WHAT IS COCCINIA INDICA? KHOCHOPER HERB: HOW TO USE IN MEDICINE

COCCINIA INDICA, KHOCHOPER, BIMBI, IVY GOURD

This plant is a creeper which is in the pumpkin family. It grows wild in the Indian subcontinent and may be found in forests and fields. Hakims or herbalists would try to persuade children to bring them from the forest but the fruit are so tasty that hardly any got back to the elderly hakims. They taste like a honey melon, but sometimes they are sour and not so good to eat raw. They come in different shapes and sizes too some looking like gherkins, others may be round like tiny water melons. The flowers have red sheaths, but are white and rather like those of convolvulus. If you eat the fruit raw it will get rid of mouth ulcers and eating two fruit a day, raw will help diabetes sufferers and improve dry skin.

   The fruit can regulate hypoglycaemia and so can other parts of the plant, but the fruit has the most potent properties. It has been sown that the plant extracts can be useful in treating diabetes and trials are still continuing in humans. It has been used in traditional medicine in the India subcontinent for centuries, without people suffering from ill effects, so is considered safe. Other plants used in the treatment of diabetes and which are undergoing clinical tests are karella (bitter melon) and fenugreek (methi).

  The fruit contain riboflavin, thiamin, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids and has strong antioxidant properties. The plant is a diaphoretic (induces sweating) so is good for fevers, and is also a diuretic and stimulant. The leaves and stem have antispasmodic and expectorant properties, and the juice from the roots is used for urinary tract infections.

   Juice is extracted from the leaves and can be used for skin problems such as rashes or any other skin problem; one cup of juice may be mixed with 1 teaspoon of butter and applied to affected areas. The juice from the leaves may also be used internally for diarrhoea, in such cases, mix two teaspoons of juice with a cup of natural yoghurt and take two or three times a day. If you are in need of a diuretic, boil 2 teaspoons of chopped roots in a cup of water until the water is reduced to half. Drink this warm.

   You can boil 1 cup of leaves, dry them and then grind them to a fine powder and store in a jar in a cool place until you need to use it. If you have burning eyes, a skin infections or need to cool your body, take a teaspoon of the powder in hot water three times a day.

   This weed has many medical uses and the fruit tastes good too.

OAK TREE, ACORNS, OAK APPLES IN HISTORY AND MEDICINAL USES: OAK TREE BARK DECOCTION

OAK TREES, ACORNS AND OAK APPLES

There are two main genuses of oak tree, the Cyclobalanopsis and the Quercus. The Cyclobalanopsis variety grows in eastern and South East Asia and is an evergreen, whereas the Quercus are the deciduous trees which grow in Europe and North America.

This article deals with the Common oak, Quercus robur, found in the British Isles. The name Quercus comes from “quer” meaning beautiful and “cuoz” meaning tree and the drus in Celtic means tree and more specifically the oak, thus giving rise to the word druid.

mistletoe

   The fruit of the oak tree, the acorn, was used as food when we were hunter-gatherers, although they are now more commonly fed to pigs. The oak tree has special significance in Britain, and was a tree that was sacred to the Druids, those Celts who inhabited what is now Brittany, France, Wales and Cornwall in Britain and other places in Europe. The Druids were the priestly caste who revered the oak as the King of Trees, all of which had their own special significance. Druids believed that mistletoe which grows on these stately trees was a gift from the gods, and used it as well as all parts of the tree in medicine. They worshipped in sacred groves, and groves of oak were the most highly venerated. “Druid” means “knowing the oak tree” and the parasitical plant, mistletoe was known as the “universal healer.” The oak was also thought to be a gateway to other realms and so was important in the shamanic ceremonies or the Druids.

    Oak leaves were a status symbol of the Celts, Romans and ancient Greeks and chaplets of oak leaves could only be worn by those deserving such a high honour. The oak symbolizes strength, fertility wealth and good fortune, and pieces of oak bark are still carried as amulets in parts of Brittany.

     There are many phrases in English that show the power of the oak, for example, “hearts of oak”, attributed both to the Welsh warriors and the English. Thomas Hardy, writing in the late 19^th and early 20^th century gave his morally strong hero in “Far from the Madding Crowd” the name Gabriel Oak.

    In England there are famous oaks, the Gospel oaks which were outside city walls and under the shade of which preachers read psalms and told moral stories from the gospels to parishioners. These were thought to be safe resting places for weary travellers as it was believed that they would be safe from evil under the shelter of these trees. The poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674) wrote these lines: -

          “Dearest, bury me

           Under that holy oke, or Gospel tree”.

