Enzymes

Enzymes are essential. Our body requires them to carry out different functions. There are 3 types of enzymes: digestive enzymes (the type secreted by the pancreas that assists in breaking down foods we eat), food enzymes (the type naturally occurring in fresh raw foods that intended to begin the digestive process), and metabolic enzymes (the type the stimulate reactions in the body's cells that make certain functions happen).
At this time of year, we tend to do a lot of overeating and eating foods we don't typically indulge in on a regular basis. Because of this, enzymes are even more important to consider than they rest of the year!
Food enzymes, or those that can be found naturally occurring in foods, are great aids to our digestive processes. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and herbs in their raw form contain most of the enzymes you need to be able to digest it. Because of this, these particular foods can digest quickly and more easily, allowing you to assimilate the nutrients better. Once these foods are cooked, a lot of the enzymes are destroyed, reducing the digestive aid they can provide. They still have nutrients, so keep eating your fruits and vegetables even if you cook them!
Digestive enzymes are something you are born with. The more you have to use them, the more your reserve is reduced, making it more difficult for your body to digest well as you age. When digestion isn't able to function well or completely, constipation, gas, indigestion, heartburn, cramping, bloating, irritability and other discomforts can become a problem.
Enzymes can be supplemented, and doing so oftentimes makes a tremendous difference in how a person feels overall. A simple capsule taken with meals can aid the body in breaking down fats, oils, proteins, dairy, sugars, etc. Getting the most value out of your foods only happens when you can break them down and put their nutrients to work for you. Imagine what your colon is carrying around if you are unable to digest properly! No wonder gas builds up in there!
A little relief can make a tremendous difference in how much we can enjoy our holiday seasons. Perhaps an extra enzyme would be a great gift to your body!

references: http://www.betterway2health.com/enzymes-supplement-info.htm
http://www.greatestherbsonearth.com/nsp/food_enzymes.php

Anamu

Anamu is a shrubby plant most commonly found in South and Central America and some of the southern portions of the United States. It's related to the poke weed plant and it is noted for having a strong garlic-like scent. It is such a common plant to be used in North America, probably because most Americans just haven't heard of this plant. In South and Central America, though, it is widely used for ailments such as cold and flu, viruses, yeast infections, skin conditions, intestinal gas and is being researched for its effect on cancers and cancerous tumors.

All these things sound wonderful, but there is more! It is also known to aid in pain relief for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, reduce muscle spasms and nervous tension, and promoting a healthy menstrual cycle.

These things make Anamu sound like a "wonder drug" or "miracle cure," but it does come with some cautions. For instance, pregnant women should avoid this herb and also women who are interested in becoming pregnant. Heart patients should also be cautious due to the blood thinning properties. Any blood disorder should be reason to be cautious in this instance.

That being said, learning about any herb before using it is a wise decision and is highly recommended. Any herb that is helpful for one person isn't necessarily the first choice for another, so study and ask questions and choose your supplements with a little knowledge guiding you rather than excitement because it promises miracles.


Information for this post was obtained from the following websites.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/anamu
http://www.livestrong.com/article/324070-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-anamu/

Summertime Heatwave

Summertime in Georgia promises to be warm every year without fail. This year, however, it seems determined to prove just how hot it is capable of becoming. With temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and precious little rain, I think we can safely say the word "Heatwave" and not be exaggerating.

The heat affects the plants, the water supply, the financial resources, ....and our bodies. Those who are unable to escape the heat can really suffer some ill effects indeed! So what can you do about it? Yes indeed, there ARE some options.

HYDRATE! Water intake is one of the most important things you can do for yourself to stay well during this time of year. Your body needs plenty of water regularly, but during the summer months, dehydration is even MORE likely, especially if your water intake habits don't increase from previous months. You have to have that water, so don't forego it! I personally choose water (with lemon of course!) everytime I go to a restaurant or eat away from home. That does a couple things: 1) it lets me taste my food and enjoy it without saturating my tastebuds with sugars, and 2) it keeps me drinking water when my tendency is to think about how good something else might taste. Find what works for you and implement into your own habits.

CHLOROPHYLL! Yes, its the stuff that makes plants green, and its the stuff that can help your body cool off on the inside. Take advantage of this wonderful benefit while enjoying the refreshing taste of spearmint in your water. That's not the only reason to incorporate it into your regimen. For more information on this, check out the previous blog post on chlorophyll.

