Moringa is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. This genus comprises 13 species, all of which are trees that grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates. The taxon name moringa comes from the Tamil/Malayalam word murungakkAi. In Gujarati it is called Saragvo.

The most popular variety is Moringa oleifera, a multi-purpose tree originally from Kerala state of India, which is what is commonly referred when the name Moringa is used. This variety is cultivated throughout the tropics.

India's ancient tradition of ayurveda says the leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases. Modern science confirms the basic idea.

The leaves are rich in Iron and also various phyto-medicines that can prevent many viral infections. There are studies showing that it can prevent AIDS virus infection, and herpes virus, the best natural and alternative for costly medicines.

Click here to see the Names of Moringa in other world and Indian languages . In India the vegetable is called as drum-stick.

Click to read Recipes on Moringa  t and their nutrition .
Gram for gram, Moringa leaves contain:

Like the above message more Information about Moringa  is available.

More Resources about Moringa  is also found in this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqwk9KFLTI0&feature=share

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 “There is a saying in Kerala, `Chukkillatha kashayamilla’ (there is no concotion without `chukku’ or dry ginger). In almost all Ayurveda medicines, `chukku’ is a common ingredient because of its carminative and digestive properties. According to Ayurveda, indigestion in all levels of metabolism is the root cause of all diseases. So a daily intake of such an ingredient is good enough to keep sickness away,” says Dr. E. T. Neelakandhan Mooss of Vaidyaratnam Oushadashala, Thaikkattussery.

Dr. K. Sreedharan Nair, retired Professor, Shoranur Ayurvedic College and visiting physician, Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam, explains, “The `chukku’ has catalytic properties and hence it boosts the medicinal value of other ingredients. After a sumptuous meal, you find people serve `chukkuvellam,’ which helps digestion. In
Ayurveda, we often concentrate first on the stomach to see if the ailment has anything to do with improper digestion. If we suspect so, we advice the patient to starve for a couple of days and drink only medicated water so as to cleanse the stomach off its undigested food.”

However, not all types of medicated water suit everybody. It depends on the body constitution, seasonal variations and place of residence. Explaining in detail, Mr. Mooss says that generally the purpose of `chukkuvellam’ type of processed water is to increase appetite, digest foods, clear abdominal discomforts etc. Hence herbs with opposite qualities should not be consumed. For example, invitiation of `kapha’ and `vatha’ diseases, `chukku’ is good. `Jeeraka’ alleviates kapha and `vatha doshas,’ but vitiates `pitha dosha.’ `Pathimukham’ alleviates `kapha and pitha doshas.’” If one is selecting drinking water on the basis of Ayurvedic science, a lot
of things have to be taken into consideration, he adds. Every Vaidyan’s advice is that medicated water should be taken fresh, not more than a day old. Dr. Sreedharan Nair emphasises this should not even be stored overnight. Agrees Dr. Sunil Kumar, “The very meaning of medicated water is that it has to be boiled for at least five minutes, which most people seem to ignore. `Tulasi’ or pepper water is good for cold and throat infections. `Panakam’ water has ingredients like `ramachcham,’ `iriveli’ and sandalwood, which give a cooling effect to the body in summer.”

Chuku Malli drink (Coriander + Dry ginger)

Coriander Seeds - 100 gms
Sukku(dry ginger powder) - 25 gms

Slightly roast coriander seeds and add dry ginger fry for 2 mins in medium flame
Let it cool and powder them.

Prepare the decoction with 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of powdered jaggery or brown unrefined sugar  and 1 tps of prepared powder. Boil for minutes.

