The health benefits of coriander

 

 

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual plant that belongs to the parsley family, originates from South Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Cultivation of coriander started 2000 years BC. Coriander was one of the many plants cultivated in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It was popular and often consumed in the ancient Egypt and Greece. Coriander is still one of the most widely used spices in the world. It grows best in cool areas on a well-drained soil.

The health benefits of coriander:

·       Indigestion and diarrhea - Some of the components of essential oils found in coriander such as borneol and linalool, aid in digestive organs (spleen, pancreas, stomach), proper functioning of the liver and bonding of bowels, while also helping to reduce diarrhea. It is also helpful in curing diarrhea caused by microbial and fungal action, since components like cineole, borneol, limonene, alpha-pinene & beta-phelandrene have antibacterial effects.

·        Mouth ulcers - Coriander's anti-septic properties help to cure mouth ulcer and improve oral health.

·        Anemia – Coriander contains high amounts of iron, which is essential for curing anemia. Low iron content in the blood can result in shortness of breath, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, and a decrease in cognitive functions. Iron also benefits proper functions of other organ systems, increases energy and strength, and promotes the health of bones.

·       Urinary tract infections - The antibacterial properties of coriander can help to clear out harmful bacteria.

·       Prevents nausea - Two very powerful antioxidants can be found in coriander seeds: linalool and geranyl acetate. These oils work to relieve digestive issues and soothe your stomach, alleviating or prevent nausea and vomiting.

·        Anorexia – Coriander increased appetite.

·       Menstrual disorders - Coriander seeds helps with irregular periods.

·       Skin disorders - The disinfectant, detoxifying, antiseptic, antifungal and antioxidant properties of coriander are ideal for clearing up skin disorders such as eczema, dryness and fungal infections.

·       Smallpox - The essential oils in coriander are rich in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-infectious and detoxifying components and acids. The presence of vitamin-C and iron strengthens the immune system as well.

·       Bone health – Calcium and other essential minerals found in coriander are integral components of bone regrowth and durability, as well as in the prevention of bone degradation so commonly associated with debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. Coriander contains anti-inflammatory properties. This is why it is good against inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

·        Analgetic properties - Coriander may also be used in treating muscle pain, headaches and stiffness. Because of its heating and analgesic effect, this plant is used to treat athritis, painful joints and rheumatism. The high content of bioflavonoids from the leaves helps in treating varices and hemorrhoids.

·        Reduce blood pressure -Interaction of calcium ions and cholinergic (acetylcholine) relaxes blood vessel tension, thereby reducing the chances of a number of cardiovascular conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.

·        Control of blood sugar, Cholesterol and Free Radical Production –Coriander is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. Its deep-green leaves possess good amounts of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which may help reduce LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood.

·        Eye care - Dietary carotenoids can decrease the risk of numerous conditions, including several cancers and eye disease, due to their role as antioxidants.² A study published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition showed that basil and coriander contained the highest levels of the carotenoids beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, all known for their antioxidant abilities.¹ It's a good remedy in the treatment of conjunctivitis.

·       Anticancer effects - A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that common spices - including coriander - can inhibit heterocyclic amine (HCA) formation in meats during cooking. HCAs, defined by the National Cancer Institute, are chemicals formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures.¹ A high consumption of foods containing HCAs is associated with higher risk of cancer. These anticancer effects were demonstrated further in a different study published in the Journal of Food Science, in which five Asian spices, including coriander, were used to cook meats. The meats cooked with those spices had a significant decrease in HCA formation.¹

·        Reduce fever - Coriander has a diuretic effect and can reduce fever.

·        Promote nervous system - Vitamin K is good for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It can stimulate the memory.

·        Stimulant - The essential oil in coriander is believed to stimulate creativity, optimism and imagination. Recent studies have shown that coriander can cause a mild euphoria.

·        Increase breast milk flow - Coriander is reported to be a galactogogue (a substance used to stimulate milk production in breastfeeding moms) and is used in many teas and supplements that are marketed to nursing mothers.

·        Fighting salmonella - Coriander contains an antibacterial compound.

·        Prevents hair loss – Coriander has antioxidants that free radicals. Free radicals damage cells, including hair cells. By stopping the damage to these cells, coriander encourages fuller, thicker hair to grow.

·        The fat soluble vitamin A and antioxidant protects from lung and cavity cancers.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database1, two tablespoons of ground coriander seed contain 30 calories, 1.2 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, and 5.6 grams of carbohydrates (including 4 grams of fiber and 0 grams of sugar). That same 2 tablespoon serving provides 68% of your daily vitamin K needs, 10% of iron, 8% of calcium, and 4% of vitamin C.