 There is also the Royal Oak in which legend has it that Bonnie Prince Charlie (King Charles II of England) hid after his defeat by Cromwell’s Roundheads after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Many pubs in England were called “The Royal Oak” because of this legend.

evergreen Cyclobalanopsis

   There is also an old rhyme which predicts the weather in spring: -

           “If the Oak’s before the Ash,

            Then you’ll only get a splash;

            If the Ash before the oak,

            Then you’ll get a soak.”

In other words if the oak grows new leaves before the ash tree does, it won’t be a very wet spring, but the opposite will be true if the ash starts to grow new leaves before the oak tree does.

One superstition about the oak tree is that if someone cuts one or damages the tree in any way, their first born son will die young.

     May 29^th is Oak Apple Day in England, called “shikshak” day in Hampshire in southern England. Oak apples are the larvae of the cynip insect and these have astringent qualities due to the gallo-tannic acid they contain. A decoction made from these or from the bark of the oak tree is said to stop internal bleeding. The powdered oak apples used to be mixed with benzoated lard and applied to bleeding gums and piles as well as being employed to stop nosebleeds.

oak "apple"

    The bark of the oak tree can be used in a decoction for various ailments including prolapse of the lower bowel. You can make the decoction with 1 ounce of bark to 2 pints of water. Boil these together until the liquid is reduced by half. The water can be used as an effective gargle for sore throats, applied to bleeding gums or haemorrhoids (piles). Powdered bark can be used as snuff and this was used in the early stages of consumption to cure it. It is supposed to be good for respiratory ailments. The decoction of the bark is a tonic, astringent and antiseptic, so can be applied to cuts and wounds. It has also been used with chamomile flowers as a substitute for quinine for fever. The leaves from the oak tree have been applied to fresh wounds to staunch the bleeding.

    The fruit of the oak tree, the acorn, has been used as a coffee substitute in the past, and you can eat these as long as the tannic acid they contain is leached from them. This is easy, if time-consuming, but you can keep the water and use it for a variety of ailments, including as a skin wash for rashes or irritated skin, as a drink to stop diarrhoea and dysentery, and to put on fresh wounds as it has antiviral and antiseptic properties.

    Boil the acorns in water and after 10 minutes, strain the acorns and put them in another pan of boiling water. You need to do this twice more to be sure there is no tannic acid remaining. Store the water in the fridge and if it grows mould just reboil it to get rid of the mould and continue to store it for medicinal use.

     Now that the acorns are tannin free you can easily peel them and dry or roast them. Roasted acorns make good tisanes or coffee if you add chicory. You can grind the acorns into flour and use it for bread or to thicken sauces. Alternatively you can toast the kernels and cover them with honey for a tasty snack, or make them into a simple homely porridge in the winter months.

    You can even use the water from this process to make a dye, but will have to use a mordant if you want a permanent colour. If you have your own animals you can use the water in the tanning of the skin to make it soft and flexible.

ancient Jurupa oak

   The oak tree is loved by truffle-hunting pigs in Piedmont Italy and the Perigord region of France, as the ultimate fungal delicacy, the black truffle, can be found under oak trees.

    The oak tree has been around for thousands of years as was verified when scientists discovered that the Jurupa oak in California, has been in existence for at least 13,000 years making it much older than the ancient pyramids of Egypt. They believe that it regenerates itself as what looks like a grove of trees has been genetically tested to reveal that it is, in fact one single tree. It is the oldest living organism on the planet that has been discovered so far, and was recognized as such only in 2009.

WHAT IS ALBIZIA LEBBECK? SIRIS TREE OR RATTLE POD OR WOMEN'S TONGUE: MEDICINAL USES OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK

ALBIZIA LEBBECK, SIRIS TREE, RATTLE POD, WOMEN’S TONGUE

Albizia lebbeck or the Siris tree grows profusely in the Punjab province of Pakistan and I have been particularly impressed with its leaves, flowers, and later the seed pods. Locally it is known as the Sharee trees and is used in traditional medicine in the subcontinent. There are a lot of these trees growing in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and they are very eye-catching when they have their huge ripe pods hanging from the foliage.

    The flowers, fruit, bark, leaves and roots are all used in medicine. The seeds contain crude protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, niacin and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and most of the essential amino acids. There are saponins in the seeds, but no harmful effects have been reported when the seeds have been eaten, as long as they are eaten in moderation; too many will induce vomiting.

    A paste of the leaves is used to treat skin problems and to improve skin texture, making it smoother. Paste preparations from parts of the plant are applied to insect stings, wounds and bites, and it is also said to be good to promote healthy gums and teeth. It is used to treat inflammation too, and a powder from the different parts of the tree is said to purify the blood and be good for the respiratory system, and to treat allergies. The ethanol extract of the pod is effective against some forms of cancer. Parts of the tree are also used to treat eye problems, impotence and as a diuretic. However it is also thought that the seeds can cause infertility.

