Medicinally Useful Herbs available in Gujarat, India

Herbs are an important part of human life since the ancient time. Herbs play an effective role in one’s life. Earlier when there were no doctors and medicines, then it was only herbs that were used to cure the diseases. They were not only use to cure diseases only but also used to flavor the food, as a source of nutrients and many other useful purposes. Different herbs are used for the different purposes.

Following are some useful herbs available in Gujarat:

1, Ricinus communis (Erandi, Castor)

Castor seed oil can be used for curing joint pains and arthritis. It is really beneficial for the patients of constipation. Castor oil is also best for skin as it can be used to treat many skin problems like warts, sunburn, acne, stretch marks, age spots and ringworm & athletes foot. A drop of castor oil on the stye can give a great relief from inflammation and pain of the eyes.

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Health Benefits of Satodi Herb

Herbs are the first thing that comes in mind when conventional treatment fails and we are looking for alternative therapies. Since centuries, they have been used to improve energy levels, treat ailments and promote healing. Satodi is one such herb that can treat various ailments. It is known as Boerhaavia diffusa in Latin, spreading hogweed in English and punarnava in Sanskrit. Each and every part of the plant: leaves, stem and roots has medicinal properties. Indigenous and tribal people in India have been using satodi herb for the treatment of various diseases. Here are provided the health benefits of satodi herb.

Satodi (punarnava) is a species of flowering plant that grows all over India and Brazil as a weed in water lands and road sides. This herbaceous plant belongs to the Four o'clock family or Nyctaginaceae. The active ingredient of the herb is an alkaloid named Punarnavine. The herb contains anti-inflammatory, diuretics, anti-pyretic, expectorant, antimicrobial, laxative and carminative properties.

There are two varieties of the herb: white and red. Both varieties are light, cold and dry in effect. They have almost same medicinal values but white is considered to be the best. The white variety suppresses all the three doshas and has pungent, sweet, bitter & astringent taste while the red variety suppresses pitta dosha but aggravates vata dosha as well as has bitter, sweet and pungent taste.

Health Benefits of Satodi Herb

1. Obesity

Satodi is used as an ingredient in almost all the herbal slimming formulations. The herb has stimulates the removal of excess fluids and waste products from the body by promoting urination without electrolytes or potassium loss. Thus, it helps in weight loss. It also works as a mild laxative.

2. Liver and kidney

The herb is very beneficial for the liver and kidney. It rejuvenates liver & kidney as well as promotes healthy liver and kidney function. As the herb is a diuretic and mild laxative, it detoxifies liver, kidney and prevents fluid retention. It improves the kidneys functioning damaged by diabetes as well as treats liver disorders such as jaundice, sluggish liver and hepatitis. It even protects the body against free radical damage and stress.

3. Dropsy

Dropsy is a disease in which excess of watery fluid gets accumulated in the tissues and cavities of the body. Satodi herb enhances the discharge of urine and thereby treats the condition. You can consume fresh boiled herb or liquid extract of the plant (4 to 6 gms) to cure the disease.

4. Ascites

Ascites is a condition marked by an excessive collection of a watery fluid abdominal cavity. Mostly the herb cures the ascites caused by liver disorder.

5. Asthma

This herb not only cures asthma but also other respiratory problems like pneumonia or dysnoea. It promotes the elimination of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes and thus helpful in Asthma. It even makes the bronchial system strong. You can consume the powder of its root thrice a day in small doses.

6. Arthritis

Satodi herb provides relief from joint pains and inflammation associated with arthritis. Just use the paste made of fresh herb by grinding and applying directly on the affected area.

7. Impotence

The seeds of satodi rejuvenate the male reproductive system. The herb is also known to increase libido and quantity & quality of semen. It even cures erectile dysfunction.

8. Stomach Disorders

It strengths the stomach and promotes its action. It treats a number of stomach problems, especially intestinal colic. You can take 5 grams of the root powder three times a day. It also kills or expels intestinal worms.

9. Skin Diseases

The root of the plant is very helpful for various skin diseases. Apply a paste of the root to the affected part as a dressing for oedematous swelling. A hot compress or poultice of the root can be applied to ulcers, abscesses and similar skin diseases.

10. Heart

The herb has a diuretic effect so it is very effective for the treatment of many cardiac problems. It helps to purify blood and increase the blood circulation.

11. Fevers

It can be used for bringing down temperature. It induces the copious sweating quickly and treats fevers. Take ½ tsp root powder of satodi with milk in morning and evening.

