How to treat respiratory tract infections with everyday foods and spices ~
How to treat respiratory tract infections with everyday foods and spices
Here are eight foods and spices to help keep you free of respiratory tract infections during these cold, winter months:
1) Echinacea. This flowering herb has been a staple in natural medicine for hundreds of years, as it possesses unique, immune-boosting compounds that work almost immediately at the first sign of infection to quell it quickly. Commonly referred to throughout history as a “cure-all” herb, echinacea helps naturally boost the body’s own natural levels of properdin, a chemical substance that activates the part of the immune system responsible for warding off bacteria and viruses. Echinacea can also help reduce the severity of existing cold and flu symptoms, and help quickly eliminate such conditions (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm).
2) Garlic. A powerful immune booster, garlic has also been used for many centuries as a natural remedy for respiratory illness. Long before synthetic antibiotics were invented, in fact, garlic was the medicine of choice for treating infections, as it contains powerful medicinal compounds such as allicin, sulfhydryl and various other sulfur-containing compounds that ward off disease. Adding more fresh garlic to your diet or taking garlic supplements is a great way to fortify your immune system to avoid disease (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/garlic-000245.htm).
For a great healing tea recipe using garlic, check out The Nourishing Gourmet‘s “Garlic, Honey, and Lemon Tea:”
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com
3) Green onion (scallion). A close relative of garlic, the green onion also possesses powerful immune-boosting compounds that make it an excellent remedy and preventive food for respiratory tract infections. Rich in organic sulfur compounds, as well as vitamin C, B vitamins, and trace minerals, green onions are a food you will definitely want to eat plenty of during the winter months. Try making a vegetable soup out of green onions, leeks, and garlic for immune support, and add any other ingredients you like into the mix (http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles09/green-onions-scallion.htm).
4) Ginger. Packed with more than a dozen antiviral compounds, ginger is an excellent herb for both preventing and treating colds and flu. Ginger is especially helpful if you already have a respiratory ailment that you are trying to get rid of, as the herb works exceptionally well at relieving pain and disinfecting the body. Ginger can be taken as tea, brewed into a tincture, or chopped or grated and added to food (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginger-000246.htm).
5) Elderberry. No immune-boosting arsenal would be complete without elderberry, an herb that ranks among the most effective remedies for treating respiratory illness. Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, elderberry is uniquely suited to both prevent and treat illness due to its unique ability to minimize the swelling of mucous membranes. The fruit is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer food (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/elderberry-002880.htm).
The Wellness Mama blog has a great recipe for making your own elderberry syrup medicine at home:
http://wellnessmama.com
6) Oregano. A potent antibiotic and antiviral herb, oregano, and particularly oil of oregano, is another amazing remedy that works particularly well at treating respiratory illness after it has already formed. You can mix five or six drops of oil of oregano in water and gargle with it for instant relief, or you can drink the entire thing down to kill a flu or cold in as little as 24 hours. Oil of oregano can also be purchased as a supplement in capsule or gelcap form (http://www.earthclinic.com/Supplements/oregano-oil.html).
7) Vitamin C. Though it is sometimes mocked by the mainstream medical system as an inert substance, vitamin C has long been confirmed as a powerful nutrient for boosting immunity and warding off disease. A 2004 study review out of Finland, for instance, found that respiratory patients who take vitamin C are far less likely to develop colds, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15605943). Just be sure to take non-GMO ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or natural vitamin C as it comes from “superfoods” like acerola cherry and camu camu berry (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/).
8) Vitamin D. Millions of Americans have dangerously low levels of vitamin D in their system, which is a primary cause of chronic illness today, including respiratory illness. This is why it is important, especially during the winter months, to either supplement daily with between 2,000 and 10,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 — some doctors recommend that severely deficient patients take upwards of 40,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily — or use a tanning bed or tanning wall daily.
