Ginger's Health Benefits

Ginger is one of the most important digestive herbs in the world and has many health benefits. It can be used for a nauseous stomach, morning sickness, motion sickness, and other intestinal problems.

Ginger is a good remedy for patients who are going through chemotherapy by helping with stomach discomfort and nausea.  This herb can ease stomach upset because ginger has a  warming and blood moving effect that is helpful for people with poor circulation.

Drinking ginger tea with a splash of lemon can help flush out inflammation triggering toxins, reducing joint aches, and also as an extra bonus can trim up to four pounds of trapped fluid in our body, an easy way to lose that excess fluid.

Just drink daily three cups of ginger tea with a little lemon and soon you will see and feel the results.

Ginger can be taken in extract form, capsules, or tea. I personally

have experienced the results from drinking ginger tea.

 

 

For more info read:

Christopher Hobbs

American Herbalist Guild

 

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Water is Not Optional in Our Diets

We all know that water is important to our bodies.  The more water we drink, the healthier we can be.  We know that water is good for us because is it all natural and doesn't  put anything back into our bodies that we wish wasn't there, in fact, it helps clean out our bodies.
Water also helps to keep our bodies temperature steady and helps move oxygen around making sure to reach all the cells.  It also protects your joints and organs, this I never knew.  I have a few joint problems and am glad to know this.
With just the food we eat, our bodies receive about 20 percent of the water needed.  The rest is up to us to make sure we drink enough to keep our bodies in working order.  There is a simply way to make sure you are getting enough, simply take your weight (in pounds) and divide this number in half, giving you the approximate number of ounces you should drink daily.  Example:  If you weigh 200 lbs, you should be drinking 100 ounces of water a day.
Water is also good for your skin.  It will help to keep it from drying out.  I know how irritating dry skin can be.  It is flakey and itches all the time.
If you drink alot of caffeine then you need to double that amount with water to make sure your body doesn't get dehydrated.  This statement applies to me in  many ways,  I need to either cut back or drink more water.  Probably both.
I have plenty of reasons to start drinking more water, what about you?

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Natural Allergy Relief

An allergy is a response from the immune system that a foreign substance or allergen has invaded the body. These substances can be a variety from molds, to foods, chemical additives, drugs, animal dander and many other irritants. When a person comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system reacts by creating protective antibodies.

If a person’s body is receptive to an allergen, the immune system responds by creating special molecules called antibodies that trigger an alert to the specific immune cells called “mast cells”. They are a type of white blood cell that reacts when the body has allergic reaction. When contacted with the allergen, the mast cells react by releasing histamine, a protective substance that can cause swelling of the skin, rashes, or inflammation of the airways.

Natural herbal medicine can offer many treatments for reducing the body’s allergic reaction. The safest way to prevent an allergic reaction is to stay away from the allergen itself. This is only possible for some allergies. Food allergies can be preventable but others like pollen may be impossible to avoid.
There are many herbal treatments that will help the immune system and prevent allergic reactions. Treatments can be applied externally to the skin for rashes or itching. Reducing the intake of dairy for the allergy sufferer can help as dairy can create trouble breathing or increases mucus especially if you have asthma.
Drinking Nettle leaf tea can help with allergies, asthma and circulation. The tea enhances the immune system and helps reduce inflammation, runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. It works as anti-histamine. Stinging Nettle tea is a flowering plant that is grown all over the world. It is rich in vitamin K, iron, and calcium. You can purchase it loose or in tea bags and it is recommended to drink 2-3 cups a day to receive the benefits.
Cayenne pepper contains an anti-inflammatory called “capsaicin”. It also helps relieve allergies. Just sprinkle generously over your food for a few days and see the results. Homeopathic treatments can adjust the immune system of allergies however these treatments should be done under the guidance of a professional because sometimes these treatments can actually cause flare ups of the symptoms.
Vitamin C is considered to be a natural antihistamine because it stops the release of histamine by the mast cells. Excellent sources of vitamin C are bell peppers, red meat, kale, orange or grape fruit, broccoli cauliflower, papaya and strawberries.
Acupressure has been known to be very helpful in restoring the immune system and relieving allergies. One technique is to apply pressure to the center of the webbing of your hand, between thumb and index finger. Squeeze and maintain pressure for 2 minutes then do the same procedure on the other hand. Do this as soon as you start to have an allergic reaction.
Herbal extracts have been effective as well, by adding to your bath water, or applying to a compress for allergic skin reactions. For eczema you can use oak bark or witch hazel to fight against the oozing or other skin inflammations. Bran or oatmeal baths are very effective and works quickly with burning and itchy rashes.
Chamomile can be applied to a compress and will help with skin swelling. It contains anti-inflammatory agents which sooth the skin. If you are prone to allergies, try on a regular basis a juice fast. Drink nothing but perseverative free herb and vegetable juices for 2-5 days. This helps cleans out waste products and will help stimulate healing.

As always, check with your doctor before trying any new supplements







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Natural Remedies For Diabetes

Diabetes is usually a hereditary disease and chances are that someone you know has diabetes- there are over five million Americans that have this disease and are being treated for it. Diabetes happens when your body does not produce or use insulin, the hormone that helps move consumed sugars out of the blood and into the cells.

An excess of glucose "sugar" in the blood and urine are due to the body’s inability to absorb glucose normally, because of a result of insufficient amount of insulin being produced by the pancreas. The inability to absorb and store the glucose causes it to accumulate in the blood in large amounts that can over flow into the urine.

Frequent urination is due to the abnormal amount of urine being produced to allow the excess glucose that the kidneys need to filter out of the blood. Chronic thirst, excessive hunger, or weight loss are just some symptoms. This occurs because the body is unable to use the glucose so the body then uses fat and proteins as a source of energy. If this condition goes untreated the large amount of sugar can lead to a coma or death.

