The fruit of the banana tree is eaten directly when ripe or as a part of fruit salads, juice, or shakes. Unripe bananas can cause severe indigestion and  should be eaten only in cooked form. Also, bananas are good toppings for breakfast cereals, or as a snack for a quick burst of energy. Bananas have been an important cultural food for many different countries, although the genus of bananas, Musa, is native to South and Southeast Asia. The full scientific name of bananas is Musa acuminata. Now, bananas are grown in more than 100 countries around the world and can also be used to make fiber, banana wine, and even as ornamental decorations.

The banana tree is actually the largest flowering herbaceous plant in the world, and although there are many different varieties exist, they almost all are elongated, slightly curved fruits with a fleshy outer peel that can be easily removed to expose white to yellow flesh. They all grow in clusters near the top of the fruiting plant, and come in a range of colors, including green, red, yellow, purple, and brown (when ripe). The main distinction is between bananas and plantains, and while there are not many differences, plantains are smaller with starchier, denser fruit and is traditionally eaten in Asia and tropical countries. Bananas are more commonly found in Europe and America, and are soft, desert fruits.

The many medicinal benefits of bananas are attributed to its rich vitamin, mineral, and organic compound content. Let’s explore the actual content of what makes bananas such an important, powerful, and beneficial fruit!

Nutritional Value of Bananas

Bananas have been considered one of the healthiest options for fruit consumption for many years due to its impressive nutritional content, which includes vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid, and niacin, as well as trace amounts of other vitamins. In terms of minerals, bananas deliver a significant amount of potassium, manganese, magnesium, and copper. Bananas are also good sources of dietary fiber  and protein.

Health Benefits of Bananas

The health benefits of banana include the following:

Weight Loss and Obesity: Bananas are useful for weight loss as one banana only has approximately 90 calories. It contains a lot of fiber as well and is easy to digest. Furthermore, it does not contain any fats. Therefore, an overweight person does not have to eat too many calories if their diet contains some bananas, because they also serve to feel very filling. The roughage will also not make the person feel hungry by inhibiting the release of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. This will reduce overeating, keep a person healthy, but also help them naturally lose weight.

Stronger Bones:Bananas are one of the best fruits for guaranteeing strong, healthy bones throughout your life. One of the best reasons for this is the presence of fructooligosaccharide, which is a prebiotic and eventually a probiotic, beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract that boosts the intake of minerals and nutrients by the body. Specifically, bananas are linked to increased absorption of calcium. Some bananas also possess short-chain fatty acids, which humans cannot absorb, but the organism that live in our stomach lining can consume those fatty acids, which increases their ability toabsorb minerals like calcium. Calcium is the most important element in the production and regrowth of bone matter in the body, thereby reducing the chances of osteoporosis and natural weakness commonly linked to aging.

Arthritis and Gout: Various compounds inside of bananas are anti-inflammatory in nature, meaning that they can reduce swelling, inflammation, and irritation from various conditions like arthritis and gout. These conditions are very common as people age, or if they have poor diets or unhealthy diets. Therefore, adding a banana a day to your dietary regimen can keep you ache and pain-free for many years.

Weight Gain: At the same time as helping people lose weight, bananas can also be useful for weight gain. When consumed with milk, bananas help to increase a person’s weight rapidly. Milk provides the necessary proteins and bananas provide the sugars. Furthermore, since bananas are easily digested, a weak person can gulp 5-6 bananas in a day apart from the regular meals without giving them indigestion. This leads to an additional 500-600 calories which is quite necessary for weight gain. Since bananas have the ability to provide instant energy, sportsmen eat bananas during breaks during games for an extra surge of energy.

Constipation: Bananas contain significant amounts of dietary fiber and therefore help in smooth bowel movements. Bananas are said to push out stubborn stools and relieve a person from constipation. They also help in treating other intestinal disorders. Fiber is able to bulk up stool and help to stimulate the body’s peristaltic motion, which helps to move bowel movements through the intestinal tract. This can help to reduce unhealthy digestive conditions, as well as colorectal cancer!

Ulcers: For years, bananas have been used as an antacid food to soothe upset stomachs. It actually does far more than that, however, and can suppress acid secretion. The organic compounds in bananas stimulate the activity of the cells in our stomach lining in order to build up a protective barrier against acids. They also contain protease inhibitors, which eliminate the harmful bacteria that have been linked to the development of stomach ulcers!

Kidney Disorders: Bananas have been linked to reducing the danger towards the kidneys from a number of different conditions. Potassium helps to regulate the fluid balance in the body, and that can help ease the strain on the kidneys, and also encouraging urination. This can help to keep toxins from accumulating in the body, and speeding up their release from the body through increased frequency and volume of urination. Furthermore, there are polyphenolic, antioxidant compounds in bananas that positively impact kidney function and the accumulation of toxins, while also stimulating proper functioning of the kidneys.

Eye Health: Bananas, like many other fruits, are packed with antioxidant compounds and carotenoids, as well as a proper mix of minerals that can seriously boost the health of your eyes. Macular degeneration, cataracts, night blindness, and glaucoma have all been shown to decrease with normal intake of bananas and other similar fruits.

Cardiovascular Protection: Bananas represent an important part of overall heart health for a variety of reasons. First of all, bananas are rich sources of potassium, so they reduce blood pressure, since bananas are vasodilators. By relaxing the tension of arteries and veins, the blood can flow more smoothly through the body and oxygenate the various organs of the body to increase their function. This can help eliminate atherosclerosis and the subsequent strokes and heart attacks that are so commonly associated with that condition. The fiber in bananas also scrapes excess cholesterol from the arteries and blood vessels, as a further message of reducing stress on the cardiovascular system.

Piles: Piles is characterized by having difficulty in passing stools that may also lead to bleeding. It is believed that bananas help in treating piles. Some people also consider bananas to cause negative effects on the bowels during piles as it adds a lot of bulk, giving additional pressure on the bowels. However, the primary problem with piles is excretion, and bananas definitely stimulate that process. Bananas also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help treat piles by reducing the inflammation and associated pain that often leads to itching and a worsening of the condition.

Anemia: Bananas contain high iron content and therefore aid in treating anemia because iron is an essential part of red blood cells, which is why anemia occurs, low blood cell count due to lack of iron. Anemia also has a significant content of copper, which is an important element in the creation of red blood cells. By increasing red blood cell count, not only do you prevent anemia, but you can increase circulation to all parts of the body, thereby oxygenating various parts of the organ and optimizing their functionality.

Menstrual problems: Cooked banana flowers help in providing relief from painful and excessively bleeding during the menstrual cycle as well as other menstrual disorders.

Camel Milk

As its name implies, camel milk comes from camels, just as cow milk and goat milk come from cows and goats. Camel milk has been the primary type of milk consumed by many Bedouin cultures for generations. Although camel milk is not in nearly as high supply as cow milk, it has a number of clear advantages over that more common form, including more powerful nutrients and better chemical compounds. Camel milk is a more environmentally friendly way of obtaining milk, as camel’s do not need the massive amounts of grazing area like goats and cows, thereby leaving the world a bit greener, and filled with less methane gas. For generations, camel milk has primarily been only for subsistence in those cultures, but given the undeniable health benefits of camel milk as compared to more traditional forms of milk, there has been a major increase in camel milk farming. However, it is extremely expensive to harvest camel milk, approximately fifty times more expensive than cow milk, which makes it considerably more expensive.

It may be difficult to find a reliable supplied of camel milk in your area, but at some specialty food markets, you can likely find it, and throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. Camel milk is the closest form of milk that we have access to besides human milk, which means that it gives us an ideal nutritive mixture, with far better benefits for our body than our more common alternatives. It includes far higher levels of iron, vitamin C, and protein, as well as less fat! Now, let’s take a more detailed look at some of the other health benefits of camel milk.

Health Benefits of Camel Milk

Diabetes Treatment:Camel milk has a wealth of nutrients, including insulin, which is an essential component of human health. Insulin and glucose balance is very important for theprevention of diabetes, making camel milk a potential natural solution for diabetes, eliminating the need for insulin injections if a steady stream of camel milk is included in the diet. If used as a preventative measure, camel milk can also prevent you from developing the disease in the first place.

Immune System: There is a surprisingly high level of proteins and other organic compounds in camel milk, some of which have powerful antimicrobial abilities. This means that camel milk can help to boost the immune system and keep us healthy from the inside out.

Growth and Development: The high level of animal proteins found in camel milk, many of which are not found in goat and cow milk, can help to stimulate proper growth and development of bones and organ systems. Protein is one of the most basic building blocks of life, and camel milk provides a lot of it. In fact, in many cultures, camel milk is given to malnourished infants and children, as it can improve health and wellness so dramatically. Camel milk was first used as a way to prolong journeys through the desert, when food and other chances for liquid were limited.

Stimulate Circulation: The high iron content found in camel milk makes it ideal for preventing anemia. Iron is a crucial component of red blood cells, which means that camel milk can increase circulation of the blood and oxygenation of the body’s organ systems and extremities. Following childbirth, injury, or period of malnutrition, camel milk can significantly help maintain health.

Autism Treatment: The high concentration of unique organic compounds has been known to have particularly powerful effects on the neurological system, and can even prevent certain autoimmune disorders. Numerous case studies have shown that autistic symptoms have been lessened or erased completely when camel milk was taken regularly. The exact pathways are unknown, but this is a potentially invaluable new remedy for a tragic affliction.

Allergic Reactions: Camel milk has been connected to reducing allergic reactions in those who regularly consume it. Furthermore, camel milk does not cause the same sorts of lactose intolerance reactions of cow milk, as it has a significantly different chemical makeup.

Heart Health: With such a healthy and comprehensive set of fatty acids, camel milk can greatly improve the balance of cholesterol in the body. By reducing “bad” cholesterol in the body, camel milk helps to reduce atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes, and even lowers blood pressure in regular users.

A Final Word of Warning: There are no known side effects or dangers of consuming camel milk, including many of the health issues that can be caused by cows and goats. It is the healthiest option out there, from infancy to old age!

Ginger is my all time favorite food, so accepting a challenge to eat it daily wasn’t all that hard. I love it on all sorts of food. When I decided to take on the challenge, I was hoping it’d live up to its hype. This is what I experienced.

1. I lost a bit of weight.

Over the course of a year, I lost about 10 pounds. I didn’t change that much. I was slightly more active. According to one study, eating a bit of ginger burns an extra 45 calories a day and ginger tea helps you feel fuller longer.

2. I didn’t get sick as much as normal.

On average, I’ll get 3 colds per year. This past year, I got one very minor, brief cold. Ginger contains antioxidants, in particular, Gingerol, a bioactive substance, that helps reduce the risk of infection and gives your immune system better tools for fighting disease.

3. My cholesterol decreased.

4. My stomach problems were relieved.

I have stomach issues, largely a result of food allergies that I persist in ignoring. I wasn’t as gassy, my digestion felt better, and I was a bit more regular. Perfect.

5. I justified eating sushi more often.

What? It is technically something that happened when I started eating sushi every day.

The health benefits of lemons are due to its many nourishing elements like vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper,  calcium, iron,  magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoids, which are composites that contain antioxidant and cancer fighting properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever, indigestion and many other problems, as well as improving the skin, hair, and teeth. Studies conducted at the American Urological Association highlight the fact that lemonade or lemon juice can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals.

People use lemons to make lemonade by mixing lemon juice and water. Many people also use lemon as a washing agent, because of its ability to remove stains. The scent of lemon can also repel mosquitoes, while drinking lemon juice with olive oil helps to get rid of gall stones. Lemon is well known for its medicinal power and is used in many different ways. As per the results reported in a study by the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, lemon provides protection against inflammatory polyarthritis and arthritis.

Health Benefits of Lemon

Various health benefits of lemon are explained below:

Indigestion and Constipation: Lemon juice helps to cure problems related to indigestion and constipation. Add a few drops of lemon on your dish (take care, it does not go well with milk), and it will aid in digestion. It acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent, so a good drink after lunch or dinner is fresh lemon soda, which is also called fresh lime soda in many places. The recipe is lemon juice, cold water, soda, salts (common salt or rock salt) and sugar/honey for sweetness. You can also add some mint leaves or crushed fennel seeds for added flavor. Drink this whenever you have a heavy lunch or dinner.

Fever: Lemon juice can treat a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fevers by increasing perspiration.

Dental Care: It is also frequently used in dental care. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the area of a toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. Massaging the juice on the gums can stop gum bleeding, while eliminating the bad odors that can come from various gum diseases and conditions.

Additionally, it can be used in the regular cleansing of your teeth. Keep your eye out for a toothpaste containing lemon as one of the ingredients, or add a drop of its juice onto your normal toothpaste. Some people also rub their teeth with the outer shell (the inner side touching your teeth) of a lemon after removing the juice. But be careful, lemons are highly acidic, so if your mouth starts burning, rinse your gums and mouth quickly with water.

Hair Care: Lemon juice has proven itself in the treatment of hair care on a wide scale. The juice applied to the scalp can treat problems like dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. If  you apply lemon juice directly on the hair, it can give your hair a natural shine.

Skin Care: Lemon juice, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can also cure problems related to the skin. The juice can be applied to reduce the pain of sun burn, and it helps to ease the pain from bee stings as well. It is also good for acne and eczema. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin, and if you thoroughly search the cosmetic market, you will find some soaps containing lemon juice, but they aren’t too easy to find!

Burns: Use lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and since lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin when you currently have an irritating burn.

Internal Bleeding: It has antiseptic and coagulant properties, so it can stop internal bleeding. You can apply lemon juice to a small cotton ball and place it inside your nose to stop nose bleeds.

Weight Loss: If a person drinks lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can help reduce body weight. Read more

Respiratory Disorders: Lemon juice assists in relieving respiratory problems and breathing problems, such as its ability to soothe a person suffering from an asthma attack. Being a rich source of vitamin C, it helps in dealing with more long-term respiratory disorders.

Cholera: Diseases like cholera and malaria can be treated with lemon juice, because it acts as a blood purifier.

Foot Relaxation: Lemon is an aromatic and antiseptic agent and is useful in foot relaxation. Add some lemon juice to warm water and dip your feet in the mixture for instant relief and muscle relaxation.

Rheumatism: It is also a diuretic and can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins from the body.

Corns: Lemon juice can dissolve lumps on the skin, so it can be applied at the places where the skin has hardened up, like the soles of feet and the palms of your hands. Drinking lemon juice with water can help patients reduce gall stones for the same reasons.

Throat Infections: Lemon is an excellent fruit that fights against problems related to throat infections, due to its well-known   antibacterial properties.