12. Eyes Diseases

It alleviates the eyes diseases like night blindness and conjunctivitis. Instill the fresh juice of its roots in the eyes for the treatment.

Other Benefits of the Herb

• It readily supplies WBCs and heals the wounds and cuts.
• It lowers blood glucose and so helps people with diabetes.
• It maintains urinary tract health and treats urinary bladder infections.
• It boosts the appetite and immune system
• It provides relief from constipation.
• It is beneficial in the treatment of kidney stones, cystitis and nephritis.
• It controls the menstrual flow in women.
• The herb prevents the breakdown of the fibrin (blood-clotting protein).

Doses
You can consume 2 to 4 gm of roots or seeds powder and 5 to 10ml of fresh roots juice. The herb should not be given to pregnant women and the children below 12 years.

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7 Indian Samosa Recipes

No doubt today’s youth turn towards pizza, burger, hotdog and many other fast foods, but still samosas have a unique place in their life. Your mouth starts watering when you see the hot samosas. Now you can serve your homemade samosas with your love to your family whether you want to have vegetarian-samosas or non-veg. These will definitely help you to earn praise from your family. Samosas are really a good evening time snack in North India. As India is a diverse country, so the process and taste are also diversified. There are different methods of preparing samosas.

Following are some of the vegetarian recipes for samosas:

1, Punjabi samosas

Ingredients:
For Dough:

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 11/2 tablespoons oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon sooji (semolina flour)
• 1/4 cup minus 2 tablespoon lukewarm water

Filling:

• 3 large boiled potatoes, peeled and chopped into very small cubes
• 2 chopped green chilies
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 cup green peas (frozen)
• 1 teaspoon amchur (mango powder)
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

Method:

Dough

• Add sooji, oil, salt into flour and add water as per the need
• Knead the dough properly so that it becomes pliable and soft
• After this cover it with a clean cloth. Let it there for 20 minutes

Filling

• Take oil in a frying pan and heat it in the medium flame
• Now add cumin seeds, green chilies, coriander powder and stir it for few seconds
• After this add green peas and stir it until tender
• Add potatoes into the mixture and let it fry for at least 4 minutes. Add amchur, garam masala and more salt if needed
• Now turn off the flame and let the filling cool

Now process of making samosas

• Now divide the dough into equal parts and make balls out of it.
• Roll each ball into circle and cut each circle in half.
• Give the shape of that semi circle into a cone shape and pinch the side of the semi circle properly so that it is properly sealed.
• Now fill the mixture into cone and press the filling properly with the help of your fingers.
• After completing the above steps, close the cone into a triangle shape properly and once again pinch the top edge properly. Do fill the rest of samosas as in the same way.
• Now take oil in a frying pan and heat it on the medium flame.
• Put the samosas into the oil and fry it until it turns into light golden-brown color on all sides.
• Serve the hot samosas with chutney.

2, Moong Dal mini samosas

Ingredients:
Dough:

• Maida - 250 gram (1 1/4 cup)
• Ghee - 60 gram (1/4 cup)
• Salt - according to your taste (1/2 tea spoon)

Filling:

• Moong Dal - 100 grams (1/2 cup)
• Cumin seeds - 1/4 tea spoon
• Hing - 1 pinch
• Garam masala - less than 1/4 tea spoon
• Salt - according to your taste (1/2 tea spoon)
• Green Chilly - 2
• Ginger - 1 inch piece
• Coriander powder - 1 tea spoon
• Anise powder - 1 spoon
• Red Chilly powder - less than 1/4 tea spoon (if you want)
• Oil - 2 table spoon
• Amchur powder - less than 1/4 tea spoon
• Oil - to fry samosa

Method:

Dough:

• Add ghee, salt in maida and knead it with luke warm water. After properly kneading it, leave it for 30 minutes.

Filling:

• Before soaking the moong dal into water for 2 hours, rub it properly with both hands in order to remove its skin.
• After that, wash the dal properly and make paste of it and add green chilies and ginger without adding water to it.
• Take a pan and heat the oil into it.
• Add hing, cumin seeds and then add anise, coriander powder and dal paste, stir it properly.
• Insert amchur powder, garam masala, chilli and salt, according to taste.
• Stir the mixture properly and put on flame until it turn brown and dry.

Making samosas

• Using a rolling pin, roll a piece of dough.
• Cut into two halves and give the shape of one half into a cone.
• Fill the filling into cone shape and fold it properly, stick both the corners with water. Press the corners with hands gently and close the corners.
• Prepare all the samosas in the same manner.
• Now take oil into pan and heat it on the medium flame.
• Put the samosas into the oil and fry it until it turns into light golden-brown color on all sides.

