USING your CHAKRA for HEALING

The seven major chakras
Tantric chakras
Sahasrara
Ajna
Vishuddha
Anahata
Manipura
Swadhisthana
Muladhara



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bindu

[edit] Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra
Sahasrara is generally considered to be the chakra of pure consciousness. Its role may be envisioned somewhat similarly to that of the pituitary gland, which secretes emanuel hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. Symbolized by a lotus with one thousand petals, it is located at the crown of the head. Sahasrara is represented by the colour violet and it involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body. Sahasrara's inner aspect deals with the release of karma, physical action with meditation, mental action with universal consciousness and unity, and emotional action with "beingness".[31]

[edit] Ajna: The Brow Chakra
Ajna (along with Bindu, is also known as the third eye chakra) is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and waking up. Ajna is symbolised by a lotus with two petals, and corresponds to the colour white, indigo or deep blue. Ajna's key issues involve balancing the higher & lower selves and trusting inner guidance. Ajna's inner aspect relates to the access of intuition. Mentally, Ajna deals with visual consciousness. Emotionally, Ajna deals with clarity on an intuitive level.[32]


(Note: some opine that the pineal and pituitary glands should be exchanged in their relationship to the Crown and Brow chakras, based on the description in Arthur Avalon's book on kundalini called Serpent Power or empirical research.)


[edit] Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra
Vishuddha (also Vishuddhi) may be understood as relating to communication and growth through expression. This chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat and which produces thyroid hormone, responsible for growth and maturation. Symbolised by a lotus with sixteen petals. Vishudda is characterized by the colour light or pale blue, or turquoise. It governs such issues as self-expression and communication, as discussed above. Physically, Vishuddha governs communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security.[33]

[edit] Anahata: The Heart Chakra
Anahata, or Anahata-puri, or padma-sundara is related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine system. It is the site of maturation of the T cells responsible for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Anahata is symbolised by a lotus flower with twelve petals. (See also heartmind). Anahata is related to the colours green or pink. Key issues involving Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well-being. Physically Anahata governs circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs passion, and spiritually it governs devotion.[34]

[edit] Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura or manipuraka is related to the metabolic and digestive systems. Manipura is believed to correspond to Islets of Langerhans,[35] which are groups of cells in the pancreas, as well as the outer adrenal glands and the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. Symbolised by a lotus with ten petals. The colour that corresponds to Manipura is yellow. Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex. Physically, Manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually, all matters of growth.[36]

[edit] Svadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra
Swadhisthana, Svadisthana or adhishthana is located in the sacrum (hence the name) and is considered to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle. Svadisthana is also considered to be related to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals. The Sacral Chakra is symbolized by a lotus with six petals, and corresponds to the colour orange. The key issues involving Svadisthana are relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure. Physically, Svadisthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm.[37]

[edit] Muladhara: The Base Chakra
Muladhara or root chakra is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This centre is located in the region between the genitals and the anus. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the gonads and the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight-or-flight response when survival is under threat. There is a muscle located in this region that controls ejaculation in the sexual act of the human male. A parallel is charted between the sperm cell and the ovum where the genetic code lies coiled and the kundalini. Muladhara is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the colour red. Key issues involve sexuality, lust and obsession. Physically, Muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of security.[38]


Woodroffe also describes 7 head chakras (including Ajna and Sahasrara) in his other Indian text sources. Lowest to highest they are: Talu/Talana/Lalana, Ajna, Manas, Soma, Brahmarandra, Sri (inside Sahasrara), Sahasrara.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra

COLORS OF THE FOOD NUTRITION

The majority of people know that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is very important. Also, by eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors, one can get the best all-around health benefits. Each different color fruit and vegetables contains unique health components that are essential to our health.


The majority of people know that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is very important.


By eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors, one can get the best all-around health benefits. Each different color fruit and vegetables contains unique health components that are essential to our health.

Fruits and vegetables are very important to our health because they are whole foods, created by nature, that are rich in a large amount of nutrients. The processed foods that we so commonly eat, can never compare to the health benefits provided by strawberries or broccoli, which have fiber, vitamins, and enzymes built right in.

