Peppermint Chrysanthemum Infusion for wind-heat flu

Few hours more to say goodbye 2009 and looking forward to welcome New Year 2010. I know I haven't update this blog since earlier this month. Been busy and it's a bit of less productive for this blog. As always, a simple herbal infusion to prevent of influenza and wind-heat type of flu.

In folk remedies, the peppermint is the "world's oldest medicine" and is not only for the oral cavity coolant, but also has calming effect for stomach ache, stomach inflation and the diarrhea. Commonly used in treating colds and flu.

The Scientist recommend to take peppermint tea puts in boiling water as herbal infusion, simmer for about 15 minutes, and drink before the volatile oil (the active component in aromatic plant is an effective decongestant and expectorant) evaporate. This is an auxiliary treats to stomach uncomfortable more effectively. Also help in reducing of intestinal gas.

The peppermint, or menthe, pungent in taste and the nature is cool, and acts in lungs and liver meridians. It includes the peppermint essence and the tannic acid, Vitamin B, potassium and calcium and so on, for its medicinal benefits peppermint can induce perspiration and bring down a fever as well as antiseptic properties or sterilize. It may govern catches cold and prevent of influenza, ease the headache and bronchitis, good for the stomach.

Peppermint tea is good for treating sore throat, stuffy nose, respiratory tract ill, anxious, dyspepsia. The scent of peppermint oil may curb appetite for those intend to reduce food cravings.








Usually peppermint can be taken solely as herb infusion, when combined with dried chrysanthemum is good for common cold and swollen sore throat, and for the prevention of wind-heat type of influenza, which help in relieve heat symptoms, to expels pathogenic heat and relieves coughs, dryness in the throat or dry cough.

Traditionally, the dried chrysanthemum is to use for expel pathogenic wind-heat, to reduce hyperactivity of liver yang, like treating colds, headaches and inflamed eyes.

The chemical compound of volatile oil, usually found in aromatic plant like fresh peppermint is used as a flavoring agent, and as a gastric stimulant and carminative. And the essential oil of chrysanthemum "Ju Hua" are borneo, camphor and chrysanthenone, it should be taken at the suggested therapeutic dose, with a large dose, it may lead to diarrhea or digestive system disorders. As in TCM this combination of infusion is cooling properties for expelling of lungs and liver heat.



Peppermint and Dried Chrysanthemum is best to serve as infusion and avoid boiling for too long:



Steep from 5-15 min.
should be taken about the dosage of 6oz, 3 times daily.

Note: Serve with or without rock sugar








Although the peppermint tea is good, but everybody is by no means suitable. The experiment indicated that the peppermint for pregnant women and breast feeding woman should avoid taking it. The peppermint may also reduce parturition of woman's milk quantity, therefore the breast-feeding women, also for those with excessive or spontaneous sweating is not suitable.

Enjoy your herbal tea....HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

Black Soybean Porridge ~ Strengthen Kidney Yin Deficiency

Another ancient secret recipe of my granny’s alternative healing with food therapy by using of black soybean, red dates, rice and ginger to relieve tinnitus or vertigo. This wholesome food is a very simple preparation to daily diet and yet it is a delicious porridge and soup. It can be taken as sweet dessert soup by adding rock sugar or as salty porridge by adding soy sauce.


Home Remedy for treating ear fluid imbalanced especially "kidney Yin deficiency" problem.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz of black beans,
• 3 oz of rice,
• 4 slices of Ginger (peel)
• 10 Red Dates (Optional)
• 8 bowls of water

Note/Optional:
If you wish to make it as soup, add extra water to 10 bowls of water.






Method:
1. Wash Black soybean and rice then drain dry ready for use.

2. Fried black soybean and rice separately (without oil or water) for about 5 minutes.






























3, Add in black soybeans, rice, red dates and ginger slices to boiling water.










4. Reduce the flame to low heat, and boil on simmering fire till water till quantity reduced to 1 bowl.

5. Remove from heat, drink the water only. (For Ear problem)


6. For strengthen Kidney, cook for 40 minutes, then eat the porridge, red dates and black soybean.

(Can also add rock sugar to serve as sweet dessert soup, or add salt or soy sauce as porridge).

