The information below was taken from several magazine articles. I am not a doctor, herbalist, dermatologist, or any "ologist" at all. I am not recommending that you use these things and certainly don't guarantee that they work the way it says. I simply put the information out there, so you can use your own little brain to decide if it is something you are interested in. If it is something I have tried, I will also put that down, as well as the results. I have to say, however, that the countries where these things are grown, must be the happiest, healthiest, most youthful looking people on earth! (That is me being sarcastic, by the way!)
HERBS:
Lavender - The clean fresh scent of this herb is supposed to increase the brain waves associated with relaxation. The flowers are edible and can be used to flavor butter, salads, vinegar, fruit salad, or jelly. The flavor is fairly pungent, so use in very small amounts.
Thyme - The scent of this herb reportedly sharpens your senses and energizes your nervous system.
Mint - Using some crushed mint in your iced or hot tea calms an upset stomach and the menthol in the mint helps soothe upper respiratory ailments. They say that just a whiff of mint can relieve headaches and relieve nausea.
Basil - Believed to help soothe the nerves, enhance mental clarity, and ward off depression. Infused basil oil is great on veggies, bread, and pasta. Just put a clean basil leaf in a clean bottle, cover with warm oil and seal. Let sit in a cool dark place for two weeks then strain and use.
Parsley - Loaded with vitamins A, K and C, and antioxidants which boost the immune system and ease pains. It will also get rid of bad breath at the end of a meal. (I always save the parsley on my plate until I'm finished eating and eat it last, makes my mouth feel fresh again).
Sage - Supposedly reduces perspiration and prevents hot flashes. Brown a sage in a little butter and use to season pasta and veggies. In a British study, test volunteers that consumed sage before the test, scored much higher and recalled more words than those who took a placebo. Compounds in sage prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages in the brain.
Rosemary - The scent of Rosemary stimulates blood flow to the brain resulting in an oxygen boost which helps the memory.
Oregano - Loaded with antioxidants. Believed to be effective in fighting bacteria including those that can cause staph infection or e.coli.
HERBS FROM THE RAIN FOREST:
Catuaba - The bark of this Brazilian tree has a long history of use for calming nerves. It is used to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, fatigue, and forgetfulness.
Chanca piedra - Enhances liver and kidney function, lowers blood pressure and fights pain. Breaks up kidney and gall stones.
Stevia - Contains natural compounds called glycosides that are 300 times sweeter than sugar, has zero calories and lowers blood sugar.
Pau d'arco - Boosts white blood cells, which revs immunity and kills bacteria and fungi. Fights off infections and is packed with immunity boosting antioxidants and flavonoids like co-enzyme Q10. Researchers are studying it for possible cures to cancer and HIV.
Sangre de grado - The bright red resin has a rich array of flavonoids to rejuvenate skin cells and stimulate collagen production. It is also an antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral, so it helps with bites, stings, cuts, and abrasions.
Camu camu - A tart berry with the highest concentration of vitamin C of any food. It is also packed with lutein, valine, and serine, which are amino acids that help regulate moods.
Cat's claw - In an Australian study of Rheumatoid arthritis patients, cat's claw slashed their swelling, pain and stiffness in half. There are no side effects to using Cat's claw. Cat's claw targets all the pain causing enzymes instead of just one that Ibuprofen or acetaminophen does.
SEEDS, GRAINS AND SPICES:
Quinoa - It is a plant seed related to the leafy greens family! But we use it as a grain which is nutritionally superior to rice, oats, corn, pasta, and wheat. It has twice as much protein and all nice essential amino acids.
Paprika - The capsicum in paprika boosts saliva and stomach acid which help break down your food and ease digestion. Made from chile's and hot peppers, it also helps blood circulation, regulates blood pressure, and can kill bacteria on contact. Red paprika is the mildest, yellow is the spiciest.
Ginger - Great for nausea and headaches. Powdered ginger can relieve symptoms within 30 minutes. Just make yourself some ginger tea or have some ginger cookies!
