FENUGREEK (BOTANICAL NAME: TRIGONELLA FOENUM GRAECUM)

Fenugreek plant is a leguminous kind and its leaves are trifoliate, obovate. It has long tape root. The stem is long erect and tender. Its flowering period is during summer. Flowers are occurring in the leaf axiles single or in pairs. Fruits are curved seed pod containing 10 to 20 yellowish seeds.

Seeds are possessing expectorant, demulcent, carminative, nutritive, tonic, mucilaginous, restorative, anti inflammatory diuretic antispasmodic and stimulant properties.

Fenugreek seeds contain Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12 and vitamin D. The aromatic oil of fenugreek is rich in iron, vitamins A and D as in the Cod liver oil.

Its cuboid shaped yellow coloured fenugreek seeds are frequently used in the Cuisines of Indian people as whole seed or powdered in the preparation of pickles, vegeable dishes, dals, spice mixes such as sambar powder, puli mix powder etc. They are often roasted to reduce its bitterness and enhancement of flavor. 

sometimes sprouted fenugreek used in salads.

Fresh fenugreek leaves are mostly used for dal kootus and porials, sambar etc.

fenugreek seeds: It is highly nutritional content which is of medicinal use for lactating mothers. It enhances the milk production of nursing mothers.

Fenugreek ranks high among the ‘must haves’ for nursing mothers. This is due to the presence of diosgenin in the spice which increases milk production in lactating mothers.

Induce and ease child birth

Fenugreek has been known to be helpful in inducing childbirth by stimulating uterine contractions. It is also known to reduce labour pain. But here’s a word of caution. Excess intake of fenugreek seeds during pregnancy could put you in risk of miscarriage or premature childbirth.

Ease women’s health problems

Fenugreek contains compounds like diosgenin and isoflavones with oestrogen-like properties which help reduce symptoms like discomfort and menstrual cramps associated with PMS. These compounds also ease menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood fluctuations. Women are more prone to iron deficiency during adolescence (initiation of menstrual periods), during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Including green leafy veggies like fenugreek (methi) in your diet can supply a good amount of iron. But make sure to add tomatoes or potatoes to the preparations to enhance the iron absorption.Reduce cholesterol

According to studies fenugreek helps to reduce cholesterol level, especially that of the low density lipoprotein (LDL).  ‘

Reduce cardiovascular risk

Fenugreek seed has cardiovascular benefits due to the presence of galactomannan. It lowers the risk of heart attack. It is also an excellent source of potassium which counters the action of sodium to help control heart rate and blood pressure.

Control diabetes

Fenugreek is beneficial for people with diabetes.  Galactomannan, a natural soluble fibre present in fenugreek slows down the rate of sugar absorption into blood. Fenugreek also contains amino acid responsible for inducing the production of insulin. 

Aid digestion

Fenugreek helps flush out harmful toxins. It relieves indigestion and helps treat constipation.

Cure acid reflux or heartburn

One teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in your food can be an effective remedy for acid reflux or heartburn. Mucilage of fenugreek seeds coat the lining of the stomach and intestine and sooth irritated gastrointestinal tissues. Before consuming, you can soak the methi seeds in water to make their outer coat mucilaginous.

Remedy for fever and sore throat

Fenugreek when taken with a teaspoon of lemon and honey can work wonders to reduce fever by nourishing the body. The soothing effect of mucilage in fenugreek also helps to relieve cough and pain from sore throat. 

Prevent colon cancer

The fibre content (saponins, mucilage, etc.) of fenugreek binds to toxins in the food and flush them out. This in turn helps to protect the mucus membrane of the colon from cancers.

Lose weight by suppressing appetite

Include fenugreek in your weight loss diet by chewing soaked methi seeds in the morning on an empty stomach. The natural soluble fibre in the fenugreek can swell and fill the stomach thereby suppressing your appetite.

Cure for skin inflammation and scars

Apply a clean cloth soaked in methi seed paste for effective treatment of skin problems like burns, boils, eczema, etc. Fenugreek seeds also help in getting rid of scars.

