It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

One of the major problems that you can run into when trying to eat a healthy diet and find the right foods are allergies that may come up with different types of foods as well as from different seasons. The first step in relieving allergies to help with nutrition is recognizing the source where it is coming from. From here, you will be able to find several solutions to get the nutrition you need in food without allergy problems.

An allergy is a reaction that happens in your body when there is not recognition of the food or substance that is in it. The body will react by creating a defense mechanism to fight off the substance. It does this by making antibodies through chemicals known as histamines. This then causes the body to react to the substance.

There are several natural things that you can do to change the body’s reaction to the substances that are in your system. One of the solutions is to cause an alternate reaction with the body. This can be done by eating a variety of different supplements. By doing this, it will cause the chemicals in your body to stop reacting as much. Drinking water, eating more fruits and vegetables, white fish, turkey and almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds all allow for the chemicals in your body to slow down and minimize the allergy reaction.

There are also certain vitamin supplements that you can take that will reduce allergies. Vitamins C, A and E, Zinc are the recommended vitamins that will fight allergy reactions. You can also take gamm linoleic acid, (GLA), extra enzymes, and colon cleansing products, such as high fiber, garlic and cayenne pepper. These are all known to help balance your body so that it doesn’t react through allergies.

There are several different natural formulas that are available as well to help fight allergies. Green Tea, selenium, licorice root, copper and magnesium are all available as supplements or in teas. This will help to calm down the chemicals in your body.

If your allergies do not seem to be getting any better, you can also ask your doctor for the best substance to use. There are several over the counter or prescribed medications that are popular for bad allergies. These will block the chemical from being able to produce, which will eliminate the allergy. Some will have laser correction if the allergies are extreme.

Allergies can get in the way of you being able to eat nutritious food as well as to feel that you are living healthy. By using a variety of methods, you can fight off allergies. If the allergies are from the food that you are eating, then it is important to first find which food it is, and then supplement it with a vitamin or another type of food. Knowing what you are body is reacting to then using the proper reaction to it will allow for your allergies to disappear. From here, you can add to your nutritious lifestyle.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: cayenne pepper, Colon Cleansing, diet, enzymes, Fiber, garlic, green tea, licorice, linoleic acid, magnesium, Nutrition & Health, sunflower seeds

Endometriosis is a growing problem for women, particularly those who delay having children until their thirties. Endometriosis can be described as the abnormal growth of cells that form in the lining of the uterus. This growth can produce a host of symptoms that can be quite severe, including

• unspeakable pain in the uterus, lower back and areas of the pelvic cavity;
• painful intercourse, extremely heavy menstrual cycles;
• nausea; vomiting; constipation; dysuria and
• sometimes infertility.

No one knows just what causes endometriosis, but several theories have been proposed over the years. One theory that is popular among naturopaths and holistic practitioners is that it is caused when endometrial cells spread to the other parts of the body through blood and lymphatic channels. Research has also shown that exposure to environmental PCB’s and dioxins, two types of hazardous waste materials, can cause spontaneous endometriosis.

Most women that have endometriosis have never been pregnant. Furthermore, as many as 40 percent of women who have fertility problems actually have endometriosis. According to the Endometriosis Association, women who develop this problem have a history of more vaginal yeast infections, hay fever and chronic sinus problems, eczema and food sensitivities.

There are many ways to treat endometriosis naturally. Here are just some of the most common recommendations.

Herbs such as alfalfa are a good source of vitamin K, an imperative nutrient necessary for blood clotting and tissue healing. Most patients with endometriosis are iron-deficient. For this the herb Nettle is very beneficial.

Astragalus, garlic, goldenseal, pau d’arco and red clover have antibiotic and anti tumor properties.
Burdock root and red raspberry leaf help to balance hormone levels, and endometriosis symptoms depend on hormone cycles.

It is important to eat a diet of which 50 percent of it is raw fruits and veggies. In addition, you should eliminate all refined flour products and consume only whole-grain products, raw nuts and seeds. A fiber rich diet is also very important.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, animal fats, dairy products, fried foods, food additives, fast food, red meats, refined and processed foods, salt, shellfish and sugar.

One common recommendation is to fast for three days each month, before the onset of your menstrual period. For this, I would consult a natural health care practitioner.

