It is a very useful remedy for relieving spasms and indigestion, flatulent colic, cholera and whooping cough.
It is a stimulant for respiratory and nervous systems and is very effective in pneumonia and bronchitis in children.
It is applied externally on the stomach to stimulate the intestines, even its enema is recommended in intestinal fluctuations.
Hing is also known to have some sedative properties and its possible use in heart diseases has been suggested.
As Medicine:
Diabetes: Mix ¼ tsp hing powder in 2 tsp bitter gourd juice. Take twice a day.
Indigestion: Mix ¼ tsp hing powder with a ripe banana and eat.
stomachache: Dissolve 1 tsp hing in 1 teacup hot water. Drench a cloth pad and foment the abdominal region.
Kidney problems: Mix ¼ tsp hing in 2tsp fresh ginger juice. Add a pinch of salt and sip.
Toothache: Heat ½ tsp in 2tsp lemon juice. Soak a piece of cotton in this solution and place it in the tooth cavity.
CUMIN (Jeera)
The seeds contains between 2.5 and 4.5 percent essential oils, the principal component of which is cumaldehyde. The oil is used in perfumery, for flavouring a variety of liquors, and used for medicinal purposes.
As Medicine:
Diabetes: Take ½ tsp of crushed jeera with water twice daily.
Constipation, indigestion: Add equal quantities of jeera, black pepper dried ginger and dried curry leaves and powder them together. Add a little salt to taste. Add this mixture to hot ghee and eat with steamed rice.
Gas, nausea: Mix equal quantities of jeera, black pepper and ginger. Make an infusion by boiling it in some water. Drink thrice a day for a few days.
Heaviness in stomach, indigestion: Mix ¼ tsp each powdered jeera and black pepper in a glass of buttermilk. Drink two or three times a day for 2-3 days.
Fatigue: Mix ½ tsp each jeera, coriander seeds, black pepper and tuvar dal. Boil in water and drink with salt to taste.
Insomnia: Mix 1 tsp powder of roasted jeera with a mashed ripe banana. Eat after dinner regularly.
CARDAMOM (Ilaichi)
Cardamom (ilaichi) is used chiefly for relieving flatulence or feeling of dyspepsia, i.e. to promote digestion. It is administered with purgatives and as a flavoring agent. Powdered with cloves and ginger, it is good in digestion. In ancient times, the dried seeds were used in asthma, bronchitis, piles, diseases of the bladder, headache, earache and toothache, as a breath freshener and energy booster.
As Medicine:
Dyspepsia, nausea and loss of taste: Make a decoction of mint leaves and powdered cardamom seeds and drink.
Indigestion : Make a fine powder of 1 tsp each cardamom seeds and saunf. Take ¼ tsp with water, twice daily, after meals.
Bad breath of halitosis: Make an infusion of 1 tsp each cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaves in 1 teacup water. Drink it.
Hoarseness, pharyngitis and sore throat : Boil 1 tsp each cinnamon and cardamom in a glass of water. Filter and use as a gargle when warm.
Cough and cold: Mix seeds of cardamom along with 1 tbsp honey. Eat every day.
Phlegmatic (with mucous) cough: Pour 1 teacup boiling water over ½ tsp each ginger powder, clove powder and cinnamon powder. Filter. Sweeten with 1 tsp honey and drink.
Diarrhoea, dysentery and exhaustion: Boil ½ tsp powdered seeds as a week tea and drink.
CLOVE (Laung)
Clove (laung), which are the dried flower buds of the tree, are strongly aromatic, stimulant, and carminative. They are useful in flatulence and indigestion and stop nausea and vomiting. Clove oil is used as antiseptic and preservative. Taken internally, it is carminative and antispasmodic.
Cloves were used as a breath sweetener, a comforter for heart, liver, stomach and bowels; a remedy for nausea, colic, flatulence, toothache, and diarrhea; a preventive for paralysis of the tongue; inflammation of the gums and loosening of the teeth. Rose water flavored with cloves is a favorite eyewash. It is agood anesthetic for toothaches, a digestive aid and kills intestinal parasites.
