Tuesday, November 11, 2008

More help from Nature

Here are more cures from Nature that I've read about:

Allergies - fight them with yerba mansa. The leaves from this flowering plant are made into tea to fight allergies, colds, and sinus infection. It relieves irritated mucous membranes and soothes the tissues in the bronchial tract. Best way to use this in 2 drops of tincture twice daily in a cup of water.

Upset tummy - The Cherokees harvested the Goldenseal flower to relieve indigestion. Research claims that its main ingredient, berberine, kills bacteria and viruses in the intestines without disrupting the balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract the way antibiotics can. Best use is 465 mg twice a day once symptoms start.

Irritated skin - Soothe it with witch hazel. Boiling the bark and twigs releases tannins and phytochemicals that numb pain, stop minor bleeding and kill surface bacteria on contact. It also soothes insect bites and sunburn and clears up rashes and skin conditions like acne, poison ivy and eczema. You can buy it at the grocery store and apply topically with a cottonball.

Arthritis - The saponins in the Yucca plant reduce inflammation and stop the breakdown of cartilage. It also reduces cholesterol, blood pressure and even works on headaches. The SW Native Americans nibbled this plants leaves to fight pain. Best use is to take up to 1500 mg three times daily.

Sleep - Passionflower helps you fall asleep fast without the risk of addiction. It calms the central nervous system and relaxes muscles naturally. Best use is to sip a cup of passionflower tea before bedtime.

Anxiety - The bark of the Magnolia tree has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to ease anxiety. Two of the active compounds, magnolol and honokiol, act on mood regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, reducing stress, anxiety and even depression.

Headaches - The Feverfew flowering herb eases tension headaches due to it's powerful anti-inflammatory and sedative compounds.

Urinary Tract Infections - The two phytochemicals in the bloom of the Hydrangea, quercetin and rutin, kill bacteria in the bladder and kidneys and prevent them from returning. Best use is to sip hydrangea tea.

Immunity - The Acai palm (Brazil) has deep purple berries packed with immunity boosters! It fights joint pain, boosts energy and protects arteries. Best use is to drink a glassful or eat a handful of dried berries at least 3 times per week.

Sugar cravings - The Date palm (North Africa) contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. They are sugar sweet and 3 have only 70 calories.

Clean the air - The Bamboo palm, which is easy to grow, requires very little sunlight and minimal care, is one of the best natural air purifiers. It also puts moisture into the air which makes for moister, plumper skin.

Weightloss - The Coconut of the Pacific Coconut palm is high in lauric acid, a fat that gets metabolized as energy rather than stored on the body. Coconut oil's fatty acids have a powerful antiviral and antibacterial effect that protects against kidney and heart disease also.

Cancer - The African oil palm claims to be a cancer-killing powerhouse. The oil is the richest source of tocotrienols which, studies at Wayne State University show destroy breast, skin and prostate cancer cells. A single teaspoon of this oil gives you the full RDA of vitamin A also.

Enlarged Prostate - The berries of the Saw Palmetto stop the production of DHT, a culprit in the enlarged prostrate reducing prostate problems. Men should take 320 mg daily.

Concentration - The odor molecules in Peppermint oil stimulate the part of the brain responsible for alertness. Put a few drops of peppermint oil on a cloth to inhale whenever you feel tired or while you exercise. You should be come more alert and have more energy!

Headaches and Insect bites - Rub Lavender oil on insect bites to make the sting go away. It has anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce itching and swelling. The two main compounds, linalool and lavandulyl acetate, sooth the nervous system making it easier for your body to fight off stress-induced muscle tension and blood vessel constriction - the two main causes of head pain. Drop a few drops onto a cottonball and sniff whenever you feel a headache coming on.

pH balancing foods - 1. The avocado. The avocado has plant protein and omega 9 fatty acids. The Omega 9s alkalinize the body and stave off hunger and cravings. 2. Lemons - The lemon's antioxidants enhance the liver's ability to break down toxins up to 35%. When digested the phytonutrients become powerful alkalinizers. 3. Leafy greens. Spinach, Swiss chard, and Wheatgrass are nature's most potent detoxifiers. They are rich in acid neutralizing calcium, magnesium and potassium. They're also packed with chlorophyll that enhances the liver's ability to burn fat for fuel.

Bad Breath - Eat raisins! The phytochemicals in raisins suppress the growth of several species of oral bacteria and also helps prevent gum disease. Your breath will be fresher, in other words.

Bloated - Eat fresh pineapple! The bromelain, an enzyme that ensures food breaks down, is plentiful in fresh pineapple. Have a couple slices for dessert to help relieve bloating issues.

Weightloss and Allergies - Grab yourself some yogurt with L.casei. L. casei is a bacteria that blocks the body's production of allergy triggering histamines. The L. casei also speeds up the breakdown of fat molecules... helping you shed pounds more quickly.

Canker sores - suck on some real Licorice candy and they'll disappear in half the time! Licorice has a sweet compound called glycyrrhizin which lowers the levels of cortisol, which, in turn, reduces inflammation and speeds healing.

Arthritis - The herb Oregano is loaded with antioxidants that help mop up free radicals, the molecules that trigger the inflammation that erodes cartilage and causes osteo and rhumatoid arthritis pain. You need about 200 mg of Oregano a day to reap its pain relieving benefits.

Leg cramps at night - Drink a 6-ounce glass of tonic water each night before bed. The fizzy water contains quinine which stops repeated muscle contractions.

Constipation - Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber, mucilage and lubricants. which helps the digestive tract work properly. Sprinkle 1 - 2 tablespoons on your daily cereal or yogurt or add it to your smoothy or muffin recipe.

Heartburn - Eat apples and pears daily. The pectin produces an acid-neutralizing foam that rises to the surface forming a "lid" that keeps heartburn triggering acids away from the esophagus.

Motion Sickness and digestion - One dose of Ginger quells queasiness within 30 minutes. It also is a powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces intestinal spasms, improves stomach and liver functions, eases morning sickness, and soothes indigestion. Take 1000 mg 30 minutes before traveling and 500 mg daily with food for the other digestive issues.

Gas and Indigestion - The phytonutrient in artichokes, cynarin, boosts the liver's production of bile, a digestive aid. The artichoke cuts nausea, bloating, indigestion, gassines and belly pain.

Food poisoning - Cinnamon's active ingredients, eugeno and cinnamaldehydes, will zap stomach flu triggers like E coli and salmonella according to a Kansas State University study.

As always, consult your doctor before taking any new supplement or herbal remedy. Herbal remedies can interact badly with other medications.

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