India Herbs

Publication: Newindpress

Author:Moulshree Singhal

Date: Nov 23, 2006

When talked about herbal teas, there is a major misconception about the meaning of herbal teas. It can be specifically defined as teas not having the tea leaves either green or black as its ingredient.

Herbal teas or tisanes are beverages made by steeping dried or fresh plant parts (herbs) in water that has come to a boil.
Herbs are plants or plant parts that are used in fresh, dried or extracted form to lift our spirits, season our food, and mend our wounds. Some of the herbs mentioned are easily available in the market; others are imported but available under a brand name peppermint, chamomile, and rooibos.

Herbs are not an instant miracle cure. They have to be taken over a long period of time before they start working on the human system. Again, not all ailments can be cured through herbal teas or herbs. There are some commonplace herbs that are useful for some diseases like: For diabetes The best remedy is bitter gourd or ‘karela’. Eat it as often as possible or have at least one tablespoon of its juice daily. It reduces the level of sugar in blood and urine.

Amla or Indian gooseberry has vitamin C, which is also good for diabetes. One tablespoon of its juice daily for two months is recommended. Two teaspoons of powdered fenugreek (methi, ventayan, venthiyam, menthulu, methya) seeds taken with milk or swallowed as it is also good for diabetes.

Jambolan fruit or black jamun reduces blood sugar levels. Cinnamon (dalchini, lavangapattai, kuruvapatta) increases the conversion of glucose into energy. 10 fresh fully grown curry leaves (meetha neem, karipatta, karivepila, kariveppilai, karepeku) eaten every morning for three months prevents diabetes due to heredity factors and obesity.

For acidity chew a few tulsi (basil) leaves daily. Intake of garlic is also very good. Fresh mint (pudina, puthina) juice or peppermint tea is also recommended.

For blood pressure Garlic (lahsun, belluli, velluli, vellaippundu, velluri), is very beneficial if taken fresh. It reduces the cholesterol levels and prevents blood clots, and destroys plaque.

For cough, take ginger (adrak, inchi, inji, allamu) juice with honey 3-4 times a day. one teaspoon of turmeric (haldi, arishia, manjal, pasupu) powder taken with 30 ml of warm milk twice daily is really good.

Tulsi (basil) leaves are recommended for bronchitis and respiratory tract infections. For arthritis Ginger acts as a good anti inflammatory agent for arthritis.

For indigestion One teaspoon of ajwain (ajmoda) with rock salt is good. For wheezing there is no full cure for wheezing, though some simple ways always followed may benefit.

Licorice (mullethi, atimadhura, yashti madhukam, atimadhuram, atimadhura mu.) root tea may prevent the wheezing attack of asthma. Half teaspoon of licorice and ginger boiled in water make a good tea.

Eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, or clove oil can be applied to the chest and back to improve breathing.

No cure is complete without a medical check up. Home remedies are not the sole way to good health. Appropriate medicines at the right time are also necessary.

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