study by Rahim et al, the extract of guava leaves has strong anti-microbial activity against Vibrio cholera. Cholera is usually become an epidemic disease in many countries and guava leave is suggested to be given to people who suffer from cholera.

8. Prevent from inflammation

Guava leaf has identified to have strong anti-inflammatory activity which performed by ethanol extract contained in it based on study by Dutta and das. While other researcher, Kawakami found that guava leaf has anti-proliferative activity that can inhibit the catalytic activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide which trigger inflammation. Matsuzake et al reported that glycosides from guava leaves extract showed significant effect in histamine ( protein which trigger inflammation ) inhibition.

9. Protect liver

Guava leaves benefits also very important for liver. Liver is an organ which play important role in detoxification process. Guava leaves have found to have hepatoprotective activity which can cure liver injury induced by paracetamol consumption according to study by Roy and And. It also has strong effect to protect liver from some enzyme which can damage liver cells such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin

10. Prevent dermatitis

A study reported that ethyl acetate compound in guava leaves extract can inhibit the chemokine expression in keratinocytes which lead to dermatitis ( skin inflammation ) and other skin disease.

11. Fight allergy

Guava leaf contain quarcetin is known as anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory which can inhibit the development of allergy such as food allergy, asthma and skin reaction. Quercetin makes guava leaf tend to be one of best natural way to fight allergy.

12. Reduce pain

Arthritis is a condition as a symptoms of autoimmune disorder and causing joint pain. The quercetin in guava leaves has significant effect to reduce the pain of arthritis. It is also reported that quercetin can help to lower the effect of infection and remove its pain.

13. Treat stomach ulcer

Guava leaves contain methanol extract that composed by volatiloill, flavonoid and saponine which can be useful to treat stomach ulcer. This methanolic extract of guava composed by tannins and flavonoids also can promote healing effect of gastric wound

14. Keep oral health

Guava leaves is known to keep oral or mouth health. It is believed that chewing guava leaf can protect mouth from developing dental plaque.The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties in guava leaves also can protect from gum inflammation and get rid of bad breath

15. Treat cough

A study by Jajar et al found that guava leaves showed anti-cough effect by soothes the muscles on respiratory tract.

16. Prevent Hair loss

It is believed that crushing guava leaves and rub them on scalp can prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.

17. Relieves itchy skin

Itchy skin is sign of allergy or other infection. If its not being cure, it will be serious problem, guava leave contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation properties which can reduce skin itching. Just crush the leaves and rub to itchy skin to get this benefits.

18. Keep skin young

Strong antioxidant effect of guava leaves can protect the skin from damage which caused by free radicals. Free radicals can be harmful to skin, since its damage the skin cell and the main culprit in aging. Consuming guava leaves tea regularly can keep your skin firm and young.

19. Cure acne

Having acne on your face is sometime annoying. Guava leaves can be used to treat acne, it contains anti-bacterial component which can get rid of P. Acne, the bacteria which cause acne. The anti-inflammatory components in guava leave also can reduce redness and inflammation on skin.

20. Increase man fertility

A study which published in the African Journal of Medicine showed that guava leaves has potential effect in increasing the sperm count in Wistar rats and improve fertility.

21. Treating dengue fever

A study also reported that guava leaves can be used to treat dengue fever since it has an effect to increase the trombocyte or platelet level in blood serum. This makes guava leaves as an effective alternative home remedy to cure dengue fever.

22. Reduce the symptoms of bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition which the bronchus of respiratory system being infected. Guava leaves can promotes lung opening and loosen the muscle of bronchus that may soothe the cough.

How to make guava leaves tea

To get all those benefits you can start to consume it by making guava leaves as tea. Below is several steps to make guava tea :

1. Dry some young guava leaves
2. After they got dry, crush them into powder
3. Use one tablespoon of guava leaves and add it to one cup of hot water
4. Let it brew for 5 minutes then you can strain it
5. Drink guava leaves tea regularly, once a day

Those are all benefits that you may get from guava leaves. You can consider it as natural remedy which has many good effect to your body and of course low cost medicine which you can get almost anywhere.

http://drhealthbenefits.com/herbal/leaves/health-benefits-of-guava-leaves

Sweet potato nutrition facts

Sweet potato is not just only sweeten your taste buds but also good for your cardiovascular health! This underground tuber initially cultivated in the Central American region.

