What is Heavy Metal Toxicity and What Can you Do About It?

theholisticdirectory.co.uk

Image www.naturalnews.com

Heavy metal toxicity is something i think we don't talk enough about in the holistic industry. However, heavy metals are everywhere, surrounding us in our daily lives and activities.

First of all, i would like to give you a definition of what toxicity means:

-Toxins are proteins formed by bacteria, animals or plants. We talk about toxicity when we evaluate the property of a toxin of being poisonous. Toxicity spreads around the body, taking differents paths through the blood and tissues. When not flushed properly through natural excretion pathways like stolls, urine and sweat, build up and accumulation of toxins appears and usually get stored in our fatty tissues. This is what we call Toxaemia. Toxaemia results in the overall body malfunctions. The immune system is compromised, Ph of blood and tissues acidifies, depression symptoms appears, skin rashes, thyroid problems, chronic migraines, mental and neurological disorders like Alzheimer, Parkinson's, MS, ADD, metallic taste in mouth and chronic inflammation, low libido, PMS, prostate problems, impotence, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease and many more might be the result of toxaemia.

Your body is clever and know how to flush those toxins, but sometimes overload might occurs and this is when trouble comes. Overlaod is most of the time the result of poor lifestyle choices and nutrition. Daily heavy metal poisoning can be due to many factors like cigarettes smoking, high alcohol intake, acidic diet made of too much meat, refined product, inflammatory foods and not enough alkaline forming foods, drinking tap water, conventional dental fillings, lack of physical exercise and recreational drug intake, non-organic foods.

Now there are different types of Heavy metals:

-Arsenic affects neurological functions and can lead to chronic migraines, apathy, confusion. Ways to find out if you are toxic in arsenic is to see if your breath smells like garlic even though you didn't eat any garlic lately. White spots on the nails can also be a high toxicity in arsenic (as well as deficiency in zinc and iron).

-Lead affects hormonal functions and memory. High toxicity can lead to insomnia, tingling of the limb, depression, unusual taste in mouth, light blue pigmentation on the skin might appear in severe cases. Lead is found in water pipes, canned fruits, car batteries.

-Cadmium affects the kidneys, respiratory and squeletal system. High toxicity can lead to bone fragility, gout, loss of smell, hair loss, zinc deficiency, raise in blood pressure. Cadmium is heavily absorb by the lungs. It used in fertilisers, industrial beers production, cigarettes, sodas. So if someone for example drinks too many beers and sodas and smokes too much, a accumulation of cadmuim might occurs and lower zinc levels which could be a result of prostate problems as prostate needs a lot of zinc to maintain proper functions.

-Mercury affect many things like coordination, gums problems, excessive salivation, neuropathy, depression, irritability, fibromyalgia, fear, apathy, abnormal heartbeat. Mercury is all over the place, from longer fish, to vaccines, passing by tap water and conventional dental fillings, it is hard to avoid mercury.

-Aluminium is a neurotoxin which lead to hypersensitivity, migraines, lower kidney functions, sleep disorders and neuro-muscular disease. It is found everywhere too and especially in vaccines.

-Copper affects mainly the emotions. Mood swing, depression, agitation, ADD, anxiety, chronic stress, insomnia, fibromyalgia, raise of blood pressure and hair loss can all be results of high copper toxicity. Copper can also accumulate in the thyroid leading to hyperthyroism. The pill increase the accumulation and retention of copper in the kidneys. It is mainly found in hot water tabs as the hot water pipes are made of copper.

There are many ways to remove and facilitate the excretion of those nasty little things.

My favorite is fresh crushed garlic, everyday with a green salad, with turmeric and cayenne pepper or just the way you like it the most. (avoid on a first date ;) ) Then Coriander is excellent is the removal of heavy metal, take it as a tea, infuse for 5 to 10 minutes with fresh orange peal, 3 times daily for 2 months minimum. Then there is Chlorophyl, fresh juice of it, around 50ml everyday, in the morning before breakfast is absolutely amazing in the general detox of the body and removal of heavy metals. Then, there is the Glutathione-skin brushing-epsom salt-exercise combo which works very well too.

In all cases, keep a balance lifestyle, exercise, eat fresh and organic as much as possible, have fun, be happy, dream a lot, explore your limits, do regular mini detox, socialise and don't be a purist, just be realistic and live your life the way you think is best for you and gives you the motivation to get up every morning and looking forward to a new day.

