Monday, October 13, 2025

This morning drink can reduce bloating and indigestion

Consuming a basic mixture of soaked jeera/ cumin and ajwain/ carom seeds, which used daily to support the digestive system and gut health. US based gastroenterologist, Dr. Pal Manickam recently explained the health benefits of this drink through scientific evidence while demonstrating its practical advantage to gut health.

Magic potion

The preparation method for this drink involves soaking 1 teaspoon of each seed- jeera and ajwain in water throughout the night before boiling the mixture in the morning and then straining it to serve warm.

Detoxify and digest

This mixture enhance the digestive function and achieves natural body detoxification. The digestive acids and enzymes needed for better food breakdown emerge from thymol, which exists in jeera.

Ajwain works to eliminate gas and bloating through its ability to relax the digestive system. Saunf / fennel provides stomach relief while simultaneously decreasing stomach acid levels. This blend can also support metabolism. Regular consumption may also help reduce occasional discomfort from over eating or indulgent meals.

Dr. Pal explains that this morning drink activates the digestive system after sleep, by using gentle ingredients instead of caffeine or strong stimulants to prepare the gut for food consumption. The daily practice leads to better digestion, reduced bloating and improved bowel movements which results in long-term gut health improvement. Its warm, soothing nature also helps regulate morning appetite, encouraging healthier food choices throughout the day.

Science behind the drink

Dr. Pal, who specialises in gut health has explained the effectiveness of this morning drink. According to him-

The antioxidant properties and oil content in jeera and ajwain water help the body eliminate metabolic waste products.

The drink stimulates bile production, which serves as a crucial factor for fat breakdown and metabolic processes.

Ajwain helps the body reduce water retention while improving the absorption of nutrients.

The ingredients present no major risks which research evidence supports their traditional usage and small-scale studies confirm their advantages.

Regular consumption of this mixture can assist in weight loss through its ability to boost metabolism and fat breakdown.

The addition of fennel seeds to the mixture, enhances detoxification processes while simultaneously decreasing stomach acidity,

Dr. Pal states that this remedy does not function as a magic solution, but it offers a safe approach to enhance gut health and metabolic function. The treatment works discreetly to support natural body processes, without causing any severe adverse reactions.

Detoxifying and balancing effects

The consumption of jeera-ajwain water enables the body to detoxify by clearing out harmful substances and maintaining proper stomach acid levels. The drink functions as a gentle diuretic, which helps the body eliminate surplus water and decreases swelling. The advantages of this drink enable users to experience lighter body weight and increased daily energy levels..

Dr/ Pal notes that this traditional remedy helps control blood sugar levels following meals, thus providing sustained energy and preventing unexpected hunger cravings.

Wellness beyond physical benefits

The warm aromatic beverage creates a feeling of equilibrium which helps people maintain their mental health. Dr. Pal supports the value of traditional health practices because they create both physical advantages and mental serenity for individuals.

Ingredients

Jeera 1 tsp

Ajwain 1 tsp

Saunf  1 tsp ( optional)

Preparations

The seeds require dry roasting at a low heat to achieve better flavour.

Soak the seeds in water throughout the night.

In the morning, boil the mixture, strain and drink it warm on an empty stomach.

Who should be careful

People with chronic digestive issues or allergies need to consult their healthcare provider before using this drink as a regular beverage. People who are pregnant or taking medication, should verify potential drug interactions and adverse effects.


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Thursday, November 14, 2024

This superfood has more vitamin C than oranges, and you should be eating it

Depending on your geographical location you will know this superfood by a different name: arugula, rugola, rughetta, ruchetta. But beyond the regional distinction one fact is certain: arugula is not just any salad vegetable. This super salad has more flavour and colour than the common lettuce, iceberg or endive, and it makes every dish unique. Not only that, this superfood has anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and regulates blood pressure. In short, it is a genuine superfood that we should fill up on at every opportunity. Ahead, we talk about the benefits of the superfood arugula.

Why is arugula good for your health

Arugula is a vegetable from the cruciferous family, like broccoli and cauliflower. Its growing season is spring-summer, but it can now be found on supermarket counters almost year-round. This plant with its bitter, pungent, almost spicy flavor is native to West-Central Asia but also to the Mediterranean basin, where it has been cultivated and prized since the time of the ancient Romans, who valued it for both its digestive and diuretic powers and its aphrodisiac ones.