Cinnamon - In one study diabetes patients who had just 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon daily saw their blood sugar plunge by 30% and had lower cholesterol levels and fewer fat lipids in their blood than non-cinnamon eaters. Additionally, a recent study found that taking half a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey each day can relieve arthritis pain in as little as a week.
NOTE: As I was typing all this stuff out, I started to develop a headache and, as well, my arthritic hand was feeling tight as a drum. So, I made myself a "tea" using just 2 thin slices of fresh ginger root, about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a couple teaspoons of honey. Amazingly, my headache disappeared in about 10 minutes, my hand loosened up and my coughing nearly stopped too!)
Vanilla - Appears to aid in a peaceful rested sleep. Patients who slept in a vanilla scented room fell asleep faster and felt better rested than those who slept in an unscented room.
Allspice - Contrary to popular belief, Allspice is a berry, not a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves! It contains eugenol, an essential oil that boosts circulation and warms the body. It also kills fungi and bacteria.
Cloves - The scent of cloves, according to researchers in Tokyo, increases beta waves in the front of the brain, leading to more alertness, concentration and energy.
Sunflower seeds - Boost your mood! Contains folic acid, b vitamins, and magnesium.
Flax Seeds - Balance mood swings. Ground flax seeds have hormone-like compounds that make progesterone work more efficiently, brightening your mood.
Sesame Seeds - Lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. Top source of lignans, compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Yacon - A cross between and apple and a watermelon, it is referred to as a vegetable! (I'm so confused!) Scientists have learned it regulates blood sugar levels and the Incas drank the leaves as a tea during meals to avoid energy crashes. Scientists are now studying it as a potential diabetes cure. It grows in the Andes.
Goldenberries - A sweet and chewy snack that tastes like raisins. They are loaded with vitamin A, B vitamins, fiber, bioflavonoids, and 16% of your daily protein needs. They grow in the Andes.
Quandong - Sweet and tangy it's sometimes called the desert Peach. Loaded with vitamin C and considered to be the oldest fruit on earth. It is a source of santalbic acid, a unique fatty acid that kills germs, relieves inflammation and helps flush toxins from your system. It is found in the Australian outback.
Tomatillos - loaded with antioxidants, including Vitamin A, vitamin K, folic acid and potassium. According to research at the U of Illinois, a compound in the veggie causes human cancer cells to stop dividing and disintegrate.
PLANTS AND FLOWERS:
Geraniums - Activates the brain region that regulates hormones, reducing anxiety and irritability. Also - mosquitoes hate the fragrance, so they're nice to have in the sitting area of your back patio.
Creeping Charlie - As you are ripping this ground ivy out of your yard, put some of the roots, flowers, and leaves into an old (clean) sock and tie the sock over your bathtub faucet so the hot water will pour over the sock. Soak for about 20 min and it should relieve your sciatica, lower back pain and any other back pain.... it will also leave your skin softer because of it's natural emollients! (I would wash the roots myself before letting them drain into my bathwater, but the instructions don't say that).
Showing posts with label fruits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruits. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Herbs and Other Stuff
The Olive W Garvey Center for Healing Arts in Kansas tells us that the Ashwagandha, an Indian plant, balances your hormones when your stressed and increases stamina. The plant has chemicals, like adrenaline and also contains Anolide. They recommend 200 - 500mg daily.
Add Rosemary to your meal to soothe a sore throat and help quell a cough. The eucalyptol loosen chest congestion and the herb is rich in anti-inflammatory tannins.
Add 2 teaspoons of Oregano to your meal to reduce or eliminate menstrual cramping. The herb has thymol and carvacrol in it which relax uterine muscles.
They say Dill, with it's limonene works as well as prescription antibiotics at killing harmful intestinal bacteria such as e. Coli.
To relieve sinus congestion and pressure, add some Cayenne to your meal. The Capsaicin in cayenne deactivates substance P, a neurotransmitter linked to inflammation.
To ease chronic fatigue, joint pain, and depression, add some Cilantro to your food. The carboxylic acid in it binds to heavy metals such as mercury in the blood and carries them out of the body reversing the toxin buildup.
