PAPAYA/PAW PAW LEAF

Botanical: Carica papaya Family: Caricaceae (papaya) Other common names:  Papaw, Mamao, Paw-Paw, Tree Melon, Gandul, Fan Kua Papaya Leaf contains a remarkable protein-dissolving enzyme called papain, and if you suffer from indigestion or heartburn, give Papaya Leaf a try!   The enzyme in Papaya Leaf also breaks down wheat gluten and carbohydrates for extra digestive protection. Disclaimer: The information presented herein  is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any leaf matter, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider. History: Papaya is an herbaceous tree with a stem of spongy, soft wood that is hollow in the center and bears melon-like fruit.  It is an interesting tree, in that the male and female parts exist in different trees, and trees may grow to a height of twenty to thirty feet. The Papaya Tree needs a tropical climate that is dry when cold and wet when warm; consequently, its greatest success appears in the equatorial zone with its warm wet season and cool dry season.  It is extremely sensitive to frost, and water-logging will kill the taproot within forty-eight hours. The Papaya is especially susceptible to parasites, pests and diseases. This fussy plant needs a lot of water but must have good drainage, and it bears most fruit in light, porous, slightly acidic soils that are rich in organic matter. Said to be a native of the Caribbean and Central America, the Papaya is the true papaw that now grows abundantly throughout tropical America, Hawaii and many other tropical climates throughout the world.  Although grown to some extent in south Florida, the true papaw is not related to the North American papaw.  The fruits, leaves and latex are all used medicinally. The delicious fruit is usually pear-sized and has a central cavity filled with edible, pea-sized seeds. Generally, the fruit is melon-like, oval to nearly round, and the skin is waxy and thin but fairly tough.  As the fruit ripens, it becomes yellow externally, and the thick wall of flesh becomes aromatic, yellow, orange or various shades of red. Papaya Fruit is eaten as a melon, included in salads and when unripe, it is cooked as a vegetable.  The seeds are said to have a similar flavor as capers.  The green fruit, stems and leaves are a rich source of a gummy, milky, white latex that contains the powerful enzyme, papain (in latex and exudate).  This protein-dissolving substance has not only been widely used for stomach and digestive disorders, but it is also included in commercial preparations as a meat tenderizer, chewing gum and as a stabilizing agent that is used to clarify beer. The fruit is usually pear-sized and has a central cavity filled with edible, pea-sized seed, which are said to have a similar flavor as capers. Papaya Leaves are cooked and considered a green vegetable and are a rich source of a gummy, milky, white latex that contains the powerful enzyme, papain.  This protein-dissolving substance is an excellent remedy for stomach and digestive disorders.  Papain is so powerful that Papaya Leaves have been wrapped around meats to break down the fibers and tenderize them.  It is included in commercial preparations as a meat tenderizer and often used for that purpose in restaurants, and it also used commercially in chewing gums and as a stablizing agent that is used to clarify beer. Papaya Leaves were even fed to animals to tenderize their flesh.  Some of Papaya Leaf’s constituents include the fermenting agent myrosin, alkaloids, rutin, resin, tannins, carpaine, dehydrocarpaines, pseudocarpaine, flavonols, benzylglucosinolate, linalool, malic acid, methyl salicylate, another enzyme, chymopapain (latex and exudate), calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, beta-carotene, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C and E. Beneficial Uses: Papaya Leaf is an excellent treatment for digestive disorders and extremely useful for any disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract.  Papain, the powerful enzyme in Papaya, helps to dissolve and digest protein, thus easing stomach ailments and indigestion.  (Because papain breaks down tough meat fibers, it is often used in restaurants and is the major ingredient in commercial meat tenderizers!)  Papaya has been effective in easing heartburn and is given to treat dyspepsia and gastric catarrh.  Papaya also stimulates the appetite. Papaya Leaf’s enzyme, papain, not only digests protein, but it extends its activity to digesting carbohydrate. Papain also breaks down wheat gluten, which may be helpful for those suffering from Celiac disease; and those who have difficulty digesting starchy foods, such as breads, cereals and potatoes, might find great relief in including Papaya in their diets. The papain in Papaya is thought to relieve acute prostate inflammation and may be very helpful in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).  Clinical studies in Russia found that papain treatment reversed rectal lesions induced by extreme prostate enlargement in over 97 percent of the men treated. The papain in Papaya is currently undergoing studies to investigate its efficacy in treating the herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster (shingles). Another papayan enzyme, chymopapain, has been used in the treatment of slipped spinal disc and pinched nerves. Since many stomach problems are the direct result of indigestion, use of Papaya appears to help prevent many ailments.  It stimulates digestive acids and the production of bile, which may also lead to a healthier liver and pancreas. Papaya is said to stimulate the bowels in times of constipation and is also believed to be useful in treating inflammatory bowel disorders. In many areas of the world, Papaya is used as a vermifuge, anthelmintic and amoebacide that eliminates worms and other parasites, and it is thought that the papain content digests the invaders, and Papaya’s latex also works as a dewormer by its purgative actions, increasing the movement of intestinal contents. Contraindications: People who take blood medication (Sulfinpyrazone) or blood thinning medication (Coumadin, aspirin, etc.) should consult with their physicians before taking this herb, as it may have anticoagulant properties. Pregnant women should avoid Papaya, as it can be a uterine stimulant (papain apparently dissolves a protein(s) responsible for adhering the newly fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus).  Papaya in all its forms should never be taken by people with a latex allergy (causing anaphylactic shock).  Inhaling Papaya powder (high in the enzymes, papain and chymopapain, can induce allergies. Although papain digests carbohydrates, potato protein may cause papain to not work as well when taken at the same time. If you wish to purchase some organic fresh or dried leaf/seeds please forward an email to us. admin@acbocallcentre.com Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha

Many have narcotic and/or toxic properties

Datura stramonium Photo: Australian National Botanic Garden

The family’s common name ‘deadly night shade’ reflects a precautionary note about the toxic nature of many of its members. This name is derived from the herb called deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna, which contains a potent narcotic extract called Atropine. This is used medicinally as an eye dilating drug and sedative.

Another plant with toxic properties is the foetid smelling thorn apple, Datura stramonium, commonly found in India. Even today Indian thieves and assassins are consistently administering high doses to their victims in order to render them insensible. However, it also contains beneficial alkaloids, which alleviate asthma and act as a pre-anaesthetic in childbirth and surgery.

Of the well known family members, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a very hazardous plant. Less known are the allergies encountered by some regular consumers of potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and/or aubergines. To illustrate their potency, a world-renowned ballet dancer became crippled with muscular and joint pains and was unable to dance. Following a diagnosis of intolerance to these foods she resumed her distinguished career within a month of excluding them from her diet. Other users report that within a short time of eating them they have difficulty in relaxing and/or sleeping. Vivid dreams are symptomatic of this intolerance.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 21st Feb 2010

WILL PAW PAW [PAPAYA] CURE YOUR CONDITION?

A long time favourite for dry skin in Australia is the use of paw paw. Products made using the fermented paw paw have been demonstrated to possess’ high levels of vitamins  A and C, and to have exceptional healing properties for a number of skin conditions such as warts, burns, corns, eczema, chaffing, nappy rash, bites, blemishes, dry skin and psoriasis. If you suffer from problems such as mild eczema or psoriasis, the use of paw paw can be an effective remedy for these problems. Paw paw is rich in a natural enzyme called papain, which helps soothe irritated or dry skin. This was a popular remedy long before science was in a position to explain why fermented paw paw treatments work so effectively. After a burn, you may find you suffer from dry skin, or sensitive skin because of the injury. Using paw paw has been demonstrated to soothe burns. The high concentration of vitamins A and C mean that the paw paw ingredient actively helps to rejuvenate skin  that has been damaged by a burn. In this way, the paw paw is an effective option for preventing further scarring. Another useful quality of paw paw is that it makes an effective barrier cream for dry skin and other problematic skin conditions. Paw paw not only helps to protect skin that has been exposed to burns, but is great for those who suffer from conditions like eczema and psoriasis. As well as this, paw paw is a great treatment for both nappy rash and heat  rash. If your baby is suffering from nappy rash, then paw paw ointment is the ideal natural and gentle treatment to help soothe this skin condition. For the treatment of skin conditions such as warts, corns or flaky, dry skin, the enzyme papain in paw paw is a very effective balm. The papain enzyme has disintegrating and skin smoothing qualities, which are ideal for these problems. Using paw paw aids in reducing the seriousness of this condition and helps to stop it from worsening. Another popular use for paw paw is for dry skin on the lips and hands. Paw paw in lip balms and ointments is one of the richest treatments for dry skin on the lips and on the  cuticles. The skin on your hands often gets the most exposure to pollutants and chemicals. Whether it is something that we come into contact with during the course of   the day or simply doing the dishes, our hands tend to be exposed to the worst of it. Using paw paw is a great way to restore moisture to dry cuticles as well as to help restore condition to the skin in the hands in general. A final use for paw paw, aside from restoring dry skin or healing sensitive skin, is as a soothing balm on insect bites and other stings. The papain enzyme that is found in the paw paw is also extremely useful as a  home remedy to aid in the case of bee stings, wasp stings and jellyfish stings. The papain enzyme works by breaking down the toxins released in the sting, not just soothing but actually helping to eliminate the cause of the stinging discomfort. Paw paw is truly an exceptional ingredient, providing a diverse range of treatments for dry skin, problem skin, stings and burns among other things. With such a diversity of uses, it is no wonder that the rest of the world is fast catching on to the usefulness of this exceptional natural skin treatment. Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 20th Feb 2010

