Monday, 28 September 2009

Natural Remedies & Tips from Nature

GeeZone

Nature has provided us with everything we need to nourish & protect ourselves.

Unfortunately, due to time efficient technologies we have become susceptible to ineffective eating and skincare, which eventually cause internal problems which in turn become external problems.

Below are a few tips on how to use nature to our advantage.

Please feel free to pass this page on to anyone you feel may benefit from the information.

Acidic Diet

An overly acidic diet leads to calcium loss, brittle hair and nails, curvature of the spine -
and eventually, osteoporosis. Anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals actively promote

bone-forming cells, decrease calcium loss, prevent oxidative stress and reduce the risk for

osteoporosis.

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5 Foods to Boost Metabolism

Imagine actually being able to eat more to lose weight. Sound like a dreamworld?Surprisingly it’s not and it’s more of a reality than most people think.The trick is eating more of the right type of foods. The following five foods can increase your metabolism and help stop cravings for other foods which are not so good for your waist line.

Apples- Burn fat and those who consume it regularly are less likely to gain weight overtime.

The trick to losing weight is living a balanced lifestyle. Eating more of he right foods (fresh and as raw as possible) and less of the not so good foods (processed, refined, additives, pesticides, herbicides, colouring etc), will ensure you are on your way to feeling and looking great in no time.

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APPLES

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a timeless classic which we have all heard. But how true is it? Should you really be eating an apple a day, and what kind of health benefits can an apple really provide? Here are three very good reasons to eat apples.


1. Apples have been shown to prevent cancer. Apples contain Quercetin which is a flavonoid that has been found to help prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. They also have phytonutrients in the skin which can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells by up to 43%. If this isn’t enough they may prevent lung cancer by up to 50% if eaten daily. Furthermore, they have an inhibitory effect on the development of bladder cancers especially in people who smoke.

2. They may improve lung function. If you are a smoker, listen up. Eating apples regularly can actually improve lung function and reduce the risk of developing respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The powerful nature of this fruit is due to their high level of antioxidants.

3. They can help lower bad cholesterol levels. Apples contain pectin which is a soluble fibre which plays a role in reducing harmful cholesterol levels. In fact, apple juice has been found to inhibit the oxidation of a harmful form of cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein).

Along with these benefits, apples will also serve to provide your body with many minerals and nutrients. Eating an apple before each meal is a great idea, as it fills you up with fibre, vitamins and antioxidants and will ensure that you eat less of your meal. They are also very low in calories and have no fat. Besides therapeutic benefits, apples are also found to play a role in inhibiting ageing-related problems, preventing wrinkles and promoting hair growth.

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TURMERIC

Women in India turn to turmeric to combat stretch marks and to keep the skin smooth and supple, says Shalini Vadhera. Mix one cup of plain yogurt with one tablespoon turmeric, and apply the paste from your stomach to your waist if you are pregnant or rub into stretch marks. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash off.

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Tropical Paradise

It's not just refreshing in your pina colada. Inhabitants of tropical countries know just how to channel the power of the coconut. While coconut water keeps the body cool, rehydrated and at a stable temperature, the oil is a great natural moisturiser and helps fight wrinkles. For a gentle but rich summer exfoliator, try this Thai cocktail.

Mix 1/2 cup ground rice with 1/2 cup coconut milk,

1/2 cup fresh grated coconut and one tablespoon turmeric.

Apply the thick scrub in a circular motion all over your body. Rinse and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

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Blonde Ambition

Dying to hit the beach but afraid the harsh rays will fade out your summer highlights?

Add a handful of dried daisies to a pint of hot water and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain into a container and use this floral water as a final rinse to refresh fabulous blond highlights.

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Dairy Queen

Skip the sour cream on your nachos this summer; instead, lather it on your sore, sunburned skin. It's a secret from Russia, says Shalini Vadhera. Cold sour cream not only soothes painful sunburn but helps brighten your skin as well.

Plain organic yogurt or buttermilk is recommended to balance uneven skin tones and to soften your skin. Treat your face every other day to these dairy products, avoiding the eye area. It's gentle enough for all skin types, and the naturally occurring lactic acid acts as an exfoliant to remove the build up of dead skin cells.

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Olives

Do you envy those Greek goddesses for their perfect olive skin? The secret lies inside the olive! Shalini Vadhera, author of Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips from Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess, reveals that savvy Greek beauties don't toss the pits but grind them up to use as a body scrub. Ground olive stones act as a natural, rich exfoliator, cleansing the skin, removing dead cells and providing an instant glow.

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Go Bananas

Looking for a miracle cure for your dehydrated skin and over processed hair? Our experts unveil the humble banana. For skin relief after a swim, mash a very ripe banana in a bowl and apply it to your face and throat. Leave it on for five minutes for extra-dry skin. Rinse and pat dry. This natural hydrator also improves the natural elasticity of your hair, and it contains potassium to strengthen it. Mash the fruit, leave it in your hair for 15 minutes and wash away.