Eating plenty of healthy vegetables and fruits helps prevent heart disease and strokes, diverticulitis, control your blood pressure, prevent some types of cancers, and guards against cataract and macular degeneration or vision loss.

The phrase "eating a rainbow" of fruits and vegetables is a simple way of remembering to get as much color variety in your diet as possible, so that you can maximize your intake of a broad range of nutrients. The colors of fruits and vegetables are a small clue as to what vitamins and nutrients are included. By getting a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, you are guaranteed a diverse amount of essential vitamins and minerals.

According to the food pyramid potatoes are not counted as a vegetable, as they are consist mostly of starch and should be consumed sparingly.




Red Fruits and Vegetables

Contain nutrients such as lycopene, ellagic acid, Quercetin, and Hesperidin, to name a few. These nutrients reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower blood pressure, reduce tumor growth and LDL cholesterol levels, scavenge harmful free-radicals, and support join tissue in arthritis cases.




Orange and Yellow fruits and vegetables

Contain beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C. These nutrients reduce age-related macula degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones.




Green vegetables and Fruit

Green vegetables contain chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, calcium, and Beta-carotene. The nutrients found in these vegetables reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost immune system activity.




Blue and purple fruits and vegetables

Contain nutrients which include lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, vitamin C, fiber, flavonoids, ellagic acid, and quercetin. Similar to the previous nutrients, these nutrients support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system activity, support healthy digestion, improve calcium and other mineral absorption, fight inflammation, reduce tumor growth, act as an anticarcinogens in the digestive tract, and limit the activity of cancer cells.




White fruits and vegetables

Contain nutrients such as beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG, and lignans that provide powerful immune boosting activity. These nutrients also activate natural killer B and T cells, reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers, and balance hormone levels, reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers.



Chart of Colored Vegetables and Fruit
(See bottom of page for printable chart)

Green

Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Avocados
Broccoflower
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Brussel sprouts
Celery
Chayote squash
Chinese cabbage
Cucumbers
Endive
Green apples
Green beans
Green cabbage
Green grapes
Green onion
Green pears
Green peppers
Honeydew
Kiwifruit
Leafy greens
Leeks
Lettuce
Limes
Okra
Peas
Sno Peas
Spinach
Sugar snap peas
Watercress
Zucchini
White

Bananas
Brown pears
Cauliflower
Dates
Garlic
Ginger
Jerusalem artickoke
Jicama
Kohlrabi
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Shallots
Turnips
White Corn
White nectarines
White peaches
Red

Beets
Blood oranges
Cherries
Cranberries
Guava
Papaya
Pink grapefruit
Pink/Red grapefruit
Pomegranates
Radicchio
Radishes
Raspberries
Red apples
Red bell peppers
Red chili peppers
Red grapes
Red onions
Red pears
Red peppers
Red potatoes
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Yellow/Orange

Apricots
Butternut squash
Cantaloupe
Cape Gooseberries
Carrots
Golden kiwifruit
Grapefruit
Lemon
Mangoes
Nectarines
Oranges
Papayas
Peaches
Persimmons
Pineapples
Pumpkin
Rutabagas
Sweet corn
Sweet potatoes
Tangerines
Yellow apples
Yellow beets
Yellow figs
Yellow pears
Yellow peppers
Yellow potatoes
Yellow summer squash
Yellow tomatoes
Yellow watermelon
Yellow winter squash
Blue/Purple

Black currants
Black salsify
Blackberries
Blueberries
Dried plums
Eggplant
Elderberries
Grapes
Plums
Pomegranates
Prunes
Purple Belgian endive
Purple Potatoes
Purple asparagus
Purple cabbage
Purple carrots
Purple figs
Purple grapes
Purple peppers
Raisins





Freezing Fruits and Vegetables:

To preserve for consumption during the winter or off season see which fruits and vegetables you can freeze.



The nutrients found in the above fruits and vegetables have a significant impact on our health.

Quercetin, which is found in apples, onions and other citrus fruits, not only prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation, but also helps the body cope with allergens and other lung and breathing problems.

Ellagic acid, which is mainly found in raspberries, strawberries, pomegranates, and walnuts, has been proven in many clinical studies to act as an antioxidant and anticarcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract. This nutrient also has been proven to have an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells, because it decreases their ATP production.

