The Health Benefits Of Dandelion Are Numerous.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)  is commonly regarded as a weed because it is pervasive and invasive. Dandelion has nutritional and medicinal values too. Dandelion is known in Nigeria by the Yoruba people as efo yanrin and is used to prepare vegetable soup. It has a slightly bitter taste.

Dandelion has a lot of nutrition to offer for good health. It is a source of proteins, essential fatty acids and fiber. Dandelion contains beta-carotene which the body converts to vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and some of the vitamin B complex. It is rich in potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus. Dandelion also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help to prevent or heal chronic diseases.

Every part of dandelion has medicinal values, but the parts mostly used are the roots and leaves.

10 health benefits of dandelion.

1. Dandelion is a popular her for treating female reproductive organs disorders. It is especially important in the treatment of disorders like fibroids in which there is estrogen dominance. It helps to break estrogen down properly and flushes the excess out of the body.  Make a decoction of the roots and drink for at least 3 months to achieve good results. You can also make infusions of the leaves to drink daily as tea.
2. Dandelion cleanses the liver and improves liver function by improving  bile flow.
3. Dandelion supports kidney and gallbladder health because it cleanses them. It is used to treat urinary tract  and dissolve kidney stones.
4. Dandelion is a laxative and it is also to treat diarrhea .
5. Dandelion stimulates appetite and is a digestive aid because of its bitterness. Drink as tea or infusion with meals. It also helps to stop bloating.
6. It helps to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
7. Dandelion regulates blood sugar levels.  This helps in the treatment of diabetes and weight control
8. It purifies the blood.
9. The milky sap of the leaves  and the juice from the leaves are used to treat skin disorders such as warts, moles, psoriasis, eczema, bites, stings and acne.
10. Dandelion is used to treat high blood pressure because it has diuretic properties.  

Dandelion can be used as a tea, infusion, decoction or juice. It has also been used in herbal treatments for cancer.  It is easy to grow dandelion because of its hardy nature. Dandelion can be used for much more than I have written because so many cultures have used it for so many ailments.You cannot lose out from using dandelion and may give more health benefits than you bargained for without bad side effects. it has been used for thousands of years.

Do you have a local name for dandelion? Leave comments, feedbacks and questions below or send by email to yvonnebosede@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.

Some Home Remedies For Healing Wounds.

Cuts, bruises, scrapes and wounds happen to most of us on a daily basis, especially young children.

The usual medicines that are used are methylated spirit, iodine and eusol to disinfect and stop the bleeding. Penicillin is also used as an antimicrobial agent.

In your kitchen, garden and all around you, are natural herbs and products that have the properties to;

• Speed up healing.
• Reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Kill the microorganisms that can cause infections.  
• Relieve pain.

Here below are 10 good herbs for treating minor cuts, scrapes and wounds effectively at home.

1. Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic properties mostly due to its allicin content. It also promotes quick healing. Crush some garlic cloves and squeeze the juice. Dilute the juice with some clean water or wine and apply to the wound twice daily. Some garlic paste can also be applied on the wound.
2. Turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties. It will also reduce healing time. Grate some turmeric and paste on the wound.
3. Honey has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is however important to use real raw honey. Simply apply some honey on the wounds and cover with dressing.
4. Aloe vera is a popular skin care product that  has a lot of beneficial properties to heal the skin and promote its health. Use the gel on the wound and dress.
5. Potatoes help to heal wounds by drawing out infection causing microorganisms from wounds and abcesses.
6. Basil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Use basil juice on the wound.
7. Peppers have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. They help the blood to clot and reduce inflammation.
8. Coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. It will also speed up healing.
9. Shea butter has wonderful healing properties for the skin. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and can speed up healing.
10. Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This natural oil also helps to speed up healing.

It is advisable to use a natural oil with other herbs and ingredients to reduce the appearance of scars. They also speed up the healing time because they are natural moisturizers.

Please visit your doctor if you have a life threatening injury or a deep cut that will require professional medical attention. These tips are intended for minor injuries that you would normally treat at home.

Share home remedies you know below or by email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.

The Health Benefits Of Hog Plum.

Hog plum is a tree that bears orange coloured  fruits which are called iyeye in Yoruba, ngulungu in Igbo, isada in Hausa and Spondias mombin  botanically.  The trees are rarely cultivated. The fruits are no longer popularly  offered for sale by fruit sellers in Nigeria and most people would only hear about this fruit from a Yoruba song which describes the leaves as numerous. ‘Ewe iyeye igba ni o’. The trees bear small fruits which can be numerous. The fruits have a sweet and sour taste.

The fruit juice, leaves, bark, roots and flowers  are used in traditional medicine in some parts of the world where the trees can be found. This tree has many health benefits for curing and alleviating diseases because it has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Hog plum plant contains polyphenols, sterols, flavonoids, uinones, tannins and saponins. The fruits are high in fiber and low in calories.  They are high in vitamin C, vitamin B1, iron and some calcium. Below are some of the uses of parts of the tree.