As Medicine:
Muscular cramps: Apply clove oil on the affected areas.
Cholera: Drink a decoction of cloves regularly.
Nausea: Chew a clove.
Gum ailments, teeth ailments: Powder of roasted cloves is mixed in 1 teacup lukewarm water and used for gargling frequently.
Headache: Make a smooth paste of cloves water and salt. Apply on the temples (sides).
Heaviness in head due to cough and cold: Grind 2 to 3 cloves into a fine paste along with ½ tsp dried ginger and apply on nose and forehead.
Toothache: Soak a piece of cotton wool in few drops of clove oil. Press on the affected tooth. Crush a clove and put it on the affected tooth.
Throat irritation due to coughing: Chew 1 or 2 cloves.
Bronchial afflictions: Boil 6 to 8 cloves in 1 cup water. A teaspoon of this decoction to be taken with honey frequently.
CINNAMON (Dalchini)
Cinnamon (dalchini) oil is used mostly as flavoring in medicine. The bark of the stem and the oil obtained from it are useful as antiseptics, astringents and carminatives; the oil obtained from the leaves is used as a flavouring agent and for local application on certain rheumatic pains.It is commonly used as a condiment.
It cures gastric debility and flatulence; and also has the property of destroying certain germs and fungi.
As Medicine:
Diarrhoea: Combine 1 tsp each powdered ginger, cumin and cinnamon with honey and make into a thick paste. Take 1 tsp thrice daily.
Bad breath: Boil 1 tsp cinnamon in 1 teacup water. Cool. Use frequently as a mouthwash.
Loss of taste sensitivity in the tongue: Rub on the tongue a mixture of finely powdered cinnamon and honey and allow it to remain for sometime.
Headache, caused by exposure to cold air: Mix 1 tsp finely ground cinnamon in 1 tsp water and apply on the affected parts.
Cough: prepare a tea with ½ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp cinnamon and 1 clove per cup of water. Sweeten with 1 tsp honey and drink.
Acne, blackheads and pimples: Mix finely ground cinnamon powder in 1 tsp lime juice in and apply on affected areas frequently.
To improve the complexion: Add a pinch of cinnamon powder to ½ tsp honey and apply on the face. Let it dry then wash it with water.
To improve memory: Take a mixture of 1 tsp honey and a pinch of finely powdered cinnamon every night regularly.
Sleeplessness: boil ½ tsp cinnamon in 1 teacup water for 5 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey. Take at bedtime.
TAMARIND (Imli)
Tamarind or imli contains vitamin C, iron and other minerals. It is a tonic and rejuvenative very useful in preventing and curing scurvy. The pulp of the ripe fruit is used in acute constipation and liver disorders like jaundice. Tamarind pulp has laxative properties; its infusion in water is a very refreshing, carminative drink; it is useful in fevers. Good for acute bronchitis, laryngits, and whooping cough.
As Medicine:
Blood clot/ swelling due to injuries: After removing the seeds an dfibre, mix the pulp (3tbsp) with 1 tsp salt and ½ cup water. Mix thoroughly and heat the mixture in a container. When bearably hot, apply on the affected areas. Wash with water the next day and repeat for 3 days.
Indigestion, loss of appetite, tastelessness: rasam, a soup of tomato with tamarind pulp, cumin, coriander seeds, black pepper, curry leaves, ginger and garlic, either drunk straight or with plain, steamed rice.
Fevers: Make an infusion of 1 tsp fruit pulp in 1 cup water and drink.
Sore throat: Dilute the pulp with warm water and gargle.
HOLY BASIL (Tulsi)
The leaves and seeds of the plant are medicinal. They are used as a disinfectant, an immune stimulant, for intestinal parasites, for the stomach, lungs, spleen, and large intestines.
The juice or infusion of the leaves is useful in bronchitis, cataract and digestive complaints; is applied locally on ringworm and other skin diseases; is dropped in ears to relieve earache. A decoction of leaves is used to cure common colds. Seeds are useful in complaints of urinary system. Decoction of root is given in malarial fever to bring about sweating.
