Tamarind seeds and its uses

 

Tamarind is high in many nutrients. A single cup (120 grams) of the pulp contains :

• Magnesium: 26% of the daily value (DV)
• Potassium: 16% of the DV
• Iron: 19% of the DV
• Calcium: 7% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 11% of the DV
• Copper: 11% of the DV
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin): 43% of the DV
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 14% of the DV
• Vitamin B3 (niacin): 15% of the DV

It has trace amounts of:

• vitamin C
• vitamin K
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• folate
• vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• selenium

It also contains 6 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of fat. This comes with a total of 287 calories.

Tamarind grows well in dry and water-stressed regions and is drought-resistant. Being part of the Fabaceae family, it has the ability to grow in poorly developed soils through nitrogen fixation. The plant can also grow well in coastal areas because of its ability to endure sea-salt aerosols.

Tamarind seeds are a part of many popular recipes, especially in southern India. In Karnataka, where the fruit is called hunase, the roasted kernels are soaked in buttermilk and salt for a day to soften them, so that they can be easily consumed as a snack.

Tamarind seeds support digestion, promote joint health, and boost immunity. Available in whole or processed form, they add unique flavor and nutritional value to both food and health products.

Tamarind seeds are a rich source of protein and amino acids.

The flour is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.

The Tamarind seed kernel flour prepared by roasting the seeds at 150°C for 15 minutes, and estimate that as much as 62.13 per cent is carbohydrate, 19.46 per cent of the kernel is protein and 2.32 per cent is fibre. 

A protein found in the seeds, called tamarind chitinase-like lectin, has antiviral properties and can potentially be used to develop a drug against chikungunya.

An extract of tamarind seeds and turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome could reduce knee pain and improve the musculoskeletal function in patients. This combination also helps reduce inflammation and inflammation-induced cartilage degeneration, as per  the study.

Polysaccharides in the seeds work as coagulants to remove the waste from the water.

Flax Seeds or Lin Seeds

 

Flaxseed is the richest source of phytoestrogens (lignans)

Flaxseed, due to the content of soluble fiber, may have a beneficial effect on gut microbiota.

Flaxseed oil also plays a role in constipation prevention.

Daily consumption of flaxseed contributes to increasing fecal fat excretion. It may play an important role in the prevention of being overweight and of obesity

Flaxseeds contain a good amount of phenolic compounds. These phenolic compounds are well known for anticancer and anti-oxidative properties. 

Basically, flaxseeds have three different types of phenolic compounds–phenolic acids, flavonoids and lignans. 

Major phenolic acids present in defatted flaxseed are ferulic acid (10.9 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (7.5 mg/g), gallic acid (2.8 mg/g). Other phenolic acids include p-coumaric acid glucosides, hydroxycinnamic acid glucosides and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid that are present in low quantities

It serves as a good source of minerals especially, phosphorous (650 mg/100 g), magnesium (350–431 mg/100 g), calcium (236–250 mg/100 g) and has very low amount of sodium (27 mg/100 g) . 

It contains highest amount of potassium 5600–9200 mg/kg among various foods and high potassium intake is inversely related to blood platelet aggregation, free radicals in blood and stroke incidence

Alpha-linolenic acid is the main functional component of flaxseed. It serves as an exclusive source of omega-3 fatty acid in the vegetarian diets 

Lignans are phytoestrogens, which are abundantly available in fiber rich plants, cereals (wheat, barley, and oats), legumes (bean, lentil, soybean), vegetables (broccoli, garlic, asparagus, carrots) fruits, berries, tea and alcoholic beverages. Flaxseed contains about 75–800 times more lignans than cereal grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables

Asparagus racemosus (Satavari )

 

Asparagus racemosus  belongs to the family Asparagaceae, commonly known as Satavari. 

This Asparagus genus has around 300 species cultivated in the world, mainly grow in shade and tropical climates at low altitudes throughout the India, Asia, Australia and Africa.

It is an indigenous monocot medicinal plant of India. 

Asparagus racemosus root extracts (AR) have possess a variety of pharmacological and therapeutic properties like Antioxidant, galactagogue, antiulcer, rejuvenative, phytoestrogenic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, carminative, stomachic, energetic, antiseptic, adaptogenic, anxiolytic, antidepressive, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, analgesic, cardioprotective chemopreventive, cerebroprotective, anti-HIV, antilithiatic. antioxidant, antimicrobial, antipyretic effects of the phytochemical constituents in them. 

Steroidal saponins shatavarins the major bioactive components in A. racemosus, are receiving attention because of their role as immunomodulant, galactogauge, adaptogen, antitussive, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and antidiarrheal, ultimately improve the quality of life.

 Ayurveda recommended it is for prevention and treatment of :-

 1)gastric ulcers, 

2)dyspepsia and 

3)as a galactagogue

The root extract of A.racemosus is prescribed in Ayurveda to increases milk secretion during laction

The powdered dried root of A. racemosus is used in Ayurveda for dysepesia. Oral administration of powdered dried root of A. racemosus has been found to promote gastric emptying in healthy volunteers.  

