MARSH BARBEL ( HYGROPHILIA AURICULATA) - MEDICINAL BENEFITS AND USES

MARSH BARBEL, HYGROPHILIA AURICULATA

The Marsh Barbel is native to the Indian subcontinent, including Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, as well as to Malaysia, South East Asia and parts of Africa, including South Africa, Senegal, Sudan, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Mali. It has a few synonyms including Hygrophilia schulli and Asteracantha longiflolia and is known in English by many other names including the Temple Plant. It is a member of the Acanthaceae family and as the name suggests, likes to live in wet places. It can grow to 2 metres high or more, and has blue-purple flowers, with upper and lower “lips”. These flowers look a little like violas, or wild pansies.

  The whole plant is used in traditional medicine systems for a number of ailments. These include impotence and quality of sperm. The powdered seeds are given in milk to improve the male libido, so it is supposedly an aphrodisiac. It is used for liver problems, including jaundice, to treat urinary tract infections and for gout and oedema. It is said to have diuretic qualities.

  It contains vitamin C and flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, steroid, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides.

  In Ayurvedic medicine the plant is used for rheumatism, inflammation, jaundice and other liver problems and as a pain-killer.

  Few clinical trials have been carried out on this plant, but the few that have were concentrated on proving the traditional uses of the Marsh Barbel. One study that was reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in April 2006, conducted by M. Vijayakumar et al., concluded that it has “significant anti-diabetic activity along with potent antioxidant potential in diabetic condition.” However, the study was performed on rats and an extract of the plant used.

  In an earlier study reported in the same journal in 1995 reported by Singh A. and Handa S.S, concluded that it does act to protect the liver, but once again, the study was done on lab animals.

  While there is no doubt that the plant has medicinal value, given its traditional use over centuries, no scientific studies have been conducted on people.

 

SWEET ALMONDS, BELOVED OF THE MUGHAL EMPERORS; HISTORY, USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF SWEET ALMONDS

SWEET ALMONDS, PRUNUS DULCIS

Sweet almonds and bitter almonds are closely related to the peach tree and it is believed that they may have had a common ancestor. They are in the rose family and so are also more distantly related to the plum, cherry and apricot. A gum exudes from the tree which can be substituted for Gum Tragacanth. (gond katira).  Like the peach tree Prunus dulcis is native to the Middle East and Pakistan Syria, and Turkey.

  By 3,000 BC the trees were domesticated in the Middle East, and we know from archaeological evidence that wild almonds were eaten 8,000 years ago. They were spread throughout the Mediterranean by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and it is thought that perhaps the Romans took them to Britain.

  They have been used for centuries both as food and medicine. The ancient Romans thought they could stop a person becoming inebriated, and so, apparently did John Gerard, writing in the 16^th century. He believed that eating 5 or 6 would prevent drunkenness.

  Not surprisingly the figure in some preparations made by 12^th century Arab physicians, for bronchial problems and coughs. Here is one for coughs and pharyngitis; -

Take six dirhams each of gum arabic, gum tragacanth, starch, licorice juice, sugar, and confection, and five dirhams each of seed of decorticated quince, pip of the sugared gourd, and decorticated sweet almond. Bray them all, sieve, and add some concentrated and foaming julep. Boil until it forms a single whole. Remove and use" (Al-Samarqandi)

 This remedy was for hoarseness:-

“fleawort, quince seed, marshmallow seed, violet [seed], purslane seed, [seed of] the two cucumbers, [seeds of] lettuce, poppy, mallow, pumpkin, almond, sesame, and their oils..."

These ingredients were used because of their mucilaginous qualities.

  Another prescription, for a child’s cough calls for liquorice, tragacanth, sweet almonds, gum Arabic, and sugar all kneaded in mucilage of quince, which was then made into pastilles. Ibn al-Tilmidh (ca 1165).

  Gerard has this to say about them: -

'The oil newly pressed out of Sweet Almonds is a mitigator of pain and all manner of aches, therefore it is good in pleurisy and colic. The oil of Almonds makes smooth the hands and face of delicate persons, and cleanseth the skin from all spots and pimples.'

Almond oil from the kernels is still used in cosmetics and soap today, and used for dry skin in particular.

  Writing later in the 17^th century, Culpeper has this to say, concurring with the Arab physicians that almonds are good for the liver and the brain when used in almond butter, and have a feel-good effect: -

   'This kind of butter is made of Almonds with sugar and rose-water, which being eaten with violets is very wholesome and commodious for students, for it rejoiceth the heart and comforteth the brain, and qualifieth the heat of the liver.”

  In Greek mythology Phyllis was changed into an almond tree when her lover Demophon abandoned her. She was grief-stricken and she, or rather the almond tree she had become, seemed to have died. However, the lover returned and hugged the tree which burst into blossom, thus making it a symbol of love triumphing over death.

  The almond was popularized in cooking by the Mughal emperors, but prior to that a woman with dark sultry almond-shaped eyes was the epitome of feminine beauty in the Indian sub-continent. In cards the heart suite is called badem or almond in many languages in the Indian subcontinent today.

