Plants

Health Benefits of the Miracle Tree (Moringa)

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Moringa oleifera, also known as the drumstick tree, horseradish tree, or miracle tree, is a powerhouse of nutrients and medicinal properties. It has earned the title “The Miracle Tree” because phytomedicine reports suggest it can cure as many as 300 diseases. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, Moringa offers numerous antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been widely used for nutritional, pharmacological, and medicinal purposes across the globe. As I mentioned earlier, the ability of Moringa to potentially cure up to 300 diseases is astounding. No wonder it’s called The Miracle Tree! In this article, we will explore some health benefits of Moringa in detail. Health Benefits of Moringa 1. Reduces InflammationMoringa contains polyphenols and isothiocyanates, compounds known for significantly reducing inflammation in the body. 2. Aids Weight LossThe leaves of Moringa contain chlorogenic acid, a natural antioxidant that acts as a fat burner, making Moringa leaves ideal for weight loss. 3. Combats CancerMoringa powder is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. 4. Promotes Wound HealingPowdered Moringa leaves can be applied to cuts and wounds to accelerate healing and reduce scarring. 5. Boosts Energy and ImmunityThe abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in Moringa makes it a natural energy and immune booster. 6. Improves DigestionWith about 30% fiber content, Moringa aids digestion and prevents constipation. 7. Balances Blood Sugar LevelsMoringa helps regulate blood sugar and glucose levels, making it particularly beneficial for diabetic patients. 8. Supports Pregnancy and LactationRegular consumption of Moringa leaves provides essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy and also enhances breast milk production. 9. Relieves Menstrual CrampsMoringa is known to ease menstrual discomfort and cramps. 10. Strengthens BonesMoringa is rich in calcium and phosphorus, essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. 11. Lowers Blood PressureQuercetin, an antioxidant found in Moringa, helps to reduce high blood pressure. 12. Improves Sleep QualityMoringa promotes better sleep and overall relaxation. 13. Boosts Iron and Calcium LevelsHigh levels of iron and calcium in Moringa leaves support bone health and strengthen the body. 14. Fights InfectionsThe antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of Moringa help combat infections effectively. 15. Enhances EyesightMoringa improves vision by providing essential nutrients for eye health. 16) Moringa for Hair and Skin Moringa powder is packed with vitamins that enhance hair growth and improve skin health. Moringa Oil extracted from Moringa seeds also serves as an excellent skin moisturizer. Consumption OptionsMoringa leaves can be consumed as tea, incorporated into meals, or taken in capsule form as prescribed. Moringa tea can also be flavored with honey for added taste. Precautions and Additional Uses While these health benefits focus primarily on Moringa leaves, other parts of the plant such as seeds, bark, roots, and flowers are also useful For instance, Moringa seeds and roots have antibacterial and antifungal properties and are even used to purify water. However, caution is essential as the bark, roots, and flowers can be toxic if used improperly. Pregnant women should avoid Moringa bark and roots, as they contain spirochin, a toxic substance. Only the leaves of Moringa have been deemed safe for consumption with no reported side effects. With its numerous benefits, Moringa truly lives up to its name as The Miracle Tree. However, always consult a healthcare provider before incorporating it into your routine, especially during pregnancy or for medical conditions.

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Benefits of Soursop

1 Comment / Health & Wellness, Plants /

  Soursop is also known as graviola, custard apple, guanabana and Brazilian pawpaw. It is the fruit of the plant, Annona muricata. This fruit has strong flavours between strawberries and pineapple. Soursop can be eaten raw. It can also be added to smoothies or made into teas, juices and ice cream. Benefits of soursop (fruits & other parts of the plant ) include the following: √ Soursop is very low in calories. √ It’s used as a sedative. √ Soursop is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. √ It is also known to have cancer-fighting properties and has an amazing taste. Research shows it inhibits the growth of cancer cells which is essential for good health. √ Soursop help fights inflammation. The bark, leaves and roots of soursop tree are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. √ Soursop acts as an analgesic and provides relief for arthritis. The leaves can be cooked and applied topically on the affected area for effective relief. √ Soursop has antibacterial and antiviral properties and help to fight infections. √ Soursop is rich in dietary fiber which ensures easy digestion of food and supports healthy bowel movements. √ Soursop is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin B complex which protect the skin from free radicals. √ Soursop leaves are rich in compounds that help in treating conditions like asthma. √ Soursop helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Note: Seeds of the soursop should be avoided as they contain annonacin, a neurotoxin that may lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease.

