Natural Cures Not Medicine: 07/08/13

Most Read This Week:

Cucumbers are packed with most of the daily vitamins you need

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

It's time to replace this















with this













-Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
-Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
-Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, reducing the intensity of both hangover and headache.
-Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge?
Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
-Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
-Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

Source: RawForBeauty.com

Growing an organic pharmacy in your backyard

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

Would you like to create your very own backyard pharmacy by growing medicinal plants?
There’s no better way to use whatever extra space you have at home than to create a garden space where you can grow medicinal plants.
In fact, even if you live in an apartment setting, you can create a windowsill garden where you can grow medicinal plants.
This is especially useful if you have little kids running around in the house who can acquire a burn, a shallow wound, a sore or strike up a fever.
Basically, the medicinal plants to grow in your very own little garden space should be ones with the most number of medicinal values.

Factors that You Need to Consider when Growing Medicinal Plants in a Garden

Before giving out the top 10 medicinal plants that you can grow in your very own garden, here are a few tips to get you started.
First, check on the area where you plan to grow the medicinal plants in. Will you be having a mini-garden or would you like to turn your lawn into a virtual resource of medicinal plants which you can call your very own backyard pharmacy?
After analyzing the extra space that you have, consider other factors like sunlight, water, type of soil, type of container and the time of the year when the medicinal plants will thrive the most.
By taking these factors into account, you can rest assured that your medicinal plants will be thriving in the mini-garden that you will create just for them.

TOP 10 MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN SPACE

Now that you already have an idea about the gardening basics, what exactly are the valuable medicinal plants that you can grow right in your very own garden space? Take a look at the following list:

1. Aloe Vera

If there’s one medicinal plant which has 101 uses, that is none other than aloe vera.
Let’s say that you or a kid in your home suffered from a minor burn, you can use the bottom stalk of aloe vera as a soothing balm by rubbing the exposed end on the burn.
aloe veraAside from minor cuts and wounds, this medicinal aloe vera is also great for burns, treating eczema and reducing inflammation.
Did you know that this medicinal plant can even be taken internally? You can actually drink aloe vera juice and use it to treat digestive problems, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation and poor appetite.  This plant grows well under the sun, so it works best for outdoor gardens.

2. Great Burdock

Also called edible burdock or Lappa burdock, this medicinal plant is actually used as a root vegetable. In traditional medicine, the Great Burdock is used as a blood purifying agent, a diuretic and a diaphoretic.
great burdock
Aside from being medicinal, this plant also has great aesthetic value because of its purple-and-green thorny flowers which looks great against any garden.
If you would like to add this medicinal plant to your backyard pharmacy, this can actually grow even without shade; just make sure that the soil is always moist so that the plant will thrive. Other uses for this medicinal plant include boils, rashes, bruises, burns, acne, ringworm and bites.

3. Pot Marigold

The good thing about growing this medicinal plant in your garden is that it can thrive under any soil condition.
pot marigold
As long as you make sure that the Pot Marigold grows in moist soil, it will very easily thrive. It’s also a great-looking addition to your garden aesthetically because of its deep-orange color.
So what are the main uses of Pot Marigold medicinal plants? It can help heal bites, stings, sprains, sore eyes, wounds and even varicose veins. When taken internally, this medicinal plant can be used to treat chronic infections and fever.

4. Chamomile

One of the medicinal plants, chamomile can help treat more than 100 separate ailments and conditions including the common cold, digestive problems, diarrhea, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, mucositis, toothache, earache, shoulder pain and the common wounds.
chamomile
What’s good about chamomile is that planting them in your backyard will add a crisp and fruity fragrance to your garden.

5. Echinacea

This lovely-colored flowering medicinal plant is considered to be one of the world’s most important medicinal herbs. It’s actually an herbaceous plant which has several different species.
echinacea
What makes the Echinacea plant a handy medicinal plant to be around is the fact that it has a wide array of uses, including the treatment of sores, burns, wounds, allergy relief, insect bites, stings and snakebites. This type of medicinal plants also have the ability to help relieve allergies by strengthening immune system.