Source: theholisticdirectory.co.uk

About the author

Brandon from Brighton
I am a Holistic Health practitioner. I am all about take it easy, keep things simple and balanced and enjoy what Life, World and Nature have to offer. Check my Facebook page out : The Holistic Dude

Apparently We've Been Eating Apples All Wrong

Image: foodbeast.com

Did you know the average person wastes roughly 30% of each apple they eat? Here's how to eat an apple like a boss:

Herbs For Joint Pain

A debilitating condition, joint pain can be experienced as a result of ageing, over-use, or autoimmune diseases attacking the joints and their surrounding tissue. [1] If you have tried all available traditional medications yet failed to get the results you expected, this would not be surprising as many drugs only alleviate the symptoms without targeting the underlying cause. [2] Several alternative herbal treatments have been researched - and lab studies suggest that these may even have the potential to address both symptoms and origin in lab studies. Below are 10 herbs considered useful for managing joint pain:




10 Herbs for Managing Joint Pain:


Arnica

This is a popular herb present in various commercial ointments externally applied to the skin. When applied as a balm or cream, arnica has been shown to serve as a natural pain reliever to alleviate soreness and stiffness. [1] The evidence of arnica's clinical value is rich that when a study was conducted to compare its effects with ibuprofen in 204 patients with active hand osteoarthritis, there was no difference found in pain and hand function improvements between ibuprofen and arnica tincture after 3 weeks of treatment. This study suggests that arnica formulation is comparable to ibuprofen in treating hand osteoarthritis, yet without the potential side effects of ibuprofen. [3]


Ginger

Ginger is traditionally known to aid nausea but research has also found convincing evidence of its success in combating arthritis. [2] Its active ingredients, gingerols, possess anti-inflammatory characteristics responsible for its medicinal actions. Ginger has been found to relieve pain by preventing cytokine formation, an immune chemical that triggers inflammation. Consequently, one 3 year study discovered that 75% of the participants with rheumatoid arthritis experienced improvements in pain and swelling after using powdered ginger. [1]


Stinging Nettle

Its name may sound daunting but once you have infused this herb in tea, skin rash that would be brought about by this plant's hairs will naturally be neutralized. After concocting tea made from dried or fresh leaves of stinging nettle, it may be used to alleviate pain linked to joint pain, arthritis and gout. [4] Exploratory studies that investigated the value of stinging nettle as a useful, safe and cheap therapy in treating joint pain have discovered nettles as being very effective to the extent that some subjects believed they have been cured by it without any major side effects. [5]

Cayenne

Researchers discovered how the interesting mechanism behind rubbing cayenne works to relieve joint pain; cayenne, through the presence of its active ingredient capsaicin, acts as a counterirritant to the pain by producing mild irritation to distract your nerves from the more severe joint pain. [2] Eventually, repeated application of cayenne pepper can significantly reduce arthritic pain. [4] Because of cayenne's anti-inflammatory properties, experts believe that it can also ease gout and gut-related pain like ulcers. [1]

Boswellia

This tree commonly found in India attributes its therapeutic value to its gum which promotes anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activities. A 2003 randomized controlled study that evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of boswellia extract in 15 patients with osteoarthritic knees concluded that this herb can decrease knee pain and frequency of swelling, increase knee flexion and walking distance after 8 weeks of usage with minimal side effects. [6] Moreover, boswellia is believed to prevent invasion of inflammatory white cells into damaged issue making it a natural pain killer for osteoarthritis, gout and possibly, other types of arthritis as well. [1]

Burdock
According to research, when it comes to joint pains, increasing your intake of foods and supplements rich in essential fatty acids can really of great help. Aside from its sterol and tannin content, burdock contains high levels of essential fatty acids which are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. [7]

Burdock root contains analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammation and pain associated with arthritis and other degenerative diseases. Studies show that burdock root helps in eliminating the discomforts caused by arthritis such as stiffening, swelling, tenderness, pain when moving. [8] Though generally safe to use, some have said that burdock should not be used long-term. [9]

Flax

For over 7,000 years, flax has been widely cultivated because of its powerful healing compounds. This potent herb is known for its Omega 3-ALA content which is noted for its ability to fight against inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids actually limit the inflammatory reactions caused by gout and joint pains. The use of flaxseed of oil proves to be effective in lessening the intensity of severe and sudden pain and swelling of the joints. [10]

