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Balsam Pear grows in tropical areas, including parts of East Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, where it is used as a food as well as a medicine. The leaves and fruit have both been used to make teas and beer, or to season soups in the Western world. Balsam Pear is being studied in the support treatment of diabetes and psoriasis.
Official Latin Name: Momordica charantia
Balsam Pear is also known by the names Karela and Bitter Melon. Balsam Pear grows in tropical areas, including parts of East Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, where it is used as a food as well as a medicine. It is a green cucumber shaped fruit with gourd-like bumps all over it. It looks like an ugly, light green cucumber. The fruit should be firm, like a cucumber. And it tastes very bitter. Although the seeds, leaves, and vines of Balsam Pear have all been used, the fruit is the safest and most prevalent part of the plant used medicinally. The leaves and fruit have both been used occasionally to make teas and beer, or to season soups in the Western world. Balsam Pear was traditionally used for a dazzling array of conditions by people in tropical regions.
Numerous infections, cancer, leukemia, and diabetes are among the most common conditions it was believed to improve. Balsam Pear is reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis. It has also been thought that Balsam Pear may help in the treatment of HIV, but the evidence thus far is too weak to even consider. The ripe fruit of Balsam Pear has been suggested to exhibit some remarkable anti-cancer effects, but there is absolutely no evidence that it can treat cancer. However, preliminary studies do appear to confirm that Balsam Pear may improve blood sugar control in people with adult-onset (type 2) diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you might consider adding Balsam Pear to your diet, but only under a doctor's supervision.
The blood lowering action of the fresh juice of the unripe Balsam Pear has been confirmed in scientific studies in animals and humans. At least three different groups of constituents in Balsam Pear have been reported to have hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective or if all three work together. Nonetheless, Balsam Pear preparations have been shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without increasing blood insulin levels, and to improve fasting blood glucose levels. Blood and urine sugar levels and post-prandial (after eating) blood glucose levels also fell. An as yet unidentified constituent in Balsam Pear also seems to inhibit the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which may benefit people with psoriasis.
Bananas don't grow on trees; they grow on the world's largest herb. Banana is the perfect herbal supplement for active people, as it replaces the vitamins and nutrients most commonly lost due to strenuous activity, such as potassium, Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin C.
Official Latin Name: Musa paradisiaca
The Banana is a large plant that grows in the tropical parts of Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa, where the climate is warm and damps the year round. It grows 10 to 40 feet high and has enormous, broad green leaves that are sometimes 10 feet long.
The Banana plant has a hollow stem that is 8 to 15 inches thick. Another stem, which grows through the hollow stem, bears the flowers and the fruit. The flower bud is very large and shaped like a heart.
As it grows it slowly unfolds and shows about 100 small blossoms, which are long and narrow and grow together in clusters or groups. Some of these clusters grow into great bunches of fruit.
Each bunch is called a ‘hand’ because it looks almost like a hand with the separate Bananas like fingers. The fruit is cut off the plant while it is still green and unripe.
When the fruit is ripe its soft skin is yellow and resembles a small Plantain. The flesh of the fruit is soft, sweet, and a very pale cream color.
Banana plants are cut down after the fruit has been removed, because they bear fruit only once. A piece of the root is planted again and in a few months the young plant grows several feet height. It takes two years before the plant begins to flower and bear fruit. Bananas are an excellent provider of energy and a healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Banana is the perfect supplement for active people.
It provides large amounts of Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin C, which are two of the vitamins most commonly lost during strenuous exercise. Banana is most well known as a supplier of potassium. Potassium is very important to muscle function and is the nutrient most often associated with relieving muscle cramps. The potassium in Banana may also help reduce the likelihood of hypertension and stroke. Banana is also high in dietary fiber, and thus may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Banana is also packed with natural energy and phytonutrients.
Barberry Root is an excellent herb for correcting liver function and promoting bile flow. It is used in debilitating conditions marked by poor digestive function and a history of dietary or alcohol abuse, or excessive exposure to drugs, chemicals or industrial pollutants.
Official Latin Name: Berberis vulgaris
Barberry Root is also known by the names Oregon Grape Root, Rocky Mountain Grape, Mahonia, Pepperidge, Pepperidge Bush, Holy Thorn, Sowberry, Oregon Grape, Berberry, Jaundice Berry, and Daruharidra. The Mahonia and Berberis species (Oregon grape and Barberry, respectively) are very closely related, and herbalists often treat them as one herb. The genus name Berberis is thought to be derived from a Phoenician word "barbar", meaning "glossy" in reference to the glossy leaves.
Barberry is a densely branched, deciduous shrub 3-8 feet tall. Berberis is a deciduous shrub that has smooth leaves and thorny stems. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the root, root bark, bark of stem, and rhizome berries (some herbalists also use the leaves). Many species of Barberry are found all over the world. They are all used for similar medicinal purposes by the different traditions. The Italians call this herb Holy Thorn, because it is thought to have formed part of the Crown of Thorns. Berberis is the Arabic name for the fruit. The berries were pickled in the past and had various culinary uses.
In the Far East, berberine-containing plants were specifically used for bacillary dysentery and diarrhea. Barberry became unpopular with farmers when it was discovered to be a host plant for the wheat rust fungus that decimated crops in the 19th century. The yellow root was an important dye for baskets, buckskins, and fabric among Native Americans.
