Beat Back Cold and Flus with... Garlic!

By Dr. Mercola

If you want a simple way to increase the disease-fighting power of your meals, be generous with your use of high-quality herbs and spices. This applies year-round, but as cold and flu season nears, you may want to consider spicing things up more than you might normally.
There is no shortage of research showing that herbs and spices are among the healthiest you can consume. And they’re a “secret weapon” that just about everyone can take advantage of, regardless of your budget.
Garlic in particular has long been hailed for its healing powers, especially against infectious diseases like cold and flu.
This is likely due to its immune boosting effects. Fresh garlic is also a potent antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal agent. But its therapeutic effects may go much further than that.

Garlic—An All-Around Health Boosting Herb

The featured article in Medical News Today¹ contains an impressive list of garlic’s historical use as a natural medicine, and modern research to back up the wisdom of such antiquated claims. Green Med Info has also assembled a list of studies demonstrating more than 150 beneficial health effects of garlic! For example, studies show that regular consumption of (primarily raw) garlic:

• May be effective against drug-resistant bacteria
• Reduces risk for heart disease,² including heart attack³ and stroke
• Helps normalize your cholesterol⁴ and blood pressure
• Protects against cancer,^{5, 6} including brain,⁷ lung,⁸ and prostate⁹ cancer
• Reduces risk of osteoarthritis¹⁰

It’s thought that much of garlic’s therapeutic effect comes from its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, which are also what give it its characteristic smell. Other health-promoting compounds include oligosaccharides, arginine-rich proteins, selenium and flavonoids.¹¹
Research¹² has revealed that as allicin digests in your body, it produces sulfenic acid, a compound that reacts with dangerous free radicals faster than any other known compound.
This is one of the reasons why I named garlic as one of the top seven anti-aging foods you can consume. Garlic is also a triple threat against infections, offering antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Not only is it effective at killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, but it also fights yeast infections, viruses and parasites. Garlic must be fresh to give you optimal health benefits though.
The fresh clove must be crushed or chopped in order to stimulate the release of an enzyme called alliinase, which in turn catalyzes the formation of allicin.¹³ Allicin in turn rapidly breaks down to form a number of different organosulfur compounds. So to “activate” garlic’s medicinal properties, compress a fresh clove with a spoon prior to swallowing it, or put it through your juicer to add to your vegetable juice.
A single medium size clove or two is usually sufficient, and is well-tolerated by most people. The active ingredient, allicin, is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic, so garlic pills are virtually worthless.
You also won’t reap all the health benefits garlic has to offer if you use jarred, powdered or dried versions. Worse yet, at least two supermarket-brands containing garlic powder imported from China have been found to be contaminated with high levels of lead, arsenic and added sulfites, according to a recent article by PreventDisease.com.¹⁴
If you develop a socially offensive odor, just decrease the amount of garlic you’re consuming until there is no odor present. If garlic makes you feel ill, this is probably your body's way of letting you know you should avoid it.

Garlic versus Tamiflu

Garlic may be particularly useful in preparation for cold and flu season, as it contains compounds capable of killing a wide variety of organisms, including viruses and bacteria that can cause earaches, colds and influenza. The respected research organization Cochrane Database—which has repeatedly reported that the science does not support the use of flu vaccine as a first-line defense—has also reviewed studies on the alternatives, such as the use of garlic.¹⁵
They found that those who took garlic daily for three months had fewer colds than those who took a placebo, and, when they did come down with a cold, the duration of illness was shorter—an average of 4.5 days compared to 5.5 days for the placebo group.
While this may not seem overly impressive, it’s still better than the results achieved by the much-advertised flu drug Tamiflu. If taken within 48 hours of onset of illness, Tamiflu might reduce the duration of flu symptoms by about a day to a day and a half. That's the extent of what this $100-plus treatment will get you. It’s virtually identical to just taking garlic on a regular basis!
However, some patients with influenza are at increased risk for secondary bacterial infections when on Tamiflu—a risk you won’t take by eating garlic... Other adverse events of Tamiflu include pediatric deaths, serious skin reactions, and neuropsychiatric events, including suicide committed while delirious.

Cold and Flu—Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

While colds and flus are caused by viral infections, compelling research suggests that your ability to "catch" these infections may actually be a symptom of an underlying vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a potent antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Suboptimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune response, thereby making you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.
In the largest and most nationally representative study¹⁶ of its kind to date, involving about 19,000 Americans, people with the lowest vitamin D levels reported having significantly more recent colds or cases of the flu -- and the risk was even greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma. At least five additional studies also show an inverse association between lower respiratory tract infections and vitamin D levels.
The best source for vitamin D is direct sun exposure. While it may not be possible to get enough sun exposure during the winter, every effort should be made to attain vitamin D from UVB exposure as there are many additional benefits from this route other than vitamin D. The next best option to sunlight is the use of a safe indoor tanning device. As a last resort, if neither natural nor artificial sunlight is an option, you may taken an oral vitamin D3 supplement. However, if you do, you need to be aware of the following:

• Make sure you’re taking the correct vitamin D supplement. You want D3, not D2, as the latter may end up doing more harm than good.
• Based on the latest research from GrassrootsHealth, the average adult dose required to reach vitamin D levels of about 40 ng/ml is around 8,000 IU's of vitamin D3 per day. For children, many experts agree they need about 35 IU's of vitamin D per pound of body weight.
• Get your vitamin D serum level checked at regular intervals to make sure you’re taking the appropriate dose to get within the therapeutic range of 50-70 ng/ml.
• If you’re taking high dose vitamin D supplements you also need to take vitamin K2—not K1 that is typically in vegetables as it will not work synergize with vitamin D. Vitamin K2 deficiency is actually what produces the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity, which includes inappropriate calcification that can lead to hardening of your arteries. The reason for this is when you take vitamin D, your body creates more vitamin K2-dependent proteins that shuttle the calcium into the appropriate areas. Without vitamin K2, those proteins remain inactivated, so the benefits of those proteins remain unrealized.

Four Factors That Undermine Your Immune System

Again, it’s important to remember that both colds and various influenzas are caused by a wide variety of viruses, not bacteria. Hence, taking an antibiotic for your cold or flu will NOT do you any good whatsoever. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, such as sinus, ear and lung infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. The latter two are potential secondary infections that can develop from a serious bout of cold or flu, so you do want to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of such bacterial infections.
At the end of this article, you’ll find some guidelines to help you decide when it would be prudent to see a doctor.
Now, the most common way cold and flu viruses are spread is via hand-to-hand contact, so the easiest way to cut down your risk is to frequently wash your hands (see next section below). However, the key to remember is that being exposed to a cold virus does not mean that you're destined to get sick. Again, whether or not you’ll actually get sick is primarily dependent on the functioning of your immune system. If your immune system is operating at its peak, it should actually be quite easy for you to fend off the virus without ever getting sick.
As discussed above, vitamin D deficiency is a major factor that will depress your immune function, leaving the door open to invading viruses. Other lifestyle factors that can depress your immune system, alone or in combination, include:

• Eating too much sugar/fructose and grains. Sugar in all its forms takes a heavy toll on your immune system. One of the ways it does this is by unbalancing your gut flora. Sugar is "fertilizer" for pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and fungi that can set your immune system up for an assault by a respiratory virus. Remember, 80 percent of your immune system lies in your gastrointestinal tract, which is why limiting your sugar intake is CRUCIAL for optimizing your immune system.
It would be wise to limit your total fructose consumption to below 25 grams a day if you're in good health, or below 15 grams a day if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or are insulin resistant or are trying to recover from an acute illness like the flu.

• Lack of sleep. If you aren't getting enough restorative sleep, you'll be at increased risk for a hostile viral takeover. Your immune system is also the most effective when you're not sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the quicker you'll recover. You can find 33 guidelines for a better night's sleep here.
• Insufficient exercise. Regular exercise is a crucial strategy for increasing your resistance to illness. There is evidence that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your risk for respiratory illness by boosting your immune system. In fact, one study¹⁷ found that people who exercised regularly (five or more days a week) cut their risk of having a cold by close to 50 percent. And, in the event they did catch a cold, their symptoms were much less severe than among those who did not exercise.
Exercise likely cuts your risk of colds so significantly because it triggers a rise in immune system cells that can attack any potential invaders. Each time you exercise you can benefit from this boost to your immune system. It can also help boost your immune system acutely, by increasing your body temperature. This helps kill off invading pathogens, similarly to the fever your body produces when sick.

• Using ineffective strategies to address stress. Emotional stressors can also predispose you to an infection while making cold symptoms worse. Finding ways to manage daily stress as well as your reactions to circumstances beyond your control will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system. Effective strategies include a variety of energy psychology tools, such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

Other All-Natural Strategies That Send Pathogens Packin'

Frequently washing your hands with soap and water is one of the easiest ways to wipe out germs and viruses and reduce your chances of becoming sick. Don’t make the mistake of using antibacterial cleansers, as their widespread use contributes to strains of resistant bacteria, or "superbugs" that render antibiotics useless. Besides, research¹⁸ has shown that people who use antibacterial soaps and cleansers often develop a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms just as often as people who use plain soap and water. There’s no real justification for using an antibacterial soap when plain soap is safer, and just as effective.
Another strategy that many report success with is to administer a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into your ear canal. Quite frequently, people claim to have been able to cure a cold or flu within 12 to 14 hours this way. Simply put a few drops into your ear; wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear.
There are also a number of supplements and simple treatments that can be beneficial for colds and influenza, but I believe they should only be used as adjuncts to an otherwise healthy diet and lifestyle. For detailed instructions that will help set you the right path can be found in my optimized nutrition and lifestyle plan. Some of the more helpful options for cold and flu—besides vitamin D and garlic discussed above--include:

Zinc: Research on zinc has shown that when taken within one day of the first symptoms, zinc can cut down the time you have a cold by about 24 hours. Zinc was also found to greatly reduce the severity of symptoms. Suggested dosage: up to 50 mg/day. Zinc was not recommended for anyone with an underlying health condition, like lowered immune function, asthma or chronic illness.	Vitamin C: A very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as acerola, which contains associated micronutrients. You can take several grams every hour till you are better unless you start developing loose stools.
Olive leaf extract: Ancient Egyptians and Mediterranean cultures used it for a variety of health-promoting uses and it is widely known as a natural, non-toxic immune system builder.	Propolis: A bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world; propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important compounds that aid in immune response.
Oregano Oil: The higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it is. Carvacrol is the most active antimicrobial agent in oregano oil.	Medicinal mushrooms, such as shiitake, reishi, and turkey tail.
A tea made from a combination of elderflower, yarrow, boneset, linden, peppermint and ginger; drink it hot and often for combating a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful for eradicating a virus from your system.	Echinacea is one of the most widely used herbal medications in Europe to combat colds and infections. One review of more than 700 studies found that using Echinacea can reduce your risk of catching cold by as much as 58 percent.

When Should You Call Your Physician?

Generally speaking, if you have a cold, medical care is not necessary. Rest and attention to the lifestyle factors noted above—particularly the admonition to avoid sugar—will help you to recover quickly and, if you stick to them, will significantly reduce your chances of catching another cold anytime soon.
Getting back to garlic for a moment, a previous article by PreventDisease.com¹⁹ gives instructions for a garlic soup that can help destroy most viruses and help you recover a little quicker. Ideally though, you’d want to incorporate immune-boosting diet- and lifestyle strategies as soon as possible to prevent illness in the first place.
So, when should you call your doctor?
Sinus, ear, and lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia CAN be bacterial however, and if so, may respond to antibiotics. If you develop any of the following symptoms, these are signs you may be suffering from a bacterial infection rather than a cold, and you should call your physician's office:

• Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius)
• Ear pain
• Pain around your eyes, especially with a green nasal discharge
• Shortness of breath or a persistent uncontrollable cough
• Persistently coughing up green and yellow sputum

Visit Dr. Joseph Mercola's site to learn more about taking control of your health. 

5 Back-to-School Tips Every Parent Must Know

  By John Douillard DC | August 28, 2012 

 As we prepare our kids for going back to school, many moms and dads are dreading the upcoming cold and flu season. More and more parents are asking the question, “How can I prevent this and keep my kids healthy this year?”

On average, school-age kids in America experience eight to ten colds a year, according to The Children’s Hospital Guide to Your Child’s Health and Development.
With six kids in our family, we have no choice but to keep our kids cold- and flu-free. If my kids each got just six colds a year—well under the national average—and each cold lasted ten days, that would be 360 days a year with at least one sick kid in the house. Assuming mom and dad never get sick, we would enjoy a whopping 5 days of good family health a year.


Over the years, I have streamlined five basic lifestyle tips based on a 5000-year-old, time-tested medical system called Ayurveda. They are all outlined in my book, Perfect Health for Kids, and I have summarized them here. These tips are designed to help kids stay healthy in the first place.  If they do get sick, it will be only for a day or two, rather than a week or two.
Read on to learn five essential tips to keep your kids healthy this year!


The remedy for avoiding colds and flus is actually very simple. It starts weeks, months, and even a season or two before the dreaded cold and flu season hits. Let’s start with a look at what makes our kids susceptible to an infection in the first place.
There are always two factors in this cold-causing process:

• The first is the exposure to the bacteria or virus. For all practical purposes, there is nothing we can really do to prevent our kids from being exposed. In a classroom or school cafeteria, every child will be exposed to every bug, but only a small percentage will typically get sick.
• Why?  This has to do with the second factor in the cold-causing process: susceptibility. Keeping your child’s immunity strong enough so they do not succumb to ever-present infectious bugs in the first place is the goal. It is here that parents can keep their children healthy, in school, and out of the doctor’s office. Enjoy these five immune boosting tips!

Tip One: Moisturize the Sinuses

During these first weeks of school, the exposure to cold-causing bugs is certainly higher. What is also happening in early fall is that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. Cold autumn nights bring hints of winter with dry and cool air. Night heaters may dry the air even more and soon, the mucous membranes in the sinuses dry out. When this happens, the respiratory mucous membranes produce large amounts of reactive mucus due to the dryness. Seasonal pollens and pollutants can also act as irritants to the sinuses, which can cause excess mucus production. As excess mucus is produced, this provides the perfect breeding ground for a viral or bacterial infection. Most cold remedies, like Sudafed or antihistamines, will attempt to dry out the reactive mucus in the sinuses, thus making the original cause of infection worse.

Solutions: Keep sinuses moist with cool mist humidifiers at night during those early back-to-school days, and keep them running right through the winter. Sinuses generally begin to dry out in mid-August, so the end of summer is not too early to break out the humidifiers.

Ear oil is another cold remedy that antidotes the end-of-summer and fall dryness. It is an absolute must in my house. Preventively, from September to March, I will drop warm ear oil in my kids’ ears while they sleep, twice a month. If they catch a cold, I will use garlic-based ear oil twice a day until they are well, usually a day or two. Ear oil lubricates the Eustachian tubes, which helps support better lymph flow through the cervical lymph, which governs upper respiratory immunity. Your local natural foods store likely carries a variety of ear oil products.

