MEDICINAL PLANTS/FRUITS AND FOOD THAT MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW

Hello there! Are you searching for medicinal plants that would be helpful in eradicating sicknesses and diseases, or helpful medicinal plants useful in the treatment of sicknesses and diseases, Are you taking foreign drugs and are wondering if there are traditional plants that could eradicate ailment, Do you know that there are some drugs that could exacerbate a particular illness?, if the answer to the above questions is yes, then you are in the right place!

Preamble
Many plants have curative powers.Some of the best modern medicines are made from wild herbs.According to the true proverb health they said is wealth!

Nevertheless, not all curative herbs' people use have medical value and those that have are sometimes used the wrong way.Try to learn about the herbs in your area and find out which ones are worthwhile.
We can not talk about ingredients in food without talking about
1.carbohydrates
2.proteins
3.fat and oils
4.vitamins(A,B,C,D,E,K)
5.minerals
6.water
WARNING
 Some medicinal herbs are very poisonous if taken in more than the recommended dose.For this reason it is often safer to use modern medicine, since the dosage is easier to control.

PLANT AND THEIR MEDICINAL VALUES

Bitter Leaf
Botanical Name of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)
The leaves of this common leaf vegetable are used by circumcised to speed up clotting and reduce bleeding.
A few leaves are rubbed between the palms,until fresh juice can be squeezed straight on the wound.Another leaf is then placed on the wound.

Alternative plant
Leaves of nightshade with the botanical name (Solanum Ingram or S. Pensive can also be used.

CORN SILK (the tassels or silk from an ear of maize)
Sometimes a tea made from corn silk can help reduce swelling of the feet-especially in pregnant women.
Therapy :Boil a large handful of corn silk in water and drink one or two glasses.It is not dangerous.

PAWPAW  (carica papaya)

The unripe fruit and leaves of pawpaw contain papains, an enzyme which breaks down proteins and is used to tenderize meat before cooking. Enzymes help to digest the food we eat.They cause blood to clot and fruit juices to ferment. The industrial manufacture of alcohol from sugars and starches uses enzymes.
Ripe pawpaws are rich in vitamins and also aid digestion. Eating them is especially helpful for weak or old people who complain of upset stomach when they eat meat,chicken, or eggs.Pawpaw can also help get rid of intestinal worms,although modern medicines often work better.
Therapy:Collect three or four teaspoons (15-20 ml) of the milk that comes out when the green fruit or trunk of the Pawpaw tree is cut.Mix this with an equal amount of honey and stir it into a cup of hot water.If possible, drink along with a laxative.

Alternatively you can dry and crush to powder the Pappas seeds.Take three teaspoons mixed with one glass of water,or some honey, three times a day for seven days.

Pawpaw can also be used for treating bed sores.The fruit contains chemicals that help to soften and make dead flesh easier to remove.First clean and wash out a bed sore that has dead flesh in it. Then soak a clean cloth or sterilize gauze with milk from the trunk or green fruit of a pawpaw plant and pack this into the sore.Repeat cleaning and repacking three times a day.

VEGETABLE OIL AND LEMON
Gallstones can be made to pass safely with large doses of olive oil (or other vegetable oil) and lemon.

Therapy :Give four tablespoon of oil and the juice of one lemon every fifteen  minutes until one pint (1/2litre) of oil has been given. This will cause diarrhoea.The fences should be examined carefully before disposal, to see if,and how manystones have been passed.

GARLIC
A drink made from garlic can often get rid of pinworms and relieve diarrhoea.
Therapy:Chop finely ,or crush,four cloves of garlic and mix with one glass of liquid (water,juice or milk).
For pinworms, drink one glass daily for three weeks; for diarrhoea, drink one glass every two hours until diarrhoea stops.

Vaginal infections may also be treated with garlic.

SOURSOP

Soursop belongs to the family of Annonaceae and the genus of Annona. Several studies have been carried out over the past years regarding the impacts of this fruit on human health. Interestingly, soursop has been recorded as among the list of valuable fruits that are highly beneficial to human health. Both the soursop drink and pulp have been reported to contain reasonable amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are health promoting. Both the leaves, stems and barks are equally medicinal in nature. Soursop is originally from the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola, West Indies, Cuba, Mexico, South and Central America and Puerto Rico before spreading to other parts of the world such as Africa (Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon).

Soursop is also known as guyabano,shawachop, mtomoko, guanavana, coração de boi, shawshopu, anona, thorny custard apple, ekitafeeli, evo, mullatha, tomoko, mãng cầu Xiêm, kowosòl, adunu, tearb barung, sorsaka, graviolo, aluguntugui, guanábana, graviola, durian salat, corossol, lampun, Brazilian pawpaw, durian benggala, nangka londa, nangka blanda, zuurzak or sirsak. Soursop is notable for its white fibrous pulp and tiny seeds that are intertwined in-between the pulp.

The pulp is very creamy, distinctively stringy, sour and tasty. Soursop fruit is oval in shape while the leaves are lanceolate in shape as well as glossy in appearance. The fruit is distinguished by its greenish sparse curved spines. While the pulp is the edible part of this fruit, the seeds are considered inedible and are usually discarded.

Benefits of Soursop (Graviola)

I. Anti-cancer Properties
Soursop contains annonacin, which is a neurotoxin that is classified as acetogenin. Studies reveal that the presence of annonacin in soursop makes this fruit effective for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells when compared with chemotherapy and Adriamycin. Regular consumption of soursop is therefore highly essential for preventing the onset of cancer attacks.

