Mastiha: The Unique Resin with Healing Properties

#Mastiha is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), which primarily grows on the island of Chios in Greece. This unique natural product has been treasured for centuries due to its medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic benefits. The name "Mastiha" derives from the Greek word "mastic," meaning "to chew," which reflects its use as a chewing gum.

#Key Characteristics of Mastiha

1. Geographical Significance:

Mastiha is exclusively harvested from the mastic trees of Chios, which is renowned for its specific climate and soil conditions that contribute to the resin's unique quality. The production process has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, underscoring its cultural significance in Greece.

2. Resinous Texture:

Mastiha is found in the form of small, brittle, transparent droplets that are yellowish in color. When chewed, it has a pleasant and refreshing flavor, making it a popular natural chewing gum.

3. Aromatic Properties:

Mastiha has a distinctive aromatic scent, which has led to its use in various culinary applications, perfumes, and skincare products.

#Health Benefits of Mastiha

1. Digestive Health:

One of the most celebrated benefits of mastiha is its ability to support digestive health. The resin contains a type of gum known as mucilage, which helps soothe the digestive tract. It has been traditionally used to alleviate conditions like gastritis, indigestion, and acid reflux. Modern studies have suggested that mastiha may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria associated with stomach ulcers.

2. Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Effects:

Mastiha is known for its antimicrobial properties, making it effective in promoting oral health. It helps combat bacteria in the mouth, thereby preventing conditions like gingivitis and oral infections. Its anti-inflammatory effects also make it beneficial for reducing gum inflammation and promoting overall oral hygiene.

3. Antioxidant Activity:

Rich in antioxidants, mastiha can help protect the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This property contributes to its potential in enhancing skin health and slowing down the aging process.

4. Cardiovascular Benefits:

Some studies suggest that mastiha may help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and improve heart health. Its consumption may have a positive impact on blood pressure regulation, which is crucial for cardiovascular health.

5. Potential Anti-cancer Properties:

Preliminary research indicates that mastiha may inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, particularly colon cancer. The resin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are thought to play a role in its potential protective effects against cancer.

6. Skin Health:

Mastiha is commonly used in skincare products due to its soothing and healing properties. When applied topically, it can help reduce skin inflammation and promote wound healing. Mastiha oil is often incorporated into creams and serums aimed at improving skin texture and reducing acne.

#How to Use Mastiha

1. Chewing Gum:

Chewing mastiha resin directly is a traditional way to enjoy its benefits. This not only helps with digestion but also promotes oral health.

2. Tea or Beverage:

Mastiha powder can be brewed as a tea or added to beverages. This method is effective for soothing digestive issues and enhancing overall wellness.

3. Capsule Form:

For those who prefer a more convenient option, mastiha is available in capsule form. This allows for easy consumption and is particularly useful for those dealing with chronic digestive problems.

4. Skincare Products:

Mastiha oil is increasingly found in cosmetic products due to its beneficial effects on skin health. It is used in various creams, lotions, and serums.

#Precautions and Side Effects

Mastiha is generally considered safe for consumption; however, some individuals may experience allergic reactions. It's advisable to start with a small amount to assess tolerance.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare provider before using mastiha to ensure safety.

#Conclusion

Mastiha is a remarkable natural resin with a rich history in traditional medicine. Its numerous health benefits, particularly for digestive health and oral hygiene, make it a valuable addition to a holistic wellness regimen. With ongoing research into its potential health applications, mastiha continues to be celebrated for its unique qualities and therapeutic properties.

Sources:ChatGPT 

The Laurel Crown and Bay Leaves: From Symbols of Victory to Kitchen Staples

In ancient Greece and Rome, victors of wars and winners of athletic games were crowned with laurel wreaths. The laurel tree , known as Laurus nobilis, symbolized honor and glory. However, today, its leaves are more commonly found in our kitchens as a key ingredient in cooking, known as bay leaves .

But why the different names for the same tree? Though it’s the same plant, historically and contextually, its uses have shifted, giving rise to different names. What was once a symbol of triumph is now a fragrant staple in our everyday recipes. Behind this transformation lies a fascinating story that connects ancient history with modern culinary practices.

🌿 From Symbolism to Practical Use

While the laurel tree symbolized victory, its leaves were also recognized for their medicinal properties. In ancient times, people used bay leaves to treat digestive issues, fevers, and even colds. Laurel tea was believed to have calming and fever-reducing effects. As its healing benefits became more widely known, the use of bay leaves naturally extended into cooking, where their unique flavor could be harnessed.

