The Miracle Moringa

(a) A tree of Moringa oleifera, (b) Moringa flowers and leaves.

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a miracle plant, native to the Indian subcontinent, where its various parts are valuable for food and medicine. Moringa is also called plant that never die, due to its ability to survive harsh weather and drought. In Indonesia, moringa is known as kelor. Kelor, in Javanese tradition, is often to be connected with its magical, or supranatural properties.

Moringa is also known as drumstick tree, horseradish tree, clarifier tree, ben oil tree, and benzoil tree. Other common names of moringa, includes, Kalor, Merunggai, Sajina (Malay), Chùm ngây (Viet), Ma-rum (Thai), Malunggay (Tagalog), Sahjan (Hindi), Surajana (Sanskrit), Sajiwan, Swejan (Nepali). Moringa can grow either, in lowland, or highland up to 1000 m above sea level, and reach a height of 7–12 m.

The seed of moringa is said to be eaten like a peanut, in Malaya. Thickened root used as substitute for horseradish. Foliage eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles, and for seasoning. Leaves pounded up, to be used for scrubbing utensils, and also for cleaning walls.

In Africa, commonly planted as a living fence tree. Moringa trees planted on graves are believed to keep away hyenas, and its branches are used as charms against witchcraft.

Moringa is called miracle plant, because it has many active substances, or bioactive compounds, such as:

• Anti-aging.
• Anti-anxiety, or Anxiolytic.
• Antibacterial.
• Antibiotic.
• Anti-depressant.
• Antidiabetic
• Antiepileptic.
• Antifungal.
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-hyperthyroidism (substance that inhibits hyperthyroidism, an excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland).
• Anti-inflammation.
• Antimicrobial.
• Antioxidant.
• Anti-progestational (disturbing the phase of the menstrual cycle).
• Antipyretic.
• Antiscorbutic (rich in vitamin C).
• Antispasmodic (substance that relieves, prevents, or lowers the incidence of muscle spasms).
• Antitumor.
• Anti-ulcer.
• Counter-irritant (applied to the skin to provoke a mild inflammation, and relieve deeper pain, either by improving the blood supply, or by interfering with the passage of sensory nerve impulses).
• Diuretic (promotes the increased production of urine, to help reducing the amount of water in the body, and to lower high blood pressure).
• Emmenagogue (substance that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, and uterus, to promote menstrual discharge).
• Estrogenic (substance which acting like estrogen).
• Galactagogue (promotes lactation, in humans and animals).
• Hepatoprotective.
• Hypocholesterolemic (substance that promotes hypocholesterolemia, condition of abnormally low levels of cholesterol in the blood).
• Hypoglicemic (substance that promotes hypoglycemia, or insulin reaction, or low blood sugar).
• Purgative (substance that makes you empty your bowels).
• Rubefacient (substance for external application that produces redness of the skin, by causing dilation of the capillaries, and an increase in blood circulation, to relieve acute, or chronic pain).
• Stimulant (substance that induce temporary improvements in either mental, or physical functions, or both).

FRESH HEALTHCARE Moringa Oleifera

Moringa History as Folk Medicine

According to NCI's Jonathan L. Hartwell's works of study from 1967–1971, the roots of moringa are used in folk remedies for tumors. In Nicaragua, the root decoction is used to treat dropsy.

Moringa roots are bitter, acrid, and pungent, which act as a tonic to the body and lungs, are taken to promote digestion. Moringa roots are also act as an expectorant, mild diuretic, and a stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy, and hysteria

Moringa leaves, which have purgative properties, applied as poultice to relieve sores, and rubbed on the temples for headaches. Moringa leaves are used as poultice on the abdomen to expel intestinal worms.

In Guatemala, moringa leaf is used for skin infections and sores. In Malaysia, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, it is used as a cure for intestinal worms. In Nicaragua, moringa leaves are used to cure headache. In Philippines, it is used to cure anemia, glandular swelling and lactation. In Senegal, moringa leaves are used to treat diabetes.

Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, ß carotene, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus.

Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of four glasses of milk

The vitamin C content of seven oranges

Potassium of three bananas

Three times the iron of spinach

Four times the amount of vitamin A in carrots

Two times the protein in milk

The decoction of moringa flowers, combined with cow's milk, is an excellent herbal tonic for sexual weakness, and functional infertility of both males, and females. Powdered moringa bark is used to improve quality of semen, and premature ejaculation in male.

Moringa is a natural medicine for digestive disorder. The combination of fresh leaf extract, one teaspoon honey, and one glass of coconut water is an excellent herbal antidote for cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, and colitis.

Moringa leaf extract mixed with cucumber, or carrot juice is a natural antidote for dysuria, and high acid percentage in urine. Moringa leaf extract mixed with lime juice is helpful for the treatment for pimples, black head, and age spots. On regular use it adds natural radiance on skin tone.

An ointment which is made from moringa leaves mixed with whiting (calcium carbonate) is used to treat rheumatism. The decoction of fresh leaves extract mixed with one teaspoon honey, and one glass of water is used to treat nyctalopia (night-blindness). An eye drops which are made from moringa leaves extract is used to treat eye-ache.

Moringa in Javanese Tradition

Dunia Tak Selebar Daun Kelor

Above quote translates in English as The world is not as wide as moringa leaf. Other common English quote, which is similiar to above quote, The world is bigger than your backyard. The meaning is quite simple, that is, the world is not as small as you think it is. Open up your view, and not just being shallow minded people! We all have different parts to make this world a better place. Start from your little place called home.

Moringa or kelor in Javanese tradition, as I have mentioned earlier in this post, is connected with its magical, or supranatural properties. Just like in Africa, which kelor branches are used as charms against witchcraft, Javanese people believed, that kelor trees planted on homeyard, are also used as charms against witchcraft.

Kelor branch with some leaves attached is used to remove supranatural thing inside near death, or coma patient, by hitting the patient's body with the branch. Supranatural thing, or susuk in Javanese term, that I mentioned before, is a kind of silver, or gold needle. Susuk is planted below the skin of elbow, shoulder, foot, arm or face, to use it as charms, for labor job, in sports, for health and longevity.

My Great Grandfather, which I had mentioned about him in my earlier post, who died at the age of 95 years, was also had to be hit with a branch of kelor leaves, to remove the susuk inside his body, in order to give him a peaceful death, in his bed.

