Papaya

Papaya is reddish yellow fruit, grown all over the world, mostly in the regions of hot climate and lots of rain. The tree is of medium height. Its trunk is straight without any branches and it has an umbrella type of growth at the top. According to Hakeem Hashmi, papaya is an every part has medicinal value. Papaya is an appetizer, anti phlegmatic, digestive, carminative, diuretic, anti flatulent, vermifuge, pyreutic and a general tonic. Papita is a rich source of vitamin A & C. its pulp also has tartaric & citric acid, mineral salts, calcium & phosphorus. The milk of papita tree is a very rich in 'Papain"- a digestive enzyme which is very useful as medicine. All other parts of papaya tree & fruit also have "papain". Hakeem Hashmi well respected unani physician has given very useful medicinal uses of papaya in home remedies.

Indigestion & stomach problems: -

1. 1. Taking fresh ripe papaya in breakfast cures indigestion, flatulence, acidity and increase appetite.

2. 2. Powdered dry leaves of papaya soaked in water overnight and taken in the morning is also useful in curing all types of stomach ailments

Diarrhoea: - consuming boiled raw papaya, cures chronic diarrhoea.

Freckles and other blemishes of skin: -

1. Applying mashed ripe papaya pulp on the affected parts half an hour before bath eliminates freckles and other blemishes of skin and imparts natural glow and luster.

2. Applying fresh juice of raw papaya is also useful in pimples.

Menstrual p roblems: -

1. Eating ripe papaya everyday regulates menses.

2. Taking powdered seeds of papaya with water is also useful.

Liver & spleen: -

1. Eating raw papaya as a vegetable with meal controls enlargement of liver and spleen of children.

2. Pickle of raw papaya is also helpful in curing the ailments of liver.

3. Taking half teaspoon of dried & powdered seeds of papaya with water & little salt twice a day is also useful in curing liver ailments.

Jaundice: -

1. Taking 10 to 12 drops of raw papaya juice with a spongy sugar candy (Batasha)or 10 to 15 days help in curing jaundice.

2. Eating ripe papaya daily is also helps in curing jaundice.

Fever: - Drinking boiled water of papaya leaves, cures fever.

Worms: - Taking half-teaspoon ground seeds of papaya with water for 3 to 4 days help eliminates stomach worms.

Urinary problems: - Taking ripe papaya regularly cures urinary problems.

High blood pressure: - eating ripe papaya half an hour before breakfast checks high blood pressure.

Piles: -

taking ripe papita in the afternoon helps in curing piles. Eczema, ringworm itching: -applying fresh juice of raw papita on the affected parts cures skin ailments like eczema, itching & ringworm.

Milk in breast: -

1. Eating ripe papita daily helps in improve lactation in breast feeding mother.

2. Eating raw papaya as a vegetable with meals helps to increase breast milk. And papita is available year round, so consuming it regularly helps to a healthy life.

Asafeotida- Heeng

ASAFEOTIDA
(heeng)

While talking on the advancement of unani medicine Hakeem Hashmi, the foremost unani practitioner points out that most minor ailments requires to be treated only with simple home remedies and for most common ailments simple home remedies are available. The modern urbanite is subjected to continuous chemical bombardment from infancy through adulthood to old age, due to the use of artificial manure and disinfecting of land, water and vegetation with chemical pesticides, or the excessive ingestion of synthetic manmade drugs as tonics and medicines, the human system gets saturated with chemical. Without resorting to ret rograde steps one should try to minimize this influence. At least in the field of healthcare, home remedies can check unnecessary synthetic drugging. As of a home remedy, the best known name is asafoetida or heeng.
Asafoetida or heeng is not only popular condiment to spice food but also a powerful medicine in its own right. According to Hakeem Hashmi, asafoetida is a resinous gum of tall perennial herb, with robust carrot shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures. In alternative medicines like unani, asafoetida is widely used. Asafoetida has several varieties, which are distributed, from Mediterranean region to central Asia. Some believe that soldiers of Alexander the great, spread it to many parts of central Asia and Indian sub continent. It is grown in Iran and Afghanistan, some varieties, abundantly in Punjab, Kashmir, western Tibet and Afghanistan.
Asafoetida is produced in the form of gum by scratching the root of the plant; just below the stem and a cut is made, from this cut emerges a thick juice. A vessel covers that portion of the root so that no dirt, dust or sunshine may fail on it. After some days when this juice becomes thick and semi solid in appearance, it is taken out. This way for more than three months the root is scratched and the juice is gathered. It appears like gum in the final shape. Asafoetida has been held in great esteem amongst indigenous medicines, particularly in unani system from the earliest times. It is reputed as a drug, which expels wind from the stomach and counteracts any spasmodic disorders. It is also a nervine stimulant, digestive agent and a sedative. Here, prominent unani practitioner Hakeem Hashmi discusses the many heeling qualities of asafoetida.