`Chukku’ magic
DR. NEELAKANDHAN MOOSS of Vaidyratnam Oushadashala, Thaikkattussery, explains some of the characteristics of `chukku’ (dried ginger), which is used in almost all medicinal preparations especially in decoctions. In Ayurveda, fresh ginger is known as `ardraka’ and dried ginger is known as `suntee.’ In a lot of contexts we can see
`chukku’ as one of the ingredients along with other ingredients. Some examples are :

a) Decoction of `mahabala’ root and `chukku’ checks malarial fever with rigor and burning sensation in two or three days (Ref: Bhavaprakasam)

b) Decoction of `chukku,’ added with honey, alleviates loss of appetite, dyspepsia and cough (Ref: Bhavaprakasam)

c) One should take water processed with `vacha,’ `athivisha,’ `mustha,’ `parpata,’ `hribera’ and `chukku’ for improving appetite and digestion (Ref: Charakam)

d) In case of toxicity, indigestion, piles and constipation one should use regularly `chukku,’ `pippali,’ `harithaki’ or `dadima’ (Ref: Vrinda Madhavam).

e) Decoction of `chukku’ stimulates digestive fire quickly and there is no need of other drugs for this purpose (Ref: Vrinda Madhavam).

f) Water processed with `kantakari,’ `chukku’ or `dhanyaka’ should be given as post meal drink. It acts as carminative and laxative (Ref: Charakam).

g) Taking a decoction of `chukku’ and `eranda’ root added with `hingu’ and `souvarchala’ gives relief from pain instantaneously.

h) Hot decoction of `chukku’ promotes digestion, alleviates cough, asthma, colic and heart diseases.

i) Boiled and cooled water processed with `bala’ or `prisniparni’ or `kautakari’ combined with `chukku’ should be drunk in all cases of alcoholism (Ref: Charakam).

Source:

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/08/11/stories/2003081100430100.htm

Trikatuku 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Trikatu&sort=date

When ever Flax Seed becomes a regular food item among the people, there will be better health - Mahatma Gandhi

   According to Ayurveda, the seeds are oily, hot, hard to digest, tonic, aphrodisiac and useful in treatment of biliousness, backache, inflammations, ulcers, urinary discharges, eye troubles, leprosy etc. Leaves cure asthma.

      According to Unani system of medicine, seeds are mucilaginous, diuretic, aphrodisiac, galactagogue, emmenagogue, and useful in treatment of cough and kidney troubles. Bark and leaves are good for gonorrhoea. Oil from seeds removes biliousness and impure blood. It is useful in loss of appetite, internal wounds and ring worm.

Here is about  Flax and thyroid.

Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit in the use of Flax for Systemic lupus erythematosus and Constipation.

Recipes - sources

Another good source - recipe

Cancer and flax

Sweet flax

Flax laddoo

Flax seed has been used for constipation. It has also been used for controling cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body. Separate doses of this product from other medicines by at least 1- 2 hours, since flax seed may interfere with drug absorption. Flax seed has been used at normal doses in pregnancy. Higher than normal doses are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Flaxseed is the most abundant food source of lignans, a family of phytochemicals that is drawing the interest of many health researchers.9 10 11 Lignans are not actually present in flaxseed; rather intestinal bacteria produce them from precursors in flaxseed. Lignans have antioxidant activity,14 and test tube and animal research suggests they may also have significant effects on the metabolism and function of the hormone estrogen.

Vegetarian sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are flax seed oil. Omega 3 rich diet is essential for life long good health including

• Retina development of foetus
• Sufficient ALA in mothers diet act as a precursor to DHA an essential
• component for brain development
• Mental development during infancy and childhood
• In teenagers reduces aggression and depression
• Middle years improves blood circulation, prevent heart diseases, cancer, lung diseases and osteoarthritis.
• Senior years prevent joint and inflammatory diseases and mental deterioration.

Caution:

       As with any source of fiber, flaxseed should not be taken if there is possibility that the intestines are obstructed. People with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) should consult a doctor before using flaxseed. Although a gradual introduction of fiber in the diet may improve bowel symptoms in some cases, there have been several reports of people with scleroderma developing severe constipation and even bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization after fiber supplementation.


