Woman gets rid of asthma and allergies with raw food diet

Image: shutterstock.com

(NaturalNews) When Jenni, who worked in a factory in her late teens, was convinced that she was having a heart attack, doctors informed her that she had developed asthma. Fortunately, her heart was not in trouble, but her ability to breathe easy was. Turns out, the dusty conditions and poor air quality at her workplace contributed to her diagnosis.

Determined to embark on a healthier lifestyle, she quit her job and started running for exercise. However, her asthma symptoms not only persisted but worsened. When doctors performed a bevy of tests on her, they said she had exercise-induced asthma.

Raw foods, gluten and dairy-free diet turned life around

Frustrated with the tests, hospitals, inhalers and constant chest tightness, Jenni sought the advice of a chiropractor who focused on healing through proper nutrition. He advised her to go raw and also to adhere to a gluten and dairy-free lifestyle.



According to Jenni, who is also known as Raw Jenni on her YouTube channel and Facebook page, she followed his advice and the results were "breath returning, instead of breath-taking." She says that in a very short time after starting the healthier diet which consisted of raw foods, her asthma and allergy symptoms were gone.

Ever since, Jenni stayed on track with this lifestyle. Now approaching age 40, she says, "I rarely get a cold. . . I don't have tight chest issues, I don't have difficulty breathing." In 2012, she even adopted the 80-10-10 diet (80% carbs, 10% protein, 10% fat daily) and the 30 Bananas a Day diet and continues to feel great.

Additional health benefits of going raw

In addition to getting rid of her asthma and allergies, Jenni also says her raw food lifestyle has helped eliminate other health problems in her life, including arthritis and constipation (she used to be constipated up to four days after eating meat, but she says this no longer happens).

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAI), about one in 12 people, or 25 million people in the U.S., have asthma, costing an average of $3,300 annually in hospital visits, missed school/work days and early deaths.

Source: rawfoodhealthwatch.com via naturalnews.com

Sources used in this article:

www.youtube.com

rawjenni.com

www.facebook.com

www.everydiet.org

www.aaaai.org

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well.

Getting a Tan Can Naturally Prevent You From Catching The Flu

Dr. Mercola | Mercola.com

Image: jokeroo.com

Vitamin D is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. So optimizing your levels will not only help send a cold or flu virus packing… it will prevent them from invading your body in the first place.

Contrary to flu vaccines, this recommendation has been gaining scientific validation.

For example, in a study published last year, researchers investigated the effect of vitamin D on the incidence of seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. For over a year, they conducted a study comparing the effects of vitamin D3 with placebos. They found that influenza A occurred in just 10.8 percent of the children in the vitamin D group, compared with 18.6 percent children in the placebo group.

According to the authors:

"This study suggests that vitamin D3 supplementation during the winter may reduce the incidence of influenza A, especially in specific subgroups of schoolchildren."

Why getting your vitamin D from sunshine is so important

In a recent interview, Dr. Stephanie Seneff brought the importance of sun exposure to a whole new level. I've consistently recommended getting your vitamin D from regular sun exposure whenever possible, and Dr. Seneff's review of how vitamin D—specifically from sun exposure—is intricately tied to healthy cholesterol and sulfur levels makes this recommendation all the more important. To review the details of the interview, please click here.

However, as a quick summary, when you expose your skin to sunshine, your skin synthesizes vitamin D3 sulfate. This form of vitamin D is water soluble, unlike oral vitamin D3 supplements, which is unsulfated. The water soluble form can travel freely in your blood stream, whereas the unsulfated form needs LDL (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) as a vehicle of transport. Her suspicion is that the oral non-sulfated form of vitamin D likely will not provide the same benefits as the vitamin D created in your skin from sun exposure, because it cannot be converted to vitamin D sulfate.

I believe this is a very compelling reason to make a concerted effort to seek to get your vitamin D requirements from safe exposure to sunshine, or by using a safe tanning bed (one with electronic ballasts rather than magnetic ballasts, to avoid unnecessary exposure to EMF fields). I have maintained my level between 65 and 110 ng/ml with regular sun exposure. This article has much more information about tanning for vitamin D: http://articles.mercola.com/maximizing-vitamin-d-exposure/

The video below shows you how to calculate your sun exposure to see if you get enough from the sun:



I recognize that these options may not be feasible for most people, and certainly an oral vitamin D3 supplement will be much than nothing at all.

Sources:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/26/maximizing-vitamin-d-exposure.aspx

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/13/could-a-cup-or-more-of-this-a-day-keep-the-flu-away.aspx

Why You Should be Drinking Alkaline Water and How to Make it

Sheleana Jennings | youngandraw.com

What’s in your water?