 

Today it is part of the FOSHU, the Foods for Specific Health Uses, those foods that according to a system created in Japan are recognized as foods that can positively influence our health. Low in calories but very rich in fiber, minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, zinc and phosphorus, and vitamins such as vitamin C and B vitamins, this food has a variety of therapeutic properties that should never be missing from our table. Here's why.

Benefits and properties of arugula

  • Due to its high content of nutrients such as vitamin C (it contains twice as much as oranges), it has strong antioxidant and cell-protecting powers
  • It is rich in fiber that promotes proper digestion, and prebiotics that encourage the balance of the gut microbiome
  • Rich in pro-vitamin A and antioxidant vitamin C, it is beneficial for skin health, and gives it tone and elasticity
  • Due to its anti-inflammatory powers, it was used in folk medicine to treat and prevent eczema and acne
  • It has a diuretic action, and is therefore useful for detoxifying and eliminating water retention.
  • Low in calories (it has about 25 calories per 100 grams) and rich in fiber and nutrients, it is ideal for low-calorie diets and weight management
  • Due to the presence of beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that also protect against UV rays, it is beneficial for eye health and retinal protection
  • Due to its high calcium and vitamin K content (it contains three times as much as milk), it is beneficial for bone and dental health
  • It protects the heart, thanks to its content of vitamin C, vitamin K and folate, nutrients that promote heart health

Precautions to keep in mind

  • It is not recommended, in large quantities, for those taking anti-coagulant drugs, because it may counteract their action.
  • Like all cruciferous vegetables, it can be difficult to digest for those with digestive problems, and cause bloating

How to eat arugula beyond a salad

Choose it wild, if available: it has an even stronger flavour and colour than common arugula, wider leaves, and a crisper texture. Eat it as fresh as possible, and preferably raw, to preserve all its nutritional properties. Its obvious use is in salads, paired with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes from pachino for example, or dressed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and slivers of Parmigiano Reggiano.

But also to enrich pizza and meat carpaccio, chopped raw on fish dishes, in omelettes and risottos. Use it to make arugula pesto, instead of the classic basil pesto, replacing pine nuts with walnuts, almonds or cashews, for an aromatic dressing for both pasta and brown rice salads, spelt or barley salads, or hummus with chickpeas and arugula.

Put a handful of leaves in soups at the end of cooking to make them more flavorful. And you can also add a handful to your morning fruit and vegetable smoothie, with banana, apple, berries, avocado and arugula for example, to make it even more beneficial and nutritious, and start your day with a health boost.

 

 This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Saturday, September 14, 2024

This Root Tea Will Start Your Journey to a Healthier Life

This popular herbal tea is made by steeping the dried root of the burdock plant. It has been used for thousands of years as a traditional medicine in Europe, North America, and Asia. It’s also cultivated in many areas due to the medicinal and nutritional properties of its leaves, roots, stems, and flowers. Most of the benefits of burdock root tea comes from the significant levels of luteolin, quercetin, and other antioxidants, as well as folate, potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorous. 
 
How to Make Burdock Root Tea
This Root Tea Will Start Your Journey to a Healthier Life
Making this tea is simple, provided you have access to fresh burdock, which is not always the easiest thing to find in the West. In Asia, burdock root is easy to find, but in the West, you might need to find an Asian import store. You could also purchase burdock root tea that has already been shredded and roasted, and therefore ready to brew.

If you buy some fresh Burdock root, begin by cutting it into 1-2-inch chunks. Then, using a potato peeler, shred the root chunks into thin strips. Place these outside so that they can dry in the sun for a few hours. Once they are dry, place them in the frying pan and heat them up (don’t use oil). They should roast quite easily if you heat them for 5-10 minutes and you want the color to be a rich golden brown. Once they have cooled down, they can be brewed into burdock root tea. 
 
Ingredients 
 
 • 8-10 burdock root strips 
 
• 2 cups of filtered water 
 
• 1 teaspoon organic honey 
 
Directions 
1. Place the burdock root strips in a teapot. 
 