The best-known of the carotenoids, beta-carotene, is converted into vitamin A upon entering the liver. Although being known for its positive effects on eyesight, it has also been proven to decrease cholesterol levels in the liver.

Clinical studies have proven that lycopene, mainly found in tomatoes, may decrease the risk of prostate cancer, as well as protect against heart disease. Lutein, which is found in blueberries and members of the squash family, is important for healthy eyes. However, it does support your heart too, helping to prevent against coronary artery disease.

Along with the above stated nutrients, there are even more nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that provide a great deal of support to our body. Almost everyone has heard of vitamin C, which keeps our immune system strong; speeds wound healing, and promote strong muscles and joints. This nutrient is scattered throughout the spectrum of fruits, but commonly associated with oranges and other citrus fruits. Potassium, which is the nutrient most Americans are deficient in, does great things for our hearts, and lowers blood pressure.

Another good food component many people don't get enough of if fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Flavonoids, which include anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, proantocyanidins, quercetin and more, are found almost everywhere. They are responsible for the colors in the skins of fruits and vegetables and help to stop the growth of tumor cells and potent antioxidants. They also can reduce inflammation.

Beta-glucan, found in mushrooms, stabilizes and balances the body's immune system by supporting white blood cells. EGCG is found in tea and has been shown to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer. It boosts the immune system and encourages T-cell formation, which defends our body against sickness and disease.

Bioflavonoids, which are found in citrus fruits, are considered a companion to vitamin C because they extend the value of it in the body. These nutrients have the capabilities to lower cholesterol levels and support joint collagen in arthritis cases.

The number one excuse for not eating the required five servings of fruits and vegetables each day is they are too expensive. However, as compared to the amount of money spent on prepackaged, processed, and fast foods, most fruits and vegetables (with the exception of those that are not in season) are not all that expensive.

Because frozen fruits and vegetables retain the majority of their nutritional value, they can be an excellent alternative when certain foods are out of season.

Someone who is not able to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day can also drink fruit and vegetable drinks in their place. Although this shouldn't become a habit, fruit and vegetable drink mixes can be an excellent substitute when you're rushed or traveling.

The need for fruits and vegetables in our diet is growing rapidly with the type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol, hypertension that result from the "Typical American Diet" of fatty meats, processed sugars, and refined grains.

Great fruit drink Mixes and vegetable mixes can be found at your local health food store or internet health food store.

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/fruits-vegetables.shtml

MENTAL HEALING CURES FRUSTRATION.

Mental Healing

How prayer and meditation provides physical and mental healing. Do you believe in the power of prayer for mental healing? When people feel despair or sorrow and need mental healing, some turn to prayer in hope it will ease their stress or grief. Many feel a prayer as a mental healing tool that makes them calm and soothes their spirits, as they have something to hold on to. Some have a deep religious faith, hoping prayer will miraculously rescue them in time of hardship or difficulty. Most people believe that prayer, in one way or another, will heal them spiritually and mentally. Prayer along with meditation can effectively improve one’s health. But prayer has many more benefits for mental healing indeed. Prayer can actually improve your physical health. The reason is nothing supernatural, but a scientific fact. Prayer is a kind of meditation, and meditation of any sort can be an invaluable aid in keeping one mentally and physically grounded.

Since 1930, scientists have studied the impact of prayer on the heart and brainwaves. In the past 20 years, there have been many studies on those who practiced meditation in different religious cultures, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Zen and Taoism. It was found that most people who had meditated for years would experience a state of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Meditation is a religious psychology, a relaxation technique, and a mind-body medicine which has an effect on the human's psychoneuroimmunology. Many researchers suggest that the control and training of the five senses - sight, sound, smell, touch and taste - along with body movement, have certain effects on the functions of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, autonomic nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system, and limbic system which control human emotions and behavior.

Experts have found that when our body and mind work in perfect harmony, it results in the balance of our body and nerve cells. When praying, the chanted mantra serves as an external object to be focused on. Actually, this object can be a word or phrase, relaxing music, a peaceful scene or image, a candle or a set of prayer beads. It acts as a bridge to inner stillness and moves one deeper into the next phase of meditation.

