Boosting Immunity with Rhizome Plants: Between Myth and Scientific Facts

 

Introduction: Rhizome Plants and Body Health

Boosting Immunity with Rhizome Plants: Between Myth and Scientific Facts. In the quest to enhance immunity and prevent viral infections, communities often turn to rhizome plants as a natural solution. Ginger, turmeric, galangal, aromatic ginger, and galanga are among them, widely recognized for their potential health benefits. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that these beliefs are often rooted more in tradition and inherited beliefs than in robust scientific evidence.

Ginger (Jahe): The Magical Spice for Health

Ginger has become an integral part of many culinary traditions and traditional medicine practices. Its high content of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds has earned it a reputation as an immune system booster. Several studies indicate that ginger may help reduce the risk of infections and inflammation.

Turmeric (Kunir): The Power of Curcumin Against Viruses

Turmeric, with its distinctive yellow color, contains a compound called curcumin that has garnered attention in the world of health research. Curcumin is known to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, believed to aid in combating various infections, including viruses..

While some studies suggest the potential of curcumin in inhibiting virus replication, this evidence is still limited to in vitro research or animal trials. There is yet no strong scientific evidence supporting claims that turmeric specifically can combat the COVID-19 coronavirus in humans.

Galangal (Temulawak): Indonesia's Health Secret

Galangal, a native rhizome plant in Indonesia, has long been utilized in traditional medicine. It contains curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol, compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some studies suggest that galangal extracts may positively impact the immune system.

However, as with ginger and turmeric, claims that galangal can specifically fight the COVID-19 virus require more scientific evidence. It's crucial to consider galangal and other rhizome plants as part of a healthy lifestyle rather than a definite medical substitute.

Kencur: Health Miracles in a Pinch of Rhizome

Kencur, often considered a kitchen spice, also has interesting health potential. Kencur contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibacterial compounds. Although there hasn't been much research focusing on the relationship between kencur and specific viruses, the existence of these compounds provides a basis for the community's belief in kencur's benefits for immunity.

Lengkuas: Aromatic Health for Body Protection

Lengkuas, with its distinctive aroma, contains essential oils and antioxidant compounds that may contribute to health benefits. Some traditional medicinal practices use lengkuas to alleviate digestive issues, inflammation, and infections.

Similar to other rhizome plants, lengkuas should be approached cautiously when making health claims. While there are indications that compounds in lengkuas may support body health, there is no concrete evidence specifically linking it to the COVID-19 virus.

No Specific Scientific Evidence: Critical Understanding

Despite the intriguing health potential of rhizome plants, it's essential to remember that there is no specific scientific evidence supporting claims that they can ward off the COVID-19 virus. Further research is needed to thoroughly understand the impact of rhizome plants on this virus, if any.

It's crucial to base COVID-19 treatment and prevention on robust scientific evidence. Unsupported claims can mislead and endanger the public. Therefore, a critical understanding of health claims is paramount.

The Importance of Prevention: Practical Everyday Steps

Considering the lack of convincing scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of rhizome plants against the COVID-19 virus, it is essential to focus on proven preventive measures.

1. Regular Handwashing: Fundamental Protection

   Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds remains the most effective step in preventing virus transmission. It's a simple yet highly effective action.

2. Wearing Masks: Additional Protection

   Wearing masks can help reduce the risk of virus transmission, especially in environments with high potential exposure.

3. Maintaining Social Distancing: Reducing Direct Contact Risks

   Social distancing is a crucial step in reducing the risk of transmission, especially in crowded places or public spaces.

4. Avoiding Crowds: Minimizing Transmission Opportunities

   Steering clear of crowds and places with high transmission potential is a proactive step in protecting oneself and others.

5. Regularly Cleaning Homes: Prevention at Home

   Cleaning and disinfecting home surfaces regularly can help reduce the risk of virus transmission.