As Medicine:
Liver Problems: Clean 10-15 leaves with hot water and eat every morning. Wash it down with a glass of hot water.
Colic: grind 1 tbsp tulsi leaves in water to make a fine paste and apply around the navel and on the abdomen.
Digestion problems, dysentery, gastro-enteritis and gas: A decoction of 15-20 tulsi leaves to be taken along with a pinch of rock salt.
Fevers of unknown origin: Boil 1 tbsp leaves with 1 tsp powdered cardamom in 2 teacups water. Take 1 cup of this decoction with milk and sugar to taste, 2 or 3 times a day.
Cold and cough: Tulsi leaves (15-20) to be frequently chewed with jaggery.
Prevention of cold: 10 leaves boiled in 1 teacup milk. This is a recommended nutritive supplement for children.
Ringworm: Grind finely a bunch of leaves and apply on the cleaned affected area.
Cardiac pain, cold, influenza, low blood pressure, pain in ribs, skin, diseases, worms, urinary diseases: Juice of leaves (10-15) mixed with 1 tsp honey to be taken daily in the morning.
TURMERIC (Haldi)
Tumeric or haldi is a root from the ginger family. It is an ideal disinfectant and an internal antiseptic. It arrests cholesterol problems, eliminates toxins and cools down the digestive and circulatory systems.
As Medicine:
Muscle strain: Heat ginger paste with turmeric paste (1:1) and apply.
Intestinal worms: Take ¼ tsp turmeric along with a glass of hot water 2 or 3 times daily.
Common cold and blocked nose: Add 1 tbsp turmeric powder to boiling water. Inhale the vapours.
Dry cough and sore throat: Drink a pinch of turmeric powder in a cup of hot milk at bedtime.
Common cold: Mix 1 tsp turmeric powder along with ¼ tsp ajwain powder in 3 teacups hot water. Allow to cool. Take 1 tsp of this decoction along with 1 tsp honey twice daily for a few days.
Acne, wounds, boils, tropical skin diseases: Make a paste of equal quantities of turmeric and sandalwood powder in water and apply.
Cracks in the soles, itching, skin infection: Finely grind equal quantities of turmeric and neem leaves and apply on the affected areas.
CURRY LEAVES (Methi Neem)
Curry leaves popularly known as methi Neem are a must in the south-Indian cuisine. These leaves increase the appetite, eliminate body heat and generally strengthen the body.
As Medicine:
Diabetes due to hereditary factors, obesity: eat 10 fresh curry leaves every morning for 3 to 4 months (Avoid fatty foods, sweets and alcohol).
Diarrhoea, dysentery and piles: Mix juice of 15-20 tender leaves with 1 tsp honey and drink.
Nausea, indigestion and stomach upset: Make a chutney of a handful of fresh leaves by adding 1 tsp tamarind, one fried red chilly and salt to taste. Eat with food. Extract juice from 15 to 20 curry leaves and mix it with buttermilk. Take twice or thrice daily.
Burns: apply curry leaves as poultices over affected areas.
CORIANDER (Dhania)
Dhania or coriander kills bacteria, fungi and is good on cuts and wounds to kill microorganisms. Coriander is useful for anyone who has a battle with gastric ulcers and other symptoms of acidity.
As Medicine:
Swellings: Drink coriander tea (1 tsp coriander seeds steeped in a cup of warm water).
High cholesterol: Regular intake of coriander decoction made by boiling 2 tsp dry seed powder in 1 teacup water.
Diarrhea: 2 to 3 tsp coriander seeds soaked overnight in water and taken next morning with 1 cup buttermilk.
Mouth ulcers: Boil 1 tsp coriander seeds in 2 teacups water till it is reduced to 1 teacup. Add sugar to taste and drink when lukewarm. Repeat twice or thrice a day.
Anaemia and kidney problems: Frequent intake of coriander tea: boil or steep 2 tsp coriander powder in a glass of water. Add sugar to taste.