How prayer works to improve your health

Since words or phrases from a mantra are the object you have to focus on, remember that the right way to pray is to do it out loud. Prayer can trigger two changes in the nervous system, depending on the speed of praying. If you pray at a fast speed, it will accelerate the function of the sympathetic nervous system which works to speed up the heart. The result of fast prayer will be like that of running, jogging or aerobic exercises. What you'll get is a substance called beta-endorphin, which promotes a feeling of happiness, but it won't lead to calmness because in the process, your metabolism is also high.

The most effective method of praying is to do it in a slow rhythm so the nerve signals will register at the right part of the brain. Apart from beta-endorphin that creates a sense of happiness, slow praying will relax the central nervous system. When you pray slowly and repeatedly, the process will reduce glutamate acid, which is a workhorse neurotransmitter of the brain, while increasing "Gaba" (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) that helps to control the sensory perception of what's going on around us. When Gaba increases, your sensory perceptions will be better controlled, and the brain will begin to relax. Frustrated people will calm down, and their aggression will weaken. This occurs after you continue praying for 10 minutes. After 15 minutes of praying, the brain will send signals to the body, making cells begin to relax. People will feel their worries are eased. At the same time, the parasympathetic nervous system, which initiates responses associated with rest and energy conservation, will function better.

This allows the hypothalamus, which is responsible for maintaining a regulation of blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, to function efficiently. It makes a person calmer while stimulating the secretion of several neurotransmitters and pituitary hormones. These include serotonin which works to ease stress and acetylcholine that boosts short-term memory, thus causing a person to have good consciousness. Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, a miracle hormone that works like an elixir. It helps human cells live longer and induces a fair, glowing complexion.

How the illnesses are healed

The hypothalamus will also inhibit the production of a hormone called dopamine which helps for the healing of Parkinson's disease and arginine vasopressin that regulates the kidneys' function. At the same time, it reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol, thus boosting a person's immunity, and decreases the production of adrenalin and noradrenalin, helping to slow the cardiac function. As a result, cardiac patients will have relaxed muscles and become less tired. When you continue praying for 20-30 minutes, free-radicals will also be excreted from cell membranes. If you pray with the right method, your muscles will relax, you will breathe slowly and your heart beat will slow. The waste in your body cells will be released.

Praying for healing, however, is different from praying for religious faith. In religious prayer, you chant several long mantras for the worship of a god or the sacred deities. But to pray for healing, the mantra should be cut short and recited repeatedly. The chanting mantra can be compared to music therapy in a way that they carry short and repeated phrases. Yet music therapy works slower than praying, because the signal that gets into your ear will work more slowly than the one registered through your speech. Also, note that not every prayer will get all those beneficial substances and hormones. If you are interrupted in the middle of the prayer, you can't obtain the full benefit.

Prayer and the moving meditation

Prayer is a kind of still meditation, yet moving meditation gives better result. When we pray, it involves three functions - the mouth when we chant, ear as we hear the chanting, and eyes are closed. But in moving meditation, we have to control more of our functions. The more we can control them, the better we can balance our mind and body. There are various methods of moving meditation, such as walking meditation, and sitting stretching meditation. She suggested one can integrate prayer into moving meditation by moving parts of the body, such as tapping your fingers while praying.

The effects on patients

Applying various kinds of meditation practices with different groups of patients - those with diabetes, cancer, HIV/Aids, showed positive results. Those with diabetes have lower levels of blood sugar after months of moving meditation practices. Meditation is also helpful for patients with high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. In cancer patients, it resulted in the decrease of white blood cells and cancer cells. Patients with psychosomatic disorders also improved through laughing meditation. Yoga meditation was found helpful for street children and prison inmates. It helped them to reduce the use of drugs, by healing their insomnia, increasing their appetite, and lessening their worries. For patients who suffered from burns, meditation helps them sleep better, boost their spirits, and ease their physical and mental wounds. One patient who had leukemia since 1976 is still alive today. Though the disease remains, she hasn't developed any complications and can survive with it.