6.  Great Yellow Gentian

Also called the Great Yellow Gentian, this medicinal plant comes from the mountains of southern and central Europe. It is actually a bitter herb which is used in traditional medicine, and its main function includes the treatment of digestive problems.
yello genatin
This type of medicinal plants also aids in the relief of exhaustion from chronic diseases, it stimulates the gal bladder and liver while at the same time strengthening the body.

7. Tea Tree

Look at the ingredients of any over-the-counter medicinal product or beauty product and you will see how tea tree oil is usually listed as one of its main ingredients. This just goes to show how useful the tea tree plant is medicinally.
tea tree
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves and twigs of the tea tree plant. It has a great many uses, including the treatment of acne, vaginal infections, athlete’s foot, warts, insect bites, cold sores, minor burns, thrush and chronic fatigue syndrome.

8. Peppermint

There’s probably no better-smelling plant that you can grow in your garden than peppermint. It’s considered to be the world’s oldest medicine which has been used by people from the ancient times to relieve whatever it is that is bothering them medically.
peppermint
What makes peppermint such a medicinal garden essential is the fact that it is naturally rich in vitamins A and C, manganese and it helps reduce a number of symptoms including irritable bowl syndrome, upset stomachs, fevers, flatulence and spastic colon.

9. Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most beloved and popular medicinal plants in eastern countries. What makes ginseng such a great addition to your medicinal plants garden is the fact that it promotes general health instead of just being useful for a particular type of ailment.
gingseng
It’s the root of the ginseng which is particularly useful in relaxing the nervous system. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels, improve your immune system and stamina, and helps treat lack of appetite and sleep disorders.

10. Sage

Both a cooking herb and a medicinal plant, sage is a great salve for insect bites, skin infections, gum infections and mouth infections. It can also help with indigestion, flatulence, depression and even menopausal problems.
sage
The Latin name, where sage was derived from, means ‘to heal’, which is an apt description for many ailments that can be resolved using this lush herb which doubles up as a medicinal plant.
These are just some of the top herbal medicinal plants which can serve as a great addition to your garden space. Aside from giving your dwelling that green and homey feel, these medicinal plants have a variety of uses for whatever it is that is ailing you.
Source: Higher Health

Study finds a new application for marijuana: treating diabetes

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

It seems that every week there is a new study being published on the positive health effects of marijuana and THC. In the latest study conducted between 2005 to 2010 on 4657 subjects, marijuana consumption was shown to improve people's health that were suffering from diabetes.

Image: http://www.hamppu.net/
The subjects of the study that used marijuana had better control over the blood sugar than non-users had. Remarkably, marijuana users were also shown to have a smaller waist line than non-users despite having a higher caloric intake. The finding is this study are making waves in the scientific community as more and more states move to decriminalize cannabis.

The federal government is still insisting that marijuana is a "dangerous drug" and mainstream media outlets are still towing the establishment talking point claiming that marijuana is a "gateway drug". However,  evidence proving that is is a false claim and even more evidence from countries that have seen drug use rates lower after decriminalizing all drugs bring to light the real agenda behind marijuana prohibition: Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Government do not wan't this miracle drug out in the open for people to see it's wide ranging medical and industrial uses.

No space for a garden? No problem. Grow vertical with an inexpensive pallet garden

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

Image: http://dinneronthefarm.com/
Many people do not have the large yards and space to grow a conventional garden at their homes, but there are some other techniques that could help you set up a garden in a limited space. One technique that is easy to set up and is also very cost effective is the vertical "pallet garden". In three simple steps you will have a vertical garden that only takes up around three square feet of your patio, balcony, or yard.


 Supplies needed:

*Used chemical free wood pallet
*Nails
*Staple gun
*1/4 inch staples
*Hammer *Scissors
*Landscape fabric

 Here is a short video that explains how to build a pallet garden.

