Café MOOooo

Inside the Menu

Do you know about…? Yaa Nang – Asian Pennywort – TamarindGinger – Mint – Caradmom – Mulberry – NoniBlack Tumeric – Roselle – Bael – Passion Fruit1.

Yaa Nang

(

Tiliacora triandra

)

Yaa Nang is a flowering plant native to Laos and other parts of mainland southeast Asia. In Laos, the leaves are used in thepreparation of bamboo soup. But over the past twenty years, firstThai and now international researchers have grown increasinglyinterested in Yaa Nang’s medicinal properties. It is believed that Yaa Nang can treat an impressively long list of ailments. Theseinclude most skin ailments, muscle cramps, premature graying of hair, dry eyes, constipation and general fatigue. But the mostpromising uses seem to be in the treatment of malaria and cancer. Yaa Nang is best consumed as concentrated health shot much likewheat grass, although it can also be served in its less concentratedform as green tasting iced tea.

Asian Pennywort

(

Centella asiatica

)Asian Pennywort is a small and tender herbaceous plant nativethroughout much of Asia and the Pacific region. Throughout Laosand other parts of Southeast Asia it is often blended with waterand a dash of honey, chilled and then drunk as an herbal iced tea.As an herbal iced tea, Asian Pennywort is well suited for hotafternoons because it is simultaneously refreshing, cooling andenergizing. Within the region it has been valued as a medicinalherb for centuries and is often used to treat fevers, enhancememory and to purify and cool the blood. It can also be appliedtopically to treat a variety of skin disorders ranging from eczemato leprosy. In Laos, it is often eaten raw along side various meatdishes such as

Laap.

3. Tamarind

(

Tamarindus indica

)Tamarind is a tropical tree that, although native to Africa, iscommonly cultivated in Laos. Tamarind seed pods contain anedible, purple pulp that has a distinctive sweet and sour taste.Tamarind is often added to tropical dishes throughout the worldand is also used to make various drinks. In Laos, tamarind seedpods are often eaten in their raw and unripened state. The podsare dipped in a chili sauce and eaten as a sour, afternoon snack.Tamarind has been used to help soothe an upset stomach and theleaves can be steeped as a medicinal tea that helps reducemalarial fevers.

4. Ginger

Ginger is known to have originated in China and then spreadthroughout most of Asia, Africa and latter the tropical andsubtropical parts of the New World. Currently ginger is used as apopular culinary herb throughout the globe. It is appreciated forits hot and slightly sweet taste. When boiled, ginger makes adelicious herbal tea. Ginger tea is simultaneously spicy andsoothing. It warms and relaxes the body. Ginger tea is currentlyused as a medicinal tonic throughout much of the world. It isdrunk to settle an upset stomach, reduce nausea, and to aid in thecuring of the common cold. Scientific researcher has also foundginger to be effective for the treatment of both stomach ailmentsand nausea, and are currently investigating its use as potentialaid in the treatment of diabetes and as an anti-inflammatory.

5. Mint

There are 25 different species of mint, many of which are used asa culinary herb and as natural flavor added to alcoholic drinks,candies and toothpastes. Mint has a distinctive cool andstimulating taste that leaves the mouth feeling clean andrefreshed. When steeped in hot water, mint also makes arefreshing tea that can be drunk either hot or iced. Throughoutmany parts of the world mint teas are drunk for their medicinalproperties. Mint is known to help alleviate stomach ailments,chest pains and can help to cool the blood in the event of highfevers.