Benefits of Mushrooms

Benefits of Mushrooms

A mushroom is the fleshy body of a fungus, which is usually produced above ground. Vegetarians often substitute mushrooms for meat in traditional meat dishes because of their somewhat tough, meaty texture. However, not all mushroom varieties are edible, and the consumption of poisonous species often result in sickness or even death. Therefore, it is important that you research which mushroom species are edible before picking them yourself (the mushrooms sold in supermarkets and stores, of course, are not likely to be poisonous!). Some popular edible mushrooms include cremini, shitake, and portobello, and almost all of them are nutritious on some level. Let's take a look at the benefits of mushrooms now.

List of Benefits

High in fiber - If you are a vegetarian or vegan and need a good source of fiber, mushrooms are a great choice because, like most vegetables, they contain extremely large amounts of it. Consequently, mushrooms assist in the regulation of your digestive system and relief from constipation.
High potassium content - Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which helps to reduce high blood pressure and prevent strokes. People who are allergic to multivitamins or potassium supplements will be especially glad to hear this news.
Prohibits cancer development - Eating mushrooms reduces the risk of cancer greatly due to their high phytochemical content. In fact, shitake mushrooms in particular are proven to block tumor growth in the body.
High levels of vitamin B12 - Mushrooms are high in vitamin B12, so if you are deficient in this important vitamin, consider adding more mushrooms in your diet.
Assists in weight loss - According to a medical study from Johns Hopkins University, adults who substituted mushrooms for meat in their meals consumed 400 fewer calories every day. This data shows that mushrooms have a positive effect on diet improvement, and that you can lose weight by making small dietary changes.
Very low in cholesterol - Another benefit of eating mushrooms is that they contain very little cholesterol, making them good for the heart. Adding mushrooms to a salad that contains other heart-friendly foods such as celery, carrots, corn, okra, and squash will make your heart squeal with joy!
Improving Flavor

One common complaint about mushrooms is that they lack flavor. Here are some ways to add spice to your mushrooms: If you are preparing a pot roast, sauté your mushrooms in red wine. Some of the juices from the pot roast will mix with the red wine, and the mushrooms will taste better. Another idea is to make a mushroom pasta sauce by chopping mushrooms and putting them a saucepan with cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, and a little vegetable broth.

Conclusion

Evidently, mushrooms have plenty of health benefits, so you should not let their alleged lack of flavor deter you from including them in your salads and cooked meals. After all, mushrooms assist in weight loss, cholesterol reduction, cancer prevention, and the provision of vitamin B12. In fact, mushrooms are now considered a superfood by many health experts, so there is no longer any reason why a health-conscious individual shouldn't try and experiment more with them.

Home Remedies With Henna And Benefits Of Henna Or Mehndi

Home Remedies With Henna And Benefits Of Henna Or Mehndi

About Henna or Mehndi
Latin Name : Lawsonia inermis.

In India, Henna is called Mehndi. It is also called Hina.

Henna is a small flowering shrub or tree that is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Southern Asia, Africa and Northern Australasia.


Henna powder as well as the paste that is made by grinding dried leaves or fresh leaves of the henna plant is also called henna or mehndi.

Use of henna has been recorded since the Bronze Age and it has also been used in ancient India, Rome, Spain, Syria and Egypt. Henna has a long history of use that extends to almost 6000 years.

Henna has a cooling effect on the body and also dyes the hair and skin from a pale orange to a reddish brown color. When henna leaves are crushed a red orange pigment known as lawsone is released which dyes the hair and skin. Lawsone has an affinity for bonding with protein.


Adding essential oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or lavender oil will help henna stain better.

Henna has traditionally been used in festivals and celebrations in many parts of the world and in India since olden times, to tattoo the hands, feet, arms and legs especially during marriages and festivals.

Muslims have used henna to dye their hair and beard as a tradition since the times of Prophet Muhammed who enjoined Muslim womenfolk to dye their nails with henna.