Image: valsocal.blogspot.com

When you think about your personal health and nutrition goals, what food or nutrients do you usually consider to be most important? Consider this: Our brains are made up of about 70% water, our bodies about 80%, surely water should be considered one of the most important things we put into our body on a daily basis. Each morning when you rise, you are already 2 cups dehydrated.

To enhance your daily protocol whatever it may be now, you can do 1 simple thing that will give you more energy, help you focus, and reduce cravings. Can you guess what that 1 thing is going to be? Upon waking, drink 1 litre of filtered alkaline water. This is something Caleb and I were  advised to do by Preet at Organic Lives in Vancouver, BC when we began our journey with raw foods.

Your Tap water is generally a mixture of chlorine, anti-biotics, hormones and other metals that will go straight into your system.

Impure water can cause a weakened immune system and an array of other illnesses that occur when the immune system is vulnerable. You’re also in danger should anything contaminate the public water sources. I’m sure from time to time you’ve heard or read about the acid/alkaline balance that’s so crucial to staying healthy. When our bodies are too acidic, we experience low energy, fatigue, digestive issues, weight gain and other side effects that are completely avoidable just by drinking pure water and eating fresh organic vegetables with a healthy acid/alkaline balance.

Alkalinity is the key to a healthy immune system

Use an alkaline water filtration system whenever possible. Alkaline filtration systems can be costly, ranging from 1-3k, however you are able to find personal alkaline wands at your local health food store for around $30. Ideally, fresh spring water is the absolute best water for you to drink. Find a Spring is a website that was created for the sole purpose of helping you find the closest springs near your area.

You can find a natural spring near you at this website.

Should you happen to be the resourceful type, we’ve shared a home made alkaline water recipe that was given to us by Preet Marwaha over at Organic Lives in Vancouver, BC.

Alkaline water recipe:

1 Pitcher (64 ounces) of clean filtered water (if tap water is all that is available, use that. The cleaner the better)
1 Organic Lemon, washed, cut into eighths
1 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt (this is optional and will mineralize your Alkaline Water)

Directions: Fill pitcher, add in Lemon wedges (do not squeeze!). Then add 1 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt, cover, and let sit overnight (8-12 hrs.) at room temperature. Wake up and drink 3
glasses first thing for best Alkaline balance in your body.

Source: youngandraw.com

Boston Children's Hospital Kidnaps Girl for 10 months; threatens parents

A 15-year-old Connecticut girl remains held by Boston Children's Hospital, a victim of the hospital's "kidnap and ransom" operation, traditionally called "K&R." K&R is not usually seen in hospitals, and that's what makes this story so bizarre and disturbing.

Boston Children's Hospital kidnapped the teen girl from her Connecticut family nearly 10 months ago under the excuse of a contrived medical diagnosis. Through legal maneuvering, the hospital managed to gain legal custody of the girl, and the "ransom demand" is the demand that the parents stop trying to remove the girl from the hospital so that Boston Children's can generate maximum revenue from so-called "treatments" which have so far accomplished nothing.

"It is kidnapping," said the girl's father, Lou Pelletier. "It's beyond any wildest nightmare that you could think of."

The clinical psychologist known by the family says, "It's the most bizarre situation ... I've ever been involved with."

After the contrived diagnosis by the hospital, both parents "were escorted out of the hospital by security, and within four days, they lost custody of Justina," reports FoxCT.com.

Boston Children's Hospital now engaged in felony criminal kidnapping

What we are all witnessing here is far beyond the utter abandonment of medical ethics. This is a case where a hospital has crossed the line into blatant mafia-style criminality.

"Kidnapping" is defined as:

The crime of unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person by force or fraud, or seizing and detaining a person against his or her will with an intent to carry that person away at a later time.

This perfectly fits the definition of what Boston Children's Hospital has done to the Pelletier family. The hospital has no legitimate legal authority to assume control over a family's teenage daughter, especially when the parents were so actively concerned and involved in the child's wellbeing. The custody they claim to have now is based entirely on fraud and misrepresentation, thereby making the custody fraudulent.

The hospital cited "both parents' resistance towards recommended treatment plans" as part of its justification for kidnapping the girl for nearly 10 months. Make sure you fully grasp what this means: IF YOU DO NOT AGREE with a doctor's diagnosis of your child, the hospital will kidnap that child for an indefinite period, and local law enforcement authorities will very likely side with the hospital rather than the parents (because cops are easily intimidated by doctors).

The hospital is God. It is the ultimate authority and the owner of all your children. If you disagree with the hospital, you are stripped of your parenthood. Your child is taken from you by force -- essentially at gunpoint -- and if you try to rescue your own child from the hospital, YOU will be charged with kidnapping your own child! (This isn't fiction. We've already reported on this happening before.)