Botanically, this starch-rich tuber plant is a dicotyledon, belonging to the family of Convolvulaceae, and named botanically as Ipomoea batatas. Its crunchy, starch-rich flesh is rich source of flavonoid pigment anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that are essential for optimal health.

Sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato is grown throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions. The crop just requires sufficient water and little attention for their successful cultivation. The tuberous root features oblong/elongated shape with tapering ends and has smooth outer skin whose color ranges from red, purple, brown, and white, depending upon the variety.

Sweet potatoes should not be confused with yams, another starchy root widely grown in Western Africa. Yams are indeed larger in size and can weigh upto 120 pounds in weight and 2 meters in length. Yams are tropical crops and indeed never grow where the temperature dips below 68 degrees F. Important differentiating features that distinguish sweet potatoes from yams are:

• Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are dicotyledonous, relatively smaller and possess very thin peel.
• Whereas, yams are monocotyledons, larger, feature thick, rough, dark brown to pink skin depending upon the cultivar type.

Internally, sweet potato has starchy, sweet flesh which, depending upon the pigment concentration, ranges from white through yellow, orange, and purple.

Boniatos, also known as Cuban sweet-potatoes, feature dry, starchy flesh underneath the reddish-brown skin. They have mildly sweet in flavor and cooked in similar fashion like potatoes.

Sweet potato leaves (top greens) are also edible. In fact, the greens contain more nutrients and dietary fiber than some of the popular green-leafy vegetables.

Health benefits of Sweet potato

• Sweet potato is one of the high calorie starch foods (provide 90 calories/100 g vis a vis to 70 calories/100 g in potato). The tuber, however, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, and is rich source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals than potatoes.
• Its calorie content mainly comes from starch, a complex carbohydrate. Sweet potato has higher amylose to the amylopectin ratio than that in potato. Amylose raises the blood sugar levels rather slowly on comparison to simple fruit sugars (fructose, glucose etc) and therefore, recommended as a healthy food item even in diabetes.
• The tuber is an excellent source of flavonoid phenolic compounds such as beta-carotene and vitamin-A. 100 g tuber provides 14,187 IU of vitamin A and 8,509 µg of ß-carotene, a value which is the highest for any root-vegetables categories. These compounds are powerful natural antioxidants. Vitamin A is also required for the human body to maintain integrity of mucus membranes and skin. It is a vital nutrient for healthy vision. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• The total antioxidant strength of raw sweet potato measured in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is 902 µmol TE/100 g.
• The tubers are packed with many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine(vitamin B-6), and thiamin (vitamin B-1), niacin, and riboflavin. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish. These vitamins function as co-factors for various enzymes during metabolism.
• Sweet potato provides good amount of vital minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium that are very essential for enzyme, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism.
• Sweet potato top greens are indeed more nutritious than the tuber itself. Weight per weight, 100 g of fresh leaves carry more iron, vitamin C, folates, vitamin K, and potassium but less sodium than its tuber.

Selection and storage

Sweet potatoes in a market.

Although sweet potato leaves are being eaten in some parts of the world, its root which is the toast of sweet potato lovers. In the markets, buy fresh tubers with intact smooth skin and firm consistency. Go for organic varieties for best taste and nutrition levels.

Avoid soft, flabby, or wilted roots. Also, avoid those sound woody in texture as they tend to be excess in fiber and unappetizing. As in potatoes, sprouting would make them lose flavor and less desirable.

Wash them in clean running water to remove sand and soil. They should be stored in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place.

Preparation and serving methods

To prepare, wash the root in cold water. It can be eaten raw with skin. However, for baking preparations, its skin may be peeled off before or after cooked.