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PAPAYA

A Natural scrub for pigmentation issues. A cream that gently exfoliates the skin can be a real help. Try this pumpkin-and-papaya mixture that works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Remember, the sun can aggravate skin discoloration, so be sure to apply facial sunblock every day, especially after using this cream.

1/2 fresh papaya; 1 egg white; 15 ounce can of pure pumpkin; 1 teaspoon honey.

Remove the seeds from the papaya, scoop out the fruit and mash it in a bowl.

In another bowl, beat the egg white until frothy.

Mix the egg white and mashed papaya together, and add the pumpkin and the honey to this mixture.

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and apply to your face.

Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse off.

Apply sunblock before going outdoors.

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THYME

Though better known in modern times as a culinary herb, the ancients recognized it for its medicinal powers. According to Culpeper, thyme is, “a noble strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one as grows, nor is there a better remedy growing for whooping cough. It purgeth the body of phlegm and is an excellent remedy for shortness of breath. It is so harmless you need not fear the use of it. An ointment made of it takes away hot swellings and warts, helps the sciatica and dullness of sight, and takes away any pains and hardness of the spleen. It is excellent for those that are troubled with the gout, and the herb taken anyway inwardly is of great comfort to the stomach.”

The Ecletics were more specific. King’s American Dispensatory describe sthyme as, “tonic, carminative, emmenagogue, and anti-spasmodic. The cold infusion is useful in dyspepsia, with weak and irritable stomach, and as a stimulating tonic in convalescence from exhausting diseases. The warm infusion is beneficial in hysteria, dysmenorrhea, flatulence, colic, headache, and to promote perspiration. Occasionally the leaves have been used externally, infomentation. The oil is valuable as a local application to neuralgic and rheumatic pains; and, internally, to fulfill any of the indications for which the plant is used.”

Modern herbalists value thyme for its expectorant and antibacterial properties, and it is frequently used in preparations to support and protect the respiratory system. The essential oil is an effective disinfectant and natural preservative that is used in many skin preparations, not only for its therapeutic effect, but to protect the product itself from microbial contamination and spoilage. Recent studies have validated many of thyme’s broad range of actions, and have even recognized potent antioxidant properties that have anti-aging implications.

Indicated Usages – Internal:

· Asthma

· Bronchitis

· Candidiasis

· Colds, flu

· Cough

· E. Coli / Food poisoning

· Fever

· Migraine

· Mouth ulcers, canker sores

· Nightmares

· Sore throat, laryngitis

· Spastic colon

· Tuberculosis


Indicated Usages - External:

· Crabs, lice

· Deodorant

· Fungal infections

· Muscle spasms, cramps

· Skin infections, old sores, ulcers

· Stye, conjunctivitis

Thyme can be used to season food. It is good in Italian dishes, in soups, stocks, meats, and vegetables. Adding thyme to your food gives more nutrition, some beneficial medicinal properties, as well as flavor.

0. Removes mucus from head, lungs, and respiratory passages.

0. Has a soothing, sedative action on nerves.

0. Fights infection and is anti-fungal.

0. Expels worms.

0. Used in breaking alcoholic habit.

0. Tonic for stomach.

0. Pain-reliever for migraine headaches when combined with Fenugreek.

Has been used in the following:

· Alcoholic

· Hangover, migraine

· Headache

· Infection

· Mucus, removes

· Respiratory

· Stomach

· Stomach cramps

· Worms-parasites, expels


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REISHI 'Mushroom of Immortality'

In regards to alternative medicine, the Reishi mushroom is something to behold. Once used only by an elite few in Japan, these mushrooms are now starting to be recognized worldwide for their many amazing healing abilities. This mushroom is sometimes called the “mushroom of immortality” as well as the “medicine of kings”. The Reishi mushroom may help you boost your immune system, detoxify the body, fight cancer, prevent heart disease, relieve allergies and inflammation, help you sleep, and even make you more relaxed.

Sound too good to be true? Eastern medical science states that the body needs to defend itself against threats to its equilibrium,or balance. The threats can range from colds or bacteria to infection of the organs and toxins inside the body. These threats may even manifest themselves in emotional ways such as stress or mood disorders. Reishi mushrooms help the body maintain its defense against these threats which helps the body maintain balance. As balance in the body equals balance in the mind, this powerful mushroom does it all. Reishi has recently been given to AIDS patients and science has proven that it does boost the immune system and offset the progression of this disease. Furthermore, Reishi helps the body fight cancer in four ways. This mushrooms boosts the immune system, slows the growth of tumors, reduces the number of cancerous cells, and helps immune cells bind to cancerous cells. Japanese medicine regards the Reishi so highly that it is actually recognized as a cancer treatment.