High Blood Pressure: Drinking lemon juice is helpful for people suffering from heart problems, because it contains potassium. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea, because it provides a calming sensation to both the mind and body. It is commonly employed to reduce mental stress and depression.

Lemon: Lemon has proved to be nature’s boon to everyone who uses it. It provides many valuable solutions to health-related problems, because it contains its own set of antiseptic and natural medications. In case of malaria, lemon will not cure it, but aids in the treatment. A good practice is to eat anywhere from a quarter to a half of a lemon per day to get the maximum benefits from this powerful little fruit!

Argan Oil

There is a certain species of tree in Morocco, called the argan tree, which produces a very valuable plant oil from its kernels. With the scientific name of Argania spinosa, you can find this tree in a few other parts of the world, but it is endemic to that North African nation, and the oil wasn’t found too widely throughout the world until recently. In Morocco, this oil is used to drizzle over food, almost like a standard olive oil, but recent discoveries of other health benefits from this oil have led to its broader exportation. The oil is extracted from the 1-3 kernels found in the hard-shelled nut surrounded by the argan fruit’s pulp.

Argan oil is used for culinary purposes, as well as cosmetic ones, and is often added into couscous, salads, and other sauces. Argan pulp can also be made into a paste to be spread on desserts and bread, similar to peanut butter. The oil can be directly applied to the skin for certain conditions, or mixed in with other creams, salves, or carrier oils. Many people also use the oil directly on the hair. Given its use in food,argan oil is one of the more versatile natural oils, as it can be safely used internally and topically. The limited amount of this resource in Morocco has made the price a bit dear, but the government is planning to increase production in order to meet the increasing demand.

Health Benefits of Argan Oil

Skin Health: The most well known and commonly relied on function of argan oil is as a skin treatment. The triterpenoids found in this powerful oil, in combination with other organic compounds found in the oil, are able to eliminate the appearance of age spots and scars, and can even affect the severity of acne and dermatitis. Furthermore, if you have any tumorous skin cells, the volatile compounds of argan oil can reduce them and keep you both feeling and looking young. Premature aging is a serious problem for many people, but by maintaining skin elasticity, argan oil can prevent those typical symptoms of aging.

Sun Protection: While it might be nice to be out in the sunshine, the UV radiation from our sun can have a number of negative effects on the skin, hair, and nails. Fortunately, the compounds found in argan oil can protect against these negative effects, which can significantly speed up the aging process, and also contribute to skin cancers. It also promotes the regeneration of cells and increases overall health.

Heart Health: Using cooking oils is something that we all do, but choosing a healthier option like argan oil can help to rebalance your cholesterol levels. By lowering your levels of bad cholesterol, and increasing your HDL cholesterol levels, you can help to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious heart issues caused by cholesterol.

Cancer Prevention: Argan oil is packed with antioxidants and triterpenoids, which can directly influence the levels of free radicals in your body. Free radicals can cause cancer and other chronic diseases by causing healthy cells to mutate. Prostate cancer and bladder cancer have been the main areas of study thus far, but the general anti-inflammatory properties of argan oil can help reduce tumors and other cancerous growths throughout the body.

Digestion: Many people eat right, but their bodies don’t properly take in the food they need, mainly throughdisorders of the stomach or a poorly functioning gastric system. The organic compounds in argan oil can increase pepsin levels in the stomach, and also boost gastric juices, which results in more efficient digestion of food and a higher nutrient intake.

Hair Health: People are always looking for ways to improve their appearance, and this is particularly true for the hair. If you suffer from split ends, which annoys millions of people around the world, adding argan oil directly to your hair can be a quick and effective remedy. There is a high concentration of vitamin E in argan oil, which can rejuvenate the hair, protect the follicle beds, and improve the shine and overall appearance.

Nail Quality: Unhealthy nails are more than just unattractive; they are also breeding grounds for bacteria and fungal infections. Argan oil has natural antibacterial qualities that can protect your nail beds from a wide variety of infections and improve the appearance and color of your nails.

Liver Health: The liver is not only one of the most delicate organs in the body, but also one of the most important. Therefore, after a lifetime of flushing out toxins and handling all the terrible things we put inside our body, the liver can always use a boost. Fortunately, the hepatoprotective properties of argan oil mean that it can boost your liver health every time you add a bit of oil to one of your meals!

Wound Healing: If you have a wound or other abrasion on your skin and want to not only speed its healing, but also prevent infections, apply some argan oil topically to the skin, or put it in a carrier oil. Internal consumption also helps with wound healing, but it’s much more effective when directly applied.

A Final Word of Warning: There are no common side effects of using argan oil, but there have been limited reports of allergic reactions in the form of rashes, and in one extreme case – anaphylaxis. You should always speak to your medical professional before adding an herbal remedy to your health regimen, and always purchase argan oil from a reputable source, like a trained herbalist.

We believe that healthy eating should raise joy, as much as nourish your body. With that in mind, here are 8 fun and quirky tips to enhance your health and keep those joyful food vibes flowing!

1. Enjoy Oil With Vegies

Fat improves texture and carries the flavour. However, fat also helps us absorb certain vitamins and antioxidants from our diet. In fact, Vitamin A, D, E and K cannot be absorbed properly unless we eat sufficient fat. 

Cooking with a good quality fat, such as cold pressed olive oil, also improves our absorption of antioxidants. This helps to explain why the Mediterranean Diet has so many health benefits. 

TAKE-HOME TIP: Enjoy avocado, nuts or a small drizzle of oil over your veggies and salads on a regular basis. Your taste buds will sing and your body will be thankful for the boost in nutrient absorption too. 

2. Add Pepper To Your Curry

Turmeric, a common curry spice, is naturally high in a wonderful compound called circumin. Circumin provides many health benefits, ranging from anti-inflammation to anti-oxidant action.

To reap the maximum benefits of eating turmeric, we recommend adding a little pepper! This is because pepper naturally enhances the bioavailability of curcumin. Thus, we absorb it better. 

TAKE-HOME TIP: For mega flavour sensation and a nutrient kick, add turmeric and pepper to your curries! 

3. Choose Tea Time Carefully

We all love a hot cuppa from time to time and there are many good health reasons to justify your favourite brew. 

Whilst tea provides antioxidants and other many health benefits,  it also a natural source of tannins. 

Tannins are not a problem when consumed alone. However, if you drink tea whilst eating food, tannins can interfere with the absorption of certain minerals - particularly iron and calcium. 

TAKE-HOME TIP: Enjoy tea on a regular basis but drink it between meals wherever possible. 

4. Drink Up Before You Eat

If you’re trying to shed a few pounds, new research suggests that having a big glass of water before you eat may help you lose weight!

A recent study of 84 people showed that drinking a 16 ounce (500ml) glass of water before each meal resulted in an average weight loss of 9.48 pounds over 12 weeks.

The ‘stretching’ of our stomach when we eat is a signal to our brain that we are getting full. Therefore, filling up with a big drink before a meal may initiate that fullness signal early. 

TAKE-HOME TIP: Drink a glass of water before your meal and feel fuller, sooner! 

5. Use the Meat Factor… (Or Vitamin C if you don’t eat meat!)

There are two types of iron in our diet. ‘Haem’ iron comes from animal products and is easier for our bodies to absorb. ‘Non-Haem’ iron comes from plant foods and is a little trickier for our bodies to assimilate. 

For reasons that we don’t fully understand yet, plant ‘non-haem’ is vastly improved by eating just a little bit of meat in the same meal. Therefore, if you don’t mind eating meat, you can try adding just a little bit of meat to stir fries, curries and vegetable-based dishes to maximise your iron absorption.

If you don’t eat meat, that’s ok! Vitamin C also works really well to boost our iron absorption. You could have some Vitamin C rich foods such as orange, capsicum or kiwi fruit with your veggies instead. 

TAKE-HOME TIP: Try adding a little bit of meat (a few strips) or Vitamin C rich foods to boost your iron uptake. 

6. Fix Flatulence With This One Simple Trick

Whilst gas is a completely normal by-product of human digestion, too much can be painful or just downright embarrassing!

The Legume Family is particularly notorious for having gassy side-effects. As lentils, chickpeas and other beans are incredibly good for our health, what to do then?

Try adding a little asafoetida (also called Hing) when you cook with legumes. Although this Asian spice is a little bit smelly in its raw form, asafoetida releases a mellow garlic-like flavour when it’s heated. More importantly, it helps to break down the culprit fermentable carbohydrates in legumes which cause gas and bloating.

TAKE-HOME TIP: Add a teaspoon (or more if you like the taste) of asafoetida when cooking with legumes.

7. Pre- Your Probiotics

Probiotics are excellent for digestive health. Without a good supply of friendly probiotic bacteria in our gut, we cannot absorb food optimally or keep the lining of our bowel in vital shape. Our immune function may suffer as well. 

Whilst probiotics are wonderful, they work best if you have a good prebiotic intake. Prebiotics are essentially the food and nourishment for probiotic bacteria and help our friendly gut bacteria to thrive. 

Prebiotics are found in a wide range of natural foods, including oats, certain legumes, cooked and cooled rice, bananas, pectin and garlic.

TAKE-HOME TIP: Make sure you are eating plenty of fruit, veggies, grains and legumes on a regular basis to support probiotic bacteria. 

8. Catch Up On Some ZZZ’s!

Having a nutritious diet is fantastic, but you may not be reaping the maximum health benefits if you’re not sleeping properly. 

Studies show that lack of sleep can adversely affect our metabolism and contribute to weight issues. We are also more likely to make unhealthy food choices to provide a quick energy fix when we tired. And who feels like exercising when you’re sleep deprived?

TAKE-HOME TIP: This is the truly the best low effort way to get in tip top shape... Make sure you’re getting at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep on a regular basis. 

Our body works in beautiful harmony with the food that Mother Nature provides. It is nothing short of miraculous how our body absorbs everything it needs from the food that She creates. These 7 Health Hacks show us some incredible benefits we can get from a few fun tweaks to our lifestyle… 

Your best friend’s birthday party is coming up next week and you should be excited, but…the only thing you can think about is how you’re going to stop yourself from losing control at the buffet line. Sandra from work stopped eating carbs and lost 10 pounds last month—should you jump on the carb-free bandwagon too? All the diet confusion and resulting anxiety is driving you bonkers. All you want to do is eat in a way that helps you lose weight, feel balanced and get healthier.
 
So what do you do?
 
Here are 5 strategies that will get you there if you start putting them into action right now:
 

Know That Mistakes Are Not Permanent 

You don’t need to compensate for eating behavior that you consider ‘bad’, like picking a burger over a salad for lunch, or caving in to that extra large cookie, with habits like starvation, over-exercising, food restriction or purging, all of which don’t benefit you physically or emotionally in any way. Instead beating yourself up and falling into a negative, downward spiral, get into the habit of practicing self-compassion by acknowledging why you slipped up and get back on track as quickly as you can. No mistake is permanent and you have what it takes to do what it takes to succeed.
 

Have A Bounce-Back Strategy In Place

If feelings of fear, anxiety or anger that’s stemming from food and eating are holding you back from being with the people you love, something’s not right. You’re human—it’s not possible to be 100% perfect 24/7 and there’s no shame in experiencing the occasional bout of overeating, which often happens at social events. What’s more important is that you give yourself permission to make mistakes now and then, and have a strategy in place that not only minimize the chances of these mistakes happening, but also helps you bounce back into your healthy zone when they do happen. If you mess up with one meal, acknowledge it without judgment and move on quickly by deciding how you’re going to make your next meal a more nutritious one.
 

Pick Solutions That Empower You

Turning to food when you’ve had a bad day can soothe you temporarily, but if you’ve been doing it for awhile now, you’d know that it can have not-so-great effects on your physical appearance, health and well-being. Rather than depend on food for comfort, try focusing your attention on healthier and more productive ways of dealing with the difficult situations that life throws your way: Talk to a friend you trust, work off all that pent-up energy in a kickboxing class or just go for a mind-clearing walk. Pick a solution that offers you the same reward that the food otherwise would, whether it’s stress relief, feeling good about yourself or wanting more control over a situation where you feel helpless.
 

Know How Food Affects Your Health And Fitness

When it comes to weight loss, a calorie is just a calorie so it doesn’t matter what you eat, right? Not quite. The energy you get from say, a salad, is very different from that from a Twinkie, and can affect whether you lose your excess weight and keep it off in the long-term, say health experts. Arming yourself with science-backed information like this will allow you to choose the best food options, and tweak what and how you eat as your lifestyle, circumstances and health situation changes throughout your life.
 

Focus On Living A Rich, Fulfilling Life

People who have a healthy and happy relationship with food see it as a source of both fuel and pleasure. What you’ll never find them doing is over-thinking food. This means that they pay just enough attention to the every-day tasks involved in putting their meals together, like shopping for their groceries, deciding which restaurant to head to or where to buy their take-out. They’re too busy exploring and enjoying every other aspect of living to spend more time than necessary thinking about their meals.

When you realise how many beautiful healthy alternatives are at your fingertips, the meals and snacks you can enjoy are limitless. Being healthy doesn’t mean avoiding all your favourite foods - it’s simply about switching to delicious healthier alternatives! 

Coconut sugar is an alternative to refined white sugar that opens up a whole world of recipe opportunities. There’s no need to deprive yourself of homemade cookies or fruity crumbles once you get coconut sugar in the mix. Of course, we’re not advocating a cookie a day, but when you do want to treat yourself it makes sense to choose healthier ingredients that still taste delicious. 

So How Is Coconut Sugar Healthier Than White Sugar? 

For starters, it’s packed with nutrition. While white sugar is stripped of nutrients due to processing, coconut sugar retains its rich mineral content, including calcium, iron, zinc and potassium due to minimal processing. 

Coconut sugar originates from the flowers of the coconut palm. The sap from the flower buds is collected and heated until the moisture evaporates leaving a thick paste which solidifies and is ground into granules. 

Not only is it nutrient dense, coconut sugar creates less havoc with your blood sugar levels. This is due to coconut sugar’s low glycemic index - a measure which tests how quickly a food raises your blood sugar level. The lower the better so your blood sugar level remains stable and isn’t ‘spiked’ by certain foods. 

The Philippine Coconut Authority recorded coconut sugar’s glycemic index at 35, whereas sweeteners like cane sugar generally have a glycemic index well above 50. Foods with a high glycemic index can create feelings of lethargy, hunger and irritability after we eat them, which is why low glycemic sweeteners like coconut sugar are a popular alternative. 

Natural sweeteners are definitely a better option than refined white sugar but it is important to remember that any sweetener, from coconut sugar to maple syrup or molasses, should still be consumed in moderation as they are all sources of sugar. 

