Cloves are the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen also known as  Syzygium aromaticum ÂÂ
Found in both whole and ground forms, this versatile spice can be used to season pot roasts, add flavor to hot beverages, and bring spicy warmth to cookies and cakes.
You may know cloves as one of the main ingredients in gingerbread baked goods or a staple spice in Indian cuisine.
Cloves are best known as a sweet and aromatic spice, but they have also been used in traditional medicine.
In fact, animal studies have found that the compounds in cloves may have several health benefits, including supporting liver health and helping stabilize blood sugar levels
This article reviews 8 of the most impressive health benefits of eating cloves.
Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so using whole or ground cloves to add flavor to your food can provide some important nutrients.
One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains:
 Manganese is an essential mineral for maintaining brain function and building strong bones.
Apart from being a rich source of manganese, cloves are only used in small amounts and do not provide significant amounts of nutrients.
In addition to containing several important vitamins and minerals, cloves are rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants are compounds that reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of chronic disease.
Cloves also contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to act as a natural antioxidant.
In fact, a test-tube study found that eugenol stopped oxidative damage caused by free radicals five times more effectively than vitamin E, another potent antioxidant.
Including cloves in your diet along with other anti-oxidant rich food  can help improve your overall health.
Cloves have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help stop the growth of microorganisms like bacteria.
One test-tube study showed that clove essential oil killed three common types of bacteria, including  E. coli, which is a strain of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
What’s more, the antibacterial properties of cloves could even help promote oral health.
In one test-tube study, the compounds extracted from cloves were found to stop the growth of two types of bacteria that contribute to gum disease.
Another study in 40 people tested the effects of an herbal mouthwash consisting of tree tea oil, cloves, and basil.
After using the herbal mouthwash for 21 days, they showed improvements in gum health, as well as the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
In combination with regular brushing and proper oral hygiene, the antibacterial effects of cloves may benefit your oral health
Research shows that the compounds found in cloves may help keep blood sugar under control
An animal study found that clove extract helped moderate blood sugar increases in mice with diabetes.
Another test-tube and animal study looked at the effects of clove extract and nigericin, a compound found in cloves, both on human muscle cells and in mice with diabetes.
Cloves and nigericin were found to increase the uptake of sugar from the blood into cells, increase the secretion of insulin, and improve the function of cells that produce insulin.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for transporting sugar from your blood into your cells. The proper functioning of insulin is essential for maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
In combination with a balanced diet, cloves could help keep your blood sugar levels in check
Black pepper, also known as the king of spices that has a load of health benefits and a major benefit of consuming pepper is that it aids in weight loss. It is also said to be good for digestion and prevents cancer by detoxifying the body. When this spice is added to the food, it makes your food taste better and spicier.
If you are a fitness enthusiast looking to lose weight quickly, then you need to add black pepper to your daily menu. Don’t forget to add lemon juice and finger millet (Ragi) too. All of these foods can help you lose weight quickly and black pepper cleans your intestines and stomach. Let’s take a look at some of the important facts about black pepper.
Ever wondered why is black pepper is called the ‘King of Spice’? Well, this is because this spice has loads of benefits for your body. Here are some of the facts about this amazing spice.
Note:  Adding a pinch of black pepper to your daily diet can keep you healthy and using this as a weight-loss supplement is the best way for you to lose weight.
There are plenty of benefits surrounding this spice and there is a reason why our ancestors had named it the ‘King of Spice’. Well, here are 10 healthy benefits of black pepper and how it can act as a disinfectant that can prevent many diseases.
Black pepper is said to prevent cancer when it is mixed with turmeric. This can be consumed in the form of milk by mixing turmeric and black pepper. This drink is usually given to individuals suffering from severe cold. It is said to consist of antioxidants,  vitamin A  and carotenoids that help in curing cancer and other deadly diseases. Also, this must be added to most of your daily diet as it is the best way you can stay fit naturally.
Black pepper helps in good digestion and when it is consumed raw, hydrochloric acid is released by the stomach and helps in breaking down the proteins. Hydrochloric acid helps in cleaning your intestines and barricading you from other gastrointestinal diseases. So don’t forget to add a pinch of black pepper to all of your food.
If you have less than three stools a week, then you may be suffering from constipation. However, this problem can be solved by adding some pepper to your food daily. Sometimes when you may be suffering from constipation, you may end up straining to pass stools or sometimes you may not feel empty even after passing stools.
Thus, black pepper curbs  colon cancer, constipation, diarrhoea and other types of bacterial types of diseases if consumed daily. Excessive consumption can be harmful to you, so make sure you just add a pinch of it to your daily food.
The ‘King of Spices’ is said to prevent skin pigmentation (Vitiligo). This condition makes your skin appear white and this is also called white patches. Though there are many medicines available in the market to restore your skin colour, black pepper protects your skin from any sort of skin pigmentation and helps maintain the original colour of your skin. Wrinkles and skin problems are curbed if you consume black pepper from a very young age. It also prevents premature ageing and dark spots too.