2. Bring the water to the boil in a stainless-steel pot. 
 
3. Remove from the heat for 2-3 minutes and pour it into the teapot. 
 
4. Allow the mixture to steep for 5-10 minutes. 
 
5. Enjoy. 
 
Below are 8 great health benefits of burdock root tea: 
 
1. Diuretic Effects  
Burdock root was commonly used for its diuretic and diaphoretic effects, meaning that it caused sweating and urination in those who drank it. This helps to purify the blood and detoxify the body, as sweating and urination are ways for the body to expel excess salts, toxins, and water, thereby relieving stress on the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system.  
 
2. Heart Health
The high levels of potassium in burdock root tea makes it excellent for heart health, as it reduces strain on the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure. Potassium not only regulates the fluid in the body, but it also acts as a vasodilator, helping to prevent atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks.

3. Cancer Prevention 
The phenolic acids quercetin and luteolin make burdock root tea a potent anti-cancer brew, as these antioxidants can seek out and destroy free radicals that are causing oxidative stress in the body. These free radicals are often responsible for cancer. 
 
4. Immune System 
The vitamin C found in this root tea helps to stimulate the immune system and the production of white blood cells, while also increasing collagen production and speeding up the healing process following an illness. 
 
5. Liver Function 
Many studies have shown that burdock root tea can help speed the regrowth process of liver cells following diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. The liver is an important organ that can be easily damaged, making this a great brew for those individuals with blood-borne diseases of alcohol-induced damage. 
 
6. Hair Health
The phytosterols present in burdock root tea, as well as the essential oils in the root, can prevent hair loss and improve the health of the scalp and follicles, eliminating dandruff and other common issues.
 
7. Inflammation 
In ancient times, burdock root tea was often recommended for those suffering from fever, headaches, aches, pains, and joint disorders. This is due to the anti-inflammatory nature of this brew, and people still turn to this tea for similar ailments. For those suffering from gout, research has shown that the compounds in burdock root tea can decrease levels of uric acid in the blood, improving this condition.

8. Respiratory Issues
This root tea has expectorant and decongestant properties, so if you have a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, a cup of this delicious tea each day can help get rid of phlegm and mucus, while the antibacterial nature of the tea can attack the underlying infection to speed healing. 
 
Burdock Root Tea Side Effects 
 
Pregnancy 
Studies have shown that burdock root tea can stimulate uterine contractions, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, especially those in the first two trimesters of their pregnancy. Similarly, for nursing women, some of the potent compounds of this tea can be passed on to the infant and should be avoided. 
 
Blood Pressure
The blood pressure-lowering qualities of this root tea are beneficial unless you happen to be suffering from hypotension, or are taking medicine for hypertension, in which case, you might experience lightheadedness, cognitive confusion, or dizziness. 
 
Allergic Reactions 
Some people may be allergic to burdock root and may experience rapid contact dermatitis while preparing this brew. If any inflammation or rashes develop, stop using this tea right away.


This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

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Monday, February 05, 2024

All the Reasons You Must Try Strawberry Leaves

When was the last time you've eaten a strawberry whole, including the leaves? The answer is probably never. While consuming the leaves of strawberries may not be intuitive for most of us, more and more studies point out their nutritional and medicinal value, proving the fruit itself is not the only way to reap strawberries’ health benefits. The leaves were found to be rich in bioactive natural sources, and they contain antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory agents, which contribute to their positive effects on the human body.
The Important Health Benefits of Strawberry Leaves

Although the leaves have a slightly fruity flavor, many people can find them bad-tasting. But this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them - rather than eating them raw, strawberry leaves can be incorporated into salads, smoothies, and probably the most common way to consume them is by making them into a tea infusion (you can find a recipe at the bottom of the page). Let's take a look at the benefits that make trying strawberry leaves worthwhile. 


1. Promotes healthy digestion
Strawberry leaves contain compounds called tannins. Tannins are biomolecules that reduce the acidity caused by the food we consume. Excess acid in the gut can lead to problems such as bloating, gas, and cramps. The tannins present in the strawberry leaves can help prevent those issues by regulating gut acidity levels. The most effective way of extracting the tannins from the leaves is by consuming them in the form of tea.


