NATURAL CLEANER FOR THE HOME

LINK

Make a 'green' household cleaner by adding vinegar to orange peels (you can also use lemons, grapefruit and lime peels).  Put the peels in a glass jar and add vinegar.  Let it steep for some time before using.  If you wish to reduce the strong smell of the vinegar, then dilute with water.

HYDRANGEA

Common name:  Hydrangea or Hortensia
Scientific name: Hydrangea L.

Symbolism
The pink hydrangea has risen in popularity all over the world, but especially in Asia. Pink hydrangeas have many different meanings, but generally means, "You are the beat of my heart".
LINK

Medical uses:
The plant continues to be a common supply for Chinese medicine, but it may be making a significant appearance as a medication across the globe. The roots of the plant appear to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some have used the herb to treat malaria. Scientists believe that the roots of the plant hold substances that can combat conditions that affect the body’s immune system.

LINK

BIRD OF PARADISE

Common names: Strelitzia, Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise

Scientific name: Strelitzia reginae

Symbolism
Bird of Paradise flowers are associated with liberty, magnificence and good perspective.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strelitzia_reginae

GARLIC PLANT

I am sure everyone knows how garlic looks like.  But do you know how a garlic plant looks like?  Wonder no more.  I have posted pictures of the plant with its beautiful white flowers above.


Medicinal uses

The healing properties of garlic are wide and varied, ranging from antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties to cancer-fighting and immune-boosting activity. Due to its healing properties, raw garlic has been used as a medicinal plant to prevent — and in some cases treat or even heal — various health complaints.

Source: http://www.healwithfood.org/medicinal-uses/garlic-healing-properties.php#ixzz39jD4QULg

LAVANDULA

Common name:  Lavender
Scientific name: Lavandula L.

Medicinal Uses:
Lavender is used extensively with herbs and aromatherapy. Infusions are believed to soothe insect bites, burns, and headaches. Bunches of lavender repel insects. In pillows, lavender seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation. An infusion of flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water is used to soothe and relax at bedtime.Lavender oil (or extract of Lavender) is used to treat acne when diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it also treats skin burns and inflammatory conditions.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender

Yacón

The yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius, syn.: Polymnia edulis, P. sonchifolia) is a fruit-like vegetable from South America that tastes like both celery and apples. It's noted for its high fiber and low calories. Yacon is a member of the sunflower family and has big yellow flowers, but it also develops tubers which are crisp and juicy and can be eaten in a variety of ways. If you want to grow Yacon, a warm climate and patience will be required.
Medicinal uses:

Both yacon tea, made from the leaves of the plant, and yacon syrup, made from the root, have become popular with diabetics because of the blood-sugar-lowering effects of the tea and the low glycemic index of the sweet syrup.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_5415357_yacon-plant-helps-treating-diabetes.html
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2121817_grow-yacon.html

CABBAGE

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea or variants) is a leafy green or purple vegetable.

Uses

Cabbage is used for stomach pain, excess stomach acid, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and a stomach condition called Roemheld syndrome. Cabbage is also used to treat asthma and morning sickness. It is also used to prevent weak bones (osteoporosis), as well as cancer of the lung, stomach, colon, breast and other types of cancer.

Breast-feeding women sometimes apply cabbage leaves and cabbage leaf extracts to their breasts to relieve swelling and pain.

LINK

GUAVA

Common name:  Guava
Scientific name: (Psidium guajava)

Medicinal uses:
Young guava leaves are used in Malay traditional medicine as a remedy for diarrhea. Guava leaves or bark are used in traditional treatments against diabetes.

Nama tempatan:  Jambu Batu

Nama saintifik: (Psidium guajava)

Kegunaan perubatan

Pucuk daun jambu batu digunakan dalam perubatan tradisi Melayu untuk merawat cirit birit.  Daun dan kulit digunakan untuk merawat kencing manis.

NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLANT

Having problems with mosquitoes but don't want to use chemical sprays?  Don't worry you can make your own mosquito repellant using limes and cloves.  Just stick the cloves into the limes that have been halved.
Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/19984792071588275/

ANTHURIUM

Common Names: anthurium, tailflower, flamingo flower, flamingo flower and laceleaf

Botanic Name:  Anthurium andreanum

My friends and I visited Tan's Camelia Garden a couple of days ago and the owner of the garden gave us anthuriums that he grows in his garden. 

