Month: September 2014

The Health Benefits of Green beans

Green beans are a nutritious vegetable that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients such as vitamins A & C, calcium, iron, manganese, beta-carotene, and protein. Green beans provide signifiant cardiovascular benefits due to their omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) content.

Green beans also contain ant-inflammatory compounds which make them highly beneficial for individuals who suffer with auto-immune disorders such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, COPD, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowl syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bursitis, Raynaud’s syndrome and lupus. They are also known to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Green beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber and can aid the digestive tract by promoting regular peristaltic action and aid in the removal toxic, cancer-causing substances in the digestive tract. Green beans contain a wide variety of carotenoids such as lutein and neoxanthin and flavonoids such asquercetin and procyanidins which make them excellent for eye health and for preventing disease. Green beans can be snacked on raw, added to salads or soups, or steamed.

Consider trying fresh green beans drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with your favorite spices, and roasted in the oven for 30 minutes for a healthy alternative to french fries. This crispy, savory snack is a great way to get kids and adults to love their vegetables.

Fresh green beans are readily available at your local supermarket in the produce section. Also, keep a lookout at your local farmer’s markets for heirloom varieties of green beans that contain the ultimate in nutritional and health benefits.

 

The Health Benefits of Grapes

Grapes have been called the “queen of fruits” due to being one of the most nutritious and medicinal foods available since ancient times. Grapes are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and b-complex, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, boron, manganese, iron, selenium and potassium.

Grapes contain high amounts of powerful antioxidants known as bioflavonoids, resveratrol, and anthocyanins. These phytochemicals are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-aging, and anti-cancerous and provide protection against anemia, degenerative nerve diseases, heart disease, viral and fungal infections, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disorders, and all forms of cancer.

Grapes can also help provide relief from asthma, migraines, constipation, gastritis, chronic acidosis, indigestion, kidney disorders, fatigue, and vision problems. Grapes have the ability to help prevent blood clots due to their ability to increase nitric oxide levels in the blood and therefore provide excellent protection for the heart and cardiovascular system. Grapes also amazingly enough fight tooth decay and can stop viruses in their tracts.

Grapes can benefit blood sugar by providing better insulin regulation and overall blood sugar balance. The black variety of grapes are by far the most nutritious and if you can find them with seeds, even better! Grape seeds provide phenomenal healing benefits and are less expensive than the commonly sold grape seed extract supplements.

You can chew the seeds up or place the seeded grapes in a high speed blender or a juicer. It will make a sweet, delicious, and powerful antioxidant drink that is easily digested and assimilated. In fact, fresh raw grape juice has been called the “nectar of the gods” due to its high concentration of health promoting properties. And since the skins contain most of the antioxidants and nutrition, you will want to choose Organic whenever possible.

 

The Health Benefits of Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a nutrient dense green leafy vegetable that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, & K, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Swiss chard is incredibly important for bone health and to help prevent breakage, fractures, and osteoporosis.

Swiss chard also contains a compound called syringic acid which has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels in the body making it a great food for those who have diabetes or blood sugar issues. It is also particularly beneficial for anemia, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, constipation, and breast, prostate, ovarian, bone, liver, stomach, pancreatic, and colon cancers.

Swiss chard has powerful anti-inflammatory properties making it an ideal food for those who suffer with autoimmune disorders such as cardiomyopathy, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lyme disease, and type 2 diabetes.

It also contains a large number of phytonutrient antioxidants such as betalains which have been shown to help protect the body from chronic illnesses such as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and COPD.

The nutritional benefits of swiss chard are most readily available when eaten raw or juiced. Swiss chard is a wonderful leafy green to add color and flavor to your salads, smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, and nori rolls and it makes a tasty addition to your freshly made juices. It is also a relatively easy vegetable to grow in containers and in the garden for the freshest variety. Swiss chard can be readily found in your local supermarket, health food store, and farmer’s market.

The Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena

Lemon Verbena is a fragrant medicinal herb that has mild antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. Lemon verbena is excellent for the digestive tract as it is known to be good for relieving nausea, cramps, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach or gastro-intestinal spasms, and colon irritability.

It is also often used as a natural slimming aid as it has been shown to burn fat, break down cellulite, and regulate the metabolism. Lemon verbena is highly beneficial for chron’s disease, colitis, celiac disease, sciatica, nervous twitches and ticks, and any stress related disorders. Lemon verbena also works as a natural remedy for Candida due to its powerful anti-fungal properties. Lemon verbena is also particularly good for the nervous system and can help relax the nerves and muscles, calm the mind, alleviate depression, ease anxiety, and provide a general overall feeling of peace.

Lemon verbena is also effective at loosening up and removing mucus from the lungs and sinus passages and can aid in providing relief from the symptoms of colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and sinus and respiratory infections. It is also helpful in reducing fever in the body. Lemon verbena is often used by women for its ability to help regulate their menstrual cycle and reduce the symptoms of PMS.

Lemon verbena has a bright lemony scent and is a great addition to salad dressings, smoothies, fruit salads, baked goods, and rice and vegetable dishes. Lemon verbena tea is a relaxing and medicinal tea that can be prepared by adding two teaspoons of dried or fresh herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allowing to steep for at least 15 minutes or more. Fresh lime and raw honey can be used if desired. Lemon verbena is a relatively easy herb to grow in a pot or in the garden. Dried lemon verbena can be found online or at your local health food store.

 

The Health Benefits of Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is a medicinal herb that has tremendous healing properties that are known to benefit a wide variety of ailments. Gotu kola is rich in vitamins A, C, & B-complex as well as minerals such as silicon, selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Gotu kola is one of the premier herbs for neurological disorders including dementia, bell’s palsy, epilepsy, parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, tremors, guillain-barre syndrome, tourette syndrome, and narcolepsy. It also functions as a brain tonic and energy booster and has been shown to significantly improve cognitive skills while reducing brain fog and forgetfulness. Gotu kola is an adaptogenic herb which makes it excellent for strengthening the adrenal glands and preventing stress related illnesses such as headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, and indigestion.

Gotu kola functions well as a blood cleanser and is known to help improve the circulatory, digestive, and lymphatic systems. It is also known to relieve high blood pressure and is particularly beneficial for hepatitis, urinary tract infections, heart disease, venereal diseases, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Gotu kola contains triterpenoid compounds that can help to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, veins, and capillaries which significantly improves blood flow and circulation. These abilities make it an effective remedy for varicose veins, leg cramps, ulcers, retinopathy, hemorrhoids, and chronic tingling of the arms & legs.

Topically, gotu kola has shown to be effective for skin ailments such as psoriasis, acne, eczema, bed sores, wounds, cellulite, postoperative scars, and even leprosy. Gotu kola can be found in tea, tincture, extract, capsule, and cream form online or at your local health food store.