FENUGREEK (Methi)
Reduces mucous in sinus and asthmatic conditions. It lowerers cholesterol. This seeds make excellent tea for intestinal irritation or as a gargle tea for sore throats. It can also be ground as a poultice for wounds or inflamed areas.
As Medicine:
Cardiac problems: Boil 1 tsp methi seeds in 1 ¼ cups water. Strain and add 2 tsp honey. Take twice daily.
Diabetes: 2 tsp powdered seeds taken daily with milk. The treatment should continue for at least a month.
Hypo-function of liver, indigestion: Allow the seeds to sprout and eat with breakfast.
Dysentery: Soak 2 tsp methi seeds in coconut water or in buttermilk for a few hours. Strain and drink.
Pain during urination, stomachache: Mix ¼ tsp powdered seeds in buttermilk and drink.
Fever, body odour and mouth odour: Tea made by boiling 1 tsp methi, to be taken twice or thrice a day.
Baldness, falling hair: grind methi seeds in water and apply on the head. Allow to soak for at least 40 minutes before washing. Repeat every morning for a month.
Boils, ulcers and sores: grind seeds into a paste and apply on the affected parts.
FENNEL
Dried fennel seed is an aromatic, anise-flavoured spice, brown or green in colour when fresh, slowly turning a dull grey as the seed ages. Because of its aromatic and carminative properties, Fennel fruit is chiefly used medicinally with purgatives to allay their tendency to griping and for this purpose forms one of the ingredients of the well-known compound Liquorice Powder.
Fennel water has properties similar to those of anise and dill water: mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup, these waters constitute the domestic 'Gripe Water,' used to correct the flatulence of infants. Volatile oil of Fennel has these properties in concentration.
Fennel is also largely used for cattle condiments. It is one of the plants which is said to be disliked by fleas, and powdered Fennel has the effect of driving away fleas from kennels and stables. The plant gives off ozone most readily.
As Medicine:
Syrup prepared from Fennel juice was formerly given for chronic coughs.
In infants with colic, a few tablespoons of fennel tea bring fast relief: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of crushed fennel seeds. Allow it to steep for 10 min., then strain. The tea is also helpful to older children with abdominal pain and flatulence. You can make fennel tea with milk instead of water or use the tea to thin whole milk or pureed foods.
To promote lactation. Drink at least 3 cups of the tea each day. The infusion may also relieve breast infections or nipple soreness. Soak a gauze compress in the lukewarm tea and apply it to the affected area of the skin.
To treat eye inflammations. Bring 1/2 cup of water and 2 tsp. of crushed fennel seeds to a boil. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool. Soak a gauze compress in the lukewarm tea, cover your eyes with it and leave it on for 15 minutes. Or, use the tea as an eyewash.
To treat indigestion. Fennel tea is helpful for the relief of bloating and flatulence. The so-called "four-winds tea blend," which contains equal parts fennel, anise, caraway and coriander seeds, has proved especially useful for this purpose. All four of these herbs have similar therapeutic properties and uses.
To ease congestion. Due to its mucus-dissolving properties, fennel tea is often used as an expectorant for the treatment of whooping cough, asthma, bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections. It can also be used as a gargle for a sore throat. Mix 2 drops of fennel oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors.
For eliminating toxins. Add 4 drops of fennel oil to your warm bathwater before you get into the tub.
For conditioning your skin. A conditioning oil containing a few drops of fennel oil can prevent acne and help heal minor skin inflammations. It also has a mild firming effect on the skin that may restore muscle tone. Blend 1 drop of fennel oil in 2 tbsp. of sweet-almond oil and apply.
For bloating. Fennel oil is one of the most effective aromatherapy oils for reducing bloating. Blend 2 drops of the oil in 1 ounce of sweet almond oil. Gently rub your abdomen with the oil to ease swelling and gas.
After nursing. Women with chapped, sore breasts from nursing can use fennel oil for the pain. Blend 3 drops of fennel oil, 2 oz. of avocado oil, 10 drops of rose-hip-seed and 2 drops of sandalwood oil. Rub into your skin after nursing (wash off before nursing again).