* Spice of the ginger is important to this recipe, it is an effective herbal remedy for treating dizziness, or vertigo is present. Taking this soup or porridge by regular basic will help in improving the ear problems and kidney Yin deficiency.


This gentle and natural home remedy is quite good for Kidney “Yin deficiency” as kidney strengthening foods to invigorate by tonifies the deficient Yin of kidney function.


In alternative home remedies, we can either get it from food or other activities.

Black soybean is good source of “Yin” nourishing foods for kidney. Black is for “water” and “Kidney” is lies in the element of "water" too.

This simple recipe which help in support and normalize the body and kidney energy and help to reduce of toxic heat, control “water metabolism” preventing of water retention, this is what involves the proper diet and nourishment of the ears is what affected by the kidney system in functioning.

As weaken in kidney energy can causes poor hearing or other sickness conditions, e.g meniere's disease (imbalance of ear fluid), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), Symptoms and signs of Kidney Yin Deficiency to ear problems: Dizziness, feeling fullness and ringing in the ear, migraine or slowly hearing is the sign of tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

Tinnitus and Meniere's Disease (imbalance of ear fluid) is an influence hearing and balanced inner ear disease, which is one kind of internal ear pathological change causes, and initiation endolymph (the fluid contained inside the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear) back-flow is blocked or the absorbing barrier. Some of the causes is unknown, some factor cause maybe due to family history, ear infection an head injury as in modern science medical diagnosis.

In meridian channel the kidney is the most important reservoir of essential energy and storing the “Jing” or essence. The Kidney is the root of "Fire" and "water".

Kidney Yang is to ensure the fire of each organ is not drowned out, it goes to the lungs and supervises the discharge of excess water by the bladder. They "open into the inner ear". The Kidney and ear in meridian channel and its physical branches is interconnected are emerge parallel function. It said “the kidney in meridian channel is open into the ears”. As when the channel collapse, influences of passage for water or fluid to flow through. But not all ear problems or disorders are related to the kidney.

When the kidney system imbalanced of "Yin and Yang" deficiency it manifest as soreness and weak. Example like deficient Yin with liver fire causing heat symptoms like "ringing in the ear" or Tinnitus.

Manifestation and root cause of kidney in channel Qi, governing water metabolism, pathway of Qi flow is deficiency and kidney Qi failing to control respiring Qi. As our body Qi is constantly ascending, descending, entering and leaving, when Qi is gathers or disperses, the qi flow within the pathways occurs several times in a day in active period. It influences our body Qi energy functioning is form or collapse.These imbalances of kidney system in functioning “Yin and Yang” deficiency may cause several signs and symptoms like night sweat, cold limbs, edema, water retention, weaken and pain of back and knee, insomnia, poor libido, fertility problem, poor appetite, constipation, chronic fatigue as well as ear problems e.g Meniere’s syndrome, vertigo and tinnitus.

Stimulation by gently massage the ear auricle with pressure point to reflex zones, or lightly closing the ear with light pressure also helping in conserves the kidney Qi energy and stimulates the ears. The warmth stimulates and circulation reinforces the flow of lymph, increase the flow smoothly.

Black Soybean Porridge ~ Strengthen Kidney Yin Deficiency

Another ancient secret recipe of my granny’s alternative healing with food therapy by using of black soybean, red dates, rice and ginger to relieve tinnitus or vertigo. This wholesome food is a very simple preparation to daily diet and yet it is a delicious porridge and soup. It can be taken as sweet dessert soup by adding rock sugar or as salty porridge by adding soy sauce.


Home Remedy for treating ear fluid imbalanced especially "kidney Yin deficiency" problem.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz of black beans,
• 3 oz of rice,
• 4 slices of Ginger (peel)
• 10 Red Dates (Optional)
• 8 bowls of water

Note/Optional:
If you wish to make it as soup, add extra water to 10 bowls of water.






Method:
1. Wash Black soybean and rice then drain dry ready for use.

2. Fried black soybean and rice separately (without oil or water) for about 5 minutes.






























3, Add in black soybeans, rice, red dates and ginger slices to boiling water.










4. Reduce the flame to low heat, and boil on simmering fire till water till quantity reduced to 1 bowl.

5. Remove from heat, drink the water only. (For Ear problem)


6. For strengthen Kidney, cook for 40 minutes, then eat the porridge, red dates and black soybean.

(Can also add rock sugar to serve as sweet dessert soup, or add salt or soy sauce as porridge).