The early Spanish-Americans used the yellow root to make neck-crosses (crucifixes). The ripe berries were taken for fever or diarrhea, dysentery, and typhus fever. The fresh juice was used for mouthwash to strengthen gums or gargle. The primary chemical constituents of Barberry include alkaloids (berberine, berbamine, and oxyacanthine), chelidonic acid, resin, tannins. The berries are rich in vitamin C. The root-bark contains berberine, a bitter alkaloid, that aids in the secretion of bile and is good for liver problems, acts as a mild purgative, and helps regulate the digestive processes.
The antibacterial properties of the alkaloid berbamine have shown activity against Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Shigella and Eschorichia Coli. It has anti-microbial properties that are especially beneficial for the skin and intestinal tract. Barberry has a beneficial effect on the blood pressure by causing a dilatation of the blood vessels.
This herb is also good for hepatitis, colic, jaundice, diabetes, consumption. Historically, Barberry was used as a bitter tonic to stimulate digestion, and in the treatment of inflammatory arthritic, sciatica, and rheumatic complaints. Use of this botanical decreases heart rate, depresses the breathing, stimulates intestinal movement, reduces bronchial constriction, and kills bacteria on the skin. External applications have included use for sores, burns, ulcers, acne, itch, tetters, ringworm, cuts, and bruises. It is indicated in congestive jaundice, and inflammation of the gall bladder & gallstones.
As a bitter tonic with mild laxative effects, Barberry is used by weak or debilitated people to strengthen & cleanse the system. It also appears to be able to reduce an enlarged spleen. It acts against malaria and is effective in the treatment of protozoan infections. Berberine is highly bactericidal, amoeboidal and trypanocidal. It is active in vitro and in animals against cholera. It makes a useful compress for inflammatory eye conditions such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis. The common name Barberry includes Berberis repens, Berberis aqilfolia, Berberis nervosa, Berberis pinnata, and other Berberis species, which are used interchangeably with Berberis vulgaris.
Barley Grass has been a food source of the majority of the world for thousands of years. It is medicinally used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and cancer preventative. Barley Grass is an amazing source of vitamins and nutrients. If you are on a low-carb regimen, supplement your diet with Barley Grass.
Official Latin Name: Hordeum vulgare
Barley is one of the most important plants in human history. Barley Grass is one of the green grasses, which is the only vegetation on earth that can be the sole source of nutritional support for a person’s entire lifespan. Barley has served as a food staple in most cultures.
The use of barley for food and medicinal purposes predates civilization. Archaeologists have determined that Barley has been cultivated for at least 9,000 years. Barley Grass contains all of the eight essential amino acids, which our body cannot produce on its own. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are needed for cell building, cell regeneration, and energy production. A large amount of vitamins and minerals are found in green Barley leaves. These are easily absorbed through the digestive tract, giving our bodies’ instant access to vital nutrients including beta-carotene, calcium, copper, folic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C. In addition to being a great nutritional supplement, Barley Grass has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Barley Grass has also been used to treat diarrhea, bronchitis, stomach problems, and throat ailments. It is an anti-oxidant and detoxifier. Barley Grass is also believed to increase sexual stamina. The ability of Barley Grass to aid in cellular rebuilding has led to its use for everything from dermatitis to an anti-aging supplement.
Mustard Seed is also known by the names Black Mustard, White Mustard, Brown Mustard, Garlic Mustard, Pepper Grass, White Top Mustard, Tansy Mustard, and Hedge Mustard. Mustard is a widely cultivated annual found wild in many parts of the world.
The part of this plant used medicinally is the seed, which is collected when ripe in late summer. The word Mustard is from the Latin "mustum ardens", meaning "burning must" because the ground seeds have been mixed with grape must (an unfermented grape juice) to make the condiment Mustard. In Medieval Europe, Mustard was one of the most common spices used to flavor the bland diet of the time. By the Fourteenth century, Dijon, France had been established as a Mustard center, supported by the Dukes of Burgundy. Today, Düsseldorf is one of the main mustard regions of Germany.
At one time, surgeons disinfected their hands with a paste of mustard. The primary chemical constituents of Mustard Seed include glucosinolates (sinigrin), sinapine, enzyme (myrosin), mucilage, protein, and sulphur. When taken internally, the seeds are laxative, mainly because of the mucilage they produce, but only small doses are advised as they may inflame the stomach. The stimulating, diaphoretic action can also be utilized for fevers, colds, and influenza. But this well known herb has its primary medicinal use as a stimulating external application.
The rubefacient action causes a mild irritation to the skin, stimulating the circulation in that area, and relieving muscular & skeletal pain. An infusion or poultice of Mustard will aid in cases of bronchitis and pleurisy. Mustard is often taken as a tea or ground & sprinkled into a bath. There are many types of Mustard used interchangeably with Brassica nigra, commonly known as Black Mustard. These include: White Mustard (Sinapsis Alba), Brown Mustard (Brassica juncea), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata and Alliaria officinalis), Pepper Grass (Lepidium sativum), White Top Mustard (Cardaria draba), Tansy Mustard (Descurainia species), and Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale).
Hopefully, all this information will guide you into creating a wonderful herb garden for you and your family and to know that many ailments and dis-eases can be greatly helped with herbs. Just remember to enlist the aid of a herbalogist, your doctor or other licensed medical practitioner.
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 Resources: Excerpted from “Food For Thought Series” by Arlene Wright-Correll
For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/ and click on Arlene’s Books you can download or buy my gardening & cook books. All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and we thank you for your attention to this site.
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