Kemade kelor, or in English is known as moringa parasite, is a kind of parasite which is seldom be found on moringa branches. Javanese people believed that kemade kelor have more healing effects than any other parts of moringa tree. Only for those who needed the most, for healing purpose, could found it.

My friend was once told me a story about his neighbour who searched for kemade kelor on a metre of height moringa tree, near his house. His neighbour could not find it anywhere on the tree. But an hour later, his brother searched again the kemade kelor for his brother's friend. His brother managed to find this amazing kemade kelor for his friend. I couldn't find any image in the internet about this magical, and miraculous moringa parasite.

Mustika galih kelor, or in English known as moringa bark fossil, is a stone which is made from moringa bark fossil. The stone could also be found on a 12 m height of hundreds years old moringa tree. Javanese people believed that by wearing the stone, it will gain several magical effects, such as unlimited health, body armour, and charms against witchcraft.

Maju's Organic Moringa Powder	Moringa Powder 1LB (16Oz) 100% CERTIFIED Organic Oleifera Leaf - (100% PURE LEAF | NO STEMS) - Raw from Egypt | Smoothies | Drinks | Tea | Recipes - Resealable Bag

Moringa Tea Lemon 30 Bags By Bio Nutrition Inc	Moringa 60 Vegi Caps By Puritan's Pride

References:

• Image from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Hartwell, J.L. 1967–1971. Plants used against cancer. A survey.
• Duke, J.A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops.
• Patel, S. et al 2010. Moringa oleifera: A Review of There Medicinal and Economical Importance to the Health and Nation. (Read or download PDF from Web Archive 8/14/2021).
• Tanaman obat Indonesia. Sentra Informasi IPTEK (Web Archive 7/15/2008).

Health Benefits of Cincau

Black cincau (black grass jelly)
Image from wikimedia

Cincau, an Indonesian famous ingredient commonly used for beverages, turns out to have many health benefits. Other common names of cincau, include, grass jelly (English), khruea ma noi, chao kuai (Thailand), cao, juju, kepleng (Javanese), camcauh, tahulu (Sundanese), xian cao, hsian tsao (Taiwan).

Cincau is made traditionally by first washing the leaves, finely crushed, and added with warm water. The water soluble is then separated from the leaves, left until it is cold, and turned into a jelly.

It might also simply by soaking the leaves into water, for about five minutes, and then squeeze them. The leaves will stick together like glues. The more sticky means better quality of Cincau leaves.

Moreover, the gel content in cincau, is affected by the altitude. The highest content of the gel is found in the leaves, which are planted at minimum of 2000 meters asl. (Widyaningsih TD, et al. 2012)

According to Kooiman P, 2006, the solubility of such a pure, and highly esterified pectin, from cincau plant cell walls, in cold water, seems to occur only in a restricted number of plant species.

Different varieties of cincau, whether they are derived from the leaves of Mesona palustris, Mesona chinensis, Mesona procumbens, or Cyclea barbata, all them possess the same health benefits.

Cyclea barbata Miers.

Green cincau is made from the leaves of Cyclea barbata, in which is reported to be originated from Silent Valley, Kerala, India. Cyclea barbata is commonly used, as a medicinal plant by Javanese people, for stomach troubles, and as a prophylactic against fever. (Manilal KS, et al. 1985)

Five bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, in which among them, tetrandrine, limacine, thalrugosine, homoaromoline, and cycleapeltine, were extracted from the roots of Cyclea barbata, had demonstrated cytotoxic, and antimalarial activities. (Lin LZ, et al. 1993)

Mesona palustris
Image from sito

Black cincau is made from the leaves of Mesona palustris, or other Mesona family plants. Black cincau has been reported to possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory and cancer preventive properties. Black cincau is believed can be used to treat fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, mouth sores, high blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease.

Recent study was aimed to demonstrate the immunomodulatory property of a black cincau, in a form of instant tea powder, using Salmonella thypimurium induced mice. The beverage, in which was added with cinnamon and pandan leaves extracts, had the ability to increase interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and immunoglobulin G (IgG), in Salmonella thypimurium induced mice, at dose of 18,2 mg/20 g body weight, and 36,4 mg/20 g body weight. (Widyaningsih TD, et al. 2013)

Black cincau, which is tasteless in nature, is easily found to be sold, whether in a traditional market, or in a supermarket. Even though cincau beverages possess many health benefits, but another ingredients to make cincau beverages more tasty, might be questionable for health.

The use of sugar in a large amount, or artificial sweetener that is used by traditional cincau beverages seller, will make cincau no longer healthier. Even worse, if the seller made his own cincau, by adding the soluble water of the leaves with borax, to make it more gummy, and lasts longer to be sold.

Ding Fong Black Grass Jelly Powder	Nutrijel Jelly Powder Rasa Cincau (Pack of 6)

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Borax in Food Products

Perjuanganku lebih mudah karena mengusir penjajah, tapi perjuanganmu akan lebih sulit karena melawan bangsamu sendiri.

Soekarno
1st President of The Republic of Indonesia

The quote above when translated in English means, My fight was easier, because fought the invaders. But, yours would be more difficult, because of fighting your own nation. The word nation here means, my fellow countrymen, in other word, the invaders are the Indonesian people themself.

For examples, some bussiness owners slaved their employees, by not paying the salary, or by paying the salary, below the government minimum payment regulations. Terrorism acted by some Indonesian, who had made other Indonesian, and foreigners in Indonesia, died or suffered.

The freedom of having a faith or religion is still in chain. It is so easy to build a mosque in Indonesia, but way too hard to build a church. Even just to build a fence for church's parking-lot, must wait for the IMB (Ijin Mendirikan Bangunan), or a building permit by the local authority. Food products made by small home industry, which contain toxic substances, such as, formaldehyde and borax.

In my earlier post, I had already described the use of formaldehyde in food products. In this post, I will describe how my fellow countrymen used borax, which freely sold in the traditional market, as food additive.

Borax

Borax, or also known as sodium borate, dissolve easily in water. According to Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia) No. 722/MenKes/Per/IX/88, Indonesian government forbade the use of borax, and its derivatives (boron and boric acid), as foods additive. However, borax is easily found to be sold in nearest traditional market.

I assume that the freely sold borax is meant for other uses, such as, for making glass, pottery, and ceramics. Borax possess antifungal properties, which is useful to treat fungal foot disease, Athlete's Foot, and candidiasis, by soaking the foot in the mixture of water and borax. Borax is also used as disinfectant to kill bacteria, and germs.

