Benefits of Herbal Plants

As an Indonesian, you are certainly no stranger to ginger. This is because the rhizome of this plant is frequently used as a spice for cooking food. Beyond making dishes more delicious and aromatic, it turns out there are a myriad of health benefits of ginger, you know. Looking back at its history, ginger has been known as a medicinal plant for 5,000 years in China, Southeast Asia, and also India. So, its properties as a medicine have indeed been well-known for a long time. Now, is it true that this plant is effective for treating various types of diseases? Here is an explanation of what diseases ginger can treat and the facts behind it! 1. Preventing Premature Aging Actually, aging is a natural process for all living beings, including humans. However, signs of aging that appear too early are clearly not good for your health and appearance. This is because some cells in your body, especially in the skin area, have aged prematurely. On the skin, premature aging can cause wrinkles, dry skin, sagging, and roughness. In fact, it can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Meanwhile, in other body cells, aging can also increase the risk of contracting various diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and others. Well, you can obtain the benefits of red ginger as well as white ginger to prevent premature aging. This is because ginger contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that are effective in reducing and delaying the degradation of molecules and cells in the body. 2. Preventing Cancer from Developing in the Body Besides delaying aging, this medicinal plant is also effective in preventing cancer from developing in the body. Because, based on research, ginger can stop the growth of cancer cells and can kill those cells. This is due to the anti-cancer content within this plant. The benefits of white or red ginger actually come from anti-cancer compounds that cause the levels of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the body to increase. These compounds are what act as inhibitors and killers of cancer cells. 3. Strengthening the Immune System Since long ago, the benefits of ginger for men and women that have been widely known by the public is to strengthen the immune system. This is because the nature of this plant is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. These two compounds are very effective when dealing with oxidative stress conditions in the body. The level of antioxidants in it can neutralize free radical substances, which are unstable types of molecules that have the potential to damage cells and DNA in the body. These free radicals usually attack the immune system, so you can consume ginger which is rich in antioxidants to ward them off. Besides antioxidants, this plant also contains several anti-inflammatory compounds. Their task is to reduce inflammation and pain when the immune system is active in fighting foreign substances entering the body. So, your potential to get sick will be reduced because of the role of these anti-inflammatory substances. 4. Treating Digestive System Diseases For those of you suffering from acid reflux, you certainly have to be careful in consuming things. But, is it allowed to drink ginger water for acid reflux sufferers? It turns out, you can drink it, and the plant is actually effective for treating this disease. Not only stomach diseases, you can also treat various other digestive problems with this medicinal plant. You can treat stomach aches, or a bloated stomach. Furthermore, nausea can also be overcome by consuming ginger. The benefits of ginger for women's and men's health can be obtained because there is a decrease in gastric motility. On the other hand, this medicinal plant has an antiemetic effect that is effective for increasing motility tone in the stomach. 5. Relieving Muscle and Joint Pain Then, this medicinal plant turns out to also be effective in relieving muscle and joint pain. This is because the salicylic acid content in this medicinal plant can reduce the activity of several chemical substances that trigger joint inflammation. Also, there is a prostaglandin content that can reduce pain. 6. Improving Blood Circulation Lastly, but no less importantly, this medicinal plant is also effective in improving blood circulation in the body. This is because of the magnesium, chromium, and zinc content in ginger, which are three minerals known as blood circulation enhancing agents that are well-known to the public. Read Also: 6 Benefits of Ginger Milk, Strengthening Immunity to Digestion Because blood circulation is well maintained, the risk of developing heart disease will also be reduced when you consume this medicinal plant. Interestingly, you can consume ginger in a delicious way through Sido Muncul Ginger Milk Drink. Besides being tasty, it is also very easy to make. Just by mixing this sachet drink with hot water, you can enjoy the warmth of ginger. Make sure to read the instructions for use on the packaging.

