LOG IN. UPLOAD PICTURES.
The Philippines has Zambo Mart to help propagate the Chavacano Language.
Difference between revisions of "Okra"
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
While there are studies, that indicate that okra or bhindi can help control diabetes it doesn’t mean you throw away your medicines. Remember, nothing can cure diabetes no matter how promising it looks. So have okra as a supplement to your medications, not as a one-time cure. | While there are studies, that indicate that okra or bhindi can help control diabetes it doesn’t mean you throw away your medicines. Remember, nothing can cure diabetes no matter how promising it looks. So have okra as a supplement to your medications, not as a one-time cure. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
''' | '''Healthy Kitchen: Oven roasted okra proves healthy, tasty ''' | ||
*Source:http:// | *Source:http://savannahnow.com/accent/2015-08-17/healthy-kitchen-oven-roasted-okra-proves-healthy-tasty | ||
:By | :By Diane Stewart | ||
This is the season for a vegetable everybody either loves or hates: okra. | |||
For the devoted, there is a good crop this year locally. We have been getting a good bit of rain where we live, which helps okra thrive. My family has been growing it for years, and this is one of the nicest crops we’ve had this year. | |||
I happened to be out at Stokes Produce at the Westside Farmers Market last year and got in a conversation with Kevin, Mr. Stokes’ son, and he gave me a recipe for okra. It is a very simple recipe, and very healthy, and I tried it this year with very good results. So, I called him Saturday to verify again what he had said, and to get his permission to use the recipe. | |||
The seasonings I used were a little garlic salt and cumin, but you can use whatever you like. My experience with cumin is that it is a good all-around spice with a slightly Southwestern flavor. Every time I have used it, it doesn’t seem to overpower the taste of the dish. The garlic salt was a nice touch. If sodium is an issue, use garlic powder, or Mrs. Dash without salt. | |||
Kevin says when his family has it for dinner, rarely does it make it to the table as the family eats it all before it even gets there. I thought it also quite delicious and a new way to cook okra, one I plan to use often, especially as it is prepared with so little fat. I really like fresh vegetables, and preparing them for your family in interesting ways might entice them to eat more of them. | |||
You could cook the okra a little longer than the time specified, and you might want to toss halfway through the cooking time to provide for even browning. Just experiment a little until you get it exactly like you like yours. | |||
Thanks to Kevin Stokes for the recipe. Hope you enjoy it and like it as well as I did. | |||
---- | ---- | ||
'''Prickly okra is worth the battle''' | '''Prickly okra is worth the battle''' | ||
Revision as of 04:37, 3 April 2016
Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Cures for Diseases, Ailments & Illnesses that afflict Humans and Animals
Aloe Vera •
Astragalus •
Bankoro •
Bilberry •
Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) •
Bitter Orange •
Black Cohosh •
Cat's Claw •
Chamomile •
Chasteberry •
Coconut •
Cranberry •
Dandelion •
Echinacea •
Ephedra •
European Elder Tree •
Evening Primrose •
Fenugreek •
Feverfew •
Flaxseed •
Garlic •
Ginger •
Ginkgo •
Ginseng (Asian) •
Golden Seal •
Grape Seed •
Green Tea •
Hawthorn •
Hoodia •
Horse Chestnut •
Kava •
Lavender •
Licorice •
Malunggay Moringa Oleifera •
Milk Thistle •
Mistletoe •
Passion Flower •
Peppermint Oil •
Red Clover •
Ringworm Bush (Akapulko) – Cassia alata •
Saw Palmetto •
St. John's Wort •
Tawa Tawa •
Turmeric •
Valerian •
Yohimbe •
accept the bitter to get better
Health Benefits of Okra
- Stabilizes blood sugar.
- Prevents constipation and improves bowel movement.
- Acts as lubricant for the large intestine.
- Neutralizes acids
- Helps prevent diabetes
- Fruits and leaves can be used to treat urinary problems.
News About Okra
6 reasons okra or bhindi is a superfood for diabetics
- By Debjani Arora
Your very own okra or bhindi, a staple vegetable enjoyed by many is becoming a superfood for diabetes. Experts believe that the fruit-vegetable has properties that can control blood glucose level, help in weight management and boost overall health.