REPLACE DAIRY PRODUCTS WITH GREENS FOR CALCIUM


Why is it that we are encouraged to drink milk?

Because of its calcium right?

Well, where do cows get their food from?

The grass!  The grass is green and it contains huge
amounts of calcium, as well as the other alkalizing
minerals.

We have been brainwashed into believing that cow's
milk and dairy are essential for us to grow big and
strong.I don'tthink is right especially when you
consider the following...

Cow's milk provides 118 mg of calcium/100 g.
The daily recommended intake (depending on the authority)
is between 800 - 1200 mg of calcium per day.

Therefore, to meet daily requirements, and assuming that
dairy is a balanced source of calcium (which it is not),
you would need toconsume at minimum 0.88 - 1.22 liters
of 2% milk per day(considering 1 g of 2% milk = 1.1 ml)!
 That's four to five 250 ml cups
of milk per day.  That's insane!

Dairy is the most common food allergen in the world!
After the age of 2, our body no longer produces the
enzyme lactase to breakdown lactose (sugar in dairy).
This leads to a myriad ofproblems including bloating,
gas, indigestion, skin problems
(such as eczema), and excess mucus production.

There is an alternative to dairy however
(and it's not soy milk).

DOES THIS MEAN THAT WE SHOULD ALL CONSUME MORE GREENS?

Published by Henry Sapiecha 18th Jan 2010

PARSLEY – Medicinal Uses

• Tea may be used as an enema. Chinese and German herbologists recommend parsley tea to help control high blood pressure, and the Cherokees used it as a tonic to strengthen the bladder. It is also often used as an emmenagogue.
• Parsley also appears to increase diuresis by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in the kidney, thereby enhancing sodium and water excretion while increasing potassium reabsorption. It is also valued as an aquaretic.
• When crushed and rubbed on the skin, parsley can reduce itching in mosquito bites.
• When chewed, parsley can freshen bad breath.

Health risks

• Parsley should not be consumed as a drug or supplement by pregnant women. Parsley as an oil, root, leaf, or seed could lead to uterine stimulation and preterm labor
• Parsley is high (1.70% by mass,  in oxalic acid, a compound involved in the formation of kidney stones and nutrient deficiencies.
• Parsley oil contains furanocoumarins and psoralens which leads to extreme photosensitivity if used orally.
• Parsley seeds contain a high level of oil and are a diuretic.

Parsley (raw)

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 40 kcal   150 kJ
Carbohydrates 6.3 g - Sugars  0.9 g - Dietary fiber 3.3 g Fat 0.8 g Protein 3.0 g Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0.1 mg 8% Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.2 mg 13% Niacin (Vit. B3) 1.3 mg 9% Pantothenic acid (B5)  0.4 mg 8% Vitamin B6 0.1 mg 8% Folate (Vit. B9)  152 ?g 38% Vitamin C 133.0 mg 222% Vitamin K 1640.0 ?g 1562% Calcium 138.0 mg 14% Iron 6.2 mg 50% Magnesium 50.0 mg 14% Phosphorus 58.0 mg 8% Potassium 554 mg 12% Zinc 1.1 mg 11%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database

Mimosa tenuiflora

Another wonder plant for healing the body.