   Saponins from the tree are used to make soap and the tannin from the bark is used in the tanning process. Bees love the nectar from the flowers, and the tree itself is a host to lac insects which leave a residue on the tree which can be collected and used in the paint and varnish industry. In this it is similar to the banyan tree.

   Modern medical trials have shown that Albizia lebbeck has “remarkable anti-inflammatory activity supporting the folkloric usage of this plant to treat various inflammatory diseases” (Babu N.P. et al).

   This tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, the Andaman Islands and Myanmar, and various other trees of the Albizia family also grow in other parts of the world, The Albizia chinensis tree grows in these areas and in other countries. In rainforests it can grow to heights of 100 feet, and it usually has seed pods which are 8 to 12 inches long. When the wind blows the seeds rattle in the dry pods, and this has given rise to the name, Rattle pod tree.

HOW TO MAKE SPICY SCRAMBLED EGGS: EASY AND TASTY RECIPE

SPICY SCRAMBLED EGGS

Ingredients

6 eggs

½ cup milk

½ cup grated cheese

2 onions, finely chopped

6 green chillies, finely chopped

2 tsps ginger paste

2 tsps garlic paste

1 tomato, grated

1 cucumber (5-6 inches long), grated

1 potato, thinly sliced

½ handful of fresh mint leaves, shredded

½ handful fresh coriander leaves, shredded

1 tbsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp ajwain or thyme

½ tbsp coriander seeds

1 tsp turmeric

1 tbsp garam masala

1 tsp chilli powder

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1½ cups oil

Method 

Beat the eggs in a bowl and mix with the milk, spices, cheese, herbs, chillies, grated tomato and salt.

Heat the oil in a pan, and fry the potato slices until they are brown. Add the garlic and ginger paste and fry for 1 min. Now put the onion and cucumber in the pan and cook for 4 mins stirring well.

Add the contents of the bowl to the pan; stir well so that the mixture does not stick to the pan and burn.

When it gets thicker, turn down the heat to very low, cover and cook for 10 mins.

Remove the lid and cook until the mixture is the right consistency.

Remove from the heat and serve.

This is my own simple dish that everyone who has tasted it has enjoyed.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

YELLOW SAGE, SPANISH FLAG, LANTANA CAMARA: BENEFITS OF YELLOW SAGE AND USES

SPANISH FLAG, YELLOW SAGE, LANTANA CAMARA

Lantana camara is native to parts of Africa, the West Indies and Central and South America. It has been grown for its ornamental value and has escaped into the wild, so that now it is an invasive species in many countries including Australia, and some in East Africa. There are many different varieties and some of the berries in different countries are highly toxic, for example children have died from ingesting them in Canada. However a recent study (published in November 2010) states that the berries “are not associated with significant toxicity, either ripe or unripe”. Certainly adults in Pakistan tell stories about loving to eat them when they were children. They look and smell a little like blackcurrants, or juniper berries. However, they should be treated with caution.

   Animals which eat too much of the plant can be poisoned and die within 3 to 5 days, and this is thought to be due to the lantadene in the plant which is a polycyclic triterpenoid.

   In Pakistan they grow profusely on waste ground and in other countries they take over complete habitats and destroy other vegetation. They are shrubs and can grow up to 6 feet tall although they are normally around 3-4 feet.

   Although they are weed, they have many uses, as the stems can be made into pulp for paper-making which is a suitable quality for writing and printing, but it is not yet commercially viable to harvest the stems. Similarly the roots yield a latex which could possibly be used to manufacture rubber, but again, this has to be studied to see if it is financially viable.

   In India and Pakistan they are used in folk medicine with the extracts from the plant being used for cancer, chickenpox, measles, asthma, ulcers, swellings, eczema, tumours, high blood pressure, bilious fever, catarrhal infections, tetanus, rheumatism, malaria, dysentery and diarrhoea. The roots are used in a decoction for colds, coughs and flu and gonorrhea. The pounded leaves are used in poultices for swellings and skin problems.

 The leaves have antiseptic properties and can be placed on wounds. The essential oil has triterpenes, such as lantic acid which can kill E.coli and Bacillus cereus, as it has potent antimicrobial qualities. The leaf extract is also fungicidal, nermaticidal and insecticidal, so may be a natural way to kill pests and keep them away from crops. The oil also contains verbasocide which is antimicrobial and has immunosuppressive and anti-tumour properties.

   The twigs and stems are used in still-developing countries as fuel for cooking, and the flowers attract butterflies and moths as they are a good source of nectar for them.

    The best advice is not to ingest any part of this plant, although it probably won’t do you any harm, although this may depend on where you live and the variety of Lantana camara.