Justina Pelletier is a prisoner of Boston Children's Hospital

Right now as you read this, Justina Pelletier is a prisoner of Boston Children's Hospital. The hospital will not let her leave. She is being forced to eat hospital food, which is much like prison food. Her movements are controlled. She is monitored. Her communication with the outside world is restricted.

This is the definition of prison.

Even if the hospital one day decides to release Justina Pelletier, it will almost certainly bill the parents for potentially millions of dollars in medical costs. That's where the "ransom" part comes into play. The longer the hospital criminally holds the girl as a kidnapping victim, the more bills they rack up which they may try to charge to the parents -- even though the parents never consented to the outrageous medical diagnosis and kidnapping in the first place!

The ultimate medical tyranny

This is the ultimate medical tyranny. You are witnessing hospitals transition into paramilitary medical enforcement detection centers where all medicine is administered at gunpoint and parents are escorted away from their children by husky, heavily-armed "security officers."

When it comes to children, vaccines, chemotherapy and psychiatric drugs are all weapons of destruction used as tools domination and control. Doctors now believe they alone have the intelligence to decide what's best for children, even at the expense of violating families, parental rights, individual liberty and medical common sense.

This is why you should NEVER take your child to a conventional hospital unless it's an absolutely life-and-death emergency. Even then, prepare to be accused of harming your own child and then escorted at gunpoint out of the hospital if you don't 100% agree with the diagnosis of some drug-pushing doctor who's more than likely receiving financial kickbacks from psychiatric drug manufacturers.

Boston Children's Hospital has a history of medical abuse of children

This isn't the first case of Boston Children's Hospital abusing children for profit, by the way. Over a hundred years ago, Dr. Arthur Wentworth used 29 children at the hospital as human guinea pigs for unethical medical experiments involving tapping into their spinal columns.

In response to this grotesque abuse of children by the hospital, Dr. John Roberts of Philadelphia characterized the procedure as "human vivisection."

The Boston Children's Hospital has never issued an apology for using human children in medical experiments. Don't hold your breath waiting for an apology of the kidnapping of Justina Pelletier, either.

Why we are calling for the arrest and prosecution of hospital executives

Natural News calls for the arrest and prosecution of Boston Children's Hospital executives for the felony kidnapping of a teenage girl.

"The future of pediatrics will be forged by thinking differently, breaking paradigms and joining together in a shared vision of tackling the toughest challenges before us." - Boston Children's Hospital President and CEO Sandra L. Fenwick

(You gotta give her credit. Kidnapping really is thinking differently!)

Action items:

Visit Justina's Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Miracle-for-...

Call the Boston Children's Main Switchboard and register your complaint!
617-355-6000

Send your emails to:
media.relations@childrens.harvard.edu

Tell these criminal kidnappers that NO HOSPITAL HAS THE RIGHT TO KIDNAP CHILDREN AWAY FROM CARING PARENTS!

Source: NaturalNews

Deaf Woman Hears Herself for the First Time

Sarah Churman, 29, was born deaf. Until recently, she had never heard the sound of her own voice. But thanks to a hearing implant, Churman was able to experience a miracle.

Churman underwent surgery for a hearing implant called The Esteem Implant by Envoy Medical. Though she’d been wearing hearing aids since the age of 2, she says they “only help so much.” She had her husband record the activation of the implant.

She says on her YouTube channel that she's worn hearing aids since she was two years old and has gotten by on reading lips. Churman goes on to explain the background behind her clear speech:

"My whole life I've been complimented on how well I speak. I don't really have an answer for you other than I have always had a passion for reading, grammar, and English. My hearing loss was/is considered severe to profound. I've worked very hard to be able to interact and blend in...Only thing I can say is 'God is good.'"

Study Shows Nuts Decrease Cancer Risk By More Than 33%

Writing in Nature's British Journal of Cancer, the team behind the new analysis reported that consumption of nuts - including tree nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts - was found to be inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

The data, from a large-scale prospective study, investigated the association between nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in more than 75,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study, and had no previous history of cancer.

"Frequent nut consumption is inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer in this large prospective cohort of women, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer," explained the research team - led by Dr Ying Bao of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

The body uses selenium to make "selenoproteins", which work like antioxidants preventing damage to cells. There is a growing body of evidence to show it has a key role in health.

Bao and colleagues found that women who consumed a one-ounce serving of nuts two or more times per week had a 35% lower risk of pancreatic cancer when compared to those who largely abstained from nuts.

"This reduction in risk was independent of established or suspected risk factors for pancreatic cancer including age, height, obesity, physical activity, smoking, diabetes and dietary factors," said Bao.

Soil Degradation A Problem

"Selenium levels in our blood plummeted after the time the government began measuring them in 1974," says Margaret Rayman, professor of nutritional medicine at the University of Surrey and a leading researcher in selenium’s effects. 