How to pray properly?
1 Pray a short mantra repeatedly and slowly. If you’re familiar with a long chanting mantra, pick only a short phrase for praying.

2 Pray it out loud. When you chant and pronounce the words, your tongue will touch the palate and that will send the signals to your brain nerve.

3 Close your eyes so you won’t be distracted. Then listen to your own chanting. You will breathe slowly, your heart beats slowly, and the wastes within the cells will be released.

4 Keep praying for at least 15-20 minutes. Stay in a comfortable posture. You may even lay down when you pray, if that makes you feel relaxed.

http://www.bodymindnspirit.com/Mental-Healing-2.html

PAPAYA CLEANSES YOUR STOMACH

Benefits Of Papaya


Having the shape of a pear, the papaya is a tropical fruit whose length can vary from seven to 20 inches. Though you will find the papaya being sold in the market the whole year round, it grows abundantly during the summer time. People all over the globe love eating the sweet-tasting papaya. But apart from being very tasty, papaya also nurtures several health benefits.

Nutritional Value of Papaya

Food Value
Moisture 90.8%
Protein 0.6%
Fat 0.1%
Fiber 0.8%
Minerals 0.5%
Carbohydrates 7.2%
100%

Minerals & Vitamins (Per 100g of Papaya)
Calcium 17mg
Phosphorus 13mg
Iron 0.5mg
Vitamin C 57mg
Small amount of
Vitamin B Complex



Nutrition Benefits of Eating Papaya
Papaya contains ‘papain’, a digestive enzyme known for aiding digestion.
When consumed ripe, this fruit being easily digestible assists in preventing constipation.
A study reveals that when this fruit is consumed alone for three days, it has a useful tonic effect in the stomach and intestines.
The juice of papaya assists in mitigating infections of the colon. It also helps in breaking down pus and mucus.
The consumption of ripe papaya is said to help in the prevention of cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue.
Papaya helps tremendously in preventing nausea, including morning sickness and motion sickness.
When had with honey, the papaya seeds are known to be antihelminthic for expelling worms. So chew and swallow two teaspoonfuls of papaya seeds after the main meals during a day.
Being a good bleaching agent, papaya forms a vital ingredient in liquid and bar bath soaps, hand washes, astringents and even detergent bars.
Papaya has rejuvenating properties that especially assists in controlling early aging.
Eating papaya on a regular basis is known to restore strength and health to the body.
Papaya is a rich source of antioxidant nutrients like carotenes, vitamin C, vitamin B, minerals, fiber, etc. All these nutrients boost the health of the cardiovascular system, apart from providing protection against colon cancer.
Being a rich source of fiber, papaya consumption helps in lowering high cholesterol levels.
This fruit can be directly applied to skin sores also.

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-papaya-1399.html

PINEAPPLE LOOSENS YOUR HARD FAT IN THE BODY

Pineapple is a tropical fruit, it contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein. Pineapple can prevent blood clot formation because of its bromelain content.



Nutritive Value : Per 100 gm.

Vitamin A : 130 I.U.
Vitamin C : 24 mg.
Calcium : 16 mg.
Phosphorus : 11 mg.
Potassium : 150 mg.
Carbohydrates : 13.7 gm.
Calories : 52




Pineapple is Beneficial also in the following condition :

It is regulates the gland and found to be helpful in cases of goiter(enlargement of the thyroid gland).
Dyspepsia (chronic digestive disturbance).
Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes.)
Catarrh (secretions from mucous membranes).
High Blood pressure.
Arthritis (diseases of the joints)
Fresh pineapple juice is also used in removing intestinal worms.
Fresh pineapple juice has been used to combat diptheria and other infections of the throat or other parts of the body.
Prevents nausea (includes morning sickness and motion sickness), Take 230 cc. of pineapple juice or papaya juice.
Constipation

TOMATOES ARE GOOD FOR YOU!

Benefits Of Tomato


Tomato - fruit or vegetable? This is one of the greatest confusions surrounding the eatable today. Though technically a fruit, tomato is used as a vegetable for cooking purposes. Whatever be their use, tomatoes have been known to comprise of a number of important nutrients and are believed to accord a number of nutritional benefits to their users. Infact, tomatoes are said to diminish the risk of a number of fatal ailments, like cancer and heart attack. Through the following lines, we intend to help you understand the fruit better, by listing its nutritional value and health benefits.

