Amla Tree Plant

PRODUCT INFO Banana leaves are large, wide, elongated, and slightly rounded, averaging two meters in length, a half a meter in width, and 8-12 leaves per tree. The surface of the leaves are waxy, flexible, and glossy, and range in color from lime, olive green, to dark green. There is a central midrib that runs the length of the leaf and two laminas, or leaf halves are found on either side of the midrib. The leaves do not have branching veins, and this makes them vulnerable to tearing easily. Banana plants also have a pseudostem, which is a false stem that looks like a trunk but is multiple fleshy leaf sheaths that are tightly overlapped. Banana leaves have a grassy and sweet, green flavor. USES In addition to culinary uses, Banana leaves have also been used in the Buddhist and Hindu religion as decorations and as bowls, plates, and offerings in special religious celebrations such as marriage ceremonies. They are also used in India and the Philippines to construct fences and thatched roofs and have even been used as umbrellas. SEASONS Banana leaves are available year-round.

PRODUCT INFO Pandan leaves are medium to large in size and are elongated, narrow, and oblong in shape. There are two distinct Pandan plant shapes. If the plant is left undisturbed and the leaves are not harvested, it will develop into a small tree with large, long, and thin green leaves that can reach up to two meters in length. If the leaves are continuously harvested, the plant will stay low to the ground forming a shrub-like appearance with smaller, narrow green leaves growing up to one meter in length. The upright green leaves taper to a point at the tip, and when attached to their stems, Pandan leaves resemble the top of a pineapple plant. Pandan leaves have a unique and distinct grassy aroma when first crushed that mellows out to a subtle, herbal, and floral aroma. When cooked, Pandan leaves have a nutty, almond, rose-like, and slightly sweet flavor. Pandan leaves are rich in essential oils, glycosides, and alkaloids, and also contain traces of tannin and isoprene esters. They are traditionally used to reduce symptoms of pain and fevers and are used as a laxative. USES Pandan leaves are best suited for cooked applications such as boiling, steaming, sauteing and frying. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes and are boiled, pounded, bruised, or raked to bring out the flavor. Pandan leaves are often used to wrap meats or sticky rice and are cooked to add a sweet and nutty flavor. They are also wrapped and deep fried to create a crunchy exterior. In addition to savory preparations, Pandan leaves are also used to make desserts and drinks. They can be made into a paste with the juice extracted to make the well-known chiffon cake, and they can be cooked to make Kaya, or pandan-flavored coconut egg jam, which is a traditional Pandan dish still found today in Malaysia and Singapore. Pandan leaves can also be cooked with coconut to make nasi lemak rice or are tied into knots and used for flavoring. Pandan leaves pair well with turmeric, lemongrass, brown sugar, milk, meats such as fish, chicken, beef, and pork, and rice. They will keep for a couple of days when stored unwashed, wrapped in a damp paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Pandan leaves can also be frozen for up to two months. SEASON Pandan leaves are available year-round.

The kaffir lime tree is native to tropical Southeast Asia and was spread to neighboring regions via exporters and trade routes. Today Kaffir lime leaves are available in fresh markets and frozen in specialty grocers in Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the United States. PRODUCT INFO Kaffir limes are widely used in Thailand as a household ingredient. Essential oils are extracted from the fruit's peel and are used for cleaning products, shampoos, and as a method to kill lice. The fruit's zest is used to flavor curries and soups, and the leaves are also crushed and used as potpourri or placed in a hot bath for a citrus aroma. Kaffir lime plants are so common and frequently used in Thailand that the majority of rural households have their own trees growing in their backyards. Kaffir lime leaves are small to medium in size and oblong in shape, averaging 3-5 centimeters in diameter and 8-12 centimeters in length. The top of the thick leaves is glossy and deep green, while the underside of the leaves is porous and a pale, matte green. Kaffir lime leaves grow in pairs and grow in a double leaf formation, which means two leaves grow on either side of the stem and appear to mirror each other. There is a prominent central midrib or vein and the tips of the leaves can be slightly rounded or very pointed. Kaffir lime leaves have a strong citrus taste and aroma that is said to be a blend of mandarin orange, lemon, and lime. USES Kaffir lime leaves contain some antioxidants. They also contain limonene and citronella, which both contribute to the flavor and fragrance of the leaves and have been shown to have antimicrobial properties. Kaffir lime leaves can be used in both raw and cooked preparations such as boiling, steaming, and saut�©ing. They can be used fresh, dried, or from a frozen state and the thick leaves are never consumed whole, but rather steeped and later removed, or sliced very thinly. Kaffir lime leaves can be sliced and used in salads or shredded and used in fish cakes. They are also widely used in soups such as tom yum and hot and sour shrimp, curries, fried rice, pastes, and stir-fries. Their herbal citrus flavor can be used to infuse desserts such as custard and ice cream. Kaffir lime leaves pair well with lemongrass, basil, cardamom, curry leaves, mint, tamarind, turmeric, cumin, galangal, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, jasmine rice, meats such as lamb, chicken and pork, mussels, and coconut milk. They will keep up to two weeks when stored fresh in the refrigerator and up to one year when stored in a sealed container in the freezer. SEASON Kaffir Lime Leaves is available year-round.