- How okra helps to control diabetes
Here are a few ways how okra or bhindi can help you control diabetes if included in your diet regularly:
It is rich in fibre: A fibre rich diet can do a lot of good to a diabetic. Okra being rich in soluble fibre helps in reducing intestinal absorption of glucose, thus regulating blood sugar levels after a meal.
It has anti-diabetic properties: Many studies indicate that the vegetable has certain enzymes that help metabolise carbohydrates, improve insulin production and beta cells in the pancreas, the very cells responsible for insulin production.
It helps to control weight: Weight management plays a key role in managing diabetes and keeping it’s complications at bay. Okra just helps to make your struggles with weight loss easier being low in calories — a serving of 100 gm of the fruit vegetable has less than 33 calories.
It has a low glycemic index: Foods that are low in glycemic index release sugar gradually into the blood stream and hence help to regularise the blood sugar levels.
It is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals: Okra has a fair share of vitamin C a vital nutrient that helps improve immunity. A person with diabetes is always prone to suffer from various infections and diseases for which okra acts as a natural prevention. Also, folate or Vitamin B9 is another critical nutrient present that helps to improve brain functions.
It is a good source of antioxidants: According to research published in Nutrition Journal, okra has a higher concentration of antioxidants than most vegetables. These antioxidants prevent damage the cells from free radicals and inhibit the growth of cancer cells keeping the vital organs healthy that could suffer due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
- How to include okra in your diet
Here are few ways in which you can have okra in your diet:
Okra water: Wash okra or bhindi thoroughly and cut it into pieces. Next, add the pieces to a glass of water and keep it covered overnight and drink it in the morning. This water is said to mimic the properties of insulin and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Boiled okra: Admittedly, this isn’t an irresistible dish. Simply boil okra, add a dash of salt and squeeze half of lemon to it for taste. Eat it as a snack to reap the benefits.
Vegetable preparation: Aloo bhindi, bhindi masala, mixed vegetable with bhindi, any way you choose to have it, go ahead and gorge on it. Just be careful with oil and spices. Too much of oil can ruin the goodness of the vegetable.
- Why you shouldn’t be too optimistic with okra
While there are studies, that indicate that okra or bhindi can help control diabetes it doesn’t mean you throw away your medicines. Remember, nothing can cure diabetes no matter how promising it looks. So have okra as a supplement to your medications, not as a one-time cure.
Healthy Kitchen: Oven roasted okra proves healthy, tasty
- Source:http://savannahnow.com/accent/2015-08-17/healthy-kitchen-oven-roasted-okra-proves-healthy-tasty
- By Diane Stewart
This is the season for a vegetable everybody either loves or hates: okra.
For the devoted, there is a good crop this year locally. We have been getting a good bit of rain where we live, which helps okra thrive. My family has been growing it for years, and this is one of the nicest crops we’ve had this year.
I happened to be out at Stokes Produce at the Westside Farmers Market last year and got in a conversation with Kevin, Mr. Stokes’ son, and he gave me a recipe for okra. It is a very simple recipe, and very healthy, and I tried it this year with very good results. So, I called him Saturday to verify again what he had said, and to get his permission to use the recipe.
The seasonings I used were a little garlic salt and cumin, but you can use whatever you like. My experience with cumin is that it is a good all-around spice with a slightly Southwestern flavor. Every time I have used it, it doesn’t seem to overpower the taste of the dish. The garlic salt was a nice touch. If sodium is an issue, use garlic powder, or Mrs. Dash without salt.
Kevin says when his family has it for dinner, rarely does it make it to the table as the family eats it all before it even gets there. I thought it also quite delicious and a new way to cook okra, one I plan to use often, especially as it is prepared with so little fat. I really like fresh vegetables, and preparing them for your family in interesting ways might entice them to eat more of them.
You could cook the okra a little longer than the time specified, and you might want to toss halfway through the cooking time to provide for even browning. Just experiment a little until you get it exactly like you like yours.
