Surprising Health Benefits of Breadfruit Leaves

Breadfruit is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry family that was been cultivated for over 3000 years. It is widely consumed throughout the Caribbean, India and Africa, to name a few. When ripe, the breadfruit has a soft, yellow, cream colored flesh that resembles bread and it possesses a very distinct texture and taste.

Breadfruit is one of Jamaica’s favourite foods as Jamaicans consume it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The leaves, the fruit, and the sap that runs from the tree are all utilized for various uses.  The leaves are scientifically known as Artocarpus Altilis and can be used to make a tea. This tea has numerous health benefits and can also be used as a preventative medicine. The primary benefit of breadfruit leaves is its ability to normalize one’s blood pressure, whether its too high or too low. The tea is also great in the management of diabetes. One of the active ingredients in breadfruit leaves is called camphorol. This active is useful in the treatment of weak bladder and as an insecticide.

Other natural substances that can be found in breadfruit leaves are hydrocinic acid, tannins, riboflavin and acetylcolin. These active ingredients are useful to fight against diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.

The leaves can be boiled and then strain the water. Use a stainless steel pot, not aluminum because Breadfruit Leaves reacts with aluminum. Then boil the dried leaves in two liters of water until half the water is gone. Then add more water to bring the water level back to 2 liters, then bring to a boil again, and then let the tea cool. Once cool, add natural honey or sugar cubes as sweetener and drink this tea twice a day for 10 days.

Another benefit of breadfruit tree leaves is that they can be used to lower cholesterol. To lower cholesterol, one should drink one cup of breadfruit tea daily. For skin rashes or itching, drink one cup of Breadfruit Tea daily.

Breadfruit is effective in treating these ailments because it has anti-inflammatory properties and contains B Vitamins for good mood and vitality. Breadfruit tree leaves are also effective in reducing swelling, redness, and pain in the joints or the skin.

For persons with underlying medical issues, one should take breadfruit leaves with caution and women who are pregnant or are nursing should not use Breadfruit Leaf Tea.

How to improve fertility with the Jamaican Dog Blood Bush

Dog Blood Bush (Rivina Humilis), also called pigeonberry , blood berry, rouge plant, baby pepper, coralito and fertility bush, is a species of flowering plant in  the family Petiveriaceae. Dog Blood Bush can be found in the southern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical South America. Dog Blood bush is an erect, vine-like herb with a fruit that is a glossy, bright red berry.

The benefits of Dog Blood Bush are numerous but these benefits are amplified for women with difficulties in giving birth. That is because Dog Blood Bush has been proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties that are used to clean the Fallopian tubes of women. One of the major causes of infertility in women is inflammation of the fallopian and the Dog Blood bush is useful in reversing these effects.

You can consume one cup of Dog Blood Bush per day for at least one month but for women with fertility problems, one would need to drink a cup starting 3 days before your period is due. Then they would need to take it for 7 consecutive days. If you were feeling cramps at any time, combine the ‘vervine bush’ with the ‘dog blood’ bush as vervine is useful  in alleviating the pain felt from cramps.

For improved effectiveness, one would need to combine the Dog Blood bush with two other herbs, one called Clary and the other “inflammation weed” after a proper body cleanse is done.

In order to prepare the tea, one would need to have it dried, after which it is washed, boiled, and the tea is prepared from the liquid. This tea should be consumed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. While consuming the tea, it is important for one to avoid foods that are high in sugar, carbohydrates or cooked in a lot of oil. Persons with underlying medical problems should show caution before consuming Dog Blood Bush. These persons should consult with a physician or nutritionist before consuming this medicinal herb.

In addition to boosting a woman’s fertility, the Dog Blood Bush may be used to treat wounds, bruises and cuts.  This may be done by making a tea from the leaves and then use it to wash the wounds, bruises and cuts and any other skin ailments.  Dog blood is also useful in treating headaches, inflammation of the stomach, inflamed joints and other areas of the body which may be inflamed.

Pharmaceutical grade herbs

Introduction

For centuries, herbs have been an important aspect of life in different communities. There is a great connection of herbs with human health and traditionally, they were used to treat ailments even before conventional medicine. Today, there is an increasing demand and use of herbs because of their efficiency. However, there are still challenges facing the use herbs since there are quite a number that have not been scientifically tested to prove their efficiency on the diseases they are presumed to treat. Since drug quality deficiencies in herbs can result in poisoning and even death, there are a number of researches being conducted on herbs to determine their safety for human use. 

What are pharmaceutical grade herbs?

If you are passionate about the use of herbs as medicine, then you should always consider using pharmaceutical grade herbs.  A pharmaceutical grade compound is any active or inactive compound whose chemical purity and safety has been established by a recognised national pharmacopeia or compendia. Pharmaceutical grade herbs are those that have been scientifically proven to be safe enough to be administered even intravenously if necessary. They have been manufactured under good manufacturing practices approved conditionally.

Qualities of pharmaceutical grade herbs

Quality sources

The quality control in the manufacture of pharmacological grade herbs begin with the quality of the raw materials. How these herbs are grown brings about a very great difference. The quality of the raw materials is key in producing an excellent final product that would be very effective in treatment without any adverse effects on health. Pharmacological grade herbs are manufactured from high quality sources that are pristine in nature.

High purity levels 

Many companies use impure ingredients in their manufacturing processes and they do not list the ingredients if they are not used in making the final dosage form. However, in pharmacological grades, purity is very imperative.  These products must be excesses of 90 percent purity with no binders, dyes, excipients and other unknown substances that may have negative impacts on health.   there is a high level of purity of up to 99 percent.

Good manufacturing practices

The manufacturing process is another important component that makes a pharmacological grade herb. Pharmacological grade herbs are manufactured in good facilities with good manufacturing practices. All these companies must be certified by regional standardization bodies that carry out inspection to determine if they are fit to produce pharmacological grade herbs.  The quality of the final products greatly depend on how well the standard operating procedures were followed to come up with a safe final product.

Pharmacological activity

Unlike other traditional herbs, the pharmacological activity of the pharmacological grade drugs is outstanding. They compare to conventional medicine in terms of efficiency on the diseases they are used to treat. They are also available in the correct doses unlike traditional herbs in which determining an effective dose is conundrum. Their side effects have been well identified and in most cases they are minor, with the benefits outweighing the unwanted effects.