Month: October 2014

The Health Benefits of Kale

Kale is a nutritionally packed leafy vegetable that contains incredible healing and rejuvenating properties. Kale is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K, B-complex and minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and potassium.

Kale is an anti-cancer powerhouse and contains phytochemicals such as glucosinolates that help protect the body from breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and bladder cancer. These glucosinolates are also known to detox the body on genetic level and have the ability to literally transform your body and health. Kale also contains an exceptionally high amount of antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids which are essential for protecting the body from degenerative diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, prostatitis, osteoporosis, and neurological disorders.

Kale contains an organic sulfur which has potent antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that work to boost to the immune system and provide significant benefits for chronic inflammation and oxidative stress seen in conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD, and irritable bowel disease. Kale also contains isothiocyanates which have been shown to help protect the stomach from H. Pylori bacteria.

Kale is part of the Brassica vegetable family which is known to mildly stimulate the liver and other tissues and organs out of stagnancy. Purple kale is a mild, sweeter variety of kale that is a delicious and beautiful addition to any meal. Purple kale is excellent to add to your green juice, wraps, salad, or steamed vegetables.

Try this simple recipe for a Healthy Kale Salad:

  • 1 cucumber, cubed
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch purple kale, finely chopped
  • 1 avocado, cubed
  • 1-2 oranges, squeezed over salad

Mix all together in a bowl, eat, and enjoy

The Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are a rich source of energy and are packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and heart healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid that are essential for optimum health and wellness. Macadamia nuts are an excellent source of iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and B-complex vitamins.

They also contain flavonoids which are compounds that protect the body from free radical damage and diseases such as cancer. Macadamia nuts are known to help the body maintain healthy blood lipid profiles which provides protection from strokes and coronary artery disease.

They are also helpful in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. Macadamia nuts are one of the only food sources that contains palmitoleic acid which is known to help speed up fat metabolism and reduce the body’s ability to store fat which ultimately means weight loss.

Macadamia nuts are also known to help rejuvenate the liver and discourage the craving for alcohol. Macadamia nuts are gluten-free and are often found in the preparation of gluten-free products as a healthy alternative for those suffering from celiac disease and IBS. Macadamia nut oil is promoted as being healthier than olive oil and is a tasty alternative to use as a salad dressing or to drizzle over steamed vegetables.

Raw macadamia nuts are ideal for ultimate nutritional benefits and overall health. They have a sweet buttery taste making them an easy addition to your diet as a snack or salad topping. Try keeping a small bag of them on hand to munch on during the day to help ward off cravings and maintain solid and consistent energy levels throughout the day.

 

The Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons are a powerful healing fruit that contain phenomenal antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-cancer properties. Lemons are rich in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, copper, and potassium.

They are considered to be a wonderful tonic and can help to cleanse and detoxify the entire body. Although lemons have an acidic taste they actually have a very strong alkaline reaction on the body and can help to alkalize blood, cells, lymph, organs, and tissues. Lemons are known to help destroy putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines which can help alleviate flatulence, indigestion, and constipation. Lemons contain a compound called limonene which is used to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones and can help to fight oral, lung, skin, breast, stomach, and colon cancer.

Lemons are also rich in bioflavonoids which can significantly boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. Lemon juice is known to be particularly beneficial for colds, coughs, sore throats, hiccups, ear infections, fevers, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, stroke, and cancer.

Topically, lemon juice is a great remedy for wrinkles, warts, toothaches, corns, sunburns, poison ivy, acne, psoriasis, and as a hair rinse and facial astringent. A tall glass of lemon water upon waking is an excellent way to hydrate and cleanse the body first thing in the morning.

Fresh lemon in tea and green juice and added to salads, wraps, hummus, guacamole, and nori rolls is another great way to add this healing and nutritious fruit into your diet. Fresh lemons can be found at your local grocery and health food store.

 

The Health Benefits of Lavender

Lavender is a sedative, diuretic, carminative, antiseptic, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory herb that has been medicinally used for centuries. Lavender is known to help relieve nervous headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, insomnia, dizziness, bloating, indigestion, flatulence, hypertension, asthma, and reduce symptoms from colds, flu, & fever.

Lavender has wonderful phytochemical and antioxidant properties making it an excellent herb to sprinkle on salads, mix in homemade tea or lemonade, or even add to your baked squash, potato, or rice dishes.

Essential oil of lavender has been known to help soothe the skin and relieve pain or discomfort from psoriasis, bee stings, acne, athlete’s foot, sun burns, eczema, poison ivy, and candida outbreaks. It can even help to prevent scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles.

Try adding a few drops to your bath, liquid soap, or moisturizing cream. Essential oil of lavender is also wonderful for aromatherapy uses and can significantly reduce lung and sinus infections and all types of headaches and mental tension.

For household use, lavender is a great natural disinfectant and insecticide and can be used safely around pets, children, and the elderly.

 

The Health Benefits of Goldenseal Root

Goldenseal root is a popular herb from North America that works as a powerful herbal antibiotic and immune system enhancer. Goldenseal is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, & B-complex and minerals such as calcium, iron and manganese. It contains potent anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as alkaloids that are known to be an effective treatment for diarrhea and stomach problems that are caused by influenza or food poisoning.

It is also very helpful for other digestive problems such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, dyspepsia, and colitis. Goldenseal helps to increase digestive enzymes and significantly enhances liver and spleen functions. It is an amazing infection fighter and is known to be particularly useful at treating sinus, respiratory, mouth, throat, bladder, yeast, and urinary tact infections. It is also an effective remedy for hemorrhoids, athletes foot, canker sores, and to help stop heavy menstrual bleeding.

Goldenseal is an essential herb during cold and flu season as it can help to prevent and relieve the symptoms of colds, flu, fevers, bronchitis, heavy congestion, and even pneumonia. It is also helpful against hay fever, laryngitis, cystitis, hepatitis, and liver disease.

Externally, a wash can be made with goldenseal extract to help treat conjunctivitis and inflamed eyelids. A mouthwash can also be made and used as a gargle for sore throats and gum infections and goldenseal creams/ointments are very effective for treating eczema, ringworm, boils, cuts, and rashes. Goldenseal is often combined with other herbs including Echinacea which work synergistically and enhance both of their healing properties together.

Goldenseal can be found online or at your local health food store in capsule, tincture, extract, tea, mouthwash, and cream form. It should only be used for a week or two at a time in order to maintain its effectiveness within the body.