Health Benefits of Figs

Figs or anjeer is a fruit that everyone must eat. They are seasonal fruits that are found in Western parts of Asia. However, dried figs are always available in the market near you. Figs belongs to the mulberry family. Figs have smooth skin, crunchy seeds and chewy pulp that tastes very good and they are very healthy also. The anjeer(fig) fruit is very rich in minerals, vitamins and fibres that can give you many health benefits. The little fruit has a good content of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium, iron, phosphate, sodium, potassium and chlorine that can do wonders to cure your health related problems.

Here are a few health benefits of figs (anjeer).

Lowers blood pressure: Figs are perfect fruit for those suffering from high blood pressure. It is generally advised for people suffering from high blood pressure to increase intake of potassium in their diet. Figs are rich in potassium and minerals that helps to control hypertension. It has been found in researches that people who consume good amounts of potassium have lower blood pressure than those who consume less potassium.

Helps in weight management: Figs are very rich in dietary fibres. Therefore, they are a perfect option for those who want to loss weight. A high fibre diet helps to slow down the digestion and cuts your hunger.
Guards against post-menopausal breast cancer: Studies have shown that regular intake of figs helps in reducing the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer by approximately 34 percent. Therefore, many doctors back the idea to increase intake of figs in menopausal women.

Treats sexual weakness: The use of figs in treating sexual weakness is acknowledged since ages. Figs are known for their aphrodisiac properties. They stimulate proper secretion of sex hormones therefore cures sexual weakness.
Strengthen sbone: Figs are rich in calcium and minerals which helps to promote bone density. Potassium content is very high in figs therefore regular intake of figs can also help to prevent loss of urinary calcium which is caused by high-salt diet. Hence, one must ensure to eat figs for stronger bones.

Treats heart disease: Studies have shown that daily consumption of figs can lower triglyceride levels in the blood. Triglycerides are the main form of fats (they are also known as ugly fat cells) that circulate in the blood. Higher triglyceride levels in the blood can give rise to obesity and many heart problems.

Anti-diabetic effects: What can be better news for diabetics that they can now eat something sweet without worrying about their sugar levels? Figs have anti-diabetic properties that can help you to lower your blood sugar level.
Researches have found that if a person takes fig leaves extract on empty stomach every morning, then it can lower the blood sugar level significantly.

So, have you started eating figs regularly?

8 Health Benefits Of Blue Cheese:

Cheese has many health benefits; we all know that. But did you know that there is a special type of cheese called the blue cheese that works wonder for heart patients. Each type of cheese has its own health benefits. Blue cheese is popular as a heart healthy food. Apart from being heart healthy, it has many other benefits as well.

Blue cheese is not really blue in colour. It is off-white like most other cheese. It has bluish streaks in them that are formed during the ageing process of cheese. It has very low fat content and is usually used to make toppings and dressing for food.

The major health benefits of blue cheese are mentioned here.

1. Lose Weight: Almost all diets that use diary products have cheese in them. This type of cheese has very low calories, so it can easily be a part of your weight loss diet.

2. Milk Proteins: Blue cheese is produced by coagulating milk and ageing the cheese. Thus, it contains very high amounts of milk proteins. If you want to build up your muscles then you must eat generous portions of this type of cheese.

3. Heart Healthy: Blue cheese is one of the best foods for the heart. The reason is that this type of cheese is consumed regularly. This is one reason why the French have the lowest rate of cardiovascular diseases in the world.

4. Anti Inflammatory: The blue veins that are developed in this kind of cheese has very high anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to keep the arteries clean and healthy.

5. Anti Cellulite: This type of cheese is said to have properties that prevent the body from depositing fats in the form of cellulite. So if you are prone to cellulite fat deposits, consider adding this cheese to your diet.

6. Fights Arthritis: As it has already been said, blue cheese is anti inflammatory. It helps fight painful diseases like arthritis.

7. Prevents Osteoporosis: It is very important for women to consume this cheese due to its high calcium content. The calcium present in this cheese helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis after menopause.