Nutritional Value of Tomato
Tomatohas been known to comprise of the following nutrients:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Fiber
Carbohydrate
Potassium
Iron
Lycopene (an Antioxidant)
Some amounts of Phosphorus, Sulfur and Potassium
Tomatoes have also been associated with low content of calories, fats and sodium.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Tomatoes
The presence of antioxidants in tomatoes is said to be helpful in cleansing the body, of toxic compounds.
Lycopene, present in tomatoes, has been known to neutralize free radicals and cut the risk of prostate cancer.
Those who eat raw tomatoes have been found to have much less risk of developing rectal, colon or stomach cancer.
It is believed that tomatoes block the effects of nitrosamines and thus, reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Researches have suggested that eating tomatoes might help reduce the risk of heart attack.
The vitamin K present in tomatoes helps in keeping the bones strong and healthy.
Tomatoes have been found to have positive effects in case of the following ailments:
Constipation
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Eye Disorders
Indigestion
Intestinal Disorders
Jaundice
Liver Disorders
Morning Sickness
Night Blindness
Obesity
Urinary Tract Infection

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-tomato-1491.html

PRACTICAL FOOD SOLUTION TO MALNUTRITION

Alugbati has a pleasant, mild spinach flavor that some may find earthy. It is slimy when overcooked, which makes it an excellent thickening agent in soups and stews. The purplish dye from the ripe fruit is used as food color and as rouge for the face. The cooked roots are used to treat diarrhea, while cooked leaves and stems are used as laxative. The flowers are used as antidote for poison. A paste of the root is used as a rubefacient or applied to swellings. A paste of the leaves is applied externally to treat boils.

Per 100 grams (g) edible portion, alugbati leaves contain:

Water (g) - 92.5
Energy (kcal) – 23.0
Protein (g) - 2.0
Fat (g) - 0.3
Carbohydrates (g) - 3.0
Fiber (g) - 0.9
Ash (g) - 2.2
Calcium (mg) – 128.0
Phosphorous (mg) – 40.0
Iron (mg) – 4.9
Vitamin A (ug) - 456.0
Thiamine (mg) – 0.04
Riboflavin (mg) – 0.12
Niacin (mg) - 0.5
Ascorbic acid (mg) – 89.0
Source: The Philippine Food Composition Tables, 1997. Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Properties and constituents
• Demulcent, diuretic, emollient, laxative, rubefacient.
• Study isolated Basellasaponins A, B, C, and D, oleanane-type triterpenes oligoglycosides, together with betavulgaroside 1, spinacoside C, and momordins IIb and IIc, from fresh aerial parts.

Uses
Nutritional
Common market product, a popular leafy and stew vegetable, a good substitute for spinach.
The green and purple cultivated varieties are preferable to the wild ones.
Both the young shoots and stems are eaten.
Excellent source of calcium and iron; good source of vitamins A, B, and C, with a high roughage value.
Folkloric
Roots are employed as rubefacient.
Poultice of leaves used to reduce local swelling.
Sap is applied to acne eruptions to reduce inflammation.
Decoction of leaves used for its mild laxative effects.
Pulped leaves applied to boils and ulcers to hasten suppuration.
Sugared juice of leaves useful for catarrhal afflictions.
Leaf-juice, mixed with butter, is soothing and colling when applied to burns and scalds.
In Ayurveda, used for hemorrhages, skin diseases, sexual weakness, ulcers and as laxative in children and pregnant women.
In Nigeria, use for fertility enhancement in women.

Studies
• Anthocyanins / Natural Food Colorant : Study of pigment extracted from fruits of spinach vine (B. rubra) showed good stability with a potential as a natural food color.
• Antifungal: Study yielded two antifungal peptides with potent antivity against Botrytis cinerea, Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum.
• Antimicrobial: A study of the aqueous, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves of Basella rubra exhibited antimicrobial activity against all test organisms except P aeruginosa. The ethanolic extract showed maximum effect against E coli. Further studies are needed to isolate the active compound responsible for the antimicrobial effect.

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Alugbati.html