"They stabilised at this sub-optimal level in the mid-Nineties as our diets haven’t changed much since." 

The problem is compounded by the fact that we import less foods from selenium-rich soils than ever before.

Soil in the U.S. has higher levels of selenium due both to different geological conditions and the fact that it’s generally more alkaline, allowing better uptake of nutrients by plants.

Earlier this year, in a paper published in The Lancet, she detailed selenium’s links to everything from enhanced fertility and thyroid function to preventing plaque build-up in the arteries, regulating blood pressure and reducing cancer risk.

Study Details

Bao and colleagues analysed data from 75,680 women in the Nurses' Health Study, and examined the association between nut consumption and pancreatic cancer risk. Nut consumption was assessed at baseline and updated every 2 to 4 years.

During the follow up, the team documented 466 incident cases of pancreatic cancer.

After adjusting for age, height, smoking, physical activity, and total energy intake, women who consumed a 28-g (1oz) serving size of nuts twice per week experienced a significantly lower risk of pancreatic cancer, said Bao and colleagues - noting a relative risk of 0.65 compared to those who did not eat nuts.

"The results did not appreciably change after further adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and history of diabetes mellitus," the team added - noting that the inverse association persisted within strata defined by BMI, physical activity, smoking, and intakes of red meat, fruits, and vegetables.

Source: PreventDisease

Family Moves to Colorado to Cure Daughter's Epilepsy with Marijuana

With their daughter’s life on the line, they decided to leave.  They moved to Colorado where the highest profile success story for the treatment of epilepsy with marijuana had recently taken place.  Once skeptical of medical marijuana themselves, they left their home, friends and family behind to pursue a possible treatment for their daughter, who had been suffering nearly 300 spasms a day – with episodes lasting up to half an hour – since she was six months old.  They’d had no success with any other treatments.

The marijuana is administered in oil which Piper eats, and her seizures have now reduced in severity and frequency to a handful of single spasms per day.  The results so far have been life changing for Piper and multiple children in her same situation.  Organizations in Washington have had similar success using a tincture of marijuana with the THC removed.

Medical marijuana has also had unprecedented success in treating pain from cancer, fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases and conditions.  Unlike opiates – which are made from the same plants as heroin – it shows no real signs of being addictive, especially with the THC removed.  Unlike acetaminophen, it doesn’t pose a risk to the liver.  Though medical marijuana is a controversial for some, many people find relief from the substance they can find nowhere else.

People abuse prescription painkillers already.  Narcotics are already opium based, and retain much more of their psychoactive power than marijuana does with its THC reduced or removed, and opiates are much more dangerous drugs than marijuana.  Even cocaine is legal for some medicinal purposes.  The potential for abuse of marijuana is further reduced by the ability to eliminate THC, so even states skeptical of people’s motivations for seeking medicinal marijuana, or skeptical of the legalization of recreational marijuana, can simply regulate the amount of THC allowed in marijuana-based medications.

Benswann.com’s Joshua Cook asked Koozer how the treatment has helped his daughter so far.

“The frequency of spasms has been reduced, but the overall intensity has decreased,” Koozer said.

“Here is a medication that is plant derived. It doesn’t show any side effects. We are having extremely good success. We are looking at the original 35 kids who were on it. The research results show that 80 percent of those kids showed a 50 percent reduction without harmful side effects,” Koozer said.

Koozer said, “those who are skeptical wonder why I don’t resort to a pharmaceutical option. What people don’t think about is that every epileptic drug on the market has severe side effects: sleeplessness, increased seizures, liver and kidney failure, unexplained death, and vision loss is one of the major ones.”

Koozer believes that the natural properties derived from cannabis have a lot to offer compared to the harmful side effects of other pharmaceutical drugs.

Though people may be skeptical of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, there should be no question about legalizing it for medicinal purposes.  It doesn’t make sense that the least stigmatized drug for recreational use should be the most stigmatized for medical purposes.  This is a substance which has the power to save the lives of children, cancer patients, fibromyalgia sufferers and more.  Furthermore, the psychoactive component can be removed using a variety of methods, not only reducing those effects in young children and other users, but also reducing the motivation for abuse of the system or the drug.

Source: BenSwann

9 Signs of a Leaky Gut (and how to Heal it)

Dr. Amy Myers | eatlocalgrown.com

Image: EatLocalGrown.com

The gut is the gateway to health. If your gut is healthy, chances are that you’re in good health. However, there’s a condition called leaky gut that can lead to a host of health problems.