Beauty product

Fenugreek can be an excellent ingredient for your home-made beauty product. Fenugreek can be used in face packs to help prevent blackheads, pimples, wrinkles, etc. Washing your face with water boiled with fenugreek seeds or applying a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves for twenty minutes on your face can work wonders for your skin.

Solution to hair problems

Using fenugreek as a part of your diet or as a paste to directly apply on your hair makes your hair shiny and black. Massaging your head everyday with boiled fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in coconut oil can be an excellent remedy for thinning of hair and hair fall. What more? Fenugreek is also great to keep the dandruff away.  
We can grow this plant and use as the fenugreek keerai and make the tasteful dish of dal kootu. It is the rich source of iron and vitamin A. we can use this seed by soaking in the water for three hours and used for planting in the pot. We can pluck fresh leaves whenever we want. We should not neglect this herb.

MURUNGAI (BOTANICAL NAME: MORINGA OLEIFERA)

Murungai is a fast growing and deciduous tree. It can reach 30 to 40 feet high. The trunk is brownish dark with the thick cork. Young shoots have purple or greenish bark. The tree has fragile open crown of drooping branches bearing the leaves are tripinnate and build up a feathery foliage leaves.

 

The flowers are fragrant and bisexual surrounded by unequal thinly veined cream yellowish petals. they grow on slender hairy stalks in spreading or drooping flower clusters long. Flowering starts within the first six months  after the growth of the plant only occurs in the months of April to July every year.

The fruit is a hanging, three sided  brown capsule of 20-45 cm size which holds dark brown, globular seeds with a diameter around 1 cm. the seeds have three whitish papery wings and are dispersed by wind and water.

If you grow a drumstick plant on your home garden which means that you are having smart pharmacy in your hands. Its every part is used for all the age group members of the family and it is the best medicine for all of the common diseases. Overall it is the most recommended spinach variety The root, stem, branches, flowers gum fruits are the raw bases for many medical treatment.

The leaves are used in many types of tasty recipes like murungai keerai poriyal, murungaikai sambar, murungai poo poriyal, murungai keerai vadaia, adai, murungai keerai kootu and the very murungai keerai soup, but apart from this drumstick leaves are beneficial for many health problems. Our ancestors already know the wonderful use of these leaves and habituated us to make dishes which are very beneficial to our health and compelled to grow this tree in our backyard.

These dishes are being cooked by our maa or ladies and made us eat and get medicinal benefits knowingly or unknowingly.

According to Ayurveda, drumstick leaves carry medicinal properties which can cure more than 250 types of diseases. It has nutrients and antioxidants which are useful in being healthy.

Drumstick leaves have vitamin A and vitamin C. They also carry plenty of Amino acid and calcium.

drumstick leaves act as a anti spasmodic, expectorant and stimulant.

Hand full of Drumstick leaves, twenty grams of barley, little amount of cumin seeds and small pinch of turmeric are boiled and throw the extracts. Drink the juice for kidney and urine related problems.

The power of healing dandruff, body heat and hair loss problems are possessed in drumstick leaves by grinding it and apply on the scalp for the above diseases.

It has a power of reducing anemia, if you take ten pepper with Moringa Oleifera leaves /murungai keerai for fifteen days in a regular basis.

Add black til with this leaves and prepare in the form of tincture. Drink the healthy drink for a week to get relief from menstrual problems.

People who are suffering from eye problems and eye related diseases are recommended to tie the grinder leaves of drumstick without adding water during the grinding process.

Dip the broken nutmeg in morning oleifera juice and grind it after the dried process. Take two grams of powder during the night to prevent libido problems and acts as a medicine to cure the disease.

Boil salt with leaves of drumstick and eat it for fifteen days to get rid of arthritis problems.

Many of them have experience the uncomfortability of gas problems and searching the ayurvedic medicine.  Drink the juice that has this variety of spinach, few pieces of garlic, pinch of both turmeric and salt. 

Lungs and respiratory related diseases are healed when licorice, pepper which are soaked in juice of this leaves. Grind the dried mixture and take small amount of this powder with honey.

Mix the cumin seeds in the juice of moringa leaves/muringai keerai and leave it for few hours.  Grind the dried cumin seeds and add little amount of this powder with honey for normal blood pressure and healthy heart.