  Spenser in his 16^th century epic poem “The Faerie Queene” has this image of the almond tree:

Like to an almond tree ymounted hye
  On top of greene Selinis all alone,
    With blossoms brave bedecked daintily;
      Whose tender locks do tremble every one,
        At everie little breath, that under heaven is blowne.
      - The Faerie Queene
         (bk. I, canto VII, st. 32)

While Christopher Marlowe has these lines:

    “Like to an Almond tree ymounted hye

      Upon the lofty and celestial mount Selinis queintly dect

      With evergreen blossoms more white than Hericanas browes,

      Whose tender blossoms tremble everie one

      At everie little breath that thorow Heaven is blowen.”

It is not certain which poet did the plagiarizing.

Shakespeare in “Troilus and Cressida” makes an illusion to the saying prevalent in his day in Renaissance England, “an almond for a parrot” which was considered the height of temptation. His line is “The parrot will not do more for an almond.”

  In traditional medicine, then the almond has been used to cure a number of ailments and apart from the ones mentioned above it was also used for gall and kidney stones in the form of almond milk mixed with gum Tragacanth or arabic. (You can make almond milk by pounding sweet almonds in water.) The oil has been used to promote hair growth, while the leaves were used to treat diabetes. Bruised leaves, rubbed onto the hands will remove the smell of garlic, onions etc. Almonds have been used to treat cancer, asthma, indigestion, water retention, peptic ulcers and have been used as a laxative (they are much more palatable than senna and jamalgota for example), and have been added to the oil of the castor bean for the same purpose, to make the oil more pleasant to take.

  The tree has other uses too, as in Tuscany, Italy the slender branches were used for divining rods, like wands from the hazel tree, but not to find water or thieves, but hidden treasure.

  The nuts contain the minerals calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorous as well as some of the B-complex vitamins, beta-carotene, fatty acids and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Hydrogen cyanide is present in both the leaves and nuts, so you should only consume them in small quantities. The nuts also contain amygdalin.

  The tree contains taxifolia which is a substance believed to be an anti-tumour compound, although research is still being carried out on it.

  Almonds are often found in bars of chocolate, ice cream, biscuits, cakes and desserts, as well as in biryanis (savoury rice dishes). You can also crush sweet almonds and add them to sattu for a refreshing, cooling summer drink. This is a folk remedy for gall and kidney stones.

 To try a recipe using almonds, why not see our biryani recipe?

WHAT IS JOO? BARLEY: HEALTH BENEFITS, HISTORY AND USES OF BARLEY: HEARTY BARLEY STEW RECIPE

BARLEY, JOO IN URDU, HORDEUM VULGARE

Barley and wheat are two of the most ancient crops and there are archeological records of barley being used in the Stone Age Lake dwellings in Switzerland, and around the Sea of Galilee 8,500 years ago. Barley originated in Ethiopia and South East Asia, where it has been cultivated for over 10,000 years. The first known recipe containing barley goes back to Babylonia and 2,800 BC. A barley water drink has been prepared throughout the ages, and one of the traditional drinks in the Indian sub-continent is sattu, which is very refreshing and cooling on hot summer days and nights.

  The ancient Greeks had the goddess Demeter who was the goddess of agriculture and barley figured in the religious rites of her cult. Barley was an offering to the goddess and made into a drink during the celebration of the Eleusian mysteries. In Roman mythology her equivalent was Ceres. There was a cult of the Corn-Mother (corn being used as a generic term for grain crops) in Europe in ancient times. Barley was made into bread, sometimes along with rye, and was a staple throughout the Middle Ages.

  The ancient Greeks and Romans gave their athletes barley in their diets to give them stamina and the ancient Hindus also offered barley to their gods and goddesses. The Romans fed their gladiators on barley and they became known as “hordearii” or “eaters of barley”; so this is where the botanical name comes from.

Hulled barley

  In ancient China barley was a symbol of male virility as barley has heavy tops which contain many seeds. There is a folklore figure in English songs, John Barleycorn, who had to die in order for others to benefit from bread made from barley. This song has its origins in the 16^th century, but its roots seem to go back much further in time to the myths of Demeter, the mother of Persephone who was forced to remain in Hades for 6 months of the year, the Underworld because she had been tricked into eating 6 pomegranate seeds following her abduction. The song was revived by popular musicians in the late 20^th century as “John Barleycorn Must Die.”

  Barley was not only used to make bread, but was fermented to make alcohol, both beer and whiskey, and in Britain there is still a potent bottled drink called “Barley Wine.”

  This grain when whole or just hulled has many health benefits, containing as it does a large amount of selenium, and other minerals which include potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. As for vitamins it has some of the B-complex ones along with vitamin E. It also contains lignans which are also found in flax and pumpkin seeds, coffee, tea, red wine and nuts. It has antioxidant properties and is helpful to reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. It is good if you are prone to constipation because of the fibre content and this can also help in cases of diarrhoea. There is a long-term study of barley and its potential health benefits underway and preliminary results appear to confirm that a diet which includes barley can help stabilize blood sugar levels, although this has not yet been proved conclusively. It may also offer some protection against certain cancers. However the study still has a long way to go before results can be determined. The study centres on the beta-glucans that are contained in barley and is an effort to determine the effects of these not only on blood glucose levels but also on insulin. It is hoped that the study will help those suffering with Type II diabetes.