1. Respiratory: -

In the treatment of respiratory disorders such as whooping cough, asthma & bronchitis asafoetida is very useful. About 3 to 6 centigram of this gum, mixed with 2 teaspoon of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice & a teaspoon of betel leaf juice, taken thrice daily would keep the patient away from such disorders.

2. Impotency: -

About 6 GMS of heeng should be fried in ghee and mixed with honey and a teaspoon of fresh latex of banyan tree. This mixture should be taken once daily for 40 days before sunrise. It is also considered a specific medicine for spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation.

3. Hysteria: -

inhaling this gum prevents hysterical attacks.

4. Children's disorders: -

The herb is extensively used in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. There is an old European belief that small piece of this gum, hung around a child's neck, and would protect it from many diseases, especially germs that are sensitive to its particular odour.

5. Women's ailments: -

The herb is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, unwanted abortion, premature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea. About 12 GMS of gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 GMS of goat's fresh milk and tablespoon of honey, should be given thrice daily for a month. It excited the secretion of progesterone hormone.
Asafoetida is also useful for women after childbirth. Owing to its antiflatulent and digestive properties the herb can be taken with beneficial results during the post delivery period.

6. Toothache: -

asafoetida is useful in alleviating toothache. After being pestled in lemon juice, it is slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth, relieves pain quickly.

7. Stomach disorders: -

The herbs is an effective remedy for several diseases of the stomach. It is one of the best remedies available for flatulence and is an essential ingredient for most of the digestive powders. In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth steeped in it may be used for fomenting abdomen.
Asafoetida's usefulness in medicinal cure is endless. It helps to cure arthritis, anus itching, bleeding piles, cataract, chronic wounds, deafness, epilepsy, foul breath, jaundice, memory loss, insect bite, weak heart and many more. It also works as an antidote of opium, the herbs is used as an antidote of opium. Given in the same quantity as opium ingested by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug. The gum resin is relished as a condiment in many Asian countries, such as India, Iran, Srilanka and Middle East countries, where it is used to flavour curries, meatballs, dal & pickles. It is used in Europe and the united stated in perfumes and for flavouring. The whole plant is also used as a fresh vegetable.
Hakeem Hashmi describes this herb as most valuable jewel in the treasure house of unani system. So do not forget do add spice (asafoetida) to your food.

Guava -Poor Man's Apple

GUAVA - POOR MAN'S APPLE

Guava is one of the famous and well-known fruits grown all over India and many parts of the world. Guava tree bears fruits twice in a year, in summer and winter, but the fruit in winter is considered, superior in quality and taste. The pulp of guava is very useful for human system. Guava is digestive, carminative, gives vigor & strength to heart, lungs and the whole body. It is an effective aphrodis, improves blood circulation, heals and dries wound and is an antiseptic. Hakeem Sirajuddin Hashmi, a prominent unani physician & researcher advises a guava a day for good digestion and regular bowel action.Hakeem Hashmi usually say, " guava is hundred times more advantageous than apples. Take it straight with its skin on; chew thoroughly without spitting out the seeds for maximum benefit digestion will become so strong that you can digest pebble. Guava is a very nutritious fruit, when eaten with seeds it gives roughage to the diet helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. The fruit improves overall resistance.

CURATIVE PROPERTIES OF GUAVA: -
AS A GENERAL TONIC: -

1. Eating 200gms ripe guava with black salt, black peeper powder and little lemon juice twice a day regularly gives strength & vigor to mind & body.

2. Taking guava & banana with honey in breakfast eliminates the look of lanky body by making it grow strong & sturdy.

DIGESTIVE & STOMACH PROBLEMS: -

1. Taking pulps of roast guava (without seed) with orange juice two or three times a day cures indigestion.

2. Taking guava with tock salt after meals eliminated gas and increase appetite.

3. Consuming the ground paste of guava's fresh leaves with water cures stomachache.

CONSTIPATION: -

1. Eating guava in breakfast or before meals activates digestion and cures constipation.

2. Eating guava & papaya with little black pepper powder, rock salt & lemon juice sprinkled on it, after meals activates normal movement of bowels.