Each person who begins to take Reishi on a regular basis has a different reaction for the first few days. Some people experience aching in their body and bones which is nothing to be alarmed of, it is only asign that your body is detoxifying. Others develop dizziness or skin problems such as a rash which will go away in a few days once the body has adjusted. It is always a good idea to start off taking Reishi mushrooms on days that you do not have work or anything else to do so that you can see how you will react. It is also recommended to consume lots of water when taking Reishi so that the body can detoxify properly.

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Hyssop

Hyssop is a name of Greek origin. The Hyssopos of Dioscorides was named from azob (a holy herb), because it was used for cleaning sacred places. It is alluded to in the Scriptures: 'Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean.'

It is an evergreen, bushy herb, growing 1 to 2 feet high, with square stem, linear leaves and flowers in whorls, six- to fifteen-flowered. Is a native of Southern Europe not indigenous to Britain, though stated to be naturalized on the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey in the New Forest.

Hyssop is cultivated for the use of its flower-tops, which are steeped in water to make an infusion, which is sometimes employed as an expectorant. There are three varieties, known respectively by their blue, red and white flowers, which are in bloom from June to October, and are sometimes employed as edging plants. Grown with catmint, it makes a lovely border, backed with Lavender and Rosemary. As a kitchen herb, it is mostly used for broths and decoctions, occasionally for salad. For medicinal use the flower-tops should be cut in August.

It may be propagated by seeds, sown in April, or by dividing the plants in spring and autumn, or by cuttings, made in spring and inserted in a shady situation. Plants raised from seeds or cuttings, should, when large enough, be planted out about 1 foot apart each way, and kept watered till established. They succeed best in a warm aspect and in a light, rather dry soil. The plants require cutting in, occasionally, but do not need much further attention.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---

Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, carminative. The healing virtues ofthe plant are due to a particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and sudorific. It admirably promotes expectoration, and in chronic catarrh its diaphoretic and stimulant properties combine to render it of especial value.

It is usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently and mixed with Horehound. Hyssop Tea is also a grateful drink, well adapted to improve the tone of a feeble stomach,being brewed with the green tops of the herb, which are sometimes boiled in soup to be given for asthma. In America, an infusion of the leaves is used externally for the relief of muscular rheumatism, and also for bruises and discoloured contusions, and the green herb, bruised and applied, will heal cuts promptly.

The infusion has an agreeable flavour and is used by herbalists in pulmonary diseases.

It was once much employed as a carminative in flatulence and hysterical complaints, but is now seldom employed.

A tea made with the fresh green tops, and drunk several times daily, is one of the old fashioned country remedies for rheumatism that is still employed. Hyssop baths have also been recommended as part of the cure, but the quantity used would need to be considerable.

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Tips from Natures Chemist - Herbs & Plants

The following are tit-bits of info F.Y.I.

  • Basil - Used in hot water is excellent for relieving sniffles. Boosts the immune system - rich in Vit C & Zinc.
    • Cinnamon - Scent helps to increase blood flow to penis (impotence).
    • Coriander - Neutralise stomach acid - acid reflex, heartburn, bloating.
    • Fennel - relieves bloating.
    • Fenugreek Oil - Used for all female problems from PMS - Breast-feeding - Regulating bleeding - Breast shape and size!
    • Saffron - Boost male hormone & sperm count.
    • Sage - help breakdown down fat in body. Also promotes oestrogen production.
    • Echinacea - Root, Oil or Tablet excellent for strengthening the immune system body-wide (gut, skin, nervous system etc).
    • Indian Frankincense - Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine & Immune systems - Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Ileitis - Asthma is characterized by chronic bronchial airway inflammation resulting in increased mucus production and airway hyper-responsiveness. The underlying process appears to be an out-of-balance immune activity: overactive humoral immunity and underactive cell-mediated immunity. Boswellic acids have been shown to inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis, thus lessening excessive humoral inflammatory response. Rheumatoid Arthrits and Osteoarthritis - clinical studies using herbal formulas containing boswellia have yielded good results in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that the boswellic acids have an anti-inflammatory action much like the conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for inflammatory conditions. Boswellia inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators in the body, specifically leukotrienes via inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of leukotriene synthesis. As opposed to NSAIDs, boswellia does not decrease glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis nor does long-term use of boswellia lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach. Controlled, double blind studies have shown that boswellia extracts are very helpful for inflammatory bowel conditions including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Recent studies also suggest that boswellic acids exert significant anti-cancer, anti-microbial and immune-potentiating effects.


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    Some Useful related Links

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    Meals That Heal Inflammation -
    Guide To Relieving Inflammation Rooted Disorders Such As
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    Health Issues
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    Home Remedies For Better Health -
    Guide To Self Healing, HomeMadeMedicine.

    Click here

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