What is a leaky gut?
The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. In fact, regulating intestinal permeability is one of the basic functions of the cells that line the intestinal wall. In sensitive people, gluten can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Other factors — such as infections, toxins, stress and age — can also cause these tight junctions to break apart. Once these tight junctions get broken apart, you have a leaky gut. When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these “foreign invaders” as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the nine signs you have a leaky gut, which are listed below.

What causes leaky gut?
The main culprits are foods, infections, and toxins. Gluten is the number one cause of leaky gut. Other inflammatory foods like dairy or toxic foods, such sugar and excessive alcohol, are suspected as well. The most common infectious causes are candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Toxins come in the form of medications, including NSAIDS like Motrin and Advil, steroids, antibiotics, and acid-reducing drugs. They can also present in the form of  environmental toxins like mercury, pesticides and BPA from plastics. Stress and age also contribute to a leaky gut. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, it’s likely that you have a leaky gut.

9 Signs You Have a Leaky Gut

1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Seasonal allergies or asthma.

3. Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS.

4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease.

5. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.

6. Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD.

7. Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, or eczema.

8. Diagnosis of candida overgrowth.

9. Food allergies or food intolerances.



How do you heal a leaky gut?
In my practice, I have all of my patients follow The Myers Way comprehensive elimination diet, which removes the toxic and inflammatory foods for a certain period of time. In addition, I have them follow a 4R program to heal their gut. The 4R program is as follows.

1. Remove.
Remove the bad. The goal is to get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the GI tract, such as inflammatory and toxic foods, and intestinal infections.

2. Replace.
Replace the good. Add back the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption, such as digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and bile acids.

3. Reinoculate.
It’s critical to restore beneficial bacteria to reestablish a healthy balance of good bacteria.

4. Repair.
It’s essential to provide the nutrients necessary to help the gut repair itself. One of my favorite supplements is L-glutamine, an amino acid that helps to rejuvenate the lining of the gut wall. If you still have symptoms after following the above recommendations, I would recommend finding a Functional Medicine physician in your area to work with you and to order a comprehensive stool test.

Source: eatlocalgrown.com

The cinnamon in holiday cooking reduces blood sugar and can cure the common cold

Image: cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com

(NaturalNews) Cinnamon is a frequent addition to holiday meals such as pumpkin pie and mulled cider. Cinnamon can also be used to lower blood sugar, treat the common cold and thin blood. In fact, the drug Coumadin is derived from a synthetic form of cinnamon. Used in Chinese medicine, cinnamon is derived from the bark of a tree native to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The oil from the tree bark contains the active ingredient, cinnamonaldehyde. Cinnamon oil is calming to the nervous system.

Healing uses of cinnamon
Cinnamon can be used to treat heart disease, as it is known to reduce cholesterol. And ongoing research on the use of cinnamon continually shows that it reduces blood sugar. Cinnamon acts as an antifungal and can treat yeast infections and thrush. It can also treat Helicobacter pylori bacterial infections, which lead to ulcers. Cinnamon can be used as a gargle to treat sore throats.

Cinnamon use in Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Egypt and Rome
In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon has been used for over five thousand years to cure colds, improve digestion and treat nausea, diarrhea and painful menses. It can also be used to improve the health of those who have chronically cold feet and hot upper bodies, a condition known in Chinese medicine as "kwai."

Cinnamon was used by the Egyptians to embalm mummies and also to preserve meat. Ancient Romans used cinnamon for coughs and colds and also burned it to clear the air. Romans also used cinnamon for offerings at shrines. Pliny the Elder in the first century A.D. wrote that cinnamon was 15 times more valuable than silver. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is utilized to treat diabetes, indigestion and those with kapha temperaments. Cinnamon is an ingredient in chai tea and, as such, aids digestion of fruit and dairy.

Warning for use of cinnamon
Pregnant women should avoid the use of cinnamon, as it can cause blood thinning that is not beneficial while pregnant. Also, it's recommended that anyone on blood-thinning medication or on diabetic medicine consult with their medical advisers before adding cinnamon to their diet.

Source: naturalnews.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.mayoclinic.com

http://cms.bsu.edu

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Talya Dagan is a health advocate and health coach, trained in nutrition and gourmet health food cuisine, writing about natural remedies for disease and nutrition and herbal medicine.

Get Rid of Heart Burn Naturally!

Patricia Bratianu | offthegridnews.com

Image: www.healthorbis.com

Do you experience a burning pain in your chest accompanied by a feeling of fullness or pressure? Do you get gassy or nauseated especially after eating or lying flat? You may have acid reflux disease. It is a very common affliction. Of course, you should get professional help immediately if you are having chest pain that has not been diagnosed. However if you have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, also known as GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease, herbs may help to relieve your symptoms and promote healing of inflamed tissues.