You can learn more about the importance of vitamin D for health by visiting the Vitamin D Council:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/
Sources for this article include:
http://www.organicnutrition.co.uk/articles/colds.htm
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com
http://www.motherearthliving.com
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038688_respiratory_tract_infections_spices.html#ixzz3H7MfukuM
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Natural amino acids preferable to antibiotics for treating infections, says study
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032825_amino_acids_antibiotics.html#ixzz3H1TzOCth
Turmeric and Neti Pots Help Sinus Infections and Chronic Sinusitis
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/029600_neti_pot_sinus_infections.html#ixzz3H1U261Bh
Olive leaf extract prevents cancer and fights infections
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/042638_olive_leaf_extract_prevent_cancer_infections.html#ixzz3H1TrfeUn
Rosemary Health Benefits and Uses ~ Plant Care Guide
(NaturalNews) Rosemary’s delightful fragrance combined with its pungent taste has convinced many avid cooks to use it in various dishes, including soups and sauces. It is historically known to improve memory by increasing blood flow to the brain and head, which by extension also helps improve concentration. Rosemary also has the ability to improve digestion and seemingly reduce the severity of asthma attacks. In ancient Greece, it had such a formidable reputation to improve memory that students would often put rosemary sprigs in their hair when studying for exams.
Rosemary basically grows on small evergreen shrubs which are part of the Labiatae family, also related to mint. It may come from the Mediterranean but it’s now widely developed in Europe and America’s milder climates.
There are many health benefits associated to this wonderful herb which has been studied by various researchers around the world. Based on some of the accumulated results, rosemary displayed a few other noteworthy qualities besides the ones already mentioned above.
Two of its components, caffeic acid and rosemarinic acid, are potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances that help diminish inflammation, an important factor in asthma, liver disease or heart disease.
The Cancer Research Institute of Slovakia has come to the conclusion that rosemary helps protect DNA from free radical deteriorations, hence a possible aid in the fight against cancer.
Italian researchers noticed that rosemary has a protective effect on protein HSP70. Since protein HSP70 plays an active role in preventing any harm done to the skin, scientists believe that rosemary may be a contributing factor in reducing age-related damages such as wrinkles.
French scientists from the National Institute of Agronomic Research are on record saying that rosemary assists detoxifying enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, glutathione transferase and quinone reductase, in getting rid of toxins found inside the liver.
So what has research shown about rosemary’s effects on the brain?
United Kingdom researchers from Northumbria University discovered that when an amount of 1.8-cineole, a prime chemical found in rosemary oil, makes its way into the bloodstream, the end result leads to improved brain performance.
During the experiment, scientists exposed 20 individuals to various levels of the oil’s aroma and then collected blood samples to confirm how much of the 1.8-cineole each member actually took in. The individuals were then asked to take speed, accuracy and mood tests in order to confirm if rosemary oil showed any positive effects.
It turns out that the more the 1.8-cineole was found in a person’s blood, accuracy and speed performances were also increased. Only mild effects were noticeable in regards to changes in moods.
Dr. Mark Moss was quoted saying that the aroma acts like a medicinal drug. These tests have definitely opened the eyes of many about rosemary’s potential effects on the brain, although some say the results should only be considered for now as preliminary ones.
Sources for this article include:
http://letsgohealthy.blogspot.ca
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=75
About the author:
After spending several years working in property management and being a web consultant for PS Communications, P. Simard is now focusing on being a naturopath in Quebec.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/041110_rosemary_brain_performace_anti-inflammatory_herbs.html#ixzz3FDkrijfB
Use rosemary leaves for glossy hair and good circulation
http://www.naturalnews.com/032781_rosemary_hair.html
Rosemary oil can be used as a natural meat preservative, and it works better than chemical additives
http://www.naturalnews.com/034573_rosemary_preservative_food.html
Rosemary Plant Care Guide
Making the Most of Your Thyme: The Herb’s Amazing Health Benefits and How to Grow
By Antonia
Thyme, a popular herb used to add flavor to a variety of foods, also boasts a range of health benefits. Whether you use it in salads or as a tea, its powerful effects can keep your body and mind going strong. Adding it to your diet is a surefire way to stay in great shape both mentally and physically.
