Are you having the same problem as I am? Your herbs like parsley, mint, basil, cilantro gets dried up after 2-3 days even if you put it in a  tightly sealed plastic bag.  The ending, you don’t get to enjoy your herbs. So if you want to prolong the shelf life of your fresh herbs from your garden or just to save a few bucks from wastage, try this Prepara Herb Savor that I found that will keep your herbs fresh for up to 3 weeks! I am not kidding many swore it works and do a great job. What it basically do:

• Herb stems sit slightly submerged in the water of the water-well, keeping them fresh
• Features easily refillable water well base and removable stainless steel herb basket
• Fits inside a typical refrigerator door while providing roomy herb storage capacity

Cool huh? I think this is an ingenious way of keeping our herbs fresh, yummy and safe. Try it!

Have you tried Java rice or a curry dish? Java rice is a kind of “yellow rice” that is so yummy eaten with kebabs. If you tried one of the above then you had tasted turmeric. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about turmeric and its time to put it in spotlight. Aside from as a staple ingredient to most Asian dishes, its refreshing to know based on many studies the benefits in taking turmeric in achieving good health.

What’s hot: Aside from making dishes aromatic, warming and colorful, in a study of a team of scientists in The Center for the Prevention of Cancer at the Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, it was found that ingestion of turmeric lowers the risk of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. They said that the curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) which strengthens the influence of the drug Celecoxib lessens the risk of the onset of the aforesaid types of cancer.

“Curcumin has been shown, for example, to stimulate the production of bile and to facilitate the emptying of the gallbladder. It has also demonstrated in animals a protective effect on the liver, anti-tumor action, and ability to reduce inflammation and fight certain infections. Also have antioxidant properties, which some claim may be as strong as vitamins C and E. “

Source

Turmeric may not be new to some, especially the Chinese who had been using this herb as long as the 5th century. Some say the Chinese use it as anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive disorders and liver problems, and for the treatment of skin diseases and wound healing. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties may also help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

As a household use, turmeric can be used as a dye. Traditionally, its the dyestuff that colors the robes of Buddhist monks.

Turmeric sounds like an all-in-one herb! This wonder herb’s health benefits seems endless. I’ve never tasted fresh turmeric tea because its not always available in the market. But I do like ginger tea. I think I will like fresh turmeric tea as well.

What’s not-so-hot: Studies show that excessive use of curcumin may produce stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. Advised not to consume by pregnant women for safety has not been tested for them. Cultivating this herb requires an ample warmth and humidity. Its a perennial plant and a relative of ginger. If you live in a temperate country you have a lower chance of growing this herb. But if you have a greenhouse, you may have luck in growing this amazing herb.

Turmeric in many forms:

Turmeric powder tea $4.99, Turmeric (ground) $27.50, Turmeric health supplement capsules $28.34, Turmeric facial mask $39, Turmeric root extract $26.90

Photo source: Kalyx

Its the holiday season, relatives coming in for dinner and you are preparing all your yummy recipes. But you accidentally cut your finger from chopping onions! We often go straight to the sink and clean the wound in running water. You don’t want the casserole to taste bloody. But you want to salvage your finger, hence aloe vera first aid to the rescue!

About the plant: The aloe vera is a sun-loving plant. Its a hardy plant that will grow in dry conditions. Mainly grown in the tropical and semitropical countries. There are about 275 genus in the Aloe worldwide, commercially the most popular is the Aloe vulgaris Lamarck, or simply “aloe vera”.

What I discovered: The aloe vera plant’s popularity stems from the “magical” sap (jelly-like) stored inside its leaves. It says in some studies that the sap have a complex active carbohydrate ingredient called acemannan that attributed to the healing properties of the aloe vera plant. The aloe vera plant is known for its soothing, moisturizing and healing property. It is usually applied in minor cuts, wounds, burns and irritated skin. Its also a popular cosmetic ingredient we see in hair care products, soaps, lotions, etc.

As a first aid, you slice a leaf and put the sap in the affected skin to sooth and heal the cut. The soothing properties of the sap allows the affected skin to heal and known to prevent scar! You can also directly apply it to insect bites and fungal infections.

Whats hot: Continued studies of the healing wonders of the aloe vera plant for potential new applications and healing in treatment of cancers, tumors, ulcers, wounds, inflammatory diseases, and who knows HIV?

What’s not-so-hot: The dagger-like leaves of the aloe vera plant is not safe to be around with kids. It is said that aloe vera is not recommended for severe burns and for pregnant women.

Latest fad: The Aloe Vera Juice! Because of its soothing property, drinking aloe vera juice helps people with stubborn constipation, a laxative effect on the bowel. It also said that it has therapeutic effects on arthritis, ulcers, diabetes and other health conditions.

The aloe vera plant is simply amazing. For further reading I recommend, “Aloe Vera: Nature’s Soothing Healer,” by Diane Gage.

I love the smell of fresh lemon grass and I love it in my food. This herb is not as attractive as the others for it is a “grass”, but you may wanna give it a second look.

About the plant: Lemon grass grows well in the tropics for it likes a warmer climate. But it can also grow in temperate countries as long as the temperature will not fall below 7C. There are over 50 species of these genus native to the tropical and temperate countries of the world. Cymbopogon grasses contain citral, which is a lemon fragrance.

What I discovered: Aside from being a popular culinary ingredient in Asian cuisine, this herb is also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. The leaves and stems are the parts being used. Boil fresh lemon grass and add to a bath for a refreshing, cooling and calming bath or if you have stubborn athlete’s foot you may want to give your feet a chance to try the “lemon grass soak.” Some also extract oil from lemon grass for cosmetic use, essential oil for incense burning and candles. Another practical use you can try is to cut fresh lemon grass leaves and form a knot and place it inside cabinets or cupboards to repel insects. Had enough lemon grass information overload? Here’s the most exciting part…

Got the article from a friend about drinking fresh lemon grass tea might cure cancer. The article entitled, “Fresh lemon grass fields in Israel become Mecca for cancer patients,” was written by Allison Kaplan Sommer (2006) (too bad I think her blog is down). It says in the story that in a research started by Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel – lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Drinking fresh lemon grass tea that contains enough citral prompt cancer cells to commit suicide. The process of cancer cells committing suicide is called apoptosis. The cancer patients were told to drink 8 glasses of hot water with fresh lemon grass steeped on it on the days they went for their radiation of chemotherapy treatments. Drinking lemon grass tea also help relieve digestive upset. Nobody knows for certain how it works, BGU scientists’ theorized that, “in each cell in our body, there is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death.”

What’s hot: The many practical uses of this herb. If it can cure the big C – its an added bonus.

What’s not-so-hot: I do not know anyone (yet) who was cured of the big C because of drinking fresh lemon grass tea.

But I do know of someone who drinks fresh lemon grass tea everyday. He drinks it for his ulceritis to sooth and calm his tummy.