Bittersweet

A common name for bittersweet is woody nightshade. The twigs and root bark were used in herbal medicine.

It was used as a diuretic in cases of fluid retention and disorders of the kidneys. Disorders of the skin and catarrh, bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough were also thought to respond to bittersweet.

Avocado

Avocado has a lot of health benefits and is a good source of glutathione. That's why avocados are good for making your skin whiter and fairer.

It is also used for good eyesight. To learn more, here are the avocado health benefits.

Blackberry Fruit

Blackberry is commonly known, particularly in Scotland, as bramble. The root and leaves were used in herbal medicine. It was used to treat dysentery, diarrhea and piles.

Whooping cough was also treated with blackberry, as were feverish colds.

Philippine Herbal Medicines Approved By The Department of Health

According to the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), there are ten (10) herbal medicines that have been clinically proven to have medicinal value. Here are they:

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) - also known as "bayabas-bayabasan" and "ringworm bush" in English, this herbal medicine is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) - known as "bitter gourd" or "bitter melon" in English, it most known as a treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus), for the non-insulin dependent patients.

3. Bawang (Allium sativum) - popularly known as "garlic", it mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure.

4. Bayabas (Psidium guajava) - "guava" in English. It is primarily used as an antiseptic, to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) - known in English as the '5-leaved chaste tree". It’s main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma.

6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) - is a vine known as "Chinese honey suckle". It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: Blumea camphora. A diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones. It can also be used as an edema.

8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

9. Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia pellucida) - also known as "pansit-pansitan" it is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times day).

10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) - commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

Some notes regarding these herbal plants:

• If possible, buy herbs that are grown organically - without pesticides.
• Medicinal parts of plants are best harvested on sunny mornings. Avoid picking leaves, fruits or nuts during and after heavy rainfall.
• Leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must be mature before harvesting. Less medicinal substances are found on young parts.
• After harvesting, if drying is required, it is advisable to dry the plant parts either in the oven or air-dried on screens above ground and never on concrete floors.
• Store plant parts in sealed plastic bags or brown bottles in a cool dry place without sunlight preferably with a moisture absorbent material like charcoal. Leaves and other plant parts that are prepared properly, well-dried and stored can be used up to six months.

How To Prepare These Herbal Medicines:

• Use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like leaves when using dried parts.
• Do not use stainless steel utensils when boiling decoctions. Only use earthen, enamelled, glass or alike utensils.
• As a rule of thumb, when boiling leaves and other plant parts, do not cover the pot, and boil in low flame.
• Decoctions loose potency after some time. Dispose of decoctions after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep lukewarm in a flask or thermos.
• Always consult with a doctor if symptoms persist or if any sign of allergic reaction develops.

Blackcurrant

The fruit, leaves, bark and root of the blackcurrant bush were used traditionally in herbal medicine. Blackcurrant was used as a diuretic in cases of fluid retention.

It was used in feverish illness to reduce and break the fever. Other uses included the reduction of swelling and the cure of hemorrhoids or piles.

It was also used as a general tonic and as a gargle.

Eye Strain From Computer Use

I think I'm experiencing some eye strain because I've been using the computer too much. Good thing that there are some easy home remedies for treating eye strain.

A friend of mine suggested that I should go out and see a movie. Which is what I'll be doing today. I'm going out to watch Angels and Demons movie later. I hope to get some relaxation before I go back to work.

Swine Flu

If you think you're coming down with a flu and you fear that it may be Swine Flu, then here are some home treatments, home remedies and precautions you can do.

Wash hands often. Drink less alcohol and a lot of water. Get plenty of rest and have enough sleep. Take pain relievers and go to the doctor and have yourself checked.

Bleeding

In folk medicine there was various recommended cures for bleeding. Yarrow was a very early one. The Greek hero Achilles is said to have used it to stop the bleeding from the wounds of his companions.

The application of cobweb was a well-known cure for bleeding. Sometimes this was accompanied by a dressing of brown sugar placed on a piece of cloth.

Powdered rice placed on a piece of cloth and applied to the bleeding area was thought to be an effective cure. Sometimes a handful of flour was sprinkled over the wound to try and stop it bleeding or a dry dressing made of flour and salt.

Cinnamon was thought to reduce or stop bleeding, particularly in the case of nose bleeding or heavy periods. Lemon juice was recommended for bleeding gums or for applying to the nostrils in the case of nose bleeds.

Vinegar was applied to wounds to reduce bleeding, and alcohol was used in the same way. Tea, because of its astringent properties, was also used, as were witch hazel and eucalyptus oil.

Plantain applied externally was thought to be able to reduce bleeding, as were rosemary leaves applied externally. Nettle leaves were also used, as were marigold flowers or leaves and meadowsweet flowers.

Comfrey taken internally was also used to stem bleeding being also used externally for bleeding gums. Rose taken internally was another cure.

One older cure involved some advance action. In the month of May people were advised to take a piece of cloth and wet it in frog spawn for nine days, drying it off each in the wind. Pieces of the cloth could then be used to stem bleeding, as the need arose.

Mint

Mint can be used as a herbal medicine and has many uses for home remedies. First, it can be used as a breath freshener. Also, the aerial parts of the mint herb are the most commonly used parts to make herbal remedies. The mint is great for healing in cases of digestive disorders, colic and flatulence.

Furthermore, mint is often used to treat motion sickness and nausea. If you are suffering from flu or fever, mint can be used to help promote sweating to break the illness.

A mint herbal remedy is best used right after harvesting. You can also use the mint plant’s aerial parts to prepare an inhalation, tincture, compress, or an infusion, depending upon your needs. The easiest way to ingest mint is through consuming a herbal tea.

Blisters

As a home remedy for blisters, it is recommended that a poultice of cabbage leaves is used. Crushed dock leaves applied to the blisters were also thought to soothe them and to help to heal them.

A cure for blistered feet recommended using a mixture of salicylic acid, starch and pulverized soapstone. This was to be applied to socks or stockings and shoes. The remedy was also advised for swollen feet.

Hatton Will Need Some Olive Oil

On May 2, Ricky Hatton will be fighting Manny Pacquiao for the IBO Light welterweight title and The Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight title. The Hatton vs Pacquiao video live stream will be the most watched sporting event that day, I'm sure.

After the fight, I'm sure Hatton will need some olive oil for his bruises because Pacquiao will win. However, his bruises may heal but once he loses to Manny, there will be little he can do with his bruised ego.

Good luck Manny!