Sweet potato pie! Photo courtesy: andycoan

Delicious sweet potato soup. Photo courtesy: exfordy

Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh sweet potatoes can be eaten raw.
• Baking in water with a pinch of salt would give rich taste to them. Peel the skin before eating.
• Camote, sweet potato known as in the Latin world, is used extensively in the Mexican cuisine.
• Camote cue, wherein the sweet potato chops deep-fried and caramelized with brown sugar, is a popular street food in the Philippines.
• Its sweet flesh is used in the preparation of soups, curries, stews, and in confectionary to make cakes, pie...etc.
• The tuber also used to prepare different kinds of baby foods.
• Sweet potato chips are enjoyed as favorite snacks.

Safety profile

Sweet potatoes contain oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in some vegetables that may crystallize as oxalate stones in the urinary tract in some people.

It is, therefore, individuals with known history of oxalate urinary tract stones may have to avoid eating them. Adequate intake of water is, therefore, advised to maintain normal urine output in these individuals to minimize stone risk.

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/sweet_potato.html

Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica) Herbal Medicine

This article discusses the medicinal uses, health Benefits, side effects and warnings of Kangkong.

Kangkong is a leafy vegetable usually found in Asian Cuisines that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Kangkong is also used in herbal medicine for the treatment of fever, liver disease, and most importantly diabetes in pregnant women. To know more of this amazing vegetable, below are some information that may be of help.

Scientific Name: Ipomoea aquatica

Also knows as:

Kangkong (Tagalog), Kangkung(Vietnam), Kankun,Water spinach (English), River spinach, Water morning glory, Water convolvulus, Chinese spinach, Swamp cabbage

Kangkong, Kangkung (Ipomoea aquatica) is a semiaquatic, tropical plant that flourishes naturally in water and moist soil. Kangkong is an edible plant harvested as a leaf vegetable. Kangkong thrives in tropical and subtropical regions and is more commonly found in Southeast Asian countries. 

Kangkong can grow rapidly spreading through waterways forming floating mats that can block water flow and passage of small water crafts. The USDA categorized kangkong as a “noxius weed” and is included in prohibited aquatic plant list.

Kangkong is a herbaceous trailing shiny vine with milky sap. The stems are hollow, rooting at nodes, usually found trailing in moist soil or floating in aquatic locations. Kangkong leaves are alternate, simple, in the shape of arrow heads about 3–14 cm (1–6 in) long. The hollow vines float on water and the leaves are held above the water line.

Kangkong bears trumpet like flowers whose petals are white or pink-lilac with mauve color at the center. Kangkong has oval or spherical seed pods that contains 1 to 4 gray seeds which may be used for planting.

Kangkong Traditional Medicinal Uses

Kangkong is largely used in traditional medicine for various conditions.

Kangkong buds, used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athletes foot etc,

Kangkong is used to promote vomiting in poisoning.

Kangkong juice mixed with water are used as cold compress to treat fever.

Juice from boiled kangkong is used to loosen constipation.

Kangkong is also used to treat intestinal worm infestation.

In Indian Ayurveda Medicine, kangkong is used to treat jaundice and liver problems.

Kangkong leaves are used to treat diabetes in pregnant women.

Kangkong is also used as a sedative to promote relaxation and sleep.

Other Scientific Studies Relating to Kangkong

Kangkong health benefits for Diabetes

A study conducted in Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, India reported that by  administering powdered kangkong supplements to pregnant rats, both the mother and the fetus exhibited an increased resistance in diabetes induced oxidative stress versus a control group. The results suggest that kangkong supplementation during pregnancy may provide beneficial effects against diabetes induced oxidative stress both for the mother and the fetus. (Journal of Diabetes. March 2013: Dietary supplementation with Ipomoea aquatica attenuates maternal and fetal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats)

Beneficial Effects of Kangkong Against Liver Disease

The Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Malaya in Malaysia conducted a study on the protective action of kangkong against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats to determine if kangkong can indeed help treat jaundice. An ethanol extract of kangkong has been administered to rats subjected to liver damage by thioacetamide. Results had shown that the rats when compared to a control group showed resistance against liver lesions, cell necrosis and inflammation. The study further suggests that the protective effect of kangkong extract  in chemical-induced liver damage might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Moreover, it confirms a scientific basis for the traditional use of kangkong for the treatment of liver disorders. (Molecules. 2012: Ipomoea aquatica extract shows protective action against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity)

Kangkong Usage, Dosage, Warnings and Side Effects

Where can I get or buy kangkong?

