Healing Foods/plants

Hedychium rubrum

Common name: Red Ginger Lily
Botanical name: Hedychium rubrum

Family: Zingiberaceae   (ginger family)

Genus: Hedychium

Red Ginger Lily is a very uncommon ginger with beautiful bright red flowers. Red Ginger Lily is closely related to Hedychium greenii and has similar shaped flowers. Hedychium rubrum has a long spike with red bracts. It has many more flowers per stem than H. greenii and it is also a fertile species.

Hedychium rubrum is a rare red species which is endemic (native) to the North Eastern region of India. It is a short plant reaching up to 4ft with reddish stem and green, lanceolate, glabrous leaves and bright red orbicular flowers.The underside of the leave is reddish in clour. It has many flowers per stem. It lacks aroma and is a potential ornamental plant due to its flower having a long spike with red bracts, which alone makes it attractive. It has folkloric medicinal uses.

Medicinal uses–

All parts of the plant are effective. It is effective in lowering High Blood Pressure and lowering elevated Blood Sugar (Diabetes Type 2).

Rhizome (Root)- cut a half thumb size rhizome. Cut it into four or six pieces. Eat one raw piece in the morning and evening after food. Continue for 2 or 3 days.

Caution:

1. If you consumed too big (too much) of the rhizome, the blood Pressure and blood glucose will go way down the normal level and may cause Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) and Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose), which is not desirable.
2. Hedychium should not be taken while you are consuming either High blood pressure or/and anti diabetic drugs.
3. If you are feeling weak or hungry, do not take Hedychium.

BROCCOLI 

Broccoli is loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The antioxidant prevent damage from free radicals. Broccoli recharge your immune system and is a useful ally in preventing diabetes and complications like cardiovascular disease. It contains:-

Vitamin C in broccoli protects against free radical damage. One cup of broccoli delivers about 116 milligrams of this powerful antioxidant, almost twice the minimum recommended daily amount (RDA) for adults. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, even in small amounts, vitamin C can protect against the damage done by free radicals and oxidative stress that results from exposure to pollution, toxins and an unhealthy diet. The chronic inflammation associated with oxidative stress can lead directly to diabetes, cardiovascular disease or stroke. Vitamin C might also help regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E.

One cup of broccoli is loaded with 123 mg of vitamin C (twice the minimum daily requirement), which creates and protects cartilage. Studies show that people who are low in vitamin C may be at increased risk for arthritis because it is a necessary nutrient for healthy collagen, a vital component of cartilage. Broccoli keeps cartilage healthy. Vitamin C is also effective in healing arthritis because, as an antioxidant, it is a front-line defense against free radical damage to joints. It also facilitates the absorption of bone-strengthening calcium.

Chromium in broccoli helps lower your blood sugar. Broccoli is a great source of the trace mineral chromium, used to manufacture the glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which helps break down blood sugar. The chromium in broccoli helps lower blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, which greatly reduces the  risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chromium helps in the metabolism of glucose by re-sensitizing the insulin receptors on the surface of every cell. 

Refined carbohydrates, like white sugar and white flour are deficient in chromium deficient. Therefore, persons eating a lot of refined white flour (Maida) and refined sugar are not only deficient in chromium but also their body becomes depleted of Chromium.

Fiber in broccoli helps reduce bad cholesterol. Broccoli is full of dietary fiber. Foods that are high in fiber reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by mediating blood sugar levels in the body, thereby cutting your risk of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The high-fiber containing broccoli also support weight loss, which helps to lower insulin resistance. The less resistant the cells become to insulin, the more the insulin can do its job by opening the doosr of the cells so glucose can enter into the body’s cells.

Beta-carotene in broccoli protects your eyes. Broccoli is  very rich in beta-carotene,. The body uses beta-carotene to make Vitamin A. Vitamin A is another powerful antioxidant that is necessary for healthy eyes. Developing vision problems (retinopathy) is a major issue in diabetic patients.

Choose broccoli plants with closely packed heads and dark-colored stalks. It indicates high beta-carotene content. Eat the stems and leave too. The stems are sweet and mildly flavored and are much higher in fiber than the broccoli florets. The leaves are the richest source of beta-carotene.

Sulforaphane in Broccoli eases inflammation. Diabetes is also a type of inflammatory disease. The naturally-occurring sulfur compound called sulforaphane prevents joint pain. Plus, the beneficial effects last longer. Johns Hopkins researchers studying COX-2 drugs found that compounds in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli can stop pain before it starts.

Salicylic Acid (SA) in broccoli relieves arthritis pain. It reduces joint inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandin hormones, which cause joint swelling and tenderness. A study published in the British medical journal Lancet noted that getting salicylic acid from food provides the same anti-inflammatory benefits as aspirin with absolutely none of the bleeding problems (side effect of Aspirin). They also found that vegetarians have higher levels of salicylic acid in their bloodstreams than non-vegetarians, sometimes equal to the amount in a daily aspirin. Broccoli, peppers and spinach are all top in SA.

Selenium in Broccoli fights arthritis and cancer. Researchers tracking more than 900 people found those with low selenium levels in their blood had a 200% risk of developing severe arthritis. Selenium strengthens cartilage because it fights free radicals. The selenium most usable by the body is called selenium methyl selenocysteine–and the food richest in this compound is broccoli followed by garlic.

Broccoli’s healing power.

Cut Broccoli florets into small pieces and let them sit for 5 to 6 minutes before cooking. This enhances their healing properties because it breaks up the cells and activates beneficial enzymes. This effect is further enhanced by ascorbic acid (vitamin C), so sprinkle sliced broccoli with a little lemon juice for added healing benefit. Once broccoli is heated, however, the enzymes will become inactivate, so slicing broccoli first will enable the enzyme to convert some of the valuable sulfur compounds before cooking.

Do not overcook broccoli.

Preserve broccoli’s diabetes healing power by eating it raw, lightly steamed or sautéed. Overcooking destroys its nutrients.

N.B: Consume Green Coffee Extract to get SLIM without dieting or Exercising !