 

These pallet gardens are easy to build and maintain, but they are also very easy to expand on and get creative with. You can build living fences that can produce organic food for you and your family, or use it so save space on your apartment's balcony. If you can't load or watch the video then you can read about how to build a vertical pallet garden here: http://dinneronthefarm.com/2012/04/27/diy-pallet-garden/

How to make your own SPF30 sunscreen

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine



This is safe and chemical-free, SPF 30 sunscreen....yet first... the question, do we need sunscreen? Most of the time, I would say no. I don't believe it is generally helpful or even wise to use frequently. 

So what is a "safer" sunscreen?
The safest sunscreens are those with the same types of natural ingredients that you would want in any other type of skincare product. Nourishing oils like coconut, shea butter, jojoba, almond, etc. and potentially other ingredients like green tea extract or other antioxidants to protect the skin. Minerals (zinc oxide is the most common) provide the actual barrier between the sun and your skin.

According to an article on Badger Balmʼs website, zinc oxide, the active ingredient that makes this sunscreen work, is 20% of the formula in order to get an SPF30.

INGREDIENTS:
1/8 cup beeswax granules/pastilles (1/2 oz)
1/4 cup shea butter (2 oz.)
1/4 cup coconut oil (2 oz.)
2 Tbsp. zinc oxide powder (1 oz.)

ACTION:
Add the two oils and beeswax to a glass bowl.
For a makeshift double boiler, use a glass bowl sitting on top of a pot with boiling water turned to a low simmer.

Once the oils are melted, remove the bowl and dump in the zinc oxide powder.

The book recommends a stick blender, but I used a regular hand mixer and it did the job just fine. The goal is to thoroughly blend in the zinc oxide until there were no clumps, and to whip the oils just a bit. Once it was smooth, we poured it into glass mason jars.

After it initially cools, it has a thinner consistency. But it gets thick when completely cooled down.


Source : Dave Sommers, www.keeperofthehome.com

Related Articles:

10 Best Natural Moisturizers


Jon Stewart on The Monsanto Protection Act

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine

Jon Stewart faults Congress for being mostly unaware that the legislation protecting businesses that want to sell genetically modified foods was hidden in a bigger bill. 



Related Articles :
Interview With Monsanto




10 Best Natural Moisturizers

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine



Many moisturizers on the market contain harmful chemicals that get absorbed into the skin and enter the bloodstream. About one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals which include carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. When you think that your skin is the largest organ in your body, and you spread these products on your skin day by day, you can start to imagine the harm that you are putting your body through, as well as the environment. Some products may also include plasticizers, degreasers and surfactants, things that are found in concrete, auto shops and paint tubs.

What I want you to do right now is grab any one of your moisturizers and read through the ingredients. If it contains any of the following, I would suggest you throw it out immediately:

1. BHA & BHT: Used in makeup and moisturizers as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptor and may cause cancer.

2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number: May also be listed as FD&C Blue No. 1 or Blue 1. Potential to cause cancer and heavy metal toxicity to the brain.

3. DEA-related ingredients: Used in moisturizers and shampoo. Can react to form nitrosamines which cause cancer.

4. Dibutyl phthalate: Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.

5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Slowly releases small amounts of formaldehyde which cause cancer.

6. Parabens: Suspected endocrine disruptors and interferes with male reproductive functions.

7. Parfum (a.k.a fragrance): Can trigger allergies and asthma. Some are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.

8. PEG compounds: Used in many cream bases. Can cause cancer.

9. Petrolatum: Petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.

10. Siloxanes: Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.

11. Sodium laureth sulfate: May cause cancer. Also called SLS. Related chemicals called sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients ending with letters “eth”.