  

JACKFRUIT, THE BIGGEST FRUIT THAT GROWS ON TREES: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF JACKFRUIT: JACKFRUIT SALAD

JACKFRUIT, KATHAL (URDU), ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS

Jackfruit or Kathal in Urdu is a member of the mulberry family of trees and fruit. It is distantly related to figs and more closely to breadfruit. It is no relation to durian, although it looks a lot like it when it is growing. It is one of those fruits that you either love or hate, but once you get past the initial reaction to the smell of the whole fruit - similar to rotting onions, and eat the fleshy fruit, you will either love it as we do, or hate it and have an adverse reaction which may cause some discomfort in the back of the throat and tongue for 15 to 20 minutes.

   It is the biggest fruit that grows on trees and can be up to three feet long, and weigh up to 80 pounds. It looks a lot like the durian, but the outer skin is less spiky and the smell is different- durian smells like old socks. You have to slit the fruit open to get at the fleshy pieces which are probably best eaten fresh; although in India they are used in curries and stews and can be pickled.

   Jackfruit is indigenous to Sri Lanka, China and Malaysia, but has been cultivated in India for at least 3000 years. The Bangladeshis have taken it as their national fruit, but in Pakistan it is grown in the Karachi area for its novelty value. The fruit can be bought in two markets there however, in the Empress market and the new Subzi Mandi.

   Jackfruit trees can live for hundreds of years if cared for and take between 10 and 14 years to bear fruit.   There are two varieties of jackfruit, one which is hard and the other soft. The hard one is cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw as is the softer one, which is used in salads and desserts.

Ripe Jackfruit

  The Chinese have used it for centuries in traditional medicine as the unripe fruit has astringent properties, the bark contains tannin and the ripe fruit is used as a general tonic and a mild laxative when ripe. The latex from the tree is mixed with vinegar and used to heal abscesses snake bites and a paste made from the leaves, mixed with coconut juice is good for all skin problems. The seeds are given to stop vomiting, but care should be taken with these as they should be boiled or roasted or boiled and then roasted if you want to eat them. In India they are eaten as you would eat lentils.

   The bark is sometimes used in poultices to treat wounds and swellings, and the heated leaves are also put on wounds to stop bleeding. The wood when boiled has sedative properties, and the pith is said to induce abortion. An extract of the root is used for fevers and to treat diarrhoea and it is also used for skin problems and to treat asthma.

   The fruit rind contains pectin and makes a good jelly when used with citric acid. The leaves of the tree are used for animal fodder as well as food wrappings, and can be sewn together to make plates. The wood is resistant to termites and is prized in furniture- making in Sri Lanka, where they also use the roots of old trees to make picture frames and to carve decorative items from. The latex can be used as a cement or sealant to caulk boats, mend holes in buckets, and to stick pieces of crockery and earthenware together when they break.

Jackfruit Tree

   The fruit inside the Jackfruit has simple sugars, fructose and sucrose which give you an almost immediate energy boost, and it is rich in dietary fibres which means that it is a good bulk laxative and helps protect against colon cancer and piles. It is rich in vitamin A which is necessary to maintain good eyesight, and as it is a powerful antioxidant it helps fight free radicals. It also contains beta-carotene and lutein, antioxidants which protect against breast and prostate cancer as well as other types of cancer. The fruit is also rich in B-complex vitamins (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin C. The seeds contain protein and minerals. However medical trials have suggested that the seeds can lower libido and induce temporary erectile dysfunction, and it is not advisable for pregnancy or breast-feeding mothers to eat the seeds.

  There is insufficient medical evidence to support the traditional uses of the jackfruit, but the studies that have been carried out suggest that perhaps the leaves can treat high levels of blood sugar and glucose intolerance. Other studies suggest that the sees may have antimicrobial, anti-viral and immuno-stimulant properties, but more studies are needed to prove or disprove these initial findings, especially for the importance of the jackfruit in treating diabetes.

JACKFRUIT SALAD

Ingredients

1 jackfruit, inner fruits removed and sliced

250 gr freshly grated coconut

6-8 bananas, sliced

2 tbsps honey

Garnish- mint leaves

Method

Mix the ingredients together and serve.

Garnish with mint leaves.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

  

WHAT ARE CAJU NUTS? CASHEW NUTS: CASHEW NUTS OIL: HEALTH BENEFITS OF CASHEW NUTS AND USES

CASHEW NUTS, CAJU IN URDU, ANARCARDIUM OCCIDENTALE

Cashew nuts, or caju in Urdu, are the seeds of the cashew nut tree (Anacardium occidentale) and are unusual as they grow under the fruit of the tree, not inside it. The fruit is highly perishable and decays after 24 hours of being picked, so is only available in the localities where the tree grows. The fruit is highly prized and used in liqueurs, jams and for preserving. There is an outer and inner shell protecting the seeds and between the two layers is a caustic oil which can blister the skin. This is why the cashew nuts are only sold shelled.