For an occasional treat, however, be sure to switch to coconut sugar instead of white sugar (use as a 1:1 ratio replacement) to create delicious wholesome goodies - your body will thank you! 

On one hand, it’s important to enjoy social occasions without obsessing over food. On the other hand, our bodies can start to feel a bit sluggish if we’re overdoing it.  

Here are our 10 Tips to enjoy the holiday season, without being a Christmas Food Grinch or compromising your wellbeing. 

1. Mix Up A Ginger Kombucha Punch

This is seriously delicious! Replace ginger ale with ginger kombucha in your favourite punch recipes - both ginger and kombucha are excellent digestive aids and your guests won’t taste the difference. You can also combine ginger kombucha, sliced citrus, fresh lemon wedges and pure fruit juice of your juice to create an extra restorative elixir. 

2. Plan The Menu Together

A little communication and coordination can really make a big difference to your Christmas Feast. Decide ahead of time who will prepare each dish or aspect of your Christmas menu. This saves a surplus of food that encourages overeating and also makes Christmas expenses more manageable. 

3. Eat Like its Fine Dining

Gourmet Restaurants always serve small portions but are you ever left unsatisfied? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, no bite ever tastes as good as the first mouthful, as our tastebuds progressively desensitise to the flavours in our meal. We are also more likely to notice fullness when served with small portions on petite plates.  

4. Enjoy Some Nutty Nibbles

Nuts provide quality protein, high fibre and can help us to feel fuller for longer. Roast some mixed nuts in honey with a little Cinnamon or Allspice and include them with your Christmas appetisers. They are delicious, make a great festive snack and can kerb your appetite for the main meals. 

5. Spritz Up Your Drinks With Lemon

As you top up your Christmas drinks, add in a fresh wedge of lemon. The light taste of lemon refreshes the palate complements the flavour of sweet drinks and is a natural alkaliser to help balance out the intake of acid-forming treat foods. 

6. Start With The End In Mind

Take a moment to ask; how would you like to feel when you finish your Christmas event? Are there certain foods that are non-negotiable indulgences? Or perhaps there are some foods you would be happy not to sample? You can avoid the post-feast downer by deciding how you want to feel afterwards and tuning into how your body is matching this as you eat. 

7. Go Seasonal With Your Christmas Cooking

Most Christmas recipes can be modified to incorporate foods that are in season. As long as the produce is similar in texture (e.g. swap potatoes with other starchy vegetables) most dishes can be easily adapted to use seasonal fruit and vegies. It will taste just as good but provide more goodness! 

8. Buy Less But Only The Best

Food wastage is a massive environmental concern, with an estimated 6 million tonnes of additional food waste generated during this season. Try to think about how much food you realistically need and treat yourself by buying the finest quality, rather than splurging with quantity. Your wallet, bellies and Mother Nature will all benefit for it!

9. Use Fine And Dainty Chinaware

Who doesn’t want to present a beautiful table spread on Christmas Day? Some good quality Chinaware not only puts the Wow Factor on your Christmas Table but also limits the amount of food we can pile on our plates. 

10. Don’t Turn The Feast Into A Festival

If you treat your body with nutritious food most of the time, splashing out a bit with Christmas Food isn’t likely to be very bad for your health. However, it’s easy to slip into unhealthy eating habits if you have lots of non-nutritious foods left over in your Fridge. Divvy up the leftovers between your Christmas guests and make the transition back into vibrant eating all the more easier! 

With a subscription to FMTV, you can press play anywhere and anytime. Here are a few tips for creating a beautiful space and principles of a  home practice so it’s inviting and something you actually want to do each day. With repetition, the mind will become attuned to dropping into the zen space you create each time you roll out your mat around your favourite inspiring things. Some of these are:

Create a beautiful space

It is important to give yourself an environment where you can practice and totally express yourself.

• Invest in a MAT (I love Jade mats or why not have a custom embroidered mat with your name on it?)
• Choose a room or area in your home where you can be undisturbed and find some quiet time.
• Decorate your space with what inspires you. Some examples might be photos, quotes, crystals, indoor plants or other objects that centre your attention and intention for your practice. 
• Evoke the power of aromatherapy and scent by bringing a lit scented candle or diffuser filled with essential oils (my favs are lemongrass, grapefruit, orange, lime and lemon). A few of James and Laurentine’s favorites include Twenty8, DoTerra, Young Living, and Mountain Rose Herbs.
• You may like to pull an affirmation card beforehand or afterwards.
• You may like to use a Tibetan singing bowl beforehand or afterwards to seal the practice.
• Your sacred space might contain a single object such as a special crystal, sculpture, or private alter you deliberately place in a special place.
• Play some music (My favs are Sacred Earth, Herrin Larkin, Deva Premal, Mantra in Motion, Krishna Das,Mannesh De Moor, Craig Pruess).
• Keep it simple and ensure you feel comfortable.

Principles Of A Home Yoga Practice

• Begin simply with the intention of getting on your mat for “five minutes to see what happens"
• Always listen to your breath, follow your breath, pay attention to your breath.  
• Always listen to your body and never go into anything that is painful
• Begin with a warm-up posture, maybe in child pose or simply in Savasana on your back. Next come into a few sun salutations, moving very mindfully while your body starts to warm up
• Once you’re feeling warm from the sun salutations start to come into the standing series of postures. Examples would be lunges, the warrior sequence, chair pose, etc. These poses really start to build up the heat in the body. Throughout the standing series, a vinyasa or flow is an option to transition from one pose or sequence to the next. Just be sure to listen to what your body is craving.. and if it’s more heat then add in a few vinyasa’s and if you’re feeling more mellow.. a child pose might be perfect for you
• Balance postures come after the standing series. Options are tree pose, lord of the dance, warrior 3… find the freedom here to express yourself!
• The floor series can have many variations.  Core and spine strengthening are always a good way to start it. Again, placing no expectation on yourself and “what you should do”.  Really just listening to your body and letting go of your ego is the most important of all. You can finish with any pose either sitting or laying on your back.  
• Finally making your way into an inversion: legs up the wall, a block under your low back, or a shoulder stand. Followed by supported fish pose.  Place a block along the spine and between the shoulder blades.  Be sure to let your upper body completely round overtop of the block. 
• Finish each class in Savasana or final meditation. Simply allow yourself to be still, to let all the benefits of your class to sink in, whether it was 5 minutes or 60 minutes.  It’s all yoga :)
• Enjoy yourself! This is YOUR practice, it’s joyful.
• Explore the internal landscape of your body. Smile when you’re in postures, congratulate yourself for getting on your mat and give yourself a big hug when you’ve finished. 

Organic food carries a reputation of being more expensive. This perceived price tag has become a common obstacle to eating organically. 

And with other living costs to juggle, especially coming into the festive season, it can be tempting to view organic food as something you just can’t afford. 

We honestly can’t argue that many families are doing it tough. It is also undeniable that the average cost of organic food is a little higher than its conventional counterpart. However, we can argue that healthy, organic food is possibly the most important investment that you will ever make.  

We can also show you easy ways to optimize organic eating on a budget, whilst making every food dollar work harder for you! Here are ten easy ways to optimize organic eating on a budget all year round:

1. Get Savvy With Your Staples

You may not realise just how good your grocery items are at multi-tasking! Check out a few of our favourite versatile ingredients:

Oats. As a relatively cheap organic commodity, oats can also be used in many ways and make a great pantry staple. Add them to rissoles, lentil burgers and most sweet baking recipes that call for flour. They also serve as a natural exfoliant for your face - simply mix with a little raw honey and water!

Vinegar. In addition to its many culinary uses, a quality organic vinegar can form the base of many salad dressings, make a great chemical free cleaning aid and act as a natural skin toner. 

Rice. This little grain can help to spread healthy organic meals further at low cost. Try mixing rice with more expensive grains like quinoa and millet - that way you can still enjoy these premium grains on a regular basis but without the full financial outlay. 

2. Be A Grocery Geek

As organic food becomes more mainstream, health food stores are wisening to marketing trends. As such, you’ll notice that many organic food retailers now offer weekly specials, as per a Supermarket business model. Stay tuned for their upcoming specials. This way you can accordingly plan your weekly meals around items on special. 

3. Plan, Plan And Plan Some More

The more you plan, the more you save! Decide what meals and snacks you would like for the week in advance and write a shopping list that matches these needs precisely. This cuts down on compulsive purchases that you don’t end up using. Try to plan recipes that make full use of your food purchases. For example, if you need to use only half a jar of food e.g. coconut milk in one recipe, can you use the leftovers for another meal? 

4. Love Up Your Legumes

Legumes offer an absolute bounty of nutritious goodness and are very cheap to boot! With experts clamouring for us to moderate our red meat intake, lentils can make a wonderful mince substitute in traditional bolognese and lasagne dishes. You can also add legumes to soups, curries and casseroles as a cheap and convenient way to make your meal go further. 

5. Store Your Produce Correctly 

Shockingly, almost one third off all food that we produce worldwide is wasted (http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/food_waste_the_facts). Therefore, if you can learn to store perishable produce correctly, you can potentially save a lot of money and help to reduce this alarming worldwide collective of food wastage. Here are a few ideas to protect your produce in the fridge:

Keep Away Moisture. Excess moisture around your produce invites spoilage into your fridge. Pat all produce dry before stowing it away. It can also help to line your vegetable crispers with dry towels to help absorb some of the circulating moisture. 

Air Flow. If produce is crammed too tightly together, temperature control and fresh air circulation cannot operate properly. This results in slimy vegetable spoilage that is easily preventable by spacing out your fruit and veggies so that they have proper ventilation. 

Keep Your Friendly Veg Together.Even after they are picked, fruit and veggies emit natural gases. Some of these gases can mix and accelerate spoilage in your produce. For example, apples and carrots should be stored in separate drawers. Otherwise, your carrots will taste soapy! Potatoes and onions should also be stored separately. 

6. Farmers’ Markets

Connecting with your local growers and buying fresh, local produce is not only cheaper but also offers a bounty of health benefits. Produce from Farmers’ Markets tends to be seasonal and freshly picked, which means you are eating food at its peak nutritional quality. And whilst you’re saving money on your Grocery Bill, you are also supporting the local economy. Make friends with your local farmers today, you may even get a few freebie extras :-) 

7. Buy In Bulk With Family And Friends

As a general rule, food costs less per volume the more that you buy. Many organic retailers will provide additional discounts for purchasing in bulk. To spread the initial outlay of buying large quantities, why not chip in together with loved ones? This has the added environmental advantage of lessening food waste. 

8. Waste Not, Want Not 

Tap into your creative power and learn how to optimise the full lifecycle of common foods. Repurposing food has the twofold benefit of reducing your food bill and cutting down your carbon footprint. Some of our favourite tips include:

• Reserve your veggie juice pulp and use it later in patties, casseroles and soups. 
• Dehydrate leftover fruit that is too ripe to enjoy eating any longer. 
• Make a ‘Leftovers Frittata’ using all your remaining veggies the night before you shop. If you don’t eat eggs, bind your frittata with besan flour and water. 

9. Be Selective With Fancy Frills

Learning to enjoy food in its simple, beautiful state as Mother Nature intended can make organic food very affordable. Staple ingredients such as produce, grains and legumes tend to be more comparable in cost to conventional food. Conversely, organic condiments and other luxury items can start to creep up a little more in cost. Perhaps prioritise one or two special organic treats that you would like to enjoy then stick to basic but naturally beautiful staples for the rest of your budget. Your taste buds will adjust to eating clean and simple.

10. Supplement By Growing Your Own

Wherever you can find a patch of sunlight, there is an opportunity to grow your own food! Many veggie planter boxes are available on the market to suit just about any home, no matter how big or small. Leafy greens and herbs are particularly easy to grow with only a little TLC. Over the course of a year, these can make a big difference towards your overall Grocery Budget. 

Herbal teas, also known as tisanes and infusions, are a nutritious alternative to traditional black tea or coffee. Here are five reasons why herbal teas should find their way into your tea drinking ritual:

1. Nutrition

Herbal teas are made from plants – vibrant, nutritious plants!  When hot water hits the flowers, leaves, roots or fruits in your herbal tea, vitamins and minerals are released from 
the herbs.  Different herbal teas have various nutritional qualities; some of the most nutritive herbs to drink as a tea are chamomile, hibiscus, nettle leaf and rosehip.

2. Therapeutic benefit

Looking for an easy home herbal remedy?  Herbal tea may be just what you’re looking for.  Herbs used in Western Herbal Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be taken therapeutically as a tea to ease symptoms.  For example, ginger tea has long been used to help ease nausea, and peppermint tea is a great head-clearer if you are congested with a head cold.

3.  Natural energy

The vast majority of herbs used in herbal teas are caffeine-free.  Many herbs contain natural energy-promoting agents that won’t leave you with a caffeine crash.  Licorice root herbal tea supports your adrenals to give a nice, nourishing boost of energy, and ginseng tea helps your body adapt to stress in a natural way.

4. Time to chill

Many of us lead such busy lives, it’s hard to switch off.  The importance of getting good, restful sleep is fundamental to good health, and many herbal teas can help calm the nervous system.  Passionflower tea is a great addition to your wind-down ritual, settling your busy brain and preparing the body for sleep.  Lemon balm tea is also a great tonic for the nervous system, calming the mind and lifting the spirit.

5. Nourishing your spirit

The ceremony and ritual around preparing herbal tea allow you to take time out.  Time to breathe, time to daydream, time for you.  While you are brewing your herbal tea, I encourage you to take a moment to meditate.  Breathe in the steam from your tea cup, appreciate the colour of your tea and take the time to enjoy the taste of your tea before moving on with your day.  Tea time is a sacred time for you.

As we are ever so close to the Winter months, many of us have been topping up our intake of immune boosters, to try to prevent a cold or flu.

Sometimes, even with preventative methods in place, viruses or bacterias can still work their way through to our immune system, and we succumb to coughs or colds anyway!

If you are overworked, stressed, under slept, dehydrated etc, you may be more susceptible to these symptoms. Oftentimes you can't put your finger on the reason. This is my situation right now.

So Here Are My 10 Favourite Fall Cold Survival Tips

1. WATER

Hydration is vital at all times of course, but during a cold, it can be extra helpful. Up your water intake, to keep hydrated in case of a high temperature, while flushing toxins from your system. Drinking water will also help to soften & break down any mucus that has built up.

2. MINT LEAVES

We grow mint in our garden, and together with coconut oil, we create our own vapor rub, which I find to be hugely effective. Rubbed on the chest or feet this natural, simple balm can provide relief and relaxation by opening the airways, promoting a more restful night’s sleep. Which leads me to.....

