Health Benefits Of The Rose Apple Fruit

Many people who like to eat fruits would surely have the rose apple as one of their favourites, due to its refreshing and juicy nature. It is a nutrient-dense fruit that provides the body with vitamin A, C, E, fiber, potassium, copper, fiber and iron.

The rose apple isn’t not like the ordinary apple, in fact, they belong to the same family as apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries and almonds. Unripe rose apples have a bright green colour while the ripe ones are pink in colour.
It is also rich in non-nutritive substances like polyphenols. All these nutrients work together to keep the body healthy and prevent many illnesses. So, there may be some truth to that old phrase,

‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’.

Consumption of rose apple has many health benefits. In India, this fruit is regarded as a tonic for the brain and liver. It is beneficial for those that are suffering from diabetics.

roseapple-lifemag

Recent research shows that apple polyphenols can help prevent spikes in blood sugar through a variety of mechanisms.
Asthma patients can benefit from eating this nutritious fruit because of its high vitamin C, which posses antioxidant effect.
Multiple studies have shown apple intake to be associated with decreased risk of asthma. Also, the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C, E) help the body fight and neutralise the action of free radicals that cause cancer.

The fiber in rose apple fruit reduces cholesterol levels in humans and animals by absorbing them and they are eliminated with faeces. Being rich in dietary fiber and calorie, rose apple is good for those that want to lower elevated blood cholesterol, prevent constipation and for people that want to lose weight and maintain a healthy body.
Those suffering from eye diseases and liver diseases can also benefit from regular rose apple consumption because of its high vitamin content especially vitamin A.

Rose apple fruits in general are very rich in potassium (a nutrient that is essential for proper functioning of the heart).
Recent research has shown that intake of apples in their whole food form can significantly lower many of our blood one of major causes of heart disease. There are many more health benefits that can be gotten from eating rose apple. Eat rose apple today and enjoy all its health virtues.

Many people who like to eat fruits would surely have the rose apple as one of their favourites, due to its refreshing and juicy nature. It is a nutrient-dense fruit that provides the body with vitamin A, C, E, fiber, potassium, copper, fiber and iron.

The rose apple isn’t not like the ordinary apple, in fact, they belong to the same family as apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries and almonds. Unripe rose apples have a bright green colour while the ripe ones are pink in colour.
It is also rich in non-nutritive substances like polyphenols. All these nutrients work together to keep the body healthy and prevent many illnesses. So, there may be some truth to that old phrase,

‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’.

Consumption of rose apple has many health benefits. In India, this fruit is regarded as a tonic for the brain and liver. It is beneficial for those that are suffering from diabetics.

roseapple-lifemag

Recent research shows that apple polyphenols can help prevent spikes in blood sugar through a variety of mechanisms.
Asthma patients can benefit from eating this nutritious fruit because of its high vitamin C, which posses antioxidant effect.
Multiple studies have shown apple intake to be associated with decreased risk of asthma. Also, the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C, E) help the body fight and neutralise the action of free radicals that cause cancer.

The fiber in rose apple fruit reduces cholesterol levels in humans and animals by absorbing them and they are eliminated with faeces. Being rich in dietary fiber and calorie, rose apple is good for those that want to lower elevated blood cholesterol, prevent constipation and for people that want to lose weight and maintain a healthy body.
Those suffering from eye diseases and liver diseases can also benefit from regular rose apple consumption because of its high vitamin content especially vitamin A.

Rose apple fruits in general are very rich in potassium (a nutrient that is essential for proper functioning of the heart).
Recent research has shown that intake of apples in their whole food form can significantly lower many of our blood one of major causes of heart disease. There are many more health benefits that can be gotten from eating rose apple. Eat rose apple today and enjoy all its health virtues.

BASIL SEEDS BENEFITS

Soaked basil seeds

Soaked basil seeds

 

Basil is most commonly used for culinary purposes, but there are many health benefits of basil seeds which can help treat or relieve medical conditions.