 

Commitment to Cleanliness: Cleaning Homes as a Preventive Measure

Regularly cleaning homes is not just about creating a comfortable environment; it's an effective preventive measure. Surfaces frequently touched, such as doorknobs, light switches, and tables, can be hotspots for virus spread. Using appropriate disinfectants and establishing a routine for cleaning can serve as an additional defense against infections.

However, home cleanliness should not be seen as a substitute for primary prevention measures. While essential, cleaning homes cannot replace actions such as handwashing, mask-wearing, social distancing, and avoiding crowds.

Conclusion: Balancing Beliefs with Scientific Facts

Rhizome plants like ginger, turmeric, galangal, aromatic ginger, and galanga have long been acknowledged for their health potential. However, claims that these plants can specifically combat the COVID-19 virus require more scientific evidence.

As a society striving to maintain body health, it's crucial to view rhizome plants as supplements to efforts in maintaining health, rather than substitutes for proven preventive measures. The importance of handwashing, mask-wearing, social distancing, avoiding crowds, and regular home cleaning remains paramount in the fight against virus transmission. Striking a balance between tradition and scientific evidence is crucial for informed decision-making in healthcare. Thus, together, we can move towards a healthy lifestyle and effective prevention against various infections, including the COVID-19 virus.

See Also   >>>>  Broccoli may help boost the aging immune system

The Content Of Vitamins And Minerals In Nutmeg For Human Health

Fruit nutmeg is one type of herb and spice original from the Indonesian Moluccas archipelago (Abourashed and El- Alfy , 2016), with name Latin myristica fragrans is often used as a flavor enhancer and gives off a spicy aroma on food so that could give a little bit of warmth on the body for those who eat it. Ordinary cuisine  processed uses herbs and spices fruit nutmeg is Cook processed stews, goulash, and curry. Need is known that fruit nutmeg is rich nutrients and minerals in it namely vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, substances iron, potassium, magnesium, etc. The nutrients contained in fruit nutmeg own good properties for health. Benefits Among others:

1. Could overcoming insomnia ( difficult sleep ), insomnia is a situation where somebody experiences difficulty for sleep or level certainly not enough sleep. The resulting influence due to insomnia is fatigue and extraordinary physique normal, got resulted from depression and stress because increasing hormone cortisol or stress hormone as a consequence of not enough sleep. The existing magnesium content in fruit nutmeg role urgent in resolving tension nerves and role in stimulating the release of the hormone serotonin, a brain hormone that will change Becomes the role of the hormone melatonin to stimulate somebody for sleep so that could overcome insomnia. How:

• prepare 2 pieces of seed nutmeg then pounded or blend until fine Becomes powder 

• input powder nutmeg in a glass of warm water and stirred 

• shut up for 5 minutes 

• then filtered and could add honey sufficiently 

• then taken 3 hours before sleep 

• potion they made for 3 days in a row.

2. Efficacy next for a healthy brain, the brain is an organ located in the head that functions as a controller of all activity or functions body, brain disturb will influence the function of the organs human. By because that We must always guard the healthy brain and that is everything important, content several substances existing active in the fruit nutmeg macelignan and myristicin trusted could guard the healthy brain and function cognitively based on the results of study or research that contains substances the role of increased concentration. How :

• Prepare 1-2 seeds of fruit nutmeg , then pounded 

• blended until fine 

• Boiled with 1 liter of water up boiling 

• filtered and awaited until Becomes warm 

• Add honey sufficiently 

• Drink 1 time a day each day During the need it

3. Nutritious minerals can overcome bad breath or halitosis, bad breath is a condition where bad breath comes out of the mouth. The content of active substance in nutmeg acts as an antibacterial so it can be used as an ingredient to kill bacteria that cause odor. How :

• Prepare 1-2 seeds of fruit nutmeg then pounded or blend until fine 

• Boil with 1 liter of water until boiling 

• Then filtered and wait until warm 

• Use for gargling 2 times a day 

4. Efficacy next is could lower pressure blood tall or
hypertension in a manner natural is something condition where happening pressure blood good systolic or diastolic. Pressure blood tall also is wrong one-factor reason happening disease heart or originator stroke disease. So We must always notice pressure blood We with do control it in a manner clinical routine _ or at home in a manner independent. Content substance potassium in fruit nutmeg role in helping lower pressure blood tall with stretch vessels blood.