Tip Two:  Early To Bed

One of the most difficult parenting tools for moms and dads is to get their kids to bed early. When one of my children gets sick, I can usually track it to lots of staying up late, sleepovers, school stress, and excessive after-school activities that just wear them out. Pre-high school kids should be in bed by eight o’clock. For high school kids, lights should be out by ten.

This may sound difficult, but if a child is up past these hours on a regular basis, they will wake up fatigued and soon, when the stress mounts, their immunity will suffer.

If you like botanical remedies, I use an herb called Ashwagandha  (sometimes spelled “ashwaganda”) which means, “the strength of ten horses” – I use the whole herb, not the extract. It is a great and very safe adaptogen for kids. It can give them energy during the day and at the same time, if taken before bed, it can support a deep and restful night’s sleep. It is not a stimulant, nor a sedative – it is a true rejuvenative that can help a child weather a stressful time.

Solution: Get those kids to bed early!

Tip Three:  Stay Hydrated

In 1850, the average American drank one can of soda per year. Today, kids drink two to three cans of pop per day. A report in The Lancet said that these sugary drinks increase the risk of obesity by 60%.
Soda, as well as any caffeinated beverage, will dehydrate the body. So to avoid dehydration, a kid must drink one 12 ounce glass of water for each 12 ounce caffeinated pop.

Dehydration in kids can cause stomach aches, bone loss, hormonal problems, obesity, fatigue, mood swings, poor focus ability, skin conditions, and much more.

An average person can lose two to three quarts of water a day through non-exertion. With exercise, a child can lose twice that amount. For kids doing sports, a 2% loss in body weight due to perspiration creates a 25% loss of their athletic ability.

Solution: Put water bottles in your kid’s lunch – not high fructose corn syrup juice boxes. At least, have them drink a large 8-12 ounce glass of plain water every morning and evening and give them water with lunch. A good rule of thumb for active kids is to drink one half of his or her ideal body weight in pounds in ounces of water per day to avoid dehydration.

Tip Four:  Colds Start in the Digestive System

I often ask my kid patients how often they move their bowels. I usually get a blank stare. They have no idea—their parents have no idea. When I tell them it is normal to go at least once a day, first thing in the morning, they often tell me they go 1-2 times a week. Parents have to help their kids track their elimination and know what is normal. If they know what is normal, they can be educated to tell their parents if their elimination is off.



Sluggish bowel function causes the villi of the gut to congest. The villi feed both nutrition and waste into the lymphatic system on the outside of the gut wall. It is here that experts believe 80% of the body’s immune system lies. So, regular bowel movements are key to optimal health and immunity.

Solutions:
1. Veggies are critical for optimal elimination. Remember, the cellulose in veggies literally attaches to toxins and escorts them into the toilet. Kids innately mimic mom and dad, so if your kids see mom and dad eating a ridiculous amount of veggies at each meal, just watch those once-disgusting vegetables get gobbled down by your kids. It’s a monkey see, monkey do thing!

2. If sluggish bowels are a chronic concern, try an herb called Triphala (sometimes spelled “trifala”). This bowel muscle tonifier helps the intestinal wall function efficiently without the use of habit-forming laxatives.

3. Avoid late heavy dinners. They are tough to digest and a fast pass to constipation. Of course, sometimes you cannot avoid a late meal. In my house, if we splurge and have a late pizza delivered and watch a movie, I give my kids an herb called Trikatu before we eat. Trikatu supports upper digestive strength so the heavy meal will not sit there and cause one to miss their morning bowel movement.

Tip Five:  Controlling Mood and Focus with Food

According to Ayurveda, the middle of the day represents the best time to eat the largest meal of the day, as this is the time when the body can digest a meal most efficiently. This can be tough for school kids.
In the afternoon, when America is craving chocolate and coffee, the brain is demanding the lion’s share of the available blood sugar. If all they had for lunch was a cookie or

a snack (a common lunchtime meal), then the blood sugar may crash in the afternoon. This is why kids are ravenous when they come home from school. If possible, leave a good healthy meal on the stove for them when they get home from school. Try not to just give them a sugary snack at this time. If they are craving sweets in the afternoon, it may be due to low blood sugar. A sweet snack here will only start the high/low rollercoaster of unstable moods and blood sugar.

When blood sugar is low in the afternoon, the body and mind must strain to muster the energy needed for afternoon activities. This low afternoon energy may lead to ups and downs in mood, low energy, lack of focus, and eventual weight gain. When a child is then asked to do homework with crashing blood sugar, this is an impossible task.

Solution: Plan on feeding them well shortly after they come home from school! No sugary snacks at this time!

Also, if possible, pack your kid(s) a big, healthy lunch to provide the energy necessary for afternoon activities.

For More Information on:

•   >>>  Ashwagandha
•   >>> Triphala
•   >>> Warm Digest (Trikatu)

 

To find out more please visit John Douillards Life Spa here. 

Get Your PhD in Mothering

February 2, 2012 by Joette Calabrese

Recently I heard a mom declare, “I wish I had taken my job as a mother more seriously.  My kids might not have the chronic illnesses they suffer from today.”

Indeed.