2, May treat arthritis symptoms
 The Important Health Benefits of Strawberry Leaves senior man with knee pain
 
Another key benefit of strawberry leaf tea is its diuretic property, which means they stimulate urination. This is thanks to an acid called diuretic caffeic acid which the leaves contain. Those who suffer from arthritis symptoms would know that excess water in the joints can be harmful and cause swelling and stiffness. 

Diuretic caffeic acid plays an important role in removing water from the joints, which reduces inflammation in both the joints and bones and alleviates pain caused by it. If you suffer from arthritis, strawberry leaf tea can be an easy and natural way to ease your discomfort.


3. Rich source of antioxidants
The Important Health Benefits of Strawberry Leaves berries
Wild strawberry leaf tea may be a great option for those who want to keep their antioxidant levels topped up and are looking for a caffeine-free alternative to green tea or black tea. A study published in the Czech Journal of Food Sciences assessed the antioxidant activity of 17 different medicinal herbs and berries and found that the water extract of strawberry leaves have the highest ORAC value (a measure of the antioxidant capacity of different foods). 
 
Nutritionists point out that the ORAC value decreases as the leaves get older, so you want your berry leaves as fresh as possible.



4. Reduces cholesterol levels
Strawberry leaf is known to be high in iron, which is essential to the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Not only do they aid in rejuvenating the blood, but strawberry leaves can also promote overall cardiovascular health. As mentioned earlier, strawberry leaves are extremely high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. By eliminating free radicals in the cardiovascular system, they also reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. 



5. May lower blood pressure
Strawberry leaves are known to have natural vasodilatory effects. Vasodilators are substances that help dilate blood vessels. They relax the muscles in the walls of your arteries and veins, preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls of blood vessels from narrowing. As a result, blood flows more easily through your vessels and the heart works less, while effectively pumping more blood.
 
 In terms of potency, the vasodilatory effects of the wild strawberry leaf extract were similar to those of hawthorn extracts in a study published in the journal Phytomedicine. Hawthorn leaves were widely studied for these very properties, which is why the researchers chose them as the reference for the study.


While more research is needed, some studies linked the strawberry plant to lower rates of cancer. You may have already heard of ellagic acid, a compound that has been shown to neutralize cancer-causing substances, boost the immune system, and induce self-destruction of cancerous cells. Wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, pomegranates, and cranberries are famous food sources for ellagic acid, and it turns out that some edible leaves, like strawberry leaves, also contain this powerful anti-cancerous compound.

 How to Make Your Strawberry Leaf Tea 
Important warnings if you harvest your own leaves: strawberry leaves experience a toxic chemical change while drying that makes them poisonous when partially dry or wilted. This is not lethal but will cause uncomfortable nausea and vomiting. The leaf is safe when completely dried or freshly picked, but not in the in-between stages. 
 
Also, make sure the leaves you use do not have any blight or spots which can indicate a pernicious form of mold or fungus. To stay on the safe side, use only immaculate leaves.


Preparation: 
 
1. Drop a handful of fresh or dried leaves into a warmed teapot and pour boiling water over to fill. 
 
2. Steep for about five minutes. 
 
3. Sweeten with a dash of honey. 
 
4. Always take good care not to crush the dried herb as the flavor is much finer from the intact leaf. 
 
*In the summer you may serve the tea cold, over some ice cubes and a mint leaf.


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
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

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Thursday, April 07, 2022

What happened when I stopped drinking caffeine for a month

I love coffee. Maybe too much. I used to drink up to four cups of Nespresso a morning—the darkest roast I could find. I looked forward to my first cup, and by the third, I knew I shouldn’t head to the kitchen to make the fourth, but I don’t always listen to my better judgment.

And I pay the price. I usually start to feel jittery, and if I don’t eat breakfast, my stomach can feel upset. Turns out, each of those pods has as much as 100 milligrams of caffeine. That can add up pretty quick.

So, when my former colleague, author Jeff Pearlman, shared on Twitter that he had given up caffeine in August, I wondered if I should, too.

A heavy coffee drinker, he hated how it made him feel. “I dig the initial buzz,” he told me. “But then I’d drink and drink and drink, and by 3 p.m., I’d need a nap. It made my hands shaky and my mind race. I work in coffee shops a lot, so it came with the turf. But after a while, I needed to shift.”