Henna is safe to use in pregnant and nursing women, during chemotherapy and radiation. However ensure that you use pure henna.

Inspite of the many benefits of henna FDA has approved its use only on the hair and not on the skin, as according to FDA, other ingredients are added to pure henna to make it produce a product that gives a darker and longer lasting color. This product called black henna is not actually henna and is harmful to health due to the chemical PPD that is toxic and a potential carcinogen.

Henna has been used in hair dyes, cosmetic products, hair products and for making temporary tattoos.

It is used to preserve cloth and leather. Since ancient times henna has been used to dye wool, silk as well as leather.

Henna also repels some insects and mildew. Place henna flowers between folds of woolen cloth to keep moths away.

Henna flowers are used to make perfume.


It is a wonderful conditioner for hair, makes it thick, shiny and more manageable. It restores the natural acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Being a natural cleanser it does not alter the chemical structure of the hair.

Health Benefits Of Henna

Henna has laxative, expectorant, diuretic, tonic, anthelmintic, anti toxic, anti bacterial, antiviral and anti fungal properties.

It promotes hair growth, relieves bronchitis, asthma, Traditionally henna has been used to treat burns blisters and other skin conditions, headache and migraine, jaundice, amoebic dysentery, stomach and intestinal ulcers, enlarged spleen and even cancer. Henna acts as a good sunscreen,

It is also applied to treat dandruff, fungal infections, eczema and wounds etc.

Some Natural Remedies With Henna or Mehndi

Mouth Ulcers
Soak 50 grams henna powder in 500 ml water. Strain and swish this water around in the mouth for relief.

Alternately, some leaves of henna can also be chewed.

Boils
Boil some henna powder in water and wash the boils with this water.

Burning of the soles of the feet
Apply henna on the soles.

Gum Disease
Boil henna leaves in water. Strain and swish this water around in the mouth.

Cracks, Cuts, Wounds, Injuries
Apply henna paste on the affected area.

Dyeing Hair
Take 50 grams henna powder, 1/2 tsp coffee powder and 25 grams amla powder. Mix these in milk and apply on the head. This will give a golden color to the hair.


Prickly Heat
Apply henna paste on area of the back, neck etc affected by prickly heat. It relieves burning and itching immediately.

Cooling The Body/ Relieving Body Heat
Apply henna paste on the palms and soles. It benefits those with high blood pressure. Henna relieves body heat, induces a feeling of coolness, keeps the mind and head cool and calm.

Fatigue
Sportsmen can benefit by an application of henna paste on the soles of the feet to get relief from fatigue and keep the body cool as well.

About Black Henna or Kali Mehndi


The black henna that is available in the market is not natural henna. It is obtained from the indigo plant and also contains the chemical para phenylenediamine or PPD. Sometimes these are added to henna to produce black henna.

Black henna is extremely dangerous to health since it is a transdermal toxin and a potential carcinogen apart from the fact that it causes allergy in many of those who use black henna.

Getting a black henna tattoo makes the hair sensitive to hair dyes and other chemicals and if a person has had a black henna tattoo and follows it up later with a chemical hair dye, it could even cause a life threatening allergic reaction.

Some Precautions With Henna Use

Henna is safe normally when used externally on hair and skin. Allergic reactions like inflammation of skin and respiratory problems are rare if pure henna is used.
It is considered unsafe for oral consumption.
Henna reacts with Lithium and slows down its excretion. If you are talikg lithium supplementation please note.
Do not use henna in children under 12 years and those with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as it can cause bursting of the red blood cells even when applied on the skin.
Pregnant women should not take it orally as it might lead to miscarriage. Nursing mothers should also avoid it.

The Benefits Of Eating Onions

The Benefits Of Eating Onions


Origin And General Information
Onions are native to Asia and The Middle East. Onion is the most cultivated species of the genus Allium and the cultivation goes back to over 5000 years.
Ancient Eygyptians not only used them as currency but worshipped them as they believed that onions gave eternal life. They placed onions in the tombs of Kings who died believing the dead would take them along to their after life..