Cashew Tree

    The oil has been used to remove corns from the toes, warts, and ringworm as well as in the treatment of cancerous ulcers and elephantiasis in the past. It was used in India to rub on floors to keep white ants at bay. Apparently it is/was also used on the face to strip away the skin so that new skin could grow. This oil is known as cashew balm or cardol and is now used in varnish and insecticides. It is actually called uluresin.

    The cashew nut tree is native to Peru and Brazil, but Portuguese explorers introduced it to India, Mozambique and Tanzania, in the 16^th century. Brazil, India, Mozambique, Tanzania and Nigeria are now the main exporters of the cashew nut. The tree doesn’t grow very tall, and looks a little like a walnut tree.

cashew flower

    The leaves, bark and apple (actually more pear-shaped) of the tree are believed to have antibacterial properties, considered aphrodisiac, and used to reduce temperatures in fevers, as well as to stop diarrhoea. They are also used to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure in areas where the trees grow. The nuts have diuretic properties and contain the minerals copper, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, iron and tryptophan so have benefits for the heart. They also contain vitamin C and some of the B-complex vitamins.

Cashew Nuts

    In modern medicine the nuts are used in creams and gels as astringents, and trials have shown that they are useful in fighting bacteria which causes tooth decay, and tooth abscesses.

    Cashews have much the same health benefits as walnuts and pistachios but should be eaten in moderation. They are good mixed with other nuts and can be eaten roasted, salted or as they come.

CASHEW NUT BUTTER

 Ingredients

2 cups unsalted cashew nuts

2-3 tbsps vegetable oil (olive oil is good)

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar (optional)

Method

Blend the ingredients together to a smooth paste. Add more oil a tsp at a time, if necessary.

Put in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Serve as a dip or on toast etc. It’s good to spread on celery sticks too.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

BRAZIL NUTS (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA): AGOUTI, BEES AND PROPAGATION OF BRAZIL NUT TREES: BRAZIL NUT COUSCOUS WITH APRICOTS RECIPE

BRAZIL NUTS (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA)

Brazil nuts grow on Brazil nut trees but not as other nuts do. They grow in clusters inside pods which are rather like coconuts. These are the hardest nuts to crack open as they come in three sided hard outer shells. Inside the nut has a protective brown skin which prevents it turning rancid when exposed to the oxygen in the air. Once you’ve cracked the shell though, the seed or nut is packed full of nutrients and tastes delicious. If you live in the UK you’ll be happy to know that theses nuts are shelled when sold all because of another EU rule. The nuts have to be tested for ‘alfatoxin’ and it is cheaper to test nuts that have been shelled, so the supermarket chains choose to buy shelled Brazil nuts so that customers can afford to buy them. So fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be, there are no more problems trying to crack them open, and having to resort to a hammer. (Nut crackers tend not to do the job in all cases.)

     Brazil nuts grow in the Amazon rainforest and the Brazil nut trees tower above the canopy, reaching 165 feet. The flowers blossom once a year and are pollinated by the Euglossine bee which is powerful enough to force open the hood which protects the store of nectar. The trees have been planted in plantations, but these bees are not plying the cultivators game and don’t like being kept in hives near the trees as they don’t produce enough flowers for a year’s honey production. They aren’t the most social of bees apparently.

photo:Andrew Bartschi

  When the flowers have been pollinated the fruit or pod begins to form and this can take up to 15 months to become ripe. The harvesters allow the pods to fall from the trees naturally and have to wait until they have all fallen to harvest them. No one wants to get hit on the head by one of them as they can weigh up to 2.5 kilos. The little rodent, the agouti, is the only animal that can crack open the pods with its teeth and the trees have to rely on this animal to propagate. Fortunately it hides the pods and like the squirrel forgets where it has hidden them, so after a year (it takes the pods that long to split open naturally) the seeds inside can begin to sprout. There can be as many as 300 pods on one tree and each pod will contain 10-25 seeds (Brazil nuts), which grow like the segments of an orange.

   The fate of the Brazil nut was very much tied to the rubber market as harvesters would collect the pods in the rainy season (December to March) and then from May to November would harvest rubber. That was in the mid 19^th century. Now the rubber business has moved to Asia and harvesters have a tough time if they only rely on harvesting Brazil nuts for a living. However there are moves to cultivate these trees in South America, as the trees grow not only in Brazil (which is not the main exporter of them) but also in Guiana, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia.

  The Spanish and Portuguese explorers found these nuts in the 16^th century and they were called “almendras de los Andes” in Spanish or almonds of the Andes. The sailors used them as a useful source of protein and fibre on their long voyages.

    In the 1930s it was discovered that Brazil nuts contain barium and later in the 1950s radium was also discovered in these seeds. However there is as yet no evidence that either substance is secreted by the body; it seems able to flush these out of the system. However it is not wise to eat too many Brazil nuts. One or two a day is fine, but don’t go mad over the winter’s festive season and gorge on these nuts.

