Food and Nutrition
Yacon Tea for Diabetes: Medicinal Uses
In the early developmental periods, Andean farmers had already recognized the value of yacon as a food crop cultivation. Yacon was discovered on land burial of many centuries before the Incas. The first written record of yacon was in 1615 when Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala included it in a list of 55 crops cultivated by Andean natives. Read the rest of this entry »
Yacon Tea for Diabetes
The use of the leaves of yacon as a medicinal tea is a habit that has emerged aimed at treating diabetes.
Yacon is a perennial herb that grows 1.5 to 3 m tall with dark green leaves similar to celery. Each plant forms a ground kills 4 to 20 large fleshy tuberous roots.
Yacon is a member of the sunflower family and as it grows in warm, temperate Andean valleys, can be found at altitudes up to 3200 meters. It is native to the lower regions of the Andes and the cloud forests of South America and can be found in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia. It is now widely cultivated for its edible roots throughout the Andean South America and was being exported to Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Czech Republic, and even U.S. as a new root crop cultivation. Read the rest of this entry »
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Guide of Tea Infusion: The Most Common
Chamomile
This is an herb Adapted to hot climates, semi, semi-dry and temperate, with abundant presence Latin America, whose leaves resemble the lace and flowers are characterized by white and yellow. It is one of the most widely used herbal teas in the world, either as a drink or applying it directly on the affected part.
Since ancient times, Mexicans have used this herb to treat mild digestive disorders such as diarrhea, gastritis, indigestion and colic, which is also now common in our culture. It is often used to eye irritation or inflammation, which is necessary to cook and let it cool. Other uses are for respiratory illness (colds, coughs, asthma, etc.) To clean superficial wounds or treat acne. Read the rest of this entry »
Guide of Tea Infusion: Medicinal Properties
The health benefits of many plants have been known since antiquity and, in fact, many drugs, including aspirin, have been derived from them. The problem with this use is that these types of drugs are difficult to dose and excessive amounts can be harmful.
Thus, infusions are an alternative way to manage these functions beneficial to the body and can be found in health food shops, whose activities and products should always be checked by experts. The most commonly known teas in our culture are not drugs, but also have some beneficial properties. Read the rest of this entry »
Guide of Tea Infusion
In 2737 BC when a Chinese emperor Sheng-Tun called,he was discovered a new drink incidentally that was to persist across different cultures.
During a stroll along a forest decided to rest in the shade of a tree while drinking his usual boiled water. The fall caused some leaves of this tree to fall by chance in the cup of the emperor who did not hesitate to prove that liquid that had turned brown and gave off a pungent aroma and very nice. Thus, the first infusion of tea came to light.
At first the tea laid the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine and it took several centuries until it became popular as a beverage. In fact, the story noted that the area was a unique elixir of upper-class people with extensive financial resources. The tea is spread throughout China and was used as a tonic, diuretic, balsam, etc.. Read the rest of this entry »
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Sunflower, Wonder of Nature
The sunflower was long considered an ornamental plant, but in recent years began to learn and discover the great value which have their seeds and oil obtained from them, useful for the preparation or flavor many dishes and beneficial effects for our body.
Also known as “Mirasol” or “wonder”, each specimen of this plant lives for one year, time to achieve a height of 2 meters, but can reach up to 3, its leaves are rough, shaped like a heart, and long and thick stem is topped by a composite flower. Indeed, even with the naked eye only shoot player appreciate a yellow or red, similar to a daisy but much larger, a close look will tell that it is actually a cluster of tiny flowers, each of which will result, after fertilization, an elongated nut, black with white lines, which is also known with some imprecision seed or kernel.
As a curiosity, mention that the phenomenon that allows the sunflower follow the path of the “sun king” is known as phototropism or heliotropism, and is a modification of the cell tissues to verify the orientation of the main sections of the plant to the focus of which is powered, in this case the Sun in the crops of this vegetable can see this fact clearly, but to appreciate the movement is essential to use a video recording at high speed. Read the rest of this entry »
Characteristics of Minerals (III)
Cobalt. Involved in the formation of red blood cells and is present in meat, fish, milk, onion, lentils and figs. If there is deficiency may develop anemia.
Copper. Hemoglobin becomes stored iron in the body and can assimilate is contained in food is also essential for bone development and tissue formation. Can be found in cocoa, grains, vegetables and pepper. Its deficiency can cause anemia and damage to bones and tissues.
Zinc. It is vital for growth, regulates sexual development, epidermal and hair, and is required for insulin production. Obtained by eating red meat, milk, eggs, seafood, vegetables, yeast, nuts, peanuts and sunflower seeds. When this nutrient is insufficient growth is damaged, the immune system (one that defends the body against infection) is weakened, there are weight loss, skin problems and conditions in taste and smell. Read the rest of this entry »
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Characteristics of Minerals (II)
Sulfur. Part of the structure of skin, nails, hair and cartilage, is responsible for neutralizing toxins and helps the liver in bile secretion. It is found in beans, cabbage, onion, garlic, asparagus, fish and egg yolk. If there is a shortage of this element can be problems in the liver and intoxication.
Iron. It is a mineral necessary for the production of hemoglobin (a substance contained within red blood cells and carry oxygen in the blood) and myoglobin (oxygen to muscles). It is essential for the proper use of vitamin B complex Naturally found in liver, lean meat (fat), sardines, egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, dates, dried figs and fortified cereals. When presented insufficient fatigue, difficulty breathing, depression, palpitations, low resistance to infection and anemia. Read the rest of this entry »
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Characteristics of Minerals (I)
Here are some specific characteristics of the minerals listed before:
Sodium. Regulates the distribution of water in the body, involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and participates in the digestive process. This mineral needs increase when there is excessive sweating, taking a diuretic or if you suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. Is present in table salt, sausages, cheese, bread, cereals, meat or fish. Its deficiency causes dehydration, dizziness and decreased blood pressure. However, if consumed in excess produces hypertension, irritability and fluid retention. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Minerals
Inorganic components are food, that is, found in nature without being part of the living. Play an important role in the body, they are necessary for the formation of tissues and hormones, and participate in most chemical reactions involving enzymes.
They are divided into three groups:
Macroelements, which are measured in grams and are what the body needs the most. Here are grouped sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chloride and sulfur. Read the rest of this entry »
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