Catuaba(Ceratonia Siliqua) The Amazon forest is home to countless medicinal herbs and plants and is the home of the relatively small but fast growing Catuaba tree known mainly for its aphrodisiac abilities. The tree itself produces yellow flowers and an inedible fruit but it is the bark which is harvested for its medicinal properties and made into supplements. Catuaba or Anemopaegma mirandum comes from a tree known scientifically as Erythroxylum vacciniifolium which belongs to a larger family of trees. There is quite a bit of confusion regarding the actual tree species harvested for use and products from both the small catuaba and big catuaba trees are used for the same purpose and marketed interchangeably. The bark from the catuaba tree is sometimes referred to as trichilia catuaga. According to research, catuaba contains tannins, alkaloids like catuabine, fatty resins and aromatic oils. It also possesses certain flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and phytosterols. Research published in 2007 discovered that catuaba bark contained epicatechins which are powerful antioxidants said to have both antibacterial and anticancer properties It is still used primarily as an aphrodisiac in Brazil. Recently it has started to appear as an ingredient in aphrodisiac supplements in the United States. Can protect skin cells against cytotoxic activity Has anti-inflammatory health benefit Has promising activity against Parkinson’s disease. Has Antimicrobial and HIV protective activity Has mood ,vigor and vitality enhancer properties

Achiote(Bixa Orellana) Aciote is a small tree that grows in the Amazon and the coast below 1400 meters elevation and has been cultivated since pre-Columbian times in Peru. The seeds and powder from the plant are good for digestion and have also been used to treat asthma and as antimalarial medicine. The fruits and seeds can be consumed in a tea infusion that is often taken to control headaches. The leaves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which can prevent prostatitis that could later lead to prostate cancer. The crushed leaves can be used for the alleviation of respiratory problems, throat infections, fever, dermatitis, skin infections , diarrhea and vomiting, and conjunctivitis. Prevent Cataracts. Treats Gonorrhea. Antioxidant Nature. Control Congenital Disabilities. Dermal Healing. Prevent Cancer Development. Strengthen Kidney. Reduce Stomach Issues.

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo) Sacha Inchi, which in Quechua means mountain peanut, is a tree that grows in the Amazon of Peru. The seed of the plant is eaten raw like a nut or in the form of extra virgin oil. It is known for its incredibly high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids even more than fish oil. It also contains vitamins A and E and amino acids. The health benefits of Sachi Inchi are numerous, including blood pressure regulation, prevention of certain types of cancer, hormonal balance, alleviation of cardiovascular problems and the reduction of bad cholesterol. Lowers LDL and raises HDL cholesterol, helps us deal with stress and feel calm and happy due to presence of tryptophan., thanks to the tryptophan, also regulate appetite so we don’t get cravings, overeat, presence of high amount of Omega 3 helps control glucose levels., anti-inflammatory nature of sacha inchi may make it a good supplement to ease joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Uses of Madhuca longifolia: Butternut tree oil extracted from the seeds of the Madhuka plant is applied over the area affected with skin diseases and body pain. Nasal administration of the fresh juice of the flowers of Madhuka longifolia is done in diseases of vitiated pitta dosha like headache, burning sensation of the eyes etc. The dried flowers of madhuka is boiled in milk and administered in a dose of 40-50 ml to treat weakness of the nerves and diseases of the neuro muscular system. The decoction prepared from the bark of the tree is given in dose of 30-40 ml to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome and diarrhea. Fresh juice of the flowers is given in a dose of 20- 25 ml to treat hypertension, hiccups and dry cough. The flowers of madhuka plant is boiled in milk and added with sugar candy and given in a dose of 40-50 ml to treat less sperm count, premature ejaculation and production of less milk in post- partum period. The cold infusion prepared from the flowers or bark of the plant s given in dose of 30-40 ml to treat burning micturition, fever and burning sensation of the body. The cold infusion or milk boiled with flowers of the plant is beneficial to patients suffering from general debility.It is commonly known as madhlka, madkam, mahuwa, Butter Tree, mahua, mahwa, mohulo, Iluppai