Philippine Medicinal Plant: Cucumber

10 Medicinal Plant Uses of Cucumber  or Cucumis sativus also known as Pipino.

                                               Medicinal Plant Uses: Cucumber

1. A good source of vitamin B. it is also good as antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties

2. Cucumber are 95% water keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminates toxins.

3. The cucumber skin can be used for skin irritations and sunburns. Due to the large amount of ascorbic acid in cucumbers when they are placed under the eyes for 20 minutes they can decrease water retention and thus reduce puffiness overall. The cooling effect of cucumber is a natural and gentle way to soothe your skin and speed up the healing process.

4. Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinols, pinoresinols, and secoisolaric iresinol known to reduce risk of several cancer types and cardiovascular diseases.

5. Cucumber relieves bad breath. take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth.

6. Cucumber helps reduce hangover and headaches. eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes.

Medicinal Plant: Cucumber

7. Cucumber aids in weight loss and digestion. the high water content and dietary fiber in cucumber are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from digestive system, aiding digestion.

8. Cures diabetes, reduce cholesterol and controls blood pressure. cucumber contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients. compound called sterols in cucumber may help reduce cholesterol levels. cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber.

9. Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis. Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. When mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels

10. Improves complexion. when cucumber juice is mixed with a few drops of fresh lemon juice and applied as a facial mask it has the ability to leave your skin glowing by fading scars and pigmentation.

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Medicinal Plant: Lemon : Citrus limonum Risso

Medicinal Plant: lemons
There are enormous benefits of lemon juice and water in your everyday life. You simply need to arm yourself with relevant knowledge and you would soon start valuing this amalgamation more than ever.

Medicinal Plant: Lemon
The medicinal properties of lemons are almost countless. Lemon juice contains: citric acid, sugars, minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, vitamin C, B1, B2 and nicotinic acid, pectins, among which flavonoids hesperidin. Internal use or tea or juice, or consuming the neutral.

This medicinal plant, its fruit is recommended in cases of arthritis, asthma, gout, gallstones or kidney problems, nephritis, lack of vitamin C, pyorrhea, vermifuge, antispasmodic, colds, indigestion, cough, flu and respiratory infections, anemia, and rickets. Lemon is used externally against pains and rheumatism.

Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates. Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like:

1. Good for stomach
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2. Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3. Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

4. Cures Throat Infections
Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5. Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6. Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8. Good for treating Rheumatism
Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9. Reduces Fever
Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

10. Acts as a blood purifier
The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

Medicinal Plant: Pineapple (Ananas comosus Mill)

Medicinal plant : Pineapple

Pineapple belongs to family Bromeliaceae. it is a tropical shrub with spiny-leaves. The leave margin are spiny toothed, rigid and concave on the upper side. It produces a very sweet pineapple fruit. it can be used as source for natural medicine.

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Medicinal Uses

• Bronchitis
• Sore throat
• Constipation, Reduction of fever, for digestion, treatment of the bladder, prostate, urethra, rheumatism, arthritis, oedema, jaundice, Neurasthenia, Melancholia, & Nephritis
• Expels worms, and kills intestinal parasites
• Gonorrhoea.

How to Use

• For bronchitis the pineapple is sliced and covered with honey and and then boiled to make a syrup. Two to three spoonfuls a day is a good expectorant.
• For sore throat, the natural ripe fruit is eaten, or the juice is drunk.
• The pulp of the juice is recommended for constipation, reduction of fever, for digestion, treatment of the bladder, prostate, urethra, amenorrhoea, rheumatism, arthritis, oedema, jaundice and loss of memory.

Parts to be Used

• The leaves and ripe and unripe fruit