Annatto seeds or Sindhoori Seeds or Lipstick seeds (Bixa Orellana seeds)

 

Annatto seeds or Sindhoori Seeds  or Lipstick seeds:- 

 Its colour is  are used as red ink, Coating medicines, Drugs, Dyeing, Food colouring, Hair oils, Polishes, Poultry feed

 • The annatto dye is non-toxic and is mainly used for colouring edible materials like butter, ghee, other milk products, margarine, cheese, vanaspati, chocolates, cosmetics etc. 

• It neither affects the colour nor the aroma of these products. 

 The dye is also used in colouring citrus juice, concentrates, drinks etc. 

• Annatto dye is also used in floor polishes, shoe polish, hair oils etc.

Annatto oil is Vitamin-E enriched 

Annatto is a natural carotenoid obtained from Bixa orellana shrub. 

The seeds are gaining economic importance in recent years as a highly desirable colourant. 

The ripe fruits of annatto on drying yield annatto seed which serves as the raw material for the production of annatto colour. 

Tailor-made formulations based on water-soluble carbonate systems were found suitable for use in hard-boiled candies, vermicelli, gold fingers, and fast foods such as biriyani and vegetable manchurian. 

Similarly, PG-based (propylene glycol-based  ) tailor-made formulations were found suitable for traditional sweetmeats such as boondi laddu and motichoor laddu, as well as dairy and bakery products including butter, cheese, biscuit cream, bakery cream, and icing cream. The sugar-powder formulation was found convenient for application in hard-boiled candies, jalebi, jangri, and boondi laddu.

SWEET FLAG / VACHA (ACORUS CALAMUS)

 

Vacha is an ancient herb having various health benefits. 

The name “Vacha” in Sanskrit means speaking clearly because this herb stimulates intelligence and expression.

With a strong aroma, this herb has rhizomes which resemble very closely to ginger. 

In Ayurveda, Vacha is known as a rejuvenating herb because of its effect on the nervous system. It is bitter in taste and is used in the dried form.

According to Ayurveda, taking Vacha along with honey on a daily basis helps manage speech disorders due to its Vata balancing and Medhya properties. 

It’s consumption also helps in the management of cough by promoting the removal of sputum from the air passages due to its expectorant activity. 

Vacha also helps improve memory by fighting against cell damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property. 

This improves behavioral changes, memory and mental performance as well. It also helps remove kidney stones by increasing the production of urine due to its diuretic activity. .

A paste of Vacha powder and water can be applied to the skin to help give you a glowing skin and control various skin infections due to its Tikhta (bitter) and Tikshna (sharpness) properties. 

Vacha essential oil might be considered useful in reducing pain and inflammation when applied externally due to its anti-inflammatory property. 

Topical application of Vacha powder with Triphala powder reduces fat on the belly and thigh

Anacyclus Pyrethrum Akkarakarra

 

Anacyclus pyrethrum (Akarkara), a vulnerable herb commercially producing pyrethrum drug extracted from the roots of the plant is an important Ayurvedic medicine.

The roots mainly contain an ester pyrethrine and N-alkylamides (pellitorine) that enhances its medicinal value. 

The plant is used as sex stimulant, antidiabetic, antioxidant, treating asthama.

The plant is a natural pesticide and also shows antimicrobial properties

In traditional medicine, the roots of A. pyrethrum (L) are recommended for treating toothache, salivary secretion, angina, digestive problems, lethargy, female infertility, and even paralysis of the tongue and limbs.

 They are used in the form of cream-based animal fats to treat gout and sciatica and keep illness away

The extraordinary properties of Akarkara are listed as under: 

Aphrodisiac: The extracts of plant roots increase libido or sexual urges and delays ejaculation. 

Analgesic: It reduces or ends pain by causing numbness. 

Anti-rheumatic & Anti-arthritic: It gives relief in rheumatic arthritis by increasing circulation. 

Anti-Bacterial & Anti-viral: Akarkara has also shown antibacterial and anti-viral properties and thus it keeps you safe from a large number of air-borne & water-borne infectious diseases caused by bacteria and virus.

Antibiotic: It also inhibits microbial or biotic growth in the body. 

Anti-catarrhal: Akarkara root also exhibits anticatarrhal properties, i.e. it expels old catarrh. 

Carminative: It expels gases from intestines. 

Digestion: Akarkara roots aid in digestion by stimulating secretion of saliva and other digestive juices as it goes down the digestive system.

 Diuretic: The diuretic property of Akarkara root increases frequency and quantity of urination, thereby helping detoxify the body. 

Emmenagogue: It gives relief from irregular, delayed and obstructed menstruation

Febrifuge: The alkaloids present in Akarkara makes it a good febrifuge by virtue of its anti-microbial antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. 

Nervine: Akarkara is famous for treating nervous or neurotic disorders. 

Vermifuge: The anti-biotic and anti-microbial properties of the alkaloids present in Akarkara roots makes it a good vermifuge too and help in destroying the worms in our intestine. 

Sialagogue: It increases production & secretion of saliva. This can aid in digesting food & give relief from dry mouth and is frequently used for toothache

Navara Rice (Oryza Sative L.)

 

Navara Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is grown mainly in Palakkad and nearby districts of Kerala. It is called Shashtikashali in Ayurveda.

 It is an important part of the Panchakarma treatment known as Navarakizhi. 

It helps in treating rheumatic pain. It is useful for polio-related disabilities. It improves blood circulation problems.

It also helps in respiratory diseases.