What Causes Acid Reflux Disease or GERD?
Acid reflux is commonly due to a problem with a valve that protects the esophagus from stomach acid. When the digestive system is functioning properly, food travels down the esophagus to the stomach and does not back up into the esophagus because of the valve. When food reaches the stomach, strong acid digests the food.

The stomach has a special lining to protect it from the acid; however, since stomach acid normally does not go into the esophagus, the esophagus does not have the protective lining. If the valve is not working properly, food and stomach acid back up into the tender tissues of the esophagus, causing damage to the esophageal tissues which results in pain and other symptoms of GERD.

Herbs to Relieve GERD

I prefer using herbal teas over other types of herbal preparations for the treatment of acid reflux or GERD. By consuming the herbs in tea form, the herbs coat the irritated tissues and provide quick relief. In addition, teas afford the herbs the longest time to be in direct contact with irritated tissues. While I often recommend herbal tinctures, I do not recommend tinctures for the treatment of GERD, as the tiny amount of alcohol in tinctures may irritate the esophagus.

The hidden secrets of making herbal medicines…right at your fingertips!

Herbs Create a Protective Barrier

One of the best herbs used to treat acid reflux is marshmallow root. Marshmallow root forms a protective barrier between the stomach acid and the esophagus. Its anti-inflammatory properties provide quick relief to raw tissues.

Marshmallow root is best prepared as a cold infusion. Pour one quart of water over two tablespoonfuls of dried marshmallow root. Let it sit covered, overnight. Strain the herb out and compost it. Drink one cup of the infusion three times daily. If you experience an episode of pain, drink additional tea as needed for rapid symptom relief.

In a pinch, simply mix one teaspoon of powdered herb with a little honey and take that for rapid pain relief if you do not have an infusion prepared.

Marshmallow root, like the other herbal remedies for acid reflux, works best when consumed regularly as it will hasten healing and prevent future irritation to the delicate tissues of the esophagus.
Another herb which provides a protective barrier is aloe. You may purchase the juice or gel at health food stores. I prefer the gel. Simply follow instructions on the label. Aloe helps to relieve constipation if that is a concern.

Use Anti-inflammatory Herbs to Relieve Acid Reflux

Chamomile acts as a tonic for the digestive tract. If nausea is present, it helps to relieve it. Chamomile has potent anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used for centuries to relieve digestive symptoms. Chamomile is a relaxing herb. It helps to relieve spasms of the digestive system which frequently are a source of distress for people suffering from GERD.

Calendula is a terrific herb to use as it has many healing qualities which promote digestive health. It improves immune health, enabling the bodies’ own healing powers to restore wellness. Calendula offers a protective barrier to the tissues. It has mild astringent properties which tone the lining of the esophagus and prevent bleeding. Calendula prevents inflammation and pain.

Orange Peels for a Healthy Esophagus

Researchers have discovered that orange peel extract promotes transit of the food through the esophagus. It also provides a protective barrier from stomach acid to esophageal tissues. Researchers recommend that a standardized form of orange peel extract, standardized to 98.5 percent D-limonene, be consumed every other day for three weeks.

Orange peel extract has been the subject of several scientific studies. Researchers believe that orange peel extract helps the food travel through the esophagus more efficiently.  It may also coat the esophagus, preventing exposure to stomach acid if reflux does occur. Experts recommend consuming 1000 mg of orange peel extract every other day for 3 weeks to reduce acid reflux and aid healing of the esophagus.
I believe that adding one tablespoon of fresh or one teaspoon of dried orange peel tea cup of hot water and drinking it four times daily offers the same benefits. Be sure to use organic oranges only.  Drink the orange tea between meals.

Have a Cup of Herb Tea for Relief

Here is an herbal tea which is very helpful for treating acid reflux. Use it in addition to the marshmallow infusion.

Combine three teaspoons of chamomile, three teaspoons of dried orange peel and two of teaspoons calendula. Pour one quart of boiling water over the tea. Let it sit, covered, for twenty minutes. Strain the herbs out and compost them. Drink the tea warm or at room temperature throughout the day. If it is easier for you, combine the cooled tea with the marshmallow infusion. It will enhance the flavor of the marshmallow infusion. If calories and sugars are not a concern, sweeten with honey as desired as raw unprocessed honey offers healing benefits, too.

Herbal teas can be a very effective part of a treatment plan for GERD. Use them liberally in conjunction with other steps which you use to ease pain and prevent acid reflux from occurring.

Source: offthegridnews.com

21 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Wheatgrass

Mae Chan | preventdisease.com

Image: livelovehealthy.com

Wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice are excellent ways to get dark greens in the diet. Pound for pound, wheatgrass is more than twenty times denser in nutrients than other choice vegetables. Nutritionally, wheatgrass is a complete food that contains 98 of the 102 earth elements.