 

Coriander herb contains:

·        Essential volatile oils - carvone, geraniol (geranyl acetate), limonene, borneol, camphor, elemol , linalool (can help detoxify the liver and increase the appetite), cineole, cymene, terpineol, dipentene, phellandrene, pinene, and terpinolene.

·        Anti-oxidant polyphenolic flavonoids - quercitin, kaempferol, rhamnetin and epigenin.

·        Active phenolic acid compounds -including caffeic and chlorogenic acid (neurotransmitter in the peripheral and central nervous system, more commonly known as acetylcholine)

·        Vitamin C – with iron strengthens the immune system and relieves pain. 100 g of coriander leaves provide 30% of daily recommended levels of vitamin-C.

·        Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

·        Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

·        Niacin (Vitamin B3)

·        Folic-acid (Vitamin B9)

·        Iron - essential for red blood cell production.

·        Linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid)

·        Vitamin K - a potential role in bone mass building through promotion of osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.

·        Carotenoids (beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin) - Fresh coriander leaves are a rich source of carotenoids which have antioxidant activity.

·        Calcium

·        Phosphorous

·        Potassium - an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

·        Manganese - used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

·        Coumarin compounds in coriander such as umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) may have blood-thinning properties. Therefore Warfarin and coriander should not be taken together.

There are three forms of coriander:

·         the seed (coriander)

·         the leafy herb (cilantro)

·         the oil (pressed from the seed) 

Coriander herb provides (% of RDA/100g):

•  15% of folates,
•  11% of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
•  45% of vitamin C,
•  225% of vitamin A,
•  258% of vitamin K,
•  22% of iron and
•  18% of manganese.

(Note: RDA-Recommended daily allowance).

1/ Today's Dietitian, Adding spice for a healthier life - evidence shows antioxidant-rich herbs and spices may cut chronic disease risk, accessed 12 September 2015.

2/ The role of carotenoids in human health, EJ Johnson, Nutrition In Clinical Care, published online March 2002, abstract.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

  

What's in Elmex children toothpaste?

 

Toothpaste may be one of the more taken-for-granted products that we put in our mouths. If you brush your teeth two or three times a day, that’s 730 to 1,095 times a year. Toothpaste isn’t meant to be swallowed, but with that many brush-and-rinses annually, it’s safe to assume that at least a smidge of toothpaste will go down the hatch. Probably not enough to worry about, but it's interesting to know what's going especially in our children's mouths.

 

Elmex Child Toothpaste  is specially formulated to preserve and protect your child's milk teeth from the very first one and up to the age of 6 years-old. With a adapted rate of fluorine for children and milk teeth.   

 

Aqua = Water
 

Sorbitol (E420) - is a sugar alcohol used in food products and is used in toothpaste for sweetening, but it is also used as a humectant and texturizing agent. Most sorbitol is made from corn syrup, it is also found in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. Sorbitol is not suitable for small children or in large amounts. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating or flatulence.

 

Hydroxyethyl cellulose - Hydroxyethylcellulose is a modified cellulose polymer. It is used as a gelling and thickening agent. Low overall hazard.

 

CI 77891= Titanium Dioxide  (E171)  is an inorganic compound used in a range of body care products such as sunscreens and makeup. . It gives non-gel toothpastes their bright whiteness. It appears to have low skin penetration but inhalation is a concern.

Titanium dioxide has been described as a possible human carcinogen by the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.
 

Cocamidopropyl Betaine -  is a foaming ingredient derived from coconut oil. It helps to emulsify and maintain consistency in flavors while the product is in the tube. When brushing, the foaming action helps distribute the paste in the mouth and then helps to remove debris from the mouth for better rinsing. It has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
 

Olaflur – is a fluoride-containing substance that is an ingredient of toothpastes and solutions for the prevention of dental caries.  Olafluor amino-fluorine quickly fixes on the enamel to form a protective layer. It makes teeth more resistant to mineral losses related to decays and stimulates the remineralisation of enamel. Overdosage leads to irritation of the oral mucosa. In especially sensitive persons, even standard doses of olaflur can cause irritation.

 

Aroma - a sweet or pleasant smell. Artificial flavors may be synthetic mixtures of various harmful substances irritating the oral cavity and causing health problems.

 

Saccharin – flavoring agent. Low overall hazard.

 

University of Florida Health researchers have recently found that the artificial sweetener can inhibit cancer cell growth. 'It could help make conventional chemotherapy more effective,' McKenna said.

 

Limonene - is a scent ingredient and solvent naturally ocurring in the rind of citrus fruit. Upon storage and exposure to sunlight and air, limonene degrades to various oxidation products which act as skin and respiratory irritants and sensitizers.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.