Mimosa tenuiflora
Mimosa tenuiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Mimosoideae
Genus:	Mimosa
Species:	M. tenuiflora
Binomial name
Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.[1][2]
Range of Mimosa tenuiflora
Synonyms
Acacia hostilis Mart. Acacia tenuiflora Willd. Mimosa cabrera H. Karst. Mimosa hostilis (C. Mart.) Benth. Mimosa limana Rizzini

Mimosa tenuiflora (Jurema, Tepezcohuite) is a perennial evergreen tree or shrub native to the northeastern region of Brazil (Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Pernambuco, Bahia) and found as far north as southern Mexico (Oaxaca and coast of Chiapas). It is most often found in lower altitudes, but it can be found as high as 1000 m.

Description

The fern-like branches have leaves that are Mimosa like, finely pinnate, growing to 5 cm long. Each compound leaf contains 15-33 pairs of bright green leaflets 5-6  mm long. The tree itself grows up to 8 m tall and it can reach 4-5 m tall in less than 5 years. The white,fragrant flowers occur in loosely cylindrical spikes 4-8 cm long. In the Northern Hemisphere it blossoms and produces fruit from November to June or July. In the Southern Hemisphere it blooms primarily from September to January. The fruit is brittle and averages 2.5–5 cm long. Each pod contains 4–6 seeds that are oval, flat, light brown and 3–4 mm in diameter. There are about 145 seeds/g. In the Southern Hemisphere, the fruit ripens from February to April.

The tree’s bark is dark brown to gray. It splits lengthwise and the inside is reddish brown.

The tree’s wood is dark reddish brown with a yellow center. It is very dense, durable and strong, having a density of about 1.11 g/cm³.

Mimosa tenuiflora does very well after a forest fire, or other major ecological disturbance.It is a prolific pioneer plant It drops its leaves on the ground, continuously forming a thin layer of mulch and eventually humus. Along with its ability to fix nitrogen, the tree conditions the soil, making it ready for other plant species to come along.

Medicinal uses

Disaster response

The Mayans of Mexico have used roasted Mimosa tenuiflora “tepezcohuite” bark to treat lesions of the skin for over a thousand years.

Powdered tepezcohuite bark contains large amounts (16%) of tannins, which act as an astringent, making the skin stop bleeding. This helps protect the body from infection, while the skin builds new protective tissue.

Tannins in the bark diminish capillary permeability. The bark provides important micronutrients such as ions of zinc, copper, manganese, iron and magnesium, which play an important role in cellular repair and protection. It also contains antioxidant flavonoids.

Mimosa tenuiflora “tepezcohuite” proved vital in the treatment of some of the 5000 burn victims in the aftermath of a series of explosions at large liquid petroleum gas explosion at a huge facility located near Mexico City in San Juan Ixhuatepec (San Juanico), November 19, 1984. It was also used to treat victims of a large 1985 earthquake in Mexico. Powder from the bark has a 2-3 hour pain killing effect on the skin. Bark powder causes skin to regenerate fully in a matter of weeks.The results and some mechanisms thereof have been confirmed in the laboratoryTepezcohuite is used to treat acne, psoriasis and herpes.

Extensive research has been performed in labs in Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is now used in commercial hair and skin products for rejuvenating skin.
The bark is known to be rich in tannins, saponins, alkaloids, lipids, phytosterols, glucosides, xylose, rhamnose, arabinose, lupeol, methoxychalcones and kukulkanins. In vitro studies have shown three times more bacteriocidal activity on bacterial cultures than streptomycin, and it works to some degree in vivo.

In addition to the above effects, tepezcohuite may protect and stimulate the generation of collagen and “elastina,” as well as providing protecting flavonoids and hyaluronic acid, a building block for tissue regeneration.^{[citation needed]}

Treating traumatic injury

For traumatic injuries, tepezcohuite is believed to protect exposed bone and to help regenerate soft tissue. As mentioned before, it is an antiseptic. It is also used in the prevention of inflammation.

Treating venous leg ulcerations

Mimosa tenuiflora has been shown to be very effective in treating venous leg ulcerations, a condition especially problematic for people with diabetes.

Other

A tea made of the leaves and stem is used to treat tooth pain.

For cases of cough and bronchitis, a water extract (decoction) of Mimosa tenuiflora is drunk. handful of bark in one liter of water is used by itself or in a syrup The solution is drunk until the symptoms subside.

Other uses

The tree is an acceptable source of forage or fodder for animals, providing vital protein and other nutrients.It does well in the dry season and in drought, while providing life saving food for local livestock and animals. Cows, goats and sheep eat the pods and leaves. There seems to be evidence that Mimosa tenuiflora forage or fodder is teratogenic to pregnant ruminants in Brazil.^[15][16]

The tree is an important source of forage for bees, especially during the dry season and in the beginning of the wet season.