Reflexology can be beneficial for endometriosis for many reasons. Reflexology stimulates the lymphatic system and encourages the release of endorphins; natural feel good hormones to our entire system.

Reflexology is based on the belief that applying pressure to reflexes on the feet and hands can effectively treat the entire body. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, reflexology stimulates blood flow and eliminates toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body.

Reflexology is a beneficial tool for promoting relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. Many with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; chronic fatigue, fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Reflexology.

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Tags: constipation, diet, endometriosis symptoms, fatigue, Fertility, garlic, Menopause, Reflexology, stress

Blood pressure that is too high can cause a series of complications leading to heart disease and strokes. It is important to control one’s blood pressure to keep it near or below the ideal 120/80 that is given as “normal” in US patients.

There are no scientific studies that prove the efficacy of herbal remedies for blood pressure, but it is still a good idea to explore their use in some cases, either as an adjunct or primary therapy to reduce one’s blood pressure to normal levels.

The two blood pressure herbal remedies that are most often used for blood pressure include garlic (Allium sativum) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Both of these types of blood pressure herbal treatments have been successfully prescribed by herbal specialists and alternative practitioners to their patients for many years in order to encourage the proper functioning of the circulatory system.

Some physicians are positive about herbs to treat blood pressure, but not all. With the expansion of knowledge of Eastern and European herbal remediation, more physicians are recommending the herbal route as a complement to traditional Western medicine.

Some doctors recommend that their patients with high blood pressure consume at least three or four cloves of garlic per day. While many people are turned off by the odor of garlic, garlic supplements are an alternative to eating the fresh kind—without the concerns about bad breath. Most grocery stores and health food stores sell a variety of brands of garlic pills.

Doctors recommend that patients choosing to take garlic supplements choose one such as Garlique, because the pills are enteric-coated. That means that the pills have a buffer coating which prevents stomach problems when the pills are taken on their own, similar to the way that Bufferin is coated to prevent problems in the stomach with aspirin. Allicin is the ingredient in garlic that is believed to be responsible for lowering blood pressure.

Hawthorn is another herb that works to lower blood pressure. Hawthorn works best when it is taken along with vitamin C. Both of these substances help to increase the dilating action of the blood vessels, which naturally reduces blood pressure by opening the blood vessels.

When an individual’s blood pressure reaches an intermediate area of 140-159/90-99, this is classified as mild to moderate hypertension. At these levels, garlic is a good counter-measure for high blood pressure. If garlic, vitamin C and hawthorn do not do the trick then turn to other blood pressure herbal options such as supplements of the mineral calcium and magnesium.

Calcium’s unique ability to lower blood pressure has been borne out in some research studies. Calcium on its own is not effective against blood pressure, however. Calcium plays a vital role in the contraction of muscular tissues and therefore is beneficial to the health of the heart and the blood vessels. Magnesium works in concert with calcium to make the walls of the blood vessels more elastic as well as to relax the muscles that are found there. Magnesium also increases the efficiently of other essential minerals in the bloodstream which include both potassium and sodium.

Other blood pressure herbal options that are being studies for their effectiveness at lowering blood pressure include coenzyme Q10 which helps to encourage normal blood pressure levels and a selection of fish oils that are composed of the essential fatty acids that support a health heart and circulatory system.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: blood pressure, garlic, garlique, heart disease, Herbal Remedies, hypertension, magnesium

Herbs are often used to help lower and control blood pressure levels in high-risk individuals. A variety of herbs can be taken as herbal supplements made into a tea or even added as ingredients to a soup. This article will take a closer look at the effect of herbs on lowering blood pressure.

To begin our look at blood pressure, we start with coenzyme Q10 (which is also referred to as Co Q10). A study that looked at 59 males who were taking medication for high blood pressure yielded the result that 120 mg of coenzyme Q10 on a daily basis taken for a period of eight weeks was able to reduce high blood pressure by approximately 9 percent. This was compared to a placebo group, which had no benefit on their cholesterol level. In order to be of benefit to an individual, a typical dose of Co Q10 is 30 to 100 mg of the herb three times per day. Although it is generally safe to take, Co Q10 is believed to interact negatively with the drug Coumadin (warfarin), and is therefore contraindicated for patients on this or other blood thinners.

