Malunggay

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera), is a popular plant known for nutritional value as well as a herbal medicine. Malunggay is a plant that grows in the tropical climates such as the Philippines, India and Africa. Malunggay is widely used as vegetable ingredient in cooking, as herbal medicine for a number of illness and other practical uses. 

The Malunggay plant can grow to as high as 9 meters with erect white trunks. The compound leaf has about 3 to 9 leaflets. Malunggay has white fragrant flowers that produces long pods with 3-angled winged seeds.

Malunggay may be propagated by planting its seeds about an inch in the ground or matured malunggay stem cuttings of about 3 feet in length may also be planted into the ground. Planted malunggay cuttings grows faster compared to planted seeds.

The malunggay pods are the most valued and widely used part of the plant. Malunggay pods contains essential amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients. Malunggay pods may be eaten raw or may be prepared or cooked. Malunggay pods may be fried and may produce a clear, odorless and sweet oil mostly called - Ben Oil.

Malunggay leaves may be eaten as greens, in salads and as vegetable ingredients for soups and other tropical viands. Malunggay flowers are cooked and eaten either mixed with other foods or fried in batter.

Malunggay, combat malnutrition, used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron and protein

Malunggay - Anti infectious: Antibacterial; Anti Fungal, . In late 1940's, The Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore (PLN Rao) have found that malunggay or Moringa Oleifera leaves contain a compound "pterygospermin" that is known in medical science as having antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal properties.

Malunggay - Anti Cancer Malunggay or Moringa has been shown in studies to have an anti-tumor capacity. Moringa contains benzyl isothiocyanate. There are many studies that have shown this chemical and compounds derived thereof to have anti-cancer and chemoprotective capabilities. This chemoprotective aspect is critical for those who are battling cancer; this helps strengthen cells so that they can tolerate chemotherapy. Malunggay is also considered in the treatment of prostate cancer and skin cancer.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that has ancient origins and is popularly used as flavorings, as a condiment and in cooking. Cinnamon is also known to provide various medicinal benefits that include lowering of blood cholesterol, for diabetes. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamon tree.

There are two popular kinds of Cinnamon, one is the “true Cinnamon” from the Cinnamon tree which is native in Sri Lanka (from the genus Cinnamomum verum) and the other is “Cassia” (Cinnamomum Cassia) which is being commercially cultivated in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. It is widely accepted that Cinnamon from Sri Lanka is of better quality between the two.

Cinnamon is used in many culinary receipts and desserts, such as donuts, apple pie, cinnamon buns as well as candies, tea, hot cocoa, and liquors. Cinnamon is also used in thick soups, drinks and sweets. Cinnamon is popularly used in the United States as flavoring for cereals, bread-based dishes and fruits. In Mexico, cinnamon is used in the preparation of chocolates.

Other than for culinary purposes, oil obtained from the cinnamon bark is also popularly used in perfumery. Cinnamon oil is also used in dental and pharmaceutical products. Cinnamon leaf oil has been found to be effective in killing mosquito larvae. In some studies, Cinnamon leaf oil is being proposed for use as an insect repellent.

There are some benefits of Cinnamon:

Because Cinnamon has ancient origins, a broad range of folkloric health remedies have been practiced through the years that can be found in various cultures. But a number of scientific studies that were done confirmed that there are indeed some medicinal benefits from Cinnamon. Cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat toothache and fight bad breath. Cinnamon is also believed to stave off common colds, nausea, sued as general health tonic and as aid in degistion.

Some of the folkloric applications of Cinnamon are as follows:

Memory Booster , Cinnamon can improve cognitive function as well as memory.

Blood Purification . Cinnamon helps in removing impurities from the blood, and is often recommended for pimples.

Promotes Healing . Cinnamon helps to stop bleeding, and facilitates the healing process. 

Digestive Tonic Cinnamon aids in digestion. Cinnamon is effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Cinnamon also relieves acidity and morning sickness.

Respiratory problems . Cinnamon helps in cold, flu, influenza, sore throat.

Lagundi

Lagundi is an erect, branched tree or shrub, that grows to as much as 5 m high. Lagundi has a single thick, woody stem like a trunk and is usually seen in swamps of the Philippines. Lagundi leaves appear palmately, in the form of five pointed leaves which splay out like the fingers of a hand.

 Lagundi leaves are 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only. Lagundi leaves are 4-10 cm long, slightly hairy beneath.

Lagundi has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by Philippine folks. The efficacy of Lagundi has also been verified by the Philippine Department of Health and other Philippine based scientists which concentrated on its use to ease respiratory complaints.

 Lagundi is generally used for the treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems,

Lagundi is also known for its analgesic effect that helps alleviate pain and discomfort.

 Other traditional benefits that are derived from the use of Lagundi are as follows: 

Relief of asthma & pharyngitis

Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea

Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders

Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox

Removal of worms, and boils