Mengkudu or Noni is a shrub like tree in the family of Rubiaceae. Scientifically this tree is known as Morinda citrifolia. Believed to be a native of South East Asia but has been extensively spread as far as to India, Pacific Islands and in certain parts of the West Indies. The tree bears fruits, however, somewhat tasteless and have unpleasant smell.

Noni's reputation as one of the sources of the traditional medicine extends over centuries. It has been reported the fruits have broad therapeutic effects including anticancer activity. In Tahiti, people down there have been using various parts of this plant to treat illness such as fever, eye infection, skin problem, constipation, stomach ache as well as for respiratory difficulties.

In certain countries, some people even relieve coughs, nausea or colic by applying heated Noni leaves to the

chest and consume the fruits to cure for asthma, lumbago and dysentery.

Ground Noni seeds produce oil and said to contain abundant in linoleic acid which have useful properties such as anti-inflammation and anti-acne.

Over the last decade, a growing number of people have become interested in this plant and thus have encouraged the production of Noni juice.

Noni juice claimed to increase mental clarity and attention span, works well on the cellular level and therefore have beneficial effects on the entire body systems as follows:

• supports the natural immune system's ability to fight diseases and infection
• helps circulatory system, tissue and cells to get rid the harmful free radicals in our body
• helps digestive system to increase nutrient intake at the cellular level
• demonstrates antitumor activity
• reduces blood sugar level and hastens wound healing process

Noni is now a thriving new market. Many companies have begun commercially selling Noni products and currently distributed in more than 50 countries. Its health benefits have been realized by million consumers. Noni is now listed as a "general health tonic" to cure illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Despite its popularity, medical applications discussed above have not been verified by modern science.

When you notice that having a sex as yet another duty you've to perform, your sex libido starts to diminish or you having waning interest in sex, then you're having the signs of what most sex therapists described as the forms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).


While it's a common in most bedrooms, many women don't seek help for it mainly it's a taboo subjects and too personal to discuss.

FSD is a complex blend of physical, biological, psychological, relation, sexual and situational factors. There are many forms of FSD. The most common ones being:

• Lack of libido. A form of FSD that characterized by a low drive and interest in sexual activity. Mainly caused by factors such as fatigue, stress, depression, menopause, having a growing family or simply not happy in your relationship with you partner.


• Arousal disorder. A situation in which very difficult in becoming aroused and not being sufficiently "put in the mood."


• Orgasmic disorder and sexual pain disorder. A sexual dysfunction that related to infection and inflammation and also as a result of vaginismus, where intercourse is not possible due to spasms of the pelvic floor muscles.
  

Under all these situations, women shouldn't suffer in silence. You've to do something and it would be a good idea to seek medical advice to rectify them.

Since there's very little research on the female sex libido, this was no easy matter. The use of traditional or herbal-based medicines to boost your desire could be a good start. For centuries many women have used nature's strong libido booster to ignite their sexual desire. One of the most popular herbs taken is Kacip Fatimah (Labisa pumila)--a small woody and leafy plant that grows and can be found in the shade of forest floor in Malaysia and Indonesia.

The leaves of this plant have traditionally been used as a kind of tea by local women to enhance their sex libido and also to induce and facilitate childbirth as well as post-partum medicine.

Interest in Kacip Fatimah as libido enhancer and also as a potential pharmacological application has increased recently. Many research and studies have been carried out by government agencies and universities to determine the efficacy of this plant and the findings have led to the commercialization of Kacip Fatimah as potential herbal product.

Today, extracts of Kacip Fatimah ground into powder substance are made into capsule and pill and also canned or bottled as health and energy drinks. Indeed, this potent ingredient has unlocked nature's secrets to the satisfying life that all women deserve.


