Bidara (Ziziphus mauritiana)

 

Bidara leaves contain lots of antioxidants. The content is able to fight free radical attacks that cause disease. In fact, the antioxidants in bidara leaves can prevent the growth of cancer cells. However, more research is still needed to really confirm these benefits. Not only against free radical attacks, there are still many benefits of bidara that are useful for the health of your body.

Maintain healthy skin

There are several benefits of bidara leaves for the face that you can get. Starting from treating eczema, acne, or other conditions that make the skin inflamed. Apart from using it directly, you can also consume these natural ingredients.

By consuming bidara leaves regularly, the appearance of signs of aging, such as wrinkles, can be disguised and skin elasticity is maintained. Not only that, the wounds on your skin can also heal faster with bidara leaves.

Strengthens bones

The next benefit of bidara leaves is to strengthen your bones. Bidara leaves contain a lot of calcium, phosphorus, and iron which the bones need to stay strong.

Try to consume bidara leaves regularly so that the bones are not easily porous in old age.

Lower blood pressure

If you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, try to consume bidara leaves. Bidara leaves have a lot of potassium and vitamin B complex which can lower your blood pressure to normal limits.

Increase energy

Bidara leaves can increase energy. In addition to increasing energy, the content in bidara leaves can reduce fatigue because it works on the nervous system effectively.

Cleans blood vessels

Bidara leaves effectively clean your blood vessels. The benefits of bidara leaves come from the alkaloid and saponin content. This type of antioxidant is able to clean toxins that accumulate in blood vessels.

This means that the risk of plaque formation that can block blood flow can be prevented. That way, your body will avoid various types of diseases because blood vessels can work more optimally.

Lose weight

If you want to lose weight, don't forget to include bidara leaves in your healthy diet menu. Bidara leaves contain lots of protein and fiber and few calories so they can keep you full longer.

Reduces stress

Apart from doing hobbies and relaxation activities, stress can also be controlled by consuming bidara leaves. You can get the benefits of bidara leaves when you use it in the form of oil.

The aroma that comes out will relax the body and mind so that stress hormones can drop.

Peppermint

 

You can find mint or peppermint leaves in a variety of servings. Starting from drinks, cooking mixes, to essential oils. Despite their small size, the benefits of mint leaves need not be doubted because they contain nutrients that are good for the body. What are the benefits?

 

1. Relieves headaches

A 2016 study by Heinze and other Berlin researchers showed that using mint leaf essential oil is as effective as acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol in relieving tension headaches.

The benefits of mint leaf essential oil can be used as a therapy for treating acute headaches in adults and children over 6 years.

2. Overcoming bad breath

There's a reason chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, or mouth freshener use mint leaves as the main ingredient. Apparently, mint leaves have properties in eliminating bad breath (halistosis). So, using a mint-based product can get rid of bad breath for a few hours.

The fragrance of these leaves can indeed cover up bad breath. However, these leaves cannot reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath. Apart from using products containing peppermint, you can chew mint leaves raw or make a tea stew from these leaves.

3. Relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

During menstruation, many women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual syndrome. PMS, one of which is stomach cramps. This condition occurs because the muscles around the uterus are contracting. If you are one of those who experience this condition, you can take advantage of mint leaves.

4. Improve function and brain health

This essential oil can improve concentration, sharpen memory, and increase the speed at which the brain's tasks are processed in the person who inhales it.

Researchers explained that of the 3 tasks assigned to the brain, two of them had a high concentration level in the presence of essential oil from mint leaves.

In addition, the essential oil properties of mint leaves which are also healthy for the brain is to help relieve stress and anxiety.

5. Helps sleep better

As explained earlier, essential oil from mint leaves can relieve anxiety and stress. Well, this property also has an impact on the quality of sleep in people who are stressed or have anxiety disorders.

People with this condition often experience insomnia. They sometimes have trouble getting to sleep, continue to wake up at night, or wake up very early and can't continue sleeping again. With the benefits of mint leaves, chances are they can sleep well. There may also be benefits by drinking this tea before bed.

Healthy tips for consuming mint leaves

 

You can get the benefits of mint leaves by consuming the leaves directly or using the oil extract.