* Spice of the ginger is important to this recipe, it is an effective herbal remedy for treating dizziness, or vertigo is present. Taking this soup or porridge by regular basic will help in improving the ear problems and kidney Yin deficiency.


This gentle and natural home remedy is quite good for Kidney “Yin deficiency” as kidney strengthening foods to invigorate by tonifies the deficient Yin of kidney function.


In alternative home remedies, we can either get it from food or other activities.

Black soybean is good source of “Yin” nourishing foods for kidney. Black is for “water” and “Kidney” is lies in the element of "water" too.

This simple recipe which help in support and normalize the body and kidney energy and help to reduce of toxic heat, control “water metabolism” preventing of water retention, this is what involves the proper diet and nourishment of the ears is what affected by the kidney system in functioning.

As weaken in kidney energy can causes poor hearing or other sickness conditions, e.g meniere's disease (imbalance of ear fluid), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), Symptoms and signs of Kidney Yin Deficiency to ear problems: Dizziness, feeling fullness and ringing in the ear, migraine or slowly hearing is the sign of tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

Tinnitus and Meniere's Disease (imbalance of ear fluid) is an influence hearing and disorder of balanced inner ear disease, which is one kind of internal ear pathological change causes, and initiation endolymph (the fluid contained inside the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear) back-flow is blocked or the absorbing barrier. Some of the causes is unknown, some factor cause maybe due to family history, ear infection an head injury as in modern science medical diagnosis.

In meridian channel the kidney is the most important reservoir of essential energy and storing the “Jing” or essence. The Kidney is the root of "Fire" and "water".

Kidney Yang is to ensure the fire of each organ is not drowned out, it goes to the lungs and supervises the discharge of excess water by the bladder. They "open into the inner ear". The Kidney and ear in meridian channel and its physical branches is interconnected are emerge parallel function. It said “the kidney in meridian channel is open into the ears”. As when the channel collapse, influences of passage for water or fluid to flow through. But not all ear problems or disorders are related to the kidney.

When the kidney system imbalanced of "Yin and Yang" deficiency it manifest as soreness and weak. Example like deficient Yin with liver fire causing heat symptoms like "ringing in the ear" or Tinnitus.

Manifestation and root cause of kidney in channel Qi, governing water metabolism, pathway of Qi flow is deficiency and kidney Qi failing to control respiring Qi. As our body Qi is constantly ascending, descending, entering and leaving, when Qi is gathers or disperses, the qi flow within the pathways occurs several times in a day in active period. It influences our body Qi energy functioning is form or collapse.These imbalances of kidney system in functioning “Yin and Yang” deficiency may cause several signs and symptoms like night sweat, cold limbs, edema, water retention, weaken and pain of back and knee, insomnia, poor libido, fertility problem, poor appetite, constipation, chronic fatigue as well as ear problems e.g Meniere’s syndrome, vertigo and tinnitus.

Stimulation by gently massage the ear auricle with pressure point to reflex zones, or lightly closing the ear with light pressure also helping in conserves the kidney Qi energy and stimulates the ears. The warmth stimulates and circulation reinforces the flow of lymph, increase the flow smoothly.

Sea Bird Nest Roselle Salad & Jelly ~ Colon Detox

In the nutritionist studies pointed out that Roselle (Roselle Hibiscus Sabdariffa) including of rich Anthocyanidin that is one kind of flavonoid (called as Vitamin P) that is any of a large group of phyto-nutrients that are water-souble red pigments, considered to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also called Bioflovonoid, which has the strong oxidation resistance function, the right amount is edible to improve blood capillary’s tenacity, it can slow down the Angiosclerosis (hardening of the walls of blood vessels) and prevention cardiovascular illness, also anticancer treatment. It strengthens the nerve ending trans-location and improve blood circulation gives the brilliance and ruddiness complexion to human skin as good source of natural skincare to women.

Today something good to try by using Roselle Hibiscus Sabdariffa + Eucheuma Seaweed (Sea Bird Nest or San Huo Cao) in combination for colon and skin health.