5 Incredible Benefits of Adding Thyme to Your Diet
Improves Respiratory Function
Thyme is one of the best natural ways to improve respiratory problems. In fact, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center, enjoying a cup of thyme tea can help relieve coughs and even shorten the duration of a cold. In Germany, the German Commission E, a group that examines herbal safety and efficacy in the country, has approved thyme as a bronchitis treatment.
Powerful Anti-Microbial Properties
Not only can thyme help preserve foods naturally, but thanks to its essential oil, it can also decontaminate a variety of bacteria. From Staphylococcus aureus to Escherichia coli, research shows that thyme has powerful antimicrobial properties. Studies published in Food Microbiology explain that thyme’s essential oil decontaminated lettuce that had Shigella, which causes diarrhea and other stomach ailments. Even a very small concentration (just 1%) of the oil dropped Shigella’s bacterial levels so low that they could not be detected.
High in Antioxidants
Thyme’s volatile oil, thymol is brimming with antioxidant benefits. Researchers discovered its ability to protect brain cells, paving the way for its role in possible Alzheimer’s disease prevention. Furthermore,thymol (aff link) has also been found to boost the amount of the body’s health fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids. In turn, problems with brain, kidney and heart cell membranes are lessened.
Rich in Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Thyme is loaded with vitamins and minerals. It’s rich in potassium, iron and calcium, all of which contribute to blood pressure regulation, proper red blood cell formation and distribution of antioxidants in the body. That’s just for starters. The flavorful herb is high in B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, C and folic acid, to name just a few. As such, thyme plays a role in getting rid of free radicals in the body, improving our vision and even protecting us from certain lung and oral cavity cancers.
Helps Relieve Gas and Bloating
It’s often embarrassing and sometimes painful, especially if excess gas is an ongoing issue. Thyme tea to the rescue! Once again, the essential oil in thyme has gas-relieving properties that also help get rid of cramping and bloating.
Did You Know . . .
- Since ancient times, thyme has been enjoyed for culinary, aromatic and medicinal reasons.
- Thyme’s aroma was pleasing to those in ancient Greece, where people burned it as incense in temples.
- “The smell of thyme” was a phrase often used to describe a person or situation that involved courage and admiration, designed to convey utmost praise.
Sources for this article include:
http://blogs.naturalnews.com/making-the-most-of-your-thyme-the-herbs-amazing-health-benefits/
Thyme: Planting, Growing, Harvesting ~ Varieties Here
Coconuts are the ‘wonder food’ with a multitude of uses
(NaturalNews) Coconuts are scientifically known as Cocos nucifera and they get the coco part of their name from Spanish explorers that thought they resembled monkey faces. The Coconut is extremely nutritious and on some islands it’s actually the biggest part of people’s diets.
Its content is quite rich in fiber and it represents an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, to the point that the coconut palm is actually viewed as the tree of life. Thankfully, its long list of health benefits that is passed on from a generation to another has now for the most part been validated by modern science.
The coconut is now used around the world to treat a vast spectrum of health conditions such as abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.
Coconut oil should be regarded as a top choice to protect and help your skin
Skin tissues tend to harden and lose elasticity as we age therefore the end result is sagging and wrinkled skin. Free radicals which are directly involved in this destructive process, gain momentum and produce chain reactions when left free to roam around. Fortunately, it’s possible to somewhat halt and counter these devastating effects thanks to the much needed help of antioxidants. This is where coconut oil comes into the picture.
Dr. Ray Peat is a well regarded biochemist that has written about the antioxidant effects of coconut oil. He’s on record saying it’s a well established fact that coconut oil reduces our body’s need for vitamin E. He believes that coconut oil’s antioxidant properties play an important direct and indirect role. Virgin coconut oil is definitely one of the best to fight off free radicals, as it remains unrefined and filled with its essential antioxidant components.