Preparation for motherhood ought not to be random or casual.  It needs to be faced with the same kind of intent and commitment as getting your PhD.

Understanding how to prepare nutritious meals is key, setting them on the right moral path is paramount and treating their illnesses without detrimental drugs, downright fundamental.
Only a century ago, that’s just what mothers did.  They learned how to treat fever, coughs, injuries, colic and such without bowing to a modern medical paradigm of a synthetic pill for every ill.

Why?  Well, mostly because moms didn’t trust modern medicine.

Do you?

If you embrace medicine of commerce and seek frequent medical procedures, then the information I’m about to present is not for you.

But if you’re like mothers of old or even modern ones, who celebrate their knowledge of intelligent natural health, then read on.
An important place to begin is in knowing how to treat fever. Here’s the rule of thumb when treating a fever….

DON’T!

No aspirin, no Tylenol, no antibiotics.  Why?  Because fever is not an illness, it’s a symptom.  Treating symptoms is what drugs do. And we don’t like that paradigm because drugs don’t get to the root of the problem.  They only eliminate the signs of illness.
“She was convulsing. I was scared and so I had to give her something.”

Even febrile convulsions are nothing to fear in a normal child. In fact, if your child has them and you rush to the hospital, by the time you get there, they’ll have passed. There’s no conventional treatment anyway.  Further, a convulsion is a normal regulatory response which indicates a fast paced fever, not a high one.

“But the fever was already at 105.  I can’t do nothing.”
Brain damage occurs at 107.6 and it is rare indeed when a fever in a child goes beyond 106.  In fact, the higher the fever up to that point, the more capable of self cure.

“But he could barely sleep and it’s hard to watch him suffer.”
Why, certainly fever’s uncomfortable!  So?
Would you suppress vomiting if he had eaten bad chicken?
These are responses required for genuine health.
It is an understood truth of human pathology that fever cures.  In fact, a fever is often employed in uprooting chronic illness.   One of the foundational principles in homeopathy is that chronic illness is often the result of acute illness that has been stifled.
No tinkering with meds.  Just stand back and watch the miracle of the human body find its way to restoration on its own.
In the process, keep your child hydrated. Dehydration is the only true threat accompanying fever. So insist on quality liquids and maintain bed rest.

There are many methods that as a mom, you need to have in your bag of tricks. The most important is how to interpret illness; when to act and when not.

Join me and millions of educated moms who have found that genuine health begins with the comprehension of genuine health principles.

Get your PhD on how to care for your children as though  it is your only assignment in life.
Because it is.

Learn more here. 

 

The Benefits of Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm/Melissa Benefits

Lemon Balm was dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. In the Middles Ages lemon balm was used to soothe tension, to dress wounds, and as a cure for toothache, skin eruptions, mad dog bites, crooked necks, and sickness during pregnancy. It was even said to prevent baldness. As a medicinal plant, lemon balm has traditionally been employed against bronchial inflammation, earache, fever, flatulence, headaches, high blood pressure, influenza, mood disorders, palpitations, toothache and vomiting. A tea made from Lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS.
The herb is used for nervous agitation, sleeping problems, functional gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and urinary spasms.

It is thought that the volatile oils in lemon balm contain chemicals that relax muscles, particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea.
ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy) lists its internal use for tenseness, restlessness, irritability, and symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders, such as minor spasms; externally, for herpes labialis (ESCOP, 1997).

Recent evidence suggests that lemon balm has a depressant or sedative action on the central nervous systems of laboratory mice. The German Standard License for lemon balm tea approves it for nervous disorders of sleep and of the gastrointestinal tract, and to stimulate the appetite (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Grave's Disease
Lemon balm may block some of the activity of thyroid hormone in the body. Therefore, it has been used in the past to treat Grave's disease, an auto-immune condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone. Although laboratory and animal studies show that lemon balm may help decrease thyroid in the body, no human studies have yet been conducted for this possible use.

Mental Clarity, Concentration and Relaxation
Lemon balm is widely used to treat anxiety and insomnia in Europe. It reduces anxiety and stress and eases sleep disorders. Recently it produced an unexpected result in a research study: it greatly increased the ability to concentrate and perform word and picture tasks.

Learn more here. 

How to best harvest and prepare lemon balm

Make your own natural tooth powder

Want to save money? Well one way it to start cutting costs at home. Most people spend so much on cleaning products and personal care products. I now make my own household cleaning products, tooth powder, and laundry booster. I have even made my own detergent. It's simple and cost effective.

Here is the remedy for my tooth-powder:

4 oz glass, plastic, or metal container with lid
Baking Soda
Himalayan Crystal Salt-Half Tbsp
Xylitol 1 Tbsp
Peppermint Oil-3-5 drops. It is strong so you may want to start with less then add more.

Directions:

Mix the Himalayan Crystal Salt, Xylitol, and Peppermint oil and shake well to ensure that all of the ingredients are mixed. Add the Baking Soda (I suggest using one without aluminum). Add enough to fill at least 3/4 of the container. Shake well and store. Viola! Your own tooth powder and enough to last a least a month depending on the size of your family and how often you brush.

