The Phenomenal Pandan

Cancer, Heart, Kidneys, Others
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Malaysian cuisine is very often flavoured with a tint of the aromatic Pandan (Screw Pine). Lately the Pandan is gaining international attention both as a gastronomic flavour and as a super plant with many health benefits such as:

  • Lowers High Blood Pressure
  • Detoxifies Liver And Body
  • Controls Blood Sugar Levels
  • Natural Mosquito and Cockroach Repellent
  • Mild Laxative for Children
  • Contains Nourishing Essential Oils
  • Reduce Fevers
  • Reduce Cramps
  • Pain relief
  • Relieves stress, anxiety and insomnia
  • Relieves gout and arthritis
  • Anti-carcinogenic properties

Here’s how to make some refreshing healthy Pandan tea.

dav

Step 1: Take six stalks of pandan leaves.

Step 2: Clean the leaves and knot them as otherwise they are too long to fit into a pot.

Step 3: Bring a pot of filtered water to a boil and then drop the knotted leaves in.

Step 4: Reduce the flame to keep the boil slow and steep the tea for about 20-25 minutes.

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Step 5: Drink as it is or add lemongrass or add lemon and /or honey to taste.

We invite first-person testimonials as to the efficacy or otherwise of the claimed benefits of Pandan.

Grow Your Own Bean Sprouts During Lockdown

Uncategorized

Here’s a worthwhile home project to do during the lockdown regime. Bean sprout is touted as a superfood that’s reputed to be more nutritious than the original bean. Many types of beans can be germinated as bean sprouts but here we are focussed on the green mung beans.

According to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mung-beans#section1), one cup (7 ounces or 202 grams) of boiled mung beans have the following benefits:

  • Calories: 212
  • Fat: 0.8 grams
  • Protein: 14.2 grams
  • Carbs: 38.7 grams
  • Fiber: 15.4 grams
  • Folate (B9): 80% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
  • Manganese: 30% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 24% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B1: 22% of the RDI
  • Phosphorus: 20% of the RDI
  • Iron: 16% of the RDI
  • Copper: 16% of the RDI
  • Potassium: 15% of the RDI
  • Zinc: 11% of the RDI
  • Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6 and selenium

With those properties, bean sprouts should be good for our health. In fact, HealthBenefitsTimes (https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/bean-sprouts/) suggest that bean sprouts provide the following health benefits.

  • Preventing cancer
  • Preventing heart attack and stroke
  • Preventing Osteoporosis
  • Generating the immune system
  • Good for Digestion
  • Increasing fertility
  • Good for the skin
  • Lose weight
  • Prevent menstrual disorders and menopause
  • Good for Women
  • Younger
  • Remove Impurities
  • Anemia
  • Constipation
  • Hair and nail fragility
  • Liver health
  • Stress and tiredness
  • Lower risk of some birth defects

We invite first-person testimonials to confirm or debunk the above claims.

With all the possible health benefits, here’s how to simply grow fat juicy mung bean sprouts at home.

Step 1

Step 1: Put about 100-200g of mung beans in a large bowl and cover with warm water for about 6 hours

Step 2

Step 2: Line a plastic basket cover with tissue such as kitchen towel

Step 3

Step 3: Spread the mung beans on the tissue

Step 4

Step 4: Cover the mung beans with another tissue

Step 5

Step 5: Wet the tissues and beans

Step 6

Step 6: For short fat bean sprouts,apply a weight on the beans. Use a plate and additional bowls

Step 6a

Step 6a: A plate and bowls are used to apply weight on the beans

Step 7

Step 7: Use a black plastic bag to cover the whole base bowl and basket of beans

Step 8

Step 8: At the end of Day 2

Step 9

Step 9: At the end of Day 3

South African Leaves

Cancer, Heart, Kidneys

Scientific name: Gymnanthemum amygdalinum [Family: Asteraceae]
Synonym: Vernonia amygdalina
Common name: Bitter Leaf, Vernonia Tree, Pokok South Afrika aka Pokok Bismillah
Chinese name: 扁桃斑鸠菊, Lam Fei Yip, Por si Yip

A friend who was concerned about my high blood pressure, introduced me to this plant. He brought a couple of stems for me and surprisingly, they took root quite readily. I took a fistful of the leaves and made a tisane to drink. Unfortunately, it did not work as quickly as I had hoped. I began to research around to see what I may have missed and discovered the following claimed benefits. Disclaimer: I am still in the testing phase and cannot vouch for its efficacy. If anyone has a better experience, please share your personal testimonial here.

