BAEL : WOOD APPLE :Aegle marmelos

Bael is offered to Lord Shiva. "Lord Shiva , the lord of power ". The leaves ,the fruit are offered to him.

The leaves ,roots , bark , seeds , fruits are all used in Ayurveda.

The fruit has a high nutritive value . It is an energy giving fruit. It contains protein , fibre, calcium, phosphorus, iron , carotene , thiamine, riboflavin, niacin , vitamin C and copper. It contains 600 mg of potassium in 100 gms of the ripe fruit , it is the highest level amongst all the fresh fruits available in India.

The fruit pulp when taken with water or curd treats diarrhoea. If taken with warm milk treats constipation. The fruit is good to treat stomach ailments.

According to Ayurveda, bael has been reported to have preventive and curative actions against diabetes. Some believe that consumption of two tender leaves of bael per day keeps diabetes away. These are particularly effective if taken with two tender leaves of neem.

Bael is good for prevention of baldness.

It is found in most North Indian states in wild or semi wild conditions. The agriculture researchers of various agricultural universities have improved the quality of Bael fruit so that it can be consumed by most of the people. A full grown tree can produce up to 150 to 200 fruits on an average. It is so economical.

Bael fruit can be consumed as such or as a nutritious drink . One big fruit can be made into 5 litres of a drink. India has treasures of nutrients in these local flora. These types of fruits and drinks made from these fruits can be provided to the children and the teenagers of the lower socio-economic group who are malnourished or to the people who are bound to eat once a day.

Excess of bael fruit can harm the liver .

Our national flower :Pride of India :Lotus

Lotus is an aquatic herb. It grows in ponds over India. The flowers are truly beautiful. The various parts of the plant are used as food or medicine. According to religious beliefs a man should be like a lotus, his head held high towards the sun and his feet towards the world of experience. Or it can be stated as a man should work without attachment , dedicated to God untouched by sin like muddy water. Goddess Lakshmi , Lord Vishnu , Goddess Ganga all are portrayed standing or sitting on the lotus flowers.

The lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its flower to within a narrow range just as humans and other warm blooded do. An individual lotus can live upto thousand years and has the rare ability to revive into activity after stasis.

The lotus root contains carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and dietary fibre and minerals like calcium, iron , magnesium , etc. The root or rhizomes may have diuretic, antidiabetic , and anti-inflammatory properties.

The lotus stem has a high nutritional value. It contains a high amount of starch. It is rich in certain constituents which have been shown scientifically in recent years to be protective against diseases like ischemic heart disease, cancer , anaemia, constipation, piles, bile stones and against certain environmental pollutants.

Dry lotus stems are a good source of protein, minerals, fibre, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper. The lotus stem may also contain an adequate amount of other trace elements such as manganese, molybdenum, selenium, chromium and zinc. The stems are eaten as vegetables. It is very important to wash the stems thoroughly as it might contain parasites. Young stems are pickled.

Dry lotus stem helps in the prevention of baldness.

Leaves are so large that they are used to pack rice or other food. Leaves are used to cure hematemesis , epistaxis and haematuria. Dried leaves are used to make lotus tea. Young leaves are used as vegetables.

The leaf stalks are also eaten.

Flowers are used to cure diarrhoea, cholera, fever, hyperdipsia. The flower petals are eaten or are used for garnishing. The stamens are dried and used to make tea.

Seeds are either cooked or roasted . Roasted seeds can be used as a substitute for coffee. The seeds are a good source of protein and unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamin, calcium, iron , zinc , phosphorus and other trace elements. It also provides water soluble polysaccharide, alkaloids, flavonoids , superoxide dismutase and other bioactive compounds , vitamin B1 , B2 , B6 and E. It may cure high blood pressure and gallstones.

Lotus seed's water soluble polysaccharides have also been shown to promote lymphocyte transformation and enhance the immune function.

The seed may have anti-aging properties as it contains L -isoaspartyl methyltransferase.

The seeds contain kaempferol , a flavonoid which is anti-inflammatory . It is known to help in repairing gum tissue.

The astringent properties may help in treating kidney problems.

