Tropical fruit - Pitanga fruit - Surinam Cherry

Pitanga fruits originated in Brazil but can now be found across the tropics. The cherry-sized fruits are highly nutritious containing large quantities of vitamin C. Known as Pitanga throughout Brazil or Ñangapirí in surrounding countries, it is a large shrub or small tree with a conical form, growing slowly to 8 meters in height. The Surinam Cherry is often used in gardens as a hedge or screen. The fruit is high in Vitamin C, and its predominant food use is as a flavoring and base for jams and jellies. The tree was introduced to Bermuda for ornamental purposes but is out of control, and is now listed as invasive in Bermuda.



Health Benefits of Surinam Cherry
Surinam Cherry is rich in antioxidants which help to prevent the free radicals that are the major cause for inflammation and diseases. Fruits are rich in phosphorus, Vitamin C, riboflavin, iron and niacin. It possesses antiseptic, antitumor, astringent and antibacterial properties; provide relief from diarrhea and gastro-intestinal problems.

Heart Ailments
The sufficient level of Vitamin C in Surinam Cherry helps to prevent the damage of blood vessels caused by free radicals. Atherosclerosis is a heart disease which is caused due to the free radicals. Vitamin C helps to prevent this heart ailment and other cardiac issues.

Treats Cancer
In their composition, are present also anthocyanins and phenols, substances that can prevent degenerative diseases and active in protecting DNA molecules against mutations that can lead to cancer. Lycopene, a substance responsible for the red color of the fruit is present in another cherry antioxidant that is effective in combating various diseases.

Eye Ailments
Cataracts are the visual related problems. The people with cataracts have shown the decrease level of Vitamin C. The high intake of Vitamin C raises the supply of blood to the ocular areas.

Treats Common Cold
Vitamin C promotes the immune power which prevents coughs and colds. It stimulates the iron absorption and enhances the resistance power of the body against infection. It helps to counteract against viruses.

Skin Health
Vitamin A helps to eradicate the body from toxins and free radicals which damages the skin. It provides soft and supple skin by retaining the moisture, prevent dryness, keratinization and skin ailments such as psoriasis.

Prevent Acne
Vitamin A lowers the production of excess sebum and reduces the acne. It strengthen the skin tissues, enhances the health and skin vitality. It helps to maintain the mucus membranes and skin tissues. It eradicates the toxins from the body and cleans the system with its antioxidant properties.

Immune Power
Vitamin A enhances the immune power to fight against infections by raising lymphocytic responses against antigens. It provides the moisture to the mucus membranes to provide immune power and promotes the actions of white blood cells. It prevents the entering of body, counteracts the infections. It ensures the double core protection.

Prevent Muscular Dystrophy
It helps to maintain the bones shape and its health. Vitamin A ensures the proper growth of muscles. It prevents the development of muscular dystrophy.

Produces RBC
Vitamin B2 helps to produce antibodies and red blood cells in the humans. It helps to increase oxygenation and circulation to the organs of the body.

Regulates growth and reproduction
Vitamin B2 ensures the proper development and growth of reproductive organs and body tissues growth such as connective tissues, skin, eyes, nervous system, mucous membranes and immune system. Additionally, it promotes the healthy nails, skin and hair.

Health Benefits of Mint


Mint, the popular herb, has several benefits which include proper digestion and weight loss, relief from nausea, depression, fatigue, and headache. It is used in the treatment of asthma, memory loss, and skin care problems. This well-known mouth and breath freshener is scientifically known as Mentha and has more than two dozen species and hundreds of varieties.

Health Benefits
Most of us are familiar with the refreshing application of mint, but it has far more to offer than that. The health benefits of mint include the following:

Aids in Digestion
Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser. It also promotes digestion and soothes the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation.
The aroma of the herb activates the salivary glands in your mouth as well as the glands which secrete the digestive enzymes, thereby facilitating digestion. These attributes are why mint is extensively used in the culinary arts.

Treats Nausea & Headache
Mint leaves, especially freshly crushed ones, help you deal with nausea and headache. The strong and refreshing aroma of mint is a quick and effective remedy for nausea. Use mint oil or any other product having a mint flavor and your stomach issues will be alleviated. This herb is a naturally soothing substance, so it can alleviate the inflammation and temperature RISE that is often associated with headaches and migraines.

Prevents Respiratory Disorders
The strong aroma of this herb is very effective in clearing up congestion of the nose, throat, bronchi, and lungs, which gives relief from respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and common colds. As mint cools and soothes the throat, nose and other respiratory channels, it also relieves the irritation which causes chronic coughing. This is the main reason why so many balms are based on mint. Unlike the inhalers that are based on aerosols, those with mint as the fundamental component tend to be more effective and eco-friendly as well.

Treats Asthma
Regular use of mint is very beneficial for asthma patients, as it is a good relaxant and relieves congestion. That being said, using too much mint in this way can also irritate the nose and throat.

Aids in Breast Feeding
For many women, breastfeeding is a beautiful part of raising a child, but it can affect your breasts and nipples. Studies have shown that mint oil can reduce the nipple cracks and pain that often accompany breastfeeding.


Reduces Depression & Fatigue
Mint is a natural stimulant and the smell alone can be enough to charge your energy and get your brain functioning at a higher level again. If you are feeling sluggish, anxious, depressed or simply exhausted, mint and its essential oil can help. It can be ingested, applied topically in a salve form or inhaled as a vapor, and all of these techniques can give you a much-needed boost.

Skin Care
While mint oil is a good antiseptic and antipruritic material, the juice obtained from mint is an excellent skin cleanser. It soothes the skin and helps cure infections and itchiness. In addition to being a good way to reduce pimples, it can even relieve some of the symptoms of acne. Its anti-pruritic properties can be used for treating insect bites like those of mosquitoes, honeybees, hornets, wasps, and gnats. The cooling sensation will relieve you from irritation and the constant urge to scratch, and the anti-inflammatory nature of mint will bring down swelling. In that same vein, mint oil is often a basic component of bug repellent products like citronella candles, because the strong aroma is unappealing to most insects.

Prevents Memory Loss
A recent study explored the effects that mint has on alertness, retention, and cognitive function. It found that people who frequently use chewing gum, in which the major active ingredient is mint, had higher levels of memory retention and mental alertness than those who did not. The stimulant qualities of mint, once again, have shown yet another reason to pop that stick of gum in your mouth or chew some leaves when you’re feeling less than brilliant.

Weight Loss
Apart from all the other health benefits of mint, it also can help in your efforts to lose weight in a healthy way. Mint is a stimulant, as we’ve already mentioned, but it also stimulates the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and consume fat and turn it into usable energy. Therefore, by adding mint to your diet, you are increasing the amount of fat that is being consumed and put to use, rather than being stored and contributing to weight gain.
  
Cures Allergies & Hay Fever
Seasonal allergies and hay fever (also known as rhinitis) affect millions of people around the world. Extracts from mint leaves have been shown to inhibit the release of certain chemicals, which aggravate severe nasal symptoms associated with hay fever and seasonal allergies.

Prevents Cancer
Current research shows that certain enzymes that can be found in mint may help prevent and treat cancer.

Improve Body Immune System
Immune function to prevent the disease into the body. Immunity will increase when a person is exercising regularly and eating foods rich in nutrients. Mint leaves contain vitamin C that can positively impact your immune system. Therefore, do not hesitate to add a mint leaf on a menu of food that you consume.

Itching in the throat
The content of the mint leaves are also very active to cure and relieve itchy throat that causes coughing. This is because there are some very good mint composition for open cavity on the nose.