Turmeric

Known for its anti-inflammatory effects, turmeric is a powerful herb that aids in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions including gout, arthritis and joint pains. This excellent pain reliever works because of its curcuminoids and curcumin contents that help in reducing inflammation. [11]

In a study conducted at the University of Arizona, it was found out that intake of turmeric really helps in dealing with inflammation. Results showed that turmeric reduced swelling to a certain degree. Researchers concluded that turmeric works by blocking down the production of protein on genes that tell the tiny blood vessels to swell and grow. [12]

This famous yellow-orange spice is used to help people suffering from achy and sore joints. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a study in 2009 which compared the effects of curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric, and ibuprofen to 107 subjects who were suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Results showed that curcumin was as effective as ibuprofen in improving knee function and in alleviating pain. [13]

Licorice

Licorice is probably one of the most popular herbs for joint pains. It works by resembling the activities of the body’s natural cortiscosteroids that help in relieving inflammation. Licorice also works by eradicating free radicals on the affected areas as well as in inhibiting the production of enzymes that contribute to inflammation. When used as a supplement or tea, licorice helps in controlling the body’s production of cortisol hormones which eases the pain associated with arthritis and joint pain. [14]

Feverfew

A native herb from the Balkan Peninsula and Europe, feverfew also proves to be an excellent herb in relieving joint pain. Research showed that this herb is capable eradicating inflammation in tissues and joints which normally cause pain. Its parthenolide content inhibits the release of histamine, serotonin and other inflammatory agents that trigger the spasm of the blood vessels, and promote inflammation. Like aspirin, feverfew works by reducing the inflammation and intensity of pain throughout the body. [15]


Notes: Do not expect these herbs however to instantly cure joint pain overnight. Conversely, herbs generally do take longer to work than traditional medications especially if you are taking them internally for joint pain relief. [1] However, their cumulative effects are also more effective and longer-term, aside from being safer given the right dosage. Be diligent also in understanding the safety and contraindications of the herbs you are considering. If in doubt, or if you are taking prescription meds already, it's best to consult a physician before taking herbs. You can learn about many of the herbs on this site; however you can also search on "________ (herb name) safety" or _______ contraindications. This is not medical advice.

References:
[1] http://www.natural-health-and-healing-4u.com/herbs-for-joint-pain.html#axzz2Ohk8HhLW
[2] http://www.herbalremedypro.com/joints.htm
[3] Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study - See more at: http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-joint-pain.html#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17318618#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf
[4] http://www.naturalnews.com/035251_arthritis_joint_pain_natural_remedies.html -
[5] Nettle sting of Urtica dioica for joint pain--an exploratory study of this complementary therapy. - See more at: http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-joint-pain.html#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf
[6] Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622457 -
[7] http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4815/5-Herbs-for-Arthritis-Joint-Pain.html
[8] http://www.livestrong.com/article/365541-burdock-root-for-arthritis-pain/
[9] http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/side-effects-of-burdock-root.html
[10] http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-flaxseed-oil.html
[11] http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4815/5-Herbs-for-Arthritis-Joint-Pain.html#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf
[12] http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1910028,00.html
[13] http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/the-doctors-remedy-turmeric-for-joint-pain/
[14]http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4815/5-Herbs-for-Arthritis-Joint-Pain.html#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf
[15] http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/feverfew-herbal-remedies.htm#sthash.wINBE2YL.dpuf

Source:
http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-joint-pain.html

4 Antiviral Herbs and How To use Them

Image: naturehacks.com

Natural Cures Not Medicine

When you have a virus it is much harder to treat because antibiotics do not effect viruses. Fortunately for us,
there are some anti-viral plants found in nature that we can use to treat viral infections. According to naturehacks.com , here are 4 herbs  that you can use to naturally medicate yourself if you catch a virus:

1. Lemon Balm
In Germany, the antiviral effects of lemon balm are well-documented, and creams made from the herb are prescribed for herpes outbreaks and cold sores. Lemon balm is very easy to grow in your garden – a little too easy, in fact, as it tends to take over if not contained. 

Lemon balm makes a very good tea, and can be drunk to combat all sorts of viral infections, such as colds and flu. The tea or a cream can be applied to cold sores or other viral lesions, such as shingles or chickenpox.