Garlic is also an herb that is particularly helpful in reducing blood pressure. Garlic (allium sativum) has been shown to have several beneficial effects on the circulatory system, including normalizing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Garlic can reduce inflammation, which is thought to be a major cause of ‘sudden,’ or ‘silent’ heart attacks. It is also a good preventative of strokes. Studies have shown that garlic can start its protective effects in a short period of time. One clove of garlic a day is recommended for best health benefits. You can easily add garlic to salad, soups, casseroles and other recipes. If you have not acquired a taste for garlic, consider taking a garlic capsule.

Other herbs that are excellent for decreasing blood pressure include valerian, kudzu and celery. Each of these contains a substance called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that helps to maintain normal levels of blood pressure.

The herb valerian (valeriana officinalis) is composed of a substance known as valerenic acid that serves to inhibit a particular enzyme that breaks GABA down in the body. Consuming valerian helps to reduce blood pressure and maintain higher levels of GABA in the system. Valerian is also an herb that is commonly prescribed by herbal practitioners to patients for sleep difficulties. It acts as a sedative, which in turn also brings about a reduction of blood pressure.

Kudzu (pueraria lobata) is a “weedy vine” that Chinese herbalists have long been recommending to patients to help maintain normal blood pressure. The chemical pueraria is believed to have over 100 times the antioxidant capabilities of vitamin C and it is known to help fight cancer and heart disease as well.

Our last herbs blood pressure is celery. Celery (apium graveolens) is a well-known remedy in Chinese traditional medicine for lowering blood pressure levels. Celery is a very versatile vegetable that can be eater alone or used in a variety of recipes. It is believed that consuming four celery stalks per day can have a positive impact on blood pressure.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: blood pressure, cholesterol, coenzyme q10, garlic, Herbal Remedies, sleep

For over 5,000 years, garlic has been thought of as the king of the healing herbs. The most useful part of the garlic plant is the bulb, which develops a series of partitions, or cloves. Although we think of garlic mainly as a food seasoning, many other cultures used it to cure everything from warts to witchcraft. In modern times, researchers are finding that the chemicals in garlic can, indeed, treat a wide variety of ailments. As an example, there is exciting new research that indicates garlic may be able to prevent certain cancers. Garlic has been known to have positive effects on the cardiovascular and digestive systems. It is also a powerful antibiotic that can cure yeast infections wherever they occur on the body.

While many people cannot tolerate the smell of garlic, it is this odor which gives away some of its most powerful ingredients - sulfur compounds. Many of the first antibiotics were based on sulfur, and are still in use today. Thus, it should come as no surprise that garlic can heal many infections. It works well for any infection that is bacterial or fungal in origin. This includes yeast infections and chest infections. For the most part, garlic is a safe remedy for a wide range of illnesses. However, garlic can interfere with anti-coagulants. It is also not recommended at therapeutic levels for pregnant women and those that are breastfeeding.

As with most other herbs, garlic is best used when fresh. It has been shown that ‘deodorized’ or “pearl capsules” have less healing potential than the natural form. Garlic cloves can be applied topically to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne. For the treatment of skin infections, corns, warts, or acne, mash fresh garlic cloves and apply to the afflicted area. Eating garlic cloves regularly is also recommended for protecting against any number of infections.

Garlic cloves have also been successfully used as a viable long-term treatment for cardiovascular problems. This herb has been shown to effectively reduce cholesterol, and the plaques which cause atherosclerosis. Garlic has also been shown to dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of thrombosis. Recent clinical trials have shown that 2 grams of garlic powder taken daily can prevent heart attacks in individuals who have already suffered one.

Garlic cloves have also been shown to regulate blood sugar levels, and may prove particularly effective in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes. While garlic can solve numerous digestive problems, it can irritate sensitive stomachs. For the treatment of severe digestive disorders, including dysentery, worms, and gastroenteritis, the consumption of 3-6 crushed cloves daily is recommended. For the treatment of intestinal parasites, maceration is recommended. Simply seep 3-4 garlic cloves in water or milk overnight and drink the next day. Garlic can also be easily consumed in capsule form; however, the powdered versions seem to work better.

some people think of garlic as a simple bulb that may smell bad when being cooked, but do wonderful things for the flavoring of food dishes. Other people may have noticed dietary supplements, or garlic capsules, and tried them to see if they would do any good. Across time, Garlic has proven its title as the “King of Herbs” because of its efficacy in treating a wide range of diseases safely and effectively.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: antibiotic, blood pressure, cholesterol, garlic, Herbal Remedies

Research is constantly being done on the benefits of vitamins and minerals, but garlic is actually one of the most beneficial and natural healthy foods.