Kacip Fatimah, which is rich in phytoestrogen and isoflavone, is claimed to help women:

• maintains a healthy female reproductive system and sexual function


• reliefs stress


• promotes healthy circulation


• supports and promotes body's perfect balance of hormone


• libido booster to ignite sexual desire


• reduces fatigue


• increases strength, energy and stamina


• induces, facilitates and eases delivery


• address menstrual frustration and to ease menopausal problem

Could your daily coffee fix actually be doing you some good? Hundred of studies suggesting that coffee may be something of a health food. It is more healthful than it is harmful, especially if it is taken in higher amount.

Coffee is a beverage rich in history. Began as energy food in Ethiopia, and turned into the favorite drink of Arab people, coffee quickly became a mainstay throughout Europe, Americas and the entire world.

When we talk about coffee, what matters is the taste and varieties. Today, we're offered in a dizzying array of flavors-- strong or a more mellow taste; and varieties--Colombian, Brazilian, Jamaican, Sumatran and Ethiopian.

No matter what flavor or variety you choose, a rich cup of coffee is sure to warm your heart and soul and not to mention it has plenty of health benefits.

At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, lower risk to get gallstones, and less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

There's some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma, stops headache, boost mood and even prevent cavities.

Coffee's reported benefits are a direct result of its higher caffeine content. It makes you more alert and thus boost concentration. Coffee also has large amount of antioxidant such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium. All these components improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Another important compound produced by coffee is called trigonelline, a chemical compound that having both antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties which help to prevent dental cavities from forming.

The world's beloved beverage sure has gone a lots of changes on how it is brewed in recent years. While still maintaining its aromatic flavor, coffee is now blended with natural herbs such as Tongkat Ali, the "Asian Viagra" and Ganoderma, the Miraculous King of Herbs, to give you the extra "power" that you need. Pick your choice, Tongkat Ali coffee or Ganoderma coffee, both worth the tasting.

I got the chance to taste "kopi Tongkat Ali" for the first time when I was invited to attend a home party organized by the MLM agent. Since that day, whenever I hear or see Tongkat Ali products, an old memory starts to crawl in my mind.

My room mates and I were on the way to our classroom one morning when one of them nervously said his "thing" has been awaked for the whole night. He confessed that he has been drinking coffee mixed with water extract of brewed Tongkat Ali's root.

All of us almost broke into laughter when we heard about. We've no idea from where he got the Tongkat Ali root. But, one thing for sure, he has sneaked it out from the forest area in where we were used to have our forest management study.

This incident happened many years ago, when we were in our junior year at one of the public colleges in Malaysia and also in the year in which nobody has seriously commerciliazed the potential of Tongkat Ali.

Tongkat Ali is an evergreen, medium-sized slender tree that could grow up to 15 meters. This plant is a native of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Its Latin name is Eurycoma longifolia and belongs to the family of Simaroubaceae.

Tongkat Ali is also known as Pasak Bumi and Longjack in English. It has been used for generations by local folks as the traditional medicine to cure boils, malaria and dysentery, pyretic, fever and to increase sexual desire and libido.

This plant is a symbol of man's ego and strength and has been dubbed as the "Asian Viagra" because of its aphrodisiac properties that improve strength and power during sexual activities, increase male virility and sexual prowess and also able to cure erectile dysfunction.

Tongkat Ali contains plethora of beneficial compounds that could increase the level of testosterone hormone in order to maintain energy level, mood, fertility and sexual desire. The presence of these enhancing properties have encouraged bodybuilders to supplement their diet with this herb to increase their muscle mass and strength.

In the past, people consumed Tongkat Ali by brewing its roots for a long hour to get the bitter extract. Today, Tongkat Ali extract made available using latest scientific techniques. The extracts are then blended with other ingredients such as coffee to produced canned drink and premixed coffee that are packed in tea-bag form and sold in the market as energy drink

Currently about 200 Tongkat Ali related products are produced in Malaysia alone and most of them emphasizing its aphrodisiac properties and to vitalize and to rejuvenate or energy. Most of these products are sold in drug stores, pharmacies and also available online.

Whenever my wife bumps into her former high school students, the first thing that going to pop-up from their mouths is "you look the same as you were twenty years ago. What is your secret?"