3, Corn samosas

Ingredients:

• 1cup Fresh Corn Seeds
• 1 ½ cup Maida (all purpose flour)
• 1 tsp Ginger (chopped)
• 1 Green Chili (chopped)
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1 Potato (optional)
• 1 tsp Gram flour (Besan)
• ½ tsp Cumin Seed's Powder
• 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 2 tsp Garam Masala
• 2 tbsp Chopped Coriander Leaves
• ½ tsp Aniseeds (snauf/variyali)
• Salt as per taste

Method:

• Take Maida flour and add salt, 1 tsp oil to it and knead it properly with the required quantity of water.
• Cover the dough with a clean cloth and keep it for 20 minutes.
• Take corn seeds and boil it.
• After boiling it, partly crush it.
• In a pan, put ½ tbsp oil and roast Gram flour till it turn golden brown.
• Now in a pan, put ½ tbsp oil and heat it - add chili, corn seeds, roast ginger, roasted gram flour, garam masala, salt, aniseeds, coriander, cumin powder & pepper.
• Roast it for few minutes and then cool it.
• Now take a piece of dough and roll it.
• After that divide the chapatti into two halves and give it a shape of cone and put filling into it.
• After that deep fry the samosas till it turn into golden brown.
• Now you can have tasty samosas.

4, Baked samosas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp oil for kneading
• 1/2 tbsp melted ghee
• 1/2 cup boiled green peas
• 1 tsp ginger-green chilli paste
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 1/2 tsp dried mango powder
• 2 cups boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
• 1 tsp chilli powder

Image source: ifood.tv

Method:

For stuffing

• Put oil into a pan and set it on low flame.
• Add cumin, green chilies and potatoes into it and stir it properly.
• After that add green chilies and potatoes, ginger and stir. Sprinkle over a little water and cook, covered for 10-12 minutes. Add the blanched green peas and cook for 5 minutes on a low heat.
• Let the mixture cool.

For dough

• Add ghee to the wheat flour and mix it properly and put the required amount of water to it and knead it properly.
• Keep the dough aside for 20 minutes.
• Now knead it again using oil till it gets smooth.
• Take a piece of dough and roll it into a chapatti.
• Cut the chapatti into halves and shape each half into a cone shape.
• Put the stuffing into the hollow cone and seal the edge properly.
• Now put the samosa on a baking tray and bake it in oven at 180°C for 20-25 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes.
• Now your samosas are ready to serve.

5, Sesame samosas

Ingredients:

• Two cup wheat flour
• Half cup white sesame powder
• Half cup coconut powder
• Two tbsp gram flour
• Two tbsp of white sesame
• Three chopped chilies
• ½ coriander powder
• A pinch of amchur
• Chaat masala
• Baking powder
• Salt according to taste
• Oil

For filling:

• Take oil into pan, roast the gram flour. Mix sesame powder, chopped chilli, coriander, coconut powder, chat masala, amchur powder and salt to the roasted gram flour.

Dough:

• Add white sesame, baking powder and oil into the wheat flour and knead it properly.

Method:

• Now take a piece of dough and roll it into a chapatti.
• Cut the chapatti into two half and give shape of cone to both the chapattis.
• Put the stuffing into hollow cone and gently seal the edge.
• Take oil in a frying pan and deep fry the samosas till it turn into golden color.
• Now yummy samosas are ready to serve.

6, Sweet samosas

Ingredients:
For dough:

• 1 ½ cup of Refined flour
• Two tbsp ghee
• Two tbsp powdered sugar

For stuffing:

• Two cup gajar halwa
• Pure ghee for deep fry

Method:

Add two tbsp powdered sugar, two tbsp ghee, into refined flour. Knead it properly with sufficient water. Take a piece of dough, add little ghee to it and roll it. Cut the chapatti into two halves. Shape the halves as a cone with your fingers. Fill the cone with gajar halwa and seal it properly. Now take ghee into frying pan and deep fry the samosas till it turn into golden color. Now your sweet samosas are ready to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

7, Kheema samosas

Ingredients:

• Two cup refined flour
• Two tbsp margarine
• 250 grams mutton mince (keema)
• Oil
• Two medium finely chopped onion
• One inch finely chopped ginger
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• Two green chilies finely chopped
• One tbsp red chilli powder
• ¼ tbsp turmeric powder
• Garam masala
• Salt according to taste

Method:

Add salt into flour and cut margarine into the sieved flour and mix it with fingers. By adding water to it, knead the dough properly and keep it covered for half an hour. Wash mutton mince and drain; squeeze it dry with your fingers. Now take oil in a frying pan, add chopped onions and sauté; heat it till it gets pink in color. Add chopped garlic ginger and green chilies and continue to sauté for half a minute. Now add salt and mutton mince and stir it properly. After this add turmeric powder, chilli powder and a little water to it. Cook the mixture on low flame till mutton is cooked properly and becomes dry. After that, add garam masala to it and remove it from flame. Now take piece of dough and roll out into oval shapes. Cut in two halves and give it the shape of cone. Now it's time to fill up the stuffing and seal the edges properly. Refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Now take oil in a pan and fry samosas till it turn golden in color. Serve the hot samosas with chutney.

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Mind what you eat to manage your Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that affects about hundreds of millions of people worldwide. People with fibromyalgia may experience severe pain, stiffness and tenderness of joints and muscles all over the body. This disease can also cause headache, fatigue, dizziness and depression in some people. Now, diet plays a vital role in the treatment of Fibromyalgia and so patients must take extra care on their diet. It’s very important for them to eat more raw fruits and fresh vegetables since they contain several essential enzymes that aids in digestion. Plus, they are a good source of antioxidants & phytochemicals, which help strengthen the immune system. At the same time, it is equally important to avoid certain foods when you suffer from fibromyalgia as these foods can worsen your symptoms considerably. Given below is a list of “bad” foods for fibromyalgia patients. Take a look here.

Meats:

It has been found that meats such as chicken, pork and beef can trigger fibromyalgia symptoms including fatigue and muscle pain, in some people. That’s because these foods usually contain a high proportion of saturated fat, which inflames the muscle tissue. Moreover, these saturated fats will put a lot of stress on your digestive and circulatory systems, which in turn might aggravate pain and other symptoms. Hence, it is highly recommended for people suffering from fibromyalgia to have vegetarian diet. Instead of meat, you can use foods like beans, nuts, tofu and vegetables as a source of protein. Having said that, if you cant avoid high-fat meat or poultry products completely then at least make sure to have them in moderate amount and also cut off all visible fat and skin so as to reduce fat intake.

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Indian recipes to make Tasty Chutney

Indian cookery is not complete without delicious chutneys. When you go to any big Indian restaurant or any “Dabha” on Highway, you will definitely get at least one delicious and mouth watering chutney to enjoy with your meal. Meaning of “Chutney” in English is sauce and it is derived from the Sanskrit word “caṭnī,” which means “to lick”. The name perfectly suits as all different kinds of Indian chutneys are so tasty that you will lick your fingers for sure. Mainly chutneys are made with usual ingredients of Indian kitchen, and some of the seasonal fruits, herbs and spices. Check out here the recipes of some of the mouthwatering Indian chutneys.

1, Mint and Mango Chutney

Ingredients for Mint and Mango Chutney:
Bunch of fresh mint leaves, raw mangoes, onion, green chillies, cumin seeds and salt.

Steps to prepare Mint and Mango Chutney:

• First and foremost, peel the skin of 1 to 2 medium size raw mangoes and take out all pulp of it in one bowl.
• Take around one bunch of fresh mint leaves and chopped them finely and put them into the water.
• Now take chopped mint leaves, raw mangoes pulp, 1 small sliced onion, 3 to 4 green chillies and 1/2 tsp cumin seeds and grind them all to make paste.
• Add some water into the paste to correct its consistency.
• Add salt as per your taste and blend whole mixture again to mix it well.
• Take out it into the air tight bottle.
• Serve it with different instant Indian snacks.

Preservation: You can store Mint and Mango Chutney for 4 to 5 days into the refrigerator.

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Side effects of amphetamine salts combo

Not from one or two decades…..but Amphetamine Salts combo (Amphetamine mixed salts) have been consumed medically since early in the twentieth century to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions) mostly in both children and adolescents. It is a synthetic psycho-stimulant medicine, works as a powerful central nervous system refreshment. It is used to increase energy, alertness, euphoria (excitement), and decrease appetite. One can also use it to treat certain sleeping disorders (narcolepsy). It can become helpful in weight loss by boosting certain activity in the brain to speed up mental and physical processes. However, the overused of any medication can be psychologically and physically addictive….like that misuse or abuse of amphetamine salts combo can be habit-forming and even lead to serious problems like damage, malnutrition and psychosis. If you are not suffering from any sleep disorder, then you should not use it to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep. The effects of amphetamine have been related to mechanisms of action including connecting abundant neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP).

