Lemon Grass as a Medince

Fragrent-Wild Lemon Grass of Thailand

Living in Thailand, you cannot help but be familiar with Lemon grass, it’s everywhere, in the garden, by the side of the road and in your food. Lemon grass is actually a wild grass and grows in great clumps with long thick fibrous leaves up to three feet tall and lets out a beautiful lemon fragrance especially in the evenings and mornings. The great thing about the fragrance is that mosquitoes don’t like the smell of it. You can blend up the leaves with water or even a little virgin coconut oil strain off the lemongrass and the infused lemon grass will act as a natural mosquito repellent.

Not only does is smell so good it’s also a very medicinal plant. The people of Thailand have been using Lemon grass not only for food but for medicinal purposes since the beginning of time. 

One of the easiest ways to ingest Lemon grass is by drinking it as a herbal tea. Simple boil the lemon grass in hot water, you can add honey for a sweeter taste. Had a stressful day at work? Thai lemon grass acts as a relaxant and is very good at relieving stress, or if you’re having difficulties in getting to sleep, simply take a cup of herbal lemon grass before bed to help you relax and sleep.

Lemon grass is also great to help in the digestion process of food, so a cup of lemon grass teas after meals really you to digest your meals and reduce the overeating feeling.

Lemon grass can also help with constipation and because of its t is a natural antioxidant properties, it helps keep the kidneys and liver function optimally and lowering cholesterol levels.

It’s also great as a use for relief of the common cold and flu symptoms. Again, drinking lemon grass tea with a tea spoon of natural honey.

Dried Thai Lemon Grass

Lemon grass as also been used to help keep the skin and hair healthy. Lemon grass infused in water is helpful to reduce acne by cleansing the pores of the skin.

In conclusion, not only is lemon grass a wonderful herb to be eaten in fresh salads and soups, the medicinal properties are quite astounding too.

Note: when buying lemon grass, it’s the lower part of the stem called the rhizome that is the most effective. We stock only the freshest of lemon grass and sometimes dry our own as the orders are taken to retain freshness. All our herbs are professionally vacuum packed before shipping.

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The Amazing Health Bennifits of Licorice

Dried Licorice Root

Licorice root (also known as liquorice root) is the underground stem of an non woody perennial plant herb. The People of Asia have used licorice for hundreds of years. It's additionally referred to as sweet root and Gan Zao in Chinese. Licorice contains a variety of healthy compounds like flavonoids, anethole , plant coumarins, sterols, asparagine, glycosides, glycyrrhizic acid, chalcones and volatile oils . Licorice contains a peculiar sweet flavour with a faint hint of anise and is sweeter than sugar (sucrose). Licorice has been used for seasoning and sweetness in candies however recently it has been replaced with Anise. It's still used as a sweetener in flavouring medicines, lozenges/herbal cough candies, and tobacco merchandise. However, studies recommend that there are also many  health advantages. The key compound in Licorice, is  glycyrrhizic acid,  however glicyrrhizic acid may raises blood pressure levels if used in vast quantities on a regular basis. Therefore, processed licorice is additionally obtainable that doesn't contain glycyrrhizic acid and may be found with the name of the label of Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice(DGL root).

What is the advantages of Licorice Root?

Licorice Root is used for its antiviral, bactericide, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, antidepressant, demulcent and predicative activity. Attributable to its outstanding healing abilities, licorice has been employed in the treatment of lots of minor to severe health conditions that embody respiratory illness, body odour, chronic fatigue, depression, obesity, pharynges, cold and respiratory illness, coughs, bronchitis, dandruff, peritonitis and dental cavities, heartburn, constipation, peptic ulceration, liver issues, emphysema, psoriasis, shingles, skin rash, yeast infections, mood swings, hot flashes related to change of life, PMS, muscle cramps, tendentious, gout, and autoimmune disorder. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is usually recommended for overly high cholesterin levels, plaque and esophagus reflux sickness. Preliminary studies have shown that licorice might suppress the multiplication of Human immunological disorder Virus (HIV)

Uses of licorice root:
Depression
Researches show that Glycyrrhizic acid in licorice helps facilitate with depression and anxiety by promoting endocrine gland operation. Adrenal glands regulate stress hormones like corticoid. The depleted levels of corticoid are sometimes to blame for chronic fatigue, anxiety and low  resistance levels to allergens and infections.  Therefore, drinking one cup of Licorice Tea 2 times daily is also useful for depression, anxiety, nervousness and migraines bought on by stress.

