Month: October 2014

The Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is most commonly known as a sleep aid and its ability to promote a full and restful night’s sleep which is especially beneficial for those who suffer with insomnia, sleep disturbances, racing mind, or high anxiety and stress. However, chamomile tea also has other significant healing properties such as the ability to soothe a disturbed digestive system by easing flatulence, stomach aches, ulcers, and cramping and by assisting in overall digestion and elimination.

Chamomile tea is also known to help relieve bronchial and sinus congestion, calm anxiety and panic attacks, decrease menstrual cramping, ease muscle spasms, and reduce migraine pain. Chamomile tea’s anti-inflammatory properties makes it beneficial for helping to reduce swelling associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other auto-immune diseases. Chamomile tea benefits the liver and kidneys by stimulating them to purge out any toxins and cleanse them from the system.

Chamomile tea also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties making it especially beneficial in fighting against colds, flus, infections, and even Candida. Chamomile tea is an excellent remedy for children as it can calm colicky infants and teething babies as well as soothe children that are irritable, cranky, and restless. Its mild flavor is often accepted and enjoyed by children especially when sweetened with a touch of honey. As a topical remedy, cooled chamomile tea can be applied to the skin to help soothe rashes, chickenpox, psoriasis, eczema, and burns including sunburns and even radiation burns.

Chamomile tea can also help to relieve eye fatigue and dark circles. Simply apply a cooled tea bag to the eyes for five minutes at night as a gentle and effective compress. Chamomile and peppermint tea are often used in combination due to their synergistic properties to help the body cleanse, relax, and heal. {Even though the healing qualities of chamomile are loved by many, chamomile should be avoided by pregnant woman as the herb may act as a uterine stimulant and by those that have severe allergic reactions to ragweed pollen.}

 

The Health Benefits of Celery

Celery is a strongly alkaline food that helps to counteract acidosis, purify the bloodstream, aid in digestion, prevent migraines, relax the nerves, reduce blood pressure, and clear up skin problems. Celery contains compounds called coumarins which are known to enhance the activity of certain white blood cells and support the vascular system.

Celery’s rich organic sodium content has the ability to dislodge calcium deposits from the joints and holds them in solution until they can be eliminated safely from the kidneys. Celery is a well known natural diuretic and has ample ability to flush toxins out of the body. Celery also has significant anti-inflammatory properties making it an essential food for those who suffer from auto-immune illnesses. It also contains significant amounts of calcium and silicon which can aid in the repair of damaged ligaments and bones.

Celery is rich in vitamin A, magnesium, and iron which all help to nourish the blood and aid those suffering from rheumatism, high blood pressure, arthritis, and anemia. Fresh celery juice is one of the most powerful and healing juices one can drink. Just 16 oz of fresh celery juice a day can transform your health and digestion in as little as one week.

The Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a fantastic medicinal and therapeutic spice that can provide pain relief from ailments such as migraines, nausea, sore throats, sinus infections, heartburn, hemorrhoids, stomachaches, toothaches, and nerve, joint and muscle pain. Cayenne is high in vitamin C & beta carotene making it an excellent remedy for colds, flu, bronchitis, and any viral conditions. It also has the amazing ability to boost circulation and increase cardiovascular ability while at the same time regulating blood pressure making it a great choice for maintaining heart health.

Cayenne also helps the body to create hydrochloric acid in the stomach and when taken with meals, it can actually help to rebuild stomach tissue and stimulate the peristaltic motion of the intestines which is essential for proper digestion and assimilation. Cayenne has the ability to destroy worms and parasites in the gut as well as protect against dysentery making it a vital resource when traveling abroad. Cayenne is a great metabolic-booster, aiding the body’s ability to burn excess amounts of fats and it is a powerful anti-inflammatory to help decrease bloating and swelling. It is can also help to alleviate depression and uplift the spirit.

Cayenne cream provides pain relief for neuropathy which is most commonly experienced by those who have had shingles, arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, or surgery. Cayenne cream is also excellent for psoriasis and other itchy skin conditions. Used as a spice to add zest and flavor to your food, taken in capsule form as a supplement, or applied as a topical cream, Cayenne has a myriad of uses and benefits that make it a top choice for home remedies and prevention.

The Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom is a wonderful medicinal spice that has similar health properties as those of cinnamon and ginger. Cardamom is rich in minerals such as iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. It also contains antiseptic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Cardamom is an excellent spice for the respiratory system and works as a natural expectorant in relieving congestion and phlegm from the lungs and sinus passages.

Cardamom is also great for the digestive system and stimulates the appetite as well as ease gas, nausea, indigestion, and cramping. It also helps to kill off any food borne bacteria in the digestive tract which helps to protect against food poisoning and gastric distress. Cardamom pods contain a compound called limonene which is usually found in citrus peels and is known to dissolve cholesterol containing gallstones, relive heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), and prevent against breast, colon, liver, and stomach cancer.

Cardamom also contains several compounds that helps to prevent blood clots from forming in the blood stream, making is an important medicinal for those concerned with deep vein thrombosis, lupus, strokes, or pregnancy. It is also a highly beneficial spice for cardiomyopathy, fibromyalgia, vertigo, tinnitus, halitosis, asthma, urinary tract infections, and spasms or convulsions. Cardamom works well as a diuretic and can reduce bloating, water retention, swelling, and edema.

Cardamom pods can be chewed on in order to relieve tooth and gum pain and prevent infection. Cardamom is often used in sweet and savory dishes and can be prepared as a delicious, warming tea by placing 4 cardamom pods in 2 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes, sweeten with raw honey if desired. Cinnamon, ginger, or cloves can be added to the tea for additional health benefits. Cardamom can be found as whole pods or powdered online or at your local health food or grocery store.

The Health Benefits of Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is an amazing fruit that has over 19 vitamins and minerals that help to boost the immune system, detoxify the organs, and deeply hydrate and alkalinize the body. Since cantaloupe is a pre-digested food, meaning it does not require any digestion in the stomach and can pass straight through to the intestines for assimilation, it is best eaten on an empty stomach alone for breakfast.

The high vitamin C content in cantaloupes is critical for immune system support and to fight bacterial and viral infections. Cantaloupe is also excellent for helping to relieve nerves and calm anxieties. It is known to keep the heartbeat normal and regulated while under stress as well as keep muscles relaxed and free from cramps and hypertension. The rich vitamin A and beta carotene content in cantaloupe helps to lower the risk of cataracts and aids in maintaing healthy eyesight.

Cantaloupe also aids the body in excreting excess sodium which helps to reduce water tension and bloating. After purchasing a cantaloupe, let it sit on your counter until it emits a light floral scent and yields to gentle pressure. Cantaloupe is a sweet and delicious fruit that is a wonderful way to start your morning and nourish your body and soul.