Borax may use as natural ant killer. To make your own ant traps, mix a tablespoon of honey, borax and sugar. Place the mixture in a bottle. Then, place the open bottle, in open area where there are ants. The ants will take the mixture back to its nest as foods, and will kill the entire colony. ([PDF] Pesticide Alts Eng)

Borax in Lontong

Lontong

Lontong, an Indonesian rice cake, is made by compressing rice cake which wrapped using banana leaves. Lontong is widely known as traditional Indonesian cuisine. But, some lontong makers add borax as a preservative, to make lontong more chewy, or elastic, and last long to be sold.

The original lontong which is made without borax, will be watery after a day period. But, last week, my mom ordered 100 pieces of lontong, in traditional market, for the 68th Indonesian Independence feast. Curious with the lontong that my mom bought, I kept a piece of lontong, in dining table, to be left for three days. You know what, it did not even watery, infact when I touched it, the lontong was harder in the outer skin.

A study using the spectrophotometric method was demonstrated to examine ten samples of lontong, which was sold, in Setu district, Bekasi, West Java. Amazingly, all ten samples were contained with borax at the levels between 220.23 parts per million (ppm) and 314.58 ppm. The study suggested that the Indonesian government should provide more information about the danger uses of borax as food additives. (Nugroho A J, 2011)

Borax in Tempe Chips

Tempe Chips

Tempe, a traditional soy product origin from Indonesia, is made by a fermentation process of soybeans. Tempe iCompressed rice cakes popular ingredient for many Javanese dishes, foods, and snacks, such as, oseng tempe, kering tempe, tempe bacem, tempe mendoan, and tempe chips.

Last Sunday news from Reportase Investigasi, a local TV news program, in TransTV, was informed that all six samples of tempe chips, which were randomly bought, including a sample that was bought in a snacks store, were contained with borax.

Just like borax in bread, in my previous post, all six tempe chips were also tested in laboratory. Small pieces of all samples, when added with a flame produced a green color.

From the interview with a naughty tempe chips maker, and also supported with the video record, it was shown that the maker mixed borax into the flour, which used to cover the tempe before being fried.

Moreover, the scientist who tested the samples, at Sucofindo laboratory, was found that some tempe chips samples were also contained with plastic material. It was shown that some tempe chips maker had melted the plastic container of the frying oil, in the frying pan, before frying the tempe.

The melted plastic in the frying oil, will make the frying oil able to be used many times, and also make tempe chips more crispy. That makes double poison additives inside the tempe chips, borax and plastic.

Image credit: SquareSpace.com & Wikimedia.org

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The Danger of Daily Egg Consumption

Chicken egg without eggshell.

My friend, let's call him Yuri, loves to eat egg in any form of dishes. But, mostly he loves to eat a boiling egg. Everyday, he used to eat at least three boiling eggs with rice for daily meals.

I once asked Yuri, Have you ever get bore of eating egg everyday? No, I prefer to eat egg rather than meat, Yuri answered.

I did not actually believe to what Yuri had said. But, when I came to his house with my family, in a conversation, his wife told a story about Yuri to my wife and I. A kind of weird story to believe in.

Yuri's wife said, When my neighbour had a feast, my husband was not like everyone else. All my neighbours were taking Goat Satay, and Goat Curry for their meals. But, Yuri only took two pieces of boiling eggs for himself.

My wife and I suddenly laughed with Yuri's habits of eating eggs. I then believed to what Yuri once ever told me.

The Nutritional Value

White, speckled, and brown chicken eggs.

Nutritional value contains in hard boiled chicken egg per 100 g:

• Water : 74.62 g
• Energy : 155 kcal
• Total fats : 10.61 g
• Carbohydrate : 1.12 g
• Total sugars : 1.12 g
• Total saturated fatty acids : 3.267 g
• Total monounsaturated fatty acids : 4.077 g
• Total polyunsaturated fatty acids : 1.414
• Total cholesterol : 373 mg
• Vitamin A : 149 µg
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin) : 0.066 mg
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) : 0.513 mg
• Vitamin B6 : 0.121 mg
• Vitamin B9 (folate) : 44 µg
• Vitamin B12 : 1.11 µg
• Vitamin D : 2.2 µg
• Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) : 1.03 mg
• Vitamin K (phylloquinone) : 0.3 µg
• Niacin : 0.064 mg
• Calcium (Ca) : 50 mg
• Iron (Fe) : 1.19 mg
• Magnesium (Mg) : 10 mg
• Phosphorus (P) : 172 mg
• Potassium (K) : 126 mg
• Sodium (Na) : 124 mg
• Zinc (Zn) : 1.05 mg

Source: USDA

The Scientific Studies

Egg is considered to be a complete food, due to rich in many nutrients, and economically accessible. The cholesterol value in egg has important properties for human. But, the reduction in egg consumption has been widely recommended to lower blood cholesterol levels and to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD).

A study in Harvard Medical School among 37,851 men aged 40 to 75 years, and 80,082 women aged 34 to 59 years, free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or cancer, had documented 866 incident cases of CHD and 258 incident cases of stroke in men after 8 years later. Also 939 incident cases of CHD, and 563 incident cases of stroke in women after 14 years later.

The study found no evidence about the link between egg consumption and risk of CHD, or stroke in either men, or women. Harvard scientists also suggest that consumption of up to 1 egg per day, is unlikely to have substantial overall impact on the risk of CHD or stroke among healthy men and women. (Hu FB, et al. 1999)

In the other hand, daily egg consumption is is likely to have an impact on the risk of diabetes mellitus. Still in Harvard Medical School, a study among 20,703 men, and 36,295 women, had found that high levels of daily egg consumption are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women. (Djoussé L, et al. 2009)

However, a continuous study by Djoussé L, et al. published in 2010, had found that there was no association between egg consumption and increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes, in older adults with limited egg intake. (Djoussé L, et al. 2010)

Several studies have also suggested that higher egg consumption may increase the risk of cancer. In a multisite case control study in Uruguay, between 1996 and 2004, had found an association between higher intake of eggs and increased risk of several cancers. (Aune D, et al. 2009)

I assume that everything which are taken excessively might have negative side effects. In the case of Yuri's egg consumption, even though Yuri's favorite egg dish of boiling egg, in which is healthier than sunny side up (fried chicken egg), half cooked egg, or even raw egg, but, his daily three eggs consumption should be reduced.

So, what do you think about it? Do you love to have sunny side up for breakfast? Well, I don't. I really hate to eat half cooked egg, or even raw egg. Because in an half cooked egg, or raw egg might still consist Salmonella bacteria, that can cause severe food poisoning.