Pearlman switched to decaf and said it was shockingly easy to give up caffeine. “Didn’t miss it much,” he says, adding that he’s not 100% done. “Sometimes, if there’s a flavored caffeinated coffee that I like, I’ll go 70% decaf, 30% of the flavored kind. Just for taste, texture. But it’s been overall easy. No headaches, no urgings.”

After contemplating it for a few months, I decided to give it a try.

What Happened When I Stopped

Like Pearlman, it was easier than I thought. I love the taste of coffee and drink mine black. Switching to decaf pods did the trick. Unlike Pearlman, though, I had side effects. On the first day, I had a bad headache.

“The headache experience, which is very common, is a sign of withdrawal from the caffeine dependency,” says Kara Fitzgerald, author of Younger You: Reduce Your Bio Age and Live Longer, Better. “It’s temporary but can really be tough to plow through and keeps many of us searching for a caffeine fix to avoid withdrawal.”

I also felt tired all day for the first two weeks. That’s because going caffeine-free can make you sluggish at first, reducing your energy and your ability to focus, says Hayley Miller, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Persona, a personalized vitamin and supplement company. “The good news is, this will be short-lived—thanks to the human body’s amazing ability to adapt. You can expect to regain your mental clarity and focus within a few weeks of quitting.”

It took time, but my focus eventually evened out and seemed to be more consistent throughout the day instead of peaking in the morning and waning in the afternoon. I also slept better. I only had caffeine in the morning, and the fact that it could impact my sleep surprised me.

“You discovered the best benefits by far of going caffeine-free,” says Fitzgerald. “Given that it is a potent stimulant, readily entering into the brain and blocking adenosine receptors, the number one benefit of stopping is improved sleep.”

Fitzgerald says the caffeine half-life is on average five hours. “It’s longer for some of us who have slower biotransformation enzymes,” she explains. “This means that to completely clear caffeine from the body, it can take over 10 hours. It’s not surprising it influences sleep. Those of us who are slow metabolizers can have additional problems, including higher blood sugar and blood pressure, altered tolerance to exercise, and increased risk of nonfatal heart attacks.” (She says that direct-to-consumer genetic tests like 23andMe may be able to tell you if you metabolize caffeine quickly or not.)

Quitting coffee has another benefit: “Since caffeine is a diuretic—meaning it speeds up urine production—you’ll find this change will cut down your trips to the bathroom,” says Miller. “Even better, going caffeine-free could actually improve your nutrition by helping your body absorb B vitamins and other important nutrients. In other words, quitting coffee could help you get more from your food.”

But Caffeine Does Have Benefits

While Fitzgerald says the evidence is still being scientifically teased out, caffeine might be a longevity agent. “It looks to be in fruit flies, mice, and worms,” she says. “Human studies are lacking. It’s also thought to be neuroprotective in moderate intake in humans, [meaning it] is protective against age-related illness like dementia or Parkinson’s.”

Looking beyond caffeine to the vehicle that the caffeine is found in, such as coffee or tea, you’ll find that both drinks are hailed for containing phytochemicals that are also beneficial.

“When we look at human studies of coffee drinkers, we see that they tend to live longer—caffeinated coffee or not,” says Fitzgerald. “I personally love my daily morning coffee ritual and appreciate those beneficial phytochemicals. I don’t have it after the morning hour unless it’s the occasional decaf, which allows me to sleep well at night.”

Caffeine is a natural stimulant, and Miller says it’s a great way to get a burst of energy in the morning and to fight the midday blues. “But too much of anything is never good,” she says. “You should never drink more than the equivalent to about four cups of coffee a day.”

It’s been a month into my experiment, and to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ll go back. I love the quality of sleep I now have, but I do miss that little burst of energy caffeine gave me. I might try an occasional cup or a mix of regular and decaf to see what happens.

Miller says the decision to go caffeine-free should depend on your lifestyle and your reasons for using it. “If you drink coffee for the taste or because you love a latte at the local coffee shop, then quitting probably isn’t necessary,” she says. “If you’re relying on caffeine to power through your day, there may be other things at play: Your sleep quality, stress levels, or nutrition may be affecting your ability to stay alert and focused. It’s better to manage your energy through lifestyle choices than to lean on that cup of Joe.”

 

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

 

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