Amphetamine Salts combo is a generic name of Adderall. It is the combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts. There are four salts like Dextroamphetamine saccharate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, amphetamine aspartate monohydrate and amphetamine sulfate present in the equal amount in the Amphetamine Salts combo. It is a U.S. Food & Drug administration (FDA) approvals medicine used for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. The drug form of amphetamine salt combo increases overall efficacy as it makes the stimulant effect and withdrawals smoother. Because of the smoother stimulation effect, it is more effective for the hyperactivity aspect of the disorder and ADHD.

How amphetamine salts combowork:

When we are stressed or under pressure, the CNS (central nervous system) prepares us for physical act by generating particular physiological changes like release adrenalin and other stress hormones, increase heart rate & blood pressure, and convey blood flow in to the muscles.

This capsule prompts the brain to start this ‘fight or flight’ response. The small dose of the capsules can expel tiredness and make the user feel alert and refreshed.

How to use Amphetamine salts combo:

Read medication guide given by your pharmacist carefully before taking Amphetamine salts combo drugs.

Amphetamine salts combo (combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) is available in capsule form that you can take 2-3 times daily, 4-6 hours apart, with or without food.

Take first dose of the medicine in the morning as directed by your doctor. Don’t take other prescribed dose in the late afternoon or evening because it may cause trouble sleeping.

Take Amphetamine salts combo as doctor described, because it may cause sudden death and serious heart problems if it would be taken differently than how your doctor prescribes.

Generally, the dose of drugs is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. To get the most benefit from the drugs, take it regularly exactly as prescribed.

Swallow the capsules without chewing or crushing them. Many people have a fear to consume medicine whole, if you are one of them you can swallow the extended-release capsule by sprinkling the entire contents on a teaspoonful of applesauce.

Doctor starts low dose of amphetamine salts combo medicine and increase dose gradually. During the treatment, doctor may occasionally suggest stopping the pills for a short time to see whether there are any changes in your behavior or the medication is still required.

It may cause withdrawal reactions, if you are consuming it for a long time or in high doses. During the use of medication, if you get symptoms like severe tiredness, sleep problems, mental/mood changes such as depression, and then suddenly stop using this drug.

Overdose of Adderall may cause addiction of it. If you have an addiction to alcohol or drugs in the past, then the risk of addiction is very high.

Amphetamine salts combo side effects:

Usually, the effects of the Amphetamine salts combo are depended on the strength of the dose, the mix of chemicals, and the physical make-up, and mood of the person taking the drug. It effects similar like to cocaine. However, when consumed under the direction of a doctor, it helps person to focus and feel more awake also reduces appetite.

• Immediate effects of Adderall:
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Stomach upset/pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Nervousness
• Trouble sleeping
• Interactions

This capsule may increase their blood pressure, so check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor about any high results.

Consult doctor immediately if you get some short-term effects like:

• Mental/mood/behavior changes (such as agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, abnormal thoughts)
• Uncontrolled movements
• Continuous chewing movements/Teeth grinding
• Outbursts of words/sounds
• Change in sexual ability/desire

Get medical help when you get some serious long-term effects:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest/jaw/left arm pain
• Fainting
• Severe headache
• Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, seizures
• Swelling of the ankles/feet
• Extreme tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Slurred speech
• Confusion

Some times people get very serious allergic reaction after swallowing this drug. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction described below:

• Rash
• Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing
• Blistering or peeling skin

The combination of Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (amphetamine salts combo) may cause sudden death in children and teenagers, if they are suffering from heart defects or serious heart problems. It may also cause sudden death, heart attack, or stroke in adults.

It may slow children’s growth or weight gain, so during the use of medication, checkup your child growth or weight regularly.

Follow some precautions when getting amphetamine salts combo:

This medication contains inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems, so if you have any other allergies then you should talk to your pharmacist or doctor first before starting the use of medicine.

You must tell your medical history to your doctor especially about certain mental/mood conditions (such as severe agitation, psychosis), family history of mental/mood disorders like bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts), heart problems, certain eye problem, history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, kidney disease, etc.

This drug may become users dizzy, so avoid driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness until you are ensured that you can perform such activities safely.

Before getting a surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Don’t use tablets during the pregnancy, because infants may be born with birth effects, born too soon with low birth weight. Take tablets only if you need it.

This drugs passes into the breast milk so it may cause unwanted effects on a nursing infant.

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