There is a lot of folklore with respect to the placing of onions with the dead right from believing that the dead could come back to life to the onion being handy in the after life due to its many antiseptic qualities.
Onions find mention in ancient texts of the Romans, Greeks, Indians, Egyptians, Chinese, Sumerians and has mention even in The Bible ( Numbers 11:5 ).

Uses Of Onions
Onions are primarily used as a food source, in cooking as the start off ingredient in Indian and other Asian cooking, in making onion soups and chutneys, raw in salads and as pickles in vinegar.
They are used in microscopic demonstrations in the laboratory in colleges as the onion cells are quite large even under low magnification and hence easier for study of the cell.
Onion skins have been used in dyeing.
Onions are used as odour remover, insect repeller, metal polisher to remove rust from metals, eliminator of new paint smell, as a smelling salt, for training one's pets etc.
In Ayurveda and herbal therapy, onions are being used for treatment of many ailments.
Varieties Of Onions
Onions are commonly available in the following varieties:
Yellow Onions


These are the sweetest in taste with golden coloured outer skins and pale yellow coloured inner flesh. They are the best for cooking. They are used in onion soups.

Red Onions




They are the most pungent of all the varieties having a red outer skin and red white inner flesh. They cannot be stored for a long time. They are used in salads and sandwiches in traditional cooking.


White Onions


They have white outer skins with the inner flesh too, being white. They are the mildest in flavour. They can be eaten raw or cooked. They are more used in Mexican cooking.
Green Onions/ Spring Onions


The green onions normally available are basically immature onions. They are also eaten raw.


Nutritional Components Of Onions


Onions are rich in the strong sulphur containing compounds which are the primary cause of their strong smell and healing properties. They contain high levels of flavonoids particularly Quercetin which is also an anti oxidant. Onions are a good source of vitamins B6, C, biotin, K, folic acid, chromium, calcium and fiber.

Health Benefits Of Onions
Onions are more beneficical when eaten raw. Also when not cut nor dipped in water they maintain higher nutrient levels. However, cooked onions still retain sufficient nutrients to be beneficial to health.

Some of the many benefits of onions are listed below:
Remove worms, act as an antibiotic and have antiseptic properties.
Alleviate pains, inflammations and spasms.
Are diuretic, digestive, fungicidal, a tonic and a stimulant.
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease & stroke.

Protect against tumour growths and a wide range of cancers.
Prevents gastric ulcers, stimulates the peristaltic movement of the intestines, removes flatulence & indigestion.
Relieves respiratory problems like cough, cold, flu, bronchitis and remove phlegm.
Are antiallergenic, lower blood sugar levels, maintain strong bones,prevent anaemia and tooth decay and oral infections.
Make the blood thin and retard blood clotting.

Uses Of Onions In Specific Health Conditions

In Insomnia

Drink juice of red onions whether they are raw, boiled or steamed. Take 4 tsp at night.

For Eyes

Regular use improves vision.

In Dog Bites

Crush onions finely. Add honey & apply on the bite. It removes the poison.

Also drink onion juice.


In Warts

Applying onion juice on warts destroys them.


To Increase Mother's Milk

Eat raw onion with meals.

In Fits

3 ounces of onion juice mixed with a little water taken eal\rly morning regularly relieves fits. Take this for atleast 40 days.


Making a person who is in a fit smell onion juice brings him back to conciousness.

In Heat Stroke/ Sunstroke

Apply onion juice to temples and chest and massage. Also drink onion juice. Eat raw onions daily with meals and keeping one in the pocket prevents sunstroke.

In Ear Problems

Putting 5-6 drops of warm onion juice in the ear gives relief from pain, pus and whistling sounds.

In Baldness


Apply onion juice and massage on the bald areas regularly. It is reported to grow new hair and stop hair loss.

