Month: October 2014

The Health Benefits of Elderflower Tea

Elderflower tea is a soothing and healing beverage that contains strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Elderflowers are rich in vitamins A, C, and B-complex as well as numerous phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds. Elderflower tea is a powerful immune booster and is particularly helpful with respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, asthma, chronic cough, sore throat, cold, flu, and fever.

Elderflower is a natural decongestant and helps to clear up mucus and congestion in the lungs, sinus, and nasal passages. It’s also very helpful in treating other viral illnesses such as measles, chicken pox, shingles, and Epstein Barr. Elderflower has the power to purify the blood and cleanse the lymphatic system of toxins and debris.

Elderflower works as a natural diuretic and can help eliminate water retention, bloating, and edema. Elderflower is also known to be particularly useful in benefiting liver disorders, fungal infections, urinary tract infections, toothaches, gout, headaches, arthritis, and hay fever.

Elderflower tea can also be applied topically and used to help help heal cuts, wounds, burns as well as fade blemishes and freckles. To make elderflower tea, add 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers to 1 cup of of boiling water and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and/or a touch of raw honey to increase therapeutic benefits. Consider making several cups at a time and sipping throughout the day.

Elderflowers can be found online or at your local health food store in tea, extract, and tincture form.

The Health Benefits of Dates

Dates are an ideal food for improved energy and brain function. Dates are a good source of vitamin A & B-complex and they are rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium. Dates are known to help build bone and muscle strength and have been used for thousands of years by athletes to improve physical endurance, agility, and stamina.

Dates contain anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties which make it an excellent food for those who suffer with chronic infections and auto-immune disorders. Dates also help to control heart rate and blood pressure which offers protection against strokes and coronary heart diseases. Dates contain an easily digestible fiber that has been found to help prevent colon, prostate, lung, endometrial, breast, and pancreatic cancers. Dates are also known to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, relieve constipation, improve anemia, and prevent macular degeneration.

There are several varieties of dates including Medjool, Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Honey, Khadrawi, Halawi, and Barhi. Each variety is unique and varies in sweetness, flavor, and texture. For instance, Khadrawi dates are small, very soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and super sweet, while the Deglet Noor dates are firm and chewier with a more rich deep flavor. Medjool dates are one of the most popular dates for there king size and delicious meaty flavor.

Dates can be eaten out of hand as a quick snack and they also combine particularly well with celery sticks and cucumber slices as a balanced, high energy snack. Dates can be blended with a little water and turned into a caramel dipping sauce for apple slices that kids love! Dates are also delicious when added to smoothies and/or salads. They can also be chopped with walnuts, coconut, ginger or other spices and pressed into homemade energy bars and deserts.

Fresh dates can be found online or in the produce section of your local health food store. They can provide a wonderful energy boost and help revitalize the body any time of the day.

The Health Benefits of Honeydew

Honeydew melon is a hydrating fruit that has wonderful nutritional and healing benefits. Honeydew is high in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as copper and silicon. It also contains a highly mineralized distilled water that has the ability to deeply hydrate, rejuvenate, purify, and alkalinize the entire body.

Honeydew is an excellent food to help boost the immune system and help to protect against colds and flu during the winter months. It is also known to help lower blood pressure, strengthen memory and cognitive abilities, aid in weight loss, provide quick repair for muscles and tissues, increase flexibility, reduce risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent age-related macular eye degeneration.

Honeydew is a perfect food for humans in that it requires no digestion in the stomach and passes quickly through the stomach and into the small intestines for digestion and assimilation. This however can only happen if the melon is eaten on an empty stomach which it is why it is highly recommended that melons are eaten alone for breakfast for the ultimate benefits.

Ripe honeydew can be scooped into a blender and blended on high for a minute for a delicious and hydrating drink. This drink can also be placed in popsicle holders and frozen for a kid friendly treat. Ripe honeydews often emit a sweet floral perfume and yield gently to pressure.

The rind of a perfectly ripe honeydew will also start to change in color to a light yellow. This ensures maximum sweetness, flavor, and nutritional benefits.

 

The Health Benefits of Dandelion Greens

Dandelion greens are packed with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, E, & K, and calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium & copper. Dandelion greens are also about 14% protein, which is MORE protein per serving than spinach, Popeye’s favorite muscle building food.

Dandelion greens are especially beneficial for the liver and aid in flushing out toxins and remineralizing the body. It’s high beta carotene and flavonoid content also benefits the immune system and cardiovascular system. Dandelion greens are also one of the richest sources of plant based Vitamin K which is essential for bone and neurological health and Vitamin A which is vital for eye and skin health.

Dandelion greens can be found at most health food stores and farmer’s markets, but they also can be found in the spring and early summer months in your own backyard. Just make sure they have not been sprayed with any pesticides and wash in cold water before using. The leaves can also be dried and later used as a medicinal tea. The yellow flower tops and taproot are also edible and nutrient packed and will be discussed further in a separate post.

Try adding a few dandelion leaves to your soup, salad, green juice, or smoothie. They can also be steamed with garlic and ginger and drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil.

 

The Health Benefits of Grapefruits

Grapefruits are an exceptional fruit that have very strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. They are a great source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids which help to boost the immune system and prevent aging, illness, and disease.

Grapefruits are known to help with fevers, fatigue, indigestion, insomnia, diabetes, weight loss, influenza, malaria, urinary tract disorders, constipation, and flatulence. They are also an anti-cancer powerhouse and are particularly beneficial for prostate, breast, colon, and throat cancers. Even though grapefruit is thought to be an acidic fruit, it actually has the opposite reaction once inside the body and makes the body more alkaline which is vital for preventing most other diseases.

They also have the ability to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. Fresh grapefruit contains three special compounds; Salicylic acid, Naringin, and Galacturonic acid. Salicylic acid has proven to be very valuable in helping to remove or dissolve inorganic calcium that may have formed as deposits in the joints such as with arthritis. Naringin is a flavonoid (antioxidant) that has been shown to promote the elimination of old red blood cells from the body and to bring back hematocrit levels to normal. Galacturonic acid (found only in grapefruit) has the ability to break up and dislodge fatty plaque buildup in the arteries and remove it completely from the body.

Externally, fresh grapefruit is a natural antiseptic and can be used to help disinfect and heal wounds and abrasions. Grapefruit seeds also are a powerful natural medicine. Grapefruit seed extract is extremely effective at killing dozens of bacteria, fungi, yeast, and other harmful organisms.

Grapefruit seed extract is also known to quickly and effectively help heal sore throats, food poisoning, diarrhea, candida infections, and acne. Grapefruits are packed with electrolytes and water making them the perfect food to help replenish and hydrate the body after exercise. For the most health benefits, consume fresh grapefruits. An inexpensive citrus juicer can provide you with fresh grapefruit juice daily. If you find the sweet-tart flavor too intense, water can always be added to dilute the drink and make it a milder juice.

Another option is to use a high speed blender such as a Vitamix and blend a whole grapefruit (peel removed) on high for a minute or two. The seeds & white pith (where so many of the health properties are stored) will pulverize into the juice and provide you with an ultimate health drink, perfect for breakfast or anytime of the day.

As healthy and healing as grapefruits may be, caution should be used if you are taking certain prescription drugs. If you are on any medication, make sure to consult with your physician and/or pharmacist before consuming.