There are two types of diabetes- Mellitus: Type 1 or juvenile diabetes which occurs during childhood. Type 2 adult- diabetes, can usually happen after 40 years of age. With type 1 diabetes, treatment is a careful diet and insulin injections. With Type 2 diabetes successful efforts can be made when controlled by diet, exercise, and natural remedies. Control is essential to avoid any other issues.

It is important to maintain your weight and get exercise. Limit your intake of rolls, pasta, bread, potatoes, and sweets. Decide to eat instead fresh vegetables, proteins, beans, and nuts. Exercise will help keep your metabolism working because excess sugars in the blood can cause damage to the blood vessels. It is important for diabetics to keep their circulation healthy; the reason is so that enough oxygen can be supplied to the organs. This will prevent problems such as kidney failure, blindness, or circulatory disease.

There are natural remedies that can help and control many diseases. Blueberries, Stevia, Cinnamon, turmeric are just a few. You can eat, drink, or take a capsule with some of these herbal remedies.

Blueberries- help protect the blood vessels from damage, they help keep sugar and cholesterol levels balanced. They help with circulation. They can be eaten, taken in capsule form, or you can drink unsweetened juice.

Turmeric-Has many benefits besides helping with type 2 diabetes. It is an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and natural antiseptic. It aids with liver problems, arthritis, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer’s.

Cinnamon- Triples insulin’s effectiveness- It can be sprinkled on food, in coffee, and you can get it in capsule form.

Stevia- a good substitute as a sweetener, helps improve insulin responsiveness.

Fenugreek Seeds and Blackberry- by using the seeds and leaves as a tea it has a very beneficial effect on the pancreas. Just mix both in a teaspoon, boil water, let sit for 30 minutes then strain. You can use the Fenugreek seeds and apply to food or make a spread.

Asian Ginseng- helps lower blood sugar.

Yarrow, Dandelion, chicory, and Bilberry are just another few natural herbal products that can be used for diabetes.

As always, check with your doctor before using any herbal product.






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What Is Edema?

The human heart pumps about 5 quarts of blood per minute, circulating oxygen, water, and nutrients into the capillaries. The blood floods the vessel walls to reach all the bodies tissues.

When circulation is poor, fluid will build up in the tissues which is the condition called “edema”. The cause of edema can be a blocked flow of blood, an injury to the lymphatic or blood vessels, surgery, or trauma to the blood vessels.

Circulatory or kidney disease, tumors, and metabolic disorders all can hinder blood flow and cause edema. One of the most common causes of edema is cardiac insufficiency which is a condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump or receive enough amounts of blood as a result fluid builds up in the tissues and causes edema.

There are natural medicinal plants that are diuretics and can be taken to promote drainage of the tissues.

Horsetail, goldenrod, dandelion and parsley are all excellent herbs and can be taken in tea or tincture form, which is stronger since it is concentrated.









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Benefits Of Cayenne

The red pepper or cayenne is a small perennial shrub that is a native of South America, or any other warm of the world. This plant has white flowers, then green, and then eventually red or yellow pods.

Cayenne can be taken in capsules, extract form, or powder by just sprinkling it over your food, just go with a light hand unless you can take the heat.

The benefits of taking cayenne are very effective for treating a cold, poor circulation, or a weak digestion. In some of the tropical climates cayenne when taken actually cools the body by promoting sweating.

The health benefits are many there are prescription creams and liniments that can treat be shingles, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even sore muscles. The reason it is so effective is that there is an active ingredient called “capsaicin” which effectively blocks the transmission of the pain impulse in the body.

The burning sensation that you may feel after ingesting cayenne is normal and won’t hurt you, and in fact cayenne can help heal an ulcer rather than aggravate it.

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Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

This recipe is delicious and healthy, no High Fructose Corn Syrup or any refined sugars.  I made them for my son's class for a snack and they were very well liked, in fact, one of the students said they were the best granola bars ever.  
This is just the base recipe, you can add whatever nuts, fruits, wheat germ, flax seeds, or anything that may be good in them.  

Heathly Granola Bars

4 cups Old Fashioned Oats
2 cups Chopped Nuts - whichever kind you prefer
1 1/3 cups Sucanat
1 cup Honey
1/2 cup Butter
4 tsp. Vanilla  (you may add different flavorings, Almond, maple etc.)
1 tsp Kosher Salt (Regular may work just as well, may cut back a tad bit)
1/2 cup Craisins, or whichever fruit you prefer.

Preheat oven to 350*  Mix the nuts and oatmeal together and spread onto a cookie sheet. 
Toast in the oven until a golden brown.
Meanwhile, get your 9x9x13 pan ready by lining it with wax paper or foil.  Lightly spray the wax paper with cooking spray.
Keep checking on the oatmeal mixure to make sure it doesn't get to toasted. ( I like to forget this alot and have to start over).  After it is toasted, dump carefully into a large bowl and set aside.

In a saucepan combine Sucanat, honey, butter, vanilla, and kosher salt.  Bring barely to a boil and then remove from heat.

Pour over the oatmeal mixure and add your fruit.  Stir 

well to make sure you coat everything evenly.

Pour the entire mixture into your prepare pan, cover 

with more wax paper or foil and press firmly over the 

entire pan to make sure your bars don't crumble 

apart when they are cool.  

Set aside and let completely cool (2-3 hours)  or put in the fridge for a quicker cooling time. 
After they are completely cooled, turn out and cut into bars. 

 Wrap the bars if they are not going to be eaten right away.  Enjoy some delicious, healthy granola bars.

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