2. Astragalus   
This lesser-known immune enhancing herb is known as huang qi in Chinese medicine. The root is sweet, not unlike licorice, to which it is related. It has been shown to be a very effective antiviral herb, particularly in the prevention of colds and flu, and may even be effective against the Coxsackie B virus (this virus can cause an inflammation of the heart). 

You can simmer slices of the root in water to make a healing decoction, or you can use the commercially-available tincture. It is generally agreed that astragalus should be taken as a preventative rather than once the illness is in full swing, so if you think you’ve been exposed, or you experience the very first twinges of illness, you can start taking astragalus. 

3. Garlic
No discussion of antiviral herbs would be complete without mentioning garlic, an herb that is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. It’s not expensive, and you can use the whole herb or take capsules. However, many experts agree that “deodorized” garlic may not be as effective as the unaltered herb. 

You can simmer minced garlic in chicken broth and sip it to stave off colds and flu. Raw, minced garlic can be sprinkled over salads and tossed with pasta. Be careful with consuming too much of it raw, though, as it can cause severe nausea when taken in this form.

Related: Garlic can also be used as an antibiotic 

4. Ginger

Long ago, ginger was considered a “warming” herb that would prevent nausea from a “chilled stomach,” which was said to occur when large amounts of cold water were consumed in hot weather. We now know that ginger has powerful anti-nausea action, and it is also anti-viral. 

Teas made from fresh ginger are palatable and spicy. You can sweeten them with raw honey for added germ-fighting benefits and flavor. When you feel the very first stages of a cold or flu, try drinking some of this tea several times a day. You can even drink it as a preventative if you think you may have been exposed to any viruses. Ginger is considered quite safe, although it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Source: naturehacks.com 

Scientists Use Sound Waves To Levitate And Manipulate Matter

Image: whydontyoutrythis.com

A team of researchers in Switzerland have developed a way of levitating and transporting small objects using nothing but sound.

Using ultrasonic waves – that is, sound waves whose frequency is too high for humans to hear – scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have made water droplets, instant coffee crystals, styrofoam flakes, and a toothpick, among other objects, hang in midair, move along a plane, and interact with each other.

It is the first time that scientists have been able to use sound to simultaneously levitate several objects next to each other and move them around.

It is the first time that scientists have been able to use sound to simultaneously levitate several objects next to each other and move them around.

As anyone with a subwoofer and a teenager knows, sound waves exert pressure. When those waves are bounced between carefully aligned surfaces, they can create what is known as a standing wave, in which the total pressure from the original wave and its reflection cancel each other out. Objects placed at spots along the wave with the lowest amplitude, known as node points, tend to stay put.

In the past, scientists have been able to acoustically levitate bits of styrofoam and even small insects and fish. But until now, nobody has figured out how to get acoustically levitated objects to do anything other than just hang there, even though moving them has long been known to be theoretically possible.

“Theoretically there’s no difference between theory and practice,” says engineer Daniele Foresti, the study’s lead author, in a phone interview. “But in practice there is.”

Continue reading


Source: whydontyoutrythis.com

Heat Your Room For 15 Cents a Day

Natural Cures Not Medicine

Image: YouTube

The following video shows us an ingenious way to heat a whole room for under 15 cents or possibly even cheaper if you find cheaper candles or maybe larger ones. It's simple, here's what you  need:

1. Small candles such as the ones seen is the video which are found at Ikea
2. A metal cake pan
3. Two clay planter pots, one smaller than the other
4. A lighter to light the candles

This awesome idea works on convection, which is accomplished by the air moving around between the two clay pots. This helps create a forced air effect which pushes the hot air around the room. Watch the video below to see how it's done:

Top flowers to grow for bees.

Albert Einstein once said, "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left." 

thanks rawforbeauty.com for this image

It is simple: No more bees; no more pollination; no more plants; no more animals, no more man.

The not-so-new crisis with the decline in bee populations is far more dangerous than the average person can imagine. So, while population science plays catch-up, and while we continue to fight big corporate GMO conglomerates that relish the opportunity to spray the earth with toxic pesticides, there are plenty of things that we, the little people, can do to help out the cause.

Above is a list of some of the more attractive, high-pollen, plants which can be grown in your yard, on your apartment's roof-tops, or hanging outside of your window, in a clay pot. Thankfully, not only will the bees enjoy it - you will, too!