Natural Health

Basil seeds Benefits

If you are in India, ask for Falooda in any of the North Indian restaurants. You will find these jelly-like seeds inside Falooda. These seeds are basically soaked seeds of Sweet Basil, and more commonly known as Tukmaria seeds. In India, people know it by sabja seeds or Falooda seeds. Sweet Basil is different from Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or Tulsi, and is often referred as Thai basil or hairy basil.

In Asia, Basil seeds are often used in making desserts for their jelly like mucilaginous quality. Falooda is favorite drink in Asia and Middle East which contains soaked sweet basil seeds.

Sweet Basil is now an ornamental plant in United States. It is characteristic by purple stem and flowers and rich aroma. Siam Queen is popular variety of Thai Basil commonly used in kitchen.
It has peppery zing with mild sweetness, which doesn’t diminish even after cooking.

Sweet Basil seeds when soaked in water, quickly forms jelly like structure over seed. These soaked seeds are added to various desserts and drinks.

These seeds are also added to jelly, agar agar, lemonades, juices, iced tea, cold milk and other bakery items. Polysacchrides or Gums in the tukmaria seeds are very much comparable to food hydrocolloids and finds its use as additives in food processing industry.

Nutritional Value of Basil seeds:

Just like other seeds, Basil seeds are concentrated nutrition and ingredients required for seeds to germinate.  They are packed with carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and other minerals.

It is high in Vitamin K and one or teaspoons of Tukmaria seeds are sufficient for providing daily requirement of vitamin K. Similarly 50 grams of Basil seeds suffices daily requirement of calcium, magnesium and iron. Tukmaria seeds are also high on Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Zinc.

Health Benefits of Basil seeds:

Anti-inflammatory:

Essential from Basil seeds have shown anti-inflammatory property. Basil Seed oil is useful in reducing inflammation in arthritis and relive joint pains. Basil seed oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids mainly alpha- linolenic acid which is biologically very active and acts in relieving stress and modulate immune functions in body.

Basil seeds tonic is good for Health:

Basil seeds contains ample amount of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese and aids in health metabolism. These minerals promote health of cardio vascular system, blood circulatory system and digestive system. Basil seeds are also good way to enjoy health benefits of Vitamin K and useful in bone growth, cardiac health.

Digestion:

Basil seeds contain about 50% of its weight as carbohydrate mainly in form of dietary fibers. It helps in proper bowel movements, promotes health of digestive tract, aids in removal of waste, heavy metals and toxins from body. Traditional Iranian medicine used Basil seeds to treat Irritable Bowel.

Basil seeds also offer carminative effects and are helpful in treating stomach spasms, constipation, flatulence and indigestion. Basil seeds have mild laxative effect. They can be consumed for relief in case of regular constipation and piles, which generally results in chronic constipation.

Basil seeds on Genito-Urinary tract infections:
The seeds of Basil can be effective in treatment of bladder infection and gonorrhea. Teaspoon of basil seeds mixed with glass of water and some honey or jaggery is home remedy for treatment of such diseases.

Reduce cholesterol:

Basil seeds contain high amount of digestive fibers which help in prevention of absorption of cholesterol in intestine

Improves memory:

Basil seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids which is required for brain growth. It is crucial nutrient for memory and brain performance.

Basil seeds or Tukmaria seeds

Weight Loss and Basil Seeds:

Basil Seed Drink is promoted as supplement for weight loss. Basil seeds, with its dietary fibers, keep stomach hydrated and provide feeling of filled stomach and reduce carvings. While fibers also delays

carbohydrate metabolism. Just like Chia seed gel, Basil seed gel can be used to replace butter. Basil seeds are also low on calories and supply adequate amino acids.

Treatment of Diabetes:
Basil Seeds slows down carbohydrate metabolism and absorption of carbohydrate in intestine. Thus it can regulate blood sugar. Though not much evidence is available for this.

Helpful in skin infections:

Basil seeds crushed in coconut oil is often used in treating wounds ,cuts and other skin infections. This can be attributed to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial property of Basil seeds.

Side effects of Basil seeds:

Swollen seeds of basil can cause choking risk to children. Hence consumption should be in presence of adult and thick clumps should be avoided.

Tomato uses for Health and Beauty

Tomato the “Love Apple” is a popular vegetable with high anti-oxidant. They are sweet and juicy and healthy. Tomatoes are very versatile as they can be eaten as a salad, in a sandwich or as gravy for vegetables – not to forget “the all important sauce.”

Tomatoes are non starchy, low calorie and play such an important role in American diet today, that it is impossible to believe that till the 1800’s they were considered toxic.

Tomato contains amazing amounts of lycopene which is said to have anti oxidant properties. Studies have shown that tomato can reduce prostate cancer especially in synergy with broccoli. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggested that ‘the intake of tomatoes and tomato products is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. This benefit may be related to the antioxidant properties of lycopene, but other potential mechanisms and other beneficial tomato-based components instead of or combined with lycopene cannot be excluded’.

Tomoto Benefits

-Tomatos work against impotency and help increase the sperm count
-Tomatoes are powerful blood purifies and clear up urinary tract infections.
-They have high sources of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
-They are good for improving skin porosity and are widely used in the manufacture of skin care and beauty products.

Risks and Precautions:

Some people may be allergic to tomatoes; their body cannot absorb and digest them.

In some individuals eating tomatoes in salads can lead to itching, hives and breathing problems.

Lycopene intolerance can cause bloating of the stomach, pain and diarrhea.

For some, eating tomatoes in any form can result in heart burn and reflux.

When a person has a history of kidney stones, it would be wise to eat tomatoes in moderation as the high oxalate and calcium bind together and kidney stones are a result.

Those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome will need to go slow on consuming tomatoes.

Eaten in moderation, they will not be harmful in anyway. The nutritional benefits are many so there is no reason to avoid this simple, cost effective and widely available fruit /vegetable.

Benefits of coriander seeds

Curry leaves are natural flavouring agents with a number of important health benefits, which makes your food both healthy and tasty along with pleasing aroma. They contain various antioxidant properties and have the ability to control diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, excessive acid secretion, peptic ulcers, dysentery, diabetes and an unhealthy cholesterol balance.

Nutritional Value of Curry Leaves:

The main nutrients found in curry leaves are carbohydrates, energy, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and minerals.  It also contains various vitamins like  nicotinic acid and vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, antioxidants, plant sterols, amino acids, glycosides and flavonoids. Also, nearly zero fat (0.1 g per 100 g) is found in curry leaves.

Curry leaves

1. It Protects your liver from damage.

2.It maintains blood sugar levels.

3.It Protects you from heart disease

4 It helps with digestion..

5.It treats and prevents skin infections.

6 Improves Hair Growth

How to Prepare Curry leaves oil for hair:

Ingredients:

curry leaves-2 bunches
olive oil or coconut oil-1litre

Preparation:

1. Wash the curry leaves.
2. Grind it in Mixer with little water.
3. Filter and extract the juice.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add juice.
5. Put the stove in simmer and stir it frequently till it starts turning into dark color(black residues start forming) or the bubbles start coming. Filter the oil and use it.