High cholesterin and cardiopathy
Studies have shown that licorice helps regulate the cholesterin levels by rising the gall flow. Researches recommend that gall acids account for cholesterin metabolism and elimination of excess cholesterin within the body. Additionally the inhibitor activity of licorice loweers   plaque build up the the cardio vascular system and improve capillary health. Therefore, ingestion of licorice root daily for thirty days will facilitate and regulate the cholesterin levels.

Menopause
The phytoestrogenic and inhibitor activity of licorice is believed to be useful for disorders like fatigue, mood swings, and hot flashes during menopause. Therefore, drinking 2 cups of licorice tea daily will facilitate balance and regulate the internal secretion production during the menopause.

PMS and discharge Cramps
Licorice Root promotes a gentle steroid activity which can facilitate with PMS symptoms like mood swings, breast tenderness, nausea and bloating, and discharge cramps. Drinking licorice tea at three days before your period is due will facilitate with discharge cramps, secretion imbalance and facilitate ease the PMS symptoms.

Skin Disorders
The use of licorice root salves and poultices for the treatment of skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and dry skin conditions. A small clinical study has shown that the demulcent and anti inflammatory agents in licorice extract gel help reverse the symptoms of topical eczema. Applying root extract gel onto the affected space 3 times daily might facilitate relieve these skin disorders.

Shingles and Herpes
Licorice root extract has been employed in the treatment of cold sores, shingles and herpes simplex. Studies have shown that anti infection agent activity of licorice root extract helps suppress the progression of cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus. In some severe cases application of topical carbenoxolone cream (an artificial by-product of glycyrrhizinic acid) has been useful for herpes. A simple remedy for shingles, herpes simplex and previous sores is to drink licorice root extract 2 times daily and apply root extract gel or ointment on to the affected space four to five times daily.

Sore Throat and Cough
Researches recommend that glycosides in licorice have medicinal activity which can facilitate with dry cough, bronchitis, and asthma. Glycoside in licorice promotes the cartilaginous tube secretions and break down the thick phlegm creating it simple to cough it out. The antiviral, medication and demulcent properties of licorice can also lubricate the irritated and inflamed tract. The remedy is to drink licorice tea 2 or 3 times a day.
 To form the tea, shred two inches of root into a boiling cup of water. Let it simmer for ten minutes. Then strain out the chopped root and drink.

Stomach and internal organ issues. The chalcones and flavonoids in licorice will facilitate with inflammation and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and also the mucous secretion lining of the abdomen caused by micro organism infection. Additionally soothing agents in licorice helps soothe and calm the digestion system promoting gut health. Remedy is to drink licorice root tea 2 or 3 times daily.

Weight Loss
A study shows that participants had vital decrease in body fat mass when taking 4gm of licorice root extract daily for 2 months. However, the consumption of licorice isn't recommended for long periods, the recommended times is 2 weeks on 1 week off throughout the 2 months period. For weight loss,  a low calorie diet combined with regular physical activity will contribute to a reduction in body fat mass.

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Thai Herbal Medicine Approach

Medicinal Herbs throughout Thailand are ingested everyday in the form of a typical Thai Diet.  That said a Thai herbalist will recommend simply changes to as diet before actually administering more powerful herbal medicines. If you think about it, every thing we ingest as food has some sort of effect on our body and mind. The Thai cuisine is in fact a totally herbal meal by default and as such considered therapeutic. In the  Western World we state "You are what you eat" and that is a fact, if you eat well, you will be well. If, however you eat unhealthy you will become unhealthy, unhappy and prone to illness.

History of Thai Herbal Medicine
Over 2,000 years ago there was a physician  to Buddha's community of Monks and Nuns named Shivago Komarpaj, known as the Doctor. He was a renowned Ayurvedic doctor (Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years). To this day he is revered throughout Thailand  has the Father Doctor. Thai herbal Medication still follows his teachings  and principals to this day.

The 3 Branches of Thai Herbal Medicine
Traditional medicne in Thailand is split into 3 disciplines:

• Religious
• Manipulative
• Dietary

 Religious. or Spiritual Healing. In Thai medicine practitioners believe that the spiritual well being of a person hold that illnesses flow from an troubled heart or mind. With this in mind there is a rich tradition of prayer, meditation to the well being of a patient.

Manipulative or Energy Therapy by means of massage, the application of pressure to certain areas of the body increase the flow of energy to relieve symptoms and stimulate healing.

Dietary an herbal approach to healing a patient by means of causing physiological changes in the body's chemistry.