5. Efficacy next to fruit nutmeg is for healthy bones, bones are pa
rt main system framework that has function as a crutch body. Lots of things can conduct to guard the health of bone wrong only one with guard intake of calcium, then sunbathe below ray sun and do sport by routine and regularly. Content calcium in fruit nutmeg has a role in guarding healthy bone with increase density or density bone, so with the increasing density, we will spared from the risk caught osteoporosis or thinning bone.

This information is related to the benefits of nutmeg, which is a native Indonesian herb and spice that is rich in vitamins and minerals needed by the body. I hope it will be of use and can provide inspiration for readers to always be able to adopt a healthy life, especially related to the enjoyment of our food, so that we live a quality life. Best regards always. 

Beta Carotene: Super Antioxidants

Beta Carotene: Super Antioxidants. Carotenoids are natural compounds found in the pigment in plants. Although more than 600 carotenoids have been isolated, only a fraction are found in sufficient quantities in human blood and Network. The most prominent carotenoids are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, and lycopene. Carotenoids work together to prevent and control free radicals and to limit free radical / oxidative damage. Beta carotene is an antioxidant to fight free radicals as well as vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, polyphenols, and the enzyme superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.

Much has been written about the dangers of free radicals, which are the result of metabolic processes berasaI from environmental pollutants (nitrogen dioxide and ozone in the air polluted), heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, etc.), halogenated hydrocarbons, ionizing radiation, and cigarettes. Unless destroyed by antioxidants, free radicals attack is very strong cell walls and cell constituents such as DNA. Another possible target is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). When reacting with PUFAs, free radicals can produce a chain reaction in the profession, damaging the structure and function of cells, nucleic acids, proteins and regions of dense electron. Oxidative damage from free radical attack is associated with many degenerative diseases and conditions, including cancer.

Carotenoids have a diverse range of biological functions. For example, some carotenoids such as beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and can be metabolized and converted into vitamin A, which is soluble in fat in the body. Alpha-carotene and Cryptoxanthin is also a carotenoid provitamin A.

Beta-carotene, which is perhaps better known as carotenoids, is a family of phytonutrients that represents one of the major groups of pigments in plants. This is one of the most abundant carotenoid and one of about 50 carotenoid compounds known as "provitamin A", and can be converted in the body into retinol, which is the active form of vitamin A.
Beta-carotene produces color from orange to yellow. Foods rich in beta-carotene may have a color other than the colors. This is because other phytonutrients pigments blend together with Beta-carotene so as to provide a unique color. Besides other orange and yellow colors are pink, red or white.

Beta-carotene functions:

1. Prevent deficiency of vitamin A. Until the end of the 20th century, the function of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, only discusses the potential activity of vitamin A. Beta-carotene is one of about 50 carotenoids, compounds called "pro-vitamin A "because the body can convert them into retinol, the active form of vitamin A. As a result, foods containing beta-carotene may help prevent deficiency of vitamin A. In addition to alpha-carotene and beta-Cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that The most commonly consumed.
2. Antioxidants and boost immune activity. In recent years, carotenoids including beta-carotene have received a tremendous amount of attention as a potential anti-cancer compounds and anti aging. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, which protects cells from free radical damage. It is also believed that carotenoids boost immune system function.
3. Encourage communication between cells more smoothly. Aside from being an antioxidant and boost immune activity, carotenoids including beta-carotene demonstrated its ability to stimulate communication between cells. Researchers now believe that poor communication between cells may be one cause excessive cell growth, a condition that eventually causes cancer. By building good communication between cells, carotenoids may play a role in cancer prevention.
4. Supporting reproductive health. Beta-carotene is also believed to play a role in female reproduction. Although the exact function in female reproduction has not been identified, it is known that the corpus luteum has the highest concentration of beta-carotene and every organ in the body. Nutrition plays an important role in the reproduction process.