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Health Benefits of 5 Uncommon Nigerian Vegetables

2 Comments / Nutrition, Plants /

Few days back, my dad asked if I know Iyana paja. I sharply and excitedly replied YES. My mind had immediately thought of a popular area called Iyana paja in Lagos State, Nigeria. I was about telling him how Iyana paja is just a stone throw to Sango Otta (where I did my National Youth Service Program) when he said he was referring to a vegetable and not the Iyana paja in Lagos. There is actually a type of vegetable called iyana paja. My dad then asked me for the health benefits of this vegetable. This prompted me to write about Efo Iyana paja and 4 other types of vegetables that Nigerians have but rarely eat. 1) Efo Iyana paja This vegetable is commonly called tree spinach, or efo Jerusalem (Yoruba). It’s botanical name is Cnidoscolous aconitifolius. This vegetable has been known to be used in curing numerous ailments. It is also used to cure insomnia, gout, scorpion stings, memory and vision impairment. 2) Efo Yanrin This vegetable is commonly called Wild Lettuce and its botanical name is Lactuca virosa. The leaves of this vegetable plant are eaten fresh as a salad or cooked in soups and sauces. Wild lettuce contains two compounds known as lactucin and lactucopicrin. These two compounds act on the central nervous system. Wild lettuce has the highest concentration of lactucopicrin of all plants. However, dandelion root and chicory root are also good sources of lactucopocrin. Wild lettuce helps in keeping the nervous system healthy. 3) Efo Ebolo This vegetable is commonly known as Yoruba Bologi. It’s scientific name is Crassocephalum crepidioides. Efo Ebolo contains enough fibers and protein. It helps in dealing with constipation or irregular stool. 4) Efo Worowo This happens to be one of the vegetables I worked on for my undergraduate project and I have so much to say about this vegetable. It is botanically called Senecio biafrae. Leaf extract of worowo has been known to be used in stopping bleeding from cuts or injuries among the Yorubas. In Côte d’Ivoire, the pulped leaves are applied to the breasts as a galactagogue. In Congo, worowo is used to treat cough and heart troubles, as a tonic and to relieve rheumatic pain, prurient allergies and localized oedemas. 5) Efo Gbagba or Efo Igbo This vegetable is commonly known as African Egg Plant leaf. Its botanical name is Solanum macrocarpon. The plant is usually cultivated for its leaves, which are a bit bitter. Garden egg leaves serve as blood tonic for people suffering from a shortage of blood or are anemic. One can just wash the leaves in clean cold water, slice and eat it raw. It can be also be prepared as soup. The vegetable serves as detoxifiers to the kidney and it is more effective when eaten raw or converted into juice by boiling for few seconds and then filtering the juice in a container; this juice can be taken 3 times per day or more. The vegetable is also good for pregnant women. This is because it contains a good number of vitamins and minerals that are required for an improved health condition during pregnancy.

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Amazing Health Benefits of Snake Tomatoes

