Archive for the ‘Spices & Herbs’ Category
Goldenseal
Goldenseal was one of the first herbs (along with Echinacea) that I was introduced to when I was a young kid. My Mom educated herself throughout her adult life in the medicinal benefits of herbs, and I was truly blessed to be able to see the amazing benefits of herbs first hand.
I’m not going to get into the drugs versus herbs debate, but I will say that each has it’s place. I personally have found that more often than not, herbs are all that I needed to get the job done.
Benefits
• Goldenseal may help boost white blood cells, which helps the body build up the immune system and fight against infections.
• A 2002 study done at the University of Illinois to see whether Goldenseal was effective in oral hygiene products. The study did show that Goldenseal contains antimicrobial alkaloids active against oral pathogens.
• Goldenseal has been shown to be Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-Diabetic, and an Anti-Inflammatory.
• Goldenseal helps stimulates the appetite and aids digestion. Goldenseal is commonly used to help sooth an upset stomach (which is something I remember using Goldenseal for).
• Goldenseal helps with constipation by promoting muscular tone of the stomach and intestines, which causes bile secretion.
• Goldenseal has been shown to have Antiseptic properties, and has been used for disinfecting cuts and scrapes.
• Tonifies the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder, and the skin.
• In conjunction with other herbs, has been known to be used to help treat Cancer.
Intake
Dried – Goldenseal can be found dried to be used in teas or in capsule form.
Extract – The liquid dose can be used before meals to enhance appetite or as an eyewash to help with infections like conjunctivitis (more commonly known as “pink eye”).
Goldenseal is often combined with other herbs to help boost the medicinal effects of other herbs.
Precautions
Generally, a two week maximum dosage is suggested. Meaning, this isn’t an herb you should digest every day, long term. Only use when needed, and not for longer than the two week time frame. From personal experience, I don’t think I ever felt like I needed it for two weeks since my symptoms quickly subsided.
If you are pregnant or nursing, Goldenseal should be avoided.
As always, I would suggest consulting with a qualified professional before using Goldenseal or any other herb.
Image Credits: en.wikipedia.org; starwest-botanicals.com
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Tags: Goldenseal, herb, natural medicine
Cumin
Cumin is a Mediterranean spice that was used by the Romans, Persians, Egyptians and the Greeks. Cumin was one of the most popular spices in the Middle Ages, known for it’s pungent and pepper-like taste. Check out the amazing health benefits of Cumin and have fun incorporating it into your recipes.
Benefits
• Cumin is high in Iron, which helps transport oxygen from the lungs to all cells in the body. Iron also helps with the metabolism and energy production.
• Cumin extract reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, and pancreatic inflammatory markers, according to a study done in 2002.
• Cumin increases the body’s ability to fight infections, since it is high in vitamins A and C.
• Anti-Cancer properties have been found in Cumin.
• Cumin has high concentrations of antioxidants, which is an anti-aging nutrient. Antioxidants help protect against diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease – to name a few.
• Cumin may help stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, which benefits the digestive system and improves the absorption of nutrients throughout the body.
• Cumin is an anti-congestive, which may help with those who suffer from bronchitis or asthma.
• Specifically for new Mothers who are nursing, Cumin has been shown to be helpful in increasing milk supply. Note: It is more beneficial (for nursing) if taken with raw honey.
Intake
Dried – Cumin seeds can be eaten whole or ground (powder) in recipes. They are quite potent, so you don’t need to use a lot in a recipe.
Extract – Cumin’s essential oil can be used orally or externally.
Precautions
If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor first.
If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid using the oil externally since it could cause a bad reaction to your skin.
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Dandelion
Who ever knew that such a common herb, known as a weed to most, would have so many health benefits and healing properties?! Just because something is considered common, doesn’t mean we should dismiss it as something we don’t want or need. In Chinese herbal medicine, the dandelion is listed as one of the top 6 herbs. Dandelions are also ranked in the top four green vegetables in overall nutritional value (USDA Bulletin #8).
There as a man by the name of Robert Stickle that was diagnosed with having a malignant melanoma. Surgery was unsuccessful, and he was given only two years left to live. In June 1986, he wrote the following letter to the president of the Society for the Promotion of Dandelions:
” I went on a search for the answer to my mortal problem, and [discovered] that perhaps it was a nutritional dilemma…. To me, cancer is primarily a liver failure manifestation. {Italians are very concerned about problems of the ‘fegato’]. [I discovered that] the cancer rate in native Italians is very low among the farming population (paesanos). When they get affluent and move to the city, its the same as the rest of civilized man. Paesanos eat dandelions, make brew from the roots, and are healthy, often living to over 100 years.”