It also helps in maintaining the energy levels of the body.

It may relieve diarrhoea.

It may help to improve the health of the spleen.

It also fights insomnia or restlessness due to its calming effects.

It may cause allergic reactions. Patients suffering from diabetes, cholesterol problems, psychiatric problems should avoid eating the nuts.

Lotus stems and nuts can be given to children. It can be a good source of energy and protein for them and it may be economical but due to globalisation we have damaged our ecosystem. Most of the big lakes have been used to make high rise apartments. We can be like lotus but we are not. We can try to recover from this damage for our better future.

BANANAS

 

Coconut is an essential part of any religious function but if coconut is not available, banana comes for rescue. Bananas themselves are a very important part of religious functions and wedding functions. The whole bunch is offered to God. People worship the tree to get the benefits of the Jupiter planet or Brihaspati. It is offered to lord Vishnu. It was derived by man in prehistoric times from wild bananas which grew in the regions stretching from India to New Guinea. Over 4.5 million tonnes of fruits are produced annually.

Banana is perhaps the cheapest and the most extensively eaten fruit in the tropics. There are many varieties, each with a distinctive flavour. It supplies more calories than other fresh fruits. Ripe banana contains carbohydrates in the form of sucrose, fructose and glucose which are readily digested.

The whole plant is very useful . The flower , the leaves ,the stem ,the fruit all are used in food . Nature has made amazing items. I feel really sorry for the people who never feel the importance of food.

Raw banana is cooked and eaten. The digestion and absorption of bananas depend on the starch content .

Bananas prevent cataracts.

Feeling a bit anxious, try eating a banana. It contains 5-hydroxytryptamine,( a serotonin , a mood enhancing neurotransmitter) ,vitamin B6 , small amounts of tryptophan, these may promote a relaxed state of mind. This may ward off depression, anxiety , stress , chronic fatigue syndrome and insomnia. Tryptophan stimulates the production of serotonin. Eating complex carbohydrates enhance the absorption of tryptophan.

Vitamin B6 facilitates communication between muscles and nerves. It also helps to make red blood cells. It may also be useful in preventing the moodiness associated with premenstrual syndrome. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6. Cooking partially destroys this vitamin so it is best to eat banana uncooked.

Eating bananas to regulate levels of hormones implicated the development of acne lesions. It may reduce the outbreak.

Studies suggest that sugar molecules in bananas called fructooligosaccharides (FOS ) encourage beneficial bacterial growth in the intestine. This "friendly bacteria "may help to reduce toxins produced by unfriendly flora in the colon and improve nutrient absorption.

Banana is considered to be an antidote against opium poisoning.

Bananas are diuretic.

Pectin is heart healthy.

Herbal tea made of plantain reduces cough , hoarseness, and whooping cough.

After an episode of diarrhoea, a BRAT diet is recommended. The diet consists of Banana Rice Applesauce Toast. Bananas are easily digested and contain high levels of potassium which helps replace the electrolytes you lose when you have diarrhoea. A high banana diet probably increases the butyric acid concentration in the colon , this may control diarrhoea by inhibiting the growth of B.coli. The soluble fiber pectin is also helpful in controlling diarrhoea. It helps to absorb excess fluid in the digestive tract. It also slows down transit time in the digestive tract and adds bulk to stools. Cooked bananas make pectin more available therefore it is best to eat cooked raw bananas. It is also useful in dysentery.

In some constipated people, bananas act as a mild laxative.

They can be given as a source of calories in a non residue diet , for example, in diarrhoea and ulcerative colitis.

The fruit is in relief of dry cough arising from the throat or chest.

Banana is also prescribed in urinary problems involving the bladder.

Banana contains potassium lowering blood pressure and possibly diminishing blood clots and preventing strokes. Eating a day helps to deal with heart and circulation problems.

Research links high potassium intake with a reduced risk for kidney stones so a banana a day is useful.

A lack of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium is probably the biggest cause of nighttime leg cramps. Eat bananas to solve the problem.

Apply the inside of a banana peel to a wart on the sole of the foot and secure it with a bandage.