Basil seeds are associated with treating or helping with joints and connective tissue (rheumatism), fever (pyrexia), urogenital diseases (gonorrhea and syphilis), stress, respiratory disorders (colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis), and ear infections (otitis). Other basil seeds benefits include helping the stomach, heart, and minimizing disturbances of menopause.

Any local market or nursery should carry basil seeds with the most common beingsweet basil. If you cannot find the seeds you are looking for at a brick and mortar store, then you can always purchase them online.

Basil Seed Drink

In Asia, basil seeds are often used for medicine and has a beverage. In Thailand, the beverage is sold all over in stores.

The most simple basil seed drink involves soaking the seeds in water (or rose water). After being soaked, the seeds will form a thick layer of gel around each individual seed. Benefits of drinking basil seeds include cooling the body down and helping the stomach and kidney.

A quick way to curb your appetite before or in between meals is to have a basil seed drink. When consumed, the thick layer of gel that forms around the seeds will make you full which will decrease your appetite. When you eat next, you will most likely consume less food, and in turn you can lose weight.

Always remember to keep basil seeds away from small children as it can be a chocking hazard, especially when soaked in water.

Diabetes

Benefits of basil seeds on type 2 diabetes patients has been documented by the Sutter Gould Medical Foundation. Patients who took basil seeds were able to better control their blood sugar levels and reduce food cravings. There is also a claim that those who take basil seeds can control their weight, but this has not been scientifically proven.

Urinary Tract Infections and Kidneys

Take five to seven grams of basil seeds and soak them in water overnight or for at least 12 hours. After soaking, take the seeds, grind them down, and add them to a glass of water with a teaspoon of sugar. Do this twice a day. Within one week, the urinary tract infection should disappear.

Another way to help improve kidney function is to grind basil seeds and mix them with an equal amount of sugar. Take this drink once a day.

Diarrhea

To help treat diarrhea, heat up a small amount of oil in a pan and add one teaspoon each of sweet basil seeds, purslane seeds, and gum arabic or acacia gum. Fry the mixture for ten minutes and mix it with rose water. Take one teaspoon every few hours.

Stress

Basil seeds have been shown to help relieve stress, fatigue, depression, migraines, and headaches. Drinking a basil drink helps calm the body, which in turn helps with your mood and your mental state.

Respiratory Issues

Recent studies show that basil seeds have many benefits towards the treatment of respiratory problems such as colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and the flu. To help with these ailments, boil a glass of water with basil seeds, honey, and ginger.

Health Benefits of Lychee

Lychee is a strange and wonderful fruit with a wealth of health benefits, including its ability to boost the immune system, prevent cancer, improve digestion, build strong bones, lower blood pressure, defend the body against viruses, improve circulation, aid in weight loss, protect the skin, and optimize metabolic activities.

Lychee, which has the scientific name Litchi chinensis is in the soapberry family, but is the only member of its genus, meaning that it is quite unique in the world. It is a fruit tree that can grow in tropical and subtropical climates, and is native to China. It smells very much like a flower, and is often used to flavor cocktails and dishes because of its unique scent, which is lost if not consumed fresh. The fruit is almost primarily eaten as a dessert food in Asian nations, but it has begun to make the leap into more western markets, especially in luxury or high-end restaurants.

The fruit has been cultivated for more than 4,000 years in China, and was once considered a great delicacy of the Imperial Court. It is now cultivated in many nations around the world, but the main production still resides in Southeast Asia, China, India, and parts of Southern Africa.

lychees-550x300Lychee is soft and pulpy, white or pink in color, and the size is usually about 2 inches high and 2 inches wide. They are highly celebrated in countries around the world because of their health and medicinal benefits, which are due to the wealth of nutrients and organic compounds present in this fascinating fruit. However, far more nutrients are present in dried lychee than in fresh lychee, so if you want to consume this for your overall health, forgo the sweet smell and allow the fruit to dry. Most vitamin and mineral contents more than double when eaten as a dried fruit.