12. Triclosan: Suspected endocrine disruptor and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Instead, opt for nature-made oils that will help repair your skin, and make it glow! Below is a list of 10 natural oils that are wonderful for all types of skin care such as moisturizing, helping get rid of wrinkles and fine lines, clearing up acne and blemishes, treating dry and/or oily skin. I personally love to use jojoba oil mixed with some rose hip seed oil on my face, as well as hemp oil on my face. For my body I typically use jojoba and grapeseed oil.

10 Natural Skin Care Oils:

1. Coconut Oil: has high moisture retaining capacity so it acts as an excellent moisturizer for your skin. It melts into your skin and increases the levels of skin surface lipids which helps soften it. Small wounds (caused by acne or pimples) also soften and heal quickly. Also has added benefits of protecting your skin from microbes, and treating various skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and many other skin infections. Do you suffer from acne? Coconut oil has the ability to cure acne by killing the bacteria that cause the problem (acne vulgaris).

2. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is technically not an oil but a wax ester. In fact, the jojoba wax ester is most similar to human skin oil (sebum). Applying jojoba oil to the skin will actually make the skin think it is producing enough oil and thus balances oil production. Jojoba oil helps to moisturize the skin all day long – it does not evaporate like commercial moisturizers (which are water based), and can be used for the face and body (only need a couple drops – it spreads well!). This oil is also a good make-up remover (doesn’t irritate the eyes), and can act as a wonderful lip balm and hair conditioner (add a few drops to your hair after shampooing – helps combat dandruff).

3. Grapeseed Oil: Grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid which helps strengthen cell membranes and improve skin health. There are also many antioxidants in this oil type, which can help prevent pores from clogging (clogged pores normally trigger acne breakouts, so regular application of this oil can help prevent problems associated with acne). Grapeseed oil is medically useful for reducing swelling because of its wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and can help tighten and tone the skin. This oil is very light, and thus it is easily absorbed by the skin and will not leave any oil residue. It also helps stimulate skin tissue regeneration, and can quicken the healing process of wounds.

4. Macadamia Nut Oil: This oil contains the highest amount of palmitoleic acid (omega 7 fatty acid) of any plant. Palmitoleic acid is plentiful in our skin when we are young, but decreases with aging. This acid helps mature skin retain suppleness and replaces naturally occurring skin on the lips, allowing the skin to remain looking younger. This oil reduces wrinkles and dryness and is light and non-greasy. It also contains proteins and plenty of vitamin E which contributes to healthy, supple looking skin.

5. Hempseed Oil: Contains agents (linoleic and linolenic acids) that give it anti-inflammatory properties, as well as natural antioxidant properties. It helps to clean and detoxify your skin and to even out skin tone. This oil does not stick to your skin and clog your pores, so it is a wonderful way to moisturize without feeling overly greasy. Hempseed oil is also beneficial for healing skin lesions and balancing dry skin and fighting skin inflammations. It has antioxidants in the form of vitamin E and carotene, as well as phytosterols, phospholipids, as well as a variety of skin beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, and phosphorous.

6. Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil provides strong antioxidants like vitamins A and E that help repair and renew skin that have been damaged from overexposure to sun, air pollution and other modern-day environmental hazards. These antioxidants naturally keep the skin firm, smooth and healthy. Olive oil deeply penetrates the skin and provides a long-lasting shield of moisture to keep skin smooth and supple.

7. Argan Oil: Argan oil has been claimed as “liquid gold” for the skin. It is credited with helping repair damaged hair, reducing wrinkles and acne, diminishing the appearance of age spots and healing dry scalp and diaper rash. Argan oil is naturally rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, carotenoids, ferulic acid, sterols, polyphenols, vitamin E and squalene, which help heal the skin, reduce inflammation and fight off free radicals.