The curcumin in Curry inhibits the body's production of prostaglandin E2, an inflammatory compound that over sensitizes nerves. This is supposed to work as well in relieving joint and muscle pain as effectively as prescription medications.
Feeling bloated? The apiol and myristicin in Parsley is a natural diuretic that prevents salt from being reabsorbed into body tissue, which causes water retention.
The eugenol and rosmarinic acid in Basil boost the brains production of dopamine and serotonin, although the happier effects might not be noticed for 3 days or so of using it.
Ginger's gingerol and shogaol calm disgestive tract spasms to reduce nausea better than motion sickness drugs according to Brigham Young University.
The Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham NC says that the use of Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as Allegra or Zyrtec for the relief of allergies. It blocks both histamine and leukotriene, two chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages. It can take several weeks for it to build up in your system, so you would need to start taking 50 - 70mg of extract, twice daily, before the allergy season begins. NOTE: The raw plant contains liver harming compounds so you will have to buy some that is "PA free".
For relief of allergy-related congestion, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil can help... you breathe it, don't eat it.
Constipated? Drink lots of water and gnaw on a couple Kiwi. The Kiwi fruit is loaded with enzymes that have a mild laxative effect.
Skimping on green vegetables can trigger a round of "the blues". Greens are rich in folate, a B vitamin, that kick starts the production of serotonin, the brain's own potent antidepressant.
The complex carbohydrates in fruit increase the production of mood-boosting brain chemical by as much as 50%. Eat fruit regulary, any fruit, to help avoid "the blues".
Here's another miracle plant: Rhodiola. It thrives in super-cold, dry climates and is full of phytonutrients that can help you beat fatigue, beat stress, lose weight, and protect your heart.
It energizes your brain cells by taking , boosts serotonin, revs up calorie burn and makes your heart work more efficiently.
Here's a good one: Beer helps you recover faster from a workout!! LOL It is better than water at rehydrating and re-energizing your body after an exhausting workout, according to the Granada University in Spain.
According to the University of Quebec scientists, the smell of baking cookies (or any sweet scent) reduces the activity in the part of the brain responsible for sensing pain.
Researchers in Scotland tell us to drink a can of our favorite soda pop (not diet soda pop) to sharpen the memory. The sugar activates the hippocampus, your brain's memory center.
Roses add elegant beauty to any room and are rich in calming chemicals called esters that reduce conflict and negative emotions.
Studies show that the sweet scent of Jasmine sedates the nervous system, taking the edge off negative feelings, insomnia and headaches.
The scent of Lavender increases alpha waves in your brain, which are associated with relaxation.
Relieve your allergies with a Rubber Plant. Their high humidity content draws dust and allergens like a magnet so they stick to the plant's leaves instead of lingering in the air and irritating you.
The Golden Pothos plants are adept at absorbing benzene, found in plastics, furniture wax and tabacco smoke, which cause drowsiness and dizzyness.
A Snake plant works overnight to lower levels of carbon dioxide, keeping your oxygen levels higher during the day - or keeping the air quality cleaner.
Freshen up the bathroom with Peace Lilies. They are one of hte best at absorbing chemical vapors licke acetone (nail polish remover) and the alcohol used in hair products and household cleansers.
The lovely Dracaena will gobble up odors and the toxin TCE found in paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.
The Orchid will rid your room of headache causing culprits like cigarette smoke, paints, ammonia, dry cleaning chemicals, plastics and cosmetics.
The tropical Bromeliad, unlike most plants, gives off oxygen during the night instead of during the day, helping you breathe easier overnight.
A nice Boston fern removes formaldehyde from the air. A toxin often found in furniture, clothes, and carpeting which can trigger asthma symptons and irritate the eys, nose and throat.
A pretty English Ivy plant will remove up to 60% of airborne mold from musty basements, damp laundry rooms and anywhere else mositure collects and becomes a breeding ground for molds.