To help swollen feet , try eating bananas. They are a natural source of potassium which helps relieve fluid retention.

During the worst phase of the flu , you probably won't have an appetite at all. But when you are ready to make the transition from liquids to more substantial fare , put the emphasis on bland starchy food. Bananas are an excellent choice. For a refreshing dessert, peel and freeze overripe bananas, puree and have it.

Bananas contain copper.

Bananas make a nurturing conditioner. Mix one crushed banana with one tablespoon of avocado and massage the paste into your hair and scalp. Cover hair with a plastic wrap and towel, leave for some time, rinse hair with warm water and wash with a mild shampoo.

The leaves are not eaten as such but raw food wrapped in the leaves makes aromatic and tasty dishes.

Hot food served on banana leaves are really far better options than styrofoam or plastic plates.

Squeeze the liquid from fresh leaves of the plantain, dab the juice directly onto blackheads and pimples with a cotton wool.

Sprinkle freshly squeezed plantain herb juice on a cotton cloth and place the cloth on the forehead like a headband to relieve headache.

The juice of the plant is prescribed in certain nervous diseases such as hysteria and epilepsy.

Crush a plantain leaf between the fingers and press it onto the site of insect sting.

Steamed banana leaves are used for dressing burn wounds.

Cooked banana flowers and banana stems can be eaten by diabetics.

The juice of the flowers is considered to be useful in dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) and menorrhagia (excessive menstruation ).

It is believed in Ayurveda that the stem juice is an effective agent to dissolve the renal stones and stones in the bladder. A special variety of banana found in Karnataka and North Kerala is very effective.

Bananas can be a potential troublemaker for the child by the onset of colic if the mother eats .

Plantain flower and green plantain contain good oxalic acid content so it is advisable to consume it in moderation.

A high banana diet results in a rise in its urinary excretory product, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA).

Bananas are not for people suffering from ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Enjoy eating a banana every day. It will help to start an energetic day. A banana and a glass of milk with a whole wheat bread is an ideal breakfast for a school going child.

Do you know? 

A single banana is known as a finger. These fingers grow together in a group called the hand. Many hands grow together to form a bunch or stalk. So next time if you go shopping for a bunch of bananas you have to buy as many as 20 hands .

The banana plant is a giant herb.

The yellow fruit it produces is a Berry. 

Some bananas are long and curved.

If you have a latex allergy you might be allergic to bananas as both contain the same protein. 

POPPY SEEDS

Politically, India is divided into many states and all the states are unique. They are unique in their language, costume, traditions and of course the food. They are totally different but connected with unique similarities.

For instance, Bengal is famous for its love for fish. It is the vital ingredient of their cuisine. But on some days and for some people, fish are restricted so what do they do? Interesting part of the culture is that fish or meat is offered to God but onion and garlic is prohibited so how do they cook? They depend on a spice for the rescue. That spice is poppy seeds.

Poppy seeds are an integral part of vegetarian cooking. It is used in Kashmir. In Himachal Pradesh , it is used in Kullu siddu , paratha , femada and many others. In the extreme South of India, poppy seeds have found their place in Chettinad chicken. It is used in Andhra cuisine as well.

In many areas , poppy cultivation is banned due to the production of opium from it .

But , otherwise , poppy seeds add a taste and have numerous health benefits. It has good amounts of vitamin B , calcium, iron , magnesium , manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

Poppy seeds may take care of

Asthma

Constipation

Cough

Diarrhoea caused by infection

Difficulty sleeping

And to diagnose vesicoenteric fistula

May help prevent some type of cancer from developing.

Poppy seed oil is used to make soap, paint and varnish.

The outer coat of poppy seeds can contain morphine so excess of it can be injurious to health. Excess can block the bowel movements.

People who are allergic to poppy seeds may be allergic to hazelnut, rye , kiwi , sesame or buckwheat.

So enjoy the spice in moderation and I am sure there are no delicious dishes like Aloo posto (potatoes in poppy seed paste ) , jhinge posto (ridge gourd) , bati chorchori , shukto ( mixed vegetable in poppy paste) . Welcome to India, visit West Bengal, you will definitely love the food.