In Digestion Problems


Onion consumption increases appetite and helps in digesting food. It also improves the functioning of liver and spleen, removes accumulated wind and relieves pain and bloating of stomach.

Heat an onion bulb in fire and take out its juice. Add some salt and drink for relief.

In Hiccups

Cut raw onion. Wash it with water. Add salt and eat. It relieves hiccups. Continue for few days.

In Constipation
Eat 1 raw onion everyday with food.
In Worms

1 tsp onion juice taken every 2 hours kills worms and relieves indigestion.

In Acidity

Mix 60 gms white onion cut in small pieces in 30 gms curd. Eat this 3 times daily for a week for relief.

In Dyspepsia

Cut red onion. Squeeze some lime juice on this and eat with meals for relief.

In children give 5 drops of onion juice to drink.

In Dysentery


In mucus & bloody stools, add 1 onion cut finely cut, to fresh curd made of cow's milk. Wash onion pieces in water before adding to curd.

In Diarrhoea

Grind onion and apply on the navel for control of loose motions.


In Nausea

Eat onion with a little salt.

In Jaundice

A. Cut onions in half and put in vinegar or lemon juice in a jar. Add some salt & black pepper to this. Eat 1 onion daily in morning & evening to get relief.

B. Take 1/2 cup juice of white onion. Add little jaggery & ground turmeric. Mix and drink in morning and evening.
In Bloody Piles
Add 50 gms sugar in 100 gms onion juice and drink.

In Urinary Problems
Put 50 gms onion pieces in 1 litre of water. Boil and strain this water. Add honey. Drink 3 times daily. it brings on urine without pain. It also relieves the problem of frequent urination and helps in bringing on urine in cases of retention of urine.

In cases of burning sensation during urination make the following:

Add 50 gms of finely cut onion to 1/2 litre water and boil till half the water remains. Drink this for relief.

For black hair

Grind onions and apply in hair. It turns hair black.

In Renal Stones


A. Add sugar to onion juice and make a syrup.drinking this breaks the stones and removes them.

B. Take 50 gms onion juice in the morning on empty stomach daily.It breaks the stones and removes them.


In Asthma

Crush onions and inhale the vapours for relief in cough, throat and respiratory diseases and lung affections..

Add honey to onion juice and lick this for relief in asthmatic cough.

In Gout

Massage a mixture of onion juice & mustard oil for relief.
In Abscess

In boils which are ripe and painful do the following:

Grind onions. Add turmeric, wheat flour, water, pure ghee and cook on fire for sometime. Make a poultice and tie it when warm on the boils. It opens up the boil and relieves.


In Headaches & Headaches Due To Sunstroke

Grind onions and apply on the soles of the feet.

In Cholera

A. Add mint juice to onion juice and take 1 tsp every 10 minutes.

B. A mixture of 1 part lemon juice, 1/2 part mint juice and 1/2 part onion juice when taken relieves.


C. Taking warm onion juice also helps.

Protection From Cholera

Take 25 ml onion juice, 1 cup water, juice of 1 lemon, little salt and black pepper powder and little ginger juice. Drink this 4 times a day.

To Protect Teeth

Eat raw onions. It kills harmful bacteria and stops bad breath.

To Protect Against Heart Failure

Researchers at The Royal Victoria Infirmary Institute, UK, have found that if one consumes a plateful of boiled or fried onion pieces in breakfast everyday, it helps in preventing heart attack. The onions prevent formation of blood clots in the coronary arteries.

For Increased Heartbeat & Heart Diseases

Eat 1 raw onion daily with food. Onion helps in regulating blood circulation.

In Intoxication

Onion juice consumption helps in reducing the effects of intoxicating drinks.

In Corns

Apply onion juice 3 times daily to soften corns. cut corns when soft.

As Strength Giver

Take 1 tsp onion juice mixed with 2 tsp honey daily.

For Snake Bite

Mix onion juice 15 ml with 15 ml mustard oil. make the person who is bitten drink this. This is one dose. Take 2 more doses like this , each after a gap of 30 minutes from the earlier dose. This removes the poison.