Beta-carotene deficiency Symptoms






A low dietary intake of carotenoids such as beta-carotene are not known to directly cause disease or health conditions interfere, at least in the short term. However, if the too low intake of vitamin A, dietary beta-carotene and / or provitamin A carotenoids can exhibit symptoms associated with a deficiency of vitamin A.

Additionally, intake of carotenoids is less in the long term can lead to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and various cancers. One important mechanism for the association between carotenoids and disease is the appearance of free radicals. Research shows that a diet low in beta-carotene and carotenoids can increase the body's susceptibility to damage and free radicals. As a result, in the long term, dietary beta-carotene may increase tissue damage and free radical activity, and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Excess Beta-carotene Symptoms

A sign of excessive intake of beta-carotene is a yellowish color change in the skin, and most often occurs on the palms and soles of the feet. This condition is called carotenodermia. It is reversible and harmless.

A high intake of carotenoid-containing foods or supplements are not associated with toxic side effects. Therefore, the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences does not specify tolerances for the highest intake carotenoid when discussing this compound in 2000.
However, the results of the two studies showed that those who smoke heavily and drink alcohol regularly, can increase their chances of getting cancer of the lungs and / or heart disease if they take supplements of beta-carotene in amounts greater than 20-30 milligrams per day.

How to Cooking, Storage and Processing

In certain cases, cooking may increase the availability of carotenoids in the diet. Steaming carrots and spinach briefly can improve your body's ability to absorb carotenoids in this food.
In most cases, it is important to note that cooking vegetables in a long time can reduce the availability of carotenoids by changing the shape of the natural carotenoids from the trans-configuration to the cis-configuration. Whiskers, fresh carrots contain 100% trans beta-carotene, whereas canned carrots contain only 73% of trans beta-carotene.

Factors that Influence Function Beta-carotene

Carotenoids are fat-soluble substances, and thus require the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. Therefore, the status of carotenoids you may be disturbed by a diet very low in fat or if you have a medical condition that causes decreased ability to absorb fats and foods such as deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, Crohn's disease, ulcers, surgical removal of part or all of the stomach, gall bladder disease and liver disease.
Due to the lack of eating fruits and vegetables, many teenagers and young adults do not get beta-carotene intake is sufficient. Additionally, if you smoke or drink alcohol, you may have high levels of beta-carotene lower. Smokers and drinkers consuming Iebih few foods that contain carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Also, researchers suspect that cigarette smoke damage the carotenoids.

Interaction of Nutrition, Substance

Beta-carotene supplements to reduce levels of lutein while they can also increase the levels of beta-Cryptoxanthin. Supplementing your diet with pectin can lower the absorption of carotenoids.

Benefits of Beta-carotene for Health

Carotenoids may play a role in the prevention of the following health conditions:

1. Asthma.
2. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
3. Age-related skin degeneration.
4. Cataract.
5. Cervical cancer.
6. Cervical dysplasia.
7. Infection kiamidia.
8. Heart disease.
9. Cancer of the larynx (laryngeal cancer).
10. Lung cancer.
11. Infertility in men and women.
12. Osteoarthritis.
13. Photosensitivity.
14. Pneumonia.
15. Prostate Cancer.
16. Rheumatoid arthritis.
17. Skin cancer.
18. Vaginal candidiasis.

Food Sources of Beta-carotene

Foods that are a source of beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro, fresh thyme, melon, romaine lettuce and broccoli.