Thanks to Kevin Stokes for the recipe. Hope you enjoy it and like it as well as I did.
Prickly okra is worth the battle
- Source:http://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/home-garden/2016/02/25/prickly-okra-worth-battle/80796870/
- By Kathy Kinsey (UF/ Leon County Extension)
Got a suit of armor stashed away? Well, it would be perfect for harvesting this vegetable, and though it has one intolerable condition, it is one healthy plant and one that should be enjoyed by all.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) is probably known best for its use in gumbo, but there are other reasons to eat this vegetable. For one, it is nutritious! Okra belongs to the Mallow family, as does cotton and the hibiscus. Also known as “lady fingers,” it is not only the green pod that can be enjoyed – the new leaves can also be cooked or added to that favorite salad. And though it may have been first cultivated in tropical areas of the world, most gardeners can grow okra in their gardens. As long as I can remember, I have grown it, and if there is any excess, it either gets pickled or given to friends. I try not to freeze it, as I grow it every year, and I find that it is much better freshly picked.
From Arabia, okra spread around the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and eastward. In 1658, okra was introduced to the Americas by ships plying the Atlantic slave trade. There is documentation of its use in Suriname in 1686, and by 1748 it was being grown as far north as Philadelphia. In 1781, Thomas Jefferson made a note that it was well established in the state of Virginia. Then by 1800, it was found throughout the United States, with the first mentioned cultivars in 1806.
Botanically speaking, okra is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the Malvaceae family. Though, in our part of Florida, it is an annual grown from seeds. It is grown best in full sun and in well-drained, rich soil (compost or manure enriched). Soaking the seeds overnight in water will get your plants up a lot quicker, but once they have been planted, make sure you give them plenty of water. Mole crickets may cut some of the tender plants down, so make sure you have extra seeds so you can replant.
As it gets up and growing, don’t be too discouraged – okra plants look pitiful when they first start to grow, but give them time. The pale yellow flower that first appears will later turn into a green pod, and when you see this flower, you can tell it is related to the hibiscus quite easily. The pod needs to be harvested when it gets to the desired length, but don’t wait too long, as this pod will get tough and woody. Common problems for this plant are verticillium wilt, which causes yellowing and wilting of the leaves, powdery mildew, and nematodes. Deer like to eat the tender new leaves as well.
Now down to eating it… okra is high in fiber, vitamin C, and is known for being high in antioxidants. It is also an excellent source for calcium and potassium. The pods have a good amount of vitamin A, which you need to maintain a healthy mucus membrane and skin. They are also rich in the B-complex like niacin, vitamin B-6, thiamin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and vitamin K, which is a co-factor for blood clotting enzymes and strengthening your bones. The pods are also a good source of calcium, manganese, and magnesium – who needs a vitamin pill? They are a low-calorie vegetable, containing no saturated fats or cholesterol, and are often recommended by nutritionists in cholesterol controlling and weight-reduction programs.
The younger leaves can be cooked like dandelion leaves, or they can be eaten raw, as in a salad. The seeds can be roasted and ground into a form that can be used to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute. The pods can be sliced, then roasted, and you can briefly cook the entire pod to avoid the slime factor, cut it up, batter and fry it, sauté it, or pickle it. The bottom line is this: you can enjoy it. And the best thing of all – it is good for you, slime and all!
If you have a greenhouse, you can always start your plants from seed, and when they are ready, move them to the garden. Give them plenty of water, good enriched soil, and full sun. Before you know it, you can don that suit of armor, or you can simply wear long sleeves and gloves while harvesting. They say picking it in the cool of the morning helps though I am not too sure about this. The tiny spines on the stalks and leaves can cause itching and burning, but I have found that a scrubby sponge and some water will help relieve some of the itching. But the taste is worth the effort!
So you might want to give that neighbor a call – you know the one who has tried to give you some fresh okra but to no avail, and maybe you just might give it a try. I know you will enjoy it!
Happy gardening!
This Is What Happens To Your Body When You Ingest Okra
- By Arjun Walia
“Humans live on one-quarter of what they eat; on the other three-quarters lives their doctor.” – Egyptian pyramid inscription, 3800 B.C.