All images from Wikimedia.org

The Health Benefits From A Roadside Tree of Kersen

Muntingia calabura Linn. (Kersen)

I never thought before that this kersen, an Indonesian name for the tree of Muntingia calabura Linn., has so many health benefits. The kersen trees are fast growing fruit trees. Kersen tree could grow up to 3 m high within two years. Kersen are commonly planted in roadsides, or parking lots. Kersen leaves, barks, flowers and roots have been used as a folk remedy to treat fever, cold, liver disease, and use as an antiseptic agent in Southeast Asia.

A Tree With Hundreds of Names

Since I was a child, I knew kersen by the name of keres. The Dutch was used to call it as Japanse kers (Japanese cherry), and Indonesian people then called it as kersen, or keres. Although some Indonesian would call it as talok, baleci, or ceri jawa (Javanese cherry).

Kersen is widely cultivated, and thoroughly naturalized in many places around the world, which made kersen is thought by the local people to be native. The fact, kersen is native to southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and tropical South America.

In its originate country of Mexico, where kersen is sold in the market, kersen is known by the name of capolin, palman, bersilana, jonote, or puan. Can you believe it? Five different names for just a tree.

Other common names around the world include:

• Jamaican cherry, Panama berry, Singapore cherry, Bajelly tree, Strawberry tree (common English names).
• Datiles, alatris, aratiles, manzanitas and sarisa (Philippines).
• Chitató, majagüito, chirriador, acuruco, tapabotija and nigua (Colombia).
• Majagua, majaguillo, mahaujo, guácimo hembra, cedrillo, niguo, and niguito (Venezuela).
• Bolina, iumanasa, yumanaza, guinda yunanasa, or mullacahuayo (Peru).
• Takop farang, or ta kob farang (Thailand), kakhop (Cambodia), cay trung ca (Vietnam),kerukup siam, or Japanese cherry (Malaysia),Chinese cherry (India), and jam fruit (Ceylon).
• Capulin blanco (Guatemala and Costarica), capulin de comer (El Salvador), pasito, or majagüillo (Panama), nigüito (Ecuador), calabura, or pau de seda (Brazil), capulina, or chapuli (Cuba), cedrillo majagua (Argentina),bois d' orme, or bois de soie marron (Haiti), memiso, or memizo (Dominican Republic), bois ramier, or bois de soie (Guadeloupe). (Morton, J. 1987)

The Health Benefits of Kersen

Anti-diabetic Effect

An undergraduate thesis from Indonesian student of Malang Muhammadiyah University, had demonstrated the anti-hyperglicemic and anti-diabetic properties of kersen. The study resulted the efficacy of kersen fruit juice in lowering blood glucose levels in rats. (Verdayanti TE, 2009)

Cardioprotective Effect

Kersen leaves are reported potentially to possess antihypertensive effect. The methanol leaf extract of kersen had been studied to demonstrate its antihypertensive effect in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats. The study resulted that the activation of sGC (soluble Guanylyl Cyclase)/cGMP (cyclic Guanosine MonoPhosphate)/PKG (Protein Kinase G) signaling pathway may participate in kersen biphasic (two separate phases) cardiovascular effects. (Shih CD, 2009)

A study in Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India, had confirmed the cardioprotective effects of kersen leaves extract against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (heart attack) in rats. (Nivethetha M, 2009)

Anti-cancer Effect

Kersen leaves possess potential antiproliferative and antioxidant activities due to its high content of phenolic compounds. The aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts of kersen leaves had been studied using Microculture Tetrazolium (MTT) assay in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

The aqueous and methanol extracts of kersen leaves inhibited the proliferation of breast (MCF-7), cervix (HeLa), colon (HT-29), and leukemia (HL-60 and K-562) cancer cells lines. Meanwhile, the chloroform extract only inhibited the proliferation of breast (MCF-7), cervix (HeLa), and leukemia (HL-60 and K-562) cancer cells lines.

But, all extracts were failed to inhibit the breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells proliferation, and did not inhibit the proliferation of normal (3T3) cells, in which indicated its safety. (Zakaria ZA, et al. 2011)

So, how do you call kersen in your country? Have you ever try to eat kersen fruit? You should try it now. Because, when you are in Mexico, you will have to buy for this tropical climate fruits, which easily to find in every roadsides in my country.

Papaya Leaves To Treat Diabetes and Cancer

Image credit: tolitzdelacasa

I had posted about how you can gain many benefits from papaya, in my previous post which titled, What Makes You Should Eat Papaya?. In this second chapter about papaya, I will tell you the benefits of papaya leaves to treat diabetes and cancer.

Oseng Daun Kates

I had told before in the earlier post that oseng daun kates, or translate in English as papaya leaf stir, is considered to be the best dish made by my mom. I then asked my mom what is the recipe for oseng daun kates? My mom said that the recipe for a portion of oseng daun kates contains: ten pieces of papaya leaves and five pieces of cassava leaves. Cassava leaves are used in order to lower the bitter taste of papaya leaves. Other additional ingredients are added as much as needed, such as: chillies (big and small chillies, red and green coloured chillies), onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, lemon grass and salt.

First of all, the papaya and cassave leaves are boiled in a pan for 15 minutes. Take the leaves from the pan. Stir the whole additional ingredients in a frying pan, and then added the leaves until well cooked. The oseng daun kates is ready to serve.

Why do I have to tell you the recipe of oseng daun kates? It is just a way to enjoy papaya leaves in a form of a dish. Other way is by boiling the papaya leaves in a pan, until one third of the water remains. Take and drink the water extract. But, the water extract of papaya leaves will taste more bitter than the dish.

Antihyperglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Papaya Leaves

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbance of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. In simple words, diabetes also means, a disease characterized by a complete or partial inability of the body to burn sugar as a fuel.

