Lemon Grass as Natural Herbal Remedy to Prevent Cancer

Serai or Lemon Grass Cymbopogon ciatrusis used as herb either fresh, dried or powdered in Asian cuisine. It has a citrus flavour and widely used in soups, curries and any dish one like to mix it with. Other popular name for serai is citronella - the common scent you usually find in candles, perfumes and soaps. I rarely use serai but they were rows of them in the garden at the backyard and infront.

rows of serai

It is believed that serai is a good cleanser that helps to detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract. It cuts down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while stimulating digestion, blood circulation, and lactation; it also alleviates indigestion and gastroenteritis. It is said that lemongrass also helps improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner. Also, it can reduce blood pressure. Just make a concoction by boiling some lemon grass leaves, let it cool for a while and drink the liquid.

Some people believed that serai is able to prevent cancer and according to researchers from Ben Gurion University A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. II think its time for me to use more serai in my kitchen now.


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Precious Kaffir Lime Leaves

Limau purut lebat di pangkal,

sayang selasih condong uratnya
Angin ribut dapat ditangkal
hati kasih apa ubatnya..

Above is the Malay poem connected with the leaves -daun limau purut or Kaffir lime leaves merely a love poem of the fondness of heart searching for medication, so much appreciated that it fits into a poem. These leaves widely used in traditional Malay cooking and Thailand. I just pick two to three leaves and mix them in my soup or curry fish. The aroma is a therapy to the nostrils. Mix your bath with water boiled with these leaves when the weather is cold, you'll have a spa feeling after that.


Kaffir lime leaves -- also called makrut -- have a distinctive two-lobed shape, a glossy appearance, a leathery texture, and an unusual lemon-lime flavor. Leaves can be used fresh or dried. Fresh leaves will keep in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few weeks, and in the freezer for up to a year, and either way are much preferred to the dried leaves.

The kaffir lime tree reaching the sky, I guess it needs pruning as I didnt see any of its fruit anywhere on the tree. Well I guess we only need the leaves for its lushes perfume and striking flavour.
Tom Yam Prawns -1st pic below
Tom Yam Soup (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup) with the leaves......2nd pic.

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Fungus Part 3

I wish I have more time with the greens and see new things in my yard. As tomorrow is the "Good Friday" public holiday in Sabah, today we are given extra holiday which called 'cuti peristiwa' in my workplace. Not all schools are having this extra day but since mine is a mission school than we got something extra special. Not rushing as always for work I took a walk with my daughter to see if I can find new fungus growing. The walk was not frustrating yet it gave me some of these new fungus. I saw some different ones and same fungus, anyway just to highlight my extra holidays and weekends here are some of the new and old species that I found..

just like two golf balls, except one was smaller..

this can be eaten, but not enough for one plate..

a flower look alike fungi

curling there among the greens

the color of bark's tree but more to flower shape with no petals

an open classic Chinese umbrella

and a closed umbrella :)

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