The banana plant is a herbaceous, flowering plant indigenous to the tropical regions of India, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. Its fruits, which are recognized by their crescent shape, yellow skins and sweet tastes, are one of the oldest crops cultivated by mankind and remain the most popular fruit consumed in the United States. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture claims that Americans eat more than 10 pounds of bananas per person every…
Few herbs have received as much praise throughout history as ginger, the rhizome of the Zingiber officinale plant. Testimonials of ginger’s significant medicinal properties have been recorded as far back as ancient Greece, though it was also mentioned in the ancient literature of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The ancient healing systems of China and India particularly venerated ginger, and often prescribed it to treat fatigue, poor blood circulation, and nausea. Ginger remains the…
Antioxidants are substances that guard your cells against the effects of free radicals – an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron and will, in an attempt to stabilize itself, try and steal an electron from a neighboring molecule. Free radicals are produced when our bodies break down food, but also by exposure to radiation, cigarette smoke, and other external issues. Either way, they are not something we want in our bodies; they can cause…
The watermelon is one of the West’s most popular summer fruits. In fact, over four billion pounds of these large, round melons – which originated in Africa – are produced every year in the United States alone. Since watermelons are comprised of approximately 92 percent water, many people assume that they aren’t as nutritious as heavier, more substantial fruits such as apples, bananas, and pears. While it is true that watermelons do contain fewer essential…
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that originated in India and remains popular in South Asian cuisine. It is made by removing the milk proteins and water from raw, unsalted butter, resulting in a lactose-free, nutty-flavored butterfat that is packed with nutrients. According to the Ayurveda, ghee has essential healing properties that are distinctly lacking in other butters. These properties, which are slowly being validated by science, are listed below. List of Health Benefits…