Rubbing coconut oil on wrinkles and sagging skin can help rejuvenate it by strengthening the tissues. Applying the same method is also a great way to fight off skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
One of the easiest signs to notice struggling and aging skin is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots which are also referred to as liver spots. These spots are a clear sign that free radicals have accelerated the deterioration of the lipids in our skin, hence the name lipofuscin. The oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein is considered as the premier cause of aging spots. Since cells can’t get rid of this lipofuscin pigment, it essentially accumulates within various cells of the body as we get older. When the lipofuscin pigment develops, it generally stays around permanently but it’s certainly possible to prevent any added damages and probably even diminish the existing spots by regularly using cocnut oil on your skin.
Sources for this article include :
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org
http://www.coconut-connections.com
About the author:
After spending several years working in property management and being a web consultant for PS Communications, P. Simard is now on his way to becoming a naturopath in the province of Quebec. Always searching for the truth with an open mind, his innate passion for knowledge and overall health matters has finally led him to Natural News.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/041367_coconuts_coconut_oil_skin_care.html#ixzz2ooYONdNN
Honeysuckle Extract ~ Japanese Honeysuckle: Lonicera japonica
Other Names Chin Yin Hua, Chin Yin T’Eng, Honeysuckle, Japanese Honeysuckle, Jen Tung, Jen Tung Chiu, Jen Tung Kao, Sui-Kazura, Yin Hua, Hall’s Honeysuckle, White honeysuckle, Chinese honeysuckle, Halliana
Habitat
Perennial herb Native to E. Asia – China, Japan, Korea, now naturalized in Britain and the US from southern New York and New Jersey south to southern Florida and west to southwestern Texas. Inland it is distributed from Pennsylvania and West Virginia west to Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Widespread in the eastern and southern United States. Japanese honeysuckle is an important white-tailed deer food and is often invasive.
Cultivation: prefers partial shade to full sun and moist soil. Prune back hard in winter to prevent the build-up of woody growth, provide a trellis. Climbing Vine, Shrub, it has a dense root system that may extend laterally for a distance of 7 to 10 feet, and attain depths of 3 to 4 feet. The simple, opposite, pinnate leaves are oval to oblong in shape and are semi-evergreen and may persist on vines year-round, up to 3 inches in length. The extremely fragrant, two-lipped flowers are borne in pairs in the axils of young branches and are produced throughout the summer. Flowers range from 1 to 2 inches in length and are white with a slight purple or pink tinge when young, changing to white or yellow with age, they are edible. The fruit is a black, berrylike drupe with three to five one-seeded stones. (See harvest times for various parts of the plant below).
Properties
Japanese honeysuckle is edible and medicinal. High in Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, the leaves can be parboiled and eaten as a vegetable. The edible buds and flowers, made into a syrup or puddings. The entire plant has been used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years in Asia. The active constituents include calcium, elaidic-acid, hcn, inositol, linoleic-acid, lonicerin, luteolin, magnesium, myristic-acid, potassium, tannin, and zink. It is alterative, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, and is also used to reduce blood pressure. The stems are used internally in the treatment of acute rheumatoid arthritis, mumps and hepatitis.
The stems are harvested in the autumn and winter, and are dried for later herb use. The stems and flowers are used together a medicinal infusion in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) and dysentery. An infusion of the flower buds is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including syphillitic skin diseases and tumors, bacterial dysentery, colds, and enteritis. Experimentally, the flower extracts have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and are antibacterial, antiviral and tuberculostatic. Externally, the flowers are applied as a medicinal wash to skin inflammations, infectious rashes and sores. The flowers are harvested in early morning before they open and are dried for later herb use. This plant has become a serious weed in many areas of N. America, it might have the potential to be utilized for proven medicinal purposes. Other uses include; Ground cover, Insecticide, Basketry, vines used to make baskets. The white-flowers of cultivar ‘Halliana’ has a pronounced lemon-like perfume.
How to Make Honeysuckle Extract
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- 1
Purchase 80 to 100 proof brandy or vodka. This proof will ensure a good balance of alcohol and water in the final extract as opposed to a higher-proof alcohol.
