Plants and herbs in their natural forms have often constituted a rich source of nutritional and medicinal powerhouse for man. This is because of the undiluted and unpolluted potency of such plants and herbs, which ensures that they are often available to be used by man to meet many of his nutritional and health needs....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This invariably means the early man lived longer and stay healthier even though there were little or no technological advancements. Many of the plants and herbs that have served the early man still exist today and their potency is still being exploited by those who know just how effective they are in taking care of certain health issues.
This article would be looking at a few of such plants with herbal medicinal properties, whose juice can be extracted and consumed in the morning, as well as the health benefits of such herbs. The herbs, as well as their health benefits, are examined below:
1. Scent leaf
Scientifically known as Ocimum gratissimum, scent leaf or basil is one of the most nutritious and potent herbal plants out there. It is a popular plant in Nigeria where it is called “Efirin” by the Yorubas, “Nchanwu” by the Ibos and “Daidoya” by the Northerners, and it possesses several nutritional and health benefits.
There are several ways of consuming basil or scent leaf, including incorporating them into vegetable soups and squeezing the leaves to extract the juice. There are certain health benefits of drinking the extracted juice of the leave and such benefits are presented below:
1. It can help improve fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides levels thus keeping the body at an optimum level of performance.
2. Its consumption is also linked to reduced blood pressure in people with hypertension, and it is also known to relax blood vessels and thin the blood to enhance better blood flow within the body.
3. It can help to reduce memory loss which is caused by stress and ageing, and can help increase mental alertness.
4. It can also help you fight against the growth of bacteria that cause dental decay.
5. It is also effective in preventing certain cancers such as breast, colon and pancreas cancers.
2. Neem (Dongoyaro)
Neem is another very potent natural herb whose juice can be extracted and consumed in the morning for several health benefits. A native of India, neem, which is known as Dongoyaro and scientifically called Azadirachta Indica, is utilised for different traditional uses, with its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties making it a highly valuable herbal plant.
One way of getting the most of the health benefits of neem is by boiling its leaf in water to make tea. The juice or tea can then be consumed for the following health benefits:
1. Promotion of hair health by fighting against parasites that affect hair and skin such as lice, as well as disrupting the growth of such parasites.
2. Its consumption may also aid liver and kidney health due to its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can help fight oxidative stress, which may, in turn, promote liver and kidney health.
3. It can improve skin health thanks to its rich oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids content, which all possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
4. It possesses antimalarial effects thanks to its possession of active plant compounds called limonoids, which helps to fight malaria.
5. It is also effective in managing diabetes thanks to its ability to revive cells that produce insulin and lower blood sugar levels.
3. Moringa Oleifera
Moringa is another plant with herbal medicinal effects thanks to the myriads of nutrients it contains, which makes it one of the most valuable plants on the planet. It has been utilised for centuries due to its medicinal and health benefits, with its health benefits known to include antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Its nutritional profile is also an impressive one as it contains proteins, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and other minerals. There are several ways of consuming moringa but you can extract its juice by using it as tea. A few of its health benefits include:
1. It can help protect the liver from damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.
2. It can improve bones health due to its rich calcium and phosphorus content which keeps the bones strong and healthy.
3. It can help protect the cardiovascular system due to the powerful antioxidants it contains which can help prevent cardiac damage.
4. It is also effective in treating diabetes as it helps to reduce blood glucose levels, as well as the sugar and protein levels in the urine.
5. It can help protect against kidney disorders such as kidney stones and it is also great for those with high blood pressure due to its isothiocyanate and niaziminin content which stop arteries from thickening.
4. Bitter leaf
Bitter leaf is another herbal plant with several health benefits. It enjoys huge popularity among Nigerians with its leaves often incorporated into many local dishes, with the leaves often leaving a sweet taste on the tongue after its consumption. Apart from adding it to vegetable soups or eating it as a vegetable, you can also squeeze its leaves or consume it as tea.
A few of the health benefits include:
1. It can help protect the stomach from stomach aches and can offer protection against stomach ulcers.
2. It is effective against fever as it possesses flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants with the ability to fight fever.
3. It may help fight diabetes as it contains phytochemicals whose intake is known to lower blood sugar levels.
4. It also possesses properties that can help fight high blood pressure and its rich vitamin B1 content can help improve metabolic functions of the body.
5. It reduces cancer risks thanks to its anti-cancer properties such as andrographolide compound which is linked to a lowered risk of prostate cancers, gastric cancers, and colon.
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