3. SLEEP

Getting to bed early while under the weather can speed up the convalescence no end! Close the book, turn off the tv, the laptop, the light and snuggle down for the night!

4. HONEY

We all know honey helps colds, but this wouldn't be a great list if it went without a mention an old faithful! Honey soothes an irritated throat, while also being a well known natural antibiotic. Taken by the spoonful or added to teas, hot nut milks or smoothies, honey is an easy one to incorporate into your wellness diet.

5. FRUIT

You may not have much of an appetite when suffering from a cold, so fruit is a perfect way snack yourself well. When my children have a cold, I set out copious amounts of an array of fruit to snack on throughout the day. This gives the body a massive injection of vitamins, which will support the body in fighting off viruses.

6. PROBIOTIC YOGURT

natural yogurt with live cultures will support your immune system as it clears bacterias from your body. Topped with berries or nuts, accompanying granola or added to smoothies, Probiotic yogurt is a must have in your survival kit!

7. BERRIES

Jam packed full of antioxidants, berries assist the body in removing toxins. As with fruits, berries are easy to snack on, or in addition to other dishes.

8. TEA

As mentioned above, we grow our own mint. Among other foods and plants, we grow the Chamomile flower. Both mint leaves and chamomile leaves can be washed, brewed in hot water over a hob for several mins, strained into a cup and sweetened with honey if necessary. You can buy these leaves dried from your local health store if you don't grow them.

9. GARLIC

Garlic is another food highly regarded for its antibiotic properties. Personally, I take garlic raw. Crushing, then chopping, the clove, I swallow it down with water, for quick absorption.

10. SMOOTHIES

As stated above, appetite may be waning while experiencing the symptoms of a cold, and smoothies are a perfect solution. You can have several smoothies throughout the day, with different recipes for each, giving your immune the biggest boost possible. You can incorporate most of the previous suggestions into your smoothies recipes, making it a great all rounder.

Hopefully my personal tips will help you push through a cold in record time!

1. FREE RADICAL DAMAGE:
   Oil of oregano contains high levels of antioxidants, helping to prevent and reduce cellular damage, as well as reduce overall inflammation, and even inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
   
   
2. ALLERGIES:
   Oregano is a potent antihistamine that has been shown to reduce the symptoms of seasonal and environmental allergies, sensitivities, as well as asthma.
   
   
3. PAIN RELIEF:
   Oil of oregano can be used externally to relieve pain and muscle soreness, and has been used to relieve muscle and joint pain related to rheumatoid arthritis. The warming properties of the oil are likely to contribute to these soothing effects. Be sure to mix the oil with a base oil before applying to the skin, as the oil itself can cause skin irritation.
   
   
4. DIGESTION:
   Oregano oil can help to stimulate the production of bile and digestive juices, helping to enhance and improve overall digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
   
   
5. INFECTION FIGHTER:
   Carvacrol, one of the potent compounds found in oil of oregano, is particularly effective against bacterial infections, and more responsive than other herbs such as goldenseal or echinacea in boosting the body’s immunity. It is also a powerful remedy for candida and yeast infections, especially those that are resistant to anti-fungal drugs such as Diflucan. Not only can it prevent food-borne illnesses caused by pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli, but may actually help to relieve food poisoning symptoms as well. Thymol, a natural fungicide with antiseptic and antiviral properties helps boost the immune system, fight and prevent colds and flu, and promote recovery.

Ginger is packed full of macro and micronutrients, fatty acids and amino acids. It is even classified as one of the world's healthiest spices according to the The World's Healthiest Foods. 

There are so many reasons to incorporate ginger into our everyday eating patterns. Not only does it bring a distinct aroma of flavour to our foods but brings many health benefits along with it.

Here are 10 you simply need-to-know:

1. Aids Digestion 


By increasing digestive fluids and saliva, ginger helps to increase the stomach's gastric motility. Allowing it to aid in digestive issues.
 


2. Assists With Inflammation 


Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help relieve symptoms of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatism. 



3. Calms Nausea


Ginger helps to calm motion sickness, prevent morning sickness and is also recommended to those experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea. 



4. Assists In The Repercussions Of Diabetes 


Ginger is naturally low in GI and helps to assist in the implications of diabetes by reducing levels of serum glucose and maintaining blood sugar levels. It also helps to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. 



5. Herbal Medicine for Alzheimer's Disease

In traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs and spices that contain high levels of phytochemicals such as ginger are used as a preventative for Alzheimer free aging. 



6. Antihistamine and Decongestant

Ginger helps to decongest cold and flu-like symptoms while relieving headaches and sore throats. 



7. Assists in Weight-loss


Ginger can act as a fat burner by maintaining satiety, and make you feel full for longer. 



8. Treats Heartburn 


Ginger inhibits acid reflux, helping to soothe the effects of heartburn, better than some medications. 



9. Improves Nutrient Absorption

Ginger helps to activate the enzymes in the body that assimilate essential nutrient absorption. 



10. Reduces Flatulence

Due to ginger’s ability aid in digestion, it also alleviates the symptoms of flatulence. 



Another fantastic thing about ginger, apart from benefiting our health, of course, is the flavor it brings to our foods. Whether it be sweet or savoury, there is always a great way and great reason to maintain ginger into our diets!

Wheatgrass is one of Natures purest of elixirs. As the name implies, it is part of the wheat family, however, it does not contain gluten. This is because wheatgrass has been sprouted and no longer carries gluten or other allergic agents. That means that it’s benefits can be enjoyed by celiacs and other gluten intolerance sufferers alike. 

Often consumed freshly cut and juiced for optimal absorption and instant energy, wheatgrass is an amazing source of Vitamin A & C, amino acids like glutathione and is also made up of 70% chlorophyll. It has the ability to increase your red blood cell count all while cleansing the blood and organs and relieve gastro issues. This little green wheat is an amazing purifier, with its benefits being able to be felt and seen internal as well through that natural glow that comes with a cleansed well functioning body. 

Here are 10 reasons why wheatgrass should become an essential part of your diet:

1. It’s A Superfood!

Oh, the ever-mighty Superfood. The natural world's answer to Superman. Instead of fighting crime however, they are fighting against other enemies trying to combat our bodies like harmful bacterias, cholesterol, weak immunity and under active thyroids.  Their size often seems small when compared to what their nutritional benefits are for your body and overall health but just like the underdog in any movie, they should never be underestimated. Wheatgrass, in particular, is powerhouse little sprout packed full of Vitamins A, B, C, & E as well as amino acids and is made up of a whopping 70% chlorophyll. 

2. Purifying Properties 

Wheatgrass has the amazing ability to help purify the body, removing toxins, heavy metals and cancer-causing agents from the liver and bloodstream. 

3. Gets ‘Things’ Moving

Wheatgrass enemas are considered one of the better forms of colonics, giving your body the ability to immediately absorb and retain all of the wonderful vitamins and nutrients it possesses. It has been used to relieve gastro-related issues because of its natural ability to promote healthy blood and purify the body.

4. It’ll Speed Up That Thyroid!

Wheatgrass stimulates the thyroid gland which helps boost your body’s metabolism and ability to lose weight. 

5. Lowers Cholesterol In High Fat Diets 

In a 2010 study, results showed that when wheatgrass was introduced to a high-fat diet, it had a significant reduction in bad cholesterol as well as a positive improvement in good cholesterol (HDL). It also dilates the blood pathways which reduces blood pressure. The study also showed a significant rise in the appearance of Vitamin C and glutathione. Glutathione is one of our bodies most powerful antioxidants and is concentrated mostly in the liver, making it an essential part of the body's natural detoxifying processes. 

6. Easy To Take! 

Taking a shot of ‘grass’ is not appealing for most, especially if this is your first go at testing out the benefits of wheatgrass. Luckily, it has become a widely used superfood and can be consumed through a variety of methods. Fresh, powdered or in capsule form; there is an easy and convenient method for everyone. However, it is proven that having wheatgrass freshly juiced within 15 minutes is the best way to receive all of its amazing benefits. 

7. It’s Benefits Are Still Being Discovered

 More and more research is being done into linking the benefits of wheatgrass and its ability to prevent certain types of cancer, as well as help, improve the wellbeing of cancer sufferers. Studies done on the benefits of chlorophyll derivatives have linked this nutrient to have beneficial effects in liver, colon, stomach and gastrointestinal cancer cases. Being that wheatgrass is made up of 70% chlorophyll, more studies are being done to better understand this superfood and the optimal form to consume it to help in these cases.

8. Build Up Your Immunity Against Cold & Flu 

With more Vitamin C than oranges and two times the amount of Vitamin A than carrots, adding wheatgrass into your diet during those bitter winter months will help as an extra fighter against the common cold, flu as well as preventing your body from contacting more serious threads of the same viruses such as bronchitis.  A 2oz shot packs all these benefits and is a natural alternative to getting a flu shot. Be sure not to overdo however it as some people have found that over-consumption of fresh wheatgrass has made them feel nauseous. 

9. A Natural Energizer 

Having a 2oz shot of wheatgrass before exercise or soon after any form of physical activity can help with your endurance whilst performance high energy level activities. This is because of  wheatgrasses ability to supply red blood cells to the whole body, which in turnoxygenates every cell and in turn, the body. This is what gives you a boost of energy and also helps fight against the environment around you such as smog.

10. It Can Help Purify the Air Around You!

Because of wheatgrasses ability to promote oxygenation within the body, it is also able to do so with the air around you. Place a tray of wheatgrass beside your bed to help promote a better night's sleep or have a tray at your desk to help purify that recycled office air, helping to keep you more alert.

All Hallows Eve is nearly upon us and you know what that means don’t you? Your streets will be filled with mini goblins, fairy princess and superheroes of all sorts! Your pillowcases and reusable shopping bags will be converted into carrying cases for your children’s Trick-or-Treating adventures and in turn, your house will be overflowing with refined sugars, packets of chips and a seemingly endless supply of mini chocolate bars in every variety. 

It’s the highlight of the year for anyone under the age of 15 (as well as some parents with an overactive sweet tooth) and is the day dreaded by parents who fear to deal with the sugar highs and the sugar lows of their offspring. It is, however, all in good fun and that’s exactly the attitude we should all be going into it with! There’s no need to be spooked out by sugary treats entering your home and fear, not the effects they may have on your mini monsters! Like all else in life, it’s all about moderation..and a tad bit of harmless conniving. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure everyone in your family has a happy and healthy Halloween!
 

1. Bribing Isn’t Always Such A Bad Thing…

It is becoming more and more popular for parents to offer up more sought after treats in exchange for that hard-earned candy. Maybe they’ve had their eye on the latest LEGO craze or perhaps a night out with some of their friends to the movies is what they’re really craving? Whatever you may feel is a more valuable experience worth swapping out for some of their, it could be well worth it if it means avoiding having your child binging on a sugar overload.
 

2. Fill Them Up, Buttercup!

I don’t mean to literally fill them up with buttercups, come now. Trick or Treating, however, is a big night out for our little monsters, minions & witches and in many parts of the country, it may mean accessorizing their princess costumes with a winter jacket or scarf and mitts! Another great way to send them out prepared for the night’s festivities is with a full belly! Feeding them a meal that’s both healthy and hearty will help to keep their bellies full for the night and help keep snacking to a minimum. This also means a more restful; sugar high free nights sleep for the both of you!
 

3. Limit their exposure!

In this day in age, it seems near impossible right? Well how about introducing a new tradition to your Halloween Night this year?! Head out Trick or Treating as usual, but why not limit it to an hour or to only half the neighborhood? The kids still get to dress up, join in on the festivities and you get to limit how much candy, chips, and chocolate is making its way back into the house. One way to lure them away from the doorbells and cauldrons full of goodies is to turn the second half of the evening into an event! Once they’ve collected their sweets, announce it’s time to return home for a movie night! Have some healthy yet festive snacks on hand for them and while they watch Hocus Pocus, you can go through their loot, sorting out the bad from…the not so bad sweets, letting them pick our their favorites as well to ensure they don’t feel like you’re taking away all their hard earned loot.
 

4. Be Choosy

For many children, Halloween is the event of the year, the day they look forward almost more than Christmas and that child-like excitement isn’t something we want to squash. However as parents, you’ve worked so hard to introduce a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle to your children and it’s understandable to not want all that hard work to go to waste for the sake of one nights candy haul. A trick to being able to keep an eye on what sort of sweets your sweeties will be eating is to divide them up into categories: chips, chocolate, candies and misc. Once you’ve sorted through the goods, discard the ones with the most food coloring, the unwrapped candies from the stranger down the road and any others you may not deem suitable for your child. Like anything else indulgent in life, sweets should be consumed in moderation so putting a limit as to how much they can have per day will help you keep their sugar highs in check. Lead by example as well by limiting how much you dip into the candy jar as well!
 

5. Be The Change You Wish To See In Your Neighborhood!

Instead of hopping on the High Fructose bandwagon, why not source out some healthier options to give out to your Trick- or – Treaters? Your local health food shops may have some sugar free alternatives, mini packs of trail mix or some bottles of water to keep them hydrated while they’re out taking over the town! Or maybe even go candy-less? Why not raid your local dollar store for some bulk temporary tattoos or sticker sets?!
 
Whatever you and your family do to practice a healthier Halloween, just remember that with anything new and shiny, most children’s interest will fade after a week or so and life and eating habits will be back to normal for everyone within a couple of weeks. Enjoying our indulgences in moderation is something we all practice and Halloween is no exception! Enjoy the mini treats and balance it out with some of our healthy breakfasts the morning after! Enjoy yourselves and have a Happy Halloween!!
 
 

Health professionals, yogis, and green eating enthusiasts alike have long hailed the humble avocado for being a superstar when it comes to benefiting your health. Its benefits read like a rap sheet of antioxidants, nutrient rich vitamins and minerals, all aiding in the overall health of your skin and body. Health and Natural Beauty Guru David ’Avocado’ Wolfe has even self-named himself after the ruggedly wrapped fruit. We’ve all heard through the grapevine that fat is back and that avocados are one of the good guys but do you really know why?

Read on to understand just how powerful this rough and sometimes misunderstood fruit really is. One can only say that its exterior is so rough so as to keep all of its luscious, mineral and vitamin rich benefits safely wrapped up just for you.

1. Say it with me, Fat is GOOD! Or should I say good fats are good. Let me explain...

Avocados alias as ‘Nature's Butter’ has turned it into a slightly misunderstood little fruit. Unlike vegetable fats (think canola), avocados are rich in monosaturated fats, which are great for heart health, and in aiding in the absorption of antioxidants. So contrary to fatty beliefs, this fat is a great one to have as part of a balanced diet, especially for those with high cholesterol or those looking to shed a couple pounds. 