17 Comments / Health & Wellness, Plants /

What comes to your mind when you see the phrase “snake tomatoes?” You might not have heard or learnt much about this particular veggie (Yes, it is a vegetable). I guess you’ll be amazed at its numerous undetectable characteristics and wonderful health benefits. Snake tomato (Trichosathes cucumerina) locally known as “elejo tomato” or “tomati elejo” (for Ibadan folks) is a variety of tomatoes growing mostly wild in southern Nigeria. Trichosanthes cucumerina also known as the snake gourd is also referred to as the snake tomato because the ripe fruit is reddish in colour and tastes like tomatoes. Snake tomato has resemblance with a cucumber. It is super rich in vitamin A and C, essential amino acids, calcium among other nutrients than the most regular tomatoes. Sadly, this long veggie has been left to grow with little attention to it’s benefits. This vegetable was known to be widely grown in the 60s down to the late 90s and was very common in the local markets. In present days, attention has shifted to the pulpy tomato – Lycopersicon esculentum. Shall we briefly talk about the health benefits of Snake Tomatoes? They are numerous but let’s check out 7 out of the abundant benefits. 1) Jaundice The leaves of snake tomato together with coriander seeds decoction are effective managers of jaundice. It can be used based on professional suggestions but based on research opinions, you can ingest 30-60gram doses of the leaves crushed along with coriander seeds three times daily. 2) Diabetes Snake tomato is a low calorie food, and it may be liberally used by Type- II-diabetic patients. 3) Heart Disorders Juice obtained from fresh leaves of snake tomato is of great advantage in managing heart disorders like palpitation as well as pain within the heart on physical exercise. You can be rest assured of the wonder working effect the leaves have on the human body. Read This Also – The Pulpy Fruit : Tomato 4) Alopecia The extract from the leaves is also very effective in the treatment of alopecia (a scalp illness which leads to the partial or even complete hair loss). All you need to do is to constantly apply the extract on the affected area. 5) Purgative The leaves, roots and seeds of snake tomato helps greatly in controlling bowel problems. It helps in getting rid of toxins in the body. It also helps in the digestion of food. The seeds are specifically great as a moistening agent in the treatment of dry constipation. 6) Dandruff This is one of the most interesting uses of snake tomatoes. The juice of the fruit can be used in avoiding and treating severe cases of dandruff. For perfect results, just rub in the juice on your scalp like you’d do for your regular oil conditioner. Snake tomato juice leads to an increase in body fluid production, it serves as a moisturizer from within and also without. This kind gives the best result. 7) Low Calorie Food Snake tomato is a low calorie food. It provides vital nutrients needed for both growth and repair of body tissues without adding fat to the body. If you’re planning on losing weight, you can so trust snake tomatoes as a sure vegetable you should include in your diet. Snake tomato assists in the sustainability of proper body balance. It is extremely fortified with minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It is widely available around us and very easy to cultivate. You should include it among the essential veggies in your garden. Snake tomato sauce is delicious and yummy. The pulp surrounding the seeds have a bright red colour together with a sweet flavor. The orange creamy pulp on the skin surface blended together with the pulp is a perfect replacement of the regular tomatoes. Now that you know quite a number of benefits snake tomato has, why not add it up to the varieties of vegetables in your garden.

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Health Benefits of the Miracle Tree (Moringa)

8 Comments / Botanical, Health & Wellness, Plants /

Moringa oleifera is a plant also known as drumstick, horseradish or miracle tree. Moringa is called the miracle tree because it has been reported in phytomedicine to cure as much as 300 diseases. Moringa is a tree that has several vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals in abundance. Moringa has lots of antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant and inflammatory properties and has been widely used for nutritional, pharmacological and medicinal purposes. Like I said early, Moringa has been known to cure as much as 300 diseases and that’s a whole lot. No wonder it us called THE MIRACLE TREE.  In this article, we will looking at 20 health benefits of Moringa. 1) Moringa contains polyphenols and isothiocyanates which greatly help in reduction of inflammation in the body. 2) The leaves of Moringa contain an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid acts as a natural fat burner which invariably makes Moringa leaves suitable for weight loss. Read: Detox Drink For Burning Belly Fat 3) Moringa powder is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is a powerful antioxidant for inhibiting the growth of cancer. 4) The powdered form of Moringa leaves can be applied on cuts and wounds. It aids the healing of cuts and wounds. It also clears of marks that the cut or wound might want to leave on the skin. 5) Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients abundantly found in Moringa make it a great choice for boosting energy and the immune system. Read: Foods That Boost The Immune System 6) Moringa contains about 30% fiber. This help in digestion and prevent constipation. 7) Moringa helps in balancing the blood sugar and glucose levels in the body which makes it suitable for diabetics patients. 8) Regular consumption of Moringa leaf gives necessary nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. Moringa leaves also improve breast milk production. 9) Moringa helps to relieve menstrual cramps. 10) Moringa contains calcium and phosphorous which enhance strong and healthy bones. 11) Moringa contains quercetin, an antioxidant that helps to lower blood pressure. 12) Moringa helps to improve sleep. 13) Moringa leaves are effective natural adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs or plants that help the body relieve stress. 14) Moringa helps in fighting infections because of its antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. 15) Moringa improves eyesight. Moringa leaf can be taken as tea or incorporated into diet. It is also available in capsule form which should be taken as prescribed. Moringa tea can be flavoured with honey. MORINGA FOR HAIR AND SKIN Moringa powder is high in vitamins that greatly help in enhancing hair growth and improving the skin. Moringa oil obtained from moringa seeds is also a good moisturizer for the skin. SPECIAL NOTE All these health benefits centers on usage of Moringa leaves only. It doesn’t mean that the barks and roots are not useful. In fact, the roots of Moringa are believed to fight bacteria and fungi and purify water. However, the bark and root can be very poisonous if used inappropriately. It is even unsafe for pregnant woman to use the root or bark of Moringa as it can cause miscarriage. The roots contain spirochin, a toxic substance.  