🌿  The Mediterranean Connection

The laurel tree thrives in the Mediterranean region, where its leaves became a staple in local cuisine. Bay leaves are especially valuable in slow-cooked dishes like stews and broths, where their fragrant oils are released during cooking, infusing the food with a deep, earthy aroma. This cooking method spread beyond the Mediterranean and became popular across Europe and eventually the world.

Today, we use bay leaves regularly in our kitchens, but each time you add them to a pot of soup, you're continuing a tradition that dates back thousands of years. What was once a crown worn by Roman generals is now an essential ingredient that elevates the flavors of everyday meals.

So next time you reach for a bay leaf, take a moment to appreciate the rich history hidden in its delicate fragrance—where ancient glory meets modern taste.

Source:ChatGPT 

The Medicinal Herbs : 기침과 간에 좋은 자작나무

 <Birch tree good for cough and liver disease> 

The birch bark peels off like paper. It is said that since 10 to 12 thin layers of skin are attached, they were peeled off one by one and used for writing or drawing. The oil layer between the birch bark not only prevents rotting, but also burns easily, making it a good firewood.

Birch is particularly famous for its xylitol.

Birch bark has long been used medicinal purpose in Korean traditional medicine. In Korean oriental medicine and folk remedies, they are called baekhwapi (白樺皮) and hwapi (樺皮), and are used for jaundice, diarrhea, nephritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, gastritis, and various diseases.

Birch bark is said to be bitter in taste and cold in nature. In particular, the roots of birch trees are used to treat liver diseases such as jaundice, fatty liver, and cirrhosis. It is said to be effective in detoxifying and removing inflammation, thereby lowering heat in the liver and detoxifying.

The bark has a diuretic effect and helps stop coughing and clear phlegm. It can also be used to treat nephritis or edema.

 

How to use: 

It is mainly used as a decoction. Add 20-40 g of birch bark in 1800ml of water and decoct until it becomes half. Drink 1 cup 3 times a day.

  

☝   Birch sap, like maple sap, is collected by drilling holes in trees during the rainy season. It is effective for neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and indigestion.

In Russia, birch is used almost as a panacea. It is said that they drink birch water for colds, coughs, and bronchitis and take a bath with boiled birch or use it as material of a steam bath.

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The Medicinal Herbs : 여성건강에 좋은 접시꽃

 

“옥수수 잎에 빗방울이 나립니다                                                Raindrops on corn leaves

오늘도 또 하루를 살았습니다                                                        I've lived another day

낙엽이 지고 찬 바람이 부는 때까지                                             Until the leaves fall and the cold wind blows

우리에게 남아있는 날들은 참으로 짧습니다                                    The days remaining us are so short

 

아침이면 머리맡에 흔적없이 빠진 머리칼이 쌓이듯          Like hair that falls without a trace on your bedside in the morning

생명은 당신의 몸을 우수수 빠져나갑니다                                        Life is rushing away from your body.

씨앗들도 열매도 크기엔                                                               To bear seed and fruit

아직 많은 날을 기다려야 하고                                                     There are still many days to wait.

당신과 내가 갈아엎어야 할 저 많은 묵정밭은 그대로 남았는데              There are still many barren fields to cultivate though,

논두렁을 덮는 망촛대와 잡풀가에 넋을 놓고 한참을 앉았다 일어섭니다   I stand up after sitting idly among the daisies and weeds that cover the rice fields...”

This poem is a part of 'You my rose mellow,' by Do Jong-hwan, a Korean poet. It reminds me of the pretty rose mellow that bloomed on the roadside when I was a kid.

#Medicinal effects and efficacy of hollyhock

Rose mellow, also called hollyhock. The scientific name is Althaea rose.

The hollyhock is a perennial plant belonging to the mallow family.

It is native to China and has beautiful flowers and is often planted in gardens.

It grows to a height of more than 2m and leaves are deeply divided into 6-7 pieces in the shape of a wide heart.

Large, flat flowers resembling Mugunghwa bloom in June.

The colors of the flowers are red, white, purple, etc., but white flowers are usually used for medicinal purposes.

The hollyhock buds can be eaten as a vegetable. In spring, young shoots are boiled, fried, or boiled in soup.