Nutritional Value of Lychee

Lychee is packed with health benefits, but they come from the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the fruit, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, folate, copper, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and manganese. Furthermore, lychee is a great source of dietary fiber, protein, and a good source of proanthocyanidins and polyphenolic compounds.

Health Benefits of Lychee

 Digestion:  The significant amount of dietary fiber in lychee, as in most fruits and vegetables, helps add bulk to your stool and increases your digestive health. This helps bowel movements move through the digestive tract smoothly, and fiber also stimulates peristaltic motion of the smooth small intestine muscles, increasing the speed of food passing. It also stimulates gastric and digestive juices, so nutrient absorption is more efficient. This can reduce constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Immune System: Perhaps the most significant nutrient in lychee is vitamin C, and this fruit has more than 100% of the daily requirement of ascorbid acid in a single serving. This means that your immune system gets a major boost, as vitamin C is a major antioxidant compound and is known to stimulate the activity of white blood cells, the main defensive line of your body’s immune system.

Cancer Prevention: The polyphenolic compounds and proanthocyanidins found in lychee are actually even more powerful than vitamin C in neutralizing free radicals and protecting the body from various diseases and afflictions. Free radicals are the harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause cancer, heart disease, cognitive disorders, and premature aging, among other undesirable conditions. Lychee is a rich source of these organic compounds, so can be consumed as an effective preventative measure of various cancers.

Antiviral Capacity: The proanthocyanidins in lychee have been studied extensively, and they have also demonstrated antiviral capabilities. Litchitannin A2, a compound found in lychee, has been closely connected to preventing the spread or outbreak of viruses, included herpes simplex virus and coxsackie virus.

Blood Pressure: Lychee has a wealth of potassium, meaning that it can help your body maintain a fluid balance; lychee is also low in sodium, which also helps. Fluid balance is an integral part not only in metabolic functions, but also in hypertension. Potassium is considered a vasodilator, meaning that it reduces the constriction of blood vessels and arteries, lycheeinfothereby lowering the stress on the cardiovascular system. Potassium levels are almost three times higher in dried lychee rather than in fresh lychee!

Oligonol: This powerful phenolic compound found in lychee has been connected to a number of important health benefits, including anti-influenze activity, an improvement in circulation, a reduction in weight, and the protection of your skin from harmful UV rays when exposed to the sun. It also demonstrates considerable antioxidant capabilities, just like ascorbic acid and the other proanthocyanidins in lychee.

Blood Circulation:  Copper is another essential mineral found in considerable quantities in lychee, and although iron is most commonly associated with red blood cells, copper is also an integral part of RBC formation. Therefore, the copper content in lychee can boost blood circulation and increase oxygenation of the organs and cells.

A Few Words of Caution: Since lychees are a very good source of sugars, diabetics should be careful when eating lychees since it can unbalance their blood sugar levels. Also, lychees are considered a “hot” food, meaning that they can sometimes unbalance the body’s nutrient levels. Excessive consumption of lychees can result in irritated membranes, bloody noses, fever, or sore throat. However, in normal quantities, there are no inherent health risks.

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit is an exotic and delicious fruit that grows on various cactus species, and is widely promoted throughout the world as having a number of health benefits, including its ability to lower cholesterol, boost the immune system, prevent cancer and heart disease, aid weight loss, improve digestion, boost energy, defend against bacteria and fungi, and help in the overall functioning of the body’s systems.

Dragon fruit is often considered a tropical “superfood” because of its wealth of benefits, and its somewhat “under the radar” quality that makes it less well known than many mainstream fruits and health foods. It is also known as “pitaya” if it comes from the very closely related Stenocereus genus, but the actual Dragon Fruit is the fruit of the cactus genus Hylocereus. It has its origins in  Mexico, South America, and Central America, but New World settlers probably brought it to Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines, where it remains an important part of the dietary fruit intake.

