HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER-GOURD / KARELA

1. Weight management: 100 g of the vegetable contains just about 20 calories, and is one of the best low-calorie foods. Coupled with its other benefits (listed below), this should find its way to anyone wanting to improve overall health
2. Diabetes: Karela has the chemical polypeptide-P which is also known as plant insulin. It works as insulin and helps in blood suggar control. A glass of bitter gourd juice is one of the most well-known and successful home remedies for diabetics.
3. Rich in folate: Bitter gourds are rich in folates and one can get up to 20% of the recommended daily from about 100 g of this vegetable. Widely used in menstruating women and pregnancy to prevent anemia and blood iron levels. In pregnancy, it also helps reduce neural tube defects in the developing baby
4. Loaded with antioxidants: Alpha and beta carotene, xanthenes, and lutein. All these help in controlling the release of free radicals and reduce bodily inflammation. This is the most important reason for the development of diseases like diabetes, cancer, and premature ageing. Therefore, bitter gourd helps in preventing and/or prolonging the onset of these diseases. Another independent antioxidant is vitamin C, and about 100 g of karela provides more than 100% of daily required dose
5. Good for digestion: Bitter gourd is widely used for its digestive properties. It improves mobility, relieves constipation, and reduces problems of indigestion
6. Good for respiratory system: Respiratory benefits of bitter gourd include clearing up of sputum, improving breathing, and relief from cough. Widely used in asthma patients
7. Blood purifier: It is an excellent blood purifier and juice consumed in the morning is one of the best ways to detox the body

Though still to be proven, karela is known to help HIV/AIDS patients, as they contain phytochemicals, which improve immunity and reduce overall infection and inflammation in the body
Methods of Use:

1. Both the leaves and the bitter gourd per se can be consumed for their health benefits
2. The juice is the most beneficial method, though it might take you some time to acquire this taste. Whether it is for weight loss or diabetes, this offers the best medicinal value
3. Curries are usually prepared with karela in different styles depending on cooking preferences in that area
4. It can also be baked, boiled, and fried.                                        this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
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Health Benefits of Stinging Nettles

When you brush past a stinging nettle while out for a walk, you’ll experience a sudden pain that feels like you are being pricked by some needles. While this might convince you to stay away from this plant, they can be very beneficial for your health. In fact, what many classified as an annoying weed has actually been an important component of health remedies and pharmaceuticals for a very long time.

 

Stinging nettles have diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties. Furthermore, this herb is a great source of iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Other nutrients in it include silica, carotene, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and chromium.
Stinging nettles are available as dried leaves, extract, juice or tea, or root tincture. You can also get it in the form of an ointment or cream that can be applied to the skin or as capsules and tablets.
Below are the top 8 health benefits of stinging nettles.
1. Helps with Arthritis and Other Joint Pain
Stinging nettles are beneficial for people who suffer from arthritis or any other kind of joint pain. Its function is very similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. This herb is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, along with minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, that all help ease joint pain as well as increase bone strength.
Tips
• Drink stinging nettle tea once or twice a day.
• Apply nettle leaf juice directly to the painful joints once a day.
• Take nettle supplements (consult your doctor first).
2. Treat an Enlarged Prostate Stinging nettles can be beneficial to men who are suffering from an enlarged prostate, as the essential bio-active phytochemicals present in it help to shrink prostate tissue. Being a diuretic as well, it also encourages the elimination of inflammatory wastes through urination.
Tips
• Take a 300 mg stinging nettle supplement once a day. For the correct dosage to treat the condition, you should consult your doctor first.
3. Treats Urinary Tract Infections Nettles can also relieve the symptoms of urinary tract infections. The active compounds in nettles function as a mild diuretic, which will make you urinate more and help flush any harmful bacteria out of your body. Furthermore, it helps to relieve any inflammation.
Tips
• Drink 2-3 cups of nettle tea each day. This will make you urinate more often, which is essential when dealing with this type of infection. 