In Dropsy

Eating raw onion frequently during the day increases urine output & benefits.


In Cold & Cough

Eating raw onion relieves sneezing & running nose.

3 to 4 tsp of onion juice taken with honey in equal measure controls cold, cough & flu symptoms.

Also, Homeopathic medicine Allium cepa 30, 8 pills taken every 3 hours, 5 times a day, for about 2 days relieves frequent sneezing, watery running nose and shoe bite too.

In skin Diseases


Eating raw or cooked onions is beneficial in sick looking & pale skin. It improves the colour of the skin.

Tying a poultice made of warm roasted and crushed to pulp onions on boils which though ripe do not break open, will break open the boils and remove the pus. this will give relief and heal the skin and protect the wound against infections.

Washing of pus infected wounds with a solution made up of 1 part of onion juice & 4 parts of water and tying a bandage dipped in this solution on the wound, heals it.

In Nosebleed

Put onion juice in the affected nostril. It also prevents and relieves nose & throat infection.

In Tuberculosis

Onion juice inactivates the TB bacteria in the body. Eating raw onions has the same effect. Eating onions with salt is more beneficial.

In Anaemia

Onion juice or raw onions increases haemoglobin due to the high content of Iron in it. Eating onions improves strength.

In Bites By Poisonous Insects

Tying a poultice made of ground onions and eating raw onions with salt helps in cases of bites due to honey bees, poisonous insects, scorpions etc.

In Vomiting

Mix equal parts of onion juice and ginger juice. Take 2 tsp of this to stop vomiting.

In Toothaches & Gum Aches

Keep a piece of onion at the affected tooth for relief.

In Blood Disorders

Add 10 gms of candy sugar & 1 gm roasted white cumin seeds in 50 gms onion juice and drink.

Ginseng: Healthy or Harmful for Women?

Ginseng: Healthy or Harmful for Women?

by healingsword

Should women use ginseng? Is ginseng, especially Chinese and Korean ginsengs that are called “yang” tonics, harmful to women, since female energy is “yin”? Should women limit themselves to herbs traditionally given to women, such as red raspberry and dong quai (angelica in the West)? What, if any, value can ginseng have for women? Is there potential harm to women in taking this herb?

One Woman's Experience Taking Ginseng

Although not a scientist or medical doctor, perhaps I can add some clarity to this issue based on my experience. I am a woman who has taken ginseng regularly for over thirty years. Occasionally, I have gone a few months or even years without taking it during that time. I first started using ginseng at around age twenty. I roomed in an establishment with various friends at the time, and one young male friend suggested I chew sliced ginseng root that he gave me as a gift. I tried it, finding the taste unique but not abhorrent. I noticed it gave me energy, but not like the boost from caffeine; ginseng-based energy seemed more organic, like that from a good meal or good night’s sleep.

I next used ginseng a few years later when serving as a missionary, working fourteen-hour days, often outside fundraising and witnessing in bitter cold Midwestern and Northern winters. I attribute my relative good health and stamina during those years at least partially to drinking Korean ginseng tea made from paste extract on a regular basis. I was able to do that work, rarely getting sick (and bouncing back quickly whenever I did get a cold) for all those years not only based on faith, but because I could endure the physical conditions. I believe regular ginseng use helped me do that.

Stepping back from active church work in 1987, I worked full-time in retail to support myself, then returned to college and earned multiple degrees, including a minor in Dance at age forty-seven. Eleven years later, I am currently completing my 200-hour yoga teacher certification, while still working multiple jobs. I believe that the stamina and good health with which that lifestyle has been possible is due at least partly to regular consumption of ginseng, usually Korean ginseng. Whenever I have stopped taking it, I notice a decrease in vitality, less appetite, and weakened digestion. Taking ginseng once more, those symptoms ceased. Additionally, menopause for me was relatively easy, with no hot flashes or extreme mood swings.