Wellbeing Welfare of Sweet Potato

The sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas, is not closely related to the common white potato. It is a dicotyledonous plant that belong to the family of Convolvulaceae  and genus of Ipomoea.

The sweet potato is an excellent source of dietary fibre and vitamin A in a form of beta-carotene, an antioxidant, transformed into vitamin A in the body. Adding fat to the meal can increase its absorption. It is also a very good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant, may decrease the duration of common colds and improve skin health.  It contains pantothenic acid, vitamin B5 , vitamin B2, niacin vitamin B3 vitamin B6, vitamin B1 a fat-soluble antioxidant and vitamin E.  The most abundant polyphenol antioxidant in sweet potato is chlorogenic acid. The sweet potatoes hold minerals like potassium which is important for blood pressure control, copper, phosphorous and manganese which is essential for growth and metabolism. Sweet potato has a medium level of glycemic index.

Sweet potato is good for your digestion, regulates your blood pressure, so can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is also important for your good vision and improves your skin and hair. Sweet potatoes contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The high anthocyanin content of sweet potatoes is behind their anti-cancer activity; they are able to inhibit growth of specific cancers; breast cancer, gastric cancer and colon cancer. Sweet potato can help manage diabetes due to the slow release of glucose into the blood stream. Its high level of fibre is beneficial for diabetes too.

So this is power food it is good for you, start eating it regularly. You can prepare soup, mash additional you can steam or roast them.

Health Benefits of Nettle Leaf

Ms H

A natural allergy relief remedy is the common nettle, stinging nettle or Urtica dioica belongs to the family Urticaceae, it is an annuals or perennial herbaceous plant. Stinging nettle contains chemicals like histamine and acetylcholine, which can be very irritating to the skin.

The plant’s derives are used to help a number of indispositions.

You can use the health aids of nettle in the following ways:

·      The leaves can be stemmed and cooked like spinach.

·      The dried flowers and leaves can be steeped and made into tea.

·      Stinging nettle extract, root tincture (soaked in alcohol)

·      Nettle oil or capsules

Health benefits:

·      Due to its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties the leaves, tincture or oil are used for treating arthritis and join pain.

·      The anti-inflammatory qualities also make nettles to be able preventing  hay fever symptoms because they affect number of receptors and enzymes in allergic reactions.

·      Stinging nettle root extract can slow or stop the spread of prostate cancer cells, it also can ease the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

·      It is a natural treatment for eczema due to its antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties.

·      It reduces bleeding after surgery, dental surgery or menstrual flow.

·      Helps to control blood sugar level in patients with diabetes.

Health Benefits of Bay Leaves

Ms H

The ancient Romans and Greeks used to make crowns out of true bay leaves to crown great and proficient people. The word ‘baccalaureate’ originates from this giving of bay leaf crowns to show success, as does the term "poet laureate".

Laurus nobilis is an evergreen tree or big shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the plants used for bay leaf seasoning in cooking. Bay leaves have their distinctive aroma and flavour.

Nutritional platter:

·      Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese

·      Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D

Health benefits:

·      bay leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties,

·      bay leaf oil eases pain on inflamed joins, helps pain from arthritis rubbing  it on joints,

·      they are helpful in regulating blood sugar,

·      bay leaf tea keep the scalp healthy,

·      they also helpful in digestion 

You can take advantage of all these effects by using bay leaves in your foods, making bay leaf tea or bay leaf oil

Health Benefits of Lemongrass

Ms H 

 The lemongrass, cymbopogon, growths in Asia, Africa, Australia and the tropical islands. Due to their scent the leaves and the oil commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herb.

Nutritional values:

·      Lemongrass is rich in minerals:

magnesium,

copper,

iron,

potassium,

calcium,

phosphorous

manganese.

·      Lemongrass is a good source of vitamins:

vitamin C,

vitamin A.

folic acid,

folate; vitamin B₁₂  B₉

Health benefits of lemongrass:

·      Lemongrass tea contains antiseptic compounds that kill bad bacteria and parasites in the digestive tract  providing  healthy digestive system.

·      Controls cholesterol level by reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine and assisting in the oxidation of LDL- cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the blood, which helps to prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

·      Lemongrass tea helps fight cancer by causing the cancer cell commit suicide.

·      Regular consumption of lemongrass tea maintains detoxification of the body by removing toxins, uric acid and bad cholesterols.

·      The antibacterial and antifungal properties of lemongrass able it to fight fever, coughs and flu.

·      The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties appoint it for treating arthritis, rheumatism, gout and joint pain generally.

·      Keeps skins healthy.