Archive for the ‘Spices & Herbs’ Category
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.
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Image Credit: FotoosVanRobin on Flickr®
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
Maca: Natural Solution to Infertility
Are you or someone you know trying to get pregnant, but not seeing any results yet? If so, you need to know about Maca Root, which may help with any infertility concerns.
What is Maca Root?
Maca Root is a South American herb that is considered to be a powerful superfood. Maca is an adaptogenic herb, which means it aids in restoring the body’s normal homeostatic functions. Maca is used to increase energy, boost libido, increase stamina, stimulates blood circulation, and even helps with hormonal balance in young women. Maca Root has been known to promote reproductive health in both men and women.
How Maca helps with Fertility
There’s no denying that Maca Root helps both men and women with fertility, which is why I might suggest that both spouses take Maca Root.
Maca Root helps with increasing a man’s libido, regulating estrogen levels, which ultimately increases healthy sperm production. All very good things for fertility.
For women, it’s important to have optimal estrogen levels. If estrogen levels are too low or too high, it can prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or remain pregnant until full term. Maca Root helps regulate the estrogen levels in a woman’s body, helping a women become pregnant.
How soon can Maca Root work? Many see positive results in the first few weeks of taking it. I found a Maca Root fertility “success story” which really tells you how beneficial this herb is with fertility: “How Maca Root Got Me Pregnant”.
In addition this that women’s story, I have personally known couple’s who have tried to get pregnant but couldn’t. Once the women started taking Maca Root, within a month or two, she was pregnant!
It seems so simple, right? That’s actually a reason why many won’t take Maca Root! It just seems too simple. I believe that herbs are on this earth for a reason, and they are here to benefit and heal our body! If you and your spouse are trying to get pregnant, you have nothing to lose by trying Maca Root.
How to Use Maca Root
You can use Maca in a powdered concentrate form, which can be mixed with flour for baking or blended in with smoothies or shakes. If you prefer not to mix it in with your meals, you can also try taking Maca Root in capsule form.
I found Organic Maca Root Powder at my local health food store, but if you can’t find it locally, you can easily buy the product online.
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Tags: fertility, Health, herb, infertility, libido, Maca, Maca Root, natural, Pregnancy