DragonfruitThere are both sweet and sour pitayas, depending on the species, and the shape and size varies as well. In terms of the most common form of dragon fruit, it is slightly smaller than a cantaloupe, red, and covered in broad spiky growths.

When you open it, the texture is like a kiwi, and the meat is filled with small black seeds which must be chewed if they are to be digested.The meat of the fruit can be strained into wine or other beverages, and the leaves of dragon fruit can be steeped for a very healthy form of tea. The rough outer skin has little nutritional value and is rarely eaten.

The health benefits are mainly attributed to the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that the dragon fruit contains, and many of those healthy qualities are explained below.

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Immune System Health: One of the most beneficial aspects of dragon fruit is its ability to give you a serious boost to your body’s defense system. The high levels of vitamin-C that can be found in dragon fruit are one of the strongest assets to your body’s immune system, and they stimulate the activity of other antioxidants in the body as well. They actively seek out and eliminate free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cell metabolism, which have been directly linked to potentially fatal conditions like cancer and heart disease. The more vitamin-C, the better!

Cardiovascular Health: Dragon fruit is quite the exotic fruit with a number of unique properties, one being that they contain no cholesterol and almost no unhealthy, cholesterol-producing fats. By reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood, the chances of developing plaque in the arteries and veins is small, thereby reducing the likelihood that you’ll suffer from atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. By using dragon fruit as a source of many other nutrients, you are not negatively impacting your body in any way, hence the fruit’s reputation as a “superfood”. Some fat is beneficial, and the seeds of dragon fruit do contain this positive type of fat, which can lead to HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol). HDL cholesterol actively decreases the amount of LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the receptors that it binds to on the walls of arteries.

Vitamin Content: Dragon Fruit is also packed with other beneficial vitamins besides vitamin-C, including the B vitamin group. The B1, B2, and B3 vitamin content of dragon fruit benefit everything from blood pressure, skin health, and cholesterol levels to thyroid function and carbohydrate metabolism. Even a single cup of dragon fruit contains  a significant amount of beneficial vitamins.

Digestion: Aside from the immune system bonus, dragon fruits can also help to keep you regular! Dragon fruits have a significant fiber content, which means that they can help your body bulk up its bowel movements, facilitating smooth passage through the digestive tract, stimulating peristaltic motion, and inducing a release of digestive juices. By regulating bowel function with dietary fiber, you reduce your chances of conditions like constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and even more serious diseases like colorectal cancer.

Cancer Prevention: Along with the antioxidant protections of vitamin-C to boost the immune system, dragon fruits contain other sources of natural antioxidants. Carotene is another component of dragon fruits, and carotene has been linked to a number of anti-carcinogenic qualities, as well as reducing the size of tumors. Basically, dragon fruits boost your immune system from every direction, so if you feel like you’re frequently getting sick or feeling under the weather, or even if you are at a high risk of developing cancer, dragon fruit might be the answer for you.

dragonfruitinfoAntibacterial and Anti-fungal: A final boost to the immune system from dragon fruit is its antifungal andantibacterial quality. This can help increase the white blood cell count in the body which defends against toxins, and it also inhibits the entrance or growth of fungal or bacterial infections in the organ systems. You will also find that it stimulates cell regeneration and speeds up healing, so wounds and bruises will heal at an increased rate.

Body Metabolism: One of the most essential parts of our diet is our intake of protein.Proteins are what make our body run smoothly, because they are intrinsic parts of everything from our teeth, hair, and bones, to our organs, blood vessels, and tissue. Many of the proteins we gain from fruits, vegetables, and meat are metabolized by enzymes in our body and turned into usable proteins that can speed up cell repair, enhance strength, speed up the metabolism, and help us lose weight and increase muscle mass. An appropriate dose of protein in our diet helps countless aspects of health, and dragon fruit is an unusually good fruit source for protein.

