Dark chocolate increases the good cholesterol in our system while working to cut down the bad cholesterol. In this way, it helps maintain the heart and guards us against cardiovascular diseases. Consuming dark chocolate stimulates the endothelium, which is the linings of the arteries, to produce nitric oxide-one of the functions of which is to send signals to the arteries to relax. This signal is good to maintain a smooth flow of the blood and works to reduce blood pressure.

Neem, first and foremost, has remarkable anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic properties, which make it good for treating skin conditions, especially that zit which that you have been trying to unsuccessfully to get rid of. It is also anti-inflammatory and has analgesic properties, and can work to relive pain from wounds and cuts. The paste of these leaves and their topical application on the infected area does the trick. Also, when applied on wounds and cuts, it acts as anti-septic and heals the wounds without leaving behind nasty scars.

Black pepper is a carminative that promotes good gut health. When ingested, it increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the body that stimulates the digestive process and prevents intestinal gas production. Peptic ulcers, in the lining of the stomach, are very troublesome, causing a lot of discomfort and pain. Pepper with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties helps sooth peptic ulcers. Pepper also stimulates sweating and urination, which helps remove the toxins from the body.

Bitter gourd or popularly known as Karela has a lot of vitamins A and C, biotin and zinc, which maintain the health of the hair. It makes the hair stronger and shinier by removing problems such as itchiness, dryness, dandruff, hair fall, greying of hair and split ends. Usually, karela is applied as an hair mask, where gourd paste is mixed with lime juice and paste of cumin seeds and is left for 30 minutes before a hair wash. If this seems tedious, then karela juice mixed with curd can directly be applied as it acts as a conditioning agent for the hair.

It is an herbaceous plant whose roots are dried, roasted and ground, and the powder is used as a coffee additive or coffee substitute. The bitterness that it has to offer is appreciated in certain countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Italy. If you look closer home, the much-famed filter coffee of Southern India relies heavily on chicory additions. Earlier it was put into coffee as the latter was scarce and expensive. But gradually people developed a taste for its bitterness.