Make your own dry deoderant

I have been using natural deodorants for about two years now and I have tried so many brands. All have worked great for the first few days but wore off. After searching and trying to find something that works for me I came across this one remedy that works wonderfully.

Remedy:

Measure one part cornstarch to 6 parts baking soda. For instance I used 1 half tbsp of cornstarch and added 6 tbsp of baking soda to a glass container. I also added a few drops of essential oil.

I have used baking soda in the past. I discovered later that the brand I was using contains aluminum and it irritated my skin. This time around I am using baking soda without aluminum, which by the way is better for you considering that aluminum is toxic to the body and when applied to the skin is absorbed into your blood, and certified organic cornstarch. It works great!

I found the recipe here.  
Another good recipe.

Craft Your Own Lip Balm

Lip balm is truly one of the easiest and most inexpensive products to create. Not only is crafting your own surprisingly simple, you'll have full control over all of the ingredients and the satisfaction of knowing that you're putting pure, natural, and organic elements on your lips!

Three recipes are listed below, but feel free to experiment and create your own! See our guide at the end for tips on making your own recipes.

Mandarin Nutmeg Lip Balm

This sweet, citrusy, and warming lip balm has just a hint of spice. Made with Mandarin and Nutmeg essential oils, Mango Butter, Sunflower oil, and other botanical ingredients.

1 Tablespoon Mango Butter
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Beeswax
15 drops Mandarin Essential Oil
5 drops Nutmeg Essential Oil
A few drops of Vitamin E Oil (optional, but recommended)

Lip balm preparation: Coarsely chop the beeswax or use beeswax pastilles. Place beeswax, butter, and oils in a small pot or glass Pyrex measuring cup and gently heat in the top of a double boiler until the beeswax and butters have melted. Once melted, remove from the stovetop and add essential oils and Vitamin E Oil. Immediately pour the mixture into lip balm containers. You can purchase lip balm tubes and jars, or you can reuse glass or plastic containers. Allow to cool completely before placing caps onto the lip balm containers. Your lip balm is finished! You can now add labels, ribbons, twine, or any other decorative elements. Makes approximately 1.5 oz of lip balm, enough to fill 10 lip balm tubes, 6 of our 1/4 oz plastic jars, or 3 1/2 oz tins or plastic jars.

Learn more @ Mountain Rose Herb.

Natural remedies for a Cold and Flu

Herbs for Cold and Flu

Ah, winter. Yes, it's cold and flu season again and you're looking for some relief. Although colds and flus are caused by different types of viruses, both can leave you feeling tired, coughing, feverish, achy and foggy-headed.

You've probably discovered that conventional medicine has little to offer the bleary-eyed sufferer. Over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, and even prescription drugs, only suppress symptoms; they don't cure the illness or make you well any faster. While antihistamines dry sinuses, they can also irritate your nose and throat and prolong the infection. As for antibiotics, including penicillin, they don't target viruses at all and should only be prescribed if a bacterial infection follows the cold or flu.

Simply suppressing symptoms can impair your body's natural ability to fend off disease. Symptoms tell you what's wrong and what to do about it. Headaches, sore muscles and feeling tired indicate that you need rest, and fever or indigestion is a sign to eat lightly.

Herbal treatments help your body heal itself and boost natural immunity. Your cold or flu probably won't disappear immediately, but chances are you will get well sooner and more completely. Then, when next winter rolls along, you may be less likely to pick up a cold. You'll find plenty of herbal cold and flu remedies in the health-food store, or follow my simple recipes to make your own. In either case, have these remedies on hand in your medicine cabinet so that when the next cold or flu strikes, you'll be prepared.

Antiviral herbs

Researchers have discovered that some herbs destroy viruses, and they're studying ways to turn these herbs into pharmaceuticals. But you needn't wait. Among the herbs that have already been found to inhibit viruses, including the flu, are Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). Also packing an antiviral punch are Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). All of these herbs also foil bacteria responsible for infections of the throat, lungs, sinuses, ears and eyes that often tag on the heels of a cold or flu. In addition, they relax coughing spasms, aid digestion, and lower a fever by encouraging circulation and sweating. Tannin compounds found in other herbs such as White Oak bark (Quercus alba) and Bayberry (Myrica cerifera) destroy flu and other types of viruses, so it's no wonder they are traditional cold and flu treatments. You can even eat your way to good health by seasoning your food with Garlic (Allium sativum), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) to eradicate viral and bacterial infections. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is not only antiviral, it also lowers fevers and reduces muscle soreness.

If you are looking for ways to make the medicine go down easier, mix cold and flu herbs with virus-fighting apple or grape juice. You can also make your own Ginger ale by adding sparkling bottled water to Ginger tea. Or, try Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which is not only sold as a part of herbal formulas but as pleasant-tasting tonic juice. Researcher Madeleine Mumcuoglu first learned about Elderberries' long history of use as a flu remedy from her mentor, Jean Linderman, Ph.D., who found that the berries help prevent the flu virus from invading healthy cells. Flu sufferers in her study got better faster with Elderberry compared to drug medications.

Learn more @ Mountain Rose Herb.