 8. Boosts Memory: Its good to add some blue cheese to your kid's plate too. This is because, this cheese stimulates the brain cells and improves memory. It is particularly beneficial for growing kids.

These are some of the important health benefits of blue cheese. Have you tried it yet?

Tip 2

TIP: Milk & Honey Home Remedy for Dark Spots on the Face: Another great home remedy for getting rid of dark spots is to mix buttermilk and honey into a medium-thick paste, spread on the face, and leave it on for up to 15 minutes. Then rinse it off and u

Tip 1

TIP: Make Yourself Foot Scrub : You will need: 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons uncooked oatmeal - Run it through a blender so it's very fine. Then add : 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon olive oil Combine all ingredients i

5 Health Benefits of Eating Pomegranates

Fall marks the beginning of many wonderful things: cool weather, colorful foliage, trips to the pumpkin patch and savory, delicious autumn foods such as soups, stews and pies. Fall also marks the beginning of pomegranate season—my favorite time of year! Nutritious, delicious and fun to eat (I like to think of pomegranate seeds at the “bubble wrap” of the fruit world), this superfruit offers many health benefits.


Pomegranate seeds contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that can protect your heart, prevent cancner and even keep your teeth clean. Photo By Rozmarina/Courtesy Fotolia.

Heart Health: The antioxidants in pomegranates offer various forms of protection for your heart. Polyphenols, tannins and other antioxidants found in pomegranates reduce the buildup of plaque in artery walls, reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and disease. These antioxidants also lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol (LDL).

Cancer Prevention: In addition to antioxidants, which are well known for their ability to fight off cancer-causing free radicals, pomegranates also contain phytochemicals that can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Estrogen plays a major role in the development of breast cancer cells, but phytochemicals produce an acid that inhibits the body’s production of estrogen. Pomegranates have also been shown to help fight prostate and lung cancers

Arthritis Aid: In a 2005 study from the Cape Western Reserve University School of Medicine, researchers discovered that an enzyme found in pomegranates can slow the deterioration of cartilage that leads to osteoarthritis. Pomegranate’s anti-inflammatory properties are also useful for treating this condition after its onset.

Clean Teeth: Pomegranates don’t just fight the plague that builds up in your arteries; this superfruit also fights dental plaque. Pomegranate extract removes the plaque that causes the bacteria that leads to gum disease.

Aging Support: From warding off cancer to easing arthritis pain, pomegranates are useful for treating a number of ailments associated with aging. A 2006 study also found that polyphenols in pomegranates reduce buildup of brain plaque (proteins) that damages and disrupts brain communication and can eventually lead to the memory loss and cognitive decline that characterize Alzheimer’s disease.


To open a pomegranate, first cut off the pomegranate's crown, the top part of the fruit. Photo By sweetbeetandgreenbean/Courtesy Flickr.

How to Eat a Pomegranate

Pomegranates can be a challenging fruit to eat. Start by cutting off the crown or very top of the pomegranate. Then slice the skin or rind in several places around the pomegranate; don’t cut all the way through the fruit! Soak the pomegranate in a bowl of water for ten to fifteen minutes, then break apart the fruit in the bowl of water. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl, but the rind will float to the top. Scoop the rind off the top of the water then strain the seeds.

Pomegranate seeds make a great salad garnish or ice cream topping; they can also be enjoyed on their own! Pomegranate juice is also a good way to enjoy the health benefits of pomegranates.

മാതളം ഔഷധ കലവറ

ഔഷധ സമൃദ്ധവും പോഷക സമ്പുഷ്ടവുമായ ഒരു ഫലമാണ്‌ മാതളം അഥവാ ഉറുമാമ്പഴം. പുരാതന ഭാരതത്തിലെ ആയുര്‍വേദാചാര്യന്‍മാര്‍ മാതളത്തെ ഹൃദയത്തെ ഉത്തേജിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഫലമായി വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നു. യൂനാനി വൈദ്യത്തില്‍ ഇത്‌ ആമാശയവീക്കവും ഹൃദയസംബന്ധമായ വേദനയും മാറ്റാന്‍ ഉപയോഗിച്ചു പോന്നിട്ടുണ്ട്‌.

