Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Ulam Raja @ Cosmos caudatus Kunth.

Other name: Wild cosmos (English)
Scientific name: Cosmos caudatus Kunth.
Family: Asteraceae

ULAM RAJA came to this region from tropical America via the Philippines. Spaniards who sailed across the Pacific used it as a vegetable for their long journey. Growing roughly a meter high, it has bright green leaves that are 20cm to 30cm long. These spread into five main leaflets each and in turn into smaller segments, looking like mini conifers when they are held upright. Mature plants produce pink and yellow eight-petal flowers that are about 2cm across.

Taste & smell: Its refreshing taste is reminiscent of unripe mango that leaves behind, instead of sweet and sour, a bitter aftertaste. The leaves explode with a strong fragrance when they are shredded by hand or pounded.

Uses as food: Prepared as ulam with other raw greens and eaten with dips like sambal, cincaluk or budu. It is also used in nasi ulam. Ulam raja is a very good source of natural antioxidants and rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium and potassium. It also has a relatively high vitamin content (especially vitamins B1, B2 and C).

Uses as traditional medicine: It is used for the cleansing of blood and to strengthen muscles and bones (because of its high calcium content).

Places to buy: Ulam raja can be found in most wet markets where Malays sell vegetables including the pasar tani -- there are nearly 250 such "farmer market" sites in Malaysia. If you live near Kuala Lumpur, the evening market in Chow Kit off the junction of Jalan Raja Alang and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman is the place to go.

Way to grow: This herb is propagated using seeds obtained from ripened fruit that are 1cm to 3cm long. It grows easily as organic greens because it is resistant to pests, does not need much care and grows well in well-drained, relatively-fertile soil (a flower pot is adequate).

Pegaga @Centella asiatica



Centella asiatica (L.) is a polymorphous, creeping plant, rooting at nodes, with sometimes significant tap root, cylindrical and glabrous stems. Other names of centella asiatica include Hydrocotyle asiatica, gotu kola, Indian pennywort(English), Mandukaparni(India), pegaga(Malaysia) and Di Chien Tsao, Man Tien Hsing and Zhi Xue Cao (China). This plant is indigenous to the warmer regions of both hemispheres, especially abundant in the swampy areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka up to an altitude of approximately 700 metres.
Centella asiatica is also indigenous to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Western South Sea Islands, Australia, Madagascar, Southern and Middle Africa, Southern United States and in insular and continental tropical America.


Traditionally, in Madagascar and East Africa, this plant, dried and crushed, has been used in the treatment of leprosy, bronchitis, asthma, syphilis, and as a wound healing agent. The Indian however, traditionally regard this plant as a potent brain tonic and shows remarkable properties in terms of treating senile decay and loss of memory, whilst it is also alleged to enhance verbal articulation. In Chinese folk medicine, a decoction of this herb is used for the treatment of colds, sunstroke, tonsilitis, pleurisy, urinary tract infections, infectious hepatitis, jaundice, and dysentery; as an antidote for arsenic poisoning, toxic mushroom and as an external poultice for snake bites, scabies, traumatic injuries, and herpes zoster. Sometimes considered as a sedative, this plant has been known to be tonic in Malaysia. Today Centella asiatica is the active ingredient of many drugs and cosmetic preparations in Europe, U.S.A. and Japan in the field of skin care.



Source: IDS(Sabah), 1998 in ‘Developing the Non-Timber Forest Products in Sabah: Issues and Challenges’.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Misai Kuching (Orthosiphon Stamineus)



Misai Kuching (Orthosiphon Stamineus) is a medicinal herb found mainly throughout South East Asia and tropical Australia. It is believed to have antiallergic, antihypertensive, antiinflammatory and diuretic properties. It is used as a remedy for arteriosclerosis (capillary and circulatory disorders), kidney stones, diabetes and nephritis.
It is trusted for many centuries for treating ailments of the kidney, bladder stone, urinary tract infection, liver and bladder problems, diabetes, rheumatism and gout. It is also used to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.