Flaxseed may slow down the absorption of oral medications or other nutrients if taken at the same time; therefore, flaxseed should be ingested several hours before or after other medications

Flaxseeds is known as San, Alsi in Hindi, Gujarati, and Punjabi, Ali vidai in Tamil. Flaxseed is also known as Linseed, Atasi, and Jawas in Marathi, Tishi in Bengali, Pesi in Oriya, Agasi in Kannada, Avise ginzalu in Telugu, and Cheruchana vithu in Malayalam. Tamil Name: Alshi, Alsi


Common and popular names of Alsi (Linum usitatissimum) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries Names
1) Arabic Bazar-ul-katan, Bazr-ut-kattan, Kattan
2) Bengal Masina, Mosina, Musni, Tisi
3) Brazil Linho
4) Chinese Hou Ma
5) Danish Hoer
6) Dutch Vlas
7) Egypt Kittan
8) Finland Lin, Pellavan
9) English Common Flax, Flax, Linseed, Lint, Lyne
10) Formosa Hu-ma
11) French Lin,Lin chaud, Lin commun, Lin cultive
12) German Flachs, Lein, Haarlisen
13) Greek Linon
14) Gujarati Alshi, Alsi
15) Hebrew Bad
16) Hindi Alsi, Tisi
17) Kurdish Gosh
18) Italian Linon
19) Morweiah Lin
20) Persian Basarak Katun
21) Polish Len
22) Portuguese Lin haca, Linho
23) Russian Len, Lyon
24) Sanskrit Atasi, Chanka, Deri, Huimwati, Nilapushpi, Madagandha, Parvathi, Masruna
25) Spanish Linon
26) Tamil Alshi, Alsi
27) Telugu Atasi, Ullusulu
28) Turki Ziggar
29) Urdu Alasi
30) Uriya Pesu 

Recipes - source

There are a few things one needs to bear in mind while using flax seeds . (Flax oil, as such, is not easily available in India).

• Avoid eating flax seeds whole. They have the nasty habit of leaving your body in the same condition they came in ....
• Its best to lightly roast the seeds, either in a kadhai till they start crackling (similar to til or sesame seeds). Raw Flax seeds, contain a substance called cyanate, which can be harmful to the body in larger quantities.
• Ideally , one should grind the roasted flax seeds, This is easily done in a grinder. The recommended amount per day, is about 1-2 tablespoons.
• People who suffer from constipation, may find these a useful change. Conversely, those whose intestines go into peristalsis at the slightest excitement, may find that they need to take a lesser daily quantity. (In case you are wonderingwhat I am saying, it means that overindulgence in these may cause increased trips to the toilet).
• A decent combination, just learnt from the lady who helps me at home : FLAX SEED chutney !

  --Grind together 250 gms roasted flax seeds, a big palmful of dried red chillies, and 1-2 whole garlic (the whole thing). Add salt to taste. Enjoy on toast, curd rice, boiled veggies, dal-rice , what else....... (On second thoughts, this is like manna from heaven for cardiac types....flax, garlic, capsaicin......no frying, )

  ---For those who are anti-garlic, a ground mixture of dried kadhipatta leaves, flax seeds and dried red chillies is also very tasty.

  --- Make a delcious mixture of juice of a few lemons, salt, red chilly powder, fenugreek powder(methi), haldi (turmeric), and add in ground flax seeds chutney, or just plain ground seeds. This makes a delicious sandwhich spread.

I found out what flax was in Marathi (my mother tongue) and then had an enlightening discussion with the lady who sometimes comes to help me with my daily housework. She saw the flax seeds that I had brought and told me that right from her childhood in the plains of Maharashtra, it was always routine for houses to have earthen pots in which this flax seeds chutney was stored, for eating along with jowar bhakri . It was like people in the west store their fruit preserves and stuff.

Turns out that flax seed has been used for a very long time here in India.

Effects of Fenugreek Seed on the Severity and Systemic Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea

Fenugreek a multipurpose crop

Ameliorative properties of Iranian Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds and Punica granatum L. peel extracts in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic guinea pigs

Different types in Iran

 Blocks of fat in the blood capillary

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=fenugreek+atherosclerosis

Courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenugreek