Health Benefits of Durian
Durian is an exotic, expensive, and seasonal fruit that has rich content of phytonutrients, antioxidant, protein, vitamins and minerals. Durian can give more spirit and energy to your days because it has high calories and carbohydrate (both are good source of energy). Main ingredients that contribute a lot to the benefits are Organosulfur Compounds and Tryptophan, but there other healthy components like dietary fiber and protein. Yet, durian does not have cholesterol. Many folk medications use durian’s leaves and roots to treat fever.
The Organosulfur has benefits as followed.
- To inhibit the formation of blood clots, thus prevent from heart attack and stroke.
- To control the inflammatory enzymes, thus also prevent from cardiovascular disease.
- To act as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial.
- To help you get good complexion, healthy hair, glowing skin, better brain function.
- To treat muscles soreness, enhance balance blood sugar, reduce stiffness and pain, and improve joint flexibility.
The tryptophan or L-Tryptophan has benefits as followed.
- To treat anxiety, bulimia, depression, insomnia, migraine, nightmares, compulsive disorder, and stress.
- To help you get better sleep, especially if you take some calcium with it.
- To help the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual syndrome, suicidal related depression, and pain release.
Some people can not stand the smell of durian, while the rest love it so much. It tastes like heaven for those who love, even just by smelling the odor will make people curious. Countries in Asia are main producers of durians. They are Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Philippine, and some others. There are hundreds variants of durians, but only some are heavily planted and sold. If you buy durians, you would want to choose ones that are big, fresh, fully ripen, and have solid stems. It is usually fully ripen in 2 to 4 days after falling from the tree, the best time to enjoy the flesh.
Health Benefits
- Raises serotonin levels…Creates an over-all sense of well being and aids in depression.
- It has a high amount of protein and amino acids (22 out of 24)…Good for muscle building and organ function.
- High in antioxidants…For anti-aging benefits including enhancing the appearance of your skin.
- It has the most complete nutritional profile of any fruit…Certain groups of people in Asia live on it, and nothing else, for up to 2 months at a time.
- It has the most complete nutritional profile of any fruit…Certain groups of people in Asia live on it, and nothing else, for up to 2 months at a time.
- It is power packed with nutrients, including essential fatty acids and organo-sulfur compounds…For increased energy, endurance, mental clarity, and cellular health.
- It enhances libido…It helps revitalize the desire for sexual intimacy
- Rich history of traditional uses…Anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, Thermogenic, calms fever, aids healing of swelling and skin diseases
- It has the most complete nutritional profile of any fruit…Certain groups of people in Asia live on it, and nothing else, for up to 2 months at a time.
Drinking Durian For Beauty
According to David Wolf’s “Eating for Beauty”
“Durian contains high levels of tryptophan. This is an amino acid and a tryptamine (similar to serotonin, melatonin, and DMT). Researchers have discovered that tryptophan helps both anxious, depressed, repressed people, as well as insomniacs. Tryptophan works by raising serotonin levels in the brain. When serotonin levels increase, a euphoric feeling is felt as a free passage is cleared for nerve impulses to travel.
Durian is such a strong blood cleaner that eating a few durian a day can change the odor of urine (urine is filtered out of blood).
What gives durian its strongest beautifying characteristics is its high concentration of raw oleic fats (and vitamin E), sulphur compounds, and soft proteins. Durian actually contains one of the highest concentrations of protein of any fruit, making it an excellent muscle builder.” Organic sulfur
compounds among other properties in durian are very cleansing for the body.
Durian provides “more concentrated healthful energy in food form than any other product the world affords” – to keep the body vigorous and tireless; the mind alert with faculties undimmed; the spirit youthful.
Nutritive Value per 100 g
- Vitamin A: 20-30 I.U.
- Ascorbic Acid: 23.9-25.0 mg
- Vitamin E: “high”
- Calcium: 7.6-9.0 mg
- Phosphorus: 37.8-44.0 mg
- Potassium: 436 mg
- Thiamine: 0.24-0.352 mg
- Riboflavin: 0.20 mg
- Niacin0.6: 83-0.70 mg
- Iron: 0.73-1.0 mg
- Sugars(approx.) 12.0 g
- Protein: 2.5-2.8 g
- Fat: 5.33g
- Fiber: 3.8 g
- Total Carbohydrates: 30.4-34.1 g
- Calories: 144
Health Benefits of Mulberry
- Carbohydrate (in the form of sugars, mainly glucose and fructose) – 7.8 to 9.2%
- Protein (with essential amino acids) – 15% to 28%
- Fatty acids like linoleic, stearic, and oleic acids – 0.4 to0.5%
- Malic acid, producing sour taste – 1.1 to1.9%
- Fiber – 0.9 to1.4%
- Calcium – 1.8 to 2.4%
- Phosphorus – 0.14 to 0.24%
- Potassium – 1.90 to 2.87% in leaves, 1.33 to1.53% in young stems
- Magnesium – 0.47 to 0.63% in leaves, 0.26 to 0.35% in young stems
- Mulberry can balance internal secretions and enhance immunity. It promotes proper body fluid production. People suffering from body fluid deficiency could take ten grams of mulberry daily with water.
- Mulberry is useful for the persons who use their eyes a lot during work. Regular consumption of mulberry strengthens eyesight.
- Presence of nutritious elements like minerals and vitamins in mulberry helps in curing chronic diseases.
- Mulberry is helpful for proper gastric juice secretion.
- Regular use of Mulberry enhances appetite, and also improves the ability for digesting and assimilating.
- Mulberry could be used to fight problems like chronic gastritis and chronic hepatitis.
- Regular consumption of mulberry juice would be helpful in curing health problems like anemia, pallor, dizziness, heart-palpitations and insomnia.
- Persons with graying hair can also get benefited by regular intake of Mulberry. Mulberry juice applied directly on head also promotes healthy growth of hair and blackening.
- Nutritious value of Mulberry enriches the blood and in the process, soothes the nerves.
- Mulberry could be helpful in promoting the metabolism of alcohol.
- Mulberry helps in containing hypertension.
- Regular intake of Mulberry strengthens body parts like liver and kidney.
- Mulberry is helpful in treating constipation.
- Mulberry is instrumental in eliminating abdominal distention.
- Intake of mulberry juice after any surgery is restorative.
- Mulberry is helpful in recuperating after long-time sickness.
- Consumption of Mulberry after childbirth is good for women’s health.
- Use of Mulberry keeps low cholesterol level in the body.
- Mulberry can suppress mutagenesis of carcinogens.
- Regular use of Mulberry prevents cancer of liver.
- Mulberry is helpful in reducing level of blood sugar.
MULBERRY LEAF POWDER CONTAINS FULL SPECTRIUM CHEMICALS ACTIVITIES IN PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS:
ACE-Inhibitor Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (+)-GALLOCATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, (-) EPIGALLOCATECHIN, AFZELIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, ASTRAGALIN, ISOQUERCITRIN, QUERCITRIN, ZINC.
Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor Activity:
(-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN, 6-(PENTADECYL)-SALICYLIC-ACID, ACACETIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, ASCORBIC-ACID, ASTRAGALIN, DAUCOSTEROL, ISOQUERCITRIN, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, VANILLIC-ACID.
AntiHIV Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, APIGENIN, LUTEOLIN, MYRICETIN, OPCS, PROCYANIDIN, QUERCETIN, TANNIN.
Antiacne Activity:
(-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN, ANACARDIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, LINOLEIC-ACID, PUFA, SELENIUM, THYMOL, ZINC.
Antiaging Activity:
APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BILOBALIDE, CHROMIUM,
QUERCETIN.
Antialzheimeran Activity:
CHOLINE, QUERCETIN, THIAMIN, ZINC.
Antianginal Activity:
MAGNESIUM, NIACIN.
Antianxiety Activity:
CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, TRYPTOPHAN.
Antiarrhythmic Activity:
APIGENIN, GINKGOLIDE-B, MAGNESIUM, POTASSIUM, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCITRIN.
Antiarteriosclerotic Activity:
HISTIDINE, LINOLEIC-ACID, SILICON.
Antiarthritic Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, COPPER, LINOLEIC-ACID, MAGNESIUM, PANTOTHENIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, THYMOL.
Antiasthmatic Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, GINKGOLIDE-A, GINKGOLIDE-B, GINKGOLIDE-C, GINKGOLIDES, MAGNESIUM, OPCS, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN,
Antiatherogenic Activity:
LUTEOLIN, OPCS, RUTIN.
Antiatherosclerotic Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, CALCIUM, CHROMIUM, CITRIC-ACID, LUTEIN, MAGNESIUM, MALIC-ACID, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, QUERCETIN, RUTIN,
THYMOL.
Antibiotic Activity:
CYSTEINE, OPCS, PROCYANIDIN, PRODELPHINIDIN.
Anticancer Activity:
ALPHA-CAROTENE, BETA-CAROTENE, BUTYRIC-ACID, ISOQUERCITRIN, KAEMPFEROL, RUTIN, SHIKIMIC-ACID, TANNIN, VANILLIC-ACID.
Anticancer (Lung) Activity:
ALPHA-CAROTENE, APIGENIN, BETA-SITOSTEROL.
Anticarcinogenic Activity:
(-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN, LUTEOLIN.
Anticarcinomic (Breast) Activity:
QUERCETIN
Anticataract Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, CYSTEINE, LUTEOLIN, METHIONINE, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RIBOFLAVIN, RUTIN, ZINC.
Anticoagulant Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, CITRIC-ACID, D-CATECHIN.
Anticoronary Activity:
BETA-CAROTENE, LINOLEIC-ACID, MAGNESIUM, SELENIUM, ZINC.
Antidepressant Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, PHENYLALANINE, POTASSIUM,
QUERCETIN, TRYPTOPHAN.
Antidiabetic Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, CHOLINE, CHROMIUM, COPPER, FIBER, FRUCTOSE, GLUCOMANNAN, MAGNESIUM, MANGANESE, PINITOL, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, XYLOSE, ZINC.
Antiedemic Activity:
AMENTOFLAVONE, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-SITOSTEROL, GINKGETIN, GLUCOSE, OPCS, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, PROCYANIDIN, QUERCITRIN,
RUTIN, SCIADOPITYSIN.
Antiestrogenic Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-SITOSTEROL, LUTEOLIN, QUERCETIN.
Antifatigue Activity:
PANTOTHENIC-ACID, POTASSIUM, THIAMIN, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antiflu Activity:
ERGOSTEROL, P-CYMENE, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN.
Antiglaucomic Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, MAGNESIUM, RUTIN.
Antihepatotoxic Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, GLUCOSE, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID,
QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, STIGMASTEROL, TANNIN.
Antiinflammatory Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID, AMENTOFLAVONE, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-SITOSTEROL, COPPER, GINKGETIN, GINKGOLIDES, ISOQUERCITRIN, ISORHAMNETIN,
KAEMPFEROL, LINOLEIC-ACID, LUTEOLIN, MAGNESIUM, MUFA, MYRICETIN, OLEIC-ACID, OPCS, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN,
QUERCETIN-3-RHAMNOGLUCOSIDE, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, SCIADOPITYSIN,
STIGMASTEROL, THYMOL, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antileukemic Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, APIGENIN, ASTRAGALIN, BETA-SITOSTEROL, DAUCOSTEROL, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, SELENIUM, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antimelanomic Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-IONONE, LUTEOLIN, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, SELENIUM, THYMOL.
Antimigraine Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, MAGNESIUM, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMIN, TRYPTOPHAN.
Antimutagenic Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (+)-GALLOCATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, (-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN, ACACETIN, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-EUDESMOL, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CITRIC-ACID, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, MYRICETIN, NONACOSANE, P-HYDROXY-BENZOIC-ACID, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN,
TANNIN.
Antiobesity Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, CHROMIUM, FIBER, OPCS, ZINC.
Antioxidant Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (+)-GALLOCATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, (-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN, ALANINE, AMENTOFLAVONE, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, BILOBALIDE, BILOBETIN, CAMPESTEROL, CYSTEINE, GAMMA-TOCOPHEROL, GINKGETIN, GINKGOLIDE-A, GINKGOLIDE-B, GINKGOLIDE-C, GINKGOLIDE-J, GINKGOLIDES, HISTIDINE, ISOQUERCITRIN, ISORHAMNETIN, KAEMPFEROL,
LAURIC-ACID, LUTEIN, LUTEOLIN, METHIONINE, MYRICETIN, MYRISTIC-ACID, OPCS, P-COUMARIC-ACID, P-HYDROXY-BENZOIC-ACID, PALMITIC-ACID, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, SCIADOPITYSIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID,
STIGMASTEROL, SUCROSE, TANNIN, THYMOL, TRYPTOPHAN, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antiparkinsonian Activity:
ASCORBIC-ACID, METHIONINE, NIACIN, PHENYLALANINE, TRYPTOPHAN, TYROSINE.
Antiprostaglandin Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, ANACARDIC-ACID, BETA-SITOSTEROL, GINKGOIC-ACID,
GINKGOLIC-ACID, TRYPTOPHAN.
Antirheumatic Activity:
THYMOL, TRYPTOPHAN, ZINC.
Antisickling Activity:
3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC-ACID,ASPARAGINE, GLYCINE, HOMOSERINE, P-HYDROXY-BENZOIC-ACID, PHENYLALANINE, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antispasmodic Activity:
APIGENIN, DAUCOSTEROL, GINKGETIN, ISORHAMNETIN, KAEMPFEROL, KAEMPFEROL-3-RHAMNOGLUCOSIDE, LUTEOLIN, NIACIN, P-COUMARIC-ACID, POTASSIUM, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID,QUERCETIN, QUERCETIN-3-RHAMNOGLUCOSIDE, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN,SHIKIMIC-ACID, THYMOL, VALERIANIC-ACID.
Antistress Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-CAROTENE, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID.
Antistroke Activity:
MAGNESIUM, PROANTHOCYANIDINS.
Antithrombotic Activity:
ANACARDIC-ACID, BILOBOL, CARDANOL, GINKGOLIDES.
Antitumor Activity:
ANACARDIC-ACID, APIGENIN, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-IONONE, BILOBOL,
BUTYRIC-ACID, CITRIC-ACID, CYSTEINE, DAUCOSTEROL, FIBER, GINKGOIC-ACID, GINKGOLIC-ACID, ISOQUERCITRIN, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, MALIC-ACID, P-COUMARIC-ACID, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SHIKIMIC-ACID, TANNIN, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antitumor (Breast) Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, LUTEIN, QUERCETIN, SELENIUM, ZEAXANTHIN.
Antitumor (Colon) Activity:
BETA-CAROTENE, LUTEIN, LUTEOLIN, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN.
Antitumor (Lung) Activity:
APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, LUTEOLIN, QUERCETIN, SELENIUM.
Antitumor (Skin) Activity:
APIGENIN, LUTEOLIN, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN,
Antitumor (brain) Activity:
LUTEOLIN, SELENIUM.
Antitumor-Promoter Activity:
ISOQUERCITRIN, KAEMPFEROL, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, SHIKIMIC-ACID, TANNIN, VANILLIC-ACID.
Antiulcer Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-EUDESMOL CYSTEINE, ELEMOL, FIBER, GINKGOLIDE-B, GLYCINE,
HISTIDINE, KAEMPFEROL, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, TANNIN, THREONINE, TYROSINE, ZINC.
Antiviral Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, AMENTOFLAVONE, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-SITOSTEROL, BILOBETIN, ERGOSTEROL, GINKGETIN, KAEMPFEROL, LAURIC-ACID, LUTEOLIN, MYRICETIN, NONACOSANE, OPCS, P-CYMENE, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, PROCYANIDIN, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, STIGMASTEROL, TANNIN.
Anxiolytic Activity:
APIGENIN, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID, GLUTAMIC-ACID.
Cancer-Preventive Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, ALANINE, ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-CAROTENE, BETA-IONONE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CYSTEINE, D-CATECHIN, FIBER, GLYCINE, ISOQUERCITRIN, ISORHAMNETIN, KAEMPFEROL, LINOLEIC-ACID, LUTEOLIN, METHIONINE, MUFA, MYRICETIN, MYRISTIC-ACID, NIACIN, OLEIC-ACID, OPCS, P-COUMARIC-ACID, P-HYDROXY-BENZOIC-ACID, PANTOTHENIC-ACID,
QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, RIBOFLAVIN, RUTIN, SELENIUM, SERINE, SHIKIMIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL, SUCCINIC-ACID, TANNIN, TYROSINE, VANILLIC-ACID.
Cardiotonic Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, D-CATECHIN, QUERCITRIN.
Cosmetic Activity:
BEHENIC-ACID, MYRISTIC-ACID, STEARIC-ACID.
Estrogenic Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-SITOSTEROL, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, QUERCETIN, STIGMASTEROL.
Hepatoprotective Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, ACACETIN, BETA-EUDESMOL, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CHOLINE, ISORHAMNETIN, KAEMPFEROL, LINOLEIC-ACID, LUTEOLIN, METHIONINE, NIACIN, PROANTHOCYANIDINS, QUERCETIN, RUTIN, TANNIN, ZEAXANTHIN.
Hypocholesterolemic Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-IONONE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CALCIUM, CAMPESTEROL, CHROMIUM, COPPER, FIBER, GINKGOIC-ACID, GLUCOMANNAN, LINOLEIC-ACID, LUTEOLIN, MAGNESIUM, MUFA, OLEIC-ACID, RUTIN, STEARIC-ACID, STIGMASTEROL.
Hypotensive Activity:
ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID, APIGENIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, ASTRAGALIN, CALCIUM, CHOLINE, CHROMIUM, FIBER, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID,
ISOQUERCITRIN, KAEMPFEROL, MAGNESIUM, QUERCITRIN, RUTIN, TRYPTOPHAN, ZINC.
Hypoglycemic Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, ASCORBIC-ACID, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CHROMIUM, DAUCOSTEROL, MANGANESE, MYRICETIN, NIACIN, QUERCETIN, QUERCITRIN, TRYPTOPHAN.
Immunostimulant Activity:
(+)-CATECHIN, (-)-EPICATECHIN, ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID, ASCORBIC-ACID,
ASTRAGALI, BETA-CAROTENE, PHOSPHORU, PROTOCATECHUIC-ACID, SELENIUM, ZINC.
Insulinogenic Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, CHROMIUM, MAGNESIUM, QUERCETIN, ZINC.
Inotropic Activity:
APIGENIN, KAEMPFEROL, QUERCETIN.
Neuroprotective Activity:
BILOBALIDE, GINKGOLIDE-A, GINKGOLIDE-B, GINKGOLIDES, KAEMPFEROL, QUERCETIN.
Pituitary-Stimulant Activity:
ARGININE
Roborant Activity:
ASPARTIC-ACID
Sunscreen Activity:
APIGENIN, OPCS, RUTIN.
Vasodilator Activity:
(-)-EPICATECHIN, ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID, APIGENIN, ARGININE, ASCORBIC-ACID, CALCIUM, FIBER, GINKGETIN, ISORHAMNETIN, KAEMPFEROL, LUTEOLIN, MAGNESIUM, MYRICETIN, NIACIN,POTASSIUM,
PROANTHOCYANIDINS, QUERCETIN, RUTIN.
Sedative Activity:
APIGENIN, BETA-EUDESMOL, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID, NIACIN,
P-CYMENE, STIGMASTEROL, THYMOL, TRYPTOPHAN.
Guyabano: The fruit that heals
“A MIRACULOUS natural cancer cell killer, 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.” That was how the forwarded e-mail described the fruits of sour sop or graviola (more popularly known here as guyabano or labana).
“What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells,” the e-mail said. “It does not harm healthy cells!” In addition, it “effectively targets and kills malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.”
According to the email, a research has been conducted and showed that the extracts from guyabano can “attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss.”
It also “protects your immune system and avoids deadly infections; feels stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment; and boosts your energy and improves your outlook on life.”
One wonders: Why are people not aware of this fact? The e-mail explained: “It’s because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.”
The US National Cancer Institute reportedly performed the first scientific research on graviola in 1976. The results showed that the plant’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Although the results were supposedly published in an internal report, it was never released to the public.
Whether the circulated e-mail is true or not, the guyabano (scientific name: Anona muricata) has been identified by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as one of the fruits that deserved attention.
The book Underexploited Tropical Plants with Promising Economic Value described it as “a tropical fruit with potential for development as a processed industrial commodity.”
Plants of the Philippines, published by the University of the Philippines in the 1970s, mentioned guyabano just in passing. “A relative of atis” is all you can read about the fruit in the 550-page book.
The heart shaped guyabano fruit has a dark green, leathery and spike like skin that measures from 8 to 12 inches long and can weigh up to 2.5 kilos. Ripe fruits are light yellow and soft. The creamy and delectable flesh contains from 60 to 100 black-brown seeds that are indigestible and non-edible.
Comparisons of the flavor of guyabano range from strawberry and pineapple mixed together to sour citrus flavor notes contrasting with an underlying creamy roundness of flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana.
A native of tropical America, guyabano was introduced into the Philippines at an early date and is no cultivated in all parts of the Archipelago. The plant grows in any kind of soil, but a fairly deep, friable soil of volcanic origin is conducive to growth and fruiting. It thrives very well from sea level up to 500 meters above sea level.
Guyabano is one of the healthiest fruits known to man. The flesh of the fruit consist of a white edible pulp that is high in carbohydrates (particularly fructose) and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, potassium and dietary fiber.
Guyabano is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. Not only is guyabano a good health food, it also taste delicious.
Aside from being eaten raw, the guyabano fruit is processed into candies, tarts, shakes, ice cream, and sherbets and other beverages. An assortment of punch and cocktail drinks can be made by mixing the nectar with wine rum or cola drinks or buko (fresh coconut) juice and ice.
In Indonesia, immature guyabano are cooked as vegetables or used in soup in Indonesia. In the northeastern part of Brazil, they are either roasted or fried.
The fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses in countries where the plant is common. The sap of the young leaves may be applied directly on pimples to induce suppuration. The sap is also considered parasitical.
An alcoholic extract of the leaves, when distilled with steam, yields a small amount of essential oil. The portion of alcoholic extract which is soluble in water contains a large amount of potassium chloride together with dextrose tannins, amorphous products, and a small amount of an alkaloid substance which could not be crystallized. The leaves and roots also cure colic and convulsions.
To reduce fever, a decoction of leaves can be taken internally. It has the same effect as when leaves are added to bathing water. In the Caribbean, it is believed that laying the leaves of the guyabano on a bed below a sleeping person with a fever will break the fever by the next morning.
The crushed fresh leaves are also applied on skin eruptions for faster healing. A poultice of young guyabano leaves is applied on the skin to alleviate rheumatism and other skin infections like eczema. Applied during the healing of wounds, this can result in less or no skin scars.
The decoction can also be used as a wet compress on swollen feet and other inflammations. Poultice of mashed leaves and sap of young leaves are used for eczema and skin eruptions.
The guyabano leaves are believed to have tranquilizing and sedative properties. In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are placed inside pillows or placed on top of the mattress to induce a good night’s sleep. Boiling the leaves and drinking may help induce sleep.
Guyabano are also good in checking insect pests. Pulverizing the guyabano seeds and mixing it with soap and water can be used as an effective spray against caterpillars, armyworms and leafhoppers on plants. The petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of guyabano are toxic to black carpet beetle larvae. The seed oil kills head lice.
The bark of the guyabano tree has been used in tanning. The bark fiber is strong but, since fruiting trees are not expendable, is resorted to only in necessity. Bark, as well as seeds and roots, has been used as fish poison.
The wood is pale, aromatic, soft, light in weight and not durable. It has been used for ox yokes because it does not cause hair loss on the neck. Analyses of the wood in Brazil show cellulose content of 65 to 76 percent, high enough to be a potential source of paper pulp.
Here are some words of warning: Research carried out in the Caribbean has suggested a connection between consumption of guyabano and atypical forms of Parkinson’s disease due to the very high concentration of annonacin. On the other hand, the seeds contain 45 percent of yellow non-drying oil which is an irritant poison, causing severe eye inflammation.
“Guyabano seeds are toxic, and care must be taken to assure that all are removed before the pulp is processed,” the NAS reminds.
‘Siling labuyo’ can be a potential shield vs cancer, expert says.
Publication: Manila Bulletin
Date: Monday, October 22 2007
Byline: Marvyn N. Benaning
Siling labuyo (Capsicum frutescens), the small but very hot pepper variety common in the country can be a potential shield against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract and muscular degeneration.
Thus says Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez, a professor at
the Institute of Chemistry at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB), who stressed the siling labuyo’s huge potential during a seminar on indigenous plants for health and wellness at the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) during the 19th National Research Symposium held in celebration of the 8th National Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Week.
Known as chili pepper, siling labuyo is among the indigenous plants that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is promoting through the Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness RDE Program of BAR.
The program aims to promote and highlight the importance of indigenous plants and their by-products.
The fruit of the siling labuyo is a popular condiment in sauces and dishes while its leaves are consumed as vegetable and is an ingredient for tinola, a popular chicken soup dish.
For centuries, the labuyo fruit has been used as an herbal treatment for arthritis and rheumatism and cure dyspepsia, flatulence and toothache.
“Phytochemicals are what people need to stay healthy,” Rodriguez stressed in her presentation.
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds found in fruits, vegetables and other edible plant species. These compounds act as anti-oxidants that are capable of metabolizing free-radicals in the body that cause cell death.
Carotenoids and phenolic acids are phytochemicals derived from siling labuyo.
Based on studies conducted by the team of Rodriguez, the anti-oxidant activity of siling labuyo extracts in terms of free radical scavenging activity is 60.1 percent, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for certain medical conditions.
Rodriguez encouraged eating a variety of fruits and vegetables to acquire the phytochemicals needed to promote health and wellness.
Moreover, Rodriguez pointed out that more studies should be done on other indigenous plants like malunggay.
The potential disease-preventive mechanisms of pyhytochemicals in fruits and vegetables and their constituents are not limited to anti-oxidant activity alone.