Drumstick leaves are rich in calcium. Consumption of these leaves can be helpful for stronger bones and stronger teeth.

Potassium is useful in brain development. Drumstick leaves contain plenty of potassium, even more than potato. Thus they are useful in brain development and nerves building.

Drumstick leaves are very much useful in building up body cells and make the body fit and healthy.Consumption of drumstick leaves are advised for conceived ladies who are suffering from calcium deficiency and insufficient iron in the blood.

These leaves improve defense mechanism in body and thus fight against many type of infections.

Applying boiled drumstick leaves paste on joint pain, nerves or muscles pain, headache gives soothing effect immediately.

The antimicrobial properties of drumstick leaves cure throat, chest and many types of skin infections.

The people who are facing the problem of sexual weakness, the drumstick and drumstick leaves are highly advised as a treatment.

Drumstick leaves and lemon juice is a miracle mixture for treating many diseases like deficiency, anemia, cough, asthma, nerves weakness and even for smoothness of skin.

If you are getting swelling on hands or legs frequently, then drumstick leaves juice will be very much beneficial.

If you have the extract of drumstick leaves along with honey and tender coconut is useful to regain the strength and reduce the weakness.

The kids who are facing eye nerves weakness, drumstick leaves juice and honey mixture is advised to take at night before going to bed.

Take Drumstick leaves recipe weekly three times are helpful in reducing high blood pressure.

Drumstick leaves juice, cucumber juice and carrot juice along with a pinch of rock salt is best remedy for treating excretory infections.

So We can grow ithis excellent tree even in the cement pot or clay pots. Whenever we need , we can pluck the leaves of Moringa and use in cooking dishes and get benefited.

BANANA: ( BOTANICAL NAME : MUSA ACUMINATA COLLA)

There are various varieties and shapes and sizes of the bananas. It has been proved that the
bananas have curative properties both scientifically and traditionally. Everybody loves the
banana fruit including elephants, monkeys, cows and birds also.

There are lot of nutritious and health benefits in Bananas. All parts of the banana tree are nutritious, delicious and high medicinal values.

Banana is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from the underground rhizome. It

flourishes well under tropical, moisture-rich, humid, low-lying farmlands.

Banana has unique growth characteristics. In fact, the whole plant is a false stem

(pseudostem).

Its stem consisting of broad leaves together with their long petioles overlapping around

each other in a disc-like fashion standing up to 2 to 6 meters tall from the ground surface 

depending upon the cultivar types.

Banana leaves are large, flexible, and waterproof. They are often used as ecologically friendly disposable food containers or as "plates" in South Asia and several South east countries. Indonesian cuisines banana leaf is employed in cooking method called as pepes and botok ; the banana leaf packages containing food ingredients and spices are cooked on steam, in boiled water or grilled on charcoal.

In the South Indian states of Tamil nadu, Kerala, Andra Pradesh and Karnataka in every occasion, the food must be served in a banana leaf and as a part of the food a banana is served. Steamed with dishes they impart a subtle sweet flavor. They often serve as a wrapping for grilling food. The leaves contain the juices, protect food from burning and add a subtle flavor.^[102] In Tamil Nadu (India) leaves are fully dried and used as packing material for food stuffs and also making cups to hold liquid foods. In Central American countries, banana leaves are often used as wrappers for covering food.

At maturity, the rhizome gives rise to a flower (inflorescence) that is carried up on a long smooth un-branched stem (true) through the centre of the pseudo-stem which finally emerges out at the top in between the leaf cluster. The flower subsequently develops to a huge hanging bunch, consisting of 3 to 20 hands (tiers), each with at least 5-10 fingers (fruits) in each hand (tier).

The female flowers (which can develop into fruit) appear in rows further up the stem (closer to the leaves) from the rows of male flowers. The ovary is inferior, meaning that the tiny petals and other flower parts appear at the tip of the ovary.

The banana fruits develop from the banana heart, in a large hanging cluster, made up of tiers (called "hands"), with up to 20 fruit to a tier. The hanging cluster is known as a bunch, comprising 3–20 tiers, or commercially as a "banana stem", and can weigh 30–50 kilograms (66–110 lb). Individual banana fruits (commonly known as a banana or "finger") average 125 grams (0.276 lb), of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter.