A Few Words of Caution: There are no health risks associated with dragon fruits, and studies have even shown that pregnant women and breast-feeding women are safe to eat dragon fruits without any worry of risks. So, go out to your nearest exotic market and grab some delicious and wildly nutritious dragon fruit

Health Benefits of Coconut

Aloe vera juice is the latest health and beauty craze and it’s easy to see why.


The benefits of the stuff seem endless. After all, the Sanskrit name for aloe vera is kumari, which means ‘princess’, attesting to its ability to help you maintain youthful beauty and a healthy glow. Sounds good, right? 

Sebastian Pole, co-founder of Pukka Herbs and an expert in herbalism, says: ‘Aloe Vera is renowned as a ’heal-all’ that is good for many conditions, both internal and external.

‘It is a great rejuvenator and can help in some of life’s big transitions, from cleansing teenage skin to cooling menopausal hot flushes and soothing dryness.’

Here, Sebastian breaks down the benefits of aloe vera juice:

1. Detoxifying

Aloe vera juice is crammed full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it one of nature’s most effective cleansers. ‘It can help strengthen digestion and rid the body of any nasty waste, thus detoxifying the body naturally,’ says Sebastian. ‘Its main property is to be soothing, cooling and moistening which helps to clear inflammatory and irritating heat, such as in menopause, plus inflammatory skin and digestive problems, such as acne, rosacea and IBS.’

2. Supports the immune system

Aloe vera is packed full of immune-boosting polysaccharides which help the immune system to behave properly. ‘Too much inflammation in the body can cause problems within the immune system and can cause conditions like asthma, eczema and Crohn’s disease. Soothing herbs like aloe vera juice can slow the inflammatory cascade and help reorder the immune response to prevent these conditions.’

3. Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar

There is some evidence to suggest aloe vera lowers cholesterol and has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, meaning it can be useful for treating diabetes and obesity.

4. Excellent for digestion

It's worth trying for anyone who suffers with digestion problems like IBS. Its healing and soothing properties can help with the painful symptoms.


5. An easy way to boost your vitamin and mineral intake

Aloe vera juice is packed with vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid. It’s also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and potassium. Sounds pretty good, right?

6. Hair growth

Full of natural vitamins and enzymes that can directly promote healthy hair.

7. Good for burns, acne and hydrating skin

When used topically aloe vera can soothe inflamed skin and enhance collagen and hyaluronic acid to help rejuvenate skin.

It sounds amazing, but are there any side effects you should know about?

'There are no negative side effects if you use a pure aloe vera inner leaf juice,' Sebastian. 'If you use an aloe vera leaf product it may have high aloin levels and aloin is a laxative which can cause diarrhoea if too much is used.' Of course, you should always consult your doctor before undergoing any complementary or alternative treatments for health problems.


Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/547490/aloe-vera-juice-benefits-they-are-endless.html#4qIfWxlt78uV5VA4.99

Coconut

Fruit of the coconut palm, which grows throughout the lowland tropics. The fruit has a large outer husk of fibres, which is removed and used to make coconut matting and ropes. Inside this is the nut which is exported to temperate countries. Its hard shell contains white flesh and clear coconut milk, both of which are tasty and nourishing. (Cocos nucifera, family Arecaceae.) 

The white flesh of the coconut can be eaten fresh, or it can be dried before extracting the oil which makes up nearly two-thirds of it. The oil is used to make soap and margarine and in cooking; the remains are used in cattle feed.

Health Benefits of Coconut

 

  •  Hair Care: Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shinny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged air. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.
  • Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
  • Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. CoconutsFurther, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care.
  • Premature Aging: Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
  • Heart Diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.
  • Weight Loss: Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.
  • Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.
  • Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
  • Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.
  • Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.
  • Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.
  • Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.
  • Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.
  • Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.
  • Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.
  • Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.
  • HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients.

