Kadi Patta: Its leaves are used in many dishes in India, Sri Lanka, and neighbouring countries. Because they are often used in curries, the leaves are generally called by the name ‘curry leaves.’ They are packed with carbohydrates, fibre, calcium, phosphorous and irons as well as vitamins like C-vitamin A-vitamin B-vitamin, E-vitamin. Curry leaves help your heart function better, and they fight infections and can liven up your hair and skin with vitality. It contains plant sterols, amino acids, glycosides, and flavonoids which makes it very dominant and therefore is used in high quantity in kitchen.  Many people do not throw the curry leaves used in seasoning, they consume it.

Ginger: Ginger contains Gingerol which is a powerful medicine. It has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and helps fight the flu and common cold, to name a few. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. It is a very common ingredient in recipes. The unique fragrance and flavour of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. The health benefits of ginger include relieving nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness, and pain. Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain. And, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. A research has proved that ginger has powerful anti-diabetic properties too. I know a lot of people who consume ginger juice regularly and they all are strong people both mentally and physically.

Coriander: It is a wonderful source of dietary fibre, manganese, iron and magnesium as well. In addition, coriander leaves are rich in Vitamin-C, Vitamin-K and protein. They also contain small amount of calcium, phosphorous, Potassium and Thiamin, Niacin and Carotene. Coriander consumption helps in lowering blood sugar, easing digestive discomfort, decreasing blood pressure, it helps in fighting food poisoning, heals urinary tract infection, helps women in healthy menstrual function, helps in healing neurological inflammation and diseases. It grows easily in our balcony, and its lush greenness adds beauty to your balcony garden.

Green Chillies: Not many know that green chillies are rich in dietary fibre, which is important for a healthy digestive system. Green chillies take care of skincare system. Green chilli is a rich source of vitamin-C and eating it helps in keeping skin healthy and glowing. It is a rich source of vitamin B6, vitamin-A, iron, copper, potassium and a small amount of protein and carbohydrates. Eating green chillies boosts immune system, perhaps that’s the reason for there are people who consume it regularly. Daily wages labour and farm labour consume it raw with jowar or bajra roti, and they have a good stamina.

Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

If you are stressed out and don’t have time for a facial massage, or visit to a spa –here’s what you can do: cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that will reduce stress in your face, It works great on wrinkles too!!

Recline on the sofa with a slice of ice-cold cucumber over each eye. The cooling sensation helps sooth red and tired eyes; while the high water content works to reduce puffiness and can even eliminate dark circles. Just do it today.

Another use of the cucumber’s amazing attributes is that it acts as a diuretic. The next time you feel bloated – wash, but don’t peel and slice a cucumber. Add the slices to a jug of ice water and drink it down. You can easily shed with this your water weight. Try it; it’s simply amazing.

If you have just finished a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth, hold it with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

Cucumber is a natural astringent, so a cucumber facial is cleansing and soothing. Puree half a cucumber in your food processor or blender; add a few mint leaves to it, a tablespoon of lemon juice and an egg white. Mix them all together and then apply it onto your clean face. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water. Follow with a splash of cool water to close skin pores.

Recently the New York Times published loads of information and praises for cucumber as part of their “Spotlight on the Home” series highlighting maximum usage of it in our daily life. I give here under one raita recipe which is delicious and appetizing, very easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
•  Small portion of chopped fresh dhaniya (coriander leaves)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 chopped green chili
• 2 medium cucumbers peeled and diced
• Salt & sugar for taste

Whisk yogurt, add diced cucumber, limejuice, chopped green chili in a small bowl. Stir it by adding salt and sugar for taste. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and grounded cumin seed powder. Season it with half table spoon tempered oil and mustard seeds. It tastes amazing!

Because cucumbers are mostly water, they are low in calories. Even, a large cucumber contains less than 100 calories. You will not find any other natural element loaded with such immense nutritional value. Store cucumbers in your fridge always, and consume them regularly.