Herbals and Antioxidants

Nowadays many people are aware of the effects of chemicals on foods we are eating everyday. From processed foods, instant foods and noodles, instant food additives spices, instant coffees and milks, etc. which mostly are the causes of cancers, high blood pressures, diabetes, and many diseases nowadays. And now many pharmaceutical companies are turning to the research and manufacturing of herbal supplements and vitamins came from most common backyard plants, fruits and vegetables. These days, everybody knows about free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals attack the cells in our bodies every second of every day. Much has been made of the extensive antioxidant properties of vitamins, especially Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
There are many common plants, fruits and vegetables in our own backyard which can be use as herbal medicines and antioxidants:

1. Aloe Vera

The Aloe vera gel from the inside of the aloe plant’s leaves is used in cosmetics and skin treatments, as a laxative and digestion aid, for flu, chickenpox, and herpes and can also kill bacteria. Aloe also stops bowels from absorbing water. This speeds the passage and volume of the bowel’s contents, resulting in a laxative effect. It also speeds the healing of skin injuries such as poison ivy, ulcerations, hives, and burns.

2. Ginger

Ginger's root is used today to provide relief for symptoms of motion sickness including sweating, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea. Ginger has other uses including relieving arthritis pain, ulcerative colitis, menstrual discomfort, headaches, fevers from flu and colds, and sore throats. Gastrointestinal problems including heartburn and gas can also be treated with ginger. Ginger is also used to treat arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

3. Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is most commonly used to treat the elderly for disorientation, depression, memory loss, headaches, tinnitus, and vertigo because of its positive effects as a circulatory aid. It is thought to help increase blood flow to the brain, which makes it a possible treatment for cerebral insufficiency. Those suffering from other circulation problems, such as leg cramps, have found relief from using Ginkgo Biloba. Although there are no conclusive studies, Ginkgo’s antioxidant effects may protect the cardiovascular the central nervous system from the effects of aging such as mental deterioration. Ginkgo is thought to also restrain high blood pressure.

4.Garlic

Garlic has been used for many years to prevent health problems including colds, flu, menstrual pain, high blood pressure, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, atherosclerosis, and bronchitis. Garlic has been proven to kill various fungal infections, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Also labeled as an antioxidant, garlic may help prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer and can improve the effectiveness of the immune system. Garlic is most popular for its effectiveness of cardiovascular wellness. It is effective in treating atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, respiratory infections, and triglyceride levels. Alliin is the primary ingredient found in garlic. This chemical is similar chemically to cysteine, an amino acid containing sulfur, and possesses no odor. After garlic is crushed, alliin is to converted into allicin, the compound that gives garlic its strong smell and numerous health benefits.

5. Mangosteen

Mangosteen is included in the family of xanthones, and the most dynamic of these are found in this amazing fruit. Xanthones have been the subject of intense research for several decades. they are found in a select number of rain forest plants, but nowhere are they found in more abundance than in the pericarp, or rind, of the Mangosteen fruit. This smooth, purple covering that was ground with ancient mortars turns out to be the mother lode of beneficial xanthones.
The two most beneficial xanthones found in the Mangosteen have been named Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin. When isolated and thoroughly tested by researchers, these two xanthones have been found to carry a host of benefits. According to professional journals such as Free Radical Research, Journal of Pharmacology, and the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, these xanthones are some of the most powerful antioxidants to be found in nature.

6. Ginseng

Ginseng is used in thousands of formulas to provide vivacity and energy. Ginseng is used more than any other herbal remedy. It contains nitrogenous compounds, minerals, vitamins, fat-soluble compounds, and carbohydrate compounds in its stained root. The herb is costly and not easy to produce and takes six years to reach maturity. Researchers today label ginseng as a strong immune system tonic that can uniquely affect the entire body.

7. Green Tea

Teas generally all come from the tea plant; what causes each tea to differ is how it is prepared. Green tea differs from oolong and blank tea because the active components stay unchanged because it is not fermented. In addition to various vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, green tea contains organic chemicals called polyphenols, or epigallocatechin gallate, that produce its medicinal properties. Early scientific studies are showing that green tea may be able to lower cholesterol, especially the dangerous LDL cholesterol. They also suggest that this tea might improve cardiovascular health by causing blood platelets to be less sticky. It is known to be a detoxifier and an antioxidant and can help prevent atherosclerosis. Other studies show the possibility of green tea having the ability to restrain cancer. The polyphenols in green tea stopped the spreading of melanoma cells in scientific experiments on animals and may also be able to lower the risk of certain cancers in humans. It also has the ability to reduce bacteria causing dental cavities and harmful bacteria found in the stomach.

8. Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is often used for digestion purposes in oil form. The oil is also used to treat problems including cramps, gastritis, motion sickness, and irritable bowl syndrome.The gastrointestinal tract is often relieved by peppermint as it relaxes the intestinal wall’s muscles. As it increases saliva, swallowing increases and relieves cramps, improves appetite, and relieves pain from motion sickness, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Muscle spasms from barium enemas, colonoscopy, and endoscopy are restrained by peppermint. It is used orally in the form of tablets or tea to relieve respiratory conditions including coughing, colds, acute respiratory difficulties, and viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. To relieve irritated nasal passages, the oil can be inhaled. The oil can be applied to the chest to soothe respiratory discomfort and allergies.

9. Maitake Mushroom

Maitake contains “immunomodulators” called complex polysaccharides that help increase the body’s immune function. The polysaccharides in maitake are some of the strongest in existence. The main polysaccharide in maitake, beta-D-glucan, is being researched to see if it is an effective treatment for HIV and cancer. Maitake can be ingested as a tea, tablet, capsule, or in dietary form. Since the body of the mushroom contains more polysaccharide than the mycelium, the fruit body is suggested for supplementation and consumption. 3-7 grams of pure maitake can be taken daily.

10. Chamomile

Chamomile is used to treat many maladies including fevers, stomach pain, and stroke. In Germany it is called “the cure-all cure.” German chamomile is also very commonly used to treat problems like bloating, nausea, or stomach pain. In America, chamomile is also very commonly used to soothe, relax, and aid sleep. Other benefits include soothing colds, helping wounds or abscesses heal, reducing gum inflammation, treating skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and treating ulcerative colitis. Chamomile can also be taken as teas, soaks, or ointments to treat children’s maladies like chicken pox, diaper rash, and colic. Generally, chamomile is taken as soon as symptoms manifest themselves. If it is taken for ulcers, heartburn, or other serious problems and symptoms persist, see a professional as soon as possible.

There are so many herbals and antioxidants in the world but the abovementioned are those commonly available and if not, they are mostly included as main ingredients in today’s herbal and antioxidant medicine and vitamin supplements. It is not 100% that your diseases will be cured. It is also advised that you need the physician’s or expert’s advice before you take self medications. Now it’s up to you to try to use them as an alternative medicine or for disease prevention. But there’s common advice that “If symptoms persist, consult your physician”.