Garlic has been found to be beneficial to the human body in a number of different ways. Research has shown many positive results of regular eating of garlic. For example, garlic is a natural form of an antibiotic in a general way as opposed to focusing on specific types of bacteria or parts of the body.

Garlic is generally helpful for pain relief, particularly when pain is due to problems in the circulatory system, such as angina pain.

There appear to be no people with allergies to garlic, which means that it can be broadly prescribed for its health benefits. Research has also shown that garlic, and in particular garlic that is aged, has positive and intense antioxidant qualities which can help with a number of circulatory diseases and even cancers. It is antioxidants that help to protect the body against what is known as free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are ions with free electrons which can wreak havoc in the body, causing rapid aging and problems with the immune system.

Garlic helps to counteract these effects, but other plants in the same family can have a similar effect. For example, onions have a great effect, although a bit less than garlic. Shallots, green onions and some edible flowers have the same benefits as well.

Garlic is excellent for supporting the hard work of the immune system. Garlic also lowers cholesterol, helps to prevent heart disease and fights all sorts of funguses that try to invade the body.

There are two ingredients in garlic that are medicinal in nature and have excellent health benefits. The two ingredients are allicin and the diallyl sulphides. Allicin is the more powerful of the two. Allicin is not found in garlic as a plant, but is released when garlic is either crushed or chopped into fine pieces. The finer the dicing, the more allicin will be created, and therefore the stronger will be the medicinal benefits. Allicin is anti-fungal in nature and is commonly used to treat many infections of the skin such as athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

Diallyl sulphides also have benefits, but not as great as allicin. Diallyl sulphides have no anti-fungal properties, but can be of great benefit for blood circulation and help to keep the overall circulatory system working to the best of its ability. Diallyl sulphides are beneficial to the immune system because they give it a much-needed boast and they also help to lower the LDL bad cholesterol” in the body.

There are many ways to incorporate more garlic into your diet. Garlic works well with many meat and vegetables dishes and it can be included in soups, casseroles and stir-fries. If you are not well versed in cooking with garlic then check the public library, your local bookstore or the Internet for some recipes that are simple and easy for you to prepare. If eating garlic is not to your liking because of the odor then look for garlic in tablet or capsule form at your local vitamin store or grocery store.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: antioxidants, cholesterol, free radicals, garlic, Herbal Remedies, immune system

When we think of healing foods, we don’t always consider herbs and spices. They are the little extras that we often put on our food to give it more seasoning and to make it tastier for everyone at the table.

Put the saltshaker away when you’re cooking, as too much salt in the diet can spell disaster for your circulatory system and kidneys. Reach instead for healthy herbs and seasonings to jazz up your next meal and help make you healthier to boot!

Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to treat a variety of health and medical conditions. Examples of these include inflammatory conditions, infections, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and nausea. There is no doubt that when it comes to herbs and spices there are plenty of healing properties you should get to know better.

Garlic has long been used as a folk remedy for many ailments. Garlic is a member of what is called the allium family as it contains a substance called allicin. Other members of this family include onions and scallions.

Research into the benefits of garlic has shown that it is a strong preventative agent against stroke and heart disease. Garlic is also instrumental in lowering high blood pressure. Further studies have shown that garlic is very close to a natural form of antibiotic. Garlic is full of substances that help to detoxify the body and are able to disperse carcinogens that are building in the system.

A number of research studies have shown that a diet rich in garlic helps to lower the total cholesterol rate of an individual, including the bad cholesterol or LDL while at the same time it raises the good HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Garlic also fights a great number of bacteria and viruses and therefore helps to prevent infections.

Garlic is associated with a decreased risk of stomach cancer. Research in Italy and China support garlic’s beneficial effects. Garlic is best eaten in its raw state. The best way to benefit from garlic is to eat it raw: cut up, sliced up or chopped.