Kangkong readily grows in moist soil, swamps, rivers banks, or at the side of any fresh body of water. The younger stalks and leaves are harvested for human and animal consumption. Kangkong is usually cook - mixed in soups or as leafy vegetble in a number of Asian cuisines. Kangkong is also available in supermarkets and grocery stores under the vergetable section. It is sold by the bundle or per kilo.

Warnings and Side Effects

Kangkong is an edible vegetable considered safe for human and animal consumption in food quantity.

Kangkong when eaten raw may transmit Fasciolopsis buski, an intestinal fluke parasite of humans and pigs, causing fasciolopsiasis.

Kangkong in Pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Kangkong is considered safe even for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers. Kangkong is actually used to treat diabetes during pregnancy

Kangkong and Diabetes

Kangkong might have a side effect of lowering the blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are taking diabetes medicine.

http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/kangkong.htm

Saluyot | Corchorus olitorius Herbal Medicine

Saluyot uses, health benefits, side effects, warnings.

Saluyot is a herbaceous vine that is a popular leafy vegetable in Southeast Asia. It is a good source of iron, vitamins B & C and calcium. Medicinal uses include treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

Scientific Name: Corchorus olitorius

Also knows as:

Saluyot (Tagalog), Jute, Jew’s mallow, Egyptian spinach, jute mallow, bush okra, West African sorrel (En), Chang shouo huang ma (Ch). Krinkrin (Fr)

Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius) is an edible leafy vegetable that is a member of the  genus Corchorus, classified under the subfamily Grewioideae of the family Malvaceae. Saluyot is widely found in tropical and subtropical areas from Asia to Africa valued as food and for its strong fiber. Saluyot has long been used as food staple since ancient times by Jewish people and Egyptians hence derived its English names Jew’s mallow and Egyptian spinach.

Saluyot leaves are very nutritious, it is rich in calcium, iron, protein, vitamin A, C and E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and dietary fibers.  Saluyot is usually cooked as stew, forming a thick slimy syrup similar in consistency to okra usually taken with rice or other starchy staple.

Saluyot can almost grow anywhere in the Philippines. Saluyot is a hardy plant that is resistant to pests and requires little care. It can be found in the wild as it can also be grown in a farm.

Saluyot plants are tall, reaching 2-4 meters in height, having only a few side branches. Saluyot  leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate, about 5-15 cm in length tapering to a pointed tip and has finely serrated margin. Saluyot flowers are yellow about 2-3 cm wide with five petals. The fruit is capsule like with plenty of small seeds inside.

Saluyot | Corchorus olitorius Medicinal Uses

Saluyot in Traditional and Folkloric Medicine

Saluyot being rich in vitamins and minerals generally promotes good health and well-being.

Saluyot being rich in vitamin A can provide health benefits for good eyesight.

Saluyot contains vitamin E and other antioxidants. It is said to prevent wrinkles and promote youthful looking skin.

Saluyot is used to treat inflammation and pain such as arthritis , headache, stomach ache and others.

Saluyot being rich in fiber helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol build-up, diabetes and prevents heart disease.

Saluyot leaves are rich in fiber and its slimy consistency when cooked is used to treat various digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach ache, dysentery, constipation and ulcers.

It is also claimed that together with other herbs it can cure cancer.

Science Based Health Benefits from Saluyot | Corchorus olitorius Herbal Medicine

Saluyot Mechanism of action in disease treatment and prevention

Phenolic antioxidants from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius L.

