Oregon Grape - Natural Health Wonder

Chris Sumbs - UndergroundHealth.com  

Oregon grape has an interesting and distinctive combination of properties which makes it a versatile natural remedy.

Oregon grape is a perennial plant native to the west coast of North America. It is indigenous to the temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest. The lovely shrub displays bright yellow flowers in the spring and spreads by underground stems known as rhizomes. The tree produces deep purple berries, and its dark green leaves turn bronze, crimson, or purple in the fall.

Healing Properties

Oregon grape root has a distinctly bitter taste due to the presence of alkaloids; berberine being the most notable. These alkaloid substances have a beneficial effect on the human digestive tract. They stimulate the flow of bile, which loosens the stools and helps prevent and sometimes relieves constipation, diverticulosis, gallbladder disease, and hemorrhoids. They may also help people with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Oregon grape also has antibiotic and anticancer properties that are receiving more and more attention by researchers and clinicians. Berberine and other alkaloids have been shown to kill a wide range of microbes and have been effective in human studies for speeding recovery from giardia, candida, viral diarrhea, and cholera.

The anticancer properties of berberine have been the subject of continued research. In animal and in vitro study, berbamine, an alkaloid constituent of Oregon grape, has shown antiproliferative activity against leukemia cancer cells and decreased numbers of bone marrow stem cells, and thus may help protect bone marrow and promote recovery from chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.

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Mint and its amazing healing powers

How refreshing

So, besides making your breath fresher, what else does mint do?

Digestive:  Indegestion, cramps, and morning sickness are all treatable with fresh mint juice.  It can also be used to treat irritable bowl syndrome.  Mint is also effective at treating diarrhea when the oils from the plant are used.

Skin:  Mint oil can be applied to pimples, skin rashes, sunburn, and bug bites.  The oils from mint leaves can also relieve hemorrhoid pain.

Respiratory:  Fresh mint clears out the sinuses and even helps with asthma and bronchitis.  Mint is an ingredient in many cough drops and cough medicines because it helps relieve a soar throat.

Women's Health:  Mint extract can be taken prior to and leading up to menstruation to lessen painful cramps.

Joints:  Mint oil can be applied topically to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

Mint oil is an effective antiseptic!

Mint is native to temperate Europe.  The ancient Romans and Greeks knew of the medicinal qualities of mint.    Ancient Greek physician Saufarsats included it in the use of several carminative medicines.  Even ancient Chinese and Japanese physicians were familiar with this spice!

Although the health benefits of mint are every bit as astounding as the freshness it leaves behind, mint also has an impressive nutrient profile.  Mint is rich in minerals, contains vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B3.  About 50% of the composition of the plant's oils is menthol.

The Most Nutritional Food in The World

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