Aloe vera juice is the latest health and beauty craze and it’s easy to see why.


The benefits of the stuff seem endless. After all, the Sanskrit name for aloe vera is kumari, which means ‘princess’, attesting to its ability to help you maintain youthful beauty and a healthy glow. Sounds good, right? 

Sebastian Pole, co-founder of Pukka Herbs and an expert in herbalism, says: ‘Aloe Vera is renowned as a ’heal-all’ that is good for many conditions, both internal and external.

‘It is a great rejuvenator and can help in some of life’s big transitions, from cleansing teenage skin to cooling menopausal hot flushes and soothing dryness.’

Here, Sebastian breaks down the benefits of aloe vera juice:

1. Detoxifying

Aloe vera juice is crammed full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it one of nature’s most effective cleansers. ‘It can help strengthen digestion and rid the body of any nasty waste, thus detoxifying the body naturally,’ says Sebastian. ‘Its main property is to be soothing, cooling and moistening which helps to clear inflammatory and irritating heat, such as in menopause, plus inflammatory skin and digestive problems, such as acne, rosacea and IBS.’

2. Supports the immune system

Aloe vera is packed full of immune-boosting polysaccharides which help the immune system to behave properly. ‘Too much inflammation in the body can cause problems within the immune system and can cause conditions like asthma, eczema and Crohn’s disease. Soothing herbs like aloe vera juice can slow the inflammatory cascade and help reorder the immune response to prevent these conditions.’

3. Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar

There is some evidence to suggest aloe vera lowers cholesterol and has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, meaning it can be useful for treating diabetes and obesity.

4. Excellent for digestion

It's worth trying for anyone who suffers with digestion problems like IBS. Its healing and soothing properties can help with the painful symptoms.


5. An easy way to boost your vitamin and mineral intake

Aloe vera juice is packed with vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid. It’s also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and potassium. Sounds pretty good, right?

6. Hair growth

Full of natural vitamins and enzymes that can directly promote healthy hair.

7. Good for burns, acne and hydrating skin

When used topically aloe vera can soothe inflamed skin and enhance collagen and hyaluronic acid to help rejuvenate skin.

It sounds amazing, but are there any side effects you should know about?

'There are no negative side effects if you use a pure aloe vera inner leaf juice,' Sebastian. 'If you use an aloe vera leaf product it may have high aloin levels and aloin is a laxative which can cause diarrhoea if too much is used.' Of course, you should always consult your doctor before undergoing any complementary or alternative treatments for health problems.


Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/547490/aloe-vera-juice-benefits-they-are-endless.html#4qIfWxlt78uV5VA4.99



Pure Aloe Vera Gel Uses
Aloe vera moisturizing cream in a bowl with fresh aloe. Photo Creditolgakr/iStock/Getty Images

Referred to as the “plant of immortality” by ancient Egyptians, the use of aloe vera dates back thousands of years. Frequently found in skin creams, aloe vera gel is known for its moisturizing, anti-aging and acne-controlling qualities. It comes from the leaf of the aloe vera plant, a bright green succulent easy to grow in the home. Extract fresh gel by cutting off a leaf, slicing along its length and scraping out the inner jelly. For convenience, aloe vera can also be found in various potencies in gels and creams sold at drugstores and health food stores.

Soothe Burns

Many people first encounter aloe vera after spending too much time in the sun -- it’s frequently found as an ingredient in sunburn products. There's evidence the gel helps the skin repair itself after excessive sun exposure by increasing blood flow in the vessels close to the skin's surface. Its natural antiseptic properties kill bacteria and protect broken or blistered skin from infection. If too much sun leaves you red and sore, apply aloe vera gel gently to the affected area and allow it to soak in. Reapply as necessary.

Calm Psoriasis

Sufferers of psoriasis are plagued by itchy areas of skin covered with raised red patches and dead cells. Using aloe vera can help heal and calm the condition, and keeping the skin moisturized can ease itching. Smooth the gel onto the affected areas three times a day for five weeks. Ready-made creams can also be used as long as they contain 0.5 percent aloe.