Phytochemicals can also act in the modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, alteration of cholesterol mechanism and blood pressure reduction.
Health Benefits of Sappan Wood
Folkloric
Decoction of wood and bark used for tuberculosis, diarrhea, dysentery, postpartum tonic, skin infections. and anemia.
Seeds used for stomach aches and nervous disorders.
Decoction of wood used postpartum as tonic.
Others
Chiefly used as a dyewood, popular for coloring native fabrics.
In some parts of the Quezon province, a popular colorant for the coconut liquer, lambanog.
Studies
• Antimicrobial: Aqueous extract study showed antimicrobial activity against methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) as well MRSA and suggests a potential to restore the effectiveness of B-lactam antibiotics against MRSA..
• Immunosuppressive compenent: Brazilein, an important immunosuppressive component of CS showed inhibition of T cell proliferation and suppress mice humoral immune response.
• Antioxidant:Study results showed significant antioxidant activities of Caesalpinia sappan heartwood extracts.
• Anticonvulsant:Study of aqueous MeOH extracts isolated pure compounds sappanchalcone and brazilin which showed remarkable anticonvulsant activity.
• Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors:Study of MeOH extract of Vietnamese CS isolated neoprotosappanin and protosappanin A dimethyl acetal which showed xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity comparable to allopurinol.
• Anti-allergic:Study of extracts of CS showed potent inhibitory activity against B-hexosaminidase release as marker of degranulation in rat basophilic leukemic cells. Among the compounds tested, sappanchalcone showed the most potent anti-allergic effect.
• Cardioactive effects of Brazilein:Brazilein obtained from CS ethanol extracts showed a positive inotropic action with little effect on heart rate and coronary perfusion, an effect achieved through inhibition of Na-K-ATPase system.
Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(2) Brazilein, an important immunosuppressive component from Caesalpinia sappan L. / International Immunopharmacology
Vol 6, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 426-432 / doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2005.09.012
(3) Antioxidant Activity of Caesalpinia sappan Heartwood / Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin Vol. 26 (2003) , No. 11 1534
(4) Anticonvulsant compounds from the wood of Caesalpinia sappan L. / Archives of Pharmacal Research. Vol 23, Number 4 / August, 2000 / DOI 10.1007/BF02975445
(5) Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors from the Heartwood of Vietnamese Caesalpinia sappan / CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
Vol. 53 (2005) , No. 8 984
(6) Anti-allergic activity of principles from the roots and heartwood of caesalpinia sappan on antigen-induced -hexosaminidase release / Phytotherapy Research
(7) Study on Cardioactive Effects of Brazilein /
Here’s a couple gems culled from the inbox chaff:
- “Caesalpinia sappan, known as Sibukaw Tree, treats hepatitis problems. It also includes diabetes.”
Excerpt from reply or comment re sibukaw:
John 6:1-15 Multiplication of the Loaves
John 6:1-15
Multiplication of the Loaves
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Gospel Reflection
Today’s gospel narrates to us one of the greatest miracles of Jesus – the feeding of about five thousand people out of five barley loaves and two fish. This is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.
“The location according to the text is in a “desert” region. There was green grass so it wasn’t too barren. The word “desert” means a remote place. Perhaps the gospel writers used the word “desert” because in the OT the desert was where God met, tested and blessed his people” (15 James A. Brooks, Mark, NAC. p. 107).
The miracle happened when John the Baptist had just been killed and Herod was seeking Jesus. Jesus had withdrawn with the disciples to be alone to rest (according to Mark and John’s chronology the disciples had just returned from being sent out) and to give them some private instruction. It was time to take a break, but the crowds followed Him and they have nothing to eat. There and then Jesus out of his compassion feed five thousand people in number. There were even 12 filled wicker baskets of fragments left-over.
There are three points to be considered here for our reflection and daily Christian living:
First, Jesus takes cares of us in all our needs: both body and soul. Hence, his love and care for us is integral, whole and complete. This is why in today’s account, Jesus does not want to dismiss the hungry crowd on empty stomach in a deserted place. Instead, out of compassion, he attends to his peoples’ hunger, both material and spiritual. This is the best reminder for all of us who are ministers of the word: “Never preach in an empty stomach,” or “You cannot preach love on an empty stomach” as the popular saying goes.