Hog plum crushed leaves or infusion are used to;

• Reduce or relieve pain.
• Sedate or calm. 
• Treat coughs.
• Reduce fevers and stop convulsions.
• Aid digestion.
• Stimulate the womb.
• Kill parasites.
• Treat mouth sores and infections.
• Treat inflammation.

The bark can be prepared into a decoction and used to;

• Treat diarrhea and dysentery.
• Relieve pain.
• Treat hemorrhoids.
• Stop bleeding.
• Treat skin disorders like eczema, dermatitis, boils, rashes, itches, leprosy etc.
• Kill parasites.
• Induce labour and abortion.
• Avoid pregnancy (contraceptive).

The root is made into decoctions and used to treat;

• Vaginal infections, gonorrhea and other venereal diseases.
• Diarrhea.

Hog plum fruits are eaten raw or squeezed to make delicious juices. Infusions of the flower are used to treat eye infections. The leaves are also used to shrink tumours.

Even though it is difficult to get the fruits because they only are only in season around December to January, we can make use of other parts of this tree for effective remedies.

Let us know the local name and remedies of hog plum in your area below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for update.

Your Health Is Your Most Valuable Asset.

People generally measure their wealth in terms of how much money or possessions they have. But

without good health, how rich are we really? It is said that a healthy man is a wealthy man and it is not until our bodies have shut down that we realize how poor we really are without good health.

Taking care of our health should be part of our activities of daily living if we want to keep pills, medicines and herbs away. A stitch in time saves nine. Below are easy tips on how to keep healthy without stress.

The first thing to do for achieving good health is to eat well. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, fiber, natural oils, and good carbohydrates. Go with less sugar, reduce refined foods and processed products. Just because you can afford to buy 5kg of suya or meat and then eat it alone does not make sense. Stop eating late in the night. Gentlemen, it is okay to socialize but don’t use that as an excuse to eat junk and still go home late to eat madam’s food. It is cool to enjoy your life but don’t overdo anything that may adversely affect your wellbeing on the long run. You don’t need to starve yourself to maintain your weight or health. All you need is a healthy meal plan and good lifestyle.

Sleeping well is very important too. Remember the nursery rhyme “early to bed, early to rise, makes

a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. Good rest is wonderful medicine. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep, which is approximately a third of our day, to function well. That chronic headache may be due to inadequate sleep patterns over time. When you rest well, you function well and have a lot of energy.

Regular exercise is essential too. Your exercise regime does not have to be hard or strenuous. Just create some time, no matter how small. If you work long hours, take a short walk during your break or lunch time. You can dance, jog or walk on the spot and still watch your favourite TV program. Dance, skip, walk, jog, jump, stretch, cycle or just do anything to move for some time. A short period of exercise accounts for something on the long run and is better than nothing. You may not need to acquire fancy gym outfits or join a gym or group to exercise. Don’t let anything give you an excuse for not exercising.

Do not abuse your body with alcohol or narcotics. if you love alcohol and cannot do without it, take in moderation. When you drink, do not drive. Drink water preferably and natural juices.

You can start to reverse most chronic diseases by making good lifestyle choices. You can also reduce your dependence on drugs, medicine and herbs by taking a step to living better. A journey of one thousand miles begins with just one step, so take that little step today. Make wise choices and live good.

Share your healing experiences or tips below or by email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow  on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.

Get Rid Of Garlic Smell Easily.

Garlic is a very good spice for cooking and medicine with a lingering and unpleasant smell which puts a lot of people off from using it. This smell is due to an active compound called allyl methyl sulphide which is not digested by the body, but is rather ingested into the bloodstream and is released from the body through breathing, sweating, farting and belching.  

       

Despite the smell, a lot of people still use garlic and have to carry

this smell, which can make people avoid them, around for up to 24 hours afterwards. However, there are foods and drinks which can help to remove this smell.

       Eat fruits, vegetables and other foods that contain polyphenols which break down the sulphur compounds of garlic that cause the smell. Apart from removing the smell of garlic, polyphenols are also antioxidants which can help to ward off diseases, so they will increase the potency of garlic. Here are some foods that are high in phenolic compounds that can also remove garlic smell when eaten with garlic.

•          Fruits; apples, grapes, pears,
•          Vegetables; spinach, potatoes, lettuce, parsley,
•          Beverages; green tea, red wine, mint tea.
•          Spices; fennel, cloves, cardamom, fresh mint leaves.

        Citrus fruit juices can also remove garlic smell because of their acidity: Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits.

          The fats in milk or yoghurt kill the smell of garlic, so drink some with garlic or after eating it.

Stainless steel removes the smell of garlic (and fish too). Simply move a stainless steel teaspoon around your mouth. And if you are trying to rid your hands of the smell, rub them on your stainless steel basins, pots and sinks. A great way to deal with garlic smell is to drink some tea with either milk or lemon juice.

Now that you know you can defeat the nasty smell of garlic, use this wonderful spice for medicine and flavour.