The hollyhock stems are very tough, so they can be woven or twisted like hemp.

The flowers, leaves and roots of hollyhock are all used for medicinal purposes.

In the old literature, it was written that hollyhock flowers are salty in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic, reduces fever, and is beneficial to the intestines and stomach, and regulates heart failure. However, consuming for a long time is not good. 

☝  In particular, it is said that the complexion deteriorates when eaten with pork.

The efficacy of hollyhock in the literature is summarized as follows.

Boiled hollyhock buds clear the body of stones, lower fever, detoxify and stop diarrhea.

The roots and stems dissipate heat, promote urine excretion and relieve blood clots.

Eating poached hollyhock buds can help control gonorrhea, soften the stomach, and facilitate childbirth. 

If you crush the flower bud and attach it to the burned area, it will heal well.

The roots of hollyhock are used to treat hypothyroidism. Very effective in removing pus-filled blood from uterine inflammation and getting rid of bad things in the uterus. Red flowers are effective for red excessive vaginal discharge, and white flowers are effective for white excessive vaginal discharge.

How to use ...

• The root has excellent effects on various gynecological diseases of women, such as uterine blood circulation disorders, excessive vaginal discharge, and uterine bleeding. It is recommended to drink an appropriate amount of hollyhock root and drink it frequently.

• In case of gonorrhea, crush the washed hollyhock root and boil it in water to drink.

•  In case of acute gonorrhea, drink 5-10g of hollyhock root and 5g of plantain every day as a decoction.
•  If the pain is severe due to the boil, peel the black bark of the root, crush it, and attach it to the boil. It gets better as the pain goes away.
•  In case of pain due to excessive secretion of vaginal secretions, powder dried flowers in the shade and take 35-40 g 3 times a day on an empty stomach. In this case, always use white flowers.
• If you have difficulty urinating, you can decoction the powdered seeds.
•  For bladder stones, grind the roasted seeds and knead it with warm alcohol. And take it before meals.
• If blood is mixed with urine, powder dried hollyhock stems and knead with alcohol, then take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. A simple method, but quite effective.                   

Cautions  👉    Hollyhock seeds are effective against gonorrhea and treat major and all lumps             and boils.  However, abortions may occur, so pregnant women should be careful. 👉    Hollywood is effective for various gynecological diseases,  but it is not                           recommended for women with low body temperature. 👉   Type O or AB is good for benign constitution, but be careful as it can be harmful          to type B or A. 👉   In particular, it is said that the complexion deteriorates when eaten with pork.

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The Medicinal Herbs : Aloe

   Cleopatra is said to have massaged her skin with aloe gel. Aloe gel is known to be effective in soothing or treating wounds such as first-degree burns, sunburns, and minor abrasions, and maintaining healthy skin. When taken orally, aloe lowers blood sugar levels in patients with gastric ulcer and type 2 diabetes, and is said to be effective in insomnia, constipation, hemorrhoids, and gum disease. Latex is made by drying the sap of aloe to crystallize.

The reason I started using aloe gel was when I received aloe gel cosmetics as a gift from an acquaintance. There is no gift as burdensome as cosmetics for me, who is sensitive to cosmetics as I am allergic to cosmetics. I saw a phrase that said that the content of aloe was 99% and tried it once, and the result was pretty good. Not only did it have no side effects on the skin, but it also added radiance to dry skin. As a first aid for minor burns from oil or hot water while cooking, cool the wounded area in cold running water to some extent, apply plenty of aloe gel, wrap it in sterile gauze, and after a night it improves faster than when Vaseline is applied. could experience being. Since then, I have always kept this aloe gel at home as a first aid for minor burns and for soothing skin. Since aloe has antibacterial properties, fresh leaves are the most effective and harmless to the human body for topical aloe gel. However, aloe gel is not a panacea for all burns and wounds. When using aloe gel on the any surgical incision site, the healing of the wound may be delayed, so it should be used with caution.

Aloe can be easily purchased at a local market, so it can also be taken as aloe juice. Aloe juice, made with fresh aloe gel, is said to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, as well as constipation, hemorrhoids, gastritis and colitis. However, if you ingest it for a long time, you need to be careful because the ingredient called alogin in aloe may cause diarrhea and lead to electrolyte deficiency. If you suffer from constipation, this aloe may help. However, if you are taking laxatives, you should avoid taking laxatives with aloe. 

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