CHANGE AIR FILTERS!
Or clean them, whichever style you have. Did you know if the filters are clogged, the air isn't going to flow well? Sure you did, but you might not have considered that affecting the heat in the house during the summertime, right? Go check yours and see. It can make a difference on how efficient your cooling system operates, and your pocketbook might even appreciate that.

DRESS WELL!
No I don't mean to put on your dressy clothes. I mean dress in loose fitting clothing, preferably a light colored cotton fabric so that air can circulate. This allows the air to wick away sweat, which gives a cooling sensation too.

AVOID CAFFEINE/ALCOHOL/EXCESSIVE SUGARS!
Most people don't want to hear that these promote dehydration, but they do!

Whatever methods work for you, implement then and keep yourself safe during this hot summer weather. Go inside air-conditioned shops from time to time while you are in town to help you cool down from the heat while you are outside. Take along a little spray bottle of water and mist yourself whenever possible. Change up your exercise routine to include more swimming. Be smart and stay cool!

Remembering Rosemary

Recently, my daughter was married. As I'm sure you know, weddings take a LOT of time, planning, purchasing, scheduling,.....worrying. It was quite a time, no doubt. I didn't have tons of time to plan the reception, so I opted to cut costs and time where I could. Fortunately for me, I have a small garden where I grow herbs that I particularly like. One of them is rosemary. For my daughters wedding reception, I cut lots of fresh rosemary stems (and a few other of my flowering herbs) and made fresh flower arrangements with them to decorate the tables. I put them together on Friday afternoon and Saturday night, the entire room smelled like BLISS! I was very pleased with the way it worked out, and was quite proud of myself for my herbal flower arrangements.

Rosemary is great all year round. It has health benefits, aromatherapy benefits, and decorative benefits. With these thoughts in mind, I thought I would revisit a previous blog I wrote January 2011. Click Here to revisit that with me....

Oolong Tea

Oolong Tea has been around for many, many years, but only recently has the western culture begun to take notice of its wonderful properties. It is made from the camellia sinensis plant, as are all true teas, however to become oolong tea, it must go through a process different than black or green tea. It's taste is similar to green tea, yet it is darker in color and lacks some of the distinctive flavor of green tea.

The health properties of oolong tea are quite similar to those of green tea, which makes sense considering they come from the same plant. Oolong tea may help reduce cholesterol, burn fats, aid improvement of heart conditions, ease digestive disorders, strengthen the immune system, strengthen bones and fight tooth decay.

Oolong tea is rich in antioxidants, which fight free-radicals that cause aging and weakness in many areas of the body. It is rich in quercetin which has its own set of health benefits (read the previous article regarding the benefits of quercetin) which is great to dilate the blood vessels and provide improved blood flow. In this manner, it is quite helpful in heart health. It is also high in potassium, an electrolyte that is crucial for brain and nerve function. It can increase the body's metabolism rate and helps control the production of sugars in the blood stream. This activity, plus the fat burning energies of oolong tea make it a great option for weightloss.

Oolong tea, like green tea, has naturally occurring amounts of caffeine. This is not quite the same as adding caffeine to a product. Of course, caffeine being present means there is an increased amount of energy obtained from a cup of tea and the potential for increasing heart rate is there, although the caffeine is far less than a cup of coffee and even less than a cup of green tea.

Enjoy a cup of oolong tea hot or cold, prior to workouts, or in the evening to hold off sweet cravings. No matter your reason, your taste buds and your body can appreciate a cup of oolong!

This and more info can be found at:
http://www.teabenefits.com/oolong-tea-benefits.html
http://www.teasetc.com/tea/article.asp?ID=1
http://whatisoolongtea.com/oolong-tea-benefits

Quercetin

It's allergy season!
Are you feeling it?

Quercetin may be just what you need to deal with seasonal allergies. If you suffer frequently, this article may be quite valuable to read!

Quercetin is a type of flavonoid found in most citrus fruits, and apples, onions, parsley, and others. For the plant, it assists in the pigmentation of the fruit, vegetable or flower. One of quercetins benefits is its potent antioxident action. Antioxidants fight free-radicals, and free-radicals play a major role in many illnesses. Therefore, it stands to reason that quercetin assists in repairing those free-radicals and easing illness.