Wheatgrass is available in many forms, including tablets, capsules, liquid extracts and tinctures. Wheatgrass is often used for juicing or added to smoothies or tea. You can even buy wheatgrass seeds or kits to grow your own wheatgrass at home. Many food facilities offer the option of purchasing organic gluten-free wheatgrass either grown aeroponically (bacteria and fungus free) or grown organically outdoors.

21 Benefits of Eating Wheatgrass

1) Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

2) Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

3) Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice’s abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.

4) Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.

5) Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

6) Contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don’t cook it. We can only get the benefits of the many enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100 percent of the enzymes in food. It also is very high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E and K and a natural source of laetrile (B-17).

7) Has remarkable similarity to our own blood. The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is its remarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the Hagiwara Institute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use of grass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll is soluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly into the blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also be absorbed in this way. In other words, when the “blood” of plants is absorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transports nutrients to every cell of the body.

8) When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel. An implant is a small amount of juice held in the lower bowel for about 20 minutes. In the case of illness, wheatgrass implants stimulate a rapid cleansing of the lower bowel and draw out accumulations of debris.

9) Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately.

10) Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions.

11) Is soothing and healing for cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, insect bites, boils, sores, open ulcers, tumors, and so on. Use as a poultice and replace every two to four hours.

12) Works as a sleep aide. Merely place a tray of living wheatgrass near the head of your bed. It will enhance the oxygen in the air and generate healthful negative ions to help you sleep more soundly.

13) Enhances your bath. Add some to your bath water and settle in for a nice, long soak.

14) Sweetens the breath and firms up and tightens gums. Just gargle with the juice.

15) Neutralizes toxic substances like cadmium, nicotine, strontium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride.

16) Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen. Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (the oxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25% of the body’s oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobic bacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

17) Turns gray hair to its natural color again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily.

18) Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive right away. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.

19) Lessens the effects of radiation. One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiation and acts as an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellular damage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants.

20) Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness.

21) Can double your red blood cell count just by soaking in it. Renowned nutritionist Dr. Bernard Jensen found that no other blood builders are superior to green juices and wheatgrass. In his book “Health Magic Through Chlorophyll” he mentions several cases where he was able to double the red blood cell count in a matter of days merely by having patients soak in a chlorophyll-water bath. Blood building results occur even more rapidly when patients drink green juices and wheatgrass regularly.

Sources: preventdisease.com
hippocratesinst.org
mayoclinic.com

Mae Chan holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.

How to detox your body from GMOs and Pesticides

Detoxing can be hard on your body and cause a wide variety of alarming side effects. After all, the substances being removed are usually pretty horrible, consisting of toxic chemicals from pesticide residues, by-products of GMO foods, pharmaceutical drugs, chemotherapy residue, free-radicals, heavy metals, aluminum, radiation.

Image: consciouslifenews.com

There are numerous detoxing agents and methods available — some more costly than others — and some producing very intense experiences with potentially dangerous side effects. We advise choosing a more natural method.

However, there are several ways to remove these noxious substances gently, with kindness to your system. These techniques may take a bit longer to achieve completion that some the harsher detox programs; however, if you take your time one or more of these natural methods should work for you.

Pectin

Fruit pectin is probably the most gentle method of detoxing contaminants. Pectin comes from the fibrous portion of the fruit and is most commonly found in the pith of limes, lemons and other citrus fruit as well as in apples. Other sources of pectin are bananas, grapes, carrots, and cabbage. Pectin helps to release heavy metals, chemicals and other substances into the blood stream, where it binds to them and flushes them from the body. Simply eating fruit high in pectin will help to cleanse your system, or you can add a pectin product to a glass of water, organic grape juice or fresh veggie juice to speed the detox process. Beware of pectin sold in grocery stores, as some brands may contain MSG. Check health food stores for the best products.

Cilantro

The delicious culinary herb cilantro, happens to be one of the most effective and gentle detoxifiers of mercury, heavy metals and other toxic contaminants. You can buy cilantro juice at health food stores or simply include the fresh herb in your diet as pesto or seasoning to control the amount consumed and limit unwanted side effects. It’s inexpensive and works without the addition of man-made chemicals. Cilantro also possesses antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, quickly reducing infection and inflammation as it works to clear your system.
Detoxing can be hard on your body and cause a wide variety of alarming side effects. After all, the substances being removed are usually pretty horrible, consisting of toxic chemicals from pesticide residues, by-products of GMO foods, pharmaceutical drugs, chemotherapy residue, free-radicals, heavy metals, aluminum, radiation.

There are numerous detoxing agents and methods available — some more costly than others — and some producing very intense experiences with potentially dangerous side effects. We advise choosing a more natural method.