SUN :THE POWERHOUSE; but are we using the power?

India is the place of Gods. We see God in every being ,things ,places. We worship and we worship the Sun , the most powerful heavenly body. We do Surya namaskar , we offer him water , we keep fast for him and we pray for our health. Why ? Because SUN gives us strength, power ,energy and the FOOD. It also provides us with the "sunshine vitamin" , VITAMIN D.

Ever wondered why dandruff tends to be less severe in summer. It's because direct ultraviolet light has an anti-inflammatory effect on scaly skin conditions.

But are we using the valuable sunshine ? No! in this modern world, NO. Actually , we are so engrossed in ME that we don't have time for ourselves. Most of us leave the house early and come home late , travel either by public transport or cars , work in air conditioned offices and by chance if we go out on a sunny day, use sunscreens or carry an umbrella to protect ourselves from being tanned or wrinkled. In short , we are neglecting the sunshine and becoming deficient of many vital nutrients.

All vertebrates, including humans , obtain most of their daily vitamin D requirements from casual exposure to sunlight. Solar ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin where they convert 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre cholecalciferol , which undergoes rearrangement of its double bond to form cholecalciferol. Latitude, season, time of day as well as the integrity of the atmospheric ozone layer influence the amount of rays reaching the earth's surface and thereby alter the cutaneous production of cholecalciferol.

The "sunshine vitamin " , Vitamin D is important for the absorption of CALCIUM and PHOSPHORUS. It assists in regulating blood levels of calcium and phosphorus and is essential for the maintenance of healthy cartilages and bones. It is a fat soluble vitamin and the body creates it when the sun's ultraviolet ray strikes the skin for about 10 to 15 minutes a day. Vitamin D is a collective term for a group of compounds which includes ergocalciferol (D2), cholecalciferol (D3),and the dihydrotachysterol (DHT2 &DHT3) , together with their biologically active metabolites.

Dietary vitamin D is absorbed together with fat from the intestine. Thus, in fat malabsorption, vitamin D absorption is reduced. It is stored mainly in the liver.

Vitamin D enhances bone strength. The vitamin has been shown to hinder the breakdown of bone and the progression of osteoarthritis. Population studies link low levels of vitamin D with an elevated risk for osteoarthritis. Elderly women with low blood levels of vitamin D may have an elevated risk for osteoarthritis in the hip.

In the earlier times in India , everyone was not lucky enough to get the valuable sunshine, osteomalacia was common among women, particularly those in "purdah". The reasons for their problems were poor diet , low intake of milk , exposure to sunlight, repeated pregnancy and prolonged lactation.

The deficiency of vitamin D in children during the period of active skeletal growth causes rickets which results from the defective mineralisation of the ends of the growing bones.

Studies show that postmenopausal women with a good intake of calcium and vitamin D have the lowest risk for osteoporosis related bone loss and fractures.

Vitamin D is essential for proper calcium absorption and research findings suggest that it may be particularly important for obese individuals who may have reduced levels of bioavailable vitamin D. Excess body fat store this fat soluble vitamin, making it unavailable for its healthful activities including strengthening the skeleton. So it is advisable to shed off the excess weight.

Low serum levels of vitamin D have been associated with psoriasis. With regular doses of sun , psoriasis sufferers improve.

Vitamin D may help treatment with SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

Vitamin D works in tandem to improve the health of the skin. It may play a part in suppressing premenstrual acne and oily skin.

Some of the packaged milk is fortified with vitamin D. Egg yolk , dairy products, fishes such as salmon, mackerel , sardines, and tuna are the natural source . Studies have shown that one teaspoon per day of cod liver oil may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by providing the body with substantial amount of vitamin D and A. But , please note, both vitamin A and D can be toxic in large amount so limit the intake of any supplement to only a teaspoon. Too much of a supplement can damage the liver.

In this modern world , many commercial preparations of vitamin D are available along with calcium salts. Like other fat soluble vitamins, vitamin D can be stored in the body.

But massive vitamin D therapy can be harmful. With increasing doses of vitamin D , the serum calcium , serum phosphorus level rises resulting in abnormal calcification in the kidneys, blood vessels and other organs. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite (which may prompt the mothers to give more vitamins ), nausea , thirst , vomiting and constipation and later impaired kidney functions. Don't get too much vitamin D if you are suffering from kidney stones.

Start the day with sunshine, admire the sun as without it no life can thrive , celebrate pongal , uttarayan , makar sankranti , bihu and many more festivals , bask in the morning sun daily only for ten minutes so that no supplements are needed. Eat a whole egg or fatty fish or krill oil to keep your bones healthy and for the vegetarian people sunshine is the best source along with a glass or two of vitamin D fortified milk.

SAFFRON : The Royal spice

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It consists of rich gold or yellowish red stigmas of the flower of C.sativus. 75000 saffron blossoms are needed to produce a gram of saffron spice. The cultivation of saffron is a traditional art. It involves a large amount of labour. It's annual production is around sixteen thousand kilograms in India. The state of Jammu and Kashmir tops the list of the saffron growing states in India. It has one of the unique and delicate flavours which cannot be compared with any other spice.

Saffron is an integral part of Indian cuisine, adding taste and colour to rice , pulao , kheer , laddoos , milk , halwa , sweets, lamb , etc.

Saffron is a natural medicine and a cosmetic . It has been used since classical times. It's high cost limits its uses. Saffron contains a glycoside, crocin , which is its chief colouring principle. The flavour and spice value are due to the volatile and fixed oils.

It may be an important disease fighting spice. Contains crocetin and carotenoids.

It may fight -

Asthma , cough , whooping cough , fever , melancholia, and works as an expectorant.

It can be a treatment for depression and insomnia.

It may be the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

It may be a treatment for ischaemic heart disease , atherosclerosis and cancer.

It may help to ease flatulence and heartburn , enlargement of liver and spleen.

In Ayurvedic medicine , it is used to heal arthritis, impotence and infertility.

It may ease with premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps.

It is used as an aphrodisiac.

It is an expensive spice , it has to be used in small amounts. Using it in large doses is harmful and may interfere with health.

NUTMEG and MACE: Indian cuisine really relies on the flavours due to fragrant cornucopia of spices

Nutmeg is the dried seed derived from the tree Myristica fragrans . It's sweet, aromatic, warm flavour tends to be strong so it is advisable to use small amounts. Mace is the scarlet fleshy covering called the aril enclosing in a network the seed , the nutmeg. Mace is carefully removed, flattened and dried.

The most important part of the nutmeg and mace is the volatile oil which contains terpenes and aromatics. Nutmeg yields about 25 per cent fixed oil known as nutmeg butter.

It is an important element of the world's cuisines. Best freshly grated , it imparts a delicate taste and colour to a variety of dishes. It is used as a

Flavouring agent.

Dental preparations.

Essence.

Confectionery.

Vegetable dishes.

Beverages.

Drugs.

Archeologists have found nutmeg spiced food from an Indonesian island. They were using nutmeg as a spice 3500 years ago.

Medicinal properties

Carminative.

Feeling a bit down, eating nutmeg -cinnamon biscuits might lift your spirits. Adding 1/2 tsp each of nutmeg and cinnamon to the biscuit recipe will help to reduce mild depression. But don't overeat.

Contains a monoterpene eugenol.

Prevents heart disease by preventing blood cells from forming too many clots.

May have antibacterial properties that may destroy the food borne bacteria E.coli.

Nutmeg poisoning

The active toxic factor is myristicin. Excess of nutmeg can cause hallucination. Even a teaspoon of nutmeg can produce toxic symptoms. It is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis and in high doses has an anticholinergic effect resembling atropine toxicity.

It has been self administered to induce menses or abortion.

Beware :

Nutmeg is poisonous when eaten in very large quantities so should be stored well out of the reach of the children.

Nutmeg and mace are used in many Indian dishes like mutton curries , pulao , sweets , desserts etc . Spices should be eaten in moderation so nutmeg and mace when used in moderation gives maximum benefits and flavour to the food.

Enjoy food and the spices and live healthy.