According to International Diabetes Federation, the number of diabetic people in India is currently around 40.9 millions and is expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025. Concerning to their country, as the diabetic capital of the world, a study by Yasmeen Maniyar and Prabhu Bhixavatimath, has been able to demonstrate the antihyperglycemic, and hypolipidemic potentials of papaya leaves aqueous extract in diabetic rats. (Maniyar Y, et al. 2012)

Another study also confirms the hypoglycemic effect of papaya leaves along with other beneficial effects such as, the increasing of glucose blood levels four days after injection, and the decreasing of body weight, in diabetic rats. The study suggests that the papaya leaves aqueous extract may improve the metabolic disruption produced by diabetes. (Juárez-Rojop IE, et al. 2012)

Anti-tumor Activity and Immunomodulatory Effects of Papaya Leaves

Various parts of papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) have been traditionally used as folk medicines to treat many disorders, including cancer. A study in The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, observed a significant growth inhibitory activity of the papaya leaves extract on tumor cell lines. The study resulted that papaya leaves extract, managed to inhibit tumor cell growth and stimulate anti-tumor effects. The study also suggested that papaya leaves extract may potential for the treatment and prevention of cancer, various allergic disorders, and serve as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy. (Otsuki N, et al. 2010)

Benzyl glucosinolate, a compound found in all parts of the plant, but highest in young leaves of papaya, is studied in Agriculture School of Hainan University, Haikou, China, to demonstrate its anti-cancer activity. The study concluded that the hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate has certain anti-cancer activities for human. (Li ZY, et al. 2012)

Read my other amazing fruits articles!

• Soursop Benefits Scam?
• The Discarded Queen of Fruits
• The Excellent Fruit of Pineapple
• The Health Benefits of Avocado
• The Health Benefits of Starfruit
• The Red in Green
• What Makes You Should Eat Papaya?

Soursop Benefits Scam?

I have already posted about the benefits of soursop on my previous post which titled, New Cancer Cell Killing Machine. I guess, a single post will not be enough. This post will be the second chapter, or Another Facts About Soursop.

Soursop (Annona muricata Linn.), a fruit from Annonaceae family, which is also known as guanábana (Spanish), graviola (Portuguese), and sirsak (Bahasa Indonesia), is considered as a scam, when I tried to post about the huge benefits from this sour fruit, on a cancer forum, by some people that I considered as the Big Pharma representatives. So, are soursop benefits really a scam?

NOW Foods Double Strength Graviola 1,000mg

History of Soursop as Folk Medicine

Soursop juice is my second favorite drink after avocado juice. Soursop juice is said to be diuretic and might use as a remedy for haematuria (the presence of red blood cells in the urine), and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Taken when fasting, it is believed to relieve liver ailments and leprosy. Soursop fruit is not only can be used to make a fruit juice, it can also be used as a bait in fish traps, while the barks, seeds, and roots, is used as fish poison. The seeds and leaves are effective pesticides against head lice, and bedbugs. This is interesting. It will be another natural way to get rid of head lice.

Powdered unripe soursop fruit is used as a remedy to treat dysentery. The flesh of an acid soursop is applied as a poultice unchanged for 3 days, to draw out chiggers (tiny, six-legged wingless organisms that grow up to become a type of mite) and speed healing.

In Materia Medica of British Guiana, it is written that crushing soursop leaves are soaked in water. The leaves is used to rub in the forehead, while the the water is drunk to a drunken man to get him sober in a minute. Although the formula may not have been widely tested, but soursop leaves are regarded as having sedative effect and soporific (causing to sleep) properties.

In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are put into one's pillowslip, strewn on the bed, or taken internally, to promote a good night's sleep. This is also interesting! It could be another way to get a good night's sleep.

In Ecuador, soursop is taken as an analgesic and antispasmodic (medication that help to relieve, prevent, or lower the incidence of muscle spasms). In Africa, it is given to children to treat fever. In West Indies, the decoction of the young shoots, or leaves is used as a remedy for gall bladder, coughs, catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery and indigestion.

Soursop is also said to cool the blood, in which is able to stop vomiting and aid delivery in childbirth. The decoction is also employed in wet compresses on inflammations and swollen feet. The chewed leaves, mixed with saliva, are applied to incisions after surgery, causing proudflesh (swollen flesh that surrounds a healing wound) to disappear without leaving a scar.

Mashed leaves are used as a poultice to treat eczema, skin afflictions and rheumatism. The sap of young leaves is put on skin eruptions. The soursop roots are employed as a vermifuge, and the root bark is used as an antidote for poisoning. (Morton, J. 1987)

Zokiva Nutritionals Graviola Tea 90 Bags Soursop	Biotech Nutritions Graviola 100% Pure Graviola

My Own Experiences

My father once experienced with the treatment using soursop leaves tea. It was happened a year after I wrote the post. My father was diagnosed of having a light stroke. He managed to lower his blood pressure, shortly after three days of drinking 500ml soursop leaves tea everyday, along with drinking the medication from the doctor.

I also once used to eat one, or two soursop leaves, shortly after I picked it from the tree, and without washing it, when I felt tired in the evening. But I am not doing it regularly, because I had a low blood pressure. If I consume soursop everyday, whether its leaves, or its fruit juice, it may lower my blood pressure to unsafe levels. So, I did it at least once per month.

Anti-tumor and Anti-cancer Studies

A study in AgrEvo Research Center, Pikeville, North Carolina, US, was made soursop as new cancer cell killing machine. A compound that is isolated from the seeds of soursop, cis-annonacin, was selectively cytotoxic to colon adenocarcinoma cells, in which it was 10,000 times the potency of adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug. (Rieser MJ, et al. 1996)

A study in Purdue University found that, five Annonaceous acetogenins, alkaloid compounds from the leaves of soursop, were cytotoxic to colon, pancreatic, and lung carcinoma cells lines, with the potencial treatment equal to, or exceeding from those with adriamycin. (Zeng L, et al. 1996)

Still in Purdue University, another studies found that, bullatacin, one of Annonaceous acetogenins, is cytotoxic against multidrug resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells, cancer cells that are resistant to the treatment with adriamycin, vincristine, and vinblastine. The study also found that bullatacin offered a special advantage in the chemotherapeutic treatment of multidrug resistant tumors. (Oberlies NH, et al. May 1997 and June 1997)

Muricoreacin and murihexocin C, Annonaceous acetogenins that are isolated from the leaves of soursop, had shown significant cytotoxicities among six human tumor cell lines, especially to prostate adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. (Kim GS, et al. 1998)

Soursop had been found to be a promising new anti-tumor agent in numerous in vitro studies. Recent study in Universiti Putra Malaysia, had demonstrated the chemopreventive effects of soursop leaves extract in skin papillomagenesis induced mice. The study suggested that soursop leaves extract was able to suppress tumor initiation and promotion even at lower dosage. (Hamizah S, et al. 2012)

Pancreatic tumors are resistant to conventional chemotherapies. A study in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Omaha, Nebraska, US, had demonstrated the potential of soursop as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer. The study revealed that soursop managed to induce necrosis of pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting cellular metabolism, in which indicated the promising characteristics of soursop against the lethal disease of pancreatic cancer. (Torres MP, et al. 2012)

NalLife ORGANIC Soursop Graviola Leaves for Tea 200 Leaves	Organic Soursop Graviola Leaves Tea Pack of 30 Bags

Vidanga, The Therapeutic Agent for Osteoporosis, Diabetic and Cancer

Vidanga, or known botanically as Embelia ribes Burm., has been used as Ayurvedic herbs to treat fever, inflammatory diseases, and gastrointestinal ailments for thousands of years. Vidanga was first described by Nicolaas Laurens Burman, a Dutch botanist, in 1768.

Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone), an active compound derived from vidanga, has been shown to possess antitumor, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antihyperglycaemic, anthelmintic (drugs that expel parasitic worms from the body), antifungal, anticonvulsant (antiepileptic drugs), and cardioprotective properties.

The dried fruits of vidanga are mostly used as folk medicine by the Indian people, rather than its roots or its leaves. Vidanga is used to treat bronchitis, skin diseases, flatulence, migraine, cough, colic, constipation, and asthma. Vidanga is also useful for stamina booster and as an oral contraceptive. Due to its contraceptive effect, pregnant women are not allowed to take vidanga herb.

The Scientific Studies

Study had indicated that embelin is a novel nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) blocker and potential suppressor of tumorigenesis. It is NF-kappaB which regulates several genes associated with inflammation, proliferation, carcinogenesis, and apoptosis. (Ahn KS, et al. 2007)

40 days of orally feeding aqueous vidanga extract, to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, had produced significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, blood glycosylated hemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and the levels of pancreatic lipid peroxides.

The extract also significantly increased the levels of pancreatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and in blood glutathione levels. The study suggested that the aqueous vidanga extract had managed to exhibit a significant blood glucose, blood pressure lowering potential, and to enhance endogenous antioxidant defense against free radicals, which produced under hyperglycaemic conditions. (Bhandari U, et al. 2008)

Most cancer patients died not just because of the tumor in the primary organ, but because it has spread to other organs. Cancers, such as breast, myeloma, and prostate cancer, frequently metastasize (the spread of a cancer from one organ to another organ) to the bone.

NF-kappaB is also known as a major mediator of bone loss, which associated with cancer and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Study indicated that embelin had shown as an inhibitor of NF-kappaB and had great potential as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis and cancer-linked bone loss. (Reuter S, et al. 2010)

Embelin had shown to reduce body weight gain, blood glucose, and plasma insulin, in the study using diabetic rats. The study suggested that embelin can be used in the prevention, and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, caused due to obesity. (Gandhi GR, et al. 2013) Other study also suggested, that embelin can be used as a potential therapeutic candidate, for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. (Kim SW, et al. 2013)

Two vidanga products that are sold by Bazaar of India on Amazon.com:

Vidanga Herb Powder Wildcrafted	Vidanga - Embelia ribes, 120 vegicaps

The Father of All Foods

Alfalfa, or known as lucerne, is native to Europe. Alfalfa was introduced into the US by way of South America about 1850. Alfalfa is known as Father of all foods due to contain many nutrients and micronutrients in high concentrations when compared to most sources other foods.

Alfalfa, or known botanically as Medicago sativa Linn., has long been used as traditional herbal medicine in China, Iraq, Turkey, India and America to treat several diseases. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, alfalfa leaves is used to treat kidneys and digestive tract disorders. In Ayurvedic medicine, the leaves is used to treat poor digestion. Sprouts, and seeds of Alfalfa are also used to make as folk medicine.

Recent pharmacological study reported that alfalfa may used as neuroprotective, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiulcer, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and estrogenic. Alfalfa may also useful to treat atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and menopausal symptoms in women. (Bora KS, et al. 2011)

Alfalfa seeds contain L-Canavanine, a nonprotein amino acid, which has shown antineoplastic activity against carcinomas and cancer cell lines. The study has shown this active anticancer agent in ten varieties of alfalfa seeds, was comparable to the levels found in the seeds of representative members of the genus Canavalia. (Rosenthal GA, et al. 2000)

Taking alfalfa seeds are possibly effective to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels. But insufficient evidence to rate alfalfa effectiveness for kidney, bladder, and prostate problems. Also more evidence is needed to rate alfalfa for asthma, arthritis. diabetes, upset stomach and other conditions.

There is some evidence that alfalfa can boost the immune system. But, taking long-term of alfalfa is likely to be unsafe. Alfalfa may cause reactions, which are similar to the autoimmune disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), such as:

• Malar rash (butterfly rash), red spots on the face.
• Discoid rash, coin-shaped red spots.
• Photosensitive, light sensitive.
• Mucus membrane ulcers, ulcers in the mucous membranes of the body (acute ulcer).
• Arthritis.
• Pleuritis / pericarditis, inflammation of the lining of the lung & heart.
• Kidney disorders.
• Disorders of the brain.
• Abnormalities of blood.
• Immune system abnormalities.

Alfalfa contains large amounts of vitamin K, which is used by the body to help blood clot. But, alfalfa might interfere with the way of the body takes in and uses vitamin E. Alfalfa might lower blood sugar levels. But if you are a diabetic patient and taking alfalfa, you should consider to always monitor your blood sugar levels. There is some evidence that alfalfa may act like estrogen. So, consuming alfalfa in larger amounts than food is possibly unsafe during pregnancy and breast-feeding. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database)

Alfalfa Concentrated Drink by PT. BOS

Alfalfa has also been sold widely in the internet as food supplements, both in capsule, powder or liquid form. I had been sold and used Alfalfa Concentrated Drink, the second best product with Bio Activated Energy by PT. BOS, an MLM company.

I used above Alfalfa Concentrated Drink to treat my stomach problems, and to stop bleeding on my daughter's small finger, when she tried to help my mom to cut carrots, and a knife sliced off her small finger. I took Alfalfa Concentrated Drink to put on my children's forehead when they got fever, and also to put it on all my body, to relieve the pain of heat, I suffered from measles.

I found Alfalfa Concentrated Drink was also effective to treat eczema and other itchy rash on the skin. For every 15ml, from the total of 500ml Alfalfa Concentrated Drink, contains 150mg of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and ozone water. The recommended dose for using Alfalfa Concentrated Drink is a spoonful, or 5ml of Alfalfa Concentrated Drink to add on 300ml of drinking water everyday.