2. Rich in Nutrients & Low in Sugar

These creamy little bundles are packed with protein, high in fiber (6-7grams per half fruit) and incredibly versatile! What does this mean for you? It means that swapping out that mayo, cheese or butter on your sandwich for just 1⁄2 an avocado will help fill you up for longer as well as give your brain and body the energy to power through your day. 

3. Don’t Forget The Seed!

Did you know that 70% of the antioxidants in an avocado are actually in its flesh and seed?! An often overlooked part of the fruit, the antioxidants in the seed play a large part in helping to prevent heart disease and aid in the lowering of cholesterol. The seed is also great to use if trying to naturally relieve constipation or help ease diarrhea because of how rich in fiber it is.
Now this is not to discredit all the amazing nutrients that are packed in the flesh but if you are looking to reach optimal health and full benefits of the avocado, here are a couple ways in which you can consume the seed and all of it’s added advantages.

• After slicing open your avocado, place the seed in a bag and hammer it down with a heavy object (olive oil bottle, rolling pin) When its broken down enough, sprinkle it in with your smoothie mix and blitz it all together. 
• If you have a heavy -duty juicer, you can pass it through it whole along will your choice of fruit and veggies.

4. Incredible Versatility

All right now, it’s time to let your culinary imagination run free! Avocados are for so much more than just your favorite guacamole recipe. With such a creamy texture and neutral taste, avocados are great to substitute into any baking recipe that calls for butter or shortening. It can be whipped up into a mousse or blitzed into a salad dressing or pasta sauce. No matter your tastes or dietary restrictions, there is a place for avocados in your meals. The new Food Matters Recipe Book has some great recipe ideas on how to incorporate this green super star on to your dinner table.

5. Dish Free Snacking!

If you avoid dirtying dishes like you avoid refined sugars then avocados are your new best friends! Keep it simple with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and some fresh cracked pepper. For Avo connoisseurs, work it into your breakfast by cracking an egg into the seedless side and baking it in the oven for a few minutes. Drizzle a little chili ginger chia jam over top for some added zing!

6. Baby Health

Avocados are a rich in potassium, B vitamins, fiber as well as antioxidants. They are also rich in folate, a nutrient that promotes healthy cell and tissue development, which is especially important in the development stages of pregnancy as well as infancy. Did you know that avocados also naturally boost libidos in both men and women? The Aztecs translation for an avocado tree is “ testicle tree”. So whether you’re trying or have already succeeded in getting pregnant, the benefits of avocados help you from start to finish.

7. Long- Term Health Benefits

It’s already been mentioned what a power-house of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins avocados are. One of the main antioxidants found in avocados, glutathione (say that 3 times fast) is a master at replenishing and recycling other antioxidants into the body, which helps to strengthen your immune system. Having a healthy immune system gives your body the strength and ability to fight off those cancer causing free radicals as well as a host of other microbes that can lead to serious illnesses. 

8. Avocados Love Everyone

No matter your lifestyle, there is a place for avocados in your well-balanced diet. Avocados are a great and readily available source of protein & monosaturated fats for vegans and vegetarians as well as helping to keep cholesterol levels in check for the lovers of meats and cheeses. Whether you’re raw, paleo or a free range carnivore, avocados have what your body needs.

9. Improve your Eye Health

Avocado contains 81mg of the antioxidants lutein & zeaxanthin, which specialize in protecting your eyes from stress damage, cataracts, and macular degeneration. So mix a bit of an avocado through your rice or toss it in a salad, your eyes will thank you for it! 

10. Radiant Skin & Hair

Incredibly nourishing for your skin and quickly absorbed, avocado gets into the inner sebum layers of the skin, giving moisture to dry skin quickly and also helping to lock in that moisture. Great for people with sensitive, dry as well as oily skin. When mixed with citrus juices, the balance between the acidity in the citrus and the nourishing effects of the avocado oil help to matte the outer layer of the skin while still giving the necessary vitamins and minerals to give you that glowing complexion we’re all chasing. It’s also a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals, a big benefit for both the skin and hair. Here's a natural face mask for you to try! 

No matter how you serve it, avocado is a fruit packed with potent health benefits! 

Coffee has a cult following worldwide, photos of lattes fill Instagram every Sunday morning, and coffee dates are the basis of most friendly catch-ups — but it is time to get real about the effect caffeine has on your health. 

Many clients sit down and tell me that they absolutely can not get out of the door in the morning unless they have had a coffee, or that there is no way that they can stay awake in their mid-morning meeting unless they have had their daily triple shot. Then there are others that tell me they don't drink any coffee but have two diet energy drinks and a bar of dark chocolate each day, they tell me that because it’s a diet drink or dark chocolate it must be healthy, right? 

Wrong. 

Too many people are surviving on caffeine, rather than thriving with out it. Caffeine is a stimulant, it is found in coffee, energy drinks, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, it is the most commonly used drug in the world. One of the main concerns of consuming coffee regularly is the effect it has on sleep. Caffeine binds to the adenosine receptors in the brain, this prevents adenosine from causing the chemical cascade that tells the brain to initiate sleep or rest. It takes the body 5-6 hours to process caffeine and excrete it from the body; however, trans-fats, the contraceptive pill, medication, and poor liver healthy can increase this clearance time — extending the time caffeine circulates int he blood stream for.

When caffeine is present in the blood stream it is nearly impossible for the brain to produce melatonin - our sleep hormone. The consumption of caffeinated products is one of the main reasons people struggle to fall asleep early enough to get enough sleep before they have to wake up again. If a person is having a morning coffee, a mid-afternoon coffee, and then some dark chocolate after dinner, they are topping up the caffeine in their body every few hours — this means that come bed time their blood caffeine level will still be too high, making sleep difficult. 

Try removing caffeine for 4 weeks and notice the difference it makes to your ability to fall asleep and quality of sleep, it may surprise you. The blocking of adenosine receptors in the brain also causes the brain to become ‘excited’. This results in a jittery, anxious feeling in people. Some people experience a feeling of not being able to get their breath past their 
heart. For a lot of people simply removing caffeine resolves this problem. 

Caffeine also causes the release of adrenaline, which is our ‘fight or flight’ hormone, it is produced when the body believes we are in danger. Adrenaline causes glucose to be released from the muscles and into the bloodstream, which triggers the production of insulin — one of our main fat storage hormones. Frequent caffeine induced insulin  production is a concern for anyone who has weight and/or blood sugar control issues. 

Caffeine also triggers the release of  cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, it is labeled the ‘stress hormone.’ Cortisol levels naturally increases at different times of the day, for example — in the morning levels increase to help us wake up. Cortisol also increases when the body is under stress or experiencing a stressful event. This is a protective mechanism by he body to help it handle the stress. However, caffeine and our busy lifestyles increase cortisol levels unnaturally. Long-term elevated stress levels can lead to weight gain, diabetes, digestive issues, and poor immune function. If cortisol is high for too long it can eventually lead to adrenal fatigue, or what is known as ‘burnout’.

If you are struggling to function without having a coffee this is a sign that your adrenal glands might not be producing enough cortisol themselves, so removing stimulants from your diet and looking into getting some help from a qualified practitioner would be advised. 

Caffeine needs to be detoxified by the liver, however, the liver is also busy detoxifying many other substances. Caffeine, trans fats, alcohol, nicotine, food additives, and pesticides all need to be processed by the liver and are often prioritised over the hormones and cholesterol that the liver also needs to detoxify. When this happens unhealthy levels of hormones or cholesterol can build up in the blood. An overloaded liver almost always plays a part in high cholesterol levels and sex hormone-related problems such as; hormonal acne, painful periods, PMS, and polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Caffeine also reduces the absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and some B vitamins. While this isn't a big problem if you only consume caffeine every so often, it is a problem if you have a daily coffee habit. Iron deficiency affects energy levels and healing while long-term calcium and potassium malabsorption leads to thinning and easily fractured bones. Low magnesium is responsible for poor muscle function and recovery — often you will notice cramps if this is a problem. If you consume caffeine make sure to take any supplements and hour away from the caffeine. 

If you are suffering from hormonal issues, poor sleep, anxiety or fatigue it is time to consider the amount of caffeine in your diet. Try removing caffeine for 4 weeks and see how this makes a difference to your health. Coffee and black tea can be replaced with herbal tea, green juice, or water flavoured with mint, berries or cinnamon, and ensure that cacao or chocolate is consumed early in the day in small amounts.

Do You Think You Are Feeling Over-Caffineted? 

Man-kind... We have become amazing food scientist, creating products that 100 years ago we would have never dreamed about. But have we taken it too far by messing with Mother Nature and joining together ingredients, chemical cocktails and additives that are not made for our bodies.

Have you ever been mind blown by your lunch, shocked by your smoothie or bewildered by your paleo snack bar? No, us neither, but you're about to be shocked by these food facts we have discovered. 

Warning: May cause you to make healthier choices. 

1. Pringles once had a lawsuit, trying to prove they WEREN’T really potato chips. Wait what? That’s right. Even though the labelling clearly states ‘potato crisps’ - Procter and Gamble tried to argue that Pringles were not really made out of potato (rather a cocktail of chemicals) to try an be exempt from taxes. It worked for a while, until they finally got stung with $160 million in taxes to be paid. 

2. The tea bag was invented by accident in New York by tea merchant Thomas Sullivan who used to send tea samples in small silk bags. Confused by what to do with the tiny bags, the customers used to just dunk them straight into their cup of hot water. 

Did We Blow Your Mind? What Other Food Facts Could You Add To The List? 

Coconut oil is used extensively in tropical countries especially India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines etc., which have a good production of coconut oil. At one time, the oil was also popular in western countries like the United States and Canada, but there was a strong propaganda campaign in the 1970s spread by the corn oil and soy oil industry against coconut oil. Coconut oil was considered harmful for the human body due to its high saturated fat content until the last decade (2000s) when people began to question the claims of the propaganda. Let’s look into some more details of how coconut oil works in our body.

Composition of Coconut Oil

More than 90% of coconut oil consists of saturated fats (Don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it sounds, read to the end of this review and your opinion may change), along with traces of a few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Virgin coconut oil is no different from this.

Saturated fatty acids: Most of them are medium chain triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well in the body’s systems.

• Lauric acid is the chief contributor, representing more than 40% of the total, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin. Lauric acid is helpful in dealing with viruses and diseases.
• Capric acid reacts with certain enzymes secreted by other bacteria, which subsequently convert it into a powerful antimicrobial agent, monocaprin.
• Caprylic acid, caproic acid and myristic acid are rich in antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Unsaturated fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids- linoleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids- Oleic acid

Poly-phenols: Coconut contains Gallic acid, which is also known as phenolic acid. These polyphenols are responsible for the fragrance and the taste of coconut oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these polyphenols.

Derivatives of fatty acid: Betaines, ethanolamide, ethoxylates, fatty esters, fatty polysorbates, monoglycerides and polyol esters.

Derivatives of fatty alcohols: Fatty chlorides, fatty alcohol sulphate and fatty alcohol ether sulphate

Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin E, vitamin K and minerals such as iron.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

There are various health benefits of coconut oil. Although its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system. The Coconut Research Center has compiled a list of potential benefits of coconut oil in both traditional and modern medicine.

Skin care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil that acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. Unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin from the application of coconut oil. Therefore, it is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin, which normally accompany aging.

Coconut oil helps in preventing degenerative diseases premature aging due to its well-known antioxidant properties. It also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. For that exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of various body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care.

Hair care: Coconut oil helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality. It is also highly effective in reducing protein loss, which can lead to various unattractive or unhealthy qualities in your hair. Coconut is used as hair care oil and is used in manufacturing various conditioners and dandruff relief creams. It is normally applied topically for hair care.

Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps the re-growth process of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair. Research studies indicate that coconut oil provides better protection to hair from damage caused by hygral fatigue.

By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil, you can ensure that your scalp is free of dandruff, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice and lice eggs.

Heart diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, it is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis. Studysuggests that intake of coconut oil may help to maintain healthy lipid profiles in pre-menopausal women.

Weight loss: Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. Research suggests that coconut oil helps to reduce abdominal obesity in women. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Further, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who use coconut oil every day as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Immunity: Coconut oil strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. Coconut oil helps in fighting harmful bacteria like listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Digestion: Internal functions of coconut oil occur primarily due to it being used as cooking oil. It helps to improve the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion-related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can cause indigestion. It also helps in the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Candida: Candida, also known as Systemic Candidiasis, is a tragic disease caused from excessive and uncontrolled growth of yeast called Candida Albicans in the stomach. Coconut provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off. Capric acid, Caprylic acid, caproic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid found in coconut oil help in eliminating Candida albicans.

Further, unlike other pharmaceutical treatments for candida, the effects of coconut oil is gradual and not drastic or sudden, which gives the patient an appropriate amount of time to get used to the withdrawal symptoms or Herxheimer Reactions (the name given to the symptoms accompanying body’s rejection of toxins generated during elimination of these fungi). But, in the treatment of this condition, people should systematically and gradually increase their dosages of coconut oil and shouldn’t initially start with a large quantity.

Healing and Infections: When applied to infected areas, coconut oil forms a chemical layer that protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Coconut oil is highly effective on bruises because it speeds up the healing process of damaged tissues.

According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills the viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, and other serious health risks. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhoea. Finally, coconut oil is also effective in the elimination of fungi and yeast that cause ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, and diaper rash.

Other Benefits

Coconut oil is strongly recommended for a number of other benefits that are explained below. Using coconut oils has been shown to mildly help the following:

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases because those substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing the work load of the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: It helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps to dissolve kidney stones.

Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.

Stress relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying it to the head, followed by a gentle massage, helps to eliminate mental fatigue. According to research virgin coconut oil gives relief from stress and has antioxidant properties.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also promotes the effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium, which are necessary for the development of bones. Thus, it is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental care: Calcium is an important component of our teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption ofcalcium by the body, it helps in developing strong teeth. It also stops tooth decay. Recent research suggests that coconut oil is beneficial in reducing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis.

HIV and cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing a person’s viral susceptibility for HIV and cancer patients. Preliminary research has shown an indication of this effect of coconut oil on reducing the viral load of HIV patients.

Coconut oil is often used by athletes, body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that it contains less calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy, and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps boost energy and endurance, and generally enhances the performance of athletes.

Coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease: The research conducted by Dr. Newport states that coconut oil is useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Apart from this there is no scientific evidence or traditional knowledge of coconut oil being used for treating Alzheimer’s. In fact, it is not traditionally thought that coconut oil helps in boosting the function of the brain in any form.