Second, a miracle is not God working for us; it is God working with us. Expectant faith, therefore, does not make us fold our hands doing nothing looking into heaven while waiting for miracles to come. Rather it spurs us on to make our best, if not greatest possible contributions, our efforts, cooperation, generosity, five loaves and two fish, knowing that without them, though how humble and inadequate they were, there would be no miracle.
Third, miracle aims conversion, faith and discipleship. It would be somehow sound to infer that what really happened here was not just the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish that fed the five thousand of hungry crowds but also a miracles of sharing as a fruit of conversion, faith and discipleship. It is said that “the world is so poor for everybody’s greed but so rich for everybody’s need.”
It is estimated that 840 millions out of 6.2 billon (August 16, 2002 estimate, US Census Bureau) in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition (World Hunger, Do you know the facts?). About 24,000 people die everyday from hunger or hunger-related causes. This is down from 35,000 ten years ago, and 41,000 twenty years ago. Three-fourth of the deaths are children under the age of five. Famine and wars cause about 10% of hunger deaths, although these tend to be the ones you hear about often. Majority of hunger deaths are caused by chronic malnutrition whose cause is poverty. And the root cause of poverty is sin in the forms of injustice, greed and selfishness.
We do not need Jesus to come and be crucified once again just to perform miracles for us so that we can eat and live. Rather, let the word, the person and the example of Jesus do miracles for us by transforming us from being greedy to generous, from being selfish to selfless, from being close and indifferent to being sensitive and responsive to the needs of the people around us. This is what the world needs now. The miracle of sharing, giving, caring and love. With this, the world would be a better place to live in.
Guiding Light
Sta. Ana, Cagayan is known as “The Gateway to the Pacific” and is the last province on the tip of Luzon in Region 2. And with a 45-minute boat ride from Sta. Ana lays the wave and wind battered island of Palaui.
Palaui is home to 21 species of fishes, 90 species of migratory birds, 105 species of rattan and timber, and Faro de Cabo Engaño or Cape Engaño, one of 27 major lighthouses in the Philippines. Completed in December 31, 1892 by the Spaniards, it is the first lighthouse you will see when entering Philippine waters and is the last when heading out into the Pacific. Nestled on top of a scenic hill, its octagonal, cylindrical stone tower standing guard, it once played a crucial role in the trade between Spain and the Philippines, guiding ships toward the port of Appari.
Now, with its roof gone, probably torn off by forces of nature, this U-shaped building stands as a decaying reminder of the past. You can’t even go up the rust corroded metal stairs going to the top of the lighthouse. It is now closed, a sign or vandalism on the wall by the Philippine Coast Guard warns you not to go up because the flooring is rotted.
With nowhere to go, I peer out the crumbling windows and see the legendary islands of Dos Hermanas. Folklore has it that these are two sisters waiting for their husbands who went out to fish and never returned.
Peering out on the east side, I see a weather-beaten ridge. Waves relentlessly pound the rocky shores of the island and I am reminded of the car-sized waves we endured going to this beautiful island.
Our trip started on an early morning with a calm sea, we almost didn’t feel the waves. This lulls you into a false sense of serenity, of being one with the sea and all that romantic stuff. Then came a little sea spray here and there. This gets more frequent until we come to across car-sized waves that literally rocked our world. Shaken and stirred like a Martini, we at last get a glimpse of Faro de Cabo Engaño Lighthouse and docked at Palaui’s cove. I swear I could have kissed the shore, profusely thanking God that we arrived safely. This must have been how the Spanish sailors felt back then. The lighthouse must have really looked like a guiding light from heaven to those sailors.
I now look around the lighthouse and I see that vandals like Glenn, Arnel, Bullet, Aurelio, Ceasar and Noel were also once looking out this same window. Besides the forces of nature, this historical landmark has to contend with human nature.
We go down the hill and I count 240 concrete steps from the lighthouse. I could be wrong with my count, as I was hungry as the carabaos grazing on the lower side of the hill. We head back to our boat and have our breakfast.
Going back to Sta. Ana took 30 minutes because the water was calmer. We were again sprayed by seawater but this was because of the strong winds coming from the North East. Our boatman even had to make a second attempt to land on the shore, the strong wind and powerful waves pushed our boat off course.
And speaking of going back, will a 15-hour bus ride or an hour on a plane from Manila to Tugegarao plus a 3-hour van ride to Sta. Ana, Cagayan and almost an hour of being tossed like a salad on a small outrigger boat prevent me from going back and see Palaui? With the spectacular scenery and the Faro de Cabo Engaño Lighthouse to guide me back, I most definitely will.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/209247/guiding-light
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