It is said that a spoonful of Alfalfa Concentrated Drink, is the same with a Kg of green vegetables. The over use of Alfalfa Concentrated Drink might cause troubles on digestion system. There is no warning that Alfalfa Concentrated Drink is forbidden to use everyday for a long period. Infact, it is adviseable to take it everyday as food supplements.

So, many benefits I have got from using Alfalfa Concentrated Drink, either for internal or external use. Even though the use that is written on the box and the bottle of Alfalfa Concentrated Drink, is only said to help lowering blood cholesterol.

Below are some alfalfa products that are sold on Amazon.com:

Nature's Way Alfalfa Leaves	NOW Supplements Alfalfa 650 mg

The Imperial Gold of Maca

Maca, or known botanically as Lepidium meyenii Walp., is native to the Junin plateau highlands of Peru and Bolivia. The botanical name of Lepidium meyenii Walp. was named after Gerhard Walpers, who described the species in 1843.

In the 90s, Dr. Gloria Chacon described different species which was named Lepidium peruvianum Chacon. Both of L. meyenii and L. peruvianum are referred to the same plant, and the same species. There are no difference between maca's ecotypes, colors and shapes. Maca varieties are identical genetically and biochemically.

Scientific Studies on Medicinal Use of Maca

Since Dr. Gloria Chacon had given the new botanic name for maca as Lepidium peruvianum Chacon, an increasing interest in maca has been observed by many scientist around the world. From 2001 to 2010, the export of maca from Peru has increased from USD 1,415,000 to USD 6,170,000.

Experimental scientific evidence had shown that maca has nutritional, energizer, and fertility enhancer properties. Maca is also useful to treat osteoporosis, protects skin against UV radiation, and has anti-stress activity. Clinical trials had shown the efficacy of maca to treat sexual dysfunctions by increasing sperm count and motility. Maca is potential as an adaptogen and a nutraceutical in the prevention of several diseases. (Gonzales GF. 2012)

Maca as Fertility Enhancer

Maca is grown as a food crop, and medicinal purposes, in the central of Andes Mountains, between 8,000 to 14,500 feet above sea level. Maca has been traditionally used by native Peruvians, since before the time of the Incas, to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Maca is also believed to be useful for alleviating menopausal symptoms, correcting hormonal imbalances, increasing libido, increasing energy, and nutrition.

In the study using adult female mice, which treated with extract of yellow maca, had confirmed for the first time, the traditional uses of maca to enhance female fertility. The treatment had also shown, the increasing of the uterine weight, in ovariectomized (surgical removal of the ovary) animals. (Ruiz-Luna AC, et al. 2005) In another study to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of maca, on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, had shown that maca was effective in the prevention of estrogen deficient bone loss. (Zhang Y, et al. 2006)

Maca with Bio Activated Energy

Maca M'x by BOS

In March 2010, I once joined an MLM company which is also sold maca based product.. Maca M'x, the main product of PT. BOS (BAE Orbit Senusantara), formerly known as BAE (Bio Activated Energy) which based in Malaysia, consists the ingredients of oligosaccharide, maltodextrin, Psyllium husk, sodium bicarbonat, Lepidium peruvianum Chacon (maca), Tribulus terresteris, green tea extract, spinach powder, celery powder, and Spirulina.

Since the first time I joined with BAE, I had been sold using three kinds of Maca M'x packaging. The different was on the level of bio energy of the products. Bio energy? That was the main reason I joined an MLM with BAE in which I never joined with another MLM company before.

I used to promote the BAE products to some paranormals on alternative medication, in order to show them the bio energy of the products. I guess all food supplements which are sold by any MLM companies, are good and amazing products. But, if you have sixth sense, you will amaze with BAE products! Moreover, you do not have consume the products in order to gain benefit from it. You will also gain the bio energy only by being near the person who consumed the products.

Many maca based products are sold as food supplements, in the internet nowadays. Below are two maca based products from many maca based products which are sold on Amazon.com:

Sunfood Maca Powder	Nature's Herbs Maca Root

Tahitian Noni Juice vs. HIV/AIDS

Morinda citrifolia Linn.

Morinda citrifolia Linn., known as mengkudu in Bahasa Indonesia, or pace in Basa Jawa, are considered as herb plants. Other common names of Morinda citrofilia are noni, Indian mulberry, apatot, kumudu, beach mulberry, cheese fruit, ruibarbo caribe, and wild pine. Morinda citrofilia are native to Southeast Asia and Australia.

Morinda citrifolia is reported to have broad range of therapeutic effects, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, antihelminthic, analgesic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and immune enhancing effects. It also has been used as folk medicine by Polynesians for centuries. (Wang MY, et al. 2002)

Tahitian Noni Juice

Two weeks ago, I met a new friend, Alex, who worked on multi level marketing (MLM) company of Morinda Holdings, formerly known as Tahitian Noni International. Alex claimed that Tahitian noni juice was now become best selling products.

It was the first time I heard about the MLM company. Alex then told me a testimonial story of his friend, Brian, who bought the juice from him. Brian's blood was diagnosed as HIV positive by the nurse from Indonesian Red Cross, before he tried to donor his blood in mass blood donor action.

Brian was Alex's best friend. He knew that Alex was always promoting Tahitian Noni Juice by online via facebook, twitter and blackberry messenger. Brian then tried to drink Tahitian noni juice everyday for a full month. The next month, Brian went to hospital to check his blood. Amazingly, his blood turned out to be HIV negative.

Tahitian Noni Juice is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs, supplements are not required to be tested by the US Food and Drug Administration, before being allowed to be sold. But, the company which manufactured the supplements should not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.

It was hard for me to believe what Alex just told me. Could it be possible that the nurse of Indonesian Red Cross had wrongly tested Brian's blood? Alex did not told me further about Brian's lifestyle on sexual relationship.