Coconut oil as Carrier Oil

Carrier oils are those oils, which easily penetrate or absorb into the skin and thus facilitate seepage or absorption of other oils (such as essential oils) and herbal extracts through the skin when mixed into it. Coconut oil is easily absorbed through the skin’s pores and thus is used as carrier oil. Furthermore, being one of the most stable oils, it doesn’t go rancid, nor does it let the other oils, herbal extracts, or medicines spoil inside of it. Coconut oil does not alter the properties of the oils and herbs mixed within it. It also protects the herbs and oils from microbial or fungal interactions. Coconut oil is expensive in several countries; however, in tropical countries its cost is low enough to make it affordable as carrier oil.

Varieties of Coconut Oil

There are primarily 6 varieties of coconut oil that you will find on the market.

Pure Coconut Oil: It is extracted from dried coconut kernels, which are also called copra. It is crude, unrefined and without any additives. It is mainly extracted by compression of copra in a mill, either driven by bullocks or by power. However, the variety extracted by bullock driven oil mills is preferred. Pure coconut oil has multiple uses such as edible oil, massaging oil, hair oil, cosmetic usage, as well as medicinal and industrial use.

Refined Coconut Oil: This is sometimes also called the RBD coconut oil, which is an abbreviated form for refined, bleached & deodorized coconut oil. As the name suggests, this type is obtained by mechanically and chemically refining, bleaching and deodorizing the crude oil, to make it thin, colorless, odorless and without any type of particle (such as proteins) suspended in it. What we then get is only pure saturated fats.

Virgin Coconut Oil: It is derived from the milk obtained from fresh coconut meat, and not from copra, by processes like fermentation, centrifugal separation and enzyme action. Care is taken to use no or as little heat as possible in the extraction of this oil. Produced in this way, the oil tastes and smells the best and is laden with antioxidants and medium chain fatty acids. It also has remarkable anti-microbial properties. This is one of the most respected and trusted varieties of coconut oil.

Organic Coconut Oil: This oil is extracted from coconuts obtained from coconut palms raised only on organic manure and no synthetic fertilizers or insecticides. The production of organic coconut oil is also completed without involving any chemical in its extraction or processing. Organic coconut oil forms an integral part of a number of organic cosmetic products such as organic soaps, organic skin creams and lotions. Some of the organic programs and authorities that certify organic coconut oil include Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), USDA National Organic Program (NOP), European Organic Regulations (EU 2092/91), Export Certificates for Japan (JAS Equivalent) and Indian National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil: This type of oil is basically the virgin oil produced from the organic coconuts, in an organic way. This is perhaps the best and purest form of coconut oil one can imagine, but it is rare.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: Among all the varieties of coconut oil, this is the most challenged and controversial variety, as its very existence is doubtful and the name hardly makes any sense. Furthermore, there are no set standards for virginity of coconut oil. Moreover, reputed firms and governmental bodies are hesitant to say anything on the matter, and are not selling it. Basically, further research is definitely required.

Coconut oil extraction

Cold pressing is one of the preferred methods for the extraction of coconut oil. The quality of the oil depends a lot on the method of its extraction. Basically, there are two main methods of extraction of oil from coconuts. The first is cold pressing of copra (dried coconut kernels) and the second is boiling of fresh coconut milk. Since boiling or heating destroys many nutrients and valuable components, coconut oil obtained this way is not considered as good as that obtained by cold pressing, since cold pressing retains much of oil’s goodness. Machine pressing and bullock/manual pressing are two methods of cold pressing.

Machine pressing: Cold pressing is done with the help of an electrically or diesel engine driven oil mill. Most of cold pressed oil used in the world is obtained this way.

Bullock/manual pressing: The oil obtained this way has a better taste and fragrance and is more expensive. Since the production is smaller, it consumes more time and energy, and wastage is higher.

Buying Coconut Oil

First of all, you need to decide why you need coconut oil and where you are going to use it. Your choice should be based on your need, like whether you want it for edible purposes or as a carrier oil to be used in aromatherapy, for massaging, for weight loss, or for medicinal purposes. Below is a list of such purposes and the type of coconut oil to buy.

Purpose————–Preferable Type to Buy

Cooking—————-Refined

Weight Loss———–Virgin

As a Carrier Oil——-Virgin, Fractionated

Good Health———-Virgin, Organic

Massaging————-Pure, Refined

Hair——————–Pure, Refined

Medicinal uses——–Virgin, Virgin Organic

Furthermore, before you buy coconut oil, you should keep in mind that for edible and therapeutic uses, refined coconut oil is the best as it is hygienic and clean. Unrefined oil is good for external applications like hair care and skin care.

How to use and store coconut oil?

Unlike most other oils, coconut oil has a high melting point – about 24 to 25 degrees Celsius or 76-78 Fahrenheit. Therefore it is solid at room temperature and melts only when the temperature rises considerably. Coconut oil is often in this form, and obviously, don’t keep it in your refrigerator.

If you are using coconut oil for topical purposes, especially hair care, just melt the oil (if it is solid) by keeping the bottle in the sun or soaking it in warm water. You can also take some oil out and put it in a small bowl and heat the bowl over a flame (don’t use a microwave). Then, take the oil on your palm and apply it to your hair. If you want to use it for internal consumption, simply replace butter or vegetable oils with coconut oil in your recipes. Remember, you don’t need to completely switch to coconut oil, because then you will lose the other benefits of more traditional oils and dairy products.

In colder countries, coconut oil comes in good, broad containers. However, if you get it in a pack (tetra-pack or plastic pouch), after opening the pack, be sure to keep the oil in containers with tight lid and broad mouth so that you can scoop it out with a spoon if it solidifies. Keeping it sealed or lidded is necessary because there are other admirers of coconut oil (ants, cockroaches, other insects and rodents just love it!).

I don’t like the taste of coconut oil. What should I do?: Try using it in a variety of different recipes. However, if you get nauseated after eating coconut oil, don’t force yourself to eat it. As can happen with any food item, your body may be allergic to coconut oil and it is best not to consume it.

Where to buy from?: Pure and refined coconut oils are easily available in most grocery stores, especially in tropical countries. For other varieties, you may need to search in larger department stores or drug stores. In countries which do not produce coconut oil, like the US, Canada, and most of Europe, you will need to visit big grocers or grocery stores in localities which have higher populations of people from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and coastal Africa. Obviously, you can order it online as well and have it delivered wherever you live.

Which brand to buy?: When you are buying coconut oil in packs, go for the reliable and reputable brands. Read the contents carefully and check the manufacturing date (although it has a long shelf life, fresher is still better).

How much to pay?: The price of coconut oil depends on many factors such as its availability (cheaper where it is produced and more costly in other places, and it is even more expensive when ordered via phone, Internet etc.). The price is also affected by demand, variety (the refined one costs the least, followed by the fractionated, the virgin, the organic and the organic virgin coconut oils), brand, and quantity (buying in bulk costs a little less).

How much to buy? Buy only as much you can consume in few months, because despite the fact that coconut oil does not go rancid for a long time, it is not wise to store it unnecessarily. You will get better results with fresh coconut oil.

Hope this will be of some help to you. Got any suggestions? Your comments are welcome! You may also share this information with your friends. Thanks!

Eye Health

One of the most important and fragile parts of our existence rests squarely in the middle of our face – the eyes! Not only do the vast majority of people rely on their eyes as their primary sense, but the eyes themselves are far more vulnerable to damage than other sense organs. The human eye is one of the most complex evolutionary advancements of our species, but it is far less protected than the eyes of other creatures. Composed of the cornea and the sclera, connected by the limbus, these tissues are directly exposed to the elements whenever our eyes are open, and even small injuries to the eye can cause irreparable damage and permanent alteration of your vision.

Despite knowing all of that, people are careless with their eyes, assuming that an occasional check-up or a new prescription is all they need to protect this vital sense. Furthermore, the eye can easily become infected by outside pathogens, due to its exposed nature, so you must be vigilant in washing your hands and ensuring that your eyes don’t come in contact with foreign materials. Finally, to cap everything off, the eye naturally degrades over time, like most of our other organs, resulting in cataracts and macular degeneration, among other symptoms that make vision a struggle. Fortunately, by following proper behavioral guidelines and shaping your diet properly, you can protect your eyes every day! Now, let’s take a closer look at these 15 tips for healthy eyes.

15 Tips for Healthy Eyes

1. Quit Smoking – There are many ways that smoking can endanger your health, and one of the major effects is on the human eye! The increased levels of carcinogens in the bodies of smokers contributes to greater cell breakdown and increased risk of free radicals and cancerous cells. Furthermore, studies have linked smoking to a higher prevalence of macular degeneration and uveitis.
2. Change Your Contact Case – If you have glasses or contacts, ensure that you keep them clean! regularly change the solution in your contact case, wipe down your glasses, and change contacts as directed. These are places that are ideal for the development of bacteria or other foreign substances you don’t want to put into your eye! Also, keep your hands clean whenever putting in and taking our your lenses.
3. Exercise More – Although the direct correlation hasn’t been explained, studies have shown that regular exercise can prevent the development of macular degeneration. The renewal of energy and the general metabolic boost of exercise can flood the body with beneficial hormones and increase healing and repair, even in the eyes!
4. Oranges – Oranges and orange juice are quoted as being the ultimate source of vitamin C, and while you can get this vitamin in plenty of other places, oranges might be the easiest to access. Along with boosting the immune system, the ascorbic acid in oranges also functions as an antioxidant and protects vision from cataracts and macular degeneration.
5. See An Eye Doctor Regularly – The best way to ensure eye health is to speak directly to a vision specialist. You should regularly get your eyes checked to ensure that your vision is not diminishing, that your prescription is still accurate, and that your eyes are generally healthy. There are many treatments and approached to improve eye health, but you won’t know until you visit a professional!
6. Oysters – People think of oysters as aphrodisiacs, but they do far more than that! Oysters are a rich source of zinc, which our eyes require to strengthen vision, particularly at night. That mineral also slows down the development of cataracts. Red meat, poultry, and milk are other sources of this important mineral, but oysters have a particularly high concentration.
7. Take a Break from the Computer – In our modern world, we spend a lot of time in front of screens – from smartphones and tablets to computers and televisions – but we must be careful about how our eyes are being affected. Continuous screen time can cause us to blink far less frequently, but blinking is how our eyes stay moist and protected from outside irritants. Therefore, tear your eyes away from the screen and blink a bit… your eyes will thank you!
8. Kale – Green leafy vegetables are excellent ways to protect eye health. Kale is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that can prevent age-related macular degeneration and slow the development of cataracts.
9. Carrots – One of the nutrients commonly connected to eye health and vision improvement is beta carotene, and as the name slightly implies, a great source of this nutrient is… carrots! If you add these crunchy vegetables to your diet, you’ll be booting your antioxidant content with carotenoids. These powerful compounds neutralize free radicals and protects the eye from macular degeneration and many other vision-related issues.
10. Have Saline on Hand – Our natural reaction when something gets in our eye is to rub and wipe at the affected eye until we tear up and hopefully flush the foreign substance out. Unfortunately, this can damage the cornea and impair vision. A better solution is to have saline drops on hand, and to use them when we feel something foreign in the eye, when the eye is dry, or when we are feeling eye strain. This is a more effective and less aggressive way to treat a problem with the eye.
11. Fish – It’s a common misconception that all fatty acids are bad for the body; in fact, some types of fatty acids are considered “good cholesterol” and are needed by the body to function properly. When it comes to the eyes, fatty acids improve retinal function, reduce dryness in the eyes, and is important for initial development of vision function. Oily fish like salmon and tuna are packed with beneficial fatty acids, and you can also get these benefits from fish oil supplements.
12. Avoid UV Radiation – Excessive UV radiation can do direct damage to the mechanisms of the eyes, namely the rods and cones. By wearing sunglasses (with UV protection) when you’re outside, you will reduce the strain on your eyes, protect them from UV damage, and also lower your chances of headaches and stress.
13. Nuts – Vitamin E is an important weapon in the fight against macular degeneration and cataracts, so adding foods that are packed with this essential vitamin is wise. Nuts and seeds are great sources of vitamin E, particularly peanut butter, wheat germ, and hazelnuts. Who says protecting your eyes can’t also be delicious?
14. Eggs – Beta carotene often gets the attention when discussing vision health, particularly in relation to chomping on carrots, but there are other important organic compounds that factor into eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin, for example, both of which are found in eggs, also play an important antioxidant role in the eyes, protecting against macular degeneration and cataract development.
15. Be Aware When Traveling – Any change from our typical environment can affect our health and comfort levels. When traveling, for instance, different humidities, allergens, sunlight levels, and activities can put your eyes at risk. Even flying in an airplane with recycled, dry air can affect your eyes. Always be sure to take your eyes into consideration when you travel – pack those eye drops, sunglasses, and any other eye accessory that you may need!

Red Clover

Bearing the scientific name Trifolium pratense, red clover is a small, short-lived perennial herbaceous plant that flowers in across Europe and western Asia, as well as some parts of Africa. The flowers are small and pinkish-purple, and due to their rapid growth rate and high nutritional value, they are often used as fodder for animals. However, it has been traditionally been used in parts of Europe and Asia for the treatment of many health conditions. It has typically been consumed in the form of a tea, and has grown in popularity in recent years once the many health benefits connected to the herb were discovered.

Between the phytoesterols, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds found in the leaves and flowers, a very powerful extract can be prepared from red clover. Medicinal amounts of red clover are considered safe, but it is important not to consume too much, as it can be toxic. You can use the dried leaves to brew a delicious, sweet tea, and can have a number of powerful effects on the body. The raw greens of the plant can also be consumed, and are packed with nutritious elements. However you choose to consume red clover, it can affect many parts of the body. Speaking of, let’s take a closer look at the many health benefits of red clover.

Health Benefits of Red Clover

Hypertension: Some of the unique properties of red clover include its ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body, particularly in the cardiovascular system. Studies have linked the use of red clover tea to a significant reduction in the tension of arteries and blood vessels, therefore reducing blood pressure. This can help to prevent coronary heart disease and a variety of other cardiovascular conditions.

Immune System: If you consume the greens of red clover, you are much more likely to get a high dose of vitamin C than if you consume the tea. Vitamin C is a powerful immune system booster, and can help to stimulate the production of white blood cells. Furthermore, if you consume the leaves in the form of tea, then you can get a healthy dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, which cause degenerative diseases and cell mutation. The overall immune boost of red clover includes preventing infections, both viral and bacterial.