The Bamboo plant not only is supposed to bring good luck, but it cleans the air of benzene, formaldehyde and TCE. They also pump moisture into the air, especially helpful during the cool months when heating systems dry the air.
The Philodendron will help remove formaldehyde fumes often found in new rugs and carpets.
Oh those Hollywood women! Here's some beauty tips they say they use:
1. Brush your teeth with strawberries mashed up with a little baking powder to make a paste. It makes your teeth whiter.
2. Spritz your face with milk and water to make wrinkles stay at bay.
3. Eat two Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar before meals to lose belly fat.
4. Brew up a pot of coffee, let it cool, then pour on your shampooed and towel-dried hair, let it sit for 20 minutes then rinse it off. Your brunette locks will be deeper, richer, and shinier.
5. Pour a cup of red wine in your bath to get softer more luxurious feeling skin.
6. Give yourself a facial of powdered vitamin C mixed with 1 Tablespoon of water to get that youthful look.
7. Soften and moisturize your skin with a sugar rub. Mix some sugar with your usual cleanser and use as you normally would.
And last, but not least:
If you are needing to focus and find some peace in your world, take a walk through a labyrinth. When you walk in a circle, you mind slows down and you are able to meditate on each curve and step you take. This pushes our logical left brain out of the way and allows you to think more creatively! Go for a virtual walk, if you don't have a Labyrinth handy, at The Labyrinth Society.
Still need some solutions? Stare at a mandala. The Buddhists and Hindus use the brightly colored circular design to focus on a problem. The creative side of your brain, the right side, is stimulated to "see" solutions that the logical left side of your brain can't. Download mandalas at Free-printable-mandala-coloring-pages or at Coloring Castles.
Add Rosemary to your meal to soothe a sore throat and help quell a cough. The eucalyptol loosen chest congestion and the herb is rich in anti-inflammatory tannins.
Add 2 teaspoons of Oregano to your meal to reduce or eliminate menstrual cramping. The herb has thymol and carvacrol in it which relax uterine muscles.
They say Dill, with it's limonene works as well as prescription antibiotics at killing harmful intestinal bacteria such as e. Coli.
To relieve sinus congestion and pressure, add some Cayenne to your meal. The Capsaicin in cayenne deactivates substance P, a neurotransmitter linked to inflammation.
To ease chronic fatigue, joint pain, and depression, add some Cilantro to your food. The carboxylic acid in it binds to heavy metals such as mercury in the blood and carries them out of the body reversing the toxin buildup.
The curcumin in Curry inhibits the body's production of prostaglandin E2, an inflammatory compound that over sensitizes nerves. This is supposed to work as well in relieving joint and muscle pain as effectively as prescription medications.
Feeling bloated? The apiol and myristicin in Parsley is a natural diuretic that prevents salt from being reabsorbed into body tissue, which causes water retention.
The eugenol and rosmarinic acid in Basil boost the brains production of dopamine and serotonin, although the happier effects might not be noticed for 3 days or so of using it.
Ginger's gingerol and shogaol calm disgestive tract spasms to reduce nausea better than motion sickness drugs according to Brigham Young University.
The Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham NC says that the use of Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as Allegra or Zyrtec for the relief of allergies. It blocks both histamine and leukotriene, two chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages. It can take several weeks for it to build up in your system, so you would need to start taking 50 - 70mg of extract, twice daily, before the allergy season begins. NOTE: The raw plant contains liver harming compounds so you will have to buy some that is "PA free".
For relief of allergy-related congestion, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil can help... you breathe it, don't eat it.
Constipated? Drink lots of water and gnaw on a couple Kiwi. The Kiwi fruit is loaded with enzymes that have a mild laxative effect.
Skimping on green vegetables can trigger a round of "the blues". Greens are rich in folate, a B vitamin, that kick starts the production of serotonin, the brain's own potent antidepressant.
The complex carbohydrates in fruit increase the production of mood-boosting brain chemical by as much as 50%. Eat fruit regulary, any fruit, to help avoid "the blues".