The Scientific Studies

Anti-AIDS Agent

Damnacanthal, a compound which is extracted from Morinda citrifolia, is believed to be the source of Alex's story. Damnacanthal was identified as an inhibitor of Vpr (Viral protein R, one of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, or HIV-1) induced cell death in HIV infection experiment using human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The study suggests that damnacanthal might work as an anti-AIDS agent by suppressing HIV production and inhibiting CD4+ cells (cluster of differentiation 4, a glycoprotein that found on the surface of immune cells) depletion in patients. (Kamata M, et al. 2006)

Anti-cancer Effects

10% Tahitian Noni Liquid Dietary Supplement, or Tahitian Noni Juice, made from Morinda citrifolia fruit by Morinda Inc, in drinking water for one week was able to prevent DMBA-DNA adduct (a piece of DNA covalently bonded to a cancer-causing chemical, that has DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene) attached to it) formation in female rats. (Wang MY, et al. 2001)

Although above study had shown the anti-cancer effect of noni juice in female rats, there is no reliable clinical evidence that noni juice is effective in treating cancer in humans. American Cancer Society suggested that relying on this type of treatment alone, and avoiding, or delaying conventional medical care for cancer, may have serious health consequences. (ACS, 2008)

Anti-diabetic Effect

Recent study had shown that, fermented Morinda citrifolia supplementation, was able to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin levels, enhance insulin sensitivity, and significantly decrease serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in diabetic mice. The study suggested that fermented Morinda citrifolia can be employed as a functional health food for type 2 diabetes melitus management. (Lee SY, et al. 2012)

I assume that every MLM products suppose to be sold directly to the end user, because I once also promoted and sold MLM products, door to door. But, Tahitian Noni Juice is also sold online on Amazon.com.

Because Morinda citrifolia fruits have strong smell and bitter taste, the fruits juice are often mixed with other fruits. Just like in Tahitian Noni Juice which added with cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), olives (Olea europaea), blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), and wine grapes (Vitis vinifera).

The Excellent Fruit of Pineapple

Pineapple, or known botanically as Ananas comosus Merr., is a tropical fruit which originated from South America, especially in Brasil and Paraguay. Pineapple in Bahasa Indonesia is known as nanas or nenas. The Genus name of Ananas, comes from the Tupi (the native language uses in South America) word, nanas, which means excellent fruit. (Davidson A, 2002)

Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple stem or fruit juice, is often used like papain from papaya for tenderizing meat and to clarify beer. To make a tender meat, you may put a chunk of pineapple and cook together with the meat. It does not matter, whether the pineapple fruit is ripe or not.

I once saw my uncle cooked RW (rintek wu'uk, or ramuan waung), a dish originates from Minahasa, or Manado, North Sulawesi, which uses a dog meat, using ripe pineapple fruit. Because my uncle used all chunks from a single pineapple fruit, the dog meat was too tender to eat, just like eating a mince dog meat.

Native Forest 100% Organic Pineapple Chunks 14Oz

Medicinal Uses

Similar to green papaya, unripe pineapple is also used for contraception and abortion. Consuming unripe pineapple fruit excessively might cause abortions shortly after conception. Raw pineapple fruit is also taken as an aphrodisiac to increase sexual desire.

As folk medicine, pineapple juice is taken as a diuretic, a gargle to treat sore throat and as an antidote for seasickness. Unripe pineapple is used to expel intestinal worms, and to treat venereal diseases, such as syphilis or gonorrhoea. In Africa, the dried, powdered root is used as a remedy for edema.

The crushed pineapple rind is used to apply on fractures. The decoction of pineapple rind with rosemary is used to treat hemorrhoids. Indians in Panama used the pineapple leaf juice as a purgative, emmenagogue (to treat menstruation problems) and vermifuge (antihelminthic, drugs that expel parasitic worms from the body). (Morton, J. 1987)

The Scientific Studies

The study of six months dietary supplementation using pineapple juice could decrease inflammation severity in mice with chronic colitis (inflammation of the colon). (Hale LP, et al. 2010) Another study had also demonstrated an independent mechanism of bromelain's anti-tumor activities against sarcoma, and Ehrlich ascitic tumor. (Báez R, et al. 2007)

Bromelain possess anti-inflammatory, anti-invasive and anti-metastatic properties, in which managed to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 expression by blocking the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase against skin tumor-initiation triggering mitochondrial death pathway, in 2-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis model. (Bhui K, et al. 2009)

Recent study had demonstrated that bromelain also possess antifungal activity against phytopathogens, in which will be potential to use as an effective agent for crop protection. (López-García B, et al. 2012)

Punarnava, The Anti-cancer and Anti-diabetic Weeds

Punarnava, or known as Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. has a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbal medicine, for the treatment of cancer, jaundice, dyspepsia, inflammation, enlargement of spleen, abdominal pain and as an anti-stress agent. Punarnava grow as weeds, and their origin have not been determined, because the plants are widespread in many places around the world.

Punarnava have so many common names, such as, erva toustao, hog weed, pig weed, atikamaamidi, djambo, etiponia, thazhuthama, thikri, katkatud, mamauri, ndandalida, oulouni niabo, touri-touri, punerva, purnoi, ghetuli, mahenshi, santi, spiderling, tellaaku, tshrana, biskhapra, and etc. But, according to Ayurveda, the Indian people had been used the roots, leaves and seeds of punarnava as folk medicine.

Herbal medications based on the extract of punarnava roots are also sold in several online Ayurvedic shops. Just like what I have found here on Amazon.com.

Banyan Botanicals Organic Punarnava Powder

Also a beauty product which contains the extract of punarnava.

VLCC Punarnava Astringent 100ml

The Scientific Studies on Anti-cancer and Anti-diabetic Properties of Punarnava

Anti-cancer

Punarnavine, an alkaloid derived from Boerhaavia diffusa, is believed to be an anti-cancer agent. The study has indicated that punarnavine could enhance the immune response, and inhibit the metastatic progression of B16F-10 melanoma cells in mice. (Manu KA, et al. 2007) Moreover, the extract from the whole plant of punarnava also possess radioprotective effect against gamma radiation induced damage in mice. (Manu KA, et al. 2007)

Boeravinones, compounds isolated from the roots of punarnava, have been found potentially to inhibit the drug efflux activity of BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein), a multidrug transporter responsible for cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. (Ahmed-Belkacem A, et al. 2007) Punarnava show antiproliferative and antiestrogenic properties against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, in which are potential in the treatment of breast cancer. (Sreeja S, et al. 2009)

Anti-diabetic

When compared to glibenclamide (anti-diabetic drug), the aqueous solution of punarnava leaf extract is shown more prominent result. A significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels.

The study is also shown a significant reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase the total of haemoglobin level, in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats treated with punarnava leaf extract. (Pari L, et al. 2004) Another study to demonstrate the antihyperglycaemic and renoprotective effect of punarnava in experimental diabetic rats, had shown better result when compared to the treatment using metformin (hypoglycaemic drug). (Singh PK, et al. 2011)