Heal Hair

Aloe vera can be used to improve the condition of both the scalp and hair. Rub the gel into your scalp before bed and rinse it out in the morning to ease dandruff symptoms with the gel’s anti-inflammatory properties. Bring life back to dull, dry hair by harnessing aloe’s moisturizing qualities -- mix some natural gel with your regular shampoo and conditioner. For a more intense treatment, apply neat aloe vera to damp hair, wrap your head in a warm damp towel for 15 minutes and then rinse your hair and wash as normal.

Blend Beauty Treatments

Keep an aloe vera plant on hand to dip into as an ingredient for all manner of homemade beauty concoctions. The gel’s moisturizing, cooling and antifungal properties make it a valuable ingredient in all stages of facial care. Scrub your face clean with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of aloe vera, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Slather on a mask made from 2 parts aloe vera gel to 1 part honey to nourish, soothe and combat blemishes. Rinse your face clean and finish off with a homemade moisturizer formed by whisking together 2 parts aloe vera gel with 1 part jojoba oil for gleaming, soft skin.

Gac: Fruit from Heaven

 

It is commonly known as gac, from the Vietnamese gac or quaả gac (quaả being a classifier for spherical objects such as fruit). It is known as mùbiēguo) in Chinese, and variously as Baby Jackfruit, Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd in English. In Thai it is  pronounced fahk khao.

The latin name is Momordica cochinchinensis. It can be found throughout the region from Southern China to Northeastern Australia, including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

An up and coming super fruit, Gac has been dubbed the “Fruit from Heaven.” With its exceptional flavour and vibrant colour, gac fruit is used in traditional Vietnamese dishes to mark special occasions. Be it a wedding or the arrival of a new year, its dark orange pulp expresses life, vitality, and longevity. Studies in recent years have supported this conviction by revealing the high levels of antioxidants contained in gac. It is no wonder that the Western world is turning with enthusiasm towards this unique fruit.

The brilliant red-orange hue of ripe gac fruit is due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene. In fact, gac has been found to contain 76 times more lycopene than commercial tomatoes. Beta-carotene and lycopene are antioxidants capable of quenching free radicals. This action is documented to provide lycopene and beta-carotene with its protective effects against disease. The body also converts beta-carotene to Vitamin A, which promotes a healthy immune system and helps to prevent eye problems.

Not only has gac fruit been linked to these health benefits, it is also has a unique taste. The flavour of this spiny gourd is reminiscent of cantaloupe with hints of green melon and carrot. While it is not a flavour familiar to the Western population, it is well accepted in gac-producing countries among both adults and children. Thus, the possibility of using gac as a dietary supplement to overcome the menace of vitamin A deficiency in Vietnamese children has been investigated. The high bioavailabilty of pro-vitamin A in gac fruit and its agreeable flavour make it an ideal candidate for supplementation.

Traditionally, gac has been used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows. Other than the use of its fruit and leaves for special Vietnamese culinary dishes, gac is also used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. In Vietnam, the seed membranes are said to aid in the relief of dry eyes, as well as to promote healthy vision. Similarly, in traditional Chinese medicine the seeds of gac, known in Mandarin Chinese as mùbiēzi, are employed for a variety of internal and external purposes.

Lycopene is helping for macular degeneration affect the sight too. This is become the reasons in Vietnam, that Gac fruit membranes are used for promoting the health vision and helps to cure dry eyes. Protecting the tissues of eyes from exposure ultraviolet light and reduce oxidation are caused the gac which has the zeaxanthin.  Gac fruit health benefits with the existence of beta carotene are reducing the risk of blindness also to maintain night vision.

With helping to develop white blood cells it can enhance your immune system.  The important role in gac fruit health benefits is developing of healthy embryos.