Misai Kuching has a mild diuretic action, so it is very useful for flushing the kidneys and urinary tract. It also relieves spasms of the smooth muscle in the walls of the internal organs, making it valuable for gallbladder problems. Researchers have found it to be mildly antiseptic as well.
Misai Kuching (misai kucing) is also known as Kumis Kuching (kumis kucing) or Remujung. Other names for Misai Kuching are Orthosiphon Stamineus Benth, Orthosiphon Aristatus, Orthosiphonblaetter, Indisher Nierentee, Feuilles de Barbiflore, Java Tea, Javatee, Kidney Tea, Koemis Koetjing and Yaa Nuat Maeo.
The plant is from the family of Lippenblütengewächse /Lamiaceae / Labiatae.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Kacip Fatimah


Labisa Pumila, commonly known as Kacip Fatimah is the female version of Tongkat Ali. Kacip Fatimah is a small woody and leafy plant that grows and can be found widely in the shade of forest floors. The leaves are about 20 centimetres long, and they are traditionally used as a kind of tea by women who experience a loss of libido


Extract from these herbs are usually ground into powder substances and are made into capsules and pills. A concoction made from boiling the plant in water is given to women in labour to hasten delivery of their babies. After childbirth, it may still be consumed by mothers to regain their strength. In other medicinal preparations, it can treat gonorrhoea, dysentery and eliminate excessive gas in the body.
Traditionally, it is used for enhancing vitality, overcome tiredness and help to tone vaginal muscles for women. Kacip Fatimah, the women’s tongkat ali has been used for generations in Borneo in maintaining the figure, health and vitality of women. Kacip fatimah is the female Tongkat Ali and for centuries -it has been used in Borneo to restore womenhood.100% herbal & 100% safe Points to ponder before making the right Kacip Fatimah choice-
The claimed uses of Kacip Fatimah include: [1]
Helps established a regular menstrual cycle when periods fail to appear for reasons like stress, illness or when the pill is discontinued
Prevents cramping, water retention and irritability for those with painful periods.
Balances, builds and harmonizes the female reproductive system to encourage healthy conception
Supports healthy vaginal flora to prevent irritation and infections.
Alleviates fatigue, smooths menopausal symptoms and promote emotional well being.
Prolong energy during Playtime.
Helps to solve the problems related to constipation
Tightens vaginal skin and walls.
Anti-dysmenorrhoea; cleansing and avoiding painful or difficult menstruation
Anti-flatulence, drive away and prevent the formation of gas.
Firming and toning of abdominal muscles.
As the plant contain phytoestrogen, it is not to be taken by pregnant women and periods of menstruation...........From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi

Eurycoma longifolia Jack (a.k.a. Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The author abbreviation Jack in the scientific name of the plant refers to the Scottish botanist William Jack.
Eurycoma longifolia Jack is a small evergreen treelet growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) long with 13-41 leaflets. The flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different trees; they are produced in large panicles, each flower with 5-6 very small petals. The fruit is green ripening dark red, 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad.