Consuming this spice in the raw or cooked form is good enough for your daily diet that will benefit your body and most importantly rejuvenate your skin. If you are suffering from  acne, then you need to try black pepper as this will help your skin flush away the intoxicants in it and smoothen it. All you need to do is to crush some black pepper and apply it over your skin and you will find the difference.
In order to treat dandruff, black pepper is said to be good. All you need to do is to add some crushed black pepper with some curd and add it to your scalp and let it dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. Also, make sure that you do not use excess black pepper as this can result in the burning of your scalp. Make sure that you do not use shampoo for the next 24 hours after applying black pepper to your hair as this may cause side effects. You can also add lime to the crushed black pepper and apply it to your scalp and then wash it after 30 minutes. This will make your hair shiny and smooth.
The wonder spice helps you lose weight and this can be added to green tea and consumed two to three times a day. This is because this spice has a rich content of phytonutrients that helps in breaking down excess fat. This also improves your bodies metabolism. Green tea plus a pinch of black pepper in it can help you lose weight. This needs to be added to your everyday diet.
Depression  is said to be one of the most common problems faced by most people worldwide and this can even lead a person to death. However, there are medicines that can curb this mental problem from being devastating, however, raw black pepper can be given to depressed people to chew and this will change the mood of the person.
This happens due to the fact that chewing raw black pepper releases mood-inducing chemicals to the brain that will keep your mind calm and soothing all the time. However, this must not be done in excess as there will be consequences for the same.
Cold and cough are said to be normal respiratory problems that can be cured by consuming black pepper. Simply just add a pinch of black pepper to some green tea and you’ll see the difference. Also, you can use a glass of milk and add a pinch of black pepper and a pinch of turmeric to it and consume it hot. This has no side effects.
During winter, adding a little bit of pepper to all your dishes can help you stay healthy and prevent yourself from different diseases. Black pepper mixed with some honey can also help you prevent chest congestion. Adding black pepper to some warm water along with some eucalyptus oil in it and inhaling the steam is a simple remedy for getting rid of chest congestion.
If you are suffering from joint pain arthritis, you don’t have to be worried because pepper has medical properties that can help you solve this problem. It also helps in preventing gout. It is also used for people suffering from spinal and joint pain. Today, black pepper is used in many cuisines as a global spice. Black pepper’s most powerful impact is when a person with a cold and cough consumes it.
This spice helps you sweat and urinate a lot and by this, you discharge all toxins from your body. Sweating and constantly urinating is a good sign that your body is functioning well. Also, you need to think about how you need to burn fat physically, rather than only consuming black pepper. Some people believe that black pepper can be only consumed and it will help them lose weight. But you may be wrong if you only concentrate on consuming it rather than following some simple exercises such as walking and jogging. Always keep in mind that if you want to lose weight, the result lies in following a healthy diet and exercising at the same time. If you follow this, you will witness the results in a few mocking.
Currently, this spice has been added to almost all dishes because it brings in a sharp and spicy flavour to your dish. It is originally found in India and this spice was first valued when it was traded from Asia to Europe.
Over the years, turmeric has become a popular ingredient for all those people who believe in healthy living. Though the western world came to realise the benefits of this wonder spice comparatively late, Indian kitchens have depended on turmeric or Haldi for centuries. It goes in almost every curry and savoury dish that is cooked in our kitchens as it helps in the process of cooking and also adds nutritional value to it.
Haldi is also consumed uncooked with milk and warm water or tea, to help combat flu or cold. It helps enhance the immunity and eliminate cold, cough and chest congestion if any. While the powdered form has its benefits, the raw roots of turmeric are quite helpful too. According to research, Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help boost immunity.  Turmeric, which is antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, is also prebiotic that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in our gut.
“Turmeric is a powerful herb with over 300 nutrients including beta-carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, flavonoids, fibre, iron, niacin, potassium, zinc among others. But the active compound which has caught the attention of scientists, supplement industries and food technologists is curcumin for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Absorption of curcumin from turmeric is enhanced by 2000 times by peppering, a compound present in black pepper. Somehow our ancestors seem to have cracked this knowledge as all our recipes have both turmeric and black pepper in combination.
While it’s easily available in the market there are two ways to start your day with raw turmeric.
* Add raw turmeric and boil it with one teaspoon of ghee and have it every morning. It helps improve immunity and cure dry cough.
* One can also grind raw turmeric and one teaspoon ghee and make a cold morning drink before you start your day.
Turmeric in its raw form is packed with several health benefits including immune-modulatory effects. Studies conducted on curcumin and other bioactive components in turmeric reported having beneficial effects in various disease conditions, by modulating the immune system. Raw turmeric is one of the main ingredients in several home remedies used for various health issues. Turmeric milk is an example in which grated raw turmeric is boiled with milk, and served hot. It is considered as a magic elixir to ward off the common cold and seasonal flu. Especially in children, it is associated with a reduction in Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections. Raw turmeric concoctions/ tea taken daily over a while may help to improve immunityâ€ÂÂ.
Here are some of the benefits of having raw turmeric
* It helps facilitate smoother digestion through the tracts.
* Consumption of raw turmeric may also help treat stomach ulcers and irritation.
* It also helps in reducing inflammation in the body.