It really grows easily and its health benefits are :-

1) reducing cholesterol

2) reducing urea acid

3) reducing wind or flatulence

4) balancing blood pressure

5) countering insomnia as it promotes good sleep at night

6) reducing high blood sugar levels

7) reduce fat and helps us to lose weight

8 ) remove other toxins from our body

We invite first-person testimonials as to the efficacy of this plant or debunk it.

I will record my own experience here.

Start Date: 24-May-2020

Day 1: My average BP (from 4 readings) : 134/89

I picked 10 leaves from my South African Plant, brought a pot of water (about 1 litre) to a boil, put in the leaves and bring down the flame to a slow boil for 20 minutes.

Day 2: My average BP (from 4 readings) : 134/92

I drank/sipped the tea the whole day yesterday. I measured my BP this morning and was disappointed that there was no improvement (yet?). Boiled another fresh pot of tea today.

Day 3: My average BP (from 4 readings) : 140/92

Another disappointing result. In fact the reading has increased somewhat. Never mind, to continue with another pot of tea.

Day 4: My average BP (from 4 readings): 135/91

This morning, I felt good. The BP has improved a bit and I have boiled another pot. I hope it will be even better tomorrow.

Day 5: My average BP (from 4 readings): 130/89

The BP has started dropping. Today it averaged 130/89, very encouraging indeed!

Day 6: My average BP (from 4 readings): 133/89

No improvement, slightly higher. But the readings seem to have stabilised around 127-133/84-92

Day 7: My average BP (from 4 readings): 142/93

Oh dear, the BP readings have gone up.

Day 8: My average BP (from 3 readings): 144/95

Looks like the South African leaves do not reduce my BP. I will stop the experiment now.

Ref: http://sennyong.blogspot.my/2009/11/anti-cancer-herbs-and-anti-inflammation.html  

Related plants: Huo Tan Mu (火炭母)(Polygonum chinensis)Black Face General 黑面将军(Hei Mian Jiang Jin, Strobilanthes Crispus)Yu Xun Cao or Sabah Snake Grass 优遁草, 沙巴蛇草(Sabah Snake Plant, Clincanthus Nutans L. )Shang Ye 桑椹叶(Mulberry Leave)

South African Leaves

Papaya Leaf Juice for Dengue Fever

Others, , , ,

With the continual outbreak of Dengue Fever spread by the female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and no specific medicine yet available to treat it, there is real concern and interest as to whether the much touted papaya leaf juice can indeed help the patient to recover faster or even perhaps is truly an effective natural remedy.

The Health Director-General of Malaysia acknowledged papaya leaves contain cyanogenic glycoside but in such minute quantity that it does not pose a danger. (Ref: The Star, Nation, 30-Jan-2016)
The full research paper published by the Dept of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, USA, can be found in www.researchgate.net
Yes, they confirmed the presence of cyanogenic allosides and glycosides.
But the Malaysian Health Ministry has said it is safe; you decide for yourselves.

Me, I’ll still take papaya juice if I’m stricken with dengue.
Why? All plants will definitely have some trace toxins; if not by now they would be extinct having been eaten by insects, animals, etc.
There are too many first person success stories to ignore on the efficacy of papaya leaf juice to treat dengue fever.
Sometime ago when there was practically a dengue epidemic in Selangor, there were so many reports of patients resorting to papaya leaf juice that the hospitals and the Health Ministry could not ignore it. As a result, the hospitals and Health Ministry subsequently endorsed its use. It’s quite standard practice now.

Bro. Ooi Chee Hong contributed the following testimonial:

Re: Papaya leaf treatment for two relatives same time in early Dec. 2014 ( different locations )
Case 1:  Male, 72, with high blood pressure (HBP). The doctor  instructed admission based on the patient’s platelet count 100 and dropping. By the time he was admitted that night, the platelet count had dropped to 70.
Day 2: Platelet count morning 45, night 53.
Day 3 : Morning 66, night 76, a steady improvement.
Day 4 : Platelet count increased to100
Day 5 : Platelet count 150 and he was discharged.

Dosage : 2 matured papaya leaves per day , started just before admission. The recovery effect was just after 24-30 hrs  ( coincidentally , prayer for recovery conducted at 18 hrs ) The nurses and doctor recommended that we try papaya leaves.

Case 2: Male, 65.
Platelets dropped to 8 and he was placed in ICU though no hemorrhage. We defied the doctor’s opinion not to take papaya leaves. He recovered and was discharged after day 6 or 7. The dosage was maybe one or two leaves per day.

Dr Sanath Hettige,Consultant family physician, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo Sri Lanka Oil of Dermae research medical center & Laboratories recommends the following course of action in The BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal):

http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4661/rr-4

Bro Ng Swee Aun contributed the following recommended dosage:

Papaya leave juice neat : 2 teaspoons, morning evening morning. Total 6 teaspoons in 24 hours

 

Also check out:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4071726/

http://superfoodprofiles.com/papaya-leaf-juice-for-dengue-fever

 

Black Fungus for Clearing Clogged Arteries

Heart, , , ,

Warning!!!

Black Fungus Soaked improperly may produce toxic bongkrekic acid. … To prevent bongkrekic acid poisoning, black fungus should be kept in the refrigerator if overnight soaking is needed. All utensils and surfaces which will come into contact with food should be cleaned thoroughly before food preparation. (Ref: https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_158_04.html )

Bongkrekic acid is produced by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in the black fungus. Do NOT soak overnight or for too long, especially if exposed.

Soak the dry black fungus in cold water for 20-30 minutes until they fully expand.

Wood ear should never be eaten raw, since it might contains bacteria.

Clogged Arteries

Scroll down for updates and FAQ

Original Post:
black fungus to clear clogged arteriesHere is a testimonial from Mr. Yu Ming Szeto on behalf of his Brother-in-Law. Thank you, Bro. Szeto, for kindly sharing!

9-April-2013
Dear Bro Lau,

With regards to the black fungus, most people have read about it in the internet many years ago, especially about a case in the US where the patient had clogged arteries and was scheduled to have a bypass surgery. The patient had taken this recipe for several weeks and his condition improved and did not have to go for surgery.

Nearer to home and based on first hand knowledge, my bro in law went to IJN Malaysia (National Heart Institute, Malaysia) about 2 years back for an angiogram and was told that he had 3 blockages, one at 95%, a second at 85% and the third about 60%. An angioplasty was scheduled in several weeks. We told him to re-schedule and take the black fungus remedy instead. He took it for 3 to 4 weeks and then went to Australia for about 10 days to attend his son’s graduation. Upon returning to Malaysia, he took it for another week or so and then went to IJN for the Angioplasty. And viola, the doctor could not find any blockages. The doctor was very very surprised as the scans are normally very accurate, especially since 3 were detected.

Some time later, my bro-in-law got to know that his Malay colleague’s father was also scheduled for an angioplasty at IJN, following a angiogram. My bro-in-law gave him the same recipe and after taking it for about 3 weeks or so, went for the angioplasty and again the doctor could not detect any blockages.

I think we have 2 solid proofs that the black fungus recipe actually works. I am still looking around for anyone else who is scheduled for angioplasty and try out this recipe. If proven right again, we can be very sure of its efficacy.

For those who have chest pain (angina), it will go away after taking this remedy for about 5 days to a week. Many people have said that they have taken this remedy but it did not work. I think what happened is that most people only take it once or twice a week or infrequently. For it to work, this remedy must be taken 2 to 3 times daily; and every day for at least 3 to 4 weeks. However, those already taking blood thinner must be careful as black fungus is also a blood thinner. It may result in uncontrolled bleeding.

Recipe.
1) Soak black fungus (1.5 to 2 handful) for about 3 to 4 hours.
2) Put black fungus, about 1 to 2 inch of ginger, and some red dates into a slow cooker (use a big one) and cook overnight or at least 6 to 8 hours.
3) Let the slow cooker cool down to touch temperature
3) Remove ginger and red dates and throw away.
4) Put everything else (soft black fungus and water) into a blender and blend until fine. The concoction will be thick and gummy. Add some boiled water if its too thick to blend properly.
5) Pour blended concoction into container (may need a big unit or several smaller ones) and keep in fridge.
6) When needed, pour blended black fungus into a glass or mug (about 2/3 full) and add hot water until full, and then stir to dilute it. Drink as soon as possible.
7) Drink the above concoction 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 4 weeks.

May be good to repeat after 6 to 8 months for maintenance purpose. I think every adult should take this remedy as most of us would have clogged arteries at our age. If you know of anyone going for angioplasty and willing to try out this remedy please let me know.

Thanks.

With Metta,
Szetoo

(Mr Yu Ming Szeto may be reached at szetooym@yahoo.com )

Reference:

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_ear_fungus

It is known as Mandarin Chinese: 云耳; pinyin: yún’ěr, lit. “cloud ear“), Chinese: 毛木耳; pinyin: máomù’ěr, lit. “hairy wood ear“), or 木耳 (pinyin: mù’ěr, lit. “wood ear” or “tree ear“), and in Japanese it is called arage kikurage (キクラゲ, lit. “tree jellyfish”). It is also known as black fungus, black Chinese fungus (or mushroom), wood ear fungus, wood fungus, ear fungus, or tree ear fungus, an allusion to its rubbery ear-shaped growth. In Europe, it is frequently confused as “Jew’s ear“, and “Jelly ear”, albeit they are very closely related. In Hawaii, they are known as pepeiao which means ear.[1] In Southeast Asia, it is known as bok nee in local English (from the Hokkien 木耳 bo̍k-ní) and is used in the salad kerabu bok nee. In thePhilippines, the locals call it tenga ng daga, meaning “rat’s ear” due to its appearance.
 

*********************************************************************

Update 14-April-2015

Dear Mr Szetoo,
I am scheduled for an angioplasty at the end of April and I would like to try your prescription first.
I am now on a blood thinner. Do I stop taking the blood thinner?
Can I just drink the tea without blending the fungus?
Thank you.
(Name Withheld)


Dear (Name Withheld),

We find that its more effective to blend the fungus together with the liquid. 

With regards to your blood thinner medication, have a  blood test after a few days on black fungus. Check with your doctor if the thinner is still needed. 

I hope the above is helpful. May you recover speedily and regain good health. 

With Metta, 
Szetoo 

*********************************************************************
Dear Mr.Szeto,
I am scheduled for a angioplasty soon. I read your article and I would like to try out.
What time should I take the mix? And is there any side effects like giddiness or numbness?
Would really appreciate your answer.
If I am cured, I will surely post my case up to help more people.
Thank you very much.
Dear Mr.Szeto,
I am scheduled for a angioplasty soon. I read your article and I would like to try out.
What time should I take the mix? And is there any side effects like giddiness or numbness?
Would really appreciate your answer.
If I am cured, I will surely post my case up to help more people.
Thank you very much.
(Name Withheld)

 

Dear (Name Withheld),
So far we have not heard of anybody suffering from giddiness or numbness after taking the black fungus. Usually patients will experience some improvement in their breathlessness after a week or so.
I would suggest that you take the concoction twice daily, once in the morning and another time around 5 to 6pm. It can be taken before or after meals.
I hope it works for you and wishing you all the best.
With Metta,
Szetoo

 

*******************************************************************

Update 31-March-2015:

Bro Yu Min Szeto replied to another enquiry on the procedure as follows:

(Not edited and name is withheld) “Hi Mr.Yu,I heard about the goodness of black fungus. I bought back some and boil it with after washing it thoroughly. Then I just boil it and drank a glass of the content.The problem is I didn’t know that it has to be soaked for few hours before boiling.Will there be any side effect if it is taken the way I did.please advice as I dont feel good after taking it.I didn’t know how to prepare it so I just boil and drank the content.i would really appreciate it if you could help me out.”

Bro Yu Min Szeto’s reply:
Dear (name withheld),
There is no wrong way of consuming the black fungus. The whole fungus can be eaten, so are the dates and ginger. But to make it more effective its probably good to follow the procedures that we had suggested.
Please follow the procedures below to prepare the black fungus drink:
1) Soak black fungus (1.5 to 2 handful) for about 3 to 4 hours.
2) Put black fungus, about 1 to 2 inch of ginger, and some red dates into a slow cooker (use a big one) and cook overnight or at least 6 to 8 hours.
3) Let the slow cooker cool down to touch temperature
3) Remove ginger and red dates and throw away.
4) Put everything else (soft black fungus and water) into a blender and blend until fine. The concoction will be thick and gummy. Add some boiled water if its too thick to blend properly.
5) Pour blended concoction into container (may need a big unit or several smaller ones) and keep in fridge.
6) When needed, pour blended black fungus into a glass or mug (about 2/3 full) and add hot water until full, and then stir to dilute it. Drink as soon as possible.
7) Drink the above concoction 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 4 weeks.
So far, nobody has complained of any ill effect after taking them. It may be the taste that you are not familiar with, which had made you feel awful. The ginger and dates actually made the concoction taste better. Remember to add them.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Update 12-Jan-2015:

Bro Yu Min Szeto replied to enquiry on the procedure as follows:

With regards to the water, put in enough to cover all the ingredients and about 1cm more to cover for evaporation during the slow cooker cooking process.

Actually, it doesn’t really matter as all the cooked fungus and whatever water left after the cooking is blended and all eaten. But there should be enough water to prevent drying up and burning the ingredients.

I hope the above helps.

The recipe is repeated here:

1) Soak black fungus (1.5 to 2 handful) for about 3 to 4 hours.
2) Put black fungus, about 1 to 2 inch of ginger, and some red dates into a slow cooker (use a big one) and cook overnight or at least 6 to 8 hours.
3) Let the slow cooker cool down to touch temperature
3) Remove ginger and red dates and throw away.
4) Put everything else (soft black fungus and water) into a blender and blend until fine. The concoction will be thick and gummy. Add some boiled water if its too thick to blend properly.
5) Pour blended concoction into container (may need a big unit or several smaller ones) and keep in fridge.
6) When needed, pour blended black fungus into a glass or mug (about 2/3 full) and add hot water until full, and then stir to dilute it. Drink as soon as possible.
7) Drink the above concoction 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 4 weeks.

So I guess you could dilute to whatever is convenient for the patient to swallow.
Let us know how it works out.

Update 26-Nov-2014:
Victor Ford (not the real name) wrote,

“Update on my situation where I had a major artery inserted with a stent to help me when I had a minor heart attack. I was diagnosed with other major arteries that were impacted and would need either more stents or bypass surgery. I took the remedy for 2 months leading up to a stress test to monitor how I was progressing.
I had a PET scan done on November 4. This was done where a tracer was used to monitor the flow of blood through my arteries.
I saw my cardiologist today and he gave me the news that the flow of blood through my arteries was showing up as NORMAL. He said he was not expecting these results as my arteries were 70-80% blocked. When asked if the arteries were cleared, he said they were not but could not explain the flow of blood and concluded, we will keep up the medication and he will follow up with me in a year.
I came away thinking that this remedy was a success.

Only question I have in my mind is that if the remedy is a blood thinner, does this have impact/effect on how the blood flows?

I have started to exercise and am up to running 3km with no ill effect.

cheers. “

Update:

On November 5, I went to the cardiologist for my scheduled follow-up consultation.  The doctor examined me, and his nurse performed an electrocardiogram.  During the exam, the doctor asked me if I was still taking the two prescription drugs he gave to me.  I told him that I only took the drugs for the first 3 days after he had prescribed them.  When he asked me why, I told him because I had researched the drugs, and I had learned that the drugs only mask the symptoms I was having, and I wanted to feel what was happening to my body, as I was taking the black fungus treatment.  He asked me how I was reacting to the black fungus, and I told him truthfully.  My angina (of which one episode been so severe, that I thought I was having a heart attack) has almost disappeared.  My blood pressure is lower by an average of almost 8 points!  I have more energy than I have had in many years.  I can actually feel my body getting stronger, and I know that it is because my arteries are being unblocked.  The doctor really did not comment.  He only listened.   I asked the doctor if the EKG gave any indication as to whether my self-treatment with the black fungus was being effective.  He  answered that all the EKG told him was that I still had blockage of the arteries.  He told me that another CT scan would be necessary for him to diagnose whether or not I was actually having a decrease in the blockage of my heart’s arteries.  Because my insurance policy will not pay for another heart CT scan, I will not have one.  The doctor told me that he still suggested that I have the heart catheter procedure, to install a stent in my heart’s main blocked artery.  I will most definitely not, have the stent procedure!  My wife later expressed to me that the doctor told me it was “still his recommendation” to have the heart stent procedure, in order  to protect himself for insurance purposes, or, to protect himself from a potential lawsuit, if I later do have a heart attack.  It is my wife’s opinion that the doctor knows that I am improving, but, he cannot encourage me too much, because the fungus is an “alternative” therapy.  However, on my initial visit, the doctor explicitly told me that if I did not do something, a major heart attack was an “eminent event” for me.  This last visit, he said no such thing.  In parting, he instructed me to give his office an immediate telephone call, if I experienced any difficulties.  Barring any difficulties, he wants to see me again in six months, for another follow up exam.    

My wife and I both think that his reactions indicated that he is indeed aware, that my condition is vastly improved!

I have decided to continue my regimen (I drink the concoction 3 times daily) for another year.  Because, I know my severe artery blockage occurred over a long period of period of time.   So, I know that my condition will not disappear over a short time.  I think that after my condition is again normal, I will maintain my heart health by continuing the regimen one day per week.

My wife and I are both convinced that the black fungus treatment will return my cardiovascular health to normal!

I will keep you appraised of my progress.

I am sorry for the length of this email.  But, I wanted to provide you with all of the details.

I will close here.

Kindest regards

Peperomia or Rat Ear for HFMD

Common Ailments, Others, , , , ,

On 28 Dec 2014, at 10:52 pm, joey *** <***.joey@gmail.com> wrote:
(Not edited)
rat-earI read your blog regarding all those wonderful wild herbs growing freely in our garden.
My son contracted HFMD recently and it’s a dreadful experience for me.
He refuse to eat and drink for 2 days and i have no choice but i have to force him to drink through syringes.
Then my husband friend recomended this herb as she has also given it to her child due to the same virus infection.
I grind the leave and stem to extract the juice around 1 tablespoon. And after 3 hours he wants to eat !!!!
He can eat his favourite rice biscuit and drink his milk.
rat-ear2I was careful not to give it to him with other medication as i feared it may cause drug interaction.
I gave him a 1 tsp to test in case he has an allergy reaction towards this herb. After half hour there was no sign of allergies, i feed him the rest.

Regards
Joey

Read about Rat Ear (Pepper Elder, Ketumpang Air, Peperomia pellucida L.) http://www.free2share.com/medicinal-weeds/

White Kyllinga for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Common Ailments, Others, , , ,

White Kyllinga for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Update 17-Dec-2014

New trial using the whole plant complete with roots and rhizomes.

IMG_7202c

Date: 8-Dec-2014 to 12-Dec-2014
Method: Decoction of a fistful of whole plants complete with roots and rhizomes.
Result: It appeared to be more effective than the earlier trial of infusion of the plant without roots.

IMG_7203cI drank 4 cups daily (about 1-litre) of the decoction for 5 days.
I dug out a fistful of the whole plants and carefully washed away the dirt from the roots and rhizomes.
I placed the whole bunch in a stainless steel pot and added about 1.2 litres of freshly drawn filtered water.
The mixture was brought to a gentle boil and left to simmer on low flame for 20-30 minutes.
The decoction was then poured into a glass teapot and I drank 4 cups over the course of the day.
It eased the dull throbbing pain/irritation in my toes/foot somewhat; at least a bit more than my earlier trial using an infusion of the plant (without the roots).

Conclusion: A decoction of the whole White Kyllinga complete with roots and rhizomes appears to be able to provide some relief of my left foot’s dull throbbing pain.
However, as noted in my earlier trial as well, it is not as spectacular as I had hoped.

Disclaimer and caution:
The plant and dosage (a fistful) may not be appropriate for everyone.
This is not a scientific conclusive experiment but merely my first person testimony on its effect on me, for general information only.
You should seek your own physician’s advice and do your own research before attempting this.

Update 4-Dec-2014

The current wet spell gave rise to an abundant growth of the White Kyllinga weed in my garden. That prompted me to look deeper into this plant and to try it again for the persistent deep, dull throbbing rheumatoid arthritis pain in my feet.
To learn the difference between infusion and decoction and How To Make Herbal Tea, click http://www.free2share.com/making-herbal-tea/

IMG_2887
Bumper crop of White Kyllinga

 

To recap, here are the references on the medicinal uses of the White Kyllinga:

The problem with the literature and references above is that the preparation method is not clear. I decided to try an infusion of the whole plant, minus the roots.
Here is what I did:

1. I took a handful of the plant and cut off at the base (without roots).

IMG_2892
Take a handful

2. Washed the plant thoroughly to remove surface dirt and dust.

3. Stuffed the bundle of washed plants in the strainer of my glass teapot.

IMG_6752
Stuff into the strainer

4. Lightly boiled a litre of freshly drawn filtered water in a stainless steel kettle.

5. Poured the just boiled water over the plants in the strainer/teapot and cover, including the spout. This is to prevent any beneficial volatile oils from escaping.

IMG_6764a
Pour the hot boiled water and let it steep

6. After 20-30 minutes of steeping, the first cup was ready to drink.

7. I continued to let the remainder steep in the teapot and drank a total of 4 cups over the day.

The flavour is slightly minty and easy to drink.

After a week of this daily ritual, I can report that it did give some relief of the dull pain in my feet although not as spectacular as I had hoped.

Maybe I’ll try the whole plant including the roots next week. In that case, I’ll do a decoction instead of infusion, in order to extract the therapeutic value of the roots.

To learn the difference between infusion and decoction and How To Make Herbal Tea, click http://www.free2share.com/making-herbal-tea/

Original Article

IMG_7374I have tried the Green Papaya + Green Tea remedy and it is documented here. Since I have run out of green papaya (no more fruit on my papaya tree!) I decided to try the White Kyllinga remedy.

The White Kyllinga is a grass-like weed is known as a sedge of the Cyperaceae family. It is quite a tenacious weed that seems to grow in some unlikely places in your garden. It has a IMG_7371characteristic three-sided erect stem about 5-10 cm tall with three thin longish grass-like leaves. Atop this crown of three leaves sits the whitish flower ball. It is used to treat commoncolds, bronchitis, malaria, arthritis, joint pains and rheumatism. It is also used as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, stomach and intestinial problems.

I pull a bunch (about 5-6 stems) of the white kyllinga and add to 3 cups of boiling water. Leave on slow boil to reduce to about a single cup. The resulting tea is quite refreshing to drink. So far, it seems to give some relief for the pain in my feet.

(Ref: http://earthmedicineinstitute.com/more/library/medicinal-plants/kyllinga-brevifolia-nemoralis/ )

Papaya and Green Tea for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Common Ailments, Others, , ,

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My Papaya Tree

A friend, Lee Soo Sin, introduced me to the Green Papaya with Green Tea remedy for my rheumatoid arthritis. I have been seeking a natural remedy for the nagging deep throbbing “pain” in my feet, especially the left foot. With the current stormy weather in my locale, it does not help matters at all. When the weather looked about to change, my feet get even more painful.

 

 

 

 

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Rat Ear (Peperomia pellucida L.)

I have tried the Pineapple remedy and the Rat Ear (Peperomia pellucida L.) remedy which gave partial relief but not a complete “cure”. The Rat Ear is apparently a popular herb in the Philippines for rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, after almost 2 weeks of drinking the Rat Ear tea, my problem still persists. So today I’m embarking on the Green Papaya with Green Tea remedy and will document my experience here.

 

 

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Small Green Papaya

Day 1 ( 29-May-2014 ) I researched the recipe for the Green Papaya Green Tea remedy on the Internet, after discussing with Lee Soo Sin.       Found it at http://abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/363878/

 

 

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Cut into “Cubes”

Recipe:
1. Cut a green papaya (unripe papaya) into small cubes, with skin but remove the seeds.
2. Put a few cubes (25 grams ) in a pot of water and bring to boil.
3. Add green tea to the boiling water. The author used Oolong tea.
4. Filter off the papaya and tea leaves and drink the tea.

 

 

 

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Pecah Beling Leaves

I used 4 cubes in 2 cups of water. After the water is boiling, add 7 dried leaves of Pecah Beling ( Strobilanthes crispus ) as my green tea. Low boil and simmer for about 30 minutes to reduce to one cup. I used Pecah Beling because this is growing abundantly in my garden and it has antioxident properties. I drank it after my lunch. I drank the tea at 2.15pm and it’s now 3.15pm. The deep throbbing “pain” seems to have subsided although the feet still felt “tight”.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 ( 30-May-2014 )
Woke up this morning and I could get out of bed without the feet feeling leaden and no stabbing pain. I was quite excited to boil my second dose of Green Papaya-Green Tea, which I did after my breakfast. Again, 4 cubes of green papaya in 2 cups of water, bring to a boil and added 7 dried leaves of Pecah Beling as my green tea. I drank it this time before lunch with much hopeful anticipation. I was not disappointed. By late afternoon, the throbbing irritating pain had not returned. I had to press my foot to touch some spots where there was some remnant mild pain. Otherwise, I don’t even know the pain is there.

It’s now 9.30pm as I’m writing this. I can’t wait to drink my third dose tomorrow.

Day 3 ( 31-May-2014 )
Again, I got out of bed without much problem. My feet felt a bit more leaden than yesterday. But it should get better after I drink my third dose, I told myself. I repeated yesterday’s routine; boiled the tea after breakfast and drank it about an hour before lunch.
The deep dull throbbing pain did not return, but I could feel the pain in the joints of my toes when I tried to stand on my toes.
Maybe my expectation was too high, considering that the effect was understandably more pronounced the first day since the overall pain was more widespread and felt. Now that the remnant pain is only slight, any improvement would also be less noticeable.
Let us see what happens tomorrow.

Day 4 ( 1-June-2014 )
Repeated the tea boiling routine and drank my fourth dose just before lunch. It’s now more than 3 hours since I drank it and there seems to be some incremental improvement. It’s not as painful as yesterday when I stand on my toes. The remnant pain is in the joints of the big toe and the small last toe. More in the small toe of the left foot. The “pain” is more of a “feeling” than an actual physical pain. It’s hard to describe but I guess fellow sufferers will know what I mean.

So far, so good. I wonder if I’ll have any additional improvement tomorrow.

Day 5 ( 2-June-2014 )
The remnant “pain”, particularly in the left foot, remains more or less the same, which means to say that I don’t really notice it unless I think about it. That is quite good for me. Towards late evening, strangely the joint of my little finger on the right hand had a bit of irritating discomfort. Otherwise, I should say that the tea seems to be maintaining a good level of comfort for me.

Day 6 ( 3-June-2014 )
The tea seems to be maintaining my comfort level. That suits me fine.

Day 7 ( 4-June-2014 )
When I woke up this morning, I felt the feet somewhat leaden. However, it loosened up after I had walked around a bit. I drank my 7th dose at about 11.00am.

Day 8-13 (5-9 June-2014)
I drink a cup a day just to maintain the level of comfort. The pain/discomfort does not disappear completely but it seems to have settled to a reasonably tolerable level, where I don’t really notice it unless I think about it.

To be continued.

Pineapple Relieves Arthritis, Joint Pain and Swelling

Others, ,

pineapple480optI had this nagging peculiar pain in my feet, which affects the toe joints, heel, ankle joint, outer side of feet, at various time.  At first I thought it might be gout and I attempted the nutmeg remedy. It didn’t work for me.

I then consulted a TCM practitioner and he diagnosed it as “wind” in my feet. Chinese readers will know what I mean. He showed me some pressure points which when pressed/rubbed, gave some relief. The rest of the treatment involved applying some messy paste on the feet and some awful tasting liquid medicine. I must say the TCM treatment helped somewhat. The problem is that whenever one part of the foot is relieved of the pain, it (the pain) reappears elsewhere on the foot.

Then at a recent wedding dinner, I was seated next to my friend, BK Lee, to whom I recounted my feet problem. The next day, he forwarded to me an email that his sister had circulated which described how someone attributed the pineapple as the remedy for his/her arthritis. BK suggested I try this.

That was on 9-June-2013. The next day I had my wife buy me some pineapple to eat (fresh, as dessert). I must say, it didn’t seem too promising. However, I was determined to give it a decent trial, if not for anything else, at least I’ll have a first person report on yet another natural remedy that didn’t work for me. So I stuck at it; eating a generous helping of the fresh fruit daily, including my morning fruit juice (pineapple with other stuff  like carrot, etc.). By the end of the first week, I definitely felt some significant relief. Today is 20-June-2013, and I can safely say now that the relief is real.

So what is it in the pineapple that makes it an anti-inflammatory wonder?  It turns out that “bromelain” is an enzyme found in the plant family, Bromeliaceae (bromeliads). Bromelain is often marketed as a natural anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis. It’s one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it is approved  for the treatment of inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses due to surgery or injury. (ref: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Bromelain.htm). And it so happens that Pineapple is apparently the only bromeliad with an edible fruit. In the case of pineapple, the bromelain is extracted from its stem and the fruit core.

Now, most of us remove the rather fibrous core when we eat the pineapple fruit. And the stem is inedible. So while it took 10 days for me to be convinced of its efficacy, I am going to eat the fruit core from tomorrow, to see if eating the core helps more. Stay tuned for the update here.

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