- 2
Calculate how many honeysuckle flowers you will need. Herbal extracts can be tricky to make with fresh material because of the guesswork in deciding how much liquid the petals contain. In general, use 1 part fresh plant material to 2 parts alcohol. In practice, 4 oz. (dry weight) of honeysuckle flowers would require 8 oz. (liquid measure) alcohol.
- 3
Pick the honeysuckle flowers. The buds, stems and opened flowers all contain special properties.
- 4
Fill a glass jar loosely with the honeysuckle flowers.
- 5
Pour the alcohol over the flowers, making sure to saturate all the plant material.
- 6
Securely cap and set the jar to steep in a dark place for two to six weeks.
- 7
Label the jar with the date the extract was made and the ingredients.
- 8
Shake the honeysuckle extract as often as possible during the steeping process.
- 9
Uncap the mixture after it has steeped for the proper period of time.
- 10
Strain the liquid through cheesecloth, firmly squeezing the cheesecloth to release all the extract.
- 11
Decant into small bottles or vials with tight stoppers or corks.
- 12
Make a new label, again noting the date when it was decanted, the contents and dosing recommendations.
- 13
Store in a cupboard or refrigerator.
- 14
Take when needed at a dose of five to 15 drops per 8 oz. glass of water or orange juice.
- 1
Tips & Warnings
- Honeysuckle extracted with other mediums can also be used therapeutically. Steep the flowers in olive, sweet almond or jojoba oil for massage oil to help increase circulation in the hands and feet, according to “The Complete Book of Herbs.”
- Rose recommends honeysuckle flower syrup as an effective gargle for sore throats. Make your favorite simple syrup recipe, but replace plain water with water in which fresh honeysuckle flowers, or honeysuckle tea, has been infused in simmering water for 10 minutes.
- If you can’t tolerate alcohol-based medicines, substitute the same amount of vinegar for the brandy or vodka.
- Consult with your doctor before trying any herbal remedies.
How to Teach Kids to Build a Worm Farm ~ How to make a CHEAP worm farm
Teach Kids to Build a Worm Farm
Worm farming with kids can be an enjoyable and educational activity. Worm farms provide excellent material for plants in the garden because they are full of worm manure, or castings. A worm farm is an opportunity to teach the kids about recycling and taking care of the environment. Worm farms allow us to recycle waste from the kitchen so there is less to go into the landfills. Additionally, when you use the worm castings in your garden, you will be eating healthier because you’re not using commercial fertilizer on your plants and vegetables.
Things You’ll Need
- Large margarine tub
- 1 small bowl
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Punch 10 to 12 holes in the margarine tub and 20 to 25 holes in the lid. A sharp object, like an ice pick, is ideal for punching the holes, so make sure an adult completes this step.
- Place the paper strips into the other bowl and pour the cup of water over them. Allow the paper to sit for a minute or two and then squeeze the excess water from the paper strips with your hand.
- Place the wet paper strips and the dirt into the margarine tub.
- Add the eggshells and other small bits of food scraps to the tub and mix together well. Do not add any meat or dairy products to your farm.
- Add the worms to the container and place the lid on the top to prevent them from crawling out.
- Bury food scraps under the paper bedding two or three times each week to feed the worms. Check the bedding when lifting the lid to add food; if bedding is too dry, mist it with a water bottle.
- Be sure to clean the margarine tub thoroughly before starting your worm farm project. Ideal food scraps to add to the container are coffee grounds and filters, tea bags and fruits and vegetables. The worms will digest the food waste faster if it is cut into smaller pieces.
- Do not add onion or garlic scraps to the worm farm because worms dislike this strong smell and will crawl out of the container. The worm farm should be kept out of direct sunlight because the worms are sensitive to light.
After four to eight weeks, add the castings from your worm farm to your garden, keeping the worms to start another farm.
Tips & Warnings
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How to Make a Worm Farm ~ ehow
Auntie Dogma's Garden Spot 
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