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THE PULPY FRUIT: TOMATO!

2 Comments / Botanical, Plants /

Tomato, a pulpy nutritious fruit commonly eaten as a vegetable is another wonderful gift of the Mayans to the world. In plant science, a fruit is a seed bearing structure that develops from the ovary of a flowering plant. This justifies the fact why tomato is a fruit. Tomatoes have seized the attention of millions of health seekers for its incredible phytochemical properties. Interestingly, it has more health benefiting compounds than that of some popular fruits like apple! Tomato belongs to Solanaceae or nightshade family of common vegetables, which also includes chili peppers, potato , eggplant, etc. Its scientific name is Lycopersicon esculentum. They are sweet, juicy, and delicious. They are rich in vitamin C. They are low in calories. They are fat free but that’s not all! Let’s look at what make the tomato an excellent healthy choice. Some of the health benefits of tomatoes 1) Cell Repair And Muscle Building It is a naturally rich source of protein, which is good for cell repair and muscle building. 2) Less Fat Content Other basic nutrients include 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, 18 calories and 0 grams of saturated fat. This vegetable can be eaten in good amounts due to the lower rate of calories in tomato. 3) Lower Cholesterol Tomatoes seeds have no cholesterol. Thus, tomato seeds don’t add cholesterol to your diet. Tomato seeds are high in fiber; fiber is known to lower cholesterol. Tomato seeds also are rich sources of niacin (vitamin B3). Niacin has been used to lower cholesterol levels for many years. 4). Improve Eyesight Tomatoes and their seeds contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Vitamin A has often been associated with excellent eyesight, and a deficiency of this vitamin causes night blindness. Tomato seeds thus help improve eyesight. Skin Benefits Of Tomatoes Besides cooking, tomato can be used in a number of ways to enhance your beauty. It is considered to be the panacea of skin. It is believed that consuming tomato and tomato products will give you a healthy and beautiful skin . Its beauty benefits are gaining popularity with every passing day. Benefits of tomatoes for skin include the following: 1). Treat Open Pores Add four drops of tomato juice to 1 tablespoon of water and apply it on your face with the help of a cotton ball. Gently massage your skin with this mixture and leave it on for 15 minutes. Regular application of this will shrink the pore size. 2). Glowing Skin Tomatoes are not just an important part of a healthy diet but also work wonders when applied topically on the skin. Applying tomato juice or rubbing tomato halves on the skin evens out the skin and revives the glow giving you a healthy looking skin. It contains a high amount of Vitamin C , which is known to brighten skin. Hair Benefits Of Tomatoes You must have noticed that many hair care products including shampoos and conditioners contain tomato extract as one of the ingredients. This is because tomato contains important nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, and E, which are excellent stimulants for healthy hair . Some of the benefits of tomatoes for hair include these below. 1. Tomatoes are considered to be an excellent cure for hair loss. It is believed that application of tomato pulp on the scalp can prevent hair loss. 2). Tomatoes are amazing natural conditioners coming straight from your kitchen. It provides natural shine to the hair and makes it soft and manageable. Take a few drops of tomato oil in your hand and apply it on your hair. This will act as a leave-in conditioner and will keep the hair manageable and frizz free. 3). Pure, homemade tomato puree can help in bringing radiance and elasticity to dry hair. Mix tomato puree with oil and apply it on the hair. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it off. This will make the hair super smooth, shiny and flexible as it contains high amounts of protein in it. 4).Regular swimming often changes the colour of the hair due to the high amount of chlorine present in the pool water. Tomato can be a great help to remove the stains from the hair. Apply pure tomato juice to the hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with water, followed by shampoo and conditioning. 5). Tomato hair rinse can be used to impart shine and remove excess build-up from the scalp. Take 3 ripe tomatoes, remove the skin and seeds and squeeze the juice out of it. Spray it on your hair and scalp and wash it off after 1 hour. Tomato juice is gaining immense popularity as popular health drink. Opt for organic tomato juice as it contains three times more lycopene than the regular ones. Regular tomatoes, mainly cherry tomatoes are used in the preparation of salads and sandwiches. You can also stew tomatoes to prepare tomato soup, sauce, and other baked dishes. Homemade tomato sauce is way better than those available in the market. Enjoy! ! !

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