Pearl barley

  There is also some evidence to suggest that barley can help in a weight loss diet, although more research is needed in this area.

  The best barley to use is straight barley which had not been processed and this needs to be soaked overnight before using (see sattu), as does hulled barley which is the next best type to gain the maximum health benefits. Barley can be added to stews and sauces and has a nutty flavour and should be chewy, like al dente pasta. Try the recipe below. You can use it with chicken or beef or lamb for cold winter’s days, and because of the selenium it will give you a feeling of well-being.

  Pearl barley, pot or scotch barley and barley flakes have undergone a rigorous processing and do not have the same health benefits as the types of barley mentioned above.

  Like oats you can grind barely to a powder and mix with a little water to use as a face mask. You should apply the paste and leaves it to dry on your skin, before rinsing it off with tepid water, then splashing cold water on your face for the best effects. It is a good cleanser and will rejuvenate your skin, especially in winter when it may be damaged by the cold.

  Barley is very versatile and certainly has health benefits, unless of course you cannot take gluten.

HEARTY BARLEY STEW

Ingredients

100 gr barley (soaked overnight, drained and rinsed)

250 gr beef, cubed

100 gr beans of your choice,

  (chickpeas/garbanzos are good, soaked overnight)

2 large onions, sliced

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

4-6 carrots sliced

1 stick celery (halved)

2 turnips, cubed

1 small swede, cubed

handful of fresh parsley shredded

1 tsp dried oregano or 2 tbsp fresh

1 tsp dried thyme or ajwain or1 tbsp fresh leaves

2 bay leaves, torn but whole

1 wineglass red wine

1 tbsp flour

olive oil for frying

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan and add the beef and seal well on all sides, then add the onions and garlic and fry for a few minutes.

Add the carrots and fry for a further few minutes.

Add the flour and stir well then add 2 pints water, slowly and bring to the boil.

Add the rest of the ingredients and bring back to the boil, adding more water if necessary.

Keep an eye on the water level and cook for two hours or until all the ingredients are tender. Do not add salt until the last half an hour as this will prevent the barley and beans softening.

Remove from the heat and remove the celery stalk. Adjust the seasoning and serve with fresh crusty bread.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

 

TEAZLE - BRUSHES AND COMBS A HISTORY OF USE

TEAZLE OR TEASEL, DIPSACUS SATIVA, FULLONEM AND SYLVESTRIS

Teazle has a long history in Europe, not because of its medicinal properties, but because of its use in the cloth-making industry. It is a relation of the thistles so is allied with the milk-thistle and the globe artichoke. It is a tall plant, growing to about 5 feet and depending on the genus has white, pink or lilac coloured flowers. It has large leaves around the middle and base of the plant, which are capable of holding dew and rain water, which was used to cleanse the face and as eyewash, as the water retained in the leaves was thought to have medicinal properties. The teasel cutters of old would drink this water to stimulate their appetites as well as to quench thirst. Because of its cosmetic use, it was called Venus’ Basin. The botanical name Dipsacus comes from the Greek dipsos meaning to be thirsty.

  It is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and there are 15 or so species growing around the world. In Britain there are the three listed in the title of this post. Teazels are naturalized in North America.

  The roots of the plant have been used in decoctions and infusions to get rid of warts, and to stimulate the appetite and as a diuretic. However the first year’s growth of the roots and leaves are preferred.

  Dioscorides, writing in the first century AD recommended that the roots could be made into an ointment for all skin eruptions, including cancerous tumours. It has also been used for jaundice and blockages of the liver.

  Birds feed on the seeds which come from the head of the teasel, and one plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds, so they can really feast on them.

  Teazles can be dried and used in dried flower arrangements, either as they are or painted (you can do this with a glossy nail varnish or with a spray).

  Teazles were employed in the cloth-making industry at least as far back as the Middle Ages, as they are mentioned in John Langland’s “Piers Plowman” of 1377. A rough translation is this: -

  “Cloth that comes from the weaving is in no way good to wear until it is fulled… and with the teazel scratched.”

  It was cultivated in Europe in the Middle Ages for use in this industry and was used by some manufacturers in the twentieth century. It was dried in “helms” (open sheds) in some English counties, which were made with the stalks of teazel.

  Gerard writing in 1597in his “Herball” distinguished between the wild teazel (Dipsacus sylvestris) and Dipsacus sativa, or garden teasel in this way, “the tame teasell is grown in gardens to serve the use of the fuller and clothworkers.” Culpeper, in his usual forthright way calls garden teasel “manured” but he called this Dipsacus fullonum and says that it has “prickly hooks”, whereas the wild form has straight spines.

  Children used to use the teazel heads to comb the hair of their dolls and in earlier times it was used to get knots out of hair and beards, giving rise to other old names, Brushes and Combs and Barber’s Brush.

  If you pick any teazel, be sure to wear gloves, as the thorns can be painful, and the skin can be irritated by the plant. It is included here for interest’s sake only.