LOOSE MOTIONS & DIARRHOEA: -

1. Taking boiled water of guava leaves, two to three times a day controls loose motions.

2. The bark of root of guava dried and roasted slightly and powdered. A pinch of this powder taken in buttermilk checks diarrhoea, an especially useful remedy in infants & children.

ITCHING: -

Eating 250 GMS of ripe guava regularly in the afternoon for about a month purifies blood, cleans the stomach and intestines and thus cures itching due to bowels movements, pustules etc.

WOUNDS: -

Applying paste of guava leaves on wounds helps in curing them.

URINARY DISORDERS: -

Decoction of 10 gms leaves of Guava & 50 gms leaves of grapes (boil it in 600 ml water till it become half), before sleep eliminated, and cures all urinary disorders.

TOOTH-ACHE: -

Munching fresh Guava leaves or gargling with guava leaf water (in which guava leaves are boiled) eliminates swelling of gums and cures toothache.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: -

Consuming the oozed out water of the salad of guavas with little rock salt, black pepper powder, lemon juice on it twice or thrice a week controls high blood pressure. It is interesting to note, while the fruit is a laxative and digestive, the leaves and root bark check diarrhoea and bind the stomach.

OTHER USES: -

A part from the curative properties, its wood is very hard and used for making "Harmonium" etc. on which carving can also be done. The bark and dry leaves are used for making printing colours and dyes for cloths. Rich in calories guava has many qualities of apple and thus is called the " poor man's apple".
A word of caution from Hakeem Hashmi, that guava should not be taken empty stomach because it gives rise to phlegm in the body. Water should not be taken after eating guava for it may lead to cholera.

Coriander - Cure from Kitchen

CORIANDER

CURE FROM THE KITCHEN

Coriander is originated from the Mediterranean region, where it has been grown since ancient times. Now it is widely cultivated in Europe, North Africa, India, South America, Malaysia, Thailand and China. It grows abundantly in black soil and arid regions. Coriander is very popular. Fresh leaves as flavouring agent and dried coriander seeds as spices are used in food preparation. Coriander is both an annual and a perennial herb and is rich in various food elements. The ripe dried coriander seeds have an aromatic smell and well blending spice taste. Indian coriander contains an essential oil, which causes irritation when in contact with skin for a long time. This is a great flavouring agent, stimulant, carminative, helps in stomachache and griping pain, tranquilizer, germicidal, diuretic, anti pyretic, curtails excessive requirement of water in digestive system and as a tonic. The leaves of coriander are stimulant and tonic. They strengthen the stomach and promote its action, relieve flatulence, increase secretion and discharge of urine and reduce fever. They act an aphrodisiac, help in the removal of catchall matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes there by counteracting any spasmodic disorders. Coriander seeds reduce fever and promote a feeling of coolness. Coriander juice is highly beneficial in beneficial in deficiencies of vitamin A, B, B2, C and iron.

1. DIGESTIVE DISORDERS: -

One or two teaspoon coriander juice, with fresh butter milk is an effective cure in treating digestive disorders such as indigestion, nausea, dysentery, hepatitis and ulcerative colitis. One teaspoon of heated powdered coriander seeds with water checks loose motions. Half a teaspoon coriander powder with little black salt after meal also cures indigestion.

2. DYSENTERY: -

One teaspoon of coriander powder and sugar candy 3 times a day is an effective remedy to cure dysentery.

3. MENSTRUAL DISORDERS: -

Coriander powder with boiled rice water checks excessive bleeding during menses. Six grams of coriander seeds should be boiled in half a liter of water, till only half the water remains. Taking this in warm with sugar checks excessive bleeding.

4. MENTAL WEAKNESS: -

Boil 125 GMS of ground coriander seeds in 500 GMS of water till 125 GMS remains. Then mix 125 GMS of sugar with it till it gets thick. Taking this mixture regularly cures mental weakness.

5. HEADACHE: -

Juice of fresh coriander leaves, applied on the forehead cures headache.

6. SKIN DISORDERS: -

A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is an effective remedy for pimples, black heads and dry skin. This mixture should be applied to the face, after washing it thoroughly every night before retiring. The young plants of coriander are used in chutneys, sauces, curries and soups. The volatile dried coriander seeds are an important ingredient of curry powder and are also used the pickles, sauces, seasoning confectionery and for flavouring spirits, particularly gin. According to Hakeem Hashmi, outstanding unani physician, taking 100 GMS juice of fresh coriander leaves, daily is a great source of all vitamins. And also fresh coriander leaves, should be used in raw form as a flavouring agent, to prevent the loss of vitamins due to heating or boiling