    Having said that, these seeds are very beneficial for our health as they contain calcium, magnesium, phosphate, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium, phosphorous, Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, vitamins C, D and E as well as the B-complex vitamins,riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and B6, Pantothenic acid, choline, Betaine, and folate. Like walnuts, and cashews they are high in protein and fibre and are good for lowering cholesterol levels. They are gluten free as are almonds and pine nuts and the high level of selenium present in these nuts may help protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung and bowel cancers. It also helps protect against heart diseases and thyroid problems.

   Brazil nuts are also a source of the essential amino acid methionine which is lacking in most protein foods. This helps to break down dietary fats and convert them to energy. It in turn promotes the production of the antioxidant glutathione, which combats the free radicals which are responsible for premature ageing and some chronic diseases such as cancer. The glutathione recycles vitamin C which in turn recharges vitamin E and so boosts the immune system, helping it combat diseases.

    Brazil nuts are used not only as a ‘snack’ food but are also made into an oil which is great for salad dressings. They are also used in the cosmetics, paint, timber and lubricants industries.

    If you are allergic to mangoes, cashews, or pistachios, you may also be allergic to Brazil nuts as they are all related.

BRAZIL NUT COUSCOUS WITH APRICOTS

Ingredients

2 tbsps olive oil

200 gr couscous

30 gr dried apricots, chopped

30 gr Brazil nuts, chopped

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves shredded

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

300 ml hot chicken stock

coriander leaves or basil leaves for garnish

Method

Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the couscous stirring so that it is all well coated. Cook on a low heat for 2-3 mins, stirring all the time. Add all the other ingredients and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally until all the stock has been absorbed and the couscous is tender.

Fluff up with a fork, and garnish with the leaves and serve.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

CATNIP OR CAT MINT: HOW TO USE CATNIP FOR HEALTH: CATNIP TISANE

CAT MINT, CATNIP, NEPETA CATARIA

Cat nip or catnep or cat mint is a member of the mint family as its name suggests, and there are more than 200 varieties growing around the world. Nepeta cataria grows wild in Britain in fields and hedgerows and wherever it can get a hold. Other Nepeta varieties grow in the Indian subcontinent in temperate and tropical zones; are common in North America, where catnip is not thought to be an indigenous plant, and throughout Europe.

   You may have thought that its purpose on the planet was to keep cats happy, but as it turns out you would be wrong in assuming this.

 To our non-feline sense of smell it is a bit like mint or perhaps like pennyroyal, but the essential oil it produces is very attractive to moggies. The main constituent of this oil is nepetalactone which is an effective mosquito and cockroach repellent. It is also an effective antimicrobial and works against fungi and bacteria. Rats are said not to go anywhere near catnip, although this might be because of the frequent feline visitors to it, but it acts as a good deterrent to these rodents, whatever the case. Cats are attracted to plants whose leaves have been bruised and exhibit signs of sexual excitement when they get a whiff of it. They rub against the plant then roll around on it so destroying the plant in the process. If you have an old pet cat or an obese one, don’t plant catnip in your garden. The stimulation might be too much for it.

   There is an interesting old rhyme; -

      “If you set it, the cats will eat it,

       If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”

Catnip Seeds

This has been observed to be true. If you transplant catnip, cats will soon destroy it, but if you plant it from seeds they don’t seem to bother with it. This might be because the smell of a transplanted catnip plant will exude because of bruising caused to the plant and leaves in the transportation of it.

    Before the introduction of tea to the British Isles, people used to make catnip tea, and this was used for a variety of purposes. For one thing it is hallucinogenic (mildly) and has been smoked with tobacco or alone as a substitute for marijuana. These days as cannabis is more easily attainable, it has fallen into disuse as a drug of this kind, but it does produce a state of calmness apparently, and has been used as a “cigarette” for respiratory ailments, including asthma.

   Catnip leaves may be chewed to relieve toothache, and if you chew the roots you may become quarrelsome and fierce. There is an old tale about a hangman who was a very mild person and who had to chew the root to get up his courage to hang someone.

    It has been used to relieve hysterics and insanity in the past and Sydenham (1624-1689) wrote that its effects were probably because of its “strong and noisome smell, to recall the exorbitant and deserting Spirits to their proper Stations.”

Culpeper wrote that “the juice drunk in wine is good for bruises” and the fresh juice can be used as an emmenogogue and for stomach pains. Culpeper also wrote that “the green leaves bruised and made into and ointment is effectual for piles” and “the head washed in a decoction taketh away scabs, scurf etc.”