8. Almond Oil: Almonds oil is more of an emollient because it softens skin rather than hydrates it. However, it acts as a humectant to help prevent the loss of moisture. Almond oil is great for relieving dry, flaking, and itchy skin due to eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. It can also be applied to the scalp to relieve dryness and to condition hair roots. It is readily absorbed into the skin without leaving behind any greasy residue. Apply one to two drops of almond oil on each side of your skin and with clean warm hands, massage the oil on your face in upward strokes. Be sure to include the area around your eyes, gently patting. This oil also has anti-aging properties, like reducing fine lines and crow’s feet, as well as reducing dark circles and puffy eyes.

9. Avocado Oil: This oil is very rich in nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as healthy amino acids and lecithin. It has strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which help revitalize dry and dull skin. It is one of the most effective natural skin care remedies around and penetrates the skin much more deeply than oils like jojoba. It is great for people suffering from dark circles, crow’s feet and sagging skin, and can help firm up the skin, leaving it youthful and toned. The sugars found in avocado also boost collagen production in the skin, making the skin wrinkle free, and helping to fade any scars or other skin blemishes.


10. Rosehip Oil: Contains vitamin C to help boost tissue repair, as well as vitamin A (otherwise known as Retinol) which is a staple in most skin products. Rosehip oil helps to rehydrate the skin because of the high content of essential fatty acids, and can help the skin hold moisture and reduce dryness. It can also be used to bring a shine to the skin which resembles a lively glow. This oil is very well known for helping reduce the appearance of scars from stretch marks or acne. Over time, this oil can help shrink, and in some cases even eliminate stretch marks completely. Scars caused from chicken pox are also excellent candidates for pure rosehip oil treatment. Rosehip oil is a wonderful toner too! It can help with problems of premature aging.

Source : Live Love Fruit

Related Articles: 

Why you should have peppermint oil



Top Hydrating Foods

Natural Cures Not Medicine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalcuresnotmedicine



As we transition from those early spring time months of warm beverages and apples galore, we enter a world transformed by summer heat and an abundance of sun-doused produce. Our disposition to spend more time in the heated outdoors, be it a trail run, time spent gardening or picnicking with friends, makes staying hydrated of the utmost importance! Now for the long-disputed question: Do we really need 8 glasses of water to maintain hydration?

The female human body is roughly 50-60 percent water and the male body is 60-65 percent! While it’s imperative to drink a healthy dose of fluid each day to maintain hydration, the quintessential recommendation of 8-10 glasses per day can come from a variety of sources, and is variable to one’s activity level and environment. Whereas water is the most pure form of hydration, we often rely on more flavorful sources like sports drinks, sodas, juices and coffee beverages. Although these items contain water, they are often high in calories and sugar.

Therefore, the trick to maintaining good hydration while keeping calories at a minimum, aside from drinking water, is to eat fruits and vegetables of high water content.

Drinking water is a great way to quench thirst, however, when you eat a piece of juicy fruit, the water along with other nutrients and electrolytes present in the fruit, get absorbed together thus hydrating and maintaining water balance in every cell of the body.
Go ahead, give it a try! Use lettuce leaves as taco shells, muddle watermelon into your lemonade, eat berries for a snack, and add red cabbage to your salads for some extra crunch, color, nutrition and hydration!

Fruits and Vegetables Percent Water Calories Serving
Bibb Lettuce 96% 7 kcal 1 cup raw
Cucumber 95% 16 kcal 1 cup raw
Zucchini 95% 17 kcal 1 cup raw
Bell Pepper 94% 18 kcal 1 cup raw
Watermelon 91% 23 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Strawberries 91% 25 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Red Cabbage 90% 28 kcal 1 cup raw
Peach 89% 30 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Raspberries 86% 32 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Apricot 86% 37 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Blueberries 84% 42 kcal 1/2 cup raw
Pichuberries 84% 43 kcal 1/2 cup raw


Source: Dave Sommers, RAWBINA

More articles :

9 Unique Tips To Lose Weight


Disclaimer:

Before trying anything you find on the internet you should fully investigate your options and get further advice from professionals.

Below are our most recent posts on facebook