Abelmoschus esculentus or Hibiscus esculentus, also known as Okra, is a widely used vegetable all over the world. Not many people like it because of its ‘slimy’ texture, but this vegetable is loaded with a number of health benefits that will probably have you considering adding it into your diet if you are passionate about your health.
Okra originated in Egypt, and people have been growing it since the 12th century. It can be consumed in a variety of different ways, such as stewed, fried, or even fermented. It’s usually served with other vegetables and rice or put into soups.
The Many Health Benefits of Okra
- •According to a study published in 2005 in the Jilin Medical Journal, okra showed positive effects on nephropathy, or kidney disease. For the study, participants were put into two different groups — one was treated with okra, and the other was treated with traditional medical therapy. The study lasted 6 months, and while there were no changes for the group who used traditional therapy, those who took their treatment with the okra saw a reduction in uric acid and urine protein. (source)
- •A study published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal outlined okra’s ability to protect against liver disease. Because of its strong antioxidant activities, okra was found to protect against chemically induced liver damage. The study also found okra to have strong antioxidant and hepaprotective properties, comparable to milk thistle or silymarin. (source)
- •A study published in the Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences found that okra extracts could protect against diabetes. When rats with diabetes were given okra, they saw a decrease in their blood sugar levels and a normalization of their lipid profile levels. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have found okra to be a major blood glucose-lowering food — it contains large amounts of soluble dietary fibre — which is why it has been used traditionally as an alternative treatment for diabetes. (source)
- •Okra has also demonstrated its ability to be a cancer fighter, having shown action against breast cancer cells, but only in preliminary lab studies. Researchers have discovered that a newly discovered lectin (a type of protein that can bind to cell membranes) in okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (AEL), actually induces cell death in human breast cancer cells, in vitro – 72 percent to be exact. (source)
- •Research has also shown okra to possess the ability to fight depression. Although some fruits and vegetables have been shown to have various effects on mood, and the ability to elevate one’s mood (favonoids and quercertin), Okra had not made the list until recently, when researchers from Mazandaran University of Medical Science decided to examine its effect on mood. Their results showed that okra seed extracts acted as as strong agent for elevating mood, in some cases performing just as well as common antidepressants. Apparently, the positive mood effect of okra can be attributed to its high total phenol and flavonoid content. (source)(source)
When I come across scientifically validated information that sheds light on the knowledge of our ancestors and ancients, I am never surprised. This is commonly seen with quantum physics, astronomy, health, and spirituality, where our modern day measurements of ‘truth’ correlate with teachings of our ancient world. It’s good to see science shed light on the healing properties found within nature, as it’s a branch of knowledge we have neglected for many years now. Chemical based health, and our reliance on pharmaceutical grade medicine, have completely taken over, which is perhaps one reason why chronic illness and disease are on the rise.
“Let food by thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates
What Is Okra (Lady's Finger) And 6 Benefits Of Adding The Medicinal Vegetable To Your Diet
- By Lizette Borreli
The beginning of September signals that fall is on its way, along with leaves, and... okra? The exotic medicinal and culinary vegetable (available year-round), is best to get in early fall when crops in Southern states reach their peak. Typically, okra is used as a thickening agent in soups like gumbo because of its ooey-gooey texture, but it can double as a nutritional powerhouse filled with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that provide an array of health benefits from treating diabetes to preventing kidney disease.
A single cup of raw okra has a little over 30 calories, about 3 grams of dietary fiber, 2 grams of protein, 7.6 grams carbohydrates, 0.1 grams of fat, 21 milligrams of vitamin C, around 88 micrograms of folate, and 57 milligrams of magnesium. This makes okra a nutrition hero and a very available food when it comes to our health.
Whether you consume okra stewed, boiled, fried, or even in pickled form, you can reap the health benefits of this little green vegetable any time of the year. Here's how:
- Alleviates Asthma
Consuming even small amounts of fruits or vegetables rich in vitamin C, like okra (21 milligrams per cup), can alleviate asthma symptoms. A 2000 study published in the journal Thorax found the intake of citrus or kiwi fruits conferred a highly protective effect against wheezing symptoms in childhood. The protective effect was seen even among children who ate fruit only one to two times per week. The researchers found this to be especially true among already susceptible patients.