Although the Roselle is considered as healthy stuff to our human body but due to its nature is cold. Therefore for “Yin” deficiency people is not suitable to take it excessively. Excessive consumption may also caused bothersome thirsty. Try in moderation for everything even it claims to be good.


Simply for the tasty and healthy conscious reason, to improve the skin texture and complexion, use of main ingredients by taking raw Eucheuma Seaweed, to combine with Roselle makes delicious and healthy salad, or making into dessert by adding basil seeds, also named as Tukmaria Seed or Kiwi Seed. This is one of the best to ease the constipation problem, gives your colon detoxify once a while, make you feel more energetic and having radiance complexion is quite easy.

The benefits of Tukmaria or Basil Seed

• Tukmaria or Basil seed in traditional medicinal used for autoimmune disorder, treatment of constipation, ingestion or bloating feeling and heartburn.

• It is a good cleanser to colon and removes all the toxin from human body. It has antibiotic effect to eliminating bacteria from the colon and is a good blood purifier.





Roselle Kiwi Seed with Sea Bird Nest (Eucheuma Seaweed or San Huo Cao)


Ingredients:

• 1 bowl of Eucheuma Seaweed (Sea Bird Nest)
• 1 bowl of Fresh Roselle Hibiscus calyces
• 2 Rock sugar
• 1 tbsp. of Wolfberries
• 2 tbsp. of Basil Seed (tukmaria Seed)
• 1000ml of water

*(serve 6 containers)







Preparation:

1. Blend Eucheuma Seaweed (San Huo cao or sea bird nest) in creamy form.

2. Set aside and ready to use.

3. Soak Basil Seed in a glass of water for 10 minutes or till spongy like and grey coating jelly like surrounded each seed. Drain water away and set aside.


Method:

1. Peel Roselle calyces and remove the seeds. Wash thoroughly.

2. Bring water to boil and add in Roselle calyces to cook for 15 mins.

3. Use strainer to remove the Roselle Calyces and keep the water only.

4. Do not throw away the cooked Roselle Calyces; use it for making homemade Roselle Jams.

5. Use the Roselle water to cook the wolfberries and rock sugar.

6. Add in Blended Eucheuma Seaweed (San Huo cao) to cook till dissolve with low heat.


7. Remove from heat and add in soaked Basil Seed and stir well.

8. Pour into the Jelly mould or container with lid. Let is set and keep in refrigerator and serve cold.

9. The taste of sweet sour healthy dessert. Enjoy it.























This recipe is good for serious constipation people, reduce of body heat, skin problems and improve skin texture and elasticity, lower cholesterol, and ingestion disorder and for detoxify.

Most important, this is good for digestion to take it after heavy meal.







Eucheuma Seaweed or Sea Bird Nest Benefits:

• For Eucheuma Seaweed health benefits please refer to here.




I found Eucheuma Seaweed ~ San Huo Cao also we called it Sea Bird Nest is a wonderful detoxify stuff. As we know something from the sea naturally like Eucheuma Seaweed can improve the stomach and colon problems. Especially to those with constipation and poor digestion that may also causes skin problem e.g acne, pimples, pigmentation and brown spots to our skin.

It is especially good for skin, as vegetarian diet and daily fiber diet intake. It grows naturally and contains no artificial fertilizer or chemical. With contain necessary amino acids, non caloric, super low-fat and multi-fibre functions, contents of soluble fibre are very high and the active substances, its polar soluble fibre will adjust insulin to keep blood sugar’s balance and prevent from the diabetes caused by hyperglycemia. It also eliminates free radical efficiently for detoxify body organs and activate cell tissues for metabolism and anti-aging.

Instead of buying expensive bird nest, use Eucheuma seaweed to cook or serve as salad for beauty skin and mainly it keeps us in good health too. It is simply delicious.


Sea Bird Nest Roselle Detox Salad


Ingredients:

Raw Ingredients A:

• 1 Cucumber
• 1 bowl of Roselle Calyces
• 1 Bowl of Eucheuma Seaweed (Sea Bird Nest)
• 1 small bowl of cooked Corn
• 3 - 4 Shallots (chopped)

Seasoning Ingredients B:

• 1 tbsp. of salt
• 2 tbsp. of sugar
• 2 tbsp. of Soy sauce
• Lime Honey Vinegar (homemade Enzyme) 1/2 bowl
• 1/2 of Lemon (Squeeze Juice)

Preparation:

1. Soak and Wash Eucheuma Seaweed (Sea Bird Nest) thoroughly, keep changing water several times daily and soak for at least 3 days.