Menstruation and Menopause: The hormonal impacts of red clover are significant, particularly for women. The isoflavones found in red clover mimic estrogen, so for those women who may struggle tomaintain estrogen levels, red clover can help to balance their hormonal shifts and prevent mood swings, as well as reduce breast pain. This applies for women undergoing PMS as well as menopause, as both of these times can cause dangerous or unpredictable fluctuations in hormone levels.

Cancer Prevention: Red clover is not only useful for women, however, and in terms of cancer prevention, it is extremely important for men. Prostate cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer for men, and some of the compounds found in red clover can block certain enzymes that could cause prostate growth. Although some forms of prostate enlargement are benign, a reduction in prostate size is always a good things for long-term male health.

Cholesterol-Lowering Properties: If you struggle to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, you significantly increase your chances of heart attacks and strokes as a result of atherosclerosis. Therefore, anything that canlower cholesterol levels is valuable, and research has shown that LDL cholesterol levels can be reduced by adding red clover. Furthermore, coumarins found in red clover have been shown to keep blood flowing smoothly and stimulating healthy circulation, further preventing high blood pressure and cardiovascular distress.

Detoxify the Body: If you want to find a quick way to detoxify your body and clear your system of excess toxins and salts, nothing works better than a diuretic. Red clover has been connected to increasing urination, thereby helping release excess water, toxins, and even fat from the body.

A Final Word of Warning: Although the majority of reports concerning red clover are positive, some people do experience certain side effects, including nausea, muscle aches, headaches, and heavy periods in some women. Also, if you are being medicated for any hormone-related or cancer conditions, be sure to speak with a medical professional before adding red clover to your health regimen.

Calendula

You may not recognize the name calendula, but perhaps you have heard of marigolds, which is the broad classification of the flowering plants found within this genus. Calendula officianalis is the most common species within the genus, but all possess certain compounds and substances that make them a valuable part of herbal health in certain parts of the world. You may hear the name marigold in reference to a different genus, but Calendula specifically refers to 15-20 different species of pot marigold found throughout Western Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of southern Asia.

In terms of the parts of these small, yellow-flowered plants that are consumed, the petals are edible and have traditionally been used in soups and stews and salads, while a powerful chemical extract can be removed from the stems and leaves of calendula plants. This extract is rich in a variety of organic compounds, including glycosides, saponins, and other powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Now, let’s take a closer peek at the diverse health benefits of calendula.

Health Benefits of Calendula

Healing Properties: One of the best reasons to keep calendula handy is due to its healing abilities. If you apply calendula flower oil to your cuts, scrapes, bruises, and insect bites, you can quickly speed the healing process, partially due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil, in addition to the unique antioxidant compounds found in this miraculous plant. By protecting against infections, calendula oil keeps wounds and scrapes safe, allowing them to rapidly heal.

Oral Health: There are also certain antibacterial properties of calendula that have made it very popular in recent years. You will often find calendula on the ingredients list of various herbal health and hygiene products, including toothpastes, mouthwashes, soaps, and shampoos. In terms of oral health, toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain calendula are very effective in killing bacteria that cause everything from gingivitis to cavities.

Improve the Appearance of Skin: Aside from stimulating healing, calendula oil can significantly boost the appearance of your skin. It can affect blood flow to the skin cells, provide antioxidant protection that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and ages spots, and even the visibility of scars. If you want smooth, even-toned skin that glows with youthful vitality, consider adding some organic products that contain calendula or consume calendula in another form, such as tea.

Vision Health: Research has shown that calendula contains certain antioxidant compounds that directly impact your vision. Beta-carotene is essential for the health and functioning of your eyes, and calendula is a wonderful source of this compound. You can prevent macular degeneration and the development of cataracts in this way.

Inflammation: Regardless of where you inflammation is occurring, calendula can significantly reduce the discomfort. If you are suffering from a cough or congestion, calendula tea can be a wonderful remedy. If your joints are hurting from arthritis or gout, add some calendula oil to a skin balm and enjoy a rapid reduction in pain. Finally, if your stomach is upset, calendula can help normalize your gastrointestinal system and eliminate any inflammation that may be causing discomfort.

Cancer Prevention: Calendula oil has certain anti-tumor properties that make it very valuable in new cancer research exploring natural solutions to this global epidemic. Cancer remains one of the great mysteries of our species in terms of collective health, and compounds like those found in calendula offer an interesting new angle on this critical issue. It certainly can’t hurt to try!

Cramping: There are also some anti-spasmodic properties of calendula that are also taken advantage of by many people. If you suffer from a nervous system disorder, have painful cramping in relation to menstruation, or some other type of spasmodic condition, adding calendula to your diet may be a wise choice.

A Final Word of Warning: Some people have shown allergic reactions to the use of calendula oil, particularly in high doses and concentrations. However, if you consult a trained herbalist or medical professional before adding calendula to your health regiment, you should be able to avoid any major side effects.

Willow Bark

Willow bark, as the name implies, is the bark of a willow tree, and is most commonly derived from the bark of the white willow tree, which has the scientific name Salix alba. This tree is native to Europe and Central Asia, and has been in use as a medicinal element for nearly 5,000 years. The benefits of willow bark are numerous, and well studied, which is why it remains such a popular and trusted alternative medicine for a variety of afflictions. White willow trees have an inner and outer bark, which have different concentrations of compounds, making them better for certain ailments. For this reason, always trust a trained herbalist or alternative medical practitioner for willow bark supplements or powder.

Willow trees are a very hardy and successful species in most of its growth regions, and while the demand is high for willow bark, the small amount required hasn’t resulted in any dangerous overharvesting. You can consume willow bark in the form of a tea by steeping chopped bark, but not the powdered form. You can also take capsules of willow bark, as well as topical tinctures and decoctions. The high concentration of unique chemicals, such as various tannins and salicin, have a strong impact on the body and result in significant health benefits if prepared and administered properly. Now, let’s take a closer look at the many impressive health benefits of willow bark.

Health Benefits of Willow Bark

Pain Relief: Due to its rich blend of antioxidants and organic compounds, willow bark functions as a verysuccessful analgesic. For thousands of years, willow bark has been traditionally used to relieve pain from injuries and illness, with great success. In fact, more than 2,500 years ago, the earliest recorded use of an herb was of willow bark, in Chinese traditional medicine. Although willow bark was mentioned in older texts dating back to the Egyptians, this was the first documented use of willow bark – for pain relief!

Anti-Inflammatory: Inflammation takes on many different forms within our body. If you are looking to eliminate the inflammation in your respiratory tracts, gastrointestinal system, or joints, then willow bark can quickly soothe your symptoms. If you prepare a decoction or a tea of willow bark, you will feel the inflammation and topical pain from arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, gout, and other conditions disappear.

Fever Reducer: One of the most important anti-inflammatory properties of willow bark is in the reduction of fevers. Fevers are a symptom of an infection in the body, but reducing a fever or “breaking” it is important to speed up the healing process and get the organ systems working normally again. Willow bark has been used to treat fevers for thousands of years.

Menstrual Discomfort: For many women who suffer from abnormally heavy periods or severe menstrual symptoms, taking a small glass of willow bark can do wonders for everything from period pains and cramping to mood swings and unnecessary stress hormones in the body. Its relaxing characteristics are particularly good in these circumstances, as they can help to re-balance hormones in a woman’s body.

Settle the Stomach: The high content of tannins can help soothe the stomach and prevent gastrointestinal distress during other illnesses or periods of a weakened immune system. While willow bark can be slow-acting, its effects can be long-lasting, making it an effective herbal remedy to occasionally add to your health regiment, but it should not be consumed daily unless advised by a doctor or trained herbalist.

Weight Loss Efforts: Many people turn to willow bark to enhance their weight loss efforts, namely because the herb combines so well with other fat-burning and metabolism-boosting substances. It can intensify the effects of these herbs in a healthy way, thereby increasing their efficacy and improving your results even further.

Skin Health: The appearance of the skin is very important for many people, and the high content of antioxidant compounds found in willow bark can have a major impact on the health of the skin. Whether applied topically or consumed, willow bark can increase blood flow to the skin due to its antioxidants, while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age marks. Furthermore, it can eliminate inflammation in the skin and ease the pain of insect bites and irritation.

Migraines: If you suffer from chronic headaches and migraines, you might be able to benefit significantly from the pain-relieving qualities of willow bark. It can help eliminate migraines by lowering the blood pressure in the small capillaries and blood vessels in the head, easing pressure and relieving those painful, debilitating symptoms. It can also be used as a preventative method for regular headaches.

A Final Word of Warning: There is no need to take willow bark on a regular basis, as high doses can greatly increase your chances of experiencing side effects. Furthermore, you should only add willow bark to your health regiment after speaking with your physician. Some of the side effects of willow bark include upset stomachs, itchiness and rashes, particularly with people who are allergic to other analgesics, such as aspirin. If you have blood or kidney disorders, be particularly careful before using willow bark, as it can exacerbate these conditions if not administered properly.

Lovage

Lovage may be the only member of the Levisticum genus, but this leafy perennial plant is extremely valuable in cultures around the world. There is even a bit of mystery involved in this plant, which has the scientific nameLevisticum officinale, as scholars and botanists still debate hotly over its origins, between the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. It has long been used in Europe and is highly sought after for its leaves, roots, and seeds.

Depending on the intended use, various parts of lovage can be used in salads, soups and broths, as a spice, or even as a flavoring ingredient in beverages and alcohol. Thehigh concentration of coumarins, limonene, camphor, and eugenols contribute to the impressive health benefits associated with this herb, and while it is not widely used around the world, it is particularly favored in Europe and Asia. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of lovage.

Health Benefits of Lovage

Anti-allergenic: many of the health benefits of lovage relate to its anti-inflammatory and soothing nature, and the same is true for soothing the effects of allergens. Furthermore, lovage contains significant amounts of quercetin, which is a natural inhibitor of histamines. This will reduce the allergic response of your body, eliminating itchy eyes, runny noses, and other more serious allergic reactions.

Good for the Skin: The soothing properties of lovage also extend to the skin. When the leaves are applied directly to the skin, or a salve is made, it can be very effective for reducing the symptoms of psoriasis and acne, leading to smoother, better-looking skin. The antioxidants found in lovage can also help to prevent wrinkles in some cases and increase blood flow to the surface of the skin, improving tone and appearance.

Respiration Booster: If you are suffering from a respiratory ailment, lovage can act as an expectorant to clear out excess phlegm and mucus in your tracts. Furthermore, eucalyptol, one of the primary soothing agents found in lovage, can reduce irritation and inflammation in the lungs, promoting more rapid healing.

Antibacterial Effects: Studies have shown that lovage has a significant effect on various microbes and foreign agents that can cause illness within the body. Although research is still ongoing, studies have found positive associations between lovage intake and a reduction in E. coli, Salmonella, and other dangerous infections.

Digestive Processes: The anti-inflammatory nature of lovage makes it ideal for soothing upset stomachs and returning your gastrointestinal system to a neutral state. It can help to reduce bloating and excess gas by reducing irritation in your bowels and promoting healthy, normal movement in your colon.

Menstrual Relief: When taken at the beginning of a menstrual period, lovage can act to soothe many of the most severe side effects of menstruation, including cramps and bloating. There is also high nutrient density in lovage, making it effective in keeping your energy and mood high during that more stressful part of the month.

Arthritis Relief: The natural anti-inflammatory nature of lovage makes it the perfect remedy for those suffering from conditions like gout, arthritis, and hemorrhoids. If you suffer from painful inflammation anywhere in your body, consume some lovage leaves or add some lovage herb to your next dish – you might be surprised at the relief!

Kidney Health: Although the exact mechanism isn’t completely understood, lovage has been linked to improving kidney health. Lovage acts as a strange type of diuretic, known as an aquaretic, which stimulates urination, but doesn’t lead to a loss of electrolytes. This is a much healthier form of urination if you are trying to detoxify your body without risk of dehydration, thereby boosting the health of your kidneys.

A Final Word of Warning: There is only one consistent report of negative reactions from lovage, and it is a rather strange one. Some people have reported increased photosensitivity after regularly consuming lovage. For that reason, we would only recommend consuming a moderate amount if it becomes a regular part of your herbal regimen.

Horsetail

It’s not that often that you come across a living fossil, but in effect, that is precisely what horsetail is. This is, of course, the common name of Equisetum, which is the last remaining species from the genus of that name. The remaining members of that genus have gone extinct, so this is truly a blast from the past, and has some unique characteristics to go with that great backstory. They are defined by a singular vascular shoot that forms the main stem and the leaves are largely non-photosynthetic. Furthermore, they reproduce via spores, not seeds – a very unusual quality for a plant. Historical records include mentions of horsetail being used for myriad health issues dating back to Greek and Roman times.

Like some other rare and valuable plants on our planet, horsetail is able to absorb and store valuable and rare minerals that our bodies require. This means that when horsetail is consumed, those minerals and unique organic compounds are passed on to us, resulting in a wide variety of health benefits. Some of the active ingredients that make horsetail to potent include antioxidant compounds, silica, and other phytochemicals that can have dramatic effects on the body. You can consume horsetail as a supplement, in capsule form, or it can be brewed directly into a tea, but this is a powerful compound and only needs to be used moderately. Now, let’s take a closer look at the miraculous, ancient health benefits of the horsetail.

Health Benefits of Horsetail

Cancer Prevention: One of the most exciting areas of research concerning horsetail has related to cancer, as the antioxidants found in horsetail extract show significant effects against free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular respiration that can cause inflammation, pain, wear on the organs, and degenerative diseases. The presence of antioxidants also prevents free radicals from causing healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones. This research is in its early stages, but the results thus far are promising.

Immune Support: Some of the other properties of horsetail include antibacterial and antiseptic, meaning that the extract can protect against the invasion of foreign pathogens and substances that can compromise ourimmune system. This is particularly effective when you have been wounded or are recovering from an illness, as infections can be much more severe when they attack an already weakened immune system.

Inflammation Relief: If you regularly experience painful swelling and inflammation in parts of your body, whether due to injury, arthritis, gout, or any other condition, adding horsetail tea or supplements to your health regiment can be of great use. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds found in horsetail can quickly alleviate those symptoms and get you back on your feet.

Protect the Bones: Silicon is one of the rarest minerals needed by our body and there are very few accessible sources of it in our diet, which is why you so often find it in supplement form. However, horsetail has naturally high concentrations of silicon, which is a key element in protecting bone mineral density and integrity as we age. If you are at high risk of osteoporosis or already suffer from bone degradation, then adding horsetail to your diet is an easy solution to slow the decline, and even reverse it in some cases!