ഇസ്രായേലിലെ 'റംബാന്‍ മെഡിക്കല്‍ സെന്ററില്‍' അടുത്ത കാലത്ത്‌ നടന്ന പഠനത്തില്‍ മാതളച്ചാര്‍ ദിവസവും കുടിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ രക്‌തധമനികളില്‍ കൊളസ്ട്രോള്‍ അടിയുന്ന അവസ്ഥ 90 ശതമാനം കണ്ട്‌ കുറഞ്ഞതായി കണ്ടൂ. ഫലങ്ങളുടെ കൂട്ടത്തില്‍ പെട്ടെന്ന്‌ ദഹിക്കുന്ന ഒന്നാണ്‌ മാതളം. ഇത്‌ വിശപ്പ്‌ കൂട്ടുകയും ദഹനക്കേടും രുചിയില്ലായ്മയും വയറുപെരുക്കവും മാറ്റുകയും ചെയ്യുംപിത്തരസം ശരീരത്തില്‍ അധികമായി ഉണ്ടാകുന്നതുമൂലമുള്ള ശര്‍ദില്‍, നെഞ്ചരിച്ചില്‍, വയറുവേദന എന്നിവ മറ്റാന്‍ ഒരു സ്പൂണ്‍ മാതളച്ചാറും സമം തേനും കലര്‍ത്തി സേവിക്കാന്‍ ശുപാര്‍ശ ചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നു. അതിസാരത്തിനു വയറുകടിക്കും മാതളം നല്ലൊരു ഔഷധമാണ്‌. ഈ അവസ്ഥകളില്‍ മാതളച്ചാര്‍ കുടിക്കാന്‍ നല്‍കിയാല്‍ വയറിളക്കം കുറയുകയും ശരീരക്ഷീണം കുറയുകയും ചെയ്യും.

മാതളത്തോടോ പൂമൊട്ടോ ശര്‍ക്കര ചേര്‍ത്ത്‌ കഴിക്കുന്നതും അതിസാരരോഗങ്ങള്‍ക്കെതിരെ ഫലവത്താണ്‌.മാതളത്തിന്റെ തണ്ടിന്റെയും വേരിന്റെയും തൊലി വിരനാശക ഔഷധമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു. ' പ്യൂണിസിന്‍' എന്ന ആല്‍കലോയ്ഡിന്റെ സാന്നിധ്യമാണ്‌ ഇതിനു നിദാനം. വേരിന്റെ തൊലിയിലാണ്‌ പ്യൂണിസിന്‍ അധികം അടങ്ങിയിട്ടുള്ളതെന്നതിനാല്‍ ഇതാണ്‌ കൂടുതല്‍ ഫലപ്രദം. ഇത്‌ കഷായം വെച്ച്‌ സേവിച്ച ശേഷം വയറിളക്കു വഴി നാടവിരകളെയും മറ്റും നശിപ്പിച്ച്‌ പുറന്തള്ളാം. മാതളത്തിന്റെ കുരുന്നില ഉണക്കിപ്പൊടിച്ച്‌ കഴിക്കുന്നത്‌ ഉരുളന്‍ വിരകളെ നശിപ്പിക്കാന്‍ സഹായിക്കും. മാതളപ്പഴത്തിന്റെ ചാറ്‌ ജ്വരവും മറ്റുമുണ്ടാകുമ്പോള്‍ ദാഹം മാറാന്‍ സേവിച്ച്‌ പോരുന്നു. ഇതുപയോഗിച്ച്‌ ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്ന സര്‍ബത്ത്‌ മൂത്ര തടസ്സം, മൂത്രാശയ വീക്കം, ദഹനസംബന്ധമായും ആസ്തമയോടും അനുബന്ധിച്ചുണ്ടാകുന്ന പനി എന്നിവ മാറാന്‍ കുടിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്‌.