Find health with five of the top antioxidant foods

(NaturalNews) Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that prevent, reduce, delay, or repair oxidative damage to cells in our body caused by free radicals. The presence of free radicals may result in cancer, stroke, heart problems, early aging, and many other degenerative conditions. Cells will not function properly when free radicals affect them. The radicals occur in our metabolism naturally, but they also are formed by environmental influences like pollution, cigarette smoke from others, radiation, and pesticides. There are certain foods which contain an exceptionally large amount of polyphenols existing in antioxidants. Here are five of the top antioxidant foods:

#1 Coffee

Coffee`s antioxidant properties of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid are effective in preventing colon and rectal cancer. They can improve the mood of a coffee drinker, as well as aid in the function of blood vessels. For women drinking coffee can cut risk of stroke almost in half. Studies are also underway to determine the connection between drinking coffee and preventions of diabetes and Parkinson`s disease. Consuming decaffeinated coffee can also ease headaches.

#2 White Tea

The fact that white tea is steamed, rather than dried, after tea picking increases its antioxidant capabilities. Research indicates that white tea offers even more benefits than originally thought, and it contains far more antioxidants than any other tea (even more than the ever popular green tea). White tea is especially effective in slowing the aging process, and it has even been shown to lower blood pressure.

#3 Chocolate

The flavonoids in chocolate have potent antioxidant properties that may protect against degenerative diseases. Research demonstrates an association between high levels of flavonoids in the blood and a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma and certain types of cancer. The antioxidant benefits are in the raw cocoa itself, so raw dark chocolate is more effective than milk chocolate because it contains a higher concentration of cocoa.


By: Elizabeth Walling

Learn more here.

The medicine cabinet in your kitchen - Heal with ten top common herbs and spices

(NaturalNews) Many of us have a cabinet full of herbs and spices we use to help improve the flavor of our meals. What many may not realize is how much common kitchen herbs and spices can also help improve our health. Here are ten top examples:

CAYENNE - Cayenne pepper has wonderful cardiovascular benefits, including lowering blood pressure. Famed herbalist Doctor John Christopher noted that a couple of teaspoons of cayenne pepper never failed to stop a heart attack in only minutes. When added to food, cayenne increases appetite, improves digestion and relieves gas, nausea and indigestion. It also thins phlegm and eases its passage from the lungs.

GARLIC - Garlic is a natural antiseptic and powerful cancer fighter with numerous other health benefits. It helps lower cholesterol, reduces plaque, lowers blood pressure, and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea.

TURMERIC - The curcumin contained in turmeric provides powerful anti-cancer properties, especially for past smokers. Curcumin has clinically proven anti-inflammatory effects, including significant beneficial effects in relieving rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Turmeric is also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, and may help prevent cataracts.

CINNAMON - Cinnamon contains a compound that kills a variety of illness causing bacteria, including the E.coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Research shows that cinnamon can also stop the growth of the Asian flu virus. Cinnamon helps lower blood pressure and helps regulate menstrual cycles. In addition, cinnamon has a tranquilizing effect that helps reduce anxiety and stress

OREGANO - Oregano is a powerful natural antiseptic. It contains 19 chemical compounds with antibacterial actions as well as four compounds that soothe coughs. In addition, oregano helps soothe stomach muscles, making it a good digestive aid, and it helps lower blood pressure.

GINGER - Ginger is a wonderful digestive aid which stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting, and eases pain from gas and diarrhea. Ginger is also effective as an anti-nausea remedy. Researchers have found that ginger is more effective against motion sickness than the most commonly used over the counter medication. Ginger is also used as a pain reliever and it helps lower bad cholesterol.

FENUGREEK - Fenugreek seeds help treat diabetes, lower blood sugar and lower bad cholesterol. Fenugreek also helps maintain good metabolism, prevents constipation, purifies the blood and helps flush out harmful toxins. Fenugreek seeds and leaves are good for increasing breast milk in lactating women.

By: Tony Isaacs

Read the full article here.

Home remedies for a cough

My daughter and I are just getting over a pretty stubborn cough. Unfortunately it did not go away within the time frame that I was expecting but I learned a lot within the last two weeks. Here are some of the remedies that I had tried. All combined were very effective.

Onion Syrup:

Preparation

1. Cut a medium purple onion in half and then slice in 1/4" pieces.
2. Break into parts and layer one part onion and one part raw cane sugar or raw honey in the glass jar.
3. Mash the onion up with the end of a spoon to begin juice extraction
4. Let the preparation sit over-night or for 3 to 4 hours until a syrup is formed.

Dosage

Give your child one teaspoon of syrup (half onion juice and half sugar) every few hours or as needed for relief of frequent coughing.

Site reference.

Carrot poultice:
Carrot poultices can be used to treat sore throats, colds, the flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, swollen glands, or any time cleansing of the lymph is needed. You can use them as often as necessary. You will need some carrots and a grater to get started. This recipe was originally from Dr. John Bastyr...Application:
Use this poultice to treat swollen glands, sore throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, cold or flu, laryngitis, or fever. Its use is to cleanse and purify. It is a good aid for any cough or cold that settles in the glands of the neck. During a cold or flu, stimulating the flow of lymph is helpful.