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Health Benefits of Fenugreek AKA Methi

The Amazing Fenugreek Seed

Fenugreek or AKA Methi in India,  is an amazing plant, with such a varied amount of usefulness. There are three main uses as an herb (the leaves) as a spice (the seeds) and as a vegetable (the entire plant).
The seeds have a very pungent aroma  and a bitter taste however in small quantities do enhance flavour, especially in Indian cuisine, commonly Indian Curry.

As well as being a great food additive, there is a wealth of medicinal and health usefulness too? 
Fenugreek contains fiber, protein,vitamins, niacin, potassium, iron and alkaloids. A fantastic array of  compounds to aid in medical issues and beauty products.

Increase breast milk production: 
This is most documented medical used. This is because of  the presence of diosgenin in the Fenugreek seed which increases milk production in lactating mothers.

Induce and ease child birth:
Fenugreek has been used and found to bet useful in inducing childbirth by helping with uterine contractions and also helps to reduce labor pains.

Ease women’s health problems:
Fenugreek contains diosgenin and isoflavones which has oestrogen-like properties which help reduce  discomfort of menstrual cramps. These compounds also ease menopausal symptoms  too such as  hot flashes.

Breast Enlargement:
The oestrogen  property of fenugreek can help with breast with enlargement by balancing hormones in women.

Reduce cardiovascular risk
Fenugreek seed conatins  galactomannan and potassium which has cardiovascular benefits. This can lowers the risk of heart attack. The potassium which counters the action of sodium in the blood stream thelps control heart rate and blood pressure.

Aid for diabetes
Galactomannan  is a soluble fibre and is present in fenugreek.This slows down the rate of sugar absorption into blood. Fenugreek also contains amino acid  helping the production of insulin.

Aid for digestion:
 Fenugreek helps detoxify the body and can also aid in constipation.

Cure acid reflux or heartburn:
Adding Fenugreek seeds to your food can help digest your meals and help with acid reflux.

Remedy for fever and sore throat:
Fenugreek as a  tea with lemin and honey can help with the symptoms of coughs and colds and soothes sore throats.

Weight Loss by suppressing appetite:
Use fenugreek to aid weight loss by soaking the seeds over night and then chew in the morning before eating breakfast, this will  aid in surpessing you hunger.

 Aid for skin inflammation:
Grind fenugreek seeds to a paste and gently rub on the affected area. Effective for eczma and pimples and also burns and rashes.

Beauty product:
You can use fenugreek as a way to cleanse your skin by boiling the seeds in hot water and using this to wash and cleanse your skin or by grinding the seeds into a powder and adding a water to create a face pack. This method will help to reduce acne

Solution to hair problems: 
For hair problems such as thinning or dandruff, firstly  boil the seeds fr 10 minutes then leave the seeds to soak over night in virgin coconut oil. Apply a little of this remedy to your hair after washing.


If you are interested in trying any of these health and medical bennefits visit our store to purchase Fenugreek Seeds

How to Prepare Bael Fruit

Living in Thailand we are lucky enough to be able to purchase and grow an abundance of different types of herbs and spices, today I thought it would be a good idea to share with you my experiences with the preparation of Bael fruit as an infused tea.

Thai Dried Bael Slices

 Firstly, what is Bael fruit? Bael fruit  in Thailand is pronounced  "Matum" and is grown all over Thailand. It grows on tall trees up to 18 meters . The fruit is round in shape and can grow to the size of a grapefruit. It can take up to 11 months for the fruit to grow before its ready for picking.

It can be eaten fresh when its ripe and is sweet. The leaves and the roots are eaten too.

It's medicinal uses are to remedy gastroenteritis and constipation and other stomach problems and now medical researchers have discovered that extracts of the fruit is effective in combating giardia and rotavirus.

Roasting the Dried Bael Slices

Its is quite simple to prepare taking approximately 10 minutes.  Using 2-3 slices of Dried Bael and 4 cups of fresh cold water.

Firstly you need to roast the dry Bael Slices, this can be done by dry roasting them in a dry pan, heat up the pan until its red hot then add the slices turning regularly. You can also simply roast them over the flame of a gas cooker using a pair of tongues . This should only take around three minutes to complete.


The nest step is to boil some water in a saucepan or similar, I used my Tea Pot. The when the water is boiling add the slices and continue boiling for a further 2 minutes. The resulting tea will be amber in colour with an aromatic scent.

Boiling The Bael Fruit

the taste is quite light in flavour and not unpleasant, I added a 2 teaspoons of Honey and a slice of Lemon to the finished Tea.

If you are interested in trying Thai Bael Fruit we supply this form our website at www.thaiherbspice.com