Quercetin is also a great anti-inflammatory. This is most helpful with combating allergies. It can inhibit the production and release of histamine, which is what makes you feel like you do when allergies "attack." Acting as such a mediator, quercetin can be helpful for all sorts of pollen related allergies, such as hayfever, sinusitis, and asthma. It even assists where hives appear.

Studies have shown that quercetin is also helpful for improving circulation, alleviating bruising, reducing edema, fighting non-bacterial prostatitis, and is a part of the "bio-flavonoids" mentioned in manufacturers labels along with vitamin C because it enhances the action of vitamin C.

All good reasons to make quercetin a part of springtime regimen!

*NOTE: quercetin can be taken by itself, or included in a formula of other herbs to aid other symptoms involved with allergies. Check with your local herb shop if you have questions.

**Source- http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/benefits-of-quercetin.html

Stevia - More than a sweetener!

Have you ever wondered what stevia looks like before it becomes the powder or liquid sweetener you've heard you should use? Stevia is a leafy little plant that has amazing qualities. In fact, I deem it worthy to hold a place in a first aid kit! It's in mine!

Stevia is a super sweetener and depending on the processing of it (or lack thereof), it can be 40-400 times sweeter than regular sugar! That alone is pretty powerful, but there is more! It also handles heat well, so feel free to bake with it. Why is it preferable over sugar? Because it does not raise blood sugar levels and is beneficial for high blood pressure (although it does not affect blood pressure in normal ranges). For more information on that, please visit Stevia.com.

There is more to this little green plant than sweetness, though! In fact, it is great to rid the complexion of blemishes. It tones the skin and tightens pores. This is not why it is in MY first aid kit.... I keep it because of it's power to fight streptococcus bacteria. For those of you who deal with strep throat from time to time, you may also want some handy on a regular basis! Why? Because strep bacteria can't survive in an atmosphere filled with stevia. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Here is what I do:
When using stevia, use PURE stevia,...not blended with chromium or inulin or anything else. (Those things are good for the body, but they don't contribute to fighting strep bacteria, and if you've ever had strep,...you want fighting abilities!) If you choose powdered stevia, you can use about a teaspoon of the powder in approximately 1/2 cup of warm water. Stir it together and gargle a mouthful. Swallow it. Ahhh.... you'll feel soothing relief....and think "good grief that stuff is sweet!" Get another mouthful and gargle. If you feel the need to spit it out, that's fine too,...but try to swallow at least one big mouthful of it. If you have liquid stevia in a dropper bottle, I use about 3 droppers of liquid to half a cup of warm water and do the same.

The results I've seen have been.... if I do this once or twice today, no more strep pain tomorrow. It's also good if it's a regular sore throat. Use it regularly as a mouth rinse / mouthwash to prevent a lot of colds or other infectious illnesses.

The information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose or treat, but is a statement of the authors experiences and refers to other information found on other sites, noted within.

Ginger Root Tea

Ginger root is quite ugly to look at and think "food", but it is one of THE BEST foods you can eat! It tastes great in different meals, but it also makes a great tonic for your health.

Whenever I have a sore throat or sniffles or other cold symptoms, ginger root becomes my close friend. A single cup of hot ginger-lemon tea warms me and soothes me better than even a bowl of chicken soup. I'll even share my recipe with you:

Ginger-Lemon Tea
approx. 2 inches of fresh ginger root, grated
1 fresh lemon
honey to taste
2 cups of water

Bring the water to a boil. Add the ginger root and let it boil for a few minutes (maybe 5-10). Remove from heat and squeeze juice from one half of the lemon. Stir it and let it sit to cool down to a drinkable temperature. Add honey to your liking and pour up a cup. Be sure you strain the tea you are drinking from! It's ok to allow the rest to remain in your pot to steep further. It will just make it a stronger tea. Sip on it and relax.
If for some reason, it is too strong for your enjoyment, you can add juice from the other half of the lemon or add more honey, or both! Refrigerate the rest and warm it before drinking it next time.

Ginger has been used for many digestive upsets and inflammatory conditions, and is quite helpful in most aspects of health. One thing to keep in mind is that ginger has a blood-thinning nature, so those who use blood-thinning medications should probably use it only occasionally, sparingly, and with the doctor's knowledge.

To your health!