 

Electronic occluding glasses that can treat lazy eye

 

Amblyz™Electronic Occluding Glasses are designed to treat amblyopia, a condition that afflicts three to five percent of children. Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. The eye itself looks normal, but it is not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye. This condition is also sometimes called lazy eye.

Amblyopia can result from any condition that prevents the eye from focusing clearly. Amblyopia can be caused by the misalignment of the two eyes—a condition called strabismus. With strabismus, the eyes can cross in (esotropia) or turn out (exotropia). Occasionally, amblyopia is caused by a clouding of the front part of the eye, a condition called cataract. 

 

If not treated successfully as early as possible, amblyopia can continue into adulthood and may cause vision impairment or blindness.

For several years, the only treatment for amblyopia has been to obstruct the stronger eye with an eye patch or with atropine drops to force the weaker eye to function and develop. 

Now, there’s a new solution in the form of electronic eyeglasses called Amblyz™ Glasses.

Amblyz is an electronic medical device with active shutter glasses or lenses. The device is designed to do the same thing as eye patches or eye drops with its active shutter lenses. The glasses have programmable LCD lenses that darken to become a "digital eye patch" over the stronger eye.

The main advantage of the Amblyz glasses is that the device provides none of the social stigma of an eye patch or the discomfort of eye drops. It is also easier for children to comply with wearing the glasses, therefore, ensuring that the treatment for their amblyopia is continuous. Amblyz glasses can also be incorporated with correction lenses that the user may need, so they can be worn like regular correction glasses.

The glasses come in a kid-friendly and unisex design. They are also lightweight and the frame is lined with soft rubber to ensure that they are comfortable when worn all day. They run on rechargeable batteries and would need to be charged when needed.

The Amblyz Glasses were developed by the XPAND group with world-renowned ophthalmologists and optometrists and tested in clinical studies conducted at three leading medical centers in Israel. The successful results from the first U.S. trial of the glasses conducted by researchers from the Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University were also presented at the 119th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Researchers at the Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University tested the effectiveness of occlusion glasses compared to patching in a randomized clinical study. They recruited 33 subjects with lazy eye between age 3 and 8 who wore spectacles to correct their vision. One group wore an adhesive patch for two hours daily. The other wore Amblyz™ occlusion glasses for 4 hours daily. In the study, the lens over the eye with better vision switched from clear to opaque every 30 seconds. After three months, both groups of children showed the same amount of improvement in the lazy eye, gaining two lines on a reading chart.

“When you talk to adults who underwent childhood treatment for amblyopia, they will tell you that wearing a patch was the worst thing ever,” said Daniel Neely, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmology professor at Indiana University who led the study. “With these electronic occlusion glasses, the child learns that the lens will be clear again in just a few seconds so they may be more cooperative with the treatment. For parents who have struggled with drops and patching, this could be a great alternative.”

Glasses must be recommended by a ophthalmologist or a strabologist and possibly a neurologist, because it is not tested on children, who are prone to epilepsy.

Source:
 

http://www.xpand.me/dms/document/dms/text/2015/02/17/16/58/54/xpand-onesheet-pro-US-amblyz-email.pdf

http://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/programmable-electronic-glasses-provide-children-e

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

Benefits of music lessons for pre-school aged children

 

Learning to play an instrument can help your child fine-tune her ear and enhance skills needed for education and social interaction.

Your child probably already loves music and has favorite songs. This may have happened with little encouragement from you beyond simply sing lullaby, playing music home or on long car trips.

Kids who grow up hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat are exposed to a wide variety of tastes, smells, textures, colors, and sounds. Researchers believe this forges more pathways between the cells in their brains.

Musical experiences are an important way to help create these pathways, also called neural connections. And while listening to music is certainly key to creating them, it's when kids actively participate in music that they make the strongest connections.

Instruments to start with are wooden Maraca rattles, drum (create drums out of empty cans with plastic lids or oatmeal boxes), tamborine, bongo, next stage might be recorder and piano.

First stage is to train the rhythm, toddlers just love it. 

You can start with piano when your child shows a desire and interest in playing the piano and is happy to sit and concentrate for a short time.

 

Benefites of playing a musical instrument

Playing a musical instrument:

·         relieves stress

·         makes you smarter

·         improves your social life

·         helps build confidence

·         teaches patience

·         fosters creativity

·         improves memory

·         develops discipline

·         gives you a sense of achievement

·         is fun

Don´t ever force your kids to do what they aren´t passionate about. Offer options, give them the chance to figure out what´s interesting to them.