In choosing which mint leaves are good and suitable for consumption, choose leaves that have a bright green surface and are not stained. To last longer, store mint leaves in a plastic bag or plastic container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Basically, you can also cultivate or grow your own mint at home. Mint is a plant that does not need a large area or pot. Plant mint seeds in small pots, place them in the kitchen window where there is sunlight.

Water it diligently, within a few weeks the mint is ready to pick and use. Planting mint in your home environment can also help repel ants and flies, as these animals tend to dislike mint's scent.

Like many other herbs, mint leaves can also have side effects on the body. Using too much peppermint essential oil can be toxic.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

 

 

 

Lemon balm is a herbal plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family and has the Latin name Melissa officinalis. Lemon balm is a plant originating from the European and Mediterranean regions which is then widely cultivated in European regions.

Lemon balm was first introduced in the 7th century in Spain which was eventually used massively by all European communities as a herbal medicine in curing several diseases. Lemon balm was later introduced to America during wartime.

Lemon Balm Benefits For Health

Lemon balm with its nutritional content and compounds can provide considerable health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of lemon balm for body health:

1. Anti-inflammatory

Lemon balm is known to have anti-inflammatory properties in the body. This is because lemon balm has several compounds that can heal inflammation and also relieve pain in the body.

Anti-inflammatory compounds found in lemon bal, among others, rosmarinic acid, phosphorus and linalool. These three compounds have different roles in overcoming inflammation in the body.

One example is rosmarinic acid which can inhibit the sending of pain signals by the spinal cord to the brain which can ultimately relieve pain feelings in inflammation. In addition, phosphorus compounds also play a role in relaxing the nerves and muscles in the body, which makes inflammation heal faster

2. Overcoming Insomnia

Lemon balm can also be used to treat insomnia in the body. This is because lemon balm has a citrus scent that can calm the nerve cells and smooth muscle found in the brain so that a person can relax and sleep easily.

In addition, lemon balm that is consumed or processed into tea and then drunk will provide good properties to prevent insomnia, namely by holding the brain from releasing hormones that can affect a person's emotions, so sleep easier and less agitated.

3. Prevent Cancer

One of the other benefits of lemon balm is that it can prevent cancer in the body. This is because lemon balm leaves contain compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, limonene, alkaloids and terpinenes.

These compounds have different roles in preventing cancer in the body. One example of the role of these compounds, namely compounds such as terpinenes and alkaloids is known to damage cancer cells because of their cytotoxic properties.

In addition, flavonoids, phenolic and limonene are compounds that have a role in preventing the process of proliferation in cancer cells, so that cancer cells cannot develop and spread throughout the body's tissues.

4. Reducing Cholesterol Levels

Lemon balm leaves can also be used to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body. This is because in lemon balm leaves there are several compounds, such as flavonoids, potassium, sterols, citronellol and several other compounds that can destroy bad cholesterol.

The compounds that have been mentioned above, have quite a complex role for the body, one of which is flavonoid compounds which are compounds that can dissolve in fat and make fat can be removed from the body.

In addition, potassium and sterols can destroy cholesterol that sticks to the walls of blood vessels which can block blood flow

5. Increase the Immune System

Lemon balm can also be used as an immune booster or to increase the immune system in the body. This is because the lemon balm leaves contain citronellol compounds which give lemon balm a slightly sour taste.

It is this citronellol compound that plays a role in increasing the responsiveness of the immune system to foreign pantogens that enter the body to increase, so that the body can overcome the disease earlier.

Lemon Balm Side Effects On Health

Although lemon balm is known to have quite a number of benefits, lemon balm can also cause side effects on the body. Here are some of the side effects of lemon balm on health:

1. Causes of Kidney Stones

Consuming too much lemon balm leaves continuously can cause side effects of kidney stones on the body. This is because in the lemon balm leaves there is a high content of oxalic acid compounds.

High levels of oxalic acid, if consumed continuously, can cause bonds with other compounds to form solid compounds that cannot be dissolved and cannot be digested by the body. As a result, these compounds will settle in the kidneys and result in the appearance of kidney stone disease

2. Anti Nutrition

Lemon balm leaves can also cause anti-nutritional side effects in the body if consumed in excess. This is because there are compounds such as acid oksalat and tannins which can result in binding to other compounds.

Compounds that have bound to oxalic acid and tannins in the body cannot be reused for nutritional fulfillment in the body. This is what can cause the body to experience nutritional deficiencies