According to Meulenbeldet. al. (1999), Ayurveda is a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Zysk & Kenneth G. (1999) in their research work mentioned that the main classical Ayurveda texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from Gods to sages, and then to human physicians. Natural therapies are fully based on the complex herbal compounds, minerals and metal substances.
Many scholars considered Ayurveda as the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The science of life”. According to the author Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the “Mother of all healing”.Adopting Ayurveda and natural health practice helps in prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to balance in one’s life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs
It enables one to understand how to create this balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s own individual constitution and how to make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.
From ancient times onwards, our ancestors used several herbs into their day to day life and as a result they were strong, healthy and disease free. Currently we are facing a worst infection of new viruses. To overcome this problem and to prevent ourselves from this rapidly spreading disease, we should take our own responsibility by remaining positive, healthy and disease free.
Here in our post, we wish to discuss on some natural plants and its effect on us.
In India, en-number of medicinal plants, spices etc. is available in abundant. We use many of them in our day to day life too. We wish to focus on some important natural compounds which will help us to prevent viral attacks.
Bill Gates in 2015 said that “Today’s greatest risk of global catastrophe is not nuclear attack rather than that,it is highly infectious virus.Not missile but microbes kill more peoples. We are investing lots of money in nuclear weapon & very less in system to stop epidemics.We are not ready for next epidemic.Next epidemic is dramatically more devastating than Ebola.WHO estimated in 2015 if in future we have a worldwild flu epidemic then global wealth come down to three trillion dollars & we have millions of death.So it is better for us to invest more money in system to stop epidemics than weapon. One positive things can come out from Ebola epidemic that it is wake up warning call for us to get ready.If we start now working on it then we can prepare ourselves ready for next epidemic”
Today what Bill Gates said comes true.It is better for us to build up our immunity by adding some natural plants in our daily diet so healthy human being can prevented from such viral attacks.
Following are some of the plants and spices verified by researchers that they have important phytochemicals that can keep us healthy.
Neem, Basil, Ixora, Turmeric, Garlic, Ginger, Fennel, Ashwagandha, Shatavar
Lemon
Neem
Scientific name of neem is Azadirachtaindica
Classification
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Sapindales
Family: Meliaceae
Genus: Azadirachta
Species: A. indica
Medicinal properties: Neem plant have several properties such as Immunomodulatory, Anti-inflammatory, Anti hyperglycaemic, Antiulcer, Antimalarial, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antioxidant, Antimutagenic, Anticarcinogenic
Active phytochemicals: Alkaloids, Flavanoids, Glycosides, Reducing Sugars, Tannins, Saponins, Terpenoids, Polysaccharides, Phytosterols, Phenol and so on.
Neem is a common tree found everywhere around us. Part of this tree such as bark, leaves, fruits and flowers are used to make medicine. Leaves of the neem tree shows maximum activity as compared to other part of the plant. Products made from neem trees are used in India from over two million years for their medicinal properties. Neem oil is used for healthy hair, proper liver functioning, blood detoxification and balancing blood sugar levels. Neem leaves is also used to treat skin diseases
We can use neem water (neem leaves were grinded and converted into paste form which is then added to boiling hot water and boiled for 15 minutes) as a natural spray through which we can disinfect our surrounding by spraying
We can use this neem water as a natural sanitizer too by simply applying it in hands
Basil
Scientific name of basil is Ocimum tenuiflorum
Basilis commonly known as tulsi or holy basil.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Lamiales
Family:Lamiaceae
Genus:Ocimum
Species:O.tenuiflorum
Medicinal properties:Good digestion, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Anti-depressing, Antidiabetic, Detoxification, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Immunomodulatory and so on.
Active phytochemicals:Carbohydrate, alkaloid, tannin, flavonoids, saponins, glycoside, terpenoid, fatty acids and phenol are present in basil
Tulsi or holy basil is an aromatic shrub with a magical power of releasing stress, regulating immune system and have plenty of medicinal properties which we had discussed above. In Hindu religion, basil is considered as a Goddess and from ancient time onwards to till this generation we worship the holy basil. This aromatic herb is also used in teas and supplements which may provide a range of health benefits. Basil provides vitamin K after consumption. One case study says that, when 60 people with type 2 diabetes took 250 mg of holy basil extract alongside a diabetes drug each day before breakfast and dinner for three months, they had an 18% decrease in average blood sugar compared to those only taking the drug. Another case study suggested that 158 people with at least three symptoms of stress, taking 1,200 mg of holy basil extract daily for six weeks was 39% more effective at improving general stress symptoms than a normal person.
Eating 4 to 5 leaves of this basil in early morning at empty stomach is best practice to remain stress free and healthy in whole day. Basil have antiviral activity too which will help us for protecting ourselves in this adverse condition
Ixora
Scientific name of this plant is Ixoracoccinea. It is commonly known as Jungle geranium, techi and so on.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Family:Rubiaceae
Genus:Ixora
Species:I. coccinea
Medicinal properties:
Ixora plant have several properties such as Immunomodulatory, Anti-inflammatory, Anti hyperglycaemic, Antiulcer, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antioxidant, Antimutagenic, Anticarcinogenic, Gastroprotecctive, antidiarrhoeal etc.
Active phytochemicals:
Alkaloids, Flavanoids, Glycosides, Reducing Sugars, Tannins, Saponins, Terpenoids, Phenol and many more.
As per the research studies, Ixora plants especially leaves and flower region showed good medicinal properties. If we add this in our daily routine in the form of herbal tea (Leaves and flower of this plant is grinded and added in boiled water) it will boost our immune system and repair our damaged cells.
Turmeric
Scientific name of turmeric is Curcuma Longa
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Zingiberales
Family:Zingiberaceae
Genus:Curcuma
Species:C. longa
Medicinal properties:
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, improved brain function, lower risk of heart disease, Anticarcinogenic, prevent and treat alzheimer’s disease, Antidepressive, Antiaging, wound healingetc.
Active phytochemicals:
Diarylhepatanoids, turmerone, germacrone, atlantone, zingiberene, curcuminoids and so on.
Turmeric is a flowering plant of the ginger family, commonly known as “Indian saffron” native to tropical South Asia. In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties including strengthening the overall energy of the body, relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion and so on.
As per the research work and ancient culture, drinking turmeric milk at night before sleeping is again a good choice & can be prevent viral infections.
Garlic
Scientific name of garlic is Allium sativum.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Asparagales
Family:Amaryllidaceae
Genus:Allium
Species:A. sativum
Medicinal properties:
Immunomodulatory, Antimicrobial, Anti carcinogenic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cholesterol etc.
Active phytochemicals:
Allin, ajoene, diallylpolysulfides, vinyldithiine, S-allylcysteine, saponins, flavonoids.
Garlic is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Using 5-6 cloves of garlic in diet is good for health and increases our immunity. One clove of raw garlic contains manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B6, vitamin C selenium and fiber. Garlic supplements are known to boost the function of the immune system. One study suggest that a high dose of aged garlic extract reduced the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61%. Another study suggest that garlic supplements to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
Ginger
Scientific name of ginger is Zingiber officinale.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Zingiberales
Family:Zingiberaceae
Genus:Zingiber
Species:Z. officinale
Medicinal properties:
Reduce muscle pain and soreness, Anti-inflammatory, Improve heart disease, lower cholesterol, Anticarcinogenic, Anti-Alzheimerand Antimicrobial.
Active phytochemicals:
Gingerenone, shogaol, D-camphor, paradols etc.
According to the author Joe Leech, Ginger is among the healthiest spices on the planet. It is loaded with the nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for our body and brain. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help to fight the flu and common cold. Ginger helps our body functioning by increasing the metabolism. It have antimicrobial property which helps to fight against foreign particle entering our body commonly known as antigen or pathogen. Drinking ginger tea twice a day will boost our immunity and protect from pathogens.