ശരീരത്തെ മാതളം നന്നായി തണുപ്പിക്കും. കൃമിശല്യം കൊണ്ടുണ്ടാകുന്ന ചൊറിച്ചില്‍ മാറാന്‍ മാതളത്തോട്‌ കറുപ്പ്‌ നിറമാകുന്നതു വരെ വറുത്ത ശേഷം പൊടിച്ച്‌ എണ്ണയില്‍ കുഴച്ച്‌ പുരട്ടുന്നത്‌ ഫലപ്രദമാണ്‌. മാതളം കഴിക്കുന്നതിലൂടെ ഗര്‍ഭിണികളിലെ ശര്‍ദിലും വിളര്‍ച്ചയും ഒരു പരിധി വരെ മാറ്റാം.മാതളത്തിന്റെ കുരുക്കള്‍ പാലില്‍ അരച്ച്‌ കുഴമ്പാക്കി സേവിക്കുന്നത്‌ കിഡ്നിയിലും മൂത്രാശയത്തിലുമുണ്ടാകുന്ന കല്ലുകളെ ലയിപ്പിച്ച്‌ കളയാന്‍ സഹായിക്കുമെന്ന്‌ കരുതപ്പെടുന്നു.

മാതളത്തിലുള്ള നീരോക്സീകാരികള്‍ കോശങ്ങളുടെ നശീകരണം തടയുകയും രോഗപ്രതിരോധ ശേഷി വര്‍ധിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും. ക്ഷയരോഗത്തിനെതിരെ പ്രതിരോധം പകരാന്‍ ഇതിനുള്ള കഴിവ്‌ തെളിഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്‌. മാതളമൊട്ട്‌ അരച്ച്‌ തേനില്‍ സേവിക്കുന്നത്‌ കഫത്തിനും ചുമക്കുമെതിരെ ഫലവത്താണ്‌. മാതളത്തിന്റെ തോട്‌ നന്നായി ഉണക്കിപ്പൊടിച്ച്‌ കുരുമിളകു പൊടിയും ഉപ്പും ചേര്‍ത്ത്‌ പല്ല്‌ തേക്കാനും ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു. ഇത്‌ ദന്തക്ഷയം തടയാനും മോണയിലെ രക്‌തസ്രാവം നിറുത്താനും മോണയെ ബലപ്പെടുത്താനുമൊക്കെ സഹായകരമാണ്‌. വേരിന്റെ തൊലി ഉപയോഗിച്ചുണ്ടാകുന്ന കഷായം വായില്‍ കൊള്ളുക വഴി തൊണ്ടയിലെ അസ്വാസ്ഥ്യം അകറ്റാം.

Checkout some natural remedies to help you quit smoking.

Natural remedies to help you quit smoking
Cayenne Pepper:: cayenne pepper is an excellent remedy to help quell the cravings for a cigarette. It desensitizes the respiratory system to tobacco and chemical irritants thereby thwarting the cravings for cigarette

Lobelia: This herb has been promoted to help people fight the effects of nicotine withdrawal and is found in many anti-smoking products.

Ginger is a wonderful herb for digestive problems. This is important because quitting smokers sometimes experience stomach problems such as indigestion, cramps and constipation. The main benefit of ginger for smokers however is its anti-emetic properties. This means it relieves the nausea some smokers feel as a withdrawal symptom.(source : EzineArticles)


St. John’s wort: One of the best known herbs for promoting a positive mental attitude–something people often need help with during the early phases of becoming a non-smoker.

Korean ginseng: Is one of the most popular herbs in the world for stimulating energy and helping the body to deal with stress. This property enables ginseng to help alleviate the fatigue and anxiety related to quitting smoking. Ginseng is known to help reestablish balance in the body’s systems, which can be helpful to smokers as their bodies adjust to the absence of nicotine.(Source : care2)
Peppermint: Has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence, and stimulates the flow of bile and other digestive juices. The volatile oil in peppermint acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which helps alleviate feelings of nausea. Where headaches are associated with digestion, peppermint may help. Peppermint also eases anxiety and tension.(source :care2)