- Lowers Cholesterol
Okra not only promotes good digestive health, but also good cholesterol levels due to its high fiber content. Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water, which means that it breaks down in the digestive tract. There, it also binds to cholesterol in other foods so that it can be excreted along with other wastes. In turn, total cholesterol levels plummet, according to the Harvard Health Publications. Okra also helps to lower cholesterol by replacing all the foods you eat with high fat and cholesterol levels — okra contains no cholesterol and very little fat.
- Manages Diabetes
Soluble fiber can help diabetics because of its ability to keep blood glucose levels stable — it affects how sugar is absorbed in the intestines. In a 2011 study published in the journal ISRN Pharmaceutics, researchers soaked sliced okra pods in water and then gave rats the solution through a gastric feeding tube — a control group wasn't fed this solution. The researchers found okra helped reduce the absorption rate of glucose and in turn reduced blood sugar levels in the treated rats.
- Boosts Immune System
Okra’s rich vitamin C content and antioxidant components also double as decent immune boosters against unsafe free radicals, while also supporting the immune system. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system to create more white blood cells, which can help battle other foreign pathogens and materials in the body.
- Prevents Kidney Disease
Regularly eating okra can be helpful for preventing kidney disease. A 2005 study published in the Jilin Medical Journal found patients who ate okra daily reduced clinical signs of kidney damage more than those who were on a diabetic diet. This is helpful since nearly half of kidney disease cases develop from diabetes.
- Promotes Healthy Pregnancy
Okra’s high levels of vitamin A, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), and vitamin C, and traces of zinc and calcium, make it an ideal vegetable to eat during pregnancy. Okra also serves as a supplement for fiber and folic acid. This helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and can even stop constipation during pregnancy.
Nutritionist Urges Diabetic Patients To Consume More Okra
- By Genevieve Aningo
Miss Yemisi Olowookere, a Nutritionist with Garki Hospital, Abuja, has advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of consuming okro as the eugenol in okra helps fight diabetes.
According to her, the okro is one of the best vegetable sources of dietary fibre essential for the digestive system, the fibre also helps stabilise blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines. “Dietary fibres in okro help prevent and relieve constipation. The soluble fibre in okra absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool thus preventing constipation.
“Being a vegetable, it is obvious that okro is healthy and should be included in one’s menu,’’ she said. Olowookere said okro was good to improve colon health by allowing the organ to work at a higher rate of efficiency and reduce the risk of colon cancer. She said the iron content of okra forms haemoglobin in the blood and prevents anaemia, saying that vitamin K helps in blood coagulation. Olowookere said the dietary fibres contained in this vegetable helps people who are on weight loss programs, adding that okro has a very low caloric value so it is a great addition when losing weight. “The soluble fibre in okra helps to lower serum cholesterol and thus reduces the risk of heart disease. Eating okra is an effective way to control the body’s cholesterol level. “Okra is also high in pectin that helps in lowering high blood cholesterol by altering the production of bile in the intestines,’’ she said. Olowookere said okra can help improve healthy hair and reduces dandruff. She said the high Vitamin C content in okro helps fight cold and cough by encouraging a healthy immune system.
“The Vitamin C and many essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, calcium and iron in okra also fight against harmful free radicals and therefore promote an overall healthy immune system. “Vitamin A and beta carotene found in okro are essential nutrients for maintaining good eyesight. “The essential nutrients also help prevent eye related diseases such as cataracts. The Vitamin A promotes good eye health and protects against age related eye disorders,’’ Olowookere said. She said the high amount of folate contained in the okra is beneficial for the foetus during pregnancy, adding that folate is an essential nutrient which improves the development of the foetus’ brain. Olowookere said the high amount of folic acid in okra plays an important role in the neural tube formation of the foetus from the fourth to the twelfth week of pregnancy.