As far as I know, there does not seem to be any medicinal uses for the anthurium in Malaysia. It is commonly used as an ornamental house plant in Malaysia.


VERSI BAHASA MELAYU
Gambar-gambar bunga Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) ditangkap semasa lawatan saya ke Cameron Highlands.  Setahu saya, tiada kegunaan perubatan untuk Anthurium. Ia digunakan sebagai tanaman hiasan di Malaysia.

MAKE YOURSELF A HANGING KITCHEN GARDEN

Not everyone has the luxury of having a garden in their front yard, especially those who live in high-rise buildings.  Well, if you really want a garden, there is a solution, a hanging kitchen garden.  You can see a picture of such a garden posted here.
To learn how to make one, click this LINK.

Bukan semua orang ada taman di rumah, terutama mereka yang tinggal di apartmen dan kondo.  Ada cara untuk mengatasi masalah ini.  Dapatkan taman dapur gantung.  Untuk cara membuatnya, sila klik LINK..

VISIT TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Pictured from left to right: Li Na, Lai Yoong, Mr and Mrs Tan, Hajah Kamariah and Buzz

My friends and I went for a one day trip to Cameron Highlands.  Besides shopping for souvenirs, vegetables and fruits, we also visited Tan's Camelia Garden in Tanah Rata.  I will be doing a number of posts on the plants, vegetables and fruits that I took pictures of during my visit.

ASPARAGUS

Common name: Asparagus
Scientific name:  Asparagus officinalis

Uses

Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten: once the buds start to open ("ferning out"), the shoots quickly turn woody.

Asparagus is used along with lots of fluids as “irrigation therapy” to increase urine output. It is also used to treat urinary tract infections and other conditions of the urinary tract that cause pain and swelling.

Other uses include treatment of joint pain (rheumatism), hormone imbalances in women, dryness in the lungs and throat, constipation, nerve pain (neuritis), AIDS,cancer, and diseases caused by parasites.

Asparagus is also used for preventing stones in the kidney and bladder and anemiadue to folic acid deficiency.

Some people apply asparagus directly to the skin for cleaning the face, drying sores, and treating acne.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-286-ASPARAGUS.aspx?activeIngredientId=286&activeIngredientName=ASPARAGUS

VERTICAL GARDEN

If your horizontal garden space is limited at home, then why not try growing a vertical garden like the ones above.  Click this LINK for ideas how to.

Kalau anda tidak cukup ruang di rumah untuk satu taman, 'vertical garden' merupakan satu alternatif.  Untuk mendapatkan idea, sila klik LINK ini.

REUSING OLD TYRES AS PLANTERS

LINK

Don't throw away your old tyres.  You can reuse them as planters.  To make them look more attractive, add a coat of paint.  Add soil and plants, then hang it up.  Lovely.

VERSI BAHASA MELAYU

Jangan buang tayar lama.  Anda boleh gunakan tayar ini sebagai bekas untuk menanam pokok.  Hanya perlu cat semula tayar itu.

PETUA UNTUK KURANGKAN BERAT BADAN

Di sini adalah satu petua untuk mengurangkan berat badan dengan menggunakan serbuk kayu manis dan madu.  Anda perlu campurkan 1 sudu besar serbuk kayu manis, satu sudu besar madu dan 1 cawan air panas.  Minum pada waktu pagi sebelum makan.

PISANG KELAT

Tandan pisang ini dari poko pisang kelat yang ditanam di Taman Herba Kolej.

Pisang Kelat Keling merupakan sejenis pisang yang dituai dari pokok Pisang Kelat Keling. Pisang Kelat Keling biasanya ditanam bagi mendapatkan buahnya. Nama sains pokok Pisang Kelat Keling ialah Musa acuminata x balbisiana Colla (ABB Group) cv. 'Bluggoe.

Buah pisang Kelat Keling ini biasanya dimakan begitu sahaja.  Daun pokok ini digunakan dalam perubatan tradisional Melayu untuk merawat resdung dan juga untuk Mandian Herba.

Sumber Rujukan: http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisang_Kelat_Keling