However, there are several ways to remove these noxious substances gently, with kindness to your system. These techniques may take a bit longer to achieve completion that some the harsher detox programs; however, if you take your time one or more of these natural methods should work for you.

Pectin

Fruit pectin is probably the most gentle method of detoxing contaminants. Pectin comes from the fibrous portion of the fruit and is most commonly found in the pith of limes, lemons and other citrus fruit as well as in apples. Other sources of pectin are bananas, grapes, carrots, and cabbage. Pectin helps to release heavy metals, chemicals and other substances into the blood stream, where it binds to them and flushes them from the body. Simply eating fruit high in pectin will help to cleanse your system, or you can add a pectin product to a glass of water, organic grape juice or fresh veggie juice to speed the detox process. Beware of pectin sold in grocery stores, as some brands may contain MSG. Check health food stores for the best products.

Cilantro

The delicious culinary herb cilantro, happens to be one of the most effective and gentle detoxifiers of mercury, heavy metals and other toxic contaminants. You can buy cilantro juice at health food stores or simply include the fresh herb in your diet as pesto or seasoning to control the amount consumed and limit unwanted side effects. It’s inexpensive and works without the addition of man-made chemicals. Cilantro also possesses antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, quickly reducing infection and inflammation as it works to clear your system.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a single cell algae sea vegetable that grows in fresh water. Some of the best cholrella reserves have come from Japan; however, use caution when buying Japanese chlorella due to possible exposure to radiation from Fukushima. Chlorella is an easy-to-digest superfood best known for being able to remove mercury and other heavy metals from the cells. Too much chlorella can produce side effects — mostly in the digestive tract — where it works best to bind to mercury, eliminating it. Start with the lowest quantity and work up slowly for a gentle detox.

Wheatgrass

Juicing fresh produce and grasses such as wheat or barley grass provides an excellent way to remove toxins from the system. Wheatgrass is high in nutritional content, and provides vitamins, minerals and all nine essential amino acids. Wheatgrass can be a powerful detox, so start slowly with only a small amount of juice to keep it gentle — 1/2 ounce a day — and work up to avoid symptoms.

Using gentle detoxing products requires that you repeat treatments over a period of time until all symptoms have cleared. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and pains, dizziness and fatigue. Additionally, detoxing can cause a flare-up in your condition temporarily. It’s just the toxins leaving your system and should pass shortly. If side effects are severe, reduce the quantity of whatever you’re using to detox. If the symptoms continue, stop and consult your natural health practitioner for further instructions.

Source: Natural News

Beaver Butt used as 'Natural Flavoring' in your Food

Yes, it's true.

Millions of people across the globe are eating "beaver butt" and don't even know that they're consuming such a substance.

It's called "castoreum," and it's emitted from the castor sacs within the animal's anus. For a beaver, this slimy brown substance is used to mark its territory, but for us humans, it's used as an additive that is often labeled as "natural flavoring" in the foods we eat - vanilla, strawberry and raspberry probably being the most common.

Why is castoreum used? The most notable characteristic (after being processed) has to be the smell of castoreum. Instead of smelling horrible, like most people would expect from an anally produced secretion, it has a pleasant scent, which supposedly makes it a perfect candidate for food flavoring and other products.

The question that many people put forth would have to be "who in their right mind actually made this odd discovery?"

Another industry that utilizes castoreum is the fragrance world. For decades, perfume manufactures have been using it to make various types of fragrances. These anal secretions are said to contain around 24 different molecules, many of which act as natural pheromones. From perfumes to air fresheners, castor sacs are quite versatile within the fragrance industry.

Is it natural?

Sure it's natural, but does "being natural" make it right to use or consume?

Many disgusting substances are considered "natural," yet eating them may not be the best idea.

The act of labeling something so vulgar and disgusting as "natural flavoring," should be illegal in many people's eyes, but the FDA views it all in a different light.

Having the anal secretions from a beaver take the place of a strawberry in something like strawberry ice cream hardly seems like an efficient process. Why go through the process of harvesting "anal secretions" when a strawberry is much easier to pick?

It hardly seems like a better option...

The food industry is a tricky business to figure out, and it will continue to boggle the minds of many on issues exactly like this. Much like with other additives that have raised concern over the years (aspartame, high fructose corn syrup and food colorings), castoreum is proving to be just as questionable.

It's the deceptive labeling that seems to be the root of the problem. Instead of stating what castoreum truly is, the FDA has allowed it to be labeled as something that sounds pleasant and healthy.

As with many questionable additives in today's food market, the power lies within the people. Read your labels thoroughly if you wish to subtract these types of ingredients from your diet.

In all honesty, castoreum is probably safe to consume, being that is derived from an animal, but who really wants to eat a beaver's anus?

Source: NaturalNews