Corchorus olitorius leaves contains six phenolic antioxidative compounds The contents of these phenolic compounds, were determined, and their antioxidative activities were measured using the radical generator-initiated peroxidation of linoleic acid. The results obtained showed that 5-caffeoylquinic acid was a predominant phenolic antioxidant in Corchorus olitorius leaves. Source: Journal of  Agricultural  Food Chemistry. (1999 Oct)

Gastroprotective effects of Corchorus olitorius (Saluyot leaf extract)

A study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of an ethanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in adult Sprague Dawley rats showed that sambong extract posses gastroprotection in the experimental groups and medical benefits were comparable to that of the reference control medicine omeprazole. Source: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (2013 Aug)

Corchorus olitorius (jute) extract induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on human multiple myeloma cells (ARH-77).

A study investigated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of leaf extracts (LE) and seed extracts (SE) of the Corchorus olitorius on the multiple myeloma-derived ARH-77 cells. Results have showed that both Saluyt leaf and seed extracts exerted cytotoxic effects on cells and the results of the comet assay revealed that the extracts induced genotoxic damage on ARH-77 cells. The leaf and seed extract treatments indicated that genotoxic damage significantly increased with increasing concentrations at relevant cytotoxic concentrations. Source: Pharmaceutical Biology. (2013 Jun)

Polyphenolic compounds with anti-tumour potential from Corchorus olitorius (L.)

Chromatographic fractionation of the methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius (L.) yielded two polyphenolic compounds. The compounds when tested possess mild cytotoxic activity which was significant against HeLa cells at ⩾800μM. The plant Corchorus olitorius therefore represents a potential source of natural 'lead' compounds with anti-tumour potential. Source: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. (2016 Aug)

Health Benefits of Saluyot for Diabetes

A study conducted in Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, India reported that by  administering powdered Saluyot supplements to pregnant rats, both the mother and the fetus exhibited an increased resistance in diabetes induced oxidative stress versus a control group. The results suggest that Saluyot supplementation during pregnancy may provide beneficial effects against diabetes induced oxidative stress both for the mother and the fetus. (Journal of Diabetes. March 2013: Dietary supplementation with Ipomoea aquatica attenuates maternal and fetal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats)

Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Corchorus olitorius aqueous extract

A study was conducted to determine the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of Corchorus olitorius root in Wistar rats. The results showed that Corchorus olitorius root extract (p<0.05) decreased the elevated temperature and  inflammation compared with the control group.This study suggests that Corchorus olitorius root is another good source of phytomedicine that can be used effectively to treat inflammation and pyrexia that accompany some diseases. Source: Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology. (2015 Jul)

Helath Benefits of Saluyot Against Liver Disease

The Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Malaya in Malaysia conducted a study on the protective action of Saluyot against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats to determine if Saluyot can indeed help treat jaundice. An ethanol extract of Saluyot has been administered to rats subjected to liver damage by thioacetamide. Results had shown that the rats when compared to a control group showed resistance against liver lesions, cell necrosis and inflammation. The study further suggests that the protective effect of Saluyot extract  in chemical-induced liver damage might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Moreover, it confirms a scientific basis for the traditional use of Saluyot for the treatment of liver disorders. (Molecules. 2012: Ipomoea aquatica extract shows protective action against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity)

Saluyot Preparations, Usage and Side Effects

Saluyot Preparation and Usage

Saluyot tea preparation:

Gather fresh Saluyot leaves then air dry

boil half a cup of dried saluyot leaves to a liter of water

let it seep for 10 minutes

remove from heat

Strain solids

drink while warm 3 - 4 glasses a day for best results.

Saluyot being an annual plant can be grown in your backyard or can be bought in your local wet market by the  bunch.

Saluyot leaves may be dried and stored for later use.

Saluyot leaves are dried and boiled to make a medicinal tea.

Saluyot leaves being a vegetable can be thrown in as an ingredient in making stews or soups  and other viands.  The Ilocanos are known to prepare delicious dishes with saluyot, the most popular are dinengdeng and bulang-bulang. Some Ilocanos even attributes their youthful looks and longevity in saluyot rich diet.

Saluyot is also available online in Amazon as listed :Saluyot Seeds (also known as Jute Leaf Mallow) Just check the label for recommended dose and usage.

Saluyot Warnings and Side Effects

Saluyot is an edible vegetable considered safe for human and animal consumption.

