Drumstick (Sahjan) : A treasure of nutrition.

Drumstick is scientifically called Moringa oleifera and the family Moringaceae is also known as Moringa, Munga, Sahjan, etc by different names in different parts of the country. Drumstick is a gift of nature given to man because every part of this tree like roots, leaves, fruits, and even flowers is rich in so many nutrients. Rather we can say this tree is a doctor's pharmacy and that is why people call a drumstick a superfood. 

Nutrition scientists believe that a drumstick is beneficial in more than 300 minor and major diseases. It contains many nutrients like protein, calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium. Drumstick also contains multivitamins and many antioxidants. Eating a drumstick keeps away lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This strengthens bones and also improves skin health. 

In Ayurveda, every part of this tree is used for the treatment of some disease or the other. Drumsticks contain powerful antioxidants that eliminate free radicals from the body. As we know if free radicals increase in the body, oxidative stress can increase, which is the cause of diseases like heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It contains an antioxidant called quercetin, which keeps blood sugar levels and blood pressure under control. Eating drumsticks rich in antioxidants reduces the risk of cancer. 

There are many infinite benefits of health among then some of the important benefits are summarised below- 

1. Bone health improvers:  Drumstick is a great source of the three essential minerals calcium, iron, and phosphorus. If a drumstick is included in the diet of children, it helps in their growth and development. Apart from this, the density of bones increases i.e. bones become thick and strong. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis in old age. 

2. Immune system enhancer: Drumstick is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. If it is included in food then immunity becomes stronger. Infections like the common cold and cough do not occur quickly. It also helps in fighting asthma, cough, or any kind of respiratory infection. 

3. Gut health improvers: Drumstick contains essential vitamins like thiamine (vitamin B 1), riboflavin (vitamin B 2), niacin, and vitamin B 12, which help in stimulating the secretion of digestive juices. This helps in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and converting them into digestible form. Being rich in fiber it is good for gut microflora. Eating this keeps the stomach clean. 

4. Improves blood circulation: Bioactive compounds niaziminin and isothiocyanate are found in drumsticks. This keeps the arteries healthy and reduces the risk of hypertension. Being rich in antioxidants, blood circulation remains good.

5. Beneficial for kidneys: Antioxidants present in abundance in drumsticks help in clearing toxins from the kidneys. If a drumstick is regularly included in the diet, it helps in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones. Consumption of drumsticks also improves the overall health of the kidneys. 

6. Reducing Cancer risk: Including drumsticks regularly in the diet provides rich antioxidants. Rich amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and niazimicin prevent cancer cells from growing. These antioxidants protect cells from oxidative damage by reducing free radicals. 

7. Drumsticks good for liver health: The liver is the most important organ of our body. It performs about 500 small and big functions in our body. The most important among these is to remove toxins from the body. Drumstick proves to be very helpful in this function of the liver. Drumstick helps in the production of glutathione. 

Apart from this, it also protects the liver from possible damage caused by various medicines. It acts as a safety shield for the liver. You can make curry from drumstick beans, make powder of its leaves and roots, and consume it.

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Root vegetables increase immunity and keep diseases away.

Root vegetables are treasures of nutrition, increase immunity, and keep diseases away. This is a custom all over the world that the most valuable things are kept in the safest place. We have learned all this from the nature itself. 

Our nature is keeping the important things in its lap We can see mountains, rivers, sea, everything in front, while all the metals and minerals are safe within the soil and mountains. Similarly, trees, plants, fruits, and vegetables exist on earth. Whereas root vegetables remain hidden inside the soil. 

Nature has given these vegetables the safest place. The reason behind doing this is the nutritional value, health benefits, and medicinal properties of these special vegetables. Ginger, beetroot, onion, and turnip are some such vegetables that grow underground. If we include these root vegetables in our routine diet, we may get many health benefits because the root vegetables have been a part of our diet for ages, but we hardly know their benefits. 

In this article, we will summarise some of the important root vegetable and their utilizations. 

1. Onion: Onion is the most commonly consumed root vegetable. It is mostly used as the main ingredient in cooking vegetables. Onions contain abundant amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, antioxidants are compounds that can protect our cells from oxidative damage. 

Daily consumption of raw onion is reported to bring the blood sugar level of type 2 diabetic people under control. According to the National Institute of Health, onion has powerful anti-cancer properties. The antioxidants present in it reduce the risk of cancer. 

How to eat-

a. It can be added to all vegetables. 

b. it can be eaten with salad, soup, eggs, and rice. 

c. It can also be eaten raw. 

