Posts Tagged ‘herb’
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
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
Tarragon
If you haven’t tried this herb out, you are missing out! Tarragon is a popular herb in Europe and is commonly used as an herb for cooking and has a long history of medicinal uses.
Benefits
• High in vitamin A, calcium, iron, and manganese
•Treats stomach cramps
•Increases appetite to help treat anorexia
•Helps aide digestion
•You can chew tarragon leaves to stop hiccups
•Helps reduce body oder
•Can be used to help with insomnia (tea)
Intake
Dried – Used for culinary purposes and teas.
Essential Oil – When tarragon is in an oil form, there is eugenol in the herb that has been used in dentistry as a local anesthetic and antiseptic for toothache complaints.
Precautions
Some people may have a slight risk of having an allergic reaction to tarragon. When tarragon is used as an essential oil, it can be poisonous and should not be used by small children or pregnant women.
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Tags: beneficial herb, calcium, culinary, dried, essential oil, herb, hiccups, iron, Manganese, medicinal, Tarragon, vitamin A
Oregano
Not only is Oregano a wonderful herb used to spice up a bland recipe, but it also has many wonderful health benefits you may not know about.
Benefits
•Strong antibacterial properties
•Contains antioxidant vitamins, which may play a role with anti-aging and cancer prevention.
•Contain Carvacrol and Thymol, which have been found to aid digestion, calm upset stomachs, and inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
•Contains Fiber.
•When fresh (not dried), Oregano contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, Manganese, Calcium, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
•Helps maintain respiratory health.
•Can help treat skin infections and itchy skin.
Uses
You can use Oregano fresh or dried in recipes or as an oil topically. Oregano fresh is less flavorful than dried oregano, but both still have their health benefits.
Precautions
•Oregano oil can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron. If you are already iron deficient or pregnant, you should limit your consumption of Oregano oil. The volatile oil can be harmful for your unborn child if you are pregnant.
•Children who are less than two years of age and those with very sensitive skin should not use the Oregano oil topically.
•Bottom line: Yes, Oregano is good for you but too much of a good thing, can be bad.
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Tags: aid digestion, antibacterial, antioxidant, bacteria, calm upset stomach, carvacrol, Food, fungi, Healthy, herb, itchy skin, oil, Oregano, oregano oil, Recipe, respiratory, skin infections, thymol, virus, vitamins
Myrrh
Myrrh has been used for Centuries, and known as a very precious Herb. Here are some of the benefits that Myrrh may help you with.
Benefits
•Anti-inflammatory
•Stimulates blood circulation
•Antiseptic
•Treatment of Arthritis
•Lowering Cholesterol
•Skin Diseases
•Respiratory Infections and Bronchitis with excess of Mucous (dries things up)
Intake
Drops – can take 20-40 drops in water, 2-4 times a day. You can drink, or you can use a smaller amount of water and gargle.
Topically- can be applied to cold sores, and even infected wounds.
If you don’t know what you are doing, stop right there. It would be best to ask a licensed professional; Nutritionist or Herbologist. They will be able to help you with your specific needs.
Precautions
There are no known side effects to Myrrh if you take normal doses. Large doses may irritate the stomach, and should not be taken during pregnancy.
Keep updated on the latest & greatest health articles by joining the Skinny Twinkie community!
Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Bronchitis, excess of Mucous, herb, herbal, Herbologist, Lowering Cholesterol, Mucous, Myrrh, Nutritionist, Respiratory Infections, Skin Diseases, Stimulates blood circulation, Treatment of Arthritis