2. Peel and wash Roselle Calyces, remove the seed. Wash thoroughly and soak with salt water for 15 mins. Then drain the water and Set aside.

3. Cut cucumber into thin slices. Soak in salt water for 15 mins. Drain dry and set aside.

4. Chop shallots into smaller slices.


Method:

1. Pour all the Raw ingredients A into salad bowl.
2. Add in seasoning ingredients B and mixed well.
3. Done and keep in refrigerator and serve cold.




Let's have a refreshing cleanse and detoxifies with Roselle and Eucheuma Seaweed Enzyme Vinegar Salad. Keep your colon in healthy condition always to prevent colon illnesses.

Roselle ~ Luo Shen Hua Beverage and Jams

In Southeast Asia countries, the Roselle (Roselle Hibiscus Sabdariffa) named in Chinese known as 洛神花 (Luo Shen Hua) is regarded as medicinal plant use as herbal infusion. It is very common in making delicious and healthy soup, Jelly, sweet pickle and homemade Jams.




In recent years the Chinese medicine researches that it had the anti-hypertension besides the preliminary confirmation Roselle is widely used, in folk medicine it has associated with traditional medicine as:

• Blood purifier as well as a diuretic, treat urinary tract infection,
• To improve of constipation as it has mild laxative,
• Can also reduce the blood fat and blood triglyceride effectively,
• For several diseases such as hypertension and improve blood circulation,
  
• Help digestion and improve digestive tract absorption,
• Anti-aging by suppress free radical activity
• Treat cardiac and nerve diseases and cancer.
• Treat the liver disease, regarding suppressed cancer,
• Adjust the feminine physiological menstrual cycle,
• In cosmetology maintenance used as skincare
• Healthy beverage and herbal tea with good effect for weight loss
• Whets the appetite, cooling and relieves thirst effect.

Roselle (Luo Shen Hua) is rich in vitamin C and its calyces are made into healthy food and beverage, the red pigment of Roselle which contain of crystalline anthocyanins, hibicin as well as protocatechuic acid. The Roselle extract contains the oxidation inhibitor ingredients and the Polyhenols has oxidation resistance in majority by suppress low density lipoprotein to prevent oxidation in our body.


Commonly the fruit is taking fresh, decore them, and then dry the Roselle calyces used as beverage and herbs tea. It can also process into sweet pickle, salad and fruit jams.

Now it has also commonly used to make into enzyme or vinegar as healthy drink in Asia. Frequently drinking the Roselle herbs tea or beverage may achieve the health care effect.


Roselle herbs tea or beverage

Preparation:

• Peel Roselle Calyces and remove the seeds. Wash thoroughly.

Ingredients:

• Roselle Calyces – 2 bowl
• Rock sugar (depends on individual taste)
• 500 ml of water

Simply cook the Roselle Calyces with water and add in rock sugar to taste.











The health benefits of taking Roselle as drink or herbs tea, its reduce high blood pressure by lowering the high levels of LDL cholesterol to protect and against heart disease.

The recommended dosage about 10 grams in the dried flower tea form once or twice a day.


Healthy homemade Roselle Jams

Usually after cooking of Roselle extract, I used the cooked Roselle Calyces to do homemade healthy jams. Simple as that and do not waste good thing.



Ingredients:

• Cooked Roselle Calyces - 1 bowl
• 1/2 cup of Roselle extract
• Honey 1 tbsp.
• Maltose 2 tbsp.
• Brown sugar 1 tbsp.
• Lime Juice 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Blend cooked Roselle Calyces into creamy form.
2. Squeeze lime juice and set aside.


Method:

1. Add Roselle extract and blended Roselle Calyces in pot and cook with low heat for 15 mins.

2. Add in honey, maltose and lime juice. Stir and mixed well and continue cooking till dry into jams form.

3. Remove from heat. Keep aside and till cool. Place them into the Jam container and keep in fridge.

Done and enjoy it!


to be continued...