* All of these factors also lead to a reduction of skin impurities. Traditionally, it is also used in treating skin ailments.
* Kacchi Haldi, as it is also known, is also applied as an ointment to any kind of cuts or injuries.
* It purifies the blood, eliminating toxins from it.
* Raw turmeric has been known to regulate blood sugar levels too.
* Inflammation is an important part of the immune system to fight infections and is a short term process. When the inflammation becomes chronic it leads to various health problems including cancers. Turmeric has shown anti-inflammatory properties that could prevent chronic inflammation and therefore such diseases.
[cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width="1/1"][cmsmasters_text]
An antigen is a molecule capable of stimulating an immune response. They may be proteins, polysaccharides, lipids or nucleic acids. Each antigen has distinct surface features that are recognized by the immune system.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has several known antigens, including its nucleocapsid phosphoprotein and spike glycoprotein, which are the visible protrusions on its surface.
An antibody is a Y-shaped protein produced by B cells of the immune system in response to exposure to antigens. The tip of each Y-shaped arm contains antigen binding sites (paratopes) that bind to a specific portion of the antigen’s surface (epitope). This binding helps to eliminate antigens from the body, either by direct neutralisation or by “tagging†them for elimination by other arms of the immune system.
When infected with SARS-CoV-2, the body produces antibodies that bind specifically to the spike proteins and other antigens to help eliminate the virus. This binding can be harnessed to develop antibody and antigen-based diagnostic tests.
An antigen test reveals if a person is  currently  infected with a pathogen such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Once the infection has gone, the antigen disappears.
Unlike nucleic acid-based tests such as PCR, which detect the presence of genetic material, antigen tests detect proteins or glycans, such as the spike proteins found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
They can take longer to develop than molecular and antibody tests, as suitable antibodies for use in the assays must first be identified and produced, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. Accuracy can also be a problem, with antigen tests typically having a much lower sensitivity than PCR.
However, they usually provide test results rapidly, are relatively cheap, and can be more amenable to point-of-care use, which could make them more suitable for testing in the community and in remote regions.
Antigen tests seek out specific proteins only found in the virus, which the body’s immune response recognizes as 'foreign'. Most COVID-19 antigen tests target the 'spike protein' that studs the surface of the coronavirus.
A swab from the nose is collected for this test, where there's a high likelihood of virus particles being present. The swab is then dipped in a solution that inactivates the virus and then transferred onto a test strip. The test strip houses antibodies that bind to coronavirus proteins and hold them in place as the fluid spreads.
If the sample is positive for coronavirus, colored lines will show up on the paper strip in 15-20 minutes.
[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row]
[cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width="1/1"][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id="8p2xxk0w7" animation_delay="0"] B.P. Poddar wishes all a happy World Health Day When the entire world is reeling under the tides of Covid-19, it becomes much more important for us to stay healthy so that our body is ever-ready to fight the pandemic onslaught. Here we are discussing the 4 principles that will ensure a 360 degree approach for a healthy lifestyle. Balanced Diet Diet is the most important ingredient towards a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet that includes the right proportion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Avoid alcohol and say a big no no to tobacco. Regular Exercise Daily exercise, either aerobic or anerobic or even a 15 minute brisk walk daily should be inculcated as a habit. Exercise increases the metabolism, keeps the heart healthy, keeps blood pressure, hypertension and lipids at check which are the major rootcause of all problems in our body 8 Hours Sound Sleep A 8 hours sound sleep is the basic pre-requisite towards a healthy body and mind. Inadequate sleep increases catecholamines in our body, reduces immunity, increases anxiety levels and also promotes co-morbidities like hypertension, diabetes and dislipidemia De-stress Yourself Regular meditation for 15 minutes and coupled with 15 minutes of yoga is like a magical wand to de-stress the body. Stress increases free radicles and also increases catecholamine levels in our blood which are detrimental for our general health. [/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width="1/1"][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id="8p2xxk0w7" animation_delay="0"] Get the Shot..Shoot out Covid-19 We all know that the Covid positive cases crossed the landmark figure of 1 lakh per day on 4th April. This is by far the highest toll on a single day since the onset of Covid onslaught. But now we are having the weapon to curb the Covid-19 menace and that weapon is Covid-19 vaccine. We know that GOI have opened up vaccination for any one above 45 years of age. If you are yet to get the first dose, register yourself at the earliest at the CoWIN portal and enroll for the Vaccination. Get Vaccinated. Protect Your Family and others. Together we can and will fight out Covid-19. [/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width="1/1"][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id="8p2xxk0w7" animation_delay="0"] The Dual Approach Towards our Fight Against Covid-19 In this testing times, when we see a resurgence of Covid-19 in the past few weeks to the extent that India have crossed the 1 lakh mark in a single day. We have to be highly vigilant in our approach towards fighting back against this Covid menace. For that, a dual approach of Protection along with Prevention is mandatory. All those who are 45 years and above, should opt for the vaccination schedule as early as possible. We should also continue our regular hand hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks which will provide us the necessary prevention against Covid-19 [/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width="1/1"][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id="8p2xxk0w7" animation_delay="0"] Steps to register for the Vaccination process:
NABH Accredited Hospital