II. Anti-viral Properties
Annona muricata extract is anti-viral in nature thus can be used for treating viral infections such as herpes. Genital herpes is a type of infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus causes painful blisters on the genitals and it can affect any mucous membrane (moist lining) like the ones present in the mouth (cold sores).

III. Boosts the Energy Level
The presence of fructose in soursop makes this fruit an excellent source of energy. Fructose is a monosaccharide (simple sugar) that acts as a building block of complex carbohydrates.

IV. Boosts the Immune System
Soursop fruit is an excellent source of natural products such as annonacin, acetogenins, muricapentocin, gentisic acid, annocatacin, anonol, annocatalin, linoleic acid, annohexocin, gigantetronin, caclourine, annomuricin and anomurine, which are all essential for boosting the immune system thereby helping to fight against disease causing agents.

V. Anti-oxidizing Properties
Soursop is an excellent source of vitamin C thus acts as a great antioxidant for promoting good health and slowing down the aging process.

VI. Prevents Osteoporosis
Soursop is a rich source of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for maintaining strong bones and for preventing osteoporosis.

VII. Aids Digestion
Soursop is an excellent source of dietary fiber thus very good for facilitating easy digestion of food.

VIII. Culinary Purposes
The white pulp of the soursop fruit can be used for preparing smoothies, syrups, soft drinks, beverages, sherbets, candies, ice creams and juices. Soursop leaves can be used for tenderizing meat.

IX. Nutritional Values of Soursop
Soursop is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, sodium, protein, potassium, pectin, glucose, fructose and dietary fiber, which are essential for promoting good health.

X. Maintains Healthy Heart
Soursop contains vitamin B1 and B2 that are essential for facilitating blood circulation thereby contributing to the maintenance of a healthy heart.

XI. Treatment of Gastrointestinal Problems
Soursop fruit and leaves can be used for treating gastrointestinal diseases such as stomach pains, diarrhea.

XII. Antibacterial Properties
Soursop contains phytochemicals that are antibacterial in nature thus have been proven effective for treating bacterial infections such as fever, cold etc.

XIII. Wound Healing Properties
The bark and stem of the soursop can be used for preparing herbal medicines for treating wounds and cuts.

XIV. Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Soursop is an essential fruit for treating hemorrhoids.

XV. Other Uses of Soursop
Studies reveal that the soursop fruit juice is an excellent juice for tackling hematuria (blood in the urine), rheumatism, depression, urethritis (urinary tract infection), arthritis, kidney problems and liver disease

TEN  FOOD THAT MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW
You can use all the creams and scrubs in the world but if you don't eat a healthy diet,your skin will reflect it.The latest research indicates that certain foods can make a dramatic difference in your skin.Here are some of the foods that will make your skin glow!

1.Sea Food:
Fish like Salmon,Tuna,Cod and sardines are high in omega 3 fatty acid,which help moisturize and promote healthy skin and give you shiny hair.Crabmeat is high in selenium,an antioxidant that can improve skin elasticity.Try to eat a can of sardines every week.

2.Sweet Potatoes:
Yellow and orange foods,sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots,apricots,mangoes, cantaloupe,egg yolks,and yellow and orange peppers are very high in beta-carotene,which helps with dry skin,and helps repair tissue for smooth and soft skin.It also helps protect your skin from sun damage from those dreaded UV rays.Canned pump has a lot more beta-carotene than fresh.

3.Blueberries:
Blueberries are anti-aging superstars with tones of antioxidants to fight free radical damage ,which ages your skin.All berries,cranberries included,promote glowing skin.

4.Oranges:
Oranges and other food high in vitamin C like strawberries,red peppers,and cook spinach help promote collagen growth and help fight free radical damage to cells,which is what ages the skin.Red pepper has triple! vitamin C as an orange.

5.Beans:
Do you ever hear of hyaluronic acid?it's in a lot of skin creams and even feelers! It hydrates the skin and increase elasticity and collagen production. Beans especially red black one are loaded with it.Beans also contains zinc which help fight acne.

6.Fat:
A fat-free diet depletes your skin of moisture and the older we get the drier our skin.Healthy fats olive ,canolaoil,avocados, nuts and seeds are essential to keep skin plump
and youthful looking and prevent dryness. 

7.Tomatoes:
New research indicate that the lycopene in tomatoes can help protect the skin from sun-damage ,the worst kind.Cooked and canned tomato products contain more lycopene than fresh,other sources are pink and red grapefruit and watermelon. 

8.Nuts:
Walnuts,almonds, and pecans are a great source of protein, which promotes cell repair  for improved elasticity and skin tone,plus the oils nuts help to hydrate your skin .Almonds are high in vitamin E which helps prevent cell damages,nuts provide lots of selenium for improved skin elasticity. 

9.Edamame:
Edamame and Soya products like tofu,miso ,and soyamilk are high in isoflavones,which work like estrogent in the body and help to preserve skin-firming collagen,preventing wrinkles.Other good sources of isoflavones are garbanzo beans and groundnut or Peanut.

10.Tea:
Many skin creams contains green tea.Green and black tea contains flavonoids,which reduce inflammation and can prevent wrinkles.Drink a lot of green tea and believe it you will complement your skin.

REFERENCES

Where there is no doctor by David Werner p12-p13
New School Chemistry by Ababio p186