I got to confess to you people, her former students were right. My wife and I have been married for almost twenty years and we have four grown up children. What makes most of my wife's former students and her long lost friends wondering is about her appearance.

She has not change much since I first met her. I got to admit that she looks younger than her actual age; slim and maintains the same weight. Her secrets........

• don't take unnecessary food in between meals
• watch up you eating habit. Don't miss your breakfast, lunch and dinner
• supplement your daily diet with raw naturally-grown herbs

Talking about the herbs, we grow varieties of herbal plants at the back yard of our house. And one of my wife's favorite herbal plants is pegaga.

Pegaga is a small polymorphous, creeping plant belongs to the family of Apiaceae. Largely found in most part of warmer regions, especially in Asia and South America. Its common name is pennyworth and its scientific name is Centella asiatic.

Pegaga is consumed as vegetable and eaten raw as a salad leaf. For many generations, this creepy plant has been used as a medicinal herb and traditional medicine to cure and heal certain illness.

Dried and crushed pegaga is used for the treatment of leprosy, bronchitis, asthma and to heal wound. People in the Indian continent regard this plant as a potent brain tonic because its ability to improve all aspects of mental functioning in especially in treating senile dacay and loss of memory. To those who wish to look young, consider taking raw pegaga as your favorite salad because it is believed that this plant combat ageing and thus maintains your youthfulness.

Today, pegaga has been widely used as the main ingredient in the production of herbal-based products, supplementary foods and cosmetics. They are available in most drug stores, pharmacies and also online markets.

Being fat may not be your faults

To those of you who are too concern with your weight, please consider the following findings. Obesity experts have discovered that there's more to staying slim than eating less or doing exercice. Your chances of being obese may increase if:

• you have an older mother. Kids with old moms have a greater chance to be fat as their mothers getting older
• you live too close to heavy industrial areas. Industrial pollutants could find their way up the food chain and thus affect metabolism and activate dormant baby fat cells
• you work in air-conditioning offices. The cool temperature saves calories the body would normally use to keep its temperature down
• you were born underweight. Underweight babies who undergo rapid weight catch-up are likely to store food rather than burn it off.

Relieve your backache by massaging with oil prepared by boiling young coconut oil with herbs or chopping your body with a knife to "correct" your blood flow or swallow alive small fish to get rid of your asthma. Sound weird, but these are some of health practices of the many approaches of traditional medicine--an ancient medical practice that existed in human societies; developed over centuries; and handed down from generation to meet the needs of local communities.

Traditional medicine has been defined as to health practices, approaches, knowledge and belief incorporating plants, animals, and minerals based medicine, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or combination to treat, diagnose, and prevent illness or maintain well-being.

Interest in this kind of medicine has increased over the last decade and is still continuing. Its growing economic importance has increased in interest of many governments and academic communities. It uses in industrialized countries has rapidly spreading even though such practices are termed differently: complementary, alternative and supplementary.

The health craze in 1990's in many part of the world has created such a boom for herbal products and thus has led to "alternative" medicine industry to flourish. All kinds of herbal products were produced under the name of "supplementary food" or "alternative medicine" which in turn have led to general confusion among users and waning down consumers confidence.

Herbal industry seems to be plagued with controversy about whether or not these products that developed based on traditional medicine's approach and knowledge can really cure or prevent illness or may be injurious to one's health. The pervading lack of regulatory control on these so called "alternative medicines" and "complementary or supplementary foods" has now become a major concern. These traditional medicines do not require scientific research as what are required for pharmaceutical. And their production processes are not regulated especially for purity and potency.

The fact that there are unclear distinctions between traditional and alternative medicines have encouraged more consumers to choose and to take responsibility of their own health. Many of them have serious misconception about herbal products. Health products produced from plant and natural do not make them 100% safe. Some plants are poisonous and aren't natural to human body. Furthermore, majority of these herbal products do not undergo various tests to proof they are safe before entering the market.