In some cultures, saluyot is used as antifertility concoction, although this is not yet scientifically verifified. Studies have shown that saluyot contains flavanoids has antifertility activity. (Indian Journal of Experimental biology (2003,Jun), "Anti-steroidogenic activity of Corchorus olitorius Linn.in mouse ovary)

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: 

Saluyot is considered safe for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers when taken in food..

Saluyot Herbal Medicine: Useful References

The Chinese Materia Medica. 1st ed. Shanghai Science and Technology Press; Shanghai, China: 1999. The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Editorial Board of Chinese Herb Medicine; pp. 466–467.

Sakee U., Maneerat S., Cushnie T.P., De-Eknamkul W. Antimicrobial activity of Corchorus olitorius (Lin.) DC. extracts and essential oil. Nat. Prod. Res. 2011;25:1849–1856. [PubMed]

Lin H., Zhao J.W., Chen Q.S., Zhou F., Sun L. Discrimination of Radix Pseudostellariae according to geographical origins using NIR spectroscopy and support vector data description. Spectrochim. Acta A. 2011;79:1381–1385. [PubMed]

Hahn D.W., Omenetto N. Laser-Induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Part I: Review of basic diagnostics and plasma-particle interactions: Still-Challenging issues within the analytical plasma community. Appl. Spectrosc. 2010;64:335–366. [PubMed]

PubMed®

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How Eating Vegetables Affects the Brain

Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower are literally food for thought.

When the terms “vegetable” and “brain” are used in the same sentence, it can mean two very different things with contradictory connotations. On one hand, vegetables are one of the best sources of nutrition for the brain because they are packed with various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that protect and promote brain function. On the other hand, “vegging out” means not really using the brain and a “vegetative state” is associated with serious brain damage and dysfunction.

Spinach Specialties Cruciferous Compounds

Different vegetables exert their effects on the brain through different mechanisms, but usually share the common trend of having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. For example, cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts contain compounds known as isothiocyanates and indoles, which can prevent oxidative damage and fight cancer cells in ways that chemicals from other vegetables cannot. A 2012 study from the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” also showed cruciferous vegetables are rich in carotenoid antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin that can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, providing protection against free-radical damage and age-related cognitive decline.

Thanks to hundreds of highly predictable Popeye cartoons, spinach has gained fame as an instant muscle builder. While this leafy green may not give you super-human strength in a matter of seconds, research from “The Journal of Neuroscience” shows that the regular consumption of an antioxidant-rich spinach extract affects the brain health of animals by reducing oxidative stress, aging effects and cognitive deficits. Spinach is an excellent source of flavonoid antioxidants that can promote health. Further, the type of flavonoids, the combination of flavonoids and/or the flavonoids in conjunctions with other compounds in spinach appear to supply Popeye-like strength when it comes to powering cognitive function and providing brain protection.

Soy and Stroke Prevention

Strokes are due to blockages in blood flow to the brain. Certain vegetables contain compounds that can either prevent these blockages or reduce that damage done when a blockage does occur. Soy foods such as edamame, tofu and soy milk are sometimes overlooked as being vegetable-based, but the protein-rich soybean is a legume classed in the same family as peas. A few of the chemical compounds in soy known as phytic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, bioactive peptides and isoflavones may prevent strokes and therefore protect the brain, according to 2009 article from the journal “Neurobiology.” The results from the study showed that a dose-response relationship was seen with greater consumption of soy foods, correlating with lower risk for strokes.

Various Vegetables and Dementia Risk

Research from “The Archives of Neurology” suggests that a diet plan high in nuts, omega-3 fatty acids and vegetables can be protective against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Although the researchers found that people who ate higher amounts of tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables and dark, leafy greens had lower Alzheimer’s risk, the researchers also noted that the avoidance of certain foods such as red meat and butter were key to their findings. Research on dementia risk has shown vegetable intake to be more protective than fruit intake for the prevention of dementia and age-related cognitive decline, with certain subgroups of vegetables such as cabbage and root vegetables providing the most protection.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/eating-vegetables-affects-brain-7503.html