2. Sweet potato: Sweet potatoes are one of the most delicious vegetables. It is very nutritious too. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin A. They also contain many antioxidants including beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, and anthocyanin. 

Sweet potatoes can strengthen our immunity due to their abundance of Vitamin A. Due to this, eyesight also remains intact and skin health remains good. 

How to eat-

a. Sweet potatoes can be boiled or roasted. b.You can eat it by making a sandwich.

c. You can eat it by mixing it in a salad or frying it and eating it without adding anything. 

3. Ginger: Ginger belongs to the turmeric family. Ginger is rich in antioxidants. It also contains a special compound called gingerol, which has many health benefits.

Ginger provides relief from all types of pain and swelling.  And can also provide relief from osteoarthritis.

How to eat-  

a. Ginger can be added to tea, soup, and smoothie. 

b. It can also be added to vegetables for a special taste. 

c. Ginger helps reduce cholesterol and also works as a blood thinner in Vascular diseases d. Ginger is very helpful in reducing cough and bronchitis. The fresh ginger juice of 5-8 ml with an equal amount of honey may reduce body weight when taken with lukewarm water. 

4. Beetroot: Beetroot is the most nutritious root vegetable. Beetroot contains an abundant amount of nitrate. These are beneficial plant compounds, which relax the blood vessels.  According to the National Institute of Health, eating beetroot controls blood pressure and improves heart health. 

Eating beetroot improves physical activity. This also improves blood flow in the brain, which is good for mental health. Beetroot extract has anti-cancer properties. If someone already has cancer, the speed of its growth can be reduced.

How to eat- 

a. It can be taken as beetroot juice or pickle. 

b. It can also be eaten boiled or roasted. 

5. Garlic: Garlic is a root vegetable of the family of vegetables like onion. Garlic contains abundant amounts of manganese, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C. It contains many more nutrients. 

Many medicinal properties of garlic have been described in Ayurveda.  According to Ayurveda, eating garlic keeps blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides under control. This also improves heart health.  Eating garlic strengthens our immune system. This also provides relief from the common cold and cough. 

How to eat- We can eat garlic by mixing it in soup, sauce, or any dish. 

6. Radish: If we have radish in the form of salad on our food plate, the taste of the food increases. It also contains many nutrients. Radish is low in carbohydrates and calories while containing ample amount of fiber and vitamin C. 

Radish has antifungal properties. By eating this we will be protected from all types of fungal infections. According to a study, eating radish leaves cures stomach ulcers quickly. 

How to eat- 

a. It can be added to make food or breakfast tasty.

b. It can also be added to slices, sandwiches, or salads. 

7. Carrot: Carrots are one of the most commonly consumed root vegetables. Maximum nutrients are also found in it. Carrots contain Vitamin A and Vitamin K. It also contains the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene. 

Eating carrots reduces oxidative stress and also improves cholesterol levels. According to a study published in the National Institute of Medicine, beta-carotene present in carrots reduces the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer. Eating carrots cures many age-related disorders. Eyesight remains good even in old age. 

How to eat- Eating raw carrots is most beneficial. 

a. It can also be cooked and eaten. 

b. it can make vegetables and pudding.

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Diabetic patients and sweet curd – life threatening

Diabetes is a disease that is completely related to diet. In common words, it is a lifestyle disease. Once someone gets this disease, he or she has to take special care of his or her diet. If diabetic patients eat curd mixed with sugar or curd rice, then be careful because the sugar level will increase. A diabetic patient should not eat curd mixed with sugar. Today I shall bring your attention to whether a diabetic patient should eat curd mixed with sugar?

According to health experts, a diabetic patient should eat jaggery mixed with curd instead of sugar. This is because the combination of curd and sugar is not good for the body. Due to this, there may be problems with stomach burning and acidity. If you like curd very much then eat curd mixed with water, this will digest it properly and also keep the stomach cool. 

[self testing of  blood sugar]

Diabetic patients should take special care of these things. Eating excessive sugar is not good for anyone, but if a person has diabetes, then he or she should take special care of many things especially to avoid the consumption of white sugar, excessive white rice, sweet curd or curd rice, and other foods that elevate blood sugar levels.  

If it is very necessary to eat curd, then sugar or diabetic patients should take special care of the quantity of curd. Sugar patients should take special care of their diet. This is because the amount of protein in curd is very high. If you eat jaggery mixed with it, the bacteria are good for digestion. There are 3-4 grams of carbohydrates in 100 grams of curd. But diabetic patients have to take special care of things. 

Disclaimer: The above article is based on the experience of the writer while taking a patient's history. Sometimes, the diet may be good for some patients based on their body chemistry, so, Before implementing any change in routine diet it would be better to consult the concerned expert. 

