Long hours of work, unhealthy eating, less sleep, more stress are putting our own bodies and health at a great risk. Diabetes, obesity, thyroid malfunctioning, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases are interlinked and can be controlled only by healthy food. Greens, vegetables, fruits and nuts are excellent sources of nourishment that enable the body with all the vitamins, minerals, fiber and water.
Green herbs
Especially can combat a whole lot of ailments and keep you away from impending health risks. Rather than stepping out to get them, you can develop these medicinal plants on your balcony with hardly any work. Plenty of reasons why you need to grow and consume them on a daily basis! Methi (Fenugreek) – Growing methi in a container is one of the easiest things you can do.
Choose a sunny spot, sow the seeds in a container and water it. Methi seeds germinate in a few days and in a period of 10 to 15days, the leaves come up and the pods are ready for harvest. Chilly weather conditions may not be acceptable for methi to grow. All diabetics have methi leaves or fenugreek seeds to fight blood glucose level fluctuation.
Did you know?
A natural soluble fiber called ‘galactomannan’ plays an integral role in slowing down glucose absorption into the blood flow thereby controlling diabetes. Chronic digestive disorders, acid reflux, heartburn, dandruff and baldness can be corrected with regular usage of methi seeds and leaves.
Bitter gourd (Karela) – Another wonder vegetable that’s totally exotic in taste! Since it’s a creeper plant, even if you’re able to arrange a little trellis on your balcony then karela could be grown readily. It’s a warm weather crop but can also tolerate mild cold. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water before sowing them. This procedure ensures faster germination and strengthens seeds. Bitter gourd is often disliked by most people because of the bitter taste but the goodness that the vegetable contains is indescribable.
Good to know
From weight loss to controlling blood glucose levels, bitter gourd does it all. Regular consumption may also correct vision problems, cleansing liver and kidneys and also boost the immune system. But bear in mind that excessive consumption may result in stomach upset and cause an imbalance in the hormones.
Coriander (Dhaniya pattha) – Pick a couple of dhaniya seeds out of your kitchen, divide them into 2, sow them in a container and set it in a sunny place on your balcony. In a week’s time your shuttle harvest will be ready! It’s seriously as simple as this. The sole real requirement for coriander plants is a lot of sunlight. If your balcony receives tons of it then just proceed. Coriander leaves struggle with bad cholesterol and enhance the levels of good cholesterol thereby boosting good health. Diabetic patients are able to keep their glucose levels in check with frequent usage of coriander. The rich iron content in the seeds and leaves enhances bone marrow performance and treats anaemia in girls.
Take note
Stevia (Meetha pattha) – Rapidly replacing artificial sweeteners is the’sweet leaf’ or’sugar leaf’ mainly called Stevia. Just 1 leaf will make anything sweet and simple to eat. Diabetics are currently taking solace in this miraculous herb. Home grown stevia may lack the deep sweet flavour that’s generally discovered but the leaves can definitely replace your sweetener. You may either sow seeds directly in a container or purchase miniature stevia plants to transplant them into your backyard.
Light watering frequently and six hours of sun is good enough for the leaves to grow. Brewed stevia leaves are an outstanding substitute for table sugar. You may use them in tea, coffee, juices and other drinks. When consumed with ginger or cinnamon, stevia cures constipation and common digestive issues. Diabetics can make this a part of the diet and control their sugar cravings.
Basil (Tulsi) – Found in virtually every Indian house, basil herb can deal with a broad assortment of health disorders. Sowing seeds right in a container is the perfect way to cultivate basil. Keep the soil moist constantly by watering the seedlings regularly. It’s an annual crop and proceeds to produce leaves in all seasons. Chronic cold, cough and phlegm may be treated quite well by dried basil. A strong decoction of the leaves when consumed on a daily basis kills bacterial infections and promotes immunity. Purifying blood, fighting mouth ulcers, treating migraines and keeping infections at bay, the basil does it all!