Robert said that he began eating dandelions every day. It’s interesting to know that the letter was written 18 years after the grim diagnoses from his doctors. Robert’s improvement astonished his doctors, since there had been no recurrence of his melanoma.
It’s amazing what a simple plant can do to heal the body.
Benefits
• Stimulates bile, which helps digest fats, relieve constipation, prevent gallstones, and even alleviates a hangover.
• Contains fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. With that said, all of this helps against diabetes.
• Improves brain function and may help improve memory, since dandelion is rich in choline and lecithin. These nutrients may even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
• Have a wart? The white milky substance that comes out of the leaves and stems of the dandelion can be applied to your wart to help remove it. Apply daily for just one week.
• Known to help promote weight loss. Controlled studies (on mice) showed that they lost up to 30% of their body weight in 30 days when given dandelion extract with their food. Those eating grass lost much less weight. I just thought that this was an interesting study you might want to know about.
• Disinfection properties can help fight against bacterial infections, pneumonia, yeast infections, and bronchitis.
• May help reduce blood sugar levels, which is positive news for diabetics.
• Dandelion is considered a diuretic, which means it rids the body of water. This can be a good thing in the sense that it helps the body get rid of certain infections, such as urinary tract (bladder) infections. Just make sure you are drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Anti-Inflammatory properties shown, which can help with those who have arthritis.
Intake
Fresh – You can eat fresh dandelion leaves, such as in a salad or on a sandwich. The older dandelion leaves are a little bitter, so you might want to try the young leaves for better taste.
Dried – You can buy (or make your own) dandelion tea, which can be made from either the leaves or the root of the dandelion.
Pill – You can buy dandelion herb in a pill form. Just follow the instructions on the manufacture’s label.
Precautions
Since dandelion is a diuretic, long term use could affect the amount of potassium that is in your body. Make sure that you drink plenty of water and eat foods high in potassium. According to research (Hobbs 1985), they have found that eating dandelions are completely safe to consume on a regular basis.
As far as I am aware, this herb is safe for consumption, even if you are pregnant or nursing. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with contacting an herbalist if you have any questions.
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Image Credits: Your Cup of Tea; Dandelion
Medicine of the Future
Have you ever wondered what the Doctor of the future is going to be like? What about the future of medicine? Here’s what a very wise person had to say about it…
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. – Thomas Edison
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the common medicine used today is not “Traditional” by any means. I urge you to study and understand the importance of natural medicine, the only “traditional” medicine that allows your body to heal without harmful side effects. The more I study nutrition, the more I realize that you can heal your body with herbs, spices, and the healthy whole foods you can choose to eat.
What is your favorite natural remedy?
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Tags: Healthy, Herbs, Natural Healing, Spices, traditional medicine, Whole Foods
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been used in India for over 2500 years, and once you learn about some of the health benefits of Turmeric, you won’t be too surprised it’s been used for so long!
Benefits
• May increase metabolism and aide in fat loss or weight management
• Naturally detoxifies the liver, which helps boost liver function
• The active ingredient in Turmeric is curcumin. A study in 2009 showed that the combination of curcumin and vitamin D helped the immune system to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which is a substance that forms the brain plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Natural Antiseptic and Antibacterial agent.
• A study done in 1992 has showed that Turmeric may be able to help reduce cholesterol level and fight atherosclerosis (which is when the artery wall thickens).
• Natural pain killer
• May help prevent Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.
• Natural anti-inflammatory that works just as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs on the market – with less or no the side effects. Because of this, it can be used as a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Early studies show promise that Turmeric can help slow the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Intake
Dried – You can find Turmeric in a dried powder form to use in a variety of recipes. I typically find this spice used in Indian dishes, but you can be creative and use this however you want! Test it out, and have some fun!
If you prefer, you can usually find Turmeric in a pill at your local health food store. Just follow the suggestions on the bottle for use.
Precautions
If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor first (by the way – I am pretty sure every spice and herb says this!).
Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction.
Image Credit: FotoosVanRobin on Flickr®
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Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, Antiseptic, cholesterol, culinary, curcumin, immune system, liver, melanoma, metabolism, Multiple Sclerosis, pain killer, spice, Turmeric, Vitamin D, Weight Loss