Uses
Eurycoma longifolia has become popular for its alleged testosterone-enhancing properties. It has therefore been included in some herbal supplements for bodybuilders. Historically, South East Asia has utilised the herb for its suggested antimalarial, antipyretic, antiulcer, cytotoxic and aphrodisiac properties.
Some scientific studies suggest that it enhances sexual characteristics and performance in animals.[2][3][4] However, most of these studies were conducted by the same researchers, so more research is needed.
In other studies, fractions of Eurycoma longifolia Jack extract have been shown to induce apoptosis in breast-cancer cells[5] and to be cytotoxic to lung-cancer cells.[6]
The British Journal of Sports Medicine published the results of a scientific study in 2003, which showed that Eurycoma longifolia caused increased muscle strength and size when compared to a placebo.[7] This may demonstrate the anabolic properties of Tongkat Ali but again more research is needed. Some athletes and body builders now use Tongkat Ali extract in the hope that it will act as a testosterone-booster, to improve muscle size, strength, and performance without drugs.
This testosterone-enhancing herb can be used to build libido, as well as combating fatigue. Tongkat Ali has been shown in studies to increase testosterone levels in males up to 93%. In a study from the Reproductive Research Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, men between the ages of 31-52 regularly took Tongkat Ali. Results indicated increased testosterone levels; thus improving libido, energy as well as muscle mass. [8]
Tongkat ali is sold in various extract ratios, with 1:50, 1:100, and 1:200 being most common. It should be noted that a higher extract ratio does not necessarily mean that an extract is more potent. At a higher extraction ratio, some of the active ingredients may even be lost, as the focus if often reflective of a pursuit of patent rights than achieving efficacious end product.
On the other hand, some products on the market do not state any specific extract ratio, and then it may be anything between 1:2 and 1:10. Furthermore, buyers should be aware that tongkat ali is one of the most expensive herbals sold internationally. Thus, capsules or tablets that combine tongkat ali with other ingredients and do not indicate definite quantities of each ingredient may contain just minuscule amounts of tongkat ali. The market demand for Tongkat Ali is growing, and even though plantations are being created every year, demand still outweighs supplies. Trees in their native habitat are rather scarce, and are further endangered by the common practice of wild harvesting.........From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Herbs for Acne

Most of the time acne is caused by the sebaceous glands at the base of the hair follicles of the skin secreting too much sebum - an oily substance released from the pores to keep the skin lubricated and healthy. When too much sebum is produced or it gets clogged it can form hard plugs that block the pores and produce pimples.
A localized bacterial infection can develop when these oil plugs rupture beneath the skin's surface.
What causes an overproduction of sebum?
Hormonal imbalances are a common cause of an overproduction of sebum. This is common in adolescence, especially in males.
In females, menstrual periods or pregnancy can also create hormonal disturbances that can lead to breakouts.
Other common triggers include emotional stress, irritation of the skin, and certain medications, particularly steroids, contraceptives, or any drugs that affect hormone levels.
There is some evidence that skin eruptions can be brought on or aggravated by certain foods or food allergies
as well. There are many useful herbs for acne and we will outline some of them here.

Specific Herbs for Acne

ALOE GEL has astringent & antibacterial properties and is applied topically.

CALENDULA promotes healing of skin tissue. You can make a strong infusion of this herb and use as a facial was or steam. It is also available in creams.

LAVENDER compresses are used to relieve inflammation.

ROSEWATER is applied topically for pain & inflammation.

TEA TREE OIL is a powerful antiseptic but must be diluted before applying to skin.
WALNUT LEAF is a useful astringent skin wash.

WITCH HAZEL has antibacterial & astringent properties.
ECHINACEA tincture taken internally promotes healing, reduces inflammation.

GOLDENSEAL is an antimicrobial which stops oozing.
Another common cause of outbreaks is a sluggish liver. When the liver is not functioning optimally it cannot clear excess hormones. When trying to clear acne it is important to balance the hormones and cleanse the liver.

BURDOCK ROOT and DANDELION contain insulin which improves the skin by removing bacteria.

MILK THISTLE is the most commonly used herb for cleansing and strengthening the liver. It also helps remove excess hormones through the stool by stimulating bile production.
Traditionally this condition has responded well to a combination of herbs.
When treating acne it is important to take a two-fold approach: Internally and Topically
Generally speaking, just treating the skin topically does not address the internal causes of acne and skin eruptions.

Internally, a good combination for cleansing the liver and blood would be a tincture of MILK

THISTLE and DANDELION. The traditional dosage is 30 drops in a little water 3 times daily.

Topically, you can combine any number of herbs such as CALENDULA, LAVENDER, TEA TREE OIL, WITCH HAZEL and ROSEWATER, depending on the specific condition of your skin.

Herbs Remedy

Natural remedies, homeopathy, herbal preparations, and other alternative health practices can offer a natural way to maintain ones health. However, herbs can be very powerful and it is important to know how your body responds to different combinations and doses. This section provides some guidance when selecting alternative health options