Before the development of modern pharmacological medicine in the 18th century, people around the world first recognized herbal plants as medicine. People believed that there were many types of herbal plants that possessed specific health benefits, whether for preventing or treating various diseases. So, what are herbal plants? Herbs are parts of plants—leaves, roots, or stems—that have an aromatic scent and are commonly used to add flavor and aroma to food. In addition to food, people also frequently use them as medicine. You might know them by the term "herbal medicine." Now, what are some examples of herbal plants? Below is a list of herbal plants that are easy to find in Indonesia, and that can even be found in almost every home. 1. Lemongrass When talking about herbs originating from Southeast Asia, lemongrass is one of many plants that must be familiar to you. Besides removing fishy odors and adding aroma when cooking, it turns out that lemongrass also has various other benefits that your body needs. In traditional medicine, people usually use lemongrass as a TOGA (family medicinal plant) to relieve pain and fever. This is because it contains flavonoids, which act as antioxidant and antibacterial agents. Furthermore, it contains quercetin, a compound that functions as an anti-inflammatory and can prevent inflammation, cancer, and heart disease. You can consume lemongrass by brewing it with tea or boiling it in water. A combination of milk and lemongrass can also be an alternative if you want to try something different. 2. Turmeric Alongside lemongrass, there is also turmeric, which is present in almost every Indonesian dish. You usually find turmeric in curries, braised chicken (ayam ungkep), soto, and various other types of food. In addition to providing a delicious flavor, this spice also gives food a yellow color. However, it turns out that if examined more deeply, turmeric also has a great many health benefits for your body. This spice has even been used by the people of India for 4,000 years to treat allergies, skin diseases, and joint pain. This type of herbal medicinal plant contains polyphenols, antioxidants that can counteract skin damage caused by UV rays or chemical exposure. This compound is also believed to protect you from cancer and diabetes. You can eat foods containing turmeric or consume it via supplements. 3. Kencur (Aromatic Ginger) Besides lemongrass and turmeric, what other plants are categorized as medicinal plants? Kencur is also a type of TOGA that is found in almost every home. Besides being used as a spice, the benefits of kencur as a medicine have also been utilized by the community since ancient times. Medically, kencur contains ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, which acts as an anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent. Since ancient times, this spice has been used by the people of India to treat wounds, colds, fevers, skin disorders, pain, rheumatism, digestive issues, and respiratory problems. How to consume it is also quite easy, as you only need to use it as a spice in food or make a beras kencur drink. 4. Cat's Whiskers Leaf How many herbal plants are there in Indonesia? Currently, there are about 19,871 herbal plants that are often used by the community as traditional medicine. However, only 9,600 of them have been proven to have medicinal benefits, including cat's whiskers leaf (kumis kucing). Cat's whiskers are proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in treating gout and arthritis. Furthermore, this leaf is also potent for preventing cancer, rheumatism, hepatitis, diabetes, and more. This is due to the content of betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, and more than 20 other phenolic compounds in the leaves of this plant. You can consume cat's whiskers leaves by boiling them in water. If you want a better taste, you can brew them with tea. 5. Betel Leaf Another plant categorized as a medicinal plant is the betel leaf (sirih). This is because the leaf has detoxifying, antioxidant, and antimutagenic properties. In fact, this leaf has been used as medicine since 400 BC in India and China. This medicinal leaf is useful for inhibiting the growth of tumor and cancer cells in the body. Furthermore, betel is also widely used to clean the mouth. That is why people in the past had the habit of chewing betel. Besides cleaning, betel can also freshen your breath. 6. Ginger One other TOGA, or home herbal plant, that is almost always in every home is ginger. This rhizome has the benefit of lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and also maintaining the proper functioning of the immune system. Additionally, this spice is also famous as an anti-aging agent. Ways to consume ginger are very varied. You can boil it with tea or mix its extract with milk. In fact, there is now the Sido Muncul Ginger Milk Drink product that you just need to brew and drink. Read Also: 6 Benefits of Ginger Milk, From Strengthening Immunity to Digestion This product is made from ginger extract, which is one type of herbal plant that is good for health. This drink is effective in warming the body and boosting immunity. Come on, maintain your health with traditional and natural ingredients from Indonesia!

What is Lempuyangan? Lempuyang (Zingiber zerumbet) is a spice plant that comes from the same genus or group as galangal, ginger, and aromatic ginger (kencur). Uniquely, this plant has beautiful, bright red flowers. This is why many people prefer to use lempuyang as an ornamental plant rather than a medicinal herb. According to a number of studies, this medicinal herb contains the substance zerumbone, which has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer effects (Alodokter). Furthermore, lempuyang is also rich in various substances and nutrients, such as polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C. Health Benefits of Lempuyangan The various substances and nutrients mentioned above allow lempuyang to provide a number of health benefits, such as: 1. Inhibiting Cancer Cell Growth The first health benefit of lempuyangan is as an agent that inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Lempuyang possesses this property due to the presence of zerumbone, an anticancer substance, within this medicinal herb. This claim is also supported by various laboratory studies showing that lempuyang extract can inhibit cancer cell growth. 2. Controlling Blood Sugar Levels Controlling blood sugar levels is a good habit that everyone should practice, especially those with diabetes. This is because a rise in blood sugar levels can make a person easily thirsty and hungry, fatigued, prone to headaches, experience blurred vision, have difficulty concentrating, and struggle with wound healing. In diabetics, this condition can even trigger organ or nerve damage. This medicinal herb has the property of helping to control blood sugar levels in the body and maintaining stable blood sugar levels. This means lempuyang has potential as a herbal remedy that can prevent insulin resistance and diabetes. 3. Preventing and Overcoming Microbial Growth Another study found that extract of fragrant lempuyang rhizome—a subspecies of lempuyang—contains antibacterial properties that have the potential to treat a number of infectious diseases. Reported by the Hello Sehat website, the screening test results showed a positive effect against the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, which can cause meningitis, endocarditis, eye infections, and more. Additionally, the extract of this medicinal herb appears to be able to eradicate and inhibit the growth of Streptococcus bacteria. 4. Relieving Joint Pain Besides the anti- properties mentioned above, lempuyang also possesses natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. These two properties make lempuyang effective for relieving pain, including joint pain that commonly occurs due to inflammation in the joints. This benefit is also why lempuyang is used as one of the ingredients in Teh Tolak Angin, a herbal remedy for "masuk angin" (cold/flu-like symptoms) that can also relieve pain and soreness. After learning what lempuyang is and its benefits, are you interested in trying it and experiencing its efficacy? Don't worry, you can obtain it through Teh Tolak Angin, which is hygienically processed to refresh the body while providing health benefits. Not only that, for those of you currently experiencing symptoms of a cold, consuming Teh Tolak Angin can also help overcome them. With a composition of lempuyang, galangal, Javanese long pepper, curcuma, nut grass, leaf of phyllanthus niruri, sambung nyawa leaf, ginger, aromatic ginger, pulasari, fennel, and ginseng, this traditional herbal remedy can refresh the body as well as relieve aches, pain, lower back pain, and soreness. You can purchase this product at drugstores, pharmacies, modern outlets, or buy it online via www.sidomunculstore.com or the official Sido Muncul store on Tokopedia, Shopee, Bukalapak, Blibli, Lazada, and JD.id.