Like most plants in the Fabaceae family, Mimosa tenuiflora fertilizes the soil via nitrogen fixing bacteria. The tree is useful in fighting soil erosion and for reforestation.

Mimosa tenuiflora is a very good source of fuel wood and works very well for making posts, most likely because of its high tannin content (16%), which protects it from rot. It is used to make bridges, buildings, fences, furniture and wheels. It is an excellent source of charcoal and at least one study has been done to see why this is the case.

The bark of the tree has a high tannin content of about 16%making it is widely used as a natural dye and in leather production.

The healing properties of the tree make it useful in treating domestic animals. A solution of the leaves or bark can also be used for washing animals in the prevention of parasites. Because the tree keeps most of its leaves during the dry season, it is an important source of shade for animals and plants during that time.

Entheogenic uses

Mimosa tenuiflora is an entheogen known as Jurema, Jurema Preta, Black Jurema, and Vinho de Jurema. Dried Mexican Mimosa tenuiflora root bark has been recently shown to have a DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) content of about 1%The stem bark has about 0.03% DMT. The bark is the part of the tree traditionally used in northeastern Brazil in a psychoactive decoction also called Jurema or Yurema. Analogously, the traditional Western Amazonian sacrament Ayahuasca is brewed from indigenous ayahuasca vines. However, to date no ?-carbolines such as harmala alkaloids have been detected in Mimosa tenuiflora decoctions, yet the root bark is consistently used without added MAOI.

This presents challenges to the pharmacological understanding of how DMT from the plant is rendered orally active as an entheogen. In this view, if MAOI is neither present in the plant nor added to the mixture, the enzyme MAO will break apart DMT in the human gut, preventing the active molecule from entering blood and brain.

The isolation of a new compound called “Yuremamine” from Mimosa tenuiflora as reported in 2005 represents a new class of phyto-indoles, which may explain an apparent oral activity of DMT in Jurema.

Propagation

For outside planting, USDA Zone 9 or higher is recommended.

In nature, Mimosa tenuiflora “. . .fruits and seeds are disseminated by the wind in a radius of 5–8 m from the mother plant; rain carries them from slopes to lower plains and human activities contribute to their dissemination.”

For cultivation, the seed pods are collected once they start to spontaneously open on the tree. The collected pods are laid out in the sun so that the pods open up and release their seeds. The seeds can then be planted in sandy soil with sun exposure.

Scarification of the seed via mechanical means or by using sulphuric acid greatly increases the germination rate of the seeds over non-treatment. The seeds can be sown directly into holes in the ground or planted in prepared areas.

The seeds can germinate in temperatures ranging from 10–30 °C, but the highest germination rate occurs at around 25 °C (about 96%), even after four years of storage. Germination takes about 2–4 weeks.

It is also possible to propagate Mimosa tenuiflora via cuttings.

Trimming adult Mimosa tenuiflorae during the rainy season is not recommended because it can cause them to perish.

See also

• Dimethyltryptamine
• Psychedelic plants
• Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 27th Nov 2009
• ………………………………………………………………………………..

A new meaning to flower power

Got The New Valium In Your Garden? By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Take two dozen roses. Inhale, and call us in the morning. It might take your stress level from “on the brink of losing it” to “cooler than the ice hotel.” Turns out that roses — as well as lavender, basil, orange, grape, mango and lemon — all contain a special compound called linalool. Its smell helps induce calm. In animal studies, blood cells called neutrophils and lymphocytes, which change in response to stress, were brought into equilibrium by this aroma. In fact, the scent of linalool even appeared to favorably affect the way your body is programmed to handle stress on a genetic level. (It turned on genes that cause antistress effects.) And flowers are cheaper than Valium, and look far better on the kitchen table. A perpetual flower garden can be a beautiful thing, but we recommend lowering stress levels (and flower-shop bills) by figuring out what’s stressing you so much and tackling that. No surprise that jobs and money are two of the most common sources of stress . So develop a backup de-stress strategy — deep breathing and listening to music are good ones — when calming scents just aren’t around or aren’t enough. And leave the cookie jar for collecting quarters. Stress is easier to manage when your general health is great than when your sleep and physical activity habits and your blood sugar are out of whack. Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 15th Nov 2009