Ingredients:
Gather two large fresh carrots, one sheet of cheesecloth or paper towel or muslin and a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger (optional). You will need a grater, blender of food processor.

Procedure:
Grate carrots finely-- food processor is good for this or use a hand grater. Collect the grated carrots, juice and all, and place them in the center of the cloth or paper towel. Wrap the paper in thirds, and then fold in the edges to seal and secure the bundle. This can be a little messy but you will get better with practice. The finished size is four inches wide by eight inches long.

Wrap cloth around your neck and lie down. Place an old towel or cloth around it to prevent staining bed sheets. The cloth will become hot, drawing heat from your neck. Rest for at least a half an hour or longer, as you wish. Discard the carrots when done. This can be repeated as often as necessary. You can reuse the poultice for 12-24 hours if you refrigerate between uses.
Excerpt from: Natural News By: Melanie Grimes


Castor Oil Packs:

How it works

A Castor oil pack is placed on the skin to increase circulation and to promote elimination and healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. It is used to stimulate the liver, relieve pain, increase lymphatic circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.

How it is made

Castor oil packs are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to heat the pack.

A Castor oil pack can be placed on the following body regions:

• The right side of the abdomen to stimulate the liver.
• Castor oil packs are often recommended as part of a liver detoxifying program.
• Inflamed and swollen joints, bursitis, and muscle strains.
• The abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders.
• The lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts.
• Directly on inflamed/aching joints/muscles

Safety precautions

Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin, or used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstrual flow.

Castor Oil Compress Materials

• Three layers of undyed wool or cotton flannel large enough to cover the affected area
• Castor oil
• Plastic wrap cut 1-2" larger than the flannel.
• Hot water bottle
• Container with lid
• Old clothes and sheets. Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.

Castor Oil Compress Method

1. Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in Castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping.

2. Place the compress over the affected body part.

3. Cover with plastic.

4. Place the hot water bottle or heating pad over the pack. Leave it on for 30-90 minutes. Rest while the pack is in place.

5. After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a diluted solution of water and baking soda.

6. Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-30 times.

Frequency of use

It is generally recommended that a Castor oil pack be used for 3 to 7 days in a week to treat a health condition or for detoxification.

Site reference.

Along with doing all of the above we were both taking vitamin C, drinking lots of tea, taking 1 clove of crushed garlic with water or juice, and taking about half tsp of manuka honey. That is not including the supplement we take on a daily bases and my homemade chicken soup. The recipe is below.

Ingredients:

Chicken broth or water

1-2 lbs of Chicken (cubed)

1/2 cup quinoa

2 sticks of celery (chopped)

1 large carrot (chopped)

1 package frozen mixed veggies

1/4 or 1/2 medium onion

3 cloves fresh garlic

2 cubes fresh sofrito (look up recipe online) Great Stuff!

1-2 tsp Himalayan Crystal Salt

Pinch of ground black pepper or Cayenne

1/4 tsp of Turmeric powder

Instructions:

You will want to use a large pot. Fill it about half way with either the chicken broth or water and add the cubed chicken and the quinoa. When the chicken and quinoa are almost done add your frozen bag of mixed veggies, let them cook for just a few minutes and then add the rest of your ingredients, adding your spices last. Let it cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat. You really do not want to over cook your veggies so that you will not lose the nutrients.

It usually takes about 30-45 minutes to cook and serves about 10 people. Enjoy!

Bee Pollen: Nature Provides an Answer for Allergies

By: William Rudolph
(Natural News) It may seem counter intuitive to think that something with the word "pollen" in its title may actually be a powerful tool for combating pollen and other allergies. Yet the supporting evidence of bee pollen's prowess in helping people overcome seasonal and other allergy related conditions is impressive. In the early 90's, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa became an advocate for natural health, crediting bee pollen with helping him alleviate symptoms related to his own seasonal allergies.

Allergies result from our body's response to something it has been exposed to, such as chemicals, by-products of the natural world, things we eat, drink, or breathe, or anything that comes in contact with our skin. If the body reacts adversely, such as the case with allergies, the body will release antibodies or histamines. This response is how the immune system attempts to remove or marginalize the impact of the foreign body. With allergies, the body can develop a chronic histamine response, resulting in inflammation throughout the body's skin, membranes, tissues, lungs, etc.

Read the full article here.

Natural Healing Home Remedies

Many of the home remedies for common ailments listed below, call for a tonic of apple cider vinegar (ACV) made by mixing 2 or 3 teaspoons of ACV in an 8 ounce glass of water and drinking this before or during each meal.

By taking this nutritious tonic you will, at the very least, be helping to reduce the nutrient deficiencies that result from a typical western diet containing many processed, refined foods.Natural healing Apple cider vinegar kills germs and nourishes the body at the same time, so have a look at some of the many different ways people have been benefiting from the external and internal application of this folk medicine.

Note: If you take ACV between meals or before going to bed, always rinse your mouth or brush your teeth to avoid any prolonged vinegar contact with the enamel on your teeth.
Any acid food or drink however, such as citrus fruit, soda pop, and apple cider vinegar can erode tooth enamel if it is allowed to stay in contact with the teeth for long periods of time.

For the list of remedies read the full article here.