30. CLOVE (LAVANGA)

                                                      CLOVE

Clove or ‘lavanga’ is the dried bud of a clove tree. The buds are plucked when they are pink and dried till they become brown. They are used as a spice in all types of dishes like ginger bread, pumpkin pie, rice dishes, and so many other dishes. Clove is very stimulating, carminative and aromatic. Oil extracted from clove bud, stem, and leaves is volatile and must be kept in dark bottles in a cool place. Clove oil has many medicinal properties. It has aphrodisiac properties. It contains free eugenol, eugenol acetate and caryophyllene.

Cloves are a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin C, fatty acids (ω-3), calcium, manganese and magnesium.

Benefits:

1. Morning sickness in pregnant women: Mash lavanga and boil in water. Cool the liquid. Drink in the morning and evening daily.

2. Cloves are used in the treatment for nausea, bad breathe, flatulence, indigestion and dyspepsia.

3. Tooth ache: Clove oil is applied to the tooth to reduce pain.

4. Asthma: Clove oil is used as an expectorant to aid bronchial problems. Drink the decoction of clove with honey thrice a day.

5. Clove oil is able to regulate the body temperature and stabilize blood circulation. The risk of falling ill is reduced.

6. Digestion: clove promotes flow of enzymes and improves digestion.

7. Vomiting: Mix honey and clove powder. Just lick this paste to reduce the vomiting feeling. OR soak clove in water and drink the liquid twice a day

8. Cholera: Drink the decoction of clove to reduce the effect of cholera.

9. Ear ache: Fry cloves in sesame oil and put a few drops into the ear to reduce the pain.

10. Eyes: Clove is very effective in reducing inflammation around the eye lashes. Rub a clove head in water and apply.

11. Head ache: A paste of clove and salt in milk is a good cure for head ache.

12. Muscular cramps: Apply clove oil to the area of cramp.

13.  Clove is an ingredient in the preparation of moth wash and sore throat sprays.

14. Clove has flavanoids helpful in reducing inflammation.

15. Skin: Clove is also used in the treatment of skin problems.

16. Scorpion sting: Roots and fruit are used in treatment of scorpion bite.

17. Head ache: Grind cloves and heat it. Apply on forehead to get relief from head ache.

18. Indigestion: Mix cardamom powder with ginger, clove and coriander. Consume to cure indigestion.

 

29. CINNAMON

                                                     CINNAMON

Cinnamon is the seed of an herbal plant used as a spice. Dried bark, twigs and leaves are also edible. Thin (0.5mm) inner bark is used as a spice. When it dries it forms rolls. Oil extracted by steam distillation of dried bark and leaves is called cinnamon oil.

Cinnamon is used to flavour soft drinks, tea, bakery products, coffee, rice dishes, curry, etc. It is also used in medicines and perfumes. It is said to improve blood circulation, increase energy and vitality.

Cinnamon is the most overlooked but healthiest spice in the world. It is often called ‘fat burning spice’ because eating it daily in your diet can help reduce abdominal fat. It is a powerful anti-oxidant.

Benefits:

1. Eugenol present in cinnamon oil is antiseptic and anesthetic.

2. Cinnamon oil is used in detergents, gargles, lotions, mouthwashes, toothpaste, soap, etc.

3. Diarrhoea: Cinnamon is useful in cases of diarrhoea, menstrual pain, nausea, gas problem.

4. Cinnamon is used in the treatment of stomach pain, chest pain, cold, female reproductive disorders, kidney disorders, hypertension, colds and rheumatism.

5. Cinnamon products are antifungal and analgesic.

6. Cinnamon extracts can be used as a food preservative since they slow down oxidation of food stuffs.

7. In Ayurveda, cinnamon is used in the treatment of diabetes, indigestion and cold.

8. Diabetes: Cinnamon is rich in mineral called chromium, which helps the action of insulin in the body. It helps maintain insulin sensitivity.

9. Ulcer: Cinnamon is said to be anti-bacterial and hence it is used against bacteria which causes stomach ulcer.

10. Tumor: Cinnamon extracts contain procyanidins and eugenol that hinder the growth of tumor cells.

11. Food preservative: due to its anti-bacterial property, cinnamon is a good preservative.

12. Headache: Mix powder of cinnamon with water and apply on the painful area.  

13. Painful/irregular periods: Add cinnamon powder to lime juice and drink daily.

Danger: Cinnamon is reported to increase heart rate, cause facial flushing, hypersensitivity reactions (hand perspiration, drowsiness and burns), reduction in liver weight and decrease in haemoglobin level. Pregnant ladies and lactating mothers are advised not to use too much cinnamon in food as it can cause abortion or allergic reactions like skin irritation. Take the advice of doctor before taking cinnamon supplements as some of them can damage liver. Some cinnamon oils are not for internal use for they are too strong and can cause nervous system problems.

 

28. CHIKKU

                                                    CHIKKU

‘Chikku’ (Sapota) is a fruit which looks like a smooth skinned potato and has two to three seeds inside. The seed is too hard and uneatable. The fruit is very sweet and tasty but unripe chikku is uneatable due to the presence of high amount of saponin. Chikku is mainly eaten raw. Its pulp is used to prepare ice creams, fruit salads, jam, jelly and milk shakes.

Benefits:

1. A substance called chikle obtained from the latex is used to prepare chewing gum and chiklet.

2. Eating chikku improves digestion.