The female flowers (which can develop into fruit) have petals and other flower parts at the tip of the ovary (the ovary is "inferior")

The fruit has been described as a "leathery berry".  There is a protective outer layer (a peel or skin) with numerous long, thin strings (the phloem bundles), which run lengthwise between the skin and the edible inner portion. The inner part of the common yellow dessert variety can be split lengthwise into three sections that correspond to the inner portions of the three carpels by manually deforming the unopened fruit. In cultivated varieties, the seeds are diminished nearly to non-existence; their remnants are tiny black specks in the interior of the fruit.

There are many healing and medicinal properties of bananas:

The high content of iron in bananas increases the production of hemoglobin in the blood

therefore they are very good for anemia

They regulate bowel movement - whether it is constipation or diarrhea. Our elders believed

that eating a banana after every meal improved digestion significantly.

When you suffer from a hangover - a banana milkshake with honey can give you immense

relief. Cold milk soothes the stomach lining and bananas with honey build up depleted blood

sugar levels.

Bananas are exceedingly good for students as the rich source of potassium can make a 

person very alert; the fruit is often called a brain tonic

Bananas work well as a snack for people who have high blood pressure as they are 

wholesome with low salt levels.

For those suffering from depression, bananas are good as they contain a protein called

serotonin – which is also called the ‘happy hormone’ as it makes one feel happy and relaxed

Bananas can be eaten frequently to treat ulcers as they neutralize acidity in the stomach

This soft and smooth fruit cannot irritate the stomach walls.

For pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, eating bananas in between meals

helps immensely in settling the queasiness in the stomach.

Eating bananas helps people give up smoking as this fruit is rich in vitamin C, A, B6 and B12
  
Bananas contain potassium and magnesium as well, which help the body recover from

nicotine withdrawal.

Bananas have an antacid effect, so people who experience heartburn find relief on eating a

banana.

Potassium is a vital mineral which normalizes heartbeat while regulating the body’s water

balance. As banana is a rich source of potassium, it re-balances disturbances of fluids in the

body.

For weight watchers,, banana is an excellent snack in place of crisps and chocolates

Research found that food craving during high pressure work could be assuaged safely and in

a healthy manner by eating a banana every 2-3 hourly as it is a high carbohydrate food that

controls blood sugar levels.

Topically, the peel of a banana – with the yellow side on top can be taped to a warts. It will

shrivel and fall off.

The peel of a banana fruit can be rubbed on a mosquito bite with good effect, the stinging

sensation stops and the swelling also reduces.

A ripe banana mashed and applied on the face is great at moisturizer and nourishing tired

and dry skin.

Banana Stem

:

When a bunch of bananas is harvested, the stem/tree is cut away. The tender inner stem is

used as food and has many medicinal properties as well.

Layers of hard outer stem are peeled away and only the tender inner stem is used. It is

very fibrous, so the thread fiber has to be cleaned. The stem is chopped into small bits and

soaked in buttermilk or diluted yogurt for half hour. In Southern parts of India, it is cooked

as a vegetable and eaten along with rice.

The banana stem has fiber – this is very beneficial for those on a weight loss program. It

is also a rich source of potassium and vitamin B6 which helps in the production of insulin

and hemoglobin.  Eating banana stem once a week keeps high blood pressure in control.

Banana stem also maintains fluid balance within the body. It is a diuretic and helps in

detoxifying the body. The popular belief is that eating banana stem is very good for

kidney stones

Banana Flower:

The banana flower grows at the end of a bunch of bananas. It is a leafy maroon colored 

cone with cream colored florets layered inside. These florets need to be cleaned well before

they are cooked as a vegetable. The banana flower is rich in vitamins, flavonoids and

proteins. The flower has been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis constipation

and ulcer problems. It eases menstrual cramps. The extracts of banana flower have

antioxidant  properties that prevent free radicals and control cell and tissue damage.

Red Skinned Bananas:

The peel of this type of bananas is a maroon red color and they are plumper than normal

bananas. They are also highly nutritious - the vitamin C content depends on how red the

banana is. The potassium content is high - more or less like the yellow.