The Health Benefits of Mamey

Mamey is a sweet, creamy fruit that grows in Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, Mexico, and South America. It is exceptionally rich in fiber, antioxidants, and beta carotene and is high in vitamins C, A, & B and minerals such as copper, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Mamey contains antiseptic properties and is often recommended to help calm the nervous system, soothe an upset stomach, and alleviate headaches.

Mamey has been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer, improve immune function, and help to protect against heart disease and osteoporosis. It is also excellent for helping to alleviate hypertension and the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Mamey is a great food for eye and skin health and can help to prevent age related macular degeneration, cataracts, and skin cancer. It is a wonderful food to help rebuild and nourish the body after a long illness as it is easy to digest and rich with healing properties.

Mamey fruit can range from a softball size to a football size and are ripe when soft all the way around. They have a rough brown exterior but a deep orangey red flesh that is decadently sweet and satisfying. Mamey fruit is completely fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium free and makes an excellent addition to smoothies, puddings, pies, fruit salads, and ice creams. It is often said that mamey tastes just like pumpkin pie in terms of its flavor and texture.

When in season, mamey can be found in the tropical fruit section of most supermarkets, as well as in speciality caribbean and mexican food stores.

They can also be found online and through mail order or at farmer’s markets in southern Florida, Texas, California , & Hawaii. Mamey is a fruit treasure with wonderful health properties that should not be missed.

 

The Health Benefits of Mache

Mache is an exceptionally nutritious salad green that is soft, buttery, creamy, and nutty. This delicious flavor profile is due to its high omega-3 content making it one of the most enjoyable and healthy green leafy vegetables available today.

Plant based omega-3’s, like those found in mache, are easily assimilated and allow the body to immediately utilize the nutrition and put it to good use by lowering triglycerides, improving HDL, reducing inflammation, maintaining healthy cognitive function, and reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and digestive disorders. Mache has 30% more iron than spinach and is also packed with folic acid which helps to alleviate the effects of depression, fatigue, and stress.

Once a rare speciality green, mache is now found in most major supermarkets in the packaged salad section of the produce department. It is a wonderful base for your salads or can be eaten as a tasty snack straight from the bag.

 

The Health Benefits of Lomatium

Lomatium is a powerful herbal antibiotic that is highly effective for the respiratory ailments such as COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, chronic cough, and asthma. Lomatium can also significantly improve overall immune function and is a fantastic herbal preventative to use during cold and flu season.

Lomatium contains antiviral properties that have been shown to be a potent treatment for viral illnesses such as influenza, hepatitis, mumps, hiv, shingles, measles, chicken pox, mononucleosis and epstein barr. It also has the ability to help relieve chest pain and upset stomach that frequently accompanies the flu.

Lomatium is also particularly beneficial for urinary tract and bladder infections. Lomatium’s strong anti-inflammatory properties are known to decrease swelling in joints and reduce bloating and edema which makes it a great herb for those who have autoimmune disorders and suffer with chronic pain, fatigue, lower back pain, and inflammation.

Lomatium has the ability to make the blood more alkaline which can help to detoxify the body. Topically, lomatium is excellent for disinfecting cuts, scrapes, rashes, and wounds. Lomatium grows in the wild in the south west and was revered by the Native Americans as one of their top herbal antibiotics.

During the 1917 flu pandemic, lomatium root was successfully used by the Native Americans to help keep them healthy and help ward off illness. Lomatium can be found online or at your local health food store in tincture, extract, capsule, tea, and salve form.

 

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 crohn’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 Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea has been called the “Elixir of Life” due to its incredible anti-viral, anti-bacterial, digestive, and sedative properties. Incredibly, it also has high levels of antioxidants which substantially increases its ability to heal and work effectively.

Lemon Balm contains a compound called terpene which has the ability to help relieve anxiety, stress, hypertension, depression, high blood pressure, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, tension headaches, circulatory issues, and cognitive disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lemon Balm also benefits chronic gastrointestinal disorders including indigestion, IBS, colitis, and acid reflux. Lemon Balm has the ability to promote a healthy, balanced immune system and endocrine system, which is highly beneficial for autoimmune disorders such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Adrenal Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis, and Vertigo.

It is also useful in treating insomnia, sleep disturbances, and jittery nerves, allowing for a more relaxed body and better quality sleep. The polyphenol tannins contained in Lemon Balm give it its anti-viral properties making it particularly helpful in healing colds, flu, bronchitis and any viral infections.

Topically, Lemon Balm can be applied as a cream to help heal and provide relief for cold sores and shingles as well as cuts and wounds. Essentially, Lemon Balm is a heal-all herb and has rightfully earned its reputation as the “Elixir of Life”.

As a delicious and refreshing drink, Lemon Balm tea can be added to your weekly health regime for a wide range of healing benefits. Fresh or dried herb can be steeped in hot water for a minimum of ten minutes and sweetened with raw honey, if desired.