Ginger is a very odd looking substance. It can be found in every produce department, and should be used more for its beneficial effects on health. Ginger works well to calm an upset stomach. Ginger is particularly good to take before embarking on a road trip if you are prone to motion sickness. Ginger snaps and ginger bread are also effective at calming an upset stomach. Pregnant women are often encouraged to eat ginger to reduce the nausea from morning sickness.

Ginger is also believed to be helpful in the fight to lose weight, as it works as a natural dietary aid. The reason it works is that ginger helps to boost the rate in which the body burns calories. This benefit has been borne out in studies conducted by researchers in Australia. When coupled with other spices including rosemary, thyme, oregano and pepper, ginger is excellent in regards to its antioxidant properties and therefore is proficient at fighting cancer.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: antioxidants, carcinogens, cholesterol, Food Cures, garlic, healing foods, herbs and spices, high blood pressure

Eating peppers is a great way to stay healthy. Besides tasting great, peppers contribute to fighting disease, improving your respiratory health, and stimulating the digestive tract. Although some object to the tingling sensations of hot peppers, many swear by their advantages.

All peppers come from the genus “Capsicum,” but the variety among peppers is tremendous. There are peppers that are mildly flavored, sweet peppers, and dangerously hot firecrackers.

No matter whether you enjoy the taste of the mild Anaheim or bell pepper, the medium Cascabel or the fiery Jalapeno or Tabasco, you should enjoy peppers on a regular basis. Peppers are not only delicious, they are also virtually fat free.

Peppers come in a wide variety of colors: light, medium and dark green; gold; orange; bright red and all the way up to dark red; yellow peppers from pale to bright; browns from medium to extremely dark and some peppers are even purple in color.

Peppers are comparable to garlic and onions in their health benefits. Peppers are helpful for respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and an assortment of other breathing problems.

Hot peppers have played an integral role in Chinese medicine. Peppers have an ingredient in them known as “Capsaicin;” this ingredient is particularly good at encouraging the lungs to work as well as they possibly can. If you want your lungs to work efficiently, then add peppers to your diet on a regular basis. Peppers are recommended as a daily food for all individual who smoke. If you are exposed to second hand smoke on a regular basis, you might want to eat as many peppers as you possibly can.

Peppers help to fight off a cold or flu, due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Anyone who suffers from sinus congestion or sinus pain or has postnasal drip or problems with their nasal passages should add peppers to their daily diet. Peppers of all sorts can help to decrease the incidence of headaches.

Peppers have very few calories and are extremely high when it comes to vitamin C. In fact a green bell pepper contains more vitamin C than any kind of citrus fruit that is of the same weight and a red pepper triples that when it comes to vitamin C. The hotter the pepper, the higher quantity of vitamin C it contains. Back in history Chile peppers have been used to help prevent the common cold and when a person did get a head cold, Chile peppers helped to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Many people complain that they get indigestion hot peppers. Some people believe that stomach ulcers are linked to eating a great deal of hot peppers– but this has never been proven conclusively in research studies.

Hot peppers are thought to work as a blood thinner, which can help the body to fight some causes of both strokes and heart attacks.

There are topical skin creams that contain the ingredient capsicum and this is useful for a number of chronic skin disorders as well as skin pain.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: capsicum, chinese medicine, digestion, Food Cures, garlic, hot peppers, peppers

More and more research studies are showing that a variety of foods have the ability to heal the body thanks to the abundance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that many of them contain. This article will review several types of food that are good for our health.

Many foods are ancient folk cures for a multitude of ailments. For example, parsley is believed to be better than mouthwash as a breath freshener. Licorice is beneficial for people suffering from colds, coughs and the flu. Lemonade is said to get rid of hiccups. Cucumber can be cut into slices and placed on the eyes to reduce bags under the eyes after a late night. The interior peel of the cucumber can also be used to rub over the face in order to clean the face and make it feel toned and fresh.

Lemon can be mixed with olive oil and drank on a daily basis. All that is required is one organic or unwaxed lemon mixed with one tablespoon of olive oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) and also a glass to a glass and a half of water (it can be spring water, filtered water or even regular tap water). This drink is an excellent detoxifier for the gallbladder and lemon and can be consumed one hour before eating, preferably first thing in the morning. This lemon/olive oil drink is particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from gallstones or who are underweight.