The antioxidants property from gac fruit is provided the most of health benefit for your health. Preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, gac fruit health benefit helps you to avoid atherosclerosis that is the precursor depositing on your artery walls. The levels of cholesterol in your body should be kept to within limits; atherosclerosis can narrow the arteries leading to strokes and cardiac problems, especially in arteries of the brain.

Besides that gac fruit health benefit also helps maintain prostate health and supports the immune system. It can be done because of content of Vitamin E. Easily Vitamin E can destroy free radicals, which is the benefit of beta carotene. This is the first line of your body defenses against free radical and each molecule neutralize unto 20 free radical molecules before it destroys. This is done to help in saving the other antioxidant like Vitamin E.

Gac fruit is easy to grow and can commonly be found hanging from the lattices of Vietnamese homes. However, due to its short growing season, it is only available from November to January.

TESTIMONY 

Before I took Gac fruit juice I did not even know what Gac fruit was until someone introduced me to it. I tried the  juice a few times and was skeptical despite all the hype around how Gac fruit can improve your health. Eventually I gave in and tried some Gac fruit  juice. I felt fine before I tried the Gac fruit juice so I thought it wouldn’t do much for me.

But, within a day, Gac fruit juice worked its magic on me. I felt more alert, ate less and was more energetic. Within 2 days, I felt better, much healthier, my back pain was gone, my joints were all in place, etc etc. The health benefits of this Gac fruit juice just went on and on.

THE BENEFITS

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

  • Strengthens heart health
  • Improves micro-circulation
  • Promotes overall vascular health
  • Prevents hardening of arteries
  • Inhibits LDL peroxidation
  • Improves iron absorption and prevents anemia
  • Lowers serum LDL and total cholesterol levels
  • Decreases peripheral vascular resistance and therefore prevents strokes

ANTI-AGING

  • Possesses powerful antioxidant effects
  • Powerful scavenger of free radicals
  • Helps increase lifespan
  • Promotes healthy aging
  • Protects and repairs DNA
  • Fights oxidation stress damage

SKIN HEALTH

  • Promotes the skin against radiation damage
  • Speeds up wound healing
  • Topically treats atopic dermatitis
  • Treats burns, cuts and healing
  • Regulates moisture loss, promotes tissue regeneration
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Natural sunscreen

EYE HEALTH

  • Prevents night blindness
  • Treats dry eyes (exophthalmia)
  • Improves vision and poor eyesight
  • Arrests cataracts and age-related macular degeneration

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

  • Promotes digestive tract health
  • Improves absorption and optimal bio-availability of nutrients
  • Encourage better digestion
  • Treats hyper acidity, stomach and duodenal ulcers
  • Promotes bowel regularity
  • Stimulates appetite and relieves anorexia
  • Heals piles

IMMUNE CELL HEALTH

  • Strengthens immune system
  • Alleviates allergy
  • Induces apoptosis or natural elimination of mutant cells
  • Increases natural killer (NK) cell activity

ENERGY

  • Energy booster and anti-fatigue
  • Increases endurance and strength
  • Rejuvenating tonic
  • Combats effects of low oxygen levels

SEXUAL HEALTH

  • Promotes sexual health

PROSTATE HEALTH

  • Eases enlarged prostate
  • Prevents prostate cancer

BONE AND JOINT HEALTH

  • Prevents rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
  • Strengthens muscles and bones

LIVER HEALTH

  • Supports healthy liver functions

MORE

  • Treats vitamin A deficiency
  • Relieves cough and removes phlegm
  • Reduces sleeping problems
  • Relieves vertigo
  • Resolving and cooling properties
  • Helps lower body weight
  • Lung-stimulation
  • Critical for formation and maintained of healthy cell membranes
  • Improves memory
  • Tonic for kidney
  • Periodontal health. Maintains healthy gums
  • Calms pain and inflammation
  • Eases headache and releases dizziness
  • Aids in conversion of sunlight to vitamin D