If you are a regular consumer of garlic and you know how to get rid of the smell, let us know. Leave your comments, feedbacks and questions below or by email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.

What You Gain From Eating Cow Skin.

Cow skin is processed into ponmo or kanda in Nigeria and is a popular alternative to beef for some people. It is added to stews and soups to add variety to the types of meat to be cooked. In some other countries, cow skin is mainly processed into leather for accessories and furniture. Some cow skin is also processed into leather in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country, but why do we love ponmo so and what does it give us in terms of nutrition.

Ponmo can be classified as a protein source with low biological value because it is only high in collagen.  It has almost no nutritional value, being low in fats with no vitamins or minerals. Because

people do not eat ponmo alone, but rather combine with other sources of meat, it is difficult to say that it will cause a deficiency of important nutrients.

There are two forms of ponmo sold in Nigerian markets depending on their method of processing. The ponmo with brown colour is processed by burning the skin to remove the hair before boiling. The white type is processed by removing the hair with blades or knives and hot water before boiling. White ponmo can also be made by frying cleaned raw skin in oil and then boiling in water.

The only thing that should give us cause for concern about brown ponmo is some of the materials used in burning the skin and the residues they leave on the skin. Some processors use inappropriate materials like rubber, plastics and tyres as a fuel source in burning the skin.

What you choose to eat is your choice but remember that good food is good medicine. If you want to add ponmo to your meals, process by yourself at home. It is easy to do and raw cow skin is highly available. Ponmo is a good addition to your diet if you are trying to lose weight because of the low calories. Make sure that you combine ponmo with vegetables and food sources that will provide good nutrients. Ponmo has always been, and will remain, a part of our cuisine.

Have you got something to say about ponmo or add to this write up? Please do so below or send an email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.

25 Ways You Can Use Basil For Healing.

Basil is a a group of popular fragrant herbs botanically called Ocimum species. Basil has fantastic healing properties although it is more commonly used for culinary purposes because of its fragrance. It is called tulsi in India, efinrin, nchanwu, daidoya, ntong, ebafo,arigbe and aramogbo in parts of Nigeria. Basil grows all over the world and is used to treat numerous ailments.

Some important components of basil.

• Basil is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, C, K, B1, B2 and B9.
• It contains minerals such as manganese, iron, copper, magnesium and calcium.
• Basil contains some fatty acids.
• It contains volatile oils and antioxidants like limonene, eugenol, polyphenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins and cinnamanic acid.

Basil is used to heal by juicing the leaves or making a hot infusion or tea from the leaves or whole plants. The leaves can also be chewed or crushed into a paste for topical use. Below are ways you can use basil to heal.

1. Tooth ache, mouth sores, infections and other issues of the mouth. Gaggle some basil juice twice daily.
2. To treat skin ailments and issues like itching, warts, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, insect bites and stings. Apply some juice or cover with crushed leaves.
3. To relieve and expel kidney stones. Drink 30ml basil juice twice daily until the stones are expelled. You may add some lemon juice and natural oils like coconut or olive oil. Basil reduces inflammation and pain.
4. Basil is used to aid digestion and improve appetite. Drink the juice or tea.
5. Basil treats constipation and inflammatory bowel conditions.
6. To relieve sore and tired eyes. Apply 2 drops of basil juice to the eyes before bed for relief. You can also place a paste of the crushed leaves on the eyelids for 20 minutes or more.
7. To treat coughs, colds, asthma, sore throat and respiratory disorders. Basil helps to remove mucus and reduces swelling because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Drink basil tea or juice with ginger.
8. To treat numerous infections because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
9. To combat stress. Drink some juice or tea. You may also add some basil infusion to your bath water to calm you.
10. To stop vomiting. Drink some juice or hot tea with ginger and honey.
11. To relieve headaches. Drink some juice or tea.
12. To bring down fevers. Drink some juice or tea. You may also add some basil infusion to your bath water.
13. To treat arthritis. Drink the juice regularly.
14. To purify the blood.
15. To treat bruises, wounds and cuts. Apply some juice or crushed paste of the leaves. You can also mix the juice or oil with coconut oil.
16. To calm the stomach and relieve cramps.
17. To repel mosquitoes and insects.
18. To treat pimples, acne and boils.
19. The high magnesium content helps to promote heart health and reduces blood and eye pressure.
20. Basil contains cinnamanic acid which improves circulation.
21. Basil helps to stabilize blood sugar.
22. Basil helps to regulate blood cholesterol.
23. Basil boosts the immune system and reduces the effects of aging.
24. Basil is a good tonic for the kidneys and liver.
25. Basil juice and oil is good for hair and scalp health. It protects against hair loss and dandruff. You can mix the juice or oil with coconut oil and apply to the scalp.

Basil is used widely in cooking. It can be dried and powdered for future use. Plant some today and get free medicine for a lot of ailments.

Add a comment or share what you know basil can cure below or by email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for updates.