Lemons are also excellent for combating cancer, projecting the circulatory system, controlling blood pressure, as well as smoothing and toning the skin. Back in history lemons help to prevent the disease of scurvy. Olive oil is helpful to health in its own right. Olive oil helps to protect the heart and it encourages weight loss and helps to combat cancer. Olive oil, like lemons is good for the skin and it is beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes.

Onions and garlic are the king and queen of the vegetable kingdom! It is no surprise that they are so respected for their health benefits, for they help the body in many ways.

Onions help to decrease the risk of a person suffering a heart attack and they lower cholesterol and help to combat cancer. Onions are an antifungal agent and are very beneficial at killing bacteria.

Garlic does many of the same things as onions do, as it is related to the same Lily family. Garlic lowers cholesterol levels and it controls blood pressure. Garlic is also an effective defense against cancer and it kills bacteria and fights the development of fungus in the body.

If you enjoy eating grapes, then you are in luck! Grapes are good for the eyes and help to get rid of kidney stones. Grapes are also cancer fighters and they protect the circulatory system and encourage the proper flow of body throughout the body.

Grapefruit at breakfast and is an excellent way to start the day. Grapefruit protects a person from suffering a heart attack and it reduces the threat of strokes. Grapefruit also lowers cholesterol, combats the development of prostrate cancer in men and is effective for those attempting to drop a few (or many) pounds.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: antioxidants, cholesterol, Food Cures, garlic, grapes, lemons, licorice, vitamins

There is no cure for the cold or flu; there are, however, various herbal remedies that can help to alleviate the symptoms so you feel better faster. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the cold and the flu. Some herbal remedies are good for either the cold or the flu symptoms.

There are many remedies for the flu using herbs. These herbs help to relax muscles, calm nerves, and expedite the healing process by helping the immune system to function more effectively.

The Psyllium - Boneset Flu Remedy is not only very good for relieving the symptoms of the flu; it can be used to bring relief to those who suffer from backaches and headaches as well.

The remedy includes 1 tablespoon each of boneset, skullcap and white yarrow and 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed. You will also need honey or corn syrup and distilled water. Put the boneset, skullcap and white yarrow into a pint of water. Simmer for 30 minutes and then strain. Add 1 tablespoon of this liquid to 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed added to one cup of boiling water. You can sweeten with corn syrup. This drink should be consumed within 30 minutes of making it.

Echinacea is a Chinese traditional remedy for both cold and flu. Echinacea stimulates the immune system. It is recommended by herbalist to take 3 - 5 ml of tincture or if using root powder, take 300 mg 3 times each day.

Elderberry can also benefit those suffering from flu. This herb helps to keep the virus that causes flu from spreading to the respiratory tract. If allowed to spread to the respiratory tract, this is when patients become more severely ill. You can make a tea from the herb by steeping 3 to 5 g of dried flowers in one cup of boiling water (10 to 15 minutes). Drink one cup of elderberry-flower tea 3 times each day until the symptoms of flu are gone.

Elderberry flower is safe to take and side effects are very rare. It safety to use in children, pregnant or nursing women and those who suffer from severe liver or kidney disease has not yet been determined.

Astragalus root has been used in China for thousands of years to help stimulate the immune system against the flu and other viruses. It is recommended to take 500 milligrams of astragalus 4 times a day until the symptoms are gone. Then take one capsule two times a day for another week to prevent the symptoms from returning.

Garlic is especially helpful when fighting those illness that make you wonder if what you have is a cold or a flu. Garlic stimulates the immune system to fight off the symptoms of any virus and is known to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It can be effective against any cold virus and scientists have seen it fight off flu virus in test tubes. Practitioners recommend that a person take several cloves of raw garlic each day that you have the infection and products that contain garlic are also good such as hot garlic bread or garlic toast.

It is always important to consult with an herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner when taking herbal remedies to be sure of dosage and to prevent the occurrence of side effects from other medications you may be taking.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: flower tea, flu remedy, garlic, Herbal Remedies, honey, immune system, psyllium, psyllium seed, skullcap, Traditional Chinese Medicine