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Elevated Uric acid (Hyperuricemia) in the body and the home remedy

Knowingly or unknowingly we consume some foods and drinks that increase uric acid, a harmful chemical in our blood, and ultimately disturb our regular and routine life even if under tolerable limits but destroy our whole body once reaches beyond the limits as prescribed in various medical journals and bulletins. 

There are many types of processed foods, and semi-processed food available in the market is also one of the reasons to trigger uric acid. 

In ancient days it was said that uric acid may harm people when they reach the age of 50. But now no age limit to get affected with uric acid and related diseases. 

It has been seen that majority of the people, due to their busy schedules, have no time to pay attention even to their own health. When uric acid increases, the first system starts appearing through the legs. And that need immediate and proper attention and we should not ignore them as minor. 

Uric Acid Symptoms: When uric acid increases in the body, many types of symptoms appear in the body. Symptoms of increased uric acid are clearly visible, especially in the legs. If uric acid has increased in the body, it is very important to control it in time because it can damage the liver.  An increase in uric acid in the body means that a chemical is being produced in your body. This purine substance starts breaking down in the body due to which uric acid starts increasing in the body. It also depends on how much of it is there in your body. 

Many factors are involved in increasing uric acid but mainly it is affected because of a bad lifestyle. Due to an increase in uric acid, the risk of kidney stones as well as chronic diseases increases significantly. It has been proved in many researches that high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and metabolic syndrome can also be caused due to this. Many reports proved “Increase in uric acid increases the risk of diabetes and stroke”. This is a fatal medical condition. 

What should be the level of uric acid in the body? According to the Arthritis Foundation, the uric acid level in the body of men is more than 7 mg per deciliter, and in women, it is more than 6 mg/dl. 

Symptoms are seen in feet: 

1. Stinging and pain in the toe. 

2. Swelling and pain in the thumb. 

3. Ankle and heel pain. 

4. Severe pain in the soles of feet in the morning. 

5. Pain in knees. 

6. When uric acid starts increasing in the body, it causes pain and stiffness in the joints. 

7. Redness of the skin, blood in the toilet, frequent urination, lower back pain, pain in the genital area, and constant tiredness are also its initial symptoms. 

Home remedy to maintain Uric acid in the body: It is very simple but needs regularity. 

1. Citrus fruits are the best option to control the uric acid in the body. Citrus fruit juice like sweet lime, orange juice without ice cubes, and sugar approx 200 ml twice a week after food is helpful to control uric acid  

2. Daily one average-sized of ripe lemon juice may be squeezed in a tumbler of water and consumed. The lemon may be squeezed in pulses or vegetables, salad, etc if not willing to drink in water. 

3. Detox water or fruit-infused water is also the best remedy to reduce the uric acid in the body provided that the detox water should not be made with such fruits that elevate Uric acid.

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Things that relieve worst menstrual pain.

Every house is equipped with a kitchen and that kitchen functions as a Traditional system of medicines if used wisely. Yes! As we know our Indian system of medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, and Naturopathy require maximum key ingredients in the form of our kitchen materials e.g. dry ginger, dry coriander seeds (dhaniya), black pepper, cardamom, etc to prepare compound form of medicines to treat many diseases. In the olden times, the kitchen was treated as 'Nani Ji ka Dawakhana' OR 'Dadi Ji ka Dawakhana'. 

In the modern days, people wish to have prepared and packed material and no one wishes to work hard to get a fresh remedy. 

 

 

Here I am making an effort to bring your attention to some kitchen items that can manage pain and even make good feelings immediately in menstruation (severe painful menses). These things kept in the kitchen will relieve even the worst period of pain, definitely try them. 

These are considered "super-foods" that may be kept in the kitchen because they help in reducing period pain. These are- 

1. Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate contains magnesium and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and mood swings associated with periods. 

2. Pineapple: Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming pineapple or drinking pineapple juice helps in reducing swelling and reducing the discomfort of periods.

3. Bananas: Bananas are rich in potassium, which can help reduce muscle strain and period cramps. Eating bananas or adding them to smoothies can help in reducing period pain.

4. Leafy vegetables: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are rich in magnesium, which can help reduce muscle pain and cramps.

5. Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Drinking turmeric milk during periods can help in reducing pain.

6. Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help in reducing period cramps, it can be consumed in the form of ginger tea.

7. Jaggery: Consuming jaggery is considered very beneficial during periods. If 50 or 100 grams of jaggery is boiled in hot water and consumed, it improves blood flow, relieves the problem of stomach ache, and also removes the problem of irregular periods.

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