Category: Herbs & Spices

The Health Benefits of Cloves

Cloves are a highly prized medicinal spice that have been used for centuries in treating digestive and respiratory ailments. Cloves contain good amounts of vitamins A, C, K, and B-complex as well as minerals such as manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, and magnesium. They also contain powerful antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties making them tremendously useful in helping to heal a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions.

Cloves are particularly beneficial for the digestive tract and are great for indigestion, gas, constipation, bloating, nausea, and countering the effects of heavy, rich food. They are excellent for relieving muscle spasms, headaches, and nerve pain. They are also often used to disinfect gums, teeth, kidneys, liver, skin, and bronchi.

Clove oil contains eugenol which is a powerful anesthetic and natural pain reliever and is commonly used to help relieve toothaches and to numb gums in dentistry. Clove oil is also beneficial for the circulatory system and is a potent platelet inhibitor which prevents blood clots. Clove oil is also excellent for athletes foot and for healing cuts, bruises, burns, rashes, and psoriasis. Essential oil of Clove is an effective decongestant and should be used in a vaporizer, humidifier, or aromatherapy machine to help disinfect the air and to help benefit respiratory conditions such as sinusitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, colds & coughs.

Cloves are often combined with other herbs to create seasonings such as Curry Powder and Garam Masala in India, Chinese Five Spice in China, and Worcester Sauce in Great Britain. They are also the ideal addition to deserts, fruit salads, smoothies, and savory dishes alike.

Clove tea is helpful for strengthening the immune system and detoxifying the body. Steep 2 tsp of whole cloves in two cups of hot water for at least 10 minutes, sweeten with honey if desired.

Cloves can be found whole or powdered in you local supermarket or health food store. Capsules, extract, tincture, tea, and topical oils & creams can all be found online or at your local health food store.

The Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum tea is a remarkable healing drink that is rich in beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Chrysanthemum tea contains potent anti-viral and antibacterial properties that make it highly beneficial for healing colds, flu, sore throats, itchy eyes, respiratory and sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and bladder and kidney infections. It is also very helpful in easing anxiety, tension, irritation, nervousness, and confusion.

Chrysanthemum tea is known to rejuvenate the brain as well as calm down the nervous system, leaving you alert and grounded. It is also good for blocked arteries, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, stabilizing blood pressure, and for preventing coronary artery disease. Chrysanthemum tea has a cooling effect on the body and can help to bring down fevers, heat rash, and heat stroke.

Chrysanthemum tea can help to ease headaches, nerve pain, and toothaches. It also aids in digestion of heavy or rich meals and is an effective liver detoxifier. To make this healing and refreshing tea, use 1-2 tsp of dried flower tops to 1 cups of boiling water and let steep for at least 20 minutes, strain and sweeten with raw honey if desired. The dry flowers can also be soaked in water and used topically as a natural treatment for acne, eczema, psoriasis, or dry, itchy skin.

Dried Chrysanthemum flowers can be found online or at your local health food store.

The Health Benefits of Chives

Chives are one of the richest plant sources of vitamin K which is vital for bone and neurological health and can help to prevent osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Chives also have an exceptional amount of vitamin A and other antioxidants such as carotenes and lutein which help to protect the body from a variety of cancers.

Chives contain a healing compound called allicin which has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Allicin also has the ability to help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and help to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke. The sulfur containing oil in chives provides powerful antiseptic abilities without any of the digestion disturbing tendencies that the rest of the onion family can create.

Chives are also known to help build the immune system, fight intestinal fermentation, and stimulate both stomach and liver function. Chives are also an excellent source of folic acid which is essential for woman before and during pregnancy.

Chives can be easily grown indoors or out and are a simple, flavorful, and healthy addition to any salad, guacamole, potato, rice, soup, or vegetable dish.

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 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.