    The flowering tops of the plant have traditionally been used in medicine, and they have a refrigerant or cooling effect on the body, as well as being useful as a mild emmenogogue especially used for stomach cramps. It induces sweating so is a diaphoretic, and is mildly stimulating to humans. It has been used to cure sleeplessness, restlessness, colic, headaches and the young tops are good to stop nightmares. The tea or tisane helps with flatulence problems and to produce sweat during fevers.

  If you use equal parts of saffron and catnip tisane it is allegedly good for smallpox, scarlet fever, colds and hysterics. The plant has also been used traditionally to relieve yellow fever and jaundice.

   Catnip can also be found in toys for pet cats, and the powdered roots, seeds and dried or fresh leaves are good in tisanes, to help in the cases of the illnesses mentioned above. You can add catnip leaves to soups, stews and sauces for their flavour.

   There is a story about a restaurateur in the Loire valley (France) who was keen to get a highly coveted Michelin star when the Michelin man visited the region. A friend gave him a tip off to say which day the man would come and he prepared a dish especially for him. One man went to the restaurant and the owner assumed this was the person who recommended restaurants for the Michelin Guide. Unfortunately most things that could go wrong did and the man walked out of the restaurant in high dudgeon. The owner, who was also the chef, yelled at his wife and kicked his heavily pregnant cat, which ran off. Later when he had calmed down he apologized to his wife, but couldn’t find the pet cat. Determined to make amends, he cooked a chicken dish for the cat to entice it back and laced it liberally with catnip. Off he went with some of this dish, leaving the rest in his kitchen. When he got back there was the actual man from Michelin who was enthusing about the chicken dish. He said that he would give the restaurant two stars on the quality of the dish alone, but three if the man would tell him his secret ingredient. The man declined to do so, as he didn’t want the Michelin man to know it had been cooked with a feline in mind, and might withdraw the offer of the stars. The man was delighted and awarded the restaurant three stars because good chefs never reveal their culinary secrets. Now the man had to decide what to call the dish and as he was pondering the cat came back carrying a kitten in its mouth. The cat went away again and came back eventually with twelve more kittens. So the dish was called “Chicken Surprise Thirteen Kittens”.

  I don’t know if this is true or not, but it’s a good urban legend and apropos to this post.

CATNIP TISANE

Ingredients 

1 oz fresh leaves or flowering tops

1 pint boiling water

Method

Pour the boiling water on the catnip and leave to steep, covered, for 15 minutes. You can drink it like a tea, but this might have sedative effects or hallucinatory ones (visual and or auditory) depending on its strength.

For medicinal purposes adults should have a tbsp dose three times a day for headaches, to induce sweating during colds or fevers etc. Children with colic can have 2 tsps.

This has Taste and is a Treat(ment).

WHAT IS GUGGUL? INDIAN BDELLIUM OR FALSE MYRRH: HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUGGUL AND USES

GUGGUL, INDIAN BDELLIUM, COMMIPHORA MUKAL

Guggul in Urdu, Indian Bdellium of false myrrh in English, and is known by several botanical names, Commiphora mukul and wightii, or Balsamodendron mukul. It is related to myrrh and is sometimes added to it to adulterate it. Interestingly, bdellium is the only word in the English language to begin with ‘bd’. Guggul is a tree or shrub with thorns on its branches, which is native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa, although different genuses grow there. It has an ash-coloured bark which flakes off to reveal an under bark which also peels off in thin paper-like rolls.

   Pliny, in his “Natural History” describes guggul in this way: -

    “Adjoining India in the Bactrian country, in trees of which is produced the highly esteemed bdellium. The tree is black in colour and the size of the olive (tree), its leaf resembles that of the oak and its fruit that of the wild fig… It ought to be transparent like wax, to have a scent, to exude grease when crumbled and to have a bitter taste, though without acidity. When used in religious ceremonies it is steeped in wine, which makes its scent more powerful. This tree is native to Arabia and India, but also to Media and Babylon…Almonds are used to trade adulterated Indian bdellium”

  You have to remember that Pliny never actually saw a tree such as he describes here, but had to rely on descriptions of travellers and traders.

   In the Middle Ages Indian Bdellium reached Europe with the Radanite traders, the “wandering Jew” described by Shakespeare and Marlowe. Without these traders, who took long routes to sell their spices, incense and other wares, Europe would have been cut off from the rest of the world, as it had been in the Dark Ages. The commodities which entered Europe were often brought only by these traders. This changed during the Renaissance as Europe redeveloped and reestablished links with the Arabs, albeit that this was through their conquering of parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

    The tree is tapped so that it exudes an oleo resin which has been found to help, in laboratory in vivo trials, to protect against atherosclerosis. It has anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower cholesterol levels.

