Okra, sometimes referred to as ochro, ("ladies' fingers" in the UK and other English-speaking countries , "bhindi" in India etc) is a flowering plant found in warm and balmy climates across the globe. The plant produces long green pods covered in a fine fuzz, these pods contain small edible seeds, ...
READ MORE +Bitter melon, bitter gourd, karela, caraille, Momordica charantia; whatever you call this prickly-looking fruit, it’s useful to know about what it can do for you. A native to tropical and subtropical climates, it has been utilised for years as a remedy for a variety of ailments. You can use all ...
READ MORE +Milk thistle seeds are one of nature's most powerful detoxifiers. All parts of the Silybum marianum plant are able to be used, however the seeds are the most medicinally valuable, having been used as a herbal remedy for liver disorders for over 2,000 years. The name 'milk thistle' comes from the ...
READ MORE +The delightfully otherworldly-looking African Baobab tree is the source of the white powdery baobab fruit, which has been bestowed 'superfood' status for its host of nutritional advantages. Growing to the size of an average coconut and weighting over a kilogram, the baobab fruit is one of the most ...
READ MORE +Despite its name, the Brazil nut is in fact the seed produced by the fruit of the Brazil nut tree. Native to Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and of course Brasil, its nut tree is one of the largest trees known to grow in the Amazon rainforest and it reaches an average height of 160ft (49m). Brazil nuts are ...
READ MORE +Jackfruit is the world's biggest fruit to grow on an actual tree and can grow up to 3ft (1m) long and weigh up to 100lb (45kg)! Indigenous to the Southwestern rain forests of India, jackfruits are related to figs, mulberry and breadfruit. The trees are widely cultivated for their fruit, seeds and ...
READ MORE +The sociable South American tradition of passing around a gourd of Yerba (‘herb’ in Spanish) mate leaves soaked in warm water has now developed into a health craze in the Western world. With the botanical name 'Ilex paraguariensis' a member of the holly family, Yerba mate is known for its ...
READ MORE +Hibiscus, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa, is a tropical flower belonging to the Malvaceae family. Botanists believe that there are eight original hibiscus species that can be considered ancestors of the hibiscus hybrids found today. These are said to be native to India, China, Mauritius, Hawaii, Fiji, and ...
READ MORE +The sharp and hairy appearance of the Malay-Indonesian and Southeast Asian originated Rambutan might make it look like an aggressive lychee imposter, but this exotic fruit has a unique health benefit profile. The Nephelium lappaceum, (Latin) comes from the Sapindaceae family of flowering plants, ...
READ MORE +Sweet potatoes are readily available, inexpensive, tasty and very good for you. If you thought that chips can't be good for your cardiovascular system and blood pressure, well, the sweet potato variety is at your rescue read on for our Top 5 Health Benefits of Sweet Potato! 1. Blood sugar ...
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