Papaya - a.k.a. paw paw: a tropical fruit
Passion Flower
Polypill - combination cardiovascular pill
Polymeal - diet: natural alternative to the polypill
Potassium - mineral
Phosphorous - mineral
Prostate - human gland
Psyllium Husk - natural fiber
Pycnogenol (pine bark) - powerful natural antioxidant
Pygeum - herb
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) - Vitamin B

Papaya
Category: Fruit

The papaya has been called “Fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. The papaya is a very nutritious fruit, containing high amounts of vitamins (A, B, C and E), and minerals (potassium and magnesium). In fact, weight for weight, papayas have more vitamin C content that oranges. 100 gm of papaya has 71mg of vitamin C, while 100gm of orange has only 40mg of vitamin C.

Papayas also contain lycopene (normally associated with tomatoes), which is believed to lower the risk of prostate cancer.

The papaya fruit is also a good source of dietary fiber. A cup of the cut papaya fruit (approx. 150 gm) has the dietary fiber equivalent of half a cup of cooked barley, or 4 cups of cooked white rice.

Papayas also contain papain and chymopapain. These are protein-digesting enzymes, commonly used as meat tenderizers. These enzymes are found in the unripe papaya fruit, and in the papaya leaves. Wrapping meat in papaya leaves before cooking, helps to tenderize the meat.

Scientific name: Passiflora incarnata
Passion flower has mild sedative and calmative properties. Taken internally, passion flower is usually combined with other sedative herbs for various types of nervous conditions, including insomnia and other related disorders.

The Polypill strategy involves taking a a combination pill that may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease by over 80 per cent.

Polypill strategy involves the combination of six active components into one pill (called the polypill) normally prescribed to people aged 55 and over, or people who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.

The polypill is the combination of a statin, three blood pressure lowering agents (in half dose), folic acid (a B vitamin), and aspirin. This polypill is believed to simultaneously reduce the four key cardiovascular risk factors: LDL (the bad cholesterol), high blood pressure, serum homocysteine, and platelet function.

The cost and possible adverse effects of the polypill are still the main obstacles for people to go this route. However, there is a (tastier) alternative - the Polymeal.

A polymeal is an alternative to the Polypill strategy. The medical communty has identified and supported the polymeal strategy, and could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by more than 75 percent. This percentage is close to the polypill strategy.

So what is the polymeal strategy? You may be happy to note that it consists of the following:

150 ml of wine daily (specifically red wine)
120 grams of fish, 4 times a week (particularly oily fish. Eg. salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, tuna, anchovies, herring, pilchards, eel ...)
100 grams of dark chocolate daily
400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily
2.7 grams of fresh garlic daily
68 grams of almonds daily

Definitely sounds a lot better than the polypill.

Potassium
Category: Nutrient / Mineral

Potassium is a nutrient mineral important for maintaining proper cellular pH levels and fluid balance. Potassium is also important for muscle function, regulation of heartbeat, proper nerve and kidney functions.

Deficiency symptoms include poor reflexes, nervous disorders, irregular pulse, constipation, general weakness and insomnia.

>> more info on Potassium

Phosphorous is a nutrient mineral that works with calcium to build healthy bones and teeth. Phosphorous is also involved in energy production andmuscle contraction.

Deficiency symptoms include loss of weight and appetite, irregular breathing, fatigue, nervous disorders.

>> more info on Phosphorous

Prostate
Category: human gland

The prostate is a small circular gland located just below the bladder. The urethra (which is the tube that carries urine trough the penis) passes through the centre of the prostate.

The function of the prostate is to produce fluid which forms part of the semen and helps carry sperm.

There are 3 types of prostate problems:
1) BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
2) Prostate cancer
3) Prostatitis

The most common being BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy). BPH normally strikes men above 45 years old. Hormonal changes occurring with aging causes the prostate to enlarge, thu restricting the flow of urine through the urethra.

A common herbal treatment is using Seronoa (also known as Saw Palmetto).

Psyllium Huks are white fibrous material derived from Psyllium seeds. They are also sometimes known as blond grain mix.

One of the unique properties of psyllium husks is their ability to form bulk. Used as a detoxifier, they assist in eleiminating toxins, harmful chemicals and excessive waste products from the body.

The fibre also helps to stabilize the blood sugar content by reducing the release of dietary sugar from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Here's a fast and simple detox drink recipe:

Ingredients
1-2 teaspoons of Psyllium Husks
1-2 tablespoons of honey
1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
Water

Method
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass/cup with water. Stir well. Drink immediately. (If you let it sit, the psyllium husk will turn into a thick consistency, like jello.)

Pycnogenol
Category: Herb / nutrient

(Pronounced pick-noh-jeh-nol). This is a registered trademark for a nutrient extract from a particular species of Maritime Pine tree found in southwestern France. The nutrient extracted from this tree are strong antioxidants. Pycnogenol contains several classes of bioflavanoids, particularly procyanidins.

Pycnogenol is not just one nutrient, but a complex of several water-soluble, highly bioavailable antioxidant nutrient extract.

Some of the benefits of Pycnogenol include:

• Antioxidant protection against free radical damage
• Anti-age
• Improves blood circulation, strengthens blood vessels,
• Keeps blood cells “slippery”, reducing incidences of blood clots
• Immunity booster
• Maintains good healthy skin by keeping skin smooth and youthfully flexible. Pycnogenol also counteracts abnormal skin pigmentation.
• Improves wound healing
• Improves learning ability and memory retention.
• Reduces risks of cataracts
• Reduces inflammation and helps restore and maintain joint flexibility
• Reduces menstrual disorders
• Helps to relieve hay fever and other allergies

Pygeum (Pygeum africanium)
Category: Herb

Clinical trials have shown that standardized Pygeum extract is useful for prostate health, particularly BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy), a common condition for men over 50 years of age.

*Note: Saw Palmetto has also been used to treat BPH with good results.

>> more info on pyridoxine