Here's another miracle plant: Rhodiola. It thrives in super-cold, dry climates and is full of phytonutrients that can help you beat fatigue, beat stress, lose weight, and protect your heart.
It energizes your brain cells by taking , boosts serotonin, revs up calorie burn and makes your heart work more efficiently.
Here's a good one: Beer helps you recover faster from a workout!! LOL It is better than water at rehydrating and re-energizing your body after an exhausting workout, according to the Granada University in Spain.
According to the University of Quebec scientists, the smell of baking cookies (or any sweet scent) reduces the activity in the part of the brain responsible for sensing pain.
Researchers in Scotland tell us to drink a can of our favorite soda pop (not diet soda pop) to sharpen the memory. The sugar activates the hippocampus, your brain's memory center.
Roses add elegant beauty to any room and are rich in calming chemicals called esters that reduce conflict and negative emotions.
Studies show that the sweet scent of Jasmine sedates the nervous system, taking the edge off negative feelings, insomnia and headaches.
The scent of Lavender increases alpha waves in your brain, which are associated with relaxation.
Relieve your allergies with a Rubber Plant. Their high humidity content draws dust and allergens like a magnet so they stick to the plant's leaves instead of lingering in the air and irritating you.
The Golden Pothos plants are adept at absorbing benzene, found in plastics, furniture wax and tabacco smoke, which cause drowsiness and dizzyness.
A Snake plant works overnight to lower levels of carbon dioxide, keeping your oxygen levels higher during the day - or keeping the air quality cleaner.
Freshen up the bathroom with Peace Lilies. They are one of hte best at absorbing chemical vapors licke acetone (nail polish remover) and the alcohol used in hair products and household cleansers.
The lovely Dracaena will gobble up odors and the toxin TCE found in paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.
The Orchid will rid your room of headache causing culprits like cigarette smoke, paints, ammonia, dry cleaning chemicals, plastics and cosmetics.
The tropical Bromeliad, unlike most plants, gives off oxygen during the night instead of during the day, helping you breathe easier overnight.
A nice Boston fern removes formaldehyde from the air. A toxin often found in furniture, clothes, and carpeting which can trigger asthma symptons and irritate the eys, nose and throat.
A pretty English Ivy plant will remove up to 60% of airborne mold from musty basements, damp laundry rooms and anywhere else mositure collects and becomes a breeding ground for molds.
The Bamboo plant not only is supposed to bring good luck, but it cleans the air of benzene, formaldehyde and TCE. They also pump moisture into the air, especially helpful during the cool months when heating systems dry the air.
The Philodendron will help remove formaldehyde fumes often found in new rugs and carpets.
Oh those Hollywood women! Here's some beauty tips they say they use:
1. Brush your teeth with strawberries mashed up with a little baking powder to make a paste. It makes your teeth whiter.
2. Spritz your face with milk and water to make wrinkles stay at bay.
3. Eat two Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar before meals to lose belly fat.
4. Brew up a pot of coffee, let it cool, then pour on your shampooed and towel-dried hair, let it sit for 20 minutes then rinse it off. Your brunette locks will be deeper, richer, and shinier.
5. Pour a cup of red wine in your bath to get softer more luxurious feeling skin.
6. Give yourself a facial of powdered vitamin C mixed with 1 Tablespoon of water to get that youthful look.
7. Soften and moisturize your skin with a sugar rub. Mix some sugar with your usual cleanser and use as you normally would.
And last, but not least:
If you are needing to focus and find some peace in your world, take a walk through a labyrinth. When you walk in a circle, you mind slows down and you are able to meditate on each curve and step you take. This pushes our logical left brain out of the way and allows you to think more creatively! Go for a virtual walk, if you don't have a Labyrinth handy, at The Labyrinth Society.
Still need some solutions? Stare at a mandala. The Buddhists and Hindus use the brightly colored circular design to focus on a problem. The creative side of your brain, the right side, is stimulated to "see" solutions that the logical left side of your brain can't. Download mandalas at Free-printable-mandala-coloring-pages or at Coloring Castles.
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