I’m a sucker for blueberry cheesecakes and blueberry muffins! When I’m out, I try to find delis that sells this scrumptious and delicious dessert plus a big mug of coffee. Just eating blueberry cheesecake put a big smile on my face. But there’s more about blueberries that I should be happy about. Check it out!

About the plant: Blueberries are widely cultivated for culinary purposes.  But Highbush blueberries and rabbit-eye blueberries are the preferred crop for commercial cultivation. Blueberries are from the genus Vaccinum.  They are shrubs that grow up to 4 m. tall. They thrive in temperate countries.

What I discovered: Aside from being a super yummy dessert, blueberries were discovered to have high nutrient content. The extracts are rich in anthocyanidins, a bioflavonoid and phytonutrient that gives blueberries the antioxidant properties. It is cooling and pungent. Blueberry preparations have a diuretic effect, laxative (if taken in large quantities) and can lower blood sugar levels.  Here’s more: it is said that blueberries can be applied to hemorrhoids, burns (fruit), eczema; the juice is used as a mouthwash for imflamed gums and to sooth sore eyes; extracts from supplements maintain peripheral circulation and skin collagen… the best part: proven to combat typhoid and bacilli of the colon. The leaves and the fruits are the parts being used from this shrub.

What’s hot: Blueberry is a superfruit! Just imagine a wide array of health benefits you’ll get in taking blueberry fruits and supplements. Its therapeutic use extend to patients with diabetes, anemia, dysentery, diarrhea and urinary problems. No garden space? No worries, you can plant these shrubs in a pot! Gurney’s have dwarf blueberries for you to choose from.

What’s not-so-hot: Some products like blueberry jams, preserves, jellies, juices, do not contain the “real” blueberries. Some are artificially made. Hence, if you can’t grow your very own blueberry shrub, do your own research and find the product that works for you.

Someday, I’ll have this shrub in my garden and I’ll have blueberry cheesecake everyday, putting it in my vanilla ice cream sounds yummy too!

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.