     Guggul has been used in traditional medicine for centuries in the Indian subcontinent and the Arab world, and is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and aids the digestive processes as well as stimulating the appetite. It is a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic and emmenogogue, and is used in lotions for skin problems such as acne and as a gargle for chronic sore throats, including pharyngitis, and chronic tonsillitis as well as for ulcerated throats. Because it is an emmenogogue and useful in the absence of, or to control irregular, menstruation, pregnant women should avoid it as a medicine.

     Its extract has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries and it can help with erectile dysfunctions and increase the sperm count and the quality of sperm, so helping infertile men.

   Indian bdellium is moister than myrrh and comes in irregular dark brown masses which soften in the heat of the hand. If you chew a piece it will stick to your teeth and it smells a little like myrrh. The wax-like pellets resemble pearls and were carried by ancient Egyptian women as perfume.

Guggul powder

   The United States Food and Drug Administration have classified it as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) and today it is viewed as a possible health booster. It is also believed that it boosts the action of sluggish thyroid glands, but trials are still ongoing.

    You can buy it in capsule form, as there are guggulsterones supplements on the market which claim to lower the levels of unhealthy cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) which builds up in the arteries and may lead to heart problems. It is thought that these guggulsterones may also reduce levels of triglycerides (a type of fat which accumulates in the blood and causes cardio-vascular diseases.

WHY WE NEED MINERALS IN OUR DIETS: WHAT THEY ARE AND FOODS THEY ARE IN

MINERALS WE NEED IN OUR DIETS

Electrolytes are salts and minerals that can conduct electrical impulses in the body. They control the fluid balance in the body and are important in muscle contraction, the generation of energy, so preventing fatigue, and almost all major biochemical reactions in the body. These include sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sulphate and others.

   Free radicals are compounds that have an unpaired electron which makes them extremely reactive and are linked to the causes of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. They damage the cells and cause oxidation damage. They are also associated with the aging process and can age the skin, for example. The foods we eat can combat free radicals, and so help fight the ageing process by helping to make the skin smoother, preventing the wrinkles we get as we get older and rejuvenating the skin. Antioxidants protect us from the ravages of free radicals. These are substances which have the ability to convert free radicals into more stable substances, limiting the damage they do. So we need foods which have antioxidant properties such as kiora water, morels, leeks, chilgoza etc.

   Astringent properties: - if a foodstuff has astringent properties and is used for these in traditional or natural medicine, it causes contraction of the tissues and can control bleeding, so stopping the flow of blood from wounds; myrrh has astringent properties as well as antiseptic ones, for example.

  Calcium: - this is essential for healthy bones, teeth, nails and the normal functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles. It is found in dairy products, green vegetables such as broccoli, and in almonds, sesame seeds etc. It helps to prevent osteoporosis and perhaps colon cancer and is used to treat PMT/PMS, colon polyps, and may help to lower blood pressure.

   Magnesium: - this is essential in our diets and is required for enzyme activity in the body. It is important for neurochemical transmissions and muscular excitability. It is found in nuts, seeds, grains and greens. It is used in medicine to help reduce hearing loss which was produced because of noise; heart disease, painful menstruation, symptoms of PMT/PMS, migraines and high blood pressure. It is important for healthy bones and tooth formation; lack of it may affect the heart adversely and skeletal muscle.

    Manganese: - This is found in grains, nuts and is used to treat painful menstruation and osteoporosis as well as to alleviate deficiencies associated with seizures and diabetes.

    Phosphate: - is an organic compound which is extremely important for healthy cells, the storing and use of energy and it is a transmitter of genetic information within cells as well as from one cell to another. It is continually being excreted through faeces and urine so needs to be replaced.

    Phosphorous: - is found in bones and teeth and is essential for the health of the cell membranes. It helps convert food into energy and is found in nuts such as pistachios, and walnuts, legumes, cereals, grains and dairy products.

     Potassium: - this mineral is found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and some fruit and vegetables, such as ash gourd, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and figs. It is important for the normal functioning of the nerves and muscles, kidneys and heart. It acts as an electrolyte and functions in nerve signal transmissions, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation and maintenance of the body’s pH balance. Lack of it may result in moodiness, diarrhoea, nausea and weakness.

    Selenium: - a trace mineral with antioxidant properties in its selenoproteins which help to prevent cell damage from free radicals. It helps to regulate the functions of the thyroid gland and plays a role in the healthy function of the immune system. It is found in nuts, meat, bread, mushrooms and salmon. It is thought to help women during and after the menopause.

      Zinc: - a mineral found in eggs, meat, nuts, seeds, whole grains and brewer’s yeast. It is used medically to prevent infection and treat upper body respiratory problems. It can also help treat oral herpes, acne, anorexia nervosa, macular degeneration (weak eyesight and cataracts) male infertility and erectile dysfunctions and sickle cell anaemia. It is toxic if taken in high doses.