Cassia Fistula – Cultivation and uses

Golden shower tree

Cassia fistula is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. It blooms in late spring (May on the northern, November on the southern hemisphere); flowering is profuse, with trees being covered with yellow flora, with almost no leaf being seen. It is not recommended for dry climates. Growth for this tree is best in full sun on well-drained soil; it is drought- and salt- tolerant, but will be damaged by even short spells of freezing weather. It can be subject to mildew, leaf spot and root diseases.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Golden Shower Tree is known as aragvadha (“disease killer”). Its fruitpulp is used as mild laxative, against fevers, arthritis, vatavyadhi (nervous system diseases), all kinds of rakta-pitta (bleeding, such as hematemesis or hemorrhages), as well as cardiac conditions and stomach problems such as acid reflux. The root is considered a very strong purgative, and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts.

Though its use in herbalism is attested to since millennia, there has been rather little research in modern times. While the purgative action is probably due to abundant 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and derivates thereof, whether the reputed nervous system (anti-vatavyadhi) effects are real and if, what causes them, is not known. While many Fabaceae are a source of potent entheogens and other psychoactive compounds (see e.g. tryptamines), such plants are rarely found among the Caesalpinioideae.

The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand; its yellow leaves symbolize Thai royalty. A 2006-2007 flower festival, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, was named after the tree, which is most often called dok khuen or ratchaphruek in Thailand.^[1]

The golden shower tree is the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala state of India, and the tree was depicted on a 20 Indian rupees stamp. C. fistula is also featured on a 2003 joint Canadian-Thai design for a 48 cent stamp, part of a series featuring national emblems.

It has strong & very durable wood.There is please called “Ahala Kanuwa” in “Adems peek” “Sri Lanka” and its made by Cassia fistula(Ahala) heart wood.

It has reportedly been used in other, less wholesome, contexts.

Names and taxonomy

Being so conspicuous and widely planted, this tree has a number of common names. In English, it is usually known as Golden Shower Tree or Golden Shower Cassia. Other, less unambiguous names include Indian laburnum, “golden shower” or “drumstick tree“. It is known in Spanish-speaking countries as caña fistula.

Names from its native range and surrounding regions include:^[1]

• Assamese: Xonaru
• Bangla: sonalu, bandar lathi
• Chinese: ? bó lè (???: Taiwan), là cháng shù (“sausage tree”, ???)
• Gujarati : Garmalo
• Hindi: bendra lathi (or bandarlauri), dhanbaher (or dhanbohar), girimaloah
• Hindi and Urdu: amalt?s (??????)
• Japanese: nanban saikachi (???? ????, Kanji: ????)
• ^Khmer: ‘reachapreuk’ (?????????? – rajavriksha)
• Lao: khoun
• Marathi: bahava (?????)
• Malayalam: kanikkonna (or kani konna ??????????: Kerala), Vishu konna(???????????)
• Meitei (Manipuri): chahui
• Nepali: amaltash, rajbriksya
• Sanskrit: aragvadha, chaturangula, kritamala, suvarnaka
• Sinhalese: aehaela-gaha (or ahalla-gass), ekela
• Tamil: konrai (??????)
• Thai: rachapruek (????????), khun (???), dok khuen (??????)
• Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 8th Oct 2009
• 
  

INDIAN ALMOND TREE

TERMINALIA CATAPPA

Cultivation and uses

Terminalia catappa is widely grown in tropical regions of the world as an ornamental tree, grown for the deep shade its large leaves provide. The fruit is edible, tasting slightly acidic.

The wood is red, solid and has high water resistance; it has been utilized in Polynesia for making canoes. in telugu it is called as

BADAM CHETTU

The leaves contain several flavonoids (like kamferol or quercetin), several tannins (such as punicalin, punicalagin or tercatin), saponines and phytosterols. Due to this chemical richness, the leaves (and also the bark) are used in different traditional medicines for various purposes. For instances, in Taiwan fallen leaves are used as a herb to treat liver diseases. In Suriname, a tea made from the leaves is prescribed against dysentery and diarrhea. It is also thought that the leaves contain agents for prevention of cancers (although they have no demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties) and antioxidant as well as anticlastogenic characteristics.

www.sciencearticlesonline.com

Keeping the leaves in an aquarium is said to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water It has been utilized in this way by Betta breeders in Thailand for many years

Sourced and Published by Henry Sapiecha 5th Oct 2009