Prompts for Public Health

According to research conducted by experts, discovered the efficacy of providing patients with 1 mg per kg of beta-carotene up to 50 kg, or 50 mg for those with more weight and 50 kg, for 12 weeks, followed by 10 mg for 12 weeks, or placebo. The volunteers were also given pancreatic enzyme supplements and vitamins A, C, and E.

National Academy of Sciences supports the recommendations of the various health institutions, which encourages individuals to consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The level of intake of fruits and vegetables provides about 3-6 milligrams of beta-carotene.

Apart from beta-carotene which contains very high anti-oxidants, we also need to pay attention to the intake of vitamin B complex, because the compound elements in it are very important for keeping the body healthy.

Herbal Pharmacy And Remedies

Curing cancer with herbal remedies - a case for shamans and herb women? Not at all, for many chemotherapies to fight cancer applied in modern medicine are natural products or were developed on the basis of natural substances. Thus, taxanes used in prostate and breast cancer treatment are made from yew trees. The popular periwinkle plant, which grows along the ground of many front yards, is the source of vinca alkaloids that are effective, for example, against malignant lymphomas. The modern anti-cancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan are derived from a constituent of the Chinese Happy Tree.

Looking for new compounds, doctors and scientists are increasingly focusing on substances from plants used in traditional medicine. About three quarters of the natural pharmaceutical compounds commonly used today are derived from plants of the traditional medicine of the people in various parts of the world. The chances of finding new substances with interesting working profiles in traditional medicinal plants are better than in common-or-garden botany.

In his search for active ingredients, Professor Dr. Thomas Efferth of the DKFZ has been concentrating on herbal remedies from traditional Chinese medicine with particularly well documented application range. Working together with colleagues in Mainz and Düsseldorf, Germany, Graz, Austria and Kunming in China, he launched a systematic compound search in 76 Chinese medicinal plants that are believed to be effective against malignant tumors and other growths. First results of this study have now been published.

Extracts from 18 of the plants under investigation were found to substantially suppress the growth of a cancer cell line in the culture dish. “With this success rate of about 24 percent, we are way above the results that could be expected from searching through large chemical substance libraries,” Thomas Efferth explains.

The scientists proceeded to chemically separate, step by step, all active extracts, tracing the active component after each separation step by cell tests. The chemical structure of the compounds is analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. “We are combining natural substance research with advanced analytical and molecular-biological methods”, Efferth explains. “Plant constituents that seem particularly promising are immediately subjected to further tests.” Such constituents include, for example, substances derived from the Rangoon Creeper, an ornamental plant with red flowers, or from Red-Root Sage. The latter contains three ingredients with powerful anti-tumor activity. The substances were found to suppress the growth of a specific tumor cell line that is particularly resistant to many commonly used cytotoxins due to overproduction of a transport protein in the cell wall. In contrast, a whole range of standard anti-cancer drugs fail to be effective against this cell.

"We can expect to find many interesting, yet unknown working mechanisms among the chemically highly diverse natural substances. Currently, we are aligning the effectiveness of the substances on 60 different cancer cell lines with the gene activity profiles of these cells. Thus, we can determine the exact gene products that are the cellular targets of our compounds. Thereby, it may be possible to discover whole new Achilles’ heels of the cancer cell," said Efferth describing the next steps.

Consumers Warned Not To Use Men Herbal ExtractsMen Herbal Extracts

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use Top Gun for Men Herbal because it contains a substance similar to tadalafil. Tadalafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional.
Possible Side Effects   Â

Consumers who use Top Gun for Men Herbal Extracts may be at risk of serious side-effects similar to those associated with tadalafil. Unsupervised use of tadalafil by patients with heart disease can result in serious cardiovascular side-effects such as sudden cardiac death, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, chest pain and abnormal heartbeat.

Additionally, use of tadalafil may be associated with other side-effects including temporary vision loss, seizure, prolonged erection, headache, flushing, nasal congestion and abdominal pain. Tadalafil should not be used by individuals taking any type of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerine) due to the risk of developing potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.