4. Promotes Kidney Health 

Stinging nettles help to clean your kidneys. As a natural detoxifier, diuretic, and blood purifier, nettles aid in the removal of impurities such as bacteria, calcium crystal deposits, and stones from your kidneys.
Tip
• To promote kidney health, you can take this herb in its many different forms – dried leaves, extracts, tinctures, pills, tea. It’s best to consult your doctor so you can find out which form will suit you the best. 
5. Treats Eczema Stinging nettles are also useful for treating eczema, a chronic skin disorder that causes dry skin, swelling, redness, flaking, cracking, blisters, crusted sores and itching. Due to their anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, nettles work as a natural treatment for eczema as they help to reduce inflammation and itching.
Tips
• Extract the juice from a few nettle leaves and apply it to the affected area. Repeat once or twice a day to alleviate itching and pain.
• Drink stinging nettle tea 2-3 times a day. 
6. Aids Detoxification
Toxin accumulation in the body can severely damage vital organs and systems, causing chronic illness. Stinging nettles are very effective at removing these toxins. As nettles act as a diuretic and are high in nutrients, they are the perfect tool for a detox. They detoxify the blood and encourage the elimination of inflammatory wastes from the body. Furthermore, they stimulate the lymphatic system, helping the kidneys and liver to eliminate waste.
Tips
• Drink a cup of nettle tea a few times a day, or add some leaves to a green smoothie. 

7. Cures Hay Fever 

Stinging nettles are highly effective at treating hay fever as well as allergic rhinitis or season allergies. As a natural antihistamine, nettles can reduce inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and provide some comfort from symptoms such as coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching.
Tips
• If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor about taking nettle supplements for one month prior to the allergy season.
• Furthermore, drinking nettle tea twice a day at the first sign of hay fever symptoms will help provide some relief. 

 

8. Soothes Asthma
Nettles, due to their antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, are great when it comes down to treating asthma. They help to open up constricted nasal and bronchial passages to relieve asthma symptoms. Furthermore, the vitamin C and butyric acid helps to maintain a healthy immune system and metabolism to help prevent asthma attacks.
Tips
• Drink a few cups of nettle tea a day to reduce the severity of your asthma symptoms and to promote a quick recovery. 
Additional Tips and Cautionary Notes
• Always wear gloves when handling nettles, as the leaves are covered with fine hairs that will irritate your bare skin.
• This herb is not suitable for pregnant women or small children.
• May interfere with blood thinners and heart medications, so consult your doctor first.
• Don’t drink too much nettle tea as it’s a diuretic. More than 3 cups a day is too much. 

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations 
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement   

WHY AMLA IS GREAT FOR HEALTH

Why amla is so great for your health 

Ever wonder  why it is suggested that everyone should have one piece of amla on a daily basis? Well studies have shown that Amla or the Indian gooseberry is packed with nutrients and can actually help you live a longer healthier life.  

Amla is one of the most important fruit, grows well in a warm climate. It is known to be a rich source of Vitamin C. So much so, that one small amla has as much Vitamin C as 2 medium oranges. Packed with compounds like polyphenols, minerals like Iron and zinc and vitamins like Carotenes and Vitamin B complex, amla can definitely keep a number of diseases at bay. Here are a few benefits of this amazing fruit:  

Acts as an antioxidant:  Rich in Vitamin C and polyphenols, amla is a great source of antioxidants. Research has shown that it has a high content of tannins, which when combined with polyphenols gives the fruit a unique free radical scavenging property. This unique asset helps reduce the damage caused by free radicals on the body.

Protects your heart:  Amla is known to reduce cholesterol, and keep heart disease under check. Rich in fibre and iron, it is very effective in controlling the oxidation of LDL (Low density lipoprotein). Oxidation of LDL releases free radicals which are known to cause coronary artery disease, therefore stopping this oxidation is essential for preventing heart disease. Amla also helps to maintain cholesterol levels by inhibiting the oxidative properties of a chemical called thiobarbituric acid (TBA) that induces LDL oxidation. Another benefit of this wonder fruit is that it prevents atherosclerosis (accumulation of plaque in the arteries) thereby protecting you from heart disease.

Controls diabetes and its complications: Research studies show that the polyphenol- rich fruit actually has properties that can protect the body from the oxidative properties of high blood sugar. The same compound is also effective in preventing the insulin resistance caused due to a high fructose diet. What this means is that the fruit can actually assist in the proper absorption of insulin leading to a drop in blood sugar in diabetics.

Protects you from cancer: Packed with antioxidant properties, amla has the potential to keep cancer at bay. Research into this particular property of the fruit, has found that it had the potential to prevent cancer by helping the body fight the harmful effects of chemicals that are carcinogenic. It also helps to inhibit the further growth of cancer affected cells. Apart from this, Amla extract can reduce the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy without reducing their beneficial effects as an anti cancer treatment. 

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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How and when to eat fruits and their benefits

Please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair,balding,nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI:Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fibre  Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE:An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY:Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE :Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away,lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON:Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA:Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fibre  which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.