Cognition: The idea of our mind “starting to go” can be a frightening thought, so it is important to protect yourpowers of cognition as well as possible. Horsetail’s antioxidant effects have been linked to higher cognitive abilities in laboratory studies, probably owing to the increase in neural pathway efficiency when free radicals are eliminated from the system. This means that horsetail is not only a brain-boosting herb, but it may protect from cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as we age.

Respiratory Issues: if you suffer from respiratory issues, such as congestion or frequent colds, drinking horsetail tea can be a wonderful solution. It acts as an expectorant, clearing out mucus and phlegm where bacteria can lodge and grow, while also helping to strengthen the immune system and relieve inflammation, resulting in respiratory relief, such as the elimination of coughs and irritation in your tracts.

Soothe the Skin: Horsetail extract is commonly found in various creams and organic beauty products, as the unique and complex mixture of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, silica, and other compounds are a powerful agent for skin care. If you want to reduce the redness of boils or acne, eliminate eczema or psoriasis, or prevent premature aging, horsetail extract contains all of the necessary components to do that.

Diabetes: Research has connected the use of horsetail supplements and tea to more balanced insulin levels in the body, namely in the rapid lowering of blood sugar when necessary. While this is an effective method of diabetes management, it should only be used for a short time, or when absolutely necessary. It can have serious long-term impacts if consumed for longer than two months in succession.

Kidney Health: Regulating urination and the elimination of toxins is crucial to overall health, and horsetail extract can help to achieve that. Connections have been made between increased uric acid elimination and horsetail consumption. Uric acid is what creates painful kidney stones, which can cause the kidneys to work inefficiently. Therefore, by increasing the natural excretion of this acid, there is no build-up and your kidney health is protected.

Hair Care: The rich mixture of minerals and organic compounds in horsetail have also made it a popular element in hair products, namely to increase the strength of the hair and improve its health. You can reduce hair loss, strengthen hair follicles and even boost the luster and shine of your hair by using horsetail extracts in your hair care products.

 A Final Word of Warning: There are some negative side effects to horsetail, but they generally only manifest after taking the herb for more than two months straight. The effects on your body can be very powerful and beneficial, as we have seen above, but care must be taken. If you are pregnant or lactating, don’t consume this herb, and for everyone else, speak to a trained medical professional or your physician before adding this high-impact herb to your health regimen.

Balloon Flower

While the name may sound a bit silly, this common way of referring to Platycodon grandiflorus is due to the unique shape of the flower bud of this herbaceous, perennial, flowering plant. With five striking purple-blue petals and a range almost exclusively in East Asia, this flower has been praised for far more than its unique shape and color. Balloon flowers are some of the few herbal root remedies still used in wide common practice in the world, but its popularity stretches back centuries. The roots of this powerful plant can be dried and crushed into a powder for supplemental forms, or used in salads and various culinary creations in the East. 

The wide range of health effects that can be gained by using balloon flowers in your health regimen are based on the volatile active ingredientsfound in the root, which include betulic acid, saponins, phytosterol, inulin, and glucose. Together, these chemicals, along with some other organic compounds, can act quickly on the body for some measurable effects. Now, let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of balloon flower.

Health Benefits of Balloon Flower

Respiratory Relief: The most commonly known benefit of balloon flower relates to its impact on the respiratory system. The expectorant properties of the flower’s root can help to ease congestion by breaking up phlegm and mucus, which can help relieve colds faster, and eliminate the bacteria and other pathogens that can thrive in mucus build-up. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory ability of balloon flower can soothe sore throats and prevent chest conditions, such as bronchitis.

Stomach Concerns: If you happen to suffer from an upset stomach, ulcers, dysentery, or any other gastrointestinal issue, you can count on the balloon flower herb to quickly remedy this pain and discomfort. Theseulcer-resistant abilities mainly come from the saponins located in the root of balloon flowers. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory aspect of this herb can help to regulate digestion and lessen symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Cancer Remedy: Although there has been some controversy regarding this ability of the plant, research has clearly shown that the active ingredients in balloon flower are able to reduce the size of tumors related to a number of different cancers. Furthermore, the antioxidant compounds found in the root of balloon flowers makes them very effective at neutralizing free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular respiration that can cause cellular mutation and a wide range of chronic diseases, including cancers!

Immune System Booster: Aside from the immune response of antioxidants that balloon flower root possesses, it can also stimulate the regular immune system to lower your chances of contracting the common cold or influenza.

Heart Health: While these studies have thus far been conducted outside of human test subjects, balloon flower has shown an impressive ability to lower “bad” cholesterol levels and increase “good” cholesterol levels, which results in a lowered chance of developing atherosclerosis, which in turn lowers your chances of suffering a heart attack or a stroke.

Liver Parasites: Liver flukes are foul little parasites that can affect many different species, including humans. Balloon flowers have shown an ability in the past to protect against various types of parasites, including those inthe liver, increasing the organ’s efficiency and boosting your overall metabolism.

Pain Relief: Due to its general analgesic qualities, balloon flower root has often been prescribed for general pain and inflammation, such as that following an injury or surgery, as well as for patients that suffer from gout, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. The active ingredients acts quickly on various parts of the body, providing both internal and external pain relief.

Anti-allergenic Potential: Some reports have suggested that consuming balloon flower root can significantly reduce the severity of allergic reactions by inhibiting some of the histamines that are released by the body when certain substances are encountered. This could be great news for people with chronic or seasonal allergies!

A Final Word of Warning: There are no commonly known side effects of balloon flower, as there aren’t any particularly dangerous volatile components; however, as with any herbal remedy, there is always the chance of a negative reaction, so use a small amount when first adding this to your health regimen, and always consult with a medical practitioner or trained herbalist before trying this powerful little herb!

Propolis

Although bees are perhaps most famous for their honey, they also have another valuable tool in their arsenal. Propolis, also commonly known as bee glue, is actually a type of resinous material that bees can collect on their legs from flowers, buds, and other sources of sap. This propolis is then brought back to the hive, where it is essentially used as a glue to fix damage in parts of the hive. While beeswax is generally used for the large-scale construction, this propolis is used continuously to repair their home. For thousands of years, propolis has been acquired and extracted from hives and used in traditional medicines. However, research has shown that humans are not the only ones who understand the value of propolis. Not only does bee glue repair the hive, it also protects against diseases and provides a healthy environment for them to survive.

Many of the applications of propolis for humans rely on those same characteristics. Research is ongoing concerning propolis’ use for many health issues, but thousands of years of traditional use says a lot. Since bees are found throughout the world, many different applications and uses for propolis have been discovered and popularized. With the rise of global information sharing, propolis has once again grown in popularity thanks to its many beneficial qualities. These health benefits are largely attributable to the terpenes, essential oils, antioxidants, organic compounds, and natural acids found in the propolis. Different regions contain different nutrient makeup and flower species, so propolis can vary in combination around the world. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the many health benefits of propolis!

Health Benefits of Propolis

Wound Healing: As explained above, one of the most valuable aspects of propolis, both for humans and bees, is its natural antiseptic qualities. By spreading propolis or extract on wounds, you can protect open sores and cuts from infection, which are often far more serious than the wounds themselves. Secondly, the antioxidants contained in propolis can act to speed wound healing, stimulating blood flow and growth in those areas, along with reducing inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity: In a similar vein, propolis can also be used as an anti-inflammatory cream for bug bites and other skin afflictions not technically classified as wounds. For thousands of years, insect bites, rashes, and skin irritation of every kind has been treated with salves made with propolis or applying the substance directly to the skin. This makes it very effective today as a treatment for acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other infections on our body’s largest organ!

Stimulate Circulation: Some of the other active ingredients found in propolis stimulate the circulatory system in the body, which can help improve blood flow and oxygenation of various parts of the body. This means a boost in energy, more rapid wound healing, and a healthier metabolism. Blood flow through the arteries and blood vessels is also important to promote heart health, and will lessen the chances of blood clots, atherosclerosis, and subsequent heart attacks or strokes.

Immune System: While we mentioned the antiseptic abilities of propolis above, the impact it can have on our immune system is actually much greater. By adding small amounts of propolis to your diet, you can actually increase the strength of your immune system due to its natural antiviral and antibacterial effects. Your immune system can use all the help it can get, and the unique composition of propolis found all over the world give an antioxidant boost throughout your system.

Antioxidant Power: Free radicals are a problem that we all need to deal with, because they are the natural byproducts of cellular metabolism, but they can cause cellular mutation, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Fortunately, antioxidants are able to neutralize and eliminate free radicals from many different systems of our body, which is why a high-antioxidant substance like propolis can be so valuable. Antioxidants work in conjunction with the immune system to eliminate foreign invaders and slow down the advance of free radicals.

Cancer Prevention: This antioxidant potential of propolis has made it very interesting to researchers who are constantly looking for new angles to attack cancer. As cancer is caused by mutated cells that then infect others, propolis has been shown to be an effective preventative measure for this in some types of cancer. Although research is ongoing and things are far from conclusive, it is still a very exciting time for cancer research as more and more traditional remedies are given their day in the sun, per se.

Allergic Severity: In recent research studies, propolis has been found to reduce the severity of allergic reactions. By inhibiting the production of histamines, which occur when an allergen is encountered, propolis can help lessen the impact of allergens and thus improve the normality and quality of life to those who use it.

Cognitive Abilities: One of the other effects of antioxidants is an improvement in cognitive abilities. Free radicals are partially responsible for the “cobwebs” of old age, and by stimulating the use and creation of new neural pathways, propolis is able to keep cognitive disorders at bay and improve memory, retention, and interaction skills as we age.

Oral Health: Due to the antifungal and antibacterial properties of propolis, bee glue is also widely used in oral hygiene products. It has been found to reduce plaque, canker sores, herpes, and various other oral diseases that affect the lips, gums, and throat. Mouthwashes and toothpastes that use propolis or its concentrated forms have been very effective in improving oral health.

Vision Health: If you have ever worried about the quality of your vision as you age, then “look” no further than propolis, which has been connected to a reduction in cataracts formation. This is believed to be due to the antioxidants, amino acids, and bioflavonoids that are found in propolis.

Hair and Nails: For those who enjoy taking an organic approach to their cosmetic appearance, propolis has been known for thousands of years as a way to improve the healthy and beauty of your nails and hair. Whether in topical application to the skin and scalp, or through consumption, propolis can help your true beauty shine from within!

A Final Word of Warning: Although the benefits of propolis are impressive, side effects have been reported in the past, including for those who suffer from asthma and anyone with bleeding problems. Propolis can slow blood clotting and negatively impact respiration. If you are allergic to honey, bee products, or certain types of trees or saps, do not use propolis. Also, before adding propolis to your health regimen, speak to a medical professional and always get nutritional supplements and herbal remedies from trusted sources.

Buckthorn Berry

Buckthorn berries are the most valuable part of sea buckthorn plants, which are a part of the Hippophae genus. The most commonly used species of the seven in the genus is Hippophae rhamnoides, which is a deciduous shrub and is found throughout Europe, Mongolia, and parts of China. Depending on where you are in the world, you may know the name of this plant as seaberry or sandthorn, but they’re all quite similar in terms of nutrient composition and physiological characteristics. The branches are stiff and thorny, while the leaves are of a long, thin, silver color. The berries of sea buckthorn, however, are small, orange, and only found on female plants.

These berries are actually considered superfruits due to their unbelievable concentration of nutrients,minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and organic acids, including flavonoids, phenolics, amino acids, and carotenoids. This diverse range of nutrients has also made buckthorn berries extremely versatile in the treatment of various health conditions and illnesses. An extract can be taken from the berries to be used in medicinal treatment, the berries can be consumed directly, or a tea can be made from the leaves, which also contain some of the same nutrient composition. The use of buckthorn berries as an herbal remedy stretches all the way back to Genghis Khan! Now, let’s take a bit of a closer look at the many health benefits of Buckthorn berry.

Health Benefits of Buckthorn Berry

Cancer Treatment: The juice from buckthorn berries has been found to be extremely valuable in the reduction of cancer, or slowing down its spread. The organic components of buckthorn berry have a high antioxidant content, which helps to neutralize free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. However, in the case of buckthorn berry juice, the anti-cancer abilities cause cell-cycle arrest, so cancer cannot progress; however, it doesn’t induce apoptosis, like many other antioxidant substances.

Vitamin C Boost: Aside from the boost to your immune system that buckthorn berry juice provides, as explained above, this powerful fruit is also able to help improve the health of your skin, the strength of your bones, and the resilience of your gums and teeth. Vitamin C is an integral part in the formation of collagen, which is a crucial component of growth and repair throughout the body. Therefore, the high concentration of vitamin C in buckthorn berry makes it an all-around body booster that helps to speed wound healing and recovery from injuries.

Vision Health: Carotenoids are another important antioxidant compound that is found in buckthorn berry, and this important nutrient can protect your vision in a major way. Carotenoids are able to slow down the progression of macular degeneration, and can prevent the development of cataracts, in addition to improving night vision!

Heart Health: Buckthorn berry oil has been found to significantly improve cholesterol levels by helping to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and keeping the fatty acid balance even in the body. By eliminating bad cholesterol, you can reduce your chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes, because there is less blockage in the arteries and blood vessels. Therefore, your blood pressure is also lowered, reducing tension on the entire cardiovascular system.

Diabetes Control: Although research is still relatively new on this particular topic, buckthorn berry is very good atregulating blood sugar, meaning that for people suffering from diabetes, adding this delicious fruit to their diet is a great choice. By eliminating the peaks and drops in blood sugar, superberries like buckthorn can help people live a more normal life!

Circulation: Studies have also shown that the high levels of vitamin C in buckthorn berry can help to increase the uptake of iron by the body, thereby ensuring a high, steady blood flow, as iron is a key ingredient in red blood cells.

Stomach Health: If you suffer from upset stomach or gastric distress of any kind, buckthorn berry juice can quickly relieve discomfort and soothe inflammation. The anti-inflammatory capacity of this superberry also helps relieve joint pain and sore muscles.

Aging Process: The final bonus of this antioxidant-filled berry is its impact on the aging process. For those people seeking younger-looking skin, or who want to eliminate age spots and wrinkles, the free radical-neutralizing antioxidants in buckthorn berry are perfect! Drinking buckthorn berry juice, adding the concentrated oil to other foods, or eating the berries themselves are all viable ways to stay young!

A Final Word of Warning: If you suffer from a bleeding disorder, buckthorn berry can be dangerous, as it slows down blood clotting. Also, if you already are taking blood pressure medication or suffer from hypotension, this superberry might not be a great choice. As always, you should speak with a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet with powerful new superfoods!