Fennel
Scientific name of fennel is Foeniculum vulgare.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Apiales
Family:Apiaceae
Genus:Foeniculum
Species:F. vulgare
Medicinal Properties
Antimicrobial,Antiflatulent and antispasmodic,Stimulant, Anticarcinogenic,Antioxidant,Muscle relaxant,Hepatoprotective,Antiparasiticetc,
carminative,
Active phytochemicals: γ-Terpinene,3-Methoxycinamaldehyde,Anethole,Anisaldehyde,Apiol,Caryophyllene,cis-Sabinenehydrate,Eugenol,Fenchyl acetate,Germacrene,Limonene,Ocimene,β-Pinene,β-Thujaplicine,Isopinocampheol etc.
Fennel seeds are useful in chest,kidney & spleen problems.Due to its medicinal property it is used to treat respiratory congestion,smoothing muscle of digestive track.
Indian ginseng (Ashwagandha)
Scientific name of Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Solanales
Family:Solanaceae
Genus:Withania
Species:W. somnifera
Medicinal Properties:
Anti-inflammatory, Antitumor, Anti-stress, Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory, Hemopoetic, Rejuvenating Effect etc.
Active phytochemicals:
Withaferin,withanolides,sitoindoside, Tropine, Cuscohygrine,Ergostan etc.
Research studies says that Glycowithanolides, sitoindosides shows Immunomodulatory & central nervous system effect to increases memory &learning also mixture of these two phytochemical show anti-stress activity.cyclophos-phamide, azathioprin, or prednisolone shows significant increase in white blood cell count,red blood cell count, platelets count etc.Research studies also reports that hemolytic antibody responses toward human erythrocytes.
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavar)
Scientific name Shatavar is Asparagus racemosus.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order:Asparagales
Family:Asparagaceae
Genus:Asparagus
Species:A. racemosus
Medicinal Properties:
Galactogogue, Antibacterial,Antiprotozoal,Gastrointestinal effects,Antineoplastic activity,Cardiovascular effects,Immunomodulatory activity,Immunoadjuvant potential activity.
,antiulcer,
Active phytochemicals:
Steroidal saponins,Oligospirostanoside,Polycyclic alkaloid-Aspargamine, sitosterol,Kaepfrol, Flavanoids(Glycosides of quercitin, rutin and hyperoside), Sarsapogeninetc etc.
Studies suggest that mortality rate of racemosus treated group found to be reduced.Immunoadjuvant potential activity is also reported for Asparagus racemosus.Oral doses per day increases antibodies. Also activity of central nervous system increases.
Lemon
Scientific name Lemon is Citrus limon.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus:Citrus
Species: C. limon
Medicinal Properties:
Anticancer, weight loss, Prevent kidney stones, Balance pH, Blood Sugar Balance, Blood Purifier, Osteoporosis, Brain and Nerve Food, Treat Throat Infections, Acne & Pimples etc.
Active phytochemicals:
Citric acid, citronellal, limonene,α-terpineol,geranyl acetate,linalyl,coumarin derivatives,flavone glycosides,citral, geraniol,pinene etc.
Lemon is rich in vitamin C .Studies shows citrus liminoids have anticancer activity, It protects cells from damage which is the formation of cancer cells. Lemon useful in kidneystone daily doses of lemon give tons of benefits so this fruit is very economically beneficial& can prevent from many disease.Anticancer activity is found in lemons.It also improve immunity. In India lemons are use in daily diet to get prevent from many diseases.
We covered some important plants which can be benefit us to improve our health & immunity.Our immunity is not depends on only one factor but it is depends on several other factors like stress level,sleep, whole diet, exercise. People having underline immunity like diabetes,heart disease patients etc. are more prone to attack of virus if these people take care of their daily routine, add some healthy plants in their diet can helps to boost their immunity so their body can be fight against viral infections.Old people having age in the range of 60-70 years also have underline immunity so their care should be taken by us now to protect them from the viral attacks.
Sticking to nature can be prevent the infection caused by viruses.
Reviewed by My Science Dairy
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11:42 PM
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